tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76563595677154167662024-03-08T05:34:06.299-06:00Carto CacographyThe Official Blog of The Fantasy Cartographic.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-59243465066726121762017-08-18T16:34:00.003-05:002017-08-18T16:34:28.399-05:00The Ramparts of Tharrenton DeepI only just today realized that I haven't posted anything here since the closing days of 2015. Wow. That's not a good way to maintain a blog.<br />
<br />
And I look around, and the blogosphere seems to be a different place than it was back then. A few familiar faces, some new ascendant voices, and a bunch of blogs that seem to have fallen by the wayside.<br />
<br />
Ah, well.<br />
<br />
So much to talk about, but time grows ever more limited. For now, I only want to talk about one thing. Two things, actually.<br />
<br />
My novel, The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep (TRoTD, because why not?), is now live at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> in both kindle and paperback formats. It is currently in the form of two novels: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ramparts-Tharrenton-Deep-Book-One-ebook/dp/B01M1KF44E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503088887&sr=8-1&keywords=ramparts+of+tharrenton+deep" target="_blank">Book One</a>, which comes in at 350 pages softcover, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ramparts-Tharrenton-Deep-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B06WVCG8TV/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1503088887&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Book Two</a>, which comes in at 404 pages. Despite being two books, they tell a single story.<br />
<br />
TRoTD is my love-letter to old school gaming. As I wrote back in November of 2015:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At its most basic, the story revolves around a group of young men (basically peasants from a farming village) who want for something more in their lives. They set out to explore the ruins of a dwarven stronghold and city a few days walk from their village. Adventure ensues.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I wanted to write a story that matches my earliest gaming experiences playing OD&D and AD&D. In all of the fantasy fiction that I have read, very little of it matches those experiences. If you consider yourself ‘old-school’, you know what I mean:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>Brand new characters are weak and tend to survive or not by their wits as much as their brawn.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>This typically involves being careful and methodical as opposed to brazen or aggressive.</li>
<li>There are no heroes attempting to save the world, but merely ordinary people struggling to survive.</li>
</ul>
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At the same time, I wanted to include some ‘standards’ from my earliest days of gaming that I believe are typical of ‘old-school’ game play:</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Dungeon crawling (which, if written well, can be suspenseful and interesting)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Resource management (Torches, food, your health, etc.)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Mapping</li>
<li>The idea that, as a bunch of neophytes, it’s probably not wise to split the party</li>
</ul>
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I have attempted to wrap all of these elements and others into an enjoyable story with memorable characters. I think that I’ve succeeded.</div>
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<br /></div>
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To this point, I measure my success on the fact that several people have read it who have never played D&D and enjoyed it. And I think people who have played the game will enjoy the various nods to old-school gaming that the story includes.</div>
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The story is not a straight D&D knock-off. There are some differences, some twists to make the story my own.</div>
<br />
<br />
I would like to think that, in addition to being an celebration of some old school adventuring, it is also a well-written an exciting book. People who have read it seem to think so.<br />
<br />
I hope that you'll check it out and find the same.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-7920222708799453982015-12-29T07:02:00.000-06:002015-12-29T07:02:12.495-06:00The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep -- Almost ThereMy <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1172985440/the-ramparts-of-tharrenton-deep-a-fantasy-novel?ref=nav_search" target="_blank">Kickstarter campaign</a> was a success! In the next 4-5 months, I will officially become an 'author' with a novel available on Amazon. And a few short months after that, the sequel will go live as well.<br />
<br />
I've found an artist to do the cover for the book--I'm really excited about that, because his art is fantastic.<br />
<br />
I have just under 24 hours to go at Kickstarter so there's still time to be a part of it. Go check it out.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-83793195312901935622015-12-13T06:17:00.000-06:002015-12-13T06:17:55.540-06:00The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep, Chapter ThreeA <a href="http://cartocacography.blogspot.com/2015/11/absence-writing-kickstarter.html" target="_blank">couple of weeks ago</a>, I told how most of my 'gaming' time from the past year or more has actually been devoted to writing. I've always wanted to be a novelist and decided it was time to make it a reality.<br />
<br />
My intention is to self-publish my novel (<i>The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep</i>), and I'm running a <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1172985440/the-ramparts-of-tharrenton-deep-a-fantasy-novel?ref=nav_search" target="_blank">Kickstarter campaign</a> to fund that process. The campaign is going fairly well; I'm currently at 57% of my funding goal of $2266 with 17 more days to go.<br />
<br />
To try to draw attention to my project, I'm posting chapters of the first novel here at CartoCacography. <a href="http://cartocacography.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-ramparts-of-tharrenton-deep-chapter.html" target="_blank">Chapter One is here</a>. <a href="http://cartocacography.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-ramparts-of-tharrenton-deep-chapter_9.html" target="_blank">Chapter Two is here</a>. Chapter Three is below.<br />
<br />
As with any crowdfunding campaign, it will not be successful unless I can find backers who are interested in my writing and interested in the project. I purposefully wrote the story to match the general aesthetic that I like in my gaming--a decidedly old school vibe where normal people are attempting abnormal things, where success is not guaranteed, and where death is a very real possibility. I truly believe that anyone who frequents this corner of the blogosphere would enjoy the story. Please go read the previous chapters; please go check out the Kickstarter campaign; and please help out if you have a spare buck (or pound or euro) or two. Thanks!<br />
<br />
Without further ado, Chapter Three:<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 1.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The Brothers: Kolredd and Gaenid</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid
stood at the entrance to a small stone crypt on the hill over the House of
Karred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The morning chores were done for
the day, and the late morning sun shone on his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crypt’s eave came barely to his shoulder,
although he knew that the four steps just inside led downward so that he’d be
able to stand upright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hadn’t entered
since he was but eight or nine years old, when his grandfather had been laid to
rest within its dim confines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the
stories that his grandfather used to tell him that brought him to the crypt
this day, tales of mighty warriors who protected New Tharrenton from the
creatures who called the forests home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
grandfather had spoken of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it</i> many
times, so much so that Gaenid knew the stories were true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite his grandfather and uncles now dead
and his own older brothers denying that it existed, he was sure that he would
find it in the crypt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He said a
short prayer for forgiveness, made the sign, and withdrew the iron key from his
pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slid it into the lock and
twisted hard on the cold metal block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Surprisingly, it turned easily, and the lock fell open in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled it from the door, quickly ducked
through the entrance, and, in his haste, forgot how steep the steps were and
fell to the stone floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cursing loudly,
he pulled himself to his feet and was struck by the dank odor of long-ago
death.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He walked
the five paces that took him to his grandfather’s resting place, actually a
hole in the stone wall that was two feet wide, a foot high, and six feet
deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The top of the deads-helm was
plainly visible in the dim light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
below his grandfather was a smaller hole; only a quarter of the size and half
as deep, the deathhold contained those items sacred to the deceased.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid
moved to his left, gazed from floor to ceiling, and then left again, tracing
backward through generations of family patriarchs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, he came to the ancestor he
suspected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again saying a short prayer
for forgiveness, he reached into the deathhold and felt around with his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some ancient items of clothing disintegrated
under his touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued to grope
around and then felt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leather, dried
and cracked, wrapped round a long and narrow object.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand tightened around the object and the
leather cracked further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was heavy,
as he expected it to be, but he quickly pulled it from the deathhold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had found it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In his
hand, in a leather scabbard that fell to pieces even as he gazed upon it,
rested a sword.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buthercurr</i> was wielded by his grandfather six generations previous
and by the men of three generations previous to him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The stories
say that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buthercurr</i> is
enchanted—could it be true?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there
magic still in the world, or has it left with the passing of the dwarves, the
elves, and the dragons?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaenid didn’t
know the answer to these questions—he had asked them many times over the course
of his short life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bringing
the blade close to his face, he examined its edge, and then pulled his thumb
across it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keen, even after all of those
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes slid up and down its
length—no nicks or dents to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
then he felt it—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buthercurr</i> seemed to
vibrate in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A slight
tingling—it was as if he had struck the sword against a stone wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was he imagining it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swung the sword once, as far as could be
done in the small confines of the crypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It felt to Gaenid that the sword pulled his arm through the motion
rather than him directing it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He could
feel the excitement in the pit of his stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sword <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">would</i> be
accompanying him on the journey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Karred
gazed at him with a face that was stern, but with eyes that belied other
feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have been a proper third
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have served your duty to me, to
your older brother, to the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
should be thinking of a wife and a homestead of your own soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, you think of this.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd had
no answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He merely returned his
father’s gaze with similarly calm eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The older
man stood just beyond the low stone fence that marked the edge of his
property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had met there, where the
son knew the father would be returning from his day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karred leaned his walking stick against the
stone wall and turned to walk along it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kolredd followed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I should
have seen this coming,” Karred said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Long
after tales of adventure faded for my eldest, you continued to ask to hear
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps I fed your desires—those
tales interested me when I was a lad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Telling you the stories was a way for me to remember when my father told
me the same.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
nodded absently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always knew that his
father enjoyed their times by the fire, whether the great hearth of his home or
under the starry sky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do you
know that our ancestors once believed that New Tharrenton would grow to be as
mighty and prosperous as Tharrenton itself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the City Guarded by Stone fell and the survivors fled, many of them
came to settle in the lands around the village.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Though one
of the oldest men in and around New Tharrenton, Karred was still strong and
straight of back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kolredd often hoped
that he might be half as strong when he reached his father’s age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, walking across the fence from him,
the older man seemed somehow smaller than usual.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So many of
the old homesteads have been abandoned,” Karred continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The old families have faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fields overgrown; homes homes no longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as our family has grown, most of the others
have shrunk or died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember, before
I married, when Marketday might see five hundred faces in the village—when it
was still a village!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
could not imagine such a thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five
hundred faces!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had never seen half
that in one place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And they
said, when I was your age, that New Tharrenton had been growing smaller for
years.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They walked
in silence for some minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karred
occasionally bent down to look over the stones of the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tugged at them, testing the wall’s
strength.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
journey, perhaps it will shrink the village even more,” said the old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Or perhaps the village will grow after your
success?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who can say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot, and I’ve no right to try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve toiled the land, raised a family, built
a homestead to rival any that New Tharrenton has seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I haven’t left this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you leaving help kill the village or
heal it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m not
leaving the village for its sake,” Kolredd responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m leaving for mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m leaving so that when I grow to be your
age, I can say that I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps I’ll
settle here, after my fortune is made.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A
fortune?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Fortune—yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sack of crowns and a mighty sigil to my
name!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I will raise a family and
build a homestead—to rival even your own.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The father
laughed at his son’s confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
smile was warm and affectionate and easily returned by the son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karred’s smile lingered on his face for many
moments, and he occasionally chuckled to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They walked further in silence, until the
smile eventually faded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Those
tales by the fire, most were not truths but lies told by travelling bards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heroes, mages, maidens, creatures stronger
than ten men?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mmm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old man paused and looked at his
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Evil nobles?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is enough evil in each of us—the world
could not bear truly evil men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quests
for shining treasure?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There is
treasure to be found; there <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> piles
of gold crown.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I hope for
my sake that you are right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for now,
silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to the hearth where we
will feast, and you can tell your sister what it is you plan.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The great
hearth of the commonroom was bright with the light of three cooking fires
blazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kaise, Karred’s only daughter
and youngest child, sat next to a large cauldron at the center of the hearth,
stirring its contents with a great spoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaenid had just entered to find his three older brothers sitting at the
High Table with Karred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amathere, the
oldest, and Ongrinn, the second, sat across from Kolredd with grave expressions
on their faces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Pit?”
asked Amathere.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
nodded, already tired of the conversation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When will
you leave?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question barely hid the
contempt in Ongrinn’s voice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid
paused in the doorway, not wanting to be drawn into a debate about their
plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked to his sister, obviously
interested in what the men were discussing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The aroma wafting from her cauldron was the only reason he did not turn
and leave immediately.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
idea?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid
looked back to the table to see that Amathere’s question was directed at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t feel it necessary to
answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Amathere
and Ongrinn were a year apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then
seven years later, Kolredd had been born, Gaenid a year later, and finally
Kaise two years after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two
eldest often took it upon themselves to tell the three youngest how and why
they were wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their reaction was
expected and boring because of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid
wanted so much to announce to the room that he had <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buthercurr</i> and that the sword would ensure that he and Kolredd
would return safely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew without a
doubt what the reaction from his brothers would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was unsure of Karred’s reaction, and it
was for this that he held his tongue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’ve
spoken of it often,” Kolredd answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gaenid was more enthusiastic for the journey than he was, but, as had
been the case for as long as he could remember, Kolredd felt the need to band
together with his younger brother in defense against the older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t sure if Gaenid appreciated it or not;
he never thought to care.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“’We’ve’?”
Ongrinn asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your band?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terga, Felrath, and the others?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
nodded in response.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What of
the House?” demanded Amathere.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The House
of Erretharbin is strong,” said Karred, speaking for the first time since
Gaenid entered the room.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But the
House is only as strong as the sons of the Lord,” said Ongrinn.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And I, as
Lord of this House,” began Karred, “have been blessed with four sons, two adult
and two to become so.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked evenly
at each of his sons with approval and respect for each of them, and then he
stopped and gazed lovingly over his shoulder at Kaise, diligently working the
cauldron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And a beautiful daughter
besides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The House is strong—stronger
than I could have hoped for when I was given the badge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No other Houselord around New Tharrenton
possesses a like bounty.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We only
want to grow that bounty—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Karred
interrupted his oldest son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have,
and will continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Kolredd and
Gaenid have chosen a different path.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“But their
duty—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Karred
interrupted again, anger rising in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The duty of the Third Son or Fourth Son is not the same as that of the
First, or the Second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have done
their duty.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So you
will let them and their—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">playmates</i>,”
Ongrinn almost spat the word, “journey to the Pit—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Second!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karred’s sharp use of the formal title caught
his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ongrinn abruptly shut his
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Permission was asked and
permission granted.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Amathere
turned to face his father directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What of Adojan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What of the
Party of Ten?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you told Kolredd,
Gaenid, about them?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The name
Adojan caught both of the younger men by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had not known the man, but they did know
some of his relatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What they both
knew is that he had left New Tharrenton around the time that they had been born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not uncommon for men to leave the
village, so they had never given him a second thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both looked to Karred.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Enough!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But it
wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least, not for Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What of Adojan?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Karred
ignored him and stood up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Panna?”
Kaise asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Houselord stepped from the table and moved toward the doorway that led to his
chambers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halfway across the room, he
stopped.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Panna?”
Kaise repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stood from the
cauldron, ready to abandon it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Karred
turned toward his children, but did not raise his eyes to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Adojan was one of Riorley’s folk, of House Gulhobar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty-two years ago, at the height of
summer, he led a band of ten New Tharrenton men to the Pit.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
became of him?” asked Kolredd.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Their
father took a deep breath; it was obviously difficult for him to answer the
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They left on a
Marketday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The village held a kermis for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hadn’t been attempted in
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was still, among some in
the village, the old desire to return to the city, to take back what had
belonged to our ancestors.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quieted
as he spoke, reliving a memory that he had not come to him in many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Songs were sung; flowers were thrown.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally looked up at them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Adojan,”
said Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Karred
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struck Amathere with his open hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
expecting the blow, Amathere fell to the ground beside the High Table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What was
your purpose in mentioning it?” Karred raged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The First, and even now a fool!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His sudden rage surprised everyone in the room, especially his battered
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned back the way he had come
and left the commonroom.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ongrinn
knelt to help Amathere to his feet, but the eldest violently shrugged him
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amathere glared at his siblings and
then left the room through another exit, growling low in his throat as he
departed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ongrinn?”
asked Kaise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What was that…?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Second
stood, puzzled, and then realization struck him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I think
Amathere hoped to remind father of Adojan, to convince you to stay.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why then
his anger?” asked Kolredd.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Because
Adojan’s story may not be the lesson that Amathere hoped.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Chike,
Ongrinn,” said Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened to
Adojan?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m not
exactly sure,” Ongrinn answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t
think that anyone knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never
returned, but one of his party—Billeg was his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billeg was found near Center Rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that they were all killed, every man,
except himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ventured into the
Pit, but only he returned to the village.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid’s
earlier enthusiasm drained from his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ve not heard of Billeg,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Does he still live?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,”
answered Ongrinn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He died when you were
young.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
pondered the story for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
of that story…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why was Karred so angry?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ongrinn
looked at his younger brother, reluctant to speak.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Ongrinn?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Father was
angry, because, although they all died, Billeg returned with something that he
had taken from the Pit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had with him a
pouch full of Tharreni crowns.”</div>
Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-10987547786474260932015-12-09T08:00:00.000-06:002015-12-09T08:00:01.185-06:00The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep, Chapter Two<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Gathering</b></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine walked
with the two sons of the House of Karred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His vastly smaller homestead was on the way to theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was dropping lower in the sky and, in
the shade of the trees, the late afternoon chill was noticeable to all of them.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine didn’t
share it with them, but he was nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He would be hard-pressed to come up with a mark in time to pay the
porter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t have one and doubted
that his maenna would either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that
he could ask her for one if she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was out of the question.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps the
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to prepare a mark’s worth of rations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only worth it if they were willing.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Heroes and
porters!” Gaenid said, walking between Aine and Kolredd.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Both men
looked at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?”
Kolredd asked him.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You heard
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heroes and porters.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flashed a bright smile at his older
brother and then turned and repeated it for Aine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What are
you about?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aine smiled, momentarily
forgetting his quandary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shorter
man’s enthusiasm was infectious.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“In all the
stories that we’ve been told, all the great adventures, the heroes had porters
carrying their belongings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do, as
well!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re not
heroes,” Aine responded, the smile still in his voice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aine’s
right,” said Kolredd, although the smile on his face indicated that he liked
the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re farmers, most of us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“For now,
yes,” said Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But when we return
from the Pit, we’ll be heroes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine shook
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Heroes?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid
nodded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And
porters?” Aine continued.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Heroes to
who?” Kolredd asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We aren’t saving
anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We aren’t righting some
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We aren’t protecting our lands
from trolls or giants.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Trolls or
giants?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The three
men looked up to see Maerrah and Evanshah rounding the bend in the trail coming
toward them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two girls were sisters,
a few years younger than the men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
homestead was back toward the village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was Maerrah who had asked the question.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine and
Kolredd both looked from the girls to Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maerrah had been pursuing Karred’s Fourthborn for over a year now, in a
manner that was too aggressive to be entirely proper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaenid was cagey at best about his feelings
for the girl; the smile had left his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The five of
them stopped as they came to within a couple of paces of one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls were both wearing their Family
Sashes for Marketday, as was the custom for the women of New Tharrenton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small cloths, which looped over their
necks and tied at their waists, were heavily embroidered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flowers and trees of the forest surrounded
their family sigil: A hoe and an axe crossed in front of stylized crops, all in
font of a large green oak tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fringes
of deep red, bright blue, and summer green hung from its edges.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where are
you coming from, so late in the afternoon?” Aine asked them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Delivering
eggs and other sundries to the Silmardans and some of the other families for
our panna,” Maerrah answered and then turned her gaze directly at Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s this talk of trolls and giants?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Evanshah
laughed at the question.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
Pit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaenid cleared his throat and
repeated himself, “The Pit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boys
have finally decided to join me!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd and
Aine both looked at him incredulously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Decided?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To join you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh, have
they?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maerrah smiled and look at each
of them in turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re going there?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Evanshah
laughed again and then asked, “Do you think you’ll find some?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Pit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trolls and giants?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
interaction annoyed Aine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people
didn’t speak lightly of the Pit, or of what might be found there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was obviously a joke to the girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it a joke to his companions?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine
stepped aside and began to leave the conversation behind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aine!”
Kolredd called.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Maenna’s
waiting and the evening chores,” Aine responded over his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped his annoyance wasn’t evident in his
voice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As he left
the four behind and their voices quieted behind him, his mind immediately
returned to the tariff for the porters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A whole mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amount would be
no problem for Kolredd and Gaenid—they probably each had a pile of marks to
their name, sitting in a chest somewhere in their homestead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike them, however, his farm was small, his
family even smaller—his maenna and himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He would have to work to gather that coinage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A moment
later, Kolredd and Gaenid caught up with Aine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As their footsteps drew closer behind him, Gaenid called out to him, “We
have the porters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know what else
heroes need?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine couldn’t
help but smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaenid was starting to
believe his own stories!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t
bother to attempt to answer; he knew that Gaenid would be answering the
question momentarily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Squires!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine
paused, just long enough for the others to catch him before continuing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Squires?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Porters
carry the kit, build the camp, tend the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Squires join the heroes, carry their weapons, stand ready to assist.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There are
no heroes,” Kolredd insisted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> be squires.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
only shook his head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
ludicrous as the idea initially sounded to Aine, it quickly grew on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a purpose to having ‘squires’ as
Gaenid called them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aine had a few boys
in mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shortly,
they came to an intersection in the path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aine moved to turn from the main thoroughfare.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where to?”
asked Kolredd.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A quick
errand before home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soft ground and
sharp sickles!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two
returned the friendly fairwell and then continued toward the House of Karred.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine rapped
on the low wooden door of the Silmarden homestead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard laughter and the sounds of supper
within.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Silmardans were a large
family—certainly larger than his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
homestead housed at least ten people from three generations, and they were good
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a clatter from within,
someone moving toward the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aine
wondered who would greet him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Standing in
the deepening gloom, Aine gazed at the Silmarden family sigil painted on the
doorstone directly above the door:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five
stalks of golden baerli, above a blue stream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Behind was a forest, above which rose two grayish green hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The baerli harvest was coming soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would Wornen be willing?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At just
that instant, Carngrae, the patriarch of the clan, opened the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light spilled out into the evening gloom.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Who’s
there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aine!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man was surprised to see him but gave him
a nod and a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shouldn’t you be
supping with Tiresse by now?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aye, I
should, sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m heading there now.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What’s
your aim?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Is Wornen
in?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to speak to him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A
task?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An extra chore?” Carngrae asked,
thinking he understood the nature of Aine’s visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t uncommon for the families of New
Tharrenton to work together when extra hands were needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned into the house and called, “Wornen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aine—about a chore!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He left Aine standing at the open door as he
moved back into the house and returned to the commonroom table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wornen
quickly appeared.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re
going to the Pit,” Aine said quietly, not even giving the fifteen year old a
chance to speak.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wornen’s
eyes widened, and then he stepped into the evening air and pulled the door shut
behind him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Who?” he
asked excitedly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The six of
us,” Aine answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We decided at
Market.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If you
want to go.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aine paused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll need to convince Kolredd.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Next
Market.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wornen
pondered the answer and then fell downcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The harvest,” he commented dejectedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His panna expected him to help, as did the father of every son in and
around New Tharrenton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The decision to
skip it would not be an easy one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I know,”
Aine replied, sympathetically patting the boy on the shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ll need to decide.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The fields
are almost ready…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fell into thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine
understood the boy’s dilemma, but he didn’t have time that evening to
wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Carngrae will not be without
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aurbin and the boys can handle the
harvest.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wornen
thought it over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s the harvest,
Aine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t know—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know, because most of my family’s
fields lie fallow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it is only my
maenna and I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it because—”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aine!” Wornen
interrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Give me some time to think about it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You have a
sixday.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you
going to ask anyone else?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Probably
Right Cheek.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Does that
mean you’re going to start calling me ‘Wyrm’ again?” Wornen asked defiantly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>‘Right
Cheek’ was the derogative nickname for Rebley Aggsby, another fifteen year
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a large brown birthmark that
extended from the middle of his right cheek to beneath his jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did the mark sharply contrast with
his pale face, a dark tuft of black hair grew from it, in sharp contrast to his
red hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, Wornen was called
‘Wyrm’ when he was younger due to the large purple birthmark on his back and
left side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mark seemed to wind
around his kidney like a snake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not
tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But perhaps at the Pit.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wornen did
not appreciate Aine’s attempt at humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He opened the door to his house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll let you know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid and
Kolredd continued toward their father’s lands after Aine left them at the
intersection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They walked in silence for
several moments, which was common when they were alone together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
fancied himself the de facto leader of their group of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His personality demanded that he take a
leadership role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Thirdborn, he held
very little sway within the structure of the House of Karred so it was natural
to him that he would be the leader of their small band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That he was oldest of their group only
reinforced the idea in his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaenid,
as Fourthborn, was content to acquiesce.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do you
think the Houselord will allow it?” Gaenid asked his older brother.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I do,”
Kolredd responded simply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They left the
forest and passed through a gate in a stone wall that marked the edge of their
father’s property.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Amathere?”
Gaenid asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ongrinn?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karred might allow the ‘adventure’, but their
two older brothers would surely have a different opinion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They’ve no
stand to stop us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They won’t like
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they aren’t Houselord.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kolredd laughed and gently shoved his shorter
brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But as I can wrestle you to
the ground, I can do the same to them!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gaenid
laughed in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Both of them?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If need
be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There’ll
be stew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps after I eat!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
laughed at the joke and then grew serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Do you think Kaise will cook us a farewell feast?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kaise was
their younger sister, the Fifthborn of Karred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was dearly loved by both of them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Kaise won’t be happy,” said
Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’ll try to convince us to
stay.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
surprised that Maerrah didn’t try to convince you to stay!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The large man broke into a bellow of a
laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaenid blushed and punched him on
the shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She might still yet!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“At least I
have several who’ll ask me to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
in the entire village, other than Kaise, would care if you left?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Gaenid’s turn to laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Even the Firstborn!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll only want you to stay to work the
harvest!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gaenid laughed so hard that he
had to stop walking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
----------------------------------------------</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is Chapter Two of my new novel, <i>The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep</i>. Chapter One is <a href="http://cartocacography.blogspot.kr/2015/12/the-ramparts-of-tharrenton-deep-chapter.html" target="_blank">located here</a>.</div>
Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-25921493944741490222015-12-06T19:02:00.000-06:002015-12-06T19:02:34.838-06:00The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep, Chapter One<b><span style="font-size: small;">New Tharrenton</span></b><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That hole
broke the back of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">two</i> empires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To want to venture there, and then enter
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foolishness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you’ll regret it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark it—you’ll regret it well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man’s unshaven chin jutted with the
strength of his words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes flashed,
and he pulled another mouthful from his gourd.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
audience expected that reaction, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Angry, spiteful, and a little afraid, the man spoke the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That hole did break the back of two
empires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also swallowed a city—the
city that his ancestors called home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
assembled group was fairly certain that the old man’s anger was born more of
that unspoken tragedy than of the spoken pair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Would he part with the information they sought?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was their only concern.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What can
you tell us of the path?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kolredd asked
the question, trying to hide the impatience that even he could hear creeping
into his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a large man,
broad-shouldered, and imposing to most, but his size didn’t seem to bother the
old man at all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The path?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s why you’ve come?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark
it—the path is death!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old drunk’s voice
rose until his words echoed from the stone face of the nearest building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young men gathered around him grimaced at
the stench of his breath.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd’s
face flushed, but Terga dropped a restraining hand on his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terga was shorter than Kolredd, slightly
shorter even than the old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He moved
closer and forced the drunk to meet his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“All paths end at the same.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
voice was quiet and calming.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well spoke,
that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drunk paused, looked down to
his gourd and then down further, into his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But some end sooner than others.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And some,
such as yours, seem to go on and on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terga’s
voice was confident and slippery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
old man didn’t like it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Bah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too long, some might speak it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drunk’s voice grew quiet, and only the
closest could hear him, “I, for one.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Terga heard
the comment, pondered it for a moment, and then let it pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that the drunk was not going to
elaborate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The old man
turned his back to them, announcing in his way that he was done talking to them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Come,”
said Aine as he pulled his compatriots away, “the old man is done with us for
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see him next Marketday.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The comment was enough to get Terga
moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aine had to physically pull
Kolredd from the man.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The three
friends moved from the brewer’s cart and walked across the small clearing at
the center of New Tharrenton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The village
consisted only of seven closely-grouped buildings, the tallest of which was the
mill that sat on the bank of Westerly Run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Four of the other buildings and the mill surrounded the clearing that
was the site of the Marketday gathering, during which the farmers and hunters
from the surrounding country would meet, exchange tales, and barter for goods
and services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the one day each sixday
that the three friends, and their fellows, were sure to gather together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd,
Thirdborn of Karred and the oldest of their group, worked as a hand on his older
brother’s homestead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was obviously
frustrated with the conversation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aine wasn’t
surprised by the frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the
third son of the man who was closest to nobility in this backwater village gave
Kolredd a unique perspective on the world and his place in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aine, however, carried no such
illusions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the last remaining son
of a poor widow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world looked very
different to him than it did to his larger friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although not surprised by it, Kolredd’s
frustration annoyed him nonetheless.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Second
Harvest is almost done,” Terga said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Next
Marketday will be busy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike Aine, he
took the entire interaction in stride and, in fact, found it slightly
humorous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having ventured far beyond the
New Tharrenton countryside in his younger years, he had observed Kolredd’s
sense of entitlement in many people, and to a much greater degree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ahead of
them and across the clearing, their three conpanions were speaking to a group
of woodsmen, whose wares were spread across the ground around them: Furs,
pouches of wild berries, and forest herbs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How is the
harvest on the eastern fields?” Kolredd asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only answer he received was a shrug and a shake of the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The southern?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Better
than the west,” Aine answered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And
Karred’s fields?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terga asked the
question out of politeness, although he knew the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kolredd responded with a look that said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The three
just then came to their friends: Gaenid, Fourthborn of Karred, Felrath, a would-be
Initiate of the Church of Eight, and Gevean, the orphaned son of a travelling
merchant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young men, all six of
them, were between seventeen and twenty years of age and felt a closer kinship
with each other than even their own families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had grown up together, had daydreamed, and plotted, and planned
together, had worked the fields together when needed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What’s the
talk?” Gaenid asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shorter but as
broad as his older brother, Gaenid greeted them with a wide smile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second Harvest,” answered Aine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The west
weren’t so bad,” Felrath said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What of
the Maebranecks?” Gaenid asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They
were,” Kolredd insisted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They chose
the crop!” Felrath said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They
didn’t consult the Eight,” Terga said, eyeing Felrath surreptitiously.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Eight—!”
began Felrath, ready to defend his faith, before realizing that Terga was
merely ribbing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at the
good-natured attack.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
Maebranecks chose a crop for the southern lands,” Gevean said, “without merchants.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where
were…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> the merchants?” Aine asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The road
to New Tharrenton is long,” Terga replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s not as it was.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
Midsummer Harvest—” said Gaenid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s a
gamble for the merchants,” said Kolredd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The merchants didn’t come.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They’ve always
come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll always come,” said
Felrath.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Will
they?” Gevean asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had come to New
Tharrenton in a merchant train years before as a young child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His own experience told him that the
merchants were done with this nowhere town.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They
stopped at the rise adjacent to the mill overlooking the Westerly Run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water flowed fast and cool under the gray
sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day was drawing to a
close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly, the men would each go
their own way, but, as was their custom, they spent the late afternoon huddled
in a group close to the Run watching the last of the Marketday happenings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What of
the old man?” Gevean asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Drunk,”
Aine answered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They all
laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course Sammus was
drunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He almost always was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He’s not
ready to talk,” Terga offered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Will he
ever be?” Kolredd asked, his frustration clearly having returned.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Perhaps
not to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>,” Aine said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe Terga and I should try alone next
Marketday.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd’s
eyes grew wide, and he was about to respond when his younger brother
stepped-in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This has
to be our year,” Gaenid said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It will
be about two sixdays before Winter Ready, and we won’t be able to leave then.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What are
you saying?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kolredd glanced cooly at Gaenid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We have to
try,” Gaenid pushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s waiting for
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we wait too long, it won’t
happen.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He’s
right!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gevean interjected
enthusiastically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We need to go before
he gets her pregnant!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughter all
around.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She’ll
hold him tight after that!” Terga said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Pit?”
Aine asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He won’t even be allowed to
join us at Market!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Against the
loud laughter, Gaenid tried to change the subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mabrin came to Market with four hired
porters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They helped deliver his
wares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think they would be
willing?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not as
willing as her!” Felrath broke in.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
laughter only grew more raucous, except for Kolredd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s the need for porters?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“To carry
our loads,” Gaenid said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re
serious,” Aine said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I am,”
said Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Pit is waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking there will tire us, unless they carry
for us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Pit?”
Felrath deadpanned.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’ve been
talking about it for the last three years,” Gevean said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Pit holds riches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This village, the fields, do not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Village is dying—you can all see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve talked about it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pit, with its crowns and gemstones, will
be around long after this village has returned to the forest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around, trying to gauge their
interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every word he had spoken was
true, so they believed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed a
glimmer in more than one pair of eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If
we don’t go now, we never will.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How long
to walk it?” Aine asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Three or
four days?” Terga said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What of
the fields?” Kolredd asked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What of our
families?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite his own desire to go,
he felt a responsibility to his father.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s you,”
answered Gevean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Some of us don’t have
families.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There is
nothing to hold us here,” said Terga.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There is
something in this village,” Aine countered, “to hold each of us here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he knew that might not really be the case
for Terga or Gevean.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Some ties
are stronger than others,” Gaenid offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Some of us are ready to break those knots.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around but seemed not to notice the
look on his brother’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group
had discussed such a journey many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seemed to him that, more so than ever before, most were taking the
idea seriously.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“New
Tharrenton is not the village our parents remember,” said Felrath.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s not
the village I remember,” said Terga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
having been born in New Tharrenton, his views on the place were different than
most of theirs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That place
is dead,” said Gevean.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
happened to it?” Aine asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want it
back.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Most of us
do, but it’s done,” said Gaenid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We
must make a new place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must start a
new time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can start a new time together!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His excitement spread; the others felt it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
porters then?” Felrath asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mabrin is
done with them,” Gaenid said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then
perhaps we should start,” Aine said, although he wasn’t so sure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Me? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orris, or even ‘The Porter’ if you
prefer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes no difference.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man looked at them, sizing each of them
up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Porter,
then,” Gevean said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What effort can you
offer us?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I will
provide four porters, including myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We will carry your packs, your kit, and your rations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will set your camp and break it, as
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will do no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will not wield weapons, except in our own
defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> enter the Pit.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They eyed
him; he was of average height but thick-armed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was paler than them, and his close-cropped hair had patches of
gray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice was a little too
matter-of-fact, the words coming quickly and confidently.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His manner
belied more experience than any of them possessed, and that made them nervous.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We don’t
need him, or his ‘porters.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kolredd
spoke to his friends, as if Orris was not present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We can carry our own.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’ll not
want to carry our bedding into the hole,” said Terga.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You will
speak to me only; my companions will not speak to any of you,” Orris continued
as if Kolredd has not interrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They
will take orders from me and only me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
companions are easily offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d be
wise to keep that in mind.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What is
the tariff?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kolredd’s question stopped Orris
from talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The porter glanced evenly
at him, and then at the others in turn, before his gaze returned to Kolredd’s
face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“One mark.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“One.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The answer was repeated and considered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The most ignorant of the group felt that the amount was fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another, that it was too steep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two others believed it preposterous, and
their thought was confirmed by the man’s next words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“For each
day of labor,” Orris added.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The protest
was immediate, loud, and simultaneous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Only a fool would pay that!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What for?!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A mark?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re paying you only to guard our
belongings.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orris waited in silence,
expecting the outburst but knowing full well the outcome of the conversation
before the others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“One mark
for each day of labor,” Orris said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And
you will pay us seven before the day we set off.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Seven
marks?” asked Gaenid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“To carry
our supplies?” asked Aine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re
daft.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Gevean was surprised at the
exhorbitant sum.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll carry
my own,” Felrath said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Three
day’s march,” said Orris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One day’s
camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three day’s return to
this…village.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re not
paying it,” said Terga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can’t.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Won’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll carry our own,” said Gaenid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally, Aine
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that none of you have been to the Pit,”
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day will be enough for you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">children</i>
to want to return to your homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so,
one day at the Pit—near the Pit—and three days walking in each direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven days, seven marks.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His words
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intentions, he was correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of them
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Again, he
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Spare me
the barter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the tariff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a few days, my crew and I will walk from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether to the Pit, with you, or west, to the
next village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps there I’ll at
least find a wench, some wine, and clean straw.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The porter stood and left the group.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s not
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“After the
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kolredd
looked at him evenly and shrugged.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re
doing it?” Aine asked.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aye,”
Gaenid answered.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some were
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porter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They split up, each heading to
his home and perhaps to locate his share of the tariff.</div>
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That is Chapter One of my new novel, <i>The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep</i>. I am running a Kickstarter campaign to fund its publication. If you enjoyed this read and want to read more or if you're willing to support a would-be fantasy novelist, please go take a look at my <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1172985440/the-ramparts-of-tharrenton-deep-a-fantasy-novel?ref=nav_search" target="_blank">Kickstarter campaign</a>. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!</div>
Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-51639426508484880942015-11-29T16:00:00.000-06:002015-11-29T16:00:00.756-06:00Absence, Writing, Kickstarter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I’ve been scarce around these parts for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason for that absence has been my focus
on other projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or actually, one
project in particular.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the last year, I’ve focused all of my creative efforts on
completing a novel that I started writing some time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That novel, titled <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Ramparts of Tharrenton Deep</b>, is now complete.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My intention is to self-publish it to Amazon and elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To pay for the expense of trying to produce a
‘professional’ product for sale on Amazon, I recently launched a <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1172985440/the-ramparts-of-tharrenton-deep-a-fantasy-novel?ref=nav_search" target="_blank">Kickstarter campaign</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My purpose here today is to
humbly ask you to go take a look at that Kickstarter and, perhaps, if the fancy
strikes you, contribute a few dollars to the effort.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Story</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At its most basic, the story revolves around a group of young men
(basically peasants from a farming village) who want for something more in
their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They set out to explore the
ruins of a dwarven stronghold and city a few days walk from their village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adventure ensues.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I wanted to write a story that matches my earliest gaming experiences
playing OD&D and AD&D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all of
the fantasy fiction that I have read, very little of it matches those
experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you consider yourself ‘old-school’,
you know what I mean:</div>
<ul>
<li>Brand new characters are weak and tend to
survive or not by their wits as much as their brawn.</li>
<li><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>This typically involves being careful and
methodical as opposed to brazen or aggressive.</li>
<li>There are no heroes attempting to save the
world, but merely ordinary people struggling to survive.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At the same time, I wanted to include some ‘standards’ from my earliest
days of gaming that I believe are typical of ‘old-school’ game play:</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Dungeon crawling (which, if written well, can be
suspenseful and interesting)</li>
<li><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Resource management (Torches, food, your health,
etc.)</li>
<li><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Mapping</li>
<li>The idea that, as a bunch of neophytes, it’s
probably not wise to split the party </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have attempted to wrap all of these elements and others into an
enjoyable story with memorable characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think that I’ve succeeded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To this point, I measure my success on the fact that several people
have read it who have never played D&D and enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I think people who have played the game
will enjoy the various nods to old-school gaming that the story includes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The story is not a straight D&D knock-off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some differences, some twists to
make the story my own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you have a few minutes, please go check out the Kickstarter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can download Chapter One of the story
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you’re feeling generous
and if you are intrigued by what you read, please throw a few bucks my
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would really appreciate it.</div>
Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-88741927948814656292015-08-31T09:09:00.000-05:002015-08-31T09:09:32.321-05:00Short Video Worth Watching: Odin's AfterbirthIt's hard not to heap too much praise on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXz4kQOn8FQ" target="_blank">this short video</a>, but I think it perfectly captures the essence of old school D&D. I have no idea if the artist (a guy by the name of Joseph Bennett) has any connection to D&D or gaming, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did.<br />
<br />
I've been away for several months, so it is possible that this has taken our little corner of the blogosphere by storm, and I missed it. But if it hasn't, it should. Please repost and spread far and wide. (No--I have no affiliation with its creator. I'm just excited at the prospect of bringing this thing to light in the OSR.)<br />
<br />
Watching this, I think of James R, Zac, Barrowmaze, and a whole bunch of others. I would say that this fits the sensibilities...<br />
<br />
It's 14 minutes long. It is NOT safe for work. And I think that you'll enjoy it.<br />
<br />
(Thanks to <a href="http://io9.com/">io9.com</a> for bringing it to my attention.)Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-42473901755663102762015-03-07T21:23:00.000-06:002015-03-07T21:23:00.690-06:00(A Link to) Dwarves and WeatherI just saw <a href="http://rolesrules.blogspot.kr/2015/01/dwarves-and-weather.html" target="_blank">this post</a> over at '<a href="http://rolesrules.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Roles, Rules, and Rolls</a>', and I think it is fabulous.<br />
<br />
I LOVE it when someone thinks things through in a slightly different (but wholly logical (for imaginary stuff, anyway)) way that expands my view of or understanding of something. And I hope that Roger doesn't mind, because I may steal some of these ideas.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-66885084061648464522015-03-06T20:55:00.000-06:002015-03-06T20:55:23.530-06:005E Experience Point ProgressionI'm just now really starting to dig into the rules of 5E as I am DMing for my daughter. Typically, I play fast and loose with rules, but there are some things for which I would stick to the rules. One example is the Experience Points progression for leveling up.<br />
<br />
While looking at the Character Advancement table on pg 15 of the PHB, something really jumped out at me. I'm sure it's been noticed by others before, but I just caught it.<br />
<br />
Here is that table. I've added one additional column (XP Delta), that shows the amount of XP necessary to advance to that level from the previous.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 188px;"><colgroup><col span="2" style="mso-width-alt: 2706; mso-width-source: userset; width: 56pt;" width="74"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left; width: 56pt;" width="74"><u>XP</u></td>
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: left; width: 56pt;" width="74"><u>XP Delta</u></td>
<td class="xl66" style="text-align: left; width: 30pt;" width="40"><u>Level</u></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">300</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">300</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">900</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">600</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">2,700</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">1,800</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">6,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">3,800</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">14,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">7,500</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">23,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">9,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">34,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">11,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">48,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">14,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">64,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">16,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">10</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">85,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">21,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">11</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">100,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">15,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">12</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">120,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">20,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">13</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">140,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">20,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">14</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">165,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">25,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">195,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">30,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">16</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">225,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">30,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">17</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">265,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">40,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">18</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">305,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">40,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">19</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: left;">355,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">50,000</td>
<td class="xl65" style="text-align: left;">20</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From previous editions, I am used to a character needing greater and greater amounts of XP to advance to each additional level. That is NOT the case in 5E. (Did I miss something? Have earlier additions done this as well?)<br />
<br />
One thing that jumps out at me is that there are a few progressions where the character needs the same xp for two levels in a row: to levels 13 & 14, to levels 16 & 17, and to levels 18 & 19. That just seems <i>off</i> to me. In the grand scheme, I'm sure it probably doesn't matter much, but it is striking in its difference.<br />
<br />
Even more unusual is the progression from level 10 to 11 and then from level 11 to 12. A player is required to earn 21,000xp to get to 11th level, but then is only required to earn 15,000xp to get to 12th. But the strangeness continues: The player only needs 20,000xp to advance to 13th and then 14th levels--higher than the 15,000xp to get to 12th but <i>still lower</i> than the requirement to reach 11th.<br />
<br />
Again, none of this might have much impact in the game, and I try not to be someone who finds little issues to nitpick to death--because frankly it isn't worth it. But this tempts me to redo the Character Advancement table for play in my house.<br />
<br />
Sitting back from this post for awhile before publishing it and having read page 15 again, it strikes me that perhaps the progression from 10th to 11th level was deemed special, because it is the dividing line between the so-called second and third tiers of play, and requires an extra challenge to make that jump. But even that is unsatisfying to me.<br />
<br />
Has anyone else noticed this and what are your thoughts on it? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 188px;"></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 188px;"><tbody></tbody></table>
Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-51893516291697414612015-03-05T14:00:00.000-06:002015-03-05T14:00:03.373-06:00Magic Item for LOTFP (Part 2)<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the second magic item that I wrote for submission to James Raggi <a href="http://lotfp.blogspot.kr/2015/01/call-for-lotfp-magic-items-paying.html" target="_blank">in his latest endeavor</a>. I hope you find it useful (or at least inspirational).</span></span><br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The
Carapace of Karadchazuul</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Carapace of
Karadchazuul appears to be the lacquered, wooden, and highly ornamental (and
hence impractical) forearm piece of a set of exotic armor. [Similar to how the forearm piece of a set of
samurai armor would appear to a European seeing it for the first time.] It is made up of a hardened plate that fits
around the forearm, connected by a supple wrist to a thumb-less glove, the back
of which is protected by a hardened handguard.
It will fit over the wearer’s right or left forearm and hand. All of its hard surfaces are covered with
small spikes that slope back toward the wearer’s elbow. The spikes are the same material as the rest
and appear to have grown from the plates.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">When found, the
Carapace will fit a very large man, but if anyone of any size or race slides it
onto their arm, it will adjust its size to fit their arm perfectly. The first time that an individual slides it
onto their arm, they will immediately and permanently have their Strength
increased by one point (up to a maximum of 18).
This change will occur for every individual that tries it on, even if
they immediately remove it. There is no
limit to the number of beings who will receive the benefit of this Strength
increase. Additionally, each person that
tries it on will feel the very strong urge to punch someone or something. A punch while wearing the Carapace will deal
1d6+2 hp of damage; it enables its wearer to damage items that must be struck
by magic weapons.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">An individual trying it
on for the second time will immediately and permanently have their Constitution
increased by one point (up to a maximum of 18).
This second change will only benefit the first person who tries it on
for the second time—no others will receive this benefit, until 1337.5 days have
passed after the first individual has done so, at which time another may
experience the second and follow-on effects described below. The individual will have an even stronger
urge to punch someone or something; they must Save vs. Magic with a -4 penalty or
lash out at the nearest target.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The goal of the
Carapace to this point (if an unthinking, inanimate object can be said to have
a goal) is to convince its wearer to keep it and use it in combat. As its wearer uses the Carapace to inflict
further damage on living things, he or she will experience changes as detailed
in the table below. (The damage will
need to be tracked by the GM.
Additionally, the GM should determine in advance the ‘Additional Damage
Inflicted’ in the first column.) Note
that damage inflicted by the character using a weapon held by the carapaced
hand will not lead to changes—only that damage directly caused by the
carapace. Changes will occur
automatically, although the stylistic details of how the change occurs are up
to the individual GM, and are permanent.
If a limit to a change is reached, all follow-on changes of that nature
are skipped, although penalties that may occur at the same time are not skipped. If left unchecked, these changes will
eventually lead the wearer to actually become a Karadchazuul warrior. (See Karadchazuul description below.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Additional Damage Inflicted by the
Carapace</span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Change to Player Character</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">1</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d10+6
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strength
Increase</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d10+6
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Constitution
Increase and Permanent Attachment (-1)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3</span></span></div>
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<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d10+6
hp</span></span></div>
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<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">AC
Improvement</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d10+6
hp</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dexterity
Decrease</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">5</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d8+6
hp</span></span></div>
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<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strength
Increase and Permanent Attachment (-2)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">6</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d8+6
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charisma
Decrease</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">7</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d8+6
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hit
Point Increase</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">8</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d8+6
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strength
Increase and Permanent Attachment (-3)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">9</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4d6+5
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dexterity
Decrease</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">10</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4d6+5
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charisma
Decrease</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">11</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4d6+5
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strength
Increase and Permanent Attachment (-4)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">12</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">4d6+5
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">AC
Improvement</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">13</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arm
Buds</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">14</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charisma
Decrease and Permanent Attachment (-5)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">15</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hit
Point Increase and Rage (-2)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">16</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">3d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dexterity
Decrease</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.45pt;">
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; height: 13.45pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">17</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.45pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d12+2
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; height: 13.45pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Constitution
Increase and Permanent Attachment (-6)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">18</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d12+2
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charisma
Decrease and Rage (-3)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">19</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d12+2
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">AC
Improvement</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">20</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d12+2
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dexterity
Decrease and Permanent Attachment (-7)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">21</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d10+2
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Constitution
Increase and Rage (-4)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">22</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d10+2
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charisma
Decrease</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">23</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d10+2
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">AC
Improvement and Permanent Attachment (-8)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">24</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d10+2
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Constitution
Increase and Rage (-5)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">25</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strength
Increase</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">26</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hit
Point Increase and Permanent Attachment (-9)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">27</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">AC
Improvement and Rage (-6)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">28</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dexterity
Decrease</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">29</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charisma
Decrease and Permanent Attachment (-10)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="-moz-border-bottom-colors: none; -moz-border-left-colors: none; -moz-border-right-colors: none; -moz-border-top-colors: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext; border-image: none; border-right: 1pt solid windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 22.85pt;" width="30"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">30</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 107.65pt;" width="144"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">2d8+4
hp</span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color windowtext windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 279pt;" valign="top" width="372"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">AC
Improvement and Rage (-8)</span></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strength Increase – The
character gains a permanent +1 addition to their Strength (up to a maximum of
18).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Constitution Increase –
The character gains a permanent +1 addition to their Constitution (up to a
maximum of 18).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Permanent Attachment –
The character must Save vs. Magic (with Penalty as indicated in parentheses) or
the Carapace is permanently attached to his arm. It cannot be removed from the character’s arm
in any way. If the arm is amputated or
if the character is killed, the Carapace will consume the arm in its
entirety. (How this consumption occurs
is up to the GM.) The Carapace will then
return to the form in which it was originally found.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Armor Class (AC) Improvement
– The character gains a permanent +1 to their natural Armor Class (to a maximum
of 6 points better than natural AC for that race). These changes occur as the character’s skin
grows tougher, first thick and leathery, and then hardening into an insect-like
carapace. With each 2 points of increase
in Armor Class, any clothing or armor worn by the character will cease to fit,
and the character will have to obtain new clothing and armor.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dexterity Decrease –
The character loses a permanent -1 to Dexterity (down to minimum of 8).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charisma Decrease – The
character loses a permanent -1 to Charisma (down to minimum of 6). These changes occur as the character’s
appearance changes toward that of a Karadchazuul (see below), and the character
begins to lose the ability to appropriately interact with beings other than
Karadchazuul.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hit Point Increase –
The character gains an additional 3 hp (up to a maximum of 50).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arm Buds - Two buds
will form on the character’s rib cage, one on each side, a few inches below his
or her arm. Each bud will grow into a
full arm in 2d4 weeks. The arms are
smaller than the character’s original pair, but otherwise resemble his normal
arms. If the arms are amputated, they
will regenerate in 2d4 weeks.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rage - The character
must Save vs. Magic (with Penalty as indicated in parentheses) or fly into a
Rage. A character in a Rage will attack
everyone around him (friend or foe) for 1d6 rounds. While in a rage, the character will attack
solely using the Carapace. Upon
completion of the Rage, the character must Save vs. Magic (with a penalty
identical to that which caused the rage).
If the Save fails, the character will feel a strong urge to do
everything in his power to continue forward with the transformation, i.e. use
the Carapace as his preferred weapon over any other. The character may not necessarily abandon the
party or thwart their plans. As its
transformation continues, however, the chance that the character will abandon the
party increases (10% increase at each subsequent Rage).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Each 2d8+2 hp of damage
inflicted by the Carapace after the 30<sup>th</sup> step will lead to another
instance of Rage, with an increase in the penalty to the Saving Throw (-9, then
-10, etc.). Eventually, the character <i>will</i> choose to abandon the party. At that point, it becomes an NPC controlled
by the GM. One week after that, it will
complete the transition to Karadchazuul.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Karadchazuul</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Karadchazuul is an
alien race, not native to this material plane.
It is bipedal and walks upright, although it has four arms. Its entire body is covered in a thick,
segmented carapace; its face vaguely resembles that of a lobster. It is intelligent although it can only
communicate with a series of clicks and hisses.
Nothing is known of their culture or society or if they even have such
things; none beyond individuals created by the Carapace have ever been
encountered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the karadchazuul
that was created by the Carapace, it remembers others of its kind, although it
doesn’t know where they are from or how to return to them. Two weeks after it forms, it will amputate
one of its main arms, thus creating a new Carapace
of Karadchazuul. The amputated arm
will grow back in 2d4 weeks. If the
karadchazuul is killed, one of its main arms will likewise form a new Carapace of Karadchazuul.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In combat, the
karadchazuul attacks with each of its claws.
Its statistics are as follows:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">AC 4; HD 8d8 (50hp); #
of Attacks: 4; Dmg 1d6+2/1d6+2/1d4/1d4.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-89577156697842480742015-03-04T14:00:00.000-06:002015-03-04T14:00:02.485-06:00Magic Item for LOTFP (Part 1)<a href="http://lotfp.blogspot.kr/2015/01/call-for-lotfp-magic-items-paying.html" target="_blank">Back in January</a>, James Raggi put out a call for magic items for a new supplement that he is going to be releasing. It seemed intriguing, so I decided to try my hand. Not once, but twice. Alas, I did not make the cut. So I'm going to post the two items here.<br />
<br />
Perhaps one of you out there will find use for one of these items in your world.<br />
<br />
The first, posted today, is<b> The Bozidar Apparatus</b>.<br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>History
is replete with tales of the Mad King's Vojska, specifically his Black
Brigades. The army, a powerful and imposing force when it numbered in
the tens of thousands, seemed to grow only stronger as its numbers
dwindled. For every footman that was cut down, those remaining seemed
to grow more skilled, more violent, more willing to push through the
deprivations that were common in the land wars of the age. Some say
that the army was formidable, because of the Mad King's fanatical
training regimen for his men. Others say that their power came from the
equipment carried by every eighth man...</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Supposedly
a common piece of kit in the Mad King's Vojska, only one Bozidar
Apparatus is believed to still exist. The Apparatus will be
found in a small wooden chest, 22 inches long by 12 inches wide by six
inches deep. Two straps connect the corners of the curved bottom of the
chest -- the chest is designed to be carried on someone's back. The
Apparatus rests snugly in a form-fitted cushion within the chest.
Despite the fact that the one object is found in the other, they do not
appear to go together.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Also found in the chest
is a darkened and wrinkled piece of parchment. It reads, "When death is
near and doom surrounds you, Employ the Apparatus. You will be saved,
Your companions fortified."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The Apparatus is a Y-shaped
object made of an indeterminate material. It seems to be a gnarled
piece of black wood in appearance and texture, yet it is cool to the
touch and has the heft of an object made of iron. The central post is
approximately nine inches long and an inch in diameter; the two branches
are about the same length and width. The post ends in a wickedly
curved and serated spike; the two branches widen and twist into two
deeply grooved ovoids.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A person handling the
Apparatus quickly realizes that the ovoids with their twisting grooves
make perfect handles. It appears to be a weapon, although there is one
problem: Holding the two handles in the way that feels most comfortable
to the person's hands points the upward-curving spike directly toward
his or her midsection.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Apparatus is
"employed" by holding its handles and pulling it forcefully toward
oneself, such that the spike is driven deep into the abdomen of the
person using it. The Apparatus will then pull itself deeper into the
abdominal cavity and, following the curve of the spike, up into the
individual's thoracic cavity. It will begin to feast, sucking the blood
and all other fluids from the individual in a matter of moments. The
individual will be unable to stop the feeding. All moisture is drawn
from the body, leaving a desiccated husk that crumples to the ground.
The Apparatus will fall from the body; it will show no sign of having drunk
any fluids.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As soon as the player stabs the
Apparatus into his abdomen, the GM should ask him who he considers to be
his "companions"; the GM should also ask him who he considers to be his
"enemies". For the purposes of the Apparatus, there is no limit to the
number of beings that can be designated as companion or enemy, however,
only those within sight of the character can be so designated.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Those
beings who are designated as the character's enemies and who are within
30 feet of the character are knocked to the ground and stunned for 1d10
rounds, unable to perform any actions. Those beings who are designated
as companions (regardless of range) are immediately healed of all
wounds, poisons, and magical conditions; they are returned to full hit
points. Additionally, the character's experience points are divided
evenly by the number of companions designated, and each of their
experience point totals is increased by that amount. These effects are
instantaneous, occurring immediately after the character stabs himself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The
character is instantly and irrevocably killed with no Saving Throw. The
character cannot be reincarnated or resurrected. His spirit ceases to
exist and cannot be recalled by any means.</div>
</div>
Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-29571356333566147152015-03-02T14:00:00.000-06:002015-03-02T14:00:03.708-06:00Pretty Insane<br />
<br />
I think that <a href="http://io9.com/watch-every-single-transformer-transformation-scene-in-1515689833" target="_blank">this video</a> removes the need to see the movies at all.<br />
<br />
Because let's face it: The movies were mostly junk, but watching robots in action is usually a pretty good distractor from the daily grind.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-31414618681206496272015-02-28T10:00:00.000-06:002015-02-28T10:00:11.357-06:00Fantasy WorldWhat if the world was not a sphere but instead a donut? <a href="http://io9.com/what-would-the-earth-be-like-if-it-was-the-shape-of-a-d-1515700296" target="_blank">This article</a> answers some of those questions. And the possibilities sound really interesting.<br />
<br />
Obviously, the author thought so. His 'Summary' is this:<br />
<br />
"Torus-worlds are unlikely to exist naturally. But if they did, <b>they
would make awesome places for adventure</b>. A large surface area. Regions
with very different climate, seasons, gravity and ecosystems. Awesome
skies on the interior surface. Dramatic weather. Moons in strange
orbits."<br />
<br />
To be honest, when I think about this for use in fantasy gaming, I'm not sure that the player characters would ever have reason to know what the shape of their world was. It wouldn't matter to them (unless it was a Spelljammer type campaign) OR the world would seem flat to them, just like another world that we all know pretty well.<br />
<br />
But for that brand of DM/GM who likes to know <i>why</i> things are the way they are in his or her world, a torus-world would allow crazy climates, strange (to us) night-day patterns, a very interesting sky with bizarre moon motions, among other things. It would truly seem fantastic, AND the DM could explain it all.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-7355655456406151812015-02-27T05:52:00.000-06:002015-02-27T05:52:02.162-06:00The LONG HiatusIt has been over a year since I posted last. I know that I was never a prolific poster, but that is shocking to me.<br />
<br />
But I guess an international move, a new place, a new job, and LOTS of time away from home will do that. I'm going to try to get back into some posting, although to be honest, this next year is going to look a lot like this past year.<br />
<br />
A lot has happened in the last year, the least of which is that 5E was released. (As if you didn't know that...)<br />
<br />
I got the three core books for Christmas and have read through them. I have to say that, for the most part, I like the ruleset. Even better, my eleven-year old wanted to play with me. (Not so much for the eight year old.) So we rolled-up a character for her and have played a few sessions.<br />
<br />
Those two topics alone (5E and playing with my oldest child) are material for posts aplenty. Of course, there is all sorts of mapping goodness to talk about. There always is.<br />
<br />
And I have a couple of projects in the hopper that might be worth talking about at some point. The original purpose of this blog WAS to promote The Fantasy Cartographic, my <span style="font-size: x-small;">very small</span> publishing outfit.<br />
<br />
I guess that's enough babbling for now. Hopefully, future posts will be most interesting.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-43499559293296739192014-02-25T19:21:00.000-06:002014-02-25T19:21:31.973-06:00Artistic InspirationOne of the non-rpg websites that I frequent on a daily basis is <a href="http://io9.com/">io9.com</a>. There is always something interesting there, and its updated throughout the day (and night). This week, I am going to link to some articles there that really caught my eye. Today will be the first in at least four such posts.<br />
<br />
This article presents a bunch of fantastic art by ten different artists, many of whom also have <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">deviantart</a> pages. Plenty of material here for rpg inspiration.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-69789574958887550732014-02-08T10:00:00.000-06:002014-02-08T10:00:03.904-06:00New Blog and Great PostSo I have accepted the fact that I am basically failing as a blogger. I can't think of the last time that I posted something original or my own.<br />
<br />
But that's okay, because I'm using the blog to record things that I don't want to lose.<br />
<br />
Today, I came across a blog that is new to me: <a href="http://elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Elfmaids & Octopi</a>. I'm really digging reading through it. The author has a sensibility that is "different" enough to make reading a lot of fun. Even better for OSR-types is the large number of random tables that inhabit the blog. Massive tables. Numerous d100 tables. Many smaller ones. It is fantastic.<br />
<br />
Here is a post that I REALLY like: <a href="http://elfmaidsandoctopi.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/complete-guide-to-psychonian-citadels.html" target="_blank">Psychonian Citadels</a>. The top illustration is evocative. Within seconds of looking at the picture and then scanning down through the many tables beneath it, I realized that a huge citadel (skyscraper, arcology, whatever you want to call it...) would make an incredible megadungeon.<br />
<br />
There's really not enough time in the world...Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-2440563638277603642014-02-03T16:14:00.000-06:002014-02-03T16:14:19.710-06:00LegacyI don't have the mental power (or time) right now to post anything significant about <a href="http://www.nbcsports.com/football/nfl/peyton-mannings-mixed-legacy-defined-eye-beholder" target="_blank">this article</a>, but I wanted to link to it, because I feel that the points raised by the author are worth remembering in ANY situation.<br />
<br />
He, obviously, was writing about sports, but the same points apply to "which game/edition is the best?" questions and any of the myriad other little issues that we debate endlessly.<br />
<br />
Nicely written and something that we would all do well to remember.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-13364841720120616412014-02-01T10:00:00.000-06:002014-02-01T10:00:00.784-06:00Beat me to the Punch!For a long time, I've wanted to post a Work-in-Progress of a map. I thought that it would be cool to show how I go about drawing my maps. Then I thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if I posted a series of maps that showed the evolution of a cave or dungeon?" NOT a Work-in-Progress but the actual expansion of a cave system, dungeon, or dwarfhold over time?<br />
<br />
I think that that would be really cool. Haven't done it yet, but I'm going to try to do it one of these days.<br />
<br />
But back to the Work-in-Progress idea: Because I haven't done it, of course, others have beaten me to the punch. Slightly annoying, but then again, it was by two mappers out there who I am sure you are all aware of. And I can't be upset, because I hold both of them in high regard: <a href="http://www.msjx.org/2014/01/map-step-by-step-animation.html" target="_blank">Matt Jackson</a> and <a href="https://plus.google.com/+DysonLogos/posts" target="_blank">Dyson Logos</a>. (Of course, I just realized that the link to Dyson is just his Google+ page so if you want to see specifically what I am referring to, look for 29 Jan 2014 and what he posted at 3:35pm.)<br />
<br />
I really dig both of those. A lot.<br />
<br />
A long time ago, there were a lot of people posting One Hour Dungeons. You know-- post a picture on your blog of a dungeon that you drew in one hour or less. A lot of people did it, and it was a lot of fun to see what people were up to.<br />
<br />
Perhaps with matt and dyson leading the way, there could be a new event where people post WIPs of the maps that they are working on. It would be great if they were animated, like those above, but it would be cool even if they were a series of pictures.<br />
<br />
I'll try to see what I can come up with over the next few days.<br />
<br />
Anyone else up for it?Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-55513454882406654292014-01-31T11:00:00.000-06:002014-01-31T11:00:06.871-06:00Subterranean Battlemaps: A "New" Product and a Business RecapThe Fantasy Cartographic's "newest" product went live on <a href="http://rpgnow.com/">RPGNow.com</a> yesterday: <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/125660/Subterranean-Battlemaps" target="_blank">Subterranean Battlemaps</a>.<br />
<br />
Except, well, it isn't really new. All of its contents were available before.<br />
<br />
Let me step back.<br />
<br />
Do you ever have that feeling, as you try to work your way through various projects, that the one or two old ones that you never finished have come back to haunt you? That exact thing happened to me earlier this week.<br />
<br />
If you have spent any time in these parts at all, you probably have picked up on the fact that I sell a few minor wares over at RPGNow. Admittedly, they are minor. At one time, I had grand aspirations of putting out lots and lots of material. Not to make a lot of money (because the chances of that are slim to none), but to just do it. To satisfy that little itch that so many in the OSR have of putting material out there.<br />
<br />
Those aspirations ran into life. And just like my blogging has not been as prolific as I would like, the output of the The Fantasy Cartographic has been (to me, at least) disappointing.<br />
<br />
Way back in November 2007, I released my first product, <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/51180/Locales-Volume-1?manufacturers_id=2224" target="_blank">Locales, Volume 1</a>. I'm still a big fan of that one, and I think it holds up--especially for us OSR types.<br />
<br />
In 2008, I released the following products:<br />
<br />
Hand Drawn Maps, Volume One.<br />
Caverns, Tunnels, and Caves, Volume One.<br />
Caverns, Tunnels, and Caves, Volume Two.<br />
Caverns, Tunnels, and Caves: Battlemaps One<br />
Caverns, Tunnels, and Caves: Battlemaps Two<br />
Caverns, Tunnels, and Caves: Battlemaps Three<br />
<br />
These were all collections of maps, some made by me and others drawn by a very talented artist called Terrain Monkey.<br />
<br />
The 'Battlemaps' products took the maps from the two 'Caverns, Tunnels, and Caves' products and expanded them into one-inch per square "battlemaps" specifically for use with miniatures. [That was back during the 4E days, and I thought that I'd jump on that band wagon a little.]<br />
<br />
2009 became the '4E Year' for The Fantasy Cartographic. In February, I released a product called <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/60045/Power-Cards-Secrets-of-Necromancy?manufacturers_id=2224" target="_blank">Power Cards: Secrets of Necromancy</a>. These cards were in support of <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/browse.php?manufacturers_id=2583" target="_blank">Zodiac Gods Publishing</a>'s <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/59852/Secrets-of-Necromancy-V11?src=s_pi" target="_blank">Secrets of Necromancy</a>, a 4E sourcebook that presented an alternate character class for 4E, the Necromancer. [Just in case ZGP is not familiar to you, it is Tori Bergquist's company, he of <a href="http://realmsofchirak.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Realms of Chirak</a> fame.]<br />
<br />
Working on that product was a warm-up of sorts for me. Later in 2009, I released <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/63297/Fantasy-Class-Martialist?manufacturers_id=2224" target="_blank">Fantasy Class: Martialist</a>, a 4E sourcebook of my own detailing a new character class. [I've been meaning to write a post on that product for some time now and my thoughts on 4E. One more thing to add to the list...] A topic that I will touch on in that post is that the Martialist didn't do that well. As I read the reviews for it, I realized that my take on the class wasn't compatible with the 'standard' 4E default of super-heroic characters. I did things in the design of that product that, in hindsight, are much more in keeping with the style of D&D that I grew up with. Oh well.<br />
<br />
I rounded out 2009 with two re-packagings: I created Bundles on RPGNow, lumping together the two Caverns, Tunnels, and Caves products into one and dropping their price and lumping together the three battlemaps products into one and dropping <i>their</i> price. In the case of the three battlemaps products, I realized that they were woefully overpriced. In both cases, the bundles were a way to group like products together and increase their value.<br />
<br />
All told, the battlemaps dropped from over $25 to $9 when I bundled them. (There's a lesson in there.)<br />
<br />
2010 continued this trend. I released <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/86352/Basic-Maps?manufacturers_id=2224" target="_blank">Basic Maps</a>, which combined the contents from the Caverns, Tunnels, Caves bundle and Hand Drawn Maps into one product.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that now brings me back to the point that this post started with: <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/125660/Subterranean-Battlemaps" target="_blank">Subterranean Battlemaps</a>. Just as <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/86352/Basic-Maps?manufacturers_id=2224" target="_blank">Basic Maps</a> was a compilation of previous products, Subterranean Battlemaps is a compilation of the previously bundled battlemap products. And while the bundle sold for $9, this new compilation product will sell for $2.50. Here is the description for the product:<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Subterranean Battlemaps</i> is a compilation of three
previous releases from <b>The Fantasy
Cartographic</b>: <i>Caverns, Tunnels, and
Caves: Battlemaps 1, 2, and 3.</i> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most
recently sold as a Bundle, those products are no longer available in that
format or separately here at RPGNow.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frankly,
when sold separately and then as a Bundle, these products were overpriced. Their new pricing as a compilation now is
much more reasonable.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For what
you are paying, <i>Subterranean Battlemaps</i>
is actually a steal!! It contains:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> • Maps for fifteen different subterranean
locations.</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> • 295 pages of one-inch scale battlemaps for
those same fifteen locations.</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> • Black-and-white maps that are easy on your
printer!</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These
maps are for use with 4E or any other rpg that requires the use of miniatures.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I don't think that many of you will buy this. While I think that it is a useful product for those of us who play with miniatures, I would be surprised if it was a big seller (define <i>that</i> how you will). Ultimately, I released this product, because it has been a little nagging itch in my head for <b>years</b> now. I knew that its predecessors were overpriced; I knew that I wanted to fix that; and now I think I have.</span></div>
Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-22205885338282013272014-01-30T11:00:00.000-06:002014-01-30T11:00:05.314-06:00D&D (40!) and WoWIt struck me that a few days ago was D&D's supposed-"40th" birthday. It struck me for a couple of reasons:<br />
<br />
1. I've been playing the game for 34 of those years--perhaps 35. And I know that I've been watching others play it for a year or two longer than that. [That was the advantage of having older brothers back in the seventies.]<br />
<br />
2. Just a few weeks prior to that, I myself turned 40. I guess the good part about that is that it makes me sound a lot older than I feel.<br />
<br />
3. Although I've actively gamed a lot less than many people here in the blogosphere during those 34 years, D&D has still been a HUGE part of my life and my mindset. It impacts the way I think about many things. I think that I would be a very different person without it, which leads right to...<br />
<br />
4. As has been repeated over and over many, many times, the world would be a drastically different place if it weren't for D&D. And when I say that, I don't think that I am being hyperbolic in the least. SO MUCH of D&D has filtered into the popular culture, from themes and ideas, to gaming mechanics. People who haven't played or who aren't familiar with D&D have NO IDEA how their lives are impacted on a daily basis by this little game that Gary and Dave devised 40 years ago. It's incredible.<br />
<br />
I had been thinking all of this for the past several days and then I saw this: <a href="http://kotaku.com/world-of-warcrafts-impressive-first-decade-by-the-nu-1510961371" target="_blank">World of Warcraft's First Decade</a>.<br />
<br />
To be fair, I have never played World of Warcraft (WoW). I haven't played a (real) computer game since my freshman year of college. (Which was a self-defense mechanism to make sure that I actually made it through college. I could, even now, very easily disappear into a computer game and not escape for years.)<br />
<br />
The facts and figures presented by that infographic (love that word) are pretty impressive, pretty amazing. But what strikes me is that WoW exists only because D&D came before it, only because the people that made it were trying to create a D&D-like world and experience for computers. I don't want to get into the merits of computer versus tabletop games or anything along those lines, but for those who prefer the computer experience, isn't it good for them that D&D had existed so that their computer fun could spring from it?Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-51362273287193740572014-01-29T18:00:00.000-06:002014-01-29T18:00:05.508-06:00A Word (And Language!) GeneratorHere's a resource that I have a feeling that I will make extensive use of.<br />
<br />
A <a href="http://heldenhaufen.de/Wg/" target="_blank">Word Generator</a>. I've spent that last (too many) minutes playing around with it, and I'm impressed. It's definitely a step up from some of the random word generators that I've come across.<br />
<br />
But that's not all.<br />
<br />
I really, really like the <a href="http://heldenhaufen.de/Wg/Generator/CreateLanguage" target="_blank">Language Generator</a> that is associated with it. I haven't had a chance to fully test it out, but I'm looking forward to doing so. If it functions as advertised, I think that it will prove to be very useful indeed.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-913026826978744102014-01-28T21:59:00.000-06:002014-01-28T21:59:34.110-06:00Why Publish? That's Why!The <a href="http://digitalorc.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Digital Orc</a> wrote a nice <a href="http://digitalorc.blogspot.com/2014/01/why-publish.html" target="_blank">long piece about publishing</a> gaming material. I really enjoyed his take on it.<br />
<br />
He talks about why he publishes (four reasons), he talks about inspiration, he talks about his personal process, and then he wraps with a description of his current projects.<br />
<br />
I wish that I was as prolific as he is...Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-24466382075288412152013-12-13T10:30:00.000-06:002013-12-13T10:30:02.855-06:00Map Roundup - 13 December 2013A long time ago, I tried to do <a href="http://cartocacography.blogspot.com/search/label/Map%20Roundup" target="_blank">Map Roundups</a> as often as I could. It was my mission to provide to you, my kindly readers, a roundup of all the cool mapping posts in the OSR blogosphere. Life got hectic, and I fell off the task.<br />
<br />
Tonight I came across two blog posts that required that I do a map roundup.<br />
<br />
Both come to us from Arkhein at <a href="http://rathergamey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rather Gamey</a>.<br />
<br />
The first is, from 10 December 2013, is about <a href="http://rathergamey.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-little-star-catalog.html" target="_blank">star maps</a>. I love astronomy so I really enjoyed this post.<br />
<br />
The second, from 14 November 2013, has floor plans of a place called <a href="http://rathergamey.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-haunting-of-pamphelgoat-manor.html" target="_blank">Bear Wood Manor</a>. Never heard of it. But the maps are divine!<br />
<br />
But since I've started, I might as well post links to some other map-related goodness that I came across this evening.<br />
<br />
From Alexis over at <a href="http://tao-dnd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tao</a> yesterday is <a href="http://tao-dnd.blogspot.com/2013/12/polar-circle.html" target="_blank">this map</a> of the top of his world. Literally.<br />
<br />
I recently came across a blog that I promised to myself that I would include the next time I did a roundup. It is the blog for <a href="http://ghmaps.net/" target="_blank">Anna B Meyer, Map Maker</a>. Everything about this blog is superb. And if you are a fan of Greyhawk, it's even better.<br />
<br />
Our last stop will take us to the <a href="http://therustybattleaxe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rusty Battle Axe</a>. You have to love the <a href="http://therustybattleaxe.blogspot.com/2013/12/montporte-dungeon-campaign-session-22.html" target="_blank">Montporte Dungeon</a>, if only because it looks like it is going to be a <u><b>megadungeon</b></u>. I love 'em--you know I do. Just take a look at those maps. Brilliant. Level 1 especially.<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
That was fun. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Until next time...Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-34604575114798335142013-12-09T11:30:00.000-06:002013-12-09T11:30:02.464-06:00Smaug...Sometimes I post things to this blog just to make sure that I don't forget them.<br />
<br />
This may be a case in point.<br />
<br />
I like <a href="http://io9.com/why-smaug-still-matters-1478936553" target="_blank">this essay</a> on the importance of Smaug, dragon of 'The Hobbit'. I have to admit that I have never approached any of Tolkien's writings from an academic perspective. I've read <i>most</i> of them; I've enjoyed all that I have read. But I've never studied them in any substantive way. Reading the essay, with its many references to books and articles of people who have, makes me think that perhaps I should.<br />
<br />
If only life wasn't so busy...Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656359567715416766.post-24219391647329046632013-12-06T10:00:00.000-06:002013-12-06T10:00:00.991-06:00The Great Blog Roll Call<a href="http://dyverscampaign.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-great-blog-roll-call.html" target="_blank">The title says it all</a>.<br />
<br />
I don't know who Charles Akins is, but he has done a great service to readers of OSR blogs everywhere.<br />
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Check it out.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14531253485041961783noreply@blogger.com0