Fellow role-players, here is my update for Session Yb-4b.58 of my D&D4e "Vanished Lands: the Faith-Based Initiative" fantasy campaign, which I hosted in Needham Heights, Mass., on 26 October 2009:

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The "Vanished Lands" were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders.

After other bands of mercenaries and diplomats fought humanoids in the northwestern borderlands, sailed the pirate-infested Sea of Nagendwa, and wandered the hostile Halmed Desert, the "Faith-Based Initiative" gathered on the Plains of Sathendo to defend the peoples of the barbaric Gusorin Confederation....

"1 to 10 May 1229 B.C.E.:" The "Faith-Based Initiative" had traveled across several realms and resumed its quest for the Helm of Gunnar, the last of three Barbari relics. The adventuring party departed from the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human village of Pledwilt, which "Kurick" [Dave S.C.] had renamed "Stormhold" as his new fiefdom.

About six months after helping defend Neldar from a horde of humanoids from Gokuri, Kurick and company returned to the depopulated village. The Skaevingol (Viking-style) human Warlord went to a fortified encampment across a stream and reported to Sir Remy Hotspur, a member of the "King's Cavaliers."

While "August" [Greg D.C.] reopened his free falafel stand, "Kof" [Alex J.], "Kimo" [Beruk A.], "Val" [Brian W.], and "Tonks" [Sara F.] observed the farmers and local militia. Udz, a peasant, told human Rogue August that the armies led by the nefarious Nannuattan (eastern Dark Elves) had not attacked in several months, possibly because they were waiting for harvest.

Dwarf Paladin Kof treated some sick and injured people, learning of several deaths from illness. Zarendo Islander human shaman (proto-East African Wizard) Kimo and Tiefling (devil-touched) Warlock Val searched for signs of magical interference but found none. Dragonborn Fighter Tonks found the villagers suspicious of her, mistaking her for a Draconian.

The group rested for one night, using an empty set of barracks. The next morning, Sir Remy learned that a patrol had gone missing. Shaggy Kurick offered to check on it on his way to Crontar, a town on Bedoni Lake's southern shore. Riding out, they spotted a wyvern flying away.

At a ruined monastery, the wanderers found the remains of eight soldiers, whom righteous Kof gave proper burials. Scout August (replacing Ranger "Dante" [Paul J.], who had left the group) noticed tracks of clawed creatures leading northeast.

They later split, with a group of smaller Bakemono (eastern Goblins) going south and some larger Wolven going north. The "F.B.I." followed the canine humanoids through a ravine and some woods, catching up to them on the open plains.

August and Kurick fired crossbows, as robed Kimo cast Stinking Cloud. Val missed with his first Eldritch Blast, and Kof and Tonks readied for the Wolven charge. Scaled Tonks rode her horse into battle, marking an opponent. Kimo moved his magical cloud to follow the enemy, suffocating one.

Not far away, "Rache" [Paul] heard sounds of combat and went to investigate. Kof spurred his boar steed and charged toward the leader of the Wolven warband. August held his position, while horned Val marked one of the eight raiders. One of them hit Tonks with a great club, and Kurick readied his hammer.

Mighty Tonks drew her Oath Blade, knocking a Wolfen prone, and Kimo cast Phantom Bolt but missed the swift attackers. Renshai Dervish (Scandinavian-style Barbarian) Rache charged with a combat surge, while Kof smote the lead Wolfen.

Stealthy August shot quarrels at the rearguard, and Val maneuvered, casting Flames of Phlegethos. The Wolven injured Tonks and Kimo with their blades and claws. Kurick invoked his patron Torr and issued a Divine Challenge, as Tonks repeatedly smacked a Wolfen with her enchanted weapon.

Wary Kimo went Invisible, as blonde swordsman Rache rode his white horse to aid Kurick. Kof knocked down another Wolfen and went to Lay on Hands on Tonks. August defended the party spellcasters, throwing shurikens and immobilizing one foe. Val struck another Wolfen, as the pack tried to maul Kof's boar.

Bold Kurick knocked 'em down and invoked Warlord's Favor for Val with the battle cry "Death and taxes!" Tonks slayed one Wolfen, while Kimo cast Path of Daggers. Rache used Avalanche Strike, and mounted Kof defeated another furred fighter that was attacking Tonks. Accurate August badly injured another Wolfen and killed a second prone one.

Val grabbed a mace and struck, as some Wolven circled Kof. Kurick felled another foe and mistook Rache for Roga Far-runner, a follower of his lost in the Therud Forest. Kimo again moved his Stinking Cloud, while Kof turned for another charge. The Wolven hit Rache and Kurick before they themselves were finished.

Kimo supervised the searching of the carcasses for magical weapons and armor. Val found that the Wolven had been carrying the beheaded body of a human guard, which Kof and Tonks laid to rest. August took brooches in the shape of a skull, which Kurick said denoted the Gokuri scouts as members of the Deathwatch Clan.

The "F.B.I." welcomed Rache, a former member of the "Broken Chains" in the distant Halmed Desert. The group later camped by the Bedoni River, where it met four centaurs: Kasaka, Thota, Makion, and Emianna. Kasaka warned the humans, Tiefling, and Dragonborn that they were in Fey folk territory, near the Wisalef Forest.

The centaurs agreed to help hunt the band of Goblins whose tracks August had found and to warn Neldar and Gen. Dreogan in Pledwilt/Stormhold. The next morning, the sometime mercenaries continued on to Crontar. From there, they went to the hilltop stronghold of "Saerek Aesgeirr" [Greg/Non-Player Character], another Skaevingol warlord.

Kurick hailed Saerek and announced his intention to go into the Bamor Mountains (and the Underdark beneath them) in search of the Helm of Gunnar. Previously, the "F.B.I." had retrieved the Spear of Vorod and given it to Saerek, and the Horn of Connor was in Stormhold. All three relics could help reunite the Barbari tribes once ruled by King Cormac more than a century ago.

The Skald (Bard) Ithac noted that Gokuri's dragon armies had not recently attacked the northwestern remnants of the Gusorin Confederation, which were protected by warlords Saerek, "Kyrene of Harsuth" [Angela M.B./N.P.C.], and "Tim-Floyd" [Steve M./N.P.C.]. However, the northern city of Tekugi was still under Nannuattan control, and the southern port of Gisar was ruled by vampires and other Undead.

Cradling his great sword, "the Prosecution," Saerek expressed his desire for the three artifacts, but some of his visitors preferred that they be spread among chieftains friendly to Hifalendor. Saerek offered assistance in finding the Helm of Gunnar, with the condition that it must be brought to his stronghold.

Ithac said he could help Kimo and Val with rituals to find the enchanted helmet, and Rache asked to look at Saerek's maps. Kof and Tonks helped the party resupply, while August inquired about the Grugach (Wild Elves) and Tsucharim tribes.

Apparently, Gen. Shin Kyong-tsu and the Korobokuru (eastern Dwarves) had diverted some of Gokuri's attention north. Chromatic dragons and their legions had continued to gather around the Temple of Elemental Evil in Mount Gruldar.

The group then debated whether to accept Saerek's offer and conditions. Rache, Kurick, and August said that any help in finding the Helm of Gunnar could save time and effort, while Kof, Kimo, and Val were wary of the warlord, who already had the Spear of Vorod and who declined to explain how he would help a ritual.

Rache deduced that Saerek, like Kurick and other chiefs, could be a descendant of King Cormac. Kurick noted that the "F.B.I." would eventually have to pass through Crontar anyway on its way back to Stormhold, and August pointed out that Saerek had a reputation as a harsh but fair protector.

Kof strenuously objected, saying that Saerek didn't share the risk incurred by the people undertaking the quest into the Underdark. Kimo was uncertain about concentrating power in the hands of any one warlord, and Val observed that Saerek was more cunning than most of his peers. Tonks declined to vote.

The travelers eventually agreed to ask Ereval [Steve A.L./N.P.C.], high king of the Waletku kingdom of the Elves, to arbitrate when and if they retrieved the helm. They viewed the Seelie Court as impartial about the affairs of Gusorin warlords and decided to head into the Bamor Mountains without Saerek and Ithac's ritual aid....

Sometime earlier and far to the southwest, [Pathfinder teleconferencing team] "Holy Steel" arrived at Pi-Ramesses, capital of the empire of Khemet (New Kingdom Egypt). Paladin "Ibrahim" [Byron V.O.] reported on the cult of Set's activities to his superiors at the temple of Amun before returning to house arrest. Rogue "Milos" [Beruk] delivered the Book of Thoth to Prince Khaemwaset and resumed his disguise as a merchant....

>Treasure list [for D&D4e "F.B.I." Session 58, 26 Oct. 2009]
+2 Armor 360gp
+2 Bloodcut Armor 4,200 (840 sell/components)
Armor: Leather, Hide; Enhancement: AC
Power (Healing Surge): Minor Action. While you are bloodied, use this armor to gain resist 10 to all damage until the end of your next turn. (Val has claimed)
+2 Ghostphase Armor 4,200 (840 sell/components) Armor: Cloth
Power (Daily): Minor Action. Become insubstantial until the end of your next turn
-Lifedrinker +2 longsword 5,000 (1000 sell/components)
Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls; Critical: +1d6 necrotic damage per plus
Property: When you drop an enemy to 0 hit points or fewer with a melee attack made with this weapon, gain 5 temporary hit points.
-50 gold pieces for guides; Leaves 832gp in party fund
>What do you know, bloodcut armor is the armor of choice! Well, last nights treasure totals and distribution no prices for stuff distributed:
-Bracers of Defense and Belt of Sacrifice to Kurick
+2 Club of Berzerker rage to Koff
-Bloodcut armor ground to residuum 840 altogether 120 gp each
700 g.p. (100 each)
832 g.p. in party fund.
>By the way, I know we missed a couple of sessions this month, based on last loot list we have 260 gp in residuum due for all of us (know one clamed the cloth armor or necrotic sword listed below). Did everyone add that to their inventory? -Beruk A./"Kimo"

>>D&D4e "Vanished Lands: the Faith-Based Initiative" Boston-area party, as of October 2009:

-Paul J.-"Rache Calistonson"-male Renshai Barbarian (Scandinavian-style Dervish) and former member of the "Broken Chains"; LGn, Lvl. 9

-Alex J.-"Kof" (short for "Marikof Lichbeard"), male Hill Dwarf Paladin of Otih, god of the sun and justice, with boar steed; LGc, Age 71 (35 human), Lvl. 9

-Beruk A.-"Kimo Adele Okono," male Zarendo Islander human shaman (proto-East African Wizard), with monkey familiar Zibu and Kitsune Tsukai (fox-woman Sorcerer) Kirara Swift-tail; NGl, Age 19, Level 9

-Greg D.C.-"August Rilde," male Hifalendorin/Barbari human scout (Rogue); TN, Age 21, Lvl. 9

-Brian W.-"Val Shriboe," male Gokuri Tiefling (devil-touched) Warlock, with Imp assistant Szaboch; LNg, Age ~50, Lvl. 9

-Sara F.-"Tonks Cinderclaw," female Gokuri Dragonborn Fighter; CGn, Age 21, Lvl. 9

-Dave C.-"Kurick Stormborn," male Skaevingol (Viking-style) human Warlord; CGn, Age 21, Lvl. 9; with hirelings Roga Far-runner and Ortol the Grim, and panda steed "Sir Fluffles von Cutenfur" (back in the Gusorin Confederation)

>>Associates and Guests:

-Paul J.-"Dante Nentor," male Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human Ranger; NGc, Age 19, Lvl. 9

-John C.M.-"Harald Grimson," male Skaevingol (Viking-style) human Warlord; NGl, Age 21, Lvl. 5

-Josh C.-"Guthfrith," male Grugach (Wild Elf) Cleric of Wotan (Odin, the allfather); CNg, Age 31 (16 human), Lvl. 1

-Anna G.-"Jan," male Skaevingol human Cleric of Ismiltar, matron of magic; LGn, Age 20, Lvl. 2

-Dexter V.H. (teleconferencing team)-"Bellanora," female Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Vulkan (Moradin); LGn, Age 45 (21 human), Lvl. 1

-Byron V.O. (teleconferencing team)-"Isen Dukan," male Shan Sao Wu Jen (eastern Halfling Wizard), member of "Gan Fen Dao"; CGn, Age 30 (18 human), Lvl. 1

-Rich D.-"Xit Tuphain"-male Shengtese human Xuitein (eastern wandering Monk); LNg, Age 26, Lvl. 8

>>See other files for the latest party rosters and updates for the following games:

>>Fantasy campaigns
-Gene D.'s D&D4e "Vanished Lands: the Faith-Based Initiative"
-Gene D.'s Pathfinder: "Holy Steel" teleconferencing team
-Gene D.'s D20 "Gaslight Grimoire" (steampunk/fantasy)
-Paul J.'s Pathfinder ("D&D3.75"): "Crossroads of Eternity"
-Brian W.'s Savage Worlds: "Fierce Frontier" and other games
-Dave S.C.'s Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition "Attos"
-Lord of the Rings Online multiplayer online game

>>Comic book superheroes
-Gene D.'s D20 Mutants & Masterminds 2e: "Drake's Port" scenarios
-Paul J. and Josh C.'s D20"M&M"2e games
-City of Heroes: "Dimensional Corps Online" supergroup

>>Space opera RPG
-Dexter V.H.'s D20 Star Wars: Saga Edition "Revenge of the Sith"

edemaitre

With ability scores needing to be rolled, I can't set certain things about my character in stone just yet. Others, however, are independent of anything to be rolled. I'm at 5th level so I have a bit of flexibility in my character creation.

Skill points are the first thing to come to mind. While I don't know what my Int score is yet, I do know that I get 6 skill points per level if I have a 10 Int or an 8 Int with all my favored class bonus put into skill points. So it seems reasonable to lay out the skills with that assumption. I can add more rather quickly should I have a 12 or higher. Unless someone in the group put their points in skill not favored by their class, the sorcerer might be good at bluffing and the paladin might be good at diplomacy. But I want my character to basicly be a con artist (a GOOD con artist) so I'll fully fund bluff and put a little in diplomacy. We're playing in Korvosa so either Knowledge (nobility) or Knowledge (local) would be good. With a bonus of 1/2 my character level to all knowledge checks and being able to make all untrained, I don't have to divide up my skills among a ton of skills. I can instead be an expert in one have just heard a smattering of everything else. I'll settle on that later. Fully fund perform. I want to perform while using my bow so singing is the type I'm going for. Also fully fund Perception, Sense Motive, and Slight of Hand. Hmmm running out of skill points. I'm dividing the rest between Spellcraft and Stealth. I'm not thrilled about this. I normally prefer to fully fund Spellcraft, but I am not going to be a primary Spellcaster since the entire rest of the group can cast spells. And I would much rather have Stealth fully funded, but I'll just have to hope for a high Int.

Next, Feats. Extra performance for sure. I'm taking a bow so having Point Blank Shot will allow me to get Precise Shot eventually. What else? I flip back to the bard section. Distraction and Countersong both require a Perform roll. So cracking out perform might be a good idea. Skill Focus (Perform) is what I eventually settle on. So without my ability score modifier, I currently have a +11 to my singing ability to Countersong and +0 for Distraction. That's not good. Do I REALLY need 2 skill points in diplomacy? Na. 1 skill point in diplomacy and 1 in another type of performance that works with distraction. I'll figure it out later, but just put it there for the moment. So with 1 skill point, that +0 jumps to a +7. Much better. Do I need to specify the speciality for the Perform skill? I'll ask the GM later.

Spells. My spells known are fixed so I might as well choose them all. Must haves: Prestidigitation (yes, an absolute must have), Dancing Lights, Lullaby, Message, Ghost Sound, Open/Close (those last two are great for distracting guards), Grease, Hideous Laughter, and Tongues. Since we're already 5th level, Sleep might not be as readily useful, but having the -5 to perception would be useful nonetheless. Tongues means I don't have to put any ranks in Linguistics. Maybe I should just buy a scroll or two of that instead. We've got 3 people in the group that can cast cure spells so I shouldn't need to take that. Invisibility and Minor Image are also a good choices. Enthrall is tempting. Very tempting. I'll leave the rest for later.

Onto class features. Bardic Performance. Check. Bardic Knowledge. Check. Versatile Performance. Check. WAIT! WAIT! Uncheck that last one. Let me see if I got this straight, I can use my Perform skill with all bonuses in place of other skills?!? AWESOME! What can I use Perform (sing) for. ... *blink* Nothing??? Checks the Pathfinder Reference Document. Bluff and Sense Motive. DOUBLE AWESOME SAUCE!!! Defund Bluff and Sense Motive entirely. I now have 10 more skill points to spend elsewhere. Stealth, max funding. I'll have to figure out the rest later. What should I choose at 6th level, that's 1 level away, I can defund another skill mostly. Percussion is nice. I don't have anything in either Intimidate or Handle Animals so I'll be ok with that. But ... seriously try finding a halfling scary. Wind has Diplomacy and Handle Animals. But then I don't have a Perform skill in something that uses Distraction. Act, Oratory, and Comedy overlap with Singing in some way. Dance is the only one left but it also grants Fly. Well, you never know when I might be flying. A dancing, singing halfling. Am I circus act or the opening of a bad joke? No matter what, it'll be fun.

I'll have to look at equipment later. I've got to get going. Until then, have fun.

Dale McCoy is President of Jon Brazer Enterprises. Visit our website to find out about our upcoming Pathfinder Compatable product: Book of the Faithful: The Power of Prayer.

dmccoy1693