Against the Shadow V - A Faded Glory Story Hour

[Lela]

Reds vs. Greens, A delema of politcal proportions.

Well, were I in Quintus' position I would have a big delema (sp?).

Help the Reds and there will be less bandits to harrass visitors to his new little dwelling. But not as many will come there.

Help the Greens and more people will come there. But there will be more bandits to harrass them. He might have to provide guards. Maybe even, at some point, a group that does nothing but search out and kill bandit groups. Lofty goals. I think they fit right into Quintus' personality.

Personally I would help the Greens if I had to choose between them. But, thanfully, there is a third option.

I recomend that you check the halflings out before you do anything major. If you can.

Ummmm, in all this typing, I've forgoten where the group is at. Red or Green? Everyone has to run out of insight at some point.

 

[Tortoise]

Red & Green = Brown

Greetings all,

As one of the priveledged players in Old One's excellent campaign (yes, he keeps it pretty close to the way it reads!), I wanted to drop a note in without spoiling any of the upcoming posts.

The party alignments from my perspective, having never perused anyone's character sheets or discussed actual character alignments, seem to run as follows:

Sextus = Chaotic Good
Lew = Lawful Good
Quintus = Scheming Good
(don't know about NG, more likely CG)
Rose = most likely Chaotic Good
and I try to play Rowan as close to "book" Neutral Good as I can. (have to ask Old One how I'm doing with regard to holding that line)

The discussion about what to do, who to side with, and why was great fun. Old One just wound us up and let us go. We took about half an hour going back and forth over the ideology and politics of the groups, weighing pros and cons before determining a course of action. THEN we had to decide on the time-table.

Eventually with a little research we determined that the Shadowblades were murderers, and base thieves. That made it agreeable for all of us to go after them politics aside.

We're hoping to find evidence linking a few loose ends so that we'll have a much clearer view of just how screwed we really are, er, I mean just who we're really dealing with.

Now on to OO's comment about his players letting him down on write-ups ... sorry, (hangs head in shame).

I think all of us have had our hands full with work and RL things lately. Too bad too, I had hoped to get a chance to sit down and toss in a write-up, but it's tougher for me when we're literaly in the middle of a situation.

Regardless, I have a blast in the game, bonus xp or not.

 

[Lela]

Hope everything improves Tortoise.

Tortoise: Good luck with the SITUATION


Anyone it the Game: Just out of curriosity, how was my assessment of Quintus' views on the Reds and Greens?

Old One: Thanks for the measurments! I havn't had a chance to look them over but, if they live up to even your lowest moments, I'm sure they will be spectacular!

Edit: It occers to me that, with these new boards, you could just attach the file to a post now (look at the bottom of the screen when posting) and it will be there for anyone who wants it. I've never tried it but I assume it would save you some time.

 

[Old One]

Re: Reds vs. Greens, A delema of politcal proportions.

Well, were I in Quintus' position I would have a big delema (sp?).

Help the Reds and there will be less bandits to harrass visitors to his new little dwelling. But not as many will come there.

Help the Greens and more people will come there. But there will be more bandits to harrass them. He might have to provide guards. Maybe even, at some point, a group that does nothing but search out and kill bandit groups. Lofty goals. I think they fit right into Quintus' personality.

Personally I would help the Greens if I had to choose between them. But, thanfully, there is a third option.

I recomend that you check the halflings out before you do anything major. If you can.

Ummmm, in all this typing, I've forgoten where the group is at. Red or Green? Everyone has to run out of insight at some point.

Lela -

The only problem with the "Greens" is that the party killed the grandson of the factional leader!

When they defeated the gnolls outside the ruins of Greenspire and Rose hacked the head off of the gnollish leader, the body turned into that of Acrius Sestius, Grandson of Antoinine Sestius.

As far as the party knows, it was the elder Sestius who placed the bounty of 10,000 denarii on their collective heads throught the Merchant's Council.

But is all as it seems...!?!

~ Old One

 

[Old One]

Ahh...One of My Prodigal Players!

<snip>

The discussion about what to do, who to side with, and why was great fun. Old One just wound us up and let us go. We took about half an hour going back and forth over the ideology and politics of the groups, weighing pros and cons before determining a course of action. THEN we had to decide on the time-table.

Eventually with a little research we determined that the Shadowblades were murderers, and base thieves. That made it agreeable for all of us to go after them politics aside.

We're hoping to find evidence linking a few loose ends so that we'll have a much clearer view of just how screwed we really are, er, I mean just who we're really dealing with.

<snip>

Just Kiddin', Tortoise Old Boy!

That was one of the best exchanges they have had in character during the whole campaign. It finally came down to a 3-2 vote to "help" the "Reds" and kick the Shadowblades in the teeth at th same time...

Stay tuned to see how truly scre...err, how well they are doing!

~ Old One

 

[Old One]

Just got back into town...

Greetings All!

Thanks for the patience...should have the next update in later tonight or first thing tomorrow AM.

~ Old One

 

[Old One]

Interlude

Zen and the Art of Plot-Spinning

Gaahhh! Left my notes and disk at work...so I thought I would do a quick update on what is happening with and around the party. I will shoot for a real update by Monday!

Our intrepid band of adventurers have left the familiarity of their northern home for the port city of Oar, but arrive to find it a swirling den of intrigue (with themselves right in the middle)!

Current plot elements include:

• The "Reds" vs. the "Greens" vs. the "Stunties": Three main political factions currently vie for supremecy in the town - the "Reds" (free traders), the "Greens" (tariffs and taxes) and the "Stunties" (powerful halfling trading houses). The party, by virtue of their relationship with Drusilla, the surviving Cassuvius daughter (and heir to his vast fortune), is nominally allied with the "Reds", whose main players thus far are Lady Andrimia and the dashing Captain Rook. Captain Rook is also a candidate in the upcoming Merchant's Council elections.
  
  Most of the conflict in town is between the "Reds" and the "Greens" and neither side seems anxious to take on the halfling trading houses. Some of the party members, especially Brother Lew, are reluctant to become too deeply tied to the "Reds" (whom Lew sees as little better than lawless smugglers), but the "Greens" are headed by Antoinine Sestius, grandfather of Acrius Sestius (who the PCs stand accussed of murdering) and father of Domita Sestius (Drusilla's evil stepmother).
  
  There are also strong rumors that the elder Sestius is deeply involved with Oar's underground element, the Shadowblades.
  
• The Church: - Brother Lew has become aware of potential rift forming in the Church of Light. Abbot Patroclian, who represents the more active Berylian arm of the Church, has asked the young cleric to join him in restoring the Church to its rightful place in the lands and stamp out evil. Lew's younger brother Marcus (also a priest) has already joined the cause. Lew, anxious to be reconciled with his brother and dismayed at the lack of faith shown by many ordinary folk, is strongly considering the Abbot's request.
  
• Drusilla: The beautiful daughter of Calian Cassuvius is somewhat of an enigma. Left unable to speak from her terrible wound throat wound, she has shown interest in several party members including Quintus, Sextus and Rowan. Sextus is consumed with guilt over failing to stop the deaths of her two sisters and is very uncomfortable around her! Quintus and Rowan have a friendly rivalry going for her attentions, complicated by Rowan's pledge (in Quintus' mind, at least) to Quintus' sister Maxima.
  
• Research on the Cult of Ashai: What the party has discovered in the Cathedral libraries has been sketchy, but cryptic and unsettling. It is clear that something very bad is going on in the abandoned western mines near Glynden!

Next: Interlude - Unfinished Business

~ Old One

 

[Broccli_Head]

back for more!

I too like Captain Rook. He reminds me of the pirate captain from the latest adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo. I also agree with the 'pirates' v. 'bandits' assesment of Reds v. Greens, respectively.

Who voted for what course of action? The 3-2 split intrigues me.
And what about the halflings. Too bad there is no longer one with the party....

 

[Lazybones]

You weave a tangled web, Old One...

Great plot devices, looking forward to seeing how it all plays out!

LB

 

[Old One]

Interlude

Unfinished Business

Although our intrepid band is currently neck deep in intrigue in the port city of Oar, other tasks and trials await their gentle attentions!

Other Plot Lines

• The Cult of Ashai: Research on this obscure, but menacing cult was one of the main purposes for their trip to Oar. Clearly, the mysterious "R" is up to no good, but who is she and exactly what his she about? She has demonstrated mastery over powerful magic, particularly in the field of necromancy. Her eyes seem to be everywhere and little escapes her notice. Every day they spend in Oar prevents them from finding out what is going on...
  
• Sisters and Lovers: Sisters and lovers plague the mind of Quintus. He feels responsible for finding suitable matches for his myriad of sisters. Sabrina, the oldest, has taken up with the lout Orsen Jucadius (one of the Swords of Glynden) and his currently his paramour. She refuses to listen to reason and return home to kin and hearth.
  
  Maxima is certainly interested in Rowan and Quintus thought the ranger returned her feelings, but his friend's eyes now linger far too long on Drusilla Cassuvius for Quintus' tastes.
  
  Quintus knows Drusilla likes him and she represents the wealth and prestige that the sorcerer longs to attain for his family name. Unfortunately, thoughts of the Cassuvius girl are clouded by lingering feelings for his old lover and mining crew member Abrigal. He fears something terrible has befallen her, either at the hands of Ned Gallway or through her own interests in necromancy. Can he commit himself to Drusilla with Abrigal still in his mind?
  
• "Fortress Scipio": Sextus has claimed the old auxiliary cohortal base for the Family Scipio, but can he make the claim stick? The crumbling fort would make a fine base of operations to expand Glynden's influence to the West and perhaps open trade with the tribes across the Thunder River, but is it too isolated? What secrets still lie hidden within the silent walls?
  
• Dungeons and Diapers: Rosë now has responsibility for a 3-month old son. The child is currently under the care of the Matron Scipio and her herd of daughters. Will the child grow to wield axe or knitting needle?
  
• Enemies Within: Both Ned Gallway (foreman of "Boss" Brathwaite's mining company) and Josephus of Bremerton (tracker and militia scout) give the party - and Quintus in particular - dark looks as they pass. Quintus posses a scroll that the former wants back very badly and the elder Scipio accussed the latter of poison and attempted murder! What kind of reception awaits the band from these two upon their return?
  
• Rosë and his Past: An eagle-shaped birthmark stretches from shoulder-to-shoulder across the barbarian's broad back. His father was the so-called "Emperor of the North" a generation ago. His grandfather is the Warlord of the Brigantes. The members of the tribes across the river hate him and want to kill him on site. What kind of destiny awaits this fierce warrior?
  
• Let's Put on our Merchant's Hat: Quintus' sister Luella is proving to be quite a trader. The party has made contacts with several prominent trading families. The abandoned western mines are still ripe with a variety of ores. Can Quintus bring it all together and start his own merchant coster - bypassing "Boss" Brathwaite and securing another source of income for Glynden and the Scipio family - or is our enterprising sorcerer building a house of cards?

The party has many irons in the fire! Which ones will be made into well-tempered blades and which ones will burn our heroes badly? Come back soon to find out!

~ Old One