Silver Moon
Adventurer
Adventurer's Guild of Exemplary and Legendary Explorers, Scientists and Scholars (AGELESS)
Episode 1: Gateway to the World - Chapters 1 to 40
Episode 2: Temple of the Cat-Goddess - Chapters 41-145
Episode 3: Pending
This Pulp campaign is set on a quasi-historical Earth-like world that also includes the traditional D&D races, classes, magic and deities. This campaign is set on the same gaming world as my Wild West campaigns, although this game will have more of an international pulp flavor than a western. The game will include some characters and players from the previous campaign although most will be new ones. Several historical figures will also appear in this game as both Playing Characters and NPC's.
Playing Characters
1. Nanuet, Male Elf, Ranger3/Cleric3, (Dire Wolf)
2. Ruby West, Female Human, Rogue1/Bard6, (Queenie)
3. George Eastman, Male Human, Ranger1/DivineBard3 (Fenris)
4. Thomas Imamu Sapathwa Crane, Male Half-ogre, Bard2/Monk2 (Animadversio)
5. Roy Huggins, Male Gnome, Fighter1/Rogue3 (Reveal)
6. Abigail Elizabeth Marsters, Female Human, Aristocrat2/Wizard2 (Orchid Blossom)
7. John Wesley Hardin, Male Human, Fighter4 (Oldius Oneius)
8. Benjamin ‘Fish’ Trout, Male Human, Rogue4 (Rusty Halo)
9. Lawrence Cantrell, Male Human, Rogue4 (Kafitrar)
Primary Non-Player Characters
10. James A. Parker, Male Human, Figher1/Wizard3 (SilverMoon/NPC)
11. Wilamina Hamilton Parker, Female Human, Sorcerer5 (NPC)
12. Alsoomse, Female Elf, Druid/Sorcerer (NPC)
13. Pedro Luiz Napoleao Chernoviz, Male Human Cleric/Wizard (NPC)
14. Solomon Star, Male Human (NPC)
World Background:
This world has no Judeo-Christian religious background, with the Greek &Roman deities worshiped as the dominant religion among Western Civilization. The official ‘Greek-Roman Church’ is organized similar to our history’s Roman Catholic Church. Other Pantheons actively worshiped among the Western nations are the Norse and Celtic. Other parts of the world worship the deities native to those regional races and culture. Wizard magic originated on the long-lost island of Atlantis. In addition to “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” Homer’s writings included a third volume titled “Atlantis” which containing Atlantean wizard spells. This book was considered to be heretical and ordered to be destroyed (although copies survived).
Europe had major upheavals during the 14th to 16th century, but rather than it being the Protestant Reformation the conflict was regarding Clerical Magic vs. Wizard Magic. The Clerical-magic countries of Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and Greece colonized most of North America. The Wizard-magic countries of France, Portugal and Spain colonized Central and South America. Africa and Asia were colonized by nations of both outlooks.
The original indigenous races of the world are as follows:
England, Wales, Central Europe, southern Europe, Saharan Africa and Mediterranean regions = Humans;
Northern Europe and Scotland = Dwarves;
North America = High Elves and Centaurs;
Central & South America = Wood Elves;
Central & Southern Africa = Ogres and Half-ogres;
East Asia = Orcs and Half-orcs;
India = Goblins;
Australia = Halflings;
Pacific Islanders = Gnomes;
Antarctica = Giants and Bugbears.
The world itself is “low magic”, where the vast majority of the people use little-to-no magic. Most priests, druids, sorcerers, wizards and bards tend to be no higher than 5th Level. In the United States ‘Wizard Magic’ is considered to be witchcraft and is illegal (although many people secretly own a magic item and/or know one or two low-level spell that can discretely assist them in their chosen professions). Great Britain’s Queen Victoria is a staunch opponent of all Wizard Magic. Within the Pro-Wizard Magic nations the tolerance towards Clerical Magic varies widely. France is currently in political disarray as a druidess and her followers recently overthrew the government in a bloodless coup.
Chapter One, “A Trio of Trains”, Friday, September 1st, 1882, 10:30 A.M.
Introduction
James A. Parker was happier than he had been in months, for today was a very special day. Not only was he going to be reunited with his beloved wife of four-and-a-half years, who he has not seen since the middle of June, but today would also mark the arrival of nine other remarkable individuals who had recently been invited. These friends and associates possessed the skills and talents necessary towards the goal of unlocking the mysteries that James and his current team of archeologists had only just begun to unearth.
After enjoying a fine breakfast with his three colleagues at the house constructed upon the archeological site, Parker set off towards the City of Jacksonville, Florida, approximately twelve miles to the west. The archeological site is situated alongside the Saint Johns River, and for most trips to-and-from the city the usual mode of transportation has been the group’s sailboat. However, for today’s excursion the sailing vessel would have become too overcrowded given the large number of people plus their requisite luggage.
Thus, Parker headed instead over towards his most recent purchase, a brand new Concord Coach, and undraped the canvas cover over it. The Concord brand of stagecoaches were built in Concord, New Hampshire by the Abott-Downing Company, who made three different models designed to comfortably accommodate six, eight or thirteen passengers. For the current venture he had purchased the largest of these, with custom made wider-than-usual (and magically enhanced) wheels to better distribute the weight on the sandy soil of the region. After hitching up the team of six horses to the carriage he set off towards the city.
The First Train
Some fifty-five miles to the north, a southbound train belonging to the Savannah, Florida and Western Railroad has just pulled out of the Brunswick, Georgia train depot. Aboard this train is James Parker’s wife Wilamina Hamilton Parker, her Granddaughter Constance Grace ‘Ruby’ West, Ruby’s fiancé George Eastman and their elvan friend Nanuet, of the Native American Yavapai tribe .
This quartet had left New York City the previous day. The 850-mile journey from New York to Savannah, Georgia had been in the most elegant style, traveling aboard a luxurious Pullman Coach making its biweekly run between the two cities. The custom-made railroad car had spacious individual sleeping compartments as well as an adjacent dining car with a master chef. This group therefore managed to each get not only a good night’s sleep but also a start of the day with a exquisite breakfast, an altogether unusual experience given the state of most 19th century rail travel.
At Savannah the Pullman Coach reached the end of the line. The four needed to then change trains for the final 125-mile leg of the trip. They are now traveling inside a regular passenger compartment of a standard train. Seated in poorly padded bench seats facing each other, Mina looks towards her three companions and smiles.
The Second Train
A train belonging to the Georgia, Southern and Florida Railway is simultaneously departing the depot at Lake City, Florida, now on the eastbound track towards Jacksonville, Florida some seventy miles distant. This depot it situated at an the intersection of two important rail-lines, this specific train having just changed off from the northeast to southwest rail-line that runs a 1,100 mile stretch between Saint Louis, Missouri and Fort Pierce, Florida.
Three individuals on board this train are among those that James Parker plans to meet. Two of these have been travelling inside the First Class passenger compartment of the train, one having boarded in Saint Louis, the other in the southern Illinois town of Metropolis. They are each seated separately as they have yet to be introduced to one another.
The third individual is acquainted with both and had intended to make introductions and converse along the way, but his presence was redirected elsewhere as a result of his race. Doctor Thomas Imamu Sapathwa Crane had recently conducted some research for James Parker at universities and libraries in the cities of Montreal, Quebec and Cleveland, Ohio. From Cleveland he took a southbound train to Nashville, Tennessee where he changed trains to this one heading southeast, upon which his two other colleagues were traveling.
However, despite having a First Class ticket he was denied admittance to the car by the train conductor, whose actions were then supported by the local police, as the good Doctor Crane is of the half-ogre race.
He was similarity refused admittance to both the Second and Third Class passenger cars, being forced to travel inside a freight car. The car was partially filled with hay bales, where some fifteen other ogres and half-ogres were likewise traveling. Adding a further indignity, the freight car was locked from the outside and not opened during any stops for the 500 miles from Tennessee to Florida. This did allow him considerable time for meditative contemplation, interrupted only once when an ogre who thought the Doctor to be asleep attempted to steal from him. When finally released from his confinement and with suitcase in hand, Doctor Crane waited until the last possible second before the train departed from Lake City towards Jacksonville before stepping up onto the steps and railing between the First and Second Class compartments. Ignoring the yells directed at him from workers at the station as the train increased speed, he leisurely climbed up towards the backdoor of the First Class compartment and with his considerable strength pulled the secured door open and stepped inside.
The First Class Concierge immediately moved to intercept him. Doctor Crane then confused the man by politely handing him the appropriate ticket while stating in his British accent, “Here you are good man! I believe this is what you are seeking.” Looking forward he then exclaims, “Ah, there you are!”, having sighted both of the others (which is no great surprise given that every passenger in the car is now looking in his direction).
The first is an old friend of his, a male gnome by the name of Roy Huggins. That particular race was native to Pacific islands and within the United States gnomes had only recently begun to immigrate to the western states of California and Oregon as well as the territories of Washington and Alaska. So not surprisingly, he was the only gnome on this train. Huggins family immigrated to the United States over four decades earlier and has been employed by Parker since that time. Crane and Huggins had both served together during the American Civil War as members of a United States sponsored espionage team led by James Parker. In the years since the war they have only been together twice, at a funeral in 1876 and on an early 1878 mission with the Parkers in Istanbul, Turkey.
The second of these two individuals is an attractive young woman named Abigail Elizabeth Marsters, who he had met a few years back at an academic seminar while she was working on a pair of advanced degrees. He had recently worked with her at another archeological site in England and based upon that experience had highly recommended her services to James Parker.
The Third Train
Situated some ninety miles further west and upon the same eastbound track, also belonging to the Georgia, Southern and Florida Railway, is yet another train. This particular east-west section of track stretches some 1,675 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville, Florida all the way to El Paso, Texas at the Rio Grande River along the border of the New Mexico Territory.
This train also has three individuals on board heading to meet up with James Parker. The first of these is the notorious gunfighter John Wesley Hardin. Captured by the law in Pensacola, Florida in 1877, Hardin served nearly five years in a Texas prison before receiving a pardon by the Texas Governor. His time behind bars was a productive one, studying the law, and he passed the Texas Bar Examination upon his release.
Recruited by James Parker to serve a dual role as both lawyer and occasional guard, he has spent the previous week in the Florida capital of Tallahassee seeking reciprocity from the State to practice law. With both the Texas Governor’s pardon in hand as well as depositions from prominent citizens of Pensacola attesting to his good character when he lived there under the alias John Swain, Hardin persuasively made his case.
Earlier this morning Florida’s Governor, the publicity seeking William D. Bloxham, personally presented Attorney Hardin with the needed legal credentials amidst a flurry of reporters and photographers. After refusing to answer any questions and then having to intimidate the most persistent of the reporters to leave him alone, Hardin gathered up his belongings and headed towards the train depot.
Once aboard he sought out the other two men also heading to meet with Parker. The first of these is a young man named Benjamin 'Fish' Trout, a third generation carnival employee who usually winters in Florida, heading back this time from a Texas carnival a few months earlier than usual. This early return to the Sunshine State was prompted by a telegram from Wilamina Hamilton Parker, an interesting older woman that Trout had worked special assignments for on two previous occasions.
The other contact is a male human in his late thirties by the name of Lawrence Cantrell. He had boarded the train in New Orleans, where he had gone there to conduct a special errand for his long-time friend James Parker. Cantrell had served together with Parker during the American Civil War as members of a United States sponsored espionage team.
Episode 1: Gateway to the World - Chapters 1 to 40
Episode 2: Temple of the Cat-Goddess - Chapters 41-145
Episode 3: Pending
This Pulp campaign is set on a quasi-historical Earth-like world that also includes the traditional D&D races, classes, magic and deities. This campaign is set on the same gaming world as my Wild West campaigns, although this game will have more of an international pulp flavor than a western. The game will include some characters and players from the previous campaign although most will be new ones. Several historical figures will also appear in this game as both Playing Characters and NPC's.
Playing Characters
1. Nanuet, Male Elf, Ranger3/Cleric3, (Dire Wolf)
2. Ruby West, Female Human, Rogue1/Bard6, (Queenie)
3. George Eastman, Male Human, Ranger1/DivineBard3 (Fenris)
4. Thomas Imamu Sapathwa Crane, Male Half-ogre, Bard2/Monk2 (Animadversio)
5. Roy Huggins, Male Gnome, Fighter1/Rogue3 (Reveal)
6. Abigail Elizabeth Marsters, Female Human, Aristocrat2/Wizard2 (Orchid Blossom)
7. John Wesley Hardin, Male Human, Fighter4 (Oldius Oneius)
8. Benjamin ‘Fish’ Trout, Male Human, Rogue4 (Rusty Halo)
9. Lawrence Cantrell, Male Human, Rogue4 (Kafitrar)
Primary Non-Player Characters
10. James A. Parker, Male Human, Figher1/Wizard3 (SilverMoon/NPC)
11. Wilamina Hamilton Parker, Female Human, Sorcerer5 (NPC)
12. Alsoomse, Female Elf, Druid/Sorcerer (NPC)
13. Pedro Luiz Napoleao Chernoviz, Male Human Cleric/Wizard (NPC)
14. Solomon Star, Male Human (NPC)
World Background:
This world has no Judeo-Christian religious background, with the Greek &Roman deities worshiped as the dominant religion among Western Civilization. The official ‘Greek-Roman Church’ is organized similar to our history’s Roman Catholic Church. Other Pantheons actively worshiped among the Western nations are the Norse and Celtic. Other parts of the world worship the deities native to those regional races and culture. Wizard magic originated on the long-lost island of Atlantis. In addition to “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” Homer’s writings included a third volume titled “Atlantis” which containing Atlantean wizard spells. This book was considered to be heretical and ordered to be destroyed (although copies survived).
Europe had major upheavals during the 14th to 16th century, but rather than it being the Protestant Reformation the conflict was regarding Clerical Magic vs. Wizard Magic. The Clerical-magic countries of Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and Greece colonized most of North America. The Wizard-magic countries of France, Portugal and Spain colonized Central and South America. Africa and Asia were colonized by nations of both outlooks.
The original indigenous races of the world are as follows:
England, Wales, Central Europe, southern Europe, Saharan Africa and Mediterranean regions = Humans;
Northern Europe and Scotland = Dwarves;
North America = High Elves and Centaurs;
Central & South America = Wood Elves;
Central & Southern Africa = Ogres and Half-ogres;
East Asia = Orcs and Half-orcs;
India = Goblins;
Australia = Halflings;
Pacific Islanders = Gnomes;
Antarctica = Giants and Bugbears.
The world itself is “low magic”, where the vast majority of the people use little-to-no magic. Most priests, druids, sorcerers, wizards and bards tend to be no higher than 5th Level. In the United States ‘Wizard Magic’ is considered to be witchcraft and is illegal (although many people secretly own a magic item and/or know one or two low-level spell that can discretely assist them in their chosen professions). Great Britain’s Queen Victoria is a staunch opponent of all Wizard Magic. Within the Pro-Wizard Magic nations the tolerance towards Clerical Magic varies widely. France is currently in political disarray as a druidess and her followers recently overthrew the government in a bloodless coup.
Chapter One, “A Trio of Trains”, Friday, September 1st, 1882, 10:30 A.M.
Introduction
James A. Parker was happier than he had been in months, for today was a very special day. Not only was he going to be reunited with his beloved wife of four-and-a-half years, who he has not seen since the middle of June, but today would also mark the arrival of nine other remarkable individuals who had recently been invited. These friends and associates possessed the skills and talents necessary towards the goal of unlocking the mysteries that James and his current team of archeologists had only just begun to unearth.
After enjoying a fine breakfast with his three colleagues at the house constructed upon the archeological site, Parker set off towards the City of Jacksonville, Florida, approximately twelve miles to the west. The archeological site is situated alongside the Saint Johns River, and for most trips to-and-from the city the usual mode of transportation has been the group’s sailboat. However, for today’s excursion the sailing vessel would have become too overcrowded given the large number of people plus their requisite luggage.
Thus, Parker headed instead over towards his most recent purchase, a brand new Concord Coach, and undraped the canvas cover over it. The Concord brand of stagecoaches were built in Concord, New Hampshire by the Abott-Downing Company, who made three different models designed to comfortably accommodate six, eight or thirteen passengers. For the current venture he had purchased the largest of these, with custom made wider-than-usual (and magically enhanced) wheels to better distribute the weight on the sandy soil of the region. After hitching up the team of six horses to the carriage he set off towards the city.
The First Train
Some fifty-five miles to the north, a southbound train belonging to the Savannah, Florida and Western Railroad has just pulled out of the Brunswick, Georgia train depot. Aboard this train is James Parker’s wife Wilamina Hamilton Parker, her Granddaughter Constance Grace ‘Ruby’ West, Ruby’s fiancé George Eastman and their elvan friend Nanuet, of the Native American Yavapai tribe .
This quartet had left New York City the previous day. The 850-mile journey from New York to Savannah, Georgia had been in the most elegant style, traveling aboard a luxurious Pullman Coach making its biweekly run between the two cities. The custom-made railroad car had spacious individual sleeping compartments as well as an adjacent dining car with a master chef. This group therefore managed to each get not only a good night’s sleep but also a start of the day with a exquisite breakfast, an altogether unusual experience given the state of most 19th century rail travel.
At Savannah the Pullman Coach reached the end of the line. The four needed to then change trains for the final 125-mile leg of the trip. They are now traveling inside a regular passenger compartment of a standard train. Seated in poorly padded bench seats facing each other, Mina looks towards her three companions and smiles.
The Second Train
A train belonging to the Georgia, Southern and Florida Railway is simultaneously departing the depot at Lake City, Florida, now on the eastbound track towards Jacksonville, Florida some seventy miles distant. This depot it situated at an the intersection of two important rail-lines, this specific train having just changed off from the northeast to southwest rail-line that runs a 1,100 mile stretch between Saint Louis, Missouri and Fort Pierce, Florida.
Three individuals on board this train are among those that James Parker plans to meet. Two of these have been travelling inside the First Class passenger compartment of the train, one having boarded in Saint Louis, the other in the southern Illinois town of Metropolis. They are each seated separately as they have yet to be introduced to one another.
The third individual is acquainted with both and had intended to make introductions and converse along the way, but his presence was redirected elsewhere as a result of his race. Doctor Thomas Imamu Sapathwa Crane had recently conducted some research for James Parker at universities and libraries in the cities of Montreal, Quebec and Cleveland, Ohio. From Cleveland he took a southbound train to Nashville, Tennessee where he changed trains to this one heading southeast, upon which his two other colleagues were traveling.
However, despite having a First Class ticket he was denied admittance to the car by the train conductor, whose actions were then supported by the local police, as the good Doctor Crane is of the half-ogre race.
He was similarity refused admittance to both the Second and Third Class passenger cars, being forced to travel inside a freight car. The car was partially filled with hay bales, where some fifteen other ogres and half-ogres were likewise traveling. Adding a further indignity, the freight car was locked from the outside and not opened during any stops for the 500 miles from Tennessee to Florida. This did allow him considerable time for meditative contemplation, interrupted only once when an ogre who thought the Doctor to be asleep attempted to steal from him. When finally released from his confinement and with suitcase in hand, Doctor Crane waited until the last possible second before the train departed from Lake City towards Jacksonville before stepping up onto the steps and railing between the First and Second Class compartments. Ignoring the yells directed at him from workers at the station as the train increased speed, he leisurely climbed up towards the backdoor of the First Class compartment and with his considerable strength pulled the secured door open and stepped inside.
The First Class Concierge immediately moved to intercept him. Doctor Crane then confused the man by politely handing him the appropriate ticket while stating in his British accent, “Here you are good man! I believe this is what you are seeking.” Looking forward he then exclaims, “Ah, there you are!”, having sighted both of the others (which is no great surprise given that every passenger in the car is now looking in his direction).
The first is an old friend of his, a male gnome by the name of Roy Huggins. That particular race was native to Pacific islands and within the United States gnomes had only recently begun to immigrate to the western states of California and Oregon as well as the territories of Washington and Alaska. So not surprisingly, he was the only gnome on this train. Huggins family immigrated to the United States over four decades earlier and has been employed by Parker since that time. Crane and Huggins had both served together during the American Civil War as members of a United States sponsored espionage team led by James Parker. In the years since the war they have only been together twice, at a funeral in 1876 and on an early 1878 mission with the Parkers in Istanbul, Turkey.
The second of these two individuals is an attractive young woman named Abigail Elizabeth Marsters, who he had met a few years back at an academic seminar while she was working on a pair of advanced degrees. He had recently worked with her at another archeological site in England and based upon that experience had highly recommended her services to James Parker.
The Third Train
Situated some ninety miles further west and upon the same eastbound track, also belonging to the Georgia, Southern and Florida Railway, is yet another train. This particular east-west section of track stretches some 1,675 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville, Florida all the way to El Paso, Texas at the Rio Grande River along the border of the New Mexico Territory.
This train also has three individuals on board heading to meet up with James Parker. The first of these is the notorious gunfighter John Wesley Hardin. Captured by the law in Pensacola, Florida in 1877, Hardin served nearly five years in a Texas prison before receiving a pardon by the Texas Governor. His time behind bars was a productive one, studying the law, and he passed the Texas Bar Examination upon his release.
Recruited by James Parker to serve a dual role as both lawyer and occasional guard, he has spent the previous week in the Florida capital of Tallahassee seeking reciprocity from the State to practice law. With both the Texas Governor’s pardon in hand as well as depositions from prominent citizens of Pensacola attesting to his good character when he lived there under the alias John Swain, Hardin persuasively made his case.
Earlier this morning Florida’s Governor, the publicity seeking William D. Bloxham, personally presented Attorney Hardin with the needed legal credentials amidst a flurry of reporters and photographers. After refusing to answer any questions and then having to intimidate the most persistent of the reporters to leave him alone, Hardin gathered up his belongings and headed towards the train depot.
Once aboard he sought out the other two men also heading to meet with Parker. The first of these is a young man named Benjamin 'Fish' Trout, a third generation carnival employee who usually winters in Florida, heading back this time from a Texas carnival a few months earlier than usual. This early return to the Sunshine State was prompted by a telegram from Wilamina Hamilton Parker, an interesting older woman that Trout had worked special assignments for on two previous occasions.
The other contact is a male human in his late thirties by the name of Lawrence Cantrell. He had boarded the train in New Orleans, where he had gone there to conduct a special errand for his long-time friend James Parker. Cantrell had served together with Parker during the American Civil War as members of a United States sponsored espionage team.
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