For the Love of Tomeri...(23June2004)

From now one we will be called the Tacharim.

Classic Xaosmen behaviour... change your name whenever you get bored with the old one! Well, I hope they have several more names lined up 'cos were not done with our ruthless unprovoked attacks yet!
 

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Twenty Questions Littleby Cakebeard
note: these questions were answered by Crater who plays Littleby. The questions are a modified version of those found in the 7th Sea Players handbook by AEG

1. What country/place is Littleby Cakebeard from?

The subterranean kingdom of Brule Narn (Red Beard Mountain) on an obscure prime world. Brule Narn is a vast labyrinth of halls and shafts, a Dwarven city with a single purpose: to mine the gold from the heart of the mountain. The mountain was once said to be so rich in ore that it 'wept gold'.

Deep within the mountain however is a portal to the plane of negative energy which has contaminated the lower levels of the city and came close to threatening its complete destruction as the deadly energy seeped through the rock and the dead buried within the mountain were brought to life.

Around 75 years ago the portal was brought under the control of a small cabal of wizards who called themselves the Darkseers (see 'Cakebeard's Book of Tall Stories for Short People, Chapter 4'). The Darkseers maintain a vigil over the portal and are preparing for a time in the distant future when the portal will attempt to reopen.

2. How would you physically describe Littleby Cakebeard?

He is tall for a Dwarf (4'6"), and sturdy with it. His years spent working in the mines (his job was Junior Mineshaft Safety Inspector) have toughened him up. The engineers of Brule Narn are no strangers to hard labour; Littleby has a broken nose and has lost the tips of his fingers on his right hand.

As a planewalker he dresses extremely practically in hard wearing travelling clothes replete with harnesses and buckles to carry scientific equipment and his numerous scroll cases, notebooks, tomes of lore and rolled up maps.

3. Does Littleby Cakebeard have any recurring mannerisms?

He sometimes demonstrates a rather inappropriate sense of humour, which occasionally penetrates his dour Dwarf routine. He also has little appreciation for the arts, beyond stonework and metallurgy.

4. What is Littleby Cakebeard's main motivation?

He seeks to increase his control over negative energy and return to Brule Narn to help the Darkseers control the 'wild' portal. His wife and children died of some form of negation sickness many years ago and this is partly what motivated him to join the Darkseers in the first place.

5. What is Littleby Cakebeard's greatest strength? Greatest weakness?

His greatest strength would depend on your point of view. It could be said that his greatest strengths are the solid Dwarven values instilled in him from an early age. They give him a stable moral foundation on his journey across the planes. When the philosopher declares that Law requires Chaos, that Good requires Evil and that the Celestials are indeed just as bad as the Fiends, Littleby replies "After shaking hands with a philosopher, count your fingers." (Thanks to Tallarn for the quote!). This fixed morality could also be seen as his greatest weakness.

6. What are Littleby Cakebeard's most and least favourite things?

He values cooperation greatly, and understands that strength comes in numbers. He deplores necromantic magic (which differs from the magic of negation which he has chosen to study), and those who would bring the dead to unlife.

Littleby also has a very particular palate and will only eat traditional Dwarven food if he can help it. As it is nearly impossible to guarantee a plentiful supply of gritcake and schlock with curtain dumplings he carries with him an Ioun Stone of Sustenance so that he doesn't need to eat unless he chooses to.

7. What about Littleby Cakebeard's psychology? (i.e. demeanour, mentality)

Littleby approaches most problems as an engineer. If he could draw out detailed schematics of a potential battleground or a rare artifact he would, and he would study them until he could devise the most effective solution. When push comes to shove he will quite happily roll up his sleeves and get messy along with everyone else.

8. What is Littleby Cakebeard's single greatest fear?

He fears that he will not have the power to contend with the portal to Negation in Brule Narn when the time comes.

9. What are Littleby Cat love?

The safety of his people comes first and foremost. He also dreams of having his very own mining company, or leading a legendary team of engineers. He hopes that his journeys as a planewalker will one day lead him to the departed souls of his wife and children.

10. What is Littleby Cakebeard's opinion of Sigil?

Sigil is a wonderful centre of knowledge and rich in opportunities to expand ones craft, and all the time one feels reassuringly.....underground! He is also fascinated by the fact that so many diverse beings who would otherwise be tearing each others throats out have been brought under a functional peace within the Cage.

11. Does Littleby Cakebeard have any prejudices?

He is rapidly overcoming all sorts of racial prejudices and has encountered various examples of creatures who have cast aside their malignant natures. He still wont touch foreign food however.

12. Where do Littleby Cakebeard's loyalties lie?

They lie with his companions, his people, and anyone who seeks peace. He has recently joined the Harmonium and understands that the perfect ideal of Multiversal Harmony is championed by very real men and women each with their own agendas and their own flaws. Being very idealistic he believes that great good can be achieved with great organisation and cooperation.

13. Is Littleby Cakebeard in love? Is she married or betrothed?

Littleby has not done much but study since he lost his wife and children during the Great Darkness of Brule Narn. Any future love he might find would have to be allied with his cause.

14. What about Littleby Cakebeard's family?

The Dwarves of Brule Narn have huge extended families known as clans and Littleby is no exception. It is estimated that one third of the population was killed over the 9 years of the Great Darkness.

Some clans were harder hit than others, those who lived deeper in the mountain were almost completely wiped out. Clan Cakebeard still retains enough representation to exist in its own right while others have merged, leading to the first ever instances of double barrelled Dwarven surnames.

15. How would Littleby Cakebeard's parents describe him?

They would say he was credit to the engineers and his family, and commend him on his bravery for joining the Darkseers.

16. Is Littleby Cakebeard a gentleman?

Absolutely and utterly always, even when he's a gentlewoman.

17. How religious is Littleby Cakebeard? What church does he follow?

He is a devout follower of the Dwarven pantheon, as it is interpreted on his home world. This includes Moridan Moradin and Grumbar (seen as an honorary Dwarf) as the main deities (see the Book of Tall Stories for Short People for some bits on his religious beliefs).

18. Is Littleby Cakebeard a member of a church, guild and/or faction?

Yes to all of the above. Brule Narn imposes a strict observance of Dwarven religion, especially since the Great Darkness. He is a member of the Engineers Society, a huge guild within the mining Kingdom, a member of the arcane brotherhood of Darkseers, and now he's a Hardhead too!

19. What does Littleby Cakebeard think of psionics and magic?

He sees magic as a tool, and refers to it as the Craft, rather than the Art. He comes from a cabal of Negation specialists called the Darkseers who are so trained out of necessity. Magic that deals with the opening of portals and summoning of creatures is outlawed by his cabal as they are dedicated to little else but the permanent closure of such extra-dimensional gateways. This results in Conjuration being a prohibited school, and Necromancy being the specialist school.

He has had little contact with psionics until recently and reserves judgement until he has had time to study them further.

20. If you could, what advice would you give Littleby Cakebeard?

Maintain a clarity of purpose so that your many allegiances work for you rather than against you. Ally with EVERYONE, and if others get bogged down by compromise, focus them all with stunningly detailed schematic diagrams and achieve the unachievable.
 

Twenty Questions Andrew Rimilia
note: these questions were answered by Jonathan who plays Andrew. The questions are a modified version of those found in the 7th Sea Players handbook by AEG

1. What country/place is Andrew from?

I'm not familiar enough with Planescape to give a specific place, but I know that Andrew was born and raised in a backwater area that had little, if any, knowledge and contact with the outside world(s).

2. How would you physically describe Andrew?

Andrew Rimilia is fairly tall, thin almost to the point of being lanky, and muscular in a wiry way. His features are sharp and angular, his face and nose are aquiline, giving him an odd quality that is neither asian nor eastern european, but (if he existed in our world) would hold qualities of both. His eyes are a pale, faded blue. His hair is black, long enough to be held with a leather band, and already beginning to show grey at the temples, despite his young age. He wears a long serape-type garment, and a cloak when travelling, under which he conceals a number of tools and hidden weapons.

3. Does Andrew have any recurring mannerisms?

Andrew is prone to using dry humor in the least appropriate situations. He also has a tendency to clam up and refuse to be moved or show emotion during highly emotional situations.

4. What is your Andrew's main motivation?

Andrew's main motivation is to carve out a place for himself in the wide world. He wants the respect of his contemporaries AND his enemies (though he will usually settle for fear instead), and he wants to be recognized as a force to be reckoned with in his areas of speciality. Some day, he'd like to settle down and open a tavern.

5. What is Andrew's greatest strength? Greatest weakness?

Andrew's greatest strength is his adaptability. You can shock him, you can stun him, you can hurt him, but he WILL eventually come back, usually with a vengeance. No matter what happens (short of death), he can survive it with life and sanity intact. Andrew's greatest weakness is his inability to let himself feel anything strongly for other people (except his brother) and his lack of empathy.

6. What are Andrew's most and least favourite things?

Andrew's favorite thing in the known multiverse to do is sit atop the mountain in the cool of the morning, smoking a pipe and watching the sun rise. His second-favorite thing to do is go out on jobs for the Indeps, and for anyone else whose cause he feels is worthy (and worthwhile). In this sense, he is a romantic, though he'd never admit it. His least favorite thing in the known multiverse to do is to be tortured.

7. What about Andrew's psychology? (i.e demeanor, mentality)

Andrew is, above all other things, a survivor. He will do whatever it takes to get through. Cut off his legs, and he would tie off the wounds and try to crawl to a healer. No matter what happens, he will keep going, or die trying. Outwardly, he projects a demeanor of neutrality and casual interest that has fooled a number of people. In fact, he believes the work he does is for the greater good, if not necessarily the greater good any given government believes in.

8. What is Andrew's single greatest fear?

Andrew's single greatest fear is that he will somehow be remembered as a coward, a weakling, and a fool. His second-greatest fear is his brother.

9. What are Andrew's highest ambitions? Her greatest love?

If the world were to turn his way, Andrew would ultimately earn a place of great respect amongst rogues and Indeps the multiverse over, open a successful bar in which he would still have the opportunity to break up a barfight or two every night (so as not to get bored), find immortality, and adventure down through the ages, until the end of the universe. Andrew's greatest love is, at this time, given to his brother, Saros.

10. What is Andrew's opinion of Sigil?

Andrew likes Sigil. He likes anywhere that is complicated, and busy, and full of conflict, because it gives people like him ample room to maneuver (and often make a profit from it).

11. Does Andrew have any prejudices?

Andrew is not prejudiced against any group of race in particular, however, he will take up arms against anyone who makes a serious attempt to kill his brother without a second thought.

12. Where do Andrew's loyalties lie?

Andrew's loyalties lie in doing the right thing- which he does believe in, and very strongly- regardless of what the law might have to say about it. He is also fiercely loyal to his brother Saros, though this has caused him endless amounts of trouble.

13. Is Andrew in love? Is he married or betrothed?

Andrew is not in love with, in a relationship with, or even really close to (in that way) anyone else, at present. This is not to say that he never will be, but he's not a very approachable person.

14. What about Andrew's family?

Ah, family. Andrew's parents are dead. His only living relative is his brother. His brother is, to put it nicely, a cold-blooded killer. Saros Rimilia is an assassin, and a good one at that. Andrew can tell that Saros is good at his job for two reasons: 1) He is still alive, and 2) Very few people know who Saros is. Andrew is fiercely loyal to and defensive of his brother, despite this, and the feeling is reciprocated. Saros himself is a very distant, cold, emotionless person. He is smaller than his brother, gaunt, and posessed of the same black hair and- if anything- even sharper features. His eyes are also colored a strange and unnatural amber.

15. How would Andrew's parents describe him?

Andrew's parents, who died when he was roughly twelve years old, would probably be shocked all to hell and back by who he is now. His parents were subsistence farmers, and not very well-versed on anything that existed beyond the local general store.

16. Is Andrew a gentleman?

Yes and no. Andrew is very polite and respectful to those people he feels are deserving of respect, but he doesn't give a damn about honorifics (Lord, Lady, Sir, etc.) and he will say EXACTLY what he thinks about a person, to their face. Royalty does not impress him, neither do people with a great deal of money.

17. How religious is Andrew? What church do they follow?

In the traditional sense, Andrew is not very religious. He knows the gods are out there, and he respects them, but he feels no particular desire to worship them. He would stand before the gods, and speak his mind, rather than kneel or cower in worship. He doesn't attend churches, and believes organized religion is a mistake.

18. Is Andrew a member of a church, guild and/or faction?

Andrew is an Indep, and proud of it.

19. What does Andrew think of psionics and magic?

Andrew is intrigued by magic, and would like to learn more about it, but at the same time it worries him, because it is not something he can easily defend against. He is of the opinion that most people who wield magic are gits, not because they wield magic, but because most of the magic-users he's ever met happen to be gits. He doesn't know enough about psionics to form an opinion.

20. If you could, what advice would you give Andrew?

There's nothing that springs to mind, really.
 

crater said:
Classic Xaosmen behaviour... change your name whenever you get bored with the old one! Well, I hope they have several more names lined up 'cos were not done with our ruthless unprovoked attacks yet!

Don't worry, there will be plenty of other opportunities to have encounters with the Tacharim knights. Rest assured they will not easily forget about your little visit to their peaceful research base :heh: .

Anakharim - meaning 'Seekers of immortality'. As well as engaging in several legitimate business ventures and policing several trade-routes across the Outlands, this orgnaisation also has a reputation for dealing in contraband and conducting morally dubious research. The founder of the organisation sought to gain immortality by combining man with machine and they have numerous agents in Mechanus, the Outlands and the Mines of Marsellin, Acheron.

Tacharim - meaning 'Without emotion, transcedning life'. The raids on the great modron march have made this organisation several powerful enemies, resulting in the name change as well as change of focus. The organisation is rumoured to have recently merged with one that is based in Curst, gate-town to Carceri, and has stepped down its more 'direct' operations. Why they now call themselves 'those who transcend life' is unkown.
 

The organisation is rumoured to have recently merged with one that is based in Curst, gate-town to Carceri, and has stepped down its more 'direct' operations. .

Hmm. The Luminous Ones? Somehow I suspected they would be popping up again! What a wonderful partnership; man-machines seeking transcendence through cybernetics, and suspected anarchists who seek domination through infiltrating all the factions with brainwashed sleeper agents. I can't wait to see where that ones headed! :uhoh:

I wonder if the Luminous Ones have sleeper agents in the Tacharim? Or maybe, unbeknownst to the Luminous Ones, one of their high-ups is a modron wearing human skin who shows no fear, no pity, no remorse, AND ABSOLUBTELY WILL NOT STOP UNTIL WE ARE DEAD! :cool:
 


Why they now call themselves 'those who transcend life' is unkown.

Both the original organisations had some kind of rebirth in store for their agents. The Luminous Ones would send conscripts through the pearly gates (Sigil style) and wake them up on the other side, very dramatic for the simple folk they liked to pick on. The Anarkarim rebirthed through invasive surgery.

But as far as we can tell the Modrons are usually technically what we call alive, so why would a man-modron (mandrone?) transcend life? Maybe its something to do with not being able to kill Modrons. I wonder if we kill almost all the Tacherim there will end up being just one god-like super mandrone?

At the very least it will be fun testing the theory! :]
 

Crater, as always you are very good at putting the pieces of the puzzle together. Fortunately I still have a number of surprises up my sleeves.


crater said:
I wonder if the Luminous Ones have sleeper agents in the Tacharim?

Make you wonder how far up the modron hiercarchy the Tacharim-Luminous Ones will be able go. If the alliance has found a way to prevent their agents from being destroyed as rogue modrons, then potentially they can manipulate an entire planar race. Still, this is pure speculation.


crater said:
The Anarkarim rebirthed through invasive surgery.

They're now called the Tacharim :confused: . Littleby's implants are in the post, I'm sure that he will make a good addition to the organisation.

Anyway, I'm on holiday until Monday - hence the reason for no updates for awhile. However, I've most of the notes from last session written up and they contain some interesting revelations :cool: .
 

Twenty Questions Cade Highdale
note: these questions were answered by Tallarn who plays Cade. The questions are a modified version of those found in the 7th Sea Players handbook by AEG

1. What country/place is Cade from?
"Sigil native, berk. Always been around the place, learning the streets, the people and the ins-and-outs of it all. I don't leave the Cage much, I mean there's just so much going on here you've no need. Not that I wouldn't like to take a glance around some other planes, but Sigil's me home and that's how it's staying."

2. How would you physically describe Cade?
He's short, even for a halfling, but nearly always sporting a big, friendly smile on his face. Short black curly hair frames his ruddy face, and sometimes almost hide his jet black dark eyes. He's got a fine cloak wrapped around him, soft shoes on his feet, and a fine set of jerkin and trousers on. The more observant amongst you would spot a set of mithril chain that he wears underneath his other clothes, and the two fine rings on his fingers. His gloves looked well used and comfortable on his hands.

3. Does Cade have any recurring mannerisms?
He watches faces. Always. And he rarely stops chattering away about this, that and the other, but all the time he's doing it he's watching the people around them, getting a grip on who they are, what they want and so forth. He loves to understand the ways in which people relate to each other so that he can, metaphorically, put some nice big levers in and start moving things around.

4. What is your Cade's main motivation?
"Motivations themselves, chum. I love to know who's doing what, why, when and how. I love information, can't get enough of the stuff. That's the key for me - know enough about a person and you can suggest to them some things that'll help you. Whoops. Did I say help me? I meant them."

5. What is Cade's greatest strength? Greatest weakness?
Strength: His range of knowledge, skills, contacts and friends. In Sigil, he's amazingly well connected. Plus, he's just so damn likable.
Weakness: Cade relies heavily on his reputation and his Paladin friend in dangerous situations. He's had to cut and run a couple of times when things have gone wrong. Plus, if it's got no mind, he's very uncomfortable around it.

6. What are Cade's most and least favourite things?
"That moment on someone's face when they realise what's been going on in front of their nose without them seeing it. That's lovely, that. Gives me a funny little glowing feeling inside. Heh. Getting to know someone, too. I like that."
"But I can't stand bloody constructs. What's the sodding point, eh? How you supposed to deal with them? No mind, no body language, just bloody heavy stuff on legs that wants to hurt you. Bastards."

7. What about Cade's psychology? (i.e demeanor, mentality)
On the outside he's smiley, chirpy, happy little Halfling Bard boy. Loves helping people out (always for a little bit of payment, however), looks like everyone's best friend.
Inside his head he's much more calculating than that, always keeping an eye out for a space in which he can get a mental lever and start working things to his advantage.

8. What is Cade's single greatest fear?
Being kicked out of Sigil on a permanent basis, and being dumped in Mechanus.

9. What are Cade's highest ambitions? His greatest love?
A life of wealth and luxury, being waited on hand and foot by willing servants, all of whom are happy in his service. But then what are we saying? Of course they'll be happy!
His greatest love is knowing something that the person he's talking to doesn't know.

10. What is Cade's opinion of Sigil?
"Love it, chum. Nowhere else like it in the universe. Now I've been around a bit, heard a lot of tales and I can tell you - you can stick your Waterdeep, your City of Greyhawk, your floating castles and subterranean metatropolis. The City of Doors is the place to be, where everything'll happen sooner or later. It's the place where you can make yourself count for something, and have the most fun doing it."

11. Does Cade have any prejudices?
It goes somewhat without saying that Cade and the Harmonium don't really get along. They haven't got anything on him - yet - but if he could find a way to hurt them with minimal risk to himself, he'd take it.

12. Where do Cade's loyalties lie?
Utterly to himself, and to a much lesser extent his Faction. Everyone else can dance to his tune, preferably.

13. Is Cade in love? Is he married or betrothed?
*splutter* "What? Me? Married? You have got to be bloody joking, berk."

14. What about Cade's family?
*Cade goes quiet if asked* "Yeah, well, some of us have happy upbringings, and some don't. Them as brought up in the Hive that do lightboy work, it's not all fun and games, yeah? Me Da, he's long gone, and I'll tell you, a lot of people sent gifts to the funeral. Because they were glad he was dead. I'm not letting myself die like that. Never."

15. How would Cade's parents describe him?
"An irresponsible young wrastrel who's gonna get himself in trouble one of these days, no doubt."

16. Is Cade a gentleman/gentlewoman?
*splutters again* "You ask some pretty bloody funny question, berk."

17. How religious is Cade? What church do they follow?
"Well, I'm not really one for the big showy stuff, but I occasionally give a little something to a Temple. Puts them in a good frame of mind, y'know? Plus it can't hurt to have the Gods looking on you favourably. Whaddya mean, which Church? Depends what I've been up to and what I'm planning, mostly..."

18. Is Cade a member of a church, guild and/or faction?
"I've been hanging with the Fated for a while now. You get what you earn, that's what I believe. Me and them, we understand things. Want to achieve something, get big, earn respect? Get out there and earn it. Don't rely on gods, factions, guilds, friends or anything else. It's all in here *taps head* and you've got to get it out."

19. What does Cade think of psionics and magic?
"Bloody useful, isn't it? I dabble myself, got a few tricks. Can't say I really understand the means of it, but that don't mean I can't use it."

20. If you could, what advice would you give Cade?
Sooner or later, you're going to come up against someone smarter than you are, and better at playing this game. Try and be a little more cautious.
 

We Interrupt This Adventure to bring you the following scholarly excerpt by the noted sage Littleby Cakebeard

[Note: this chapter was written by Crater, who plays Littleby Cakebeard]

Chapter 5 - Love as Death

A Dwarven hero named Cebolla fell madly in love with the Dwarf princess Oyen, the most beautiful and radiant creature he had ever known. Her hair was black as onyx and such gold coarsed through her veins that she was more than her father's daughter.

Cebolla was buried in her but while Oyen had known many lovers, none would she entrust to rule the kingdom. When she left him he was heart broken and he swore that he was destined to one day win back her love. This oath consumed his life and soul.

A restless spirit he defeated in battle granted him the gift of second sight. He would dream of secrets hidden in unfathomable caverns and would imagine pathways through rock and ore twisting ever onwards. No door was closed to him and the labyrinth eternal held no mystery.

He saw all there was to see in all of creation but behind no door could he see Oyen.

'Bring me the one I love.' he whispered to the beetle, who scurried off and told the lizard. The lizard scampered to tell the bat who fluttered away and told the troll. The troll told the giant and the giant told the dragon. The dragon flew to the heart of the world and told Moridan Moradin who threw down his tools and went to Cebolla, who by now was old and decrepid, dying by the waters edge.

'You have wasted your life.' said Moridan Moradin to the lame hero, ' You have mistaken destiny for dream and like a fool you have searched too hard for what you always knew could never be. You have no strength because you have never known yourself. Know now that you are lord of all that shall not come to pass. Now drink from the pool and be at peace.'

Cebolla drank the dark water and died peacefully.
 

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