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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Broccli_Head" data-source="post: 1770032" data-attributes="member: 105">The Serpent's Path, part II "Sergeant Bleda!" yelled the legionnaire captain. The sergeant came running out from one of the upper rooms of the Pilgrim's Rest, the only inn in town. He quickly buckled his belt, almost stumbling down the stairs to report to his superior officer. "What have you been doing, Sergeant Bleda?" asked Markus Cosele glancing up at the open door above. He caught a jumble of tousled red hair before the door slammed shut. The manus pillus followed his gaze. "Sir, I am off duty." "And who is guarding the Senator?" "Umm...the two from the Kom Legion." "And where is Senator Aeb?" Bleda hesitated again, "I think he is at the temple, sir." "You think!? You think!?" The young captain paced back and forth, shaking his head in disappointment just as he had seen his uncle do when seriously needing to correct one of his men. He took a deep breath and remembered that the sergeant was a veteran who had fought and bled for Tharda, not just some boy fresh off the farm. "Halea knows, and appreciates, your extra-curricular indulgences, but even though we are far removed from civilization, we cannot forget our responsibilities. Set up a new watch, taking into account that we," he said motioning to him and his companions, "have just traveled across hostile territory for most of the day. And please, Sergeant Bleda, take it upon yourself to see directly to the well-being of our employer." The sergeant, who had initially had a defensive stance, sagged his shoulders. "Yes sir, you are correct. I will go and stand guard by Senator Aeb and send for the other two legionnaires once they have rested." "Thank you, Sergeant Bleda. Let us be an example to the others." Bleda nodded but then shook his head confused when Markus Cosele took a long draught of ale, wiped the foam from his mouth, and slid the empty mug down the bar, asking for another. ** "I have been blessed by Ilvir himself!" proclaimed the one-eyed woman. Her name was Talia. The other pilgrim's around her muttered and nodded in acknowledgement. "Walk the Path! Walk the Path!" they began to chant Talia replied, "Surely I can reach the Final Circle and be in the court of the Brooder." "Do it! Do it!" encouraged the growing crowd. Halifax looked away in disgust. To him these pilgrims and their show of piety was madness. "They're daft. All of them." He, Vynsycthe and Rhygar shared mugs of Stinky Ale in the only inn in town. Pelar and Markus had gone to see their patron. The Rethemi knight responded, "They only follow what they believe is right. It is what inspires them. Gives them a will to live. I admire their zealousness." " 'Cept their choice of gods. Ilvir is mad. He is to be pitied. Worship of him; it is misguided at best. Now Kemlar; he is the god to follow. He tells us to be strong in battle for in clean strife, the heart can be joyous, and--" Halifax cut off the Kuboran, not liking where the conversation was going. "Gods, who needs them? All I need is a strong sword arm, and a little luck." Vynscythe gave a hearty laugh. There was a sparkle in his eye as he leaned towards Halifax and spoke conspiratorially, "Indeed, Halifax. I believe that the gods bless you. Have you ever considered that you luck comes from divine providence? Can not Luck itself be your god?" "Well said, well said, my Brother," added Rhygar taking a long swig from his jack. The teenager backed away. "Enough of this crazy talk. I have no use for gods, if they even exist...I make my own luck." The Rethemi knight leaned back, and folded his arms. "Oh, the gods do exist," he said shuddering at a sudden dark memory. "Be careful that you do not mock the wrong ones, and as to your current conviction. Time will tell, lad." Hal shook his head with skepticism. "Lad" indeed. This knight is barely older than me. Then again, Vynscythe had that haunted look. The same one he had seen among the older, scarred Ivinians, especially the ones that had gone viking way back in '07, when his mother was taken as a war bride and he clung to her leg so hard the Ivinians couldn't tear him off. Halifax broke away from his distant memory. This Vynscythe. Yes, he had seen his share of death. The boy winked to the knight and raised his ale in a toast. Game Notes: The second trip to Ochrynn...and this session was mainly role-playing. Have I mentioned how much I love Spiritual Attributes? In this game session there were times where the PLAYERS contributed to the overall narrative by having in character conversations on their own while I was doing something with another player. The conversation between Vyn and Hal above is merely a summary since the talk is so spontaneous. I believe this is driven by the fact that from CHARACTER CREATION the players have had to get to KNOW their characters and DEFINE them. The interactions between PC & PC and PC & the NPCs was very involved, so I am trying to recreate the feel of the session by detailing as best I can, the conversations. For most of the session we did not have to roll dice. The insight into the characters' backgrounds is to give hints at their SA's, Flaws, and other abilities. Questions are appreciated!!!! Next time...Pelar does his dissections of the Vlasta (hmmm... Apothecary/Surgery?) ...Markus meets with Senator Aeb...and maybe more.</blockquote>

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