Playing Dice with the Universe

Summary: Dealing with a rogue trader. Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Duelist Flendac (Kris) - Human Master Assassin Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Zena (Oliver) - Human Artillerist Rubinifer (Rob) - Human Outlaw Chief Chapter 83 ~ Merchants Of Paradise As Rubinifa finished the tale of how Keval and Gobbo died we concluded there must have been something of importance on the two carts that would mean Silavan had sent Keval to guard it. We set off early the next morning to go and retrieve the carts taking Sarah with us.  There was some discussion about if it would be safe to take her with us given the bounty hunters were still looking for her. A couple of hours of walking later we saw Lance, Lloyd and Cody.  Three of the mercenaries that had fled from the battle with Gobbo the great.  They were surprised to see Rubinifa and Hayley alive and wanted to know what had happened.  Rubinifa convinced them Gobbo had killed Keval but then he and Hayley had slain the wa

Summary: More rats at Dagmar's keep.  Gobbo returns. Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Duelist Madoc (David) - Human Friar of Manann [ Poseidon ] Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Zena (Oliver) - Human Artillerist Rubinifer (Rob) - Human Outlaw Chief Chapter 82 ~ I put a spell on you We join our heroes as Madoc and Tayy are hurrying back to Kreutshofen to get help from the Militia against the Skaven force attacking Keep Dagmar.  The other four jump off the cart and run into the woods in two groups with the aim of delaying the Skaven assault using skirmishing tactics to keep them occupied. Sarah and Rubinifa headed into the eastern woods, away from the wizard.  Here a shadowy form ambushed them.  Thinking he could make short work of the two intruders Death-master Snikch slashed at them both with his swords.  Taking only light wounds the pair were able to retaliate.  Moments later a lucky blow from Sarah cut the Death-master down as he tried to flee having real

Summary: Dagmar has rats at her keep. Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Duelist Madoc (David) - Human Friar of Manann [ Poseidon ] Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Zena (Oliver) - Human Artillerist Rubinifer (Rob) - Human Outlaw Chief Chapter 81 ~ I think I smell a Rat In order to find out when the Debellen mercenaries were going to be taking on the role of bandits again Tayy suggested that Hayley and Rubinifer got jobs there.  The pair went and got themselves hired for the next wagon train that was heading out in two days time.  While sparing with the other employees Hayley recognised the mercenary captain as the man who had been leading the bandit group we had seen robbing the La Marr traders a few days ago. While relaxing and playing cards that afternoon Sarah Beaumont found us at the mill.  We were somewhat surprised to see her given the bounty hunters were only staying at the pub across the road!  She told us Dagmar had been attacked by Skaven near Grung Ar

Background A nostalgic dungeon delving game using the Moldvay Basic D&D rules which we have now been playing for over four years! It is an open table format game with who ever turns up heading into the dungeon.  The game is currently socially distanced being playing using Discord. Chapter 51 Oct - Something Spooky in the dark After an elaborate funeral for Berg our three adventurers (Halvor, Kate and Gibbet) went looking for some new recruits.  They found a pair of newly arrived Llanowar Elves - Winkle and Fron.  Fully armed with plate mail, sword and fireball spells; what more would you want from a Sorcerer? Gibbet, having now seen the cloak of invisibility could be used all the time happily traded his displacement cloak with Halvor.  This suited the Templar as he now had a ring and did not need two items with the same power.  Kate and Halvor lend spare magical weapons to the Elves ready for whatever we may face today. Reaching the caves we cautiously proceeded east into a l

Summary: Helping old friends while collecting information on local events. Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Duelist Madoc (David) - Human Friar of Manann [ Poseidon ] Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Zena (Oliver) - Human Artillerist Rubinifer (Rob) - Human Outlaw Chief Chapter 80 ~ Living in the Moment Sarah Beaumont the assassin we had met on our travels to Nuln came looking for Morgan.  It turned out the Teller family were clearing house and she was being hunted and looking for protection.  We arranged for her to go with Dagmar and help out our friendly outlaws with her skills. Next we visited Asterellion at the artist colony to find out if he had been able to deal with Gobbo the Great and his Elven follower.  It turned out they had not and Tayy was able to convince one of the war dancers to offer us 200 crowns should we success and bring these Elves the heads of their enemy as proof.  Tayy was also able to spend more time with Flora who agreed she could tra

Background: Helping Dagmar since we were doing the task anyway! Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Mistress of Magic Flendac (Kris) - Human Master Assassin Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Zena (Oliver) - Human Artillerist Rubinifer (Rob) - Human Outlaw Chief Chapter 79 ~ Back to Basics We repainted the first of the two carts as Kreutshofen Mill and passed it, and the horse, over to Jim Miller to look after.  As the mill owner we can always borrow it when needed.  We made plans to load the other one up with food for the Orcs and take it back through the pass while we hunted for the Great Gobbo.  There is also a chance we could get a reward from the Lamar trading company for returning the other wagon.  Tayy also mentioned that Rickard had opened a local branch giving us somewhere to spend our gold on magical items.  Unfortunately we were all poor after our long trip away and were not able to make use of his opening sale. While making our preparations Dagmar came l

Background: Finding a shipment of missing bricks. Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Mistress of Magic Madoc (David) - Human Friar of Manann [ Poseidon ] Flendac (Kris) - Human Master Assassin Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Zena (Oliver) - Human Artillerist Rubinifer (Rob) - Human Outlaw Chief Chapter 78 ~ A new beginning Having spent two weeks traveling the gang reached Kreutshofen and took a few days to relax and recover from their long trip.  Tayy went off and spent a couple of days collecting profits from his business interests and immediately spending them on a new project. On the next day the exciting halfling rushed into the tavern and told his friends to finish their drinks as he had something exciting to show them.  Begrudgingly they followed him to the waterfront.  The derelict building next to the mill had been demolished and carpenters were starting to construct a new building.  Tayy explained this was the new Temple of Mann.  He was showing his pat

Background: Escaping from the city when things go wrong. Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Mistress of Magic Madoc (David) - Human Friar of Manann [ Poseidon ] Flendac (Kris) - Human Master Assassin Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Zena (Oliver) - Human Artillerist Rubinifer (Rob) - Human Outlaw Chief Chapter 77 ~ Day Three Zena completed her training to become an Artillerist and with increased mental fortitude was able to attune to all the three rings she had acquired from Morgan. An acolylte of Mann knocked on the door of our lodgings and asked us to come meet with Adam Peaty.  Once there Adam told us about the brutal murders at the Dogs Bark and that watch commander Tyson Fury, supported by Boris Becker, was looking for the culprits.  Apparently a halfing and friends were seen leaving the bar and a Becker had put up 500 crown reward! He also introduced us to Madoc a friar from the far flung edge of the Empire who was traveling the waterways of his god.  Adam

Background: Rescuing a little girl at a very high cost. Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Nobel Morgan (David) - Human Battle Mage Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Zena (Oliver) - Human Bricklayer Chapter 76 ~ Day two (evening) Zena and Morgan sat in the Dogs Bark at the table next to Jarad and listened to his conversation with Boris Becker.  We did not learn anything new Becker confirmed Jarad would get his daughter back once the taxation law was passed.  We followed Becker back to his estate but that was just a dead end. We discussed going to the theater and giving up on finding Odette but in the end agreed to go back to the bar and interrogate Steffi the owner as we knew she was working for Becker. Unfortunately Morgan forgot to cast his protective auras before we entered the pub.  He asked Steffi about Odette and could tell she was lying.  He offered to show her and the other staff a magic trick.  They gathered together to watch and he flung lighting over th

Background: Intrigue means finding work for a master assassin... Our Heroes Hayley (Elliot) - Human Nobel Morgan (David) - Human Battle Mage Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Flendac (Kris) - Human Master Assassin Chapter 75 ~ Day two Our breakfast was once again interrupted this time by Marcel telling us the local news that eight men had tried to mug Andy Dufranne and he had defeated them all.   After breakfast we went to check out the jobs board and saw that Jurgan Klopp was wanting help.  Given he was on our list this seemed a good opportunity. He offered 50 crowns to recover a ring with a Liver bird design that he said has been stolen and donated to the temple of Mann.  During our conversation our city of origin came up and we discussed our mutual ally, Silavan.  Having convinced Jurgan we were part of the inner circle he offered us 1000 crowns to make sure Andy Dufranne was found dead.  We also found out he was voting in favor of taxation and had been shippin

  Mana fixing in Magic Once you start building a Magic the Gathering deck with more than one colour you run the risk of ending up being mana screwed.  This is when you cannot cast the spells in your hand with the lands you have played.  White Knight and Black Knight both cost two mana of their own colour.  While you can play either of them on turn two you will not be able to play the other on turn three without having a land that taps for both colours.  Multi-colour lands are refered to as dual when they tap for two colours; tri-lands for 3 and rainbow when they can produce all five colours. Properties of lands The main properties of lands are if they enter tapped or untapped and if they have basic land types ( more on why that is important in a moment ).  Most lands that have more than one colour have a condition or cost for entering the battlefield untapped or for producing coloured mana. Most lands come in cycles.  For two colour lands these are either the Allied or Enemy colours. 

  Background A nostalgic dungeon delving game using the Moldvay Basic D&D rules which we have now been playing for four years! It is an open table format game with who ever turns up heading into the dungeon.  The game is currently socially distanced being playing using Discord.   Chapter 48 July - Covering the same ground We had the full party of our six regular characters continue questing to find the fabled hoard of Riha the Bejewelled.  Trekking back to the ruins, over the pit, down the trapdoor and, as usual, wander around a few rooms slaying some monsters and not finding much of note.  Innara did manage to level up and gain access to fourth level spells! Chapter 49 August - Somewhere new With only three adventures ( Berg the Dwarf; Halvor the Templar; Innara the Wizard ) we decided to pick a new cave.  Heading further down the path we found a cave in which some giant lizards were nesting. Our first plan was to send in a swarm of snakes but they all mysteriously died as t

Background: Intrigue at the court of Nuln. Our Heroes Zena (Oliver) - Human Bricklayer Morgan (David) - Human Battle Mage Tayy Whitethorn (Michael) - Halfling Trainee Assassin  Flendac (Chris) - Human Master Assassin Chapter 74 Our breakfast was interrupted by Donna who came to make us an offer for training Morgan.  Her boss, Alf Stuart, was concerned that the High Priest of Sigmar has proposed a new law that would see anyone who did not worship Sigmar have to pay extra tax.  The Countess was due to make a ruling on this following the grand ball in ten days time.  During the ball she would seek the views of her advisers.  If we can make sure the vote does not pass then she would train Morgan.  She left us a list of whom we needed to speak with. Having been to the temple of the sea god already we started our quest by returning their and talking with Adam Peaty.  He told us that he, and the other high priests, were against this law.  Even if it was adjusted to also include the other maj