2/24/19

devil's fav demon (GM): howdy moe welcome, to the mortis kill party. we will be getting a mortis kill screen in about an hour. Salve. Endrite: What's up? So is this really the only adventure planned for today? devil's fav demon (GM): As far as I know. Endrite: Dios mio. devil's fav demon (GM): Maybe I can start one and then prep it over the week. Endrite: Now you're thinking like a GM. dys: Forgot we were starting early this week, my apologies Endrite: That does it, game's over everyone. Dys was late one time and RUINED it for EVERYONE. moe (GM): big lols dys: johns is still not here, I have a scapegoat GM: i dont know if johns will be arriving but anyway, it is evening in the fall of 1358. Endrite: Why would even show up? Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: I don't think any of his characters have anything to do. Beardbeard: they never do GM: he sent me a PM about Lavinia scrying on this. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Damn. Secret magical discipline: "Constant Insane Code Violations." If it's Autumn then I've calmed down about the murder of di Rienzi. I really liked him! GM: Mercuzio brings an invitation to Mortis. The Annibaldis wish to celebrate the closing of a deal by throwing a feast for you, the famous magical artisan, giant slayer, etc. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: About time I got the recognition I deserve. GM: They will be commissioning several magical items from you in the future, of which Mercuzio can provide the details. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Lay it on me, Mercuzio. Dušan of Criamon: Everything's coming up Mortis! Mercuzio Caesar: "Servants that won't gossip or get ill are a big appeal to them. They do want them to not smell like corpses, though, if possible." "Everyone's paranoid about spies these days, you know." GM: Everyone's jealous of his attendants. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Hmm. "Excellent, I'm sure I can whip something up for them. I'm glad that you've managed to dig up a few commissions." As a reward, I'll make you a Lesser Enchantment of your design. Anything I can make in one season without experimenting. Mercuzio Caesar: You have mentem, right? An InMe item to find out how women feel would be a godsend. They just refuse to say! Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Sounds good to me. Mercuzio Caesar: Women, am I right? [said to group of stinky wizards detested by all womankind] Dušan of Criamon: you could make a reverse of the joke for PeIm Mercuzio Caesar: There has to be something to target for a spell ot work GM: The Annibaldis will be sending a horse-drawn cart for you at the date of the feast, which is at the start of winter. Neither the feast nor this interaction with Mercuzio should take any time from seasonal activities. Mercuzio Caesar: I can't believe Johns gypped us on an adventure GM: lol. maybe he will arrive at 2, to save the day with an adventure. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Wow! A cart! I'll take my bodyguard with me and two pawns of Corpus vis, just in case. Guy of Bonisagus: im sure hes spending these last 45 minutes putting the finishing touches on another fantastic adventure where we uncover a plot by infernalist monk(s) Mercuzio Caesar: But enough about what Guy has been up to Guy of Bonisagus: gahaha GM: Not a shitty cart, this is a nice enclosed riding cart for two, plush interior, etc. Guy of Bonisagus: what the hell Dušan of Criamon: lol Mercuzio Caesar: "Very respectful." Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Naturally, I won't be wearing any armor to a feast. That would be crazy. Mercuzio Caesar: Holy shit It's the real Mortis Annibaldi Henchman rides up, holding the reins of two horses. The cart is nice, but probably not the nicest cart the Annibaldis own. Dušan of Criamon: Jesus Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: I'll cast the Superior Aura of Ennobled Presence on myself. Mercuzio Caesar: "The journey isn't too far, I'll be up front if you need me for anything." Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: That's like the regular Aura of Ennobled Presence but it also makes me smell like fresh fruit. Specifically, oranges. c'thinker: Exotic! Mercuzio Caesar: BRB one minute, sorry. Annibaldi Henchman: "Cold night, my good sirs. Sorry there's no room for three in the back." Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Hmm. Can Gabriella sit up front or on top of the cart? She isn't bothered by the weather. Mercuzio Caesar: Back "Gabriella is unnerving to the driver, I'm afraid." Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: "He can live with it. Nobody said being a henchman would easy." Annibaldi Henchman: "I suppose we can strap her to the top of the cart if the smell bothers you inside." Mercuzio Caesar: "I'll have a word and try and convince him, then." Guy of Bonisagus: i dont know if mortis needs a spell to make him seem like a fruit Annibaldi Henchman: ayyy Mercuzio Caesar: oh my fucking god. this is the real wizards war Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: I do, because calling someone a fruit to insinuate that they're gay hasn't been invented yet. Guy of Bonisagus: wow, mortis was very progressive for his time Annibaldi Henchman: lol maybe thats why standing near rotting corpses doesnt bother him, he just smells his own lovely orange scent Mercuzio Caesar: "Strap her to the top? Good heavens, man, no." "Either she rides up front or in the carriage." Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Any corpse I animate usually smells like rotting oranges. Annibaldi Henchman: "It'd be only right for a lady to be inside. I was only joking, good sir." Mercuzio Caesar: "How would that look to the Annibaldis if their carriage had someone strapped to the roof like that?" "We live in an age of gossiping hens, no, that can't be allowed." Annibaldi Henchman chuckles Annibaldi Henchman: "Of course, of course. That was silly." Mercuzio Caesar: I climb up front then Annibaldi Henchman: Well, where is everyone sitting? Mercuzio and Gabriella can both squeeze up front as long as Mercuzio doesn't mind sitting in the middle. Okay. If Endrite INSISTS Gabriella not sit inside with him. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: I don't, I just want everyone to be able to make it on the cart and for Mercuzio to travel comfortably. Annibaldi Henchman: (To GM) rolling 1d10!+2 ( 1 ) +2 = 3 Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Also that I be treated with the dignity I deserve. Annibaldi Henchman: (To GM) rolling 1d10 ( 8 ) = 8 Guy of Bonisagus: oh absolutely Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: So anyway I think we can figure that out. Annibaldi Henchman: Oh, in that case, we're fine. Mercuzio is wearing a coat, I assume. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Hmm. Mercuzio Caesar: I imagine so Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: I whisper to Mercuzio that the driver seems to be hiding something. I recommend Mercuzio ride up front to make sure the driver doesn't try anything funny. Annibaldi Henchman: Sounds good. Mercuzio Caesar: I nod "I'll keep a close watch then." Annibaldi Henchman: After everyone is comfortable, the cart starts to move. You have a short time to relax inside and enjoy the cushions and plush drapery. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Ahhhh. Riding in style. Annibaldi Henchman: several Diameters go by. How do you pass the time? Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Heh. Mercuzio Caesar: I'll look around to make sure he's taking us on the correct route and not a suspicious detour Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Well, I don't have anyone to talk to, so I'll just enjoy the sights. Annibaldi Henchman: Please roll Perception+Awareness, Mortis and Mercuzio. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: rolling 1d10 + 1 ( 8 ) +1 = 9 Mercuzio Caesar: rolling 1d10!+4 ( 8 ) +4 = 12 Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: I definitely do not appreciate that a stat and a skill are just synonyms. Annibaldi Henchman: Yeah. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: How nice are drapes and cushions? Worth trying to get a quote on? Annibaldi Henchman: They're purple, which is very nice. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Wow! Annibaldi Henchman: Several more Diameters pass. The cart slows to a stop and the driver dismounts with Mercuzio. Mercuzio Caesar: Alright Annibaldi Henchman: Mortis, you hear a sliding, scraping noise from both sides of your cart. Heliste of Tytalus bites into apple. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Ok, sounds good. Annibaldi Henchman: You hear muffled voices and footsteps. Many approaching, some milling around, some leaving. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Sounds normal, but I'm getting impatient. Annibaldi Henchman: It's getting pretty warm in this cart. Kind of uncomfortable. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Hmm. I'll open the curtain. Annibaldi Henchman: You see a group of armored men with torches and steel lances. One of them plunges a lance through the window at you. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Sheesh. Annibaldi Guard: you can roll a stress die for soak since this is a non combat attack, and I will also not use crazy bonuses for the damage roll. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: rolling 1d10! + 2 ( 9 ) +2 = 11 Annibaldi Guard: after this, you can roll initiative and take round based actions. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: What's the lance made out of? Annibaldi Guard: rolling 1d10!+7 ( 6 ) +7 = 13 steel. well, iron. steel is probably more expensive, i don't know. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Ok then I get another +1 from my Terram form bonus. Annibaldi Guard: Nice! You get scuffed for 1 Fatigue. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: The Annibaldi Guard is weirdly supportive for a guy who is trying to kill me. Annibaldi Guard: hah. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: How big is the window? Also what all do I see outside it? rolling 1d10! (initiative) ( 2 ) = 2 Annibaldi Guard: rolling 1d10!+1 init ( 1 ) +1 = 2 rolling 1d10 ( 6 ) = 6 Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Got 'em. Annibaldi Guard: SIMULTANEOUS RESOLUTION time. You see a group of four guards on each side. You appear to be at the old Forum, which has been used as a garbage dump for years. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Hmm. Annibaldi Guard: Flames lick up the sides of the cart. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Wait wouldn't he be using a spear and not a lance, then? Lances are just spears used in a cavalry charge. Have pikes been invented yet? He might want to use that. Annibaldi Guard: they are not using any weapons with wooden handles for some reason. the torches are being thrown at your cart. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: How big is the window of the cart? Annibaldi Guard: speaking of, that's this guard's turn. He throws a torch at your cart. it will begin to cause environmental damage after your next turn. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Gah. Annibaldi Guard: The window is about a hand span width. maybe two if you have small hands. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Hmm. I'll try to spont a Perdo Ignem spell. You know, to put the fire out. Annibaldi Guard: Good luck. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Whats the aura like? Annibaldi Guard: Dominion 1, as it is night in the city of Rome. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Yeah but it's night time. Annibaldi Guard: Yeah, during the day it's higher. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Usually it flips to Infernal at night. Annibaldi Guard: oh, does it? i thought the dominion was just reduced. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Yeah, it might be the center of the Catholic Church (in better times) but it's also one of the oldest cities in Europe and the streets are stained with sin. Guy of Bonisagus: i think its just reduced Annibaldi Guard: can i get a quick ruling from another gm? i can go either way. Guy of Bonisagus: it wouldnt make sense for a monastery to become infernal 5 at night Annibaldi Guard: yeah. well, it's a garbage dump. Guy of Bonisagus: its probably infernal 1 in a garbage dump or mundane Annibaldi Guard: Fair enough. Infernal 1 it is. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: It's also the Forum, where Caesar was murdered. Annibaldi Guard: Yeah. A long time ago. rip. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: rolling (1d10! + 6 + 5 +2 + 1 + 1 + 1)/2 (( 7 ) +6+5+2+1+1+1)/2 = 11.5 RIP big C. Guy of Bonisagus: wow, mortis is right. thats some Important Sinning Maybe we should make it more infernal Annibaldi Guard: should it be infernal 3. i dont want to go too high. Yeah. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Ok that's enough to extinguish a fire with Touch range, and since the cart is on fire I think that counts. Annibaldi Guard: Sorry, Mortis, I'm retconning it to Infernal 3. Mercuzio Caesar: Brutus and Cassius were tortured alongside Judas in hell, as Dante has recently informed us Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Ok, that's a bigger bonus. Mercuzio Caesar: So it's basically as infernal as the place where Judas took his silver coins, if you think about it Annibaldi Guard: Nice Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: So I get a 12.5 instead. Not really meaningful, but good to know. Annibaldi Guard: What spell, exactly. because this is larger than a bonfire. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Base 4 Extinguish a Fire +1 Touch + 1 size. Annibaldi Guard: Okay. Well done. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Ok, next round? Hello? Annibaldi Guard: The fire goes out. You are stabbed by eight lances and have a defense of 0 due to not being able to move. I am not giving you the Lords of Men Helpless penalty of -10 because you can wiggle slightly so you might get an exploding dice and dodge, maybe. I had to look something up. Sorry. rolling 1d10!+10 ( 9 ) +10 = 19 rolling 1d10!+10 ( 10 + 4 ) +10 = 24 rolling 1d10!+10 ( 6 ) +10 = 16 Annibaldi Guard: rolling 1d10!+10 ( 4 ) +10 = 14 rolling 1d10!+10 ( 5 ) +10 = 15 rolling 1d10!+10 ( 5 ) +10 = 15 rolling 1d10!+10 ( 10 + 6 ) +10 = 26 rolling 1d10!+10 ( 9 ) +10 = 19 Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: So they're stabbing through the doors at a target they can't see? Annibaldi Guard: Yes. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: I feel like that's worth some penalties on their part. Mercuzio Caesar: It's -6 when you can't see someone I believe That's the invis penalty anyhow Annibaldi Guard: Okay, only the first four hit because there are two people in there. Or that. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Two people in where? Annibaldi Guard: 13, 18, 10, 8, 9, 9, 20, 13 are your defense targets to beat with a d10 roll. in the cart. but im doing the -6 instead. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Ok. rolling 8d10 ( 5 + 7 + 9 + 8 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 ) = 43 I think that probably kills me. Annibaldi Guard: okay, none exploded so you are stabbed with eight lances. i am sorry to say that probably kills you. you may know IC who planned this, and almost certainly do OOC. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: I have no idea in character. Annibaldi Guard: Damn. c'thinker: probably bonfilia. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: As there were no in-character hints. johns (GM): probably Mercuzio Annibaldi Guard: Mortis really didn't suspect all the people who talked about hating him? johns (GM): he was the one so eager for you to go here. Annibaldi Guard: Well, after you die they set the cart on fire again and leave you in the garbage. Mortis ex Verditus, the Terrible, GS, RB, WB, NR, BR, AD: Professional jealousy. c'thinker: when gentle ribbing from your sodales goes wrong Roll the damage dice GM. Endrite: Also out of character I don't know who did it. Mercuzio Caesar: Gulielmus: Le'ts kill Mortis, and actually kill him, and actually murder the bastard Mortis: Huh? Must have been the wind. c'thinker: look, just because gulielmus keeps threatening to poison people Giraldo of Milan: absolutely no idea who could be involved in this plot it was a shocker to me too Mercuzio Caesar: After these events Mercuzio cuts all ties with Vardian's Tomb and tries his luck in Spain instead, vowing never to get involved with wizards again. c'thinker: Great session. Annibaldi Guard: rolling 13-5+7 13-5+7 = 15 Endrite: Yeah, I had no idea what was going on and died. Annibaldi Guard: rolling 18-7+7 18-7+7 = 18 rolling 10-9+7 10-9+7 = 8 rolling 9-2+7 9-2+7 = 14 rolling 9-3+7 9-3+7 = 13 rolling 20-4+7 20-4+7 = 23 rolling 13-5+7 13-5+7 = 15 johns (GM): did mortis have any enchanted items on him when he died Annibaldi Guard: Mortis takes a shitload of damage. Endrite: He had 2 corpus vis. Magic vis. devil's fav demon (GM): it was obviously Lavinia. johns (GM): gah Endrite: Oh speaking of, Mortis made Lavinia a set of manacles inlaid with turquoise for ghost trapping. devil's fav demon (GM): lol. johns (GM): thanks! devil's fav demon (GM): f c'thinker: bonfilia can still cast corpus spells without using vis, which really goes to show you, and also really makes you think. Endrite: Lemme roll to Experiment. johns (GM): so for reference the reason that inn blew up on you is because lavinia asked Felipe Calender to eliminate mortis. devil's fav demon (GM): im sorry for killing your character endrite, but for some reason i was enlisted to run the Mortis Assassination Sessions. c'thinker: i miss her yet. johns (GM): unfortunately Felipe chose a very poor way to go about it devil's fav demon (GM): and lavinia ratted out as much about wizards as possible to the annibaldis and told them all your powers she knew about. Mercuzio Caesar: eyy is not so bad felipe johns (GM): btw can I add Mortis and Rienzi to Lavinia's bodycount tracker Endrite: rolling 1d10! ( 2 ) = 2 johns (GM): also an Inn full of people devil's fav demon (GM): Felipe was your fault for hiring one of the participants in one of the most famously bumbling failed assassinations in world history to assassinate someone. Endrite: Ok,, no extraordinary result on the experimentation. devil's fav demon (GM): Sure. Endrite: Wait, why did Lavinia want to kill Mortis? devil's fav demon (GM): I have no idea. Mercuzio Caesar: Because she's Chaotic Evil johns (GM): to save Fiorella the tragedy of being marched dys: Well the answer is that you genocided our greatest allies in the city of Rome and announced your name the entire time johns (GM): because now we can pin everything on Mortis. devil's fav demon (GM): lol. And he'll take it. Because he's not a hero. He's a silent guardian. A watchful protector. Giraldo of Milan: very silent as the grave dys: A smouldering pile of ashes Endrite: But he already saved Fiorella the tragedy of being marched because he took full credit. johns (GM): hm Question, can Lavinia summon Mortis' ghost and use the item Mortis made to enslave his ghost Giraldo of Milan: yes c'thinker: did lavinia swear the oath johns (GM): No. Venator had no idea she would ever be capable of Necromancy. c'thinker: then it is merely highly distasteful Giraldo of Milan: mortis is not getting a christian burial and god is certainly not pulling his spirit up to heaven you might have to move quickly before satan gets it though c'thinker: obviously someone of mortis's fame is going to become a faerie ghost Endrite: Not true! johns (GM): also in general I considered that Mortis' activities reflected poorly on the covenant as a whole and would imperil us all devil's fav demon (GM): if you're going to try to bring a PC magus back as a spirit im going to force you to use the actual rules for it. Endrite: It's easy to summon ghosts from hell. devil's fav demon (GM): and not cheat them like Prudenzio did because he was an npc. johns (GM): and would also disrupt lavinia's magic guild plan if it was shown we could not keep a single psychopath malefactor under heel Giraldo of Milan: satan takes a personal interest in mortis c'thinker: is it actually easy to summon ghosts from hell Endrite: Yes. devil's fav demon (GM): Sweet. c'thinker: Ah. devil's fav demon (GM): Rosario should get into it. Endrite: Unlike spirits in Heaven, the devil routinely allows the spirits of the damned out to cause mischief on Earth. johns (GM): well sorry it turned out this way endrite. devil's fav demon (GM): I have a feeling when Rosario gets into archmagus levels i want to get around his total lack of Intelligo by having him get really good at Vim and just illegally asking demons for information Endrite: It makes no difference to me, I can just make another character. johns (GM): that's mighty white of you Endrite: It is, I'm very white. dys: It's nice that it didn't bother you. It made my skin crawl to participate in a session about murdering another PC. devil's fav demon (GM): I finally have a GM player kill but it feels ugly. I did try to give you a few outs. Endrite: I didn't really see any. devil's fav demon (GM): So it wasn't totally unfair and rude. But the plot was really stacked against you. dys: Oh I've killed PCs as the GM but thats different devil's fav demon (GM): It was basically just luck of the draw re: rolls. johns (GM): I assumed you were joking dys. Endrite: lol johns (GM): since you and beardbeard are always talking about how mortis needs to die. devil's fav demon (GM): You were correct in that it was extremely strange to try to invite Mortis personally to a feast or even really interact with him at all beyond making the deals with the Venditore. Endrite: I think in the future if you want to have life or death rolls they should be exposed to the player if you don't want to feel unfair. devil's fav demon (GM): I should apologize, then, since I figured you were aware this was specifically about another PC's plot to kill your character. dys: I think if a PC is a genuine problem I'd tell the player to tone it down, reroll or leave. Endrite: Nope, not at all. I don't mind, of course. dys: A session all about executing a PC leaves a bad taste in my mouth If Endrite is fine with it then, hell whatever Endrite: That just goes to show what a good plot it was. dys: I'd flip my damn lid if it happened to me Giraldo of Milan: i would have been fine with killing mortis johns (GM): Oh sorry. devil's fav demon (GM): I don't feel bad about killing a PC but I feel like a dick about not communicating it clearly. c'thinker: anyway, we desperately need to kill lavinia now devil's fav demon (GM): Sorry about that, Endrite. Giraldo of Milan: i was hoping that he would survive the attempt with wounds and get secreted away to the venice chapterhouse to "lay low" and then i chop his head off as soon as i look up from drinking the expensive wine and reading books dys: Let's devil's fav demon (GM): c'thinker: anyway, we desperately need to kill lavinia now Endrite: In the future if you want to kill one of my magi please don't do it right before a session, so I have time to make a new character. dys: Lavinia really has it coming johns (GM): does she? dys: Yes Giraldo of Milan: we didnt do that this time endrite Endrite: Not that it matters in this case. Giraldo of Milan: dont worry ha ha johns (GM): it seems she's basically doing what Archibald is too lazy to do dys: I call my first piece of evidence: every time we need her to scry shes conveniently absent johns (GM): Ha ha. Giraldo of Milan: lavinia needs to be killed, but for being a hedge mage and nothing else johns however just needs to die devil's fav demon (GM): Yeah, I should have also prepped an actual session for today. c'thinker: who among us does not need to die devil's fav demon (GM): But luckily you don't have to make another character, because I didn't. johns (GM): Dusan dys: is there a session then or not. couldnt tell if the stuff before was just joking johns (GM): Who unfortunately seems to come closest to dying the most often I don't have anything planned sorry. Endrite: rolling 1d12 ( 4 ) = 4 johns (GM): also people have lots of seasons to allocate. dys: I liked saving Dusan during the Nero adventure devil's fav demon (GM): Dusan is cool. dys: Everyone left him behind and I abandoned killing Nero to go save him devil's fav demon (GM): I like that he took companions to save a hopeless grog. Endrite: rolling 1d12 ( 9 ) = 9 devil's fav demon (GM): johns do you have an idea for next week? i will run another Demon Adventure and actualy run it if yuo wanna take the week off. Endrite: Hmm, I could make a Merinita with the Temporary Perdo flaw. Please no more demon adventures. devil's fav demon (GM): but there are so many outstanding demon hooks. Endrite: I know Hafl did that but I don't think he ever really exploited it. Giraldo of Milan: guys seasons are all up to date johns (GM): i have 2 adventure ideas but am running out of ideas for a crucial plot element on each that ive been racking on brain on Giraldo of Milan: well except for the latest adventure where we go to the goddamn magic realm devil's fav demon (GM): i can';t run those. those are johns adventures. Endrite: Yeah, I don't understand the holdup on that one. johns (GM): idk how are you getting there devil's fav demon (GM): i have demon adventures and stuff involving the bonisagus conspiracy i havent prepped and some stuff about the bjornaers i havent prepped lmk if you're interested in either of the other hooks more than demons c'thinker: weve got leads on a few entrances Endrite: Fortunately we have a book about two entrances to the magic realm. c'thinker: and of course there's archibald's personal portal to Magic johns (GM): its up to you to decide which lead you want to follow up and then tell me so i can prep an adventure cheers c'thinker: you could put up options in the thread like old times. devil's fav demon (GM): lets Giraldo of Milan: uits up to you to make the adventure make the options genuinely difficult to decide on option 1: magical realm, fix the blight option 2: kill lavinia johns (GM): ok Giraldo of Milan: option 3: ruin the life of a random tremere magus who we just met johns (GM): ill make an adventure where you kill lavinia Giraldo of Milan: option 4: as above but jerbiton devil's fav demon (GM): lol johns (GM): surprise me with a good plan c'thinker: option 5: kill Quercus johns (GM): option 6 get killed by aurora Endrite: Oh yeah, Aurora should be killing people at some point. devil's fav demon (GM): i will have a plan eventually but im still focused on buffing rosarios arts before working on talisman stuff Giraldo of Milan: gifting lavinia a brand new translation of the iliad with the finest illuminations known to man johns (GM): ok so i dropped 2 magic realm hints in the mont mercure loot Giraldo of Milan: also, the ink is poisonous c'thinker: if you enter the magic realm aurora can't kill you until you leave, i think. devil's fav demon (GM): i probably have a few more years of seasons and arts dying before rosario can really get gung ho about hunting Dark Corn johns (GM): hint 1 is the blessed islands far to the west. by this era i think Italian cartographers have made mention of the IRL canary islands which are the likely suspect hint 2 is the city of brass to the south which Gulielmus alreayd knew about devil's fav demon (GM): yeah the loot looked really sick lets do the blessed islands since we have a whale. Giraldo of Milan: you know, with our access to arsenic and also the really poisonous plants growing in the same place giraldo could totally make some cool killing books Endrite: The City of Brass feels more adventurous but less interesting since I think Mont Mercure already went to the City of Brass a couple times. devil's fav demon (GM): to taunt guli c'thinker: jesus. johns (GM): youve seen or read name of the rose right beardbeard Giraldo of Milan: yes we watched it together johns (GM): nice Giraldo of Milan: thats what im ripping off you fool johns (GM): nice devil's fav demon (GM): lol. johns (GM): hell i should watch it again devil's fav demon (GM): its good Endrite: Please no more adventures about In the Name of the Rose. johns (GM): lol i have one more item of business for '58 devil's fav demon (GM): lol johns (GM): which is that lavinia will tell the covenant we should not seek vengeance for mortis death Endrite: lol johns (GM): and we should pre-empt other magi (like his parens) from doing the same. devil's fav demon (GM): lol johns (GM): by saying that attacks on the roman nobility are interference with the mundane to the detriment of sodales, in an open letter. devil's fav demon (GM): lol. c'thinker: it's sensible, regrettably. we could do with a little less open warfare with the locals we just need to kill Lavinia to establish peace devil's fav demon (GM): it's very convenient that Rosario is lost in france and won't return to Rome until 1359. So he doesn't immediately attack the annibaldis. someone should plot a lavinia assassination session. c'thinker: how are we on vim vis johns (GM): 12 pawns in 1360 Guy of Bonisagus: cant wait to come back to rome. from this trip i nfrance. c'thinker: so what kind of magus are you rolling, endrite Guy of Bonisagus: llooking forward to it c'thinker: i'm going to finally enchant this damn ring Endrite: I'm going to make a Merinita. Guy of Bonisagus: well, before he made a hedge mage that was antagonistic and no one liked him. now he made a hedge mage that was antagonistic and no one liked him. i dunno if theres a pattern here but Endrite: That's what I rolled. Guy of Bonisagus: ah i was joking, but there it is Endrite: Mortis was very friendly with most of the magi. johns (GM): oh yeah Guy of Bonisagus: oh for sure johns (GM): also mortis family dies when the inquisition finds out they're harboring a heretic Endrite: Quick response from the Inquisition. Giraldo of Milan pulls off inquisitor mask, stretches, and starts wiping blood off his blade. Endrite: Who is your next Companion, Dys? Dušan of Criamon: caught up with logs rip mortis dys: Ah, I'm adapting Octavia from a grog to a full companion. I found that she was a lot of fun to play as. Giraldo of Milan: broctavia Dušan of Criamon: octavia is cool Endrite: I really can't stand playing or updating companions. devil's fav demon (GM): lol Endrite: Abilities as Abilities is just so punishingly miserable. Dušan of Criamon: lmao Giraldo of Milan: giraldos fun dys: We have room for another Elite Grog in the staff with Bolad gone and Celeste dead. Giraldo of Milan: even if i havent updated him in a little while, again c'thinker: hell, Endrite: What happened to Bolad? dys: Johns said he was retiring him Dušan of Criamon: naivete spell iirc johns (GM): not yet dys: Oh okay johns (GM): since he's a hook to the demon cult Giraldo of Milan: might put more investment into stealth and similar things dys: Well there's still a spot with Celeste dead. johns (GM): but he's pretty fucked up now so if he dies in the process of fighting the cult I won't be upset Giraldo of Milan: so giraldo can be a reliable assassin we need one of those c'thinker: if bolad retires we won't have an archer companion dys: I think that mythic redcaps are the best possible companion to play and I genuinely enjoyed playing Zita more than Archibald. Endrite: Hmm, maybe I could make a Faerie Friend and use that as my Companion. devil's fav demon (GM): that would be cool Giraldo of Milan: i like playing guy but i need to read more books so i can make spells and also fix the blight so i can have my cantrips back Dušan of Criamon: i should make a redcap dys: You can yell at magi like they're your equal, you get some magic items and special powers, its great johns (GM): you should also look at the billion spell texts we have c'thinker: i want to change derfel's virtues and flaws but alas, his character sheet is already written. Giraldo of Milan: well specifically i need to put weird effects in my talisman dys: Derfel's Character Sheet johns (GM): lol c'thinker: Derfel's Character Sheet (PeIm 4) devil's fav demon (GM): we got some insanely good spell texts from mont mercure i need rosario to get to 60 CrMe somehow to no longer be a retard Giraldo of Milan: Derfel's Character Sheet (Tract, -5 XP Mentem) c'thinker: lol Dušan of Criamon: lmao devil's fav demon (GM): lol c'thinker: don't forget that as a merinita you ignore the entirety of the magic blight, endrite Dušan of Criamon: A criamon looking over Derfel's character sheet with great interest Endrite: Really it's Archibald's job to learn stat increasing spells. As a Mercurian. c'thinker: the sheet which can be viewed is not the true sheet. johns (GM): next week the covenant searches for the ruins of the library of alexandria to find the mythical lost text derfels character sheet devil's fav demon (GM): gahaha. sorry i didnt have a sesh this week. ill run a demon adventure if no one picks an adventure itt for johns to run. johns (GM): anyway does anyone want teaching or sometihing from lavinia in 1359 Dušan of Criamon: i might finish the italian skill now that you offer it johns (GM): sure devil's fav demon (GM): bakir might want italian if we can share classes johns (GM): for a single student she could teach 21 xp Dušan of Criamon: i think when dusan started out there was a whole class of non-italian students johns (GM): for two its 18 devil's fav demon (GM): sick. Endrite: Hmm. Dušan of Criamon: i need 31 to reach level 5 so I'm cool with 2 seasons of that Endrite: I wonder what kind of faerie would be interesting to play as. We haven't really run into that many. johns (GM): do we have anyone else who wants to learn ITalian and get in on this Dušan of Criamon: I might make a redcap let me sleep on it dys: Endrite: Really it's Archibald's job to learn stat increasing spells. As a Mercurian. Endrite: Man, how much sleep do you really need? dys: He will learn this spell Endrite: There you go. dys: when he can muster 60 CrMe lab total well Dušan of Criamon: what should I read before making a redcap dys: if other magi act as lab assistants its doable johns (GM): True Lineages dys: HOUSES OF HERMES TRUE LINEAGES: MERCERE Endrite: Just get your apprentice to do it. dys: FUCk you show some respect for the dead Endrite: Did Archibald's apprentice die? When did that happen? johns (GM): :| dys: :pepe: devil's fav demon (GM): :pepe3: johns (GM): were you really not there endrite Endrite: I don't remember it, so it's possible. johns (GM): did no one think to mention to Endrite that the covenant faced and defeated the ancient enemy of the order, the Spider Endrite: I missed a couple sessions over the winter. devil's fav demon (GM): lol. Endrite: Wait what? dys: Lol johns (GM): hoo boy. devil's fav demon (GM): jesus. dys: I guess we all juts assumed someone else would devil's fav demon (GM): we need to stop talking about stuff on the damn discord. lol. dys: well the debate post-session was a bit ugly, better to have that tucked away on a chat server than filling up the thread Endrite: This is why I bribe a player in Traveller to write summaries of the sessions. devil's fav demon (GM): yeah, i suppose so. lol. johns (GM): ahh I didn't write up a sumary because we had a big argument after the session and I was depressed Dušan of Criamon: Bribes are really good dys: rip. that explains it. Anyway I assume other magi will help Archibald in the lab to master the CrMe ritual since it directly benefits them too. Endrite: Shaun can tell you this but there was a big time travel arc in all the Warhammer 40k games that I missed because I wasn't involved. c'thinker: lol. devil's fav demon (GM): anyway, im going to get going. thanks for coming today. thanks specifically to endrite for being a good sport about pc death even though i was a fool and communicated the situation very poorly. johns (GM): Ok Endrite so the deal was: The Spider was part of an ancient pagan cult worshipping the God of the Dead that allows him to revive himself into a new host body and he chose Archibald's apprentice for this purpose Endrite: I was pretty sure it was going to be a feast, I've run like 40 feasts in Pendragon. Ah, I see. johns (GM): after completing the ceremony Archibald killed Spider Brutus before he could escape. Endrite: Yeah I can see how Dys would react poorly to that one. johns (GM): i also posted a pdf of the whole Thrice Told Tales book for people to look at Endrite: Thrice Told Tales was where I discovered that nobody has any clue how to write an Ars adventure, much less paid professionals. johns (GM): lol also they are fucking obsessed with infernal swamps Endrite: They REALLY are. dys: I didn't react poorly to that, I reacted poorly to what the original events were. Endrite: There are 4 different adventures about Satanic Churches in an Infernal Swamp. johns (GM): he didn't get enough time to react to save brutus before He/The Spider ripped Brutus' Heart out of his chest originally which was my fault. Endrite: These things happen. dys: Giraldo solved the adventure and killed Simon and I saved him with a retcon, I think in the end we just retconned that retcon and had it be canon johns (GM): oh since giraldo chopped simon's head off that means the Spider's plan was thwarted but he still lives as a ghost somewhere dys: Yes johns (GM): good shit. Endrite: Oh man. Mortis really missed out. He planned to try to contact the Spider to learn about death magic. johns (GM): lol as the book says, he knows the equivalent of Canaanite necromancy dys: Which is fair, you can have him come again if you like, it just really sucked to be told "You lose, you caused the single greatest disaster outside of the Blight in the entire history of the Order" then to be linked the PDF and see that this is only for a very specific failure and that the scene where the PCs can stop it was skipped Endrite: That's the GM prerogative. johns (GM): if he comes back he will probably not choose a hermetic wizard dys: Well the GM can technically do anything! He should choose a virgilian wizard johns (GM): lol lmao dys: Perhaps one in Vardians Tomb, to get his revenge johns (GM): i like this hell....... HOW DO YOU KNOW HE HASN'T ALREADY dys: An experienced member of the covenant, in fact johns (GM) quietly adds all of the Spider's accumulated hedge traditions to Lavinia's char sheet moe: the events leading up to this was controversial but the important thing it both Mortis and Simon are going to never reach peace because they will be constantly called back to VT by sorcerersd dys: I have a suggestion about, well maybe too late now overall but for a future saga someday I think taking an apprentice should have the apprentice show up all the time as an NPC johns (GM): yes Agreed any GM who wants to assign Lavinia's apprentice a personality and use him feel free Endrite: I mean, we've all had NPC buddies that people don't have the time to use. dys: Simon ended up feeling like a stat-booster on my sheet, but he wasnt appearing in play either so it was easy to think of him that way. Beardbeard said he wanted to take Brutus with him everywhere, and I think it's a better notion for the saga as a whole to do so. Yeah but no apprentice has come up at all outside of the Simon adventure plot Endrite: I mean, hell, Archibald has a familiar but you'd never know it if you didn't see his character sheet. moe: Let us treat our apprentices with love and constantly expose them to dangers during adventures johns (GM): as a Jerbitotytalan Bruno needs to see the world Endrite: It's just a lot to juggle for the Gm. dys: I regret taking a familiar without properly thinking things through and just doing it for basically the lab total. Shaun was a lot more honest in his dealings with getting one. moe: Criamon magus yelling at apprentice running away from spectral best: "It's more afraid of you then you are of it!" dys: Well its maybe the fact that our saga has like twice the player count of the game that the designers intended johns (GM): lol dys: Like imagine if 7 magi all took their apprentice on an adveenture in the same week lol Endrite: Sometimes I feel like some of the rules are designed for, like, those 3 guys who played a campaign entirely on a wiki. dys: ars is weird because the rules really seem to suggest that the average weekly adventure is like... for lack of a better term, slice of life stuff. stories abotu the covenant itself where only a few people play magi. moe: I thought of apprentices in play as really really mildly magical grogs so far dys: but the ars adventure designers make stuff where you fight demons all the time and uncover huge plots idk maybe the intent was that this was the Big Adventures in-between the lower stakes stuff c'thinker: simply play ars magica every single day. Endrite: I mean, adventures should be interesting and there's a player expectation of rewards. dys: ive ahd a long time to think about what a saga of Ars is even meant to look like Endrite: So that tends to lead to epic adventures. johns (GM): c'thinker: simply play ars magica every single day. this dys: not that im running on in this lifetime, ive been spending the last week or so writing up a huge setting document for the next campaign i run. c'thinker: Grog adventures during the morning session, and magus/companion adventures in the evening session. Endrite: Part of it is that you need a REALLY epic adventure to challenge most magi. Especially ones that are made with a modicum of character creation knowledge, which I have thus far steadfastly refused to learn. dys: i think ars is at its best when you present the PCs with a mystery with a bunch of moving parts and let them loose in it to see what happens johns (GM): watch them make up their own red herrings to get lost in Endrite: That's tricky because magi have a LOT of investigation powers that can cut through any mystery. dys: well yes but combat also this way. and also the opposite, where you have PCs like dusan who enter combat and shrug and leave it. Endrite: It's sheer luck that none of the magi in this SaGa have learned a spell to talk to trees or objects. dys: Gulielmus talked to trees before in fact he solved a mystery with it Endrite: Oh yeah. dys: Archibald could learn the spell to talk to jewellery any time I bother to Endrite: I tend to forget because it's VERY rare that he does anything at all. c'thinker: using the virtue Cast Any Spell dys: gulielmus' virtue was too much fun and therefore his best arts were removed from the system johns (GM): :D archibald do you return the necromancer cult materials you salvaged to Diarmuid dys: yeah that was the agreement johns (GM): Guy wanted to sabotage the agreement dys: Guy always says that johns (GM): Honorable. i'll strike them from our library the c'thinker: idk. dys: Archibald doesn't like breaking his word c'thinker: the cast any spell virtue isn't that fun for reasons ive stated before dys: what reasons besides losing all your arts moe: johns (GM): watch them make up their own red herrings to get lost in c'thinker: it's annoying to pre-roll the items, there's no rules-based limit to how many i can carry around moe: emergent gameplay ftw johns (GM): i was skimming grogs for story hooks c'thinker: except insane ones like boyrep's "each potion is 1 encumbrance point" johns (GM): did you know they have Expanded, Detailed Charts for Encumbrance Endrite: Ah I've found another problem with making a Faerie Companion: I have to learn another new system of character creation. I 100% believe it. Any RPG will accumulate that kind of chart eventually, like a boat accumulates barnacles. johns (GM): more charts are better Endrite: Only if they're useful charts like "What is that clerk doing?" or "What's on TV?" Hmm. c'thinker: i was going to say successfully using the virtue isn't actually that satisfying since bringing your full casting total to bear on a spontaneous spell just lets you pull whatever out of your ass instead of having to do something more clever with a weaker spell, but we've had plenty of scenarios where people just mill around because those kinds of solutions are totally beyond their grasp Endrite: What kind of faerie would be most interesting to everyone else? c'thinker: so gulielmus being insanely strong in specific circumstances is actually cool. moe: endrite: The Virgin Mary johns (GM): Robin Hood Endrite: Fortunately Faeries can change themselves to be interesting to humans, so I can ask this question. c'thinker: a shapeshifter. johns (GM): A Roman Deity of the Hearth Endrite: Robin Hood is, like, alive. c'thinker: something roman would be cool as well. moe: (said in Hannibal Buress voice) Endrite: Ok, like what kind of powers would you be most interested in seeing? moe: religion-creating stuff i'm joking, shapeshifting sounds cool c'thinker: our friend the horrifying monster johns (GM): Something good at covering up crimes Endrite: Faeries are all good at covering up crimes because they all have skewed moral compasses. The faerie champion cannot be taken as a player character, except to replace advanced magi. Players desiring a less powerful knight should consult the Creatures Designed to Die section. Endrite: Faerie Might: 25 What is WRONG with the designers' BRAINS? The thing that is so strong is that he has Single Weapon 9+2. He doesn't even have good soak! johns (GM): does soak matter much? if he "dies" he can reform from the vis? Endrite: Well yeah. All fairies can do that. c'thinker: is there any kind of rule for how long it takes Endrite: But, as a knight, he needs to pretend to stay dead when slain. c'thinker: that is true. Endrite: Or at least pretend to be another knight. c'thinker: Doubly true. johns (GM): He can pretend to be each Knight of the Round Table in a row until he runs out of lives Endrite: Great news, there's no fixed number of Knights of the Round Table. johns (GM): Chinese George Endrite: According the the Morte, there are 150, better understood as an uncountably high number. Hmm, I could make a kobold and then only take him on adventures in mines and caves where he could lure enemies into cave-ins. Wow, I didn't know that Dagon from the Witcher was actually based on a folk myth. johns (GM): isnt dagon a babylonian diety Endrite: Yeah but apparently there's a Baltic fairy called the Guardian of the Fishes, maybe based on the Babylonian Dagon. It is also possible to change a Faerie aura so that it resonates especially well with certain Personality Traits, so that everything in the aura is influenced by those Traits. This is called tinting the aura, and auras that have Endrite: one or more Traits are called tinted auras. In a tinted aura, every character is strangely drawn to things that are associated with the tint, and repelled by things that are not. These manifest as temporary Personality Traits for all characters in the area, as long as Endrite: they remain in the aura, with a score equal to the influencing character’s Sympathy Trait. For example, in an aura tinted with a Children +3 Sympathy Trait, all characters would receive something like a “Drawn to Children” +3 Personality Trait. Endrite: Why would a player EVER waste time doing this? johns (GM): sympathy traits increase your ability scores Endrite: It's only when you're in the aura though. c'thinker: this is different Endrite: Yeah, Faerie sympathy gives you a bonus to abilities while you're expressing the right kind of personality trait. Like if you were designing a sack to toss children in you would get +3 to your Magic Theory while in that aura. c'thinker: how long does it take to tint an aura Endrite: A season. c'thinker: that's pretty bad. it is an infinite-penetration mentem effect though johns (GM): rolling 1d10!-8 lavinia aging '58 ( 5 ) -8 = -3 rolling 1d10!-8 lavinia aging '59 ( 9 ) -8 = 1 rolling 1d10!+17 studying Applewood Comb ( 4 ) +17 = 21 rolling 1d10 investigate turquoise ring #1 ( 8 ) = 8 rolling 1d10 investigate turquoise ring #2 ( 4 ) = 4 c'thinker (GM): rolling 1d10!! ( 9 ) = 9 rolling 1d10!! ( 5 ) = 5 rolling 1d10!! ( 3 ) = 3 rolling 1d10!! ( 8 ) = 8 rolling 1d10!! ( 2 ) = 2 rolling 1d10!! ( 7 ) = 7 c'thinker (GM): rolling 1d10!! ( 7 ) = 7 rolling 1d10!! ( 9 ) = 9 rolling 1d10!! ( 4 ) = 4 rolling 1d10!! ( 3 ) = 3 rolling 1d10!! ( 6 ) = 6 rolling 1d10!! ( 3 ) = 3 c'thinker (GM): rolling 1d10!! ( 7 ) = 7 rolling 1d10!! ( 3 ) = 3 rolling 1d10!! ( 3 ) = 3 rolling 1d10!! ( 4 ) = 4 rolling 1d10!! ( 2 ) = 2 rolling 1d10!! ( 3 ) = 3 c'thinker (GM): rolling 1d10!! ( 6 ) = 6 rolling 1d10!! ( 3 ) = 3 rolling 1d10!! ( 1 ) = 1 rolling 1d10!! ( 4 ) = 4 rolling 1d10!! ( 5 ) = 5 rolling 1d10!! ( 4 ) = 4 c'thinker (GM): rolling 1d10!! ( 9 ) = 9 rolling 1d10!! ( 5 ) = 5 rolling 1d10!! ( 2 ) = 2 rolling 1d10!! ( 19 ) = 19 Endrite (GM): rolling 1d46 ( 44 ) = 44 rolling 1d46 ( 23 ) = 23 rolling 1d46 ( 11 ) = 11 rolling 1d46 ( 34 ) = 34 rolling 1d46 ( 10 ) = 10