tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57323888385923081572024-03-13T03:42:41.309-07:00O My Ruritania!bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-54522374591463938132023-08-02T12:00:00.001-07:002023-08-02T12:09:31.868-07:00Historicon 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> I can't believe it's been a year since I last updated this blog, I've been sadly remiss. I do want to give a report of my experience at Historicon 2023. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIDzNXRSu8kbG54_e909Fv1g0kQKRpII9oQxW-nOm-Zy20hIKQ9gufFBMasjKzw64aCJwKG37shRdKtUx1IjwnFIz2PlC7Hke7mp6NuhXN7vvg8p-5DC8MTsROTOC1K6YdEbsvSZnkGYGi6XlLIZNU1zI-WLrDl9-lgvNGFvnTzLoNST58bAbHHmTcD4P/s4032/IMG_9826.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIDzNXRSu8kbG54_e909Fv1g0kQKRpII9oQxW-nOm-Zy20hIKQ9gufFBMasjKzw64aCJwKG37shRdKtUx1IjwnFIz2PlC7Hke7mp6NuhXN7vvg8p-5DC8MTsROTOC1K6YdEbsvSZnkGYGi6XlLIZNU1zI-WLrDl9-lgvNGFvnTzLoNST58bAbHHmTcD4P/s320/IMG_9826.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was held again at the Convention Center in downtown Lancaster, and is without doubt, my favorite convention site. The hotel is excellent and the location can't be beat with plenty of great food places within walking distance. This convention there seemed to be an extra energy to it all and it was one of the best I've been to.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I ran two games, both fantasy games set in the Elizabethan era. The first The Mirrors of Mortlake. This is actually the third in a series of convention games I've run in what I call The School of Night setting, basically "Elizabethan Frostgrave." The first, A Dead Man in Deptford, dealt with a search for the lost manuscript of Marlowe's Doctor Faustus that could be used to summon demons. The second was The Creatures of Croatoan, involving the search for the fate of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Reports on these games can be found here:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2018/03/cold-wars-2018-aar-just-usual-night-in.html">http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2018/03/cold-wars-2018-aar-just-usual-night-in.html</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2019/07/historicon-2019-snow-queens-and-swamp.html">http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2019/07/historicon-2019-snow-queens-and-swamp.html</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Mirrors of Mortlake is about the looting of the library of Dr. John Dee, as well as a large and well equipped alchemical laboratory. In 1583, Dee along with his associate medium Edward Kelley and their families and servants left for Poland and Bohemia in furtherance of their attempts to communicate with Angels. Shortly thereafter, the estate was looted, purportedly by an angry mob fearful of black magic believed to have been practice there.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7UKLyQ4TwpO255spiLDrvFp7CpNrpbK9nxg3oObxjwENRgLesF7WcdKA_0LJgOt6jtGuPDgCmhAaWdoftnTUf955vd-gaTItaQ6dP7pj5iBl3WSkdYDofmNUVYZvpx4LZ66NXOKM4qfIg1Kpj7k6VfrqJbGuvmLXOAyQesURtKWgJqamaikYROr08bVy/s4032/a1.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7UKLyQ4TwpO255spiLDrvFp7CpNrpbK9nxg3oObxjwENRgLesF7WcdKA_0LJgOt6jtGuPDgCmhAaWdoftnTUf955vd-gaTItaQ6dP7pj5iBl3WSkdYDofmNUVYZvpx4LZ66NXOKM4qfIg1Kpj7k6VfrqJbGuvmLXOAyQesURtKWgJqamaikYROr08bVy/s320/a1.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As in previous School of Night adventures the real story was competition between various court and foreign factions to find the most magical treasures. The most valuable item being sought was an obsidian Black Mirror that Dee used for communicating with angels. For rules, I used an amalgamation of Frostgrave, Ghost Archipelago, and the combat system from The Silver Bayonet. My friend Jim was a huge help as assistant GM, especailly since we had 15 enthusiastic players. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rRX5Nj-zycy5lrD_9qpOOtV1UoKifj3NG4t-fPVVE0LYwpGk9Oc8imjnRqKPLncW3gr64b-ciaR0aYanzeDcObHvaJ_VhTS6y_JgkSKiPsN7fjflbpkynqU743B7D3xPq-upLcTsRG56w1R1i039wHqAiffablcnOWBEPEbf6Pn2YPvIyyTvHcaR03Iz/s4032/a2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rRX5Nj-zycy5lrD_9qpOOtV1UoKifj3NG4t-fPVVE0LYwpGk9Oc8imjnRqKPLncW3gr64b-ciaR0aYanzeDcObHvaJ_VhTS6y_JgkSKiPsN7fjflbpkynqU743B7D3xPq-upLcTsRG56w1R1i039wHqAiffablcnOWBEPEbf6Pn2YPvIyyTvHcaR03Iz/s320/a2.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's a picture of the table layout. Dee's house at Mortlake was torn down a very long time ago so it's not known precisely what the layout so I felt free to "recreate" it as I saw fit. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgCk7ZnmCJ1mqzPcCaypmTG0ymkx_4CTxLjH_3063yer-WZlW823_Sw-MXeOpXogL3evL-LkKxT5pxHyHszlPjLIk0eaOThqHU_yB2WtycowirBC6AkIScKuWL8QaqRp-qFvi1dbL2T5F9Kvr5Pza3rHSz1sAXoV_IMW4KTndXO3lWIsLxkIu8Ry7T9vr/s4032/a3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgCk7ZnmCJ1mqzPcCaypmTG0ymkx_4CTxLjH_3063yer-WZlW823_Sw-MXeOpXogL3evL-LkKxT5pxHyHszlPjLIk0eaOThqHU_yB2WtycowirBC6AkIScKuWL8QaqRp-qFvi1dbL2T5F9Kvr5Pza3rHSz1sAXoV_IMW4KTndXO3lWIsLxkIu8Ry7T9vr/s320/a3.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The place was brimming with all sorts of magical and monstrous encounters, such as the mutated frog and mushrooms in the above picture, all caused by run-off from the alchemical lab. Solomon Kane, heading the Puritan faction, spent a fair amount of time trying to cut his way out of the frog who had swallowed him whole early in the game.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLziGuxT9jESfMJ0prFwdTUqF1Hmfec0NDhu2ovyqMeF9PsDLxnQtzK9A_m_vtt1lxgQRiq_HdUktYtRGgP-1kL4wW_1RF7lT-ktEjHh4YuuC9NPZAn1MlKdmTrtJzZkvXQ-QonimiLr8sLIuL80640nL9OUCb-kJonoT4x0GPGvooipDJZTYG4m8yEQN/s4032/a4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLziGuxT9jESfMJ0prFwdTUqF1Hmfec0NDhu2ovyqMeF9PsDLxnQtzK9A_m_vtt1lxgQRiq_HdUktYtRGgP-1kL4wW_1RF7lT-ktEjHh4YuuC9NPZAn1MlKdmTrtJzZkvXQ-QonimiLr8sLIuL80640nL9OUCb-kJonoT4x0GPGvooipDJZTYG4m8yEQN/s320/a4.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This is the School of Night faction, a cult-like group founded by Sir Walter Raleigh to study "things which Many Was Not Meant to Know." It was led by Christopher Marlowe, poet, playwright, duelist and spy. They was the villains of the game. but managed to survive and came away with a magical chronometer but not the Black Mirror. and stole the carriage belonging to Mary and Sir Philip Sydney, brother and sister serving the Queen herself in attempting to protect Dee's magical property.</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDqfuQEMBh7qAHEoYorNxd2g2A9pUnQ2HCwdLSdM-E_nno5H5-Li0Y9-1X6qgRMnoxsbQey3hnFEvwRGOYYYpKXRBBbicC-eFDonD-Q7odxvk71OptmzeWjhPQAixx50gD5LjhlyLnl1D4kFC1zY1FIDiInQHL-C01zjh-0oiIbnQP9_PhW8773HCoCA6/s4032/a5.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDqfuQEMBh7qAHEoYorNxd2g2A9pUnQ2HCwdLSdM-E_nno5H5-Li0Y9-1X6qgRMnoxsbQey3hnFEvwRGOYYYpKXRBBbicC-eFDonD-Q7odxvk71OptmzeWjhPQAixx50gD5LjhlyLnl1D4kFC1zY1FIDiInQHL-C01zjh-0oiIbnQP9_PhW8773HCoCA6/s320/a5.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's a somewhat blurry picture of the Sydneys and their soon to be purloined carriage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I didn't have much chance to take many photos during the game but some other folks managed to take some. Thanks to Catrina Hultberg for taking some great shots from both of my games.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmORxsp116_wO6Ede0O-WEwMHj1vmS1698yLld_pZBB1TsEMbxtBx86T474grtveLWyYHG6N2hLSPF7zL3TsZ7_3-J1bjkI6A3Ie_iR9ebk7JJ98hn_WccNrp-uqlve7h2Uh6zITCjeyqhmDLXm2qKNZg3n4QMvZwCukVkgaO_btG1SwMOS18ucghut8E/s2048/362612658_10226931331322890_869721363560178771_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmORxsp116_wO6Ede0O-WEwMHj1vmS1698yLld_pZBB1TsEMbxtBx86T474grtveLWyYHG6N2hLSPF7zL3TsZ7_3-J1bjkI6A3Ie_iR9ebk7JJ98hn_WccNrp-uqlve7h2Uh6zITCjeyqhmDLXm2qKNZg3n4QMvZwCukVkgaO_btG1SwMOS18ucghut8E/s320/362612658_10226931331322890_869721363560178771_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycDohN3m1uxyJesRnMAnpeE8NaCzokqFvlMogIIacYuTYrihwbKDTPWmA6sQFIGDVN485NyUbcHMWD71pKkDFsXPMrn20M1V_nde6HKvO4hPxRLKzLkYyTLXOlnvyPTU1g9vhA0xp0gsqji2SU4xYYgRjAuTTMQ6Oax0_Q2jipQVSw4r-Zp6PkYF5oNQi/s2048/362640438_10226931332882929_8092089326373267159_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycDohN3m1uxyJesRnMAnpeE8NaCzokqFvlMogIIacYuTYrihwbKDTPWmA6sQFIGDVN485NyUbcHMWD71pKkDFsXPMrn20M1V_nde6HKvO4hPxRLKzLkYyTLXOlnvyPTU1g9vhA0xp0gsqji2SU4xYYgRjAuTTMQ6Oax0_Q2jipQVSw4r-Zp6PkYF5oNQi/s320/362640438_10226931332882929_8092089326373267159_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWCMAzzhtz5Cxf2EFi7BSG0Kn169hclIEez0MD_SYAnvnbDFX1quaWfLL1R5PcO95Pmxv6x-AIr_Ghj1Ul61CtlEOZ077oxyCH6rMpiMGWCq3A2MLY-KktuTFPWh9bPEBaBI1RdU3Q9J930uPfrVXYV1dNH3QhtwIa87SQ6njbjRYc_z6yOf8la3xFDDa/s2048/mom1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWCMAzzhtz5Cxf2EFi7BSG0Kn169hclIEez0MD_SYAnvnbDFX1quaWfLL1R5PcO95Pmxv6x-AIr_Ghj1Ul61CtlEOZ077oxyCH6rMpiMGWCq3A2MLY-KktuTFPWh9bPEBaBI1RdU3Q9J930uPfrVXYV1dNH3QhtwIa87SQ6njbjRYc_z6yOf8la3xFDDa/s320/mom1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSSCTRwp5oDbY9KPKb0a4XDRP4dMRgtKlchLbdjtkjPapZQR4Cgk28_DvAOmBIo_FkbjN16Zxw4J3bQ8d8gHmKcTaTdusI-7dw_YDM7t_knQNYJbpekWTutpufslYhOd3JI2PQ8LUR4iBlqEliY2hMSZZJgf58RlmMIvF580SPemuJZDAp4Hona9izAkA/s2048/mom3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSSCTRwp5oDbY9KPKb0a4XDRP4dMRgtKlchLbdjtkjPapZQR4Cgk28_DvAOmBIo_FkbjN16Zxw4J3bQ8d8gHmKcTaTdusI-7dw_YDM7t_knQNYJbpekWTutpufslYhOd3JI2PQ8LUR4iBlqEliY2hMSZZJgf58RlmMIvF580SPemuJZDAp4Hona9izAkA/s320/mom3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdmoLsst9x0FQ4IigcmbtKg5ZsdWD9zHg9dDM3t_eJzuE76bZPsIZk1BZ4eLX8l0lYzb-33i3-7cZYf3d7S2N73-O5K1RBhFycQI5-uz4T83mEHugeajZ4FpdVsU8kkl21PakYfhqqF1Pa5zuy7Y3um53GmvhkS1tmY1ocDDfTpbRJB7rzO2fVFdZKYKl/s2048/mom4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdmoLsst9x0FQ4IigcmbtKg5ZsdWD9zHg9dDM3t_eJzuE76bZPsIZk1BZ4eLX8l0lYzb-33i3-7cZYf3d7S2N73-O5K1RBhFycQI5-uz4T83mEHugeajZ4FpdVsU8kkl21PakYfhqqF1Pa5zuy7Y3um53GmvhkS1tmY1ocDDfTpbRJB7rzO2fVFdZKYKl/s320/mom4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-gYUqj4DXa53Erdee7IijWllPFIA2HLDECPeZprH9aBDWPu9WRU9Tkd53wuvNqk_WXlp7zGV7nUejrWfQ7-NycG47jLF2IYSlthHYP8yorQa4QJu5eRs3SLmI38Dg-FBcwmUiVHAjvxehknrrzrXKSYd23CQVHjccDV1hlAOn8REMPb-OD6KGsIlejt4/s2000/mom6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1339" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-gYUqj4DXa53Erdee7IijWllPFIA2HLDECPeZprH9aBDWPu9WRU9Tkd53wuvNqk_WXlp7zGV7nUejrWfQ7-NycG47jLF2IYSlthHYP8yorQa4QJu5eRs3SLmI38Dg-FBcwmUiVHAjvxehknrrzrXKSYd23CQVHjccDV1hlAOn8REMPb-OD6KGsIlejt4/s320/mom6.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The action in the game was furious and chaotic so I won't attempt to write a narrative of it but some highlights included a massive explosion and fire that destroyed most of the outbuilding of the estate, set into motion by Sweet Robin Poley, a sort of proto-James Bond, working for spymaster Francis Walsingham. At one point in the game, two entire factions were trapped inside a room of the main house by magically created vine which some Welsh brigands attempted to set on fire, only to have Baldrick of the Blackadder faction stop it by relieving himself on the fire. In the end, it was the Irish pirates of Grace O'Malley who made it down into the secret basement below the estate to discover the Black Mirror and convince the Angel guarding it to allow them to take it back to Ireland.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44fKUu0WTGjYILzhYxDrm5OCDoz3dqJER0s7TPYttmJ1AJA0gQcgnR2uZbQWrRoHw1yUXo_7eAQ8zzo6IKlGedoDXK41heJ0T6RetFWWL6CjB-SJf8u83pA0M03BOdaGqSvGXr81Ty5QzML3LtPI_zTDpuk2iRaN8iyWrLTO9M3r9JyYbdUdWKdCdsL8M/s4032/a6.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44fKUu0WTGjYILzhYxDrm5OCDoz3dqJER0s7TPYttmJ1AJA0gQcgnR2uZbQWrRoHw1yUXo_7eAQ8zzo6IKlGedoDXK41heJ0T6RetFWWL6CjB-SJf8u83pA0M03BOdaGqSvGXr81Ty5QzML3LtPI_zTDpuk2iRaN8iyWrLTO9M3r9JyYbdUdWKdCdsL8M/s320/a6.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> A fun game and we won an award for it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4tLMeiUPeYvB5wTntus9zwEeB4cJeVXjrvwvTUAdhZWSCuj4KroH3rV2q4Lpvd3B8-C_699dwOcrICsxHALWkssze-M0cg38EFGGI4AqAy8C9e1M5qQtSQgc26_wbJIKaSgto62hrSamCPjL7WW-aCMeA6sSnRc40EctYRBXdFG13gg3kEzR5VqdbW-Z/s4032/b1.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4tLMeiUPeYvB5wTntus9zwEeB4cJeVXjrvwvTUAdhZWSCuj4KroH3rV2q4Lpvd3B8-C_699dwOcrICsxHALWkssze-M0cg38EFGGI4AqAy8C9e1M5qQtSQgc26_wbJIKaSgto62hrSamCPjL7WW-aCMeA6sSnRc40EctYRBXdFG13gg3kEzR5VqdbW-Z/s320/b1.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The other game I ran was called The Faerie Queen Embattl'd, a fantasy take on the Spanish Armada. In this world, Mary Queen of Scots escaped the headsman's block by making a bargain with Mephistopheles. Her desire for vengeance became the driving force behind the Armada, which due to a sudden change in the wind caused by Mephistopheles allowed the Spanish to destroy most the English fleet near the Isle of Wight. The Irish soon join the Spanish for their impending invasion. At this darkest moment for the English John Dee returns to lend his magical aid to the embattled Queen. He pierces the veil to Faerie and makes an alliance with Oberon and Titania whose Fae armies join the defense. (I should mention that there is a legend that the storm which destroyed the Spanish Armada was summoned by Dee and this rumor was said to be the inspiration for Shakespeare's The Tempest and its Dee-like wizard Prospero.)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDjFnLO9zLV0I_ysoAR5FQ4hVhvDODy6qUNHLBjoUiSxwIPYQ9wIukcWem36KZJjX3N11Ervs5D9yAPHaTj-zzWLdWWJ5LCoAJRqbldTwR1WQV573889gzgdIFmvihU5dEZeLqHWZ5yd2svrkeZx7dpYBUirNBYPic67zH4ng9bLtDn-0muDRmv1mcoMX/s2048/362888903_10226937380154107_2804349239741560964_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDjFnLO9zLV0I_ysoAR5FQ4hVhvDODy6qUNHLBjoUiSxwIPYQ9wIukcWem36KZJjX3N11Ervs5D9yAPHaTj-zzWLdWWJ5LCoAJRqbldTwR1WQV573889gzgdIFmvihU5dEZeLqHWZ5yd2svrkeZx7dpYBUirNBYPic67zH4ng9bLtDn-0muDRmv1mcoMX/s320/362888903_10226937380154107_2804349239741560964_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3U4HxdapSAZxsOGSkVY2tBvySy-EDsnBWvm2VxGsZ3P4cNyW4n194d6he4ouxz7AWXV_brEyU2M7lwlq6Q89fVWvdJLfhDZ8YTpSpWgMtHIJivRquE7kUp0HXZW4sdfkP5UpqZZ09t83nfwPZdupbIfggGC2uZ78Rtrg7aougLqqqPGeoa5gNj909UFh/s4032/b2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3U4HxdapSAZxsOGSkVY2tBvySy-EDsnBWvm2VxGsZ3P4cNyW4n194d6he4ouxz7AWXV_brEyU2M7lwlq6Q89fVWvdJLfhDZ8YTpSpWgMtHIJivRquE7kUp0HXZW4sdfkP5UpqZZ09t83nfwPZdupbIfggGC2uZ78Rtrg7aougLqqqPGeoa5gNj909UFh/s320/b2.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I had 14 players and we used the Dragon Rampant rules with some additional rules from the other Rampant series rule sets, like Pikeman's Lament. </span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk66RvEBWylqgPT8qWPcZEj-jbHnaL8u21HzOjeGVuHjUhiokePBcnX9Ye4-6e0aybu9h5F5SSiaFAou4-JWKPl9TstXMMmBzXXA2Wsx5UuCpNKWph1v9guhXJLlWjBbNO-c5cN5-ANFD_W7Lb-aDioBUwcqg-I11HqBmqqbnIbvl-uUhIlOCH8ffCzyKm/s4032/b3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk66RvEBWylqgPT8qWPcZEj-jbHnaL8u21HzOjeGVuHjUhiokePBcnX9Ye4-6e0aybu9h5F5SSiaFAou4-JWKPl9TstXMMmBzXXA2Wsx5UuCpNKWph1v9guhXJLlWjBbNO-c5cN5-ANFD_W7Lb-aDioBUwcqg-I11HqBmqqbnIbvl-uUhIlOCH8ffCzyKm/s320/b3.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyTU2ETGwQPDMIMThCOybNP8EYju3P4XJgwNJeDoPZaetHrO-3S_CF9oTFnWAEdBDOcNqC-CIO9gMOznJsqGoU02FgCMSeIYpM2LNTvduuM472JTztCl72CbWL0Kljhoo8CCenaH6o8FAJhveI_jcmRpfXSOcewfqa3NyY8RWsJAPVH22zQylZO-HQIQA/s2048/362591746_10226937380554117_1022771660343755370_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyTU2ETGwQPDMIMThCOybNP8EYju3P4XJgwNJeDoPZaetHrO-3S_CF9oTFnWAEdBDOcNqC-CIO9gMOznJsqGoU02FgCMSeIYpM2LNTvduuM472JTztCl72CbWL0Kljhoo8CCenaH6o8FAJhveI_jcmRpfXSOcewfqa3NyY8RWsJAPVH22zQylZO-HQIQA/s320/362591746_10226937380554117_1022771660343755370_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO1D4RnIFbNoRsj7H14-fb5HKYenvpcR7sbV_SoPUgN0FU-OjQyGkpVfNCNAKsZn7FpfzTeru4fN0D-GlN9fSNOIwPbBqqMPjlMV1nknR_vBigiXQntpZr3FpQFp1UXzOJHQkIcqnRf6OH_rJSzyDCj-Mz3vMvVV6_oZkOACMcR3qkkBF66D5Bs4OsYs4/s2048/362612636_10226937382554167_1963311200200565860_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO1D4RnIFbNoRsj7H14-fb5HKYenvpcR7sbV_SoPUgN0FU-OjQyGkpVfNCNAKsZn7FpfzTeru4fN0D-GlN9fSNOIwPbBqqMPjlMV1nknR_vBigiXQntpZr3FpQFp1UXzOJHQkIcqnRf6OH_rJSzyDCj-Mz3vMvVV6_oZkOACMcR3qkkBF66D5Bs4OsYs4/s320/362612636_10226937382554167_1963311200200565860_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The game was divided into land and sea portions. The Spanish/Irish forces had to get to the far end of the land board while retaining at least one of the four ships they started with. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPSh1qnjUaxUeJhqkqQoUr53sde9Ei-CeeLIpsRrnKRBQx4xBQAOa-wPoW7bsWvqBRWuanoCGE5bBZn9oQGOlNFHw9HyPnmnPJmg-uS-E4i4gTrMt-kaGxhQX8Lok2s8YymIzp5gsRxSCA_TdGN6Xky6FVZZPpXg8yZ0AZmqL2klMrh3H5WYI08b8EJHF/s2048/362659588_10226937393954452_2523952969532137642_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPSh1qnjUaxUeJhqkqQoUr53sde9Ei-CeeLIpsRrnKRBQx4xBQAOa-wPoW7bsWvqBRWuanoCGE5bBZn9oQGOlNFHw9HyPnmnPJmg-uS-E4i4gTrMt-kaGxhQX8Lok2s8YymIzp5gsRxSCA_TdGN6Xky6FVZZPpXg8yZ0AZmqL2klMrh3H5WYI08b8EJHF/s320/362659588_10226937393954452_2523952969532137642_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnf-BlgloVvI2RBPJPrpM3gI91-iGSDpK2nDqhp7vvtJQgCsZcpwqqjyeiHt01w3We2TqHoPwzK92iaYh0PUO8fa21fHNsMUG1vLrZTRtD5my7Grqo4_SDv63lFk202veO11l_UOxwgjn1f97bsws1z7VJhdgIx5BQ_JHc7-LRwEtst3yZ1-PZF807TyL/s2048/362672801_10226937381274135_6882203984607626561_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnf-BlgloVvI2RBPJPrpM3gI91-iGSDpK2nDqhp7vvtJQgCsZcpwqqjyeiHt01w3We2TqHoPwzK92iaYh0PUO8fa21fHNsMUG1vLrZTRtD5my7Grqo4_SDv63lFk202veO11l_UOxwgjn1f97bsws1z7VJhdgIx5BQ_JHc7-LRwEtst3yZ1-PZF807TyL/s320/362672801_10226937381274135_6882203984607626561_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXRajoQIsC5xQ_96m0jvJJvjnSAdEHMLIq1gIW9C6lNbvEsNZKvxZ1lYExthreHpy-isFY122EhiwsVVqOoIvfdry6OPJJ_D4qT9P4tbO13_gsYfU9YdZCRKP5Qa_RltThgIQ-3uaIaLtCpwDVdfMoC1cRp53pgKx6N2CW_tE2h3ifacMjemlBhByFqmz/s2048/362691031_10226940747678293_8065981361776254866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXRajoQIsC5xQ_96m0jvJJvjnSAdEHMLIq1gIW9C6lNbvEsNZKvxZ1lYExthreHpy-isFY122EhiwsVVqOoIvfdry6OPJJ_D4qT9P4tbO13_gsYfU9YdZCRKP5Qa_RltThgIQ-3uaIaLtCpwDVdfMoC1cRp53pgKx6N2CW_tE2h3ifacMjemlBhByFqmz/s320/362691031_10226940747678293_8065981361776254866_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh650_iS5jzMdNC3hpam1XVVWBoPgmIFqfYLg9ulucKZ5UPMM0lo1bPBtVmXhSkjXYO38OI0E3rP2Y73zMMC7B3t2PoG7s2nW_pqCivZgrLUNMfrsCvtVF_JlaRN9ieOYSTOFPucPKG6wn_EaDfxiEqLwyCCEcRnTIT2N10ZizxiRNVFxKk9KiFwkQfQh_s/s4032/b4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh650_iS5jzMdNC3hpam1XVVWBoPgmIFqfYLg9ulucKZ5UPMM0lo1bPBtVmXhSkjXYO38OI0E3rP2Y73zMMC7B3t2PoG7s2nW_pqCivZgrLUNMfrsCvtVF_JlaRN9ieOYSTOFPucPKG6wn_EaDfxiEqLwyCCEcRnTIT2N10ZizxiRNVFxKk9KiFwkQfQh_s/s320/b4.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Most of the Spanish armies had to come ashore in an amphibious landing against an English artillery position and some militia units.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaiY3gp1LHRZPD1MYGA6c7XohrMdo-BX0q63eVUAnFMi2tB3KTSe4XPBlKLN0YlkyAQtf-KyF1vwROwoG5z1NEe6cLJZSwemVxzDIUx-OPPOGm-d1yMVkXSMV7bCkagIbOyubZbbEpEcmz-KpdTSRcRvY1CNx8Tt2yisLWPys6K32wG93x5UvF_rUea_Z/s4032/b5.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaiY3gp1LHRZPD1MYGA6c7XohrMdo-BX0q63eVUAnFMi2tB3KTSe4XPBlKLN0YlkyAQtf-KyF1vwROwoG5z1NEe6cLJZSwemVxzDIUx-OPPOGm-d1yMVkXSMV7bCkagIbOyubZbbEpEcmz-KpdTSRcRvY1CNx8Tt2yisLWPys6K32wG93x5UvF_rUea_Z/s320/b5.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The main English army was in a hastily fortified camp and would be hard pressed through the game.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY_3OSVm2CzJj_1239FIrmwW0eatSKIvjTB5wIhGQgngcJSgA9zkvP-J8glWsyqJ-IvusdB1LG_Kc91SAV-GxZKPW1NcEdfhcySbqsx64EniXPwQSOffSI63RAl7y_BBMHQMJOhdCkuRoR6KHqYcYZG_gb-pji9Zwh-qpv70bn_y3yPOyY441MWxQJWZv/s4032/b6.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY_3OSVm2CzJj_1239FIrmwW0eatSKIvjTB5wIhGQgngcJSgA9zkvP-J8glWsyqJ-IvusdB1LG_Kc91SAV-GxZKPW1NcEdfhcySbqsx64EniXPwQSOffSI63RAl7y_BBMHQMJOhdCkuRoR6KHqYcYZG_gb-pji9Zwh-qpv70bn_y3yPOyY441MWxQJWZv/s320/b6.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The English cavalry were led by the impetuous Earl of Essex who also commanded the coastal defenses. These put up a great defense but were ultimately overcome and Essex slain heroically leading a cavalry charge.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTbEXHSeCs8BVtGJgCPdMBFeqHrid_RTuI2Z9m8-TDpdy0JH9ndQrZ7S5upCIBpWZp22cNVLpdXj8zpwG5E-pqGHC-aLjp-Opr4IZU5M5kc5NduFliQnJZqb9fd9wgqCSjdLkbaHEKFdppLfl7ZtNAPXyQkdKWVBYffmxPegXxZHSalKfXCakjblxHO0g/s4032/b7.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTbEXHSeCs8BVtGJgCPdMBFeqHrid_RTuI2Z9m8-TDpdy0JH9ndQrZ7S5upCIBpWZp22cNVLpdXj8zpwG5E-pqGHC-aLjp-Opr4IZU5M5kc5NduFliQnJZqb9fd9wgqCSjdLkbaHEKFdppLfl7ZtNAPXyQkdKWVBYffmxPegXxZHSalKfXCakjblxHO0g/s320/b7.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>The armies of Faerie emerged from a great wood <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9KMqKJx2CuQd8UD9zNM7OiJs5dGQDQi44ABe-88xGMlBrc_wcuXhYpILT_VLEYUOctrN5otagMDomXpFq9wmxbLrPjLxe1Tt8K4rPl7vwgI4Y-sCL0of1Ayi2piT6S8CMCyubOx9YhBCa5v-XkXhZ1_mNyi2UX6hoM35K472isMYi--5u08H188-kyCc/s4032/b9.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9KMqKJx2CuQd8UD9zNM7OiJs5dGQDQi44ABe-88xGMlBrc_wcuXhYpILT_VLEYUOctrN5otagMDomXpFq9wmxbLrPjLxe1Tt8K4rPl7vwgI4Y-sCL0of1Ayi2piT6S8CMCyubOx9YhBCa5v-XkXhZ1_mNyi2UX6hoM35K472isMYi--5u08H188-kyCc/s320/b9.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xH_VnoiJhAbCj39r1S8_r8coUwT5vk13zssdzQDVEka_MH5ZezUK6WMoGUDvNNXTTO7V7uX9wSlnoMfmuKAFlfPRdBTa0TRMy6JWhINBb-hCz9qzA5dR7-9cWaN1zPJvpL_SO2iu4tgmDX0V-Q-P02jS1D7Xck2HYmiMS28gBpT8Ptl0WK207ykN8-RE/s4032/b10.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xH_VnoiJhAbCj39r1S8_r8coUwT5vk13zssdzQDVEka_MH5ZezUK6WMoGUDvNNXTTO7V7uX9wSlnoMfmuKAFlfPRdBTa0TRMy6JWhINBb-hCz9qzA5dR7-9cWaN1zPJvpL_SO2iu4tgmDX0V-Q-P02jS1D7Xck2HYmiMS28gBpT8Ptl0WK207ykN8-RE/s320/b10.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXxBJPo6aeHnaymhOrum6u7Oq-QfvwQ0uDvhiiDJVLuxFYZTdZARE8TBdmrKa35Sbol8UzmQM1ZVJ4nQN868KN-tEs5ywPHwlg-SL9oT9PYLqrvop9bIiqTqa2EPfTDHKdU7qPBnMzeZ7juX1TSOecPNMy6ONBsiVfzRhrUGDyaI6YHgn212g_l4gNE92/s4032/b11.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXxBJPo6aeHnaymhOrum6u7Oq-QfvwQ0uDvhiiDJVLuxFYZTdZARE8TBdmrKa35Sbol8UzmQM1ZVJ4nQN868KN-tEs5ywPHwlg-SL9oT9PYLqrvop9bIiqTqa2EPfTDHKdU7qPBnMzeZ7juX1TSOecPNMy6ONBsiVfzRhrUGDyaI6YHgn212g_l4gNE92/s320/b11.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A special note to Walt O'Hara who played John Dee in this game, effectively summoning the Tempest that came close to wrecking the Spanish fleet and zapping a half a dozen Spanish units with a chain lightening spell, he then held off several attacks by whole Spanish units single-handedly!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt_Qs-K2q4svyobvGjizK6QLI-3GOEq36_v7OgOzaJ16oUmpMymw0wKomFjBWLYuD70Fpd04_zyjQn4yNoQ-9U3VAczJGKaodwow7876XyMWS_0VypQlJdL9ApyOK5nwHbtlLSLRmctyG6oX96HSuJwDMfdpAe7QY49ZhyvvyNcMkCew7eRSt2oNFXqRC/s2048/362558897_10226940761238632_29619173822875860_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt_Qs-K2q4svyobvGjizK6QLI-3GOEq36_v7OgOzaJ16oUmpMymw0wKomFjBWLYuD70Fpd04_zyjQn4yNoQ-9U3VAczJGKaodwow7876XyMWS_0VypQlJdL9ApyOK5nwHbtlLSLRmctyG6oX96HSuJwDMfdpAe7QY49ZhyvvyNcMkCew7eRSt2oNFXqRC/s320/362558897_10226940761238632_29619173822875860_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8arI0fLhDU2eXGnRLf9oTCeO1ZPzDDBqSzVCUTgVr6VAvzgTd-34i41jso8Z_AdAfoGEOgj4UlwXxV-Zq_oHgQmnexMEn8HdJ_ZA6b2eAt_AzUInPQVNZGCHCBciIU8wv2FgwiJ2C91shuNQownD4YUs1pfz_6IO8sITBR9Rf6OYg2Tp_PXaz1NCUCSG/s2048/362883798_10226937392394413_6198085323572471108_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8arI0fLhDU2eXGnRLf9oTCeO1ZPzDDBqSzVCUTgVr6VAvzgTd-34i41jso8Z_AdAfoGEOgj4UlwXxV-Zq_oHgQmnexMEn8HdJ_ZA6b2eAt_AzUInPQVNZGCHCBciIU8wv2FgwiJ2C91shuNQownD4YUs1pfz_6IO8sITBR9Rf6OYg2Tp_PXaz1NCUCSG/s320/362883798_10226937392394413_6198085323572471108_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSHlNlQhmlKY7Vz0Qsz_4nvPvQM5sFyuhgob7Ihut8qSD7g2qZ6jQ9vCYKh3tdO7rvnb6TnszVuPxQYdMBRy89SKaOJ17xXP49I3yBeLiuVWp29Lc9dITIlaEdkkQo1KsAiY4gY5O07uX84tYTrDDErXtLsWSr77LnpcwXJWhDWz1n63JVgqu5JCQL1_N/s2048/362908300_10226940746878273_9188579747169770555_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSHlNlQhmlKY7Vz0Qsz_4nvPvQM5sFyuhgob7Ihut8qSD7g2qZ6jQ9vCYKh3tdO7rvnb6TnszVuPxQYdMBRy89SKaOJ17xXP49I3yBeLiuVWp29Lc9dITIlaEdkkQo1KsAiY4gY5O07uX84tYTrDDErXtLsWSr77LnpcwXJWhDWz1n63JVgqu5JCQL1_N/s320/362908300_10226940746878273_9188579747169770555_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NuhUkba1ferOLBJoW1VhXmOVnBS5HPgd-kL7DQRIK3cASbTntZYiRVdMg_tpL-uWeE1-cAduBjUI_vOLJxcvheFb8C0zXmqFmERroUt2p3eit8BkoP3aGrCiPKoeuxFsRPRqpbzKXmGOlpRUBNbZdb2u-zBvIUiYaLDDBdJvKUzKunDtK26baSj4OnTK/s2048/362659710_10226940760558615_6834574506512800225_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NuhUkba1ferOLBJoW1VhXmOVnBS5HPgd-kL7DQRIK3cASbTntZYiRVdMg_tpL-uWeE1-cAduBjUI_vOLJxcvheFb8C0zXmqFmERroUt2p3eit8BkoP3aGrCiPKoeuxFsRPRqpbzKXmGOlpRUBNbZdb2u-zBvIUiYaLDDBdJvKUzKunDtK26baSj4OnTK/s320/362659710_10226940760558615_6834574506512800225_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOPW5BH3YzSmYZ98mjrFVLHqB0QMDlzOX8YBSz1dBYr439ifImvaOkjmmPZYpDCPoM0eI0lIbggPgsGK-r62J4SHo2Wk3i0y-CwftfVDnHodfPpvvwckzAyo6NiOCWsmRfSVeEsacC9ju0sqSLkfpadkWTmxJGZGntquISdnWtQklAb6wBnnkmrLjZ8L_/s4032/b12.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOPW5BH3YzSmYZ98mjrFVLHqB0QMDlzOX8YBSz1dBYr439ifImvaOkjmmPZYpDCPoM0eI0lIbggPgsGK-r62J4SHo2Wk3i0y-CwftfVDnHodfPpvvwckzAyo6NiOCWsmRfSVeEsacC9ju0sqSLkfpadkWTmxJGZGntquISdnWtQklAb6wBnnkmrLjZ8L_/s320/b12.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">An "aerial view of the table towards the end of the game. Despite severe damage by fire ships, aerial attacks and the Tempest, all four of the Spanish/Irish ships were afloat. The Spanish/Irish ground forces, although heavily battered were still advancing inland and the English had suffered heavy losses and the Faeries almost all been driven back beyond on the Faerie veil (ie eliminated). However, time was running out for the invaders and they had not secured the town or the road to London.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhjkvxnPILoWrYywcJuyXGmbEuvQwQZzxrNOPjNx90mlx9Zazlsnc3jbHZL5xnncEn37B_g9VkQXA0uhKxxRdgwTR7AG9TdZLg3k695Mo1RfkpKHbvYGcoDr0pX7gd_-Q-gJ5p07ushpcf8FQPV9t8G6VezER_1Lz46VFC2__kzPVBVddZuoUsrsffGqT/s2048/b13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhjkvxnPILoWrYywcJuyXGmbEuvQwQZzxrNOPjNx90mlx9Zazlsnc3jbHZL5xnncEn37B_g9VkQXA0uhKxxRdgwTR7AG9TdZLg3k695Mo1RfkpKHbvYGcoDr0pX7gd_-Q-gJ5p07ushpcf8FQPV9t8G6VezER_1Lz46VFC2__kzPVBVddZuoUsrsffGqT/s320/b13.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It all ended up being settled by a duel (as is provided in the Lion Rampant rules). The two Queens, Elizabeth and Mary of Scots faced off and the vengeful Scottish Queen won the day and slew the heroic Gloriana, thereby becoming Queen of England as well as Scotland. However, at the start of the game, I had give the Spanish commanders secret orders that the Queen of Scots should be eliminated so that King Philip could assert his own claim to the English throne. It was therefore neither an English nor Spanish victory but a Scottish one. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSkLW7wuQIKPjYQ0xsgHj0otaJlToib7bBHV44BYIsTz508Fh4k2e0HzDKLnwECbFCWCcxDtPy98csFgFNMx1buaGBhvCyueoWckhAXXwk16byQVE6IU-1nybviGbP2Rz4sHYzkrTHyaGMynNBGKye0VlhfGi6XzQavNu8nv2QXJKFWqeXG6a7B9xN-ao/s2048/b14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSkLW7wuQIKPjYQ0xsgHj0otaJlToib7bBHV44BYIsTz508Fh4k2e0HzDKLnwECbFCWCcxDtPy98csFgFNMx1buaGBhvCyueoWckhAXXwk16byQVE6IU-1nybviGbP2Rz4sHYzkrTHyaGMynNBGKye0VlhfGi6XzQavNu8nv2QXJKFWqeXG6a7B9xN-ao/s320/b14.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>Here's some pictures of the great group of players that participated who all seemed to enjoy the game alot.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKE2SDhgVZE_pUaloEZ7T7GnkLudebd-xPxx3vhJ-SXi97E6skEnvERjqt7jZ2xj9yHAHHu86mxqmHXh4K9zdx5Lf0Qy3QJ-n50VW0ZowIpkdejquLAWjqhIV5_nd8elIj_3ZcvfNvBwPzeKZkBSA9_GFCzfR8szshS0DHfITXIlUqAa3jI-R57x0GV9i/s2048/b15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKE2SDhgVZE_pUaloEZ7T7GnkLudebd-xPxx3vhJ-SXi97E6skEnvERjqt7jZ2xj9yHAHHu86mxqmHXh4K9zdx5Lf0Qy3QJ-n50VW0ZowIpkdejquLAWjqhIV5_nd8elIj_3ZcvfNvBwPzeKZkBSA9_GFCzfR8szshS0DHfITXIlUqAa3jI-R57x0GV9i/s320/b15.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga961oXVNRqvGXJY0Kk2Xyi-CLWT6ZK7XOmncGtd_-_1J-E8rxWrRjJ2dUic-9a-BB7XGzatGP-G7Q71qu973BjH7cV4fjwK4sbQOwtzD1DPlVmI9wyLdOa7mUJY_auvO5LUkD3ksYMc_BVZZDFhFSM1LrgYcZS4dCyls8PWMSQhWMduXVleaFLjCkY5ZG/s4032/IMG_9844.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga961oXVNRqvGXJY0Kk2Xyi-CLWT6ZK7XOmncGtd_-_1J-E8rxWrRjJ2dUic-9a-BB7XGzatGP-G7Q71qu973BjH7cV4fjwK4sbQOwtzD1DPlVmI9wyLdOa7mUJY_auvO5LUkD3ksYMc_BVZZDFhFSM1LrgYcZS4dCyls8PWMSQhWMduXVleaFLjCkY5ZG/s320/IMG_9844.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">If any are wondering why I chose two games that featured John Dee, he's been kind of on my mind lately - I'll be playing the good Doctor as a member of the cast of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire this year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxsMV6LlpUr_AWw3zu5RznUhhcfJ8-1_lUT35zmyqM-kg2zNIADq_vWboX4ckI-YYsBCC1oW7i4KWzw2ja7_EvR5_l54BRqaIWmBm2zDFMfMHnuAicl71uUxRZlMCl6UASi30Ei4-fpY43KdhVplRSKN0YjlNmsUu5FRmu8cf1HJjVqW4cYRWcirxSeOF/s366/363309059_10224215575083234_3018994702660712240_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="191" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxsMV6LlpUr_AWw3zu5RznUhhcfJ8-1_lUT35zmyqM-kg2zNIADq_vWboX4ckI-YYsBCC1oW7i4KWzw2ja7_EvR5_l54BRqaIWmBm2zDFMfMHnuAicl71uUxRZlMCl6UASi30Ei4-fpY43KdhVplRSKN0YjlNmsUu5FRmu8cf1HJjVqW4cYRWcirxSeOF/s320/363309059_10224215575083234_3018994702660712240_n.jpg" width="167" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We open August 19 and run every Saturday and Sunday through the end of October: <a href="http://www.parenfaire.com/faire.html">http://www.parenfaire.com/faire.html</a>. If you are in the central PA area, please consider joining us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Games in which I played (or had hoped to)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwt0Ogl0R6FRxctAQyakKutoadEzKgBXBFklXN_fi1U6l2YlBStla8pFDgx0VgPZfOZLncWqmzHyQnIgqq0AEH1zhFowNIanHDFNxVPZ8pbHQ_G0qxbr42j8LZCs_V-8WSI8T_XJ5wte-Sspg6VuNtDUpm0bD8sbi7jDf1jmNLChz7GNJe0CfEsacRGAI/s4032/c2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwt0Ogl0R6FRxctAQyakKutoadEzKgBXBFklXN_fi1U6l2YlBStla8pFDgx0VgPZfOZLncWqmzHyQnIgqq0AEH1zhFowNIanHDFNxVPZ8pbHQ_G0qxbr42j8LZCs_V-8WSI8T_XJ5wte-Sspg6VuNtDUpm0bD8sbi7jDf1jmNLChz7GNJe0CfEsacRGAI/s320/c2.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The first game I played in was a Conan adventure where I played the evil sorcerer opposing Conan. Unfortunately, he got the drop on me and I was slain in the first turn.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I had signed up for Martyn Kelly's fabulous Battle of Beresteczko game, one of the key battles in the Khmelnitsky Cossack Uprising against the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth. Unfortunately, I had misread the start time of the game and slept through the first couple of hours of it. (I experience some back issues that day and made the mistake of laying down for a nap that afternoon and didn't realize my mistake until it was far too late.) I really kicked myself for missing it. I saw the tail end and it was a magnificent looking game, like all of Maryn's games are, and it looked like a really exciting game. (Martyn played in my Mirrors of Mortlake game and was the one who blew up half the estate!) The couple of pictures below don't really do justice to how epic this game looked.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW48m5oLACzGyJV0sxmkzalxzDHxXm6e7pdt2MNvR5Dj4yVvWZugy7Qlb-WXsVEefswIFVOL-lVs9JO48G2Uhgazb9rduBziKW-jRAypKYxAAKiWUsRM7HjqCH2u029bRUp9KzdVk822RCZEfobfeFdy3kQ0Yq2CyEVHMD22e4585w7ogwajijHo3dwG2/s4032/c3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW48m5oLACzGyJV0sxmkzalxzDHxXm6e7pdt2MNvR5Dj4yVvWZugy7Qlb-WXsVEefswIFVOL-lVs9JO48G2Uhgazb9rduBziKW-jRAypKYxAAKiWUsRM7HjqCH2u029bRUp9KzdVk822RCZEfobfeFdy3kQ0Yq2CyEVHMD22e4585w7ogwajijHo3dwG2/s320/c3.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOMsDnmVLygSwb5dNnr-6wFz7wuv_2fdHszyBL-BsV_IryHd_boeUwG5jxBTEWYBquFoRjkxsJiBDW7HrwJO3SIqXTucMkJ3_kZbQPgYuNkmEdwexNsUGFr7qxaveYphlvG3IlREnQnY4--reK4oWCyDCwV2B3bzwyG9kpKFhZuIf1YKtW1vUgbaTLrg3/s4032/c4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOMsDnmVLygSwb5dNnr-6wFz7wuv_2fdHszyBL-BsV_IryHd_boeUwG5jxBTEWYBquFoRjkxsJiBDW7HrwJO3SIqXTucMkJ3_kZbQPgYuNkmEdwexNsUGFr7qxaveYphlvG3IlREnQnY4--reK4oWCyDCwV2B3bzwyG9kpKFhZuIf1YKtW1vUgbaTLrg3/s320/c4.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFdGZlgItg8DXpZRPtWQ_VbIWto2qUJSPgsbZO-JCPSQEfsUjTPkqQFkemnvpv7ZT3vX9hsjRMNB7FbGfG2r91BUnRjGs_mQ7SW7YeX5X-gmRmFj_c88ksauHezVYxblm5z9mhOKRt7mv5a_YLIarFwE8OtgsRcixAXVdjti8fgn0GZ1IcHdscGxlrezg/s4032/c5.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFdGZlgItg8DXpZRPtWQ_VbIWto2qUJSPgsbZO-JCPSQEfsUjTPkqQFkemnvpv7ZT3vX9hsjRMNB7FbGfG2r91BUnRjGs_mQ7SW7YeX5X-gmRmFj_c88ksauHezVYxblm5z9mhOKRt7mv5a_YLIarFwE8OtgsRcixAXVdjti8fgn0GZ1IcHdscGxlrezg/s320/c5.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I did play in my first game of Blood and Plunder, it was a great time and I really enjoyed the system. The game was based on the final stand of The Gentleman Pirate Stede Bonnet. Three pirate ships faced off against two Royal Navy vessels who were of infinitely higher quality. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4gr4Ntz_7hLm8L2-wsbcKfsuG5WUKm-CT5FyJCQEzettgR3ajT8I2Ha2DqIZZuQNdf29t4ySIdNlUPhoHDQcvHSzdQIMBncfmWZR8MNy8j7UVk8fj4Srt04dJg4MKaQXFbU_gBm8q41U4aTl5bphKXiDQG3NKxhcAupw61DQOycjL21-aPuPyYr_UJ3l/s4032/d1.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4gr4Ntz_7hLm8L2-wsbcKfsuG5WUKm-CT5FyJCQEzettgR3ajT8I2Ha2DqIZZuQNdf29t4ySIdNlUPhoHDQcvHSzdQIMBncfmWZR8MNy8j7UVk8fj4Srt04dJg4MKaQXFbU_gBm8q41U4aTl5bphKXiDQG3NKxhcAupw61DQOycjL21-aPuPyYr_UJ3l/s320/d1.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtHX6qVUXAwacC-miF4BAnsr6WbUEvUV2l3qlsKVl_kPhVkDM7QM2RNFfC1oAc6A9KW54XbhmsADAMz0rijQmQ8KjIv6iYiHiqDdYoBpgJwSm98ezswHYP5btRdXUIQN8gwpL1Yt3Gs-LTXUuFksq0XvV5wUjcwYVWZ7lRA_OxEsdPcHi0MKAcb2dl4T_/s4032/d2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtHX6qVUXAwacC-miF4BAnsr6WbUEvUV2l3qlsKVl_kPhVkDM7QM2RNFfC1oAc6A9KW54XbhmsADAMz0rijQmQ8KjIv6iYiHiqDdYoBpgJwSm98ezswHYP5btRdXUIQN8gwpL1Yt3Gs-LTXUuFksq0XvV5wUjcwYVWZ7lRA_OxEsdPcHi0MKAcb2dl4T_/s320/d2.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5sZVsrgYDH4waCAB-eGro9jV4EYaGOy1N2Yb1VQvYlK6XG16jsvvvhxQ2h5dsspqt1yKQLP6KynzTs7guSA4oS_Fz_vQDbjTsIOZPmEGZwNWvaW_fkdPd9b7ZSkYYeKkc1TfqT6MII36gPIrKxPS6Vz16xcjr1RTn_jDoS_ukiooO1qPYbkGzhRkbJ0I/s4032/d3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5sZVsrgYDH4waCAB-eGro9jV4EYaGOy1N2Yb1VQvYlK6XG16jsvvvhxQ2h5dsspqt1yKQLP6KynzTs7guSA4oS_Fz_vQDbjTsIOZPmEGZwNWvaW_fkdPd9b7ZSkYYeKkc1TfqT6MII36gPIrKxPS6Vz16xcjr1RTn_jDoS_ukiooO1qPYbkGzhRkbJ0I/s320/d3.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As the actual battle took place in a shallow river mouth, there was a danger each time we moved of running aground. Each of the five ships spent a considerable amount of time immobilized by this but it actually ended up benefiting the pirates. One of our ships that proved more mobile ended up being captured by the much better boarding parties of the two Navy ships. However, that opened up a path for Bonnet's ship and the other pirate ship to make a run for the open sea.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeK-jzf5zcjNZtEwKyvAxEn3E5kNJCEnuCxigpbHo5vIf-55A-y0N8Fm1WoYm2wvmXAEwN8mJzH5D4_lNkeXVc2cZdTSJnuzN1hscdrCfjh-T9Hv2jrwgr0DHXU8j_gLrzkiP2yVniIwzHnThVWDHNB_R0VOBbw-Y5JiMcJigo6b_Z8K4ZRe6RbiTQXJ4/s4032/d4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeK-jzf5zcjNZtEwKyvAxEn3E5kNJCEnuCxigpbHo5vIf-55A-y0N8Fm1WoYm2wvmXAEwN8mJzH5D4_lNkeXVc2cZdTSJnuzN1hscdrCfjh-T9Hv2jrwgr0DHXU8j_gLrzkiP2yVniIwzHnThVWDHNB_R0VOBbw-Y5JiMcJigo6b_Z8K4ZRe6RbiTQXJ4/s320/d4.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I was caught by one of the Navy ships, boarded and it looked bleak for Bonnet. However, the other pirate ship came to the rescue while the other Navy ship ran aground. We were able to overcome the crew of the boarding Navy ship and then had a clear passage away. The Gentleman Pirate lived to swashbuckle another day!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's some pictures from games that caught my eye. These shots are from a great 54mm Khartoum game. Spread out on three tables was definitely one of the visual highlights of the convention.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7ddlkVYQFaQt5CrKhTODzJrC9r-GxilZXHU8Taz8CzFv0-Ma1tBcD7aniZRc5Zt_YdyDPxS5WIxtmtyawUYdgysQCZHxiqEpTgqlcU_jTiFlr3V1FeDMi-Id0d_U2ufiKoMBfxJ-EkKyqcZ_goSSxVUn2N_YaSDQlNVM611czXu6Djbbs7iGsrwmYtxr/s4032/o2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7ddlkVYQFaQt5CrKhTODzJrC9r-GxilZXHU8Taz8CzFv0-Ma1tBcD7aniZRc5Zt_YdyDPxS5WIxtmtyawUYdgysQCZHxiqEpTgqlcU_jTiFlr3V1FeDMi-Id0d_U2ufiKoMBfxJ-EkKyqcZ_goSSxVUn2N_YaSDQlNVM611czXu6Djbbs7iGsrwmYtxr/s320/o2.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTHrHdVeIJjksCYBsuKHHjl5PfL5dOHh-pbQBV68iIZvTGMxx4lLr5QbZgYuHDoVGTziCofDVS3uzZMJ9wumT7mwMCGiE7oojBd2KxqYX_uo8mP1Amd7P5H22ZWSR7cuU34hQnMDtU788KVCdLUYtp0vqP2ehYzx4Lr8RF7WIAbcjfLKXUxAq0fCwo3mm/s4032/o3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTHrHdVeIJjksCYBsuKHHjl5PfL5dOHh-pbQBV68iIZvTGMxx4lLr5QbZgYuHDoVGTziCofDVS3uzZMJ9wumT7mwMCGiE7oojBd2KxqYX_uo8mP1Amd7P5H22ZWSR7cuU34hQnMDtU788KVCdLUYtp0vqP2ehYzx4Lr8RF7WIAbcjfLKXUxAq0fCwo3mm/s320/o3.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">These are pictures of Dave Hill's huge Test of Honor game, always a truly magnificent sight. Each of the half dozen or so games he ran had up to 24 players. I've played in his games and he does it all by himself and keeps the game running smoothly and with lots of lively action.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJxHm_dm7ZZhB1y8D8GGFwLLujudEtHMt0Rb9yWyPpBBN9pieEtE9yqhwalsV1lvfVIBY5akeI7uhu2yOgtsHKkeGSW60DSsk1VYIlPkejPvSS5opa4dcaBr5ZGzPhDBbH5gCGbiMSBOgcpObslZH7LWMduddwog48Sr13R1575fERq4hvfnjxNB2PjJT/s4032/o4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJxHm_dm7ZZhB1y8D8GGFwLLujudEtHMt0Rb9yWyPpBBN9pieEtE9yqhwalsV1lvfVIBY5akeI7uhu2yOgtsHKkeGSW60DSsk1VYIlPkejPvSS5opa4dcaBr5ZGzPhDBbH5gCGbiMSBOgcpObslZH7LWMduddwog48Sr13R1575fERq4hvfnjxNB2PjJT/s320/o4.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk5Gi68a2BdeJu4o9ReCFNBvIXXi6eAqgIHlftsdI9fwAwXM74OOIHU2KUdlyq5wKGZQcuIeIoV4-6VaJNwV0f0SW2M5q-EAXnzf3VkI2FrNGdtzq4tUCkwGwaoKh2GPVi1jgHXhEVS2a2MJNo1CzS82rPcsH_MeSEEJS42myzGPqCPJxHwyTXaUo-w0r/s4032/o5.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk5Gi68a2BdeJu4o9ReCFNBvIXXi6eAqgIHlftsdI9fwAwXM74OOIHU2KUdlyq5wKGZQcuIeIoV4-6VaJNwV0f0SW2M5q-EAXnzf3VkI2FrNGdtzq4tUCkwGwaoKh2GPVi1jgHXhEVS2a2MJNo1CzS82rPcsH_MeSEEJS42myzGPqCPJxHwyTXaUo-w0r/s320/o5.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowtAtHOpa0-w8xelaMEORAHKLUbyq8Zev9_yKYGQcSbqdZS-y1AXMrgeIIfLfREaxApfGQFeB5gl2n8ZOV3-XCF2IUeadNK25KOrfzasdtxLfDF3ULYmy5CB2s9vo4ke_EC2_Ky0gm4x8RZS0fLYxsdMplJeX7uwabr6MZhN9dkDRiMEUxFE7lSvO0Soi/s4032/o6.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowtAtHOpa0-w8xelaMEORAHKLUbyq8Zev9_yKYGQcSbqdZS-y1AXMrgeIIfLfREaxApfGQFeB5gl2n8ZOV3-XCF2IUeadNK25KOrfzasdtxLfDF3ULYmy5CB2s9vo4ke_EC2_Ky0gm4x8RZS0fLYxsdMplJeX7uwabr6MZhN9dkDRiMEUxFE7lSvO0Soi/s320/o6.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevYYplGFPHDFdYMcy51jIgEUvqIR8EI-E6HDIfReSvYhobdgXau2Lox9oqxoncZwPuEL3eaeLg9NGimcqo-QXzSmSoIBVdxv8mAeACdKAj4MKhQ9TyWUF8Jv6yZjbjGIaH3lhU2LABJTu0fv_NjBqe1uyU4FzRmiELH6yFn38edhAKfFujpJQKkFtqAw8/s4032/o7.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevYYplGFPHDFdYMcy51jIgEUvqIR8EI-E6HDIfReSvYhobdgXau2Lox9oqxoncZwPuEL3eaeLg9NGimcqo-QXzSmSoIBVdxv8mAeACdKAj4MKhQ9TyWUF8Jv6yZjbjGIaH3lhU2LABJTu0fv_NjBqe1uyU4FzRmiELH6yFn38edhAKfFujpJQKkFtqAw8/s320/o7.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VgWLxVC6PQiiMWWa4R-h9ooqJYVeVRfmBDLtDCdP3BACWvYVDN31fF5XYyuxRXMwFB00_nkyk2hPK5uPhgooawYlkIIY88_6kRH1UiZFNTeH8i_0OYXxAgQZ_4VQqe5boBgJqQghUFc0bnJNmVa4XtkGdZZlTsmRsjkCpy-xswQ4iH1BUBNhQwDHKYn9/s4032/o8.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VgWLxVC6PQiiMWWa4R-h9ooqJYVeVRfmBDLtDCdP3BACWvYVDN31fF5XYyuxRXMwFB00_nkyk2hPK5uPhgooawYlkIIY88_6kRH1UiZFNTeH8i_0OYXxAgQZ_4VQqe5boBgJqQghUFc0bnJNmVa4XtkGdZZlTsmRsjkCpy-xswQ4iH1BUBNhQwDHKYn9/s320/o8.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv2DJ8zhArtZ55Tvjp4lN2_2osAYFN63SZY9APiGXhATbNsFUM-9OjJrfze8MLVCQ-HTIS_IwiK8m2vfIwNqdv_J7oDjkCBgtGMcyQ9SY4dnEvdbbBhkbNG5w31FaCImoFx1EY_9ZpPPn25RCuKCqehmSGBUJGa-NCofdjDrcLD5pm82dBYlPcag6pyr3/s4032/o9.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPv2DJ8zhArtZ55Tvjp4lN2_2osAYFN63SZY9APiGXhATbNsFUM-9OjJrfze8MLVCQ-HTIS_IwiK8m2vfIwNqdv_J7oDjkCBgtGMcyQ9SY4dnEvdbbBhkbNG5w31FaCImoFx1EY_9ZpPPn25RCuKCqehmSGBUJGa-NCofdjDrcLD5pm82dBYlPcag6pyr3/s320/o9.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's some other games that caught my eye. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWRD-7cQOOG-Emrcg6yYYFnUqyqgTtsflbMdckbL_15FI0taMr5ED_U49BoDEE28k0RTJUeAEdUIfRb3O5QYbVe8v4wfgMfjwaPugkXk1OHdMuCU9cs2CTrAEU9q7ixulDQvEpZqaxJ_cHyIjaVM89TVgOWkrckqpBHmEIW0RV10po-3dJ4F8WiQfG1YA/s4032/o11.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWRD-7cQOOG-Emrcg6yYYFnUqyqgTtsflbMdckbL_15FI0taMr5ED_U49BoDEE28k0RTJUeAEdUIfRb3O5QYbVe8v4wfgMfjwaPugkXk1OHdMuCU9cs2CTrAEU9q7ixulDQvEpZqaxJ_cHyIjaVM89TVgOWkrckqpBHmEIW0RV10po-3dJ4F8WiQfG1YA/s320/o11.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq01V6TS5tKtkqqcT0krjfcV2rU1ZmzFg1_Dd5TI8DbMkPbf_cLAsmRUiSl33dHQ15l1W0Lc-M12bQpy2H7pJ7hnhTDp4iWdiDdV2H6O37XP-ndy7-C9h0ebMD8WNV5tcBNKaUWYT_MlDMySm-TPERw5Jn2iSvhQEIp_nu9PU57rxfhOMulfxMJC-vm11a/s4032/o12.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq01V6TS5tKtkqqcT0krjfcV2rU1ZmzFg1_Dd5TI8DbMkPbf_cLAsmRUiSl33dHQ15l1W0Lc-M12bQpy2H7pJ7hnhTDp4iWdiDdV2H6O37XP-ndy7-C9h0ebMD8WNV5tcBNKaUWYT_MlDMySm-TPERw5Jn2iSvhQEIp_nu9PU57rxfhOMulfxMJC-vm11a/s320/o12.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg68VPzFJKhoytIvaGvGqt8ublV3fiEwESxVHCmJhNdppyKWgzbwWrLHQ1CLBVfdB4vx4EfdkzZwqbOWfgmPutnyAOy-w-gHTgZ3ILk1CGhYNUUDRsQPwmv0ezAnDHti3yyNSC4KWU38Q1EGgEGUjpyWkfkyYZVNL3L2Vng3XpgzlfTQ5aX1SYHMBAXuee/s4032/o13.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg68VPzFJKhoytIvaGvGqt8ublV3fiEwESxVHCmJhNdppyKWgzbwWrLHQ1CLBVfdB4vx4EfdkzZwqbOWfgmPutnyAOy-w-gHTgZ3ILk1CGhYNUUDRsQPwmv0ezAnDHti3yyNSC4KWU38Q1EGgEGUjpyWkfkyYZVNL3L2Vng3XpgzlfTQ5aX1SYHMBAXuee/s320/o13.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhGLVARFK0xPVoFmYU_72T7Ky9SjnfSQF7FsN0nbwXD0j5d_GzrNfmcf-0wj6_C-QesgT7rCV3Mte_46zM0DXFJrZaQcKPt_sdHKX_PUuwsrL0bZMXsCl5vb-qYvcltkjmFfSVYnJxbx4oCgQ890T_ni10xLcL1Ga2bH7KaaUOMZ45LdBkBaMEccBZCYU/s4032/o14.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhGLVARFK0xPVoFmYU_72T7Ky9SjnfSQF7FsN0nbwXD0j5d_GzrNfmcf-0wj6_C-QesgT7rCV3Mte_46zM0DXFJrZaQcKPt_sdHKX_PUuwsrL0bZMXsCl5vb-qYvcltkjmFfSVYnJxbx4oCgQ890T_ni10xLcL1Ga2bH7KaaUOMZ45LdBkBaMEccBZCYU/s320/o14.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswnGGeU879BFxGALRw_rxjYWslnED3ZQJQHgVTvcQOeKUBnOaw9qCJNKbqrO9y-LFslO5dzx1goGlUKg5Y2FpnVoXnhSObMnBQVylyqP3sbeYl7afvAvrD67CD2jFNNgXDmPBSI1Bj_3PXu0YsuAfHSVAEiNKahRTqHzDOx0fzaPsjiAY6eLvVwWjog6k/s4032/o15.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswnGGeU879BFxGALRw_rxjYWslnED3ZQJQHgVTvcQOeKUBnOaw9qCJNKbqrO9y-LFslO5dzx1goGlUKg5Y2FpnVoXnhSObMnBQVylyqP3sbeYl7afvAvrD67CD2jFNNgXDmPBSI1Bj_3PXu0YsuAfHSVAEiNKahRTqHzDOx0fzaPsjiAY6eLvVwWjog6k/s320/o15.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjdhbeWkpS47XKTG6Xap_-r0vls7sAqhbC-WrrWl06vK-7VujGkKJFcUhhT_uz5Z5EdLl3rRcw9AjXE5sYs0XarUwT2ccF9fIsd_iZHDwBcB1usrrja4dXhO_l2vMbH402dWdoNVZDYnQ0xFDVhVDLsC_5LePSqrTElKkP4HmNKrqXE78t9jnjb2Q10kZ/s4032/o16.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjdhbeWkpS47XKTG6Xap_-r0vls7sAqhbC-WrrWl06vK-7VujGkKJFcUhhT_uz5Z5EdLl3rRcw9AjXE5sYs0XarUwT2ccF9fIsd_iZHDwBcB1usrrja4dXhO_l2vMbH402dWdoNVZDYnQ0xFDVhVDLsC_5LePSqrTElKkP4HmNKrqXE78t9jnjb2Q10kZ/s320/o16.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdo4hMihRkoXGdLhcqgFnIa-NzDWs_X_IdmnPyecTNFtKK6bw2JiGnvrwePe_i5YRJlv5PcgyrHMv30WBNI3qMXwKfQEJ2HSi1ygZTA4yAYDebT8ieysIKTtxE9-LT0sbOb_g2Ryi9iBtX4rJBYxewE7TWVCsqSEJQy6EE6FOexqu_HdV-TkI8nAG_Ill/s4032/o17.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdo4hMihRkoXGdLhcqgFnIa-NzDWs_X_IdmnPyecTNFtKK6bw2JiGnvrwePe_i5YRJlv5PcgyrHMv30WBNI3qMXwKfQEJ2HSi1ygZTA4yAYDebT8ieysIKTtxE9-LT0sbOb_g2Ryi9iBtX4rJBYxewE7TWVCsqSEJQy6EE6FOexqu_HdV-TkI8nAG_Ill/s320/o17.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Again, it was a really great time, one of the best conventions I've been to in a while, even with some the physical issues and screw ups I had. Can't wait until next year!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><br /></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-74201974065952867172022-08-03T07:20:00.000-07:002022-08-03T07:20:24.391-07:00Historicon 2022<p> Here's a somewhat belated report on my trip to Historicon 2022. In summary, a great time was had!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6BUw8Gb9Gz--95ZUX_nw9d5RRecK2M5SO8Vb8BSJ7Cj4mUC5hKT7VwQjnVz4mrDLAZJ16CKqGX2jyF9etcQ1tzfvjRiRipOVA5DV0-VZOOG5LHxCfw__lg8U3u41fOChHTf2bo8wmtchFPN3ZjlAy2jvhWzExsYTv8tRTCi-fOOb1fbutJoSLTbMuQ/s2048/295980534_10228777933618105_5120065637972642837_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6BUw8Gb9Gz--95ZUX_nw9d5RRecK2M5SO8Vb8BSJ7Cj4mUC5hKT7VwQjnVz4mrDLAZJ16CKqGX2jyF9etcQ1tzfvjRiRipOVA5DV0-VZOOG5LHxCfw__lg8U3u41fOChHTf2bo8wmtchFPN3ZjlAy2jvhWzExsYTv8tRTCi-fOOb1fbutJoSLTbMuQ/s320/295980534_10228777933618105_5120065637972642837_n.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was held at the Lancaster Convention Center on the square in downtown Lancaster. This is a great site for the convention, with numerous places to eat just steps from the hotel. The layout for the convention itself was good, all events in proximity without seeming too crowded. A big change from the subpar Valley Forge Casino site. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1pk_5zY0LMJw83yUqVKMeUPXDxQ9hHCBto-hjY8TDC3JRF_3CK1PFhvoW0NYJRwyfVbU4Ct9N-oE2e6XcH3iUVvmSiTf778H6-vN1c4NgQ2HcKd4-0f86SNSluDtEW4ut7azAJHIhZQY2COnVqeTLmegVr2EOvxCkBrB9EcCODrTSVUxc84ojw1jaA/s4032/68003534127__87727FAF-7052-4E72-9886-83E993908B0D.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1pk_5zY0LMJw83yUqVKMeUPXDxQ9hHCBto-hjY8TDC3JRF_3CK1PFhvoW0NYJRwyfVbU4Ct9N-oE2e6XcH3iUVvmSiTf778H6-vN1c4NgQ2HcKd4-0f86SNSluDtEW4ut7azAJHIhZQY2COnVqeTLmegVr2EOvxCkBrB9EcCODrTSVUxc84ojw1jaA/s320/68003534127__87727FAF-7052-4E72-9886-83E993908B0D.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ran two games at the convention. The first, run on Friday night of the convention, was a reprise of a game I ran a few years ago, Sharp's Pride and Prejudice and Master and Commander and Zombies, taking Seth Graeme-Smith's hilarious "adaptation" of the Jane Austen classic and adding a few popular period literary heroes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgjAUVgv3mqXrhBYUU2exNS7nvYjQw_rKJIquR0r7TfTTnsc8TSdCv1J5Oci7KtLG6NutNFle4U1odw9XD7UUK8EqG4f56ey5MaCx0xNOlhCuVgi96HnSRbCse_aLSfMXYvkAVoWM59Kx2RZg9X_dbA3HBrkIlT2BNjrzA0QYG1y5PFuLQKr3zP1QPw/s4032/HZ1.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgjAUVgv3mqXrhBYUU2exNS7nvYjQw_rKJIquR0r7TfTTnsc8TSdCv1J5Oci7KtLG6NutNFle4U1odw9XD7UUK8EqG4f56ey5MaCx0xNOlhCuVgi96HnSRbCse_aLSfMXYvkAVoWM59Kx2RZg9X_dbA3HBrkIlT2BNjrzA0QYG1y5PFuLQKr3zP1QPw/s320/HZ1.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> This time I used a modified form of the new Silver Bayonet rules (as well as adding Mary Shelley and Frankenstein's monster). I believe they worked well for this game, intuitive enough for the players to pick up easily and quick playing enough despite having 14 players. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACkm2GD5P56JuhIAjuLlPQYmUGcE0RhyQtVU0MjjxNHhBQtWMrrYuQslYvRaG2chaNHiLe-ifieUI7GLE3NPzdJWRO0YdX6VPD8G3Jfe7uY2MBo6fi54tZ5Zj_6IkaF1Lz7MuB1ewRjNpAmvsKMz7FGZ9S4DP_wu9MB-lm1UMT7x1nEONsysDJ8d5lg/s4032/hz2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACkm2GD5P56JuhIAjuLlPQYmUGcE0RhyQtVU0MjjxNHhBQtWMrrYuQslYvRaG2chaNHiLe-ifieUI7GLE3NPzdJWRO0YdX6VPD8G3Jfe7uY2MBo6fi54tZ5Zj_6IkaF1Lz7MuB1ewRjNpAmvsKMz7FGZ9S4DP_wu9MB-lm1UMT7x1nEONsysDJ8d5lg/s320/hz2.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The main focus of the game was to prevent the dastardly Mr. Wickham from running off with the youngest of the five Bennet sisters to have his way with her, thus shaming the family.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNWEynKXx2rUQOguMq6g89SKJWuZvVI87IYyTNv0_EiufjGc_wVOEDtf7EjZ4bEkK3DdgRY1OCENM3Zbb89CCM2d-Nds1jdQOZ0kPNO_EUIEcNJuUT3khFG2-u0zCgg5OTFkIOy64sXfT1PPS-GvrMPa2YfyTNumA_bQG2h4BsqoJVJ8BEvaND-0MzA/s3024/hz3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="3024" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNWEynKXx2rUQOguMq6g89SKJWuZvVI87IYyTNv0_EiufjGc_wVOEDtf7EjZ4bEkK3DdgRY1OCENM3Zbb89CCM2d-Nds1jdQOZ0kPNO_EUIEcNJuUT3khFG2-u0zCgg5OTFkIOy64sXfT1PPS-GvrMPa2YfyTNumA_bQG2h4BsqoJVJ8BEvaND-0MzA/s320/hz3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rosings Park and the village of Hunsford, site of the unpleasantness.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKzxwy-FfdKroyVSvL-7FR4IeQmWDhg9KCPMgwML6XkbQm--7m0AD8J27COrEgK58-bTg9brVDfaVfY9WuWBG57JfW47N72UsTqJV77R3j9LCFJooDpMggivISCN2szUax737ZGabbSZWTJ9wLsT1qlNiVEddAF7owhSGGjjt5JJ5VZ-Y3iBLsfxKfg/s3024/hz4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKzxwy-FfdKroyVSvL-7FR4IeQmWDhg9KCPMgwML6XkbQm--7m0AD8J27COrEgK58-bTg9brVDfaVfY9WuWBG57JfW47N72UsTqJV77R3j9LCFJooDpMggivISCN2szUax737ZGabbSZWTJ9wLsT1qlNiVEddAF7owhSGGjjt5JJ5VZ-Y3iBLsfxKfg/s320/hz4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The local militia under Colonel Fitzwilliams</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3e2_TLCIu7WzDkPWNz1miZW3RqzFTY3AfEBUJpfc9KpUI9SjcZepKPCUpvDagZW385ny0JmtJ0H32YAI8c9f-Pl0apRCaTSGBypTw9iFjavP7zsR92CJzq-mOEBCkVDhAU0_FJdElaIWiguCxDkCxyFGMC6YR4TsaKlK1bmfd4Aemeoa1bdE2-8eOQ/s3024/hz5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3e2_TLCIu7WzDkPWNz1miZW3RqzFTY3AfEBUJpfc9KpUI9SjcZepKPCUpvDagZW385ny0JmtJ0H32YAI8c9f-Pl0apRCaTSGBypTw9iFjavP7zsR92CJzq-mOEBCkVDhAU0_FJdElaIWiguCxDkCxyFGMC6YR4TsaKlK1bmfd4Aemeoa1bdE2-8eOQ/s320/hz5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mary Shelley and her friends experiment with a new method of fighting zombies, their own undead construct. Part of this faction included Lord Byron which resulted in adding a rule for Cutting Remarks for several figures, a last minute addition that worked well and had quite a bit of humor - Thanks to Virginia Montrie for coming up with that idea.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4iRC5OSSUW8DX5pWT58t2qNx_zIfY7jE-KesXl4LOX6LANcvmA5pxwnfhLkIUXk1e5pi4s7qPtxoj1OmZYjZcpZQQZAhVcrUQD_iwSMT-oimWGbdqI4enaKTA81XzvrfoegefSmrtoOTHnVXc9cDmDjdfzoIcQp5641kHVBQzictnS-ImVMyY5j_XQ/s4032/hz6.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4iRC5OSSUW8DX5pWT58t2qNx_zIfY7jE-KesXl4LOX6LANcvmA5pxwnfhLkIUXk1e5pi4s7qPtxoj1OmZYjZcpZQQZAhVcrUQD_iwSMT-oimWGbdqI4enaKTA81XzvrfoegefSmrtoOTHnVXc9cDmDjdfzoIcQp5641kHVBQzictnS-ImVMyY5j_XQ/s320/hz6.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our heroes, Elizabeth Bennet and the hopeful Fitzwilliams D'Arcy who hoped to convince Elizabeth to marry him.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXcLXJkYKWfTEgR8n6X1akUnAjerb901BbTZLIFzQDBiz7qTonKC1yuPnRIEuyqubyzQSxuCcE4cw-8rUE07P8dhZO7qIArZKR5WNmLi0_T3_HYG7ZiH2s0RItgDnWFs3yL9yECsS3YAyLaMC7grZQXkwQjvkbYDya_0aA2JcE8BGqcR7tA6QgGQ67A/s4032/hz7.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXcLXJkYKWfTEgR8n6X1akUnAjerb901BbTZLIFzQDBiz7qTonKC1yuPnRIEuyqubyzQSxuCcE4cw-8rUE07P8dhZO7qIArZKR5WNmLi0_T3_HYG7ZiH2s0RItgDnWFs3yL9yECsS3YAyLaMC7grZQXkwQjvkbYDya_0aA2JcE8BGqcR7tA6QgGQ67A/s320/hz7.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The grave yard at Hunsford, Zombie central</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S6ZiDUPTByfsVqwaxxsgu7OW83x5rsVaIibHEO1BaH_dTEb_4oYcdShv0m5FBZZQE4vEKCjNENhPvgrkioxK6xc6nw-cvvvFZgUnMwyKq0sUuI-qP02mpLcgOPWxYGXeL6DsbTY8sE6EggfRqiPWB8947V552yZoREsY4mBIcpuSI7nscZpgK4zmoA/s4032/hz7a.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S6ZiDUPTByfsVqwaxxsgu7OW83x5rsVaIibHEO1BaH_dTEb_4oYcdShv0m5FBZZQE4vEKCjNENhPvgrkioxK6xc6nw-cvvvFZgUnMwyKq0sUuI-qP02mpLcgOPWxYGXeL6DsbTY8sE6EggfRqiPWB8947V552yZoREsY4mBIcpuSI7nscZpgK4zmoA/s320/hz7a.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Richard Sharpe and Harper fending off some zombies with the help of a couple of Healthy Farm Girls. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTsV75LQGHC-qOPlwd6Qa6XxzoGW_Crcgc3AIRHaZApOu4w_BLzRvjZfIocb2TF1HfHzpc6lEaKLTlbtUE6BKB6QRUJckKucrB9c-tZ8Y4LkoxqGHCsb6bf1PwRkIpHaB3t67iBbi-xZKZhqLUv23p2En8jAiUie2ynjWYBOxlAhqL9zS2RT8oJZ2kw/s4032/hz7b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTsV75LQGHC-qOPlwd6Qa6XxzoGW_Crcgc3AIRHaZApOu4w_BLzRvjZfIocb2TF1HfHzpc6lEaKLTlbtUE6BKB6QRUJckKucrB9c-tZ8Y4LkoxqGHCsb6bf1PwRkIpHaB3t67iBbi-xZKZhqLUv23p2En8jAiUie2ynjWYBOxlAhqL9zS2RT8oJZ2kw/s320/hz7b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jack Aubrey and the crew of HMS Surprise had decided to enter the board near the graveyard and so bore the brunt of the battle against the Unmentionable Undead.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G5iwVHt5EDVQ75b0Hj1fTkqCWC_FMLeAShYAyRh6TOCHcTo-LzLKjnk6Yw30qqwc59wwYH7sw-22jp0roHuheOZrsExzcmAdy02S02us-Yj4r8Ew4vCW3NAHIDB7ugTeO8z5DAHzw0jlAJKuXA1EIncnozYGMRQqSTTKwj3yIJEEIzJId3c24Z4Y_w/s4032/hz8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G5iwVHt5EDVQ75b0Hj1fTkqCWC_FMLeAShYAyRh6TOCHcTo-LzLKjnk6Yw30qqwc59wwYH7sw-22jp0roHuheOZrsExzcmAdy02S02us-Yj4r8Ew4vCW3NAHIDB7ugTeO8z5DAHzw0jlAJKuXA1EIncnozYGMRQqSTTKwj3yIJEEIzJId3c24Z4Y_w/s320/hz8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Reclaimers, zombie-seeking bounty hunters who were not above taking live humans in a pinch.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rpwr-7tDbij2tzm0ojnzeQ-XfHUcfqOtT_TYIOGEd5p0oT54flgmUZfnOIMXeIQzVW8sg3veGHI9YvBQukshSKWqR80vpa1xhU0IbtSmvq65_qL2FBhD6mohTYa2NfS5tn3O5KJlpuxpCB5KfGxX8GMZiJImZhN1RwVGKNmeW7NOJZCNzNl--CZYrQ/s4032/hz10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rpwr-7tDbij2tzm0ojnzeQ-XfHUcfqOtT_TYIOGEd5p0oT54flgmUZfnOIMXeIQzVW8sg3veGHI9YvBQukshSKWqR80vpa1xhU0IbtSmvq65_qL2FBhD6mohTYa2NfS5tn3O5KJlpuxpCB5KfGxX8GMZiJImZhN1RwVGKNmeW7NOJZCNzNl--CZYrQ/s320/hz10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were various types of undead, most of them quite disgusting and, on occasion, explosive.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7OvQSni4DmDDekwYab9_P0Tn8VrNbtRUak2Ddd32ih05chUPFra2caow2ieKKMMNLcGqMVBhBbdIdagrsTREDtk2ZoNbC-5CgARJG_vRQTRbQGeZ3_BDF0GIJKRnuMgQTMUYHDBQ6dx9z_x84817k8DJPYXgS7NEMbHWeJ--wp65-uUTBF_y8Z4elA/s3024/hz10a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7OvQSni4DmDDekwYab9_P0Tn8VrNbtRUak2Ddd32ih05chUPFra2caow2ieKKMMNLcGqMVBhBbdIdagrsTREDtk2ZoNbC-5CgARJG_vRQTRbQGeZ3_BDF0GIJKRnuMgQTMUYHDBQ6dx9z_x84817k8DJPYXgS7NEMbHWeJ--wp65-uUTBF_y8Z4elA/s320/hz10a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A zombie horde on the move.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV_TdJYz9VOJNjnXPT9t0bLXFaoN6EnxxtLxC-wlZ8dhKpBn8yCCS01y0m-xrxfJ1kEC0ttOnprR_IcZYg2wI1QSmKJhHOd4kRbgw8oKj0t3EObo7pRy2X2TFFZnnH8FZdlnX-JsGnhuHmnxUImWBYt-9-07Hn8JjN8yRkF27k1hzEfWR9xy01I9FPQ/s3024/hz11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV_TdJYz9VOJNjnXPT9t0bLXFaoN6EnxxtLxC-wlZ8dhKpBn8yCCS01y0m-xrxfJ1kEC0ttOnprR_IcZYg2wI1QSmKJhHOd4kRbgw8oKj0t3EObo7pRy2X2TFFZnnH8FZdlnX-JsGnhuHmnxUImWBYt-9-07Hn8JjN8yRkF27k1hzEfWR9xy01I9FPQ/s320/hz11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Elizabeth and Darcy catch sight of Wickham's carriage and are in hot pursuit.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7z67KT2FCnew1m_h2zhkqTE3l38S1YvxjiAZPOGAbA8uzok41iMB5cyvvl258tjoIOzdr78JW3SxeX8YOxvC-vNY2DQcZjReNrqtMZ4Kemugxum0Ds8zWF_RYtO6zqETLPesnuXbNcGyrAzXxUlDKGl0-hfY_6C-s-Hkegb9tux73StCi2tinS29Vg/s2956/hz12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2956" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7z67KT2FCnew1m_h2zhkqTE3l38S1YvxjiAZPOGAbA8uzok41iMB5cyvvl258tjoIOzdr78JW3SxeX8YOxvC-vNY2DQcZjReNrqtMZ4Kemugxum0Ds8zWF_RYtO6zqETLPesnuXbNcGyrAzXxUlDKGl0-hfY_6C-s-Hkegb9tux73StCi2tinS29Vg/s320/hz12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's some shots of the game in progress. My thanks to Joe Procopio for getting most of these shots. On the military side of things, the crew of the Surprise and Sharpe's riflemen rather handily kept the zombie hordes at bay, allowing Elizabeth, D'Arcy, and the rest of the Bennet family to track down the evil Wickham and rescue young Lydia.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaJprX2AuXM-klCWrZL_cLqARfzQ42CHPsNeSKsyHyvzw76xaj1zCsXsPw5zjeGwRMdeenVEXJGO5u4okMroz-2_sFvQ6fJPyUmXjz6erEsBqvFx3cAb-25kuIcyDa1h_CrEd-0OAfyemZtwNleUjVKSU_VmH4ktNY61EvpDhCnSpKOc-ssEWDMqKqw/s4032/hz13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaJprX2AuXM-klCWrZL_cLqARfzQ42CHPsNeSKsyHyvzw76xaj1zCsXsPw5zjeGwRMdeenVEXJGO5u4okMroz-2_sFvQ6fJPyUmXjz6erEsBqvFx3cAb-25kuIcyDa1h_CrEd-0OAfyemZtwNleUjVKSU_VmH4ktNY61EvpDhCnSpKOc-ssEWDMqKqw/s320/hz13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The final confrontation occurred on the grounds of Rosing Park, Lady Catherine de Burge's sprawling estate. This resulted in one of the more colorful incidents when one of the exploding zombies was "detonated" next to a traveling merchant who was carrying explosives and ammunition. The resulting explosion destroyed Lady Catherine's troop of ninja bodyguards but our heroes managed to survive.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ScS4GSMNdC299ejPvmF3AXPpAXTiVXSfd-a8PyVsBLpnZitWE3BOsBdwdoDxlB19I83C0LjBf1L2Ep_kpV5xvDS8UNLYsHroxHcJR9-SlfU7fMvxf_tBnMCfQrS2Ap6_pEJx5tFJuOTo5viuHESjMfavXAlCGezBd-uBlYpyq8j269ydxLF2umlCuw/s4032/hz14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ScS4GSMNdC299ejPvmF3AXPpAXTiVXSfd-a8PyVsBLpnZitWE3BOsBdwdoDxlB19I83C0LjBf1L2Ep_kpV5xvDS8UNLYsHroxHcJR9-SlfU7fMvxf_tBnMCfQrS2Ap6_pEJx5tFJuOTo5viuHESjMfavXAlCGezBd-uBlYpyq8j269ydxLF2umlCuw/s320/hz14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Although Wickham had escaped and thrown himself on the mercy of Colonel Fitzwilliams, he was unaware that the Colonel was D'Arcy cousin. Using his quick wit, D'Arcy was able to convince the Colonel to order Wickham to marry Lydia, thus preserving the Bennet Family reputation and winning the heart and hand of Elizabeth.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHziFKH3iqHP4PNBnxwzu3_ucWCCIk1T22f0M0GLvh20vvDuBcSTLi1z5vEPWiDAsBdefJdO0lpgGE12ZdkG7JFHCZ2zZloBmlfiA7_ExHU6kRUII8n_jgaak5jH-d9fLilrgpCzIjuCFpM-esOjGOsmdvB-21A4-ZRQqvy9bDZHf-s1Dk6DWgdMWUg/s2563/hz15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="2563" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHziFKH3iqHP4PNBnxwzu3_ucWCCIk1T22f0M0GLvh20vvDuBcSTLi1z5vEPWiDAsBdefJdO0lpgGE12ZdkG7JFHCZ2zZloBmlfiA7_ExHU6kRUII8n_jgaak5jH-d9fLilrgpCzIjuCFpM-esOjGOsmdvB-21A4-ZRQqvy9bDZHf-s1Dk6DWgdMWUg/s320/hz15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, I think the game was a success, thanks mostly to a great bunch of players who enthusiastic got into the spirit of my Regency zombie melodrama.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second game I ran, on Saturday afternoon, was a reprise of Leonardo Da Vinci and the Prince of Foxes that I had run at Historicon 2021. See <a href="https://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2021/11/historicon-2021-masks-saving-christmas.html">https://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2021/11/historicon-2021-masks-saving-christmas.html</a> for more details on the plot of this game.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzs5e0_ebGcIlXSkDMH_NiWuKSFpmuwGARo6WKUz5TA6QLcKQVGKHQ-F3qAVT7FK9jNmwdpjzi7m8KGUpo56NSTsAGB7OpWVH0CnPCRAFxCZJWx1n-ZsKdVev7qDlNlI_RXJe0WCs4PaTvOaVtaLlGp2EH4Y6tExyWVrOPyZ6Qk6Aau4deItpq2khkw/s1800/hl1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzs5e0_ebGcIlXSkDMH_NiWuKSFpmuwGARo6WKUz5TA6QLcKQVGKHQ-F3qAVT7FK9jNmwdpjzi7m8KGUpo56NSTsAGB7OpWVH0CnPCRAFxCZJWx1n-ZsKdVev7qDlNlI_RXJe0WCs4PaTvOaVtaLlGp2EH4Y6tExyWVrOPyZ6Qk6Aau4deItpq2khkw/s320/hl1.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>As previously the forces of Cesare Borgia were attacking the city of Citta Del Monte, defended by the noble Lord Marc'Antonio Verano, his beautiful young wife, Donna Camilla, and the former Borgian Lieutenant, Andrea Orisini, a peasant artist posing as a nobleman.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9xDTSK5_qGxHN_V9ba-KxUE3wdIAh36iTdXQH3YO3UrlT8sl8-tqx8rJf1UIafHwJByREf7tZ3qTc1OikFkqtQWgNUHbvr-Vdj7b661AqJTW89QcQeJGsLklAP97b87-0uOlva_WILcHsyx7W1PV08gcOk6on9qKtPFXRj7tef1BZN5HQBTNjRWeWw/s4032/hl2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9xDTSK5_qGxHN_V9ba-KxUE3wdIAh36iTdXQH3YO3UrlT8sl8-tqx8rJf1UIafHwJByREf7tZ3qTc1OikFkqtQWgNUHbvr-Vdj7b661AqJTW89QcQeJGsLklAP97b87-0uOlva_WILcHsyx7W1PV08gcOk6on9qKtPFXRj7tef1BZN5HQBTNjRWeWw/s320/hl2.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Here's a shot of the city and its defenses as the Borgian forces begin their approach.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36mmirw4wOszZekrpx8Ts6rsQtySs9mTCqgAhWptfqxTQCv829Et9r7_uQ8EZvhmcfhfm_vTbHXPTEqwwOdVXXqqHtcClBQuganCV6yZbLUlnFuKSaeL4dfLK-OEVVijs0JXohCCpD6RxdDgDAGVLSHOCOqawgFNplQLchd8tZLWuJ4wGu1ob1KBsKw/s4032/hl3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36mmirw4wOszZekrpx8Ts6rsQtySs9mTCqgAhWptfqxTQCv829Et9r7_uQ8EZvhmcfhfm_vTbHXPTEqwwOdVXXqqHtcClBQuganCV6yZbLUlnFuKSaeL4dfLK-OEVVijs0JXohCCpD6RxdDgDAGVLSHOCOqawgFNplQLchd8tZLWuJ4wGu1ob1KBsKw/s320/hl3.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>Here's is the main Borgian army and air fleet. I added a few new units based on the experiences at the previous Historicon. These were two additional large tanks and a battery of heavy, but slow moving, siege artillery.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5xkMTnW2oPyNMLHKWh7Nm2p4-kK4_DBHrL9qo_POFRcKVQrgZzugdEy1oaZW7_FGaBJ6y8FQkRehJy6U5Gye7n3nEjkKcvUMgyLm2k80lu21d7pwedw9u6of1jbNHYqN3T_8HLJdtkcePTpdBXfzCW-FQQOZq2WoaRUXRyPVSUQIsTVCVfyiNerKfQ/s4032/hl4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5xkMTnW2oPyNMLHKWh7Nm2p4-kK4_DBHrL9qo_POFRcKVQrgZzugdEy1oaZW7_FGaBJ6y8FQkRehJy6U5Gye7n3nEjkKcvUMgyLm2k80lu21d7pwedw9u6of1jbNHYqN3T_8HLJdtkcePTpdBXfzCW-FQQOZq2WoaRUXRyPVSUQIsTVCVfyiNerKfQ/s320/hl4.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The way this game played out was quite different than at the previous convention. Then, the Borgian threw all of their forces into the fray and were mostly held at bay. This time, the air fleet stayed off of the table, entering only after most of the long range Montan artillery had been eliminated. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsuLlQFjIlPCZKXO0Z_m6kF9XqPsoMxLl-KGAdXEJSUcHmHaauT1kE11YlRc4oT9N3ev_EW_i3d-Mw3NJQt1Y8HUZgkBm0ZBEjlNkJV6IPuERYTayyQ4QS89B67EWQndKDMfr8g4wKPNWyDDfYirs-jqncheWfE9tB7i-v3_H8wMabs4dy9VdWthFiA/s4032/hl5.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsuLlQFjIlPCZKXO0Z_m6kF9XqPsoMxLl-KGAdXEJSUcHmHaauT1kE11YlRc4oT9N3ev_EW_i3d-Mw3NJQt1Y8HUZgkBm0ZBEjlNkJV6IPuERYTayyQ4QS89B67EWQndKDMfr8g4wKPNWyDDfYirs-jqncheWfE9tB7i-v3_H8wMabs4dy9VdWthFiA/s320/hl5.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>At first this seemed like a dangerous strategy. The Borgian ground forces suffered heavy losses and seemed to be making little head away. Then a very lucky assassin strike killed Cesare Borgia himself. As it turned out, however, most of the Borgain army passed the resulting moral test and fought on.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOApMnbPBQex97mfUS7DiA9NVdQqEiuwC892cqQnDH6JkQkRYTmlLZGPaCfJmgb-6kJfk8mo6DGiMZpsqnkXy2VvUMSmgj4fHTobmEGzvWXGfrFinKd2MQ13juPq8qZkBv85OCZ428ZkBYvNdyw47kaYeOQlqrvW0MuNrRuB0QpLrUg4rrIBxDLwDTLg/s4032/hl6.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOApMnbPBQex97mfUS7DiA9NVdQqEiuwC892cqQnDH6JkQkRYTmlLZGPaCfJmgb-6kJfk8mo6DGiMZpsqnkXy2VvUMSmgj4fHTobmEGzvWXGfrFinKd2MQ13juPq8qZkBv85OCZ428ZkBYvNdyw47kaYeOQlqrvW0MuNrRuB0QpLrUg4rrIBxDLwDTLg/s320/hl6.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>The Borgian were beginning to crack the river defense line and had taken out most of the Montan heavy artillery. Then the air fleet swooped in and assaulted the city itself. After a long see-saw battle, the elite aerial troops captured the city and forced Lord Verano to surrender to save his people further suffering. However, Orsini, with the help of assassin Mario Belli, had managed to escape from the clutches of his former lover, Angela Borgia. With Cesare dead and his father Pope Alexander VI soon to follow, the hard fought Borgian victory would prove ephemeral and Orsini would soon return to free the city. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had another group of enthusiastic players, 15 this time, who made this another great gaming experience.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSGr3pWtE0iqiUjym4BLW2k-RkdtLc2PjzxhS6F3vs7nx8Uf3ZNFGAAxx5-jY2Ci-OH8PJ6nGcy873XHxIEq3-AdXXe2QPRXzMJXbOpwYT325DLC7qQbeRW2ySg1h-bUBtxx5qS5zciDn1Wj1WeSdI5P1SNecEmSKrR-c9oGsxML8-CW4gKVTq7n9vA/s4032/hl7.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSGr3pWtE0iqiUjym4BLW2k-RkdtLc2PjzxhS6F3vs7nx8Uf3ZNFGAAxx5-jY2Ci-OH8PJ6nGcy873XHxIEq3-AdXXe2QPRXzMJXbOpwYT325DLC7qQbeRW2ySg1h-bUBtxx5qS5zciDn1Wj1WeSdI5P1SNecEmSKrR-c9oGsxML8-CW4gKVTq7n9vA/s320/hl7.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>And the game won an award.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also got to play in several very fine games. On <span style="text-align: center;">Thursday morning, I got to play in Miles Reidy's Battle of Manziket game. Miles is a great GM, who keeps the game moving and livens it with very funny banter. This game was true to that form.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmQlxw2GfulJ6u9BvG6UQg9qMm9MmoYF9JiB0Pe8hAErnbf9yZAKYWiwUlQNYmEL8576p90SiSfTQ6E5YHuRatpcPvEzQwRVLCDq3FV5bCMbKbjwJR3ODyRzCbpvXUmJphNy6kEksM39F6pOTNpBV_gQsyqx4SZfl_uLPyJ9TDVz9Pi4_-1H0lQYtBA/s4032/IMG_8588.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmQlxw2GfulJ6u9BvG6UQg9qMm9MmoYF9JiB0Pe8hAErnbf9yZAKYWiwUlQNYmEL8576p90SiSfTQ6E5YHuRatpcPvEzQwRVLCDq3FV5bCMbKbjwJR3ODyRzCbpvXUmJphNy6kEksM39F6pOTNpBV_gQsyqx4SZfl_uLPyJ9TDVz9Pi4_-1H0lQYtBA/s320/IMG_8588.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>I usually prefer playing in larger scale games but playing one of these great battles in a smaller scale (10mm) really gives a sense of the sweep of the fighting.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfP15CbZymD_DHe0ol7dNp9BHF0P7NOtXHipUuKyQIdO8Gu89RnAxAfhgDO9EQgXnn_zZEZY4ANa9CbqbN692OM6_hSVlhbOozy73Aj88UUHytjwtaEc17OG8Hv896_eyoXepgyILSv6SvQMGfGFphPgg6lt52Q6Jr9Yl1ZvwM-k8IYAeDPw8Ccw1adw/s4032/IMG_8589.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfP15CbZymD_DHe0ol7dNp9BHF0P7NOtXHipUuKyQIdO8Gu89RnAxAfhgDO9EQgXnn_zZEZY4ANa9CbqbN692OM6_hSVlhbOozy73Aj88UUHytjwtaEc17OG8Hv896_eyoXepgyILSv6SvQMGfGFphPgg6lt52Q6Jr9Yl1ZvwM-k8IYAeDPw8Ccw1adw/s320/IMG_8589.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>I played as the East Roman Emperor Romanus. Proud to say, we did not suffer the disaster that the historical battle proved to be. Rather, we fought to a respectable tie.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSQVUeZ-dnwvqnmIGf0d4msVacxzZEbEXcE4lJO4onu_L2rZHrz01dOTv8h-dvpIM8xMTHJvwZMAZ9kwoSyUJhvG5ROMIx021WTRmiQ8k_sfOCuR3DNQ9kumFVXCp16_x8uj6RrvsB37bLhmOP5CaFCD4K3BT54M18IUY3KFm6KOYsIAI_epeh5UePw/s4032/IMG_8590.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSQVUeZ-dnwvqnmIGf0d4msVacxzZEbEXcE4lJO4onu_L2rZHrz01dOTv8h-dvpIM8xMTHJvwZMAZ9kwoSyUJhvG5ROMIx021WTRmiQ8k_sfOCuR3DNQ9kumFVXCp16_x8uj6RrvsB37bLhmOP5CaFCD4K3BT54M18IUY3KFm6KOYsIAI_epeh5UePw/s320/IMG_8590.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div>The last turn of the game saw a dramatic fight between the elites of both armies </div><div><br /></div>Thursday evening, I played in Peter Anderson's Battle of Pavia game. This was using the To the Strongest rules. This was the first time I played this unique set of rules and I liked them. They are designed to play large battles very quickly, using a gridded tabletop and card draws instead of dice. T</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsn8i3_VV6vE1fNGVoRnfi5W0WpAFhPXqeLBkL8RjIvh3CVFesdVTPPXaAKdKR-91ivwXaJojqTVIilP-DtOAezlhY5iedRFluIFhtDkn6IyTrqwyRGVzpSJAbFhB1MbRkLR1OHcRSwesgWZu2FbF32vpyDAY3q_F2MlngMkWU_ADZy9a2U9k1Hh-Bg/s4032/IMG_8594.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZsn8i3_VV6vE1fNGVoRnfi5W0WpAFhPXqeLBkL8RjIvh3CVFesdVTPPXaAKdKR-91ivwXaJojqTVIilP-DtOAezlhY5iedRFluIFhtDkn6IyTrqwyRGVzpSJAbFhB1MbRkLR1OHcRSwesgWZu2FbF32vpyDAY3q_F2MlngMkWU_ADZy9a2U9k1Hh-Bg/s320/IMG_8594.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>I wondered about how the grid would look but the Pete used unobtrusive dots on the tabletop that were easy to determine the squares but not to disruptive to the overall look.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDjtVusuvPdnUMME9zIhJEtc5bZn-Ss-quEbMIZhQBrnRk0RVqhz12pe4nXKDFBYo4_xEycmIWe1pF9kD4qRPDqmgm9HtPj5x90aLDIrQNs4WVHf7bt-V7zZCZtdTgYhccwnUlzquAsx7zK9ZSDqBhoZ4hIPJ8Y8MY_K1fH5VW0lWN8Ona7FDpMLluA/s4032/IMG_8596.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDjtVusuvPdnUMME9zIhJEtc5bZn-Ss-quEbMIZhQBrnRk0RVqhz12pe4nXKDFBYo4_xEycmIWe1pF9kD4qRPDqmgm9HtPj5x90aLDIrQNs4WVHf7bt-V7zZCZtdTgYhccwnUlzquAsx7zK9ZSDqBhoZ4hIPJ8Y8MY_K1fH5VW0lWN8Ona7FDpMLluA/s320/IMG_8596.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The units had a large number of well painted figures, just the thing for the Italian Wars.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCwsLwZpCn6i8Vg3xfb17ADsUbVuRNWcFLvgKSd2nL95B8yZowPJoRgxMy359NJbwq28reCoHUZfZO2H8IiAeWBAxhezFHpmayn1zPMroEXzsPb76nUhiU6JpO9NxXapTZbRZQiGCYMQfc8PgzVHi9Wv_HoyknLYZ2jiI0OC4JL6R4Rcs2lVI7Matww/s4032/IMG_8597.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCwsLwZpCn6i8Vg3xfb17ADsUbVuRNWcFLvgKSd2nL95B8yZowPJoRgxMy359NJbwq28reCoHUZfZO2H8IiAeWBAxhezFHpmayn1zPMroEXzsPb76nUhiU6JpO9NxXapTZbRZQiGCYMQfc8PgzVHi9Wv_HoyknLYZ2jiI0OC4JL6R4Rcs2lVI7Matww/s320/IMG_8597.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was the commander of the French Army's Swiss mercenaries. We replayed history pretty well. King Francis was captures and my Swiss slaughtered. Still a very fun game.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pBQ7pyhWvDw0_UQ93DJ7z19KpCeVY31q4n4c2n68iGq4JZjOG-A58kwMQQJBF8lDpOQqixeg3krpPXjeVq-zNbzrixYb5h0o9AAIV3xaUX6gs_cF94o_x9UBIUuxkFnCuAgdKWTgb89mEvSCrJAjukBApIgxgW84NXMUYd3hw5GGqvYiNPEHzSxelQ/s4032/IMG_8599.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pBQ7pyhWvDw0_UQ93DJ7z19KpCeVY31q4n4c2n68iGq4JZjOG-A58kwMQQJBF8lDpOQqixeg3krpPXjeVq-zNbzrixYb5h0o9AAIV3xaUX6gs_cF94o_x9UBIUuxkFnCuAgdKWTgb89mEvSCrJAjukBApIgxgW84NXMUYd3hw5GGqvYiNPEHzSxelQ/s320/IMG_8599.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday morning, I played in Dave Waxtel's Ramming Speed. I was the Admiral of a five ship Roman squadron, each with its own player-commander, taking on a Carthaginian fleet of 6 speedier and more maneuverable vessels </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLnOYWlnL1FU_s7OCG9446FUK42wRAPfRZPP2wzrgpxOnd1Yuud7pU4prDRh4wUWb382OBn-afm6PIjGdLYRDe6fKMTf46rwcZmG0W4prusyIuCyAxKV8BcItaLMP2kSGyC7_l4dFYfPzm5-k33hELoEK9GdxkrgxLuWaU2vRL2x0uMmHd1KCO727_Q/s4032/IMG_8607.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLnOYWlnL1FU_s7OCG9446FUK42wRAPfRZPP2wzrgpxOnd1Yuud7pU4prDRh4wUWb382OBn-afm6PIjGdLYRDe6fKMTf46rwcZmG0W4prusyIuCyAxKV8BcItaLMP2kSGyC7_l4dFYfPzm5-k33hELoEK9GdxkrgxLuWaU2vRL2x0uMmHd1KCO727_Q/s320/IMG_8607.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The scratch-built 28mm scale galleys were things of beauty.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKUcykg5Y19pBqgI5kxLG-thswesNtw0uHMC_Mz_dYc07lPgbhmzib6yVju2JGy4fqF1-9hd1JAlqD1eUGs8TilfZkPms8lmeMKiug8_VSD3sqcIdBsimnq-R67s_08lpeAHfX3LeQrQb0ZUMmwQeQjLGoQo9ixizdz7ZElhZ-QEIPoqbi9933jP8zA/s4032/IMG_8608.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKUcykg5Y19pBqgI5kxLG-thswesNtw0uHMC_Mz_dYc07lPgbhmzib6yVju2JGy4fqF1-9hd1JAlqD1eUGs8TilfZkPms8lmeMKiug8_VSD3sqcIdBsimnq-R67s_08lpeAHfX3LeQrQb0ZUMmwQeQjLGoQo9ixizdz7ZElhZ-QEIPoqbi9933jP8zA/s320/IMG_8608.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>It was a floor game played on blue painters tarp, simple but effective.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHvunMqlzAw4batE7fRbDhKwXFOnE1VluvRbJfMYlFSXSx5dO-JMEvAi7BPfOCo67Y4k8TXFAqOELtES87Ub-IRv10Ys0dK_BHNMrXc22RksIDh95iCofeyvhCAxVN1-eFPFMO3NA5rxTQI86lOkQzrndUQoFIEebPp8QeV4EqBlpgi2gl18S6rTPag/s4032/IMG_8609.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHvunMqlzAw4batE7fRbDhKwXFOnE1VluvRbJfMYlFSXSx5dO-JMEvAi7BPfOCo67Y4k8TXFAqOELtES87Ub-IRv10Ys0dK_BHNMrXc22RksIDh95iCofeyvhCAxVN1-eFPFMO3NA5rxTQI86lOkQzrndUQoFIEebPp8QeV4EqBlpgi2gl18S6rTPag/s320/IMG_8609.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>The Carthaginian fleet hoped to dance around and encircle us.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZLhgiVtRfOAXNGcsIDCzKc94kD7hJHu34Ue1lGm5N7IDx25k3-n3e-sBbFhUoeHfuFahgwH2fqnTASLXhDfjx-V5rsHVFai2vaj3nQA8QNshdGZN_UhxLt0m0_s3gX93yhGKDajrcTLr343KkBPK-lejDZBu65P3zd8Kb_uFlbfc08VRk7Y4TxOy6A/s4032/IMG_8610.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZLhgiVtRfOAXNGcsIDCzKc94kD7hJHu34Ue1lGm5N7IDx25k3-n3e-sBbFhUoeHfuFahgwH2fqnTASLXhDfjx-V5rsHVFai2vaj3nQA8QNshdGZN_UhxLt0m0_s3gX93yhGKDajrcTLr343KkBPK-lejDZBu65P3zd8Kb_uFlbfc08VRk7Y4TxOy6A/s320/IMG_8610.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>We Romans charged right at the center and concentrated on the Carthaginian flag ship and left flank. A lucky catapult shot from my flagship killed the Carthaginian admiral early in the game.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBTK62H4Pyj53IFwZEpt3QVTkVx15IZzaj0K52uNdmbSodpDt57QXvXy-9c8B8zS8C6MvM2n5wAgXg_HEJ2y6xVptaVv5hkt0BvrQHe8TYsk3NVyfwQzcaEamLyslOr62YHBx77EevHzgZgVZeOr-ZDbyc7Se6uLoLYKpr-vsHZK2TlhaH-4HpuywSQ/s4032/IMG_8611.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBTK62H4Pyj53IFwZEpt3QVTkVx15IZzaj0K52uNdmbSodpDt57QXvXy-9c8B8zS8C6MvM2n5wAgXg_HEJ2y6xVptaVv5hkt0BvrQHe8TYsk3NVyfwQzcaEamLyslOr62YHBx77EevHzgZgVZeOr-ZDbyc7Se6uLoLYKpr-vsHZK2TlhaH-4HpuywSQ/s320/IMG_8611.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>One of our triremes did outstanding duty keeping the three ships of the Carthaginian fleet distracted while the rest of us successfully crushed the remaining Punic ships. The Dave's Ramming Speed rules are fast, furious, and a lot of fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The last game in which I played was Mike DeCarlo's Open Range - Rawburn's Revenge, using the Ruthless rules modified for running cattle herds. As part of the bad guys, I managed to prevent the good guys getting their herd across a river crossing, mostly by stampeding my own herd. A fun little game that was the perfect ending to the convention.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Vf6wy7X-3J1FlMt3WdrHx79lzdeB43tOJPKMcWmef-YbV_NQTxY82pONWH9DNhgoIWfWh4HUr_olh-3rxNIM7Vdd7Yur94EV7Pveh5REGyf3V66lKF0KmHSHvkQZ4Ua7M-CMsIjSK0KoVe0Y8vXekw_-TnQFjhrlHMiDYCHV-o1tET-dMQG-0iuzKQ/s4032/IMG_8656.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Vf6wy7X-3J1FlMt3WdrHx79lzdeB43tOJPKMcWmef-YbV_NQTxY82pONWH9DNhgoIWfWh4HUr_olh-3rxNIM7Vdd7Yur94EV7Pveh5REGyf3V66lKF0KmHSHvkQZ4Ua7M-CMsIjSK0KoVe0Y8vXekw_-TnQFjhrlHMiDYCHV-o1tET-dMQG-0iuzKQ/s320/IMG_8656.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Although I didn't get to play in them, I saw a lot of really fantastic games at the con. Foremost among these was Martyn Kelly's Ravenna. I had played in Martyn's Bicocca game at the last Historicon. The game's him puts on are truly works of art. Beautiful scenery with vast number of very colorful, extremely well painted figures, just an absolute treat for the eyes.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAs5jZxEBjYg830E90jxjHFkGLoPNoreOl0S-C_h6kHKweX9cptnPhURQIwX3B8PfF8BJLuOzpxZjMiNys8a4di9hBQVPnlHkYuEVJXPhYinUMQsZ_xmrg1rrxlor-xpVcYi7hnoqkbx2VYWB_8OOSGoERFauR91jfusleaVCse7f7oxo_FfXc_EYJ7Q/s4032/IMG_8633.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAs5jZxEBjYg830E90jxjHFkGLoPNoreOl0S-C_h6kHKweX9cptnPhURQIwX3B8PfF8BJLuOzpxZjMiNys8a4di9hBQVPnlHkYuEVJXPhYinUMQsZ_xmrg1rrxlor-xpVcYi7hnoqkbx2VYWB_8OOSGoERFauR91jfusleaVCse7f7oxo_FfXc_EYJ7Q/s320/IMG_8633.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was disappointed I couldn't play in this game as it conflicted with one of my own. Martyn runs a great game that reaches a satisfying conclusion in only 3-4 hours despite the epic scale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh8piRG4HTCEsFDJIPmB_zzmETKf--r09NbbOOk-lvVdk33YU9v7pMo1SEJCEKKKqQDNWiEegAB8FWFGxpq6UZy1i1PqOTadv3zneUhDtQeS0Rd5IZ792PJXwkeex3kB-ybbqzYNOYXjwmpxn1ot69jc5iuoTgvhYxqEWw3WmLLFnQ7Uasr9F8roe_w/s4032/IMG_8634.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh8piRG4HTCEsFDJIPmB_zzmETKf--r09NbbOOk-lvVdk33YU9v7pMo1SEJCEKKKqQDNWiEegAB8FWFGxpq6UZy1i1PqOTadv3zneUhDtQeS0Rd5IZ792PJXwkeex3kB-ybbqzYNOYXjwmpxn1ot69jc5iuoTgvhYxqEWw3WmLLFnQ7Uasr9F8roe_w/s320/IMG_8634.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHFfAX4PSWbG2Lmz3EdxiT-AH84x-qg2esdIOZO1Zkfqp7T9fNww7GxYduP1ZIhZDAlCVGm1Ah1ohaY-nS4qisZY6u0K_c164FYmFDNyNbfyxFTVE3ca0K5yWAb1hTLsWSKZP5UJ2uLVRjLRlOo5s_ap_1qEFMsMJNdZnJlPRxCZsPNB0dkbroZS87g/s4032/IMG_8635.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHFfAX4PSWbG2Lmz3EdxiT-AH84x-qg2esdIOZO1Zkfqp7T9fNww7GxYduP1ZIhZDAlCVGm1Ah1ohaY-nS4qisZY6u0K_c164FYmFDNyNbfyxFTVE3ca0K5yWAb1hTLsWSKZP5UJ2uLVRjLRlOo5s_ap_1qEFMsMJNdZnJlPRxCZsPNB0dkbroZS87g/s320/IMG_8635.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZR4I1G2yVsPhUNnK4tOBiNoj29aT7KzSjvJkWiRAeFJgJP7uqRvW8P-CexB7Gw9vTQFosFGK-0N1glqyvm_rJNW3rc4tr7C4apL56PdUuwDTh8BB4twfAA7O-iYNFiBT_qiHpx9MOmtqLgYMXRDtFfeG_ToTXt5TaWkK8Yk6Grufwd5dsHW-cb0_WQ/s4032/IMG_8636.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZR4I1G2yVsPhUNnK4tOBiNoj29aT7KzSjvJkWiRAeFJgJP7uqRvW8P-CexB7Gw9vTQFosFGK-0N1glqyvm_rJNW3rc4tr7C4apL56PdUuwDTh8BB4twfAA7O-iYNFiBT_qiHpx9MOmtqLgYMXRDtFfeG_ToTXt5TaWkK8Yk6Grufwd5dsHW-cb0_WQ/s320/IMG_8636.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8os-bBeuGpklUqyWfR5HfkHcP6AJmQLLIj3r86IgWTMtzQyjTckWeB33mXrOARCYApLeO6JvzwdSoAketMPq4ER6Xd1aOoKV0XFNCPCgn8pqw4Fs4ymXkxfiPCDG40aoietqEc0PmQYx-DcVF1nrC0_Rgf7CCgH_qLXn1KY7lYbgw4thkkivR3HCvw/s4032/IMG_8637.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8os-bBeuGpklUqyWfR5HfkHcP6AJmQLLIj3r86IgWTMtzQyjTckWeB33mXrOARCYApLeO6JvzwdSoAketMPq4ER6Xd1aOoKV0XFNCPCgn8pqw4Fs4ymXkxfiPCDG40aoietqEc0PmQYx-DcVF1nrC0_Rgf7CCgH_qLXn1KY7lYbgw4thkkivR3HCvw/s320/IMG_8637.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another stunning game that attracted a lot of attention was Doug Fisher's Have Gun Will Travel. Based on a 1950s board game, players as bounty hunters maneuvered on the board in search of their criminal prey. Once found, they transferred to one of the gorgeous miniatures table to fight out the action. Great idea well executed. I hope I can get to play this game at some future convention.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTKd55eacQUzgYMEjq1Tbdj-PVheZqetch-6_pTO06JTIBBOFyjizDiI8ObCJtVa3fwAnLqeznjve5SkixWvBvInYtYX6zxMCd2OXxpfrgFZa_lzN2kL2QKLSXv-yJ6AD8uYiz4MbjQ_DwzJje05H1dUVWT-Duoeg9Scc8bb-GHW_qZc7r4u6p19SEA/s4032/hg1.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTKd55eacQUzgYMEjq1Tbdj-PVheZqetch-6_pTO06JTIBBOFyjizDiI8ObCJtVa3fwAnLqeznjve5SkixWvBvInYtYX6zxMCd2OXxpfrgFZa_lzN2kL2QKLSXv-yJ6AD8uYiz4MbjQ_DwzJje05H1dUVWT-Duoeg9Scc8bb-GHW_qZc7r4u6p19SEA/s320/hg1.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3ydG5KfPDXROIBGaG4JnV9X13qmbUfa2DK2JsVNzQXBI8YIwCj4necVmpvxBYwQm7TwV-tXRUolTG74ZpaT_FRd9zQV_TRUoC30EgaIz7Gs919IAxzAFwHUWl6cuqaNk_NiQRrxAUc-dVC5B-1kerbmC6HAKaOWiqNx1X4ECnfz1B4S6O8AECcdEVQ/s4032/hg2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3ydG5KfPDXROIBGaG4JnV9X13qmbUfa2DK2JsVNzQXBI8YIwCj4necVmpvxBYwQm7TwV-tXRUolTG74ZpaT_FRd9zQV_TRUoC30EgaIz7Gs919IAxzAFwHUWl6cuqaNk_NiQRrxAUc-dVC5B-1kerbmC6HAKaOWiqNx1X4ECnfz1B4S6O8AECcdEVQ/s320/hg2.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPE89W0bKxQmFQduqgxVmvhSwqK2TRkNcBXb0-0rHBSExezMQInUyuRr5D3VxinvYgb0kHztdCDHKqZRwgoHFaV2IVQ9RmdaGfP74ucjKNwqj_D3xz4uFCtOrKtBbZlXObbGPcP-z24i6yen0cmb0E3D4yVySgZ0rEvu3Ue2bwO4U355IT9KbJMAEIQ/s4032/hg3.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPE89W0bKxQmFQduqgxVmvhSwqK2TRkNcBXb0-0rHBSExezMQInUyuRr5D3VxinvYgb0kHztdCDHKqZRwgoHFaV2IVQ9RmdaGfP74ucjKNwqj_D3xz4uFCtOrKtBbZlXObbGPcP-z24i6yen0cmb0E3D4yVySgZ0rEvu3Ue2bwO4U355IT9KbJMAEIQ/s320/hg3.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-Itn6uLkHUB_stC3FkvGasdleKVPauRYH6Vw8zxHGufDQMVjSLTAJWXiYAEeRDl18KGpTdPUwzDO4R7HZqQvFxCUdj0_l_GmQ4Je1zBsICJoC9bjHt6kkOOvUUZJ4XUIZEIr_BrLAxGYoh1c0lRX-iL0hhFWXY-WUDeACkb9MPYVGLeIQJ_Gf-lSeQ/s4032/hg4.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-Itn6uLkHUB_stC3FkvGasdleKVPauRYH6Vw8zxHGufDQMVjSLTAJWXiYAEeRDl18KGpTdPUwzDO4R7HZqQvFxCUdj0_l_GmQ4Je1zBsICJoC9bjHt6kkOOvUUZJ4XUIZEIr_BrLAxGYoh1c0lRX-iL0hhFWXY-WUDeACkb9MPYVGLeIQJ_Gf-lSeQ/s320/hg4.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj_yF2spB7GNSCh0lNxIfodlXqxynnXk5CxDNgmS7yKTazwbk8xs7Xj2VIkX6Jp0lNoWO62yNUBr3elkQJdker6gAcU-IlggI4ZW09Yp19LzYXgXeny3tUDCde7OKir37q2eQt5remRjPhTpp_zYBxM9mXlFC4C8tZo15xj6FratlrQfBFLrk3CnEgw/s4032/hg6.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj_yF2spB7GNSCh0lNxIfodlXqxynnXk5CxDNgmS7yKTazwbk8xs7Xj2VIkX6Jp0lNoWO62yNUBr3elkQJdker6gAcU-IlggI4ZW09Yp19LzYXgXeny3tUDCde7OKir37q2eQt5remRjPhTpp_zYBxM9mXlFC4C8tZo15xj6FratlrQfBFLrk3CnEgw/s320/hg6.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkgO7tJKJMGu1YqIU2zvoIDbCPTfITMpPpITDa-ymHZeACPs5c-DjAdqey0dd_LEIcjUYqo3jyU7_doOYzIWfRMSskri3e4pEs36beo7XD-RNBgkV9_rmgat4jWpq1iyebW-kYyWPTSawZbLta5sUg_uXGKcA4tORPL0lQitPorsPNXI2sxrfIUvhkw/s4032/hg7.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkgO7tJKJMGu1YqIU2zvoIDbCPTfITMpPpITDa-ymHZeACPs5c-DjAdqey0dd_LEIcjUYqo3jyU7_doOYzIWfRMSskri3e4pEs36beo7XD-RNBgkV9_rmgat4jWpq1iyebW-kYyWPTSawZbLta5sUg_uXGKcA4tORPL0lQitPorsPNXI2sxrfIUvhkw/s320/hg7.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a few other games that caught my eye:</div><div><br /></div><div>A French and Indian War game:</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimri4kGz8OITpDTXx7ze8jVoVuWx9HzMFSnRJgBPRFQzmwb5x9unvlwQyyTN5Tb8vRNY4OZ5LAv3iJ8DzBmippTFq8ypHFQIPuJ2OCfLx9L3f-1rJjZ7xbNVfvlBgSxhlxZPy-LtZh4bZDayTnZbDrLYFzNcZKBcNJMrzHNDysaQCxGWTnV0PL-dUztQ/s4032/IMG_8632.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimri4kGz8OITpDTXx7ze8jVoVuWx9HzMFSnRJgBPRFQzmwb5x9unvlwQyyTN5Tb8vRNY4OZ5LAv3iJ8DzBmippTFq8ypHFQIPuJ2OCfLx9L3f-1rJjZ7xbNVfvlBgSxhlxZPy-LtZh4bZDayTnZbDrLYFzNcZKBcNJMrzHNDysaQCxGWTnV0PL-dUztQ/s320/IMG_8632.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Battle of San Juan Hill:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJTiek_uyXywz5Nauv5-M-0DNl0K7-_kPSUpULObY2aaL32DUAAjH0owjkQ5S-5xXA3JlultH2B8wQoEFm3RnBrFjui-5HJea2D1qOJnkc2dFvGlJt53sr3qLYl9WbbH9tkHcRzp-mBFYY-0b9Hp9tZviyVQ4I9bfA9mHq4UeJ5EViVC2clLrLhHcYQ/s4032/IMG_8605.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJTiek_uyXywz5Nauv5-M-0DNl0K7-_kPSUpULObY2aaL32DUAAjH0owjkQ5S-5xXA3JlultH2B8wQoEFm3RnBrFjui-5HJea2D1qOJnkc2dFvGlJt53sr3qLYl9WbbH9tkHcRzp-mBFYY-0b9Hp9tZviyVQ4I9bfA9mHq4UeJ5EViVC2clLrLhHcYQ/s320/IMG_8605.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>A<div>n incredibly detailed Wild West game:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBvy8wCmQiIlH1N9mc12Onwsqflvz4mE-bCNS7FqS19YWXKPp9ZNnPUZDTgTRDGs4W_G8HN5mqbWhT6iMXbN3Gm1JwQhGVSaUuu0kFUOUPKoSLP2M38PSA24GpLduNh7pnUnt7NEyf2_36V3swBE9nib2TVgoBdwVVxAWDp8oDqBbwlMG1YtK4toEGg/s4032/IMG_8604.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBvy8wCmQiIlH1N9mc12Onwsqflvz4mE-bCNS7FqS19YWXKPp9ZNnPUZDTgTRDGs4W_G8HN5mqbWhT6iMXbN3Gm1JwQhGVSaUuu0kFUOUPKoSLP2M38PSA24GpLduNh7pnUnt7NEyf2_36V3swBE9nib2TVgoBdwVVxAWDp8oDqBbwlMG1YtK4toEGg/s320/IMG_8604.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was Sharpe's Practice, I believe<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9S_EdiWPAz2MnDSAt13wtburmDGfLnE7KPaE1cw8dToaY55mIjLmo5jKiScBSKWtoASmyUBYG8uC-5GJRVR3L6CB_jNHXvCdUub25A-foN4SKsaFmiJSgkhWpUJDjzm4NojSTnF2nFr_GBVQt2v3MKJVA3JxlMIvf9JPKp__AQRZbn-Cmsos5Ptwgw/s4032/IMG_8603.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9S_EdiWPAz2MnDSAt13wtburmDGfLnE7KPaE1cw8dToaY55mIjLmo5jKiScBSKWtoASmyUBYG8uC-5GJRVR3L6CB_jNHXvCdUub25A-foN4SKsaFmiJSgkhWpUJDjzm4NojSTnF2nFr_GBVQt2v3MKJVA3JxlMIvf9JPKp__AQRZbn-Cmsos5Ptwgw/s320/IMG_8603.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A colorful siege game set in medieval Italy</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2v13ccAEwnX-46dObJtyncMUVqrmSbwz37lcxDI79P6HwUmlr_ObxF7Zub4tQ1LCjCjVHlArD_qhuyue-HJDIJ4nPKPkG60w1jQaOLOleq6qFBlLwDHEYq6A8qSikVieFfv80VdZb0GMJ2kW4zG7sy-V6AdCk_CPcWwJRLc1Ugdp9Kr9L6MZcYgWPw/s4032/IMG_8593.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2v13ccAEwnX-46dObJtyncMUVqrmSbwz37lcxDI79P6HwUmlr_ObxF7Zub4tQ1LCjCjVHlArD_qhuyue-HJDIJ4nPKPkG60w1jQaOLOleq6qFBlLwDHEYq6A8qSikVieFfv80VdZb0GMJ2kW4zG7sy-V6AdCk_CPcWwJRLc1Ugdp9Kr9L6MZcYgWPw/s320/IMG_8593.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYgYgJ0oPJmKJF2QKQT7yyvqk3rZZOSvoXmVw4SI4Z5Q4ZJ5ltOnTdjJi0zuL6fK0ZYsObrLM2K7xy7Ag9NyQLMnv3Xr2TSx6z_sAEZ3RFySTQo2jQ_jyDkVTDaD9hUg5uyO9UqCTMLCrnWybY4tEyYOTF6_1beY7ZJ4QZbOkAmLzu032Z2TXmJ80rw/s4032/IMG_8591.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYgYgJ0oPJmKJF2QKQT7yyvqk3rZZOSvoXmVw4SI4Z5Q4ZJ5ltOnTdjJi0zuL6fK0ZYsObrLM2K7xy7Ag9NyQLMnv3Xr2TSx6z_sAEZ3RFySTQo2jQ_jyDkVTDaD9hUg5uyO9UqCTMLCrnWybY4tEyYOTF6_1beY7ZJ4QZbOkAmLzu032Z2TXmJ80rw/s320/IMG_8591.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC8Wmt0das0J0t2kqOwzR9RTETcue0YM3DPhgzLjeYtcL9Fl3QH_rJvFRdgbQIMBJWLd1PupPzcv_lYz2ivpy1z9Hyb42fATbjHc56_7-WpYxQXeP5Lrye0tYTy_mHdi1iNN4MpGCXvwqE6d_QLxLO_b0bNc1K6TMnSzu_3eNMpjbVoZ7YQHhVI4pcw/s4032/IMG_8579.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC8Wmt0das0J0t2kqOwzR9RTETcue0YM3DPhgzLjeYtcL9Fl3QH_rJvFRdgbQIMBJWLd1PupPzcv_lYz2ivpy1z9Hyb42fATbjHc56_7-WpYxQXeP5Lrye0tYTy_mHdi1iNN4MpGCXvwqE6d_QLxLO_b0bNc1K6TMnSzu_3eNMpjbVoZ7YQHhVI4pcw/s320/IMG_8579.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The beautiful Test of Honor game. Incredible ship models</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_w8mymzXuyAq0oIZIuFiX9_QVl7rFjSXzbofENe_g-y5hsTjV3mCwJCsP_Zkh-mgdzNd4rIFTu6bOYxnRc0XAYky_BzGsULEppkCXQ3PUfZE2gYfbkdfKBMmq2pMiCe4QdEsAucADFgg2N20a07NJbjs7C1l3EGi_zLQeNr4CRoxZ3jix5dpVOM0LZw/s4032/ht3.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_w8mymzXuyAq0oIZIuFiX9_QVl7rFjSXzbofENe_g-y5hsTjV3mCwJCsP_Zkh-mgdzNd4rIFTu6bOYxnRc0XAYky_BzGsULEppkCXQ3PUfZE2gYfbkdfKBMmq2pMiCe4QdEsAucADFgg2N20a07NJbjs7C1l3EGi_zLQeNr4CRoxZ3jix5dpVOM0LZw/s320/ht3.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNNcwuezLT0yTk-vXXDHG4d59i3EooxwU8TAV1CYIrQa6l9xoX9Z3-0Y4U14GdJrVsBtwh0I9LmX0ailSIbAPutwkwTepgZd7Tjk-ml-rCwTznLrJARu6bGPPncq8_xT4v6iD5pEgWAPraOYhA8InCfV4i13EeVWl9GDtYmwkV0tJYRxSFPlbH2kgbQ/s4032/ht2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNNcwuezLT0yTk-vXXDHG4d59i3EooxwU8TAV1CYIrQa6l9xoX9Z3-0Y4U14GdJrVsBtwh0I9LmX0ailSIbAPutwkwTepgZd7Tjk-ml-rCwTznLrJARu6bGPPncq8_xT4v6iD5pEgWAPraOYhA8InCfV4i13EeVWl9GDtYmwkV0tJYRxSFPlbH2kgbQ/s320/ht2.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHSXGzIo_a2dgYLX9P85hurX5shhDqQMFj3AWojcs2xZedTKeC-kZdhf5I0oqjCgzRgBp7SKur2TrIY_64qSng3PUnxzrTANgEbQQFzDUP7gQRk2Dm-FFSzeS75Ppvbt07yeCINJHAiUfRNB0J8VF6VXL2A4qBw4ZuDW0HVBPpKiAMt6B2msv-8kyVA/s4032/ht1.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHSXGzIo_a2dgYLX9P85hurX5shhDqQMFj3AWojcs2xZedTKeC-kZdhf5I0oqjCgzRgBp7SKur2TrIY_64qSng3PUnxzrTANgEbQQFzDUP7gQRk2Dm-FFSzeS75Ppvbt07yeCINJHAiUfRNB0J8VF6VXL2A4qBw4ZuDW0HVBPpKiAMt6B2msv-8kyVA/s320/ht1.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div></div></div></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-42728055125892333482022-04-27T07:58:00.008-07:002022-04-27T07:58:56.987-07:00The Revenants: Three Player Game of The Silver Bayonet<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally
got to play a competitive game of The Silver Bayonet.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Did a three player version of the Revenant scenario
from the rule book.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rather than a ruined
barn, we set it in a ruined village to give a bit more interesting
terrain.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We had three teams, French,
Prussian and Russian.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each was a few
points over the 100 basic unit cost because we wanted to try a few of the different
character types.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxyz-akoTP-sPMm5wIlhN9cOMMMaZprjBupd_HVzoTfvhogKgk1bqr5ow4oGjM3NxOPSYH_fadI_S9H4AZIMRrGdWAjvDeZ72GxlKqTxn8GU__HO1rLjzWPGxHehqiuxonePEb5_iGoMYW53uDaQRthIdIlD4WDY1Ai7luKIN-tcHriIAgWXbQHC7kA/s4032/r1.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxyz-akoTP-sPMm5wIlhN9cOMMMaZprjBupd_HVzoTfvhogKgk1bqr5ow4oGjM3NxOPSYH_fadI_S9H4AZIMRrGdWAjvDeZ72GxlKqTxn8GU__HO1rLjzWPGxHehqiuxonePEb5_iGoMYW53uDaQRthIdIlD4WDY1Ai7luKIN-tcHriIAgWXbQHC7kA/s320/r1.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
were five clue markers scattered around the center of the ruined village, one
of which was an important artifact that had to be found and taken off the
board. Each clue marker was guarded by a
revenant. Again, hoping to try a few
different monsters, we said that any double on an initiative roll would produce
a monster.</span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqniJvQj8JaDdawe6g1Mg3b9XGqC9AvAZnHiGK59jXsYuWvFwFk8VX1yxGYfbHAURQlyfpvM5vQUgfCK_AVzQ9MfCqb9kDgW3PmaL9DuIjRSQTod3eYpSP3-N1CXjrKXTkVmFwwHseDIXDChKNJDKDyZ1JQ3Jslz5BgJOK3iYK7N0WpjkLYWE_xlguFw/s4032/r1b.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqniJvQj8JaDdawe6g1Mg3b9XGqC9AvAZnHiGK59jXsYuWvFwFk8VX1yxGYfbHAURQlyfpvM5vQUgfCK_AVzQ9MfCqb9kDgW3PmaL9DuIjRSQTod3eYpSP3-N1CXjrKXTkVmFwwHseDIXDChKNJDKDyZ1JQ3Jslz5BgJOK3iYK7N0WpjkLYWE_xlguFw/s320/r1b.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Prussian team, run by my friend Dave, consisted of a Swordsman, Officer,
Occultist, Light Cavalryman, Doctor, Rifleman and 2 Infantrymen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BTx5qcnXW5OwuzMhtStz8clZo6iaSvEA42irfR-5uVN-bv3hGHvlWr-L0VYw9ws9kNyOeRFAxST68_cKCU-f4GTsa7uShlhi6nzY4tFRGp_sTmWwO2KIKRSLXhhx6LsJBGJkmVY-vpq1UHDgLBQGkES7NvM8aRbL78BowWUWR3ekdGO8hZ5o5ty-cQ/s4032/r2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BTx5qcnXW5OwuzMhtStz8clZo6iaSvEA42irfR-5uVN-bv3hGHvlWr-L0VYw9ws9kNyOeRFAxST68_cKCU-f4GTsa7uShlhi6nzY4tFRGp_sTmWwO2KIKRSLXhhx6LsJBGJkmVY-vpq1UHDgLBQGkES7NvM8aRbL78BowWUWR3ekdGO8hZ5o5ty-cQ/s320/r2.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
ran the French team which consisted of an Officer, Supernatural Investigator,
Occultist, Heavy Cavalryman, Vivandiere, Grenadier, and 2 Infantrymen.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw690VpsdVUKNOiDILQw4hyMRFciQsqo1lA2P8o4Qy9hsr4S-pCeII1fskdJjG4MkBYRkD6ocXZ0Fs5eOM5R9jYA1B90px8vTmvUTDJLWQiv-SDZ4BVYoy2c42_J4RDCjew8tCbo78RI3K1dx-3v2eiIL26u-eOZ8kIMq8WN4YzsMptCzozWI7jJelGA/s4032/r3.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw690VpsdVUKNOiDILQw4hyMRFciQsqo1lA2P8o4Qy9hsr4S-pCeII1fskdJjG4MkBYRkD6ocXZ0Fs5eOM5R9jYA1B90px8vTmvUTDJLWQiv-SDZ4BVYoy2c42_J4RDCjew8tCbo78RI3K1dx-3v2eiIL26u-eOZ8kIMq8WN4YzsMptCzozWI7jJelGA/s320/r3.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Russian team, run by Dave’s son James, was composed of an Officer (who had the
Combat Rider attribute), Champion of Faith, Werebear, Light Cavalryman,
Rifleman, and 2 Infantrymen.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_vOGugd6xP55sPLe4gOA_8DAyJr3_fMC6Qkmzke7m8_mZ3BQKTO_237XL_qEnlP4vNzmMdDQ--_MH9FQWgN_BtUe_A3cLeyBf5fUJfosk9ObEpwWfb1uKSVWciPrc7vyAVKcyXRSJcSR9jc3fs-WZtOycgOdeNKnBFoSWmK6hbPyTKx0of_WaonKxA/s4032/r5.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_vOGugd6xP55sPLe4gOA_8DAyJr3_fMC6Qkmzke7m8_mZ3BQKTO_237XL_qEnlP4vNzmMdDQ--_MH9FQWgN_BtUe_A3cLeyBf5fUJfosk9ObEpwWfb1uKSVWciPrc7vyAVKcyXRSJcSR9jc3fs-WZtOycgOdeNKnBFoSWmK6hbPyTKx0of_WaonKxA/s320/r5.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
got the first turn initiative and had the French enter from the bottom of the
table. I intended to push place my
infantrymen in the walled orchard on the hill over looking the village while
the rest of the unit pushed into the center of the village and investigate as
many clue markers as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17latE14w9x4m3WMjwCftBKePZlPfJdqIqrRZdOVMT6-eYCyyRbm1teL8imkvsYwey0QUq-hpInRgi2i56Z2rXheB7AOOuTORFWy1mwuchSYU9SzQXLsWt1mU6pifL4GyDxezf95usKx0fOx2U6wS6UllrO0Eq_M_hmid8BO3TeQJ5TWz9Xwk-qbmYw/s4032/r6.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17latE14w9x4m3WMjwCftBKePZlPfJdqIqrRZdOVMT6-eYCyyRbm1teL8imkvsYwey0QUq-hpInRgi2i56Z2rXheB7AOOuTORFWy1mwuchSYU9SzQXLsWt1mU6pifL4GyDxezf95usKx0fOx2U6wS6UllrO0Eq_M_hmid8BO3TeQJ5TWz9Xwk-qbmYw/s320/r6.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Prussians entered from the left side of the table and advanced under the cover
of the ruins there.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2v5ZRR76722BURZhvAZv6fXZLau45WPE428QFTMUpEFsEUIt_3RSAksf8NLkS4AoOfG1-OkHQZwpZUQLwgc4KrsC55kIpjsjpzYhCfZd_-2g3x-mmHMaF_u9m3IM4NDJffia7eQfVoaxOtiKWttYQ4zUlWcpzqDvh5TDo5k5NqeEm0-2tH8FIy61Kg/s4032/r7.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2v5ZRR76722BURZhvAZv6fXZLau45WPE428QFTMUpEFsEUIt_3RSAksf8NLkS4AoOfG1-OkHQZwpZUQLwgc4KrsC55kIpjsjpzYhCfZd_-2g3x-mmHMaF_u9m3IM4NDJffia7eQfVoaxOtiKWttYQ4zUlWcpzqDvh5TDo5k5NqeEm0-2tH8FIy61Kg/s320/r7.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Russians clustered at one end of the right side of the board in order to push
down one of the roads to the village.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YO6fBn-a10rFAGnEcNJR7zbTzi8t43HM21tN1DPnjnkhR_28XiO8AcdwM8CkX677kH-hBCtBwEsgr_f2o_fIshwPVczhN9oXqv7mVHusIw3-jlc2UtTJsNCB5fHHGOkvHHejZS4Zy3FLUJ7sMJugfqlFY-UBgQkxbBLEGPPOEeL5aLLhH2SuyEzbYQ/s4032/r8.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YO6fBn-a10rFAGnEcNJR7zbTzi8t43HM21tN1DPnjnkhR_28XiO8AcdwM8CkX677kH-hBCtBwEsgr_f2o_fIshwPVczhN9oXqv7mVHusIw3-jlc2UtTJsNCB5fHHGOkvHHejZS4Zy3FLUJ7sMJugfqlFY-UBgQkxbBLEGPPOEeL5aLLhH2SuyEzbYQ/s320/r8.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Prussians got first blood when their Light Cavalryman charged up to a
revenant. It took a couple of rounds to
finally kill the monster but allowed one of his infantryman to garner the first
clue which proved to be another revenant that entered from a random board edge,
the Russian side as it turned out. I
should note that we each had mounted figures in this battle and their advantage
against foot figures proved very useful.
None of our mounted figures ever dismounted during this battle.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35nGiIWxMEWoP3MaKAApESN8kVouOFR7mtTpwDZ5tq_5eDZaezPyalqZzs1qw6jL0jjTx5IKsrEBvW7Mgzf8x8-j-k58s77tohYWZ9xKvcWT-pTESUtZzYt3sJnbDPiKMkscxVjEAkfgGyMX-kOZBPPgPvNP7I7FNT8H7B2lj56F4SoHzA4IXLant-w/s4032/r9.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35nGiIWxMEWoP3MaKAApESN8kVouOFR7mtTpwDZ5tq_5eDZaezPyalqZzs1qw6jL0jjTx5IKsrEBvW7Mgzf8x8-j-k58s77tohYWZ9xKvcWT-pTESUtZzYt3sJnbDPiKMkscxVjEAkfgGyMX-kOZBPPgPvNP7I7FNT8H7B2lj56F4SoHzA4IXLant-w/s320/r9.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Russians pushed down the road, attracting a revenant that attracted quite a few
shots from the Russians.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1QskiCrKLwBZHp-6S3OGyxxvyfAp8Zf092KGmI10kbgXdcnEJycb0yGLFnw-hf38Xhu8nKIN9XxtAmBEQvfiHf-SFjysHPByhwUHeTmuthfkjuAORumW4A_YNIRZK20CUv_g3JmvqSURyd5dA841ltj7kFXTcYTM-J9YsSJPccrQZvWGjTCpqZcsBA/s4032/r9a.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1QskiCrKLwBZHp-6S3OGyxxvyfAp8Zf092KGmI10kbgXdcnEJycb0yGLFnw-hf38Xhu8nKIN9XxtAmBEQvfiHf-SFjysHPByhwUHeTmuthfkjuAORumW4A_YNIRZK20CUv_g3JmvqSURyd5dA841ltj7kFXTcYTM-J9YsSJPccrQZvWGjTCpqZcsBA/s320/r9a.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
finally took melee attacks, particularly from the mounted Cossack (Light
Cavalryman) to put the creature down.
The Werebear sadly failed repeatedly to change into his bear form.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJzjNvatYBsY5UG2IDFIkHl3EO8YXguAVFh4OnTBsTw0UsBO7nz54NVvdXcl8uxS_0KO5WD6lo_TWNpZ9R_m1q1JOpowEGBMqJrjC_gdNjW9nuv31bq6Chdcu9QAn87oFoFfLGifF3Dh4Pad-WyY_hIBCl4I6nqEmqtI6baVSvInYHE43T9lDRIuLTw/s4032/r10.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJzjNvatYBsY5UG2IDFIkHl3EO8YXguAVFh4OnTBsTw0UsBO7nz54NVvdXcl8uxS_0KO5WD6lo_TWNpZ9R_m1q1JOpowEGBMqJrjC_gdNjW9nuv31bq6Chdcu9QAn87oFoFfLGifF3Dh4Pad-WyY_hIBCl4I6nqEmqtI6baVSvInYHE43T9lDRIuLTw/s320/r10.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
initials moves into the village went well, being slowed only by the rocky terrain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZs5uep5860GlUkJ7cEutjiUNpR2D91kCJHCAdu4yoS12sMaSE8A18kGUrNEdgEEh2qq3LoClZnuocDokAixrfis7sC0OiVidEe0ttNvoH8DebE_eFxzkV2ollk9GdWMwgmpf8_kWGMLRXZp3AtWhXx_QBQuuH6Ami2zeb8R6cUfIybsSQdnLTArkFg/s2048/279383042_10221509788120251_1081149470346577926_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZs5uep5860GlUkJ7cEutjiUNpR2D91kCJHCAdu4yoS12sMaSE8A18kGUrNEdgEEh2qq3LoClZnuocDokAixrfis7sC0OiVidEe0ttNvoH8DebE_eFxzkV2ollk9GdWMwgmpf8_kWGMLRXZp3AtWhXx_QBQuuH6Ami2zeb8R6cUfIybsSQdnLTArkFg/s320/279383042_10221509788120251_1081149470346577926_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
Heavy Cavalryman charged in and crushed a revenant with one blow.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO2N_tRV_bBZzoEO8YlA6q8uJ8HXsX7S_TAtHG7CJrIYGJOxipZC2VYYQ9OSGxOqsZzKlxLMMV4sAiPMTzHPTl0vZsXnsmfdVNEe3mL9Px1YStpj4gd9S525yaZGNQMc6lY9ZX0uZOguwXHJ8iN6uZqaadLKLrtUxsq7eNUU4a6kmTqwISCfJ6cETjw/s4032/r12.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO2N_tRV_bBZzoEO8YlA6q8uJ8HXsX7S_TAtHG7CJrIYGJOxipZC2VYYQ9OSGxOqsZzKlxLMMV4sAiPMTzHPTl0vZsXnsmfdVNEe3mL9Px1YStpj4gd9S525yaZGNQMc6lY9ZX0uZOguwXHJ8iN6uZqaadLKLrtUxsq7eNUU4a6kmTqwISCfJ6cETjw/s320/r12.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Prussians and French began exchanging fire from cover. Unfortunately, I had the worse of this and
one of my French infantrymen was killed.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl18qKl7q9bJppf6XN77XWSzalMHZurUhLlFHzUwj3xShuSfhmEivsURSk4cFhIYXAyE2BCvbP20fp_vKTGvtwJT4fwVm6BxQDgfkm3wSHSYhbgYFECdl4Bpqnh_XGvAdq_UN87IST-mNFCj9JgBsSgeeq-r7wGrvgJFNQKfsd2O7sDi50hcJH001Hug/s4032/r13.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl18qKl7q9bJppf6XN77XWSzalMHZurUhLlFHzUwj3xShuSfhmEivsURSk4cFhIYXAyE2BCvbP20fp_vKTGvtwJT4fwVm6BxQDgfkm3wSHSYhbgYFECdl4Bpqnh_XGvAdq_UN87IST-mNFCj9JgBsSgeeq-r7wGrvgJFNQKfsd2O7sDi50hcJH001Hug/s320/r13.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Russian fire down the road kept the Prussians stymied on that flank.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF4b8ZztZ0GEDv6GiqUBMVn8yJGh8axI-b8OSJEFCDiXJ8NpAD4Sl7-soexE_wx9V72bjc0nzXX7RMmEfKYaIl-Ao1nye4yM-7hyxNVBUZXURbSd7-FlLdq779LhlYh-HBkO9V_DzeUaX6F5b8aHRQ5A1Ka8m0c1TA1V52nrthjBUDVDyyxtlmRCRDg/s2048/279366808_10221509789320281_5243192495177582929_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF4b8ZztZ0GEDv6GiqUBMVn8yJGh8axI-b8OSJEFCDiXJ8NpAD4Sl7-soexE_wx9V72bjc0nzXX7RMmEfKYaIl-Ao1nye4yM-7hyxNVBUZXURbSd7-FlLdq779LhlYh-HBkO9V_DzeUaX6F5b8aHRQ5A1Ka8m0c1TA1V52nrthjBUDVDyyxtlmRCRDg/s320/279366808_10221509789320281_5243192495177582929_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
fire also killed the gallant Prussian cavalryman.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR88SV9XYvvwPsBOnGvEhteku3TiAKPq_7bNGG-e6lRGmqinih2111CFBLe0yJlMqrg5Dj7CFHKSA1KG0Fnmm7B4unfJHrzfW_QMFuyz_soBnmlohClRyTtTUpSMzp-6ARZampJhoCACQetNrMNQbBVKpUYYXm19Jt4cwQfNgOw_oioHKr079TNu7WCg/s2048/279366580_10221509789680290_1886658221114762776_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR88SV9XYvvwPsBOnGvEhteku3TiAKPq_7bNGG-e6lRGmqinih2111CFBLe0yJlMqrg5Dj7CFHKSA1KG0Fnmm7B4unfJHrzfW_QMFuyz_soBnmlohClRyTtTUpSMzp-6ARZampJhoCACQetNrMNQbBVKpUYYXm19Jt4cwQfNgOw_oioHKr079TNu7WCg/s320/279366580_10221509789680290_1886658221114762776_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
dynamics of the game changed completely when a Russian infantryman reached the
nearest clue marker and, as luck would have it, discovered the artifact. They had a clear line of retreat off the
board.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29WqMppEvE9JpqEa9FK0LKRcMXK9YFTjEeoI1vRIZ-vTR06mDNk94w-o5PWs1tPv4IVgKev3D2pDvxQD-Q6K5z9tb2ChSVVDa4saaVwZU1dM8f80qaiNTLYqifnna-wq9EaD06zAx6LY5xmXIjsxIuXBhIAuX04p0fU6QKmTGrqV3BU4ISTfMR8Bt0w/s4032/r16.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29WqMppEvE9JpqEa9FK0LKRcMXK9YFTjEeoI1vRIZ-vTR06mDNk94w-o5PWs1tPv4IVgKev3D2pDvxQD-Q6K5z9tb2ChSVVDa4saaVwZU1dM8f80qaiNTLYqifnna-wq9EaD06zAx6LY5xmXIjsxIuXBhIAuX04p0fU6QKmTGrqV3BU4ISTfMR8Bt0w/s320/r16.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
rushed my French to stop them. Dave and
I also declared a cease-fire against each other until after we had wrested the
artifact away from James’ Russians, an unlikely possibility at this stage.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqisMYleLG0hgbNF_xsXim_VdEyq2HVuvNbrhwIhIQLBDkNpvtfCNnK0g4eDD3DdwbCKJk-_d8WtDweB8fCrsl1eTSxMWUwZVej-WM_wEEl3taGUFiB7wB2pxblJYdyQvXg2AFkpkLfgPelkN0hJwfRa2un8zfSvfEbb0sk7XaTH_alhZ34LbYHDYXYw/s4032/r17.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqisMYleLG0hgbNF_xsXim_VdEyq2HVuvNbrhwIhIQLBDkNpvtfCNnK0g4eDD3DdwbCKJk-_d8WtDweB8fCrsl1eTSxMWUwZVej-WM_wEEl3taGUFiB7wB2pxblJYdyQvXg2AFkpkLfgPelkN0hJwfRa2un8zfSvfEbb0sk7XaTH_alhZ34LbYHDYXYw/s320/r17.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
Heavy Cavalryman engaged the artifact-bearing infantryman, wounding him but not
enough to kill him. The infantryman
managed to wound my cuirassier.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf71MJfy5YMWm27Ej_ZGlKFVQbhZ6zb6wVOe40lol8JK4jlau4KvN8bZDeJb8FJtQYR3wjQILE3MWVXrnwu9E9E2b-cgW0CT_j4siSQI1aZfB2mLT7ea0KSbDdJX8Zvr1hQ8T0d_zeAEwH0yDUAWrjKt-kAvvOd_hF1vAM8IJ9DN4_pyvUdlftbZ5ilA/s4032/r18.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf71MJfy5YMWm27Ej_ZGlKFVQbhZ6zb6wVOe40lol8JK4jlau4KvN8bZDeJb8FJtQYR3wjQILE3MWVXrnwu9E9E2b-cgW0CT_j4siSQI1aZfB2mLT7ea0KSbDdJX8Zvr1hQ8T0d_zeAEwH0yDUAWrjKt-kAvvOd_hF1vAM8IJ9DN4_pyvUdlftbZ5ilA/s320/r18.HEIC" width="320" /></a></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Russian officer charged to the rescue and bested my Heavy Cavalryman.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLke_0MZax9gPnXtEvkG4TR_HR1YsM9Y_8szJnHttupCSzvtFX6OV8H2FH31WXPkBPwgsUDm1W7f0LhgZHJO0QCAQ0YR8z4S7aTcPx76Vl58X5sZin7WaeDdc8l7n-XfrCrfQxJ7ofF3pcLfRzD5Zifg59mOPl6Krnnwoh-ufqHEhjTO8K7kFX4MLD3g/s4032/r19.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLke_0MZax9gPnXtEvkG4TR_HR1YsM9Y_8szJnHttupCSzvtFX6OV8H2FH31WXPkBPwgsUDm1W7f0LhgZHJO0QCAQ0YR8z4S7aTcPx76Vl58X5sZin7WaeDdc8l7n-XfrCrfQxJ7ofF3pcLfRzD5Zifg59mOPl6Krnnwoh-ufqHEhjTO8K7kFX4MLD3g/s320/r19.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was at this point that the first random monster of the game showed up, a
fearsome Black Dog. As it showed up directly behind my French troops, it proved
quite a distraction.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_NpOU7JxfdjXBKvnGdzqQu2yycYec6J-4Rygvks3LDBxYMdi7KPFHgQTL5NsMGtnHfXFAz3y0X2k1qMa8y8qW7GpCrpkH4zu8eRI3_oxifu3-P5NNxQtn-CSH5YoXG5p3ZA4_nbITcSuQu8Qn8Xiz-Gufc2unRhkX34d0ckk8dlGzBCDU9NmhPAZ_A/s2048/279307762_10221509791120326_3503318593604745750_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_NpOU7JxfdjXBKvnGdzqQu2yycYec6J-4Rygvks3LDBxYMdi7KPFHgQTL5NsMGtnHfXFAz3y0X2k1qMa8y8qW7GpCrpkH4zu8eRI3_oxifu3-P5NNxQtn-CSH5YoXG5p3ZA4_nbITcSuQu8Qn8Xiz-Gufc2unRhkX34d0ckk8dlGzBCDU9NmhPAZ_A/s320/279307762_10221509791120326_3503318593604745750_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
the meantime, the Russian officer sacrificed himself drawing the fire from my Investigator
and Vivandiere but successfully screening his retreating infantryman who,
within a couple of moves exited the board and gave the win to the Russians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4KnB9zdcIBvgYokEyhds6DVKoYa8t3oAl5DxLTAe9zD5CpC6GfGX7Co0cdYZasRFMu_-3bFPU8GJqHKAlO91YUjZFSskH6RtqaYOrDc9AFHYEln8yWt13gdC7XVAfZVzygGhwobeC9xb4VUbsvb0CuHjvYfsgpuy-ycCeWfGagQhrZJZ8JMtqROCmw/s4032/r21.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4KnB9zdcIBvgYokEyhds6DVKoYa8t3oAl5DxLTAe9zD5CpC6GfGX7Co0cdYZasRFMu_-3bFPU8GJqHKAlO91YUjZFSskH6RtqaYOrDc9AFHYEln8yWt13gdC7XVAfZVzygGhwobeC9xb4VUbsvb0CuHjvYfsgpuy-ycCeWfGagQhrZJZ8JMtqROCmw/s320/r21.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite
having lost at this point, Dave and I agreed to play another turn to see if we
could defeat the Black Dog which, through the judicious use of our Occultists
enchange spell we were able to do. The
Prussian Swordsman having the final honors for killing the beast.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">We
all agreed that we really liked the system.
We discovered that the cavalrymen were very useful, given the terrain. We also thought the Fate dice was a great
dynamic and we all pretty much exhausted our pools in what proved to be a relatively
short game. The one thing we thought that could use improvement was special
weapon selection; since most of these were limited in effect to specific
monsters, a greater variety of effects would be helpful to make them more
worthwhile. This is especially so for
the Supernatural Veteran attribute which only provides an extra special weapon
and so seems of limited use for the cost.
But overall we thought it provide a great game with a lot of interesting
tactical options.</span></p></div><br />bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-89979011154483685412022-03-17T07:57:00.001-07:002022-03-17T07:57:51.492-07:00Silver Bayonet Solo Campaign 4: The Last Mile<p> </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I finally got around to finishing the fourth scenario
of the solo campaign in the main Silver Bayonet rulebook, using my unit of Polish
“deserters” in Haiti. The unit is led by
Captain Andrzej Milna, aided by Sergeant Staszek Soroka, a Veteran Hunter, native
Occultist Sulavi Coidavid, Native Scout Bien Aimee, and three infantrymen,
Privates Dobusz, Szymanski, and Kowalczyk.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0uISpgbNPjjd-sxKcrYhW5UZd5MDC9hqWXi5Ee2QyXPTdvd9VKbeW3AKAjITg28fI172yONHKyQrE_TNU7zNkWOy6GZZmnOgXkGaIMmxeY9dGRkrr4IqHA-BdUinGrIbkY6f6EHnFGwO-EhqvuUFENMFVghBrs34x9mJ4V8uy_JVKzghn7Fga3Waj9w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0uISpgbNPjjd-sxKcrYhW5UZd5MDC9hqWXi5Ee2QyXPTdvd9VKbeW3AKAjITg28fI172yONHKyQrE_TNU7zNkWOy6GZZmnOgXkGaIMmxeY9dGRkrr4IqHA-BdUinGrIbkY6f6EHnFGwO-EhqvuUFENMFVghBrs34x9mJ4V8uy_JVKzghn7Fga3Waj9w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The unit had obtained several artifacts from a
ruined chapel and is now seeking to return to the safety of the rebel camp in
the mountains. They need to cross one
last stream to make good their escape.
However, the crossing is guarded by a detail from the French army. (In the rule book, the opponents are listed
as bandits but I thought it more thematic to have them as French troops. I did keep the lesser bandit stats, justifying
it as due to disease and fatigue among the Europeans.)<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxp0a0GiXWTK5Fpx2zc2jZQw-tcQI5ogQgtTNlvMPi0CJDAecMZ-SVBvisQF1hnsBA3xbTi6VH2PHiNl9VsC0K-Ir7IFs4gna3k4eIWZ5zLBVSb5xdFOyrG-zITFo_ritze2i8aZDjh_Pn7QyfWhjgWjH9kZv002C2zPLpaGZTTFyb_XukL0LlP2TW6g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxp0a0GiXWTK5Fpx2zc2jZQw-tcQI5ogQgtTNlvMPi0CJDAecMZ-SVBvisQF1hnsBA3xbTi6VH2PHiNl9VsC0K-Ir7IFs4gna3k4eIWZ5zLBVSb5xdFOyrG-zITFo_ritze2i8aZDjh_Pn7QyfWhjgWjH9kZv002C2zPLpaGZTTFyb_XukL0LlP2TW6g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">There were two crossing points, a bridge and a nearby ford. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_OUZml6mNyxg7lTN079DXcxXAUHfeVwROLMCTcbN2n3vMFy9OV6cVdGXf1LP9Q27QOnyo1H7XFTKVUhhnBDht5rnAFh1WOH48cVvIBLyiV7doRIJjQicOFUPidMyDwEVkIiq9AmbA4bbIZ6oPNxgL2uClh4s5S72EOSh19kuKAK66kwP0OgdzatjlMQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_OUZml6mNyxg7lTN079DXcxXAUHfeVwROLMCTcbN2n3vMFy9OV6cVdGXf1LP9Q27QOnyo1H7XFTKVUhhnBDht5rnAFh1WOH48cVvIBLyiV7doRIJjQicOFUPidMyDwEVkIiq9AmbA4bbIZ6oPNxgL2uClh4s5S72EOSh19kuKAK66kwP0OgdzatjlMQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Both were guarded</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp0rSalp4nxySnMFvKQGLxMkcW8zpanVTLxyRUPV461ic6M11BUne04Toq12cMOq60nlkuZnMUzKbqADfX_u3DFgI6kXc4AZe36nQUBWc1fJ5RUPzhFWxlPHH8m8PziVhFIIM3qTL-RwGW-QnLTcEcg6Z5bM1hloi4PcqIBshXLYBE0fQ9_AWRzpi0VA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp0rSalp4nxySnMFvKQGLxMkcW8zpanVTLxyRUPV461ic6M11BUne04Toq12cMOq60nlkuZnMUzKbqADfX_u3DFgI6kXc4AZe36nQUBWc1fJ5RUPzhFWxlPHH8m8PziVhFIIM3qTL-RwGW-QnLTcEcg6Z5bM1hloi4PcqIBshXLYBE0fQ9_AWRzpi0VA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Milna’s unit decided to approach through the jungle
cover, hoping to eliminate the guard at the ford before they could be
reinforced by the bridge guards. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGCWplzacmxYmjriJiXWwujpCBgnD2V6yKkiBrXmoYLBNK0BHqN0w7_uGXnjyYyKp1Pntcrfb6JoXw0gHOgcUaVHlZ1RTqMWk64ZbjV9OK8gqQLC7HPs59WPZfsCUpapbwlz3c85T4oS2FWpSZQPB-1blXvN0fQsSC4w1rlhqwQ5TMt6GOKbH-p7-ahA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGCWplzacmxYmjriJiXWwujpCBgnD2V6yKkiBrXmoYLBNK0BHqN0w7_uGXnjyYyKp1Pntcrfb6JoXw0gHOgcUaVHlZ1RTqMWk64ZbjV9OK8gqQLC7HPs59WPZfsCUpapbwlz3c85T4oS2FWpSZQPB-1blXvN0fQsSC4w1rlhqwQ5TMt6GOKbH-p7-ahA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The unit opens fire on the French piquets.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfpJuVCgCyNTsF9vInN1a19OeacYV_wjUoGTgmFlfM3HML29LDh1ZSh8hvsX5CIIXqx8KxBUD36bPRyHFA0NKXOP39jzvFSRX0PAGSvaDmIkM-89z9xbqMFhfoIVPXLzFYZxjjTekf5BBZNNOf37ueTQpWVdvnpXqtpL0e-6b9PCLAGg8_YfR6S32KfA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfpJuVCgCyNTsF9vInN1a19OeacYV_wjUoGTgmFlfM3HML29LDh1ZSh8hvsX5CIIXqx8KxBUD36bPRyHFA0NKXOP39jzvFSRX0PAGSvaDmIkM-89z9xbqMFhfoIVPXLzFYZxjjTekf5BBZNNOf37ueTQpWVdvnpXqtpL0e-6b9PCLAGg8_YfR6S32KfA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sergeant Soroka and Kowalczyk get lucky shots
on two the French soldiers, killing them with their first shots.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaSRHmg-9MrFWOKgmfQM-R4BbtZZyUlFpqPAD23eaf1je6XmVAYZzxsJM5u97gmKq8ESGtsQEMJ2KjnpvcJzhuKrJ1ih1AeCsYo3TEIGPwDHVo0cnvPAXN-n8Qck3H7tOgWQXZhA2okst2JyYA1ev2lD6VjRBG39XRUBq17uqyXw1YKboAsWzcS4VH7A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaSRHmg-9MrFWOKgmfQM-R4BbtZZyUlFpqPAD23eaf1je6XmVAYZzxsJM5u97gmKq8ESGtsQEMJ2KjnpvcJzhuKrJ1ih1AeCsYo3TEIGPwDHVo0cnvPAXN-n8Qck3H7tOgWQXZhA2okst2JyYA1ev2lD6VjRBG39XRUBq17uqyXw1YKboAsWzcS4VH7A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">However, the French sergeant returns fire,
seriously wounded Kowalczyk</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPvRRp5v-2tkQZpRkHSHc7SsMnjc0p2dKVd5zfr0PqtyXN9970QG584JsEcHZbRzjmKp60mdKYgMBdh2Br-Bm8ugCtU1RNhM_NsOQbbI96LZqGDVLt7pVH26CH0Usw9hZ314Ygwn1e6-osfZZqiFg2UnBTqctGeW4eMsDFq8U7I3E3OYhcsIPnOEGZ1w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPvRRp5v-2tkQZpRkHSHc7SsMnjc0p2dKVd5zfr0PqtyXN9970QG584JsEcHZbRzjmKp60mdKYgMBdh2Br-Bm8ugCtU1RNhM_NsOQbbI96LZqGDVLt7pVH26CH0Usw9hZ314Ygwn1e6-osfZZqiFg2UnBTqctGeW4eMsDFq8U7I3E3OYhcsIPnOEGZ1w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The French sentries on the bridge rush to the sound of the guns.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB29X_REspCFJlqjGIXbiMrpAG1YGwGg3lWLxkmMml810uCyRnws5UvW66hsNNPCPhXAel2YM52frWjBO0GSfR8s-K3UEEuZrbOM8Q_ob7p81R3Sc2lc5tjc6hZmP8YvZ--k4J8rIu6WLKgSGLPHRVUFUzqElDD8ijR3r2hkgLVIzSodi9LhxBbaeOzQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB29X_REspCFJlqjGIXbiMrpAG1YGwGg3lWLxkmMml810uCyRnws5UvW66hsNNPCPhXAel2YM52frWjBO0GSfR8s-K3UEEuZrbOM8Q_ob7p81R3Sc2lc5tjc6hZmP8YvZ--k4J8rIu6WLKgSGLPHRVUFUzqElDD8ijR3r2hkgLVIzSodi9LhxBbaeOzQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Milna and the rest of the unit rush towards the
road, hoping to encircle the French gathering at the ford.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSTBi90JuwTbZyEh2j6HKkayQeomF9WfavUkQhp9kUY6wLsv9VGcDV2HPUmn3cZv54HxiofFseLR3RmsWRCqB6R28dYOHcP15hXggKrT7nnsL2kOBjof8OJci2cwthkl5DXRxYfnlzmXPvzDm3xJgzGhdNPuJiv4YasKCG39FWusIgkRHHzdbHfKdGCA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSTBi90JuwTbZyEh2j6HKkayQeomF9WfavUkQhp9kUY6wLsv9VGcDV2HPUmn3cZv54HxiofFseLR3RmsWRCqB6R28dYOHcP15hXggKrT7nnsL2kOBjof8OJci2cwthkl5DXRxYfnlzmXPvzDm3xJgzGhdNPuJiv4YasKCG39FWusIgkRHHzdbHfKdGCA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The gunfire has attracted French sentry from
further down river. (The scenario calls
for a roll each turn to determine if a reinforcement arrives. My rolls resulted in an extra French soldier
appearing each turn!)<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZa_yaauoSRbUNSA6JnNU5zulxWzEkpIve53w7Ed7LzE-isRizRMgfdoqMH3C1RUFl118KP6j2sIXIEuSxO-swNUY6oTjTFGv3Q4s12OsXM1ky15jOEIThbaCG252PJe2CF7KB9M9ubIPwVirWKoBnPNm-8dUcD9MMU6Y1aD_F3yAIC4SXtMUekbbRyg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZa_yaauoSRbUNSA6JnNU5zulxWzEkpIve53w7Ed7LzE-isRizRMgfdoqMH3C1RUFl118KP6j2sIXIEuSxO-swNUY6oTjTFGv3Q4s12OsXM1ky15jOEIThbaCG252PJe2CF7KB9M9ubIPwVirWKoBnPNm-8dUcD9MMU6Y1aD_F3yAIC4SXtMUekbbRyg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Bien Ami discovers a magic ring lying in
the brush. All of his melee attacks will
now count as being enchanted.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFVCEzByMeVpUvvBOWmY_blq7x2lYE5kUegEaj24ihgXyCbdTtI_qh_rg4XR9E5YlsXJsgyhpNiWUgiI0chRWjQd350KNHBzrfdAzzOYsPbMEv4bNs09Sxif-6GFi2gZ7NUC1_9cL418gh5Zub4I3yV5tzEyo8Y2xjFmWqLMeegflZ8FNou_RovrSPBQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFVCEzByMeVpUvvBOWmY_blq7x2lYE5kUegEaj24ihgXyCbdTtI_qh_rg4XR9E5YlsXJsgyhpNiWUgiI0chRWjQd350KNHBzrfdAzzOYsPbMEv4bNs09Sxif-6GFi2gZ7NUC1_9cL418gh5Zub4I3yV5tzEyo8Y2xjFmWqLMeegflZ8FNou_RovrSPBQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Milna rushes the French sergeant and cuts him
down.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4IpesBHCx0GkQxq9BRNZt_i4vyRu4iJUU2tr75jl7PsrOlRCMWifLRm8SKkNOvabKRp_HKNUPBLEW96iGlCL9hh3f98vGhnxjWQSH8BelLltkC_pc5frxJorecbGNtd-p2u0liGdzZdCua8tps_pikVNr5OCYNtUaTqTYp8P8r0VvBc2JMqlttiSh-w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4IpesBHCx0GkQxq9BRNZt_i4vyRu4iJUU2tr75jl7PsrOlRCMWifLRm8SKkNOvabKRp_HKNUPBLEW96iGlCL9hh3f98vGhnxjWQSH8BelLltkC_pc5frxJorecbGNtd-p2u0liGdzZdCua8tps_pikVNr5OCYNtUaTqTYp8P8r0VvBc2JMqlttiSh-w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sulavi discovers a tarnished military medal,
giving them an extra Power or Skill die to their pool.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheyoff1J276xN1p-25A73q51HW68vlp-f9Poj-Ie_PifbWYVHXdfxgV6vsyCqIjSLRLnpgr3jTRtXoU9ruhtYNVoAGW9AHLhIP2eS1uvYgWEzek9RtsY2x1hwlV0_ylXVq4kuI51_BPWdx9BE57k5cf3xE_qcjXE4vjMyugSKMHNUBGpIHDS25XO3v6g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheyoff1J276xN1p-25A73q51HW68vlp-f9Poj-Ie_PifbWYVHXdfxgV6vsyCqIjSLRLnpgr3jTRtXoU9ruhtYNVoAGW9AHLhIP2eS1uvYgWEzek9RtsY2x1hwlV0_ylXVq4kuI51_BPWdx9BE57k5cf3xE_qcjXE4vjMyugSKMHNUBGpIHDS25XO3v6g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The bridge guards fire at Milna and one shot
wounds the courageous leader.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTe5cBtM6eMuiUCNeHDJ4Ruigm8CDmcp7erqDcmTeToS2PhRiKmJ7oktDQcyBTYS-bQgmVINPLtY4OsMP5t0Nb7AEaLy0za2v1YKo_mTCHQiJnHF6sLykLZRKsk1wetZ0L1umrmQQuQVnnCQveI3mYeWMd0CHvwmelQRcMjoopOeLWf3kZlBl3qxKtyQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTe5cBtM6eMuiUCNeHDJ4Ruigm8CDmcp7erqDcmTeToS2PhRiKmJ7oktDQcyBTYS-bQgmVINPLtY4OsMP5t0Nb7AEaLy0za2v1YKo_mTCHQiJnHF6sLykLZRKsk1wetZ0L1umrmQQuQVnnCQveI3mYeWMd0CHvwmelQRcMjoopOeLWf3kZlBl3qxKtyQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Dobusz and Szymanski take cover behind some
rocks near the road. Soroka moves to
support them.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFtdPH3u1S9n87CaoSZlP4iblHI9v-J-ET8mzhxQrDROS6jgaCjw0lFMJKMSN_Xe5LBnoMVISvgfMabRvcuP4wqZQmI5M-bKDJgV-fyzK7N19vdXOXxgfILu3FDqhTSxMgaqeVVcOwZqiz2fuxEmx9eyhj3UM4vnuddkuso5G51gmseZr62kNJckJRWg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFtdPH3u1S9n87CaoSZlP4iblHI9v-J-ET8mzhxQrDROS6jgaCjw0lFMJKMSN_Xe5LBnoMVISvgfMabRvcuP4wqZQmI5M-bKDJgV-fyzK7N19vdXOXxgfILu3FDqhTSxMgaqeVVcOwZqiz2fuxEmx9eyhj3UM4vnuddkuso5G51gmseZr62kNJckJRWg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The noise has called forth a ferocious Black
Dog, the mystical creature manifesting under the bridge. It rush out snarling.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSugPBKD_VkeQIRB1Tjq6_Bv4gAtMKy5kFFAAfczpINZbBigYJ1ZEn2SiAUKdkv2lVzQRpfAFQM2jDIZq-ur3AJgQfMet3_10bnkGpsdm_vTd8iWJg-UVPDIK9nku1lKDEovlYBIjr0mqkvBXXKAyxfWrXEEcC96g8EIkJT6ftCDnZDPXxb0xM-Tmq-w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSugPBKD_VkeQIRB1Tjq6_Bv4gAtMKy5kFFAAfczpINZbBigYJ1ZEn2SiAUKdkv2lVzQRpfAFQM2jDIZq-ur3AJgQfMet3_10bnkGpsdm_vTd8iWJg-UVPDIK9nku1lKDEovlYBIjr0mqkvBXXKAyxfWrXEEcC96g8EIkJT6ftCDnZDPXxb0xM-Tmq-w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Another French piquet approaches from down
river.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgakXMPP4E9VDeyKTvvYzWAdkXDIRlPZRR7IWsOPFokWmL8itGB4aPebH4Tsn0ubSSDVIgVSmf0ejc1V9uFiZc7Tk5LtJXpqTO5LDTPOoWukw4NkQvgDgQHV5CDHbvtLyqqER0UJcQ5NP06bFk7EgZ7ijzRx90zVzyJicO3PrNhkVpynC-eI8CaFLoLIA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgakXMPP4E9VDeyKTvvYzWAdkXDIRlPZRR7IWsOPFokWmL8itGB4aPebH4Tsn0ubSSDVIgVSmf0ejc1V9uFiZc7Tk5LtJXpqTO5LDTPOoWukw4NkQvgDgQHV5CDHbvtLyqqER0UJcQ5NP06bFk7EgZ7ijzRx90zVzyJicO3PrNhkVpynC-eI8CaFLoLIA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Dobusz and Szymanski drop the French sentry who
had been overlooking the bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAT_dSEhgTIsiswrltmAJFV8gfoSUAN_C2DM2gjCuxgWiAYF9m28vnE30yBWhF3BBKeZY9mPNYINoRBnS2ZRy2dURe1QwTTJW15famitwntowu7tubeT1FQtGHOCBBjfw_0OS_rVV2YADBak9Ljw7ZUr-uHmO-9S0jw0uKYjA7N9YFB-E8K9jPOJ3tmQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAT_dSEhgTIsiswrltmAJFV8gfoSUAN_C2DM2gjCuxgWiAYF9m28vnE30yBWhF3BBKeZY9mPNYINoRBnS2ZRy2dURe1QwTTJW15famitwntowu7tubeT1FQtGHOCBBjfw_0OS_rVV2YADBak9Ljw7ZUr-uHmO-9S0jw0uKYjA7N9YFB-E8K9jPOJ3tmQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sulavi finds a tattered prayer book. Her melee attacks will count as being
Blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyvnf8ZEkQjSt34zbAuipBB0rq-ZWijC9HBTB7DxnTpODQuTWzF7fuj-lBATr-Ath5fUGHEOqmVHDX_tIJNK6C_OPrssBYmDhRfpJjl3cs7aYJoxrPcA6eNWeHvowJtYqMvqx5kFYmpRRbpXouRBhdalG6oasO6gm2kDGKp1-6Pb54wX7VQ9yQ2vUriw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyvnf8ZEkQjSt34zbAuipBB0rq-ZWijC9HBTB7DxnTpODQuTWzF7fuj-lBATr-Ath5fUGHEOqmVHDX_tIJNK6C_OPrssBYmDhRfpJjl3cs7aYJoxrPcA6eNWeHvowJtYqMvqx5kFYmpRRbpXouRBhdalG6oasO6gm2kDGKp1-6Pb54wX7VQ9yQ2vUriw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Firing from cover, the two wounded Poles,
Kowalczyk and Milna fire at the two French guards on their side of the river,
killing them both. All six of the
original guards at the bridge are now dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj71OmER1icleXJS0tTmB2rTXnTtwaIyZjqWvapkl3ZLsn5OIgQBb3gtaQiZuzW-7FofgC3yfMITFAndOsFxXBZpDBriFY-Gp-v_aalU8NVXVC1mFFXoiYYsCJEzLAdKGT4WtZ8O58Wu7j_VTptkl0i_sA8lLnQup1dVNrGPE4SEa5giEGlFaKGqespHA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj71OmER1icleXJS0tTmB2rTXnTtwaIyZjqWvapkl3ZLsn5OIgQBb3gtaQiZuzW-7FofgC3yfMITFAndOsFxXBZpDBriFY-Gp-v_aalU8NVXVC1mFFXoiYYsCJEzLAdKGT4WtZ8O58Wu7j_VTptkl0i_sA8lLnQup1dVNrGPE4SEa5giEGlFaKGqespHA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another French soldier arrives. The
reinforcements rush to hold the bridge.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX3CgWmE_YhvJoeUoALLrpQyuN8UdU1fm3PR8nuog-WQ5pHNAvGFYfisv3Bq14Gigm_HBe41nheFXotSA_KZCfnIljEjMqivDlkOI_DR0Sq6j4zbfCo0o32QAkH-21Powlgmq8SkLJTQ4uB79alkxffX4juoC28RXQZ_7asj3uYKbGbfRcRxkZcKv7QA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX3CgWmE_YhvJoeUoALLrpQyuN8UdU1fm3PR8nuog-WQ5pHNAvGFYfisv3Bq14Gigm_HBe41nheFXotSA_KZCfnIljEjMqivDlkOI_DR0Sq6j4zbfCo0o32QAkH-21Powlgmq8SkLJTQ4uB79alkxffX4juoC28RXQZ_7asj3uYKbGbfRcRxkZcKv7QA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">However, the Black Dog rushes toward Szymanski
but is unable to reach him this turn.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY4rLH913OlPAwRCYNjSwp3FqtgrE7d3hdteeQBW2JGf9qnJPlkHFvtKfEMzAgDIze0btJc9TLI27qrc8v-WhmF_isPs2AA8_JUxatlbmMAM-deZzgWj-qXppLmOtvMbyMZJ5QWWuX0Q8KyjpB9MeyzIfsaWlP9HzDwH5YRiUPyeYNnt3Zu5xar9OtWg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY4rLH913OlPAwRCYNjSwp3FqtgrE7d3hdteeQBW2JGf9qnJPlkHFvtKfEMzAgDIze0btJc9TLI27qrc8v-WhmF_isPs2AA8_JUxatlbmMAM-deZzgWj-qXppLmOtvMbyMZJ5QWWuX0Q8KyjpB9MeyzIfsaWlP9HzDwH5YRiUPyeYNnt3Zu5xar9OtWg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sulavi rushes forward and places a curse on
the creature. It will be at a -1 on its
attack rolls.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgITXwkBZFUF0jCqMkft1G6ftqZoa-WuVcEiSh-nrwzlG9rOiVgfULwIHHYJtvbciyyw3SSMLlYlJsXY7OtJsgRcdMO3I3k6nPN3_bgwSYhBtqajg3J9FgFFzuM5r83PQhlbXChlUAnIr_KjZYZ5A_Pau5g5K3l8tRC_WqDCweWx4iKQcuFKZwAvnEtkQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgITXwkBZFUF0jCqMkft1G6ftqZoa-WuVcEiSh-nrwzlG9rOiVgfULwIHHYJtvbciyyw3SSMLlYlJsXY7OtJsgRcdMO3I3k6nPN3_bgwSYhBtqajg3J9FgFFzuM5r83PQhlbXChlUAnIr_KjZYZ5A_Pau5g5K3l8tRC_WqDCweWx4iKQcuFKZwAvnEtkQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Milna charges and hacks at the creature
with his holy sword, wounding it. The
creature snaps back at Milna but does not catch the wounded Captain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVpiFYM0_fbbA4ofc8TdrKZryzhs9ACwoBv0DEqK7Ptn-nwS-sT73SaKcdw4GcWzCkyU6k2QzOO_C63buP_KHCWtE2hj6VTEkcJX0ptLl0A1z1iS1DQJSLZWs6yxoZZXTqaP8o3lh2eCt-VzqZBGau-rIG3veoONKuE0YIgjE14utLQL3TibZihVrhxw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVpiFYM0_fbbA4ofc8TdrKZryzhs9ACwoBv0DEqK7Ptn-nwS-sT73SaKcdw4GcWzCkyU6k2QzOO_C63buP_KHCWtE2hj6VTEkcJX0ptLl0A1z1iS1DQJSLZWs6yxoZZXTqaP8o3lh2eCt-VzqZBGau-rIG3veoONKuE0YIgjE14utLQL3TibZihVrhxw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Kowalczyk fires at the French trying to
cross the bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_GVSVA5ULMVxKzZywuMaD0G8EEalaXhYTDc48XlWA2f1CkEbhnuXRTLRN50x9eKd2BFlBuZrWI3S1Zv8W2QI_A027lQGDfx2uWxyY-iEuTQJdNDDjg6Okz4yYief0_KLghiNye4iriD2Sr2ks1TXaso8ToKeZyncZiY98Qh27V_GRAY71gxJgry4EfQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_GVSVA5ULMVxKzZywuMaD0G8EEalaXhYTDc48XlWA2f1CkEbhnuXRTLRN50x9eKd2BFlBuZrWI3S1Zv8W2QI_A027lQGDfx2uWxyY-iEuTQJdNDDjg6Okz4yYief0_KLghiNye4iriD2Sr2ks1TXaso8ToKeZyncZiY98Qh27V_GRAY71gxJgry4EfQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Hoping to distract the creature from his wounded
Captain, Szymanski charges the creature and is wounded for his efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6LDFRWo5TRGd6kKuytgOHQrMgUYOSm845EMEvktn3zTXfi03im6KoxqDgcXStwXSAY5OBi__Wn9I_cqN2eLHFwRNEfn5GwepQmbTUOba4QdW53Mlh8y6X_4tC3An_INay0Uz-4_Zsd5nnQV9mgBFoHpCxvJGVD4HyFBD_XYo474i5tRqLVFEhI7XBrw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6LDFRWo5TRGd6kKuytgOHQrMgUYOSm845EMEvktn3zTXfi03im6KoxqDgcXStwXSAY5OBi__Wn9I_cqN2eLHFwRNEfn5GwepQmbTUOba4QdW53Mlh8y6X_4tC3An_INay0Uz-4_Zsd5nnQV9mgBFoHpCxvJGVD4HyFBD_XYo474i5tRqLVFEhI7XBrw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Another French soldier appears from up
river.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHr8sb8GZAlBFtJ7VE6O9srwf7csFdLqbqv4wm0XRBnGFIxuybpSTDFhmPvszAOcawuhXvAC_2JKZQNbt_mCHC_yLgw1LOI7-0FpPuJ6yRXyKLUsfM6DWRjvAEowsv9VpHENfQdimMdqoOd7z7HYSwoyF3b4qdkWQ6yVLhJ2XrrCegJUrTr4GmYwbQIQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHr8sb8GZAlBFtJ7VE6O9srwf7csFdLqbqv4wm0XRBnGFIxuybpSTDFhmPvszAOcawuhXvAC_2JKZQNbt_mCHC_yLgw1LOI7-0FpPuJ6yRXyKLUsfM6DWRjvAEowsv9VpHENfQdimMdqoOd7z7HYSwoyF3b4qdkWQ6yVLhJ2XrrCegJUrTr4GmYwbQIQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Bien Ami finally dispatches the foul beast. It was fortunate that he had found the magic
ring at the outset.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkue01ykxWs_zv9Hsmm9u1925eNmZrGVK3cZf46cbD-F22xdMxfdcbxPBD-0qHrbukIkssDgrNkLZ4C8-9VQiBZa9_QCrpXVp0v5CJxEseegMj1OnHX7O4xhrBMfSM1w6txdjlr-H6ec4f-aU6rmYR8XyWnTsvb8BStJ39c_I9Tyu_3Dml-qszvwRAxQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkue01ykxWs_zv9Hsmm9u1925eNmZrGVK3cZf46cbD-F22xdMxfdcbxPBD-0qHrbukIkssDgrNkLZ4C8-9VQiBZa9_QCrpXVp0v5CJxEseegMj1OnHX7O4xhrBMfSM1w6txdjlr-H6ec4f-aU6rmYR8XyWnTsvb8BStJ39c_I9Tyu_3Dml-qszvwRAxQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Kowalczyk is effective in keeping the
French from crossing the bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN8K6OImST8tV_qa_Cvy086-kiU1_UU55swB27TNgqu6o3e30whPXDPbKwc2OnuBD5lMgL5lWN7mHUCFSEmtUvlIBilCwIQIYbKcg8PX4rCQ1_MAbDLbAOpHLCK0qnxfNwQ6cnHtc48KHoE-14mzl2UvM0PiOgtQ_Er_-HQ5IcJ_ydwKUQWGUSrB02JA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN8K6OImST8tV_qa_Cvy086-kiU1_UU55swB27TNgqu6o3e30whPXDPbKwc2OnuBD5lMgL5lWN7mHUCFSEmtUvlIBilCwIQIYbKcg8PX4rCQ1_MAbDLbAOpHLCK0qnxfNwQ6cnHtc48KHoE-14mzl2UvM0PiOgtQ_Er_-HQ5IcJ_ydwKUQWGUSrB02JA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Milna approaches the bridge and discovers
an old rune-covered dagger.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF6nVClJqAJ3wDtcRcGrYHpfGorotCnfE8q8Xr0n4-H-Q_qOWMuoHG9SDk2Cv2g3F0_dyVbGWx2nuroulH9nsSoHfvPHUhIFuX3UfauDyuBaJRh288mRZnZzr3VpwVOSAMgJgG9RCjll7ofLi7Ox0-p-RPMHUECPxvrV3XeH1N57Q1IM8VVaRXfbWKVw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF6nVClJqAJ3wDtcRcGrYHpfGorotCnfE8q8Xr0n4-H-Q_qOWMuoHG9SDk2Cv2g3F0_dyVbGWx2nuroulH9nsSoHfvPHUhIFuX3UfauDyuBaJRh288mRZnZzr3VpwVOSAMgJgG9RCjll7ofLi7Ox0-p-RPMHUECPxvrV3XeH1N57Q1IM8VVaRXfbWKVw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: left;">And yet another French soldier runs to the
sound of the fight.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxMHR_0HbIQDwciBcGhp8PDQVwBa-L2O65LZhWXuG6jVAO_TsoKq1Kf1BclePMv7sI-A0DXXHxN_U7XCwUDJrHZBgt6MZlNF1Am7v7XnZnbF-fvgmb0fp_vMaIfMZwX-yUabTq8mk7OJKaD72CUNBgBRYrZV85bW-SIDuTFRGYe1-dLbhL9zun3A3GCw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxMHR_0HbIQDwciBcGhp8PDQVwBa-L2O65LZhWXuG6jVAO_TsoKq1Kf1BclePMv7sI-A0DXXHxN_U7XCwUDJrHZBgt6MZlNF1Am7v7XnZnbF-fvgmb0fp_vMaIfMZwX-yUabTq8mk7OJKaD72CUNBgBRYrZV85bW-SIDuTFRGYe1-dLbhL9zun3A3GCw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sulavi follows after Milna, discovering a
bag of moldy bread, no wonder the French are ill.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe-1kxiScIXadhx97S13EA7ke4Tw9xiyBXMJPjnmkHhVRRwV7OZDMJrfBPoWHphY4V1TvkXr8MHpnyzxLq4omHnbQlmTJBvEpKj8ljZtT1kr4z0DWiqf6M9sf0Mun-c0LrzpLfQ9l5G07i8PUCDmYYWkOVogz3ACdzAU3B2mOV-MqlLUVusrXGV8VNmQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe-1kxiScIXadhx97S13EA7ke4Tw9xiyBXMJPjnmkHhVRRwV7OZDMJrfBPoWHphY4V1TvkXr8MHpnyzxLq4omHnbQlmTJBvEpKj8ljZtT1kr4z0DWiqf6M9sf0Mun-c0LrzpLfQ9l5G07i8PUCDmYYWkOVogz3ACdzAU3B2mOV-MqlLUVusrXGV8VNmQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The unit has shot down the French soldiers
closest to the bridge and now rush to cross.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfCQ8zIDC8vqvkRIaVU5vAIYnAus0r5zuCklQfMGNqKGS92mvHgt4yx7KhSseJs3m330Vwdy3RsKMCG6-MrIceKBnV7LgiDJyCePYjTyBHoML6UgrJtnFfuqfdUDO9T6VeANDwOQ4yhQ9nYZngCp3-o6U9GnGMBFGwjF8zaj2bxi0TWEW9gx1X1Vtmxw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfCQ8zIDC8vqvkRIaVU5vAIYnAus0r5zuCklQfMGNqKGS92mvHgt4yx7KhSseJs3m330Vwdy3RsKMCG6-MrIceKBnV7LgiDJyCePYjTyBHoML6UgrJtnFfuqfdUDO9T6VeANDwOQ4yhQ9nYZngCp3-o6U9GnGMBFGwjF8zaj2bxi0TWEW9gx1X1Vtmxw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Another French soldier appears. The Poles must have been expected to cross
near this spot.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjejfZ1aKAAhcz8xwWba56RIbc44yiwyzDhi3oUqxjSO_gZnRGhA6N6TkxI4RkUQymOk1KlDUsg5gFEvr0bXYlBVI8Y_Uq5NlyPk0mWDoeG1udntGWKtuG4iEmbFh7oCY3dNwptRgtcJNoXhgHT5_3ZuCg-rJhIrwmMpdInPfpRC7UqYzxh-Eguj2t_ew=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjejfZ1aKAAhcz8xwWba56RIbc44yiwyzDhi3oUqxjSO_gZnRGhA6N6TkxI4RkUQymOk1KlDUsg5gFEvr0bXYlBVI8Y_Uq5NlyPk0mWDoeG1udntGWKtuG4iEmbFh7oCY3dNwptRgtcJNoXhgHT5_3ZuCg-rJhIrwmMpdInPfpRC7UqYzxh-Eguj2t_ew=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Before crossing the unit engages in some
long range fire. The Poles have the
better of it.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHXwwecaYd58z4Oz-hQcM8EpAW1KIXvbC66CO7mMU4Ea-ablQ1mWEXpMFrOr46fOnvD0EcXzYKz8s-A40qcwt-tQQMA2P6SQUQ4ZJ-hj3uQiP8zdvRgB_uzLUWj93kyIEBLaQSB71t5G85WV8l2AHs0v7wNQPPnQ8k35yzvY4jwCOaESBXHfaz-pJgJA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHXwwecaYd58z4Oz-hQcM8EpAW1KIXvbC66CO7mMU4Ea-ablQ1mWEXpMFrOr46fOnvD0EcXzYKz8s-A40qcwt-tQQMA2P6SQUQ4ZJ-hj3uQiP8zdvRgB_uzLUWj93kyIEBLaQSB71t5G85WV8l2AHs0v7wNQPPnQ8k35yzvY4jwCOaESBXHfaz-pJgJA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">They finally make it across. The remaining French do not close but snipe
at the Poles.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSGmoDaCk8f92UalT6TKNSuHJPXhDVGpLzSrjejj_wqlOVzcBRw5XpZXG-SuwpiH8eDwprmiqAj0Hznc4efZALN151jpb6OOyUrD5nIahi6cklMtZwdPefWo1YnkACTZtevvAgWUg8PNgLpKZIevY5Ec24O56VQkv0eXbBMKm3GVQ1K_TzyI8LihGV2g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSGmoDaCk8f92UalT6TKNSuHJPXhDVGpLzSrjejj_wqlOVzcBRw5XpZXG-SuwpiH8eDwprmiqAj0Hznc4efZALN151jpb6OOyUrD5nIahi6cklMtZwdPefWo1YnkACTZtevvAgWUg8PNgLpKZIevY5Ec24O56VQkv0eXbBMKm3GVQ1K_TzyI8LihGV2g=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The French fire at Sulavi but the shot misses
the mambo.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggK33hKYdvQj2l-VStiamV20TuOHJb8NysHQSXQY1Q-jreWVCoypKHgNUFkXLtI5zcbXSt1hjXbYUWrbnNGTYA5ix0FESp1XGZHu0ZqfXTN8soeyuYEKRqge13zNWCcZV70JIP0LTrXIac6chNRBMqkdiN7f8jFWx__18oIdOQeP_t_cpZBKx8FwLjhw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggK33hKYdvQj2l-VStiamV20TuOHJb8NysHQSXQY1Q-jreWVCoypKHgNUFkXLtI5zcbXSt1hjXbYUWrbnNGTYA5ix0FESp1XGZHu0ZqfXTN8soeyuYEKRqge13zNWCcZV70JIP0LTrXIac6chNRBMqkdiN7f8jFWx__18oIdOQeP_t_cpZBKx8FwLjhw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Another French soldiers arrives from down
river. He is the only one close enough
to block the road to the mountains. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Frenchman proves no match for the frustrated Bien Ami who gets a critical hit on him. </span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXXPq5A0BwJ8uG9dMksixzmscnGHBEvuNCW1xm3jea8VW92Ta8fZHSbRePO4ww1CuI5jIlDxPACBNO6F_tXX-t6jYS5OIA8TSW1o6XkqytYPt6SvvpNJugmZ2N6VBV1Vhf5A-yP_3JmmMCJuHA9Dxxt6AU8OZUp9_X3aOEHT0pSpQxror2SdWiI0MEiA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXXPq5A0BwJ8uG9dMksixzmscnGHBEvuNCW1xm3jea8VW92Ta8fZHSbRePO4ww1CuI5jIlDxPACBNO6F_tXX-t6jYS5OIA8TSW1o6XkqytYPt6SvvpNJugmZ2N6VBV1Vhf5A-yP_3JmmMCJuHA9Dxxt6AU8OZUp9_X3aOEHT0pSpQxror2SdWiI0MEiA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 15.3333px;">The scattered French soldiers take some last pot shots at the retreating Poles.</span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMW34UU1Cy5ksdl8TJBbERGLcigzbWe2cjg9q6Da1-2q1SYqFyXJ-A2PPMTYK_stO94y6FeGRUfrzis1aZdsdgpEj9-BPzMS5yFQ4bbiS9VWcS5r30KX1Angh4GN7-Blmca12_-WvetGgTTwl_vrbvYpDmi0HdiTq6loZEi-GoXJG2HUHnI0M7-A56kQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMW34UU1Cy5ksdl8TJBbERGLcigzbWe2cjg9q6Da1-2q1SYqFyXJ-A2PPMTYK_stO94y6FeGRUfrzis1aZdsdgpEj9-BPzMS5yFQ4bbiS9VWcS5r30KX1Angh4GN7-Blmca12_-WvetGgTTwl_vrbvYpDmi0HdiTq6loZEi-GoXJG2HUHnI0M7-A56kQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: left;">Tragedy strikes at the last minute. A lucky shot downs Private Dobusz.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuNdcqxUW4mvrrWJ1cCxYtgFGvAEZCn-yVAB3fW-2EWOBOO0V9xZV3f3RKe5xPOGqFFS_ro0J4G0TsN0_0xhSBWWe_ay_LLudovXORXqcW9wbcjCC6dWGnw67T13OeD6B-odVNwENbfHDD5kFR8A3STErWtQq2AUEWXWaHxm1GKIj-vWpP1LOd--NNyw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuNdcqxUW4mvrrWJ1cCxYtgFGvAEZCn-yVAB3fW-2EWOBOO0V9xZV3f3RKe5xPOGqFFS_ro0J4G0TsN0_0xhSBWWe_ay_LLudovXORXqcW9wbcjCC6dWGnw67T13OeD6B-odVNwENbfHDD5kFR8A3STErWtQq2AUEWXWaHxm1GKIj-vWpP1LOd--NNyw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Dragging the unconscious body of their comrade,
the rest of the unit reaches the cover of the hills. The battered French do not pursue.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdLJKHAbZ8UW1M8ZVdCVvj7HyTz8uioBoEj947yHtEPAfHzGhauMqLfAgd9bttcgPPPg48dn5Fziul7pF7vE4nUI_eG7cZZqaWXbSy0GrCNDHcKU9hq04_J5DtLyPHBSJ7o5u-e-7uDaFvmlgW1RVi2ycIREfg2ncJTje7s_lN6WtNlRorg1KcA5NhRA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdLJKHAbZ8UW1M8ZVdCVvj7HyTz8uioBoEj947yHtEPAfHzGhauMqLfAgd9bttcgPPPg48dn5Fziul7pF7vE4nUI_eG7cZZqaWXbSy0GrCNDHcKU9hq04_J5DtLyPHBSJ7o5u-e-7uDaFvmlgW1RVi2ycIREfg2ncJTje7s_lN6WtNlRorg1KcA5NhRA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Dobusz soon revives. He has suffered only a flesh wound! The unit proceed safely to their refuge in
the mountains for a well deserved rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><br /><p><br /></p>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-15007661112987216972022-02-08T16:37:00.000-08:002022-02-08T16:37:31.517-08:00Silver Bayonet: Solo Campaign 3 - Troll Hunt<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Here’s a summary of my third game of The Silver Bayonet solo
campaign involving my unit of Polish “deserters” in Haiti. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLpho0NoaPeQxBSVZ0s45tLJuVbGnAFlRCT38DPsJArCQgefvTZl-IWB4RB5QPL7B50T09vNsOkaYQtuoID1EhuJwyhM_k_T2VCnEbiRppgssYC0Nw3prDUh6AAmw4q1fgupixGgsjCy9hqQDA_etJ0BwIV2dev4EcReJ1daPzptSeQvMiMSrB0_80pg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLpho0NoaPeQxBSVZ0s45tLJuVbGnAFlRCT38DPsJArCQgefvTZl-IWB4RB5QPL7B50T09vNsOkaYQtuoID1EhuJwyhM_k_T2VCnEbiRppgssYC0Nw3prDUh6AAmw4q1fgupixGgsjCy9hqQDA_etJ0BwIV2dev4EcReJ1daPzptSeQvMiMSrB0_80pg=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Captain Milna’s men along with their Haitian allies previously
raided a ruined Spanish chapel to recover artifacts that will be useful in the
fight against the supernatural. After a
hard couple of fights, they are camped in a clearing in the jungle on the way
back to their mountain refuge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgriHpiKy_ispPJ3PEy5SeBbH03i85FRab-UUoBnmi8rPxZL-W_CowX74nm9qV0Xgk_sfbduHu4fpbuG89ppd23xznJijPyb71XosxiDoz56UWU4Mm0nX2JURrVJQb47AR8Pzf8Wg_5nuExNv1ZVu-tIzv8StXsqH9LBdGL8JOF2hTyl5upNCyHMx6XHg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgriHpiKy_ispPJ3PEy5SeBbH03i85FRab-UUoBnmi8rPxZL-W_CowX74nm9qV0Xgk_sfbduHu4fpbuG89ppd23xznJijPyb71XosxiDoz56UWU4Mm0nX2JURrVJQb47AR8Pzf8Wg_5nuExNv1ZVu-tIzv8StXsqH9LBdGL8JOF2hTyl5upNCyHMx6XHg=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most of the unit is asleep with only two sentries awake,
Sulavi the Mambo and Private Dobusz, when trouble erupts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoCgvcSfTlC9FSiEWF_KBnZlox6-gRPBddMOA3KrU_k-1Cldn5c55CPfO8DxN-ugvaqieHcvE94zGtPf7txpMBIA4xf56cRlTlhUpC-CBHp3SO3inPHj0e0WP_ihhlKvo4TfAocykTN7jJDOe3lkGYwnGgJmPHDc6NGhPw918RZeOz-z9qy22PqC44Cw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoCgvcSfTlC9FSiEWF_KBnZlox6-gRPBddMOA3KrU_k-1Cldn5c55CPfO8DxN-ugvaqieHcvE94zGtPf7txpMBIA4xf56cRlTlhUpC-CBHp3SO3inPHj0e0WP_ihhlKvo4TfAocykTN7jJDOe3lkGYwnGgJmPHDc6NGhPw918RZeOz-z9qy22PqC44Cw=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Suddenly several lizardmen charge from the
jungle. Note: the scenario calls for
goblins and a troll to attack the unit. Although
I used the game stats for these opponents, the names didn’t quite sound right
for the Caribbean setting so I used old GW skink lizardmen figures for the goblins,
calling them Simbis, named after the guardian spirits of water and marshes. Instead
of a troll, I used a vaguely Cthulhu figure, naming it Bosou after a particularly
strong and aggressive loa spirit.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwYJ2-YYxyFaKkWFrREKtflRLfGwiS136SX6QSg60CnCB1O6OTwlWebrTszibPIhwI39dgKWy8gwM-XWYSJwN3_mrp5WPDeqVJ0RHNdhieA0rY4ebT7BPgR51P4U0mIVbczjFhqSkgwXZcBynS37i1uAfVgF99BxJzBoegQqCHr8rH5NAJ69dKInGWFQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwYJ2-YYxyFaKkWFrREKtflRLfGwiS136SX6QSg60CnCB1O6OTwlWebrTszibPIhwI39dgKWy8gwM-XWYSJwN3_mrp5WPDeqVJ0RHNdhieA0rY4ebT7BPgR51P4U0mIVbczjFhqSkgwXZcBynS37i1uAfVgF99BxJzBoegQqCHr8rH5NAJ69dKInGWFQ=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dobusz fired at one of the Simbi but missed while Sulavi
charged it and struck it down. She found a bag of iron nails. (In game terms,
she investigated a clue marker finding the iron nails, giving the unit’s shooting
attacks to count as using Cold Iron.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQSbfneHqsVQ-ggpPk-VJbg_sPD0SkW_V_HGNRSiS_wC6YNrL_g0BXG_iD0tBQFg-11tHWWy_fWCI6GGDuHzZlgpS_Y9TgLObPTy3ImT1yt3LKvGDMyjNPFFNyuKzZA2jKv7Q0Eisi24Y0HSHTJTK4dtyoDA0iQcxZ__yGrrQy8Seg2__hRVIvI8Mnuw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQSbfneHqsVQ-ggpPk-VJbg_sPD0SkW_V_HGNRSiS_wC6YNrL_g0BXG_iD0tBQFg-11tHWWy_fWCI6GGDuHzZlgpS_Y9TgLObPTy3ImT1yt3LKvGDMyjNPFFNyuKzZA2jKv7Q0Eisi24Y0HSHTJTK4dtyoDA0iQcxZ__yGrrQy8Seg2__hRVIvI8Mnuw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">However, three more of the Simbi charged into the sleeping
camp.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwGwUcR1UvAkd-O7_AXX8GTHS7qi7VBgniGLU3148HOT8WTz_iRJQ_fcX9w41txI66_W1qTypHoG3J4XJHRDZ0OwpOcxFK3U1s3AlAvLNJv2BKaWvZihvs3j02Gc9sFrc-P6-ZbYQiZR60fsyut-ky3g2NhP6YqKqhnAuVKMWpEAdnMufEPVSDACAB4A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwGwUcR1UvAkd-O7_AXX8GTHS7qi7VBgniGLU3148HOT8WTz_iRJQ_fcX9w41txI66_W1qTypHoG3J4XJHRDZ0OwpOcxFK3U1s3AlAvLNJv2BKaWvZihvs3j02Gc9sFrc-P6-ZbYQiZR60fsyut-ky3g2NhP6YqKqhnAuVKMWpEAdnMufEPVSDACAB4A=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Soroka awoke at the last minute and barely fended off an attacking
Simbi.</p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwDOlFSUyi8AdvD3xU3syxfjAG-V3giDiusc804LTP0c2Yx8x2usqdcZdvl5SeVEE54BvRvBNqDSeqZMKTKfPpsl2iFf5IoXa4wcW5S-8_uWvHRWz9hBsXiFcBNzHdq2QP131joooqASHVJ2m4-uljAF5tITDZwHDVWUzEzT-xaRx_Jo05z1dKHLYR7w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwDOlFSUyi8AdvD3xU3syxfjAG-V3giDiusc804LTP0c2Yx8x2usqdcZdvl5SeVEE54BvRvBNqDSeqZMKTKfPpsl2iFf5IoXa4wcW5S-8_uWvHRWz9hBsXiFcBNzHdq2QP131joooqASHVJ2m4-uljAF5tITDZwHDVWUzEzT-xaRx_Jo05z1dKHLYR7w=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Bien Amee awoke and charged toward Simbi attacking Soroka,
his blades slicing into the lizardman, killing it.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQM7AOhUdeT_VF2K6gGxFSFu7MfUj6G_NInWD50JcgNgMkcwsz6Ijic1xi9TdimWrn77v1xf7ru9phPvoBAsVL3HaMBdOYseOU-iLyEO-B4Ww85WmT_RdKvHdDya2QRtoMcnvXnIbbwfrngEIbV2nVIprlR5JiWpWHBVnYyhdnSofpbjRmOJGuWLXhWQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQM7AOhUdeT_VF2K6gGxFSFu7MfUj6G_NInWD50JcgNgMkcwsz6Ijic1xi9TdimWrn77v1xf7ru9phPvoBAsVL3HaMBdOYseOU-iLyEO-B4Ww85WmT_RdKvHdDya2QRtoMcnvXnIbbwfrngEIbV2nVIprlR5JiWpWHBVnYyhdnSofpbjRmOJGuWLXhWQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">More of the lizardmen emerged from the woods.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfzusiG6nhZiSLSUt6RpAKCKgRVNkih-wmW3sIX86EiyA7z8ziWABDC7cRcN9uBqNZwYUISUaOqDe1rQNfbOKUowPoheSdlzqcu-E1dcJDwxV0Ke9wk56C3nyYSMUeWjC902lQhXnhn0cnXERld6BqxjdAVblMbSbMdkchifjoclT0eLfxLsRS2so-zQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfzusiG6nhZiSLSUt6RpAKCKgRVNkih-wmW3sIX86EiyA7z8ziWABDC7cRcN9uBqNZwYUISUaOqDe1rQNfbOKUowPoheSdlzqcu-E1dcJDwxV0Ke9wk56C3nyYSMUeWjC902lQhXnhn0cnXERld6BqxjdAVblMbSbMdkchifjoclT0eLfxLsRS2so-zQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Dobusz hastily reloaded his musket and fired, dropping
another Simbi.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpNSuO_uCm2tmISHgExjhwkl72OeYz7gP8Vo8cPlazQVa561syXbkwjZQwsALV34QVnMDWUecTsgboY9vf3Niu3r5eJ2VINXVu3jF6uimPjQOyuNsX68k2AnMB5vOxt2N3HnH9atjwrOu-Ys5mQdM6ccu6jKFKFT1eivKjrT21xdp8SCO_5Ug-xnQXSw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpNSuO_uCm2tmISHgExjhwkl72OeYz7gP8Vo8cPlazQVa561syXbkwjZQwsALV34QVnMDWUecTsgboY9vf3Niu3r5eJ2VINXVu3jF6uimPjQOyuNsX68k2AnMB5vOxt2N3HnH9atjwrOu-Ys5mQdM6ccu6jKFKFT1eivKjrT21xdp8SCO_5Ug-xnQXSw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">One of the lizardmen approached Milna who was struggling to
awake from a deep slumber.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu_dwXkS2lumDQT6eMFjO1j_oJ1L9M8SfKNZskn-YIsrpSG1DNuk0VGlnhdkMiNxeo0j1CdDCnPk_0ezNiysCzci2AOcWeVV0UFiKx8akPFboYfg4mpLqtairU4l14OkJNdNEfdKEOiYe9ch6j3DJKPTficlStuAan0t3w8NYQDbcNVrjpyLdzlYRVfA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu_dwXkS2lumDQT6eMFjO1j_oJ1L9M8SfKNZskn-YIsrpSG1DNuk0VGlnhdkMiNxeo0j1CdDCnPk_0ezNiysCzci2AOcWeVV0UFiKx8akPFboYfg4mpLqtairU4l14OkJNdNEfdKEOiYe9ch6j3DJKPTficlStuAan0t3w8NYQDbcNVrjpyLdzlYRVfA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Milna held off the attacker and struck it with his sword.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd9uyJ6uAzmIisdzCMDXgDjqFBP2DnROGW62PvoSya1Z-ZOGzcHXtfcK5BdpORXIthp4i7VTN-dc3pAEF9woS3-B5lG1AmEHIZ0T1jWLwq1AofuQwrG-3bsiE4GLQbxE4JU08fQCUmCsnOKHXUfrLJUH5-ahuxEe5IYiSetmiz1K79xmjF_BzV96V5aQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd9uyJ6uAzmIisdzCMDXgDjqFBP2DnROGW62PvoSya1Z-ZOGzcHXtfcK5BdpORXIthp4i7VTN-dc3pAEF9woS3-B5lG1AmEHIZ0T1jWLwq1AofuQwrG-3bsiE4GLQbxE4JU08fQCUmCsnOKHXUfrLJUH5-ahuxEe5IYiSetmiz1K79xmjF_BzV96V5aQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Despite the surprise, the unit was holding its own. They turned to face the three Simbi
approaching from the south side of the clearing.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9amXozttdOkXYuwyc_kTlvJIgygMqdqCiNnrVvaoZpsgnr7x90Dgn7UTE2xej9X01DAoaDcWSBFRy0uS1C9VY-WGsmpPwuECV0GYsGEaQ1tqcCuUpv_nl8Ix2Q0HCR9b3q2VpzHf3KT8-mLmGQYGzosIj31HIJ3JMohZJkYV_CXPnTXDu61d9IuyODg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9amXozttdOkXYuwyc_kTlvJIgygMqdqCiNnrVvaoZpsgnr7x90Dgn7UTE2xej9X01DAoaDcWSBFRy0uS1C9VY-WGsmpPwuECV0GYsGEaQ1tqcCuUpv_nl8Ix2Q0HCR9b3q2VpzHf3KT8-mLmGQYGzosIj31HIJ3JMohZJkYV_CXPnTXDu61d9IuyODg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Milna sortied out to investigate a promising object at the
edge of the woods, hoping to draw one of the Simbi into attacking him.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_2ZdbHOsEff-pLTT44u-K-U8IaAMnxbu_5FCoH3V3IjBmdzw8G-FKg6DyYC-CGtoOo_ZGJJCk6ngcjfEBowlXFBlwdT_oJ3KxNA_5XuPmCJz7Qb4fuXNmUZX2kjS2reXj2whjO3_yMS3AnCwLoRHfIwBzPaKulU9wqDoiKs01pn2h869_guT1GGF-Sg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_2ZdbHOsEff-pLTT44u-K-U8IaAMnxbu_5FCoH3V3IjBmdzw8G-FKg6DyYC-CGtoOo_ZGJJCk6ngcjfEBowlXFBlwdT_oJ3KxNA_5XuPmCJz7Qb4fuXNmUZX2kjS2reXj2whjO3_yMS3AnCwLoRHfIwBzPaKulU9wqDoiKs01pn2h869_guT1GGF-Sg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">The ploy worked.
Milna parried the creature’s attack and struck it down with his blessed
sword.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkC1r2oju-6ME-3mP70Llo0bHn1_6BAq-aa0u0OOpEn7Txg3fKV_LvSBS392SgHhNwA5DdoOtrdN8F913cAXaa2axnBsYgRwWTU9W9HETCi48zBCWHoIrzxB29DW215qvLAXSGhyQllFWUIjmmOzYjtXtfBj_0OT_uJgbWEqAE_spvl3PeYchFsoCp0A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkC1r2oju-6ME-3mP70Llo0bHn1_6BAq-aa0u0OOpEn7Txg3fKV_LvSBS392SgHhNwA5DdoOtrdN8F913cAXaa2axnBsYgRwWTU9W9HETCi48zBCWHoIrzxB29DW215qvLAXSGhyQllFWUIjmmOzYjtXtfBj_0OT_uJgbWEqAE_spvl3PeYchFsoCp0A=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">The two remaining Simbi hugged the woods seeking cover from
the Poles’ musket fire.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiMT7fHtmsZV_lRVrwxM9cmEUDG6AZ2VWYISsUEKIfT_I8vQ01CsH55MUcinTJ1mKZIKsjLTKIZe5y1ww9IVNx7Nxx48_9rqtcU9lm5o1n6yZ3er9yfGiHkyQiL3gw0C_Zd7OdlKu8AAsba4MMqZtm1KgwM5qjytQ8QBUC2QxCSam1aswB32sBP8sLmg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiMT7fHtmsZV_lRVrwxM9cmEUDG6AZ2VWYISsUEKIfT_I8vQ01CsH55MUcinTJ1mKZIKsjLTKIZe5y1ww9IVNx7Nxx48_9rqtcU9lm5o1n6yZ3er9yfGiHkyQiL3gw0C_Zd7OdlKu8AAsba4MMqZtm1KgwM5qjytQ8QBUC2QxCSam1aswB32sBP8sLmg=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Milna made it to the object and found a bundle of kindling
wood that would be useful in adding fire to the unit’s melee attack.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjle7KA0LDGopxa-iFCeXKmIPtR4WkLsbckSvjdXeKf3ik5zNjYVLjFitDoaRc0Jo0CQGf3TAftcxdBH2dPB2sY4xCB77r6-xZQs5mXiJBp2LnEMJmzXRDKcCCwagUkIT9hkVMpTMBKt0rxZQeI2SbUTK67gLnWXLmx-Ja_lnArC3YKd1f2-i2o-Od2WA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjle7KA0LDGopxa-iFCeXKmIPtR4WkLsbckSvjdXeKf3ik5zNjYVLjFitDoaRc0Jo0CQGf3TAftcxdBH2dPB2sY4xCB77r6-xZQs5mXiJBp2LnEMJmzXRDKcCCwagUkIT9hkVMpTMBKt0rxZQeI2SbUTK67gLnWXLmx-Ja_lnArC3YKd1f2-i2o-Od2WA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Bien Amee ran to an old totem at the edge of the woods, it
would prove to be ideal firewood, good for torches.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidiAKvXpNBSkz2LIiTFwMwYvauzoFSnFDBunskcONMmH4FR47euVr_XWGODx8puOvv4nLr8jM35K01DXm3o_8b0D9C_jz9kN4ylYSbVcoDH7E57F-0XK1wiJZxukce64WoBwxnMD82TfdxroeHOqhJxoXUYNOyfxm5SA8A9zRNMA_jUVd71nHWcmXZww=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidiAKvXpNBSkz2LIiTFwMwYvauzoFSnFDBunskcONMmH4FR47euVr_XWGODx8puOvv4nLr8jM35K01DXm3o_8b0D9C_jz9kN4ylYSbVcoDH7E57F-0XK1wiJZxukce64WoBwxnMD82TfdxroeHOqhJxoXUYNOyfxm5SA8A9zRNMA_jUVd71nHWcmXZww=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Suddenly, a horrific giant emerged from the woods behind
Sulavi. It sank its talons into her as
its tentacled mouth grasped at her throat.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijyi1AzqqJNj4M9BBIsGLI40W3LYdaw_btRYa3vTlBdEtPxGjv3RYIJMte41uv_A9JM-YK_eE4gx2p4ujZ_RjRKYG-bwWiERL90MgGGCh9fLUZXc0ZV-SvAX31sRWwyuYDlt15Lan3j3MKJtWpOmLEsi8xv5QNu0tIysJH4d07N5yqkqMjYlDsxNqYmA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijyi1AzqqJNj4M9BBIsGLI40W3LYdaw_btRYa3vTlBdEtPxGjv3RYIJMte41uv_A9JM-YK_eE4gx2p4ujZ_RjRKYG-bwWiERL90MgGGCh9fLUZXc0ZV-SvAX31sRWwyuYDlt15Lan3j3MKJtWpOmLEsi8xv5QNu0tIysJH4d07N5yqkqMjYlDsxNqYmA=s320" width="240" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Grievously wounded, she managed to pull away from the horror.
The courageous mambo managed to steel
her nerves against the thing of nightmares.
(In game terms, Sulavi took 8 points of damage and the creature had the
Soul Shear ability that causes the victim to make aTerror Check with a penalty equal to the damage
inflicted. Sulavi has a +3 Courage and rolled incredible well on this check,
suffering no ill effects from the horrific attack.)<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguqa714MxzSOZXOcP_VGhphOsvCscjbnC97vpwyiOQ7ePXNUzlPDC1Wf4yKXg0kszj4pJuDirsPe7GdKj6g-zG3glNJ8XBHSEd5PIKK7Qva7r_8TeM_VNZPzhwcTpkiPHAP5o7HjkJdmEyKlypXyeICcGUjyjLW_E2N6J1iB7LsZo531dZVzMFEd-DcA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguqa714MxzSOZXOcP_VGhphOsvCscjbnC97vpwyiOQ7ePXNUzlPDC1Wf4yKXg0kszj4pJuDirsPe7GdKj6g-zG3glNJ8XBHSEd5PIKK7Qva7r_8TeM_VNZPzhwcTpkiPHAP5o7HjkJdmEyKlypXyeICcGUjyjLW_E2N6J1iB7LsZo531dZVzMFEd-DcA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Soroka and Dobusz rushed to her aid, interposing themselves
between Sulavi and the Bosou.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6W2e7X019Y574po3h71SyNescKaot0xN-WZ2uH18QE6XN5tWVViXJt8NYuG25EeY8JSHx5K68o36YJHfxJoxRduz2jDUbFjO6hw8QboQhBvETFBTe6oHqXrvNX9NHExVkdV6O18FkLj6I40e7mO5825SOiTIrYL0umxdCnw89qgKd6A-EgW4tiyHJ6w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6W2e7X019Y574po3h71SyNescKaot0xN-WZ2uH18QE6XN5tWVViXJt8NYuG25EeY8JSHx5K68o36YJHfxJoxRduz2jDUbFjO6hw8QboQhBvETFBTe6oHqXrvNX9NHExVkdV6O18FkLj6I40e7mO5825SOiTIrYL0umxdCnw89qgKd6A-EgW4tiyHJ6w=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, the remaining Simbi attacked the sluggish Poles
Szymanski and Kowalczyk who were still trying to rouse themselves.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYuGxCESYLQos2B_ksKPpX_cjHgMbp6CeDxfoU_bsMrdXEc2aG5_DW4kFy6n0JQXvGeSswGlGGk9_Tv_hlPCIq5wIdRu_XlplhBn71QN1AsJvoVlllErBYBH6VajQ5F26Dc_1zV_iCkJSIHw7FoWU4u-r_iFRyJVmsVjV3ZJF-nyTHI795kUPdFp0noA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYuGxCESYLQos2B_ksKPpX_cjHgMbp6CeDxfoU_bsMrdXEc2aG5_DW4kFy6n0JQXvGeSswGlGGk9_Tv_hlPCIq5wIdRu_XlplhBn71QN1AsJvoVlllErBYBH6VajQ5F26Dc_1zV_iCkJSIHw7FoWU4u-r_iFRyJVmsVjV3ZJF-nyTHI795kUPdFp0noA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The Simbi exuded an aura that interfered with technology,
rendering the two Poles’ muskets inoperable. The pair had to defend themselves with
their bayonets. Ultimately, the Poles
were able to prevail against the two creatures.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1dzdmY-UgQJUzHt9tKQR4JOkI2wdEoKeeWLwNahFIe7TB4xxvkuQYtTru1H9h5TP2nN2j78Ca60fIK_1iPSbARaaMO2ps8UwwzdL-Us4YmcVor055JEuaVv_QD3Vx5ddLhK9e6eDkkK9iEI6qCJ-YCrlnle5-DUS_HcG-kQPw3beNy9HEH4KMXINAEg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1dzdmY-UgQJUzHt9tKQR4JOkI2wdEoKeeWLwNahFIe7TB4xxvkuQYtTru1H9h5TP2nN2j78Ca60fIK_1iPSbARaaMO2ps8UwwzdL-Us4YmcVor055JEuaVv_QD3Vx5ddLhK9e6eDkkK9iEI6qCJ-YCrlnle5-DUS_HcG-kQPw3beNy9HEH4KMXINAEg=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">At the same time, the Bosou struck down Private Dobusz and
then turned on Sergeant Soroka. Despite being a veteran monster hunter, when Soroka saw the creature’s
claws entering his flesh, his mind reeled and he fell to the ground
unconscious. (Mechanically, Soroka suffered 6 points of damage and failed his Terror
Check with a “Collapse” result).</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWuVX9lvemYiOwlzwjuCIKrVGHrNyO285PVhJbditzwmMr_-8n8vXV5wlbwXqahJFu_mQz_1MFXGSAbQc8VvZSvKgbw1WZ7fd7GD9mSKv0Kj-LCuRYu7vK7ZUlQsclCCfC9fsBlL7AynewCKKZ6zd0wrIOj7kBpwoqTYsEDIRFENMuOfnq8vRTg4iGZQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWuVX9lvemYiOwlzwjuCIKrVGHrNyO285PVhJbditzwmMr_-8n8vXV5wlbwXqahJFu_mQz_1MFXGSAbQc8VvZSvKgbw1WZ7fd7GD9mSKv0Kj-LCuRYu7vK7ZUlQsclCCfC9fsBlL7AynewCKKZ6zd0wrIOj7kBpwoqTYsEDIRFENMuOfnq8vRTg4iGZQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Another Simbi joined the fray, adding to the unit’s crisis.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDzdyM7_cqaVZSpOZYbR_9ipTqur8mwIhFPt8kE6lKoP8CCuYIVS9xeX5AO94DVG0sClYQCcJi4X_2q1yH51Vkx3Uydj8tLqvQUdRUpJSQ4DVljMR5Gcxv08t4DBgs1r-SRaxZI0SpxAmmPlyymyf7RW60UgjVLMH0Bp9kQ9keLocIq4xMSJEC3fnzBQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDzdyM7_cqaVZSpOZYbR_9ipTqur8mwIhFPt8kE6lKoP8CCuYIVS9xeX5AO94DVG0sClYQCcJi4X_2q1yH51Vkx3Uydj8tLqvQUdRUpJSQ4DVljMR5Gcxv08t4DBgs1r-SRaxZI0SpxAmmPlyymyf7RW60UgjVLMH0Bp9kQ9keLocIq4xMSJEC3fnzBQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Making up for his earlier sloth, Szymanski put a cold iron
bullet through the creature’s head. (I
rolled a critical success on Szymanski’s shot.)<o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLuJpEkpsJLQf6zRBL3AE1Oy7RzCfbuCZNZ4XpxfD5FomoIHUS7R9TsovpBD8FcGk3y2QXEmN2oiZtpmftnBu2j5PBy43ALHBTvh7xUbtsn3NpQarz4OljG981BqOJFeOzy8EkQLPADPGB3KvZXEeP3uaJd9PyvuwKKBN2Shg6yC9Gs9mvvy82Igxbvg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLuJpEkpsJLQf6zRBL3AE1Oy7RzCfbuCZNZ4XpxfD5FomoIHUS7R9TsovpBD8FcGk3y2QXEmN2oiZtpmftnBu2j5PBy43ALHBTvh7xUbtsn3NpQarz4OljG981BqOJFeOzy8EkQLPADPGB3KvZXEeP3uaJd9PyvuwKKBN2Shg6yC9Gs9mvvy82Igxbvg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">The remaining members of the party rallied around the fire
to face the Bosou.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAtXbLA3eRBUDMOsuCGjt9IVghQiv11ASfuRiUrqmWAAmmhEA2yI-9X9Z-S8cdsWOB9D5fKUSXY6t3M37RINzf5qkc3M1xHGEpknwEsiDGhtByZeqtrDuab6qLux9_HqS9FfIsBfpcy7rB5Qpx2dfo5lqIU--iBSDCDLVTkxgSMVvW7FjnQmNb9tPxkw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAtXbLA3eRBUDMOsuCGjt9IVghQiv11ASfuRiUrqmWAAmmhEA2yI-9X9Z-S8cdsWOB9D5fKUSXY6t3M37RINzf5qkc3M1xHGEpknwEsiDGhtByZeqtrDuab6qLux9_HqS9FfIsBfpcy7rB5Qpx2dfo5lqIU--iBSDCDLVTkxgSMVvW7FjnQmNb9tPxkw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Bien Amee rushed forward and struck a fearsome blow against
the creature with his flaming torch.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh_sD1f5VAU-e4u8W86Ea7EnFE4mL34Z7D3TvZCvYJ-zwdkhf7b2Io_pqi_vVm0IqmN8QBL6kB8zDb8H0wzODcVEcKDjRkAZAQtLaLQVHVIS_6RVydRYbY0HyKCLncxmof34ml-nnjNcC5UEYnpUbSbAHANSNxqFKRyD4WjnBecZA9u4ayO3iBaAQULg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh_sD1f5VAU-e4u8W86Ea7EnFE4mL34Z7D3TvZCvYJ-zwdkhf7b2Io_pqi_vVm0IqmN8QBL6kB8zDb8H0wzODcVEcKDjRkAZAQtLaLQVHVIS_6RVydRYbY0HyKCLncxmof34ml-nnjNcC5UEYnpUbSbAHANSNxqFKRyD4WjnBecZA9u4ayO3iBaAQULg=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The creature struck back at the Bien Amee but the scout held
it bay with its torches. Milna now charged
and struck at the creature with another flaming brand. The horror burst into flames.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiH4ERL-G914I34LG5pgJ94qlUkimuJZegtYyz4KxEt2yS3fTYHJF17xgFwf0E614RERzbTzG8CzRJ9AQWWE9XETrMso4BX96r-OjfXa34VohgByA0U2hjxwWaPcVDkaGkB15aC47xdi9_IsiB0myrPSGuo3-ltKAjFQb9ZdNTGMXuy698GUvc6Dsx1w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiH4ERL-G914I34LG5pgJ94qlUkimuJZegtYyz4KxEt2yS3fTYHJF17xgFwf0E614RERzbTzG8CzRJ9AQWWE9XETrMso4BX96r-OjfXa34VohgByA0U2hjxwWaPcVDkaGkB15aC47xdi9_IsiB0myrPSGuo3-ltKAjFQb9ZdNTGMXuy698GUvc6Dsx1w=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><p class="MsoNormal">As quiet descended on the clearing, the party took stock, Sulavi saw the glint of a gold
ring, some ancient artifact. (Sulavi investigated the last clue marker.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEislHSbhGK8r5p9-DnSrcJWKYTpRH5ff9xynK-RhEVbQBlWp7VFY1JLoul4QYOT-14D-NfF4C3XvhNQvGzBLD_EZG6XpVs9W_Y350a9mZg37OJmCadOWLZ7GvQAVKe4KGaLYIBbzAAY_JKWR6YIoVWkPGzbkYLNM6CiuqJ6KqfX9URtuY-CrZigM7_UpQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEislHSbhGK8r5p9-DnSrcJWKYTpRH5ff9xynK-RhEVbQBlWp7VFY1JLoul4QYOT-14D-NfF4C3XvhNQvGzBLD_EZG6XpVs9W_Y350a9mZg37OJmCadOWLZ7GvQAVKe4KGaLYIBbzAAY_JKWR6YIoVWkPGzbkYLNM6CiuqJ6KqfX9URtuY-CrZigM7_UpQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">At the end of the game, the party had earned 6 experience
points, for investigating 3 or more clue markers, killing 3 or more Simbi
(goblins), killing the Bosou (troll) and have at least four soldiers on the
board at the end of the game. I rolled
for the fate of Soroka and Dobusz. Dobusz
roll a 2 on the Injury and Death table, receiving a permanent wound. He received a result of “the Shakes” meaning
he will be at a permanent -1 to his Shoot.
Soroka rolled on the Insanity Table, also receiving a 2 “Episodes of
Madness” meaning that in each scenario, there is a possibility that he will activate
as a monster for one turn.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p></p>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-68186174197241340622022-02-02T14:19:00.000-08:002022-02-02T14:19:34.436-08:00Silver Bayonet Game: Solo Campaign 2 - The Ruined Chapel<p> This is a report of my second solo game of Silver Bayonet,
using my unit of Polish “deserters” in Haiti.
Led by Captain Milna, the unit includes veteran hunter Sergeant Soroka, occultist
Sulavi, native scout Bien Aimee, and infantrymen Dobusz, Szymanski, and
Kowalczyk. (Szymanski had been reduced
to 0 health in scenario 1, his fate roll at the end of that game resulted in a “Slow
recovery” meaning that he starts the game at -3 health.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwH3-n298yUzIXSyOXEX95ayO_3OLTftDOS0JluH_tZEMDCJUCaTj2yQrRnyvvdODqTvlQzcwIqDorEHk7Cm9JfqcS_g-g4kRcemfnWhyqTqpMVyL_Vdb8ncfexDBimYJX4IVR3RqIqXQUrZphC52kAvIavooyJASTi9p1kA0cnCKqZDXCNsztMcfgjA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwH3-n298yUzIXSyOXEX95ayO_3OLTftDOS0JluH_tZEMDCJUCaTj2yQrRnyvvdODqTvlQzcwIqDorEHk7Cm9JfqcS_g-g4kRcemfnWhyqTqpMVyL_Vdb8ncfexDBimYJX4IVR3RqIqXQUrZphC52kAvIavooyJASTi9p1kA0cnCKqZDXCNsztMcfgjA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As in the previous game, the vegetation is from a variety of
makers, including cheap floral display materials, and aquarium
decorations. The Styrofoam mountains are
scratch-built as are the very large trees that are built on top of an old Star
Wars toy. The ruins of the chapel are from
Games Workshop Lord of the Rings line.
The tombstones are from a variety of makers, including Lemax Halloween
decorations. The revenants are Mantic
ghouls, the female vampire is from Reaper and the Nosferatu is, old figure,
possibly Ral Partha? Our heroes are Trent Miniatures. <o:p></o:p>(I should note that the book calls for there to be only 6
tombstones as spawn points for the revenants.
This didn’t look quite right so I used a lot more tombstones and used
the dead trees to mark the spawn points.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7cueqDDWhy3q9bHt54tnosBMhYtVKjRnHMwFuow_MQdavJ5BqKVNgGvcjDiNLQSoWezZEy3lTMr2PIFc_MixytOMg8pVE6yN-EGfEAhHZx5xRIHdMRVyDftGb0PkZ3rT2xI46vNaOLFGXferiZpzRHSds84vhV60LJ2FKxn9rBMqB7KPZqidgG-a-bA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7cueqDDWhy3q9bHt54tnosBMhYtVKjRnHMwFuow_MQdavJ5BqKVNgGvcjDiNLQSoWezZEy3lTMr2PIFc_MixytOMg8pVE6yN-EGfEAhHZx5xRIHdMRVyDftGb0PkZ3rT2xI46vNaOLFGXferiZpzRHSds84vhV60LJ2FKxn9rBMqB7KPZqidgG-a-bA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">In the first scenario, Capt. Milna and his troop discovered
that a French specialist unit that had been wiped out by supernatural forces
had been seeking a ruined chapel, built by the original Spanish settlers of the
island, that contained a number of relics that would be useful in the fight
against the forces of evil. Milna
recovered this unit’s orders and led his troops and their Haitian allies to
retrieve the relics themselves. As they
approach the chapel, they see it is swarming with undead revenants. Following
on the success they had against the Dark Hounds in scenario 1, the Poles decide
to use part of the unit as a fire base to bring down their foes clearing the
way for the rest of the party to investigate the four clues in the ruined
chapel. Privates Dobusz, Szamanski, and
Kowalczyk fire on one of the revenants lurking in the graveyard, inflicting
only a minor wound on the creature. <o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijVAUryI3RkNuGSJPZ5GFUh3RAcOdwrp5qJC0xaBqTHflsbvX2pvQeow9c_nuB2VDgRUSeiuEgWNHulEXN02RI_M1NIwcckv5wjuGwtotrKgzcCQQ9MhOPqrhWOE90R1MtE-hlTLTqXOvFB2pQtqzOPRLJ7Z4nZun8eGKJMoX7yjEvkNmrxzaPDInV1w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijVAUryI3RkNuGSJPZ5GFUh3RAcOdwrp5qJC0xaBqTHflsbvX2pvQeow9c_nuB2VDgRUSeiuEgWNHulEXN02RI_M1NIwcckv5wjuGwtotrKgzcCQQ9MhOPqrhWOE90R1MtE-hlTLTqXOvFB2pQtqzOPRLJ7Z4nZun8eGKJMoX7yjEvkNmrxzaPDInV1w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As the undead begin to move toward the Poles, Sergeant
Soroka uncharacteristically fails to hit his target. <o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFbFFViEpXD2WbG_ViiFk33FrRK46-LC68Lih53-ZymoUZ0nvAitOIfWOF1oCCCVgg9TG1YzVpth6PygrE2WSPnNdm0GZ03_QwyUOQ-pIRcgiNhcFKy8oOLVrFJND2-XnQ90DU20CL24bQ8jbzDk7YYqz_aIFWpt3Jkx1poq0obJ3tPZZnI893SqTveQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFbFFViEpXD2WbG_ViiFk33FrRK46-LC68Lih53-ZymoUZ0nvAitOIfWOF1oCCCVgg9TG1YzVpth6PygrE2WSPnNdm0GZ03_QwyUOQ-pIRcgiNhcFKy8oOLVrFJND2-XnQ90DU20CL24bQ8jbzDk7YYqz_aIFWpt3Jkx1poq0obJ3tPZZnI893SqTveQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Milna rushes forward and destroys the revenant wounded by Private
Kowalczyk’s shot.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoAMxyWDKStH8aIgsijfsIHq_O4qJMnuQwwwTcsGscvrsaDWmnYZR9wXDWhu-gKLXZSakpYGpfWhjCc0SWMfzN1Hh_2nx2uurIKo6H5vIRA3oz-EKabkH5l2Tq5MzC_YqksrCeQseTaQkp8pPmMJBUV7ZmDTkh87GiOymUBywamOvKzzDoeHoT5oyStQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoAMxyWDKStH8aIgsijfsIHq_O4qJMnuQwwwTcsGscvrsaDWmnYZR9wXDWhu-gKLXZSakpYGpfWhjCc0SWMfzN1Hh_2nx2uurIKo6H5vIRA3oz-EKabkH5l2Tq5MzC_YqksrCeQseTaQkp8pPmMJBUV7ZmDTkh87GiOymUBywamOvKzzDoeHoT5oyStQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Sulavi and Bien Aimee run towards the chapel, hoping to
gather up the relics before the undead can overwhelm them.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsYOBkhmp0Lh5MDnwnaLNyubwEGFg5FCG7semysnMdaAP0Rn7edPT_u_7-KPXgkzygEBbtwpiwWUYIT43ab16FMGBcTPWj7YJ85idaQq0DleKphyLOPBGuieYz7vI8mekUt5Ya1XNxqWMSoZGzwrdBjS8RB2tgP3TCcyCBssgJd9D1sSq5ijYDRsa6Iw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsYOBkhmp0Lh5MDnwnaLNyubwEGFg5FCG7semysnMdaAP0Rn7edPT_u_7-KPXgkzygEBbtwpiwWUYIT43ab16FMGBcTPWj7YJ85idaQq0DleKphyLOPBGuieYz7vI8mekUt5Ya1XNxqWMSoZGzwrdBjS8RB2tgP3TCcyCBssgJd9D1sSq5ijYDRsa6Iw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">On the far end of the graveyard, a dark figures veritably slithers
toward them, a vampire!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfmdHAxHwFZNXDLlexR_X25FbqDyeVix0MtmuHLoqMv8H_IIl8Ljzq0n41mxNroudtYh0pUkBbuPTDXYmSrd6vzG7uUeM58Dj1KYMa6wCPBEi-0Q3ahPZG-rgbZY6sGCU8Odo7QFuSmxvRIITPLey6EWZ8ZOydW5H1vCYq0Gj9INmqaOm4V3_5M_PfaA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfmdHAxHwFZNXDLlexR_X25FbqDyeVix0MtmuHLoqMv8H_IIl8Ljzq0n41mxNroudtYh0pUkBbuPTDXYmSrd6vzG7uUeM58Dj1KYMa6wCPBEi-0Q3ahPZG-rgbZY6sGCU8Odo7QFuSmxvRIITPLey6EWZ8ZOydW5H1vCYq0Gj9INmqaOm4V3_5M_PfaA=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Milna dispatches the revenant that Soroka had missed
earlier.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyyXj40gNHZpfNYX7-jwIEQ-3_SixaUh83zf8Oq0D08EWJbEpke65wjVmg3Ai4ekn11vwvr9DQjV8P04UBaRzeHTwde54hme7Yv_WKd_LxiyJrzMxUJ6OW38w2JSpXeqenrHdaHTGHGXNNICRWW459nmZxLGE8GFvHJpaDmzagKg51xyI9bMVF1D2myw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyyXj40gNHZpfNYX7-jwIEQ-3_SixaUh83zf8Oq0D08EWJbEpke65wjVmg3Ai4ekn11vwvr9DQjV8P04UBaRzeHTwde54hme7Yv_WKd_LxiyJrzMxUJ6OW38w2JSpXeqenrHdaHTGHGXNNICRWW459nmZxLGE8GFvHJpaDmzagKg51xyI9bMVF1D2myw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Sulavi and Bien Aimee clamber over one of the ruined chapel
walls.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2WxeJrvv_rBEKBruZNJw78IY2a3vvamJaMnHtMsKe68RLlPq1d4fC10LpUBw6TQlUXqDQb8TH9OCjOaYEKvrCYz3VKnQGwHBIIm52b4-rOIy0WlJI0I7QhT8p1mhDJY03UIdVbvioPjuMmTTEceT5-kb2GwSTBVlRcM8-6QdE_nJ7JxJNZJ4HRGnseQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2WxeJrvv_rBEKBruZNJw78IY2a3vvamJaMnHtMsKe68RLlPq1d4fC10LpUBw6TQlUXqDQb8TH9OCjOaYEKvrCYz3VKnQGwHBIIm52b4-rOIy0WlJI0I7QhT8p1mhDJY03UIdVbvioPjuMmTTEceT5-kb2GwSTBVlRcM8-6QdE_nJ7JxJNZJ4HRGnseQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">More revenants begin pushing into the chapel from the far
graveyard.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-jkFCQyceVuBrMe8Goalv9Fe32n9icuuTMeKz1c6j6AEnIKAjjqk1DbtyKVV42LW0y0zjYE1hPfe1y3EEk1Pe2zZmozABLwQYjfMhhe5VaKMEt87v8f_2GdvimLDaIFLGd6DixamlbAPzpoPj21tMo_zWJO2kiMbUACKWXiTgCiKBH0n3eEb-VM7geA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-jkFCQyceVuBrMe8Goalv9Fe32n9icuuTMeKz1c6j6AEnIKAjjqk1DbtyKVV42LW0y0zjYE1hPfe1y3EEk1Pe2zZmozABLwQYjfMhhe5VaKMEt87v8f_2GdvimLDaIFLGd6DixamlbAPzpoPj21tMo_zWJO2kiMbUACKWXiTgCiKBH0n3eEb-VM7geA=s320" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Another revenant and the vampire also approach through the
overgrown yard.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggNsP55Z1PLUNRaFYpB-lgt5CGmovacC6Bsbx23lj_xsB4UsSS4nvhDj7l8Ttq2Ms0-PgTrkH04fDgb53n0ZD0ps0IMbN8id5Dz2gkBwQ8ACYbxBRtUcs1uFIb7MUWZFsVZ8qOePKCWJAZwAxCPWbzgoF15tbo1nqXKclBUPP95q1AhyfPvrGoNgFv-g=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggNsP55Z1PLUNRaFYpB-lgt5CGmovacC6Bsbx23lj_xsB4UsSS4nvhDj7l8Ttq2Ms0-PgTrkH04fDgb53n0ZD0ps0IMbN8id5Dz2gkBwQ8ACYbxBRtUcs1uFIb7MUWZFsVZ8qOePKCWJAZwAxCPWbzgoF15tbo1nqXKclBUPP95q1AhyfPvrGoNgFv-g=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The three privates blast away at another revenant but miss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw6eVGuuLbi77kKPOT4ej0YUHOC2RuS_-D8zd1t5w4v5CBsmKjSi_7r2Plbaz2WGBwA9-rshItXPGvRzKyBZk1R1OzBUcmn4Gd5ZyGcQa0RNUEU3nyU2rQjzI8DB-vOyinVKdSnEma8ZHM3zmc8Td2eHrHA17E68SZP_5Qe97FTKytQ89WLvrRfURHNQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw6eVGuuLbi77kKPOT4ej0YUHOC2RuS_-D8zd1t5w4v5CBsmKjSi_7r2Plbaz2WGBwA9-rshItXPGvRzKyBZk1R1OzBUcmn4Gd5ZyGcQa0RNUEU3nyU2rQjzI8DB-vOyinVKdSnEma8ZHM3zmc8Td2eHrHA17E68SZP_5Qe97FTKytQ89WLvrRfURHNQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Soroka downs another of the revenants at the far end of the chapel
while Sulavi and Bien Aimee leapt down and rush toward the first two clues.
They uncover a silver knife and a bag of silver shot. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkTdJzOLjKcCUHyxYPo6H7L2NRdTqktoyKj1hJCIBnBcJsn4w_O4dEgGk6_1J7v9ktoXPMhB74dOEgPqkPSs3nCGJY5rHqoct6N0JkjD2yqdHmygclJXF-3w-Uf7q3kF-zNLraobByGd-noLAQKtKyJnKtrVyfH13ZIqV1IygifNiyto22k0MIRBsxgQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkTdJzOLjKcCUHyxYPo6H7L2NRdTqktoyKj1hJCIBnBcJsn4w_O4dEgGk6_1J7v9ktoXPMhB74dOEgPqkPSs3nCGJY5rHqoct6N0JkjD2yqdHmygclJXF-3w-Uf7q3kF-zNLraobByGd-noLAQKtKyJnKtrVyfH13ZIqV1IygifNiyto22k0MIRBsxgQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The three privates charge the revenant and strike it down
with their bayonets.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLnZkMqE--imIZ-b_To-NKgLkC6GRGQAaUaL1t3y2lYuMVvPF7utbX8LO6LywwvFlZrVVCE39ccGKnhDW0zNGslcH9K2a3TI3O6doOyn7LXwWFDFE8UZaRCpG1RY_kJeOGeRFj-s5ipuKK0Qnm34gzdPYGo3qMnMLeAx0Y40rrRVL7n-XHszb_Z2ZpDA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLnZkMqE--imIZ-b_To-NKgLkC6GRGQAaUaL1t3y2lYuMVvPF7utbX8LO6LywwvFlZrVVCE39ccGKnhDW0zNGslcH9K2a3TI3O6doOyn7LXwWFDFE8UZaRCpG1RY_kJeOGeRFj-s5ipuKK0Qnm34gzdPYGo3qMnMLeAx0Y40rrRVL7n-XHszb_Z2ZpDA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Milna moves forward to protect Sulavi as more revenants and
the vampire approach. Soroka takes
careful aim and fires a silver bullet into the vampire’s chest, wounding it
severely.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpINcsLA2oE6yIPgxxvd83dRPy8K8n-gw1o8Vrtp5JjbZYQ1y_OkylxxFXfCO_cIrWPrjI8gfh8I0BsAphqnZPtxuQoeEV1SrqOICVx5V40aGtBh3mA-yyhgxkMKyRJokMwJ3sp5dhH6RMWh6mo1S_U1rgbkTp4Td4s2oT1C-jxDVEUtyIeIQKup6Kew=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpINcsLA2oE6yIPgxxvd83dRPy8K8n-gw1o8Vrtp5JjbZYQ1y_OkylxxFXfCO_cIrWPrjI8gfh8I0BsAphqnZPtxuQoeEV1SrqOICVx5V40aGtBh3mA-yyhgxkMKyRJokMwJ3sp5dhH6RMWh6mo1S_U1rgbkTp4Td4s2oT1C-jxDVEUtyIeIQKup6Kew=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As Sulavi rushes to the next clue, finding a jewel-encrusted
silver cross, two revenants fall upon Milna.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFUM0VH62wpPHpX1mRodTyceuasmLv7OAje008vlrVY60kq3Am2zxE7ILel_IAELKE3qtBSNgVOUv8VgVjxFgqW2T56Y_0XSgeDx2G39C51KD0aKHntx4TEz0QKT6pezPAsWhJ2gWGmUuwtSJEz2bTJyIbESbD29U-skYPwrAS639BmpgfFV9DjJ14qQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFUM0VH62wpPHpX1mRodTyceuasmLv7OAje008vlrVY60kq3Am2zxE7ILel_IAELKE3qtBSNgVOUv8VgVjxFgqW2T56Y_0XSgeDx2G39C51KD0aKHntx4TEz0QKT6pezPAsWhJ2gWGmUuwtSJEz2bTJyIbESbD29U-skYPwrAS639BmpgfFV9DjJ14qQ=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The vampire and another revenant attack Bien Aimee. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4q2jgoUIOrrJ46fJYuzK7RStKNmuhMZm3uUbZzLPNQOA7kn6QpR7OKM6pImkdr_0FEJfRdbG-NEpAwcvsTrgjsAHX-rr4VFt1QC4oziO8wz9OcSdksjAoWymOYmR8kD2zOlpeJR9HTeMP5PgpMV7wiQp8WmFKj1ToUClcpGVCEhgjHZWn5UQyniKpmQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4q2jgoUIOrrJ46fJYuzK7RStKNmuhMZm3uUbZzLPNQOA7kn6QpR7OKM6pImkdr_0FEJfRdbG-NEpAwcvsTrgjsAHX-rr4VFt1QC4oziO8wz9OcSdksjAoWymOYmR8kD2zOlpeJR9HTeMP5PgpMV7wiQp8WmFKj1ToUClcpGVCEhgjHZWn5UQyniKpmQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Wounded by the vampire’s attack but still standing, the big
Haitian leaps back but is stunned by attack from the fearsome creature of the
night. (Stunned means that he will be at
a -1 on all rolls until the end of his next activation.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbC8ZUkcuK2Oro5w0W8CUfyeC8PREqtqkbV7HmmkIWO8E2T3LjWMboxoPDDCgsgYUMc18spxy_qZvkN3ppNdlhfIQODqDALx2EH6bHVcEs0SsjPDlWywoILUlYoyS39nct7Eb841ZFVqxnUdnyUOhkfsWGil21SV_XA9ZRTLAJNyKW67lw56EonBCI_w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbC8ZUkcuK2Oro5w0W8CUfyeC8PREqtqkbV7HmmkIWO8E2T3LjWMboxoPDDCgsgYUMc18spxy_qZvkN3ppNdlhfIQODqDALx2EH6bHVcEs0SsjPDlWywoILUlYoyS39nct7Eb841ZFVqxnUdnyUOhkfsWGil21SV_XA9ZRTLAJNyKW67lw56EonBCI_w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, one of the revenant has sunk its teeth into Milna’s
shoulder but he strikes it down with his sword. <o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjly6JHlQ2mkLLLhvwetJp5eWFQKb2zprMHy016Tn9MbHMXOFO3aFHSO9szzu2bX3kMNh-gNIPvUm-KLpS3xJrfGdNuFtdu0LaNRw_d7ohEMWisXvR8E6g0lsNNXVFlS5QTDrK7EggtbvOljmrixeEAacI7Tm7TfahMyWo5OX6g5mEYoy3HcCsc9yPcDw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjly6JHlQ2mkLLLhvwetJp5eWFQKb2zprMHy016Tn9MbHMXOFO3aFHSO9szzu2bX3kMNh-gNIPvUm-KLpS3xJrfGdNuFtdu0LaNRw_d7ohEMWisXvR8E6g0lsNNXVFlS5QTDrK7EggtbvOljmrixeEAacI7Tm7TfahMyWo5OX6g5mEYoy3HcCsc9yPcDw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The remaining revenant slashes at Milna who drops to the
ground! (Milna has been brought to 0 health, at the end of the game, he will
have to roll on the Injury and Death Table to determine his fate.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb-isvCA6H6CrAAlNxVi41uJglLWFdCYZXY1ns_oeB7_59o9QwBhKnt1sTMI2JFxqgTVcbhbuMU4yuoK9xpqsq09-Eh3HWIXPkMAcaV-jnxg3taltDmkU5xFTyNmaOFRjdNcM7JWoDBByuUhdiv9ArmhKTnAxxtG8qWDUbk0ldqBiXA9y7lZ7Q0bIDhA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjb-isvCA6H6CrAAlNxVi41uJglLWFdCYZXY1ns_oeB7_59o9QwBhKnt1sTMI2JFxqgTVcbhbuMU4yuoK9xpqsq09-Eh3HWIXPkMAcaV-jnxg3taltDmkU5xFTyNmaOFRjdNcM7JWoDBByuUhdiv9ArmhKTnAxxtG8qWDUbk0ldqBiXA9y7lZ7Q0bIDhA=s320" width="320" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The three privates rush to protect their fallen Captain’s
body, destroying the revenant that had brought him down.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9AjCxhWLuMqpA94iXESJIUkMdyYEL_W_aJb1fV3S1iAoB4UegmNIqXitqir0vEixvCDqNM112F_Di3nzs5Pav21KfoOTX5TsGTRtOIzm27r2ms_HZcN35v7IUtLSN8GjHB2djLrqfHWwXhyIxa91nGtpRKfRR29hK3NyTfNFojRkkx3B3DxKqaFY7rg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9AjCxhWLuMqpA94iXESJIUkMdyYEL_W_aJb1fV3S1iAoB4UegmNIqXitqir0vEixvCDqNM112F_Di3nzs5Pav21KfoOTX5TsGTRtOIzm27r2ms_HZcN35v7IUtLSN8GjHB2djLrqfHWwXhyIxa91nGtpRKfRR29hK3NyTfNFojRkkx3B3DxKqaFY7rg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As the severely wounded Bien Aimee calls for them to fall
back, Soroka dispatches another revenant that has clawed its way out of a grave.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVZSlBhZCcMB0u1jkODDumLARKlPIRPwkiNlLNDVooBZeUiO-7ia0FOw_EzIDojUt7RZBo0jfdDc1X5esmkAUIandDo09YQyLJspZthnw4YUvdYTAxLv-DdqdD-zPzXlv0liCvawH9nmhV2kxgVFgsopKlvRgVbMlv70eF_yx0jqbnPM15f7NQlhcCxA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVZSlBhZCcMB0u1jkODDumLARKlPIRPwkiNlLNDVooBZeUiO-7ia0FOw_EzIDojUt7RZBo0jfdDc1X5esmkAUIandDo09YQyLJspZthnw4YUvdYTAxLv-DdqdD-zPzXlv0liCvawH9nmhV2kxgVFgsopKlvRgVbMlv70eF_yx0jqbnPM15f7NQlhcCxA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Sulavi fends off another revenant and then backs out of the
chapel.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLlCRm7PlDvrloApV36JKR92_4AcPm5nUltCrLbW3lIXvQFLdj2FEc7eunRQZVLgtBGPBCY3M-rz4hdM4N_qQ2ospYAsodYBYDvMRz3bcAstW_GYZGyLKwPniOrQtHN3oGLTY-8HfyOCcHMSAh3RUC82XlzntJrOZv2g3WAlddF1AHtmI8n1_gGGCOdw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLlCRm7PlDvrloApV36JKR92_4AcPm5nUltCrLbW3lIXvQFLdj2FEc7eunRQZVLgtBGPBCY3M-rz4hdM4N_qQ2ospYAsodYBYDvMRz3bcAstW_GYZGyLKwPniOrQtHN3oGLTY-8HfyOCcHMSAh3RUC82XlzntJrOZv2g3WAlddF1AHtmI8n1_gGGCOdw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As Dobusz and Szymanski drag the lifeless body of Milna away,
the vampire rushes toward Kowalczyk. Soroka fires another silver bullet into
the horror, ending her unnatural life.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPpH5X92xD-CwfcnQ6x9PMxt5EZ-BYmYiLGf4HtQDCcwZ2tYVVZ9IpderUcBMETiRlABsNfmSn_QcDaAhZ4N2Kox-juU4krpbuW3j_KlS36TLr6JFkdqUcrUBaZ2ena8rfceFQsaayqZIstarGw_dtuiWYVVfWbCT8AEbPXBpUJT7xjawJ1WYCSlcpZw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPpH5X92xD-CwfcnQ6x9PMxt5EZ-BYmYiLGf4HtQDCcwZ2tYVVZ9IpderUcBMETiRlABsNfmSn_QcDaAhZ4N2Kox-juU4krpbuW3j_KlS36TLr6JFkdqUcrUBaZ2ena8rfceFQsaayqZIstarGw_dtuiWYVVfWbCT8AEbPXBpUJT7xjawJ1WYCSlcpZw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As the vampire falls, she screeches out a horrific cry. It is answered by her consort who emerges
from the jungle seeking vengeance.<o:p></o:p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNc5WTsbs4UpsP32OYjb_JGrSYVGwswPmOJa4YUhTmm0-3-OZ4DCQmSdwBzVYy2BiJ0hgp87JdLEeZwQLwljg0NkbyXkKfuunzHbXEfNSfgE_D5cUK1s-vM6wi1-GYGwOHWzUSeFgAEdDZAzShXXTfzljmRMnBA-GAp5GLNt0lFrJiv6FH6dLg11xJ8w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNc5WTsbs4UpsP32OYjb_JGrSYVGwswPmOJa4YUhTmm0-3-OZ4DCQmSdwBzVYy2BiJ0hgp87JdLEeZwQLwljg0NkbyXkKfuunzHbXEfNSfgE_D5cUK1s-vM6wi1-GYGwOHWzUSeFgAEdDZAzShXXTfzljmRMnBA-GAp5GLNt0lFrJiv6FH6dLg11xJ8w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Seeing this new horror, Soroka orders the party to
retreat. The vampire charges toward them
but the unit had a good head start and manages to evade it, reaching the safety
of the jungle.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGESdSjxwZ2wj-ZziMniui0cqZqs6Lq3yW5ySnyWKQvoQbcL2gTCoIXbZ26--E-p4q1XFBJNbRmfNwBOdGSSXrScaZjwPklwVqQidHU2KHQh0KTDRbcCAVegQHGGHi_ImBiyn3kZaMuLKSfA2tWw6RM-wiW7l2HIMeiddbwdFeTPeKwNdIbGk0Ji3lWA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGESdSjxwZ2wj-ZziMniui0cqZqs6Lq3yW5ySnyWKQvoQbcL2gTCoIXbZ26--E-p4q1XFBJNbRmfNwBOdGSSXrScaZjwPklwVqQidHU2KHQh0KTDRbcCAVegQHGGHi_ImBiyn3kZaMuLKSfA2tWw6RM-wiW7l2HIMeiddbwdFeTPeKwNdIbGk0Ji3lWA=s320" width="240" /></a></p></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">At the end of the game, I rolled for Milna’s fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It proved to be merely a flesh wound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milna will recovery to lead his unit in the
next game… <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-2035709476883454282022-01-27T07:44:00.004-08:002022-01-27T09:51:35.569-08:00First Silver Bayonet Game: Solo Campaign - The Wolf Pack<p> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Given my penchant for historically based fantasy, see <a href="http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2015/02/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-playtest.html">http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2015/02/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-playtest.html</a> and <a href="http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-road-from-moscow.html">http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-road-from-moscow.html</a>, The Silver Bayonet, the new Napoleonic horror skirmish game from Joseph McCullough, was a natural for me. I recently got the rules, put together a unit, and started on the four scenario solo campaign. Below is a report on the first game, The Wolf Pack.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEharXYcX52yceG15RB91IlqilsRgP9l50jatI4xucua8UTtzgcWheMo--2PZGZhXIZq-ynkdt4sq5Cbrv__xnHaCqEY3bppMjih0IOVC8psJbDq4uxhsuNjE5VIfX2m0XWI-LXgiJA_tJC-oIOkVF5xIFWVmr8h2F69cjB5Qcv13QfQka23l7SLevN0vg=s320" width="320" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's my Silver Bayonet Unit. The unit is led by Captain Andrzej Milna, a member of the minor nobility who left home as a youth to serve in </span>Kosciuszko's<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Uprising against the Russians and Prussians in 1794 where he first served with Sergeatn Staszek Soroka, a woodsman from the White Forest. After the defeat of the Uprising, they joined Dabrowski's Legions fighting for the French in Italy. Their unit was forc</span>ibly sent to Haiti in 1802, when they were no longer usefully to Napoleon in Europe. Having enlisted with the French to free their homeland, they did not want to fight to enslave others, they joined the Haitians. Milna is the officer, with the attributes of Indefatigable and Inspiring. Sergeant Soroka is classed as a Veteran Hunter with the Quick Load Attribute. The unit has been joined by Sulavi Coidavid, a Haitian mambo, classed as an Occultist and her bodyguard, Bien Aimee, classed as a Native Scout. Three infantrymen round out the unit, Privates Dobusz, Szymanski, and Kowalczyk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJTWHAvfBF6nIUgG3AYrYpavG1_JnRjQZuW6ktW9C_rSXtATwma2jgQ_uBu3NrDO8VqUmBJj3HV7YND9exQ_1z_xXG3hkGR4QVzMRKdEuca7k1Grf7N-puf2FgyLtR5hC9m7jv44CcQX9PJ0-0OxT0nnCdmYgXogA0y9geHPfSHdTqaHWMAuVCU82r1g=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJTWHAvfBF6nIUgG3AYrYpavG1_JnRjQZuW6ktW9C_rSXtATwma2jgQ_uBu3NrDO8VqUmBJj3HV7YND9exQ_1z_xXG3hkGR4QVzMRKdEuca7k1Grf7N-puf2FgyLtR5hC9m7jv44CcQX9PJ0-0OxT0nnCdmYgXogA0y9geHPfSHdTqaHWMAuVCU82r1g=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>This is the table set up for the first two scenarios. The mountains and jungle forming the borders for the two 2.5' x 2.5' boards. The Wolf Pack scenario will be on the right hand side of the table, The Ruined Chapel on the left.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtFLo8LPCjCGF9CDUTmKNUOt5ZhXZH55_Qc9iqlZaXNoZyPvyZHXLqlKwsM5vtueXwKfia6kUkP85oL6RfEwN_WPPZGD6X7KknBkSTYX6uU8Z9T6MvCsWY2GrSIpefYMKXreiZxbLaoEA_pds1IUigCFDrDnW5P4B5LcFUt97a7sqGujanPuJWC_93LA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtFLo8LPCjCGF9CDUTmKNUOt5ZhXZH55_Qc9iqlZaXNoZyPvyZHXLqlKwsM5vtueXwKfia6kUkP85oL6RfEwN_WPPZGD6X7KknBkSTYX6uU8Z9T6MvCsWY2GrSIpefYMKXreiZxbLaoEA_pds1IUigCFDrDnW5P4B5LcFUt97a7sqGujanPuJWC_93LA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">As background for this scenario, a French specialist unit searching for a ruined chapel is believed to have been destroyed along the trail by supernatural forces. Haitian rebel General Dessalines sends Milna's unit to investigate what the French were looking for. The first scenario finds the Poles and their Haitian allies in the jungle where they are finding evidence of the destroyed French unit. There are six clue markers that I placed randomly around the board using directions dice. Each time the characters investigate a clue, there is a table saying what the clue is as determined by a card draw. The key item is the orders that the French unit had been given explaining their mission.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlBvIY43Auqa_NlIyAmazExCiZ7-GHCe7WJPFjztnCV67dD5qJ7onRduMSdoqT4stmZSPlHucfdSK2PmKa2uiE_QDNvhsJTYtvINE1R-mZFRr0yXDF62bQb5lIwYcMABEDL8jLIy3RBEFoKuV5IJrk2HqfAzXq1Qn-Y0FfEpgSJOOAlDaB52q_ywsTgg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlBvIY43Auqa_NlIyAmazExCiZ7-GHCe7WJPFjztnCV67dD5qJ7onRduMSdoqT4stmZSPlHucfdSK2PmKa2uiE_QDNvhsJTYtvINE1R-mZFRr0yXDF62bQb5lIwYcMABEDL8jLIy3RBEFoKuV5IJrk2HqfAzXq1Qn-Y0FfEpgSJOOAlDaB52q_ywsTgg=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Poles start clustered in the middle of the board. One half of the unit will activate followed the monsters and then the other half of the unit get to act. The monsters in this case are the viciously predatory Dark Wolves. Since wolves are not native to Haiti, I said they were some of the slave-hunting dogs that the French general Rochambeau brought in against the rebels, numbers of which went feral and are being used by the supernatural forces of evil, known as the Harvestmen.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA1gyjnXVcch1oSnXsJ4SLtdfwEU7Q1O-XHCkumtpdjDZEZPmjtzsz7LAe_oHR1HYb-Bv4Z69UbSFoqzxxcqrIWMiJufLsvzN3P4Q8v-zF3Kyv2fvZf1bZ8MzynT4-J8jwcM0oOU9pdhOBDK0cF4Lfj1KAyXHwPiAJ8ABPW_wE5X9t6EQm9g0qgYyVGw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjA1gyjnXVcch1oSnXsJ4SLtdfwEU7Q1O-XHCkumtpdjDZEZPmjtzsz7LAe_oHR1HYb-Bv4Z69UbSFoqzxxcqrIWMiJufLsvzN3P4Q8v-zF3Kyv2fvZf1bZ8MzynT4-J8jwcM0oOU9pdhOBDK0cF4Lfj1KAyXHwPiAJ8ABPW_wE5X9t6EQm9g0qgYyVGw=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The game starts out well, Sergeant Soroka and Private Kowalczyk bring down two of the feral beasts with their first lucky shots.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9MFpV0WHjwICw9ha-URxJgqUzp-Nb-XZuHkf9zm81EfVYv5amXaM6JU-KpMitS6ElpgraUBLW3xFT_6RSdHGEK-rlvXILD-nsaRxo4iaIFmnCVAgLNqtR1m8aX37zIYuvFE8my6wFpvnOKpUa4ZuXQDIixP90HKkllR1QPyx--C7O36vUY0vTVojNvw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9MFpV0WHjwICw9ha-URxJgqUzp-Nb-XZuHkf9zm81EfVYv5amXaM6JU-KpMitS6ElpgraUBLW3xFT_6RSdHGEK-rlvXILD-nsaRxo4iaIFmnCVAgLNqtR1m8aX37zIYuvFE8my6wFpvnOKpUa4ZuXQDIixP90HKkllR1QPyx--C7O36vUY0vTVojNvw=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This clears the path for Milna to search a clue marker, revealing a silver ramrod that gives an extra Fate Pool dice that can be used to reroll or modify bad rolls.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNt80k_o4nNbLbNiRL6jYwrQlAUY0txLshtz_8t-crWjbXE5E5YpRqpxt_5jxcy9NczVmkG-zl2qfaceE4CXdxe4dS5uAcobBdWgmAkIlzwOtGpnUnZwtYyXu5DueXO7LWj8mhCxp_cD1GnYOJLyj6NVuPTMdSTtKNNOrPYML8kukM6_CheVEKJpfJBg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNt80k_o4nNbLbNiRL6jYwrQlAUY0txLshtz_8t-crWjbXE5E5YpRqpxt_5jxcy9NczVmkG-zl2qfaceE4CXdxe4dS5uAcobBdWgmAkIlzwOtGpnUnZwtYyXu5DueXO7LWj8mhCxp_cD1GnYOJLyj6NVuPTMdSTtKNNOrPYML8kukM6_CheVEKJpfJBg=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Dark Hounds move in on the unit from all sides.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLrCUW6m_SY_V8zVDUKJ4EvoncykBrPsaTye3u30a1xASMbxX2Ob_meuR9TDiP5_CWV7wQsZSzZ6YBtshqMH-KYYoKIOC824FhQRDNGs4WmCpCuSFyikweTDMGXmkCHVNsO0yBtzNUR65ESB4SmOSX8qE2h2oMp01nzHfjYYxvlC-bqWrq5l4CVBcijw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLrCUW6m_SY_V8zVDUKJ4EvoncykBrPsaTye3u30a1xASMbxX2Ob_meuR9TDiP5_CWV7wQsZSzZ6YBtshqMH-KYYoKIOC824FhQRDNGs4WmCpCuSFyikweTDMGXmkCHVNsO0yBtzNUR65ESB4SmOSX8qE2h2oMp01nzHfjYYxvlC-bqWrq5l4CVBcijw=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The big rebel scout, Bien Ami, throws himself upon one of the dogs, only slightly wounding it.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikCmmsuQvUf1s5To2XOMeRw86Tb08HmP8NcHhGH7kfqmurufpU2m17MSW3u-q_1pK6xhmK5Ta1HdlofnlyfGeG5y44z_-kjx5f7Ftr4nQ_WIb-w3iilp-VFrY2mYssp9sKoVJWnfrdfYQR6YqOVzGub-zxIDr20e7fYcp1_6DrkAnEPe854lIAew1ZrQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikCmmsuQvUf1s5To2XOMeRw86Tb08HmP8NcHhGH7kfqmurufpU2m17MSW3u-q_1pK6xhmK5Ta1HdlofnlyfGeG5y44z_-kjx5f7Ftr4nQ_WIb-w3iilp-VFrY2mYssp9sKoVJWnfrdfYQR6YqOVzGub-zxIDr20e7fYcp1_6DrkAnEPe854lIAew1ZrQ=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sulavi, the voodoo priestess, rushes to her companions aid but the dog tears into her horribly.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZEngvnZNvc_Cfe6s3zMPGj5W_AMPWhnqRWkTJ0POtfIlZ7-OlaTD5o9vPNb5BY81pJQA2rpaj6H_mkEwsoEVl6upITDht1z9XS-M8wfkE5zrgV__C24NV31z8wZWlh-hSf0AZmtDnMdc5pYKzoHF9Hutv00VMbvtlO652jm54dtEsJF7YfZPVNRROEA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZEngvnZNvc_Cfe6s3zMPGj5W_AMPWhnqRWkTJ0POtfIlZ7-OlaTD5o9vPNb5BY81pJQA2rpaj6H_mkEwsoEVl6upITDht1z9XS-M8wfkE5zrgV__C24NV31z8wZWlh-hSf0AZmtDnMdc5pYKzoHF9Hutv00VMbvtlO652jm54dtEsJF7YfZPVNRROEA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Private Szmanski realizes that one of their attackers is approaching on two legs, a werewolf! Soroka aims his rifle at the creature and strikes it with a silver bullet but the creature continues on, although heavily wounded.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKhMQJLBIsPVCRQ9Z9o0EdMBurugQVC_4OlNlHuE_wpFtGXBJTWIWl4VRq2zTVJYjR7PyTIWXJsXMWbN4CbViY2skUX1LkHJlQSKNiyW_nM6X1XcdLvzDiMmmtn69Rhtz2UNuAoi5NAaUMum2ecwNifDq7VGtfQb8YnnP7HRsfDdYKPB9UisKCwj2J3g=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKhMQJLBIsPVCRQ9Z9o0EdMBurugQVC_4OlNlHuE_wpFtGXBJTWIWl4VRq2zTVJYjR7PyTIWXJsXMWbN4CbViY2skUX1LkHJlQSKNiyW_nM6X1XcdLvzDiMmmtn69Rhtz2UNuAoi5NAaUMum2ecwNifDq7VGtfQb8YnnP7HRsfDdYKPB9UisKCwj2J3g=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Milna rushes to the aid of the two Haitians, using his silver-edged Zweihander sword, a family heirloom captured by one of his ancestors in battle with the Teutonic Knights. He cuts through the hound, killing it instantly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc5aGsrzbSiQTPS-y_6BQOMUBKqJpv3C2K2KEUW7PNjX1NNzy8zu0t2jytzHZz4KlklQCCfePcftLUb5ie9AtWTX4TK2hKFrGxihcib2TPyfKFRFF6jn7qTDjCVvQ6W47cAwga5Gv9X8ZInBjVnrzWtkjfVBvbd8eRAjItvOqnxaYqeHEgg_P20HhjHg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc5aGsrzbSiQTPS-y_6BQOMUBKqJpv3C2K2KEUW7PNjX1NNzy8zu0t2jytzHZz4KlklQCCfePcftLUb5ie9AtWTX4TK2hKFrGxihcib2TPyfKFRFF6jn7qTDjCVvQ6W47cAwga5Gv9X8ZInBjVnrzWtkjfVBvbd8eRAjItvOqnxaYqeHEgg_P20HhjHg=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the other end of the clearing, another werewolf appears.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg968OxsY792ik9-P42WDHZEQns1jh72xbWhQvCJdo7aiBu-_G6Ooyw6YoIAUpg_Ibi58_ev2wXsD1yhXI-LnmirnHX7qUtqZkUL11DDS-G1xFZVbRHw6xor8tAvL8_7f1JnCw-0TZb4YdaltXkeC3urrBXN1t8uU92FF79v7vvXUsN4lbYasYp6rWk0A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg968OxsY792ik9-P42WDHZEQns1jh72xbWhQvCJdo7aiBu-_G6Ooyw6YoIAUpg_Ibi58_ev2wXsD1yhXI-LnmirnHX7qUtqZkUL11DDS-G1xFZVbRHw6xor8tAvL8_7f1JnCw-0TZb4YdaltXkeC3urrBXN1t8uU92FF79v7vvXUsN4lbYasYp6rWk0A=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The dogs begin to swarm the unit. Two leap at Private Dobusz who fends them off with difficulty.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3Q-N5YQDUQbHpmD54OUpw52g7IGOPJm1KDvgsziDAGb2WzbAcohfrHJemDXMpumPtP837okY9o0IFtre0rR3OiQIAuDUHk5R4Wf-AEHgmYUFyD41H1Ualt8fo6UqNmBYLKooxFkt5kSE2PxnXCw8O9Sa9hVfedwySFlBALQAOyPKUShsO-r0uXXzQvA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3Q-N5YQDUQbHpmD54OUpw52g7IGOPJm1KDvgsziDAGb2WzbAcohfrHJemDXMpumPtP837okY9o0IFtre0rR3OiQIAuDUHk5R4Wf-AEHgmYUFyD41H1Ualt8fo6UqNmBYLKooxFkt5kSE2PxnXCw8O9Sa9hVfedwySFlBALQAOyPKUShsO-r0uXXzQvA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another dog attacks Bien Ami, wounding him severely.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQnoq3Fbev0vX8hXYYSOpYMkPwoOxBGuPCF0Ud27ENofAPrpuENVwwmSWGYhzQbO0NPuIhBrKn9K8pG4XhF5YEBoV13oIL0o4LrU_SeDJQvQieAjxadrybwlu9n4ptqx4fKMlG8D4vH6BlDkVK9pltdH83ara89FuMDxXr-P5MW2lnh8HoIbq_6oS0fA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQnoq3Fbev0vX8hXYYSOpYMkPwoOxBGuPCF0Ud27ENofAPrpuENVwwmSWGYhzQbO0NPuIhBrKn9K8pG4XhF5YEBoV13oIL0o4LrU_SeDJQvQieAjxadrybwlu9n4ptqx4fKMlG8D4vH6BlDkVK9pltdH83ara89FuMDxXr-P5MW2lnh8HoIbq_6oS0fA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the Dark Hound has brought Szymanski down. However, as the werewolf approaches the party, Sgt Soroka blasts it with another silver bullet, killing the horror.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiOj_pHBfY49QraUf5JX1yD6k2dvLObRW5Eco0h6_OhHK2Z6zFpVqGrWLUFNzZpI8NnC4MFhXckcAvbuIkgwDkttTZ5pGv0j-3NADhDkrrTbzmZtki6WCG6HgP-lwLPzqTpYvCGVcIJnLvgIIS_G2X89WMWE3HEFX1XhhH8kt-tzGODRcww8mCuGUymA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiOj_pHBfY49QraUf5JX1yD6k2dvLObRW5Eco0h6_OhHK2Z6zFpVqGrWLUFNzZpI8NnC4MFhXckcAvbuIkgwDkttTZ5pGv0j-3NADhDkrrTbzmZtki6WCG6HgP-lwLPzqTpYvCGVcIJnLvgIIS_G2X89WMWE3HEFX1XhhH8kt-tzGODRcww8mCuGUymA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sulavi rushes to aid Dobusz and manages to put down one of the hounds while Milna runs to aid Bien Ami. His greatsword slashes through the beast.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjthKqtnx8WjowUcJ9AMLG1SlgEo0aqQixiTKWpn2jN9OOTtAYXBnLORrIvRawTfWc_5CzZS6PbpxKsNqCMQBGPgGyeB5KonNzh4j4c_Paq2kZccwtvDVlguC6OF0nJoCPbnXF4rckk7FdWJMuMlLTSFhVPJhEABgkYjYI0c2r9OeDhw1umWMJvXXerjA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjthKqtnx8WjowUcJ9AMLG1SlgEo0aqQixiTKWpn2jN9OOTtAYXBnLORrIvRawTfWc_5CzZS6PbpxKsNqCMQBGPgGyeB5KonNzh4j4c_Paq2kZccwtvDVlguC6OF0nJoCPbnXF4rckk7FdWJMuMlLTSFhVPJhEABgkYjYI0c2r9OeDhw1umWMJvXXerjA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the distance, more hounds emerge from the woods.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgK_W48bCvbsYu7klLwCWNLaeWgLuJZSe-yUw59e0ikzPjZ7OI6LQF_CPwSeIAWiZVnnAc4NgEaOK8mFUZdle03th-PHI897F8DOaN4EtIhgcG-2Rv6448_bGKk3AUAQyBRe7RDD8Fyxveo0oCsltnyLKkMcH3dd2QXHY6B3m-8kySEKjDkdmcQi4NwQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgK_W48bCvbsYu7klLwCWNLaeWgLuJZSe-yUw59e0ikzPjZ7OI6LQF_CPwSeIAWiZVnnAc4NgEaOK8mFUZdle03th-PHI897F8DOaN4EtIhgcG-2Rv6448_bGKk3AUAQyBRe7RDD8Fyxveo0oCsltnyLKkMcH3dd2QXHY6B3m-8kySEKjDkdmcQi4NwQ=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The second werewolf now reached the center of the clearing and bit at Sulavi, fortunately missing the already wounded mambo.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5e6UEJJT7w28riejb32je1MO9JXerBjEfh_3LsDWWmKvBobVvD4En1x0H1hXMKBcJODzz2oSWN5fgD5BdQ2Q8HUqFv7r1-hQ7pp0skWw-Rnm0bi2OcfEMwMflMPq8qvvdC4H3agOi6GZjGMAxoNIB2JQctkUFXLVHHr-jPf28eyJmZA877YjNMtiuSA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5e6UEJJT7w28riejb32je1MO9JXerBjEfh_3LsDWWmKvBobVvD4En1x0H1hXMKBcJODzz2oSWN5fgD5BdQ2Q8HUqFv7r1-hQ7pp0skWw-Rnm0bi2OcfEMwMflMPq8qvvdC4H3agOi6GZjGMAxoNIB2JQctkUFXLVHHr-jPf28eyJmZA877YjNMtiuSA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">In return, Sulavi slashed at the throat of the creature with her silver ritual dagger, killing it instantly. (Mechanically, I used the optional Critical Hit rule that add +2 damage, added to the +1 Melee Sulavi has, resulting in the werewolf taking 13 hits against it's Health of 12.)<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwpMRbF0Efu3aY7KNu1zbUoe8B_GxuPMhvmuYYBoVJWeiLB-ViaaDCF__Yk30-p4TAa3YxioFxwF-i-Dxub_NZVD3E-su3YaGsZ0MiMeOYKn0KSV2K4MJFi1wzFbUJSdl5rul2Ltab0Xz7opSPBIuiJnsb65viFUbc0bXCnMA9CpvuCHx6cLaL0I_BSg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwpMRbF0Efu3aY7KNu1zbUoe8B_GxuPMhvmuYYBoVJWeiLB-ViaaDCF__Yk30-p4TAa3YxioFxwF-i-Dxub_NZVD3E-su3YaGsZ0MiMeOYKn0KSV2K4MJFi1wzFbUJSdl5rul2Ltab0Xz7opSPBIuiJnsb65viFUbc0bXCnMA9CpvuCHx6cLaL0I_BSg=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dobusz managed to dispatch the remaining Dark Hound, giving them a moment of respite. (I used one of the Fate Dice to be able to reroll Dobusz' Power Die in this attack, increasing the damage enough the kill the hound.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2gXwhSGPhPMYX6eZMxasEIdZ3gIcIwBoOtLKJJZClb1eRwBDeUm9yvtjkORVhChDzbDTUuUvg2U-_wrKi1gZ6z7h1mChwv_x_n33UWuxjJ-YqfUzb91jCE20lBqfquNLFDg47EBgnjcLLnUaqfMZwee2QnFLK0XLMaTmsO9luUZUFMdYzQfD5eNhglQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2gXwhSGPhPMYX6eZMxasEIdZ3gIcIwBoOtLKJJZClb1eRwBDeUm9yvtjkORVhChDzbDTUuUvg2U-_wrKi1gZ6z7h1mChwv_x_n33UWuxjJ-YqfUzb91jCE20lBqfquNLFDg47EBgnjcLLnUaqfMZwee2QnFLK0XLMaTmsO9luUZUFMdYzQfD5eNhglQ=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was not to last, as more of the beasts charged into the clearing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaFMyO1F-pCFhUcQMlwg7yQPCt7olayeJ731S6KbL2E0Uh9cDLCQGY3N6lQq9pMr1coVKNz7iV_s-UTvtjYxyTo6VWR3-fH_IfChNPU0miZhiv1YdKnE1oMpYWFA98Zn_KcVHbOrOjsu29JGQbQLCGOwVY8R4dbq3qBvrXH9nUwa1JT8YlC9jPQXFsLQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaFMyO1F-pCFhUcQMlwg7yQPCt7olayeJ731S6KbL2E0Uh9cDLCQGY3N6lQq9pMr1coVKNz7iV_s-UTvtjYxyTo6VWR3-fH_IfChNPU0miZhiv1YdKnE1oMpYWFA98Zn_KcVHbOrOjsu29JGQbQLCGOwVY8R4dbq3qBvrXH9nUwa1JT8YlC9jPQXFsLQ=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Soroka and Kowalczyk killed one of the dogs while the rest of the party moved toward the southern edge of the clearing. Bien Ami managed to investigate another clue, finding silver saint's medallion (Giving them another Fate die). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0owf0F87Fdnp8Gbzy_85ueeQYZOWCnhFpMp1KyNTh9B2fewEIasrcFbQEqbOlcit7E49upfadUk8dlVghXqZ-mZ5YyNDRllW0A4OZfSWMpED7i8aVKvEkqS7ZtH5Vepb5U5RO0zSnCAHdoKQFdnpnDzCrDg1UN8VDgEXCkM7o4dkZ0FIGmUu8jJxqOA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0owf0F87Fdnp8Gbzy_85ueeQYZOWCnhFpMp1KyNTh9B2fewEIasrcFbQEqbOlcit7E49upfadUk8dlVghXqZ-mZ5YyNDRllW0A4OZfSWMpED7i8aVKvEkqS7ZtH5Vepb5U5RO0zSnCAHdoKQFdnpnDzCrDg1UN8VDgEXCkM7o4dkZ0FIGmUu8jJxqOA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another set of hounds appeared, moving to cut off their retreat.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0dKnFOzz1LIpPuHau68KpNPAFTBnjNnR3cs4S0f0M3EwLyMB2EcdN_nspF4Fr09Dx_n849f6hBOHqtsm50KC04c3GfmSyIIBnCDqhtv0A3HGM3Xio538j7b2pd8jlqePyMnX727vvdhNmbAfJNm1_XcvgETS8tDFr1RbISoi7EGOIESoZOLmDFLoDdA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0dKnFOzz1LIpPuHau68KpNPAFTBnjNnR3cs4S0f0M3EwLyMB2EcdN_nspF4Fr09Dx_n849f6hBOHqtsm50KC04c3GfmSyIIBnCDqhtv0A3HGM3Xio538j7b2pd8jlqePyMnX727vvdhNmbAfJNm1_XcvgETS8tDFr1RbISoi7EGOIESoZOLmDFLoDdA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kowalczyk followed after the big scout, managing to come across a packet containing the missing orders!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuT8X7bPggwBEybxVC1hjKYZ1KQ2A8IrvkiPJQg3ePQiD3B5TGxmaTxzkNDIrwLNQst21X1QbeOZhWHkOQKPQrJ3WWlCgpMxyFHDu2SEPKfhXdnIsDHG5KyKw_yN3lmg4cRnI40AIv1hl65OnSaFMthuSs87Y3bi8rVc3KFD-_ApWIgpJxTXATcaivyg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuT8X7bPggwBEybxVC1hjKYZ1KQ2A8IrvkiPJQg3ePQiD3B5TGxmaTxzkNDIrwLNQst21X1QbeOZhWHkOQKPQrJ3WWlCgpMxyFHDu2SEPKfhXdnIsDHG5KyKw_yN3lmg4cRnI40AIv1hl65OnSaFMthuSs87Y3bi8rVc3KFD-_ApWIgpJxTXATcaivyg=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just as the pair of hound were about to hit Bien Ami, Soroka hit the first with a rifle shot. Milna used his pistols to bring it down. The second hound could not reach Bien Ami. In the next moments, the rest of the party fled the clearing to the relative safety of the woods. With the retrieved orders, they could now find the ruined chapel for which the French unit had been searching.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">My overall evaluation is that this is a fun set of rules, different enough from the Frostgrave system to give it a different feel. The solo scenarios seemed well balanced - I was particularly lucky in my dice rolling, especially from Sergeant Soroka who did not miss a shot with his rifle the entire game. I'll be posting a report of t</span>he second game in the campaign, The Ruined Chapel, soon.</p></div></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-31935534918582662002021-11-18T08:40:00.005-08:002021-11-18T08:43:56.287-08:00Historicon 2021: Masks, Saving Christmas, and Renaissance Art History<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> So Historicon actually happened! It was great getting to do some in-person convention gaming again. Despite the mask requirement and a less than great venue (more on that below), I had a fantastic time.</span></div><p></p><p>I ran two games at the convention. The first was my take on the first Die Hard movie, called It Isn't Christmas Until Hans Gruber Falls from Nakatomi Tower. This was probably the smallest physical game I've run at a convention as well as the shortest, completing it in about an hour and fifteen minutes. Nonetheless, we had nine very enthusiastic players with room for my son Nick and friend Dave to play some of the NPCs. There was a lot of laughter and movie quotes and I think everyone had a great time despite its short run. I used a modified version of Stargrave which worked well in the convention setting. We were surprised at how closely the action followed the movie, although John McClane was nearly killed on the first turn by a chainsaw-wielding Karl. Nonetheless, Argyle slugged Theo before he could escape with the loot, McClane saved Holly from Hans Gruber by using a secret pistol taped to his back, and Hans obligingly then fell from the Tower. We went the movie one better when helicopter bearing FBI agents Johnson and Johnson was shot down and then crashed on top of the fallen Hans. The action was too fast and furious to take many pictures but here are a few:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpslEgSpbwE/YZZ5A-gUfGI/AAAAAAAAIGk/4JxocmpPczYfPq0LarN-YgCRltZvVScYwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A1.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bpslEgSpbwE/YZZ5A-gUfGI/AAAAAAAAIGk/4JxocmpPczYfPq0LarN-YgCRltZvVScYwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/A1.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRUzHbNzhDI/YZZ5A_NnPvI/AAAAAAAAIGo/UfxHGuGXxqIQedRn9amwp2QBVvzI3SaqACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRUzHbNzhDI/YZZ5A_NnPvI/AAAAAAAAIGo/UfxHGuGXxqIQedRn9amwp2QBVvzI3SaqACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/A2.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTryiCy7328/YZZ5A__7vKI/AAAAAAAAIGg/AJxKMmx6WiEDI5fcwlJHcNMmDMhlsQ4hQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTryiCy7328/YZZ5A__7vKI/AAAAAAAAIGg/AJxKMmx6WiEDI5fcwlJHcNMmDMhlsQ4hQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/A3.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRJzrrT48m0/YZZ5BsVL-4I/AAAAAAAAIGs/hxdnDzSYkTcKnh-hKqdbiS0NccCZOyilgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRJzrrT48m0/YZZ5BsVL-4I/AAAAAAAAIGs/hxdnDzSYkTcKnh-hKqdbiS0NccCZOyilgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/A4.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other game I ran was Leonardo da Vinci and the Prince of Foxes, using weird science elements to play out the climatic battle from the novel/movie Prince of Foxes. I used a modified Dragon Rampant rules and we had 14 enthusiastic players who seemed to really enjoy the game. Although there were a couple of close moments when the Cesare Borgia's air mobile troops managed to get into the city and attack the palazzo, the forces of good, defending Citta del Monte, won a resounding victory. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The game caught the eye of the folks from Little Wars TV and they even intervened me. Here's their video recap of the convention. My bit starts about 3:08 but the whole thing is very worthwhile watching for a full view of the convention:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vWiASot9xNw" width="320" youtube-src-id="vWiASot9xNw"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's some pictures I took before and during the game:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGPT_UzPepo/YZZ5mX9L7QI/AAAAAAAAIG8/MPzV_wVFcZwLX-9li-66FoGfZdWJYjx9ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/AA1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGPT_UzPepo/YZZ5mX9L7QI/AAAAAAAAIG8/MPzV_wVFcZwLX-9li-66FoGfZdWJYjx9ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHOa8BM4FFE/YZZ5nClkcpI/AAAAAAAAIHM/ygcZTu3zVCgMQf09fWnVJAK5cBjFqJuCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/AA2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHOa8BM4FFE/YZZ5nClkcpI/AAAAAAAAIHM/ygcZTu3zVCgMQf09fWnVJAK5cBjFqJuCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZQiWefW24I/YZZ5nOqkCGI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/7EdXAuCQxeoCmtXEwfyE9WPjmEZPgoRSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/AA3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZQiWefW24I/YZZ5nOqkCGI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/7EdXAuCQxeoCmtXEwfyE9WPjmEZPgoRSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bthGQVNiig4/YZZ5nBYbYKI/AAAAAAAAIHU/Qc63qJFcggwY-ivtzy7ciMIFWnEzRorqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/AA4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bthGQVNiig4/YZZ5nBYbYKI/AAAAAAAAIHU/Qc63qJFcggwY-ivtzy7ciMIFWnEzRorqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Et1Z20DrGbo/YZZ5nfmZUPI/AAAAAAAAIHY/MG5sYW6kM5AXmvwTXv5b6-pRL6ZJ4iOQwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/AA5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Et1Z20DrGbo/YZZ5nfmZUPI/AAAAAAAAIHY/MG5sYW6kM5AXmvwTXv5b6-pRL6ZJ4iOQwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiAWQrGtNDA/YZZ5ndWpHzI/AAAAAAAAIHc/1bB61rbzlv8cGrd6vd-n2JHyWHPJrjaFgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/AA6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1440" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JiAWQrGtNDA/YZZ5ndWpHzI/AAAAAAAAIHc/1bB61rbzlv8cGrd6vd-n2JHyWHPJrjaFgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oy_yDb-l8yc/YZZ5ncbV8fI/AAAAAAAAIHg/93DjbSMnUbUYNqnCpUUfxvqAYIw_ebOnwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/AA8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oy_yDb-l8yc/YZZ5ncbV8fI/AAAAAAAAIHg/93DjbSMnUbUYNqnCpUUfxvqAYIw_ebOnwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DN93i-dwtfQ/YZZ5ms1nmgI/AAAAAAAAIHA/EQItEM1Jg6EaGJjnlPuxee2_mOzYrLMjQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AA10.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DN93i-dwtfQ/YZZ5ms1nmgI/AAAAAAAAIHA/EQItEM1Jg6EaGJjnlPuxee2_mOzYrLMjQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA10.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Borgian hordes descending on Citta del Monte</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vSZ7K5ykbo/YZZ5mqZ2mUI/AAAAAAAAIHE/5Mwe61t_geI2kzuxEKrtO_n2WE63l5iSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AA11.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1vSZ7K5ykbo/YZZ5mqZ2mUI/AAAAAAAAIHE/5Mwe61t_geI2kzuxEKrtO_n2WE63l5iSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA11.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Citta del Monteans managed to hold the river line through the game, keeping reinforcements from reaching their air-landed brethren in the city.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3t1hv1zr5k/YZZ5mxj0CBI/AAAAAAAAIHI/wL5TggO9frkq_Ryq2hDTitiluc4pc0JmQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AA12.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3t1hv1zr5k/YZZ5mxj0CBI/AAAAAAAAIHI/wL5TggO9frkq_Ryq2hDTitiluc4pc0JmQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/AA12.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The table at the end of the game. Although the Citta del Monteans had suffered heavy casualties, the Borgians faired worse, losing their large aerial battleship, one helicopter, one landship, and a host of cavalry. Surprisingly, it was the Citta del Montean militia defending the river that proved most effective.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition to running these two games, I got to play in a couple as well. The first was an ancients games using Command and Colors and simulating the Battle of the Medway during the Roman conquest of Britain. As one of the British players, all I can say is that we were thoroughly thrashed. Sadly, I didn't get pictures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other game I was lucky enough to play in was Martyn Kelly's incredible Battle of Bicocca game. Pictures do no do justice to what a work of art this game was. Beautiful figures and terrain and on such an epic scale! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJa9pufTeu4/YZZ_X6UEDgI/AAAAAAAAIIs/fhOx3dVm0fctRVmc591db9hb8DpQdN93gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/b1.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJa9pufTeu4/YZZ_X6UEDgI/AAAAAAAAIIs/fhOx3dVm0fctRVmc591db9hb8DpQdN93gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/b1.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKW0_wSbXYE/YZZ_XXur5kI/AAAAAAAAIIk/QvVRLywsbYUVnE9tGgHnw847VEnFCeeJACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QKW0_wSbXYE/YZZ_XXur5kI/AAAAAAAAIIk/QvVRLywsbYUVnE9tGgHnw847VEnFCeeJACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/B2.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70ejnhDl0z0/YZZ_XYri20I/AAAAAAAAIIg/N930vDgdFRA6pO-vhpECAI6HxzfBZgDVACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70ejnhDl0z0/YZZ_XYri20I/AAAAAAAAIIg/N930vDgdFRA6pO-vhpECAI6HxzfBZgDVACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/B3.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_vCdbuLDoI/YZZ_XZn6H2I/AAAAAAAAIIo/UOqyjhe9g_8KOMJt9g9g266xTCZFEQPxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_vCdbuLDoI/YZZ_XZn6H2I/AAAAAAAAIIo/UOqyjhe9g_8KOMJt9g9g266xTCZFEQPxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/B4.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> I controlled the French cavalry on the left flank and got to go up against my friend Steve. Although we were a side-show compared to the rest of battle, we had a great time. I had some of the best dice results in a game while Steve had some of the worst so my gendarmes got the better of his Milanese cavalry. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yH1Bmvx6gL0/YZZ_X-DZe8I/AAAAAAAAIIw/pOKXk2Gk4RAzor79WMmqjUE4oNABMTg9QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/b5.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yH1Bmvx6gL0/YZZ_X-DZe8I/AAAAAAAAIIw/pOKXk2Gk4RAzor79WMmqjUE4oNABMTg9QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/b5.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWj_np5wUNU/YZZ_YBBor6I/AAAAAAAAII0/bQGmSoS6UuwyBr6XVO-ci2ZcXwYpum3fACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/b6.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWj_np5wUNU/YZZ_YBBor6I/AAAAAAAAII0/bQGmSoS6UuwyBr6XVO-ci2ZcXwYpum3fACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/b6.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGfZVwhWRdg/YZZ_YUjdv_I/AAAAAAAAII4/7A2Z0SkUWIo4uEGXWpRnyK2TykPAbqUOACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/b7.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGfZVwhWRdg/YZZ_YUjdv_I/AAAAAAAAII4/7A2Z0SkUWIo4uEGXWpRnyK2TykPAbqUOACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/b7.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> While I was only moving toward the Spanish flank by game's end, the associated French infantry had managed to capture the bridge and advanced into the Spanish camp. This couple with a Franco-Swiss breakthrough in the center gave the French a resounding win. A great time with a beautiful game.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo4tWp6_erY/YZZ_YlKbTsI/AAAAAAAAII8/tVYFA8MTWV8e_5vaRogkQkVhnVFUEcv-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/b8.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo4tWp6_erY/YZZ_YlKbTsI/AAAAAAAAII8/tVYFA8MTWV8e_5vaRogkQkVhnVFUEcv-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/b8.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fr5l_QwpNzI/YZZ_YsdTd0I/AAAAAAAAIJA/V4uTn8wDOSssauVCQxG9fKC8RTALZFo7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/b9.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fr5l_QwpNzI/YZZ_YsdTd0I/AAAAAAAAIJA/V4uTn8wDOSssauVCQxG9fKC8RTALZFo7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/b9.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Some general observations, there was a requirement to wear masks in any of the convention areas and the vast majority of attendees were respectful of the requirement. I didn't find it to big of a problem. Regarding the venue, the Valley Forge Casino and Resort, it is not one of my favorite places for a convention. While the facilities are decent, there was almost no service either for the rooms and for the convention generally. Worse is the dispersed nature of the gaming areas, with games scattered throughout a large and labyrinthian facility so that you never got a sense of attendance and I know I missed seeing a lot of great games. I did catch a few pictures of some games that caught my eye:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvttiGWN43k/YZaBDRzg6iI/AAAAAAAAIJg/MFdBv01i57gexluZ7ZV8dPj7rDboP4IQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/h1.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvttiGWN43k/YZaBDRzg6iI/AAAAAAAAIJg/MFdBv01i57gexluZ7ZV8dPj7rDboP4IQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/h1.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Another beautiful game, the large Test of Honour games that ran throughout the weekend.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enk8ui2xgCs/YZaBDXtLrXI/AAAAAAAAIJo/V5JkCZgRZkw9BtXlGfauvDqQds84TA-XQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/h2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enk8ui2xgCs/YZaBDXtLrXI/AAAAAAAAIJo/V5JkCZgRZkw9BtXlGfauvDqQds84TA-XQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/h2.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A great ancients naval warfare floor game</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETaC27olStM/YZaBD9uIoJI/AAAAAAAAIJs/GOXryLL-eFEO5Nf50BoiYkkJ9RmcAZRTACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/h3.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETaC27olStM/YZaBD9uIoJI/AAAAAAAAIJs/GOXryLL-eFEO5Nf50BoiYkkJ9RmcAZRTACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/h3.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpxpEp62V4k/YZaBEQzfbXI/AAAAAAAAIJw/36I7mxHKqHwO5EKyjB-fUk5qzRK_mxLeACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/h4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpxpEp62V4k/YZaBEQzfbXI/AAAAAAAAIJw/36I7mxHKqHwO5EKyjB-fUk5qzRK_mxLeACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/h4.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Siege of Maiden Castle</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rI5dHo9EUO0/YZaBE4O14vI/AAAAAAAAIJ0/pXnhlOtbnw4lWAzwOVmT9afWCUtJqyXqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/h5.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rI5dHo9EUO0/YZaBE4O14vI/AAAAAAAAIJ0/pXnhlOtbnw4lWAzwOVmT9afWCUtJqyXqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/h5.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Not sure what this was but it looked like Romans vs Iberians</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btfU2JGcuqo/YZaBFd7TuVI/AAAAAAAAIJ4/mc25S46oFiUvSxOM5Qd4ECD5VPDWVyFZACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/h6.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-btfU2JGcuqo/YZaBFd7TuVI/AAAAAAAAIJ4/mc25S46oFiUvSxOM5Qd4ECD5VPDWVyFZACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/h6.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The colorful and whimsical Wars of Oz game</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0Ka1NK3MDE/YZaBFwd_38I/AAAAAAAAIJ8/TkQ98BTmHUUqvqUJrknmd76_DxNghbKhQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/h7.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0Ka1NK3MDE/YZaBFwd_38I/AAAAAAAAIJ8/TkQ98BTmHUUqvqUJrknmd76_DxNghbKhQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/h7.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOaz1aIuQHY/YZaBGUc_zfI/AAAAAAAAIKA/8cok_CJ_dfEyWZ7PU7q6o6UX_CL-j7zMgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/h8.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOaz1aIuQHY/YZaBGUc_zfI/AAAAAAAAIKA/8cok_CJ_dfEyWZ7PU7q6o6UX_CL-j7zMgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/h8.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Battle of the Misty Mountains with its ingenious backdrop decoration.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmEVBMHRHWY/YZaBDQw5hOI/AAAAAAAAIJk/gwPHsh9dYjY_YxTTQGByjSSsfMs4lgh7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7302.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmEVBMHRHWY/YZaBDQw5hOI/AAAAAAAAIJk/gwPHsh9dYjY_YxTTQGByjSSsfMs4lgh7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7302.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Conclusion, despite some minor complaints about the hotel, it was a great return to convention gaming!<br /> </div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-64314895797353155092021-10-01T09:07:00.000-07:002021-10-01T09:07:03.908-07:00Leonardo da Vinci and the Prince of Foxes (Again)<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to my Die Hard game, I will be running another game at Historicon. This one is called "Leonardo Da Vinci and the Prince of Foxes." (I had hoped to run it at the 2020 Historicon but Covid intervened.)</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's a weird war take on the old Samuel Shellabarger novel/Tyrone Powers movie set in Borgia's Italy. Here's the description: "Artist turned imposter nobleman, Andrea Orsini has been sent by Cesare Borgia to undermine Marc Antonio Verano, lord of Citta Del Monte as part of his plans of conquest. However, Orsini has turned away from villainy and now sides with the good people of Citta Del Monte. Using the notebook of his former master, Leonardo da Vinci, Orsini has fashioned a host of amazing war machines to defend the city. Borgia has decided to fight fire with fire and hired the great Leonardo himself. "</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'll be using the variations on the Osprey Rampant series of rules, mostly Dragon Rampant and Pikeman's Lament.</span></p><p>Mat is by Cigar Box Battle mats, the buildings are from various mdf manufacturers or scratch-built. The da Vinci models are mostly from Academy or Elenco.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HDbFyDuIrrM/YVcJ2sVw-TI/AAAAAAAAIB8/Z8-_5op0pJ8nocdLpVJyO1F68FurLnaegCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l1.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HDbFyDuIrrM/YVcJ2sVw-TI/AAAAAAAAIB8/Z8-_5op0pJ8nocdLpVJyO1F68FurLnaegCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l1.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The army of Cesare Borgia "marches" on Citta del Monte</span><div><span style="color: #050505; font-family: Segoe UI Historic, Segoe UI, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6j7pByRtdlo/YVcJ5JDifCI/AAAAAAAAICk/woPtlTvF7K4wEefR1g4PxvkwYKKa3UGLACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6j7pByRtdlo/YVcJ5JDifCI/AAAAAAAAICk/woPtlTvF7K4wEefR1g4PxvkwYKKa3UGLACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l2.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j27mBpxh_ck/YVcJ5RnpDxI/AAAAAAAAICs/9s_-5tT65xQOrdNMU73dIEoS78k1k2w_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l7a.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j27mBpxh_ck/YVcJ5RnpDxI/AAAAAAAAICs/9s_-5tT65xQOrdNMU73dIEoS78k1k2w_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l7a.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">The Borgian aerial fleet</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Weewg7AzGPk/YVcJ2fniiNI/AAAAAAAAIB0/YAaNpOXU4hUU9bCILbFI4X853CL4iaJGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/L7b.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Weewg7AzGPk/YVcJ2fniiNI/AAAAAAAAIB0/YAaNpOXU4hUU9bCILbFI4X853CL4iaJGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/L7b.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The flagship, La Giaconda, captained by Leonardo himself</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-FlksbKvZM/YVcJ59DWQkI/AAAAAAAAICw/Ukp_2zqNTpA8HHjTJgyPtq8kgLbB0NBxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l8.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-FlksbKvZM/YVcJ59DWQkI/AAAAAAAAICw/Ukp_2zqNTpA8HHjTJgyPtq8kgLbB0NBxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l8.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">A massive Borgian landship</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAvyaZqq6VQ/YVcJ51_lFFI/AAAAAAAAIC0/c0Yx4QZy49YrfNVn137KukL9rHd_iK8FQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l9.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAvyaZqq6VQ/YVcJ51_lFFI/AAAAAAAAIC0/c0Yx4QZy49YrfNVn137KukL9rHd_iK8FQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l9.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">The Borgian ground forces</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvetNJxvsMI/YVcJ6O-jiUI/AAAAAAAAIC4/1dLj6u16Z-w8ZAB0YBa2mUXn9mIRHraNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l9a.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvetNJxvsMI/YVcJ6O-jiUI/AAAAAAAAIC4/1dLj6u16Z-w8ZAB0YBa2mUXn9mIRHraNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l9a.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ugVed6ZvEI/YVcJ29IVvgI/AAAAAAAAICA/84q_1YK4EKQxbWFY8Kq3urfYXAkaWCFFACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l10.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ugVed6ZvEI/YVcJ29IVvgI/AAAAAAAAICA/84q_1YK4EKQxbWFY8Kq3urfYXAkaWCFFACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l10.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o974e5HgYAc/YVcJ2_xQzLI/AAAAAAAAICE/VWmBT3CUikwEk2JIOlXwdjYQtggXf8YUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l11.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o974e5HgYAc/YVcJ2_xQzLI/AAAAAAAAICE/VWmBT3CUikwEk2JIOlXwdjYQtggXf8YUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l11.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mgq_2UsxTCw/YVcJ3YZnYiI/AAAAAAAAICI/JiJasIT6GHgc27o9zBcEmTdlP5la8iYFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l11a.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mgq_2UsxTCw/YVcJ3YZnYiI/AAAAAAAAICI/JiJasIT6GHgc27o9zBcEmTdlP5la8iYFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l11a.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">Cesare's father sent the papal choir to aid morale</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_ZRoLsL4tw/YVcJ3pXDhBI/AAAAAAAAICM/F4Eb3yp3uVAlBNh3kdP9UC79PDTIX4k5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l12.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_ZRoLsL4tw/YVcJ3pXDhBI/AAAAAAAAICM/F4Eb3yp3uVAlBNh3kdP9UC79PDTIX4k5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l12.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">The small army of Citta del Monte</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEQr-LNz1cw/YVcJ3xU7T1I/AAAAAAAAICQ/9J5z_uWl9tMyTws99_tWdRbgUC5nEKA5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l13.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEQr-LNz1cw/YVcJ3xU7T1I/AAAAAAAAICQ/9J5z_uWl9tMyTws99_tWdRbgUC5nEKA5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l13.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">Citta del Monte's beloved lord, the venerable Marc'Antonio Verano</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-60aTZipqZlQ/YVcJ4EQ07nI/AAAAAAAAICU/HPbx72C-0EQPTZ9WlSg43nBXuwP6JkvKgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l14.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-60aTZipqZlQ/YVcJ4EQ07nI/AAAAAAAAICU/HPbx72C-0EQPTZ9WlSg43nBXuwP6JkvKgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l14.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">Defending the city itself is Verano's much younger wife, Dona Camilla</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keU-C9xuKf0/YVcJ4Y2qoVI/AAAAAAAAICY/hcqTJT0EGEoOtYLvfrMx_dhUqy4mGqV5QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l15.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keU-C9xuKf0/YVcJ4Y2qoVI/AAAAAAAAICY/hcqTJT0EGEoOtYLvfrMx_dhUqy4mGqV5QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l15.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">A surprise in store for the Borgians, a huge steam cannon</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a94imc410GI/YVcJ47rGyCI/AAAAAAAAICc/lPv_aY1Y7XUy0tJ983Bqx1DQSuJr3f-RACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l17.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a94imc410GI/YVcJ47rGyCI/AAAAAAAAICc/lPv_aY1Y7XUy0tJ983Bqx1DQSuJr3f-RACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l17.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">Help is on the way in the form of the heroic French hero Chevalier Bayard</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIZt6wVNMfg/YVcJ4_fA34I/AAAAAAAAICg/8I5NXHt6jKMtZuP9govPHw8JsXNGFo2_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l18.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIZt6wVNMfg/YVcJ4_fA34I/AAAAAAAAICg/8I5NXHt6jKMtZuP9govPHw8JsXNGFo2_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l18.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">The Blessed Lucia of Narni is there to keep everyone honest</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa038-1rx3c/YVcJ5T-XQBI/AAAAAAAAICo/1awU4BISyu0fvakW1lWHSa5UI7aHG3nuACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/l20.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa038-1rx3c/YVcJ5T-XQBI/AAAAAAAAICo/1awU4BISyu0fvakW1lWHSa5UI7aHG3nuACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l20.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">An aerial assault on the city</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Z8FzWu7ys/YVcJ2Q--T1I/AAAAAAAAIB4/KSCIf0Mwc_I17pMPGTKZFdJra1zXR5WzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/L20a.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Z8FzWu7ys/YVcJ2Q--T1I/AAAAAAAAIB4/KSCIf0Mwc_I17pMPGTKZFdJra1zXR5WzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/L20a.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0pUno9P61A/YVcJ2B1k3tI/AAAAAAAAIBw/T-bHampXuH0dyxCdIX0qRtH9uRp0Xgu4QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/l-22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n0pUno9P61A/YVcJ2B1k3tI/AAAAAAAAIBw/T-bHampXuH0dyxCdIX0qRtH9uRp0Xgu4QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/l-22.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: start;">The Prince of Foxes himself, Andrea Orsini, piloting a flying machine.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0Z8FzWu7ys/YVcJ2Q--T1I/AAAAAAAAIB4/KSCIf0Mwc_I17pMPGTKZFdJra1zXR5WzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/L20a.HEIC" width="320" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The city in more peaceful times.</span></div><p><br /></p></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-20450304821231028622021-09-28T15:43:00.000-07:002021-09-28T15:43:10.741-07:00It Isn't Christmas Until Hans Gruber Falls from the Nakatomi Tower<p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After several weeks of real life interfering with gaming,
including a couple of theatrical shows and some house work that deprived me of
my game room, I’m finally getting back into things just in time for the run up
to Historicon. I plan on running two
games at the convention. The first and smaller of the two is based on
everyone's favorite Christmas movie and is called, “It Isn't Christmas Until
Hans Gruber Falls from the Nakatomi Tower.” I'll be using a modified version of
the Stargrave rules.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUY-sJgLVXk/YVOWEZvkA-I/AAAAAAAAH_w/FvWCaa91IlMESlqhZ7ydiKrO0_odcfiLwCNcBGAsYHQ/s646/Nakatomi_Corporation_Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="646" height="276" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SUY-sJgLVXk/YVOWEZvkA-I/AAAAAAAAH_w/FvWCaa91IlMESlqhZ7ydiKrO0_odcfiLwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Nakatomi_Corporation_Logo.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This was one of the cheapest convention games I’ve put together.
Nakatomi Tower is made from a couple of old milk crates. The vehicles are all
toys I picked up a various flee markets, most of the police and hostages are
plastic HeroClicks that I picked up on discount. The convenience store was from
a overstock sale by Miniature Building Authority and the diner is a plastic
railroad model. The most expensive thing
were the specific character figures, old Rogue Miniatures now sold by Minifigs.
The mat is from Cigar Box mats.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQX38dfeE9k/YVOWMUe1frI/AAAAAAAAIAM/fRJEul9MLLEM7F1bmgOE9RIjEYX24zZYACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7113.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQX38dfeE9k/YVOWMUe1frI/AAAAAAAAIAM/fRJEul9MLLEM7F1bmgOE9RIjEYX24zZYACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7113.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Nakatomi Tower, Century City, LA, circa 1988</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omzRqd2p2pA/YVOWMc4oEzI/AAAAAAAAIAI/ZFtlKQs2Xy0fTUETB8IXgZpWz1DOSJ71ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7114.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omzRqd2p2pA/YVOWMc4oEzI/AAAAAAAAIAI/ZFtlKQs2Xy0fTUETB8IXgZpWz1DOSJ71ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7114.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99a0UMaMmV0/YVOWMZMueQI/AAAAAAAAIAQ/5qZfi1vtVWYp1a7nit9l0f7s4k3e3O3JgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7115.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-99a0UMaMmV0/YVOWMZMueQI/AAAAAAAAIAQ/5qZfi1vtVWYp1a7nit9l0f7s4k3e3O3JgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7115.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">The rooftop helipad with hostages arriving.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePgq2Y6SdQ8/YVOWnCGwYUI/AAAAAAAAIAk/CouhqGwOZd4_GGGeo1k2cDd4MCRYRYkswCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7116.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePgq2Y6SdQ8/YVOWnCGwYUI/AAAAAAAAIAk/CouhqGwOZd4_GGGeo1k2cDd4MCRYRYkswCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7116.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"Figure we take out the terrorists. Lose twenty, twenty-five percent of the hostages, tops."</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDS5ZvLE-bI/YVOWx2s439I/AAAAAAAAIAo/NCcJoYAL4jsvrQPKMTOW4SS-DHVXKp1cQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7117.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pDS5ZvLE-bI/YVOWx2s439I/AAAAAAAAIAo/NCcJoYAL4jsvrQPKMTOW4SS-DHVXKp1cQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7117.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">"Looks Like we're going to need a couple more FBI guys."</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jxRTUkrGB0/YVOW7MO0M6I/AAAAAAAAIAs/lU0HLTTEupM6S_aEp0GAcUxcX32DPIxqQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7118.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1jxRTUkrGB0/YVOW7MO0M6I/AAAAAAAAIAs/lU0HLTTEupM6S_aEp0GAcUxcX32DPIxqQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7118.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">"'Come out to the coast, we’ll get together, have a few laughs.'"</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYf9qSQQEI0/YVOXE79ERyI/AAAAAAAAIA0/Oz1YZUE1GCojhB0ofBx16D3W9wnG88fnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7119.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYf9qSQQEI0/YVOXE79ERyI/AAAAAAAAIA0/Oz1YZUE1GCojhB0ofBx16D3W9wnG88fnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7119.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"I am an exceptional thief, Ms. Gennaro."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRdG9cnfvTk/YVOXWJ8kYlI/AAAAAAAAIBA/FEkV9spV6tUvVdplfhLawof3LSM5ReHUwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7121.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRdG9cnfvTk/YVOXWJ8kYlI/AAAAAAAAIBA/FEkV9spV6tUvVdplfhLawof3LSM5ReHUwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7121.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMRGlNKM9HM/YVOXWDcvPMI/AAAAAAAAIA8/bfGBCRGtFj4_CA0daEJPvdAIzOLPDJNYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7122.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FMRGlNKM9HM/YVOXWDcvPMI/AAAAAAAAIA8/bfGBCRGtFj4_CA0daEJPvdAIzOLPDJNYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7122.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bV27lcQOqJU/YVOXbbH08pI/AAAAAAAAIBE/zNjvNb3YVbk3uYBeVX3tl3dGQqgleXdwwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/diehard-yippi-ki-yay-face-mask-alt-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1434" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bV27lcQOqJU/YVOXbbH08pI/AAAAAAAAIBE/zNjvNb3YVbk3uYBeVX3tl3dGQqgleXdwwCNcBGAsYHQ/w276-h180/diehard-yippi-ki-yay-face-mask-alt-2.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Since the convention now requires masks, I even picked up a
themed face mask.</span></div></div><p></p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-89825312278066712172021-05-30T16:56:00.001-07:002021-05-30T16:59:48.325-07:00A Device Infernal VIII<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Device Infernal </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chapter VIII: Vangeline's Choice</b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUvVDlr8lN4/YK6SREriDNI/AAAAAAAAHok/bmC335I-U8AYL1KsB6EYLDCzx1OD-7_OgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUvVDlr8lN4/YK6SREriDNI/AAAAAAAAHok/bmC335I-U8AYL1KsB6EYLDCzx1OD-7_OgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Now it must be remembered that the Great Loas, such as Baron Cimitiere and Pater Carrefour, are Spirits, albeit
powerful ones, especially in their own realms, but not Gods.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Now that means that they have
their limitations and are not absolutely invincible. They are also very jealous
of their prerogatives and can be down right prickly when they perceive that
their spheres of interest are being imposed upon.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And that is what lay at the heart of all this trouble for Vangeline and her
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally when mere mortals are
caught in the middle of such a ruckus, it bodes ill for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, with a little bit of luck and with grit
and with humanity, anything is possible.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYIv3n5Oc8M/YK6TEtqMtfI/AAAAAAAAHs8/jFC8UCuxXnclV4zr0b2k0hu2kgMcWSdQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yYIv3n5Oc8M/YK6TEtqMtfI/AAAAAAAAHs8/jFC8UCuxXnclV4zr0b2k0hu2kgMcWSdQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">So they had come to the realm of Baron Cimitiere, the lord of the dead seeking the crystal lilies which they hoped could be used to free Vangeline from her cursed sleep. As it turned out, they got all mixed up and separated and it looked like they all were doomed.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlWeRfv4xHs/YK6TEQIb1OI/AAAAAAAAHs4/yEtjyC2Tay8j5-x9dXXtJjkuoNI3lNW9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-2a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PlWeRfv4xHs/YK6TEQIb1OI/AAAAAAAAHs4/yEtjyC2Tay8j5-x9dXXtJjkuoNI3lNW9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-2a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However, just as the Baron was going to strike Fiddlesticks down, the fiddler struck up a magic cord and who appeared but Pater Carrefour, Papa Crossroads, who had a complaint against the Baron for stealing the souls of those who rightfully belonged to Papa.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbhVhEJfvQw/YK6TE5Y8k6I/AAAAAAAAHtA/W5pA4yHwq3kZV7r9-ocMXZWgNmdy_XsOACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-2b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbhVhEJfvQw/YK6TE5Y8k6I/AAAAAAAAHtA/W5pA4yHwq3kZV7r9-ocMXZWgNmdy_XsOACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-2b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Papa Crossroads nodded to Fiddlesticks saying, "I knew you were the right one who could open the door to this realm for me. I knew it from the moment I set that basilisk on your path, knowing your mama would place you in my keeping, I knew it the moment I gave to your enemy the formula for that sleeping curse your gal suffers from now. I knew you wouldn't give up until you got here into the realm of my rival. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Needless to say, Fiddlesticks was not pleased that all that had befallen him and Vangeline and their friends had been merely a device by which the devious Loa could enter these infernal regions for some petty dispute over prerogatives.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoaZmpQJSoQ/YK6TE1UPPTI/AAAAAAAAHtE/1fgup4Oxj7sYU_bYOIFXgdRNFu0EvIG8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoaZmpQJSoQ/YK6TE1UPPTI/AAAAAAAAHtE/1fgup4Oxj7sYU_bYOIFXgdRNFu0EvIG8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">While Fiddlesticks fumed, the two Loas fell to disputing with each other over who was to blame for starting this feud. The Baron had snatched up hundreds of runaways who, as travelers, belonged to the realm of Papa Crossroads while Fiddlesticks, having died, should have belonged with Cimitiere. The unequal numbers didn't seem to matter much; it was the affront to their privileges that infuriated both of the Loas. Their minions commenced to growling at each other and it looked like a first class ruckus was about to begin.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZJp_TfmKMA/YK6TE3JhzlI/AAAAAAAAHtI/KzC6FjZc_0MVodP4AhdigE6F-vObdYl3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZJp_TfmKMA/YK6TE3JhzlI/AAAAAAAAHtI/KzC6FjZc_0MVodP4AhdigE6F-vObdYl3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;">When Papa Crossroads suggested trading Fiddlesticks' soul for that of the runaways' souls, returning to the status quo as it were, Fiddlesticks decided he best skedaddle. So while the Loa weren't looking, he levitated himself and headed off toward the lily field, hoping to help Coralie to grab one of the flowers and make an escape.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtGbLpB6uLs/YK6TFKaq_qI/AAAAAAAAHtQ/zs3GUMzNIeof5tBvZVgCS37i3uyGZGVTACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtGbLpB6uLs/YK6TFKaq_qI/AAAAAAAAHtQ/zs3GUMzNIeof5tBvZVgCS37i3uyGZGVTACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">As things heated up, Baron Cimitiere took on the form of a great gator, a symbol of swift death well known to the Yando folk.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHh6o2QT_uo/YK6TFbIY1sI/AAAAAAAAHtU/wrI6D_JJnmsdyoxDHz1_V4pIGncRkDwjwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHh6o2QT_uo/YK6TFbIY1sI/AAAAAAAAHtU/wrI6D_JJnmsdyoxDHz1_V4pIGncRkDwjwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Just as the Gator Baron was about to pounce, Papa Crossroads turned himself into the form of a greater demon and the two commenced to wrassling.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7Lytge8TRk/YK6TFvxwcLI/AAAAAAAAHtY/TDVLC8WmTl4dbXxCEkes4kr-eC923HbCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7Lytge8TRk/YK6TFvxwcLI/AAAAAAAAHtY/TDVLC8WmTl4dbXxCEkes4kr-eC923HbCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, Coralie had snuck into the field containing the crystal lilies and grabbed one but found herself surrounded by zombi and the gravedigger minions of the Baron. Servan had sent the time jumping hounds to aid her and they with difficulty held off the mob of zombi.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVsF1ny1B5s/YK6TFop5kWI/AAAAAAAAHtc/z-JVJBaaJxIOgKZl5LUYnGf4nrXfAs_8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVsF1ny1B5s/YK6TFop5kWI/AAAAAAAAHtc/z-JVJBaaJxIOgKZl5LUYnGf4nrXfAs_8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-9.JPG" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Seeing this, Brother Maksen thrust the teleporting ring onto his finger and sent himself over to aid her. He left the injured Servan atop the pillar to take pot shots at their enemies below.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9V9r4NWZvY/YK6TEW-K6_I/AAAAAAAAHs0/sIaFC66ze7k3aBceUVaOnH980Du5LsU6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9V9r4NWZvY/YK6TEW-K6_I/AAAAAAAAHs0/sIaFC66ze7k3aBceUVaOnH980Du5LsU6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;">Landing in a corner of the field behind the zombi and gravediggers, Maksen snatched up one of the lilies. The flower let out a huge, blood curdling scream that drew the attention of the zombi.</span><br /></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvJ8mmpfF48/YK6TUXej-YI/AAAAAAAAHtk/XqjMh6Ajf8cfJpLzALGLSRwATu0d4MfMgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvJ8mmpfF48/YK6TUXej-YI/AAAAAAAAHtk/XqjMh6Ajf8cfJpLzALGLSRwATu0d4MfMgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It did give Coralie some respite. Clutching the lily she had plucked, she had two of the time hounds charge the zombi that stood between her and a small gap in fence at the rear of the field. They easily tore through the shamblers.</span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8vJ4HDxPaw/YK6TUaT4G6I/AAAAAAAAHto/3Q3tZrrQaicIOrVzbDrM86TSRGdYhFu1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8vJ4HDxPaw/YK6TUaT4G6I/AAAAAAAAHto/3Q3tZrrQaicIOrVzbDrM86TSRGdYhFu1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">The third time hound attacked the gravediggers. Although it was killed in the process, it kept these more powerful entities busy while Coralie made her escape.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zppp0pheOak/YK6TUrpdYyI/AAAAAAAAHts/nnCYXiTQ28gsz9gRDfa_r_J-ZOg86NE_QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zppp0pheOak/YK6TUrpdYyI/AAAAAAAAHts/nnCYXiTQ28gsz9gRDfa_r_J-ZOg86NE_QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, as she scrambled through the fence, the writhing thorn hedges struck at her, cutting a deep gash into her shoulder. She forced her way forward away from the tearing vines.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqeK-uWW7BA/YK6TU1VZJqI/AAAAAAAAHtw/ekCsZrBRdKIanmZRR6YgT2NmcLsQw7vxQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqeK-uWW7BA/YK6TU1VZJqI/AAAAAAAAHtw/ekCsZrBRdKIanmZRR6YgT2NmcLsQw7vxQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">At the other side of the courtyard, Sabeen and Jbili were holding off a horde of skeleton-led zombi while Placeed tended to Dewy who had been horrible cut up by a flying skeleton.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qKFqUXrKVhk/YK6TVN4ysuI/AAAAAAAAHt0/-AGczAJ9WSUu63WCy6R0wN2M67o0WgobQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qKFqUXrKVhk/YK6TVN4ysuI/AAAAAAAAHt0/-AGczAJ9WSUu63WCy6R0wN2M67o0WgobQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sabeen called up one of her wind storms and tossed several of the skeleton leaders into one of the fuming pits.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjWF2QReU5o/YK6TVfdcJqI/AAAAAAAAHt4/rePt5_UY1vomMoR55zxLkav7HOcfAHV9ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjWF2QReU5o/YK6TVfdcJqI/AAAAAAAAHt4/rePt5_UY1vomMoR55zxLkav7HOcfAHV9ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As he fired away at the zombi chasing Coralie and now Maksen, Servan did not notice that another zombi had managed to clamber up to the top of the pillar. It lunged at him and the force of its strike knocked them both off the pillar.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJM1kzyIMRs/YK6TWHre5RI/AAAAAAAAHt8/bCBk2-69kyYs5ZiEHHPRAB3W7ENyYwU0QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJM1kzyIMRs/YK6TWHre5RI/AAAAAAAAHt8/bCBk2-69kyYs5ZiEHHPRAB3W7ENyYwU0QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-18.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Servan landed into the great mass of zombi. They began to tear at him while he tried to fight them off using his one good arm to wield his rifle as a club.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWlN3WN1g5k/YK6TWudImjI/AAAAAAAAHuA/t-0pyALrNX4ZDcFgMfC-_JGqyPLoD8rlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWlN3WN1g5k/YK6TWudImjI/AAAAAAAAHuA/t-0pyALrNX4ZDcFgMfC-_JGqyPLoD8rlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the two Loas fought, Papa Crossroads' army of demons charged the Baron's undead. A great clanging bell rang over the yard. Out of the graves that lined the ruined temple, a host of skeletal cavalry emerged.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icYhEi0CAeQ/YK6TXCj5nyI/AAAAAAAAHuE/7eoW0MIGgdcM1V4Sefw9DsTfsJZ9Wsp1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icYhEi0CAeQ/YK6TXCj5nyI/AAAAAAAAHuE/7eoW0MIGgdcM1V4Sefw9DsTfsJZ9Wsp1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-20.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The piles of bones scattered around the yard began to form into skeletal warriors.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjczwvvClHw/YK6UKmdngxI/AAAAAAAAHv8/N0DN2qvcyrcYLvwJkRBsetm62bFtA7krACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjczwvvClHw/YK6UKmdngxI/AAAAAAAAHv8/N0DN2qvcyrcYLvwJkRBsetm62bFtA7krACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">These fell upon Crossroads' demons and a horrific battle was joined</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDugB1TE0KE/YK6UKtcsU3I/AAAAAAAAHv4/Ont1GPFG4V4LMQT1w4RyY571p5kvuHtJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDugB1TE0KE/YK6UKtcsU3I/AAAAAAAAHv4/Ont1GPFG4V4LMQT1w4RyY571p5kvuHtJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-22.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the midst of this, the Baron's tentacled consort, struck out at Skeeter. He managed to parry the slimy attacks with his whomping stick.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mJZs_ulYSo/YK6UKqt0pWI/AAAAAAAAHv0/e5Xfge1KntEMG4G7HJxUj0E18Wxh5x_MQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mJZs_ulYSo/YK6UKqt0pWI/AAAAAAAAHv0/e5Xfge1KntEMG4G7HJxUj0E18Wxh5x_MQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">He charged the disgusting creature and delivered a heavy blow with his ever-accurate cudgel.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyHQEyyplkw/YK6UK0kXGaI/AAAAAAAAHwA/j5MZXoWi8uI2SQ25VnUb7ei7qZ9HHSm5gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyHQEyyplkw/YK6UK0kXGaI/AAAAAAAAHwA/j5MZXoWi8uI2SQ25VnUb7ei7qZ9HHSm5gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Coralie, who had managed to break free from the thorn vines, ran past the corner of the field and dragged Maksen over the fence before the mob of zombi could overwhelm him.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OUEE-qHuK4/YK6ULDbk2uI/AAAAAAAAHwE/tS_TvA4OeOk7iSqwRpAIwN9o2ZlWGAxKgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OUEE-qHuK4/YK6ULDbk2uI/AAAAAAAAHwE/tS_TvA4OeOk7iSqwRpAIwN9o2ZlWGAxKgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-25.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When she did so, Maksen put the ring back on and teleported them both back to the top of the pillar. Coralie screamed when she saw Servan's perdicament.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Iqn2tmtNNQ/YK6UXfa-BOI/AAAAAAAAHwI/KEvtyCW69pc4sG165vwuC-NVsp6isV9bQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Iqn2tmtNNQ/YK6UXfa-BOI/AAAAAAAAHwI/KEvtyCW69pc4sG165vwuC-NVsp6isV9bQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-26.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whispering a hasty prayer to his god Huisinga, Maksen drew his battle axe and, crying his family's ancient battle cry, leapt into the mass of zombi swirling around Servan. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94Y3iVVKm5g/YK6UXaYEQzI/AAAAAAAAHwQ/oEGgxRdlN0ww-awkajxeiqc4H0b2-bvvQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-94Y3iVVKm5g/YK6UXaYEQzI/AAAAAAAAHwQ/oEGgxRdlN0ww-awkajxeiqc4H0b2-bvvQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-27.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Jbili fired the swivel gun into a mass of skeletons emerging from a bone pile while Sabeen rushed to aid Placeed and Dewy who were beset by two skeleton knights.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fo_p_U-Xt9E/YK6UXXTBiHI/AAAAAAAAHwM/5WwyfbuF8_M1fmh9ykHO2hkkjoFNI_2TQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-27a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fo_p_U-Xt9E/YK6UXXTBiHI/AAAAAAAAHwM/5WwyfbuF8_M1fmh9ykHO2hkkjoFNI_2TQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-27a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Back to back, Maksen and Servan managed to hold off the zombi horde. After he had blasted his way through the skeletons, Jbili had charged across the yard to aid his friend Servan. His flashing blade cut a path through the zombi.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ8FGE8ae7I/YK6UXwna8BI/AAAAAAAAHwc/Jt07rmA3pSofs-1OwqaKhqPtf-HyZvXbgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-28a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ8FGE8ae7I/YK6UXwna8BI/AAAAAAAAHwc/Jt07rmA3pSofs-1OwqaKhqPtf-HyZvXbgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-28a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sabeen charged the skeleton knights from behind, blasting one to shred with her pepperbox pistol.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzCV64Kb2BQ/YK6UX5BTiFI/AAAAAAAAHwY/vK6YIz_qW38UOSYMAOC9o6rIZOS10jkwACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BzCV64Kb2BQ/YK6UX5BTiFI/AAAAAAAAHwY/vK6YIz_qW38UOSYMAOC9o6rIZOS10jkwACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lieutenant Sharf and Sergeant Hrr'pr, standing on Skeeter's flank, held off a troop of skeleton knights, although the big Ogre sergeant was grievously wounded in the fight.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5XN_XY7ooQ/YK6UX_ntDyI/AAAAAAAAHwg/whGEergQcGMcRvKRpJt09fU2uWu69zxwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-30.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5XN_XY7ooQ/YK6UX_ntDyI/AAAAAAAAHwg/whGEergQcGMcRvKRpJt09fU2uWu69zxwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-30.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A great thunderous roar echoed across the yard as the skeletal cavalry charged into the fray.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9tv7PR1vnA/YK6UhlSTh6I/AAAAAAAAHws/hYLer9TjNg4k0H5kfhnejYuG1hO2srqagCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9tv7PR1vnA/YK6UhlSTh6I/AAAAAAAAHws/hYLer9TjNg4k0H5kfhnejYuG1hO2srqagCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having seen Coralie make her escape, Fiddlesticks decided it was time to seek some revenge against his erstwhile loa patron and joined the Gator Baron's attack on Demon Crossroads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zGnsVb11no/YK6UYSvk7aI/AAAAAAAAHwk/5E0XFNXUypINc7LYX63lHebrpxJXKTzogCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zGnsVb11no/YK6UYSvk7aI/AAAAAAAAHwk/5E0XFNXUypINc7LYX63lHebrpxJXKTzogCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The consort made one more lunge at Skeeter, the teeth-lined tentacles swirling around him. The swamp stomper held up his stick to the dark sky, and said, "if there's anybody up there, I sure could use a little help!' Suddenly, a small shaft of light beamed out of the lowering clouds illuminating the tip of Skeeter's stick. He struck the creature on the side of her head. With a loud crack it twisted at an odd angle and the creature's body collapsed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0vuBooUTzo/YK6UhrQgACI/AAAAAAAAHwo/wIRPx-emmSkl--LUWp2QduCZJsrtHf61gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0vuBooUTzo/YK6UhrQgACI/AAAAAAAAHwo/wIRPx-emmSkl--LUWp2QduCZJsrtHf61gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>However, Skeeter was now assailed by one of Papa Crossroads way-watcher devils. Skeeter fell back before the sharp claws of the huge demon. Fiddlesticks was struck by the Demon Crossroads and the pain from the wound transported him away from the fight.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJdvMVGFQsQ/YK6UhojW6aI/AAAAAAAAHww/TaS_vC5vaf0sv3tXbehe0aMH1vwBGHPkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-33a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJdvMVGFQsQ/YK6UhojW6aI/AAAAAAAAHww/TaS_vC5vaf0sv3tXbehe0aMH1vwBGHPkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-33a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Crossroads' demons were beginning to lose ground to the huge hordes of the Baron's undead. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VvW6PsAFR8M/YK6Uh5mWZvI/AAAAAAAAHw0/GvNPO7eHqsY1G9-ok7haOypexd_MX41uQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VvW6PsAFR8M/YK6Uh5mWZvI/AAAAAAAAHw0/GvNPO7eHqsY1G9-ok7haOypexd_MX41uQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-34.JPG" /></a></div>Suddenly, Papa Crossroads transformed again, now a gigantic demon that towered over all around it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lT1gftASVOs/YK6UiDs_2EI/AAAAAAAAHw4/yX8yzQy1n8gLKh-qw1T_vmWDK2Y8VOILwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-35.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lT1gftASVOs/YK6UiDs_2EI/AAAAAAAAHw4/yX8yzQy1n8gLKh-qw1T_vmWDK2Y8VOILwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-35.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>But the Baron matched him by transforming into a giant crocodile. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnrf5v0u_TI/YK6UiGtAiTI/AAAAAAAAHw8/pCzVCbODA6UDICDRzonteC_rG_OmYv3xQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnrf5v0u_TI/YK6UiGtAiTI/AAAAAAAAHw8/pCzVCbODA6UDICDRzonteC_rG_OmYv3xQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The two giants fell upon one another, the earth trembling under the force of the blows they struck at each other.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bKvgXPzE1M/YK6UiRe-AyI/AAAAAAAAHxA/lXJhnVkK9m0XYM-zrZrXJ-YcGiilOut0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bKvgXPzE1M/YK6UiRe-AyI/AAAAAAAAHxA/lXJhnVkK9m0XYM-zrZrXJ-YcGiilOut0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-37.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Between strokes at the zombi, Maksen called out a loud prayer to Huisinga. Hearing this, Fiddlesticks struck up a hymn to the God of Positive Change that he had heard Maksen sing during their trip here. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NvpXPl_BxE/YK6UiS2a8iI/AAAAAAAAHxE/5zyP7Hf3VFc0TihYvNEH0Wava0jnB7yjwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-38.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7NvpXPl_BxE/YK6UiS2a8iI/AAAAAAAAHxE/5zyP7Hf3VFc0TihYvNEH0Wava0jnB7yjwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-38.JPG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dark clouds were suddenly parted and a great shaft of golden light shone down upon the battling Loas. The ground beneath their feet cracked and was rent asunder, plunging both creatures into the unfathomable space below.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEla4AgU_tA/YK6U1lUIJqI/AAAAAAAAHxo/0teoeUg8YhMQpvkb0NdN19BY8CG-WyrrACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-39.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HEla4AgU_tA/YK6U1lUIJqI/AAAAAAAAHxo/0teoeUg8YhMQpvkb0NdN19BY8CG-WyrrACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-39.JPG" /></a></div><br /></div>From the great crevice where the giant Loas had stood, a bright ethereal temple arose into the air, pure water flowing from it, the holy symbols of Huisinga glowing brightly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YDc9kOojj3o/YK6VFQ9km7I/AAAAAAAAHyQ/Q8fnckKf9EIPCbT1HNcmCCYboJu96tsMwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-40.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YDc9kOojj3o/YK6VFQ9km7I/AAAAAAAAHyQ/Q8fnckKf9EIPCbT1HNcmCCYboJu96tsMwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-40.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Everything came to a stand still and in the silence, there was the sound of wind rising from the space between temple pillars.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYux4Dx5z00/YK6VFXCJjfI/AAAAAAAAHyI/yGySAGa-gmUfBIRXPccPh0XmuB4MmncZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-41.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYux4Dx5z00/YK6VFXCJjfI/AAAAAAAAHyI/yGySAGa-gmUfBIRXPccPh0XmuB4MmncZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-41.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>With a great peal of thunder, a huge dragon, glowing a luminescent blue appeared from the temple. As its wings stretched out, gentle rains began to fall from them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dE05dTIkYPI/YK6VFXFHfuI/AAAAAAAAHyM/eTbhOMiI4vAXd8YfrnoOhJ2NZSxveWUiACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-42.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dE05dTIkYPI/YK6VFXFHfuI/AAAAAAAAHyM/eTbhOMiI4vAXd8YfrnoOhJ2NZSxveWUiACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-42.JPG" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>The great dragon circled the yard, its purifying rain falling upon everything. The demons and skeletons seemed to melt away under the water. The zombi were transformed back into their living forms. <br /><o:p><br /></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JORiZA87D8/YK6VL2x22nI/AAAAAAAAHyo/ojo7ZVLh0ege7kCp-x_rZmP3zkUB86PhgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-43a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JORiZA87D8/YK6VL2x22nI/AAAAAAAAHyo/ojo7ZVLh0ege7kCp-x_rZmP3zkUB86PhgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-43a.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With blinking eye and unsteady step, the misled sojourners returned to realm of the living.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ypf5vS615M/YK6VL877bEI/AAAAAAAAHys/6pIa2-7MA84IO4z0Voj6_OlFpqBtKGSbACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-43.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ypf5vS615M/YK6VL877bEI/AAAAAAAAHys/6pIa2-7MA84IO4z0Voj6_OlFpqBtKGSbACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-43.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even those who had been struck down in the fight rose, now freed from mystical enslavement. Maksen fell to his knees gazing in wonder as the graceful shadow of Huisinga glided above them.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1rpzkROUP0/YK6VL-vGHjI/AAAAAAAAHyk/2-taGttTSR4HDWqzoahMyNQ0D2z0EgcBACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-44.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1rpzkROUP0/YK6VL-vGHjI/AAAAAAAAHyk/2-taGttTSR4HDWqzoahMyNQ0D2z0EgcBACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-44.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the silence, Skeeter turned to Fiddlesticks and asked, "Now hold on, you mean that God is a dragon? I need to get me back to church!"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70k0lQmTq5w/YK6V_DPckYI/AAAAAAAAHzg/3n7Fpbo392oiV4jZcLZMSwzmiGX_uNPogCNcBGAsYHQ/s4032/8-45.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-70k0lQmTq5w/YK6V_DPckYI/AAAAAAAAHzg/3n7Fpbo392oiV4jZcLZMSwzmiGX_uNPogCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-45.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">With Maksen and Coralie bearing their crystal lilies, they led the great crowd forth, guided by beam of light that showed the way back.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR7TsqGM444/YK6V_Ed6aTI/AAAAAAAAHzc/TpBWVpSOHwIPZT_l4tDgLEmRfD_DfBbowCNcBGAsYHQ/s4032/8-46.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR7TsqGM444/YK6V_Ed6aTI/AAAAAAAAHzc/TpBWVpSOHwIPZT_l4tDgLEmRfD_DfBbowCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-46.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the walked, nothing touched them, all the way down to the river, where Leon, ever faithful awaited them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rHFjUEGwJ8/YK6V_BnK4aI/AAAAAAAAHzk/VuHAaOggbIAZbIyJGpN0DNrzRm_s48LvACNcBGAsYHQ/s4032/8-47.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rHFjUEGwJ8/YK6V_BnK4aI/AAAAAAAAHzk/VuHAaOggbIAZbIyJGpN0DNrzRm_s48LvACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-47.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In a short time, they built canoes and rafts to carry the mass of the rescued and set off down Crimson Bayou toward home. But when they left the bayou and returned to the main course, much had changed. It was no longer the heat of midsummer but the chill of late autumn. Time, like everything else, on Crimson Bayou did not go the way things normally did. What had seemed like a few days now appeared to have been at least three months and more. What might have happened in all that time, they could only hazard guesses.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sBpfAXXjJw/YK6WGafnHTI/AAAAAAAAHzo/SWs1ngTstooC7UMP9chl9d9o34oU-B51wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-47a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sBpfAXXjJw/YK6WGafnHTI/AAAAAAAAHzo/SWs1ngTstooC7UMP9chl9d9o34oU-B51wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-47a.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">They went first to Fiddlesticks' Mater's hut but found it deserted with sign that read "Gone to Salteon." So they proceed to return to the sight of all that pain that had started their quest. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIdF-TIiitY/YK6WGY0Ps2I/AAAAAAAAHzw/DcgKyJrlYDcBDSBQDvikTTMx9fJPuJ5HgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-49.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIdF-TIiitY/YK6WGY0Ps2I/AAAAAAAAHzw/DcgKyJrlYDcBDSBQDvikTTMx9fJPuJ5HgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-49.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Although most of the town still lay in ruin, there were hundreds, possibly thousands of folks encamped there. The river crowded with Yando boats of every size.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qwkecoJi2A/YK6WGXe_J_I/AAAAAAAAHzs/39-8ZVDb50IXsI3Zxp1LoSOxtQypkHV4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-50.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qwkecoJi2A/YK6WGXe_J_I/AAAAAAAAHzs/39-8ZVDb50IXsI3Zxp1LoSOxtQypkHV4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-50.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fiddlesticks struck up a song, one of the quieter Yando songs, full of weariness and sadness of loss. The great multitude grew silent as the boats approached.</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhI_7vDgH5A/YK6WGm_yVTI/AAAAAAAAHz0/ckbJFtP--RgJ9cvkRsyCZVnyqbbiZc7lgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-51.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XhI_7vDgH5A/YK6WGm_yVTI/AAAAAAAAHz0/ckbJFtP--RgJ9cvkRsyCZVnyqbbiZc7lgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-51.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">As they approached the pier, they saw Fiddlesticks' mama, Mater Filtote awaiting for them, tears in her eyes. At her side was Constable Renard and a host of armed Yando men. The Emperor's flag flew above them. There was a great cheer went up when Coralie held up her crystal lily.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12gk7f9OX-o/YK6WG-SiXfI/AAAAAAAAHz4/vwEVAXWux-csXYR7qmlroMxk79XdEyL8gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-52.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12gk7f9OX-o/YK6WG-SiXfI/AAAAAAAAHz4/vwEVAXWux-csXYR7qmlroMxk79XdEyL8gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-52.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once tied up, Mater rushed to Fiddlesticks and embraced him. He began to tell her how they had been duped by Papa Crossroads but she hushed him. "Time to talk of that later. Now we must tend to Vangeline."<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9bmac6ngbs/YK6WG_gr3cI/AAAAAAAAHz8/g2y7hNrFgVUzyXTXjgQyd-cXeHIlaqADQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-53.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9bmac6ngbs/YK6WG_gr3cI/AAAAAAAAHz8/g2y7hNrFgVUzyXTXjgQyd-cXeHIlaqADQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-53.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">She took the lilies from Coralie and Maksen and led them up to a tent that had been raised on the ruins of the Barouse house. Vangeline had been brought home to await her friends. A great crowd followed but Mater told them all to stay out, only she and Coralie and Maksen would tend to this. None of the suitors were allowed in either.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SO-OhnJkC0k/YK6WfRjdg7I/AAAAAAAAH0c/0g3-hkKgHO4DNRMQFvIGsLTDwEOi4bXkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-54.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SO-OhnJkC0k/YK6WfRjdg7I/AAAAAAAAH0c/0g3-hkKgHO4DNRMQFvIGsLTDwEOi4bXkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-54.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">As they waited, Renard approached Servan and Jbili. He told them how the Grandees had hired all the mercenary scum down in Hubbleglum and the Miviors brought them up to fight their rebellion against the Emperor and stop the Liberation. Part of that army come into the Yando under Lord Alabastre.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"We whipped them good, Lord Alabastre having to run with his tail twixt his legs again. But most of that army went up to Plibba City, where the Grandees first made their rebellion, and the Emperor coming on. And that big paid-for army whipped the Emperor and chased him all the way back to Pennol, and are laying siege to him in his own capital and he may be forced to give in right soon. Along the way there, the Grandees and thier army did some powerful terrible things to any serf that raised their head and promise to do worse once they win."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">"Well," the old fox said, "we ain't going to let that happen. No without a fight, leastways. So all of the Yando folk are heading up there to set things aright."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WB7CQjIScM/YK6WfYVeF7I/AAAAAAAAH0U/WtxWRNEUm6clnya0r0eKZs3-sO6bM9nHACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-55.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WB7CQjIScM/YK6WfYVeF7I/AAAAAAAAH0U/WtxWRNEUm6clnya0r0eKZs3-sO6bM9nHACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-55.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Only a short while later, Mater Filtote had brewed the lilies into a concoction and gentle poured some through Vangeline's lips. In a moment, she began to breathe again and move. She sat up and saw Coralie there. With much tears, the two sisters embraced...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqM_FiUfH-w/YK6WfYXtFzI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/daDdvRn26LI-46FlIhCbbG8i2DXEkNRAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-56.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqM_FiUfH-w/YK6WfYXtFzI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/daDdvRn26LI-46FlIhCbbG8i2DXEkNRAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-56.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">By and by, word came that Vangeline wanted to speak to the suitors and tell them of her decision. The fours, Fiddelsticks, Servan, Sabeen, and Placeed all waited anxiously and each of their hearts leapt with joy upon seeing Vangeline well again.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They each spoke for a moment, express their love but without boasting or denigrating any of the others; they had gone through too much together for that.</span><div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Finally, Vangeline said, "In these months, when I have the opportunity to consider my life both before and after my affliction, I came to realize that there was really very little difference between the two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been cared for more than I cared for others, been protected more than I have protected, been loved more that I have loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can never express my gratitude to you all for everything you have suffered in my behalf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I cannot chose any of you for that would mean that all of this has gone only to return me to a different type of slumber, happier no doubt, but a slumber none the less."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWDU1ULjXM0/YK6Wqov4n1I/AAAAAAAAH0g/LohboaHVjrU44MOtmXBX8_84KnqT6ppgACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-57.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWDU1ULjXM0/YK6Wqov4n1I/AAAAAAAAH0g/LohboaHVjrU44MOtmXBX8_84KnqT6ppgACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-57.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"There is trouble coming for all the world and the desires of a few small people don’t seem to matter so much.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">But maybe the love that you taught me can be used to help those have been hurt by the evil of this world. The rest of my life I intend to dedicate to that purpose.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> "</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">And that is my choice."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VCf0ZlDsJck/YK6Yoh0OIxI/AAAAAAAAH18/G9KwqqC96KELNMP8mWfD6iiyRLqgGcFDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-58.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VCf0ZlDsJck/YK6Yoh0OIxI/AAAAAAAAH18/G9KwqqC96KELNMP8mWfD6iiyRLqgGcFDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-58.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Epilogue</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Of course, every school child knows the story of the Oath at Salteon, and how, when things looked darkest for the cause of freedom, an army came out of the Yando. How they surprised all them Mivior ironclads anchored near Ft Flumens, capturing the whole fleet by guile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How they took that fleet up the River Deep, run past the Grandees’ guns at Esclaron, portaged them past the rapids onto Lake Karth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjacJvp7qs0/YK6W1gfN76I/AAAAAAAAH0w/Kqng58boeH4rBvQdtZ5kat8RmHwjzts7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-59.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mjacJvp7qs0/YK6W1gfN76I/AAAAAAAAH0w/Kqng58boeH4rBvQdtZ5kat8RmHwjzts7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-59.JPG" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">How, when the Emperor was in despair and preparing to give in to the Grandees, he saw the thousand of little Yando boats streaming toward his city, bring supplies, arms, and men. And hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How, this gave courage to the Emperor’s army that went out and drove the grandees and their hirelings back, ensuring that freedom would not die that winter.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMbiGl8Sd44/YK6W6mX7ONI/AAAAAAAAH04/Jbn7GouJVTYaXNZaO0mIPaxgDgEDD-2iQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-60.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMbiGl8Sd44/YK6W6mX7ONI/AAAAAAAAH04/Jbn7GouJVTYaXNZaO0mIPaxgDgEDD-2iQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-60.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Now that was just the beginning of the war, which went on for nine years and more, and drew in all the countries of Minaria, until there was pain and suffering and death from the Blasted Heath to the Lake of the Melting Star. And everywhere there was Vangeline and the ladies that followed her, bringing comfort to the dying, aid to the wounded, and consolation to the widowed and orphaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was said that through the rest of her long life, the love she learned in the Yando, she spread to the whole world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In the end, the world did change, and for once, it changed for the better.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp_LGhCEZZY/YK6XAMuzaJI/AAAAAAAAH1A/YH56rnra7GUuknVNmz_t1VWctZkbYhIEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-61.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fp_LGhCEZZY/YK6XAMuzaJI/AAAAAAAAH1A/YH56rnra7GUuknVNmz_t1VWctZkbYhIEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-61.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Regarding Vangeline’s friends:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">On the evening of the Emperor’s victory at Pennol, Placeed was there to give the hungry monarch some of his fine vittles and so pleased was the Emperor, that he made Placeed his personal chef with Dewy as his saucier.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">It was said that no matter how many times the Grandees tried to poison the Emperor, he was immune, his stomach having been toughened by eating the pair’s spicy dinners.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohPGPNbHKPs/YK6XF0ObH5I/AAAAAAAAH1E/KCudC0RdFzERr5qEp2WlZJBPhkYFs8YnACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-62.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohPGPNbHKPs/YK6XF0ObH5I/AAAAAAAAH1E/KCudC0RdFzERr5qEp2WlZJBPhkYFs8YnACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-62.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Sabeen, she helped lead the Yando fleet from Flumens to Lake Karth and in time she became the first Lady Admiral in the Imperial Fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, Leon was there to grumble that she was getting a bit too big for her britches and that big admiral’s hat was to cover her swollen head.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9kL_TSg7YA/YK6XJ2XBdBI/AAAAAAAAH1I/kImuv5l97RI8cIIi8bhNHxQtwy4Up9JOACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-63.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9kL_TSg7YA/YK6XJ2XBdBI/AAAAAAAAH1I/kImuv5l97RI8cIIi8bhNHxQtwy4Up9JOACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-63.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Jbili went back to the Emperor’s army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was killed in battle towards the end of the war, holding off a whole legion of the Grandees' army by himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song of his heroics will be sung in the Dwarven halls for a thousand years which is about as happy an ending any dwarf could ever wish for.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7kEgnSpRcM/YK6XNiXRuAI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/n986te52cjwbXffwHoL7Xk7MEjBXsaZtgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-64.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7kEgnSpRcM/YK6XNiXRuAI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/n986te52cjwbXffwHoL7Xk7MEjBXsaZtgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-64.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">One-armed Servon rejoined the army too, learning how to shoot his rifle with one of them new-fangled mechanical arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even joined the green jackets with his new hobgoblin friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was he and Jbili that caught up with Lord Alabastre, after the Battle of Plibba.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The less said about what they done to when they caught that nasty gutter rat the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In the end, it was his good looks that made his fortune for he married the richest woman in the Yando and in time replaced Constable Renard as the chief lawman for that part of the swamp.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpO-VAfMTuk/YK6YFfqxGtI/AAAAAAAAH10/h1L07pyP7GYg2FKZQExTgidr5MtiGYjXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-65.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpO-VAfMTuk/YK6YFfqxGtI/AAAAAAAAH10/h1L07pyP7GYg2FKZQExTgidr5MtiGYjXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-65.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Coralie inherited the remaining boats and other wealth of her father which she increased ten fold despite loaning much of it to the cause of freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was honored by the Emperor himself who named her Lady Coralie at a ball given in her honor and where she was the center of attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now some complained that a Lady should have made a better choice of husband, especially when her choice was one-armed rogue who had been so recently courting after her sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those who said that were merely jealous, for Servan was one of the handsomest men in the Empire and, well Coralie deserved something for all that hard work.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-HY0NDlV40/YK6XXlYtxOI/AAAAAAAAH1c/8rNkEZpB6yMr8D2FPexaWIysdxGfrdAlQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-66.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-HY0NDlV40/YK6XXlYtxOI/AAAAAAAAH1c/8rNkEZpB6yMr8D2FPexaWIysdxGfrdAlQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-66.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">After the war, Brother Maksen rebuilt his little temple in Salteon. They wanted to make him High Presbyter of the Cult of Huisinga, what with all them miracles he performed and seeing the God Hisself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Maksen preferred to stay in the Yando, which had become more a home to him than he ever known. Of course, he sometimes regretted that decision when Skeeter came by to discuss theology, particularly whether this or that lizard was a god too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeKd9bBIadg/YK6XjdG3zfI/AAAAAAAAH1k/opQE7Xbsr3sWWFIiPwcTHa4bqwcD_32EACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-68.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yeKd9bBIadg/YK6XjdG3zfI/AAAAAAAAH1k/opQE7Xbsr3sWWFIiPwcTHa4bqwcD_32EACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-68.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">When Skeeter came home from the war, he went back to whomping and stomping all over the back waters, hardly changed by all he had seen, and tell stories about his adventures, and loved by everyone for it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spPHBOLywro/YK6XmxGlrCI/AAAAAAAAH1o/3L68LITF72Yg1QceYn_HH1CUPXpzrE6YQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8-69.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spPHBOLywro/YK6XmxGlrCI/AAAAAAAAH1o/3L68LITF72Yg1QceYn_HH1CUPXpzrE6YQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8-69.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Now, no one is sure what become of Fiddlesticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He just disappeared on day, about a year after coming home from the war. </span>Some say that Papa Crossroads came to collect his debt and took Fiddlesticks off to the Other Side once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand Skeeter said Fiddlesticks is still there, up in the back bayous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">He claimed he had seen Papa Crossroads appear and confront Fiddlesticks and Fiddlesticks challenged him to a fiddle competition which Fiddlesticks won, making him Lord of the Crossroads.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Of course, no one paid much mind to Skeeter who was given to telling tall tales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">But one thing I know - at night, if you listen real hard, you can hear the sound of some wonderful fiddle playing coming over the waters of the Yando…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The End</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-29261266988007980522021-05-08T16:00:00.000-07:002021-05-08T16:00:13.203-07:00A Device Infernal VII<div style="text-align: center;"><b> A Device Infernal<br />Chapter VII: Unchanging Darkness</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIBRGglKcLM/YJcNvdtafRI/AAAAAAAAHnk/5u117pg0CTUIfYqinDjSCuit-Ms9AbGdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIBRGglKcLM/YJcNvdtafRI/AAAAAAAAHnk/5u117pg0CTUIfYqinDjSCuit-Ms9AbGdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well
them giant spiders weren’t much of a surprise, what with all the other
critters they had come across already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Course, it did take burning down a sizable amount of forest to be rid of
the spiders.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">What
they never expected was coming across that Elven Refuge, full of good food and
dancing and beautiful Elven folk, giving succor to all them runaways. Even bad old Shad Le Duc who had got lost and lost most of his men on the bayou found safety there. Or so they thought. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For these were
not Elves but Blood Suckers, Leech Folk, Vampires as they call them out east in Pon.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Course
I don’t think them vampires expected the fight they got from Vangeline’s
friends.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Still things was getting a
might dicey what with Servan being near killed twice. So it was a good thing that Brother Maksen's prayers were answered and Saint Sankari manifest herself as an avenging angel and plugged everyone of them
blood suckers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVbMjEayzLU/YJXrSEUDqJI/AAAAAAAAHnc/UuqS_3__8TUj-hVpzfc3QyWmpdvOOAGFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVbMjEayzLU/YJXrSEUDqJI/AAAAAAAAHnc/UuqS_3__8TUj-hVpzfc3QyWmpdvOOAGFQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So
what do you say to an angel that just saved everyone’s life but thank you
kindly. But there was no time for that, the Saint just tipped her hat and floated on up through the rafters. On her way though she warned Brother Maksen that she couldn't help them no more and that she couldn't follow them to the dark places where they were about to tread but that he should continue to trust in Huisinga, the god of light and righteous change.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKBOH-zqOtk/YInXGpW7MTI/AAAAAAAAHkU/3xClZI_6PtkAFCyf3J9ub_P_cZ-gZ8wqACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-1a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EKBOH-zqOtk/YInXGpW7MTI/AAAAAAAAHkU/3xClZI_6PtkAFCyf3J9ub_P_cZ-gZ8wqACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-1a.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">First thing, they tended to Servan who was back on his feet but feeling mighty poorly from where that vampire had near to ripped his throat out. As it was, the nerves in his left arm were cut so that holding his long rifle was going to be a might troublesome.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Then they noticed that bad old Shad Le Duc was in the corner, cradling his man who had been killed by the vampires, tears streaming down his face. Brother Maksen went to comfort him.</p><p class="MsoNormal">"This was my cousin Remy," Shad said. "We were friends, more like brothers, since we were young'uns. I forced him into this serf-hunting life, wanted to make him rich like me. He just wanted to live his life in the Yando. Too many been kilt or suffering at my hand and just so I could be a rich man. </p><p class="MsoNormal">"Brother Maksen, this god of yours, Huisinga, is the one who's causes change for the good? Can someone evil as me change for the good? "</p><p class="MsoNormal">Maksen responded, "If you open your heart to those around you, put yourself in their place, the good change will come."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgaIpvWFU98/YInXGj_SO_I/AAAAAAAAHkY/DkJ1DsTr_nEl9phNmKHmIUzpAE4o81udwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgaIpvWFU98/YInXGj_SO_I/AAAAAAAAHkY/DkJ1DsTr_nEl9phNmKHmIUzpAE4o81udwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Then let my heart be open," Shad said with determination. He laid Remy's body gently aside and covered it with his cloak. He approached Servan and the others. "I cannot ask you to forgive me for what I done at Salteon, helping Lord Alabrastre against that poor girl Vangeline. But I do hope you will take this here pocket watch and the time-jumping dogs it controls. There's only one more time that this watch can summon them dogs, maybe their last time can be used for some good instead of the evil I used them for."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then he looked outside and saw all the runaways who were frightened and confused, having seen their hosts turn into blood suckers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shad said, "I can start now. Them folks won't last much trying to get out of Crimson Bayou by themselves. I spent my life putting folks back in chains. From now on, the rest of my life is going be helping them out of bondage."</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNss6TuwWoc/YInXIrfu_tI/AAAAAAAAHlE/xYRohQWdfSkx20LS9Ui-0k3KLLqaNspkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNss6TuwWoc/YInXIrfu_tI/AAAAAAAAHlE/xYRohQWdfSkx20LS9Ui-0k3KLLqaNspkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-3.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so they watched as bad old Shad Le Duc led those runaway serfs and slaves on the road to freedom. They would be the first of thousands.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-rdqp5tTko/YInXMHCOPZI/AAAAAAAAHls/msTSgF3gDM88LRKhjlXnPrgaWNZu6Q-zwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-rdqp5tTko/YInXMHCOPZI/AAAAAAAAHls/msTSgF3gDM88LRKhjlXnPrgaWNZu6Q-zwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They set off again, the divining rod showing them further up the Bayou. As they went, the land became drier and more desolate. Ruins of unfathomable age could be seen. The sky was dark and cloud-covered, making it hard to determine whether it was day or night. After a time, the smell of sulfur and brimstone, and wormwood struck them. Brother Maksen realized that they might no longer be on the terrestrial plane but in some twilight place.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a long time, they saw some sort of settlement in the midst of the desolation. Fiddlesticks levitated above the dead trees that surrounded them to investigate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfBl8aKVlhE/YInXOYQNhyI/AAAAAAAAHmY/ZbdtdBuIOXoxoIOxRxwpy520CLuWC52wwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QfBl8aKVlhE/YInXOYQNhyI/AAAAAAAAHmY/ZbdtdBuIOXoxoIOxRxwpy520CLuWC52wwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>It was a fortress formed by high jagged stone pillars with walls formed of living thorns. A large house, surprisingly modern stood upon a rocky summit in its midst. A multitude of ragged people staggered about in ceaseless obscure labor, driven by guards who were living skeletons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Zombi!" exclaimed Fiddlesticks. "We have come to the House of Death!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"The great Soul Trap, the unchanging darkness," said Brother Maksen, remembering the writings of Saint Nonnus regarding the realms of the afterlife.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZvVTloWydE/YInXO7co2tI/AAAAAAAAHmg/kAXh-5hp7YAymnF6NnoPdP1p2oTL0OXGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RZvVTloWydE/YInXO7co2tI/AAAAAAAAHmg/kAXh-5hp7YAymnF6NnoPdP1p2oTL0OXGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scattered throughout were several large pits from which huge plumes of green smoke writhed. The hordes of zombi tending them, adding baskets of some sort of substances to feed them.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phwaSzc1TQY/YInXPBChVUI/AAAAAAAAHmk/PIthe61j7SUgxWhHPs_-EQDSF38TVUx8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phwaSzc1TQY/YInXPBChVUI/AAAAAAAAHmk/PIthe61j7SUgxWhHPs_-EQDSF38TVUx8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then in the far corner, Fiddlesticks spotted a small field filled with rows of flowers, pale white in the dim light. The Crystal Lilies.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VW973GqwekM/YInXPR32y0I/AAAAAAAAHms/kN3qmGdIQ1wMII0RfHEmxig_DE1ermPlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VW973GqwekM/YInXPR32y0I/AAAAAAAAHms/kN3qmGdIQ1wMII0RfHEmxig_DE1ermPlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks reported all this to the others. They decided that Coralie would move quietly to a spot near the crystal lily field and, using her vine magic, create an opening in the thorn walls. She would then rush in and snatch one of the lilies. The rest would create distractions if needed. Servan and Maksen would find a perch on one of the pillars from which Servan could fire down at any who threatened Coralie. Sabeen, J'bili, Placeed, and Dewy would strike one of the walls on the other side of the fortress. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCoCeSe7LBg/YInXPfn-ruI/AAAAAAAAHmo/TlZ2H0bY6NcWfQf6ZO6fuHXx5Z3_cS3OgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCoCeSe7LBg/YInXPfn-ruI/AAAAAAAAHmo/TlZ2H0bY6NcWfQf6ZO6fuHXx5Z3_cS3OgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But first, Fiddlesticks and Skeeter would march boldly in and ask to see Baron Cimitere and possibly ask him for one of the lilies. They approached what appeared to be the only gate in the walls. The thick thorns blocking it rolled open as they approached.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qs5HYhLlhHU/YInXE7o9EuI/AAAAAAAAHjo/4paqMWgbwOcw0H5M5MLHCuiiQ64fGj3rQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qs5HYhLlhHU/YInXE7o9EuI/AAAAAAAAHjo/4paqMWgbwOcw0H5M5MLHCuiiQ64fGj3rQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thinking it might be helpful to have one of his "little friends" with them, Fiddlesticks summoned up an imp in the form of a winged spider, who he called Araignee. Much to their surprise, the skeletons guarding the gate indicated they could proceed.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_uCpQAAwFQQ/YInXEzWC3yI/AAAAAAAAHjs/xiSf3rWTg_sE7NRHb647qsK1dookNuF2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_uCpQAAwFQQ/YInXEzWC3yI/AAAAAAAAHjs/xiSf3rWTg_sE7NRHb647qsK1dookNuF2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They walked through what had been some sort of ancient temple or mortuary, more skeleton guards motioning them forward.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlZ_XShoBag/YInXFViRejI/AAAAAAAAHj0/Lkjsz48DikY5sCA1Ihdk4NWfsyIFfGzgACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlZ_XShoBag/YInXFViRejI/AAAAAAAAHj0/Lkjsz48DikY5sCA1Ihdk4NWfsyIFfGzgACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the foot of the hill, they encountered two figures dressed much like gravediggers, the smell of things long dead hung about them. They motioned for Fiddlesticks and Skeeter to advance up the hill.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdjCeN-CRz4/YInXFk35thI/AAAAAAAAHj4/KudC9VYUoXISJuf3DFeN4WNavgxfkn89wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdjCeN-CRz4/YInXFk35thI/AAAAAAAAHj4/KudC9VYUoXISJuf3DFeN4WNavgxfkn89wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A strangely insect-like major domo met them at the stairs to the house. His oversized claw pointed for them to go in.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cg-kCom5lY0/YInXFlylCKI/AAAAAAAAHj8/D8fRU0h1uUwlL-ReuImLbLZXdyb6y6vTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cg-kCom5lY0/YInXFlylCKI/AAAAAAAAHj8/D8fRU0h1uUwlL-ReuImLbLZXdyb6y6vTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two figures dressed in women's gowns, their faces obscured by masks stood on the front porch of the mansion. One had a strong odor of decay, the other had tentacles peaking from under its hem. They held the door open. Fiddlesticks rushed into the dark interior of the house.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hncyd3DWxXA/YInXF2g0jQI/AAAAAAAAHkA/TjOjnFOy2v8TdjU2RRTg1sVnBogmm9tWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hncyd3DWxXA/YInXF2g0jQI/AAAAAAAAHkA/TjOjnFOy2v8TdjU2RRTg1sVnBogmm9tWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Meanwhile, Brother Maksen took Servan onto his back and used the teleportation ring to ascend to the top of one of the pillars.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8I81xbf4mo/YInXGOaiF6I/AAAAAAAAHkI/Jyfnf_mGhPEzDIalYfP7KMq3msM6SSAYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8I81xbf4mo/YInXGOaiF6I/AAAAAAAAHkI/Jyfnf_mGhPEzDIalYfP7KMq3msM6SSAYQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Coralie approached the wall near the lily field without being notices. She cast her spell and the thorns began to roll apart before her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPDlPYDiL3Q/YInXGJptk2I/AAAAAAAAHkE/erTtgF7TMgMWdmVsBub2Kzt82A4FiDHmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPDlPYDiL3Q/YInXGJptk2I/AAAAAAAAHkE/erTtgF7TMgMWdmVsBub2Kzt82A4FiDHmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks ran to the second floor. A dark figure greeted him, Baron Cimitere, the Lord of Death.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A chilling voice spoke out, "You were stolen from me! By rights you should have been here with me all along."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fiddlesticks tried to keep his voice calm as he said, "That may be, Baron, but that's not why I am here. I am here to save my love Vangeline who was cursed and I seek your great power."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-9T1CBUb0Y/YInXGJL1eqI/AAAAAAAAHkM/yqXkUSII5u0OCRZJfstJtEpJTiREoEw3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-9T1CBUb0Y/YInXGJL1eqI/AAAAAAAAHkM/yqXkUSII5u0OCRZJfstJtEpJTiREoEw3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At this point, Skeeter joined them, exclaiming when he saw the Lord of Death, "Golllee!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-at52bjYnwaE/YInXGcWTWOI/AAAAAAAAHkQ/QCWvRSdZJqcy3Am4n8FTzXrbjehG5ycbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-at52bjYnwaE/YInXGcWTWOI/AAAAAAAAHkQ/QCWvRSdZJqcy3Am4n8FTzXrbjehG5ycbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Baron Cimitere offered them one of his lilies but only if Fiddlesticks agreed to remain here in the Baron's domain. Fiddlesticks, aware of his obligation to Papa Crossroads, prevaricated, " I'm not sure that I am free to agree to that, I have other commitments." A look of anger appeared on the corpse-like face of the Baron.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yne99eUyIU/YInXGotBK2I/AAAAAAAAHkc/-AGJ8X4h71UUkdCIKd0fpnFeIcf72vT0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yne99eUyIU/YInXGotBK2I/AAAAAAAAHkc/-AGJ8X4h71UUkdCIKd0fpnFeIcf72vT0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He snapped his fingers and Fiddlesticks and the spider imp disappeared. Skeeter cried, "Where'd he go? I want to join my friend!" The Baron smiled...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQaWFqR-ETs/YInXHM2dUaI/AAAAAAAAHkg/m8uh_NbNK-IqUu5PKHhMCPcTVQ8LzSugQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQaWFqR-ETs/YInXHM2dUaI/AAAAAAAAHkg/m8uh_NbNK-IqUu5PKHhMCPcTVQ8LzSugQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks found himself in a large cage made of bone in the middle of the courtyard. Two large figures were already within. He suddenly recognized them as two of the Imperial Army hobgoblins who were searching for Servan and J'bili. They recognized Fiddlesticks as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-KuaTwHF94/YInXHVNp7ZI/AAAAAAAAHko/RCYzKRPX-0gVwgcmhUuRRT7IFF1MrHEAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-KuaTwHF94/YInXHVNp7ZI/AAAAAAAAHko/RCYzKRPX-0gVwgcmhUuRRT7IFF1MrHEAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Before any words could be exchanged, the gate to the cage opened and Skeeter strode in. "Baron said I could find you here, Fiddlesticks." But before they could react, the door was slammed shut on all of them, some type of invisible wall of force preventing Fiddlesticks rushing out the open gate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lqfJ_L4gZU/YInXHrgirxI/AAAAAAAAHks/NW-LBWYqtwoE2ZGeY_8iZQRmN5bVTCOjwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lqfJ_L4gZU/YInXHrgirxI/AAAAAAAAHks/NW-LBWYqtwoE2ZGeY_8iZQRmN5bVTCOjwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having been trapped, the pair then spoke to the two hobgoblins, Lieutenatn Sharf and his Sergeant Hrr'pr. Surprisingly they were both still armed. When asked about this, they said that the invisible wall protecting the bone cage that could not be harmed by ordinary weapons. They also warned them from breathing in the fumes from the pits as they had seen several humans be turned into zombies after breathing it. They were preserved from this fate by their hobgoblin stamina.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OUb-4PiB-8/YInXHdwu6WI/AAAAAAAAHkk/3Dg5SiIfiloMY9pLTRZTELq0V7q_2jvWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OUb-4PiB-8/YInXHdwu6WI/AAAAAAAAHkk/3Dg5SiIfiloMY9pLTRZTELq0V7q_2jvWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Fiddlesticks told Skeeter that one of the effects of "napping" for 3 months under the earth was that if injured he would teleport away in some random direction. "Hit me with your whomping stick, please Skeeter." Skeeter swung the stick at the back of Fiddlesticks' head.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTViXlIE9w8/YInXH6USFnI/AAAAAAAAHkw/hmy9Rd9Es84Ro4ylxsBJZrLp_jQSOkk-gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTViXlIE9w8/YInXH6USFnI/AAAAAAAAHkw/hmy9Rd9Es84Ro4ylxsBJZrLp_jQSOkk-gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Deciding that the time was ripe for a strong distraction, Sabeen and Placeed took big gulps of the latter's Dragon Jumbalaya and breathed hot fire breath onto the thorn wall which went up in flames.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-kh58dVzzk/YInXH1YKZQI/AAAAAAAAHk0/uaqBF8DSSKknYT0dj_35JDJaAQPWKBBkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-kh58dVzzk/YInXH1YKZQI/AAAAAAAAHk0/uaqBF8DSSKknYT0dj_35JDJaAQPWKBBkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-26.JPG" /></a></div>Having cleared a space in the wall near the lily field, Coralie rushed toward it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQM7_kt6FhU/YInXIP8ceLI/AAAAAAAAHk4/6Rz4eM9YeDYE4b8paiK57YDgsRY_KhDcgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SQM7_kt6FhU/YInXIP8ceLI/AAAAAAAAHk4/6Rz4eM9YeDYE4b8paiK57YDgsRY_KhDcgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-27.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dewy had flown over the thorns and attempted to toss a magic grenade into one of the pits.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8BAU-p5XVI/YInXIQNJ7EI/AAAAAAAAHk8/yOKCTmj2eyArNvmBTfOsc2E1qKXOTIfawCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q8BAU-p5XVI/YInXIQNJ7EI/AAAAAAAAHk8/yOKCTmj2eyArNvmBTfOsc2E1qKXOTIfawCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-28.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Having been hit lightly by Skeeter's stick, Fiddlesticks found himself teleported to the edge of one of the other pits. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoBsl6Wm3XA/YInXIVIEYrI/AAAAAAAAHlA/sDdrPTlZS6cflgdbFukPkKgX31PfZVfmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoBsl6Wm3XA/YInXIVIEYrI/AAAAAAAAHlA/sDdrPTlZS6cflgdbFukPkKgX31PfZVfmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He quickly levitated away from the fuming pit and its zombi tenders. He floated behind an incongruously mundane storage shed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpPEVPK8JnY/YInXIk0kbEI/AAAAAAAAHlI/9qwX4IGrvtM7C8zG1FHaz6_isU_VqW2eACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-30.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpPEVPK8JnY/YInXIk0kbEI/AAAAAAAAHlI/9qwX4IGrvtM7C8zG1FHaz6_isU_VqW2eACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-30.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When Coralie reached for one of the lilies, two of the scarecrows guarding the field attacked her, screeching all the while. With difficulty she blasted them with her horse pistol. But more scarecrows and zombi staggered toward her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3i83IFUB9M/YInXI4g036I/AAAAAAAAHlM/0aZPL-XduREVS9YO_gQZn5nSfFlayNU0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3i83IFUB9M/YInXI4g036I/AAAAAAAAHlM/0aZPL-XduREVS9YO_gQZn5nSfFlayNU0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The skeleton gate guards rushed through the flaming thorns and fell upon Sabeen and Placeed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-gz3D4zk6M/YInXI3_pwCI/AAAAAAAAHlQ/QukZ5ucNOpIacRolX1urnr_n-6kaAEe_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3-gz3D4zk6M/YInXI3_pwCI/AAAAAAAAHlQ/QukZ5ucNOpIacRolX1urnr_n-6kaAEe_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Servan attempted to shoot the scarecrows attacking Coralie but his bad arm interfered with his aim and he missed several shots.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fZL8Etk7NQ/YInXJZ6N1RI/AAAAAAAAHlU/LV-sMAu-aAMzrPlDCIJ6VJ8Kl9u1UPLOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fZL8Etk7NQ/YInXJZ6N1RI/AAAAAAAAHlU/LV-sMAu-aAMzrPlDCIJ6VJ8Kl9u1UPLOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-33.JPG" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lt. Sharf told Skeeter that nothing could penetrate the bone walls nor the hard stone floor of their cell. Thinking for a moment, Skeeter then lifted his whomping stick and smashed a large hole into the floor. The two hobgoblins rushed to help him as he dug furiously into the dry sand below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4DM8VaQkPs/YInXJ35IKlI/AAAAAAAAHlY/68wi1YUSEaIpeVhrzCdTCZcZZZ1TLA5GQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E4DM8VaQkPs/YInXJ35IKlI/AAAAAAAAHlY/68wi1YUSEaIpeVhrzCdTCZcZZZ1TLA5GQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-34.JPG" /></a></div>Servan's shots having revealed their location, the skeleton guards directed a horde of the zombi to attack. Clawing over each other they formed a flesh ladder up the side of the pillar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xtfqk5PZYiw/YInXKcnT0TI/AAAAAAAAHlc/HKJqqYC8bfgZuAfmky28M1KNRUnV-lviACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xtfqk5PZYiw/YInXKcnT0TI/AAAAAAAAHlc/HKJqqYC8bfgZuAfmky28M1KNRUnV-lviACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Maksen used a prayer of banishment and several of the skeleton warriors vanished.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBw5GbKz1nY/YInXK3CoiXI/AAAAAAAAHlk/dt1RESh1uJAxyeVfTyHA3wWCtXT7_ifXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBw5GbKz1nY/YInXK3CoiXI/AAAAAAAAHlk/dt1RESh1uJAxyeVfTyHA3wWCtXT7_ifXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-37.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Servan used Shad's pocket watch to summon the chronohounds to aid Coralie who was now surrounded by living scarecrows and zombi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNrbhbSnjQk/YInXLUbEIII/AAAAAAAAHlg/Nl7NvOO87BMi2mazsCwGLZhoTOV8PTQcwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-38.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNrbhbSnjQk/YInXLUbEIII/AAAAAAAAHlg/Nl7NvOO87BMi2mazsCwGLZhoTOV8PTQcwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-38.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the zombi managed to reach the top of the tower and tore into Maksen's shoulder. With Servan's aid, the walking dead was flung off the pillar. But the onslaught continued.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8O0qvMnLUo/YInXL98WAWI/AAAAAAAAHlo/6IK5PKR367gHsdsmZoduNZx9I2mJIKX9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-39.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8O0qvMnLUo/YInXL98WAWI/AAAAAAAAHlo/6IK5PKR367gHsdsmZoduNZx9I2mJIKX9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-39.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>With the aid of the chronohounds, Coralie was able to hold off the attackers. Then she noticed that the Baron's two gravedigger lords were coming to protect the lilies.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKwQnztq3AA/YInXMOevk0I/AAAAAAAAHlw/i83C2u2Aqb8p557fudVLdQc4KeX2KJhCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-40.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKwQnztq3AA/YInXMOevk0I/AAAAAAAAHlw/i83C2u2Aqb8p557fudVLdQc4KeX2KJhCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-40.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Two flying skeletons pounced. One attacked Placeed who struck it down.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-utSB0yEsWlo/YInXMRwSSII/AAAAAAAAHl0/W8arvt26kfgMHB0aW7cdKizs27jmrY_qgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-41.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-utSB0yEsWlo/YInXMRwSSII/AAAAAAAAHl0/W8arvt26kfgMHB0aW7cdKizs27jmrY_qgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-41.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The other smashed into Dewy and the diminutive fairy fell unconscious and bleeding onto the dry stones.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi-7d52hwKU/YInXM50Z6JI/AAAAAAAAHl4/1ht-IIP_7CYKXdJhauGW2FEfRdxchjePgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-42.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wi-7d52hwKU/YInXM50Z6JI/AAAAAAAAHl4/1ht-IIP_7CYKXdJhauGW2FEfRdxchjePgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-42.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Several skeleton guards had discovered Fiddlesticks and moved to attack him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiE7RlpyjOk/YInXM8XxzhI/AAAAAAAAHmA/7k0SoE84ea4eEDmRiZrVslwXOo-DUQISACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-43.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiE7RlpyjOk/YInXM8XxzhI/AAAAAAAAHmA/7k0SoE84ea4eEDmRiZrVslwXOo-DUQISACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-43.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A large blast from Sergeant Hrr'pr's volley gun shattered several of the skeletons. The trio had successfully dug under the cage, the invisible field apparently ended at the magically protected floor that had been shattered by Skeeter's whomping stick.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKZvtRrQPHk/YInXM886vAI/AAAAAAAAHl8/FnKIAAMTYf01BmlReZWsZu6xz6RBwWPUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-44.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKZvtRrQPHk/YInXM886vAI/AAAAAAAAHl8/FnKIAAMTYf01BmlReZWsZu6xz6RBwWPUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-44.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen and Placeed charged in to save Dewy. The chef rushed to the fairy's side and fed her a healing remoulade. J'bili finished off the remaining skeleton guard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeywHSe6i8g/YInXNIe7TqI/AAAAAAAAHmE/_LV9uU-B7OIdOWMXLmh2irrumfEB-ESTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-45.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeywHSe6i8g/YInXNIe7TqI/AAAAAAAAHmE/_LV9uU-B7OIdOWMXLmh2irrumfEB-ESTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-45.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Reunited, Skeeter and Fiddlesticks moved to help Coralie. As they turned in that direction, the Baron's major domo and two consorts blocked their path.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HSAHNtcjIo/YInXNsYj0PI/AAAAAAAAHmM/-aWS-m1vVDQ95EDCbJQIKwvG3LWd4djWwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-46.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HSAHNtcjIo/YInXNsYj0PI/AAAAAAAAHmM/-aWS-m1vVDQ95EDCbJQIKwvG3LWd4djWwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-46.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As Sabeen entered the courtyard, she was confronted by a massed charge of zombi and skeletons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FMtWRMRNiI/YInXNkqUPRI/AAAAAAAAHmQ/KzTiEINPeis588C-9dPPiPnXYlaKRxoQwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-47.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3FMtWRMRNiI/YInXNkqUPRI/AAAAAAAAHmQ/KzTiEINPeis588C-9dPPiPnXYlaKRxoQwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-47.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Suddenly, Baron Cimitere appeared before Fiddlesticks. "You should have accepted my offer. You will stay here with me anyway and you shall not be zombi but one of the tormented for all eternity!" The dark figure raised its clawed hand and a red glow appeared between the boney fingers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBvYAos98PI/YInXNs9WM5I/AAAAAAAAHmI/y4N5Fz1JXUkS3vQ4EdvyvDylWbhBZ_rAACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-48.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBvYAos98PI/YInXNs9WM5I/AAAAAAAAHmI/y4N5Fz1JXUkS3vQ4EdvyvDylWbhBZ_rAACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-48.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks grabbed his golden fiddle and jammed it under his chin. His bow raced across the strings striking the great Secret Chord, known only to greatest musicians of the Yando, taught them by Patre Carrefour, Father of the Crossroads.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the sound of the Chord echoed across the desolation, a voice sound from behind the Baron.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Well, my brother, I believe it is time for a talk."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCVjeDBj0M0/YInXNm1ok1I/AAAAAAAAHmU/8boNJycQKnke6kJ6PR7d3SenQepOoO4VQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/7-49.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCVjeDBj0M0/YInXNm1ok1I/AAAAAAAAHmU/8boNJycQKnke6kJ6PR7d3SenQepOoO4VQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-49.jpg" /></a></div>Before them stood Patre Carrefour himself, the second of the three great loas, Master and Father of the Crossroads. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"My servant, Fiddlesticks here, has opened my path into your domain. As I had planned all along." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Behind him appeared a host of demons and imps, the dark watchers on the pathways.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlIMvnhpJAE/YInXOiHHp6I/AAAAAAAAHmc/J9uD_iOvw2QIjY_903DH9pDrh_cp-5svQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7-50.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlIMvnhpJAE/YInXOiHHp6I/AAAAAAAAHmc/J9uD_iOvw2QIjY_903DH9pDrh_cp-5svQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7-50.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Now shall we discuss the souls of all these sojourners here that you have stolen from ME!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>To be concluded...<br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><b></b></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-35493376741904721192021-04-24T16:32:00.001-07:002021-04-24T16:32:47.164-07:00A Device Infernal VI<p> </p><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Device Infernal </b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chapter VI: Children of the Wings of Twilight</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ogj0UFsbmE/YH8zVXckm6I/AAAAAAAAHX0/cj0xeYYRNSk3JqNhx2dO_jjqketv19jkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ogj0UFsbmE/YH8zVXckm6I/AAAAAAAAHX0/cj0xeYYRNSk3JqNhx2dO_jjqketv19jkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, they had finally found ole
Lazar Mirande.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turned out he left them a
bit more confused than they had thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For he was not the keeper of the crystal lilies but as he said, “merely
a guardian, making sure that what is up Crimson Bayou don't come tumbling down
onto the living." He also warned them that they might have stumbled upon a fight betwixt Baron Cimitere and Pater Carrefour since the Lord of Death seemed to be poaching souls that rightly belong to Papa Crossroads. In such circumstances, the plight of mere humans was likely not to matter much.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Still, he told them that, f</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">or the problem with Vangeline's curse, they needed the leaves of but one lily, boiled into an extract and given to
Vangeline, that should cure her.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><i> </i>"So," he told them, "</o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Go up the Bayou until you find it’s
end, which will be soon enough and a vast jungle will spread out before you.
After all that, you will come to the land of the Baron Cimitere. You will know it by the smell of wormwood and gall and brimstone. And
everywhere, the signs of the dead." </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He gave them a forked stick, a
divining rod, that would show them the way, no matter what the sights or signs
might tell them. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">By and by, they came to end of the
river and left poor old Leon to guard the Virago while the rest of them set off
on foot.</span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HR-EWusYia0/YH80lE2dtbI/AAAAAAAAHe8/ZeMDIV-Mj5k_DRu0Garu6wjlIOsVWfJewCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-1A.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HR-EWusYia0/YH80lE2dtbI/AAAAAAAAHe8/ZeMDIV-Mj5k_DRu0Garu6wjlIOsVWfJewCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-1A.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They had set off into the jungle, the high canopy limiting their view of the dark sky. Occasionally they caught glimpses of the red tinged clouds. A quiet pattering of rain began. As it increased, they realized that the rain was made of blood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0h-RSBmNBI/YH80pKhx4kI/AAAAAAAAHfA/rxbbWMtDu1oHkBU2-pMHzO6MjB-9vSJCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1750/6-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1750" data-original-width="1312" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W0h-RSBmNBI/YH80pKhx4kI/AAAAAAAAHfA/rxbbWMtDu1oHkBU2-pMHzO6MjB-9vSJCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As it turned into a downpour, the ground turned to slick oozing mud. The weight of the rain began to drive them into the mud. They rushed for the cover of a large tree, seeking its shelter. Fiddlesticks and Placeed were both trapped at points, only the aid of their more nimble, or perhaps merely lucky, friends saved them from being subsumed into the slime. After what seemed to be hours, the horrid rain stopped and they gingerly made their way forward.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59pjP_h3jWQ/YH80sa-0G4I/AAAAAAAAHfE/mL7G-iNDZcYh3B-1t7N5ig_TrKnLISU4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59pjP_h3jWQ/YH80sa-0G4I/AAAAAAAAHfE/mL7G-iNDZcYh3B-1t7N5ig_TrKnLISU4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was becoming impossible to determine how long they traveled and even whether it was day or night. The divining rod that Lazar Mirande had given them was their only guide. Suddenly, they found that the trees all around them were covered in cobwebs. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ruhjQTgH2oA/YH80wy7T-nI/AAAAAAAAHfM/Zb-sIN7EPPsU61pfU3W38sKnen3-xavygCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ruhjQTgH2oA/YH80wy7T-nI/AAAAAAAAHfM/Zb-sIN7EPPsU61pfU3W38sKnen3-xavygCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-4.JPG" /></a></div>Although there were thousands of tiny spiders running along the webs, the vastness of the network seemed beyond the capabilities of the humble arachnids.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGGu0uuMFcY/YH81Q9ZCLNI/AAAAAAAAHfo/RG7ygq9UNowzSAUlZa_biAuzGs7bXZzeQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGGu0uuMFcY/YH81Q9ZCLNI/AAAAAAAAHfo/RG7ygq9UNowzSAUlZa_biAuzGs7bXZzeQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Concerned that some larger creatures lurked in the web-covered trees ahead, Fiddlesticks summoned up another of his "friends" to go before them and lure out any larger enemies.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmrKfcvEYlU/YH802serZHI/AAAAAAAAHfU/VQbBsFsr2sEqBNt0ziIJnWtZjaUAepenACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmrKfcvEYlU/YH802serZHI/AAAAAAAAHfU/VQbBsFsr2sEqBNt0ziIJnWtZjaUAepenACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-6.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It proved to be an astute course of action. A huge pale spider leapt out of the brush and crushed the imp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fQUilNTUG8/YH81VnqAAiI/AAAAAAAAHfs/TjttfH2NseoxFpejWxaAkkL0sEs1BM1eQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fQUilNTUG8/YH81VnqAAiI/AAAAAAAAHfs/TjttfH2NseoxFpejWxaAkkL0sEs1BM1eQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The huge spider then rushed forward and snared Fiddlesticks with a mass of web.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iwNrzoEMq8/YH81cLyPp9I/AAAAAAAAHfw/A8IDm2xYBiMhQcaOX3ihE3HK6zxycOKbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iwNrzoEMq8/YH81cLyPp9I/AAAAAAAAHfw/A8IDm2xYBiMhQcaOX3ihE3HK6zxycOKbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-8.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fortuitously, just before being ensnared, Fiddlesticks had handed Skeeter a flame flask, trusting in the wet stomper's much better throwing ability. Skeeter flung the missile at the spider and caught it afire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, Maksen freed Fiddlesticks from his spidery entanglement.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVaDyAuTOAI/YH81gAjWUlI/AAAAAAAAHf0/eANOl4VjcCYAtfsvVCSfk73HLRDqfEx-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVaDyAuTOAI/YH81gAjWUlI/AAAAAAAAHf0/eANOl4VjcCYAtfsvVCSfk73HLRDqfEx-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just as the giant spider was being driven back, the noise of the fight drew another one against them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Luj2QNlWUwo/YH81lPXr5mI/AAAAAAAAHgA/HlDRoTgKpH0ZVOhc4buGTPERejo6cq3jQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Luj2QNlWUwo/YH81lPXr5mI/AAAAAAAAHgA/HlDRoTgKpH0ZVOhc4buGTPERejo6cq3jQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-10.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A short distance away, two more of the terrible giants could be seen approaching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jf9v1dggQCA/YH81vc83IAI/AAAAAAAAHgI/qsDTOoGLXxoBOtPw5GYFKDZQz_x530eGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jf9v1dggQCA/YH81vc83IAI/AAAAAAAAHgI/qsDTOoGLXxoBOtPw5GYFKDZQz_x530eGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-11.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jbili had set up the swivel gun on its stand and fired into the second spider. Skeeter charged this second creature and whamped it a good one with his whamping stick. It was driven back into brush that had been set a fire by the burning first spider.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1wAOqnC_iM/YH81vdlhdjI/AAAAAAAAHgM/0hEikBO2yJU9uUKWvVVowtjDdfrP_Zy1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1wAOqnC_iM/YH81vdlhdjI/AAAAAAAAHgM/0hEikBO2yJU9uUKWvVVowtjDdfrP_Zy1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-12.JPG" /></a></div>Hoping to remove some more of the webbing blocking their way, Placeed drew out of his satchel a packet of Dragon Jambalaya. Tossing it down his throat, he then breathed the resulting flame into a mass of web.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HH4iJ-JWTOk/YH813F6w3yI/AAAAAAAAHgU/kmkObvazCNoXy87G0oBwNBxKCoAB126yQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HH4iJ-JWTOk/YH813F6w3yI/AAAAAAAAHgU/kmkObvazCNoXy87G0oBwNBxKCoAB126yQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-13.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the flames began to spread, encircling them, they rushed toward the presumed cover of a nearby pond. However, the two additional spiders caught Fiddlesticks in a blasts of their webbing. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P80K2cLTrQQ/YH813evnZII/AAAAAAAAHgY/gNUTg83o0AsqaDymFXwyVxUkZWWx-XIJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P80K2cLTrQQ/YH813evnZII/AAAAAAAAHgY/gNUTg83o0AsqaDymFXwyVxUkZWWx-XIJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-15.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the creatures pulled Fiddlesticks toward its maw.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMSoOQO2Yx8/YH813ZstQlI/AAAAAAAAHgc/bBVQEn1dhGsUSBzZOd5T9co_49VWkskXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMSoOQO2Yx8/YH813ZstQlI/AAAAAAAAHgc/bBVQEn1dhGsUSBzZOd5T9co_49VWkskXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-16.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Skeeter rushed foward and dragged his friend out of the clutches of the creature. Maksen placed the teleport ring on his finger, hoping to appear above the spider's head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D38_Q4WOKFE/YH81_UtV-yI/AAAAAAAAHgo/eDP_sIUZ8r4BGzkDqjoCc5UuSM6cv3ozQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D38_Q4WOKFE/YH81_UtV-yI/AAAAAAAAHgo/eDP_sIUZ8r4BGzkDqjoCc5UuSM6cv3ozQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-17.JPG" /></a></div>In the midst of his teleportation, Maksen saw a vision of Saint Sankari, in her full glory, guiding his hand.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eS4kgxTLhIs/YH81_Wa0zSI/AAAAAAAAHgw/CMJr0jnfGiMRK-9g0mWLqpUzK1ydhWSbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eS4kgxTLhIs/YH81_Wa0zSI/AAAAAAAAHgw/CMJr0jnfGiMRK-9g0mWLqpUzK1ydhWSbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-18.JPG" /></a></div>He appeared as intended. As he fell onto the head of the spider, his battle axe drove deeply into the creature's body, a magical light surrounding it. The spider was cut in half.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwjuEpCGfIU/YH81_WJBkRI/AAAAAAAAHgs/Ft2cgZOX5h0p1l6mIlBlpM1IVi6H_CE1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwjuEpCGfIU/YH81_WJBkRI/AAAAAAAAHgs/Ft2cgZOX5h0p1l6mIlBlpM1IVi6H_CE1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-19.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The concentrated fire of the party drove off the last of the spiders. However, flames now surrounded them. They took refuge under the water of the pond, using some Placeed's Bullywog Etoufe to breath under water. After several hours, the fires burned themselves out and they were able to proceed, following as always the directions provided by the divining rod.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhZ8fRSMDTk/YH81_sjiwkI/AAAAAAAAHg0/17wbsvsxZDcdNKBNLNsma4b9Mn5g5w9_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhZ8fRSMDTk/YH81_sjiwkI/AAAAAAAAHg0/17wbsvsxZDcdNKBNLNsma4b9Mn5g5w9_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they proceeded, the ground cover lessened and the going became easier. However, Servan, who was acting as rearguard, noticed something following them.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3hXagEh3MQ/YH82HM05itI/AAAAAAAAHhE/Sa6j-zK6F50QXN7EjK28IZc90CcNk-jygCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3hXagEh3MQ/YH82HM05itI/AAAAAAAAHhE/Sa6j-zK6F50QXN7EjK28IZc90CcNk-jygCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a large war party of Parrot men. Realizing they were far outnumbered by the ferocious creatures, they party ran forward. They came up to a wall of vegetation, Skeeter who was in the lead with the diving rod, plunged through.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWU_cfxOMVc/YH82HPzMSsI/AAAAAAAAHhI/erski73FNkIehE9Wj1t5lbjmN2YF6otrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWU_cfxOMVc/YH82HPzMSsI/AAAAAAAAHhI/erski73FNkIehE9Wj1t5lbjmN2YF6otrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-22.JPG" /></a></div>He was shocked to discover he had come upon the most tranquil of scenes.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Auf39TFIniM/YH82HP-PPhI/AAAAAAAAHhQ/Ct-mHbAR9woMUaTfHpBNCScMnxKOkV2uwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-22a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Auf39TFIniM/YH82HP-PPhI/AAAAAAAAHhQ/Ct-mHbAR9woMUaTfHpBNCScMnxKOkV2uwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-22a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A large tavern stood upon a crystal lake. On the shore, large numbers of people were feasting and dancing. The rest of the party caught up with Skeeter and shared in his amazement. Servan noticed that the Parrot men were no longer following them but had halted, seemingly held by some invisible force.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icN6xljbxsY/YH82IP1IOLI/AAAAAAAAHhM/ZFLJof5xzpch9rWDgTIJIPGIPljYgYaAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icN6xljbxsY/YH82IP1IOLI/AAAAAAAAHhM/ZFLJof5xzpch9rWDgTIJIPGIPljYgYaAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-23.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A Elven woman, dressed in rich festive clothing, approached them in a friendly manner. "I am Fayeth, of <span style="text-align: left;">les Enfants de l'Aile de Crépuscule. We are Elves of the Wood and have made this place a refuge against the forces of Evil that surround you."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mU9hhu8c24M/YH82SHhWRvI/AAAAAAAAHhc/4Mkv3WOOTHU-gW7-dfVEVQSLs7RAWgvXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mU9hhu8c24M/YH82SHhWRvI/AAAAAAAAHhc/4Mkv3WOOTHU-gW7-dfVEVQSLs7RAWgvXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-24.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although suspicious, they followed Fayeth. A quarto of Elves danced hypnotically around a large fire in the midst of the clearing. Several richly attired Elves approached them.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9hRmN3Rqw0/YH82SAk-CpI/AAAAAAAAHhY/vjC83ryCK_o3NXs4Sfx2Nnuxy1Cv5IWdACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9hRmN3Rqw0/YH82SAk-CpI/AAAAAAAAHhY/vjC83ryCK_o3NXs4Sfx2Nnuxy1Cv5IWdACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Leading them was Aerendyl, King of these people. He asked if they were runaways from servitude, indicating that his people believed that all sentient creatures should be free. He reported that serfs for Muetar and Slaves from Shucassam and Rhombune came here seeking refuge. Often his people would guide them to the free land of Hothior-Immer or Pon. He asked if the party were such refugees. They reponded that they were on quest in the service of saving a friend an beloved. To this Aerendyl stated that he would do all he could to aid such a worthy endeavor.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy3t_qW0YS8/YH82R7lJ-FI/AAAAAAAAHhU/veJ6jR6-FwITTcYmONvHl--ByYV4niuyQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xy3t_qW0YS8/YH82R7lJ-FI/AAAAAAAAHhU/veJ6jR6-FwITTcYmONvHl--ByYV4niuyQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-26.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They realized that all around them were refugees and runaways. Dewy recognized one she had met in her travels in the woods near home. She approached him, Persephon was his name and he had run from a Grandee ester near Beolon. Dewy had tried to assist him on his way. He said that after he had left her, he began having dreams directing him here. When he arrived, he found this place of refuge better than anything he could have hoped. He reported that ever day or so, the Elves would lead small groups out to take them to the Free Lands. Until then, the runaways were well treated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2BrqoiSr20/YH82SON6wSI/AAAAAAAAHhg/76jZB4MteCY8_Xx9Rwbm3VQc5i9-_ajPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2BrqoiSr20/YH82SON6wSI/AAAAAAAAHhg/76jZB4MteCY8_Xx9Rwbm3VQc5i9-_ajPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-27.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hearing this, Servan asked Aerendyl if he could provide a guide that would take them further up the bayou. The Elven king agreed with alacrity.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FicC9qt9dF0/YH82SmHHzgI/AAAAAAAAHhk/shaPS1A7KOU42gjRAuy74H7YisaD1qU5QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FicC9qt9dF0/YH82SmHHzgI/AAAAAAAAHhk/shaPS1A7KOU42gjRAuy74H7YisaD1qU5QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-28.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He led them to the tavern itself, several beautiful Elven maids offering them welcome again.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Chly_EUK5Q/YH82TJrH5iI/AAAAAAAAHho/G46p_BusJvszXae6GHAggEEFaGjsooGpACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Chly_EUK5Q/YH82TJrH5iI/AAAAAAAAHho/G46p_BusJvszXae6GHAggEEFaGjsooGpACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They found the tavern filled with people, several appeared to be experienced trapeuse.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJj7LEGeTd0/YH82T0BtGrI/AAAAAAAAHhs/UACpjYRuhS8qgqb4kNeV3hp_qlUAHJHNACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-30.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJj7LEGeTd0/YH82T0BtGrI/AAAAAAAAHhs/UACpjYRuhS8qgqb4kNeV3hp_qlUAHJHNACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-30.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they moved further into the tavern, Servan found himself facing Shad Le Duc and his Drow spellcaster Aluanvrae. Servan realized that the trapeuse were the much reduced members of Shad's gang that had attacked Salteon and been pursuing them at the orders of Lord Alabastre. Servan tensely suggested that it might be better if they cooperated together rather than fight. This was a suggestion to which Shad was more than reluctant to accept.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAozoGCvEjA/YH82UGsABTI/AAAAAAAAHhw/gDkwJiOkGmEcMiQKAMuN6cLHAA_pmt8ewCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAozoGCvEjA/YH82UGsABTI/AAAAAAAAHhw/gDkwJiOkGmEcMiQKAMuN6cLHAA_pmt8ewCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As this discussion ensued, Maksen was quietly approached by a young woman dressed in the garb of a city pistol fighter. She suggested that he be careful since not all was as it appeared. She indicated the Elven warrior guarding the door as something to be wary of.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjDwyonVKW0/YH82eDEZLcI/AAAAAAAAHh4/CzyQZPW5KlYMfUwoSs75vYOuYE25jT5zgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjDwyonVKW0/YH82eDEZLcI/AAAAAAAAHh4/CzyQZPW5KlYMfUwoSs75vYOuYE25jT5zgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Although Maksen could not be certain, there did seem something not quite right about this guard.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3jvjVKRfKA/YH82eOigpNI/AAAAAAAAHh8/1ZVPTEfdGwEv-XJ6_oBdtED2kFemHFccwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3jvjVKRfKA/YH82eOigpNI/AAAAAAAAHh8/1ZVPTEfdGwEv-XJ6_oBdtED2kFemHFccwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When he turned back to the woman, she had disappeared. Maksen began to hurry the rest of the party out of the tavern, telling them that something was wrong.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZyOijnIpUc/YH82eMCDMPI/AAAAAAAAHiE/tTVwcq9AkDMhUZt9s3rBbmTDv1muTMwegCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZyOijnIpUc/YH82eMCDMPI/AAAAAAAAHiE/tTVwcq9AkDMhUZt9s3rBbmTDv1muTMwegCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-34.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they hurried toward the door, two Elves barred their way. These two suddenly dropped the glamours that were hiding them and revealed themselves to be ghoulish vampires.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_h7e9SRD2s/YH82epuqwhI/AAAAAAAAHiA/u-KtD6DH8RkI6ZGMfajlYs__u8LElS_FgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-35.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_h7e9SRD2s/YH82epuqwhI/AAAAAAAAHiA/u-KtD6DH8RkI6ZGMfajlYs__u8LElS_FgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-35.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they looked around, all the Elves, including King Aeredyl, proved to be the blood-sucking monsters.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2J4mIPnZkw/YH82fBEOgII/AAAAAAAAHiI/LY9dz1Huhn8Zvim9_dsJGbvqajCic2_XgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2J4mIPnZkw/YH82fBEOgII/AAAAAAAAHiI/LY9dz1Huhn8Zvim9_dsJGbvqajCic2_XgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Aeredyl flung himself onto Servan and sunk his fangs into the hunter's throat, lapping up the blood flowing freely from the wound. Servan collapsed to the floor.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-om1kj1Igz3Q/YH82fd7259I/AAAAAAAAHiQ/_HkEXKf2Yq0faycHHcNT_-jLtwkFs1iGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-om1kj1Igz3Q/YH82fd7259I/AAAAAAAAHiQ/_HkEXKf2Yq0faycHHcNT_-jLtwkFs1iGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-37.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks drew his whittling knife, and drove it into the heart one of the vampires barring the door. The blade showed a dark glimmer as the small blade struck home. The creature cried out in pain before dissolving into a cloud of dust.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmwSaP3Fx3A/YH82fdr5gxI/AAAAAAAAHiM/Joy6dVXpIvgQ6tMqOkb8Bj6Yn9Y-SHLTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-38.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmwSaP3Fx3A/YH82fdr5gxI/AAAAAAAAHiM/Joy6dVXpIvgQ6tMqOkb8Bj6Yn9Y-SHLTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-38.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Maksen swung his battle axe, an ancient family heirloom blessed by paladins of old. As it cut through one of the vampires, it glowed with a golden light, destroying this creature as well.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G85-GZHtkTk/YH82fQcZ3PI/AAAAAAAAHiU/pEjyvBFqybc73FG7RRnwOpUwtS32WjeqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-39.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G85-GZHtkTk/YH82fQcZ3PI/AAAAAAAAHiU/pEjyvBFqybc73FG7RRnwOpUwtS32WjeqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-39.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jbili, using a sword forged in the mystic fires of Rozenegg, sliced through a third monster.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQAuXT3W1UI/YH82rgemrRI/AAAAAAAAHic/eieCF9ZHDiMk8M5Bu2Tyy5V71u8UL4euACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-40.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQAuXT3W1UI/YH82rgemrRI/AAAAAAAAHic/eieCF9ZHDiMk8M5Bu2Tyy5V71u8UL4euACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-40.JPG" /></a></div>Skeeter used his whomping stick to drive another of the vampires back through the door. As the creature tumble away, they bolted the door shut.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmRvMnLkcAE/YH82rtDboxI/AAAAAAAAHig/a3ve04q7p4MyRuppwgAV4ihJhxyrFV_zQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-41.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmRvMnLkcAE/YH82rtDboxI/AAAAAAAAHig/a3ve04q7p4MyRuppwgAV4ihJhxyrFV_zQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-41.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Aluanvrae flung a fire bolt at King Aeredyl while Sabeen summoned up a wind blast.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9AxgcxPC44/YH82rid1eXI/AAAAAAAAHik/EvBUO7G8OFYP8Z1ErWliRq8DeGg1Mg4AACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-42.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9AxgcxPC44/YH82rid1eXI/AAAAAAAAHik/EvBUO7G8OFYP8Z1ErWliRq8DeGg1Mg4AACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-42.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The force of both knocked the vampire King out of the building. Sabeen quickly barred the door.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ_MtVjO4jQ/YH82tGqE0TI/AAAAAAAAHio/mTlfJU0kNh4kvzBq-o5AzzW_wZqJZ2_7gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-43.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nZ_MtVjO4jQ/YH82tGqE0TI/AAAAAAAAHio/mTlfJU0kNh4kvzBq-o5AzzW_wZqJZ2_7gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-43.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>From the one unguarded door, another vampire charged into the tavern. It fell upon one of Shad's men, killing him instantly.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j1kIYrQU2c/YH82uxx385I/AAAAAAAAHi0/1rebEUGtLXoL6dOVFWT2bXjUHznhn0NAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-44.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j1kIYrQU2c/YH82uxx385I/AAAAAAAAHi0/1rebEUGtLXoL6dOVFWT2bXjUHznhn0NAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-44.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Jbili managed to quickly dispatch the monster with his sword. Secure for the moment, Maksen cast a healing spell on Servan while the rest took stock of their position.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-za23cRD_X14/YH826olog2I/AAAAAAAAHjE/Ia0n6-PhhJcc3_AoUCEpCmQeDN2_AOPYACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-45.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-za23cRD_X14/YH826olog2I/AAAAAAAAHjE/Ia0n6-PhhJcc3_AoUCEpCmQeDN2_AOPYACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-45.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Investigating the attic, they discovered it full of coffins. The three slain vampires' bodies were begining to reincorporate within them. Maksen quickly placed in the coffins some of the amulets of Huisinga which he always carried. The three vampire bodies quickly returned to dust. Meanwhile, loud banging was heard at each of the doors as the remaining vampires were attempting to break in.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJoWbtshc_E/YH826DcPYNI/AAAAAAAAHi8/btMKcPjwe3gVuKi1kXVRD57ITugm6wdPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-46.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJoWbtshc_E/YH826DcPYNI/AAAAAAAAHi8/btMKcPjwe3gVuKi1kXVRD57ITugm6wdPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-46.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>In an ill-considered move, Servan unbolted one of the doors and leapt at the vampire who was battering against it. He thrust one of Maksen's amulets into the creature's chest. Although it burned into the vampire's flesh, the monster still had enough strength to slash at the weakened Servan. The hunter fell unconscious to the floor, what blood remained within his body beginning to flow in a puddle about him.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHBqRXTej1Y/YH826TPoE1I/AAAAAAAAHjA/sUzzeH7QNgcICx29HKeGbc_gJPPgB7O0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-47.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHBqRXTej1Y/YH826TPoE1I/AAAAAAAAHjA/sUzzeH7QNgcICx29HKeGbc_gJPPgB7O0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-47.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The remaining vampire host swarmed into the room. The party and Shad's men fired madly but ineffectually at the creatures.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3zfUaAtgxY/YH826x1PIXI/AAAAAAAAHjI/JhVZMsz2-5I-s_GiiGdFXuRYNxK0KkjJACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6-48.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a3zfUaAtgxY/YH826x1PIXI/AAAAAAAAHjI/JhVZMsz2-5I-s_GiiGdFXuRYNxK0KkjJACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6-48.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A light shone out from the amulet burning in the chest of the vampire that had defeated Servan. Suddenly, the mysterious woman who had earlier warned Maksen reappeared in this beam of light. But this time, a pair of white angelic wings sprung from her back. She drew her revolver and fired at the mass of vampires, bright golden flames shooting from the barrel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be continued...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-20595726341684032312021-04-14T06:00:00.005-07:002021-04-14T06:00:31.213-07:00A Device Infernal V<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <b>A Device Infernal </b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chapter V: Bokor</b></div></b></div><p>Now, after saving them mushroom men from them giant leeches and then fighting them hobgoblin soldiers that was chasing Servan and Jbili, they reckoned that there wasn't much more that could surprise them up on Crimson Bayou. Well they was wrong about that.</p><p>Now everyone liked Skeeter but no one believed him about how he got his nickname for killing one of them giant flying bugs that folks called "skeeters." No one had ever seen one and most thought them a legend. There were plenty of strange and dangerous critters in the Yando but who would believe in a flying bug the size of a big boat that breathed fire, let alone that some wet stomper like Skeeter could kill one. Well, they was wrong about that too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgBqkwLRRTA/YGSnb_ceZOI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/OIOgf-P6U5YnJ7CzCSZnXcnU6E27MTAgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KgBqkwLRRTA/YGSnb_ceZOI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/OIOgf-P6U5YnJ7CzCSZnXcnU6E27MTAgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They continued up the bayou in Sabeen's boat, the Virago, looking for the high trees and standing stones that would mark the home of Lazar Mirande, the bokor or houngan or whatever that might know how to lift the sleeping curse that had been put on Vangeline. It was said he had been living on Crimson Bayou since before anyone could remember.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AaSI2HgOYU/YGSnfl9v-0I/AAAAAAAAHRs/37bE1QR_AqoPePPaE86slxvZ6KMOxHvAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-1A.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1AaSI2HgOYU/YGSnfl9v-0I/AAAAAAAAHRs/37bE1QR_AqoPePPaE86slxvZ6KMOxHvAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-1A.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>But coming around a bend, they saw a small cargo boat all afire. It must of happened pretty recent since most of the boat was still intact, although the flames were licking it pretty good.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNK9HTym7lo/YGSnlmEOS5I/AAAAAAAAHSc/f8uVUSE2jwQoApcrTmF3FtFia2VTFox6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNK9HTym7lo/YGSnlmEOS5I/AAAAAAAAHSc/f8uVUSE2jwQoApcrTmF3FtFia2VTFox6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they approached the boat, they began hearing a buzzing sound that kept getting bigger and closer. Suddenly, over the tree tops, a giant flying bug the size of boat appeared. It headed directly toward the Virago. Skeeter called out, "It's a skeeter, I told you they were real! But this one's a lot bigger than the one I kilt!"</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63Ji53nt1zY/YGSnphVmWLI/AAAAAAAAHTA/MWeFJHJhNkkWnKGXhqJAy_knmOmuUD8dQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63Ji53nt1zY/YGSnphVmWLI/AAAAAAAAHTA/MWeFJHJhNkkWnKGXhqJAy_knmOmuUD8dQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As it flew over the Virago, a blast of fire came from its jaws, setting the boat afire.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJojSIHzre4/YGSnqDynrgI/AAAAAAAAHTE/jjQCgUrOlgUieojDUK6IfKW58KbstQ_ogCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJojSIHzre4/YGSnqDynrgI/AAAAAAAAHTE/jjQCgUrOlgUieojDUK6IfKW58KbstQ_ogCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Everyone began firing at the skeeter or trying to put out the fire on the boat. The skeeter came around again and was trying another blast. Skeeter ran to the stern of the boat and as the critter approached and opened its jaws, he whomped it a good one with his whomping stick.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fB83Er1pkq4/YGSnqhU6EEI/AAAAAAAAHTI/KY_x_C5xABYsIIVn0bSWThRgZBX4D3POQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fB83Er1pkq4/YGSnqhU6EEI/AAAAAAAAHTI/KY_x_C5xABYsIIVn0bSWThRgZBX4D3POQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The blow crunched in the skeeter's head a bit but didn't stop it from firing a blast of flame at Skeeter. He leapt overboard to avoid getting burnt but that meant that the fire hit Sabeen who had been manning the tiller. She cried out in pain from the fire. Fortunately, Brother Maksen was near at had so he ran over and cast some healing magic on her.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9e0yvoBTlM/YGSnqzmzZYI/AAAAAAAAHTM/Qo_8wZfgzAEovZ66auDoIsqjAv_aRqoSACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9e0yvoBTlM/YGSnqzmzZYI/AAAAAAAAHTM/Qo_8wZfgzAEovZ66auDoIsqjAv_aRqoSACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After scorching Sabeen, the giant bug flew over the boat, trying to turn around for another attack. Jbili saw his chance and went charging along the top strut of the boat. He leapt into the air just as the skeeter was flying over the Virago.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xdhN88I8oo/YGSnrXWf9mI/AAAAAAAAHTQ/VKqlQ4dZSSg9sZJZOer3p9FZTJhuU9hDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xdhN88I8oo/YGSnrXWf9mI/AAAAAAAAHTQ/VKqlQ4dZSSg9sZJZOer3p9FZTJhuU9hDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Amazingly, he landed on the bug's back and began stabbing into the creature's thorax.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWHiBQjgFx4/YGSnsSqHvHI/AAAAAAAAHTU/itOGS0gyjMY0yL7rklkVd1xGTa1PrCfsACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWHiBQjgFx4/YGSnsSqHvHI/AAAAAAAAHTU/itOGS0gyjMY0yL7rklkVd1xGTa1PrCfsACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen called up some wind to drive it into the trees. It brushed against a high pine and somehow Jbili managed to hang on. But the skeeter turned around to go after the Virago. Jbili stabbed it again, his sword getting stuck in the bug's back.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mT7a3aTI8EE/YGSnbA-jIFI/AAAAAAAAHRE/hixqp1moGjQmgSrUmCFip-oMFDa1Q-DpQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mT7a3aTI8EE/YGSnbA-jIFI/AAAAAAAAHRE/hixqp1moGjQmgSrUmCFip-oMFDa1Q-DpQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-10.JPG" /></a></div>The skeeter shook something fierce and Jbili was flung off, plunging through the deck of the burning cargo boat. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EqoKG7vyV0Q/YGSna6D2u8I/AAAAAAAAHRA/uDoCobBtkNIHrI92hNqeoyjSM4GBuhPpgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EqoKG7vyV0Q/YGSna6D2u8I/AAAAAAAAHRA/uDoCobBtkNIHrI92hNqeoyjSM4GBuhPpgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The skeeter was so busy shaking off Jbili that it didn't have a chance to fire it's breath at the Virago. When it was flying by, though, there was Skeeter awaiting it with his whomping stick again. He whomped it another good one, this time smashing the critter's skull and causing black ichor to stream out of it. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiaSez6v8mc/YGSnbxTk_WI/AAAAAAAAHRI/674vqxnYU9s33fiRHz6SlARvfNxrE7Y3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiaSez6v8mc/YGSnbxTk_WI/AAAAAAAAHRI/674vqxnYU9s33fiRHz6SlARvfNxrE7Y3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As it flew past, Coralie put the final shot into its skull with a blast from her double-barrelled horse pistol. The skeeter's dead carcass plunged into the river.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UB8K0f91RU/YGSnbz4Cx5I/AAAAAAAAHRM/AG-SM81z7CULGcbZ8MHmXiVOXHv3qqVQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4UB8K0f91RU/YGSnbz4Cx5I/AAAAAAAAHRM/AG-SM81z7CULGcbZ8MHmXiVOXHv3qqVQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Seeing where Jbili had fallen, Placeed gulped down a big helping of Bullywog Etouffe that allowed him to breath underwater. He swam over to the burning cargo boat and began battering at the hull to free Jbili.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDoAM3--Ugc/YGSncvNkmwI/AAAAAAAAHRU/CLlKym2s0dMN_SHdbodIX0HkpziRiQQNACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDoAM3--Ugc/YGSncvNkmwI/AAAAAAAAHRU/CLlKym2s0dMN_SHdbodIX0HkpziRiQQNACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen moved the Virago over towards the cargo boat. They hoped they might salvage something from it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P6GKwenvLbM/YGSndEuzy_I/AAAAAAAAHRY/JsNqgs1mL7UldfAQVFsqCIlpRMZirXVhgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P6GKwenvLbM/YGSndEuzy_I/AAAAAAAAHRY/JsNqgs1mL7UldfAQVFsqCIlpRMZirXVhgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they neared the shore, there was a great rustling, and a giant Dozen-legger emerged from the jungle.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVKyYF76iig/YGSndmXArmI/AAAAAAAAHRc/P5JGOfi3OmAyQnDqpL3sb4NxvbwRuJ2dwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVKyYF76iig/YGSndmXArmI/AAAAAAAAHRc/P5JGOfi3OmAyQnDqpL3sb4NxvbwRuJ2dwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>In the meantime, Servan had leapt onto the cargo boat. Fiddlesticks levitated (to which they had gotten sort of use to by now) over the help. The fiddler plucked the dwarf from the burning boat and floated him to safety.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAsopmG7hcw/YGSnePyrlzI/AAAAAAAAHRg/M1W4vKdHCiEmw8Hp4nKTRZoBkmBx9MGKgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAsopmG7hcw/YGSnePyrlzI/AAAAAAAAHRg/M1W4vKdHCiEmw8Hp4nKTRZoBkmBx9MGKgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Maksen and Coralie fired into the hard shell of the crawling beast. Dewy tried using one of her fairy tricks to gain control of the creature's mind.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rY2uDDVnUvM/YGSnejiGc5I/AAAAAAAAHRk/zVgXlaH-0B8IuwSfrAztoTecKo3sO88UwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rY2uDDVnUvM/YGSnejiGc5I/AAAAAAAAHRk/zVgXlaH-0B8IuwSfrAztoTecKo3sO88UwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It backfired on her however, and the bug nearly took control of her mind. After a brief moment with her eyes glazed over, the little sprite recovered and was more than angry. The rest of the party fired at the creature repeatedly holing its shell.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcTx0Lw2OoE/YGSnfBVQbQI/AAAAAAAAHRo/ErU5FcJlGkEt6hz3w6haxaxYdGwhH0F5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcTx0Lw2OoE/YGSnfBVQbQI/AAAAAAAAHRo/ErU5FcJlGkEt6hz3w6haxaxYdGwhH0F5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-19.JPG" /></a></div>Skeeter, having leapt onto the cargo boat, found a burning barrel. He flung it at the Dozen-legger, hoping to catch it on fire.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBjtchvVw74/YGSngO4T5VI/AAAAAAAAHRw/czveR3hMM9EeHqwBk8JwL76HgHzlaT0ZwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBjtchvVw74/YGSngO4T5VI/AAAAAAAAHRw/czveR3hMM9EeHqwBk8JwL76HgHzlaT0ZwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The thrown barrel was thrown with enough force that it staggered the already wounded monster. However, it was filled with medicinal herbs and grasses that did little damage to the creature but did start a small fire on its hide.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyBU73K-b04/YGSnguyo4PI/AAAAAAAAHR0/AF0AATHqW50x0tEpkH7Ixyi57dFi-4ANQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyBU73K-b04/YGSnguyo4PI/AAAAAAAAHR0/AF0AATHqW50x0tEpkH7Ixyi57dFi-4ANQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Seeing a swivel gun in the bow of the burning boat, Servan ran forward only to discover that the powder barrel near it was on fire. He quickly doused it, preventing an explosion but ruining the powder.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UrL9_nPKzWs/YGSnhMg8OAI/AAAAAAAAHR4/6mN0fVBFqCcT8B8Xsbwdo-rZNt2qo3HAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UrL9_nPKzWs/YGSnhMg8OAI/AAAAAAAAHR4/6mN0fVBFqCcT8B8Xsbwdo-rZNt2qo3HAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dewy flew over to the creature so close that she could not miss with her sling and fired fairy shot directly into the creature's eye. This final shot killed the beast.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2f50VK0frY/YGSnhr8FC5I/AAAAAAAAHR8/M0wb-eaNIOQugxWwPy64tH377Iv9QfzPACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2f50VK0frY/YGSnhr8FC5I/AAAAAAAAHR8/M0wb-eaNIOQugxWwPy64tH377Iv9QfzPACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks floated Jbili over to the spot where the corpse of the skeeter lay in the shallow river water. The dwarf plucked his sword from the monster's back.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EONQZhbDr9Y/YGSniMPdzpI/AAAAAAAAHSA/5mJCVM9ZMT02Youd7pA9M4sls28YH1XmQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EONQZhbDr9Y/YGSniMPdzpI/AAAAAAAAHSA/5mJCVM9ZMT02Youd7pA9M4sls28YH1XmQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>With the Dozen-legger killed, Maksen investigated the nearby ruin, a very ancient tower most likely from the era of the Lloroi civilization, a thousand years prior. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2qk5_hgKDs/YGSnigQvjfI/AAAAAAAAHSE/t1DG2cAfPtsCIWPGBc1NHORVVklH7rrRwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2qk5_hgKDs/YGSnigQvjfI/AAAAAAAAHSE/t1DG2cAfPtsCIWPGBc1NHORVVklH7rrRwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Something sparkled among the bushes in the ruin and Maksen found an elaborately decorated ring.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qhN65eFiVU/YGSnjN88DPI/AAAAAAAAHSI/8owftHGO0RARKBVR2mHrx1oukyNMvk5ZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qhN65eFiVU/YGSnjN88DPI/AAAAAAAAHSI/8owftHGO0RARKBVR2mHrx1oukyNMvk5ZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-26.JPG" /></a></div>When he tried it on, he found himself instantly teleported to the top of the tower. After he climbed down, he discovered he could chose the point to which he could teleport.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y6taMix430/YGSnjjkFnVI/AAAAAAAAHSM/6wi9Yk8hHJsVkcCB-v1CWpPxXldxsdtGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y6taMix430/YGSnjjkFnVI/AAAAAAAAHSM/6wi9Yk8hHJsVkcCB-v1CWpPxXldxsdtGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-27.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They set off up the bayou once more. Things began to become more and more peculiar. The compass no longer matched what the directions of the sun indicated. Strange noises and odd silences alternated. When Maksen meditated, he could see that the spirits he had seen when they first entered the bayou were about them again only this time they appeared more substantial and more threatening.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9votbm0syGo/YGSnk_dLUoI/AAAAAAAAHSU/_XMsmXAiUxEFdw_UD4fpnnlTjabjGgTdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-28a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9votbm0syGo/YGSnk_dLUoI/AAAAAAAAHSU/_XMsmXAiUxEFdw_UD4fpnnlTjabjGgTdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-28a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another day went by, although it was becoming more difficult to determine when this was so, the sky having become darkly overcast. They soon came upon a mist-ladened stretch of water, where great trees reached to the sky and large standing stones barricaded the river.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTtyL9y5UXs/YGSnkHfZwBI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/z6ew3gOyxHM7T8w4vjJo6GrxkjUnGW6eACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTtyL9y5UXs/YGSnkHfZwBI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/z6ew3gOyxHM7T8w4vjJo6GrxkjUnGW6eACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-28.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Holding a large spotted toadstool which the mushroom folk had given them as a sort of <i>carte de visite</i>, they passed between the stones and landed near a small clearing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDGf_9fQQEI/YGSnlHPtu_I/AAAAAAAAHSY/I1yAnBk9o80C2HWo360RkYClUXchza4bQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDGf_9fQQEI/YGSnlHPtu_I/AAAAAAAAHSY/I1yAnBk9o80C2HWo360RkYClUXchza4bQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A small hut stood in the clearing near a ruined statute that appeared to be older even than the Lloroi ruins they had seen earlier. Large furry spiders ambled among the rocks here.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rksivYu1pb8/YGSnmOZVRXI/AAAAAAAAHSg/LIOlBHEia_ITAdGRV5ONhD2OibpfPXrwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-30.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rksivYu1pb8/YGSnmOZVRXI/AAAAAAAAHSg/LIOlBHEia_ITAdGRV5ONhD2OibpfPXrwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-30.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They landed and with much trepidation approached the hut. A great carpet of mist poured from the door.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dZDU2gAtjnQ/YGSnmyUzH1I/AAAAAAAAHSk/nGYtzCFU5yct5COJqwmpghttsdE275XIACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dZDU2gAtjnQ/YGSnmyUzH1I/AAAAAAAAHSk/nGYtzCFU5yct5COJqwmpghttsdE275XIACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Then a figure appeared, an elegant young man dressed richly in city folk attire, a snake curling about his walking stick. He tipped his hat politely and said, "I am Lazar Mirande, with what can I help you today?"</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wK6RdA6GsxY/YGSnm7p3h4I/AAAAAAAAHSo/9npGCie1iZMfuDkwo9dP3QoiIfB0dmckgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wK6RdA6GsxY/YGSnm7p3h4I/AAAAAAAAHSo/9npGCie1iZMfuDkwo9dP3QoiIfB0dmckgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After much polite salutations from the party, they said they were there to seek his help in obtaining the crystal lilies to use as a cure for a sleeping curse that had been put on one of their beloved. Lazar replied that he did not have any of the lilies. The only place where they could be found was at the head of Crimson Bayou which was part of the earthly realm of Baron Cimitere, the Lord of Death. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGH08g0Dn2g/YGSnneF89XI/AAAAAAAAHSw/S-MDN1Z_zFQEfB-O5XCO5gOwbQliAH1bACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGH08g0Dn2g/YGSnneF89XI/AAAAAAAAHSw/S-MDN1Z_zFQEfB-O5XCO5gOwbQliAH1bACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-34.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He offered his hospitality to them and they all sat round a big fire and shared such a fine meal that even Placeed admitted he had never tasted the better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lazar said they needed the leaves of but one lily, boiled into an extract and that should cure Vangeline. But getting that lily would be the problem. The Lord of Death watched his realm and his subjects as a mother did her children. All the great loas did. Grand Bois, the Great Tree made sure that life came into this world and nurtured the souls until they were read to begin the journey of life. After that those souls walked the paths of life, becoming part of the realm of Pater Carrefour, Papa Crossroads. Finally, there was Baron Cimitere who greeted them at the journey's end."</div><div><br /></div><div>"And who are you," asked Coralie. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Why I am merely a guardian, making sure that what is up Crimson Bayou don't come tumbling down onto the living. You see, the Lord of Death is the graspingest of the loas and would over reach every time he could. There have often been conflicts between the loas for the poaching of souls that belonged to each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I fear you may have stumbled upon one such conflict. It would seem that their are many serfs running away from Muetar and many slaves running away from Shuccassam, the large empire to the south. They are all heading to the top of Crimson Bayou, told in their dreams that it will be their refuge and their paradise. Now as travelers, they belong now to Pater Carrefour, who I am sure ain't happy that the Baron is poaching souls from him."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Why won't Papa Crossroads come up here and stop him?" asked Sabeen.</div><div><br /></div><div>"The loas can't enter each other's realm, unless invited or unless one of their human servants goes and unlocks the door for their master as they say. That's why ole Baron Death want all them living souls so that he can turn them into his servants and when he has enough of them, they'll be his army to storm these here stones. You see he's making them into the Dead That Aren't Dead, into <i>Zombi."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Servan said that this could be the cover under which they entered the Baron's realm and steal the crystal lily. Lazar said it might but then again it might be the end to all of them. </div><div><br /></div><div>He said they would find the end of the river soon enough and a vast jungle spreading out before them. After all that, they would come to the land of the Baron Cimitere. They will know it by the smell of wormwood and gall and brimstone. </div><div><br /></div><div>He gave them a forked stick, a divining rod, that would show them the way, no matter what the sights or signs might tell them. With that he wished them luck and bid them good night.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MoySlErm-Tg/YGSnn4ZlXUI/AAAAAAAAHS0/oNVIaFnyE78mvcdzkIH-NYdGIGT_vmPfQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-35.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MoySlErm-Tg/YGSnn4ZlXUI/AAAAAAAAHS0/oNVIaFnyE78mvcdzkIH-NYdGIGT_vmPfQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-35.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They fell asleep near the fire and the next morning there was no sign of Lazar or his hut nor the spiders. </div><div><br /></div><div>They sailed on the next morning, or so it seemed. Though their route was often confusing and neither their compass nor the sun could be counted upon, Lazar Mirande's divining rod proved true. In time, they came to the spot he had described, where the wide bayou devolved into myriad feeder streams. A whole great mass of green jungle seemed to stretch before them. They gathered some supplies, Jbili hoisting the swivel gun upon his shoulder. They all began walking away from the Virago. All save Leon, who being too old and who would only slow them. He would remain with the Virago, ensuring that they would have a means of return. "You all be careful now, girl," he said to Sabeen.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjP-YC88c7A/YGSnocD0KQI/AAAAAAAAHS4/Fop_QNYzX9UUAIOD9CdWvVlo-FH0K2rYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjP-YC88c7A/YGSnocD0KQI/AAAAAAAAHS4/Fop_QNYzX9UUAIOD9CdWvVlo-FH0K2rYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-36.JPG" /></a></div>Sabeen looked back one last time. "Take care, my little girl," said Leon almost to himself.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2_S1fCHfzc/YGSnpNhnJuI/AAAAAAAAHS8/_DIxu8Y2szALt9Wt9F0mP_IqUtV0R3nwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R2_S1fCHfzc/YGSnpNhnJuI/AAAAAAAAHS8/_DIxu8Y2szALt9Wt9F0mP_IqUtV0R3nwgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-37.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they marched into the jungle, Leon watched until he could no longer see them. And so he began his lonely wait.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be continued....<br /><p><br /></p></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-78378330564420682422021-04-09T08:07:00.001-07:002021-04-09T08:07:47.381-07:00Monster Blood Tattoo RPG: The Eekers' Lament Part V & Epilogue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was intended to be a short campaign, so here is the final installment. A Device Infernal campaign (the "fantasy Cajuns") will be continuing after a couple week hiatus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The Eekers' Lament</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Chapter V: The King of the Pilts</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>The Pilts</b> - proud, dignified yet rough-living people, the original people of the Grumid regions, driven into the hills by the Tutelarchs, partly conquered b the Burgundians and then the Tutins. They have a strong sense of extended kinship, and gathered in large familial groups, which collected into assemblies for protection... These eventually coagulated into three loose confederacies - or venes - that held (and still hols to this day) themselves distinct from each other yet were governed by a single king (or queen). This king was at first the strongest warlord among them all, but over time became a kind of detached judge and father figure....Unrecognized by the Haacobin emperors ... the rank of Piltic King remains in Pilt society, obscure, often wretched fellows whose role for their people in current times has become much more one of cultural focus and wishful remembrance... - <i>Factotum</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PllvIzqytIE/YG9sQviJBKI/AAAAAAAAHUo/VSqzAn_5bBAJFQFDMf_U_5cyySKII4D3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PllvIzqytIE/YG9sQviJBKI/AAAAAAAAHUo/VSqzAn_5bBAJFQFDMf_U_5cyySKII4D3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The next morning, they set off to fight the Ravanusa, the spawn of the legendary sea monster the Lampedusa. Using notes in the late Surgeon Plemmsen's journal, they easily found the copper mine that was the likely lair of the beast. A bright sun shone in the crisp autumn air, limiting somewhat Roman's ability to call down lightening.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3H0saXu2kkc/YG9sSgy0cHI/AAAAAAAAHVM/OvrZ2-WcEpAm-cWNye65m-1wjejv8lh1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3H0saXu2kkc/YG9sSgy0cHI/AAAAAAAAHVM/OvrZ2-WcEpAm-cWNye65m-1wjejv8lh1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they approached the mine entrance, Throgmorton noticed that they were being shadowed by a number of men demonstrating great stealth as they moved through the woods.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl9--FPIFRQ/YG9sTxynI6I/AAAAAAAAHV4/9PNO5p_6Iawx5ndXHCRh1nL1WdTAauSQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl9--FPIFRQ/YG9sTxynI6I/AAAAAAAAHV4/9PNO5p_6Iawx5ndXHCRh1nL1WdTAauSQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Having spotted them, Throgmorton called out for them to show themselves. It turned out to be a party of Pilt warriors led by Teucer Orm. The Pilts were armed with bow and spear and Teucer himself was wearing an ancient mail coat and helmet. He said they were there to help fight the creature and he produced a spiegel blade, a sword of heroes of old, made from a glass-like substance of astounding sharpness. He reported that it had been spun using a shard from Paschendralle, the legendary sword used by King Tacfarinas when he slew (and was slain by) the Lampedusa.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ogmlJU52q3I/YG9sXFCkcqI/AAAAAAAAHWg/Grf6FAToXWYQVAss4rhG22dNyKzh6FnNACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ogmlJU52q3I/YG9sXFCkcqI/AAAAAAAAHWg/Grf6FAToXWYQVAss4rhG22dNyKzh6FnNACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He said this spot was where members of the royal house of the Pilts would offer themselves as sacrifice to appease the Ravanusa. Teucer believed that Lord Danny was descended from Figas, one of the ancient kings and so bore the royal blood. So Danny agreed to pretend to be bound to sacrificial stone to lure the creature out to be destroyed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Himx0NccgM/YG9sYkWaKuI/AAAAAAAAHWs/Nt2hJgqhiTkW0INXoMF7Ty8N00lzjZb6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Himx0NccgM/YG9sYkWaKuI/AAAAAAAAHWs/Nt2hJgqhiTkW0INXoMF7Ty8N00lzjZb6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The rest of the party and the Pilt warriors took position in readiness for the emergence of the Ravanusa. One of the Pilts blew a a mournful horn to announce that a sacrifice awaited.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jw8RG_hiMws/YG9sY2G2HrI/AAAAAAAAHWw/7CxNeaml1e8rM5YyBoYUnd9D0-5nU-9jwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jw8RG_hiMws/YG9sY2G2HrI/AAAAAAAAHWw/7CxNeaml1e8rM5YyBoYUnd9D0-5nU-9jwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There was a gurgling sound from within the dark cavern, then a horrendeous whooshing sound. A squirming ball of worms was projected out of the cave and shot directly toward Danny. He leapt down, barely avoiding the horrific shot.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQbtjlqceUo/YG9sZKJ7j7I/AAAAAAAAHW0/o6ddezGON6k4TigAXtrUePxlVd3HMynOACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQbtjlqceUo/YG9sZKJ7j7I/AAAAAAAAHW0/o6ddezGON6k4TigAXtrUePxlVd3HMynOACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-7.JPG" /></a></div>A mass of worms was writhing on the side of the stone.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ariGy-08mUk/YG9sZAuqCQI/AAAAAAAAHW4/7V6Sc_zL8_AQFIDyr5r1zhx1s_2EQmhSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ariGy-08mUk/YG9sZAuqCQI/AAAAAAAAHW4/7V6Sc_zL8_AQFIDyr5r1zhx1s_2EQmhSgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>One shot nearly struck Roman, who ducked behind a rock near the mine entrance.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYEzSeUvPK0/YG9sZX8GTUI/AAAAAAAAHW8/KMdpWFd3ZpszxoTK2nskUvsWEUZYg_1-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYEzSeUvPK0/YG9sZX8GTUI/AAAAAAAAHW8/KMdpWFd3ZpszxoTK2nskUvsWEUZYg_1-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Another narrowly missed Brandywine.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga9eRc9B0UI/YG9sQhNPmJI/AAAAAAAAHUk/ZBYmdz11USAtRMtasbghyhs91AElaiAYACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga9eRc9B0UI/YG9sQhNPmJI/AAAAAAAAHUk/ZBYmdz11USAtRMtasbghyhs91AElaiAYACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>She advanced toward the entrance and fired her pistols blindly into the mine. She heard the satisfying sound of one of her shots impacting flesh.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjbl82fWuG0/YG9sQpamX1I/AAAAAAAAHUg/9bgS13yRxqk_d-ZYhAUk4kgNlEZQ4VnrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjbl82fWuG0/YG9sQpamX1I/AAAAAAAAHUg/9bgS13yRxqk_d-ZYhAUk4kgNlEZQ4VnrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At this horrible attack, several of the Pilts fled. Teucer and several of his men remained and hacked at the masses of worms.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjH5vgCZPUM/YG9sRL685yI/AAAAAAAAHUs/8lrso-nmbBkwS1Uf86J0CNJmTI8BCrXWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjH5vgCZPUM/YG9sRL685yI/AAAAAAAAHUs/8lrso-nmbBkwS1Uf86J0CNJmTI8BCrXWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Throgmorton flung a potive at the worms on the sacrfice stone, setting them ablaze.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9INOW22V_c/YG9sRVD1QFI/AAAAAAAAHUw/bqDboCHBpIYblCmqW99YwoiptE0QuGkjgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9INOW22V_c/YG9sRVD1QFI/AAAAAAAAHUw/bqDboCHBpIYblCmqW99YwoiptE0QuGkjgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Careful to avoid the scattering masses of worms, the party approached the entrance to the mine.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8imWniixGM/YG9sRzoZTBI/AAAAAAAAHU0/aaEmRU7AkM4RjPw4iIayE9l0Mp5WG0WzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X8imWniixGM/YG9sRzoZTBI/AAAAAAAAHU0/aaEmRU7AkM4RjPw4iIayE9l0Mp5WG0WzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Throgmorton attempted to climb the rocks covering the top of the mine, hoping to hurl his potives onto their attacker.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DsXol03LjIo/YG9sSNbSPdI/AAAAAAAAHU4/h0gqoIKrJj4dbafN5dBXeyKgeSSrMEVvwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DsXol03LjIo/YG9sSNbSPdI/AAAAAAAAHU4/h0gqoIKrJj4dbafN5dBXeyKgeSSrMEVvwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-15.JPG" /></a></div>Flossie, who had positioned herself on a nearby summit, gracefully slid down the steep slope to join the rest of the party.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YYe8-6cm88/YG9sSItz-tI/AAAAAAAAHU8/zzLyelOQk2Eb51Bl2YFxJhnu4LD5TaDrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5YYe8-6cm88/YG9sSItz-tI/AAAAAAAAHU8/zzLyelOQk2Eb51Bl2YFxJhnu4LD5TaDrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They all charged forward, bright-limns in hand to light the dark space. Roman reaching the entrance first.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAy1_rgrgyQ/YG9sSAiMi3I/AAAAAAAAHVA/jjljkRsJnIATnzrdOHA5JUciXzghOv4zwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAy1_rgrgyQ/YG9sSAiMi3I/AAAAAAAAHVA/jjljkRsJnIATnzrdOHA5JUciXzghOv4zwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-17.JPG" /></a></div>Inside, the discovered two bloated horrors that had been regurgitating the masses of worms at them.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G51nUHv-bsE/YG9sSRT1QZI/AAAAAAAAHVE/7FJdVdtbJ9Q2a3e2QUpuGzveV6g0hxHewCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G51nUHv-bsE/YG9sSRT1QZI/AAAAAAAAHVE/7FJdVdtbJ9Q2a3e2QUpuGzveV6g0hxHewCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-18.JPG" /></a></div>Roman's staves struck at one, electricity arcing into the creature. Injured, it was driven back.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXpYZ1iNO5o/YG9sSn5BgwI/AAAAAAAAHVI/xKNjFHrE6HcCpHHTnw3MEBlqQubZfS6fwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXpYZ1iNO5o/YG9sSn5BgwI/AAAAAAAAHVI/xKNjFHrE6HcCpHHTnw3MEBlqQubZfS6fwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-19.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They were able to get a good look at the things. What had formerly been human beings were now bloated horrors, masses of worms swarming beneath their skins.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ob9j3rAMg/YG9sSkYV1eI/AAAAAAAAHVQ/JXcL2otlstAfdCb_eBbDA_WDLxysjnMuQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ob9j3rAMg/YG9sSkYV1eI/AAAAAAAAHVQ/JXcL2otlstAfdCb_eBbDA_WDLxysjnMuQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roman advanced again, hoping to land the killing blow. He inflicted another grievous wound that drove it back further.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hdO9Z-FSiY/YG9sSyHhFjI/AAAAAAAAHVU/iCZhkHHkgu42oxQ5F41GiGvPwHK9Cbx4QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hdO9Z-FSiY/YG9sSyHhFjI/AAAAAAAAHVU/iCZhkHHkgu42oxQ5F41GiGvPwHK9Cbx4QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It suddenly reared back and spat a great mass of worms directly into the fulgar's face. Roman collapsed screaming and fell into unconsciousness as the worms tore through his mask and into the flesh of his face.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhzkerCRf6Y/YG9sS9GT9RI/AAAAAAAAHVY/gXYXI4VWPdsn9CkHy6OR7b8HocuNkzn7gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lhzkerCRf6Y/YG9sS9GT9RI/AAAAAAAAHVY/gXYXI4VWPdsn9CkHy6OR7b8HocuNkzn7gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Brandywine inflicted another solid shot into the bulk of the other creature. An arrow from Flossie followed after.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXQLueR-WKE/YG9sTCQtbOI/AAAAAAAAHVc/hp9uDm-yeU4T_u3-Pg93NT5E5TwBujqXACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXQLueR-WKE/YG9sTCQtbOI/AAAAAAAAHVc/hp9uDm-yeU4T_u3-Pg93NT5E5TwBujqXACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Seeing Roman fall, Danny ran toward him, drawing a healing potive from his coat. As he administered the potive to Roman's stricken form, Danny called to Brandywine, "Another charitable act, remember that!" </div><div><br /></div><div>Teucer, who had entered the mine by now, charged recklessly forward, slashing with the ancient king's sword at the creature that had downed Roman. Unfortunately, he ran forward just as Flossie was firing an arrow at the creature. The arrow embedded itself into the Pilt's back.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFZK2z0WOkk/YG9sTNHN-ZI/AAAAAAAAHVg/wUxYkft4NL44EQ8Zn-luQuZYsGYqYtVKwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yFZK2z0WOkk/YG9sTNHN-ZI/AAAAAAAAHVg/wUxYkft4NL44EQ8Zn-luQuZYsGYqYtVKwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There then came a terrible rumbling sound. A enormous bulbous, pulsating monstrosity emerged from a side chamber. This was the Ravenusa.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fo0lVrf0oHk/YG9sTPaNhcI/AAAAAAAAHVk/HDvD6K1zzPIxKL6Kihj3EhpKvTR8sMh8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fo0lVrf0oHk/YG9sTPaNhcI/AAAAAAAAHVk/HDvD6K1zzPIxKL6Kihj3EhpKvTR8sMh8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-26.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The already wounded Teucer charged at the creature, his blade was parried by the fanglike appendage on the Ravanusa's head. In an instance, the Fang struck at Teucer knocking him back, his life blood flowing from the gaping wound in his chest.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idClOXkunFg/YG9sTb1UM9I/AAAAAAAAHVo/fdvwBPB60iYzlyuV7Qu--4Pz8V-BxMgqACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idClOXkunFg/YG9sTb1UM9I/AAAAAAAAHVo/fdvwBPB60iYzlyuV7Qu--4Pz8V-BxMgqACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-27.JPG" /></a></div>Throgmorton hurled a loomblaze onto the vast bulk of the creature. Flames erupted on top of the monster.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSg2ttWGe80/YG9sTQGJsiI/AAAAAAAAHVs/TIIhHYk_YUgI4fexpVYiJ-Id-dNzSBLXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dSg2ttWGe80/YG9sTQGJsiI/AAAAAAAAHVs/TIIhHYk_YUgI4fexpVYiJ-Id-dNzSBLXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-28.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It charged toward Throgmortom, who in desperation struck at what might have been the creature's snout with a heavy club. Seemingly in surprise, the creature retreated a few steps.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ny_-gnBLg0/YG9sTY_uSvI/AAAAAAAAHVw/OUAE4ppxqLwqE6__tQ4BltyvqECqPQqFwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ny_-gnBLg0/YG9sTY_uSvI/AAAAAAAAHVw/OUAE4ppxqLwqE6__tQ4BltyvqECqPQqFwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At this point, the near lifeless Teucer charged forward once again, driving his sword into the monster's flank. The Ravanuse skittered around and struck Teucer one last time, killing the brave Pilt.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWdVdNHEK7g/YG9sT5u2WZI/AAAAAAAAHV0/Ng_nR8Dve2EfJiPZtSVSNsm_2yk1xq2KgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-30.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWdVdNHEK7g/YG9sT5u2WZI/AAAAAAAAHV0/Ng_nR8Dve2EfJiPZtSVSNsm_2yk1xq2KgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-30.JPG" /></a></div>His men arrived just in time to see his death. In a rage, they charged the creature. It proved too strong for them and one of the Pilts was killed in an instant.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlX2N1Mympg/YG9sT1PQ2EI/AAAAAAAAHV8/5KLCkRcmKRAerHocGrxzPCfWGZTLN4NlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlX2N1Mympg/YG9sT1PQ2EI/AAAAAAAAHV8/5KLCkRcmKRAerHocGrxzPCfWGZTLN4NlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hope to gain a respite, Throgmorton flung a vial of Frazzard's Powder at the beast. It's acrid fumes driving it back into its chamber.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68OEfg8cDAA/YG9sUPI1eaI/AAAAAAAAHWA/BFdq796vtgQCpWEOeH4i2egR6APpsoixACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68OEfg8cDAA/YG9sUPI1eaI/AAAAAAAAHWA/BFdq796vtgQCpWEOeH4i2egR6APpsoixACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The party fired shot after shot into the creature as it retreated. Finally, Danny, dipping his hand into the dead Teucer's blood, charged toward the creature.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaPK9IVOVIY/YG9sUJzsynI/AAAAAAAAHWE/krBFO4cGUAErIFWdSr978z2UbnlZL3lcgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaPK9IVOVIY/YG9sUJzsynI/AAAAAAAAHWE/krBFO4cGUAErIFWdSr978z2UbnlZL3lcgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Crying out, "Taste the blood of kings!" he thrust his hand onto the creature's head, he used all of the witting power of his surgically modified brain to explode the creature's brain. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0YKiVZjguE/YG9sUTxU9PI/AAAAAAAAHWI/RmqzqOvakwMcdtw2OCD9403tuA_gAiKKQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0YKiVZjguE/YG9sUTxU9PI/AAAAAAAAHWI/RmqzqOvakwMcdtw2OCD9403tuA_gAiKKQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-34.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The horrific Ravanusa collapsed, dead at last. Dany, all of his strength having been put into this final ploy, fell to his knees. The rest of the party ran in to see the creature expire. Throgmorton pulled Teucer's sword from the creature's flank and presented it to Danny. Looking at it briefly, Danny cast it aside, contemptuously saying, "what am I going to do with such an oversized toothpick" </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMtnjnEcxYg/YG9sUwL4D4I/AAAAAAAAHWM/THWF_6tX5hElBauE3a6MNUBKEvQ6Ca7XQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-35.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kMtnjnEcxYg/YG9sUwL4D4I/AAAAAAAAHWM/THWF_6tX5hElBauE3a6MNUBKEvQ6Ca7XQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-35.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roman approached, a scalpel in hand, murmuring about the organs he intended to extract. There was a loud clicking sound as Brandywine cocked one of her pistols and pointed it at Roman's head. Roman thought better of cutting into the creature and backed away. Throgmorton then set fire to the monster's corpse.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A11NeDYglhw/YG9sVWQ-p4I/AAAAAAAAHWQ/sqOwpU0r96YlAg72aEN8vJgYGQxSiZZIACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A11NeDYglhw/YG9sVWQ-p4I/AAAAAAAAHWQ/sqOwpU0r96YlAg72aEN8vJgYGQxSiZZIACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They headed toward the exit of the mine. Flossie and Throgmorton scrambled to retrieve the royal blade that Danny had discarded. Throgmorton narrowly succeeded in snatching it from the young archer's grasp. The surviving Pilts bowed down in homage to Danny, calling him their king. "Well, isn't that nice," he responded.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOA2cO317pk/YG9sVkIRnuI/AAAAAAAAHWU/qF8OpvsG2YkmD5U4rOKDSOWZBA_yCEe2ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xOA2cO317pk/YG9sVkIRnuI/AAAAAAAAHWU/qF8OpvsG2YkmD5U4rOKDSOWZBA_yCEe2ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-37.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Placing Teucer's body into the handcart, they retired from the woods and began the journey back to Luthian Glee.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwiEVURLRQc/YG9sWhkPOgI/AAAAAAAAHWc/a-MPsDzZmzM4FYgs1Taf3KR6I9gCi41egCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-39.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwiEVURLRQc/YG9sWhkPOgI/AAAAAAAAHWc/a-MPsDzZmzM4FYgs1Taf3KR6I9gCi41egCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-39.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>They returned the body to Teucer's wife, Nerinai. Although saddened, she did not seem surprised. She was considered something of a seeress among her people. It was she who told them that only the sacrifice of the royal blood would permit the killing of the Ravanusa. The blood of King Oddvicar of old flowed through Teucer's veins and he had avoided confronting the monster for fear of his own death. When Danny, who was possibly of the royal house of Figas, appeared, Teucer hoped to use the newcomer as the blood sacrifice. In the end, however, it appears that Teucer lived up to the deeds of his ancestors and died as befitted a true king of the Pilts.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Epilogue: </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Brandenbrass</b></div><div><b>27 Lirium HIR (Horno Imperia Regnum) 1602</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>The return trip to Brandenbrass was uneventful, although the guards at the city gates looked askance at Danny's return. Some time later, the man of business handling the estate of Gerrymander Figge confirmed that of the dead man's offspring, his son Danube had proved to have accomplished the greatest acts of selfless charity, especially given the eye witness recommendation of the famed calendar, Lady Brandywine Charcuterie. The bulk of old Gerrymander's estate therefore was awarded to Danny, much to the chagrin of his siblings. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-adse95U7Lgs/YG9sXeI9GDI/AAAAAAAAHWk/eaRIg7w-2eIvTw2XJWj8O8sAIHaD_6EOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-40.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-adse95U7Lgs/YG9sXeI9GDI/AAAAAAAAHWk/eaRIg7w-2eIvTw2XJWj8O8sAIHaD_6EOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-40.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, immediately upon their arrival in Brandenbrass, they returned to Dr. Allucard to report on all that had transpired. He responded that tragically the boy Amory's condition had continued to deteriorate after they had left. The boy finally died three days prior to their return and had been buried in a pauper's grave. They urged him to retrieve the boy's body and destroy it with fire. He promised that he would do so with alacrity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwkZpG1waRU/YG9sX2Zbt6I/AAAAAAAAHWo/75DMPRXD-mIc6cJIFMk54inelPqnTBQqQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5-41.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwkZpG1waRU/YG9sX2Zbt6I/AAAAAAAAHWo/75DMPRXD-mIc6cJIFMk54inelPqnTBQqQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5-41.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>After the party left, Dr. Allucard fell into a melancholy. The "click click" sound inside his head and the attendant headaches were getting worse.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-6367076207996295982021-04-04T15:08:00.008-07:002021-04-08T13:45:16.732-07:00Monster Blood Tattoo RPG: The Eekers' Lament Part IV<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Eekers' Lament</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chapter IV: The Dale</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Black Habilist</b> - <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">The darker students of </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">habilistics </i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">are the black
habilists or morbidists: the necrologists (those who raise corpses to life);
the cadavarists (those who make monsters from parts, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">an illegal discipline called fabercadavery); the
therospeusists (who grow </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">monsters </i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">from living matter, an illegal art known
as therospeusia); or the transmogrifers (</span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">surgeons </i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">who operate on people
to make </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">lahzars</i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt;">, a process known as transmogrification or clysmosurgia). - <i>Foundling</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UncH0d_Mr4/YGSjCKCQXRI/AAAAAAAAHPI/hTV0UApR_zULXJoSZQwiSS58RiV10eykACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UncH0d_Mr4/YGSjCKCQXRI/AAAAAAAAHPI/hTV0UApR_zULXJoSZQwiSS58RiV10eykACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When the ettin fell upon Roman, he used his metal stave to partially shield himself from being crushed by the ettin's massive head. The rod punctured the skull near the ettin's eye, allowing a cascade of the yellow worms to rain down around him. Throgmorton quickly ran over, pulling his old hammock from his vinagaroon duffle. Spreading the hammock out, he managed to capture most of the worms and then flung the squirming mass away from them.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFxuq5t7eRQ/YGSjERp4yDI/AAAAAAAAHP0/yWqPl_cqz0MNTwOTafMuzgkkfTmXejfTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFxuq5t7eRQ/YGSjERp4yDI/AAAAAAAAHP0/yWqPl_cqz0MNTwOTafMuzgkkfTmXejfTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Flossie, demonstrating a strength belying her small stature, seized the dead ettin's head and held it up so that Roman could scramble out from beneath it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6sBLFqs0vI/YGSjGTe9awI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/Z-FyDVCO3eUIO7l94Jt6jV163uF7bAbPgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O6sBLFqs0vI/YGSjGTe9awI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/Z-FyDVCO3eUIO7l94Jt6jV163uF7bAbPgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roman then crawled up to the back of the head. He began jumping up and down upon it in order to cause his trapped stave to puncture the back of the monster's skull. In the meantime, Throgmorton hurled one of his last potives under the ettin's head, burning the worms remaining there. Sister Brandywine noticed that the worms that remained in the field in which the carriage had been hurled were now swarming over the wreckage which contained what was left of their supplies. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIg7A_TblP8/YGSjGuneJKI/AAAAAAAAHQU/dbVWiqKCzpkcokm40gWlu7OBQDCiuTnlQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIg7A_TblP8/YGSjGuneJKI/AAAAAAAAHQU/dbVWiqKCzpkcokm40gWlu7OBQDCiuTnlQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>She hastily grabbed a vial of bothersalts from Throgmorton's salumanticum and ran towards the carriage. She hurled it and the potive burst upon the side of the wreck.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTcCC_wcfxg/YGSjGv0kmBI/AAAAAAAAHQY/sp1FrqlgEaM68wFva01kPH_XQM5kBBjTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTcCC_wcfxg/YGSjGv0kmBI/AAAAAAAAHQY/sp1FrqlgEaM68wFva01kPH_XQM5kBBjTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unfortunately, bothersalts were possibly not the best thing for this situation, especially considering the manner it which it landed. The host of worms fled from the carriage rapidly forming an arc completely surrounding the wrecked carriage.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d0_BGWOz3JQ/YGSjG5Px3CI/AAAAAAAAHQc/cc8zvxLAVp0WXc_h_NV1j7zyhjq29pTPACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d0_BGWOz3JQ/YGSjG5Px3CI/AAAAAAAAHQc/cc8zvxLAVp0WXc_h_NV1j7zyhjq29pTPACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Surprised by this misadventue, she didn't notice one of the large worms approach. The thing bit completely through her stout equiteer boots. As the creature's teeth clamped down on her foot, she could feel a slimy tendril boring its way into her flesh. Danny quickly threw one of his daggers, cutting the worm in half and Brandywine was able to pull the disgusting thing from her foot.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--211X_w_9pU/YGSjG5FYmnI/AAAAAAAAHQg/Ii5B1S2mbw4_NVsarsWmYTXigCyaRHD6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--211X_w_9pU/YGSjG5FYmnI/AAAAAAAAHQg/Ii5B1S2mbw4_NVsarsWmYTXigCyaRHD6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While this was going on, Roman had stopped and removed the casketoon from his back. He washed his staves in the antiseptic solution that filled the living backpack. While he was doing so, the mass of worms that had been in Throgmorton's flung hammock slithered toward the fulgar. He twisted away from the horrid things, driving them back with a blow from his stave but severely injured his back in the process.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lylJP37uDUg/YGSjCKMUCYI/AAAAAAAAHPM/7CVjAsuESz0eKon9CgzdX0fmnXJ_jOBCgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lylJP37uDUg/YGSjCKMUCYI/AAAAAAAAHPM/7CVjAsuESz0eKon9CgzdX0fmnXJ_jOBCgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Back by the carriage, Flossie used her saber to clear a path to the carriage. The Danny, Brandywine, and Throgmorton rushed to retrieve what they could salvage from the wreck while Flossie kept the path open.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTHJ5XRE7kc/YGSjCLQMnvI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/o_F7L00OK7UKfM2RrIB-kuUJYqNTUcNtgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTHJ5XRE7kc/YGSjCLQMnvI/AAAAAAAAHPQ/o_F7L00OK7UKfM2RrIB-kuUJYqNTUcNtgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Although the large collection of healing potives had been lost, the majority of items in Throgmorton's test barrow survived, which would allow him to replenish his stock of potives. They also were able to retrieve their spare ammunition, and Danny's jar of whortleberries. Danny insisted that they take several large pumpkins as well. These last were his almost exclusive food, his multiple body modifications having ruined his digestive system. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hu9gSn2jKEQ/YGSjCxgfx0I/AAAAAAAAHPU/PlNpgBK1K6g7FI8HQpf6UVmNC3UYI7JiACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hu9gSn2jKEQ/YGSjCxgfx0I/AAAAAAAAHPU/PlNpgBK1K6g7FI8HQpf6UVmNC3UYI7JiACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-12.JPG" /></a></div>They rushed toward the perceived safety of the stockade, Brandywine bringing up the rear. She saw the mass of worms following them. With no other option, she hurled the pumpkins into their midst.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjsGHDSrOW8/YGSjDJXjmcI/AAAAAAAAHPY/BO4KuHHCygYXqQsJlYtUOBW2eIQT-IvlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjsGHDSrOW8/YGSjDJXjmcI/AAAAAAAAHPY/BO4KuHHCygYXqQsJlYtUOBW2eIQT-IvlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Surprisingly, it appeared that the worms were highly attracted to the pumpkins and turned their pursuit aside to devour the gourds.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUvfXr0aNsM/YGSjDaOGB3I/AAAAAAAAHPc/RSLLJlMYKYsPkVTY5mcT2DhexUUopO2mQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUvfXr0aNsM/YGSjDaOGB3I/AAAAAAAAHPc/RSLLJlMYKYsPkVTY5mcT2DhexUUopO2mQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-14.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After they entered the stockade, Roman barred the gates, providing them with a respite from the worms. They observed it contained two one-storey huts and a more substantive two-story cottage. The place was quiet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qe4Crsm8H0U/YGSjDqePJOI/AAAAAAAAHPk/uJAJgE5mNAUEu0nPTzxTIfXr3TA8ewVLACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qe4Crsm8H0U/YGSjDqePJOI/AAAAAAAAHPk/uJAJgE5mNAUEu0nPTzxTIfXr3TA8ewVLACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-17.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Throgmorton fell to preparing additional potives to replenish his exhausted stock. His haste and the damaged contents of his test barrow making the product less than reliable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo3RA0dTFyw/YGSjDnC4avI/AAAAAAAAHPo/jZo6eVaEN3AsQKwECwTbdjQpnQ-qBB4BgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mo3RA0dTFyw/YGSjDnC4avI/AAAAAAAAHPo/jZo6eVaEN3AsQKwECwTbdjQpnQ-qBB4BgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div>Brandywine and Roman approached one of the smaller buildings. Hearing nothing insider, they entered.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiDSqzO_8Mk/YGSjD9hgvWI/AAAAAAAAHPs/lVnc02rGH_kSwJSdqy5LE82xg9iRVeEKQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiDSqzO_8Mk/YGSjD9hgvWI/AAAAAAAAHPs/lVnc02rGH_kSwJSdqy5LE82xg9iRVeEKQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It proved to be a storage containing a small amount of food supplies but a surprising number of barrells filled with newly mined copper.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7hMjRGwSeI/YGSjDY94nJI/AAAAAAAAHPg/D79bK_oQusEX31rvIkWM6NNjBA2wR_cJACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7hMjRGwSeI/YGSjDY94nJI/AAAAAAAAHPg/D79bK_oQusEX31rvIkWM6NNjBA2wR_cJACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Danny and Flossie approached the other small building. Placing his ear against the door, Danny heard a voice murmuring the words, "Click, Click." He knocked loudly on the door, hoping to draw out whatever was within. He and Flossie quickly retreated to positions from which they could target the doorway. Throgmorton, observing this, had at the ready a vial of Frazzard's Powder that would be sure to repel the monsters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qwa6H3olPdo/YGSjEXQQlZI/AAAAAAAAHPw/n357EooLnxQ9tu6wQq878HhPUs38ksuGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qwa6H3olPdo/YGSjEXQQlZI/AAAAAAAAHPw/n357EooLnxQ9tu6wQq878HhPUs38ksuGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After Danny's knock, they heard voices from within both the smaller cottage and the larger house begin to chant in unison, "Door, door, open, open." Simultaneously the doors to both buildings were flung open and a half dozen of the walking corpses attempted to charge out of each of the buildings. Throgmorton hurled his potive and the acrid fumes from it drove the monsters back into their respective houses. </div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuBYfrQPhgM/YGSjEWLFkMI/AAAAAAAAHP8/wtTNdut0V7gBY5_skmDyWeh-sI05oBHWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuBYfrQPhgM/YGSjEWLFkMI/AAAAAAAAHP8/wtTNdut0V7gBY5_skmDyWeh-sI05oBHWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brandywine approached the smaller hut and fired the seven barrels of her heptigun into the slavering mass at the door. The multiple bullets shredded the flesh of all six revermen, dropping them to the floor.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-retOBRsSTbo/YGSjE7Y2vXI/AAAAAAAAHP4/cb5CnnEOwPwOQVkl8WtdZRyoMlAi-b4bgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-retOBRsSTbo/YGSjE7Y2vXI/AAAAAAAAHP4/cb5CnnEOwPwOQVkl8WtdZRyoMlAi-b4bgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As the other group of revermen seethed at the door of the larger house, Roman shocked the lead who blocked the door. This action was undone by Danny who simultaneously threw one of his daggers into the head of the frozen corpse. Through the cleared door, the party poured their shots into the remaining walking dead and left them writhing on the floor.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6FccH9pCQY/YGSjFvQW2QI/AAAAAAAAHQI/_aPsI_-ohP0_KGl4vDNKOBdSS2sDwS_MgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6FccH9pCQY/YGSjFvQW2QI/AAAAAAAAHQI/_aPsI_-ohP0_KGl4vDNKOBdSS2sDwS_MgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Once all six of the walking corpses had been destroyed, Danny went cautiously up the stairs to the second floor.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNgj6JF-3eM/YGSjFojs5jI/AAAAAAAAHQE/2kl4OQXfUdEcaqQyeT3uy03Pphml-DDXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uNgj6JF-3eM/YGSjFojs5jI/AAAAAAAAHQE/2kl4OQXfUdEcaqQyeT3uy03Pphml-DDXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Outside, Throgmorton noticed that the dear walkers that had been shredded by Brandywine's heptigun shot were releasing large quantities of worms. He hastily set fire to the cottage, despite Roman's concern at the hasty act.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYJldbj2Ixs/YGSjFqstYSI/AAAAAAAAHQA/iNOJQXsTIu0U7GCEb6bYX7g9OGmbO3rOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYJldbj2Ixs/YGSjFqstYSI/AAAAAAAAHQA/iNOJQXsTIu0U7GCEb6bYX7g9OGmbO3rOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-24.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the upper floor, Danny found several shelved stocked with empty specimen bottles, a number of tomes of forbidden knowledge, and ream after ream of scribbled notes cluttering a desk. On the floor lay a dead body with a large portion of the skull missing and a discharged pistol in its hand, obviously the victim of suicide. Laying on the floor was a blood-stained journal. Danny quickly glanced through it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It proved to be the journal of one Jonthan Plemmsen, surgeon, likely black habilist, and self-murderer. It seems that Plemmsen had become an outcast due to his dabbling in things that man was not meant to know and found refuge among this poor trusting colony of eekers, whom he described as "simple bumpkins so addicted to compassion for all that they had been cast out of their homes as sedorners." They had settled in The Dale after hearing of its fertility and rumors that the Pilts had once mined here for copper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was this latter occupation that sealed their doom. Having discovered a strange and vicious worm in their mining efforts, they brought it to Plemmsen to identify. He began experimenting with it and soon discovered it would replicate when feed flesh of some sort as well as increase in size. His servant, one of the eeker's daughter, a girl named Polly, was accidently bitten by one of the worms. Rather than seeking to cure her, Plemmsen had observed the effects of the attack. Polly soon began showing signs of madness, repeating phrases over and over again. After 3 days she died. Plemmsen dug up her body at night and performed an autopsy upon it. He found her brain mostly consumed by a mass of the worms, their oversized jaws making a horrible clicking sound as they fed. He noticed a certain uniformity of action among the worms as well as an ability to animate the poor girl's corpse in simple ways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Believing that the worms might be used to gain control over people, turning them into automatons, the next night, he introduced them into the huts of the sleeping eekers. The next day, all began showing the same symptoms as Polly. Although he feigned treating the eekers, he really continued his experiments but now on a larger scale. However, after all of the eekers had died, they reanimated and showed intentional uniform actions, as if directed by some other power. They began to pursue Plemmsen who sought refuge here in his room. As they approached, he chose to kill himself rather than suffer the extended horror he had inflicted upon the eekers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this point, Danny began to notice the smell of burning thatch. The fire Throgmorton had set by now spread to the two-storey building. Danny pocketed the journal and hastily retreated.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfiizHjl1Lg/YGSjGHhMVRI/AAAAAAAAHQM/kcgz3wQrf7A8IuXTQiTaSFv9rRQqOIKuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfiizHjl1Lg/YGSjGHhMVRI/AAAAAAAAHQM/kcgz3wQrf7A8IuXTQiTaSFv9rRQqOIKuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-25.JPG" /></a></div>Danny rejoined the party and they loaded their supplies onto a hand cart. Leaving now burning stockade, they killed the pumpkin-gorged worms lying in the road. Danny told them of his discovery and related the contents of Plemmsen's journal. They realized that the intelligence which seemed to direct the walking corpses might be the creature the Pilts had called the Ravenusa and that it might be found in the copper mine that the eekers had found. They retreated from the ravaged Dale to the safety of the woods for rest, intending on the morrow to confront the dread Ravenusa. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-49509275099207857932021-03-28T08:12:00.001-07:002021-03-28T08:35:27.900-07:00Monster Blood Tattoo RPG: The Eekers' Lament - Part III<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Eekers' Lament</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Part III: Theroscade</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkbKAWCCU4I/YFysjUOJefI/AAAAAAAAHH0/8gA_TuUjIWcMgqIdb9iwx2jJ6qHnzlIOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-10b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkbKAWCCU4I/YFysjUOJefI/AAAAAAAAHH0/8gA_TuUjIWcMgqIdb9iwx2jJ6qHnzlIOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-10b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Lampedusa </b><i>- </i>deep-dwelling kraulschwimmen serpent and mighty sea-wretchin who terrorized the waters of the Grume for a thousan years before it was called by that name. Finally, bearing the mythic spiegel-blade<i>, Paschendralle,</i> the legendary Piltdown heldin-king, Tascifarnias, stood upon the shore where Brandenbrass now has its harbor and challenged Lampedusa to a contest to see who should rule land and sea. There upon the sand they fought, Tascifarnias slaying Lampedusa even as he was slain, the flowing of their combined blood purported to have changed the white sand black.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rW27psWWxQo/YF3QQUmebMI/AAAAAAAAHKM/muL4vR0cPfYqHxvwcLu2CmIT2Tp8hxajQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6215.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rW27psWWxQo/YF3QQUmebMI/AAAAAAAAHKM/muL4vR0cPfYqHxvwcLu2CmIT2Tp8hxajQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6215.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the gaming room of the Alabaster Brow, they encountered the group of Pilts. Their apparent leader was named Teucer Orm. He seemed to know their intended quest, having suggested blandly that despite being in the high hills far from the sea, it was likely a kraulschwimmen, a sea monster, which they hunted. When asked for further elucidation, he told the old legend of High King Tascifarnias and the slaying of the Lampedusa. He added however that before its death, it was said that the Lampedusa would travel upon the land to lay its eggs in the gravide mud. These spawn were called the Ravenusi and, fortunately for mankind, would lay dormant for ages before coming to life. </div><div style="text-align: left;">"I think maybe your eekers have inadvertently awaken a Ravenusa."</div><div style="text-align: left;">He wished them luck in the hunting of it but warned that legend held that such terrible creatures could be slain only through the self-sacrifice of a Piltking and since there had been no King in centuries, the party was headed to their doom.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b40wQiPR03U/YF3QQRC-95I/AAAAAAAAHKQ/rDnU-AL71yE8Qd6O6y_ASY7-bTZtPGzrwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6216.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b40wQiPR03U/YF3QQRC-95I/AAAAAAAAHKQ/rDnU-AL71yE8Qd6O6y_ASY7-bTZtPGzrwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">They scoffed at this superstition and began debating jokingly about who they could make king to so sacrifice. Throgmorton suggested that if they proclaimed Teucer king would that suffice. At this, Teucer flew into a rage, "Do not call me such! Your Tutin Emperor has declared death for any Pilt who claims that title! I have no wish to end my life hoisted on a Catharine Wheel! I am a simple farm hand."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The matter might have come to blows had not Teucer's wife, a woman with some pretension at being a seeress, looked oddly at Lord Danny and said to her husband in Piltish, "Icu thu me favin nir Haraman." </div><div style="text-align: left;">Teucer stared at Danny for a time before finally saying, "You have a strange friend, my Burgund lord."</div><div style="text-align: left;">Upon hearing that he was of the family Figge, Teucer observed that this was a Piltish name and that many of the nobles of Lillian of the Faye were of the Oldest Blood.</div><div style="text-align: left;">"We may not be so distant from each other," Teucer said wryly</div><div style="text-align: left;">"I certainly hope that's not the case," returned Danny amiably.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The exchange seemed to soothe things somewhat. Teucer proved willing to give them direction to settlement of the eekers. It was in a place known as the <span style="text-align: center;">Deixerat in Piltish, meaning simply The Dale.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">"Take a care, it is a place of ill omen and few have ventured there before. These eekers may have thought such a place one of safety but I fear they have found it to be just the opposite."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8ofHSg56bI/YF3QQdLpxoI/AAAAAAAAHKU/FBJLIia3tAMK-CBbuZF9b3XE0P4YV0nwACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8ofHSg56bI/YF3QQdLpxoI/AAAAAAAAHKU/FBJLIia3tAMK-CBbuZF9b3XE0P4YV0nwACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After this, Brandywine went in search of Roman. She found him settled in a dark corner of the inn's basement as was his eccentric want. She confronted him about her suspicion that he was dabbling in black habilistics and warned him not to trifle with the party. Taking this as a threat, he referred her to his metal staves and warned that should she desire to test him, he was well able to defend himself. The encounter ended in an uncomfortable stalemate. In the end, Brandywine, much troubled, retreated from the basement.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-CrEkIhIQE/YFysjb6OvcI/AAAAAAAAHH4/nBfADSaISeI0Dty_BuDwPUpvwGNYbnrXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-CrEkIhIQE/YFysjb6OvcI/AAAAAAAAHH4/nBfADSaISeI0Dty_BuDwPUpvwGNYbnrXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next morning they set off in the lentum. Following Teucer's instructions, they travelled for several hours down the main road heading north. About midday, they reached a small track turning northwest off the road. Another hour or so brought them to a clearing, The Dale.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrljlqSoIf8/YFyskMvTjjI/AAAAAAAAHIE/nKzSRCj9osU_YPeOyyDQeLFjupxErXFIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-10c.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrljlqSoIf8/YFyskMvTjjI/AAAAAAAAHIE/nKzSRCj9osU_YPeOyyDQeLFjupxErXFIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-10c.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">As they approached, they could see some small farmed fields, the ripe crops lying uncollected in them. There was a small thorp at the end of track, containing several humble buildings surrounded by a rough stockade. A small stone cottage stood a short distance before the stockade.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuGag9gM_kE/YFyskOJPREI/AAAAAAAAHIA/cqLiphT4S1I-6-4gIOnxZ2vh5NvGGtGFgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuGag9gM_kE/YFyskOJPREI/AAAAAAAAHIA/cqLiphT4S1I-6-4gIOnxZ2vh5NvGGtGFgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">They halted at this first habitation. The small stone cottage had but one door and windows shuttered from within. No smoke was coming from the chimney. Roman and Throgmorton approached. While Throgmorton held a loomblaze at the ready, Roman rushed at the door. Only to find it locked. The frail fulgar merely bounced off the stout wood.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5C182YRqo4/YFyskHH8gjI/AAAAAAAAHII/qBODuS_uxdA8gyPD8Bdux7EyCYGUxJeBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5C182YRqo4/YFyskHH8gjI/AAAAAAAAHII/qBODuS_uxdA8gyPD8Bdux7EyCYGUxJeBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The pair decided to climb onto the roof and perhaps claw their way through the thatching. Throgmorton opined that a potive such as bothersalts, dropped down the chimney first might be the best first step in investigating the cottage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WtC1ucNoOA/YFyskQIkeCI/AAAAAAAAHIM/ggpWgs5Ug1QiGcM5XV_XZXErjTq87peFwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WtC1ucNoOA/YFyskQIkeCI/AAAAAAAAHIM/ggpWgs5Ug1QiGcM5XV_XZXErjTq87peFwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not trusting to the novice scourge's abilities, Roman hastily descended from roof and clung to the stone walls of the cottage. The rest of the party had remained in the lentum which Flossie drove forward to a safe distance. Lord Danny and Sister Brandywine readied their firearms for whatever might come from the cottage.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FRZBFUo6evU/YFyskvBB8qI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/6A6DUmf6goINPtxpoUuoZcGUnFPdUFpTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FRZBFUo6evU/YFyskvBB8qI/AAAAAAAAHIQ/6A6DUmf6goINPtxpoUuoZcGUnFPdUFpTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Throgmorton managed to drop his potive down the chimney. When it burst within, explosively filling the cottage with repugnant fumes, two figures burst forth from the door to the cottage. They had all the appearance of revermen, man-made walking corpses.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD5LKmP0xgQ/YFyslCYuS3I/AAAAAAAAHIc/V8YYn9-8K6AtVpEgFJj2TCbM9_od1RE6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD5LKmP0xgQ/YFyslCYuS3I/AAAAAAAAHIc/V8YYn9-8K6AtVpEgFJj2TCbM9_od1RE6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Almost instantaneously, Flossie sent a hunting arrow into the skull of the first while Danny's long rifle shot shattered the head of the second.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDpux1iwqao/YFysk66h6OI/AAAAAAAAHIU/CcOeAKsu6Ng8B0tRye2SLhxe7uRB1eFsACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDpux1iwqao/YFysk66h6OI/AAAAAAAAHIU/CcOeAKsu6Ng8B0tRye2SLhxe7uRB1eFsACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Brandywine approached the now motionless bodies with care, her bayoneted musket at her shoulder. She saw where wounds had been made that a host of yellowish worms from rapidly emerging from these walking dead. She recognized them as larger specimens of the one that had come off the mad boy Amery back in Brandenbrass. As aimed her musket down at them, she was horrified to see one crawling up the bayonet of her musket. She quickly flung the gun away. They observed that the worm crawled into the trigger guard and molded itself into the curve of the guard. Danny hurled his dagger at the worm, killing it but also firing the musket. The shot ricocheted off a stone of the cottage wall, nearly striking Roman who had returned there seeking cover. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qELd1nsqHr0/YFysk8J6LrI/AAAAAAAAHIY/V74q1lmXcjoCni8crxR2n52Co0ibC6vgACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qELd1nsqHr0/YFysk8J6LrI/AAAAAAAAHIY/V74q1lmXcjoCni8crxR2n52Co0ibC6vgACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">At this point, Throgmorton flung a loomblaze onto the heap of sqirming worms emerging from the corpses. They were soon engulfed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7KUYNxS9Tk/YFyslYqdcNI/AAAAAAAAHIg/6ACD2VQkiUYIHovUgS-szjUo6ccOb0FcgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7KUYNxS9Tk/YFyslYqdcNI/AAAAAAAAHIg/6ACD2VQkiUYIHovUgS-szjUo6ccOb0FcgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just to be sure, he hurled another onto the already burning corpses.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eeAGpJgyQ9Y/YFysligQuKI/AAAAAAAAHIk/VEmQBX1wS_cEuxvyXOIcQCz_ucNtnmZogCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eeAGpJgyQ9Y/YFysligQuKI/AAAAAAAAHIk/VEmQBX1wS_cEuxvyXOIcQCz_ucNtnmZogCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be even more certain, he cast one onto the roof of the cottage, which was soon fully ablaze.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1u3N_RelunY/YFyslwvVgdI/AAAAAAAAHIo/CCDW68mnKWUqq3SP6hjYV5HhodNkJq-zwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1u3N_RelunY/YFyslwvVgdI/AAAAAAAAHIo/CCDW68mnKWUqq3SP6hjYV5HhodNkJq-zwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As they approached the stockaded village, they saw a body of a dead cow lying near the road. Roman rushed to the dead bovine and began to cut at its distended belly with his surgeon's knife. As soon as the blade cut through the hide, the gases that had accumulated with during the beast's decomposition burst forth, propelling a wriggling mass of the yellow worms across the road and into a fenced field.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xAShIiYE0c/YFyslxCIVNI/AAAAAAAAHIs/0oR6dSTJrHYy60CkU8TfcrxiOOuRsuBHQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xAShIiYE0c/YFyslxCIVNI/AAAAAAAAHIs/0oR6dSTJrHYy60CkU8TfcrxiOOuRsuBHQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Throgmorton confidently approached the mass of worms, a loomblaze in his hands. However, when he raised it over his head to throw, he discovered that he had failed to properly seal the cork of the potive. The chemicals, upon coming in contact with the air, burst into flames as they poured down on Throgmorton's head. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNBlIg89sRM/YFysmIFAIEI/AAAAAAAAHIw/Gm4Xu0uLaycvf90bWGixMacA0j0Ty7TJACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNBlIg89sRM/YFysmIFAIEI/AAAAAAAAHIw/Gm4Xu0uLaycvf90bWGixMacA0j0Ty7TJACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The now flaming scourge began to run in panic across the fields. Brandywine and Roman rushing after him, attempting to put out the fire. Danny and Flossie remained in the carriage, placing bets of the chances of Throgmorton surviving his first monster-hunting expedition. Danny bet that the novice scourge would survive, albeit mutilated while Flossie believed his chances of surviving the day were remote.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ol-63bTPAk/YFysmWdmfgI/AAAAAAAAHI4/pBH6J6PsREEMvIxEhLMZ-JEEFOkeibFPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ol-63bTPAk/YFysmWdmfgI/AAAAAAAAHI4/pBH6J6PsREEMvIxEhLMZ-JEEFOkeibFPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the pair discussed their bets, they suddenly heard high pitched giggling coming from behind them. When they turned, they saw eight glamgorns prancing about a nearby hill, singing of the feast they would have on these human fools.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8NsSxA6Npw/YFysmFlITrI/AAAAAAAAHI0/JuMIyJ3KyXMcx0WxC9jOJZmyrnq6U-_jgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y8NsSxA6Npw/YFysmFlITrI/AAAAAAAAHI0/JuMIyJ3KyXMcx0WxC9jOJZmyrnq6U-_jgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-23.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Four of the creatures charged the carriage while the other four called out to something further back in the woods.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDwo_Kr_IcE/YFysmcDj-fI/AAAAAAAAHI8/lXag3KpnFyUV8JO33lwRMW8XK-lyn_aCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MDwo_Kr_IcE/YFysmcDj-fI/AAAAAAAAHI8/lXag3KpnFyUV8JO33lwRMW8XK-lyn_aCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Flossie used one of her war arrows to bring down the first attacker. A second attempted to fling open the door to the carriage which Danny was holding shut. This tug of war ended when Danny suddenly thrust the door forward, knocking the glamgorn onto its back. Danny then snatched up his long rigle and shot the glamgorn through the head.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDxWz2iHqqU/YFysmYmpb3I/AAAAAAAAHJA/4cJ9ID5rc088ZKhQNOSJ0pOIJ03ZKrExQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDxWz2iHqqU/YFysmYmpb3I/AAAAAAAAHJA/4cJ9ID5rc088ZKhQNOSJ0pOIJ03ZKrExQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-26.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The remaining two threw themselves onto the roof of the carriage, and slashed at Flossie with wicked rustying daggers. Using her saber, she parried and drove them back.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dtKENLX3JQ/YFysmmfQUaI/AAAAAAAAHJE/Oqml9y1MRLoyoqQU1KKIYhLCxflcV2OfwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dtKENLX3JQ/YFysmmfQUaI/AAAAAAAAHJE/Oqml9y1MRLoyoqQU1KKIYhLCxflcV2OfwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-27.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a fearsome rustling and snapping amongst the trees as a<span style="text-align: center;">n enormous ettin strode onto the hill.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNmsyMdVCEs/YFysm6RqQfI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/dI8x-cNxehQo9-9ZdqkEJ3vWITgzlw8IgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNmsyMdVCEs/YFysm6RqQfI/AAAAAAAAHJQ/dI8x-cNxehQo9-9ZdqkEJ3vWITgzlw8IgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-28.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brandywine aimed carefully with her salinumbus and placed a well aimed shot, well dosed with poties into the creature's eye, partially blinding it. The creature cried in rage and charged the carriage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hgXcfqiww0/YFysm-xgNVI/AAAAAAAAHJM/4rKi3kIXCgstO9cBkrlc6XHrknjL2gYOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4hgXcfqiww0/YFysm-xgNVI/AAAAAAAAHJM/4rKi3kIXCgstO9cBkrlc6XHrknjL2gYOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-29.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Picking the carriage up, the enraged ettin hurled it into the fields. Flossie sprang free and easily regained her feet. Lord Danny, still within the carriage was knocked about, he crawled out of one of the broken doors only to face the mass of worms writhing toward him.</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Buckfus! I need help!" he cried. Flossie made a quick evaluation and believing Danny capable of fending for himself, fired an arrow at the ettin.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KV7U43MM7dQ/YFysm-vfpYI/AAAAAAAAHJI/UtJ_8LGdLeE4DjffGgVcrgHV37Ba2LIpQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-30.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KV7U43MM7dQ/YFysm-vfpYI/AAAAAAAAHJI/UtJ_8LGdLeE4DjffGgVcrgHV37Ba2LIpQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-30.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, Throgmortom hurled a combustive at the foursome of glamgorns who were preparing to support the ettin. They were all knocked from their feet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eG9yKB5X8tY/YFysnZrHUOI/AAAAAAAAHJU/qbtJb_HcWwIYSYuReHCwXRRfDO0-XsBkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eG9yKB5X8tY/YFysnZrHUOI/AAAAAAAAHJU/qbtJb_HcWwIYSYuReHCwXRRfDO0-XsBkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ettin turned toward Throgmorton. The rest of the party fired shot after shot into the giant.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JGOdq9FNbc/YFysnz-ZGlI/AAAAAAAAHJc/XokRYjMpFT0CL9XCyFOmPibvkslPJpxFACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4JGOdq9FNbc/YFysnz-ZGlI/AAAAAAAAHJc/XokRYjMpFT0CL9XCyFOmPibvkslPJpxFACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the glamgorns struggled to their feet, Roman charged them and began laying about with his stave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XozkgB3cBhI/YFysoBAo7dI/AAAAAAAAHJY/WyFkWHMPYPYKohPZTDmMsBnGTPm0XU8RQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XozkgB3cBhI/YFysoBAo7dI/AAAAAAAAHJY/WyFkWHMPYPYKohPZTDmMsBnGTPm0XU8RQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-33.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Throgmorton hurled a cast of Frazzard's powder at the ettin. The blast and repugnant fumes forced the creature to retreat and it stumbled back up the hill.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhBwXGMTiGk/YFysovDm1EI/AAAAAAAAHJk/E87_2GUOQhw22mijGiXtwPvg6au2krLgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhBwXGMTiGk/YFysovDm1EI/AAAAAAAAHJk/E87_2GUOQhw22mijGiXtwPvg6au2krLgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-34.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As it retreated, Brandywine fired shot after shot from her pistols into its vast back. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWWyFy06AxM/YFysoqeRYsI/AAAAAAAAHJg/Zlz-Zx0-MwcreaXeqGy-MuyNyybkjTlsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-35.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWWyFy06AxM/YFysoqeRYsI/AAAAAAAAHJg/Zlz-Zx0-MwcreaXeqGy-MuyNyybkjTlsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-35.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sorely wounded, the creature turned and piteously called to Roman for help, calling out, "Click Click, the yellow flood! Help me!" Distracted by the creature's piteously cries, Roman was swarmed by the glamgorns who slashed into the fulgar with malice.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv0hJiJBB-o/YFysokP2XUI/AAAAAAAAHJo/7abxxTnyFTEY6OgIrRpaTGYqZIFjxcfnwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv0hJiJBB-o/YFysokP2XUI/AAAAAAAAHJo/7abxxTnyFTEY6OgIrRpaTGYqZIFjxcfnwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Flossie carefully aimed her bow and let fly. Her large monster-slaying arrow, double-barbed and laced with monster-killing potives, drove into the creatures ear, killing it finally. For a moment it swayed upon its feet before collapsing directly onto Roman and the glamgorns.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhdCx2GSeXU/YFyso8kmfHI/AAAAAAAAHJs/5U3vI6n_2x0y01BHFH1MKgEJBrdIP2ETACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhdCx2GSeXU/YFyso8kmfHI/AAAAAAAAHJs/5U3vI6n_2x0y01BHFH1MKgEJBrdIP2ETACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-37.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Hoping to gain some protection from being crushed by the massive bulk of the dead ettin, Roman dropped to the ground and held up his stave as a brace. The metal drove directly into the ettings skull. A vast mass of yellow worms flooded out of the wound, all around Roman.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To be continued...</div></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-8065593879849232132021-03-26T07:12:00.001-07:002021-03-26T07:12:19.581-07:00A Device Infernal IV<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Device Infernal</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chapter IV: Champignons</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOyaCP9da2U/YF3TGiZvXSI/AAAAAAAAHKo/90oBlZNb-9oEF8yLZOWAbtvUFx9wfyXbgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qOyaCP9da2U/YF3TGiZvXSI/AAAAAAAAHKo/90oBlZNb-9oEF8yLZOWAbtvUFx9wfyXbgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Now
Lord Alabastre went to a lot of trouble sending Shad Le Duc and his hounds and
those spellcasters and all those men and all them boats against little old
Salteon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that might seem like an
awful lot of trouble for being rebuffed by one girl, even though it was Vangeline. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">But
Alabastre, like many young grandees had never been denied anything their heart
desired. They had never had been told the word NO.<br /> </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">So
when Vangeline and the Com’dor both told him no and all of the suitors and then
all the folks at the faire said no, he didn’t know how to accept it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then he had to run off like a scared
bullywog. Well, the hate just welled up inside his proud breast and became all-consuming</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">So
he started the war everyone was fretting about by seizing Fort Flumens so he could let that Mivior fleet come up the Deep. Then he sent that cruel spell to trap Vangeline. Then he come after her and all her kin and all her
friends, all the way up to Salteon that was burned to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can’t imagine what he would a done with Vangeline had he captured her
but it surely would have been wicked.<br /></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">But
that’s what heroes are for and Vangeline was lucky to have whole of posse of
them to try and save her. So they set off up the Crimson Bayou to find Lazar
Mirande, the conjure man who might know how a thing or two about them crystal
lilies that might restore Vangeline. </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Even
though Shad and his hounds and those spellcasters and all them men and all them
boats came chasing after them, our heroes sure outsmarted them and got away
clean. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">But once they got up on Bayou Crimson, things got mighty strange. Of course, the first thing they run into was them fi follet will o' wisps. But then they ran into to them mushroom folks, running along the shore screaming for help that something was trying to eat them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0dTrDvtqpo/YF3TIOhnztI/AAAAAAAAHLM/sjiepP9bXTwdvZPJ6lGL-VjU9QZU0j2ywCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w0dTrDvtqpo/YF3TIOhnztI/AAAAAAAAHLM/sjiepP9bXTwdvZPJ6lGL-VjU9QZU0j2ywCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Turned out it was some big slugs that come bursting out the ground and started chasing them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIkFYdvc3Lw/YF3TLT1j5wI/AAAAAAAAHL4/Xg0-hcr69usnpMBSQiaVWGP0sYOYJXLwACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PIkFYdvc3Lw/YF3TLT1j5wI/AAAAAAAAHL4/Xg0-hcr69usnpMBSQiaVWGP0sYOYJXLwACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then there was a big ole matre slug, with might big snapping jaws and poisoned tail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaGkxsrw1tI/YF3TNk4FvpI/AAAAAAAAHMQ/OLnpLAIjEOgan9iVtDpldox-A3UAe-YggCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaGkxsrw1tI/YF3TNk4FvpI/AAAAAAAAHMQ/OLnpLAIjEOgan9iVtDpldox-A3UAe-YggCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now Placeed did mention that between all these creatures, there was a pretty good mushroom and escargot etouffee could be had. But they all decided it weren't right to be eating mushrooms that big, especially seeing as how they talked. So Fiddlesticks conjured up one of his little devil friends and it went off to slow down the matre slug. It must of caught that big slug by surprise for it tore into the thing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg-OaVN9Crg/YF3TN8AfPGI/AAAAAAAAHMY/OCj5VWHGAjYAzO4q300PoNtVC0lOJhrGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg-OaVN9Crg/YF3TN8AfPGI/AAAAAAAAHMY/OCj5VWHGAjYAzO4q300PoNtVC0lOJhrGgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There was nothing to stop the other slugs and they fell on one of the mushroom folks and tore it to shreds, gobbling down the pieces into their circular maws.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Ti46coTN8/YF3TNzdVwGI/AAAAAAAAHMc/E59xVqtDEKAYWsxWgKi9GogWvijiBm16ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1Ti46coTN8/YF3TNzdVwGI/AAAAAAAAHMc/E59xVqtDEKAYWsxWgKi9GogWvijiBm16ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now Sabeen brought the Virago right up close to the shore and they called out for the two remaining mushroom folks to hurry over.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrLJZAq4Mqc/YF3TN4d4lkI/AAAAAAAAHMg/6zV2dLmnTpELcm2EBfyOkJFjPRsub0VJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrLJZAq4Mqc/YF3TN4d4lkI/AAAAAAAAHMg/6zV2dLmnTpELcm2EBfyOkJFjPRsub0VJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Placeed thought up the idea of using some of the salt from cooking to shrivel them slugs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUP3PAm9ywY/YF3TOKr3JyI/AAAAAAAAHMk/cCs2z8jv42UJo3EKo3WDYKQi1pUps5VVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUP3PAm9ywY/YF3TOKr3JyI/AAAAAAAAHMk/cCs2z8jv42UJo3EKo3WDYKQi1pUps5VVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He gave some to Dewy who flew on over and dumped onto one of the slugs and it shrieked as it shriveled into a mass of ichor. Soon enough, gunfire from the rest of the party brought down another.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xg4Yv3h1v-s/YF3TGgcreXI/AAAAAAAAHKg/yQxmq8AibwQT4_ETu9gJjc6j-LEdJLXsACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xg4Yv3h1v-s/YF3TGgcreXI/AAAAAAAAHKg/yQxmq8AibwQT4_ETu9gJjc6j-LEdJLXsACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now by rights, Fiddlesticks' little imp shouldn't of lasted more than a moment fighting off the big matre slug. But sure enough, the little thing more than head its own and began driving the big slug back.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W2A09IahN00/YF3TGvRc-FI/AAAAAAAAHKk/7-ILKl4WN3sHH5SJZqhoR2sawxgy-DwVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W2A09IahN00/YF3TGvRc-FI/AAAAAAAAHKk/7-ILKl4WN3sHH5SJZqhoR2sawxgy-DwVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Skeeter pulled the two mushroom folks onboard and Sabeen took the boat out away from shore.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEa_19xhmGI/YF3TGwzkXII/AAAAAAAAHKs/UQ0GsP4-PI0xtvzt_sUjizNGo8-Fd6JTACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEa_19xhmGI/YF3TGwzkXII/AAAAAAAAHKs/UQ0GsP4-PI0xtvzt_sUjizNGo8-Fd6JTACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Just as they were fixing to sail off, up springs a swamp creature, all covered in nasty weed and swamp grass.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2EkvIliA1w/YF3THEI5F6I/AAAAAAAAHKw/wfTbtjnYSzkkPQmPsXAMmABJTJhVJuStwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2EkvIliA1w/YF3THEI5F6I/AAAAAAAAHKw/wfTbtjnYSzkkPQmPsXAMmABJTJhVJuStwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As the first creature pulled itself onboard, another popped its head out the water.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-U49T5smvc/YF3THS3UPfI/AAAAAAAAHK4/ys74Vr_rlgUrAJOchAzzd1WR9Y9rPTcZACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-U49T5smvc/YF3THS3UPfI/AAAAAAAAHK4/ys74Vr_rlgUrAJOchAzzd1WR9Y9rPTcZACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Maksen used his battle axe, a family heirloom, to cut into the first creature. After that, everyone who could shot at the beast and it fell over board, but not before laying heavily into the crowded deck. The second beast tried to do the same but met the same fate.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnH6Btd6aIE/YF3THaFSwMI/AAAAAAAAHK0/pDNiTDWUqtw1uGf9BFl9urdu6CAmmwUpgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnH6Btd6aIE/YF3THaFSwMI/AAAAAAAAHK0/pDNiTDWUqtw1uGf9BFl9urdu6CAmmwUpgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Just as they were finishing with swamp creatures, several very loud shots rang out from the woods nearby. The one remaining small slug and the big ole matre slug fairly exploded from the impact of the shots. Of course, what was left of Fiddlesticks' imp fell too in the crossfire. A moment later, a half dozen big ole hobgoblins came out of the forest, all wearing green uniforms and carrying what would have been heavy wall guns to ordinary sized folks. They called for the boat to return.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EMAIsYMqCk/YF3THvBxaNI/AAAAAAAAHK8/LGb13uSWTeI6A-YEDKEEqXSVNqFkuiEwACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6EMAIsYMqCk/YF3THvBxaNI/AAAAAAAAHK8/LGb13uSWTeI6A-YEDKEEqXSVNqFkuiEwACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They thought these might be the imperial soldiers who were looking for Servan and Jbili so they didn't rush back over to the shore. Fiddlesticks thought they might be a help on this dangerous bayou. So he levitated on over to them and tried to convince them to join the party. The hobgoblin's leader, Captain Sharf reluctantly admitted that he and his men had gotten lost in the swamp and asked for help returning to Fort Flumens. Fiddlesticks told Sharf they were heading up the bayou and needed help. Unfortunately, the word "deserters" slipped from Fiddlesticks' mouth. The eagle-eyed Sharf notices Servan lurking the boat.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNbeZ_2inAI/YF3THyh9lhI/AAAAAAAAHLA/dsnoPsDqGVcRcGiIBo0m3UResT3ln4fuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNbeZ_2inAI/YF3THyh9lhI/AAAAAAAAHLA/dsnoPsDqGVcRcGiIBo0m3UResT3ln4fuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He grabbed Fiddlesticks by the collar and lifted him clean off the ground. Sharf yelled to the Virago to put ashore.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eg8juTZDeYs/YF3THxMBP4I/AAAAAAAAHLE/nK1Z2RaU55AR1X_OPfD8bCMtXcH2KkxZwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eg8juTZDeYs/YF3THxMBP4I/AAAAAAAAHLE/nK1Z2RaU55AR1X_OPfD8bCMtXcH2KkxZwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sharf then handed Fiddlesticks to one of his soldiers. The fiddler tried in the worst way to escape but couldn't free himself from the hobgoblin's ironlike grasp.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_v6e37gYKQI/YF3TH2VU-II/AAAAAAAAHLI/45iNSk7khpgNtkL-YmF4ybimhjZVOYL_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_v6e37gYKQI/YF3TH2VU-II/AAAAAAAAHLI/45iNSk7khpgNtkL-YmF4ybimhjZVOYL_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>One of the soldiers must have known a spell or two, for suddenly a wall of stone sprang up in front them, providing a strong bulwark.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoaZY3smH3M/YF3TIs-fa9I/AAAAAAAAHLQ/KIzGjFKuuHc7F_q6yYS0OB9LDqdzLCyigCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoaZY3smH3M/YF3TIs-fa9I/AAAAAAAAHLQ/KIzGjFKuuHc7F_q6yYS0OB9LDqdzLCyigCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen slipped the Virago in amongst some of the rocks in the middle of the river, gaining some cover from the hobgoblin's heavy shots. Both parties began to exchange fire.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lxac9FuHPs/YF3TJCb8ZUI/AAAAAAAAHLU/sIaF0GrZXoUokQTmtloym7o_KHnkx7ZZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lxac9FuHPs/YF3TJCb8ZUI/AAAAAAAAHLU/sIaF0GrZXoUokQTmtloym7o_KHnkx7ZZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Brother Maksen, calling upon the power of St. Sankari managed to dispel the hobgoblins' magic stone wall. Without cover, one of the soldiers was downed by several bullets.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bL1LIBRoFkY/YF3TJZfrVKI/AAAAAAAAHLY/zwPTFYdboSYuO4SWzTe8lLqISDNzlfMrwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bL1LIBRoFkY/YF3TJZfrVKI/AAAAAAAAHLY/zwPTFYdboSYuO4SWzTe8lLqISDNzlfMrwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Coralie cast an entanglement upon the hobgoblin holding Fiddlesticks. In a moment however, the green-coat broke free and Fiddlesticks along with him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhTuXZC1b-g/YF3TJSw5XLI/AAAAAAAAHLc/tD8yjfawLeYb_1hzz6bnzQRPPWAND_eXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhTuXZC1b-g/YF3TJSw5XLI/AAAAAAAAHLc/tD8yjfawLeYb_1hzz6bnzQRPPWAND_eXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Maksen then cast a Blinding Light spell upon the two, immobilizing both but stopping the hobgoblin from carrying Fiddlesticks off.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4EeeI0LCMY/YF3TJRLJM8I/AAAAAAAAHLg/ZKy4Zdh66R4vaV7mKNbsowTkZNseSvjhQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4EeeI0LCMY/YF3TJRLJM8I/AAAAAAAAHLg/ZKy4Zdh66R4vaV7mKNbsowTkZNseSvjhQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen grew worried for their shots were only having limited effect on the large hobgoblins, despite dispelling their cover. She was particularly worried when the huge hobgoblin sergeant turned his seven-barreled heptigun on the ship.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPZrGWA2jbI/YF3TJyUNlMI/AAAAAAAAHLo/JcWwXYtXRx0GlvTa49dc1cGY8fAlxYATACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPZrGWA2jbI/YF3TJyUNlMI/AAAAAAAAHLo/JcWwXYtXRx0GlvTa49dc1cGY8fAlxYATACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Before he could fire, she sent a storming wind against him.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHNsyeq88eo/YF3TKTLxxLI/AAAAAAAAHLk/8a5i11svpfMb_zTHi4-uESfx2tojw5okQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHNsyeq88eo/YF3TKTLxxLI/AAAAAAAAHLk/8a5i11svpfMb_zTHi4-uESfx2tojw5okQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-26.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The blast drove him into one of the slug holes from which he struggled to get up its muddy walls.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gmv2YwUQ_v8/YF3TKxGJrTI/AAAAAAAAHLs/8M3Kl_NUKwUxDKEnoxm-Uz56Hx-125qXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gmv2YwUQ_v8/YF3TKxGJrTI/AAAAAAAAHLs/8M3Kl_NUKwUxDKEnoxm-Uz56Hx-125qXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-27.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>In the meantime, Fiddlesticks was able to recover his vision while his captor could not. Again levitating, the fiddler headed for the heavy brush on the banks of the river.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KDwtbGQ8tU/YF3TKyNE_mI/AAAAAAAAHLw/nmYeIw0ESAEpkvPN8_HsDPjyTQ-Oh7G8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KDwtbGQ8tU/YF3TKyNE_mI/AAAAAAAAHLw/nmYeIw0ESAEpkvPN8_HsDPjyTQ-Oh7G8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-28.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen once again sent a fierce wind, this time against the spellcaster.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luhI-WzJ1-0/YF3TK_JaCgI/AAAAAAAAHL0/F0SsEgjt134GMJtquWDKGGXHgrkeeoDNQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luhI-WzJ1-0/YF3TK_JaCgI/AAAAAAAAHL0/F0SsEgjt134GMJtquWDKGGXHgrkeeoDNQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-29.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It drove him in on top of the struggling sergeant and both became stuck in the slug hole.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JE-WNIcr7ps/YF3TL5KPbnI/AAAAAAAAHL8/8XReDWWJPBYKt1L0CBp97fspMR-sVaVIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JE-WNIcr7ps/YF3TL5KPbnI/AAAAAAAAHL8/8XReDWWJPBYKt1L0CBp97fspMR-sVaVIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-30.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks managed to reach cover in the brush. Leon brought the boat forward to reach the fiddler.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RAa3lJABEw/YF3TMQn7aYI/AAAAAAAAHMA/RY7w0JAYF50N8pylpv8NSP9_y4QzHA90wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RAa3lJABEw/YF3TMQn7aYI/AAAAAAAAHMA/RY7w0JAYF50N8pylpv8NSP9_y4QzHA90wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As Fiddlesticks made the last dash toward the boat, Skeeter threw several large handfuls of crawdads into the air forming a sort of cloud, like wheat chaff in the wind, that interfered with the shots of the soldiers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjsLc4YYLak/YF3TM5x8zUI/AAAAAAAAHME/zoQhW3qQmXUdZy3GdC1wpg3u2VooxxBSwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjsLc4YYLak/YF3TM5x8zUI/AAAAAAAAHME/zoQhW3qQmXUdZy3GdC1wpg3u2VooxxBSwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Suddenly, several horns sounded from the jungle. A vast host of lizardmen came charging through the mushroom stand.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ExLw5wJv2Y/YF3TNLIzRPI/AAAAAAAAHMI/xcYlkdN8lfMr5oX138BpDC_Y9Jo_QZgowCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0ExLw5wJv2Y/YF3TNLIzRPI/AAAAAAAAHMI/xcYlkdN8lfMr5oX138BpDC_Y9Jo_QZgowCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sharf grabbed his surviving soldiers and they scrambled furiously into the woods away from the lizardmen.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSGO2ZmZRlw/YF3TNZZAcaI/AAAAAAAAHMM/rMhp_Pw3gOwdH_Y7xUvuyhs4fLiXUTJVQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSGO2ZmZRlw/YF3TNZZAcaI/AAAAAAAAHMM/rMhp_Pw3gOwdH_Y7xUvuyhs4fLiXUTJVQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-34.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Part of the lizardmen headed toward the Virago, leaping into the water and swimming towards the boat. Sabeen was able to pilot away from their pursuers while Leon coaxed the boiler into a great head of steam. The boat easily outpaced the swimming lizardmen while avoiding the shots from their blow-gunners.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AT6xyYso0mg/YF3TNiB0S-I/AAAAAAAAHMU/8xhw3QHd170cFZRlyE8_f4elUukhRujkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4-35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AT6xyYso0mg/YF3TNiB0S-I/AAAAAAAAHMU/8xhw3QHd170cFZRlyE8_f4elUukhRujkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4-35.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">The two mushroom men, Stalk and Mushmush, were very grateful for the rescue, although they mourned their friend, Moldus. They asked to be let off the boat a few miles further on. Along the way, they told the party what little they knew about Lazar Mirande. They said they weren't sure if he was a necromancer bokor or a more benign houngan spellcaster. Either way, they said they just had to look for the great trees and the pillars in the water to find him. They left the two off the boat as requested. In gratitude, they gave the party an old Elven breastplate, shimmering with magic. The party agreed to give it to Maksen. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;">Then they sailed on. Soon they began to see a cloud of black smoke from up ahead. As they rounded a bend, they say a large boat fully engulfed in flames.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /> </span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-58774548516214092102021-03-20T12:33:00.002-07:002021-03-20T12:33:33.550-07:00Monster Blood Tattoo RPG: The Eekers' Lament - Part II<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Eekers' Lament<br /></b><b>Part II, A First Tattoo</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Casketoon</b> - a biololog newly invented by the surgeons in Sinster. It is formed in the shape of a carrying device or piece of luggage, most often a backpack. Its main function is to regulate the temperature of its internal compartment by its ability to absorb heat or cold. Originally developed to transport the organs taken from monsters for surgical purposes, it is becoming more common for preserving cruor for later puncting.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDr4XUpUpFo/YEjtuCTHAWI/AAAAAAAAG8Y/3G2f1A45LLgmXP1zkd-e9mMuZGfd-5C1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDr4XUpUpFo/YEjtuCTHAWI/AAAAAAAAG8Y/3G2f1A45LLgmXP1zkd-e9mMuZGfd-5C1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After fighting off the ambuscade in Brandenbrass, the party exited the city and proceeded down the Athy Way toward the hills of the Brandenfells and the town of Spelter Innings. At the fading light, they reached the well appointed wayhouse of The Guiding Star.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELvAtffa-cw/YEjtv9EGMbI/AAAAAAAAG9E/HGbOohhDvIIeUTQ0KeY2RRABpn2Yh-7qgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELvAtffa-cw/YEjtv9EGMbI/AAAAAAAAG9E/HGbOohhDvIIeUTQ0KeY2RRABpn2Yh-7qgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lord Danny's seemingly bottomless wallet procured for them a seemingly bottomless dinner. Throgmorton, who was used to twenty years of eating partially dulcified fish aboard ship, was astounded by the amount of fresh meat and vegetables. All save Roman, who insisted upon sleeping in the wayhouse stable, enjoyed a restful sleep in well-appointed rooms.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEjxPkLLdA8/YFYvMs0migI/AAAAAAAAHE0/0lFQXMYITEw1nvT3pwC62Fw7jPtTscmzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/2-1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEjxPkLLdA8/YFYvMs0migI/AAAAAAAAHE0/0lFQXMYITEw1nvT3pwC62Fw7jPtTscmzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-1a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day, they arrived in Spelter Innings, a a well guarded but pretty little town. They proceeded to the magistrate's hall to register their claim to the singular contract for the Swarty Hobnag. When shown the commitment that Mordhowe had procured for the contract back in Brandenbrass, the officious clerk had merely sniffed. However, once he recognized the famous teratologists Lord Danube and Lady Brandywine, he grew more enthusiastic, admitting that the contract was in need of fulfillment. The creature, the corpse-eating Swarty Hobnag, had been troubling the region for some time. He duly listed Roman as the premier signant on the contract but noted that proof of the creature's demise was required before payment would be made. The party retired to another excellent inn, the Lame Sparrow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ipiAfzqB-0/YEjtwYcOKZI/AAAAAAAAG9Y/SxpOBpZ1ldksN-9WYRzLDYVA-NJgeBD1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ipiAfzqB-0/YEjtwYcOKZI/AAAAAAAAG9Y/SxpOBpZ1ldksN-9WYRzLDYVA-NJgeBD1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>In the morning, they set off again, the staff at the Lame Sparrow having provided an ample breakfast and picnic basket for their travels. As they ate their repast, Roman surreptitiously slipped the scraps into his casketoon. The casketoon heaved frequently in seeming satisfaction and on occasions ejected a well gnawed bone onto the road behind them. After some time on the road, Roman looked to the rear of the coach and noticed that something very quick and very large was snatching the discard bones and disappearing into the roadside brush before he could determine exactly what it was.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INgEYASGNp4/YEjtwpuA1fI/AAAAAAAAG9c/eJeq3jdkk3IYE4-xXEhSG84O8Jw_p0HTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INgEYASGNp4/YEjtwpuA1fI/AAAAAAAAG9c/eJeq3jdkk3IYE4-xXEhSG84O8Jw_p0HTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The sense of threwd increased and the rest of the party began to notice movement now parallel to the coach. They drew to a halt at a necropolis just a few miles beyond the town. While Lord Danny approached from one side, Roman approached the entrance of the necropolis, Sister Brandywine and Throgmorton standing back a bit and Flossie climbing to the top of the carriage to watch for possible ambush. Roman let the waste from his casketoon flow onto the ground as he walked hoping to attract whatever the source of threwd might be.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-moRkOAj0Aww/YEjtwnweUFI/AAAAAAAAG9g/-EOQlyTYCkY6glNnU0n1UmZIqvtdNBGVACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-moRkOAj0Aww/YEjtwnweUFI/AAAAAAAAG9g/-EOQlyTYCkY6glNnU0n1UmZIqvtdNBGVACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Suddenly, a great hulking creature leapt from the woods and in two bounds rushed at the party.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYaWsS-QMT4/YEjtw8V1A_I/AAAAAAAAG9k/yCFwrbLO5UQGwNoX50Oy2MNuCyVcnRXTQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XYaWsS-QMT4/YEjtw8V1A_I/AAAAAAAAG9k/yCFwrbLO5UQGwNoX50Oy2MNuCyVcnRXTQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-6.JPG" /></a></div>Throgmorton, whose first battle against monsters this was, seemed to be the particular target of the monster's attack. He hastily pulled a vile of loomblaze.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13_2X2PU0-M/YEjtw_6Y5eI/AAAAAAAAG9o/rao55UAERAEQgbnWxrsNT1gx1bcAeLMTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13_2X2PU0-M/YEjtw_6Y5eI/AAAAAAAAG9o/rao55UAERAEQgbnWxrsNT1gx1bcAeLMTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The novice scourge threw wide, however, and his cast merely set fire to some heather.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FvY93-rBOA/YEjtxFhOPVI/AAAAAAAAG9s/tjsLgpxLbYczKAaR2PkwGYyybAkEGoJpgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1FvY93-rBOA/YEjtxFhOPVI/AAAAAAAAG9s/tjsLgpxLbYczKAaR2PkwGYyybAkEGoJpgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roman charged forward, the electricity surging through his metal stave. Although he struck the creature who cried in pain, the monster raked the fulgar with its great claws, cutting through his thick proofing. Bloodied, Roman fell to the ground.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnA4yTRO7v4/YEjtxNAAZGI/AAAAAAAAG9w/HhvMr1zfsv451zZ54F7YN8bo5VX1gf8sQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnA4yTRO7v4/YEjtxNAAZGI/AAAAAAAAG9w/HhvMr1zfsv451zZ54F7YN8bo5VX1gf8sQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>With Roman now lying prone, the rest of the party were clear and well positioned to fire upon the monster. One after another, bullets from Sister Brandywine's salinumbus, then from Lord Danny's long rifle, struck home. Then arrow from Flossie's warbow struck the creature in the neck.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERH3MR0oijE/YEjtuCc9PFI/AAAAAAAAG8U/G9-n9BaKkBcRGx9xFYR8xb3R7RqIzIXEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ERH3MR0oijE/YEjtuCc9PFI/AAAAAAAAG8U/G9-n9BaKkBcRGx9xFYR8xb3R7RqIzIXEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, Throgmorton threw another cast. He again missed and the burst nearly caught Lord Danny.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRmoq7UkApg/YEjtuLiTVdI/AAAAAAAAG8c/m1cwB8CfwO4Di9GN2T_OsJaftMzgyCXegCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRmoq7UkApg/YEjtuLiTVdI/AAAAAAAAG8c/m1cwB8CfwO4Di9GN2T_OsJaftMzgyCXegCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As the creature reeled from these terrible blows, Roman sprang to his feet. The Hobnag raised it hands more in supplication than in threat, its eyes full of pain and pleading. Roman smashed his stave across the creatures fingers, breaking them. He then thrust the metal stave at the creature's head, which smoldered and then burst into flames as the monster screamed and collapsed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giOe8YupaH8/YEjtuRKkRgI/AAAAAAAAG8g/cnPqPmYb4OAbj1L3RffAlZStHTsOO_ruwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giOe8YupaH8/YEjtuRKkRgI/AAAAAAAAG8g/cnPqPmYb4OAbj1L3RffAlZStHTsOO_ruwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Thus it was over, the fearsome Swarty Hobnag lay dead. Throgmorton shouted, "We did it! Good work everyone!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2zgDKtcD5Y/YEjtugo2XgI/AAAAAAAAG8k/kjnW85CV7LAnAox8oFnwzCWF-uonfWljACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2zgDKtcD5Y/YEjtugo2XgI/AAAAAAAAG8k/kjnW85CV7LAnAox8oFnwzCWF-uonfWljACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Their elation turned to horror as Roman produced a large surgeons' blade from his coat and began to carve into the dead monster's body. He ripped several organs from it and stuffed them into his casketoon. Sister Brandywine was especially appalled. She asked Roman what reason he had for doing this. "To provide proof of our kill!" was his only response. He also drew doses of the monster's blood for each to receive a cruorpunxis, the monster blood tattoo.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They returned to Spelter Innings and received their commission for the slaying of the Swarty Hobnag. Roman had been aloof to their investigation of what had happened to the eekers' colony near Luthian Glee. Now that they had assisted him in slaying the Swarty Hobnag, he seemed inclined to go along with them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0U7yeT7jj7I/YEjtur8K8bI/AAAAAAAAG8s/aQ62lge5m68kku3gCRbsEN65zUlpxXdZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0U7yeT7jj7I/YEjtur8K8bI/AAAAAAAAG8s/aQ62lge5m68kku3gCRbsEN65zUlpxXdZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Two days later they arrived at the remote, well fortified town well in the midst of the Piltdown hills.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzDyEbGOUhg/YEjtumytNgI/AAAAAAAAG8o/yPYqDQrfDcs_ExZshhtXovhgrAzq8-7SgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzDyEbGOUhg/YEjtumytNgI/AAAAAAAAG8o/yPYqDQrfDcs_ExZshhtXovhgrAzq8-7SgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Just outside the walls, there was a Pilt encampment. The Pilts, decendants of the tribes that originally inhabited these hill and who had been conquered by the Burgundans and Tutins that dominated the Empire, likely were itinerant farm laborers. They showed interest in the lentum as it passed their camp but also they showed resentment.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rht26Jv9aMU/YEjtuxNg4YI/AAAAAAAAG8w/eey3DnmYf_YyLe2S7YwPaifAFGRt_ze-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rht26Jv9aMU/YEjtuxNg4YI/AAAAAAAAG8w/eey3DnmYf_YyLe2S7YwPaifAFGRt_ze-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The warders at the town gates wore the mottle of Fayelillian, in whose territory the town lay. Lord Danny being a favored son of that city, the party received a warm welcome. They proceeded to yet another excellent inn, the fame Alabaster Brow. The proprietor of the establishment informed Lord Danny that the senior suite was available. Lord Danny cried with excitement, "I'll take it for a month!" He explained his older sister often holds long term reserves on the best rooms in the inns in Fayelillian territory, on the off chance she might travel but mostly to vex others. "That will fix that haridan!" Lord Danny exclaimed with satisfaction.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3a-zDpsfVAE/YEjtvEtpS8I/AAAAAAAAG84/hYlS3b_qNQUAaQAskyyY6WreJZi2tIBtgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-16A.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3a-zDpsfVAE/YEjtvEtpS8I/AAAAAAAAG84/hYlS3b_qNQUAaQAskyyY6WreJZi2tIBtgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-16A.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Yet another feast awaited the party. Throgmorton finding that if this was what teratologising was like, he wondered why he hadn't taken it up sooner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4ZuBm1P49Y/YEjtvF3sLpI/AAAAAAAAG80/eikBwPvpGg4Iqp8JOpM7v7-IB0D1CEhNQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4ZuBm1P49Y/YEjtvF3sLpI/AAAAAAAAG80/eikBwPvpGg4Iqp8JOpM7v7-IB0D1CEhNQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roman retreated to the inn stable, as was his want. He took some of the cruor and began working at punkting himself <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1cPUFk5kes/YEjtvNMGlNI/AAAAAAAAG88/r9cwdxNczrg2drxYJueg4ZZVffHRS6bWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1cPUFk5kes/YEjtvNMGlNI/AAAAAAAAG88/r9cwdxNczrg2drxYJueg4ZZVffHRS6bWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Meanwhile, Sister Brandywine approached Lord Danny. She expressed concern that Roman might be engaged in the black trades, selling monster organs for dark experimentations. Their discussion was interrupted by the sound of a dispute going on in the stables between Throgmorton and Roman</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFh2OetiuCQ/YEjtvqq-G7I/AAAAAAAAG9A/U1F56Bo7a1QoLswHQoVSQdiNoC7sbUw-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFh2OetiuCQ/YEjtvqq-G7I/AAAAAAAAG9A/U1F56Bo7a1QoLswHQoVSQdiNoC7sbUw-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The former vinagaroon had attempted to retrieve some of the cruor to find an artist to give him the tattoo. Roman, who in addition to being a fulgar, had some talent as a cruorpunctists, was offended. Danny and Brandywine intervened and all agreed to allow the fulgar to mark them. Throgmorton was well pleased with this, his first monster blood tattoo. Danny and Flossie were likewise was satisfied with this marking. Roman's hand faltered upon Sister Brandywine, either due to her apparent suspicion of him or perhaps his lack of comfort at being so near a beautiful woman, and the mark on her arm proved to be unsightly. She promised herself to get it corrected by a proper cruorpunctist as soon as possible.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVNbT4HZ1P0/YEjtwOH2n3I/AAAAAAAAG9I/BSi07MdbSkcx6qRckGeK8hgZWOdBpGUpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zVNbT4HZ1P0/YEjtwOH2n3I/AAAAAAAAG9I/BSi07MdbSkcx6qRckGeK8hgZWOdBpGUpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-20.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After this, Throgmorton who wished to celebrate the first success of his new career, went to the gaming rooms of the Alabaster Brow. The rather small room had only a few dice and card games but there was also an intriguing sign for something called "Go Fish." The rest of the party had followed more to ensure that Throgmorton stayed out of trouble than any desire for a game of chance.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVAasraI6H4/YEjtwA1XN0I/AAAAAAAAG9M/7DNPf_-BWZ8vwwe7lY2wR8-KC6x8zBYWACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVAasraI6H4/YEjtwA1XN0I/AAAAAAAAG9M/7DNPf_-BWZ8vwwe7lY2wR8-KC6x8zBYWACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When Throgmorton inquired as to the game, the bartender produced a small fishing pole and indicated a large bucket filled with sea water. "Catch the fish that's in there in half a minute and you double your wager."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HnVhyXNdSs/YEjtwEeGAiI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/fzOAHXB5bboG4ohB6fThdWP_iBypZ0rPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HnVhyXNdSs/YEjtwEeGAiI/AAAAAAAAG9Q/fzOAHXB5bboG4ohB6fThdWP_iBypZ0rPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Incredulous at the seeming ease of the challenge, Throgmorton pointed at the barrel of dark water, asking, "Catch a fish from this small thing?" </div><div style="text-align: left;">Suddenly, a very large creature leapt from the bucket and latched onto Throgmorton's arm with its razor sharp teeth. </div><div style="text-align: left;">"It don't count if the fish catches you!" the bartender said as he pried the creature off Throgmorton's arm with a large set of prongs ad tossed it back in the water.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Throgmorton fumed as blood dripped from his arm. He tossed the fishing pole aside and thrust his arm into the bucket. He plucked the creature out instantly, the sharp teeth chafing at his fingers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"I suppose that's a winner," said the none-too-impressed bartender.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5ZMfxaRkp0/YEjtwSo6JlI/AAAAAAAAG9U/aBCgp9wQh6UH-5GJ7V-tsNKI3TYjPYg6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5ZMfxaRkp0/YEjtwSo6JlI/AAAAAAAAG9U/aBCgp9wQh6UH-5GJ7V-tsNKI3TYjPYg6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>"So ye are good at the catching of sea monsters?" came a voice from the corner of the room.</div><div style="text-align: left;">There was a group of Pilts at one of the tables who had taken interest in Throgmorton's enterprise.</div><div style="text-align: left;">A middle-aged man among them said, "Your skills may be need here."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Throgmorton asked, "A sea monster? We're in the hills, far from the sea. How could one get here?"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"It walked."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">To be continued...<br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-33440172883904675152021-03-18T15:30:00.000-07:002021-03-18T15:30:59.219-07:00A Device Infernal III<p> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A Device Infernal</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Chapter III: To the Crimson Bayou</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-xmTHXy6lY/YFNsHSDlnmI/AAAAAAAAHBs/pFKWuglx-LAWZrM6pgPuep0zX2qrvFwfACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-xmTHXy6lY/YFNsHSDlnmI/AAAAAAAAHBs/pFKWuglx-LAWZrM6pgPuep0zX2qrvFwfACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now
Pyere Barouse, known by everyone as the Com'dor, was not a bad man. He was
proud and he could be foolish, particularly in thinking he had more control
over things than he did. But everything
he did was for the love of his children. And when he died, it was in the saving of
them and just about everyone else in Salteon. </span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NFMgTXazHE/YFNsI8BaYnI/AAAAAAAAHCU/7XQxgw2HZMkV1EtiveaeinNHWQMW7jSQwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NFMgTXazHE/YFNsI8BaYnI/AAAAAAAAHCU/7XQxgw2HZMkV1EtiveaeinNHWQMW7jSQwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">For had he not sacrificed himself and blown up that big ironclad boat, none would have gotten out there.</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">As it was, they had just enough time to load up on the Virago. Matre Viltote and Post Master Mercier got everyone on to the canoes, and bateux and anything else that would float and headed them on up to Matre Viltote’s secret place on Green Leaf Bayou.</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span></span><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sTO6QXz5OM/YFNsJ3ATdXI/AAAAAAAAHC8/ZWN-TUDTnfUPd_dxKpZaO1iC-xTA_6RgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sTO6QXz5OM/YFNsJ3ATdXI/AAAAAAAAHC8/ZWN-TUDTnfUPd_dxKpZaO1iC-xTA_6RgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now
they were about a half a league up from Salteon, whose fires lit up the whole
night. Matre’s canoe, with Vangeline still motionless inside it, was lashed
to the Virago, and Leon was saying some mighty powerful conjuring to keep that boiler
hot as the fires of Hell. </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLUorjLG29w/YFNsMiJAvwI/AAAAAAAAHDs/ut9V9_YuQYEhuX87a_bqr-zmjrGQIdl7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLUorjLG29w/YFNsMiJAvwI/AAAAAAAAHDs/ut9V9_YuQYEhuX87a_bqr-zmjrGQIdl7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They
had just passed Kobold’s Bend when they see coming up from a deep cut a big
steam launch pulling a couple of big batueax and in the bow of each of them
boats, there was a trapeuse turning their long rifles toward the Virago. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPZNCSjtr1k/YFNsOAcweCI/AAAAAAAAHEA/Th3J26GjyMcJdcf4NBLdnzRvEzqKb04SQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPZNCSjtr1k/YFNsOAcweCI/AAAAAAAAHEA/Th3J26GjyMcJdcf4NBLdnzRvEzqKb04SQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
across the water, they could the spellcasters in each boat, mumbling their
incantations about to bring some big magic down on them. And in the middle of that big launch there
was Shad Le Duc, and two his time-jumping dogs and him fiddling away at the
watch that controlled them so that as they got close enough, he was going to
send them forward a minute or two to be inside the Virago.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_99Zk_3ihWo/YFNsOAm8NvI/AAAAAAAAHEE/3kzbp_SxDaMgHN4vw6NUl1MWUVEs47a_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_99Zk_3ihWo/YFNsOAm8NvI/AAAAAAAAHEE/3kzbp_SxDaMgHN4vw6NUl1MWUVEs47a_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Servan took some shots at the oncoming boats but none found their mark. Brother Maksen cut the big fishing net loose, hoping to foul the launch but that was unlikely.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LUmq-vghZFQ/YFNsOUaP0PI/AAAAAAAAHEI/d-xTklzV1OkpB4Ag4q28BsKy6pMUhYOaACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LUmq-vghZFQ/YFNsOUaP0PI/AAAAAAAAHEI/d-xTklzV1OkpB4Ag4q28BsKy6pMUhYOaACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-7.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Just as he had finished dropping the net into the water, the two riflemen in the bow of the launch turned their guns on the unlucky priest. One shot struck him right beneath the shoulder blade and he fell onto the deck near the cabin. Leon looked up from where he was tending the boiler and said, "Preacher man, that god of yours is sure neglectful, that's the third time you were shot in as many days!" Maksen began chanting a healing spell on himself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0N9df2CdSM/YFNsOssu38I/AAAAAAAAHEM/thNycLlkg5cWS_b2BfJzPfFLxDuiU_yHQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0N9df2CdSM/YFNsOssu38I/AAAAAAAAHEM/thNycLlkg5cWS_b2BfJzPfFLxDuiU_yHQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-8.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In the meantime, Fiddlesticks summoned up one of them friends he had made while he had been planted down below. It formed up in the water just in front of the steam launch and it looked for all the world like a giant version of that candied ogreberry tart that had cursed Vangeline. But it could move on its own, and it swam down the side of the launch, hoping to get at Shad Le Duc.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EH30uOBUK34/YFNsOphLIiI/AAAAAAAAHEQ/Nh74DX2aj6MRqGqCoWZihoPe_oeDtzQagCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EH30uOBUK34/YFNsOphLIiI/AAAAAAAAHEQ/Nh74DX2aj6MRqGqCoWZihoPe_oeDtzQagCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-9.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It suddenly leapt into the boat at Shad's throat. But the serf-hunter was a </span>wily<span style="font-family: inherit;"> one and cut deep into the thing with his sharp hunting knife. Some said that knife had been blessed by an dark loa and could cut near about anything.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7QDmw4GXc0o/YFNsHWPkftI/AAAAAAAAHB0/cjzSMfLGeAQgjDjCM5lquPc9aemBsUv9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7QDmw4GXc0o/YFNsHWPkftI/AAAAAAAAHB0/cjzSMfLGeAQgjDjCM5lquPc9aemBsUv9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-10.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">That Mivioran sailor that was piloting the launch weren't no riverman while Sabeen knew them waters like the back of her hand. She glided the Virago in amongst some mangroves where the rifle shots and spells from their pursuers went awry in the tangled growth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIC0OxAavl0/YFNsHdwxN0I/AAAAAAAAHBw/BIZ4csW8-HIM9fal_nCxBeQhXMWsRzW2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIC0OxAavl0/YFNsHdwxN0I/AAAAAAAAHBw/BIZ4csW8-HIM9fal_nCxBeQhXMWsRzW2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-11.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As she made that turn, Servan jumped off onto the shore, hoping to repay Shad and his boys with a little sniping of his own.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbxYku5vuyw/YFNsH3MiwrI/AAAAAAAAHB4/V70M-CI7pRAMp-vcEW5cVE7-kUFhnhFJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbxYku5vuyw/YFNsH3MiwrI/AAAAAAAAHB4/V70M-CI7pRAMp-vcEW5cVE7-kUFhnhFJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-12.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Seeing as how Fiddlesticks' candy hadn't worked out so well, Coralie used her gardening magic to summon up some of the river weed to entangle Shad. It dragged him off the boat into the water.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWtqO-YUTIU/YFNsH18_qzI/AAAAAAAAHB8/xUro3tSJsDYd4BT1zg8qdtgMjKLI8tg0ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc3brLZxwio/YFNsIHwRnzI/AAAAAAAAHCA/moPUXD1Qz9sGVo0YDBkhm5AWTviYNf9VwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc3brLZxwio/YFNsIHwRnzI/AAAAAAAAHCA/moPUXD1Qz9sGVo0YDBkhm5AWTviYNf9VwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-15.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Shad's men didn't notice him going overboard. Back on the Virago, Skeeter picked up Leon's keg of moonfire whiskey and hurled it toward the launch. Jbili shot at the soaked rag he had placed in the bung of the keg igniting it. The Virago was close enough to shore for the dwarf to scramble over to join Servan.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRC4KM_CcQw/YFNsICVzOrI/AAAAAAAAHCE/i8GGvE0RZrE5cDPpoG1MbSNEIOrKy_EBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-16.JPG" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The burning keg drifted towards the launch just about the time the net Maksen had cut loose finally reached it as well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1fQi2IKLeI/YFNsIeDoBcI/AAAAAAAAHCI/iYVgYDGmBZM6VnUg_g4N7jwwbbIat9eEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L1fQi2IKLeI/YFNsIeDoBcI/AAAAAAAAHCI/iYVgYDGmBZM6VnUg_g4N7jwwbbIat9eEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The launch failed to avoid either. The keg smashed onto the bow and started a small fire. The net passed under the boat and snared the propeller of the launch. The steam boat lurched to a halt and the two towed bateaux slammed into its rear.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWtqO-YUTIU/YFNsH18_qzI/AAAAAAAAHB8/xUro3tSJsDYd4BT1zg8qdtgMjKLI8tg0ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-13.JPG" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Servan took this opporutnity to fire at the launch's boiler, hoping to explode it. He missed again, proving him an </span>embarrassment<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to the fine shooting traditions of the Yando trapeuse. Despite the confusion reigning on the boats, Shad's men did not miss. Two fat bullets struck Servan despite him hiding in that thick jungle. Fortunately, Jbili made it up to him by now and pulled the furious trapeuse to safety.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0dxhdinRZM/YFNsIjzTKgI/AAAAAAAAHCM/PBt163xgXy0rVd7usZK9JEKfPFtLGr-6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0dxhdinRZM/YFNsIjzTKgI/AAAAAAAAHCM/PBt163xgXy0rVd7usZK9JEKfPFtLGr-6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Sabeen kept right on through the mangroves, the distance between them and their pursuers increasing by the moment. Jbili dragged Servan to the boat and the Virago sped away. Soon they realized that their pursuers had given up.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjIsRG7Yuus/YFNsIqFCosI/AAAAAAAAHCQ/g5xCLkmSZW8JkGOtmhma5QT-dfJo0sZKwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjIsRG7Yuus/YFNsIqFCosI/AAAAAAAAHCQ/g5xCLkmSZW8JkGOtmhma5QT-dfJo0sZKwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-19.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As the sun was setting, they arrived at Matre Viltote's "secret place," a small shack hidden among high marsh grasses. They helped Coralie bring Vangeline onto the porch of the shack where a cool breeze might soothe her. Although she showed no sign of movement, they could see in her eyes fear and the grief from being told of her father's death. Fiddlesticks struck up a tune, a Yando song often played at a loved one's death, full of fond remembrance and sweet consolation. The others sang softly along and Vangeline's eye were still sad but seemed comforted.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">"We're out of danger now, Coralie. It's all right to cry." said Brother Maksen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">"I'll cry after I've saved my sister. Then, will I have the time for it," she responded.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgPwsuHIX5o/YFNsI5JsbUI/AAAAAAAAHCY/AiQir4Zeg7UIngJkYj9RSixMhh3Mk9jwACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgPwsuHIX5o/YFNsI5JsbUI/AAAAAAAAHCY/AiQir4Zeg7UIngJkYj9RSixMhh3Mk9jwACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-20.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">After a fine dinner prepared by Placeed, Matre Viltote said she would do some scrying to see what had happened around them and where their road might lead. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As she began preparing her scrying pot, Jbili asked how she was in the form of a young woman when previously she had appeared old.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">"This is not the time for such vanity so I've put it aside," said the mambo.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When the pot was ready, she looked into out and said she saw Lord Alabastre's yacht sailing away from Cacaton with all those Mivior marines and Shad Le Duc's serf-hunters onboard. They sailed up to Fort Flumens, the only one of the Emperor's garrisons still guarding the river. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkizSvVViow/YFNsIyz2iJI/AAAAAAAAHCc/CAH8-iWWLFce2pElQDdB2OUlCSItYojnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkizSvVViow/YFNsIyz2iJI/AAAAAAAAHCc/CAH8-iWWLFce2pElQDdB2OUlCSItYojnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-21.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Claiming to report an act of piracy, Lord Alabaste and his men were allowed in the fort. They seized control of the gate and the Miviorans rushed in, killing the General and his soldiers. A whole Mivioran fleet came up the River Deep bearing a whole army of mercenaries hired by the grandees to keep the Emperor from enforcing his proclamation. There would be war for sure, and the Yando were going be on their own.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The Miviorans and Shad and his men came up to Salteon to capture the Com'dor and find out where the gunpowder the General had given the Yando might be hid. Lord Alabastre decided to combine this with his own personal revenge and so sent the cursed tarts to Vangeline, hoping she could be captured the easier by being an invalid.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Matre also looked to their path ahead. She said that the great necromancer, the bokor Lazar Mirande, was present on Bayou Crimson. They would find him by heading up the main channel. His house is surrounded by standing rocks, like fingers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APB45WM0tww/YFNsJEgknaI/AAAAAAAAHCg/xL5XvS3p9i05OLYZV8_dshRpxQl6i2x6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APB45WM0tww/YFNsJEgknaI/AAAAAAAAHCg/xL5XvS3p9i05OLYZV8_dshRpxQl6i2x6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-22.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The next morning, they loaded what few supplies they could from Matre's shack and prepared to head up river. Each of them said goodbye to Vangeline. Fiddlesticks promised she would dance once more to the sound of his fiddle while Placeed said she would taste all that that the world had to offer once more and Servan said in his roguish way that he would track down the Crystal Lilies, or he was no trapeuse. Sabeen offered her an oyster taken from the water, a remembrance of a childhood joke and looked long into Vangeline's eyes before nodding her head with an unspoken promise. Finally, Skeeter walked up to her and said, "Ya'll goin be alright, Vangeline... and, if you aren't going have that oyster, I jes' might help myself..." <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZ2Lxi_3LRU/YFNsJCRkJUI/AAAAAAAAHCk/2UVS0AQXz9syNPsg0x7Zqg1sOfXMrDbrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZ2Lxi_3LRU/YFNsJCRkJUI/AAAAAAAAHCk/2UVS0AQXz9syNPsg0x7Zqg1sOfXMrDbrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-23.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">A few hours later they came to the mouth of Bayou Crimson. As they turned into it, the sun which was still out in the summer sky, dimmed perceptively and an unnatural quiet began to pervade the surroundings.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c70GWyrDjeI/YFNsJfqv1bI/AAAAAAAAHCo/qBtqGvvpKVwQWErxvx-sVf2sd6V8ptqnACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-23a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c70GWyrDjeI/YFNsJfqv1bI/AAAAAAAAHCo/qBtqGvvpKVwQWErxvx-sVf2sd6V8ptqnACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-23a.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Brother Maksen said a prayer to Saint Sankari, the great martyr for the god Huisinga, asking for aid in determining if danger was near. As he prayed, he perceived everything as in a mist. He saw that countless malign spirits were circling the boat. They were too weak to affect the material world but Maksen could feel their rage and enmity and wondered if their power increased further up the bayou.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ4J9SKyTbg/YFNsJWm70fI/AAAAAAAAHCs/0SgfCpNWVSoJE6ujIy5MTIBHroY2SlkNACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-23b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ4J9SKyTbg/YFNsJWm70fI/AAAAAAAAHCs/0SgfCpNWVSoJE6ujIy5MTIBHroY2SlkNACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-23b.JPG" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Then, he was filled with a burst of hope and his courage redoubled. He sensed that some great, good power was watching over them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFq-peQMkOk/YFNsJZASyvI/AAAAAAAAHCw/UjjD3aElMP0ot4JgT4RRGuHZmw2PVN_vwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFq-peQMkOk/YFNsJZASyvI/AAAAAAAAHCw/UjjD3aElMP0ot4JgT4RRGuHZmw2PVN_vwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-25.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">They continued to sail on. Coming around a bend, they saw furtive movement in the brush lining the bank. Servan, Jbili, and Skeeter waded to the shore. The two former soldiers moving stealthily, hoping to secretly scout whatever was in the brush.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBugmsZgZkQ/YFNsJtAo7cI/AAAAAAAAHC0/5LXsVedGobIpSA2p5-hhdGBINCBN3zknQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBugmsZgZkQ/YFNsJtAo7cI/AAAAAAAAHC0/5LXsVedGobIpSA2p5-hhdGBINCBN3zknQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-26.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Skeeter was less careful. Spotting a big fat frog, he couldn't resist. He cried out in excitement and leapt after it as it hopped away into the woods.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_ZbtbhO2mU/YFNsJ4FvEsI/AAAAAAAAHC4/dffPEROtFXQxRnUiaImYCNTy5VFcNZLawCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_ZbtbhO2mU/YFNsJ4FvEsI/AAAAAAAAHC4/dffPEROtFXQxRnUiaImYCNTy5VFcNZLawCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-27.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Just as he caught the little creature, he heard the sound of several muskets being cocked. A large and heavily armed goblin war party emerged from the brush and surrounded him. Suddenly, one of the goblins cried out, "Cousin Skeeter?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWdLVx1_Ji4/YFNsJ6kQPLI/AAAAAAAAHDA/k1VQOyOQS9AvX-KFXu5QeR2WGPTGhpIaQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWdLVx1_Ji4/YFNsJ6kQPLI/AAAAAAAAHDA/k1VQOyOQS9AvX-KFXu5QeR2WGPTGhpIaQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-28.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It proved to be, in fact, Skeeter's cousin, Cooter. The goblin stated that they were chasing a lizardman war party that had raided their village. They had tracked the lizardmen this far but they intended to follow no further since the bayou was proving too frightening. When asked about Lazar Mirande, Cooter said he heard the bokor lived on a small side branch off the main channel, maybe a day's further sail up the bayou. He said they would know the area by the death wardings that surrounded the bokor's lair. Wishing them luck, the goblins hastily departed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Jbili was quizzical about Skeeter's relationship to the goblins. "You didn't say you were part goblin, you said you were half elf."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">"I am!" said Skeeter without further explanation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lAc_Ac9Fck/YFNsKMb397I/AAAAAAAAHDE/ga548ZfU4GoFL9chBXdCjpvNmG6MZbDggCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lAc_Ac9Fck/YFNsKMb397I/AAAAAAAAHDE/ga548ZfU4GoFL9chBXdCjpvNmG6MZbDggCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-31.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">They traveled further up Bayou Crimson. As the light began to fade into the eastern sky, they found a shallow cut in which to shelter for the night, fearing to sail unseeing into the darkness. They took watches by turn, most of the party sleeping on the deck as a wind whispered through the high grasses.</span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEENWx0v-hw/YFNsKK9BCwI/AAAAAAAAHDI/pp8PtWa03082cn2_AaDomftEeoocQlCrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NEENWx0v-hw/YFNsKK9BCwI/AAAAAAAAHDI/pp8PtWa03082cn2_AaDomftEeoocQlCrgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-32.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While Servan was on watch, he suddenly spotted a few golden lights dancing above the waiving grass. He was overcome by a feeling that these were the most beautiful things he had ever seen and he must follow them wherever they led.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y155tyEHahU/YFNsKnQ7MjI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/9BxR1FnnNGUbjeV9G9q9-934nWdKmKkgACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y155tyEHahU/YFNsKnQ7MjI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/9BxR1FnnNGUbjeV9G9q9-934nWdKmKkgACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-33.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">He slipped over the side into thigh-high waters, rushing toward the lights. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3-RxxWQGW4/YFNsK2kxolI/AAAAAAAAHDM/MOi4ij3g3pArcdfx-sD6I76RoDST4tN6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3-RxxWQGW4/YFNsK2kxolI/AAAAAAAAHDM/MOi4ij3g3pArcdfx-sD6I76RoDST4tN6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-34.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The sound of his splashing awoke Brother Maksen and Jbili. They were shocked to see Servan recklessly plunging through the water.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSz9cFyUBWU/YFNsLhbeY4I/AAAAAAAAHDY/7TVs9adLOyQLO2iwvFdRCaLHPM5nxDK-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-35.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSz9cFyUBWU/YFNsLhbeY4I/AAAAAAAAHDY/7TVs9adLOyQLO2iwvFdRCaLHPM5nxDK-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-35.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The two leapt overboard as well, the vast bulk of Jbili splashing with the sound of a striking cannon ball. The mountain-born dwarf, who did not know how to swim, found himself up to his neck in the water.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75a5vLgdJ1A/YFNsLg2_8wI/AAAAAAAAHDc/hiZwvTYrm7o6xeToxLzt13FVnwy2QbGdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75a5vLgdJ1A/YFNsLg2_8wI/AAAAAAAAHDc/hiZwvTYrm7o6xeToxLzt13FVnwy2QbGdQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-36.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Servan was oblivious to their calls and proceeded into the ever deepening waters in pursuit of the elusive dancing lights.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySzGBAFxw4w/YFNsLs2qrOI/AAAAAAAAHDU/sLXu8fL8RbAn-PhKrK18opPROLsX2LuhwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySzGBAFxw4w/YFNsLs2qrOI/AAAAAAAAHDU/sLXu8fL8RbAn-PhKrK18opPROLsX2LuhwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-37.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">By this point, the rest of the boat was awake. Brother Maksen, having studied the arcane, recognized the lights as Will O' the Wisps, malignant spectral creatures who lured people to their death in the wetlands. He called out to avoid looking at them, warning of the danger. Sabeen responded, "O yes, we know them very well, the fi follet, souls of dead children who prank the living into joining their play in the deep waters." Taking up her pilot's speaking horn, she repeated the warning as well as a discursion on this natural phenomenon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5egj-cv9u4/YFNsL49v8OI/AAAAAAAAHDg/YMOjErESaio51wdZi36w2p6BYmkZ_4a1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-38.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5egj-cv9u4/YFNsL49v8OI/AAAAAAAAHDg/YMOjErESaio51wdZi36w2p6BYmkZ_4a1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-38.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While most of them heeded the priest's words, Jbili looked to closely. He began rushing after the lights. Fortunately, his short legs and unfamiliarly with moving through standing water this deep slowed his movement toward destruction.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpklfaHabSE/YFNsMUj20uI/AAAAAAAAHDk/JW-8fQIc_AMxh6W4FK6XsE2UNYtDG7e7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-39.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpklfaHabSE/YFNsMUj20uI/AAAAAAAAHDk/JW-8fQIc_AMxh6W4FK6XsE2UNYtDG7e7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-39.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Fiddlesticks levitated out of the boat, hoping to lasso Servan. Maksen called out to Servan to gain his attention but there was no response. Skeeter who was adept at throwing all manner of things, flung a rock at the trapeuse, striking him in the back of the head. Servan turned at this and Maksen cast a blinding light upon him, hoping that temporarily blinding would slow his rush into the marsh. Coralie cast an entanglement spell upon him as well, causing the grasses to entangle the trapeuse.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryEJ5_dHKUg/YFNsNF3lkAI/AAAAAAAAHDo/YgK0hJ83ou0jiux1rHFL-5MC4RoOHq3XQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-40.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryEJ5_dHKUg/YFNsNF3lkAI/AAAAAAAAHDo/YgK0hJ83ou0jiux1rHFL-5MC4RoOHq3XQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-40.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Servan was still under the spell of the fi follet and when he thrashed blindly about, the entangling weeds dragged him under the water. Fortunately, Skeeter was near at hand. An accomplished wet stomper, he was adept at the bare handed fishing skill known as noodling. He reached his hand under the water and thrust his hand into Servan's mouth. Then he flung Servan by the jaw into the air. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5Pu__NK6eE/YFNsN_plnsI/AAAAAAAAHDw/5BirqP4zI8M2pw1YPl1yn6aEZYxwOad1QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-41.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o5Pu__NK6eE/YFNsN_plnsI/AAAAAAAAHDw/5BirqP4zI8M2pw1YPl1yn6aEZYxwOad1QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-41.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> The levitating Fiddlesticks snatched Servan out of the air and spirited him back onto the Virago. This allowed Skeeter and Maksen time to focus their attention on the submerged dwarf.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQS5QlAXTuA/YFNsNzIPGRI/AAAAAAAAHD0/RY0-X3zeWu8x6fazCUk_8ux5CSGmn-IAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-42.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQS5QlAXTuA/YFNsNzIPGRI/AAAAAAAAHD0/RY0-X3zeWu8x6fazCUk_8ux5CSGmn-IAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-42.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">They plucked Jbili up and returned him to the boat. The rest of the night was spent fitfully but peacefully. As the dim morning sun arose, they proceeded up the bayou.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZ7anQjW240/YFNsN2JIbYI/AAAAAAAAHD4/vFrusEvO_D4_xUqgOpxo7bb34wWS2w4cgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-43.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZ7anQjW240/YFNsN2JIbYI/AAAAAAAAHD4/vFrusEvO_D4_xUqgOpxo7bb34wWS2w4cgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-43.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">After a few hours travel, they came upon a grove of giant mushrooms. Three small figures were running panic-stricken among the tall shoots.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkcxU0-H_i8/YFNsOMQFNkI/AAAAAAAAHD8/ZLvlhiMs9gAoREkm8d-Ghs4Cm1pYFUa1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3-44.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkcxU0-H_i8/YFNsOMQFNkI/AAAAAAAAHD8/ZLvlhiMs9gAoREkm8d-Ghs4Cm1pYFUa1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3-44.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As they approached the shore, they saw that it was three mushroom shaped men, calling out that they were being attacked.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">To be continued...</span></div><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-49446784906256415402021-03-12T08:30:00.007-08:002021-03-12T08:30:49.852-08:00A Device Infernal II<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A Device Infernal</span></b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Chapter II: An Excess of Ogreberries</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26Qvye5hBEM/YEuWvaK2wEI/AAAAAAAAHBU/1L-IScS3zI0Vt3Iq5hF17RebQxParH6swCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-26Qvye5hBEM/YEuWvaK2wEI/AAAAAAAAHBU/1L-IScS3zI0Vt3Iq5hF17RebQxParH6swCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></b></div></b></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Once
that Grandee, Lord Alabastre was run off, and things settled down a bit, they
tried to get the Faire going agin but it weren’t quite the same, what with all
them dead dry foot sailors and their iron hat box still burning. But they
cleaned up as best they could. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Brother
Maksen and the other priests and the houngans treated all the dry foot
civilians that was hurt on the steamboat that was berthed right next
store.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Constable Renard also told them
that like as not that iron ram blow up all by itself. Course, nobody paid much
mind to a couple of dead serf-hunters and as for them pistoleers, well three
less of them in the world was probably not a bad thing. Mind, they never did
find them two time-jumping hounds that had been kilt, which some thought mighty
peculiar.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQIa2Fqj6h4/YEpAONDRvqI/AAAAAAAAG-M/JlC9XLWJm5o6oIXp5kNILiSW9hkck5UwQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQIa2Fqj6h4/YEpAONDRvqI/AAAAAAAAG-M/JlC9XLWJm5o6oIXp5kNILiSW9hkck5UwQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-1.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Well
then, after the supper and drinking and dancing, round about sunset, just like
Old Renard suggested, the Com’dor gathered everyone up to sail on home to
Salteon, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">and let things lie low for bit.
He had his fine cargo boat, the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Amelie</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And he took Vangeline and Brother Maksen and,
oh yes, Coralie.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">“The
Com’dor didn’t allow none of them suitors onboard; he weren’t about to add that
kind of trouble when he was commencing a trip up the bayou at night.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">So the suitors, and Skeeter, and that little
dwarf fellah and that even littler fairy gal, they all piled onboard Sabeen’s
boat, the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Virago</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzApixx9Yjc/YEpARtwSxqI/AAAAAAAAG-4/EwVuRN_JEdka7_3dzsRFFeLBcQ3YUL1FwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FzApixx9Yjc/YEpARtwSxqI/AAAAAAAAG-4/EwVuRN_JEdka7_3dzsRFFeLBcQ3YUL1FwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Old
Leon weren’t too pleased and he grumbled and fussed and was like to toss one or
more of them overboard, except Skeeter knew how to make the ole man laugh, and
that he did and they all did and the voyage was the better for it. And Leon kept a good head of steam going in the
<i>Virago.
</i>And he didn’t need one of them fancy new engines. He just filled up that big bronze boiler with
river water and cast a heat spell on it so water kept on boiling.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTA01yssAgA/YEpATDfA4aI/AAAAAAAAG_k/JNVJ1_c-3PARisGgdxN7yldZMcsaJW2AgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTA01yssAgA/YEpATDfA4aI/AAAAAAAAG_k/JNVJ1_c-3PARisGgdxN7yldZMcsaJW2AgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">"Now
over on the<i> Amelie</i>, Vangeline couldn’t
help but staring over at the Virago and those four suitors she was sweet
on. Coralie tried to help her sister
figure out what she wanted and especially tried to steer her away from Fiddlesticks
who could summon up demons and was buried the past three months, by Skeeter’s
own admissions. But Vangeline just
scoffed, “O that Skeeter, he does like his tall tales. Like how he got his
name, claiming he killed an actual skeeter.
Everyone knows they don’t exist, why a flying bug so big it blots out
the sun! So why should I believe him about Fiddlesticks?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5dorfgHX24/YEpAUn7Z9zI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/PxO-ffIRJLIwIk4Qa43SjD-CxnDXEd-FQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5dorfgHX24/YEpAUn7Z9zI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/PxO-ffIRJLIwIk4Qa43SjD-CxnDXEd-FQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Meanwhile,
the Com’dor took Brother Maksen to task for reading out the Emperor’s Proclamation,
even though it did distract Alabastre’s attention from Vangeline. The Com’dor
said he and some of the other cargosons knew about it already and were
preparing for what the Grandees might do.
The rich serf-owners were gathering in Plibba City and were raising an
army to rebel against the Emperor. What with all the soldiers out East fight
the horse folks, the Emperor didn’t have but a few soldiers close by, other
than his Guards and a few small garrisons like at Fort Flumens, which guarded
the River Deep. So the Com’dor and his friends made a secret deal with ole
General Melidoc up in Fort Flumens, to raise the Yando folk if the Grandees
started trouble, particularly since it looked like Mivior was going to back the
Grandees. The Com’dor then showed Maksen
the cargo hold of the <i>Amelie</i>, which
was stuffed with black powder and muskets.
He said there were a dozen cargos like this all sailing up the bayous
for the army of the Yando Rivermen.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqN3kRdCWSI/YEpAUzwPvDI/AAAAAAAAHAU/fk7r7zK3h4M-p7Fn06rSBXW_-e6RD07ogCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqN3kRdCWSI/YEpAUzwPvDI/AAAAAAAAHAU/fk7r7zK3h4M-p7Fn06rSBXW_-e6RD07ogCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Now both the Com’dor and Sabeen were good night pilots and, aside from a couple of dire gators and a swarm of them blood drinking bats, they had no trouble worth the mention. By dawn they had reached the drawbridge at Villebo. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Leon made sure they paid the proper toll for passing under the bridge, saying “Old Rufus, the tollkeeper, is part troll so we going to pay the toll with no arguing and no trouble.”</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Soon enough, they could see the smoke curling up from Salteon.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">And round about noon they came round the bend and saw their home.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68g8uGAgLVY/YEpAVAQNunI/AAAAAAAAHAY/CHdXPr-wBY0TelfSADw7tymC68YVhDo9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68g8uGAgLVY/YEpAVAQNunI/AAAAAAAAHAY/CHdXPr-wBY0TelfSADw7tymC68YVhDo9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e0tvTcCKVU/YEpAVTyk2MI/AAAAAAAAHAc/ewxmg29VT_0KVzAdVoAWq6FJtDfmprrJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e0tvTcCKVU/YEpAVTyk2MI/AAAAAAAAHAc/ewxmg29VT_0KVzAdVoAWq6FJtDfmprrJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now
the Amelie docked at the Com’dor’s private jetty and there was Amelie wracked with
indecision as to which of the suitors was to be the match to her soul.</span></p></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68g8uGAgLVY/YEpAVAQNunI/AAAAAAAAHAY/CHdXPr-wBY0TelfSADw7tymC68YVhDo9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-6.JPG" width="320" /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And
there were the suitors, all pining for Vangeline. And old Leon, he said, “If I were that
Vangeline, I’d form me one of them 'polyamorous collectives', that’d settle
things, but what do I know, I’m just a poor old crevetierre!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NYozu6m-kI/YEpAVX1UvKI/AAAAAAAAHAk/rkQjFV8nhzwV-5jIzsxj-plnI0kHIv5ygCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NYozu6m-kI/YEpAVX1UvKI/AAAAAAAAHAk/rkQjFV8nhzwV-5jIzsxj-plnI0kHIv5ygCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now,
Matre Filtote, Fiddlesticks’ mother was there waiting and she was angry with
Skeeter for letting her son go down to the Cacaton Faire when she had told him
to bring her boy directly home. She
would’ve turned him into some dreadful critter except Skeeter always seemed to
enjoy that. So she dragged Fiddlesticks
off to her hut so they could talk some more.
Fiddlesticks told Skeeter to keep an eye on Vangeline so nothing would
go astray.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7yZrcQgnDc/YEpAVd7zRmI/AAAAAAAAHAg/G4tuorw0lDEyh4EcTQx4xK0I0wO83BaTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7yZrcQgnDc/YEpAVd7zRmI/AAAAAAAAHAg/G4tuorw0lDEyh4EcTQx4xK0I0wO83BaTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now
seeing this, Coralie, who didn’t trust neither Fiddlesticks who had been dead
for the past three months, nor his matre who was one of the most feared mambos
in the Yando. So she asked Dewy to spy
on them and see what they had to say.
The little fairy flew off quick as a nannerfly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njeUTPHYEyg/YEpAOHyTeQI/AAAAAAAAG-U/InARE4AwNZkHEb7KBccoDoCGIMhiGZnzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njeUTPHYEyg/YEpAOHyTeQI/AAAAAAAAG-U/InARE4AwNZkHEb7KBccoDoCGIMhiGZnzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now
the Com’dor and Vangeline had gone up to the house, hoping to have some luncheon. Skeeter, obeying Fiddlesticks’ direction,
followed them up. The Com’dor’s right
hand man, Sebastien Pitre, tried to stop him but there weren’t many who could
say no to Skeeter so he let the wet stomper right in, muddy boots and all.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx3o3zQnLss/YEpAOPkzrtI/AAAAAAAAG-Q/of1wz2WOT-EKlpF3Exk88rELEJu5_YPBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx3o3zQnLss/YEpAOPkzrtI/AAAAAAAAG-Q/of1wz2WOT-EKlpF3Exk88rELEJu5_YPBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Com’dor was also about to ask Skeeter what he was up to but thinking the effort
not worth it, let Skeeter take a seat. Skeeter fell to eating a big bowl of the
jambalaya. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TKWkTLdz7I/YEpAOj_UVOI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/3zPdqapTIAwwTfaF8eQoalhD-YDBm_6MACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TKWkTLdz7I/YEpAOj_UVOI/AAAAAAAAG-Y/3zPdqapTIAwwTfaF8eQoalhD-YDBm_6MACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Soon Vangeline joined them and said hello to Skeeter and gave him another bowl.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNfcldPAIhA/YEpAO2fjHeI/AAAAAAAAG-c/iR2PwU00RuMVGwrHYAXvU9e82HMdqkgDQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNfcldPAIhA/YEpAO2fjHeI/AAAAAAAAG-c/iR2PwU00RuMVGwrHYAXvU9e82HMdqkgDQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
the meanwhile, Dewy flew into the thatching of Matre Filtote’s shack. She heard the mambo ask Fiddlesticks what
sort of deal he had made with some unnamed someone or something so he could
return. Matre said the unnamed one
always demanded a hard bargain but Fiddlesticks might get out of it since the
unnamed was a gambler and sometimes could be tricked if the stakes were high
enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJGnLCo9pIA/YEpAPZex7_I/AAAAAAAAG-g/Jf9vVV4L9RccBQ5-D1reYXnV0qtb3qTkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hJGnLCo9pIA/YEpAPZex7_I/AAAAAAAAG-g/Jf9vVV4L9RccBQ5-D1reYXnV0qtb3qTkQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
was just then that Fiddlesticks noticed Dewy and reached up and plucked her out
of the thatching. Dewy noticed that
Matre was old and shriveled like she had first seemed but beautiful and
young-seeming. The Matre warned Dewy not
to spy any more and not to repeat anything she said or the fairy would lose her
winds for starters and then a lot more besides.
Fiddlesticks reluctantly released the fairy who flew off desperately
looking for Coralie.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckUhwSGMfLE/YEpAP1m0M4I/AAAAAAAAG-k/QSftUnLKVkkWQ-OvoRtLz9jWaMBo-YSOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckUhwSGMfLE/YEpAP1m0M4I/AAAAAAAAG-k/QSftUnLKVkkWQ-OvoRtLz9jWaMBo-YSOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
a while, Coralie, tired of waiting for Dewy to report, joined the
luncheon. She gave Skeeter another bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aShLEi7AXjw/YEpAQflZXlI/AAAAAAAAG-o/-ZT_P7hmCCwpVqgvlfm0Xa653YB3eNFgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aShLEi7AXjw/YEpAQflZXlI/AAAAAAAAG-o/-ZT_P7hmCCwpVqgvlfm0Xa653YB3eNFgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Com’dor and Vangeline fell to arguing again about the suitors. The Com’dor saying she needed to make up her
mind and chose one of them or send them all packing. As she stormed off, he said he was going to gather them all at the house this very evening and settle things once and for all. He told Vangeline that it weren't fair to anyone for her to keep everyone so suspended. Tonight, she would have to make her decision.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WH9VNkwoQo/YEpAQuxnA-I/AAAAAAAAG-w/YpyQwu6DySw7fy4Hfs-lgxFabmIC2pABwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WH9VNkwoQo/YEpAQuxnA-I/AAAAAAAAG-w/YpyQwu6DySw7fy4Hfs-lgxFabmIC2pABwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dewy
showed up and was all atwitter about an old witch turned young and the dead
fiddler making a deal in the underworld and her wings were going to get plucked
off and then maybe the gambler would let them go if they tricked it and then
Dewy collapsed in exhaustion upon the settee.
Coralie tried to tell all this, or at least the best she could figure
out of the fairy’s rantings, to Vangeline. But her sister wouldn’t listen so
Coralie went off to her own room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6atr0Pg27Z0/YEpARAF3RlI/AAAAAAAAG-s/_8DK4ddzJfIyoi2HmQJR1pkZ6EuqQuE1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6atr0Pg27Z0/YEpARAF3RlI/AAAAAAAAG-s/_8DK4ddzJfIyoi2HmQJR1pkZ6EuqQuE1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">While
Skeeter was having his fourth bowl of jumbalaya, there was a knock at the
door. Post Master Mercier had a package
for Vangeline. It was a small plainly wrapped box with only Vangeline’s name
and town on it, along with the shiny Imperial postage stamp. It rattled a bit
when Skeeter shook it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdaGQ97laFc/YEpARn7aG5I/AAAAAAAAG-0/D4-uHjtYsCIgTmsHrXbKXOoK51Y3qqHrwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HdaGQ97laFc/YEpARn7aG5I/AAAAAAAAG-0/D4-uHjtYsCIgTmsHrXbKXOoK51Y3qqHrwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Skeeter
knocked on Vangeline’s door. The girl
wasn’t inclined to answer until Skeeter made clear it was him and he had a
package for her. Vangeline took it and sniffed at it, remarking how delicious
it smelled. Skeeter then headed off to
tell the suitors that the Com’dor wanted to see them all at sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6oTz_zaQ-8/YEpARvfLErI/AAAAAAAAG-8/yoSgJciPgAA8k3wgzjInTjIMpKIogqJ-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6oTz_zaQ-8/YEpARvfLErI/AAAAAAAAG-8/yoSgJciPgAA8k3wgzjInTjIMpKIogqJ-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
few hours later, they all gathered at the Com’dor’s house. The whole of Salteon had heard about this and
so had joined the gathering to see who Vangeline was going to choose.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sFijuo254g/YEpARwnyTLI/AAAAAAAAG_A/Q9StF2sQRi0Ee1UvB4f5DpTgWy7uavM3gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sFijuo254g/YEpARwnyTLI/AAAAAAAAG_A/Q9StF2sQRi0Ee1UvB4f5DpTgWy7uavM3gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Com’dor started by offering any of the suitors that wanted a fortune in gold if
they would give up on Vangeline.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v64dUEAUgV0/YEpASPHjLaI/AAAAAAAAG_E/9FVgSecsgucSJ2HmKS535yb7QMVuRozSACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v64dUEAUgV0/YEpASPHjLaI/AAAAAAAAG_E/9FVgSecsgucSJ2HmKS535yb7QMVuRozSACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-22.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Not
one of the suitors said a word nor took a move to accept the offer. The Com’dor sent Coralie to fetch her sister.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGiK-MKFmqI/YEpASBmOurI/AAAAAAAAG_I/Nu_OJKlgxcAZyRZLYB4C9vNjWCSgD6zqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGiK-MKFmqI/YEpASBmOurI/AAAAAAAAG_I/Nu_OJKlgxcAZyRZLYB4C9vNjWCSgD6zqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-23.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">While
everyone was waiting, Post Master Mercier went over to Servan, telling him
there were wanted posters for him and his dwarf friend for being deserters from
the Army. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7klfNP_KBX8/YEuVL7SKVeI/AAAAAAAAHBE/bfeYvWgtbvgtF8_bPTp0fx5INO71oML3ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-23a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7klfNP_KBX8/YEuVL7SKVeI/AAAAAAAAHBE/bfeYvWgtbvgtF8_bPTp0fx5INO71oML3ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-23a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Even worse, a troop of soldiers,
big Hobgoblins wearing the green coats of the Imperial gendarmes had been through
here a few days ago, saying they intended to find them no matter what. They said something about impaling the two once they were caught. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5DwGEAeRqc/YEpASEIpXdI/AAAAAAAAG_M/tU8gd2-PJYAqIwgrMsZxJLNJpzQncoRDACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5DwGEAeRqc/YEpASEIpXdI/AAAAAAAAG_M/tU8gd2-PJYAqIwgrMsZxJLNJpzQncoRDACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
Coralie went to get Vangeline, there was no answer to her knock. She finally opened the door and found her
sister lying unconscious on the floor, an open box laying near her side,
several tarts, one half eaten scattered on the floor. No matter how hard she tried, Coralie could
not rouse her sister.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXdj9-ng30Q/YEpASSZmo0I/AAAAAAAAG_Q/4D34c5QjU2MVWshcct9GTknXfBV3OWtQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXdj9-ng30Q/YEpASSZmo0I/AAAAAAAAG_Q/4D34c5QjU2MVWshcct9GTknXfBV3OWtQQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Coralie
ran for her father. Soon the Com’dor,
Brother Maksen, and even Matre Filtote came to see what was the matter. Matre
said it was a spell, holding up the half eaten tart, showing its ogreberry
filling. “This is a powerful magic, more
than any I have ever seen; I’ve heard of it only once. It’s the Sleep Eternal, the subject of which
shall remain asleep forever, beyond their normal lifespan, even if the body is
destroyed it reforms and continues to sleep.
While all else may pass away, the victim remains, until this world
itself is burned away. And for all that uncountable time, she will be aware of
all that is occurring to her and to her loved ones and must suffer it
alone. Whoever cast this spell had a
great hatred within them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They
tried to make Vangeline comfortable. Matre
Filtote said she knew only one person who might help, a bokor, a necromancer, who
lived up Bayou Crimson, who was older than her and said to have the ancient
knowledge such as this. His name was
Lazar Mirande and he was said to have the mastery of the Crystal Lillies, said
to be the curative to all such malignant magic.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPa3Vtd97LY/YEpASaOpukI/AAAAAAAAG_c/2GWuGJYWRZgxn_GcUaw6aXcZRvwnL1i1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPa3Vtd97LY/YEpASaOpukI/AAAAAAAAG_c/2GWuGJYWRZgxn_GcUaw6aXcZRvwnL1i1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-26.JPG" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Com’dor gathered them all in his dining room.
“Since it was hate that wrought this, maybe it is that love can overcome
it. I charge each of you suitors, whichever finds this cure, they shall have
the hand of Vangeline.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“I
will go too,” said Brother Maksen, “for great Huisinga loves all his children.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“A
sister’s love counts just as much, I’m going too,” said Coralie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dewy
grew uneasy, like all her people, she could sense when the dark iron was
near. She had this sense from the iron
boat at Cacaton. She had it now. A faint thrumming sounded in her ears.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0gFa35iP1U/YEpASSwEoyI/AAAAAAAAG_U/2DmlvfNkmnAG3vBPW5c2c3912nZSSJ9wwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0gFa35iP1U/YEpASSwEoyI/AAAAAAAAG_U/2DmlvfNkmnAG3vBPW5c2c3912nZSSJ9wwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-27.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Suddenly,
there was a scream from the edge of the village followed by shots. They ran to the veranda, a body of masked men
were setting fire to everything in sight, shooting at anything that moved. They could all hear the rhythmic thrumming
now, the sound of a great steam engine driving a heavy boat up the river.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPb0eLmoFlg/YEpAS-lul5I/AAAAAAAAG_Y/0U5TwZwtWhs5_zgwoeG7ilSmxknpSctfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kPb0eLmoFlg/YEpAS-lul5I/AAAAAAAAG_Y/0U5TwZwtWhs5_zgwoeG7ilSmxknpSctfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-28.JPG" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
everyone rushed from the house, the Com’dor bearing Vangaline in his arms,
Servan and several of the others fired their guns at the oncoming
attackers. Fiddlesticks pointed his
fiddlebow at them as well.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PeGirEiwJw/YEpATElF_pI/AAAAAAAAG_g/YF3EFdqFvMgGs-j3AM4L1S7ZZVhHgppdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PeGirEiwJw/YEpATElF_pI/AAAAAAAAG_g/YF3EFdqFvMgGs-j3AM4L1S7ZZVhHgppdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-29.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">One
of the attackers was killed by the shots.
A small horned creature appeared near them but seemed to have no effect
on the masked men. More shouts were heard from further in the village.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdBABa_kA4Y/YEpATHH0JUI/AAAAAAAAG_o/t3vX9MDs79YkQAdng-GX_WKO_n_8jmNfACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-30.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdBABa_kA4Y/YEpATHH0JUI/AAAAAAAAG_o/t3vX9MDs79YkQAdng-GX_WKO_n_8jmNfACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-30.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They
could see the large ironclad coming up the river now, the fading light making
it appear red as blood. Shots were now coming from the other side of the
village.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwbjpWhWfO0/YEpATYq2fUI/AAAAAAAAG_s/lGYlZbCHNuYbnOtKXU7qDFvssLRBeQ7agCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwbjpWhWfO0/YEpATYq2fUI/AAAAAAAAG_s/lGYlZbCHNuYbnOtKXU7qDFvssLRBeQ7agCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Com’dor gave Vangeline over to Matre Filtote and asked her to take his daughter
to safety. He then ordered everyone to flee up the river.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3H5Zk8_jmw8/YEpATSfCgKI/AAAAAAAAG_4/tRkbw7TvPGYtvdVvHoCYXo3pVHHN0PrpQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3H5Zk8_jmw8/YEpATSfCgKI/AAAAAAAAG_4/tRkbw7TvPGYtvdVvHoCYXo3pVHHN0PrpQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Leon
was onboard the Virago and soon a plume of steam appeared from its stack. They all rushed to the boat. Servan and Jbili brought up the rear. The Dwarf stumbled on some undergrowth. Coralie
ran back and helped him to reach safety.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZX28ZKLpXw/YEpATemwlxI/AAAAAAAAG_w/A6NIgtzNjY4Zd4fcrs_K22nmRvLYz6zJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZX28ZKLpXw/YEpATemwlxI/AAAAAAAAG_w/A6NIgtzNjY4Zd4fcrs_K22nmRvLYz6zJQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Servan
was last. He heard the growls as one of the chronohounds suddenly appeared
right next to him. Another followed and after them were several armed and
armored men along with one of Alabastre’s spellcasters.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nliC8vfbOHA/YEpATxWuQXI/AAAAAAAAG_0/gINUKo7-5FgbHV4dIv59jZHG4dhDaIj7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-33a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nliC8vfbOHA/YEpATxWuQXI/AAAAAAAAG_0/gINUKo7-5FgbHV4dIv59jZHG4dhDaIj7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-33a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
large ironclad was close by now, firing its great cannons into dying Salteon.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfeFEPtjlCM/YEpAUVRXOWI/AAAAAAAAG_8/x3iN5rlzFLgOJtLgSgqofUCaFC5RcSwyACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YfeFEPtjlCM/YEpAUVRXOWI/AAAAAAAAG_8/x3iN5rlzFLgOJtLgSgqofUCaFC5RcSwyACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-34.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Servan
struck down the chronohound. It
vanished.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgvbPM9FKi8/YEpAUQE7GzI/AAAAAAAAHAE/3jZ3DX6VfxkNlyby5dE8saMaGKmrz7ngQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-35.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgvbPM9FKi8/YEpAUQE7GzI/AAAAAAAAHAE/3jZ3DX6VfxkNlyby5dE8saMaGKmrz7ngQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-35.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He
ran for the Virago and leapt onboard just as it pulled away from the pier.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3pZ5EsFu9o/YEpAUTPfmhI/AAAAAAAAHAA/Wb4wgks6gN4kcXelePjvVTtWfz8n9mcrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3pZ5EsFu9o/YEpAUTPfmhI/AAAAAAAAHAA/Wb4wgks6gN4kcXelePjvVTtWfz8n9mcrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
it moved into the river, they saw that the Amelie was underway. The Com’dor was on the quarter deck.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHx0jv-WQSc/YEuVjT_kxZI/AAAAAAAAHBM/Ibcj3hsCTa0P7p_4X0Pn9eNk0nalsXJmACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHx0jv-WQSc/YEuVjT_kxZI/AAAAAAAAHBM/Ibcj3hsCTa0P7p_4X0Pn9eNk0nalsXJmACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-37.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">Seeing
the Virago turning up river, the Com’dor called out, “Coralie, Coralie. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">I was always proud of you!”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">He turned away and opened the hatch to the
cargo hold, a burning lantern in his hand.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRkglP07DQg/YEpAUuZbvaI/AAAAAAAAHAM/y5kxnt7dIvAiQhCIAi3GAzwBDvC1yfRaACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2-38.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRkglP07DQg/YEpAUuZbvaI/AAAAAAAAHAM/y5kxnt7dIvAiQhCIAi3GAzwBDvC1yfRaACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2-38.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Amelie headed straight toward the iron clad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shots tore the water around it but the Com’dor steered the big boat
masterfully, avoid the shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the two
boats neared, he flung the lantern into the hold.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">A
enormous flash and roar split the darkness as both ships exploded</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">To
be continued…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-79713561044289643762021-03-06T14:36:00.002-08:002021-03-06T15:34:32.051-08:00Monster Blood Tattoo: The Eekers' Lament, Part I<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm part of a second gaming group and my turn to GM came up. So while I am running my "fantasy Cajun" game, I am also running another Monster Blood Tattoo game. This one again uses the Frostgrave family of games as a base. It takes place a few months after the events of The Peltryman's Behests (the report on that campaign can be found earlier on this blog). This is a smaller and mostly new cast of characters, however, one old friend returns. (I will be reporting on both this campaign and The Device Infernal campaign in rotation).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Eekers' Lament</span></b></div></b><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Part I, An Inauspicious Beginning</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b>Eekers</b> - folk who, because of poverty
or persecution or in protest, live in wild or marginal places. There they
scrounge what life they can from the surrounding land. Many eekers are
political exiles, sent away from, or choosing to leave, their home city because
of some conflict with a personage of power. It is commonly held that most have
become despicable sedorners so that the monsters will leave them be. They
are already mistrusted and despised for their eccentric ways, and such
suspicion only makes them doubly so. - <i>Foundling</i><o:p></o:p></p></div></span></div> </div><div><b>12 Lirium HIR (Horno Imperia Regnum) 1602</b></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm_Uamgm-S0/YEJ4Lr9DX3I/AAAAAAAAG5k/HIxIWESu9LcysDOR16BG4XLNjIyh6pkswCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm_Uamgm-S0/YEJ4Lr9DX3I/AAAAAAAAG5k/HIxIWESu9LcysDOR16BG4XLNjIyh6pkswCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The lesser common room in the wayhouse called the Harefoot Dig, along the Vestiweg at midafternoon, all but deserted. One lone and somewhat forelorn figure slowly ate his meagre repast. This was Schenectady Micajah Throgmorton, a former Vinagaroon from Flint, a mediocre deck hand who hated the sea and so had given up the Gurgis to follow the more financial rewarding life of a teratologist, hunting monsters for pay. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AmThIWbGxk/YEJ4N8LE9gI/AAAAAAAAG6I/fZqFLjLOLck8bkUsSWf0CfHUt3jWsnAnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AmThIWbGxk/YEJ4N8LE9gI/AAAAAAAAG6I/fZqFLjLOLck8bkUsSWf0CfHUt3jWsnAnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Having learned of bit of skolding from his ship's loblolly boy, he took his meager savings and invested gaining tutoring and equipage as a grenado-throwing scourge among the skolding tutors of Worms. Hearing of the rewards being offered for the services of teratologists along the Wormway after the fall of the Imperial fortress of Winsternill, he spent the last of his small savings on equipping himself with the finest test barrow and potives. Finding a well-guarded merchant caravan willing to cross the Ichomeer proved elusive and so he did not arrive at Winstermill until after the first frost of Autumn. Traveling along the Wormway, he was discomfitted by the seemingly ordered state of the road. When he arrived at the great Lamplighter fortress, he was turned away, being told that their was no longer the need for the services of those such as he, the Lamplighters had things well in hand and the lamps were being lit all along the Wormway. So Throgmorton drifted south with the vague idea of finding berthing as a skold on one of the ships out of High Vesting, much as he hated the thought of returning to the sour wine seas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vrd_jJQgvL8/YEJ4P5kboBI/AAAAAAAAG60/jUxiyJ-6DgU_pxQYO4mMbJym6KU8tNhvACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vrd_jJQgvL8/YEJ4P5kboBI/AAAAAAAAG60/jUxiyJ-6DgU_pxQYO4mMbJym6KU8tNhvACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here he found himself, spending the last of his money on a small meal and a cabinet chamber for sleep before the last days journey back to the acrid vapors of the Vinegar seas. He became aware that a strange figure had entered the common room. The newcomer was dressed in a long dark coat such as surgeons or habilists wear, a odd pack on his back, sickly yellow in color and appearing to occasionally draw breath. The man was tall and exceedingly thin, evidence of lazharine ravage and the twin metal rods strapped to his belt marked him as a fulgar, a user of the power of lightening in the ageless battle against the monsters of the wild.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M21I4QqGve4/YEJ4QsRfsKI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/fFatSg4zSnoJGek_eKdn1YP0Z_gFicn4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M21I4QqGve4/YEJ4QsRfsKI/AAAAAAAAG7Q/fFatSg4zSnoJGek_eKdn1YP0Z_gFicn4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The newcomer began rooting through the room's trash barrels with a great intensity. Finally coming upon a scrap of paper, the fulgar thrust it into his pocket.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMO0KLga2oM/YEJ4Q4OCxUI/AAAAAAAAG7U/O3E872-gy-UjxAj81LxIET0dEVDA4xz5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMO0KLga2oM/YEJ4Q4OCxUI/AAAAAAAAG7U/O3E872-gy-UjxAj81LxIET0dEVDA4xz5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Throgmorton attempted to strike up a conversation with the man, hoping that he might be in need of scourge as companion on some paid excursion but he was rudely rebuffed. Throgmorton knew that lazhars, those who had been surgically modified to give them greater abilities against the monsters, could be eccentric but the prickliness of this stranger was excessive.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iU-UlI1boAc/YEJ4RMnuQyI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/DlAj0BOjn-gvEZS1H6ruV5uiFMMVCouXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iU-UlI1boAc/YEJ4RMnuQyI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/DlAj0BOjn-gvEZS1H6ruV5uiFMMVCouXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Before the matter could come to blows, the sound of the arrival of a large coach could be heard outside the well-guarded door. Suddenly a troop of well armed women entered the common room. At their head was tall young woman, festooned with begemmed pistols of the finest make. She wore a rich purple long coat and lustrous purple cape flowed about her as she moved. An enormous thrice-high hat was set upon her head and a large plume seemed to move of its own accord. A large brooch bearing the image of a dove decorated one lapel, marking her as a member of the Rite of the Pacific Dove, an order of calendars, ladies devoted to the protection of the poor and weak. Oddly, one of her arms was bare and was covered a number of cruorpunxis, the much-sought-after monster blood tattoos.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axofX_uqaBk/YEJ4Ram-ieI/AAAAAAAAG7g/N8IYoCZ8tfg9WC3NpWg5siHr4Y6IpQtWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axofX_uqaBk/YEJ4Ram-ieI/AAAAAAAAG7g/N8IYoCZ8tfg9WC3NpWg5siHr4Y6IpQtWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The staff instantly came to her service, bringing her and her clave sisters large platters of food and fien wines. Inviting Throgmorton to join them, she proved to be as accommodating as the strange fulgar had been aloof. This was all the more surprising when she introduced herself as Sister Brandywine Charcuterie, a name Throgmorton recognized as belonging to the ancient nobility of Hacquitaine.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-918CEs99Agc/YEJ4Ry761PI/AAAAAAAAG7c/Nhy_URud7k4SGHtFjNMODwz5CD-dUs3owCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-918CEs99Agc/YEJ4Ry761PI/AAAAAAAAG7c/Nhy_URud7k4SGHtFjNMODwz5CD-dUs3owCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>She reported that she was journeying to Brandenbrass to meet with a benefactor who had volunteered to help the Order with any assistance they might need. Coincidentally, the Order had been informed of some horrible attack against a group of settlers in the Holly Middens. They were said to be eekers, outcasts from society, for whom on the Order would be willing to provide aid. By this point, the odd stranger had joined them, more out of curiousity it would seem than sociability. The fulgar named himself Wyatte Roman of Termaguant to south of Brandenbrass. On his neck could be seen his own monster blood tattoos, although Throgmorton could not tell how many. The former vinagaroon felt sheepish at this sight, although having been involved in several fights with sea monsters, Throgmorton was never able to claim the much prized badge of courage. Sister Brandywine offered the two the opportunity to join her endeavor, it would likely be hard and she could use the services of experienced followers. Although Roman seemed undecided with the offer, he agreed to accompany them as far as Brandenbrass. </div><div><br /></div><div>"Who is the benefactor that is sponsoring this adventure," Throgmorton inquired.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Why Lord Danube Figge of the Fayelillian Figges, he of those that accomplished the famed Peltryman's Behest."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yNCj4hrBWo/YEJ4SaVHurI/AAAAAAAAG7k/odPGwgHhTP06aZOunyslM3QzXahF8c8MQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yNCj4hrBWo/YEJ4SaVHurI/AAAAAAAAG7k/odPGwgHhTP06aZOunyslM3QzXahF8c8MQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/9S.JPG" /></a></div>Sister Brandywine generously offered them transport in her carriage for the trip to the port of High Vesting. She likewise paid for their passage for the short sea crossing to the great city of Brandenbrass. The trip passed with little event, even though the four hour crossing of the Grume to Brandenbrass was accomplished at night. Soon after the sun had risen over the great city, the trio disembarked and hired a lentum to take them to Lord Danube's house, Chortle Grove. Despite the morning traffic, they soon arrived on cannon street and spotted a large red tower looming over the nearby Moldwood Park.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMEqDCdylkc/YEJ4IIhUc0I/AAAAAAAAG4s/O8YMDIIQT7oVLjoNw6LvMYeusdKxp1EEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/10S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMEqDCdylkc/YEJ4IIhUc0I/AAAAAAAAG4s/O8YMDIIQT7oVLjoNw6LvMYeusdKxp1EEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/10S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The "humble townhouse" of Lord Danube was enormous, stretching over an entire city block and made up of numerous smaller mansions linked haphazardly together, with a similar scattering of foliage on the grounds surrounding. They noticed that rather oddly the servants were laying out baskets of vegetables to feed the large number of rabbits that roamed the grounds with impunity. In Brandenbrass, which had few rats or other vermin, rabbits had become the city's pests. It was a mark of Lord Danube's eccentricity that here they seemed to be treated as pets. Sister Bradywine showed some distaste at this gaudy and artless display of wealth. The Figges had only recently come into the nobility, no more than three generations previously and solely due to their wealth. The Charcuteries on the other hand were hereditary rulers of Vauquelin and related by blood to the ruling family of the great state of Haquitaine </div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rf41rT76Ww/YEJ4IMcwpmI/AAAAAAAAG4w/nPoBSwbvY-Y5Pm4wIay4LBGFVV_RiaJRgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/11S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rf41rT76Ww/YEJ4IMcwpmI/AAAAAAAAG4w/nPoBSwbvY-Y5Pm4wIay4LBGFVV_RiaJRgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/11S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They were greeted fulsomely at the door by Mordhowe, Lord Danube's major domo and de facto factotum. Mordhowe displayed a gentleness and refinement that belied his enormous stature and athletic frame. After a lengthy journey through numerous halls and passageways, they came to what Mordhowe described as Lord Danube's ludion. The sound of uneartly music came from within the training space.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXBbYCKvsSo/YEJ4ICx864I/AAAAAAAAG4o/78gnPAU6EpYpXwh1ogeFHdahOlMoF32BwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/12S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uXBbYCKvsSo/YEJ4ICx864I/AAAAAAAAG4o/78gnPAU6EpYpXwh1ogeFHdahOlMoF32BwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/12S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>When they entered they found the Great Man himself attempting to play a glass armonium by throwing daggers at the glass bowls. Lord Danube noticed the visitors after he had smashed several of the instrument's bowls with a single shot. His oddly colored eyes and completely bald head marked him as that most unusual combination of lazhars, a wit and laggard. Sister Bradywine remembered some of the dark rumors that Lord Danube worked occasionally as an assassin.</div><div><br /></div><div> Before any discussion could occur, Mordhowe suddenly grasped one of the daggers and charged at his master, roaring madly. Lord Danube adroitly flung a metal tray at the major domo, knocking the big man off of his feet. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before the shocked trio could react, Lord Danube and Mordhowe quickly gave their reassurances. As he wiped blood from his nose with a spotless handkerchief, Mordhowe explained, "My lord was many enemies in the city, some quite powerful. Several attempts on his life have occurred in just the past few months. In order to keep himself prepared for such eventualities, he has instructed me top physically attack him without notice, in order that he, as they say, keeps on his toes."</div><div><br /></div><div>Throgmorton who had been a noted brawler during his searfaring days, hoped to impress his new companions and took a friendly swing at the giant major domo. Mordhowe easily grasped the striking fist, twisting his arm until Throgmorton collapsed to the floor.</div><div><br /></div><div>"I hope I'm not inconveniencing you, sir." said the servant as he released the scourge sprained arm. Throgmorton, wincing at his injured arm, laughed at the situation but then suddenly attempted another blow with his good arm. Mordhowe easily caught the blow again.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Much better, sir! You nearly surprised me that time."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6N33728NlRE/YEJ4IcyGWrI/AAAAAAAAG40/T5pTZyOtKhAwtndmQStua2Z3FoMwbP9cQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/13S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6N33728NlRE/YEJ4IcyGWrI/AAAAAAAAG40/T5pTZyOtKhAwtndmQStua2Z3FoMwbP9cQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/13S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The party retired to Lord Danny's library. He explained that his father, the recently late Lord Gerrymander Figge had left instructions that the bulk of his estate should go to the one of his ten children who accomplished the most charitable occurances, knowing full well that they, taking after their father, were some of the horrible and uncaring people in the Half-Continent. </div><div><br /></div><div>"So I need to do good deeds, any that you got! Otherwise, I'll be limited to my allowance which, as you can see, limits me to living like a peasant!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Sister Bradywine, while not approving of the motive, was gratified by the enthusiasm. Sher reported that a child had been found by munklers cutting wood in the Holly Middens just beyond Luthian Glee, a small town to the northwest of the great city. The boy reported that his family and friends, eekers living beyond human society had been attacked by fearsome monsters, some killed, some carried off whose fate was unknown. The boy seemed to suffer bouts of madness and his tale was barely comprehensible. Fortunately, an itinerate caladine had been passing by and took care of the boy, bringing him back to Brandenbrass to be treated by a physician to the poor who had developed a unique treatment of the mentally disturbed based upon kindliness.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Excellent!" cried Lord Danny, "Just so long as you tell everyone that I am doing good deeds. And by everyone, I mean the Man of Business handling my late father's estate."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3Pb2y0XIdM/YEJ4IqaWgqI/AAAAAAAAG44/jaXXS5tgfbYbVMHSvU2Ll_FENmRMv1b3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/13Sa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P3Pb2y0XIdM/YEJ4IqaWgqI/AAAAAAAAG44/jaXXS5tgfbYbVMHSvU2Ll_FENmRMv1b3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/13Sa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They soon set off to find this unique physician, one Doctor Allucarde by name. His small dispensary was found in a poor neighborhood called Liberty Folgate. The good Docter, surprisingly youthful, greeted them with enthusiasm. He confirmed the facts told to Sister Brandywine. He added that the boy, named Amory, had occasionally had periods of lucidity in which the doctor had obtained what little history of the boy and his family that he could. The doctor's reason in summoning the aid of the calendars was that some of the boy's community might still be alive. "These poor unfortunates need all the assistance we can render," said Sister Brandywine, "Even though, as eekers, they have been tainted by the accusation of sedonition. All are worthy in the eyes of Providence."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhmJ-fu9yOg/YEJ4IvcAm4I/AAAAAAAAG48/k_j3AmoNLDkZornwLAsF6P7UeJDZsL56QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/13Sb.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhmJ-fu9yOg/YEJ4IvcAm4I/AAAAAAAAG48/k_j3AmoNLDkZornwLAsF6P7UeJDZsL56QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/13Sb.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The doctor showed them the boy, a thin, frail looking youth, no more than 12 years of age. He seemed aware of the visitors but little he said made any sense. "Click, click. Click, click, I can hear them," he said with terror showing in his eyes. "The yellow flood comes, drowning so many. The bloat of the drowned. Polly taken away. Click, click." As the boy spoke he became more distressed and started to scream. Roman reached over to him and the boy's body arched abruptly, the fulgar having sent a striving of electricity through the boy. As the rest of the party argued with Roman, Bradywine went to the boy. She pulled her hand away suddenly, a worm had fallen from the boy's body and attached itself to the pistoleer's finger. The creature was burrowing rapidly into her finger, causing enormous pain. Lord Danny expertly hurled a dagger that several the voracious thing in two, killing it. They debated for some time as to it's nature and how the boy had been carrying it. In the end, they agreed they would seek the boy's family or at least find their fate. They would leave at first light on the morrow.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5b_-xvnbXQ/YEJ4Ism5vxI/AAAAAAAAG5A/cTFQjUCDLG8dYboJEi44dM8O6TIs9wctQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/13Sc.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5b_-xvnbXQ/YEJ4Ism5vxI/AAAAAAAAG5A/cTFQjUCDLG8dYboJEi44dM8O6TIs9wctQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/13Sc.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For the night they returned to Chortle Grove. Roman, who had been reticent throughout revealed that he had another monster to seek. He held up the scrap of paper he had retrieved at the Harefoot Dig. It was a tip that a singular contract regarding a monster near Spelter Inning remained unfulfilled. As that seemed to be along the rest of the group's way to the Holly Middens, he would accompany them in their endeavor if they first assisted him in vanquishing this other creature. It was agreed. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoo2KZ8KXX0/YEJ4I1F28CI/AAAAAAAAG5E/uCsZ_RvNsUg5d0DJtc59PfAFxAko7sC3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/14S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoo2KZ8KXX0/YEJ4I1F28CI/AAAAAAAAG5E/uCsZ_RvNsUg5d0DJtc59PfAFxAko7sC3QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/14S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After a robust supper, they retired. Sister Bradywine was provided with a room commensurate to her status but far too ornate for her taste. Throgmorton was lead to a space so large compared to his usual hammock space aboard ship, he assumed more guests would be joining him.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1-lHuV2RbY/YEJ4JDNBu9I/AAAAAAAAG5I/z2kbIa5VuIA-la-jYbwbc5ntgOsBaFUagCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/15S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1-lHuV2RbY/YEJ4JDNBu9I/AAAAAAAAG5I/z2kbIa5VuIA-la-jYbwbc5ntgOsBaFUagCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/15S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He settled on the window seat which proved far more comfortable than most of his berths. He was most surprised to wake in the morning to find himself alone.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4UrEeH3Yig/YEJ4Joier8I/AAAAAAAAG5M/o_pNfoRoV4U6ayZ-Pj2eyhANB5XTWA9EACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/16S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4UrEeH3Yig/YEJ4Joier8I/AAAAAAAAG5M/o_pNfoRoV4U6ayZ-Pj2eyhANB5XTWA9EACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/16S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roman requested merely to be allowed to sleep in the mansion's basement. Mordhowe showed him to spaces previously used by Lord Danube's younger brother Ural, who unfortunately was serving a period of incarceration in one of the Archduke's prisons, for the crimes of riot, mahem, and, perhaps his greatest crime, being an actor. Roman stripped himself naked but with his staves at hand, soon fell into a deep sleep.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPhTG3iRsAk/YEJ4KA5tllI/AAAAAAAAG5Q/dkGhE22KTxcRPlcDT-HBK-8Kp-bJl5ZfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/17S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPhTG3iRsAk/YEJ4KA5tllI/AAAAAAAAG5Q/dkGhE22KTxcRPlcDT-HBK-8Kp-bJl5ZfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/17S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>In the middle of the night, he awoke to a strong feeling that someone was present and watching him. He glanced over to see a rabbit staring intently at him. Instinctively, he brought one of the metal stave down upon the unfortunate creature's head, killing it instantly. He heard a great moan and a feeling of great threwd permeated his whole being.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0uPIuUownQ/YEJ4KTmmqBI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/sx2t7HaH2gYVNP_Ihi7AMmBBH7iljVwFACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/18S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0uPIuUownQ/YEJ4KTmmqBI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/sx2t7HaH2gYVNP_Ihi7AMmBBH7iljVwFACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/18S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Much disturbed, he arose and dressed, returning one of the great halls. Schamery, one of the night porters, built a fire and provided him with a pitcher of Juice of Orange. Roman slept no more that night.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q05ZVGapmZU/YEJ4K0-J8xI/AAAAAAAAG5U/qal_CcKPOoIu60WAxAD2C8Nek_h82_R8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/18Sa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q05ZVGapmZU/YEJ4K0-J8xI/AAAAAAAAG5U/qal_CcKPOoIu60WAxAD2C8Nek_h82_R8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/18Sa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>In the morning a large breakfast was served, Lord Danny enjoying a large pumpkin, well carved. When Mordhowe informed Lord Danny of the unfortunate incident with the rabbit, the wit-laggard was much troubled. When asked about his affinity for the verminous rabbits, he put them off, saying he cared for them in honor of a friend who had aided him in a time of need.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8H_cHawDFk/YEJ4LRCTfRI/AAAAAAAAG5c/LwepJsNiNU4Bkjf630q6VQjeBI6qvEHcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/19S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8H_cHawDFk/YEJ4LRCTfRI/AAAAAAAAG5c/LwepJsNiNU4Bkjf630q6VQjeBI6qvEHcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/19S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mordhowe informed them that Lord Danny's laundelet was in readiness and that two sturdy horses, Faustus and Maudlin, were in the traces. Upon exiting the mansion, Mordhowe introduced them to their driver, one Flossie Buckfuss of Cloudeslee.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBg0aqkFGR8/YEO5AmMozPI/AAAAAAAAG8M/xDWvO3AysrY3HKXMeiiTuYsC_GvfEPjdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/A63EC5DC-C1B4-4111-BEDB-D9C2A33630AE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBg0aqkFGR8/YEO5AmMozPI/AAAAAAAAG8M/xDWvO3AysrY3HKXMeiiTuYsC_GvfEPjdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s0/A63EC5DC-C1B4-4111-BEDB-D9C2A33630AE.jpeg" /></a></div>She proved to be a small woman but with the energy of a taunt spring. On her back she bore a large composite bow such as the bowmen of her nations used, the famed toxothetes. With a surprisingly deep voice, she expressed her thanks to Lord Danny for again hiring her.<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cfNNHNdCaY4/YEJ4Ln8sVWI/AAAAAAAAG5o/XoAANSzJYQ8AVZMlo9x_kChPPVIGRCPuACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/21S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cfNNHNdCaY4/YEJ4Ln8sVWI/AAAAAAAAG5o/XoAANSzJYQ8AVZMlo9x_kChPPVIGRCPuACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/21S.JPG" /></a></div>They proceeded on the route by which Lord Danny usually left the city, a series of back streets that would avoid the great western gate of the Twin Sisters, which was heavily guarded by the Archduke's men, whom Lord Danny seemed desirous of avoiding as much as possible. As they reached the suburbs, they turned onto a narrow street known as the Fistduke's Way.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7ZI5fOYyO8/YEJ4MD9oTxI/AAAAAAAAG5s/9JfPl-S5UUssDD4NKGjPI9mihNSqWCG1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/22S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7ZI5fOYyO8/YEJ4MD9oTxI/AAAAAAAAG5s/9JfPl-S5UUssDD4NKGjPI9mihNSqWCG1gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/22S.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An extremely tardy ox cart blocked their way and slowed the carriage's movement to a crawl. Another cart was crossing the street behind them, moving even slower.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q53V5TZ6Eg0/YEJ4MEBPIzI/AAAAAAAAG5w/NsqORe_BxHsBjf5N5-dhEBqCkwEo9qw1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/23S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q53V5TZ6Eg0/YEJ4MEBPIzI/AAAAAAAAG5w/NsqORe_BxHsBjf5N5-dhEBqCkwEo9qw1ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/23S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lord Danny looked out of the carriage window and spied a rabbit along the roadside, looking intently upon the carriage. It rose on its hind legs and let out a squeek. Lord Danny, seeing this, called out a warning to his fellow travelled. He then raised his hand to his head, sending a frisson of witly energy into the mind of the ox.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFxa56OxC5c/YEJ4Maa5OaI/AAAAAAAAG50/lAiq5AXXnn8KjOFDM0nsMcYaJwjM4Sj5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/25S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFxa56OxC5c/YEJ4Maa5OaI/AAAAAAAAG50/lAiq5AXXnn8KjOFDM0nsMcYaJwjM4Sj5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/25S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The stricken beast bolted toward the end of the street, its drover being left standing in the middle of the road. Buckfuss urged the horses forward. As the ox driver aimed a large heptibus at the Faustus and Maudlin, Bradywine fired a pistol at the man dropping him before he could fire.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqwjc2Ec3pY/YEJ4MRe949I/AAAAAAAAG54/C9m8PfloNB8XRZm9sQ88oOmKZbxhMputQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/26S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqwjc2Ec3pY/YEJ4MRe949I/AAAAAAAAG54/C9m8PfloNB8XRZm9sQ88oOmKZbxhMputQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/26S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Four musketeers emerged from behind a couple of carts placed next to the roadway. As they aimed at the carriage, Throckmorton threw a loomblaze into their midst. It landed among the gunmen and burst, scorching them but leaving them well enough alive. Buckfuss turned the carriage sideways to provide what cover the lightly made vehicle could provide.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rgIaApwnmA/YEJ4MvB0mSI/AAAAAAAAG58/osCErYSKJVkdGvMMSm2TO_ZpV43XzFsBACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/27S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0rgIaApwnmA/YEJ4MvB0mSI/AAAAAAAAG58/osCErYSKJVkdGvMMSm2TO_ZpV43XzFsBACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/27S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Two additional men appeared on a balcony above them. Two more appeared on the second ox cart to their rear. A volley of shots struck the carriage. One struck Trogmorton in the chest, piercing his proofing and sending him back against the carriage door.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fn-qqN8Y5ho/YEJ4NKKNRMI/AAAAAAAAG6A/78iLqQOkx5UfKbtwrdh7zIba_wgFW5SWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/28S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fn-qqN8Y5ho/YEJ4NKKNRMI/AAAAAAAAG6A/78iLqQOkx5UfKbtwrdh7zIba_wgFW5SWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/28S.JPG" /></a></div>Bleeding heavily, Throgmortom crawled from the carriage to crouch behind some stone steps. He hastily poured a dose of thrombis into the bullet wound to stem the bleeding.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLOf2sUEsTU/YEJ4NrXYeqI/AAAAAAAAG6E/rSShk3c7oYgK47V0LZvWNBD6z7FUJrlRgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/29S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLOf2sUEsTU/YEJ4NrXYeqI/AAAAAAAAG6E/rSShk3c7oYgK47V0LZvWNBD6z7FUJrlRgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/29S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sister Bradywine leapt into the street while Lord Danny laid down on the floor of the carriage and aimed his long rifle at the advancing assailants.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS7-pIwczoU/YEJ4OCA8dII/AAAAAAAAG6Q/ZhXpTOgYnN8FWTbEJVAWQW2zo5Qzls4-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/30S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SS7-pIwczoU/YEJ4OCA8dII/AAAAAAAAG6Q/ZhXpTOgYnN8FWTbEJVAWQW2zo5Qzls4-QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/30S.JPG" /></a></div>He shot one directly between the eyes.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2MT8q_aqF4/YEJ4OnurIWI/AAAAAAAAG6M/k0rmRWArx_wRO1Tui05nAbZw3tZzqnGNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/31S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2MT8q_aqF4/YEJ4OnurIWI/AAAAAAAAG6M/k0rmRWArx_wRO1Tui05nAbZw3tZzqnGNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/31S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At the same time, Bradywine drew aim at the two men in the balcony. Her shot hit the barrel of the musket of the first man just as he pulled the trigger to fire. The force of the shot pushed the gun into the face of the other man just as the bullet was leaving the barrel. It killed him instantly.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OyncQTYhzs/YEJ4PHYkSzI/AAAAAAAAG6U/rAwKaAb5DtYEYgZNqFEDS_VseufbfAQ9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/32S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OyncQTYhzs/YEJ4PHYkSzI/AAAAAAAAG6U/rAwKaAb5DtYEYgZNqFEDS_VseufbfAQ9wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/32S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While the first musketeer recoild in horror at the shooting of his friend, Bradywine fired a second shot that killed him as well.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q24Zf9En5Pc/YEJ4PaByb2I/AAAAAAAAG6c/pJ9dck3_LLATrgc9hRFYzYv776rlF_ORQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/33S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q24Zf9En5Pc/YEJ4PaByb2I/AAAAAAAAG6c/pJ9dck3_LLATrgc9hRFYzYv776rlF_ORQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/33S.JPG" /></a></div>In the meantime, Roman had grabbed the reins of the ox that Danny had witted. He guided the cart to the end of the street, turning around the corner to clear the road.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv_zhYcI8Ls/YEJ4PcuX1pI/AAAAAAAAG6Y/0Cb8fRDefEot5V2bfR0y2mTMl0i5hkszwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/34s.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wv_zhYcI8Ls/YEJ4PcuX1pI/AAAAAAAAG6Y/0Cb8fRDefEot5V2bfR0y2mTMl0i5hkszwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/34s.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Suddenly, three swordsmen emerged from a nearby building. The thin, glassy blades in their hands marked them as sabrine adepts.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dDyhyul9ZE/YEJ4PtQXiaI/AAAAAAAAG6g/NP39Ou19yaYENknoUEceyNY7DWFvH1FxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/35S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dDyhyul9ZE/YEJ4PtQXiaI/AAAAAAAAG6g/NP39Ou19yaYENknoUEceyNY7DWFvH1FxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/35S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They flung themselves on Danny and Brandywine. With two skillful slashes, Brandywine fell to the street, the ancient blade cutting through her proofing and deeply into her shoulder. The other two adepts slashed into Danny. He blocked one with his long rifle but the other sliced deeply into his ribs. Barely conscious, he scrambled out of the carriage.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQHQzVaeWks/YEJ4Pn8LJ-I/AAAAAAAAG6k/I2KIa1-Pwpgj4y4oMu_kNviPSmyN0vLrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/36S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQHQzVaeWks/YEJ4Pn8LJ-I/AAAAAAAAG6k/I2KIa1-Pwpgj4y4oMu_kNviPSmyN0vLrQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/36S.JPG" /></a></div>Buckfuss leapt onto the hood of the carriage, her bow sending out a rapid volley that drove the terrible swordsmen back.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwRtpe0TH9U/YEJ4PjvEq1I/AAAAAAAAG6o/v7s_K4ajTfkVMiEuS_CjDDgF1WV1XMA1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/37S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lwRtpe0TH9U/YEJ4PjvEq1I/AAAAAAAAG6o/v7s_K4ajTfkVMiEuS_CjDDgF1WV1XMA1wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/37S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At that moment, Throckmorton flung a Bitterbright in front of them, the blaze keeping the swordsmen back for the moment. He then dragged Sister Brandywind behind the carriage where he might treat her deadly wounds.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MaJ_1ybWqrA/YEJ4P2L3hzI/AAAAAAAAG6s/be-HVFmbGLssO_Pb2VPu-yOCkzVCIlFfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/38S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MaJ_1ybWqrA/YEJ4P2L3hzI/AAAAAAAAG6s/be-HVFmbGLssO_Pb2VPu-yOCkzVCIlFfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/38S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The respite allowed Danny to reload his long rifle and fire it at the adept who had so sorely wounded him. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNo77DvNt1w/YEJ4Py3ru_I/AAAAAAAAG6w/J3ZVmA4CEVUmIFmlhVXmJ63uwlJu_GmbACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/39S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNo77DvNt1w/YEJ4Py3ru_I/AAAAAAAAG6w/J3ZVmA4CEVUmIFmlhVXmJ63uwlJu_GmbACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/39S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div> The heavy ball struck the man in the head, killing him. The other swordsmen and the mass of musketeers were preparing to rush the severely weakened party.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyLdOCXAzhs/YEJ4QM0dw6I/AAAAAAAAG64/5qRcDJ8e6wwZrvqwXOasKmrCfWXbOTbmwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/40S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyLdOCXAzhs/YEJ4QM0dw6I/AAAAAAAAG64/5qRcDJ8e6wwZrvqwXOasKmrCfWXbOTbmwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/40S.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Roman, who was used to fighting monsters but had never engaged in combat with men, hesitated. In the midst of treating Bradywine, Throckmorton, cast his gaze upon the hesitating fulgar, his eyes flashing with inquiry and entreaty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vv7Pu9ywlR8/YEJ4QI6dmZI/AAAAAAAAG68/IbatvT4GwHkSTeyk0TAywlpvC3Ht3PN_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/41S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vv7Pu9ywlR8/YEJ4QI6dmZI/AAAAAAAAG68/IbatvT4GwHkSTeyk0TAywlpvC3Ht3PN_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/41S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roman drew himself up, aiming his stave at the sky, urging the too mild clouds to bring forth lighting. Using every ounce of his strength, the stave began to vibrate in his hands. There was a loud CRACK of thunder.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhyfvclXlB8/YEJ4QZ9YO8I/AAAAAAAAG7A/6ODN5OOkydULfe6dVigSHj5g8blroMc2QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/42S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhyfvclXlB8/YEJ4QZ9YO8I/AAAAAAAAG7A/6ODN5OOkydULfe6dVigSHj5g8blroMc2QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/42S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lighting hit cut forth from the sky, touching upon Roman's stave. He directed it at the attackers. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1JO4hxMp39g/YEJ4QSu4aXI/AAAAAAAAG7E/1EYtZGQzKtsp_HDZpEaRSWs0e4MHjZv2gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/42Sa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1JO4hxMp39g/YEJ4QSu4aXI/AAAAAAAAG7E/1EYtZGQzKtsp_HDZpEaRSWs0e4MHjZv2gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/42Sa.JPG" /></a></div>The lightening arced from body to body, each of the assailants suffering its blast in turn.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaG-QrXqd1o/YEJ4QQ_-4CI/AAAAAAAAG7I/C2TzAXj9w3UnwytZu4z6CdlapqX6a0oLACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/42Sb.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaG-QrXqd1o/YEJ4QQ_-4CI/AAAAAAAAG7I/C2TzAXj9w3UnwytZu4z6CdlapqX6a0oLACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/42Sb.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>All was quiet in the street, save the crackling of the burning bodies and the occasional pop of one of their gunpowder charges.</div><div><br /></div><div>Realizing that hiring three sabrine adepts was beyond the means of most brigands, Danny admitted that he had been the target of the Archduke's ire these past few months. He and his companions had caused the Archduke to lose face and the Emperor's favor. The Archduke could not risk open conflict with Fayelillian by taking direct action and so had resorted to hired assassins.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Good thing we are leaving the city, let thing cool down a bit." Picking up the melt ruin of one of the adept's therimoir, "Cool down, literally!" </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKNOmkMlLEk/YEJ4QtS8nCI/AAAAAAAAG7M/G0MYkBKHA08JEkkLeFQNERTZuebxXlsNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/43S.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKNOmkMlLEk/YEJ4QtS8nCI/AAAAAAAAG7M/G0MYkBKHA08JEkkLeFQNERTZuebxXlsNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/43S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>They quickly left the scene and soon arrived at the small postern that provided exit to the last of the city's defenses. The officer in charge of the gate guard appeared shocked at party's appearance. The ambush had been near enough that the sound of the fight should have reached them here. The officer undoubtedly assumed that ambush would succeed. He tried to delay the carriage, claiming their papers were not in order.</p><p>"No, my friend," said Danny, "I think we'll be leaving now."</p><p>Seeming ready to order his men to arrest the party but then ooking at the bloody mess of the carriage, the many weapons of the party, and the angry, determined looks on their faces, the officer quietly ordered that they be allowed to pass.</p><p>And their hunt for the monsters began.</p><p>To be continued... </p></div></div></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-36382466937511917022021-02-27T12:49:00.004-08:002021-03-11T08:05:39.365-08:00A Device Infernal I<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>A Device Infernal<br /></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Chapter I: The Cacaton Faire</span></b></div><p>"The Cacaton Midsummer Faire was the biggest thing there was in the Yando."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6td2zxi4Lg/YDkiR8i9ojI/AAAAAAAAGw0/yyYbHy7EllcC9RWgNd5Y4dHvIwJbt1QvACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6td2zxi4Lg/YDkiR8i9ojI/AAAAAAAAGw0/yyYbHy7EllcC9RWgNd5Y4dHvIwJbt1QvACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">"Folks from all over the Delta would come, to cook, and eat, and drink, and sing, and dance." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWt1740jHwM/YDpivtYJZXI/AAAAAAAAG3c/Lr8qr_DvV-Uia5hLdS3vLvcYmrbUP1t8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5755.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWt1740jHwM/YDpivtYJZXI/AAAAAAAAG3c/Lr8qr_DvV-Uia5hLdS3vLvcYmrbUP1t8QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qe7yRHDpGSE/YDqxy5cqMLI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/oks_Xt2wmt43rVAD2ge_Eo3Um_5uree8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qe7yRHDpGSE/YDqxy5cqMLI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/oks_Xt2wmt43rVAD2ge_Eo3Um_5uree8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Music and the smell of all that good cooking was everywhere.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRxRnd7OUhE/YDpjqX0DRLI/AAAAAAAAG3k/PsA6yKbNRRAyvowzXaQ54ZFv-76zMNBMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRxRnd7OUhE/YDpjqX0DRLI/AAAAAAAAG3k/PsA6yKbNRRAyvowzXaQ54ZFv-76zMNBMQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"There was even friendly, for the most part, intellectual debate."</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBePX_VdqCU/YDkisxRN4yI/AAAAAAAAGzY/ESiM_jqcA6kx9X03yzXro0yV46JHXQMygCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBePX_VdqCU/YDkisxRN4yI/AAAAAAAAGzY/ESiM_jqcA6kx9X03yzXro0yV46JHXQMygCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI5.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">"Some of them big new steamboats came, bearing well-to-do Dry Foots, that's what we called them that weren't from the Yando."</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_b5zQvc9JU/YDkiypnS-iI/AAAAAAAAG0E/NWUGv76-GHUKYZ2Kt2by6qaYqv-to5pGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_b5zQvc9JU/YDkiypnS-iI/AAAAAAAAG0E/NWUGv76-GHUKYZ2Kt2by6qaYqv-to5pGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">"Even some Grandees, the rich nobles, would come, in their big yachts to see how us poor folk lived."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MC_0lAzkhkk/YDki065uI_I/AAAAAAAAG0Y/GFBEppwu3LAwxOAfYnHjdeMc7v0KLLxswCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MC_0lAzkhkk/YDki065uI_I/AAAAAAAAG0Y/GFBEppwu3LAwxOAfYnHjdeMc7v0KLLxswCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">"At this year's Faire, there was something no one ever seen before. A big ironclad war ram come all the way from Mivior. They said its was supposed to be a friendly visit. But Mivior was a slave-trading nation and with the Emperor fixin' to fight the Western Grandees to free the serfs, Mivior looked like they were about to jump in to the coming fight."</span></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnhJyF1p-yg/YDki1tBkpvI/AAAAAAAAG0c/X5nk2OiifWIsibGIgoTPI_nWDPo3hTc9QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fnhJyF1p-yg/YDki1tBkpvI/AAAAAAAAG0c/X5nk2OiifWIsibGIgoTPI_nWDPo3hTc9QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">"A whole bunch of marines from the Mivior boat came ashore, to parade they said, but it was mostly strutting."</span></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmemALfgrV4/YDki2GwGQsI/AAAAAAAAG0g/cYYQ6h1vVcQsQmOV2MTgdyusrkf2bPYOACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmemALfgrV4/YDki2GwGQsI/AAAAAAAAG0g/cYYQ6h1vVcQsQmOV2MTgdyusrkf2bPYOACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>More unwelcome guests, the Lord Albastre, a Grandee whose family owns most of this part of the Yando. He brought along Shad Le Duc, a trappeuse who turned to serf-hunting. Shad owned a pack chrono-hounds, time-jumping dogs, that get to where you're running to before you do. Lord Alabastre had a couple of spell-casters and a trio of pistol-fighters. They were all looking for trouble.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-60tRaMtUIvE/YDkiZgxsKaI/AAAAAAAAGxA/-yIY7KRC3DscNlUIq5iSBSr3PxUJnB7PACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-60tRaMtUIvE/YDkiZgxsKaI/AAAAAAAAGxA/-yIY7KRC3DscNlUIq5iSBSr3PxUJnB7PACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Coralie won the gardening prize for her roses but no one seems to notice.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBTqp0NR8yY/YDkiaPdC6ZI/AAAAAAAAGxE/2nIDeb4jqJch6OD00b-W2bgHdaWNKrReACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lBTqp0NR8yY/YDkiaPdC6ZI/AAAAAAAAGxE/2nIDeb4jqJch6OD00b-W2bgHdaWNKrReACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The time came for judging the cooking competition, the highpoint of the Faire.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5bZgaTW2O4/YDkian6xejI/AAAAAAAAGxI/eJTU4lCKQNQ-CUnTFd_vIHAFgvFnxzoZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5bZgaTW2O4/YDkian6xejI/AAAAAAAAGxI/eJTU4lCKQNQ-CUnTFd_vIHAFgvFnxzoZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A fishing boat approached the piers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-we-SbR7D2Yw/YDkibKxVQnI/AAAAAAAAGxM/kZFGZpVzMJMoZhseprTj1lfmNns8_g-WACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-we-SbR7D2Yw/YDkibKxVQnI/AAAAAAAAGxM/kZFGZpVzMJMoZhseprTj1lfmNns8_g-WACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI15.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen returned to see Vangeline.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBLL49E7YA4/YDkibiLZNvI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/-8C4XiBLzio1kdWDuxsf-W2Jyw1vpU4wwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBLL49E7YA4/YDkibiLZNvI/AAAAAAAAGxQ/-8C4XiBLzio1kdWDuxsf-W2Jyw1vpU4wwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Another boat approached the piers, this one bearing Servan and his dwarf companion. Servan had deserted the army just to come see Vangeline.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCJZvNxZNmg/YDkicA1KpzI/AAAAAAAAGxU/-CowtSGD1ZgG5WIOgdcLzcYSJJ3MPLFzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nCJZvNxZNmg/YDkicA1KpzI/AAAAAAAAGxU/-CowtSGD1ZgG5WIOgdcLzcYSJJ3MPLFzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Servan met his friend Michel, a trappeuse in the militia. He welcomed Servan home but says that Constable Renard, the lawman for Cacaton, is worried about the foreign ship and all the Grandees flaunting about.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1XZEfsnbEA/YDkicgA3MZI/AAAAAAAAGxY/4PKU1c8i4jg5RbSoLL75Q0auj02Jzs9DgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1XZEfsnbEA/YDkicgA3MZI/AAAAAAAAGxY/4PKU1c8i4jg5RbSoLL75Q0auj02Jzs9DgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The blue ribbon went to Placeed for his ogreberry pie. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsyR7V_DEKs/YDkidHnWQII/AAAAAAAAGxc/EzonABmpBcIaBS-KI2SP8Kve5qQ8t3pgACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsyR7V_DEKs/YDkidHnWQII/AAAAAAAAGxc/EzonABmpBcIaBS-KI2SP8Kve5qQ8t3pgACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Vangeline looked at the half-halfin' with a new appreciation. The little chef trepidatiously asked if Vangeline would dance with him that night. To his great joy she agreed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JYtOJlb4fyg/YDkidy2Gq3I/AAAAAAAAGxg/UZS1CWnlbwoSOH3J8IsuVdnJSjvfGdhiQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JYtOJlb4fyg/YDkidy2Gq3I/AAAAAAAAGxg/UZS1CWnlbwoSOH3J8IsuVdnJSjvfGdhiQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI20.JPG" /></a></div>Suddenly, Fiddlesticks appeared in the square He leapt up on a canopy and glorious music sprang from his fiddle. A great hush of shock fell over the square. "Ya'll don't see a dead man take up a fiddle every day."</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4d19AEkkfVo/YDkieVz0HVI/AAAAAAAAGxk/-Zp_IisHb58JemCEYTjXQ7zGsNZhsNJrACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4d19AEkkfVo/YDkieVz0HVI/AAAAAAAAGxk/-Zp_IisHb58JemCEYTjXQ7zGsNZhsNJrACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Placeed, seeing that Vangeline was drawn by Fiddlesticks' music, tried to distract the musician with an offer of his pie. Skeeter gobbled some down while Fiddlestick levitated over the short chef's head.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qFwn866CpA/YDkie4pRLqI/AAAAAAAAGxo/NstQCQmSXgcbn4Dxpir-Hf5mjBL7q63DwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI22.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qFwn866CpA/YDkie4pRLqI/AAAAAAAAGxo/NstQCQmSXgcbn4Dxpir-Hf5mjBL7q63DwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI22.JPG" /></a></div>But Sabeen had arrived and cast a burst of wind at the musician.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgXZlEhEU-E/YDkifRQcQmI/AAAAAAAAGxs/NmHfnFDLvhExXkSTQ0CRAsvZHHoDYCooQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FgXZlEhEU-E/YDkifRQcQmI/AAAAAAAAGxs/NmHfnFDLvhExXkSTQ0CRAsvZHHoDYCooQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI23.JPG" /></a></div>The levitating fiddler was hurled against a nearby wall, breaking the spell of his music.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUelTWagtYI/YDkifzYv6hI/AAAAAAAAGxw/zC712Nd_FRAFt9mhjSg5ey93Fwab2Uw7gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUelTWagtYI/YDkifzYv6hI/AAAAAAAAGxw/zC712Nd_FRAFt9mhjSg5ey93Fwab2Uw7gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI24.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The disturbance attracted the unwanted attention of Lord Alabastre</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8YCqoEdIHQ/YDkigaWnHeI/AAAAAAAAGx0/EaGIsmMe-SctbUMXqPnteUx8kwEBhKEdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8YCqoEdIHQ/YDkigaWnHeI/AAAAAAAAGx0/EaGIsmMe-SctbUMXqPnteUx8kwEBhKEdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI25.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Vangeline was shocked to see her four suitors all arrive at once. Joy, love, sorrow, doubt, and confusion all crossed her face.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJi3vxD-Nn8/YDkigy2GF2I/AAAAAAAAGx4/zpsW_kES1OAu1FmDGfXFkTS_bFXfodcwACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJi3vxD-Nn8/YDkigy2GF2I/AAAAAAAAGx4/zpsW_kES1OAu1FmDGfXFkTS_bFXfodcwACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI26.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Suddenly, Lord Alabastre thrusts himself into the situation. He mades a most indecent proposition, reminding them that he was their owner. Tempers began to flare.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Os222sw6CiY/YDkihV9Fj0I/AAAAAAAAGx8/IacxooNpLlUHUy-oVQJEHz3FSpVxc2EsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI27.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Os222sw6CiY/YDkihV9Fj0I/AAAAAAAAGx8/IacxooNpLlUHUy-oVQJEHz3FSpVxc2EsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI27.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Placeed reached for a pie to hurl at the hated Grandee but his courage failed him.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f22EIdjilfM/YDkih2cPj5I/AAAAAAAAGyA/w5ohkbaZPi0RX8fYvFfDK1Qvv8eLHS3WgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f22EIdjilfM/YDkih2cPj5I/AAAAAAAAGyA/w5ohkbaZPi0RX8fYvFfDK1Qvv8eLHS3WgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI28.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Skeeter, the most likeable man in the Yando, tried to calm the situation. Lord Alabastre was bemused but Shad harshly shushed the wet stomper down. Everyone began to put their hands on their weapons.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAzF5SAjyjY/YDkiiUPPdtI/AAAAAAAAGyE/H5V-kE1nO24xxQaAYUc2TXgfuzB8cFZNwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAzF5SAjyjY/YDkiiUPPdtI/AAAAAAAAGyE/H5V-kE1nO24xxQaAYUc2TXgfuzB8cFZNwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI29.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Brother Maksen jumped upon onto a table. He showed the copy of an Imperial decree and began to read it. The Emperor had declared that all the serfs were free and now full and equal citizens of the Empire. The news caused almost as great stir as the reappearance of the dead Fiddlesticks. Lord Alabastre growled, "You'll die for this, you meddling priest!" His men moved to restrain Brother Maksen. As the priest began to run, the pistoleers fire, one bullet striking Maksen in the back.</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sA56_FguEu8/YDkii15EyOI/AAAAAAAAGyI/MsEOMmFuH3YRcu0Ubwbkb4bB8zt_CemDACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI30.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sA56_FguEu8/YDkii15EyOI/AAAAAAAAGyI/MsEOMmFuH3YRcu0Ubwbkb4bB8zt_CemDACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI30.JPG" /></a></div>Servan retreated to the cover of a nearby fish stall and aimed his long rifle at the Grandee. His shot went wide.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwMO5glMiMk/YDkijaKCGcI/AAAAAAAAGyM/g0FKrujWMxAoa3HlEWrPkJfrRk98sJZhwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI31.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwMO5glMiMk/YDkijaKCGcI/AAAAAAAAGyM/g0FKrujWMxAoa3HlEWrPkJfrRk98sJZhwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI31.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As the square erupted in turmoil, Jbili kept on drinking.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aalqVpW_1vc/YDkijzXDCcI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/F9IT8Z_9czkbhyHz980rnfidLB5Em7JEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI32.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aalqVpW_1vc/YDkijzXDCcI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/F9IT8Z_9czkbhyHz980rnfidLB5Em7JEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Placeed grabbed Vangeline by the hand and ran for the Ville Palais, the town hall, the stoutest building nearby.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJvVG6q1hOY/YDkikTsEyNI/AAAAAAAAGyU/XTCNeVLla0QY6X3rZFdQXwxb1pnwTK24QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI33.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJvVG6q1hOY/YDkikTsEyNI/AAAAAAAAGyU/XTCNeVLla0QY6X3rZFdQXwxb1pnwTK24QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI33.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks ran to catch up with them.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmdfYnHvMds/YDkikwgw5jI/AAAAAAAAGyY/fM55Dko6mZYMVowiLBSIQFihxBaGICOZACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI34.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmdfYnHvMds/YDkikwgw5jI/AAAAAAAAGyY/fM55Dko6mZYMVowiLBSIQFihxBaGICOZACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI34.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>One of the chrono hounds suddenly appeared in front of them.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EuNbbRlIgjE/YDkildne1XI/AAAAAAAAGyc/LRmVdkCURTwGdShX-A8JPvG0z6cxQytjACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI35.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EuNbbRlIgjE/YDkildne1XI/AAAAAAAAGyc/LRmVdkCURTwGdShX-A8JPvG0z6cxQytjACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI35.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Fiddlesticks slashed at the creature with his knife. Skeeter flung a large iron pot at the beast, bashing in it's head.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyVwSfvZyL4/YDkil8YbR2I/AAAAAAAAGyg/r2bzgk_3-pwMR0CEB3xUVB9dz-WfeLscACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI36.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OyVwSfvZyL4/YDkil8YbR2I/AAAAAAAAGyg/r2bzgk_3-pwMR0CEB3xUVB9dz-WfeLscACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Coralie conjured a thick hedge to block the Grandee's men.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGINAxiPS10/YDkimeYqt1I/AAAAAAAAGyk/C9cE9SfsSiYF4uNU7B38DMp5w6UF5yrzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI37.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGINAxiPS10/YDkimeYqt1I/AAAAAAAAGyk/C9cE9SfsSiYF4uNU7B38DMp5w6UF5yrzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI37.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Constable Renard, a kitsune, heard the disturbance and called for the militia to gather to him.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu7R3x4P_Kc/YDkim6VGoDI/AAAAAAAAGyo/ZkinigGFEiI_lEaueyoXfN7k0yrJv7eHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI38.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mu7R3x4P_Kc/YDkim6VGoDI/AAAAAAAAGyo/ZkinigGFEiI_lEaueyoXfN7k0yrJv7eHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI38.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lord Alabastre's Drow Elementalist destroyed the hedge with a fiery bolt.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qDujOjxO6xg/YDkinWpZ3vI/AAAAAAAAGys/peslaoIvIoYZQK_dsIZHAg1avPcCL08AwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI39.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qDujOjxO6xg/YDkinWpZ3vI/AAAAAAAAGys/peslaoIvIoYZQK_dsIZHAg1avPcCL08AwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI39.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Dewy summoned a swarm of bees to distract Shad.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbFlRA8fHlE/YDkinw6v4kI/AAAAAAAAGyw/NJolCeMWGMEGwe9JJtp4ddRXkyx41XZ2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI40.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JbFlRA8fHlE/YDkinw6v4kI/AAAAAAAAGyw/NJolCeMWGMEGwe9JJtp4ddRXkyx41XZ2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI40.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The serf-hunter screamed in rage and pain as the biting bees swarmed around his head.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuBCWZkUMX4/YDkioa_sPoI/AAAAAAAAGy0/VsgmMt7dHzszmoNfxh5S4J-DwIn2-ObrwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI41.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuBCWZkUMX4/YDkioa_sPoI/AAAAAAAAGy0/VsgmMt7dHzszmoNfxh5S4J-DwIn2-ObrwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI41.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Approaching from behind, Jbili strode up to the three pistoleers.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PO3MlCJRS0/YDkio8zem_I/AAAAAAAAGy4/dKGAJRDFzOkIGbYKPQzKEM2NG8Ox_HYqACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI42.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PO3MlCJRS0/YDkio8zem_I/AAAAAAAAGy4/dKGAJRDFzOkIGbYKPQzKEM2NG8Ox_HYqACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI42.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As they aimed their pistols at him, the Dwarf cut two of the gunmen down with a quick slash and backswing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaR0zCXiHas/YDkipQQgiqI/AAAAAAAAGy8/ZN9o1XnGx9MbXF_knf8oPPCOy2lyWhNSQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI43.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaR0zCXiHas/YDkipQQgiqI/AAAAAAAAGy8/ZN9o1XnGx9MbXF_knf8oPPCOy2lyWhNSQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI43.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lord Alabastre ran to the Mivioran marines, seeking their aid.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHGsIUBbp4w/YDkipyraI3I/AAAAAAAAGzA/yJrnZPO1II4KKufLRMyIHqZWPAAkA1EBgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI44.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VHGsIUBbp4w/YDkipyraI3I/AAAAAAAAGzA/yJrnZPO1II4KKufLRMyIHqZWPAAkA1EBgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI44.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen, seeing the marines preparing to march against her friends, ran to Constable Renard, asking if he had anything with which she could attack the gunboat. He offered her a keg of black powder and a lit cigar.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zt8nX16kSkA/YDqtYNaR7KI/AAAAAAAAG3s/5S6nl9pese8nOyz_LXXKxZuyFmp4ul9AgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zt8nX16kSkA/YDqtYNaR7KI/AAAAAAAAG3s/5S6nl9pese8nOyz_LXXKxZuyFmp4ul9AgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Fiddlesticks, Placeed, Maksen, and Vangeline made it to the safety of the town hall. Oh yes, Coralie was with them too. As Fiddlesticks pushed open the door, however, a chronohound appeared before him and pounced, the beast teeth tearing into his arm.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rF9ToYb9EQE/YDqtduPybCI/AAAAAAAAG3w/J4oG1EB9VFcSn8cWY5urNlC2gIQLmIdDQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rF9ToYb9EQE/YDqtduPybCI/AAAAAAAAG3w/J4oG1EB9VFcSn8cWY5urNlC2gIQLmIdDQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A large iron pot came hurtling through the door, striking the hound and knocking it off of Fiddlesticks.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2a5L9ZPy0Q/YDkirc3JSxI/AAAAAAAAGzM/XsqaBFyrtoEXeu-xDyinlnD_yJmklf_pgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI47.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2a5L9ZPy0Q/YDkirc3JSxI/AAAAAAAAGzM/XsqaBFyrtoEXeu-xDyinlnD_yJmklf_pgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI47.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>From the square, they heard Skeeter call out, "Got that critter!"</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qR6DdK4zags/YDqtisjqCXI/AAAAAAAAG30/bIsUyRHOxZIfadY-8Fz4fgPl0O3XCK9KQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qR6DdK4zags/YDqtisjqCXI/AAAAAAAAG30/bIsUyRHOxZIfadY-8Fz4fgPl0O3XCK9KQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Placeed fell upon the beast with his cleaver and killed it.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHAkVPJa-Us/YDkisfNyMlI/AAAAAAAAGzU/t89vgmOI3vAkHl08dCQWEZo4R0LB9wV_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI49.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHAkVPJa-Us/YDkisfNyMlI/AAAAAAAAGzU/t89vgmOI3vAkHl08dCQWEZo4R0LB9wV_wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI49.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jbili killed the last of the pistoleers.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7HGqBCteUE/YDqtnQ0LcDI/AAAAAAAAG34/jlOMYGX0p-MEl8kmRVdi0coR8t2KQRDBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7HGqBCteUE/YDqtnQ0LcDI/AAAAAAAAG34/jlOMYGX0p-MEl8kmRVdi0coR8t2KQRDBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two of Shad's hunters tried to follow into the town hall but Coralie caused a host of weeds to tangle their feet. She and Brother Maksen then began to fire their pistols at the trapped pursuers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZG5x5znidg/YDkit72p6CI/AAAAAAAAGzg/79GEVOMOCXAjnFI-QxTBdsiQN2AHaOChwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI51.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZG5x5znidg/YDkit72p6CI/AAAAAAAAGzg/79GEVOMOCXAjnFI-QxTBdsiQN2AHaOChwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI51.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, the Mivior marines formed up and began to slow march into the town square. This provided a good distraction who was rolling the keg of powder towards the gunboat.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dI_gfQBqdtk/YDkiuUC3g8I/AAAAAAAAGzk/jy2WcXR7ReYpQ_z3PxILcdXQ7o0Kv6wjgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI52.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dI_gfQBqdtk/YDkiuUC3g8I/AAAAAAAAGzk/jy2WcXR7ReYpQ_z3PxILcdXQ7o0Kv6wjgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI52.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Seeing the advancing marines, Servan directed the militia to raise a hasty barricade.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzBzuI3ca4E/YDkiu-q2OkI/AAAAAAAAGzo/SxaJR3tY5lgV0mXkHJX8d7eHGknkRM0pACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI53.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzBzuI3ca4E/YDkiu-q2OkI/AAAAAAAAGzo/SxaJR3tY5lgV0mXkHJX8d7eHGknkRM0pACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI53.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The marines seemed reluctant at first to provoke a fight with the militias. However, when Servan invited them to talk rather than fight, they took it as a taunt and fired a volley at the militiamen. The ramshackle barricade was surprisingly effective and no one was hurt.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8P3wTVbeV0/YDkivf-vrQI/AAAAAAAAGzs/fnTHz62MyNg1mgFV8LVlogve9VbyPIKAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI54.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8P3wTVbeV0/YDkivf-vrQI/AAAAAAAAGzs/fnTHz62MyNg1mgFV8LVlogve9VbyPIKAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI54.JPG" /></a></div>As the marines began to march closer, Servan shot at their officer, wounding him.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-he5Eh6fJru4/YDkiv3Ud__I/AAAAAAAAGzw/rho8sMSzIygGbMysxBtynW2Q4sz1IRXgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI55.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-he5Eh6fJru4/YDkiv3Ud__I/AAAAAAAAGzw/rho8sMSzIygGbMysxBtynW2Q4sz1IRXgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI55.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sabeen managed to role the keg off the pier, where it bounced into an open hatch of the steam ram.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8cnxNRcWMY/YDkiwW0mhOI/AAAAAAAAGz0/-wgYvwepgXAmPFY20Dzr1o5KmEzeWIsDACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI56.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8cnxNRcWMY/YDkiwW0mhOI/AAAAAAAAGz0/-wgYvwepgXAmPFY20Dzr1o5KmEzeWIsDACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI56.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Having seen their officer shot, the marines charged the barricade. However, the fight was more a shoving match.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCGOtfhPuNA/YDkiw1rwFZI/AAAAAAAAGz4/GePa2_MJ0u4s1AlbDUCHd933XJdXpaGHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI57.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCGOtfhPuNA/YDkiw1rwFZI/AAAAAAAAGz4/GePa2_MJ0u4s1AlbDUCHd933XJdXpaGHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI57.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A great explosion suddenly burst out and the ironclad was blown apart. It began sinking. The survivors leaping into the river.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3AEFA3-cc8/YDkixZctkiI/AAAAAAAAGz8/lbXfvEH72Ds8nQ7wuVdCGozjgbCJf0LmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI58.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3AEFA3-cc8/YDkixZctkiI/AAAAAAAAGz8/lbXfvEH72Ds8nQ7wuVdCGozjgbCJf0LmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI58.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Back in the town hall, Fiddlesticks muttered an invocation and a horrific creature suddenly appeared to protect them. It was in the shape of fiddle-like creature with limbs and face made of taunt fiddle strings and bows. </div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nSJTTorwb8/YDqtuvp3NeI/AAAAAAAAG4A/_mBqoANcY2UFdSSMZQqxgrrtq5VO91B3gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nSJTTorwb8/YDqtuvp3NeI/AAAAAAAAG4A/_mBqoANcY2UFdSSMZQqxgrrtq5VO91B3gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The creature cut through the throat of the surviving trapped hunter.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8bfFgODYDpk/YDkizGnUajI/AAAAAAAAG0I/6kYWdSWKhYkWNLV2-bWf7NJxoaj68qKsACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI60.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8bfFgODYDpk/YDkizGnUajI/AAAAAAAAG0I/6kYWdSWKhYkWNLV2-bWf7NJxoaj68qKsACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI60.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Two other hunters who had been rushing to help their fellows fled in terror. Fiddlestick and the rest retreated out of the rear of the town hall.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ-vhZrR3N4/YDqt0E5fxVI/AAAAAAAAG4I/40D856s-eVoEydCLzqUf8eiYFUFI68xTACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ-vhZrR3N4/YDqt0E5fxVI/AAAAAAAAG4I/40D856s-eVoEydCLzqUf8eiYFUFI68xTACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Skeeter calmly enter the hall and asked the creature where Fiddlesticks was. The thing pointed its bloody bow arm at the rear door. "Much obliged!" said Skeeter tipping his hat and walking out the back door.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4QYihBbGZk/YDki0KUABkI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/dIkOG2uFjOoLT-qxIlD350sktrw75CL5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI62.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4QYihBbGZk/YDki0KUABkI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/dIkOG2uFjOoLT-qxIlD350sktrw75CL5wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI62.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>As the smoke from the explosion settled, Sabeen went to wounded Mivior officer. Pointing her pepperbox revolver at the man's head, she convinced him to surrender.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIoHS7PYezU/YDki0pLDfCI/AAAAAAAAG0U/AAJdJLX7fnY-b8ctmoggwbOzPu22vszAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI63.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIoHS7PYezU/YDki0pLDfCI/AAAAAAAAG0U/AAJdJLX7fnY-b8ctmoggwbOzPu22vszAwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI63.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The fact that Constable Renard had a group of deputies aiming at his men from cover convinced the officer to comply with Sabeen's orders</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-DUyo_HzWc/YDki2l9uuVI/AAAAAAAAG0k/VSe4-xjM-psdcSdEIG3h-Fgky32P2w-gwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADi64.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-DUyo_HzWc/YDki2l9uuVI/AAAAAAAAG0k/VSe4-xjM-psdcSdEIG3h-Fgky32P2w-gwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADi64.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lord Alabastre had already departed to his yacht. Shad, the spell casters, and the marines followed him there. Soon the ship raised its blood red sails and departed.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GI-NBqdWJwk/YDki3MH66UI/AAAAAAAAG0o/2S0S2acjltcatU75TvuQBChHgBVDh6XXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADi65.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GI-NBqdWJwk/YDki3MH66UI/AAAAAAAAG0o/2S0S2acjltcatU75TvuQBChHgBVDh6XXgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADi65.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the departure of Alabastre's ship, things quieted down. Constable Renard suggested that the Com'dor and his family, Vangeline's suitors and the rest should get out of town, return to their home in Salteon as soon as possible. They all agreed but, being Yando, and seeing that most of the food from the feat remained, they decide that dinner and some drinks and maybe a little bit of dancing first was in order. So they cleared away the bodies and tended to the wounded. Soon music filled the air again</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And Vangeline danced with each of her suitors but she said little to any of them, for her heart was torn and troubled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To be continued...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-4841373766295415602021-02-27T10:14:00.001-08:002021-02-27T10:27:58.749-08:00A Device Infernal, A Fantasy RPG Campaign, Prologue<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZdXnRCuJMg/YDpI2iakvXI/AAAAAAAAG2s/5g9AVqr66ocmOcJ11ZKt1LvgPyFjPOZ2gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZdXnRCuJMg/YDpI2iakvXI/AAAAAAAAG2s/5g9AVqr66ocmOcJ11ZKt1LvgPyFjPOZ2gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI1.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> A Device Infernal or Vangeline and Her Suitors</span></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Prologue</span></b></p></span></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the start of another RPG campaign, using the Frostgrave and Ghost Archipelago rules as a base As with some of my previous campaigns, it is set in the world of Minaria, the setting in the old TSR game Divine Right, which had an amazing amount of world-building for a board game. There was a unit in that game that always intrigued me, the Rivermen of the Yando Swamp. I decided to base my game around the Yando Swamp, borrowing heavily from the Louisiana Cajun and Voodoo cultures, with a bit of the "Crick Elves" from the hilarious Not Another D&D Podcast. This game is a black powder fantasy, set about 200 years after my earlier campaign, in early industrial and social revolutions. The narrative is set up as a tale told by an old Yando storyteller.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Prologue:</span></b></div><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"The story I’m goin’ tell
ya’ll is that of Vangeline and her Suitors. Not too long ago, in the year the
Emperor freed all the serfs here in Muetar, there was, in a little ville
called Solteon, a gal by the name of Vangeline Barouse. Well then, Vangeline was the sweetest thing
that the Yando Delta seen in a hundert years, maybe two hundert. It was that Elf blood in her, they say; you
could see it, from the points of her delicate ears to the sparkle on her
lavender hair. Just about everyone who knew her was sweet on her at one time or
‘nurther. And that’s what caused all that trouble up on Bayou Crimson. Some
says it all started when she caught the eye of Sabeen Flochette, the Queen o’
the Crawfishers. Most folks say it all
was ‘cause them two fellahs, Servan Darioz and Fiddlesticks Viltote, didn’t
stay dead like they was supposed to. But it
really began when Placeed Rivette won the blue ribbon prize at the Cacaton
Midsummer Faire for his ogreberry pie… "</span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Za26tZQIo/YDkcOUouzJI/AAAAAAAAGwI/gi0LkKsAtN4GwW17Bxt2P0T1ceJdkEcIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi3A.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_Za26tZQIo/YDkcOUouzJI/AAAAAAAAGwI/gi0LkKsAtN4GwW17Bxt2P0T1ceJdkEcIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi3A.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-left;">But I’m getting ahead of myself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"First, there is The
Water, for without that, none of this would be possible. And it all starts with
the mighty River Deep. Rising in the far
north in the troubled depths of Lake Carth, it rolls for a thousand miles
through the Western Empire, watering the rich lands of the Plains of Plibba until,
mile-wide, it roars in the great Sea of Drowning Men. Along its course it is fed by a hundred great
rivers, and a thousand lesser streams. "<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jlTOaIoVA0I/YDkdVGfw6zI/AAAAAAAAGwg/-voea01nJvEmlGUHCq6G-kp2oJ7k1FZHACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI%2BMAP.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jlTOaIoVA0I/YDkdVGfw6zI/AAAAAAAAGwg/-voea01nJvEmlGUHCq6G-kp2oJ7k1FZHACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI%2BMAP.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"And the foremost of these
is the Yando. "</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SY0TUJ_ame8/YDpLQFUS4AI/AAAAAAAAG3A/iAmOyqHuKIMNOacp0mxPIGW96t4-vcvdwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1920/Yando.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SY0TUJ_ame8/YDpLQFUS4AI/AAAAAAAAG3A/iAmOyqHuKIMNOacp0mxPIGW96t4-vcvdwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Yando.png" /></span></a></div></div><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"Some call the Yando a
river but it is more than that. A great net, a web, a whole corpus of arteries,
stretching along the banks of the Deep for 200 leagues and more, from the
Wind-Swept Downs to the Banished Lands.
It’s waters encompass marsh and fen and swamp, forest and jungle, hummock
and meadows. And all of it teeming with
life And all the riches and dangers that such life may bring. There are those who say that all the life on
this world started along the Yando, and may be found there still."</span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><o:p> "</o:p>And within it dwell the Yando
folk. They too are said to have lived
along the river for a very long time, since before the Cataclysm, before even
the Lloroi built their great civilization.
And always they welcomed any who would come to the river, whether
through fear or desire. So we Yando are all mixed up, like a good jumbalaya, human, elf, halflin, goblin, and some things less common, all together. For the Yando is a refuge where Life is lived to the
fullest because Death comes all too soon. And so we Yando sing too much and
dance too much and eat and drink far too much for we are holding onto Life like
a loved one. For there are dangers in
the Yando and Death lurks at every bend.</span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">(GM Note: The Yando is in the great Empire of the Meutar. Over the centuries, free commoners have been reduced to serfdom so that there are only three classes of people under the law, the nobles, the the dwellers in the major cities and towns, and everyone else who are serfs, effectively owned by the nobility. Serfdom usually doesn't weigh too heavy on the Yando; it was too easy to run away to the swamp when the boot was too heavy on one's neck. However, there is a class system among the Yando: <b>the Cargoson</b> (Cargomen), the owners and operators of large river and occasionally ocean going ships that carry the plentiful raw materials of the Yando Delta to ports throughout the Empire and beyond; <b>Crevetteer/Crevettiere</b> (Fishers), small time fisherman, crabbers, and shrimpers; <b>Artiseen</b> (Artisans), magic users, entertainers, as well as more mundane occupations, cooks boatbuilders, blacksmiths, etc.; the <b>Trappeuse</b> (Hunters & Trappers), backwoodsmen who hunt larger game and trap fur-bearing creatures; and the <b>Mullay Trebusheer</b> (Wet Stompers), scavengers who scrounge in the shallows of the Swamp for whatever they can find to sell. )</span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rz97LbIUIOI/YDpQkTEkfUI/AAAAAAAAG3M/cnvdu-KHPmEqRA9WrBMuNPp0KjLXP7XVQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi3g.JPG" style="background-color: #fff2cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rz97LbIUIOI/YDpQkTEkfUI/AAAAAAAAG3M/cnvdu-KHPmEqRA9WrBMuNPp0KjLXP7XVQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi3g.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">"And sometimes, the line between Life and Death ain’t so clear. For in the Yando there are also the loas, spirits of rock and tree, bird and critter, And sometimes, dead folk too. All led by the<i> Grand Trois, </i>the Great Three: <i>Grand Bois</i>, the Great Wood, </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the rich earth that you spring from and the dark woods you stumble through, <i>Patre Carrefour, </i>Papa Crossroads<i>,</i> who sees to the paths you choose to travel on, and <i>Baron Cimitère, </i>Lord Death, who greets you at the end of the trip. Whether these three are gods or devils, who knows. Whether there is a difference, again who knows. But they give us all a touch of the magic when they want, and some times that makes all the difference."</span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 17.3333px;">"Now I say all this so that you understand: Vangeline was a true Child of the Yando. For without knowing the Yando, you may see Vangeline as flighty and inconstant. But know that her love for each the suitors was true and as rich as the jungle and as deep as the mighty river. The truth of this you must understand. For otherwise, everything that come after, to the suitors and those who stood by them and those who pursued them, would have meant nothing."</span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> "Now, let me introduce the folks that are most important in the story, the cast of characters, if you will."</o:p></span></p></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTi5fZFE_dI/YDkcMqVDkRI/AAAAAAAAGv4/O_pWZkMERy4Xs4igGWUJwBv-boFPiWI_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI3A1%2BVangeline%2Band%2BCoralie.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTi5fZFE_dI/YDkcMqVDkRI/AAAAAAAAGv4/O_pWZkMERy4Xs4igGWUJwBv-boFPiWI_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI3A1%2BVangeline%2Band%2BCoralie.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"> "There is Vangeline, of course, and her father, the Com'dor Barouse , who was a rich Cargoson, owning 5 big cargo boats and a dozen fishing boat. He had high ambitions and Vangeline figured prominently in all of them, sending her to a fancy Dry Foot school in Beolon City, little good it did them. Then there was Corelie, Vangeline's younger sister, who always seemed to be getting forgot, and who was happy tending her rose garden. But Coralie would prove that she was the best of the Barouses in the end.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn3o7IE725Y/YDkcMl_EmII/AAAAAAAAGvw/hytPfWvHmYkDpMVUMzNnTjQrrbXzqqCWACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI3B%2BReine%2BCrevattiere.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn3o7IE725Y/YDkcMl_EmII/AAAAAAAAGvw/hytPfWvHmYkDpMVUMzNnTjQrrbXzqqCWACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI3B%2BReine%2BCrevattiere.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"Now this is the story of Vangeline's suitors, so let's talk about them. First, was Sabeen Flochette. She and Vangeline were childhood friends and when they got older, they realized it was more than that. But the Com'dor was ambitious and wanted to found a dynasty" so he put a stop to that right soon. He sent Vangeline off to that fancy school where time and distance soon separated the two. But the Com'dor at heart was a kind man, so he gave Sabeen the fishing boat Sabeen's father used to pilot for the Com'dor. Pretty soon, Sabeen was boss of most of the crevetteers, much to the consternation of the Com'dor and the other cargosons. And Sabeen never quite got over Vangeline.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPmC3jouL00/YDkcMtDXnJI/AAAAAAAAGv0/ovD_fIn99-EioRoY2htCmdsC5KPPH-BQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI3C%2BServan%2Band%2BJ%2527bili.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPmC3jouL00/YDkcMtDXnJI/AAAAAAAAGv0/ovD_fIn99-EioRoY2htCmdsC5KPPH-BQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI3C%2BServan%2Band%2BJ%2527bili.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"When Vangeline came home from her finishing school about a year later, she took up with her second suitor, Servan Daroiz, a trappeuse from the back country. He was handsome, and roguish, and poor, all things that did not endear him to Com'dor Barouse. As luck would have it, an Imperial conscription gang showed up and Servan found himself being drafted into the Imperial Army for 25 years. Now, there was almost continual war out on the eastern marches so most folks figure Servan was like to be eaten by goblins or trampled by some of them Horse Clan centaurs and they gave him up for dead. Now while fighting in the east, Servan made friends with a Dwarven warrior, Jbili, who would stick by Servan through thick and thin"</span></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjha-ymhVyg/YDm0l_tCMGI/AAAAAAAAG1I/9qzb23e8bZUqk3tm-Fdiiz--mmSTgxAKQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi3d.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjha-ymhVyg/YDm0l_tCMGI/AAAAAAAAG1I/9qzb23e8bZUqk3tm-Fdiiz--mmSTgxAKQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi3d.JPG" /></span></a></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"After about two years, Vangeline heard the sweet music of Gontran "Fiddlesticks" Viltote and fell in love once more. Now folks wondered about that. No doubt, Fiddlesticks was the best fiddler in the Yando, but whether that was natural or not was the question. Fiddlestick's mother, Matre Viltote, was a mambo, or conjure, who consorted with the more powerful loas. Folks even wondered if one of her love philtres was the reason why Vangeline fell in love with Fiddlesticks. But Vangeline did love music and dance, and Gontran supplied all of that there. That is, until he crossed paths one evening with a basilisk who turned him to stone. Now most folks would consider that a sure death but not Matre Viltote. She had Fiddlestick's best friend, Armel "Skeeter" Crevoosiay, a scruffy wet stemper, who did her fetchay work for her, bury Fiddlestick's stone body at the crossroads up to Cacaton. And everyone knows, no good can come of that."<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnJFQNWyrUk/YDkcNRTwpCI/AAAAAAAAGwA/2tQcLQupjpAzfJiALGfRQ3II0HSHTxLLACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI3E%2BChef%2BPlaceed.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnJFQNWyrUk/YDkcNRTwpCI/AAAAAAAAGwA/2tQcLQupjpAzfJiALGfRQ3II0HSHTxLLACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI3E%2BChef%2BPlaceed.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"Now Vangeline mourned again but life does go on. And three months later, everyone was getting ready for the big Midsummer Faire at Cacaton, which was the biggest town in that part of Yando. Of course, everyone knew that Vangeline was going to be made Queen of the Faire, part of whose duties was to help chose the winner of the cooking contest, which was the highest honor any artiseen could hope to win. Now one of the chef hoped to win something more. This was Placeed Rivette, a half-halfling, who grew up with Vangeline, and like so many others, had fallen in love her. He hoped that if he won, she might see him in a new light, for she loved good food, even more than music. Placeed had a fairy friend, Dewy Plumtwinkle. Now the fairies were fairly new to the Yando, coming here because all of them iron railroads that was starting to cross-cross the Empire set them on edge. Now Dwy helped Placeed find the recipe for ogreberry pie, a food served on the Emperors's tables, and then helped him find the magic ogreberries, way out in the fen marshes. Placeed was sure his skill and the ogreberries were like to win Vangeline's heart."</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJSs6BdmpEc/YDkcN9Qh36I/AAAAAAAAGwE/BkRBQ1Vf8XkndqFUDITg35PhECEOwPtBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI3F%2BBrother%2BMaksen.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJSs6BdmpEc/YDkcN9Qh36I/AAAAAAAAGwE/BkRBQ1Vf8XkndqFUDITg35PhECEOwPtBwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI3F%2BBrother%2BMaksen.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">There is another person who also figured in this story, a non-Yando, Dry Foots as we call them. This was Brother Maksen, he was a priest of the god Huisinga, the chaotic god of positive change as they say. He came as a missionary to the Yando, being a Grandee by birth, a knight who got tired of the killing. Now he figures into this here story because the Emperor himself was a follower of Huisinga, which is why he ended serfdom and made everybody equal. Brother Maksen believed in this too, and was here to spread that word. Now the local Grandees, those that claim ownership of the Yando, didn't like this one bit and so, I suppose, Brother Maksen was about to cause all sorts of trouble."</span></p><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 13pt;">"Thus. </span><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 13pt;">It is
Midsummer Day,"</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> "</o:p></span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Picture this</span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt;">, daybreak, the sun
just peaking over the Western horizon, the night mist still hanging low over
the river, beginning to color with the pink promise of the new day. A fine little fishing boat is out on the
water, the only one working on this festive day. A young woman struggles with the net, heavy
because of her sorrow. Finally, she drops it into the well of the boat, and
stifles a sob. "</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5J1VyE7X2w0/YDm1DR9uWBI/AAAAAAAAG1U/HeR6Ys1yO68wQzme2sbCi2UF_fCH9YvTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi4%2B1.JPG" style="background-color: #fff2cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5J1VyE7X2w0/YDm1DR9uWBI/AAAAAAAAG1U/HeR6Ys1yO68wQzme2sbCi2UF_fCH9YvTwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi4%2B1.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"The older man
leaves the tiller and comes to her, his thin dark face still unseen in the
early morning half-light. He says, 'Sabeen, twenty years I fished with your Pater, and we never missed the
Midsummer Faire. Three years with you
and we never go and always the day end in tears. Well then, you need to figure how it ends
with that girl, one way or other. You’ll
not be knowing peace until you do.'”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hG6o8IYSV9c/YDm1JvsrNkI/AAAAAAAAG1Y/bacYmjfh6lMBhpenSRzLDrzvAONQdldxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi4%2B2.JPG" style="background-color: #fff2cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hG6o8IYSV9c/YDm1JvsrNkI/AAAAAAAAG1Y/bacYmjfh6lMBhpenSRzLDrzvAONQdldxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi4%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"The young
woman is silent for a while. Coming to a decision, she say, 'Leon, this year we
go to the Faire, turn this here boat to Cacaton.'”</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gou4IhqA5bk/YDm1T54MOII/AAAAAAAAG1k/J8bI532d6pE2MzkbFJ9T_gafiiGV4UpLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi4%2B3.JPG" style="background-color: #fff2cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gou4IhqA5bk/YDm1T54MOII/AAAAAAAAG1k/J8bI532d6pE2MzkbFJ9T_gafiiGV4UpLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi4%2B3.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Picture this,</span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> a dry rocky plain,
far in the East. A small knot of
soldiers, dust covered bluecoats, shuffling towards the safety of the far-off
hills, beset on every side by the deadly horse and riders. Arrows and spears making the sky dark
overhead. Then the big armored centaurs
crash against the bayonets, careless in their fury. "</span></span></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Us4PQ_UrRV4/YDm1dVArqvI/AAAAAAAAG1s/TPi9VFvqaJQU6p7Stn09V9FLfojb57yUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi4%2B4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Us4PQ_UrRV4/YDm1dVArqvI/AAAAAAAAG1s/TPi9VFvqaJQU6p7Stn09V9FLfojb57yUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi4%2B4.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Finally, the soldiers break and run, each
one’s terror giving them speed. A bandy-legged little warrior cannot keep up,
his ancient armor studded with the caught arrows. The centaur charging him with an axe is
brought down by an impossible shot from the young soldier’s rifle. The soldier grabs the little warrior and both
run together, last to flee. Then thunder
rumbles and, they see the Centaur giant, ponderous doom, hooves the size of
wagons pounding the earth, towards them, readying its great spear to hurl at
them. The creature throws; they see the sharp iron blade, larger than a man,
hurtling death toward them. The young
soldier aims his rifle, the last shot, hoping to deflect the blade. The hammer comes down with a dull click."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxqCI3Ksh1g/YDm1iEA4sFI/AAAAAAAAG1w/LaM6gDSXl5030y7o1W9axGYkiPZDWVQgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi4%2B5.JPG" style="background-color: #fff2cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxqCI3Ksh1g/YDm1iEA4sFI/AAAAAAAAG1w/LaM6gDSXl5030y7o1W9axGYkiPZDWVQgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi4%2B5.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"The young
soldier wakes with a start, the risen sun hugging the horizon, giving
everything a light yellow glow. He was on a smugglers’ boat on the River Deep,
heading home. It had been the Dream
again, this same dream, every night since they ran off from the army, so many
nights."</span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"The dwarf
peers at him, great mustachios quiver like a water bug’s whiskers. The Dwarf says, 'Again dream, Servon? Good, bout
time you wake, boatman says we are near.
Maybe this woman you seek will cure dream. Good woman let you forget much bad. But I don’t know, you say she not even have
mustache, let alone beard. Huh!'”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmufYdycqZo/YDm11sZ9GSI/AAAAAAAAG2A/kxre3GFp8WsNAXJClY_rSk7Rb5FOBH8EQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmufYdycqZo/YDm11sZ9GSI/AAAAAAAAG2A/kxre3GFp8WsNAXJClY_rSk7Rb5FOBH8EQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI16.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The young
soldier could see the boat was heading into the wide bend that led to Cacaton.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Picture this,</span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> the sun full up
now, the rising morning heat causing the mist to lift in thin tendrils over the
endless marsh. A sandy causeway cuts
through it, intersecting with another, a dry crossroads above the grass-thick
waters. This is settled country where
the folk have changed the land, with the Yando’s forbearance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdh4ee-Iun4/YDm18rL-csI/AAAAAAAAG2E/XAqx9qhFhGsduV7Ssphg00AY2Gsc_LQpACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi4%2B6.JPG" style="background-color: #fff2cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdh4ee-Iun4/YDm18rL-csI/AAAAAAAAG2E/XAqx9qhFhGsduV7Ssphg00AY2Gsc_LQpACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi4%2B6.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Along the
causeway, a single figure strides, the tails of his gator skin coat flapping
against legs. A high hat of fish skin
tops his head and on his shoulder he bears a killing stick. And a shovel.
He is late, the mambo had told him to dig before sunrise. She will be angry and he hopes she won’t turn
him into something inconvenient.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> <br /></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He reaches
the crossroad and begins to dig. He is quick for he is late. Although he had buried the body deep three
months ago, he finds it easily, the fiddle still laid across the chest. His friend’s body don’t look the worse for the
three month brying. The mambo had told
him that was how it would be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He said the
words the mambo had told him to say ending with, “Fiddlesticks, ya’ll come
forth!’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3pLA4xAnnc/YDm2Bt_e5LI/AAAAAAAAG2I/_zlvXkIPt-sEATwalhKXvhV6oW_UhBIDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/adi4%2B7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I3pLA4xAnnc/YDm2Bt_e5LI/AAAAAAAAG2I/_zlvXkIPt-sEATwalhKXvhV6oW_UhBIDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi4%2B7.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The body’s
eyes fluttered and shot open. The fiddler leapt out of the hole, unaided, his
head darted back and forth, reckoning where he is. Seeing his friend, the fiddler says one word,
“Vangeline!” <o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXZSLe_F1G0/YDm2I8p5PSI/AAAAAAAAG2M/Bau2uxZng3YJw0P2IBBXtE71kHTQb_o7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s4032/adi4%2B8.JPG" style="background-color: #fff2cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXZSLe_F1G0/YDm2I8p5PSI/AAAAAAAAG2M/Bau2uxZng3YJw0P2IBBXtE71kHTQb_o7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/adi4%2B8.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And then, his
friend fidgeting after him, the fiddler sets off down the road to Cacaton.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdOF11kniKk/YDpI9HwJaFI/AAAAAAAAG2w/qLs_TRZOnkUaVwtvFvJ1FR9oxYmDw0XgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ADI2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QdOF11kniKk/YDpI9HwJaFI/AAAAAAAAG2w/qLs_TRZOnkUaVwtvFvJ1FR9oxYmDw0XgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ADI2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: arial;">"And so, folks would remember that year's Faire at Cacaton for a long time to come...</span></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732388838592308157.post-86942367924608922042020-12-07T11:26:00.001-08:002020-12-07T11:55:55.549-08:00Oathmark Achipelago<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zONwreBv_8/X85-8PF_CpI/AAAAAAAAGsM/GunD-3t2aL8io_phM790X4vWzCCWFbqSwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_003.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4zONwreBv_8/X85-8PF_CpI/AAAAAAAAGsM/GunD-3t2aL8io_phM790X4vWzCCWFbqSwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_003.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have been playing Frostgrave and Ghost Archipelago since they first came out and am a big fan of the rules by Joseph McCullough. I particularly like the setting concepts of both rule sets but I always wanted to try larger battles in these settings. His Oathmark rules have given me the opportunity. Although Oathmark is not part of the Frostgrave family of rules (and are not set in the Frostgrave universe), they similarly mix of simple mechanics with the opportunity to make satisfying tactical decisions. For the various unit stats below, I just analogized to the ones contained in the army lists. For example, for the foot knights I used the states for dwarven linebreakers. The figures for the Bronze league are from Crocodile Games, Old Glory, and Foundry while most of the Alliance figures are from the Ghost Archipelago line with some from Gripping beast and Queen Melwyn from Hasselfree. The mat is from Cigar Box Mats.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was a solo play test of what I hope will be a game I some day put on at a convention.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The setting for this game is the Ghost Archipelago, a mysterious chain of islands that appears for only a few weeks every hundred years. They contain fabulous magical treasures and mystical locations including the great Crystal Fountain, a source of enormous powers for those that drink from it. Rather than search for the Fountain in small furtive groups, several leaders from Minaria, the great continent across the eastern seas, have decided to launch a full scale invasion of the islands. Although the islands are mostly primordial, there are several Bronze Age city states that are the first target in the invasion.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvmW3evl4TE/X85IN3ZvikI/AAAAAAAAGnw/VTZmdk7nwaUDvX_dPpJxjIjH3nLDFOLxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_000.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kvmW3evl4TE/X85IN3ZvikI/AAAAAAAAGnw/VTZmdk7nwaUDvX_dPpJxjIjH3nLDFOLxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_000.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The fleet of the invading Heritors' Alliance has arrived in the Bay of Sighs in the territory of the Kingdom of Bandari, foremost state in the League of Bronze.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeTzCgHcuzQ/X85IN-wRNoI/AAAAAAAAGn4/A12W5H1cx_8PhvuE0kEBIDSFRa3lYbl7QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_002.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeTzCgHcuzQ/X85IN-wRNoI/AAAAAAAAGn4/A12W5H1cx_8PhvuE0kEBIDSFRa3lYbl7QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_002.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>They land near an ancient temple complex. It is the site of three Oathmarks that were placed to mark the founding of the Bronze League. The Alliance hopes that by destroying the Oathmarks, a psychic blow will fall upon the League, breaking its will.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57bIhQ-Ypvw/X85INzWHmHI/AAAAAAAAGn0/YXna6L7U-YoqrMsc3v92WsbdNOx3T3IfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_004.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57bIhQ-Ypvw/X85INzWHmHI/AAAAAAAAGn0/YXna6L7U-YoqrMsc3v92WsbdNOx3T3IfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_004.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The League's army is under the command of King Nesis, the Lion of Bandari, a veritable demigod, who stands with his elite archers upon the Tower Mount that anchors the right flank of the League forces.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOPoizEeQnE/X85IOAuHHNI/AAAAAAAAGn8/0eJLFDAU6m4dc1ieZOMyYk3BDVGk7rs7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mOPoizEeQnE/X85IOAuHHNI/AAAAAAAAGn8/0eJLFDAU6m4dc1ieZOMyYk3BDVGk7rs7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_005.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>To his fore are the unskilled but enthusiastic levies of the allied city-state of Olusis, supported by a stone golem.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vqjIteQ4ZI/X85IOAU7HRI/AAAAAAAAGoA/VxPKdx7WR74Zk9qXLhP9m00DctzkMsh0ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_006.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vqjIteQ4ZI/X85IOAU7HRI/AAAAAAAAGoA/VxPKdx7WR74Zk9qXLhP9m00DctzkMsh0ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_006.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The center of the line is formed upon the great Golden Phalanx of Bandari, the finest troops of the League, commanded by Prince Apollon and supported by the sorcerer Coresis and the great mechanical Bronze Bull of Bandari. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNxoZsCkQbo/X85IORIQ9RI/AAAAAAAAGoE/VoZTVRFmfi8B7phfeKgGfiEbmnaRW5JGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_007.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNxoZsCkQbo/X85IORIQ9RI/AAAAAAAAGoE/VoZTVRFmfi8B7phfeKgGfiEbmnaRW5JGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_007.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>To their left are the horn-helmed warriors of Tencerie.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxK0C9HnYU0/X85IOVREfYI/AAAAAAAAGoI/k59ieKPRzgEdGBLoFYvVCF5J7rpCh_qZwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_008.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxK0C9HnYU0/X85IOVREfYI/AAAAAAAAGoI/k59ieKPRzgEdGBLoFYvVCF5J7rpCh_qZwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_008.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The League's left flank is held by Bandari peltasts, hard-fighting but nimble warriors.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twZ74fqbOCs/X85IOmkDGCI/AAAAAAAAGoM/znf6JgMAfx8yCNDATEJigldndhFzboEqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_009.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twZ74fqbOCs/X85IOmkDGCI/AAAAAAAAGoM/znf6JgMAfx8yCNDATEJigldndhFzboEqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_009.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Coming to aid of the League is a large band of tribal allies, hardened by the trials of life in the deep jungles. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AV9HoGGix1g/X85IOmclVNI/AAAAAAAAGoQ/c_XhckGEPWEO7qN7OUSmGPlEzWSr9NHEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_010.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AV9HoGGix1g/X85IOmclVNI/AAAAAAAAGoQ/c_XhckGEPWEO7qN7OUSmGPlEzWSr9NHEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_010.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Landing as the right flank of the Alliance army are the Corsairs of Zefnar, sea-faring adventurers from the Sultanate of Shucassam, led by the Vizier Zanwee who is aided by the magus Shinar.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjpjDViZ1kk/X85IO9YCVlI/AAAAAAAAGoU/2cc7T6aiYRgIk1vcoTrwCFNLuif_vb7QgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_011.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjpjDViZ1kk/X85IO9YCVlI/AAAAAAAAGoU/2cc7T6aiYRgIk1vcoTrwCFNLuif_vb7QgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_011.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In the center of the landing force is it's leader, Queen Melwyn from the rough-and-tumble Kingdom of Hothior and her fierce bodyguard, aided by the court enchanter Lord Flupius<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ3yCXoy4EY/X85IOyjrEvI/AAAAAAAAGoc/-RZrR1YnwwYbbMf12xlR9vwogDwjTSZpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_012.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ3yCXoy4EY/X85IOyjrEvI/AAAAAAAAGoc/-RZrR1YnwwYbbMf12xlR9vwogDwjTSZpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_012.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Knights from the northern Kingdom of Immer, under the courtly Count Rufio have joined Melwyn's crusade.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-_HnBcRsGQ/X85IPE9c7tI/AAAAAAAAGoY/fnnYZ96puY0f-Q4hk2MYCJSxRCEf5IgCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_013.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-_HnBcRsGQ/X85IPE9c7tI/AAAAAAAAGoY/fnnYZ96puY0f-Q4hk2MYCJSxRCEf5IgCQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_013.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Forming the left flank of the Alliance army are a group of rogues from the pirate realm of Rombune. Hoping for rich booty, they are led by the famed pirate The Bilge Rat.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQfv0BjpeKY/X85IPbBkQnI/AAAAAAAAGog/5MBgMgc_l3gHko92A7mSWqLBIg2QblExACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_014.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQfv0BjpeKY/X85IPbBkQnI/AAAAAAAAGog/5MBgMgc_l3gHko92A7mSWqLBIg2QblExACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_014.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The landings are supported by three great-ships armed with heavy catapults. Additionally, a mobile reserve is kept in small boats just off shore. It contains a collection of the finest Bravos recruited from all across Minaria.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSKRopzitkA/X85IdcJ8zEI/AAAAAAAAGoo/Pbi4XNdwTA8pDGj8mER2kL5mMgWGDDEagCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_015.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSKRopzitkA/X85IdcJ8zEI/AAAAAAAAGoo/Pbi4XNdwTA8pDGj8mER2kL5mMgWGDDEagCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_015.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The battle begins when the Olusian levies make a premature attack on the Rombuni pirates. Despite supporting fire from Nesis' archers, the levies are thrown back.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKmRHvwe7KI/X85IdSJp7mI/AAAAAAAAGos/UsdCN3yNPBwdyopkmqvGFubSVIUKOsJhgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_016.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKmRHvwe7KI/X85IdSJp7mI/AAAAAAAAGos/UsdCN3yNPBwdyopkmqvGFubSVIUKOsJhgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_016.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In the center, the men of Tencerie advance to protect the most exposed of the Oathmarks.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZZthx8HLc0/X85IdlxshLI/AAAAAAAAGow/ZYeO6EVwHK4DYWWati5cMyGPjL5_HFLjQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_017.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZZthx8HLc0/X85IdlxshLI/AAAAAAAAGow/ZYeO6EVwHK4DYWWati5cMyGPjL5_HFLjQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_017.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Shinar delivers a fireball attack on them, disrupting their lines, a state in which they will remain for the rest of the battle.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5_yb4V6VyaE/X85Id6q9XcI/AAAAAAAAGo0/QEDE_vTo5sYGXQBwJpZ8aMwYIuoOY3j7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_018.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5_yb4V6VyaE/X85Id6q9XcI/AAAAAAAAGo0/QEDE_vTo5sYGXQBwJpZ8aMwYIuoOY3j7wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_018.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>At the end of the first turn, the two lines are approaching each other for a definitive clash. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrKnQEjr8x8/X85Iecwg0lI/AAAAAAAAGo8/3X8SO7XjuAwpQSiU3x8G7qkQwjtVSuDHQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_020.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YrKnQEjr8x8/X85Iecwg0lI/AAAAAAAAGo8/3X8SO7XjuAwpQSiU3x8G7qkQwjtVSuDHQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_020.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first blows are struck in the center. The invading knights are being attacked by the Golden Phalanx and the Bronze Bull.</div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OL-eeE1em8/X85IeNO5rpI/AAAAAAAAGo4/ZMZovTDg7bMnMAO35DBvBAtuZEQCYzG8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_019.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4OL-eeE1em8/X85IeNO5rpI/AAAAAAAAGo4/ZMZovTDg7bMnMAO35DBvBAtuZEQCYzG8ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_019.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The fighting between Melwyn's guard and the Phalanx is particularly hard-fought.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnPlfLOppfg/X85Iel2TBtI/AAAAAAAAGpA/nr4OcuyiPVgKGDHXb0KsvlFLFMnraJ-2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_021.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnPlfLOppfg/X85Iel2TBtI/AAAAAAAAGpA/nr4OcuyiPVgKGDHXb0KsvlFLFMnraJ-2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_021.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The Immerian knights have thrown back the mechanical beast but Melwyn's men are beaten and fall back disordered.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8c2UDcqE4E/X85IelduAbI/AAAAAAAAGpE/AOjgYC4MGCwl1pcK8dBU6nLm8UzGV0rNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_022.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g8c2UDcqE4E/X85IelduAbI/AAAAAAAAGpE/AOjgYC4MGCwl1pcK8dBU6nLm8UzGV0rNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_022.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Another group of Tencerie warriors move forward but are devastated by another of Shinar's fireballs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pB-qDdKXok/X85IfcwMPhI/AAAAAAAAGpI/D78AdV8ADeg86IaNoutrg8EOVaHLqFOVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_023.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pB-qDdKXok/X85IfcwMPhI/AAAAAAAAGpI/D78AdV8ADeg86IaNoutrg8EOVaHLqFOVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_023.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>On the League's right flank, the Bilge Rat and his men are able to destroy the stone golem. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4tJzlzF37c/X85If0kXxaI/AAAAAAAAGpM/UeTe4KW2rXYYALD7yJ1ABStuIwtXBYMmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_024.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L4tJzlzF37c/X85If0kXxaI/AAAAAAAAGpM/UeTe4KW2rXYYALD7yJ1ABStuIwtXBYMmgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_024.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Further attacks by the levies on the pirates and their crossbowmen are repulsed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3bCUcmTnaA/X85IgVzEknI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/wXbr22LkmAUH8BDwbWl72ppfyn3NhA_7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_025.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3bCUcmTnaA/X85IgVzEknI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/wXbr22LkmAUH8BDwbWl72ppfyn3NhA_7ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_025.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Just as the Phalanx is about to split the Alliance army in two, the heavy catapults on the ships, enhanced with Flupius' Explosive Ammunition, wreck the proud Bandari.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nA1Aoyfw6gY/X85Ig8n6DjI/AAAAAAAAGpU/Y1YwYec2uXwCX0Fdy1_edxXWi_UdD41ggCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_026.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nA1Aoyfw6gY/X85Ig8n6DjI/AAAAAAAAGpU/Y1YwYec2uXwCX0Fdy1_edxXWi_UdD41ggCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_026.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The tribal allies are moving rapidly to support an attack on the Alliance's right flanks. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saJtdMlzh-E/X85Ih3njujI/AAAAAAAAGpc/UT5t5cD8X-MBr3MVdTjcBRgMxSmq2T5ugCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_028.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saJtdMlzh-E/X85Ih3njujI/AAAAAAAAGpc/UT5t5cD8X-MBr3MVdTjcBRgMxSmq2T5ugCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_028.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>The Bravos are landed to support the Zefnari corsairs.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIejDcicA2o/X85IhZ-jUlI/AAAAAAAAGpY/Khji6H0xuUMLeAm7YqdKlWz4ud1QAJvBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_027.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIejDcicA2o/X85IhZ-jUlI/AAAAAAAAGpY/Khji6H0xuUMLeAm7YqdKlWz4ud1QAJvBQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_027.jpeg" /></a></div>The end of the second turn: the League attacks on the Bilge Rat and his men have failed, the units in the center of both armies are depleted and the fight here could go to the last ones standing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBpQSQE1n6M/X85IiVfR9pI/AAAAAAAAGpg/xlwtef9RB6gU_n6va589smlAEG5-jvuxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_029.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBpQSQE1n6M/X85IiVfR9pI/AAAAAAAAGpg/xlwtef9RB6gU_n6va589smlAEG5-jvuxgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_029.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The Tencerie launch their attack, killing the brave Shinar but their drive toward the beaches is disordered by the dying magus' final spells.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0gYTzGxRGQ/X85Ii8kRtYI/AAAAAAAAGpk/NxQkVtXsdGg5FxXWl8iubbF4suo_KyXiQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_030.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0gYTzGxRGQ/X85Ii8kRtYI/AAAAAAAAGpk/NxQkVtXsdGg5FxXWl8iubbF4suo_KyXiQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_030.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The Bravos prove they were worth their pay. They counter attack the Tencerie who break. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POr4NIClGgs/X85fHXAh6oI/AAAAAAAAGrk/mFWl1zZasrwoTKnM9zyzVJ5q_0qRJBhqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_035.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POr4NIClGgs/X85fHXAh6oI/AAAAAAAAGrk/mFWl1zZasrwoTKnM9zyzVJ5q_0qRJBhqwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_035.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div>This has a cascading effect on the other Tencerie warriors who break and flee from the Oathmark they were defending. Vizier Zanwee leads the corsairs to capture this first objective.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhu4-irAfzk/X853TevMvkI/AAAAAAAAGr8/tUEdODeAr5AC_iR5yLJNXaqMlTAN_-KYwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_036.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhu4-irAfzk/X853TevMvkI/AAAAAAAAGr8/tUEdODeAr5AC_iR5yLJNXaqMlTAN_-KYwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_036.jpeg" /></a></div></div><div>At end of the third turn, things are looking grim for the League of Bronze. Their right has been driven back to the Tower Mount and the center is almost gone. Only on the left is there hope in the form of the arrival of the tribal horde. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpG3j7R11co/X85ygRq9zHI/AAAAAAAAGrs/Vsd_ZNKsY8Y5pFza8dsRv9pQ8I7ui_F_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_037.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpG3j7R11co/X85ygRq9zHI/AAAAAAAAGrs/Vsd_ZNKsY8Y5pFza8dsRv9pQ8I7ui_F_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_037.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div>In the center, the Leagues forces are particularly depleted. having been devastated by fire from Lord Flupius and the fleet's catapults.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbuzrcF5ji0/X85IlUoQToI/AAAAAAAAGqE/CzMeHvVbToQ3uP6juYyjPWCIjT3wmZF_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_038.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qbuzrcF5ji0/X85IlUoQToI/AAAAAAAAGqE/CzMeHvVbToQ3uP6juYyjPWCIjT3wmZF_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_038.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iyy7liLrvp4/X85IldmmoEI/AAAAAAAAGqI/DuTD34q8KKsNGkqQQefSs8dkQ5AP76r5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_039.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iyy7liLrvp4/X85IldmmoEI/AAAAAAAAGqI/DuTD34q8KKsNGkqQQefSs8dkQ5AP76r5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_039.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div> To protect the center Oathmark in the ruined temple, Coresis uses a glamour spell to transport the relatively fresh peltasts to defend the holy site.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yP9XJh9E-W8/X85IjcvyJLI/AAAAAAAAGpo/PRYZoYbc57QTHJ43jMVwnhtvE4oc8OyyACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_031.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yP9XJh9E-W8/X85IjcvyJLI/AAAAAAAAGpo/PRYZoYbc57QTHJ43jMVwnhtvE4oc8OyyACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_031.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, the Bronze Bull makes a last desperate charge against the thin ranks of Queen Melwyn's bodyguard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvV7w_PZ0nQ/X855HU70tPI/AAAAAAAAGsE/WijQFQHHTXcB8vsClztNye0d_Oo2V6BQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_040.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvV7w_PZ0nQ/X855HU70tPI/AAAAAAAAGsE/WijQFQHHTXcB8vsClztNye0d_Oo2V6BQgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_040.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Her men all killed at her side and the Queen herself wounded, she manages to deliver a fatal blow to the metallic beast.<br /><br />The fourth turn ends as something of a lull settles in on the exhausted armies. The League hopes to hold their remaining positions until nightfall.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAgkEvvDy_4/X85Ili_UgqI/AAAAAAAAGqU/5z-Qtx17FXUz1G9GnZLGhqlVFq4l3B42QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_041.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAgkEvvDy_4/X85Ili_UgqI/AAAAAAAAGqU/5z-Qtx17FXUz1G9GnZLGhqlVFq4l3B42QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_041.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The fifth turn begins with the much anticipated attack by the belated tribesman. They charge Zanwee and the corsairs at the Oathmark but are rather handily driven back.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ucl_R1SglHw/X85IlsDjZ4I/AAAAAAAAGqY/FXwpgVj2J4INefa6WKfjueF8MRFzoLLnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_042.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ucl_R1SglHw/X85IlsDjZ4I/AAAAAAAAGqY/FXwpgVj2J4INefa6WKfjueF8MRFzoLLnQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_042.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div>The Alliance forces go on the offensive. The Immerian knights strike down Coresis despite suffering casualties from this magical defenses. The last of the Golden Phalanx are killed ignominiously by catapult fire.</div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tp15660myQw/X85IjhaXGHI/AAAAAAAAGps/3PYKTvmW3q4efTx8ZITyQdgpNFlwe2_EQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_033.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tp15660myQw/X85IjhaXGHI/AAAAAAAAGps/3PYKTvmW3q4efTx8ZITyQdgpNFlwe2_EQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_033.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The Bilge Rat and his pirates cut their way through the Olusian levies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fAQ4HVakQU/X851OwHh_dI/AAAAAAAAGr0/hlbBGvgtX7IoWTydSMFMeRfdDje1sVdJwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_034.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fAQ4HVakQU/X851OwHh_dI/AAAAAAAAGr0/hlbBGvgtX7IoWTydSMFMeRfdDje1sVdJwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_034.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div>The remnants flee to King Nesis' protection on the Tower Mount.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4dSm303ouw/X85Ilwo2eQI/AAAAAAAAGqc/YBY3arbhRdIF9kC9F26L059Ohu0aYPcugCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_043.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4dSm303ouw/X85Ilwo2eQI/AAAAAAAAGqc/YBY3arbhRdIF9kC9F26L059Ohu0aYPcugCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_043.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>But the Bilge Rat and his pirates are hard on their heels, charging up the steep slope.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoEi596aZsM/X85Im3_xSII/AAAAAAAAGqk/UJ9WKgvCZSMpFMaLSJde_6o0uJgfoFjgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_046.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoEi596aZsM/X85Im3_xSII/AAAAAAAAGqk/UJ9WKgvCZSMpFMaLSJde_6o0uJgfoFjgQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_046.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The much reduced pirates now face the great King and his elite bowmen.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CpvmKNLQI4/X85Im5U9ZsI/AAAAAAAAGqo/oQ3x8prsv7oihFCeFSMFo9lKRp0M4QNoACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_047.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6CpvmKNLQI4/X85Im5U9ZsI/AAAAAAAAGqo/oQ3x8prsv7oihFCeFSMFo9lKRp0M4QNoACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_047.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>A desperate fight ensues.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpAEe2TpLT4/X85InFxHS4I/AAAAAAAAGqs/OXt3HIVnoLkqVa8_Vtcu1khRquBH9HoPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_048.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LpAEe2TpLT4/X85InFxHS4I/AAAAAAAAGqs/OXt3HIVnoLkqVa8_Vtcu1khRquBH9HoPwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_048.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In the end, the bronze warriors are hurled back but the pirates have suffered heavy losses.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLGaq3uzDZo/X85InGiH3dI/AAAAAAAAGqw/KnrLZfGhWk0vOnxB9cATJAoBvKXrl_3GgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_054.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLGaq3uzDZo/X85InGiH3dI/AAAAAAAAGqw/KnrLZfGhWk0vOnxB9cATJAoBvKXrl_3GgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_054.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The sixth turn begins with the Immerian knights, now under Queen Melwyn's direct command storming the ruined temple and capturing the second Oathmark. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-qbB97n9IQ/X86IrmtwtNI/AAAAAAAAGsU/O_bvWlUo-RQSFkzkO6PXxKOvMhoaVQ4jgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_044.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-qbB97n9IQ/X86IrmtwtNI/AAAAAAAAGsU/O_bvWlUo-RQSFkzkO6PXxKOvMhoaVQ4jgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_044.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div>The Zefnari and Bravos easily break the remaining tribal forces.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YmKiACqrq4/X85InSym1LI/AAAAAAAAGq0/XE2BxMr9gS0k6JBgF23iPkK2TewKxquPgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_055.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YmKiACqrq4/X85InSym1LI/AAAAAAAAGq0/XE2BxMr9gS0k6JBgF23iPkK2TewKxquPgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_055.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In the game's final action, the fleet's catapults have left King Nesis alone to defend the last Oathmark. However, the only one facing him is the Bilge Rat. The two square off for a duel. The odds are heavily in the King's favor, he needs strike only one blow to kill the pirate while the Bilge Rat must inflict three wounds to kill the king.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_edrruwh5w/X85InaqaaxI/AAAAAAAAGq4/LoKinvZnrscavhiNLscdFbL_CzIC6sSzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_056.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_edrruwh5w/X85InaqaaxI/AAAAAAAAGq4/LoKinvZnrscavhiNLscdFbL_CzIC6sSzwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_056.jpeg" /></a></div>And here is the roll, the King's dice are the red and blue while the Bilge Rat's are white and black. The demigod scored no hits while the pirate got four!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6eLDebI2cI/X85InfcsQFI/AAAAAAAAGq8/MP77Q8LnaywFa1R-X837YIOsjA6BXBdLACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/File_057.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6eLDebI2cI/X85InfcsQFI/AAAAAAAAGq8/MP77Q8LnaywFa1R-X837YIOsjA6BXBdLACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/File_057.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>With great cunning and skill, the lithe pirate slipped under the blade of the great King and slew this legendary hero. The Alliance had achieved their hardwon victory and secured their landing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The much-bloodied victors began to wonder what difficulties lay ahead, once they began their march inland...<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>bogdanwazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166993703090888321noreply@blogger.com5