Nothing quite like a well done, player-at-fault near TPK to get the player's blood flowing.  
The online guys who play in the Steel Isle Game number about 14 now, with normally 4-8 in a given session.  In a very Old-school way, players (and their characters) will sit out a trip back to the Vexchian ruins, then join back in later once the group comes back to Steel ISle Town.

This thing with the Dragon knocking off a large protion of the current and the main group has really brought up some vengeance seekers.  The online traffic on that subject is very enlarged.  

I just hope they can let their revenge get a little cold.  There is a reason that the Green Dragon's fear aura and one round of breath weapon was all it took last time.   One does NOT go dragon hunting in Celtricia.

Session 73 tomorow night.

Sessions 73, 74, and 75 were comprides of the 2 survivors returning back to Steel Isle Town.  They first needed to make it back, wracked by doubt.

Then, they needed to explain to their patrons why they were back so soon.  After all, they decided to play 'talk to the dragon' only a few days outside of Steel Isle Town.  Then they had to try to recruit some new help.

Max is now known as 'Max the Accursed', as that group has lost some 11 members total, now.    
From an outside perspective, however, it seems that the group has a much more tightly organized approach, trying to make a more balanced and better prepared party.

Session 76 next Tuesday.  The new group is on the road back south to the Ruins of Vexchian.

Up to session 82 right now.
New PCs for the players who fell due to deciding to talk to the Green Sauroid.

Current Situation
•The end of Tanos 21, 10pm, A long day of travel, a huge battle, prisoners have been gruesomely killed and Max haunted...
 

Current Members
•Maximillian Carchedin- PC - Vanir Omwo~/Kann Klaxik Cross. Cousin of the fallen Mior Carchedin and Armiger of the Arcanic Swords. His might is pre-eminent. Maintains a regular correspondence with his grandfather.  Known by some as "The Accursed"  Oldest member, probably 14k+ exp
•Astell Arsaim - PC -  Mixed Human knight of the Bone, and neophyte priest of the Church of Obscurity and Fate.  In the 9k exp range
•Moss - PC - Gesana Human from the Church of Obscurity and Fate. Rescued by the party at the end of the third trip to the ruins. Often opinionated.  9k exp range.  
•Victor - PC - Some healer guy, of the Church of Obsurity and Fate,  New Member
•Trisk Elion - PC - Mixed Human, Hamish's godfather because of his friendship with Hamish's mother. Has watched over Hamish from afar. An old and usually somewhat laid back necromancer.  New member
•Toden Hodd TorZyjman - NPC - New Gartier priest of the Shrine of Ogleic as well as part of Armor of Trade. Taken out of combat after a werewolf ripped off his arm, but has rejoined the group.  Very dedicated to the group and to recovering Hamish and Wurnik's bodies. 11K exp
•Smiggle Smiggins - PC - Hobyt spellcaster of some kind, maiy artificer and mentalist.  New member
 

Minions - Followers attracted by the parties fame and fortune
•Bonatos Regiano - FratreCanis battlemage of the Arcanic Swords and follower of Max.  New Member
 

Donkeys
•Mr Gibs - Original donkey, has survived a lot.
•Fettle - donkey bought by Hamish on the 4th trip to the ruins.
•Nettle - donkey bought by Hamish on the 4th trip to the ruins.
•Odd - donkey bought by Hamish on the 4th trip to the ruins.
•Bob  - donkey bought by Hamish on the 4th trip to the ruins.

From Here.
The Group has just survived a major fight with some cultists of the Dark Way, followed by A haunted visitation onto Max during the evening.  Highlight of the linked page might be the list of former members.  very OSR in the lethality level.

OK, I managed to get Session 70 into a log form. Took a few days. Since we are up to session 83, It is going to be quite a while until I catch up, and I might take SD up on the offer of some help.

But I think it is important to help understand what is going on and why and to keep continuity. It is also nice as it shows the interactions and how a GS game sounds and feels.

Sparkle, there were about 30 rolls made, maybe 20 by the PCs, depsite no combat. The direction of the storyline is partially dictated by the success of some of the social and detection rolls.


How we left a trail of bodies all over the Steel Isle?"
or
"Lord Gibs, Prince of Donkeys"
(**begin session 70**)

AM of the 15th, Dunsak. Bright and warmish, in the 40's.

Moss-"So, do you always stop at this farm you speak of?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-"We do. It is our custom.", he says succinctly.

the group leaves the Leeward Gate, now guarded by 6 scarlet Pilums

Hamish_Haldane-" Shuruum is a farmer for the Gurelliums and a good friend. He has put us up on many an occasion." He smiles. "Many, Many an occasion"
MazAbd-" it's a nice farm."

The group numbers eleven explorers, and 5 donkeys.
* Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin waves to the Pilums

Moss-" How long does it usually take to get to the ruins? Last time is a little foggy."
Wurnick- " two and a half days, Moss"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin, to his new follower-" Boyo my boy! Apple me!"

The group of Scarlet Pilums wave back, recognizing the group. The leader looks familiar.
Boyo brings an apple to Max.

Moss cocks an eye. "Apple you"?

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin bites into it with gusto

Moss-" Really?"
Boyo points his thumb back towards the Scarlet Pilums- "That is Spearseargent HarelBlak"
MazAbd-" looks like Max here is really enjoying the fruit"

Wurnik is eating a bagel in the mist of the morning

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Yes, the fruit of our labours. What is not to enjoy?" he laughs at the world.

the path seems a little more well worn as the explorers make thei way onto the farming areas.
Hamish_Haldane hovers around the new donkeys making sure they behave themselves

MazAbd clears his throat, and looks at Boyo. "Would it be much to ask for one for myself?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Yes.", he says back to the group.

the group sees dotted farms to the right, and spotted woods to the left.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-"These apples are a vital component of Boyo's training. I cannot so frivolously expend them."

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin nods sagely
Moss sighs.

MazAbd lifts a hand to the air. " sounds fair, then"
Moss sighs again." Are we there yet, friend Wurnick?"

the group travels to almost the noon hour, over the dusty road, some two and a half hours from town.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin chews louder

Hamish_Haldane looks to Max." I fail to see how carrying a bag of apples will improve him."
Wurnik- "Ask Oblimet, silly one"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin smiles at the road in front of him. "It builds character, of course!"
Moss-" Maybe, Hamish, it is to see how long it takes him to see the absurdity of the task.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Aren't you already feeling more capable, Boyo?"
Moss-" But I think, in Max's case, he just wanted some apples."
Boyo hefts his spear. "We'll see"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin" Don't listen to them, Boyo. I think we can all see who it is that knows the most of fighting, hmmm?"
Hamish_Haldane-" I'm afraid I will agree with friend Moss this once."

A cart and 6 klaxiks is seen about 120 feet to the south coming up a slight hill. They are dressed in dark armor and seem to be toiling.

Hamish_Haldane-" A cart is what we need!", he says excitedly. Then he remembers the group has recently bought a 2 wheeled cart.
MazAbd-" another one, Hamish?"
Hamish_Haldane-" Yes, there is quite a bit of statuary." He says confidently.

The klaxiks toil towards the explorers, taciturn. They push the cart themselves, they have no beast.
MazAbd steps forward a bit

MazAbd, looking back at the group, " shall I greet them?"
Moss-"If you wish,", then he looks closely, "Though they look... grumpy."
Wurnik, shrugging, "It surely is an improvement on attacking them. Our usual Modus Operendi"
Moss-" I thought we were usually the ones that got attacked...In any case..."

MazAbd waves at the other group, speaking up
The lead klaxik, in studded leather, stops about 40 feet away.

Hamish_Haldane-" Wurnick I am wounded, we try negotiation with all who would listen!"
Wurnik, shaking his head " You normally talk to me when you are wounded."
MazAbd, to the road, oblivious of the exchage behind him." greetings!"

Moss chuckles.

Hamish_Haldane, to his follower " Modo, do not listen to this slander."
Modo, bowing slightly...."No Sir"
Studded Klaxik in the front, with a huge scar across his jaw. " Hail the Road..."

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin bows slightly in the Orbic fashion, behind Maz.

Hamish_Haldane, still making his case in the back of the Van..." The stories of Hamish Haldane are rife with diplomacy!"
MazAbd nudges Gracey, who followed him. "watch and learn, girl"

Maz, Max and Moss note that the Klaxik in Blue robes behind the cart has an arbalest. Max pulls his huge shamsheer out as nonchalantly as possible.
Hamish_Haldane feeds his thunderbird familiar a piece of jerky while watching Maz. The large bird snaps it up greedily...

MazAbd, loudly and with a trained voice..." what brings you out on this day?"

Moss gets a quick drink while the crew is paused.

Studded Klaxik, bowing, "We bring the body of our daughter to the Church of the Earth, to seek protection in the afterlife for her."

The Klaxiks behind the leader, also mainly in studded Leather or chain leather, seem to relax a bit.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin calls out, " Protection from the afterlife? Do you seek to raise her?"
they seem shocked, and a voice from the back says, " Nay, brave knight...just to seek protection and to allow her spirit to Migrate in peace."
Moss-" Well, words are nothing at this point, but take our condolences and do not let us delay you."

Hamish_Haldane nods solemnly

MazAbd-" yes, I believe my friend Moss here speaks for all of us with those sentiments."

they nod gratefully. Klaxiks in the back mutter their thanks.
MazAbd bows head in respect

Studded leader, " It is a hard thing, and the Church of the Earth parsimonious with their protection"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Ah, of course. My mistake. It is an uncommon practice, of course."

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin bows again, slightly deeper, in the Orbic fashion
MazAbd nudges Max

Hamish_Haldane, takes on step forward, though still in the rear." What happened to your daughter, if you do not mind my inquiry?"
Note : rollIsobot=win Soc roll 11 for Hamsih
Studded Klaxik,shaking his head slightly and frowning at Max " Uncommon?"

MazAbd glares a bit at Max, and then addresses the Klaxik...

Hamish_Haldane-"He is from Orbi, do not mind him." Note : That explains itOrbi is actually considered far more sophisticated than the small Steel Isle...
MazAbd-"forgive him..."
The Studded leader, To Hamish, "Young one, we found her body on a table in the woods, near our farm,....with...horrible..." he has trouble going on and his voice trails...
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin,, stridently, " Cultists no doubt! Despicable slime!"

Hamish_Haldane frowns

MazAbd-" a table in the woods? Merely standing there, in the open?"
Hamish_Haldane-" We have encountered such things before. There are a band of death cultists about." The Klaxiks nod, and Hamish continues..."Could you perhaps give us more accurate directions? We would investigate, for whatever peace of mind it may bring."
A blue robed, female klaxik, coming down from the cart, " It was a table we had used for separating wheat and to place bushels on, near our west field." She is wide and elderly.
MazAbd-" you seem like decent folk. perhaps we can help avenge the girl, if such help is wanted?"
Note : roll[20:59] 1roll d%
[20:59] !roll d%
[20:59] 8
[21:00] ooc Maz finally rolls well.
[21:00] ooc: SCORE
Studded Klaxik, to Maz..." Or farm is south and west , off the Truanny road. It is labelled the "Short Shrift" We do not know how to thank you. "
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin, " Do you have any cheese?"
The Blue Robed Klaxik shakes her head and lumbering forward slightly." Hopefully, the Priests of Minious Stottar will take pity and allow us to make payments"
MazAbd smiles a little. " you are in mourning. we ask little more than friendship. aye, Hamish?"
Hamish_Haldane nods, " Aye, remember the name Hamish Haldane!"
MazAbd offers a hand, "and I am known as Maz'Abd"
A young Girl klaxik, from the back, " We have no cheese, Sirrah Knight. Nor even the surety of the church shriving my sister."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin shakes his head-" Ah, well, doubly unfortunate, then. "

Wurnik gives Max an incredulous look.

The Studded klaxik grips Maz' hand. " Ishma smile on you, brave ones."
MazAbd-" same to you, friend"

Hamish_Haldane nods towards the group again

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks over to his followers. "Remember this well, Heddle and Boyo, nothing builds a warrior's constitution quite like a good cheese!"

Heddle looks funny at Max, while Boyo nods

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin laughs good naturedly. "The proof is in the pudding, as they say."

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin reshoulders his shamsheer.

Boyo, looking confused, "Not in the cheese, Sirrah Max?"
Hamish_Haldane-" Well, let us find this table, perchance we will find something useful."
Moss sighs again. "Yes, let us away."
Wurnick, "Aye"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Well. In this case, the pudding is the cheese. Or is it myself? Hmmm. Well, you get the idea."

MazAbd chuckles overhearing Max and Boyo

"Jubilex the Laughing God smiles at Max, "says Wurnick,
MazAbd cocks his head. "cheese pudding, eh?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin nods. " Second only to vanilla. "
Moss notes the troubled look on the priest of The Lord of the Trees. "What is it, Wurnick?"

the sound of the creaking cart moving in the opposite directions moves away....

Wurnick-, " I decry the lack of ability for them to have the body shriven, that is all"
Note : Death and the spiritURL
Hamish_Haldane nods. "It is dealing with the necromantic arts, no matter for how noble a cause. I wish there were none to do such a task on the island!"
Wurnik- " This is where I think you are wrong, Hamish. The tool is well used here"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks back at the youthful mage. "You are alarmingly consistent, Hamish."
Hamish_Haldane looks down, shaking his head vehemently. "The tool corrupts, it should never be used."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Perhaps, if only in this one instance, you are incorrect."
A voice shrieks from the party. "ONE???", says Carmen.

Hamish_Haldane ignores Carmen

Moss smiles, " I was wondering if you'd wandered off, Carmen....You'd been oddly quiet."
Wurnik, dogedly " This spell protects the spirit from the evil that others could do to it, Hamish"
Moss, " About how many goodwives does it cost to have cast?"
MazAbd-" you are our leader, Hamish, but it appears as if you are outnumbered in this. for better or for worse."

The group continues over the hill, as Tribin takes the lead again in the sky. The sound of the wagon going down the other side of the hill can still be heard slightly.
Hamish_Haldane sighs and shakes his head wearily

Moss-" Or, better said, how much must one "donate"?
Wurnik-, "Most churches charge a pittance, but the Church of the Solid Earth is a bit ...tough. Probably 50 goodwives." Note : URL what does 50 goodwives mean?
Hamish_Haldane-" Using necromancy to rob others in time of grief!"
Moss turns, then starts back around the other way. " I shall catch up in a moment friends."
Wurnik-, " Aye Hamish, a poor use"
Moss runs off toward the Klaxiks. He yells back, "Don't wait, damnit. Go. I'll catch up."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" While we wait for friend Moss, allow me to demonstrate lesson number 3!"
A minute or so later, the old female klaxik in the Blue Robe sees Moss coming, "Did you forget something, friend?"
Moss-" Yes. I fogort my manners." Note : wowLike +50 RP exp. Right there.
" Here.", Moss holds out 50 horn.

The elder Klaxik lady reaches up

Moss looks down at her. "Take it and think nothing of it."
She is nearly crying, " Oh, sirrah, this is too much..." she whispers.
"Money is no replacement for a daughter, " says Moss. "I demand no repayment."

the other klaxiks are bowing low and touching their hands to their heads. Almost in unison.

Moss-" My name is Moss, if you ever wish to find me."
Moss-" Stop that. You would do the same for me if you could."
"We shall never forget you, Sirrah Moss", says the Studded leather leader.
Moss-" Hold your heads up high and celebrate her life."



Back on the road with the party, Max Holds forth.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Swordsmanship is all about having a proper grip, two handed, of course!"

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin demonstrates the right technique for Boyo and Heddle.
Hamish_Haldane continues leading the donkeys onward.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" A shield is a hindrance, it interferes with a deft slice."

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin demonstrates again, cutting the air
so the group continues south, down the road...
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin looks back at his followers.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" You have chosen a fine weapon, Heddle, the falchion will serve you will, with the proper respect and care."
Moss strolls back up-" And what do you think of me, if Boyo isn't "appropriate", Max? Some sort of barbarian?"

Moss hefts his morningstar.

Modo is taking notes in a book, " Hamish, this is going to be quite a tale..."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Ah. Morningstars and tridents and more. All fine tools of combat. But not of the art."
Moss-" Art?"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Of course! Swinging a giant piece of metal around. True skill is used for something like this" he hums his swords around for another cut.

Hamish_Haldane taps his silvered rapier

Wurnik- " All combat is brutish necessity, Max. Healing is an art, killing, a necessity"
Hamish_Haldane shakes his head and suddenly laughs. "Oh Modo, wait until you meet the giant gnome!"
MazAbd turns to his follower. "Gracie, don't desert your weapon now, for it shall serve you better than diplomacy when dealing with the cultists."

MazAbd turns to Hamish

MazAbd-" giant... what?"
Modo...quizzical..." Ooohh-kay"
Moss-" In any case,"
Hamish_Haldane0-" A giant gnome. No I do not know how or why."
Carmen-"Right, the big, goofy healer"



By two hours after noon, the group can see Shuruum's Farm to the right of the road, looking prosperous. 2 oxen and 5 workers can be seen. The group still sees mainly sparse patches of forest to their left, and getting a little wetter. Red Gerin, the small sun, is starting to loop back around Tribin.

Moss-"I think this is the farm y'all mentioned."
Moss-" Are we to pay a visit?"
Cameleye, "The food is from Inkmisa, friend..."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin seems shocked. "We would be remiss if we did not!"
Hamish_Haldane-" I feel it might be taking advantage of friend Shuruums hospitality to bring 11 folk."

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin hustles up the path to Shuruum's house, ignoring Hamish.
Hamish and the group go toward the large barn and low, L-shaped house with the round roof.
the group stops , and Shuruum's busy family is all about.
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin calls back

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" We don't have to stay, of course, but we must visit!"

his daughters rush to prepare food, the kitchen is awhirl with activity and hobyt movement. The party members admire the rugs and hangings that cover the white walls, and sit at the large, low table.
the party is sent out to the barn with 2 basins to clean themselves up.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-"Shuruum! How good it is to see you and your family again!"
MazAbd, looking around on the way to the barn..." this is a nice farm. well tended to, it appears..."
Hamish_Haldane-" Greetings friend Shuruum, do you know of a nearby farm, Short Shrift?"

Toden comes around, his remaining elbow raised to Hamish, a large smile. His furry, near seven foot height is out of pace in this family of Hobyts, but he seems very comfortable.

Hamish_Haldane beans at their old comrade. " Ah friend Toden, it is always welcome to see you. How do you fair this day?"
Shuruum- "Short Shrift? Sure, an about ah hour walk south to the Truanny road, then another hour west
Hamish_Haldane-"Hmmm we must pay a visit there lately, tragedy has befallen them."

MazAbd admires the agriculture
Hamish_Haldane familiar flutters about

Toden- " things are well, Hamish. By all the armor you sport, things go well for your work with Chorbit"

As the group moves back in to the house, the female hobyts (for most of the family is Hobyt) bustle and prepare a boar shank, with white mashed tuber, and mashed chorm

Hamish_Haldane-"Indeed friend Toden, we have found some amazing things in the ruins. And Chorbit pays well for them."
Moss-" A farm. This takes me back."
Shurrum-" What tragedy, Friend Hamish?"
MazAbd-" you, as well, Moss?"

The food is splendid, and the table groans with the weight of the victuals. The Boar shank is destroyed though a worthy opponent. Wurnik and Toden give the Blessings of Amrist and the harvest
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin digs in

Hamish_Haldane, between bites-" Cultists found their daughter, and sacrificed her in some ritual..."
Shurrum is shocked, "They are a good, honest group, if unlucky"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Best be wary, Shuruum. We will try to get to the heart of this, but keep your daughters close, I'd say."
Hamish_Haldane-" Indeed, we will go and search the site. See if we can find anything about why they would do such a thing."
Toden, "We have seen a few groups of the fiends about, Hamish. "
Hamish_Haldane-" Even this close to town? It is getting worse and worse, we must stamp them down this time."
Shuruum, "Aye, they seem to be more bold and militant"
Mosslooks left and right, then says softly, " They're probably looking for us."
SHurrum nods, "Could be, my friend."
Hamish_Haldane-" Well they shall find us, ready and willing to give them their deaths!"
Moss-" Indeed."
MazAbd clears his throat, " excuse me... Shuruum, was it? I apologize for interrupting, but I would like to say that your farm is in great condition. the work you put into it shows" Shuruum seems pleased by this.
Hamish_Haldane-" How have the relations with the Crones been lately Shuruum?"
Shurruum, "Very good. They have stopped in to teach Toden a few times, and one of their green knights has brought in some bloody robes for us to bury"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Ah.. forgive my ignorance, bloody robes?" He looks a bit confused. "I am not familiar with such a custom."
Hamish_Haldane-" That is swell, I too have learned from their teaching."
Hamish_Haldane-"Perhaps they lost on of their... pack?
Toden, " The robes came from cultists, friend Max"
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin nods. "Ah, of course."
Moss-" The crones, or at least their knights, can defend themselves, it seems."

The hobyt daughters bring whipped cream and vneersberry and ebbel and serve tranquin terror to one and all. One asks Hamish about their sister who is living with Kellik.
the night becomes merrry, and singing commences
and one and all participate in song. The singers do, "Kernal and Ivory", "John's Old Bones", and "Tell me of her smiling eyes"and the group finds themselves sleeping in the hay of the barn after the night grows long.

Moss-" Shall we keep watch?"
Wurnik, " Normally no need, Moss....but to be safe a good idea"
Cameleye-"Aye, with the cultists about..."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin throws his pack down. " Glad you volunteered, Moss!"
Moss grins. " ...I'll take first watch, then."
MazAbd-" Gracie shall take my watch. she should have the experience. aye, Gracie?"
Note : -followersooc you guys are just awful....there is a revolt on the horizon
Hamish_Haldane-" I will take the last watch"
Gracie, with a sour grin on, "Of course, Maz...this time"
Hamish_Haldane-" This way someone can cover for me in the ruins if I must regain my power."
Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Boyo, Heddle and I will sit a watch! It will be an excellent training opportunity!"

The guys seem excited to watch with Max
the group sleeps deeply and restully, brought back to days of their youth (a few hawaaks for Hamish), and restored by the fresh air and the hearty food and welcome


Note : Hamish is still in his mid-teens[21:45] ooc Lol
[21:46] ooc: Hamish remembers his youth as if it were just... waitasec
[21:46] ooc: clever folk you guys are  
the group is totally refreshed as red Gerin rises
on the am of the 16th Bowyak, a clear day and warm.
MazAbd stretches and yawns. the group uses 2 tubs of washwater, then makes their way to a quick breakfast of Bacon, mashed spiced Chorm, and Kaffee
Then the group leaves through the wide open door, down the path to the gate, and heads south

MazAbd-"Now that was a pleasant night."
Hamish_Haldane-" Aye, it usually is at Shuruums."
Max and Moss lead, through the wide wagon path amongst the fields, with a forest to the east
wurnik, " You see why we stop there..."
MazAbd nods and pats his stomach. "Indeed, a worthwhile custom"
Moss-" I do see, Wurnik."

The group continues until about 9 in the morning, , then passes the Truanny road

Hamish_Haldane points, " I believe this is the way to Short Shrift"
Wurnik, " Aye"
MazAbd-" alas, less time for scenery, there"

the group turns west, a much larger road in front of them. Wagon tracks are easy to pick out.
the group moves as the day gets warmer onto this wide road.

Maximillian_VHV_Carchedin-" Lesson 5! Always keep an eye out for trouble!"
Moss nods, and says tersly," Indeed, Max. There is someone off to the right as we speak. I see them in the undergrowth."
Hamish_Haldane- "Max, whatever happened to that eye trinket you took from the ruins?"

Carmen draws a bow and arrow, and Moss pulls out his morningstar.

Hamish_Haldane looks around..." What is the problem?"
Modo, " Moss, what do you see?"
Moss peers into the brush. " Someone in red plate off this way."
MazAbd-" are we certain yet that combat is the best response?"

Moss points toward a clearing to the right.

Moss-"No."
Cameleye speaking from some trees to the north, " Someone we have met before..."
Moss-" But better to be prepared than caught with our pants down."
Hamish_Haldane-"Ah the Red Knight"
Moss-" Ah."
Hamish_Haldane puts a hand on Moss' shoulder. "Do not worry Moss, he is an...ally."

Moss returns his morningstar to its proper place.

Cameleye, " Aye. He waits to the north and west. He hides damn well for that armor"
Hamish_Haldane sends his familiar off to the Red Knight
**end Session 70**

Session 86 notes below.
followed the ideal of Old School play in skill based system.  The session was a bit of a barn-burner.  lots of smart, out-of-the box thinking, as well as tension.

The group continued into the second level, and surprised a gnoll on guard, in a small white plastered room. There was compacted, ancient trash and paper, cloth, wood, furniture, bones, all in 6"-1' of pure garbage.

There was also a double wooden door, with huge hinges on the east wall, where the trash was a little cleaned off. The dozing gnoll was just north of this. Astell and Moss charged the gnoll as it reacted, followed by Burnous moving south and Smiggle asking for Burnous' torch.

Astell and Moss pinned the gnoll in place, though the fight was close. Triske sent his remaining skeleton in, as well. Smiggle tried to threaten the gnoll with the torch, then the double doors burst open, and another 7 gnolls poured out, in ring mail and variously armed. Screams in orcash (and a deep gnoll voice yelling in Omwo~ in the back?) rang out as the newcomers poured out.
The skeleton actually was in front of them and got in a lucky hit on one of the front gnolls, which kind of stopped them from getting in as the double door was only 5' wide, and that stopped on gnoll in his tracks.

Moss kept focusing on the first gnoll, while Astell sort of sidled over to try to cover both area, but he was gashed badly by a spear into his side immediately, drawing a lot of blood, though the knight stayed on his feet. Burnous shot an arrow at the wall.

A demilune smashed the side of the skeleton's head, spattering bone fragments, but the construct got back up. Moss smashed up the ring-maille armor of the gnoll in front of him.

AStell missed a gnoll with reddish hair and a scimitar sliced open his left shoulder. Luckily, Toden reached behind Astell and poured the power of the Treelord into the Beleagured Bone Knight, healing hims somewhat.
Thins were looking grim, and Smiggle put the torch to the garbage, hoping to light it. It lit a bit, fitfully, and the explorers started for a retreat, though it looked like the warrirs would nt be able to properly retreat. Astell screamed for the rest to leave and that he and Triske's last pet (somehow still up) would hold the door. Smiggle was already moving toward the corridor in the north.
AStell was in danger of being overborne when Burnous perfectly tossed an oil flask at the fire Smiggle had started smoldering, which fanned out and splashed onto the gnolls perfectly, igniting all the trash in that area. Astell and Moss stumbled back from the blaze, and the gnolls, the front ranks ablaze, retreatred slightly into the doorway where the trash was less.

Moss and Astell both were slightly ablaze, and the skeleton fionally folded into the flames (brave revenant), and the group was one step ahead of the fire as centuries of detritus, thick and well packed, started to blaze.
The group ran north, and as they emerged back into the huge cavern area, Moss and Smiggle heard gnoll voices echoing from the east...so the group kept running for the stairs, and as they got close, crosbow bolts started hitting the wall. the group kept running all the way up and around the corner, clanging, bangning, through the corridors of the top level.

They stopped in front of the skull fresco near the entrance. The Voidtouched had all burnt their conduits, the fighters were bleeding. Toden reached into the eye sockets of the skull fresco and opened the doors back into the hidden Chapel of St. Arbor, as the sound of gnolls could be heard getting closer

More on the Economy of the Cradle--some information about money and Wealth in the Cradle lands of Celtricia...from here.


The Electrum Standard and the Economy of the CradleLands
How is money used and played in Celtricia? What is common to find, what types of coins and how are transactions handled? Especially in the Cradle area, which includes Trabler, Orbi, and the plutocratic BrightLands.

The northern celtrican cradle is based on the Electrum standard, in that an unskilled villein's work is worth an electrum coin per day. In a city like Igbar, the electrum standard still holds true. Igbarian Drafted soldiers are recompensed an electrum goodwife a day, as well, though this may take a while to catch up to them.

So, in terms of the electrum standard, thes minted coins of Trabler, and the worth of money in most systems, (please note the inhabitants do NOT normally mention the metal when discussing money. They call them Goodwives or trips or horn...)


100 Copper Strips=

10 Silver Children=

1 Electrum Goodwife=

1/2 Gold Horn=

1/10 Platinum Unicorn.



In terms of the total economy, that electrum per day signifies the absolute lowest end of the pay scale, one certainly that is in the poverty range. Unfortunately, there are many laborers in every city that earn this or less. While this is the low end, a very large part of the population cannot move past this level.



The Scarlet Pilum's Militia pay their beginning recruits 13 silver children a day, and a buck seargent makes 3-5 Goodwives a day. Remember that the military houses and feeds these people, as well. There is no tax on income in Trabler or the Grey March, so I always use a rule of thumb for income only think of an electrum as being 50 american dollars. It's 6.25 per hour in todays world (literally. 50 dollars a day, *5 days, *52 weeks is 13k per year. 250 for a week/40 hours is 6.25). It is also very important that the normal Celtrician Work week is 5.5 days in town of the 8 day hawaak, though that is for the upper working class. Business owners and blue collar workers put in 7 out of 8 days (reserving Fastak only), and the truly poor of course work everyday.

So the most common coin in the central Cradle are is the electrum goodwife, followed by the silver Child, followed by the Gold Horn, followed by the copper Strip. Bars, restaurants, and most normal businesses use Electrum Goodwives and Silver Children almost exclusively. Northern use the Orbic or Marcher coinage more often. Though I still price things in my head automatically in gold, I have gotten better at responding to all price inquiries in terms of Goodwives, when they are speaking to a merchant. After once glass of wine too many, it gets hard, but answering that 'a new suit of Studded Leather will cost a hundred Goodwives, less 19 goodwives for the ripped-up old suit you are trading in' is the way to go.

It also important to take a partially Age of Reason, partially gilded age approach to money, in that there is a tremendous range of incomes, a tremendous range of prices, and a lot of people trying to make money. At first glance, those two time periods are far apart, but the cradle area of Celtricia has a huge lower and lower middle class, a new and growing middle class, but still, 95% of the wealth of the world is placed in 1% of the population.

So while 750 Goodwives in a year is the low end for a houshold income in Trabler, the actual average Household income is probably around 1800 goodwives. Furthermore, in Igbar , it is probably closer to 2500 goodwives of actual income per family due to the communication, the proximity to trade, and the concentration of Factions. Understand that in the math, the paragraph above affects this average.

And if an 'average' family makes 55-56 goodwives in a hawaak, that means someone making 100 goodwives in a hawwak is pretty well off, and a shopkeeper who makes 150-200 goodwives a hawaak is doing very well. A lesser landed nobleman who has estates might find his estate income nets him 400-1500 goodwives a hawaak, if it is well run and profitable, and the ROI for a large caravan can be a loss, up to 100,000 Goodwives.

These numbers are most useful to a GM when a group of PC's wander into Igbar or SteelIsleTown with 500, 2000, even 5000 goodwives a piece.

There are flophouses in Igbar, places where a bed is paid for by the night, where they pack 6-10 beds in a room and charge between 5 copper strips and a silver child per bed per night. A crappy room rented for a hawwak (the eight day week) near the docks will be a 10-15 Silver children for the week (1-1.5 electrum goodwives).

A decent Teque Guild Inn rents rooms (with 2 beds) for 5-10 silver Children per night, Hostem's House of Hospitality has rooms from one to seven Goodwives a night, and the Upper Crust's room rates are between ten and forty goodwives a night.


Slavery, officially, was outlawed in most of the cradle lands over the last four or five hundred years (excepting The Argussian areas), but indenture to a guild is still common, and the poor often work decades to pay back their indenture fees to the guilds before making any profit.



Renting a small apartment for the 60 day month in a poor section of town will be 30-40 Goodwives. A middle level apartment would be 50-75 goodwives for the same period. Renting a $2500-$5000 a month luxury apartment would be 100-200 goodwives per 60 day month.

How much does a backpack cost? A decent one runs 1-2 goodwives. A Tunic? A basic homespun cloth one is 2 silver children, a nice one in a shop maybe 4-7 silver children. Nicer cloth or embroidery will be 5-12 silver children. Silk or Samite? Now we are talking the same range, but in Goodwives. Sharma's Dresssmakers, part of the Vissippe Trading guild, can get 40+ Goodwives for a dress.

Property is huge. Owning (deeded) property is gigantic. Buying an acre of farmland in Igtiche (the farming community just outside of Igbar) runs about 1000 Goodwives, though property is normally done in Gold Horn or in Writs of Worth ensured by one of the banks, so it would be 500 horn. With a little farmhouse, maybe 1000 Horn, though these do not count the administrative fees and bribes. A two-story house in Igbar would run between 4000 and 10000 gold horn, in one of the medicore neighborhoods, maybe a tiny bit less in SteelIsleTown. That would be the equivalent of buying a brownstone today in an up and coming area. Understand that a Mansion on the Upper Hill in Steel Isle Town, with the 6 acres,on Benevolunti Street just sold for 269k Horn.

Adventuring may be profitable, but surviving it costs a ton. Magic and artificed items cost a fortune, since they are rare, and are normally handles in Gold Horn. It is all based on the cost of the spell. Buying a casting only scroll costs normally 25 gold horn(50 electrum Goodwives) a spell point, and a learning scroll will cost approximately 35 gold horn (70 electrum Goodwives) per spell point. Cantrips have 5-10 total spell points, so that should give some idea why magic is where the cast is at. Brother's cure (cures 2-7, can be used once per hawaak) has a total cost of 15 spell points, which means 400 gold horn for a casting scroll, or 525 gold horn for a learning scroll, or more than most succesful shopkeepers make in a hawaak.



The casting scroll cost is also normally equivalent to the cost of having a spell cost, so you can see how expensive spells might be for the population at large to purchase.


Potions have the same effect as scrolls, only since anyone can use them, they cost 50 gold horn per spellpoint cost. A potion of Brother's Cure would cost 750 gold Horn, if there is anyplace selling. And this is the most common type of potion. Please notate that the cost is comparable to an acre of farmland...

Session 87 and 88 involved going back into the dark, hidden chapel area, where the  relics and evidence cult of the Dark one and St. Arbor had been hidden for hundreds of years behind the frescos.  Earlier incarnations of the group had been here, but now, Moss was the only member of the group to have been in this chilly chapel area.  
They were hiding here, and at first were in defensive position in case the gnoll pursuit back up from the second level found them in here.  The group had found no evidence that any of the Beastmen had discovered the hidden area.

Triske was interested in the histoy of the place, and of the exact cult trappings of the St. Arbor stuff, and of the bones all over the place, which Moss told them had come from they earlier group riping apart the skeletons they found after being surprised by some ravenous undead in the place.  Some carvings and writings on the wall speaking of 'The Purity of Saint Arbor'.
Moss and Smiggles also found a hidden door to the north, mirroring the one to the south the group had gone through before.
The group stayed in this terrible place for 12 hours, rejuvenating the bruised void conduits of the casters and taing care of the burns and physical wounds of the others, especially Astell and Moss, who bore the brunt of the fighting.  
Triske was upset he could not find a whole sekeleton to animate as a servant.

Moss and Burnous snuck out after 12 hours, and found gnoll footprints back and forth, but no immediate sign.  So the group went back to the staircase in the north west back to the cavernous area on the second level.  After they got there, they waited and listened, and Burnous, Moss and Triske heard gnollic voices and depper voices echoing far below.
Burnous snuck out and through the cavern area.  The group had lost a member (Hsui~)  to a crossbow bolt a few hawaak back, and more crossbow bolts had been shot from the raised area with colums to the far eastern side of the Cavern last time they were chased out of the second level, so something there had to be taken care of before they went on.

Burnous came back to the group that he had succesfully gotten closer by going around the north wall of the cavern.  There is a lantern hung on the far east wall, and some metal torches burning on a large fidikmarple temple 50'-70' farther into the raised cavern area.  The middle of the cavern is covered in a huge rubble plie which the group already note before, mainly just pieces of the roof that fell, but a few carved peices of broken statuary as well.
Behind the fluted and old columns were 4 gnolls in scale mail, with arbelest and other weapons, standing guard

Session 89
Current roster and state of the group
This session involved the careful planning of attacking the gnolls behind the columns, and the attack.
Burnous snuck all the way back to the south part of the cavern, past the south, carefully crafted exit to the southern part of the wide staircase at the bottom of the coumned area.
Smiggle casted a Source Charge on Moss' Morningstar, Astell cast Preperation for Combat, Minor on himself, and Toden cast Great Strike on AStell's Flail.

Moss (barely) and Smiggle were able to dart unseen and unheard to behind the rubble pile.  Sir Astell of the Bone Knights, Triske, Father Toden the One-Armed, and Victor of the Church of Obscurity and Fate stayed at the bottom of the stair.

Moss Tossed a burning lantern behind the gnolls into the cavern, whcih succeeded in catching their interest, Burnous ran up the steps as the rest of the group all charged from their hiding places...Burnous backstabbed a gnoll, but failed to penetrate his scale armor.
The gnolls tunred and started to attack Burnous,  before Moss and Smiggle came up right behind him on the southern side of the stair...so while the Explorer's gambit had failed in hurting any gnolls, they succeeded in avoiding the withering fire of the arbelests.
Astell charged from the north side of the stair, splittin ghrt gnolls ranks, with 2 gnolls fighting Burnous, Moss, and Smiggle, and 2 fighting the Bone Knight Astell.  The gnolls were on the top steps, the Explorers fighting upward and across.
Session 89 ended with the fight still ongoing, and whilst Moss and Astell were both bleeding heavily, one gnoll was dead and 2 others badly, badly wounded.  Victor and Toden had both come up and started to heal the PCs from behind.
Session 90 on Tuesday night.


Current Situation

•Tanos 25, 3:14AM battling the gnolls on the stair up to the columns.  one gnoll has been spitted, 2 others are bleeding
•
•Current Members
•Maximillian Carchedin- PC - Vanir Omwo~/Kann Klaxik Cross. Cousin of the fallen Mior Carchedin and Armiger of the Arcanic Swords. His might is pre-eminent. Maintains a regular correspondence with his grandfather.  Known by some as "The Accursed"  Has taken to bouts of quietness and reflection after being the centerpiece of much death and destruction.  Literally did not join the party on the second level and is wandering the outer ruins by himself.
•Astell Arsaim - PC -  Mixed Human knight of the Bone, and neophyte priest of the Church of Obscurity and Fate.  Has a family history of dealing with the undead.  With Max gone, he is the lynchpin of the shieldwall.
•Moss - PC - Gesana Human from the Church of Obscurity and Fate. Rescued by the party at the end of the third trip to the ruins. Often opinionated.  Large with a morningstar.  
•Victor - PC - Priest from the church of Obscurity and Fate.  Taciturn and very much a healer first.
•Trisk Elion - PC - Mixed Human, Hamish's godfather because of his friendship with Hamish's mother. Has watched over Hamish from afar. An old and usually somewhat laid back necromancer.•Toden Hodd TorZyjman - NPC - New Gartier priest of the Shrine of Ogleic as well as part of Armor of Trade. Taken out of combat after a werewolf ripped off his arm, but has rejoined the group.  Very dedicated to the group and to recovering Hamish and Wurnik's bodies.
•Smiggle Smiggins - PC - Hobyt spellcaster of some kind.  Has recently joined combat.  Loud and opinionated.
•Bournous - NPC - Omwo~ rescued from a necromantic ritual, somewhat sneaky but prone to setting off traps.
 

Minions - Followers attracted by the parties fame and fortune


•
 

Donkeys

•Mr Gibs - Original donkey, has survived a lot.
•Fettle - donkey bought by Hamish on the 4th trip to the ruins.
•Nettle - donkey bought by Hamish on the 4th trip to the ruins.
•Odd - donkey bought by Hamish on the 4th trip to the ruins.
•Bob  - donkey bought by Hamish on the 4th trip to the ruins.
 

 

Former Members

•Kellik (retired) - PC - Half Orcash Gnome Blue Turtle Samurai. Known for a short temper only calmed by combat or wine. Established an Inn and Tavern in Steel Isle Town.
•Mior Carchedin (dead) - PC - Slain on the second bridge by Death Cultists.
•Hsui~ Cuo~t (dead) - PC - Omwo~ sage of the Steel Libram. Was rescued while fleeing for his life from cultists during the second expedition to the ruins. Slain by some gnolls on the 2nd floor of Vexchian during the same expedition.
•Simon Smith (dead)  - NPC - Mixed Human Bone Knight of Orcus. Not fond of Torture. Carries the title of Sirrah. Slain by a heavily armored Cultist while defending Hamish.
•Gordin Edelman (in town) - PC - Gray Marcher Human. Gartier sized, near-enough. Found captured by The Party and set free, to promptly join them on their quest. From the Church of the Solid Earth.  Staying in town after being rescued.
•Rampan the Red (dead) - NPC - Red Hobyt pyromancer from the Collegium Arcana. Totally obsessed with fire and prone to bouts of overly complex speech that leave everyone around him confused.  Slain when Carmen pushed him down a flight of stairs after he got hit by a spear trap.
•Stormhammer Lenden (dead) - PC - Human Gurellium Trader. Knows Hamish. Fell off a rope bridge after being hit by a crossbow bolt fired by a cultist.  
•Vermortis Tygea (in town) - PC - Mixed Human Knight of the Armor of Trade. Survivor of a shipwreck that was attacked by golden masked cultists. Rescued by the party and joined with them to exact vengeance. Wields the Nacdilis. Currently somewhere in town.
•Hamish Haldane (dead) - PC - Delvan Human Chandler/Water Mage/Swordsman prodigy. De facto group leader. Foundling of the Gurellium Traders, now of journeyman rank. One of the more varied caster in Steel Isle Town, now is the master of a grey Thunderbird familiar.  Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•Wurnik Woundhealer (dead) - NPC - Zyjman Orcash from the Church of Amerer the Gray also part of the Bowyers of Ceminar. Notoriously clumsy.  Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•Brother Cameleye (dead) - NPC - Hobyt (Shrum?) from the Church of Obscurity and Fate. Well versed in tracking and trap skills. Sneaky git.   Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•Carmen Ondradet (dead) - PC - Rebellious teenage Hobyt friend of Wurnik, from the Bowyers of Ceminiar. She has an unhealthy sense of entitlement. The Parties first crack shot, compared to Wurnick.  Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•MazAbd (dead) - PC - Omwo~ scholar of the Steel Libram. Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•Boyo heri Harioak (dead) - NPC follower - who wishes to be Max's squire.  He is from the Scarlet pilums. Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•Gracie Verntack (dead) - NPC follower - an orcash gnome female in chain armor, wishes to follow Maz the socialite merchant warrior. Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•Modo dren Biddlebbe (dead) - PC follower - shrum Hobyt Bard of the Fanfare, wishes to travel and chronicle Hamish's rise to fame! Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•Heddle the Foggy (dead) - NPC follower - a human from the Arcanic swords, also wants to cut short his training and learn from Max. Killed by an ornery green dragon.
•Bonatos Regiano - FratreCanis battlemage of the Arcanic Swords and follower of Max.  Had his head split in twain by a gnolls voulge in the Vexchian ruins.

CROSSPOSTED...,MORE OF A SYSTEM POST...

Weave and I were going over skills last night.
and I just want to note...

once you have a skill, the school gives the BASE EXPMOD

You find out what the ATTRIB XPMOD is and add that to BASE EXPMOD and this (blus any bonues during chargen) becomes the the EXPMOD for that skill. All EXP Points allocated are multiplied by that EXPMOD, as it represents the speed you learn that skill.

Now don't forget to take that ATTRIB EXPMOD above, and multiply that amount by the column value for 'base', and this gives the character the BASE BONUS amount in the ability...this represents native ability from attributes. This is one thing Weave did not know.

Any skill that has a dropdown skill mightactually allow a dropdown bonus in that subskill. For example, Basic blunt has these dropdown skills: multi, dam bon, att vs, init bonus, singleweap special, degrade armor, and parry. If any of these subskills have an integer in the 'dropdown' column, a character with the parent skill has the parent ability* the dropdown amount as a bonus in that skill. Since dmagae bonus, for example, has a .25 dropdown, a character with an 8% skill in Basic Blunt actually automatically has a 2% skill in damage bonus.
The dropdown is a key element in game design.

Note that one does not get the ability to gain levels or the BASE BONUS amount above. The sub skill mentioned above,damage bonus, like many, is a +1 per to ability points skill. IN other words, for every 10 points in the ability, the player gets +1 damage after divider). So the player with this skill will gain a lot from learning this skill and getting a few levels in it.


From a game design perspective, the dropdowns are something I am very proud of. Dropdowns represent incomplete/lesser knowledge of advanced skills that people know from learning the basics. Taking a basic art class does not make one an expert at painting, a basic finance class does not make one fluent and completely competent at mergers and acquisitions...it gives a little knowledge and ability, but not much. Without taking more advanced classes, one does not really get a lot better.

then, once you have the skill, you get to roll the amount per level and add it to the base and any dropdown.

Just a clarifier.

Heading for session 91 next session.
The characters are in a cavernous area where the venovians obviously did a lot of temple and statue building.
They just finished a fight with some gnolls on a staircase leading up to the plateau in front of them.  The stairs are thick with blood and gore, and the combat was anything but quiet.  In front of them is a huge, columned temple in the open, ancient Venolvian style.
Session 91this week coming up

Current Situation, as of end of session 91

•Tanos 25, 4:15 in the stinky room with the huge demonic statue.  The just discovered 2 huge Rubies in the eye sockets ...This room was discovered by Plaes and openned by Jon's reading of the words inscribed on the back of a huge obelisk in a semi-abandoned area of a cavern.
 
Current Members
•Maximillian Carchedin- PC - Vanir Omwo~/Kann Klaxik Cross. Cousin of the fallen Mior Carchedin and Armiger of the Arcanic Swords. His might is pre-eminent. Maintains a regular correspondence with his grandfather.  Known by some as "The Accursed"  Has taken to bouts of quietness and reflection after being the centerpiece of much death and destruction.  Literally did not join the party on the second level and is wandering the outer ruins by himself.
•Astell Arsaim - PC -  Mixed Human knight of the Bone, and neophyte priest of the Church of Obscurity and Fate.  Has a family history of dealing with the undead.  With Max gone, he is the lynchpin of the shieldwall.
•Moss - PC - Gesana Human from the Church of Obscurity and Fate. Rescued by the party at the end of the third trip to the ruins. Often opinionated.  Large with a morningstar.  
•Victor - PC - Priest from the church of Obscurity and Fate.  Taciturn and very much a healer first.
•Bournous - NPC - Omwo~ rescued from a necromantic ritual, somewhat sneaky but prone to setting off traps.
•Jon Cedric Galica - PC -GM Human of the Frigid Song of Igbar, found in a temple on the second level.  
•Valtonian Sunwilow -PC - Vanir Omwo~ Caster from the Collegium Arcana
•Plaes Holdir-PC-Orcash/Wolden Omwo~ wily and dangerous

and for my guys who check here more than on the CBG, we are playing tonight 8:45 eastern, #celtricia...session 92, I think.

Session 94 last Tuesday Night.

Very Good Night.  Lots of historical discovery under the Temple of the Entropic Overlords, then a major fight if they should stay or go.  The Kill ratio for this trip into Vexchian has been very low (only Triske, the Necromancer, has died), but the group has explored a lot of the second level caverns (finally...they have been sent scampering away with casualties every other time they ended in the second level), including finding two secret areas the Beastmen and the Cultists are unaware of.

So the group is retreating pretty whole for once, to fortifiy and the spend money and becasue they have no one who can cast omnipotent eye...

Last 2 sessions have been spent with the group extracting themselves from the Ruins of Vexchian.  Sessions 95 and 96.

In and of itself, leaving was a difficult choice.  The group had penetrated the second level, after being chased out the last 3 times they had gone down that far.  Much had been discovered, including a pair of strange, secret areas, unknown perhaps since the last days of the Venolvians, and a temple where some of the humanoid tribesmen kept on appearing from thin air.  
However, the group had also met with some change and disaster, such as the near beheading of Triske the Necromancer, and the additions of Plaes Holdir, Valonian, Burnous and Jon the Bard.  The newcomers were poorly supplied and integrating them into the group dynamic, especially with some of the leadership issues.  
Also, the group had found a good amount of interesting artifacts; at least enough to warrant a return trip home to refit and rest.  Frankly, the group is fried out.  Squire Astell needs some time away from the old ghosts, Toden needs to report back to the Shrine of the Wood and to rest, and Moss needs to take a pill.  

And since they started their escape, they have been attacked a few times as well as narrowly avoiding a few more entanglements, as well as finding Triske's Body decapitated and wired to a cross at the bottom of an old temple.  

And when we left off, at 3 in the am, after an all-night retreat through the swamps (which somehow felt really ehausting last night), the group has found the first really solid area to camp, right near where they rescued Burnous a few days before, on the way in.  And as Victor started his watch, Triske's headless body slides itself off the horse they had tied it to.

Mellow session last night, session 97 in the books.

Group started at 3:30 am on Tanos 26, dealing with Triske's headless corpse trying to ambulate, fixating on Victor, and pointing back the way they came from.  While spooky and indicative, to a few members, this is just another damn spirit, albeit one of their own.

undeath and shriving

This is actually one of the themes of the world, that of the Migration of the Spirits, and of the Love/hate relationship with Celtricia and Necromancy.
From the wiki...the souls of the dead are very much stuck in the 'Waking Dream', the taoys of necromancy and necromantic effects, unless they are shriven.

Undeath, the Binding of Spirits

"On the blessed House of Life, the Well of Life is the fount of 'All-that-is-to-Come', at once the one source of the spark of the health of those that live and at the same time the gateway for all that is yet to come.  The inscrutable plans of the Celestial Planars, the destiny and life-force of their servants-to-be, all are sourced through the Well of Life before they are transported to their yet unborn vessels in the 'Waking Dream' that is the living world.

And just as needed in this grand cycle, the Grey and stately House of Death, where Orcus of the Passage helps guard the Well of Death.  All Spirits that depart the 'Waking Dream' make their way through the Void to the Well of Death on the red and grey plain of Zevashopal.  There they wait for their makers and any others of the Planars that might lay claim to them, for them to cycle back to the unformed stuff that they were before the spirit's trip began.

And at times, the Plains of Zevashopal are ringed by combatants for the possession of a soul that more than one of the Great Planars wish to lay claim to."

-From the Well of Souls, the Book of the Church of Orcus, the Opener of the Way.

After the thing was speared abused, and tied up, headless and twitching...the group went back to sleep.
Though Astell hypothosized that maye the group should go back and help Ichabod Triske to find his head.  Victor was all about stopping the damn body from following him.

The group finally rested a bit, though woke up still tired (3 days in the adventure with one short sleep, plus some of the group has been rescued, folowed byt flight from the place at night, running from batles, hiding, and after all that, going from 8:30pm to 3am without a break to make some ground up between themselves and the Ruins of Vexchian.

The next AM, the body seemed still, and the group left.  The moved North on a beautiful warm spring day, around the moors that lie between the Cheerio Wood and the Tarnic Straits.  They only stopped to observe a few Hippogryphs at play above the dense forest.  then the continued north, realizing they were running out of food, being down to ale, honey, and dried epfel.  They also ran into some human/tumanoid tracks going east west.  They ignored them.

 The group came around the North edge of the wood, and moved through the Moors, seeing hilly territory above.  This is a route the group has now taken some 4 times (5 if you count the dragon aborted mission), and when they passed the fork going west and north, they knew that west led to some territory where the Crones and their knights lived.  The group continued north.  (that was the theme)

The group continued north, to end at the 'second old bridge', a stone, arched bridge of old Venolvian manufacture, at 8 pm on the 27th of Tanos.

Session 98 tonight, 9pm eastern.
The group will continue travel north from the ruins, coming to the southern fields and the house of Shuruum the hobyt, we hope...before coming to town.