Started my new Campaign tonight

[Artifacts of Amber]

Okay the official Log of last session

Marcuis couldn't make the session


Each person kind of did their own thing so I will go by each character

As each person returned from licking their wounds from the failed ambush more a spiritual defeat than a physical one they had notes from various parties. I didn't want people Trumping each other all the time like it was a Cell phone.

TRACE

He answered his various notes politely but basically blew off everyone. He caught up with Christina asking her if she wanted to join him when he went to do more recon on the Barrier/Crevasse. She acted surprised he would want her help since sh thinks she performed badly before during the fight so didn't get invited along on the Ambush. Trace tried to reassure her otherwise but her damaged psyche just seemed to doubt him. She did say she would be ready to go after changing since Caroline had taught her how to prepare a bug out bag. Trace agrees to meet her in an hour.

When he returns she is dressed in Camo pants and shirt with a tactical sort of vest with Pockets filled with magical objects and gear. I described her much like a first time fishermen who bought all sorts of cool (or so they thought) gear to go out fishing when all yo might need is a rod and reel.

So they leave and grab a hotel room for the night in a nearby shadow to the Barrier. There Christina thinks Trace is making a move on her by getting a single room with a single bed and when he communicates he is sleeping on the couch she seems both relieved and hurt. She ask him if she should get her night clothes on or sleep in her gear. He tells her it is up to her but who knows who will visit in the night, so she uncomfortably tries to sleep in her commando gear with Mouse joining her to comfort her. The night passes uneventfully (remembering last time the entire hotel staff and guest were killed when they stopped near the Barrier shadow)

The travel 5-6 shadows over and arrive at the barrier and cast defensive spells. They proceed to the barrier hearing Gruffs approaching in the distance. As they push on the barrier slow breaking through Gruffs start arriving one by one. While They both cast spells and melee with them Trace eventually realizes (Because despite the hints I had to just tell him his Warfare thought he was falling behind the curve) that they need to bug out but he feels he has gathered more info on the barrier to improve his spells and improve spells against the Gruffs.

They head a few shadows away to prepare again and he finds a hotel with a suite available and two bedrooms, Once again maybe hurting Christina's feelings. They rest for the night to awaken to sirens in the distance, Once again everyone else (so they assume) is dead in the hotel. Thsi upsets Christina since she thinks though not directly their fault and though they are just "Shadows" She doesn't want to be callous like her mother and knows it is because of them the shadows died. She wants to just Trump back to Amber and Trace agrees.


He returns with her and addresses his correspondence. He has a sit down with Dillon who pumps him for information using not only what he had learned from Caroline (Covered later) but offering what seems like useful tactical advice and what to do from here. When Trace ask if he wants to go along next time he says his diplomatic skills are much more useful here than any sort of fighting skill he may have. So he bows out gracefully.

Trace also goes to see Fiona who merely inquires how things are and even ask about his pet project, Mouse, whom she has always been disdainful of as a waste of his time. She ask about his visit with Bleys and why Trace went to him. Trace Replies that he just didn't know him well and wanted to talk. Fiona seems to question this but doesn't press.

Trace then retires to work on his spells then trumps Rhi and Caroline.


CAROLINE

Caroline deals with her correspondence. Setting up several meetings through out the day first to see Cynthia (Caine's daughter) at her Duchy. They talk for a while over tea in the Garden. Cynthia inquires about how things are going offering her tactical advice on what to do next. She tells Caroline to think of her as more than a cousin but a sister (This relates back to Caroline thinking Caine is her father but being mad he hasn't recognized her yet but treats her much like a daughter)

She goes horse back riding with Dillon and he pumps her for information about what is going on. He does try to offer useful advice on how to proceed from her but says he is busy keeping things under control her with all the horrible things the shadow folk are doing.

She meets with Sebastian but primarily they just shoot the shit and hang out for a while. She then heads to see her mother and Queen Stephanie. She trumps her mother (Whom she knows is not her mother but some form of created/crafted person) she stays with her that night and awakes to breakfast which is then interrupted by Queen Stephanie who arrives unannounced and talks with Caroline. (Showing she is having Caroline's mother watched) She ask about the horrible events and what is Random the Amber regent doing (She refuses to recognize him as king) and goes about most the conversation correcting Caroline when she says King by saying Regent.

Caroline is later trumped by Rhi and they go hang out in Rhi's shadow discussing tactics until Trace Trumps them.


RHI

Rhi spends time writing a report for Random and the others involved. She is trying to avoid getting her butt reamed again by her dad and King.

Rhi heads to the library at a loss what to do now. She grabs some books on Ambushes and such with most being things she already knows or they go over her head. She decides to talk to Victoria about this knowing as Benedicts daughter, head of the castle guard and Basicallythe general for the Amber army when her Benedict is not around (Which is most the time) would be sound tactical advisor and she is actually assigned to help the characters by Random so is in the chain of knowledge.

Victoria comes in to meet her for dinner obviously from the field and they eat. Victoria listens and is brutally honest calling Trace a child for his use of odd little animals as spell focuses. And saying he should forget the magic crap since it is by its nature slow while he is one of the best swordsmen and fighters in Amber amongst the youngers with only Victoria his clear better. He should get in and mix i up instead of letting them escape or at least prepare some magic that makes getting away a little harder. She does say it is clear the Bad guys are threatened by the youngers since they run whenever they are face to face with them. Even though it seems to Youngers are losing they aren't it is just maybe not the goals the are seeking that they succeed at.

Rhi gets a Trump call from Random telling her he is rather sick of hearing information second hand from people who shouldn't even know anything. Basically tell everyone to shut up about this mission.

Shortly After Trace trumps Rhi and Caroline planning another assault.

And that's where we stopped.


General Info - All the shadows around the Barrier shadow have been 1900-1940 paris, new orleans or something similar. I think the players are missing that these are shadows of the Barrier Shadow which has a Broken Pattern in it. This is with some other knowledge they have would help them see a lot clearer what is going on.

When they went to speak with all these others about Tactics Most actually outranked the characters in warfare so I gave them useful advice but slightly different from each person colored by their Personality. It was a fun way to show that personality effects the black and white numbers of the game. Also the players are only sure of one person (Victoria) had a better warfare, they were mostly using the other NPC's as sounding boards.



If any one has questions fee free. I had hoped to open a dialogue on what I am doing since I can't talk to my players about it

[RPGPundit]

This continues to be great stuff, thanks for sharing it with us!

[Artifacts of Amber]

Thanks.

Glad someone is reading it but feel like I need a synopsis/primer so much has happened.

I feel it is moving slowly sometimes but since we only game 2-3 hours a session it isn't to bad.

Thanks again

[Doughdee222]

I just finished reading your campaign notes. Yeah, I got a few questions.

First and foremost: Is Trace trying to actively sabotage the party? I mean... wow! An army of copulating rabbits... If they were Monty Python rabbits I'd understand, but no. Then later a stampede to run over allied troops. Sheesh. And doesn't he have a clue that he's the best Warfare guy in the group? If he knows why is he wasting time with spells? (Reminds me of a session at a game convention when a player wanted to clear out swamp gas with a fireball spell! Later he decided to levitate some Hell Hounds up to the party so we could use our swords on them. WTF? I nixed both of those ideas real fast. That guy was a fount of bad ideas. At the end I asked the GM about it, whether that character was supposed to be working against us. Nope, just the way the player was.) I can appreciate the guy wanting to play up this Animal Love personality but still...

You mentioned that Rhianna went through the Anvil of Pain ceremony to gain some powers from them. What did she gain and does she ever use it?

The group does seem to be stalling. They do seem to know that the Anvil of Pain temple/place is a source of the bad guys (isn't it?) Why haven't they actively scouted it out and planned an attack on it? Or am I missing/forgetting something?

I'm surprised by how much Trumping is going on. Looks like it's used more than any other Power.

There were supposed to be at least nine Broken Patterns, or so you hinted. But the party has stuck to one. Have they given the others at least a little examination? Or maybe that's not an important detail.

You mentioned that none of your players were artists so no Trump portraits. But at another website I saw where people just copy a photo of some actor or other person their character resembles and paste that onto a card-like background. Can't your friends do that?

Anywho... sounds like a fun game (although 2-3 hours each does suck.) Someday I'll get back into gaming. Someday. Not many people in South Florida play though.

[Artifacts of Amber]

Doughdee222 Quotes in Bold

I just finished reading your campaign notes. Yeah, I got a few questions.

First and foremost: Is Trace trying to actively sabotage the party? I mean... wow! An army of copulating rabbits... If they were Monty Python rabbits I'd understand, but no.

They were actually were Monty Python Rabbits, but able to kill sucky knights does not make them that much more dangerous.


Then later a stampede to run over allied troops. Sheesh. And doesn't he have a clue that he's the best Warfare guy in the group? If he knows why is he wasting time with spells?

Yes the stampede was him just adding Chaos. I think he is getting perturbed by the players complaining about his childish spells and the elders not reacting the way he would like them to as well. Also he is not the best at Warfare but the best in Dexterity. I have split the two finding Warfare too powerful and difficult to run since I wanted NPC's and PC's alike to be tactical without necessarily be great fighters. Generals are not always brilliant swordsmen.

(Reminds me of a session at a game convention when a player wanted to clear out swamp gas with a fireball spell! Later he decided to levitate some Hell Hounds up to the party so we could use our swords on them. WTF? I nixed both of those ideas real fast. That guy was a fount of bad ideas. At the end I asked the GM about it, whether that character was supposed to be working against us. Nope, just the way the player was.) I can appreciate the guy wanting to play up this Animal Love personality but still...

Like I said at some points he sees things falling apart and just throws stuff in for chaos effect.


You mentioned that Rhianna went through the Anvil of Pain ceremony to gain some powers from them. What did she gain and does she ever use it?


She gained the ability to process pain as pleasure, Doesn't make her immune but she can handle pain better then most now. She later returned to the Anvil (Off screen) to gain the ability to inflict pain at a touch. She doesn't use them much but they do at to roleplaying a lot more since when others are hurting she seems to enjoy it somewhat.


The group does seem to be stalling. They do seem to know that the Anvil of Pain temple/place is a source of the bad guys (isn't it?) Why haven't they actively scouted it out and planned an attack on it? Or am I missing/forgetting something?

It is more the fact that some bad guys have gained Real Powers from these sources and not the sources themselves being bad. Imagine someone bathed in The Fount at the keep of the 4 worlds but not being the Keeper of the 4 Worlds. They just use that Real power but it is not the Fount controllers fault.


I'm surprised by how much Trumping is going on. Looks like it's used more than any other Power.

True while they Trump a fair bit they also send written messages when they are all in the castle and I occasionally have someone trump them when another player says they are trumping someone. I use the bait and switch like in the rule book, So though people Trump a decent amount they do not do so with out some caution. I haven't attacked them through the trump but there are people they would rather not talk to who Trump them.


There were supposed to be at least nine Broken Patterns, or so you hinted. But the party has stuck to one. Have they given the others at least a little examination? Or maybe that's not an important detail.

They have visited one other Broken Pattern and the Sorceress there has talked with them with Caroline returning to gather info from her about Broken Pattern in general. And yes I have told them there are 9 viable broken patterns that reflect off Amber's Pattern.


You mentioned that none of your players were artists so no Trump portraits. But at another website I saw where people just copy a photo of some actor or other person their character resembles and paste that onto a card-like background. Can't your friends do that?

Surprisingly they don't bother much with contributions, Only Rhi's player has done a few diaries. I haven't pushed the issue since everyone is sort of busy in private lives. Rhi has pictures of her guardians for her shadows and pictures of the Tattoos her character has. No portraits though. They could do that for points but like I said are fairly busy.

Anywho... sounds like a fun game (although 2-3 hours each does suck.) Someday I'll get back into gaming. Someday. Not many people in South Florida play though.

It is actually fun though from my perspective is starting to drag. They just get to the edge of getting it together and making some serious progress then I throw something at them and it derails them.  The 2-3 hour thing hurts the most. Luckily I have run games in that time frame for about 6 years (different systems) So I understand the issues with that and work with it. Luckily I have a weekend game that runs 5-6 hours to help me keep my sanity.



Thanks for being interested. Sometimes feel like I am typing all this up for my own entertainment.

[Doughdee222]

Well, okay, Dexterity. But still, sounds like Trace is the best melee guy in the group. He shouldn't be hiding somewhere casting spells, he should be on the front line hacking and slashing. It sounds like the guy has two competing ideas for his character and is having trouble reconciling them. In battle one can't both be a cavalryman and a cannoneer, the jobs just don't mesh well. Pick one and go with it.

You know, I played World of Warcraft for about seven years, played all sorts of characters, was a fairly big name on my server. I knew how to tank when needed, I knew how to heal when needed, I knew how to DPS and CC when needed. I think Trace's player could use a small lesson here.

So... Rhiannon volunteered to go S&M Dominatrix / Mord Sith? (Goodkind's Sword of Truth series.) Interestingly kinky. I wonder how far she'll go with that and if there will be some potential dangers in mastering those powers (a shift toward insanity, an urge to study dentistry.) The decor of her bedroom will probably change... But then she's supposed to be a goth chick, so maybe no real change there!

Marcuis seems to like pushing the envelope quite a bit. Lots of Logrus and Shape Shifting with that one. For some reason I thought SS was more limited (probably a remnant thought from other game systems) then I checked the book and it does say one can memorize and practice any number of animal forms. Interesting. Poor guy seems to get hurt by his Power use more than it helps though.

Caroline looks to be on top of things.

I'm curious: by now usually the group would have settled down and a leader or key motivator would have emerged. Have you seen a player becoming dominant and setting the agenda? Maybe two?

It's surprising that there has been two mass murders at the hotels but none of the players have cared to investigate or gather clues.

So, by now they have seen the faces of the enemy, have some names and killed some of the demon soldiers. The group knows where the bad guys have been and know their route into Amber. Seems to me it's time for them to take the offensive, and not just by setting ambushes. There should be some way to trace the bad guys back to a home base. I hope the group gets on it real soon.

[Artifacts of Amber]

Yeah he is the best melee guy. I think mainly he wanted to be athletic and be a decent fighter not realizing how closely those are tied in the system. The player, in his defense, has not RPged a lot(one or two games ever). He started playing mainly because Monday is a game night for him and I was gonna run this game regardless of anyone else playing. Missed Amber badly He is a Good player and plays like his character but his character is overly foolhardy when the player actually does know better. He also doesn't play much else than board games and card games so his idea of roles and such are not as ingrained as ours.

Rhi is having fun, she is a sort of new toy person. loves new toys and powers. She started Goth sort of so it wasn't a big step for her. She loves her shadow which is a Shadowrun sort of place with a heavy Fae influence, including her guardians.

Marcius bought advanced Logrus and Shapeshifting. He skimped on stats and has been trying to advance those as of late. Yeah his number of forms is based on several factors, 1) he is always spending down time practicing and learning new forms, so I take that as he has done this a while. 2) his personality dictates what forms I let him "already" know.

Caroline would be shocked someone thinks she in any way has it together. She is maybe slightly more decisive but laid back. meaning when she finally gets involved she is passionate about it.

Yeah the mass murders have been dealt with by  them camping out and not risking anyone else. But they have never keyed on when the murders happen. They seem to expect it whenever they get near the home base shadow but have not put it together it only happens when they leave the home base and only go a few shadows over to rest.

As to being proactive. my next post will tell you how that went.

[Artifacts of Amber]

So the assault is on.

The group gets together again to assault the home shadow of the "bad" guys. Trace asked for Rhi to help and Rhi asked Caroline to come and make sure Trace doesn't get her killed and they both ask Marcuis to come for the same reason.

Marcuis is freed up from his Chaosian duties. Christina joins them as well. They have camping gear ready as well. They Trump to Y'gg where everyone experiences a calm state including the chaosian though what makes him calm is different from everyone else. Trace picks up a branch he finds on the ground (I assume to study later) and they hell ride to within 4-5 shadows of the Barrier.

They camp and rest without incident with Caroline summoning Imps to watch out during the night. Trace rehangs spells and reworking Mouse since Hell rides are rough on both of those. They rouse and head to the barrier. It is becoming almost common place. The Gruffs start approaching. Trace, Christina and Marcuis assault the Barrier while Rhi, Caroline, Mouse, and Marcuis's Logrus Creature hold off the Gruffs.  Also Caroline summoned some acidic spitting imps to slow down the Gruffs which worked but didn't take out their eyes, which Caroline is overly fixated on as the means to kill them.

The three assaulting the barrier link up mentally which allows each to see things they might otherwise hide, such as Trace thinks Julian is his father, Marcuis is a Spy in Chaos, and Christina is a virgin. Every few moments I have them reveal another secret about themselves. The Gruff fight is fairly mundane except Trace realizing although mouse can cast spells now his Psyche is fairly weak making the spells much less effective. The next secret is that Christina was disappointed since she thought Trace was making his move last session when they stayed at hotel and only had one room and it hurt her feelings, Trace despite correcting him self and calling Marcuis by his name (it upset Christina he did that) thinks of him only as the Chaosian, and that Marcuis thinks that is both childish, rude and annoying. They make it 3/4 of the way through when on the far side they see a one armed man with an eye patch waiting for them with an enormous Morganstern sized horse (With flesh ripping teeth).

Trace pauses to cast a spell to increase his Dexterity and Warfare hoping this will give him some edge in the coming fight.  And then proceeds. The Gruff dealing crew are losing ground backing toward the rest of them and as they get almost all the way through Trace calls them to follow. The last secrets are shared as Christina reveals the first time she walked the Pattern was not the first time. Yeah, she doesn't know why either. Trace is just being a dick sometimes no real hidden agenda (No big secret) and Marcuis didn't real get mentioned. I think he slid through maybe shape shifting his mind to hide any real secrets away.

They penetrate the barrier and stand facing what they had assumed to be Benedicts shadow but with the horse now they think it might be Julian as well.

Trace begins to cast spells as the man watches. He thinks he is getting a way with this happy to not engage while he buffs up. The Horse steps closer to a tree and eats a squirrel noisily chomping away at the animal bones and all.  Finally Caroline grows tired and charges the man as does Marcuis who has shifted to his Chaos form. The man finally whips around his blade that he has had his hand rested on before she can do much the man catches her arm and spins her around placing his blade against her throat. The blade sizzles and agonizes her
with its very touch. He then suggest maybe they should all leave. Finally they so no and he spins Caroline away and awaits their attack.

Trace goes for the man after summoning his Ethereal Swordsmen and yelling for back up from the group. Too bad he basically has everyone pissed off at him and they show it.

He engages Trace and the swordsmen. Nothing can lay a hand on him as Trace tries to be defensive and slowly probe his defenses. Every time I describe the man fending off an attack from the spell Swordsmen, Trace thinks it is and opening to attack but I explain he always does it so as to leave Trace out of position or exposed to a serious counter attack or simple it happens so fast the window of opportunity is not open long enough for him to react to it.

Caroline actually handily beats down the horse who was trying to eat Marcuis. Seeing it regenerate they fear it will come back so they make sure it is throughly chopped up. Rhi is pulling up her Logrus wanting to at least study the blade and see if the man has other things helping him. Marcuis begins shifting into an Iron Golumn to shield himself from the blade and any incoming magics.

Then Frost steps from the forest nearby (showing her shoulder still injured from the previous fight) and the man points to Christina and says "That one" Frost releases a lightening bolt at her. Everyone is too busy to react as the blast throws Christina against the Barrier.  With everyone busy no one can help her. Caroline goes to help Trace as the man's sword has disrupted and destroyed most of his spells and when Trace sends Mouse forward to help by flanking the man, the Man aims killing blow at Mouse which Trace intercepts mostly. The Man continues to score hits on mouse which not only seems to be physically hurting him but also unmaking him as an enhanced construct as well.

Finally Trace goes all out against The man as Caroline comes to help, allowing Mouse to break free. Meanwhile Still Shifting and Summoning Logrus everyone sees a flash and bang as A lightening bolt comes from Christina to smash Frost back into the woods, Christina then starts to cast again. They glance and see she is marked by the bolt but not particularly hurt by Frost attack.  
Trace starts taking blows from the man each a small but painful nick that starts him slowly bleeding out and slowing his fighting down. By the time Caroline engages it is obvious Trace is becoming exhausted in all the casting, Barrier breaking and fighting. As Rhi summons up a Logrus lens and Marcuis almost gets his form complete Christina Summons an Astral Unicorn that charges after Frost. The Man responds by tossing his blade in the air for a second while he flicks a blade at Christina that sends her down and her spell away.  Marcuis stops shifting to revert and goes to help her. He starts to shape shift what appeared to be a dire wound but missed all vital organs but sliced her cleanly between two ribs without sticking.

The Man Continues to poke holes in Trace and Caroline though it is obvious that had they been a little fresher maybe they could actually injured him. So far they have not done more than nicked him.

They decide now might be time to run. Especially when Trace decides he might be able to get to Frost. This is when the Man flicks another blade at Trace who seems surprised he doesn't get chance to react. He isn't quite getting how much better this man is. But he tries to dodge and fails. This ham strings him making it difficult to continue toward Frost. Trace finally giving up Trumps back to Amber while everyone else slightly busier Trumps a few moments afterward.

In the Courtyard Trace ask where Random is and the guards tell him most likely in his Chambers. Everyone else arrives and start to all leave, Rhi to catch up with Trace, Caroline to get a hot bath and Marcuis to his room, almost leaving Christina alone. They realize that would be cruel. So Marcuis take her to the infirmary along with the guards. Rhi goes to try to save Trace from himself.

In the Royal Chambers Trace gets in to See Random and tells him this isn't gonna work unless they get help. Random of course responds by asking Trace if he is making demands of his King. Trace just says no, just telling you how it is. Random Merely points out that Trace might be better served talking to him later, That it is his job to solve the issues at hand. Trace realizing (I hope) he is not winning this one leaves still pissed.  Rhi Goes in afterwards and makes sure Trace didn't end up before a chopping block and tells Random she will forward a report later.

They both head for the Infirmary to see Christina.

And there the Saga ends for another week.

Highlights - Running someone who is superior top the party in Dexterity and Warfare and managing to keep the battle on those grounds. His Psyche and Strength are weaker than some of them. Caroline was even told she felt stronger than him but he always seemed to anticipate her moves before she made them. A case (In my games) of when a vastly better Warfare can nix a small advantage in Strength. But it had to be pretty vast like 3 times better.


Next week should be most interesting as repercussions start occurring for both good and bad guys.

[Artifacts of Amber]

The Group started out as usual heading in different directions looking for solutions.

Trace Left the Crown and went to visit Christina. When he arrived Fiona was there. She was holding Christina's hand and when Trace asked how she was as she began to answer Fiona squeezed her hand making Christina wince and answered for her, That she was fine. She then asked Trace if he was done. He tried looking past Fiona to talk to Christina who now seemed uncomfortable and pained before he finally thought he should leave.
Trace heads to his room to repair the damage done to him by the Broken Pattern sword and to renew some of his magic. He sees how badly damaged Mouse is by the sword as well. Then he heads out into shadow to play with mouse and possible to think.
Trace Trumps Bleys and they talk in a casino like place. Trace begins to tell him what has happened and Bleys reminds him it is treasonous to do so, since Random warned them to keep a tighter lip. Bleys says he may be a Boy King but he is still King. So Trace ask about Pattern swords and can we make one. Bleys shows him Werewindle which he possesses. Commenting according to legend Dworkin made them but even that is only legend.

Caroline took a long bath and first sending notes to Victoria and Caine to ask for more physical training having grown tired of getting her ass whooped as she put it. She also sent a Note to Vialle postponing further Trump education.
When Bath was done she had received replies from Caine and Vialle. Vialle said no issue I know how busy you are with the current situation, Caine said come visit I am at my Dockside Manor house at the moment. So she heads to go see him but gets caught by Rhi how tells her about the Broken Pattern Sword. So a short while later she is visiting Caine and they hold a discussion about learning less "honored" forms of fighting. Caine is nonchalant about his reputation at skulduggery. He says he would be more than willing but may be called away to execute duties for the Crown so maybe Victoria or Cynthia (his Daughter) could be of help both being well educated in all forms of War and or Skulduggery in Cynthia's Case.
Caroline returns to her room to see Victoria has left a note to meet her at 5 am on the Horse hide fields for practice.  Which she does and Victoria starts running her through the paces and we get a short Training Montage.

Rhi tries to get a meeting going that evening but seems everyone is out and about, Trace says he can meet for breakfast but not dinner, Caroline called it and early night and Marcuis is Indisposed not receiving the note.
She decides to head to her shadow then on unto the Anvil to do more training. There she has to torture people to learn how to draw strength from others pain and then how to project pain over a distance. This concludes her training here. She returns to her shadow to see that it reflects this new change in her with violence rising and more suffering and brush wars occurring through out.

Marcuis simple goes to sleep then following day heads to the Embassy to pick up on his Sorcery Lessens.

Now they all get a message from a variety of birds. Trace has a pigeon deliver a note on his leg in the woods, Caroline has a small falcon arrive on Victorias shoulder and hold out its leg with a message, Rhi's was an eagle that arrived while she was at the Anvil so it comes in cawing in pain and twitching having seizures as it delivers the message, Marcuis gets a dark blood red bat with scars and a war torn look about it that kicks its leg out like a jack booted WWII Nazi parody.  The note says "meet at 7 for Dinner in the Blue Dining hall" No one recognizes the writing except Victoria who doesn't say who it is.

Marius comes on time, Rhi a few moments early, Trace not bothering to clean up shows up a minute before 7 and Caroline shows up still dripping wet from her shower and slightly clinging clothes as Victoria made her run back to the castle with only a few moments to spare.  Trace paces about impatiently expecting that who ever summoned them should be there when they called the meeting. The rest sit and start to eat. After the meal the door opens at the far end and Benedict comes in. He stands at the head of the table and simply states. " I understand you asked for help" He stands waiting for them to talk. She ask questions and he reiterates a few things they had already been advised by others. Trace keeps asking about what to do about the Broken Pattern sword and Benedict says like 3 times Don't get hit. Seems Trace was expecting an answer that included magic or some other power to counter it perhaps not realizing that is not how benedict would deal with it. He mostly reminds them that as individuals they will constantly lose or fail. Even as mistrusting as his brothers and sisters are when the enemy came to their doorstep they set that aside and chased them all the way home, to which he ask the Chaosian "Right?" Marcuis merely says it was before his time. Then he says he is done if they have nothing more but he will be about the castle for the next few days if they have need.

As he leaves he steps outside and they here him say "Brother" and someone answer in Kind. Bleys then steps in and walks up pulling out a chair and sits. He comments on now that benedict is gone they can talk casually. Bleys even tells Trace he can finish up committing treason because Bleys has been read in. Bleys seems much more casual and happy then when they have dealt with him before. He has an honest conversation with them though they cover much the same ground about Pattern swords and such. Though he does say it is possible to make something Imbued with Pattern energies that may be effective but it is a weak toy compared to the real blade.

After the talk the group starts talking over tactics and what to do. This was way too much to relate so I will cover the highlights. They do come up with some good ideas but had trouble deciding on which of the two main ideas to do. Ambush more people to undercut the Benedict shadow's power base or to directly assault their home base.

The group, being typical Amberites, keep making petty comments and bickering which was fun for me to watch, sadly they just won't or don't seem like they can get it together in a real fight.

Caroline and Trace snipe at each other quite a bit. Marcuis remains quiet not commenting when they finally ask him what he thinks he says what does it matter since some people think of him just as the Chaosian.

They finally settle on more Ambushes to see how that changes the battle field.

Need to record their talks so I could remember all that was said a little better.

[Doughdee222]

This story is getting funnier all the time.
I can just imagine Rhi thinking to herself: "I need to practice some torture. Where should I go? What place has a few dozen guys who deserve to be tortured? (Endor? Naboo's Gungan city? Middle Earth? ...)"

Teacher: "Next week, class, we'll be firebombing an orphanage. Trust me, it's for a good cause. Read chapter 7 in your texts, Ignitions and Accelerants."

So now that Trace knows Christina is a virgin and likes him he goes and visits her in her bedroom. The boy is starting to get his priorities straight. Too bad a cockblocker was in the way. Maybe next week (after he proves his prowess in battle.) Now if only we can get him to stop blabbering State Secrets to everyone he meets...

Asking help from Benedict. Yeah, that worked out well.

Poor Marcuis. I feel for the guy.

Here's a question: a couple sessions ago there was an army marching on Amber and they had a dragon chew on it for a few minutes. (Although where the dragon came from I'm not sure.) Did they destroy the army? Or cause enough damage to force a retreat? Or is it still marching across the shadows?

[Artifacts of Amber]

Well everyone knows she initiated into the Anvil of Hell but don't know she has been going back and getting more into it.

There was mention of capturing one of the minion bad guys and questioning him, Rhi jumped right to torturing the guy for Intel. Everyone made the point/comment that the first guy they captured (The shapeshifter) was going to be tortured/questioned and she didn't like the idea, Now suddenly she is.

Trace went to see Christina in the Infirmary and not to take advantage. Every time he suggest it even jokingly the players remind him that Benedict told him when they were both laid up in the infirmary. "If you take advantage of Christina, I will end you"

Yeah I think Random is going to have a discussion with him about that. And his childishness.

Yeah I told him playing the Chaosian was gonna kinda suck, Kinda like bad stuff but It balances out because no one in Amber trust him enough to ask anything of him so he has less obligations. Even the Chaosian delegation sort of ignores him since he is not a member (and afforded no Diplomatic immunity etc.) He only has whatever power/authority/freedoms the others give him in Amber and has to be escorted on occasion.

The players released the Primal dragon on them after making a deal with it. It had a time limit so didn't destroy the Army. The demon Army disappeared into shadow. Everyone assumed it was headed to Amber but that was an assumption.

Of course if they thought about it they know (or at least Rhi does) that Martin was fighting off a demon army attacking Corwin's Shadow/Pattern.

There is an army attacking Arden at this time (Explains away Kal's absence until the player can play again) but it is a human army.

Players may have assumed it is the same army despite them being completely different people in the army a demon one versus a human one.

[Artifacts of Amber]

So A session happened again

Beginning with everyone Tired from their discussion and wanting to mull over things as to what exact step to take next. Most headed off to sleep or do some studying on things (such as spells) that may help.

The next day Caroline and Rhi meet planning a breakfast/brunch meeting for the group. Trace Gets an Official summons from the Crown A letter sealed with the jewel of Judgement. He dresses in his normal clothes clean but not fancy even after getting a Florimel voice in his head that maybe he should dress appropriately. He is escorted to the Throne room where he is announced. He comes in and pays his respects, I tell him how can he since he has already ignored the proper dress or attitude but he does his best.

Random accuses him of treason but he says he did what he wanted to do. Random points out he had already been advised then ordered not to talk outside approved sources, which he violated. When asked what he would do in Random's situation he tried to avoid giving an answer saying he would never allow himself to be placed in such a position (As if having that done means your an idiot) Random presses him and he finally says "Probably Nothing". Vialle meanwhile reaches over to take Random's hand and he brushes it off. Finally after mulling for a few moments sends Trace to the dungeons for time to think on an appropriate punishment .

He is escorted and disarmed politely by the guards and locked in a cell. Mouse curls up outside. Later Christina comes to see him but is turned away and he sends Mouse to watch over her since she is crying.

When Rhi sends her note to Trace about the meeting it is returned and she is told he is "Detained" But before she has a chance to see what is going on a Summons to come before the Crown is delivered to her and Caroline. It request their attention "at their leisure" Which means as soon as you can properly present yourself.

Caroline after hearing about the detainment decides to go all out calling in body servants to help her dress and fix her hair. While Rhi (more accustomed to official events) gets dressed as well. Once done they approach the Throne room and are announced. Random ask them much the same question, Knowing of his treason what would you do.  They both him and haw not really suggesting anything. He ask them to think on it and dismisses them.

They go back to their room and pull open the liquor cabinet and start some serious thinking. Trace is difficult for every punishment they think of his uncaring attitude would mean it truly would not be punishment. They boil it down to three things he cares about Mouse, Sorcery and Christina. Some serious discussion to using Christina is had but angering Fiona is dangerous.

Then Christina shows up crying and Rhi gives her a hug and invites her in. The hug causes Christina to wince as everyone has forgotten her recent injury. Mouse curls up outside. Not long afterward they hear Mouse growling and then a heavy handed knocking at Rhi's door. She opens it to find Fiona staring her down, flush with anger. She calls for Christina saying that she is suppose to be in the infirmary. Christina' shoulders slump and she stands turning slowly and walking to the door, Rhi gives her a small hug and she steps out to walk with her mother. Fiona orders Mouse to stay but he ignores her.

Soon Trace feels his connection to Mouse disappear completely.  Soon after he is brought his meal of a water jug and gruel. He conjures the water into wine. Soon after he is moved to a new cell that cuts him off from magic and the Pattern.

After much discussion Caroline and Rhi come to the conclusion that Christina has enough problems as does anyone else Trace may feel bad about being punished except mouse. Also that his sorcery may be denied or curbed as well as some prison time, a few years should do. They freshen up and send word to the King they are ready to meet.

Trace is summoned to the Throne room. They all meet outside and are announced. Random ask Caroline and Rhi their thoughts. Standing before Trace they relate what they had thought, Reduce Mouse to a normal dog again, Restrict Trace's Sorcery and Imprison him for 5 years. Random mulls it over and announces that He will hold Mouse hostage against Traces' good behavior, that when he is not actively engaged in the endeavor he has assigned he is confined to the dungeon, and that he takes orders from Caroline while in the field.

Trace makes a comment about what kind of person punishes a Dog, to which Random replies what man loves a dog but cares little so little for anything else. Trace then admits he does not know where Mouse is at this time. And he does make it clear that Mouse is being well treated to which the King replies you are being punished not him.

They are all dismissed. Trace grabs some study aids for his work on spells in his cell, Rhi and  Caroline wander back to their room to think.

Trace stops by to see Christina but Fiona answers for her as he spots a little blood stain on Christina's side from her earlier wound, perhaps she tore it open when she was gallivanting about. He ask where Mouse might be. Fiona says he didn't listen to her and therefore was dealt with but since the king needs him, Trace feels the connection return. He meets Mouse and explains to him the situation and sends him off for confinement.

[Doughdee222]

"He did what he wanted to do."

You know what that reminds me of? Back in the early 80's when my buddies and I were first playing D&D and AD&D they latched onto the idea of playing "Chaotic Neutral" characters with the idea that it provided unlimited freedom of choice of action. Technically, they were correct, they could do anything they wanted and I couldn't call foul on alignment grounds. But when they started robbing and murdering peasants, clergy, wealthy families, etc. at will the local lords and nobility still got angry with them. Soon they were being chased by law enforcement as well as dealing with whatever bad guys were in the area. Some places saw the PCs as just another group of bandits.

"Reduce Mouse to a normal dog again." How cruel! Like saying "Let's give the kid a lobotomy." Sheesh. I bet it was Rhi who came up with that idea. I'm glad Random didn't consider it.

Marcuis may feel like an outsider, but with this group most of them are. Caroline and Kal still have their dignity.

Serious thinking requires liquor. Yep, love it.

[Artifacts of Amber]

He does play his character that way. Talking about beheading or a death sentence say he would just roll up a new character. I read him a quote from the book about loving your character and would you stay in a dungeon for a ton of sessions like Corwin's player would have had to do. I think it surprised him. I told him,as I was told, Dead characters can't be tortured. Also said I'm doing roatary characters ya Die, Ya die.

Actually it was Caroline's Idea to "neuter" Mouse. Her reasoning being that he could be "Re-Moused" later so that it wouldn't be permanent.

Marcuis and the player like doing Outsider sort of characters. Not so much a Loner that it is disruptive but never just part of the crowd.

Tonight should be interesting as we see if Trace can behave or not, Exactly how much does he care about Mouse?

[Artifacts of Amber]

Session began with everyone having a nights rest.

We begin with Trace while the others waken and plan their days. Trace tries to figure out how to enlarge his 10 by 10 cell into something the size of a Gym but realizes that in Amber his ability to conjure that level of permanent effect is beyond his ability. The effort used would not be with the extremely shortened results as the Patten Corrected everything. So he decides to work out.
   He has a visitor that morning and is told by the guards that he must kneel whenever another Lord or Lady comes to visit him. He refuses and the first visitor leaves with no one knowing who he is. He then feels as if Mouse can no longer run. He doesn't know if he has been imprisoned further or had his legs amputated.

   Meanwhile Marcuis chases down Rhi to discuss a plan of attack seemingly growing bored with the progress of the group. He discovers Caroline is out training with Victoria still. So they decide to go visit Trace and discuss the next step.

   Thinking they are to be announced I tell Trace he has a Lord and Lady visitor please kneel. He capitulates since he now realizes Mouse is punished each time he does not follow the rules. Gerard and Florimel come in and talk with him. Gerard more or less tells him his is trying to be his advocate so quit making it hard on him by being a Dick. Florimel wants to make sure he is properly cared for commenting on how his clothes don't match the environment. She'll send him something and visit everyday if need be. His normal leathers are not at all suited to this chilly cell and all this working out just means sweat stains all through the leathers. So she'll bring him something more comfy. She also starts fixing his hair but Gerard ask her to stop seeing how uncomfortable Trace is. They then exit.

   Later Rhi and Marcuis arrive and Marcuis has fun with him exacting his revenge for always being called the Chaosian by calling Trace the Prisoner. They talk for a little while and plan to meet later. Trace ask Rh to check on Mouse for him fearing he is being abused. Not lng afterward a few piles of clothes arrive, enough to cover Traces only surface his bed. He conjures some shelves to hold them and changes into them.

   Marcuis goes to see Caroline in the field. She is practicing with real blades against Victoria then multiple Amber guard. 4 then 6 then 8. Caroline talks with Marcuis about meeting for dinner and Victoria calls up her archer unit and then tells Caroline if she wants to make dinner she better get moving pointing to the Castle cliff face about a half mile away telling her better get moving, she doesn't want to lose her lead,  as the 10 archers line up behind her. Marcuis watches as she jogs to the cliff face and starts climbing and the archers start catching up and firing arrows up at her in volleys. Marcuis wanders off in thought.

   Rhi visits her Father while he works in his office. He talks with her a while and she ask about seeing Mouse, He ask why she says why he answers no, Not if it is to sooth Traces nerves. They small talk and as they do Random starts to pivot his head around and tilting it as if trying to hear something. Then he spins to his liquor cabinet and grabs a shot glass and pours a quick shot then steps to the window throwing it open. Rhi watches trying to figure out what he is doing as he leans out and hands the shot glass to Caroline as she climbs by telling her "Hi". He stoes back closing the window and Rhi excuses herself to go meet Caroline on the roof. Caroline finishes climbing up the Ramparts as guards watch. The arrows having failed to reach her for some time when she turns to wave, Victoria nods and draws backa bow to send an arrow whistling past Caroline's hand. Victoria's voice echos in Caroline's mind (not literally) "Remember who you are fighting not everyone is of Shadow stuff."

   Trace receives some more clothes from someone. One in particular is an brownish orange jumpsuit with his name embroidered on the back. Upon description on of the players realizes it is an Orange prison jumpsuit.

   Caroline and Rhi go get ready for dinner and send for Trace from his cell. Trace ask for his weapons but the guards tell him they understood it was only a meeting. He heads up to the meeting. The have a nice pasta dinner and discussion of which Marcuis leads it the most. They settle on the shadow conditions they want and what equipment they want functional there. They agree to meet in the morning. Trace says little and Caroline comments that he is pouting. Some discussion is had over taking prisoners or not, Marcuis needs to know because it will effect how he attacks. They decide more Intel would be helpful so plan to capture at least one of them.

   Rhi and Caroline go to see Random and here his drums being played up in the tower. They find him however in with Vialle having a brandy. He pours them some and small talks for a short while. Finally Rhi ask who is playing and Random says Martin was working out some frustrations on his kit. Caroline ask to see Mouse, Random ask why she says just so he doesn't Think he is being punished by them. He says Mouse is at Gerards Manor house down by the docks. She sends him a note asking if she can drop by in the morning to see Mouse. Rhi and Caroline go up stairs to see Martin and they jam for a lil while with Rhi being an accomplished Guitarist and Caroline managing to pick out a few keys on the piano (Straining to remember lessons from Florimel in music appreciation).

   In the morning Caroline goes and sees Mouse who is in a small pen, she lets him out and they play for an hour before he with resignation goes in and shuts his own gate behind him. Trace gets the feeling of fun and freedom from Mouse for an hour or so before it becomes an inability to run and sadness. Marcuis creates a Logrus Creature outside the Castle proper disturbing some early merchants.

   The next morning they gear up then Trump to Rhi's shadow and witness some violence their she says she needs to do some tweeking but has been busy. They use the Transporters to teleport outside town only now the Transportation is extremely painful which Rhi sort of likes but she can't warn the others as they come through all comment "WTF" basically. She says she has some work to do on it.

   So from there they move over a few shadows and Hell ride to a shadow that meets their conditions with Rhi leading the way. By first finding some form of transportation, She finds some Jet ski looking hover bikes and they take off. Comments are made about Marcuis Logrus Creature who looks like a lizard with preying mantis like scythes for front limbs riding tandem on his bike.

   They arrive crossing some surf to a flat island about 2-300 yards across and little tidal movement. They set up in the center with Caroline getting her gear from her shadow warehouse. The Logrus Creature digs itself a fox hole as do some of the others. Trace sets up several long lasting defensive spells . And they wait.

Next week is the Ambush!. Boy do they have some surprises.


Highlights - How easily they buy into the Florimel only cares about fashion and etiquette, not realizing they are thinking exactly what she wants them to.

Also now knowing the worse punishment for Trace is he can't avoid people like he once did and has to be vaguely polite to whoever visits him.