Campaign Year One, The Season of Autumn's Decay

The Central Plains of Lashon breathed a sigh of relief after the scorching hot days of summer passed. Plants that were considered near dust sprung back to life. Showers from the western coast came in to cool off the burning grasslands of the area. Fogbottom Basin lived up to its name with a thick shroud of fog emanating from its depths to creep along the nearest lands at night. Humans living in this region prepared to sow their seeds, for fall were a season of planting. Autumn was here along with its gifts and curses.

From the mists of Fogbottom basin figures marched in a shuffling mass of bodies. Warriors of the Venerable Preceptor report ten hands worth of strange clay men marching toward their small village. The congregation of mud men is marching slowly towards the territory. Soft moans and childish laughter can be heard on the winds as the small mass of creatures gets closer to the shallow flood plain.

Villagers of the mad god called Grapes looked up from their afternoon planting of grape seeds and drinking of last year’s wine to notice two wagons pulled by strange lizard looking creatures rolling down the windy canyon road that leads into their domain. Crimson robed figures with eyes that shine like diamonds drive the cart towards the collection of huts, tents and lean-tos. The wagons slow down and the gnomes prepare to disembark from their seats.

As autumn approached, the Flamehearted tribe moved from their summer home to their winter encampment near the northern tribes they get along with. As they marched north, tribal warriors on the western flank notice several herds of Lashon beast, some with riders, some in strange colors and patterns unlike a normal Lashon beast. The herd and riders look to cross paths with the people of Varrius.

Troubled by news of the strange creatures approaching First Lesson, Laoshang dispatched some of his scholars to search through the lore-scrolls for any hint of clay men or ambulatory automata.

The priests, meanwhile, were sent to quietly ready the people for withdrawal behind the walls of the temple - though they were under strict instructions not to spread panic, but instead to guarantee that any such retreat could be handled well. As first steps, however, the youngest and oldest of the tribe could be brought into the temple's buildings - purportedly for education and rest - while the tribe's meager flocks are brought closer to hand, ready to be herded inside.

The warriors, meanwhile, kept watch.

For his own part, the strange sounds said to emanate from the clay bodies made Laoshang worry about demons or other bodiless spirits, possessing constructs fashioned from the mud of Fogbottom, and perhaps seeking warm-blooded replacements.....

Setting one priest to offer a prayer to Gong Jao, friendly demon-spirit of protection and alliance, he himself offered a sacrifice and lengthier prayer to his grandfather's ascended form, requesting aid and information about the strange arrivals.


Still in the process of attempting to work out quite what form a complete Heaven of Perfected Knowledge should take, the Venerable Preceptor was seated atop an outcropping of the highlands that rise from Endless Summer into Perpetual Autumn. Though the true mountains of Arablis lay beyond, the stone upon which the Preceptor sat had a distinctly papery hue to it, and a number of the grand rock formations were reminiscent of scroll-cases.

As a result, virtually every idea that the Preceptor had come up with featured scrolls - but something a little more imaginative for a deity of thought would surely be appropriate, no?

One could possibly... Ah-ha!. A prayer of note. A welcome distraction from regrets over insufficient time spent admiring and studying architecture and art while alive.

Extending his awareness, the Preceptor moved his point of focus to the material realm, passing on from Laoshang to find the nearest of his followers to these strange men of marching clay.

Intrigued, the Preceptor watched for a few moments, before attempting to reach out and brush the mind within one (or all) of the creatures, intent upon lifting from their thoughts the knowledge of what they were and what they intend. Though he had never tried this trick in his short time as a true god, the Preceptor hoped that it should be a simple matter to pass that newfound knowledge on to Laoshang in the form of a vision....

Then a thought occurred to him, on how better to alter matters to suit his interests. Sending Laoshang hurrying up to the highest point of the temple, from where the clay figures were distantly-visible dots upon the flat plain, the Preceptor set about working a Miracle upon the Elucidator, sharpening his sight so tha the could see the thoughts lying within the minds of others....

((OOC: First version - a variation on Divine Inspiration.

• An Innovation of Control - Minor (cost 5) by default, but it might have to be powered-up.
  Harmony (-1) - Control
  Primary Domain (-2) - Knowledge
  Would a Duration of +1 allow the knowledge of intent to remain in place for the duration of the conflict / a week? It'd be useful to know how these critters respond to events as they unfold. Or would the +1 Duration just mean that the initial data remains in Laoshang's head for a week? And would on-going telepathy be a Major or Significant effect in any case?
  Location 0 or +1 - I'm not sure if these things are inside what I can claim as "my" territory yet.
  Scale +1 (Household) would be the default for targetting the whole group, and we might as well lift knowledge and intent from all of the group at once. If I boost the Scale can I over-power the targets' dice (to resist my acquisition of their thoughts) by changing the Scale of the conflcit? If so, that'd seem the obvious way to power-up the Miracle most efficiently. If it's outside my turf (for Location +1), I could raise the Scale 1 grade without any extra cost; if it's inside my turf, I could raise it two grades.
  Total Cost Factor: Certainly no more than 1.
  Cost: 5 for a Minor Innovation, rising somewhat if greater levels of Innovation are required.

On Fate's Advice, making this "Capture Thoughts":

Minor Alteration of Control. Base Cost (3)
Duration: Conflict/Week (+1)
Domain: Primary (-2) (Knowledge)
Inclination (-1) (Control)
Scale: 0 upwards, making it Territory (+3) in this instance, to try to overpower opposition
Territory: (0) (Controlled)
Cost Factor: 1
Total Cost: 3
Gives subject a chance to use Mind vs Mind contest to read thoughts from targets he can see, granting a +1 to his Mind for the purpose))

Fate wrote:

As autumn approached, the Flamehearted tribe moved from their summer home to their winter encampment near the northern tribes they get along with. As they marched north, tribal warriors on the western flank notice several herds of Lashon beast, some with riders, some in strange colors and patterns unlike a normal Lashon beast. The herd and riders look to cross paths with the people of Varrius.

Beritt calls the people of the tribe to a halt, having been told of the approaching Lashon beasts and their riders. The tribal Warriors will set up a perimeter to the west as the newcomers approach and Beritt will stand with the priests who will be standing just behind the wall. The intention is to greet the newcomers and offer food and any aid they may or may not require, but nevertheless to be ready for attack.

Varrius watches intently from the flames of his heaven, he has no idea who these people are but is unwilling to risk danger to his people. He takes his standard "Mantle of Varrius" ability but instead of the standard roar of flames that accompanies it, it takes on no appearance and is simply strengthening their standard armour and weaponry in case the newcomers are a threat.

Lesser Mantle of Varrius: Significant Alteration (4), Creation (-1), Protection (-1) Duration (+1), Scale (+1). Cost: 4/8/16. Varrius supernaturally strengthens the basic armour and weaponry of a small group of warriors when they are meeting newcomers . A household scale gains +2 to its combat rating.

Grapes payed the visitors little heed as he maniacally danced with glee in his spiritual realm, his laughter emanated waves of persuasive power into the Prophet.

There was a time and place for everything, and the time for cackling was upon him.

The Mad Prophet hobbled up to the wagons in his most ragged attire, little more than a tattered, bloodstained loincloth. He was a wrinkly old codger with a wild mane that blended into his tangled beard. Human bite-marks of varying degree covered his gaunt form. As the clay creatures descended from their seats, the Prophet held out a dented, filthy wine cup to them. "Alms for the poor?"

Behind him was a celebration as was usual in Grapes. A group of followers near the entrance chanted wild meaningless incantations while walking backwards in a circle, a few of them occasionally trying to bite each other.

Further in the valley the followers of Grapes milled about performing an assortment of equally strange behaviors. At first glance it would be hard to notice anything productive happening, but there was a method to the madness in this place.


Miracle: Sweet Talker

Base Cost- Trivial- 2
Scale Individual - +0
Duration - conflict +1
Inclination- Harmony -1 (control)
Domain- Secondary Domain - messages -1
Location: Controlled Territory +0


Ultimate cost is the base score of 2

This miracle will not add any bonus score but allow the Prophet to "Sweet Talk" the gnome. The prophet assumes no special die score but will use elite followers stats with a d8 for mind.

Laoshang, the Elucidator of Simplicity feels the power of his god come upon him. His mind reaches out to the group of mud creatures and seeks their intent.

Laoshang has a D12 +1 (for writing) and adds an additional +1 for the miracle on a household scale.

As the hero brushes the minds of the mud creatures he soon finds out are actually demons and spirits of men trapped in undead flesh and mud. These creatures are marching with slow intent upon the village. What they want is still a mystery. These demons and creatures have a normal d6 stat on a household scale with a total of 50 of them (5 d6).

Now we find out if he is sucessful.

The member 'Fate' has done the following action : Roll Dice

#1 'D12' : 6

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#2 'D6' : 5

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#3 'D6' : 1

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#4 'D6' : 6

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#5 'D6' : 1

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#6 'D6' : 5

Laoshang, Greybeard's chosen one views all of their minds.

They are trapped against their will and seek the release of true death. Some malevolent power has snared them in order to inhabit these crude forms for the purpose of terror.

They seek the slaughter of all the living in the village. Their intent is to ask for surrender of everyone to a peaceful death in a unified voice that will cause terror. If the 50 creatures reach the village in time they will cause terror.

As Laoshang viewed their minds, a terrible voice spoke to him "Leave my new children alone interloper. You will be flayed alive for this."

((This is a Terror miracle aimed at Laoshang))
Voice of Doom

Significant Alteration of Control (+2 to mind vs mind) Base Cost (4) Duration (+1) Domain: (-1)/ Inclination (-1) Scale (0)* (Can be altered)
Total Cost: CT (4) NT(4) HT (8 )

His cost was 8 Terror points.

The Leviathan has a d10+2 mind (+2 for the Terror Miracle)and attempts to terrorize Laoshang with his d12+1.

The member 'Fate' has done the following action : Roll Dice

#1 'D12' : 8

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#2 'D10' : 2

Laoshang easily resists the frightening voice echoing through his head.

Varrius' Tribe prepares for battle or friends with a miraculous charge of power coursing through his ranks. Weapons glow with an unearthy nimbus. Armor becomes more radiant and casts its own light.

The Lashon riders come forward slowing their advance, looking over their shoulders as they do so. One rider with a huge frame, large muscles, dark hair and shaggy beard with a Lashon cloak speaks up. "We seek allies. Quickly! An enemy marches towards us. It is no normal foes as it travels through the ground. There are 6 of them and only 20 of us. They are larger than two Lashon put together and have mouths that can devour four men at once!. If you would help us, our god Brasgol will be more than happy to compensate you."

As the Prophet asks "Alms for the Poor?" a glamor sets in giving a seductive charm to the dirty old man.

The gnome replies, "Surely you are far richer than you dress. You do not need to convince me as I willingly part with a gold."

(Note there is no conflict as the gnome willingly hands over a gold coin).

My brothers and I represent our god Bruin, Lord of Gold. We are the Merchants of Death. Yet we bring news that will help you live long.

We have information we would be willing to part with. All we ask for in return is some fine wine and a promise you will deliver the message to every god in this region.

We are limited in time, yet we understand you can do this service for us.

What do you say?"

The Prophet bites the gold and looks pleased before stuffing it inside his loincloth.

"As you give your gold, so we give our wine. If a message needs delivering it shall be delivered." The Prophet jumps onto a rock and bellows "The Mighty Harvester shall decide what is worthy, or what shall..er.....uh...ahahahahahhahaaa! Let us dance!"

He then skips into town with a mad gleam in his eyes, waving the Merchants of Death to follow.

The crazies walking backwards in a circle will stop and present their sticks to the Merchants and ask if they would like to stroke the holy branches of Grapes.

"We will be honoured to ally with your tribe in this upcoming battle" the priest speaking for the tribe enunciates to the newcomer. "As the flamehearted one teaches, to give your all in battle for allies old and new is the greatest honour a man can have in life."

All but one of the priests nod in agreement, the dissenter speaks. "Are we not to rejoice in our shared humanity, upon meeting new peoples?" he asks. This causes a murmuring amongst the priests. Finally, the lead priest speaks again.

"We shall have time to rejoice after battle." He says "But first a test of our courage, for is Varrius not a fierce god, as well as a loving protector of all we hold dear?"

=====

Varrius watched from high in the heavens, pleased at his peoples debate as to his nature, such discussion of his teachings warmed him up, it showed the great love and reverence his tribe had for him. Nevertheless the newcomers had mentioned another god going by the name of Brasgol. He would wish to speak to this Brasgol, but where would they be found?

Directing Laoshang to complete the preparations already made and gather the people and their goods within the comparative safety of the Temple of the First Lesson, the Preceptor briefly returns his attention to the Celestial sphere.

Focusing his will upon the matter of his realm, he picks up stones, transforming each one in turn into a scroll. While letters appear simultaneously upon each roll of parchment, the god crafts cases for the messages, giving each one a pair of shimmering, white-feathered wings.

Slipping a message into each case, he murmurs to each one in turn, sending them winging rapidly off to the realms of his allies.

Upon finding the deity to which it is addressed, the scroll unfurls to deliver its message visibly as well as in the voice of the Preceptor himself.

"My allies - I must ask you for aid. A Leviathan has trapped dead spirits within bodies it has crafted for them. At this moment, it marches upon my people at the Temple of the First Lesson. Any success it achieves against my followers will only strengthen it for further predations upon your own people in turn."

Venerable Preceptor wrote:

"My allies - I must ask you for aid. A Leviathan has trapped dead spirits within bodies it has crafted for them. At this moment, it marches upon my people at the Temple of the First Lesson. Any success it achieves against my followers will only strengthen it for further predations upon your own people in turn."

An interesting message for certain, Varrius smiled. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Should he go off and find the Preceptor? That would involve leaving his people unwatched. Still, it would be most rude to not help out his ally. Both of them in fact. He would have to do some miracle work.

Varrius sets up a ward to protect his people, so he would be aware of any approaching danger.

With that done, and his people would be safe for now at least, he floated off to find his friend, the Preceptor.

Grapes cackled madly at the message. Clearly, the time for mad laughter was not over, not until he'd heard the other messages that needed sending.

The army of mud men marches forward to the small village. Each step taken through the silty mud creates a small vacuum sound.

They are one day away from Venerable Perceptor's territory, three days from the temple of the first lesson.

Moans and giggles still run through the ranks and the sounds are getting louder. Soon the sounds will be heard throughout the new god's territory.

As an alliance forms between the Lashon Riders of Brasgol and Varrius' men, the creatures pop out of the ground.

The earth splits wide throwing rocks and dust everywhere, large shadows block out the afternoon sun as the giant worms stare down at the travelling nomadic tribe and the twenty riders.

Looking closer the creatures are greyish and purple with giant green veins, a single wormlike body, no eyes, many strands of black hair like folicles and a giant mouth filled with rows upon rows of sharp teeth bigger than a spear.

An unearthly roar from the creatures vibrates the air before it attacks.

Ferocious Roar of Doom (Major Innovation of Destruction) Base Cost (7) Duration: Instant (0)/ Domain: Primary (-2)/Inclination (0) Scale +2 (Village) Total Cost: Controlled Territory (7) Neutral (14) Hostile (28)

The Lashon Riders and Varrius' Tribe will do a Terror test before the conflict. This miracle is coming from all 6 worms but all six belong to a single source (leviathan). It is on a village scale so note all of your tribe is an average of a d6 on a village scale while the miracle is set for a d10.

You may cast a miracle before the final roll of the dice.

Combat will begin after the Terror Check and depending on success or failure of the terror check will determine the strength the worm creatures fight at.

Note each worm creature will fight on a household scale. Their strength is a d10 for each one and will be amplified by the leviathan if his terror suceeds.

The gnomes in red robes dismount, all ten of them, and follow the mad prophet.

The lead gnome, named Gulden carrying a heavy one handed mace looks down at one of the lunatics with branches and says "Please go forward and tell your prophet to hurry. We have much to discuss."

The last two gnomes go to the wagon before following along. They are carrying a chest filled with weight as both gnomes struggle to carry it.

Varrius' attention is snapped to his tribe, who are being attacked by giant worm things.

"Spark of Divinity! Shield us!" He hears one of his villagers shout in fear as the worms appear.

OOC: Fate, would it be possible to turn the miracle to my advantage, for example using the vibrations in the air to fan flames which then shield my people from the onslaught. That kinda thing.

((miracle - incarnation with d10 stats, 1 belief
miracle- some earthquake/explosions/voice echoes and glowing eyes to make the incarnation look more badass and dramatic. this miracle expense should be counted toward the believers, since i'm using it to get more belief out of them.))

A heavy rumbling echoed through the canyon as the Merchants of Death advanced toward the center of the village. Deep, crazy laughter vibrated out of the ground as the earthquake struck. The epicenter, located no more than twenty paces in front of the Gnomes, began to swirl and liquify as a menacing figured rose from the earth, hot magma spraying but somehow not striking any people or structures.

"AHAHAHAHHAAAA! I FINALLY CAUGHT ONE OF YOU, FOUL HEATHEN!" The incarnation of Grapes boomed with a malevolent voice. In his right hand, raised high above his head was a ground squirrel, slowly getting the life squeezed out of it.

"WITNESS THIS, MY PEOPLE! THIS DEVOURER OF HOLY FRUIT, INFRINGING UPON ALL THAT IS SACRED!!" After the proclamation, Grapes crushes the life out of the squirrel and flings the corpse toward his elite Pickers to dispose of the body in some ritualistic way.

The villagers all cheer like Grapes is their champion of war, whistling and bowing down, some of his followers have seizures.

The glowing orb-eyes of the Deity Grapes narrowed at the Merchants of Death and he spoke in a lower tone. "I will hear you, but speak quickly. There are heretics who try to flee from my lands even now who must be purified!"

OOC: Replies to you Varrius on the Out of Character Game thread.

We are just waiting for Venerable Perceptor to respond and we will get moving along. Hope to post something up by this weekend.

Rather more reserved in his own responses, the Venerable Preceptor directed Laoshang to arm the able-bodied members of his people, and to ready the defences. There was still good hope that they would not be needed - but it would ill behove a deity of planning not to make preparations.


Out beyond the bounds of the Temple of the First Lesson, the god's will roamed over the land of his people, stirring into motion lizards and birds, beasts that burrowed and beasts that scurried, beasts that ran, beasts that scavenged, and beasts that slithered on their bellies.

Creeping through the grass of the plains, flitting between trees and rocks, they gradually converged. Not fighting amongst themselves, nor feeding upon each other, the horde of creatures gradually coalesced into an army - waiting quietly, hidden among the grass and rocks near the edge of the Preceptor's territory, ready to strike.


And further back, should the horde of beasts be fought off, the Preceptor readied himself to weave a web of concealment around his people.


((OOC: Miracle: Natural Horde (Modification of Animal Army)
Trivial Innovation of Control (4), Duration (+1)(conflict), Scale (+3), Territory (0), Inclination (-1), Domain (0). Total cost: 16 Belief.
Forms Territory-scale horde of d4 Body creatures, to ambush the clay men when they enter the Preceptor's territory.))

OOC: Gentlemen,

As GM/ Fate I would like to move Grapes story and introduce Haois in this reply. I am still waiting for Varrius to reply to my inquiry and have him do a counter miracle to the one the leviathan is casting or let it happen. Venerable Perceptor you are good to go untill the end of the worms combat. Once the combat with the Leviathan is complete, I will let everyone post once and then the day will end.

I will now post in reply to Venerable Perceptor, Grapes and introduce Haois to the group.

Quote :

The glowing orb-eyes of the Deity Grapes narrowed at the Merchants of Death and he spoke in a lower tone. "I will hear you, but speak quickly. There are heretics who try to flee from my lands even now who must be purified!"

Gulden replies to the large looming deity "We have noted your settled tribe and others in this area. We wish to pass on a warning and an offer.

Our scouts have reported many salamanders running through the central plains in small groups of three. We believe they are empowered to enact their leader's wishes. This leader as translated into your language as First Claw Strike Nrraathina is a high ranking commander within Moorhanos' slaver ring. She is a ruthless salamander bent on enslaving the whole plains for her goddess. She seeks several mines in the area as well to occupy.

The Leviathans your brethern struggle against are merely tools of a much deeper threat. Seek out the Mitski the Keeper in the Orchard of Knowledge, Reason and Madness.

At the start of your next season our god Bruin would like to meet with all the gods in the Central Plains. He will await you in the Celestial Gardens in the Herbal Garden of Hate, Revenge and Trust."

With this said, the gnomes bow slowly and walk back towards their wagon.