Fellow role-players, here is my update for the Session 8 of the latest Pathfinder: "the Vanished Lands" teleconferencing team, which was held via Skype on Sunday, 26 September 2010.
In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The "Vanished Lands" were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders.
Among other brave bands, the "Dragonslayers" fought Undead pirates on the Sea of Nagendwa, the "Broken Chains" wandered the hostile Halmed Desert, and the "Faith-Based Initiative" retrieved relics of the barbaric Gusorin Confederation. After "Holy Steel's" journey to the distant empire of Khemet, another motley group gathered in response to the continuing conflicts....
"8 August 1229 B.C.E.:" After meeting in the Wisalef Forest, the adventuring party had captured two Centaurs raiding a farm near the Hifalendorin (proto-Western European) human village of Alarn. At the walled town of Kedetura, the group tried to learn more about the followers of the mysterious Vappu Lahja before a local festival of Yondalla.
"Gawain" [Paul J.] cast Disguise to briefly pose as a roughed-up Centaur in the market square, and "Asish" [Byron V.O.] took up a position near a guard tower with his composite short bow "Wasupuken," or "Wasp Sting."
"Jovinda" [Sammy H.] approached a Centaur named Philippus. The Grugach (Wild Elf) Cleric of Mekkil, goddess of nature, talked with the gruff trapper, who had brought furs and a cockatrice pelt to trade. "Digger" [Robert A.S.] quietly followed to listen in. After a little haggling, Jovinda bought the magical beast's feathers and some beads from Philippus.
Mountain Dwarf Summoner "Favelhorn" [Dexter V.H./absent] and Half-Orc Paladin "Kovar" [Beruk A./absent] talked with "Jebediah C.D. Alcara" [John Z.G./Non-Player Character], a local lord, about the relationship between the Hifalendorin peasants and their nomadic Centaur neighbors.
Gawain found Fianna, another Centaur, arguing with a fruit vendor. The disguised Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard) expressed sympathy and learned of Fianna's dislike of humans. She said that the Plains of Sathendo would "be cleansed by flame" as promised by Vappu Lahja and invited Gawain to a drum circle in the Centaurs' camp just outside Kedetura.
Back at the "Angry Manticore" inn, Gawain appraised Jovinda's purchases and noted that the cockatrice parts might eventually be used to reverse the petrification of Asish's family by the Nannuattan (eastern Dark Elves) of Gokuri. The Tsucharim human mounted archer (Mongol-style Ranger) was thrilled by the news.
Although Digger had reminded his companions of their mission westward to the city of Nadwi and the besieged kingdom of Saganim, the Faldine scholar (Halfling Rogue) agreed that they should investigate the Centaur camp as soon as possible.
Asish brought a sand table to the battlements, where the group surveyed the Centaur encampment. He recommended to town guard Carolus that local blacksmiths make caltrops and that barricades and oil be prepared in case of an attack. The scout also asked farmer Giles de Hay to use his barn for Favelhorn and Kovar to keep an eye on the Centaurs.
Jovinda took a more direct diplomatic approach. On a trail leading out of Kedetura, she chatted with Leander, a woodcarver recommended by Philippus. The priestess of Mekkil asked to stay in the camp for the night rather than in the cramped human town, but Leander warned her that not all Centaurs would welcome those on two legs.
While he planned to attend Fianna's drum circle that evening, Gawain went to talk with Beryl, a local mage, and Seglinda, a priestess of Yondalla, goddess of the hearth. As night fell, Digger slipped out of Kedetura and followed a cow path past some screening hedges toward the Centaur camp. Gawain cast an illusion to help the Rogue, but he slipped into a ditch before resuming his stealthy approach.
Gawain, Digger, and Jovinda each approached the Centaur camp, while Asish, Favelhorn, and Kovar watched the bonfire from the barn....
Our fantasy campaign is finally back on track after a few months of scheduling disruptions! Dexter and Beruk, I hope you'll both be able to resolve your computer difficulties, but in the meantime, we can "park" your Player Characters in Kedetura. Paul, I hope your week improves, and you and Byron should try to use the Google message board more between our Sunday night games.
Rob, I hope that your concerns about the group's size were addressed, and Sammy, please let Taum know that he should read our updates so far and contact me directly. Have a good week, -Gene
>>New Player Character party for the Pathfinder: "Vanished Lands" teleconferencing team, summer 2010:
-"Gawain Keary" [Paul J.]-male Saganim human Illusionist (proto-Celtic Wizard), contact of "Kimo" [Beruk A.]; NGc, Age 20, Lvl. 1
-"Davven 'Digger' Hollysharp" [Robert A.S.]-male Faldine Halfling archaeologist (Tallfellow Rogue), from a pipeweed farm in Tarken; contact of "Tunnel" [Stuart C.G.]; CGn, Age 45, Lvl. 1
-"Asish Chen Ti" [Byron V.O.]-male Tsucharim human rider/archer (Mongol-style Ranger), escaped from service to Nannuattan (eastern Dark Elf) Wizard Arbalas; contact of "Sukhov" [Beruk A.], owner of Akita dog Genghis and horse Onimusha; NGl, Age 20, Lvl. 1
-"Jovinda Halflight" [Sammy H.]-female Half-Elf (Grugach/Hifalendorin) Cleric of Mekkil, goddess of nature; owner of horse Wyth-Amoi, or "Wind Spirit"; NGl, Age 23, Lvl. 1
-"Favelhorn Riftbringer" [Dexter V.H.]-male Mountain Dwarf Summoner; CGn, Age 51, Lvl. 1
-"Kovar" [Beruk A.]-male Half-Orc/Saganim human Paladin of Mithras; raised as an orphan, also a contact of the Order of the Golden Lion?; LGn, Lvl. 1
