August 2008 Highlights

Wow, what an event.... I can barely think where to start.

Spent most of Friday comforting Tari and telling her that if Antrim were in the same position she wouldn't tell people anything either.
Seeing all the Jester's men take down Alia while fighting them along with Lizard Thomas outside out tent and being so scared of the psychotic way Andy was pacing around I couldn't even go outside to heal her until they were out of sight.

Going to Osred's chronicler mass and spending most of it trying to talk some overzealous Valosian peasants out of violence.

Saturday market was nice, mass went surprisingly well. The irony hit me much later of a mass on how my weakness was my own and when I stumbled it was no reflection on Gaia. Thank god I said that while I had the chance.

The fights were good during the chess match and the brawls were hilarious. Trying to resist the Jester's fear just ended badly for me. Thank god he didn't think of using that fear again while I was hiding Logan and that necromantic wand inside my divine sanctuary.

Getting to play a banshee in the afternoon tomb mod, being glad Matt White didn't kill me out of game when I banshee wailed inches from his ear. Is it my fault he was dead center of the combat?

Being so distraught at feast that I couldn't give benediction and almost couldn't sing (I guess it's convincing if someone asks you out of game if you're okay). Last minute thinking of the most appropriate song I knew for the situation with Rosa's missing love.

Main mod was awesome and also scary. I haven't been so convinced we were screwed since we lost to Fallow. At one point realizing I can't save everyone and still give my undivided attention to keeping Angelica Tellinghast safe. We took the very unspectacular route of 1, 2, 3, run for it to get out of that place.

Later going to get my cloak and accidentally walking right into Pesmerga, I couldn't have made that any easier for him.  Rosa falling apart as that vampire picks up on all her fears an insecurities and hammers them into her mind, then topping it off by offering her the one thing she wants, her love back.

Watching terrified but strangely remote while a banshee destroys the altar you worship at. Hanging my holy symbol on the matching Gaian banner and walking away, the final acceptance...

Being amazingly touched by 2 unexpected people, father Osred who offered to put his book away and talk with Rosa as a friend on what had happened and Thomas the carpenter leaning in to her and whispering, "I will stay with you as long as he will let me," and then trailing her walks with the vampire all night. *tear* 

Getting up early Sunday and going out to fight anything and anyone who would hold a weapon with me. It was fun getting to be on the other side of battle for once. Rosa being so relieved to see Antrim alive and then so utterly destroyed at his response to her situation that she almost let a couple of barbarians kill her with her own sword.  If there is one thing that would make Gaia angrier it would be committing suicide.

Thanks to everyone who roleplayed with me this weekend, you were all amazing.
Judge, both as Ethan and Pes I had amazing times interacting with you.
Getting to spend time with Stacey for once besides just in passing.
Emily, your reactions and internal struggles as Quinn to "new" Rosa was perfect.
Playing Sunday with Twig and Cheif until they realized I was closer to death than life shaman was amazing.
Hearing the rumor that Lethias and the witch-hunters and looking for me and booking it out of the inn.

Okay, I'll stop but let me just say, I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.

I will echo what many have already said: this event was the most fun I have had in a very long while.

Highlight reel:
- Andy is already creepy looking, so as the Jester he was just doubly creepy.  
- My monthly tactical conversation with Tari turning into basically a scolding.  Why does no one ever listen to me?
- The encounter with Steve and his friend (missed his name) Saturday night.  Due to obvious repercussions, it's not often that I get to play up my hatred to that extent and it always makes for some really fun RP when I do.  Subsequently climbing up a tree so that I could look over the inn and watch them.  It always amazes me how situations like that can thrust you so deep into character that even when you're by yourself, all you can do is think in-character.  It's times like that that make me love this game.
- Almost dying on main mod several times.  It's not often that I truly feel like defeat is a possibility, and it's an awesome feeling to be uncertain if we're going to make it out of a situation.
- Sentient Drow sword FTW.
- Talking to said sword and referring to it as "her" for almost 30 minutes before Kyle turned to me and asked if I was sure it wasn't a "him".  Freaking out thinking that I may have offended it.
- Getting to appreciate how awesome a character Osred is.  Mike really does an amazing job with it and how he handles situations.
- Scheming with a small group of people in the guards barracks until sunrise was awesome.  Everyone was totally into it and it made for awesome roleplaying.

I have to give a huge kudos to Alisia and Wally for their job as Annabel and Michael.  Judge and I had been playing the cookie scene over and over in our heads for weeks, and they nailed the roles.  Alisia was perfectly creepy and adorable at the same time.  And Wally was awesome.  As I painted a huge AM on his back in fake blood it ran down into unmentionable regions and he took it like a champ and didn't complain (too much).  He did a great job going from charismatic and charming and then snapping and being a maniacal lunatic.  They were both amazing.

I also have to give a huge kudos to everyone in the inn during that scene.  We were kinda worried about whether people would just blow it off and not really run with it, but everyone stepped up and did an awesome job RPing a tough situation to imagine.  The RP ran the gamut from being completely distraught to throwing up in the corner, but it was all perfect.  I'm sorry that Judge couldn't be there for the reveal and had to miss it, but I know I can speak for the both of us when I say that you guys did an amazing job and exceeded our expectations.

--Skimmel

How can I forget to mention my two most awkward moments this event.

Off-handedly talking to Quinn Sunday morning and without thinking saying, "I have so much blood matted in my hair." I didn't know if she was going to punch me or be sick. 

And also, I can't remember how this came up but I think it was during the above-mentioned scheming...
Slack: Rosa, you and I could just elope.
Rosa: Slack, we don't even like each other.
Slack: I like you!

Oh yea....

Almost killing- or at least trying to- Father Edwin when he said he was going to learn about vampires from a master vampire. I nearly did it. It was the most disgust and anger that I think I have ever felt as Alia.

Being asked on Sunday after telling people how I got criticized for calling Rosa a bad gaian if I *was* a gaian because of what I was saying and doing. Being told I should be one since I nearly was one anyways. Looking at those 2 people and just thinking away...

Talking with Brogan. Nearly leaving town but not doing it because I wanted to talk to Ethan about it before I did. Not talking to Ethan but staying anyways for an ENTIRELY different reason....

Pt 3
Odds and Sods

Feast was simple and good.  I hate holding up feast for a mod, but Luis came through.

Saturday afternoon RP with Mr. Quin.  We seldom get to speak with each other for more than a few moments, so the 10 minutes of so we had pre-dancing Tori was precious.  Naturally, I treated Quin like any other attractive woman - I fed her.  Conversation goes better with food.

Saturday morning wake-up by two creatures who smashed our door and demanded food.  I told them breakfast would be served downstairs in an hour and they must pay for the door.  They left two gold.

Market Faire was nice as always.  I sold lots of food, a few weapons and ate the delicious food prepared by Diane and MB.

It was wonderful dealing with Joe Bondi on a cordial level.  Shiver pure and simple is into the money.  Lots of gray in him.

Keeping Fr. Edwin's principles.  When Pesmerga made a play for a small part of his soul, he would not leave Alia, because as a Priest of Valos he could not leave another to such a fate.  Having lots of time to consider the repercussions of my action (oh, 3 seconds is a lot of time when one is looking into the eyes of death) and then realizing I would live after all was exhilarating.  Churchill said "There is nothing like being shot at and missed to get the blood flowing."

Explaining to Chief Steve that it is traditional to split the treasure with the person who actually killed the monster.

Opening a new Profession that will further Edwin's chosen path.

Developing new IG friends. 

Playing the best game of chess I have in Travance.  It is one of Charlie's gaming traits that cannot be surpressed - I'm always up for the big games.

THE ABSOLUTELY BEST EVENT of my 24.

I feel so bad, but my thought process when deciding to give Giddeon something went as follows: Huh, this would be perfect for him. But he'll most likely die. Oh well. Got to give it to someone.

Gee, thanks. 

More highlights I forgot...

Charm - NEVER underestimate how useful it is.  That's 2 mods I've disarmed with it.

Having Kleidin mention something, then commenting Gideon would be better off not knowing about it... about an hour after I learned it from someone else, and keeping my mouth shut for HER sake.

Blueberry Pie.  As heretical as it is to wish this on my own girlfriend's delicious baking, there was a brief moment when I was hoping that Matt would take it as Fogrom, and smoosh the Jester's face with it in a moment of justice.  Fortunately, he did not.  The one small sliver I had was delicious.

Seeing an Uber-Tanked Baron Montgomery, and asking "Can you still move?" as they were strapping MORE armor onto him.

The Disarm / Break Shield trap.  Nice one, Danny!

"Who's going to tell Solomon that Ardis is dead?"  (Silence)