April 2014 (1214) Event Highlights!

I'm still reeling from this event. And the bruises will barely have faded by the next one, I think.

So, in the best order I can muster on a Monday morning, here goes:
Friday night-
Setting up a small, but meaningful, memorial to the VIS-exodus team in the Kaladonia statehouse.
Brief conversations catching up with some witch hunter pals, and an unexpected (and much appreciated) compliment from Blacktree/Jenna
An awesome fight in the field behind Ostcliff, complete with a ridiculous amount of Lorelai feels. As soon as I recognized the Vermin for what they were, and was able to pass along what I knew about them from my death at their hands, I knew I was going to be a bit on edge. What I didn't expect was for Keavy, Lorelai and Duncan to become to Rat-Skirmish-Squad. Favorite parts were shouting at rats over the deaths of my friends (sorry NPCs), run-by murdering two as I chased down an assassin rat with Duncan and Keavy, and having Angeliana feel the need to calm me down after half the field stared at my vehemence. Thank you for all of that, guys. Really helped the weekend get underway.

I know I did more during Friday, but Saturday overwhelmed me and I don't remember all else that happened.
Saturday-
Getting stuck inside Kaladonia thanks to a trap. Climbing out the window (actually) to avoid said trap, because I needed to go hold a bake sale, darnit.
Selling baked goods in the inn - we raised a TON of money for our firepit in Kaladonia, guys, and I'm excited for you all to see what we make with the funds. I cannot tell you all how awesome Bardic Circle will be during Week in the Life, but I do invite everyone to join us for it!
Finding Kaladonia overrun with rats, and helping eradicate them, and the ones in Ostcliff. Michaela, you are SO much fun to fight. Like, I wish Lorelai and Danae weren't pals so I could find more reasons to fight you ;p
Watching the surprise wedding come together and laughing at my old pal Wolfgar. Eric, your stunned face is possibly the most animated in all of Travance.
Just prior to the wedding, finding a certain Saint, and simply sobbing into Kwildar's shoulder for a moment. Malcolm, you jerk, I wasn't awake enough to handle that.
Leaving the wedding early to help with escaped prisoners, only to find that the entire prison was undergoing a riot. With only myself, Duncan, Imrahil and Gaelen, quelling the riot - without any further casualties. Looking back and forth with the NPCs and being like "Well. Ok. That happened." Absolutely phenomenal RP.
Getting back. Eating cake. Having a great storytime with Brigitta about my history with the Guard in Travance, and the Church of Light. This was actually one of those moments that made me realize how much has changed for Lorelai in Travance, and in general. It was sort of humbling. Thank you for that, Leslie.
Intriguing conversations with Cyric. I think Lorelai and he need to spend more time chatting.
Teaching Albert more Cavalier skills, and having some great conversations with him about why we do the things we do. Daniel continues to make me stop and think about my IG actions with his well-timed words, and does such a good job staying in character that when he acts all goofy OOG after the weekend, I have a moment of confusion that this is the same person.
The execution of Karkat, and standing watch over Terezi while she grieved. Questioning the actions of people that Lorelai respects.
An awesome and insightful Master Warrior lesson with Pluvius. Romeo, you're amazingly talented, and I would love to spar more.
Feast was delicious, but the knighting of Anhil and the placement of two Knight Protectors (Kaladonia and Pendarvin) was absolutely awesome. Congratulations to both of them, and I'm very excited to have a titled leader in Kaladonia again. For those near me, I was actually crying tears of joy, yes, because Lorelai is convinced that Anhil deserves to be recognized for his hard work, and because it was a surprise to Sean, who took time out from running the event to be there.
Post-feast conversation with the baroness about what this means going forward for our land, Anhil, and in general. Thank you Jen, for maintaining such a regal demeanor without making a citizen feel unimportant.
Finding items stolen 2 years ago by the rats that murdered Lorelai and others. Being blown away by some of the items found.
Main mod - Being tasked with certain duties by Pluvius, and taking them to heart. Taking an assassinate for Albert, being shouted at by him, and reminding him that, while he can heal me, I cannot do the same for him, and it only made sense. Thanking the hell out of Zelretch for his flask of screaming death that allowed me to talk while unconscious, especially because it freaked so many people out. Trying to figure out where to go and what was happening while constantly trying to keep everyone safe. It was a bit of a mess, but in the end, I was glad we'd done some pre-planning.
Unfortunate failure to deal with True Warlock, and the interesting RP therein.

Sunday-
Basking in the sun on a tent platform as a Lizardkin, waiting for PCs to come egg hunting. Oops, sunburn.
Wandering around as a Tamaril boar with Megan, and having ABSOLUTELY no one try to loot us. Travance, you missed out on 6 bundles of Tamaril hide.

Thanks to Sean, Christine, Jeff, Katie, James, and everyone else that was a part of this. I truly didn't expect half of what happened, and look forward to seeing what comes of it.

First thing which is the most important to me… is thank you all of Travance for being mostly safe and injury free. To echo what I said at lay on, I want everyone who attends to enjoy themselves and not get injured. Things happen and some of those things you cannot avoid… but for the rest, a wee bit of sense goes a long way. Thank you!!

Now then…
In order- Friday
Walking Travance with Wulgar. A wonderful conversation with the big man about life, the Past, Travance and family.
Encountering the NotSkaven on the road where the new members of Travance were. Being asked by Arden to help resolve things diplomaticly…. And watching it back fire after the Tether Spell being tossed and Skree (I think that is name of female ogre) triggering the ratmen attack by asking “We kill now?”

The retreat up the road, guarding against rear assault and getting paralyzed…. Then captured for examination and “message” delivery (Thanks Jeff). I just have to say rat noses went places where rat noses shouldna go….
The kick through the portal and subsequent cries of “It’s Duncan!” “Duncan’s down- HEALER!!!” Its awesome to know I’ve become an (in)famous member of Travance now. This is great and not so great (if you knew the PC’s history) on so many levels.

The fight at the farm and being asked to organize the response. The two best parts of this was being mostly listened to for it (even when Cinder was there!!) and having a personal (and damn pretty!) bodyguard consisting of Keavy and Lorelai for that fight. Everyone performed great… and the advice from cinder on how to get Travancians to fall back was both funny and insightful.

Sitting with Baroness and giving her what information I was able to discern from my ordeal with the ratmen and what happened on the road… and discovering an important want for the morale of the good Baroness. (beware, a crafty celt plan is being formed…)

Cabin raids… and what happens when a Master Witch Hunter gets the drop on a group of rats. (Diane you are awesome!)
Saturday…..

Being told I was promoted to Drill Sergeant in the Guard. I am amused on an IC and OOC level…

Guard Mod. What an interesting story… and the OOC holy shit moment when I realize Magnus just possibly killed this guardsman and is clueless as to how he did it. Karkat telling Magnus he was stupid was pretty amusing too on a different level.

Watching Angelianna do the Not On My Watch response and hang on to the soul…. And the saving of the Guardsman when no one was certain it was gonna work was great. Events after this (heard of mostly) are just going to add to the repercussions from this. Who it will affect will be interesting…

Fights and more fights… Running all over to help defend and bail out folks.

The possessed townsfolk… and realizing this was NOT going to end well unless we were careful. Of course, the medic needed a medic here. Sorry if I scared anyone… but if nothing else, OOC knowledge of how to move to mitigate a hit was never ever so important than at that point. All the martial artists in the crowd know what I mean…

Getting roped in to deal with a Riot. Being glad I had a plan when there was no cavalry available … And resolving the mini-mod without violence. I call that a major win. A conversation with Imrahil afterward was a wonderful bit of RP and a morale boost to my celt; he’s having an effect on some folks and giving reason to expand personal horizons. When you make the decision to learn Ranger, my friend, I look forward to helping you see the path forward.

FEAST!!! I think this was among the best feasts I’ve had for taste and general yum. Awesome work and mad kudos to the cooks!

Main Mod time…
Yeah, about that. Being insisted on for the attack on the Inn while Travance ran off to go invade the warrens… was great. And all I can say is Team Assassin worked excellently as a team and caused great havoc too. For such a small force, we collected 7 Heads between the Inn and the Monastery- and gave quite a few folks grief.

Three things came/should come of this…
1: just because you are a green headband, this does not mean you cannot be killed; it just means you can only be killed in a certain way. I heard there was a gripe about the Non-Combat character I killed in the Inn- and to those folks, all I can say is Go re-read the rules… the middle of a firefight/assault is not a safe place. And by the way… the player thoroughly enjoyed being included/involved in the fight and what happened afterward. I think it made her event…
2: Never be too secure no one is going to mess with you when you hang back from Main Mod… And this goes double for those sleeping on the Murder Couch or in a bunk. (Sorry Dom…)

And 3: No one escapes the Shadow Vermin of Clan Not-Eshin for long. Tsoli Silverbow… you have been warned. *grin*


Sunday morning…
Finally getting to teach a skill to someone…. And explain why I think Staff is a good weapon to have a talent with.
Assisted another lesson – watching Keavy do the fear to help enforce the Will to not run… priceless.

Speaking of Keavy, the lizardman/Astrid Day egg thing could have been disaster if not for her howling and the rapid response of all the cavalry. Having a good plan of action in case things go wrong is great. Having said plan of action WORK is even better.
And if I had not the staff in hand at that moment, I’d have been dropped. Actual physical parry of four different weapons coming in to hit me is not something easy to do in 1.4 seconds…. And even less easy with a sword.


I know I forgot something and someone…. And any slight felt is sooooooo not intended.

Lots of great RP, lots of good fights… and a crap ton of fun. Win!

I hurt. That said. I hurt in that griots way that you know you dud one thing worthwhile and though the body complains the soul is renewed. I love this game. I love the people in this game. I love what this game does for me that nukes me a better person. That said...

Friday night.

Rats why did it gave to be rats? -Indiana Jones voice.

Rats at the farmhouse. Realizing we had a bit of PTSD in Travance with a Rat Trigger in the combat and going... Alrighty then.

Horn... Billium going on and on... Why? Oh OK. Good. Finally the silence and Brigitta looking for Billium in the Melee going silence is not good!

For once Birgitta hated the sudden absence of: An annoying sound.

I need to bring a damn quote book. I was finding them left and right this event and I can't bloody well remember them.

Gaian mass and the long talk thereafter. It's been along time since Birgitta has been to any mass... It was nice to get to chat.

This brings up something else too.

The many shared stories from a former guard to a Gaian priestess to a girls time with wolf Chaos warrior and Dwarf. Gentlemen when the women talk stand clear! Looks at glass eyed Brother Aleric. Great times on St Astrids... Letters shall be written! This Was all through the weekend. You know who you are...

Ok back On track.
making breakfast.

The old grizzled Sgt. Making breakfast. Love my girls. They rock. I really enjoy a time in the kitchen. The NPC and MM on my shift gets fed. I'm shocked it doesn't happen more. You get better NPC performance when people are fed and watered... Or is that horses... Eh doesn't matter.

Main Mod. Oh there was a ton of IG tension and anger. From the triangle that I knew would not fit into tunnels... To the inversion move test required turns up through the center... No practice meant this was not a good thing. Birgitta was not happy throughout. When a blade held directly point up in to you body and a reverse ends with you hitting another player in the face... Thus not a good plan.

I was not happy. IG

Not at all. So when word comes about deaths at the Inn. The already disgruntled veteran is ready to kill... And they are gone. No sign no issue. The dead in the Monastery focus at work. I hate rats. It's now gone from Rats why did it gave to be Rats...to Rats. Rats are a need to die now status... now!

Sunday morning... Teaching learning discussion on Master Warrior and... Dum dum dum... A new position offered by the Barony through a Recommendation from Arden. I'm IG and OOG looking fir the details on this position and what's been done with it in the past... I have. Ideas.

And Plans firming up.

That... Will be fun.

Ahh drat forgot the Guard Mod. Yeah being right on observation is a great thing! Loved the mod too. In fact. My fav spot and I messed up not putting it in! Fatigue. I claim fatigue!

How could you forget the Guard mod? It isn't every day you get to ream out a Paladin for being stoopid and uncaring.

Although this weekend passed in a blur of insanities, diseases, and more rat heads than Logistics could shake a big stick at, there were quite a number of wonderful moments that I know I'm going to remember for a long time to come.

A pretty amazing few minutes with Maralas on Saturday afternoon. After going through the motions of "you're a Selendrian, ok, going to have to talk to you like a three-year-old now," we shared a silence so loaded that it felt almost tangible. Rebecca, you are an absolute pro, and I love your character - please let me annoy you more often

Another big highlight for me was getting to hang out with Ox again. Friggin love that guy. Clearly this was a good weekend all round for House Hines!

Making plans with Jack Cypher on the way over to feast.

Seeing some pretty ace RP from the younger members of the town. Alex, Maya, Xander and Tommy all continue to bowl me over with their ability to maintain immersion and commit to their characters - this weekend as always, I was really impressed by what I saw you guys doing. Keep it up!

An excellent lesson in morality and fighting from Gideon (assist: Duncan.) Thankyou for taking the time to give such a thought-provoking and involved lesson; I'm really looking forward to seeing where this ends up going.

Wolf Keavy!

Getting tortured by gnome Romeo (Gnomeo?) on Friday night. Holy crap dude, you're good at what you do. OH THE INTERNAL STRIFE. Such conflictedness. Many ouch. Wow.

Blacktree being back! Hooray!

Playing the egg hunt orchestrator for Matt on Sunday morning. Eggs were hunted! Lizardkin were stabbed! Peasants were insulted! Oh, isn't it fun!