Oct 2014 - highlights

• Coming into Travance and being immediately greeted by an undead? swarm.
• Meeting Burkhart and talking about reconciliation with Caldor
• Attending mass at midnight and hearing clergy speak of quite interesting ideologies.
• Met Jun and learned of the 'famed' Demon-Devil-Cleansing fighting 'stance'. I think we'll have a very interesting friendship.
• Wandering into Kaladonia in the middle of the night, finding Anhil shivering, hands covered in blood and then talking about the different lands.
• Joined the guard and had a crash course in local laws and regulations. Of which was interrupted by the sounds of distant fighting.
• Guarding the market fair and receiving a sad, sad feather from one of the merchants.
• Eating delicious sloppy joe's and hot dogs down by Drega'mire and listening to the dirty bard circle and appearing not to understand the puns.
• Following Elune to the monastery and joining the Honor Guard protecting and hiding Bloodtide. Fantastic role-play from all involved and the mind-altering effects of the weapon, especially Jun, it was glorious.
• The ensuing hide and seek 'game' with the Count.
• Arden getting upset because the cake was a lie.
• Listening to an incredibly racist anti-dark elf lecture
• Declining Jun's offer for a blind date with my favorite dinner on his boat in a harbor.
• Having a nice conversation with Illana and Sir Danny about dragoons, druids, and ancient dragoon weaponry. Great roleplay situation with Ilana swapping the languages spoken with my native Khitan tongue and listening to Sir Danny's awkward Kormyrian accent.
• Going out with a bunch of peanuts and saving a Morlan. Watching the poor doctor trying to manacle the Morlan and realizing his folly and running away with haste.
• Felling a large number of frost imps by myself in that battle.
• Also being a literal pain on the emphatic healers.
• Being entertained by the constant changing of Bloodtide owners, every time I looked away and looked back it was being wielded by someone new.
• Getting roped into a ritual at the monastery holding hands with a gypsy and a barbarian and having magic sprinkled on me by a goblin. Talk about confusing and potentially traumatizing.
• Learning how to be courageous by being intimidated by Billliamm and being reminded of my dedication to protect those who can't protect themselves.
• Killing a brave and unfortunate wolf who ventured into my tent looking for snack.
• Asking Sergeant Duncan for martial training to which his response was, "DEFEND!"
• Listening to a troupe of goblin 'musicians' playing 'music.'

Two things I forgot, "Kiellor.... aren't you EXTRA dead?"

And long conversations with Morwenne about how all sorcerers are selfish. And strange conversations with Carlotta about how Carlos has given up predicting the future with cards, and she's taken over for him. Grim is excited about new readings, but terrified at what might have caused Carlos to stop.

Friday night:

Lovely and largely attended mass lead by Caldor. Good times.

The “Thane” with the feathery shoulders... awesome garb, bro!

Inverted Tower Mod! The madness that ensued was unprecedented. Fighting our mirror images was all well and good but when Orophin and Ava died, the Greater Undead under his control went bananas and started just wrecking us. I made the mistake of healing Grim when he was berserking during all this, too, so then there was the fun of “kiting” Grim in a circle, confused as hell and dodging Greater Undead at the same time. Wheeee!!!

This, in conjunction with the regular mirror guardians wiped both Caldor and myself out of our respective healing sources. It was so intense, I truly thought we were going to get wiped out. It was absolutely exhausting just trying to stay alive! (The resulting prize though... much appreciated!)

Feeling devastated when not able to keep Ava and Orophin and Ava from dying and the sting of trying to apologize to them and it not being very well received at first... and entering the inn as what Atrus described as the “saddest wet cat he'd ever seen.”

Saturday:

Jed's shack was particularly raucous Saturday morning. Sassy Ava and Orophin doing sassy things!
Roach's prophecy on my ability to exit the scandalous venue came true...

Being told by Jed, smugly, when conversation had turned to the Blood Tide debacle:
“So tell me, Swyft, what are you going to do now that you're completely surrounded by darkness?”

“I guess I'll have to shine even more brightly, Jed.”

“... That was a good answer, I won't lie,” he grunted.

lol.

Playing Chess with Bolton... a horrifying parallel?

“See, you're doing it again. Using all those... feathery words.” - Aleister to Jed.

I'm glad that feast went over well! Mmmm, meat and taters! We really had to Iron Chef it back there toward the end... glad we didn't get it out too late! A big thank-you to everyone who helped us back there, it was no easy task. Thank-you Charlie and Diane for getting us stuff! Y'all are stellar!

Team Pretzel (also known as team Ostcar Mire (c) Clyden) lasted about three seconds between Aleister, Atrus, Belegchand and Orophin. Lol. But even if it was short lived, it was fun to be battle buddies with Lady Angelica! I even got some storytime with her on the way down to the caves. And I got to point out that Atrus was learning about teamwork when someone lost the contents of her pouch on the trail!

Later, bringing Dr. James Dumond through the Phokus after a lesson with Ava gone wrong. Good thing Aldric and Imrahil went with me to the Phokus because apparently there was a thing going on that made it dangerous to be there, lol.



Lectures from Aldric and Gwenyd about the dangers of what Angeliana and I are doing and trying to explain myself and the attempt at being a Good influence and trying to influence acts of Good and that it WAS working. Just... baby steps.

Fun times with Alissandria at the fire. Chuckling with Kit. Then stopping in for some laughs at the Bloody Stump after delivering a wake up device to Trent in Drega'Mire!

Giggle times with John, Janice and Brendan in our borrowed chef's room. (Thank-you, Luis!)

Orangie was tough as $(&@.


Sunday:

I have no idea where the time went. I swear I took like, no dilly dally time doing things and I still did not do half of what I meant to do Sunday. To those of you I meant to have a meaningful chat with, I'm sorry! I hope to make up for that next time!

Chatting with Silverbow, Edwin and Jonas, and Jonas helpfully agreeing with me on things he shouldn't have, but he meant well!

Ronin talk with with Silverbow, which lead into a wonderfully executed Courage lesson with him choosing Orophin his helper. That was rough! I did not appreciate having to do all that eye contact with you, Tim! lol Silverbow was a great coach, though. Thank-you, guys!

Healing lesson with Wylla! Excited for more of these.

I really had a wonderful time with my KR family. You guys really are amazing and you make every event unforgettable to me. I'm sure I missed important things and names, but know that I appreciate every interaction I have with you all! Thank-you!

gosh where to start.

Friday night: Standing out on the porch watching all those creatures surround the inn. Noticing they had symbols like we did. Walking back to the tent to grab some layers to be surrounded by a group looking for bloodtide. Tried to run and got tripped. RP the trip a little too well and did mess up my leg a bit. They demanded to be taken to bloodtide so I started toward the inn hoping to find some help on the way. Success! A group stopped us and I ran into them to separate me from my captors. Once finding out about the connection between our symbols and those of the creatures I ran to the bar to let the bartender know to pass it on to the other patrons. Talking to the first person on my list about the gods. It was a good conversation with Merikh. Went out for an alchemy stick to find a couple people drunk off satyrs wine.
Fellow, "Why is that tree on fire?"
Wylla, "It's not."
Fellow, "Yes it is!"
Wylla, "Maybe it's magical fire, if it's not spreading?"
Fellow, "Might be. Maybe it's the rain."
Wylla, "Maybe the rain is some sort of alchemical liquid keeping it in place?"
Fellow, "Oh god...the rain is acid!"
Him and his friends run under the rood for shelter from the acid rain.
Wylla, "Well. I hope the fire doesn't spread since you all are stuck under there due to the acid ran. You wouldn't be able to escape. Night." Que them screaming as I walk away.
Tessa, "You have a sick sense of humor sister."
Wylla, "Oh, they aren't in any real pain, they'll be fine."

Friday night npc shift: I was an unsuccessful thief. Ended up being bound and taken to jail. Then being sent out as humanoid rats. Hit the inn first. Was funny to watch someone shooing one of us into a corner. Decided to hit the bloody stump next. They killed a few of us inside and outside. Then proceeded to roll our bodies out the door. Then not able to close the door due to all the bodies.

Saturday: Woke up for guard training. Then patrolling after that. Decided to go find the next person/s on my list. a trip to Alisandra to talk to Jed and Atrus. Walking in to find them and Swyft. She seemed worried to see me there. On our way back to the inn found a small group of people being attacked by trees. Then attacked again by another creature that I did not see. had to get Swyft because there were injuries beyond my abilities.

Saturday afternoon: went to mass at the monastery to find more people to talk about the gods. After mass watched Duncan and Argyll training together. Asked Duncan to teach me to use my staff properly. Sparred with Loony a little later for more practice. Tower mod. all the traps. Why could no one stay away from the traps. After one trap bound, bloodied and broke limbs of all but three of my group, i used up all my healing points since i was one of the three left. Feast after. Went back to the tent for a nap after feast.

Saturday night: Drinking at the inn. needed a quill. Argyll said he had a quill in his kilt. Que dirty response from Wylla. with surprise she shouted and pointed at Argyll and Loony, "I blame you! I didn't use to talk like that. You're rubbing off on me, I hang out with too many damn Celts!" Went to the bloody stump with Argyll, Tessa and Nalick. Getting warm around the fire, joined by Swyft, Imrahil and Lidius. Sharing stories and even got to hear Nalick sing. Was a good night all around.

Sunday: Woke up for breakfast. Chatted more with Nalick. Sparred with Arkelian for a bit. Got to see Pluvius for the first time since last feast. Little bit of drama going around centered around bloodtide. Healing training with Swyft! I was so looking forward to that! Can't wait to do it again.

All around great event. Sad I missed my main mod but I needed sleep more then anything at that point. Didn't get to talk to all those I wanted to, but will pick up where I left off next feast. Until then!

First, my thanks to Renee and Brendan who pulled off a very fine feast.
Those who set up and served also did yeoman's work.

Also, Kirsten and crew did a remarkable job with their concept of main mod being broken into sections. There were some minor glitches, which is only to be expected and will serve to make things even better in the future.

Narrowly beating out Jonas Kane making pancakes on Saturday, my top highlight was Danielle/Keavy out-canining Melody, a real canine.

Teaching various lessons, my favorite being Spell Holding to Larry/Rudolf. Every time I teach something like that, I refine my concept as to how the casting works. I have evolved a "unified field" theory on all the disciplines and need to write my notes.

Research with Belgchand, Mordra, and Sarah. I have not interacted with Mordra much and was delighted with the repartee during our wide-ranging discussions. Also, gained a granddaughter.

Kt Protector Silverbow's desire for cake Friday night. The blueberry-raspberry crumb cake went quickly. After our Saturday night bit, the cranberry-raspberry loaf went fast as well.

At the end of Sunday Breakfast, after preparing a (for me) record number of meals (over 50) I realized we were running out of food. Took out the half remaining of a very berry pie which James, myself, Tori (via Steve) and a few others had a slice, and mentioned that I recall when people were outraged when I introduced the 10 gold pie, four years ago. Jonas opined that he thought that was very reasonable. Of course, he was eating a piece at the time.

Obviously,. food played a large part of my highlights.

After standing over a hot grill cooking for two hours, I made the last breakfast for myself, took some juice and a cup of coffee, and sat in the Inn to enjoy it. Enter the Goblin "band" along with Megan's Sylph. The cacaphony was grating. Asked the Goblins to please tone it down or play outside as I wanted to enjoy my breakfast. As they kept playing, added, loudly enough to be heard "If you keep it up I will turn you into statues and plead I was defending myself against an attack."

Verrill's execution was troubling and will lead to some IG drama.

Pendarvin and Its allies made a good showing against the Svart-Dwarves.

Pendarvin Saturday brunch.

Sunday morning someone wanted a Kaladonian smith to make something and asked me if I knew where he could find a Priest, Mage, and a Scholar. Told him he hit the trifecta.

~ Caldor and Maralas's midnight mass at Kaladonia. Showing up drunk, getting scolded by Aiden for being drunk at a mass when I briefly spoke but Caldor supporting it. Go barbarians! (New Valosian altar = pretty!)
~ Blessing and giving Maralas a gift long overdue. Receiving her smudging.
~ Nalick's news! WOOT! Made Angeliana so happy. Aldric did a fine job posing you that question, it had Angel mostly stumped.
~ All of the chats with Hazel, driving her nuts with how drunk I was.
~ Billiam's never ending support, as always, appreciated.
~ Shenanighans at the Blackbird.

~ Alchemists at Market Fair, you rock.
~ Corrupted Druid mod. Empathy does wonders for positive energy conservation! Wasn't going to let Typhon die. Then Sir Danny comes to King's guard the bad stuff away.
~ Chats with Swyft, Jed, Atrus, Oscar, Ava and Orophin. Love shack! :woohoo: I just had to say that.
~ RP with Sir Pluvious and Albert. WOW.
~ SIR RUDOLF VON KREUTZDORF... I am soooo screwed. Unkel is a noble? TACKLE HUG!
~ Unkel Rudolf deducing Angeliana's bad deal from her drunken ramblings and being supportive... WUT? Way to throw me for a loop Larry.
~ Chats with Tobias and Sir Maxwell then more with Tobias. You sir are a fantastic Doctor / Shrink.
~ Scolding Duncan for being dishonorable by punching a woman and giving her a bruise.
~ Supportive hug from Aldric post clergy roast, then supportive talks / hug from Godric. Super appreciated. Supportive kiss from Birgitta, supportive pep talks from Kleiden, Croi and Jun. Thank you all, I needed that.
~ Consoling a distraught Sir Victor. All of the mental buffs all around! (yay Flask of Efficiency!)
~ Making sure the count was far from bloodtide at all times. Also, staying away myself from the evil weapon.
~ Pendarvin cake! Thanks for sharing. Sir Slack wanting to turn my peanut into a doughnut haha.
~ Team peanut mod. Thanks Kirsten for making a mod boss who we didn't have to kill in the end. It took some Nigel brains, faith and Aldric, Tobias and Angeliana insisting we not kill but help the Morlon Commander. Mark, fantastic job with that role while Cooper kept you pinned. Returning with "Rick" the Morlon as my new best friend was my top highlight. Getting him hot water and sitting with him at the bar. Finding his friends and his gratitude made my entire weekend.

Emergency exit sucked but RL calls. Thank you KR family for all of the supportive hugs / words throughout the weekend. See you soon, take care!