November 2013 Highlights

I really wanted to thank Ben, James, Steve, Luis, and everyone who was involved with the running of this event. I was already super pumped going into the weekend, and I am pleased to say that I had my socks blown way off, even more than I was anticipating.

I could go on for days with my highlights, but I have to do this quick and I knew if I didn’t post now, I’d never get around to it.

The one that I really have to point out though is Belashand (sorry for the spelling) pulling a Dr. Yueh with his poison tooth. Absolutely, hands down, made my night!

See you all at the Ball!

Ok there's a bunch
First off, just in general FINALLY bringing in my IG sister was a blast. The best part was all the countless times I asked "Where is my sister?", knowing OOG that I brought someone in who wasn't just clinging to me, but really getting off on her own and playing the game.
Other highlights include learning more about Bedouin culture from Nadir (or was it Nadid? My memory for names is always fuzzy), shenanigans in the room going to bed, and using Oil of Slipperiness to make the most low-budget trap ever.
Saturday was just amazing. The Chronclerite Library mod was just full of amazing stuff, from breaking mirrors to prevent phantasms from attacking us (and then confessing my sins as a Brazenite to Father Gideon), to getting hit with an itching powder trap (now Arza knows what it feels like to be hit with that stuff!). Chasing down a mercenary captain and melting a hole through his chest when he threatened his friend, and then interrogating someone immediately afterwards, threatening to do the same thing, was amazing. Business discussions saturday night around the fireplace was enjoyable, as well as having Ogres think I'm a mage and attack me for it, while I jump over a bench to get away from them, then run outside to fight them, ending the killing blow on one of them by saying "I'm not a mage. I'm an Alchemist. LEARN THE DIFFERENCE!" was brilliant.
and, then on sunday, FINALLY TALKING TO PEOPLE ABOUT BECOMING A WITCH HUNTER! AFTER A FREAKIN' YEAR OF PLANNING! Woo boy am I excited for the next event!

So, amazing event. The level of professionalism of the staff was the very first thing that made an impression on me, as well as the level of player assistance in helping staff with new players.

Friday Night: The new player mod went about as well as I thought it would. (No comment) But, seriously its been literally decades since I was on a new player mod, it was the first in a series of culture shocks for me. Hopefully my advice to the different character types was helpful, but I never got to see the result as.... I was captured straight away by Valarians. Ok, you say, it happens... except I am a Cleric of Valos. In the end it worked out and I was able to use the intelligence I gathered to meet the leadership of the Barony so that was a plus.

The later fighting with Valarians was perfect, the level of RP from the NPC troops fit well with the overall theme of the weekend and was especially good given the reaction of the PCs to it. I think it was mentioned before that there seemed to be a split among PC groups about how to deal with the Valarians and it got me into many heated battlefield exchanges. I also think I expended more faith points getting Valarians up then Travancians throughout the weekend.

Saturday: I was on a mission from the time I woke up to get the rest of the 40 extra build spent through finding training. First aid turned out to be the easiest training to find, and I thank Dr. de Montfort for that. My training began with an Empathic Healer, but in the swirl of names I forgot who, so thanks to you too! Father Cooper helped throughout my day trying to get me to people who could teach. Considering how much of a moving target Father Cooper is, he was very helpful and when not running to one situation or the other helped find nearly all the teachers I needed throughout the weekend. In fact looking at the list, he found all of them. So a big thank you to him too!

Inverted Tower: The rite of passage for new players. I had a fun straightforward mod with a ton of roleplaying at the end. I was talking going into the mod about not needing more armor cast upon me, saying that it would take a Holy Strike to fell me,only to have a Holy Strike fell me during the mod. :blink: Recurring theme from Friday night that carried through to this mod, eating Holy Strikes. I think I had a Holy Strike bulls-eye painted on my shield. I was felled no less than four times through the event by them, and had the good fortune to block or parry the other four.

The desecration of the Glommite altar was cool, being in the exact right place and time. Then the wrap up and moving away, RP with the Valarian Templar, after he was rescued, fought with us against the Glommite cultists, then argued with us as we tried to take him to the proper. Theology for the win? Again that split amongst the players showed as some present advocated he be waylay-ed and bound for the trip home. In the end he was allowed to leave, only to be found by Travancians and attacked.

Saturday Night: More Valarians, more roleplaying. I found myself discussing theology with alot of players through the weekend. First with some of the new players from Katan, then with the experienced players. Three conversations in particular stand out as I was conversing with people at random to try to get a feel for the needs of various places in the Barony for clergy.

In one, I talked with a warrior, lady and what looked to be a Buccaneer, about the need for clergy in their opinion. I was told, actually politely, but with much passion, that they had little need for clergy. I did my best to portray my side in the conversation until the lady spoke up and asked if I knew who I was talking to. Of course I didn't, she then introduced the warrior as Orias Wormwood, and thus began a history lesson on his background which put his opinion in context. Being able to talk to anyone regardless of who or what they are is such an asset and any new player should just do it. You learn so much in the process. My theology discussion with Veril was also a highlight in that conversation, not to leave him out. It was the first of two conversations and will not, I fear, be the last.

The second conversation I approached a group all dressed in colors Red and White, so I surmised composed an affiliation of an Estate, which was what I was looking to find. So there I met the Court of Alisandria, posing the same question as the first conversation and getting an even more passionate response. Most specifically advice to me given by the Lord of Alisandria on how to approach my time in the Clergy. Perspectives from the citizens already began to form my own, and its given me alot to think about on how to approach playing this character, so again this conversation was another highlight from my event.

My interview with the Baroness was interesting as the Alisandrian conversation provided me fuel to converse on this same subject and I learned a bit about her as well. I have to repeat if you are a new player, TALK to people. There is no other way to get the experience and feel for the game.

Finally talking with the Drega'mire Court at the suggestion of the Baroness, and learning that there is more to do as a Clergy in their lands than I could ever hope to accomplish in my lifetime. (Only slightly kidding) Lord Tartarous being accepting of my offer of assistance, and then introductions to his Court, and subsequent learning of the issues that need to be addressed. (It got worse and worse as the discussion progressed. The Baroness was right, Drega'mire was the most challenging estate to serve. -- though I still stand by my assertion that the most challenging issue I could face regarding religion would be the Baroness herself. ) It was an honor, really, to be included on what was by all rights a very challenging plotline and one that many more experienced members of their Court were addressing as well.

Arcanite Mod: I had been involved with this from the day and into its resolution at night, first being asked to relay ingredients needed from the Church, then in felling some of the smaller Arcanites, I felt I had to go to the final mod on this to see it through. It was interesting to be relegated to healer for this, given my usual mindset of "hit it til it stops moving". It was one of the first interesting changes to my mindset through the weekend.

Late night Saturday: Being on the last NPC shift of the night was interesting. One of the side effects of it being that those still up had no real reason to hold back their periodic skills. But for all of that, we had fun doing various things. One moment was being sent out as a RP NPC, the "Downtrodden Peasant" and it turning comical. Kudos for whoever convinced my "Wife" to drop my sorry arse and settle in Caledonia. Still I had fun lamenting my woes to the populace, and hearing their troubles and giving then the #firstworldproblems treatment:

PC: "The Weave is so out of order, I just cannot deal!"
Me: "Why are you so obsessed with your hair? I don't have a place to sleep tonight!"

Also interesting to note, I was given more coin and help than I was as my PC, hell this guy could come back and just live off being a pain in the arse at the bar!

Sunday: Way earlier than I would have wanted otherwise I got up and zombie like, went in search of coffee. 2 Cups later I was human, and the main mod happened. This was also important, as only a moment in, my shield was broken. This forced me to take a support role, and later made me begin to think about the way my character needs to operate. While I do not boast the career points for it now, going from Main Tank in other Larps to Support Healer in this one is a huge change in thinking. For those who knew me my thinking "My shield is getting in the way of providing healing" would have floored some of my friends in other larps. I will still fight, but having that other responsibility is a really big consideration now and I think I am beginning to understand the motivations of the healers who would always put my other characters back together in other games.

So, to sum up, Thanks to the Staff for the professional presentation and organized running of the game. There really are few other games that boast such levels of efficiency as what I am seeing here. Thanks to all the PCs that suffered through my conversations. Special thanks to the Clergy that welcomed me in and made me feel as a part of the group. Extra special thanks to the Drega'mire Court for doing the same!

P.S. Almost left out my training in Courage. Father Cooper having another Player grab hold of me, (Strength +12) and then being hexed by a Gypsy to be afraid of Celts, than a Celt (Billiam?) coming over and causing Fear at me. Me: "I am the Master of my own BLADDER!!"

Morwenne wrote: I am pleased to say that I had my socks blown way off

Rafiki says: You're welcome!

I had a blast coming back. I hate missing so much time, and lets face facts I was in better shape when I could come more often.

Highlights:

Writing in a fear trinket immediately figuring I might lose it if I waited too long (low and behold...) and then using it all to great effect when we got jumped by kobolds or gnolls or something.
Not aggressive if I don't provoke them my sweet gypsy butt!

My new best friend in a Kiterian who just decided immediately I was the best.

Orias

Gideon

Morwenne

The trapped chest in the inn.
Man searching chests: "Hey, a bar of silver"
Me: "OOG, there's a bunch of colored strings attached to that card. -switching to IC- Did you just set off a bunch of traps? Tell me you just set off trapped chest right here in the inn"
Moments later, Geoff confirms the numerous Achilles strikes! 3-2-1: laugh on.
Me: "The healer in me feels his pain, but the gypsy in me feels this is hilarious."


Newer townsman: "Oh, you're a Yhatzi. Are you Balthazar?"
Me: "That depends, does he owe you gold, or you owes him gold?"

First, just want to say thank you everyone for an awesome event. It was my first time back in over a year, and I had a blast.

Highlights
"Hobbits are like Arcanites, but with food"

Looking at Orias with a straight face while saying
Ridigan: "You're a good man Orias Wormwo..."
Orias: "No I'm not."

Getting into the black keeps library, and reading a few books while others were researching. Can't believe that actually worked...

The moment two dragoons realized I had a wytchwood pole arm.
Dragoon-"How much do you want for it?"
Ridigan- "It's near priceless to me"
Dragoon- "No, really. How much do you want for it?"
Ridigan - "We'll talk"

SerenityMoonstone wrote: Now I remember why I don't serve feast normally.

But I love you so much for helping! I love all five of you for helping out serve feast!

Jack_Dimms wrote:
This lead to some Gaians having a lot of problems with Jack as he took head after head as his trophies, his favorite head being one of a Steve Oros like undead.

I have no clue what you said that triggered that reaction in me. I was ready to unload all my tag skills on you. I have never called someone to honor combat. and I'm a little disappointed that you chickened out. Also my cousin was waiting for me to name him my second. But I'm glad you enjoyed the moment.