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Last Words From Rodrigo Salvatore

June 19, 2017 / Robert Miklos

I write this for all of you now who may not believe that this old man once sailed on a sailing ship, felt the salt of the wind swept sea on his lips, and lived life on the raggedy edge. Now, in my old age, clothed in silk with Mitre in hand, that may be hard to believe. Once long ago I came to Caribdus from Earth, as many of your fathers and grandfathers had (although not too many of the Originals, as we call ourselves, remain). Almost immediately I fell in with a sailing crew, who God Almighty propelled on a sacred mission. We didn’t know it at the time, but we had been selected to challenge the Sea Hags, to stop the flood of this world. We fought many battles side by side, and in our final battle, at the Devil’s Cross, we finally defeated the hags, with the help of so many. With the help of Jomba Town and Tulago (now known as the Maori Federation). With the help of the Atani (now the Atanic Empire, full and glorious once again as it spread into many of the Receded Lands, lands that were reclaimed from the receding waters). From Admiral Duckworth (God rest his soul), and from the women of Asy Cay, including Annie Mason, (who you know as Madame Daxson).

I often find myself longing to sit on the deck of Liberator’s Wrath once again, to talk to my many friends who we lost long ago, and that thought brings a smile to my face. So as I write this, I raise a small glass of Scotch (who would deny me one small drink, after all, I am the Archbishop!) for my friends Crow, and Liam, and Daxson, Mordecai and Brachus. They are all gone now, having lost Captain Daxson in the final climactic battle when we defeated the Caribdus Inquisition naval forces off New Madrid. I leave this letter to you, Mi Abuela. As a Masaquani, your long life promises that you will outlive me. Just as well, for I miss my shipmates. I end this with a quote from one of my favorite English writers, Shakespeare:

“Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.”

Archbishop Rodrigo Salvatore, June 19, 1611 AD

50 Fathoms: Session 35- Battle of Devil’s Cross- Final Session

June 17, 2017 / Jeff Messina

Battle of Devil’s Cross

Characters:

Kaliferous: Kraken mage
Rodrigo: Human priest and water Mage from Earth
Mordecai (in spirit): Human Air Mage Puritan from Earth
Daxson: Doreen treasure diver native

Date: 6/17/17

XP: 5

Recap:

The Crew spent time mourning the loss of the friend Mordecai, gathering support, talking to their allies and finally meeting up with Admiral Duckworth and the Kraken Great ship.

They met up with Duckworth who pledged his support and then called for Admiral Caspian with the bone whistle. The Great Ship arrived and was still towing the Sphere, to which was handed over to the Crew.

Kal and Rodrigo placed their hands on the Sphere and found themselves transported inside the hollow object. Here they faced the four elemental Spirits: water, earth, fire and air. They discovered that the Kraken had imprisoned them long ago to harness elemental magic. The elements would lend their power against the Hag’s but with two conditions: 1) No more mages nor new magical abilities given 2) the doorway between Caribdus and Earth would be sealed. Both of our heros agreed to the bargain, but Rodrigo did so with a heavy heart. His one true goal was to see his Abula again.

Finally ready to face the Hags the Crew set sail with the following allies and their ships:

Captain Daxon- Liberators Wrath and Crew
Captain Azy Angsley- Lady’s Virtue (Brigantine),
Admiral Duckworth- HMS Justice (Man of War)
- Two frigate escort ships
Admiral Caspian- Kraken Great Ship
- Two Kraken Cutters escorts

The proud fleet sailed directly towards Devil’s Cross, with Daxson leading they skillfully and carefully picked their way across the treacherous Flotsam Sea. Along the way they found a frigate, the Donna Briann, being pulled into a massive Whirlpool. They saved the ship by towing it out of the whirlpool. Grateful, Captain McCoy then pledged his ship to help them fight the Hags.

Reaching the outer border of the Devil’s Cross, the Fleet had to face a powerful ring of massive protective storm. This storm didn’t move outward, but had the force of a hurricane as it swirled around the Devil’s Cross constantly. The Fleet spent hours fighting the storm trying to sail true and managed to burst through the storm wall and into its eye, Devil’s Cross itself. Many ships were damaged on the trip and two smaller escort vessels lost at sea, but they finally made it! The first difficult task was now complete.

Surprisingly the waters were calm and peaceful and they sailed undisturbed into the middle of the ‘Cross. Steeling themselves, they spoke the Hags name out loud: Maka, Mala, and Mana and poured the Earth water in the sea. Suddenly, the illusion of peacefulness was broken, below the waves it revealed a rotten waterlogged Ograpog with massive hordes of Octopons and zombies. The weather turned foul as the three Hags burst out of the water 60’ above the waves. These horrible undead creatures loomed over the ships and began to laugh and cheer with glee. They knew of the Crew and mocked at their seemingly foolish attempt to stop them. With the illusion removed, the Crew spotted a portal hovering in the air, Earth seen clearly on the other side and huge volumes of water were pouring through the rift. At the middle a tortured Maiden was magically bound to it and screaming for help.

The battle was now underway! The Hags called forth lightning and attacked the Fleet. The Crew quickly activated the Kraken Sphere but for some time nothing happened. Luckily they still had the Water Dragon orb which they used to summon forth a fully grown 40’ Sea Dragon. This Dragon seemed be driven with a keen intelligence and the Crew sensed the soul of their friend Mordecai as the beast brutally attacked the Hags. Finally seeing something as a threat the Hags attention was diverted from the ships and to dealing with the new Dragon threat.

Meanwhile, Kal noticed the Sword of King Amemnus was being pulled and pulsing downwards to the sea bottom. Heading the suggestion, both Kal and Daxon leaped in the water facing hordes of Octopons, Sharks and Giant Octopus as they let the Sword draw them ever downwards. They fought their way down while hordes of creatures surged towards the surface the duo did their best to gut and maim their enemies along the way. Daxon’s keen eye spotted a massive Octopus making its way towards the Liberators Wrath and he skillfully gutted the beast and saving the ship from a massive attack.

On the surface the battle raged on. Father Rodrigo fended off Octopon borders all the while focusing his magical attacks on the Hags. The combined might of Rodrigo and the Dragon brought the first Hag, Mala, down with an explosion of putrid flesh and bones. However things looked grim as the full might of the Octopon reinforcements made their way to the surface. Every ship of the Fleet was overwhelmed with the sheer number of vile creatures.

However an unexpected ally arrived, the Kaumatua Warriors from Jomba Town arrived with their Maori Grual leader Eti in the lead! Unknown to Daxon, his love Annie Mason quickly repaired her ship, met up with the Warriors and agreed to tow them through the storm. These warriors surged towards overwhelmed ships and lent their marital aid. They rowed their long boats screaming their Haka war chant as they leapt into battle.

Beneath the surface Kal and Daxon found themselves in what had been the palace square and spotted at a beautiful golden statue depicting a Masaquani, Kehana, Kraken, Atani, Grael, and Doreen together in sign of peace. The hand of the masaquani looked like it was missing a sword, to which Kal quickly placed the Sword of King Amemnus. The Sword burst forth with a white light that speared through the water and struck the Hags, dissipating their sickly green magical armor. The Sword now pulsed with a white magical light and seemed to yearn to be taken into Battle! The duo now made their way to the surface.

With two Hags still alive and causing havoc the Fleet was struggling to combine their fire and deal with the undead and Octopon borders. Father Rod and the Dragon turned their attention to the closest Hag, but another ally joined the battle. An Atani airship flew into the Cross using some sort of magical energy drawn from Crows Elder tree! The flying ship blasted one of the Hags causing it to stumble back. At the same moment a torrent of air, water, fire and earth shot up. The Kraken Sphere had finally activated! The four elements formed into a massive ‘Terrormental’ which completely obliterated the 2nd Hag- Mana .

Enraged by the loss of her two sister, Maka Mallus, the final Hag, screamed and ripped the wings off of the Dragon and crushing it beneath her feet. Rodrigo struck out at the Hag causing her to weaken. At this moment Kaliferous and Daxon emerged from the water with the empowered Sword. Kal deftly stuck at Maka dealing the final blow and ending the Hag menace forever.

With the death of their masters the Octopons dissolved into a black ooze revealing the tortured body of trapped Masaquani. The weather cleared and the water lost its sickly hue.

The portal to Earth and its torrent of water slowly closes as the Maiden was freed, but a small vessel slipped through the crack at the last moment.

The Maiden came forward and thanked the Crew, telling them that Hags were using her Portal to Earth to flood Caribdus and were recently using her to try and find a way to Earth itself. The Maiden then made a deal with the Elementals to bring land to this sunken world in an attempt to bring balance back to Caribdus. She faded away thanking the Crew for their hardship and effort.

Not only did the Crew save Caribdus but they also kept the Hags from harming another world as well.

While the Crew celebrated their hard won victory, Father Rodrigo peered into the vessel that had slipped into this world at the last moment. He found his lovely Abuela sitting on the deck smiling at him.

With both worlds saved and the land changing beneath them what further adventures will the Crew find for themselves?

Tis a bitter sweet ending to the tale. Many friends were lost- Liam, Crow and Mordecai. They died protecting the world and the future.

In the end, when the Hags fell the ever present storm cleared and the sun shown down on the Flotsam Sea for the first time in thirteen years, hope rises again.

Empty Seats on the Deck

June 12, 2017 / Robert Miklos

Abuela,

It has been a while since I wrote to you, lo siento. We sail for an uncertain destiny, and as I sit on the deck of Liberator’s Wrath, I find myself looking for my friends. Crow and I would talk for hours on the scripture. He asked a thousand questions, and I confess to not having an answer for every question. I look to the wheel for Captain Liam, turning us towards an enemy when we should sail away to fight another day. I turn to ask Mordecai a question about the Americas, but catch myself before I speak too long. Daxson is at the helm, and we have sailed together for a long time. I trust him and his sailing abilities. Liam would be proud of our course right now, straight at the enemy. We have the sword, and are determined. But with so many friends absent, I feel an uncertain future. To Quote Don Quixote: “Destiny guides our fortunes more favorably than we could have expected. Look there, Sancho Panza, my friend, and see those thirty or so wild giants, with whom I intend to do battle and kill each and all of them, so with their stolen booty we can begin to enrich ourselves. This is nobel, righteous warfare, for it is wonderfully useful to God to have such an evil race wiped from the face of the earth.”
“What giants?” Asked Sancho Panza.
“The ones you can see over there,” answered his master, “with the huge arms, some of which are very nearly two leagues long.”
“Now look, your grace,” said Sancho, “what you see over there aren’t giants, but windmills, and what seems to be arms are just their sails, that go around in the wind and turn the millstone.”
“Obviously,” replied Don Quijote, “you don’t know much about adventures.”

Which book, by the way, Mordecai gifted me (since it was published 34 years in the future for me). A book about adventures. Imagine that Abuela. Imagine that.

Redmark Session 16: Triumphs Over Evil

May 27, 2017 / Stan Shinn

March 3, Third Age 1331

Our hero’s around midnight, emerge from the cave of the necromancer Dubois, still wondering where he is located. They have saved Burt and the 10 citizens of Stonehelm. The hero’s decide to bury Brice’s sister’s body and head to the temple district under the darkness of night. Brice has requested they take his sister’s body to “Our Lady of Sorrows” the largest temple, who are protectors of the soul as it moves to the afterlife. Duke Leopold heads back to the inn for a nights rest and thanks his companions for the adventure.

As our heroes (Lundie the Dwarf paladin of Moradin, Marcus the priest of Mars and Quintos Noble Warlock) move through the city, they encounter some town guards and deliver the two slavers who killed for money. They tell the town guards that the Stone Legion lead by Quintos has purged this evil from Stonehelm.

Our hero’s arrive at “Our Lady of Sorrows” and describe the necromancer Dubois’s evil acts. The temple adepts wake up much of the temple, including Father Archibald the head of the order in Stonehelm. Quintos has some glancing looks at the young nuns, as the head of the order ushers them out. Our heros speak to the Father and describe the acts of evil. The Father ask our heros to hunt down Dubois and join with a Ranger who has found information on a possible location of the Necromancer (Dubois). The father also says that St. Longirius (the roman who pierced Christ with his spear), was a convert to Christianity and if they Romans Quintos or Marcus ever wanted to join the order they were welcome.

Marcus watches the ritual of Gentle Repose they perform on the body of the deceased girl and trades some holy water from the Silver Chalice for a holy book, the Bible of “Volgate” a text of the Roman Catholics.

Our heroes leave on a boat, polling down with the ranger to the location of the Necromancers cave. As they enter the cave (approx. 6 hours from the city of Stonehelm, they carefully navigate through the cave avoiding vines. Then a large black form starts to rise beside the boat.

The undead ‘Necrocrocodile’

The Ranger fires his bow, as our other heroes ready actions. Then the giant necrotic crocodile a massive undead beast erupts from under the black dark waters, our heroes blast, hack, and fire arrows into the giant creature and with skill and luck, destroy the massive creature in less than 12 seconds. As the creature splashing under the water, a wave moves the boat…

The Ranger, off balance, falls into the water, Marcus drops to the ground to offer a pole to the ranger as evil creatures attempt to pull him under the dank water. We save the ranger and continue on our way.

One of advantage rolls was a ‘Sadvantage’ results — double ones!

We poll to a sandy beach inside the cave, when suddenly a strange undead skeletal serpent breaks behind the heroes. Then by surprise launches a lightning bolt down the middle of the boat, hitting the Ranger, Quintos and Nero (Quinto’s familiar). The lightning is skillfully dodged and only partially burns our two heroes, but the familiar disappears in the blast. Our heroes fight the undead serpent, during the fight Marcus is slept, but the heros finally destroy the creature with Lundie’s hammer and Quintos’s spells.

Skeletal snake!

They move quicker into the caves, find 10 people locked in a cage and free them. They tell them to stay put, until we can come back to save them. Our heros’ then break down a door into a tunnel, that looks like a trap. Sure enough as they get half way down the tunnel, green gas gets released. Lundie and Marcus rush the door to knock it down, Quintos blasts the door with Eldrich energy as the Ranger shoots into the gas vents to slow the bellows.. Our heroes break down the door before the gas can envelope them….. Seeing a vile scene on the other side….

Holy ‘Young Frankenstein’ Batman!

There in the room is a huge undead abomination, a monster created of pieces of different people and the evil Necromancer Dubios, laughing manically he yells “He’s Alive”. The monster starts to move as it’s connected to two strange magical machines on each sides of the creature, it pulls itself free…

The Legendary Actions were fun (for the diabolical GM anyway)

We fight a brutal battle, Quintos summoning the blackness of the void, to immerse the villains in a painful tentacles of death. The heroes blast the magical machine to destroy its healing power of the abomination. Quintos works with Lundie wearing the helm of true-sight and blessed by the goddess Caldrindia (the Lawful good goddess of war). And Lundie helps Quintos aim into the void to blast the Necromancer with Eldritch bolts, dropping Dubois after multiple blasts.

The Legendary Actions were fun (for the diabolical GM anyway)

Finally the Abomination leaps from the blackness, charred by cold and burned by Acid. Lundie and Marcus face off with the beast, as the Ranger fires and Quintos blasts.

Legendary actions included knocking folks prone — ouch!

Finally Lundie summons the full power of Moradin in his Warhammer and knocks the Abomination’s head from his unclean body… Silence fills the room as the heroes have defeated the deadly Dubois and his undead horror.

The killing blow!

The heroes in the black library of Dubois find a letter written to the Necromancer. It says in a Dark Tongue that only Quintos can read;

“Thanks for helping the destruction of Stonehelm, your actions provided a pivotal roles in our plans” The letter has a wax seal by an “ORC SKULL”.

Our heroes free the captured citizens of Stonehelm and return to the Temple of the Lady of Sorrows victorious over the undead of Dubois.

And once again the Stone Legion triumphs over evil.

Firefly One-Shot: The Miranda Datachip

May 20, 2017 / Stan Shinn

Mason ran a great game of Firefly RPG! We managed to exercise key rules such as Dice Pools and Flashbacks. I really like this system better than Fate RPG which is very similar in terms of Aspect-style mechanics and a narrative focus. The Dice Pool mechanic really helps solve the math errors I always had with Fate and all the +1’s and +2’s.

Anyway, a few photos from the game. Fun times!