Friday Night Game Report - Atlantis: The Second Age RPG, Session 31
Last night, the Friday gaming group came out to play once more, deciding that since this was normally the weekend of the local gaming convention here in Ottawa, CanGames, that has been cancelled for the third year in a row, they would engage with me in some gaming to keep the "convention feel" alive. The group continued their on-going campaign of the Atlantis: The Second Age RPG of sword & sorcery fantasy in the Antediluvian world. You can read about the previous session by following the link. This post is extremely long, so I've put it behind a cut so that folks who don't want to read any detailed rpg posts don't have to.
CHARACTERS:
Sahauviia the Green (Kathy) - Atlantean Sorceress
Koomara Hadansi (Angela) - Galacean Scavenger
Melucene Palleremos (Ellison) - Hesperian Priestess-in-Training
Vaino the One-Eyed (Mark) - Cimmerian Adventurer
Uratan of Pemba (Peter) - Asena Pemban Scout
15th Arakhsamna, Year 506 Meta Kataklysmos (M.K.)
The player Heroes decide to travel on for a bit, perhaps another three kilometres or so from the ruins, and then set up camp for the evening. As they travel onward into a hilly region, the sharp eyes of Koomara Hadansi spot what appear to be caves in various parts of the hills. The Heroes debate the possible wildlife that might be found in this region, and Koomara tells them there are plenty of wild animals (such as giant boars and aurochs and ibex) in the area, but there are also cave trolls, ogres, and the like to be found here. Sahauviia the Green adds there are also thought to be chimeras, manticores, gryphons (obviously!) and other creatures of a magical nature in this part of the world as well. Uratan of Pemba says that perhaps seeking out a cave would be best, as it would be defensible if nothing else. The other Heroes agree with him. Uratan comes upon some animal prints, identifying them as several weeks old, and Koomara and Vaino the One-Eyed tell the others that these belong to either chimera or manticore. Koomara hears the sound of flapping, and looking up, sees a huge, winged creature in the skies above them; it is a gryphon (perhaps the same gryphon they've seen several times already?). Much to the relief of the player Heroes, the creature flies off to the north.
After a bit of debate, the player Heroes despatch Koomara and Uratan to check out some of the caves, and see if any of them can be used by the Heroes overnight. They return a short time later, having snuck around so as not to attract attention, and tell the others that most of the caves show signs of habitation, either current or past. Uratan advises against using one of the caves to shelter in. While the Heroes talk, Koomara alerts them to the sound of a large rock being thrown at them from some distance [about 80 metres distant]. The player Heroes dodge out of the way, though Vaino barely dodges and takes a minor wound [he takes 2 points of damage from some of the debris kicked up by the small boulder impacting the ground near him]. Uratan spots the creature that appears to have thrown the rock, and describes it to the others - standing 3 metres tall, brawny, over-muscled, resembling a hulking baboon-like creature with grey skin and matted fur; the Heroes realise it's a cave troll! The Heroes retreat somewhat from the area, getting out of its line of sight, in the hopes that it will realise they mean it no harm. They can hear the creature now, seemingly threatening them.
Since they've decided not to seek shelter in one of the caves, Vaino and Uratan find the Heroes a good spot to camp, some 40 metres distant, at a small outcropping of rock that provides the Heroes with a modicum of protection. As the player Heroes start to make camp, Koomara decides to go in search of some wood and tinder to make a fire. Still worried about the scavenger, Melucene Palleremos decides to go with her. While out gathering the wood and tinder material, the two are attacked by several small, bat-like creatures, but the two female Heroes manage to drive them off with branches that they have picked up. Returning to the campsite, the two are met by the other Heroes who are worried for them, as they were gone for a while. Some time later, Uratan tells them that there are some cat-like (puma, he thinks) shape-shifters beyond the campfire. The figures approach the player Heroes and their camp, and their leader, Kitakis the Black, addresses them. The Heroes talk with him, while his followers remain just outside the firelight, and make a deal with him. They can stay the night, but may only have the shelter of the area near the outcrop and cannot take any of the resources and materiels other than what they have already gathered. Koomara talks with Kitakis (in their native Alban tongue), and learns of two threats in the area - the Denizen of the Dark [cave troll] and the Chalaquin, of which he tells her nothing as "it frightens me too much." As the tribe of puma shape-shifters depart, they offer the Heroes a token gift in the form of two dead hares.
The next morning dawns, the player Heroes having run out of firewood a couple of hours into the late night hours, and so wake up somewhat cold though they have been refreshed somewhat and restored as well [by the enhanced healing promoted by the magically enchanted hares]. Feeling somewhat chipper, Vaino decides to go scouting the lay of the land, and returns after about an hour. Over the morning meal, he tells the other Heroes they must either go through the hills, or will lose half a day or more travelling around them to the west and then heading north once again. Debating their options, the Heroes decide to travel through the hills, and once they have packed up camp set off into the wilderness once more.
The player Heroes travel into the hills, being cautious as they move along. Given the potential dangers of the area, Uratan scouts straight ahead of the group, while Koomara moves in a zig-zag pattern to give any creatures or beings less chance of spotting her. This leaves Vaino to stay and guard/protect Sahauviia and Melucene, a job that he accepts with relish. With Uratan still out ahead of the group, Koomara returns to the others and informs them that there are a group of the owl Andamen (Uluka) ahead of them at a nearby stream. Spotted by the Andamen, the Heroes are visited by them as they arrive by air [though they have not spotted Uratan, seemingly], and the Uluka question them after first acknowledging the presence of Sahauviia the Atlantean.
Another of the Uluka arrives, a huge being with a strange, massive bow that intrigues, but also repels, Sahauviia. Melucene recognises this Uluka as a priest of some sort, and sees at once that the bow has some divine power to it. This giant Ulukan introduces himself as Sapphik, and asks the Heroes more questions after talking to the other Uluka. Satisfied by the player Heroes' answers, the Uluka tell the party to proceed. As they start to leave, the Ulukan bowman whirls and quickly fires at the supposedly hidden Uratan, who had returned a short time earlier, but kept himself concealed in the foliage nearby [although the Ulukan priest was aware of his presence], striking the Asena scout a glancing blow. "A warning about hidden actions, for the future," Sapphik states. Once the Uluka have left, Uratan feels a compulsion to retrieve the arrow [he fails his Resolve check to resist this], claiming that he wants it because it's unique (it is made of spun and wound bird feathers, with a blue binding at the end of which a spell sigil can be found). Coming under a powerful geas, Uratan walks off with the feather arrow despite the best attempts of the others to stop him and after gathering up their supplies and mounting their horses, are forced to follow after him through the hilly landscape, where he leads them to a small meadow and stream, where a teepee-like structure sits with a fire in a pit nearby.
When he drops the feather arrow into the fire pit, as the geas compels him to do, nearly singeing his hands, Uratan comes to his senses with no memory of his actions. A woman emerges from the teepee, relatively young but old at the same time, with bright, white hair and with her arms covered in feathers, wearing a clean, Uluka feather coloured wool set of clothes. The player Heroes, having arrived at the same time Uratan did, instantly sense that she is an avatar of the Ulukan goddess, Ochosi, though she does not confirm it. She demands to know what the Heroes are doing in her forbidden grove, and learns of their task. She tells the player Heroes that the mother and her unborn child are to be found in the village of Byrkas, but not for long. The place is under attack, as the demon Baal-tamath has dispatched the manes to claim the unborn child. They can get to the town, but only if they hurry.
The avatar hands each of the player Heroes a [gryphon] feather, and after she does so, there is a massive squawking from above them, and a group of gryphons lands in a flurry of buffeting wings. The avatar of Ochosi tells the Heroes they must mount the gryphons, but that they must keep the feather against their skin to ride the creatures. The Heroes are somewhat overwhelmed. The player Heroes fly a-gryphon-back to Byrkas. Sahauviia rides the gryphon, seemingly euphoric from the trip (but this may well be her taking a dose of Halaba weed before she mounts it); Koomara hangs on to the creature's neck feathers for dear life, not endearing herself to the beast, but it tolerates her; Melucene's ride of the gryphon is one that is almost religious, both enjoying the flight but at the same time being in awe of the Goddess's power [and she regains two Hero Points]; due to his visual problems, Vaino is terrified throughout the ride [losing 2 Renown points], but gains a respect for the creatures; finally, Uratan is not pleased to ride the gryphon, and is still in a bit of shock at the memory loss he suffered from while being geased, but makes the best of it, arriving at their destination hanging on to the creature by one leg. As the Heroes dismount, Koomara points out that the small village is on fire, and the Heroes can see black, bat-like shadowy humanoid creatures that swirl in shape crawling in the ruins. The gryphons take wing, leaving the Heroes where they stand. Uratan invokes the demon Baal-tamath's name, and the Darkness comes for him [and he takes a point of Fate]. Vaino asks the others what they should do, and Koomara says without any hesitation, "We go and save the mother and the child!" and she starts moving towards the burning community. The other Heroes follow suit.
The player Heroes move cautiously towards the burning village, and as they do so, several diseased looking creatures (almost like spectral hyenas) move and shamble towards them. Uratan leaps behind Koomara, Melucene, and Vaino so as to fire arrows at the creatures, to which they prove impervious. Koomara is able to attack one of the creatures, along with Melucene (who conjures divine light using her limited priestly abilities) [spending 2 Hero Points to do so], and together they are able to injure the creature severely. However, it does manage to bite Koomara [inflicting 4 damage points]. Vaino goes after another of them, and seriously injures the spectral hyena [using several Hero Points to do so]. While she moves back towards the other Heroes from the rear, Sahauviia casts a spell of enhancement on herself, and is able to destroy another of the creatures with a [Manipulate] spell [and several Hero Points both to cast it, and inflict damage]. The creature fighting Koomara turns to her, and says, "Be warned, foul Human. This is just the first battle that you have won." Then the Eaters [of the Dead] break apart, their bones turning to dust.
The player Heroes continue on their way towards Byrkas, moving cautiously, and arrive to find the village-like community in ruins. While there are survivors, the bodies of villagers can be seen everywhere, torn apart by vicious claws. The five Heroes stop to help several of the injured as well as those who are trying to retrieve loved ones or possessions from the ruined, still burning in places homes [and gain 1 or 2 Renown Points each]. Koomara eventually comes upon the shrine of Orunmila, the only structure safe from the depredations of the dark forces of Baal-tamath. Cautiously entering the shrine, the Heroes see a source of light deep inside the temple, and making their way there, are met by a Priest of Orunmila, one Orrosan. He greets them, especially Koomara, saying that they have been expecting the Heroes, though he had hoped the circumstances would be better.
Leading the player Heroes to one of the antechambers to the main shrine itself, Orrosan tells the player Heroes that it was only the Light of Orunmila that kept the forces of the worshippers of Ba'al at bay. Gesturing for the Heroes to enter the antechamber, the characters finally come upon and see the expectant mother and her unborn child. She is exactly as the priestess, Hallia, described her back in Cadaza - dark-skinned, not Nubian but more tanned, with blonde hair. She introduces herself as Karassi, and Koomara is surprised to learn that she knows who they are by name. Karassi explains that her [unborn] son told her of their coming. Melucene regards Koomara, and says that Karassi is indeed Orixa blessed. When Koomara and the others tell Karassi that they don't know where they have to proceed from the village, Karassi smiles at them and says, "But I do. Hesperia. We must go to Hesperia." "Oh, dear," says Melucene. "That could be a... problem...for me."
Friday night's unexpected game session of the Atlantis: The Second Age RPG campaign was a pretty decent one, and wrapped up the current adventure that the players were involved in. The players told me they rather enjoyed this game session, and the adventure in Galacea as a whole, and we talked about some of the highlights of the adventure (including the gryphon ride, which thrilled the players as well as their characters). Peter told us that as the new player to the game system and its Antediluvian world, he was really pleased with the sword & sorcery feel of the game, and rather likes the game mechanics as he found them simple enough to work with. He said that he's also quite fond of Hero Points, on which the whole group agreed, and really liked the concept of Atman and how it worked. The players told me they're quite looking forward to the next adventure or two, and are eager to see what the big deal is with the woman and her unborn child.
Overall, Friday night's session of the Atlantis: The Second Age RPG was highly enjoyable for me, distracted me from my own problems, and was just a fun session. I'm quite looking forward to the next session in a week's time. :)
CHARACTERS:
Sahauviia the Green (Kathy) - Atlantean Sorceress
Koomara Hadansi (Angela) - Galacean Scavenger
Melucene Palleremos (Ellison) - Hesperian Priestess-in-Training
Vaino the One-Eyed (Mark) - Cimmerian Adventurer
Uratan of Pemba (Peter) - Asena Pemban Scout
15th Arakhsamna, Year 506 Meta Kataklysmos (M.K.)
The player Heroes decide to travel on for a bit, perhaps another three kilometres or so from the ruins, and then set up camp for the evening. As they travel onward into a hilly region, the sharp eyes of Koomara Hadansi spot what appear to be caves in various parts of the hills. The Heroes debate the possible wildlife that might be found in this region, and Koomara tells them there are plenty of wild animals (such as giant boars and aurochs and ibex) in the area, but there are also cave trolls, ogres, and the like to be found here. Sahauviia the Green adds there are also thought to be chimeras, manticores, gryphons (obviously!) and other creatures of a magical nature in this part of the world as well. Uratan of Pemba says that perhaps seeking out a cave would be best, as it would be defensible if nothing else. The other Heroes agree with him. Uratan comes upon some animal prints, identifying them as several weeks old, and Koomara and Vaino the One-Eyed tell the others that these belong to either chimera or manticore. Koomara hears the sound of flapping, and looking up, sees a huge, winged creature in the skies above them; it is a gryphon (perhaps the same gryphon they've seen several times already?). Much to the relief of the player Heroes, the creature flies off to the north.
After a bit of debate, the player Heroes despatch Koomara and Uratan to check out some of the caves, and see if any of them can be used by the Heroes overnight. They return a short time later, having snuck around so as not to attract attention, and tell the others that most of the caves show signs of habitation, either current or past. Uratan advises against using one of the caves to shelter in. While the Heroes talk, Koomara alerts them to the sound of a large rock being thrown at them from some distance [about 80 metres distant]. The player Heroes dodge out of the way, though Vaino barely dodges and takes a minor wound [he takes 2 points of damage from some of the debris kicked up by the small boulder impacting the ground near him]. Uratan spots the creature that appears to have thrown the rock, and describes it to the others - standing 3 metres tall, brawny, over-muscled, resembling a hulking baboon-like creature with grey skin and matted fur; the Heroes realise it's a cave troll! The Heroes retreat somewhat from the area, getting out of its line of sight, in the hopes that it will realise they mean it no harm. They can hear the creature now, seemingly threatening them.
Since they've decided not to seek shelter in one of the caves, Vaino and Uratan find the Heroes a good spot to camp, some 40 metres distant, at a small outcropping of rock that provides the Heroes with a modicum of protection. As the player Heroes start to make camp, Koomara decides to go in search of some wood and tinder to make a fire. Still worried about the scavenger, Melucene Palleremos decides to go with her. While out gathering the wood and tinder material, the two are attacked by several small, bat-like creatures, but the two female Heroes manage to drive them off with branches that they have picked up. Returning to the campsite, the two are met by the other Heroes who are worried for them, as they were gone for a while. Some time later, Uratan tells them that there are some cat-like (puma, he thinks) shape-shifters beyond the campfire. The figures approach the player Heroes and their camp, and their leader, Kitakis the Black, addresses them. The Heroes talk with him, while his followers remain just outside the firelight, and make a deal with him. They can stay the night, but may only have the shelter of the area near the outcrop and cannot take any of the resources and materiels other than what they have already gathered. Koomara talks with Kitakis (in their native Alban tongue), and learns of two threats in the area - the Denizen of the Dark [cave troll] and the Chalaquin, of which he tells her nothing as "it frightens me too much." As the tribe of puma shape-shifters depart, they offer the Heroes a token gift in the form of two dead hares.
The next morning dawns, the player Heroes having run out of firewood a couple of hours into the late night hours, and so wake up somewhat cold though they have been refreshed somewhat and restored as well [by the enhanced healing promoted by the magically enchanted hares]. Feeling somewhat chipper, Vaino decides to go scouting the lay of the land, and returns after about an hour. Over the morning meal, he tells the other Heroes they must either go through the hills, or will lose half a day or more travelling around them to the west and then heading north once again. Debating their options, the Heroes decide to travel through the hills, and once they have packed up camp set off into the wilderness once more.
The player Heroes travel into the hills, being cautious as they move along. Given the potential dangers of the area, Uratan scouts straight ahead of the group, while Koomara moves in a zig-zag pattern to give any creatures or beings less chance of spotting her. This leaves Vaino to stay and guard/protect Sahauviia and Melucene, a job that he accepts with relish. With Uratan still out ahead of the group, Koomara returns to the others and informs them that there are a group of the owl Andamen (Uluka) ahead of them at a nearby stream. Spotted by the Andamen, the Heroes are visited by them as they arrive by air [though they have not spotted Uratan, seemingly], and the Uluka question them after first acknowledging the presence of Sahauviia the Atlantean.
Another of the Uluka arrives, a huge being with a strange, massive bow that intrigues, but also repels, Sahauviia. Melucene recognises this Uluka as a priest of some sort, and sees at once that the bow has some divine power to it. This giant Ulukan introduces himself as Sapphik, and asks the Heroes more questions after talking to the other Uluka. Satisfied by the player Heroes' answers, the Uluka tell the party to proceed. As they start to leave, the Ulukan bowman whirls and quickly fires at the supposedly hidden Uratan, who had returned a short time earlier, but kept himself concealed in the foliage nearby [although the Ulukan priest was aware of his presence], striking the Asena scout a glancing blow. "A warning about hidden actions, for the future," Sapphik states. Once the Uluka have left, Uratan feels a compulsion to retrieve the arrow [he fails his Resolve check to resist this], claiming that he wants it because it's unique (it is made of spun and wound bird feathers, with a blue binding at the end of which a spell sigil can be found). Coming under a powerful geas, Uratan walks off with the feather arrow despite the best attempts of the others to stop him and after gathering up their supplies and mounting their horses, are forced to follow after him through the hilly landscape, where he leads them to a small meadow and stream, where a teepee-like structure sits with a fire in a pit nearby.
When he drops the feather arrow into the fire pit, as the geas compels him to do, nearly singeing his hands, Uratan comes to his senses with no memory of his actions. A woman emerges from the teepee, relatively young but old at the same time, with bright, white hair and with her arms covered in feathers, wearing a clean, Uluka feather coloured wool set of clothes. The player Heroes, having arrived at the same time Uratan did, instantly sense that she is an avatar of the Ulukan goddess, Ochosi, though she does not confirm it. She demands to know what the Heroes are doing in her forbidden grove, and learns of their task. She tells the player Heroes that the mother and her unborn child are to be found in the village of Byrkas, but not for long. The place is under attack, as the demon Baal-tamath has dispatched the manes to claim the unborn child. They can get to the town, but only if they hurry.
The avatar hands each of the player Heroes a [gryphon] feather, and after she does so, there is a massive squawking from above them, and a group of gryphons lands in a flurry of buffeting wings. The avatar of Ochosi tells the Heroes they must mount the gryphons, but that they must keep the feather against their skin to ride the creatures. The Heroes are somewhat overwhelmed. The player Heroes fly a-gryphon-back to Byrkas. Sahauviia rides the gryphon, seemingly euphoric from the trip (but this may well be her taking a dose of Halaba weed before she mounts it); Koomara hangs on to the creature's neck feathers for dear life, not endearing herself to the beast, but it tolerates her; Melucene's ride of the gryphon is one that is almost religious, both enjoying the flight but at the same time being in awe of the Goddess's power [and she regains two Hero Points]; due to his visual problems, Vaino is terrified throughout the ride [losing 2 Renown points], but gains a respect for the creatures; finally, Uratan is not pleased to ride the gryphon, and is still in a bit of shock at the memory loss he suffered from while being geased, but makes the best of it, arriving at their destination hanging on to the creature by one leg. As the Heroes dismount, Koomara points out that the small village is on fire, and the Heroes can see black, bat-like shadowy humanoid creatures that swirl in shape crawling in the ruins. The gryphons take wing, leaving the Heroes where they stand. Uratan invokes the demon Baal-tamath's name, and the Darkness comes for him [and he takes a point of Fate]. Vaino asks the others what they should do, and Koomara says without any hesitation, "We go and save the mother and the child!" and she starts moving towards the burning community. The other Heroes follow suit.
The player Heroes move cautiously towards the burning village, and as they do so, several diseased looking creatures (almost like spectral hyenas) move and shamble towards them. Uratan leaps behind Koomara, Melucene, and Vaino so as to fire arrows at the creatures, to which they prove impervious. Koomara is able to attack one of the creatures, along with Melucene (who conjures divine light using her limited priestly abilities) [spending 2 Hero Points to do so], and together they are able to injure the creature severely. However, it does manage to bite Koomara [inflicting 4 damage points]. Vaino goes after another of them, and seriously injures the spectral hyena [using several Hero Points to do so]. While she moves back towards the other Heroes from the rear, Sahauviia casts a spell of enhancement on herself, and is able to destroy another of the creatures with a [Manipulate] spell [and several Hero Points both to cast it, and inflict damage]. The creature fighting Koomara turns to her, and says, "Be warned, foul Human. This is just the first battle that you have won." Then the Eaters [of the Dead] break apart, their bones turning to dust.
The player Heroes continue on their way towards Byrkas, moving cautiously, and arrive to find the village-like community in ruins. While there are survivors, the bodies of villagers can be seen everywhere, torn apart by vicious claws. The five Heroes stop to help several of the injured as well as those who are trying to retrieve loved ones or possessions from the ruined, still burning in places homes [and gain 1 or 2 Renown Points each]. Koomara eventually comes upon the shrine of Orunmila, the only structure safe from the depredations of the dark forces of Baal-tamath. Cautiously entering the shrine, the Heroes see a source of light deep inside the temple, and making their way there, are met by a Priest of Orunmila, one Orrosan. He greets them, especially Koomara, saying that they have been expecting the Heroes, though he had hoped the circumstances would be better.
Leading the player Heroes to one of the antechambers to the main shrine itself, Orrosan tells the player Heroes that it was only the Light of Orunmila that kept the forces of the worshippers of Ba'al at bay. Gesturing for the Heroes to enter the antechamber, the characters finally come upon and see the expectant mother and her unborn child. She is exactly as the priestess, Hallia, described her back in Cadaza - dark-skinned, not Nubian but more tanned, with blonde hair. She introduces herself as Karassi, and Koomara is surprised to learn that she knows who they are by name. Karassi explains that her [unborn] son told her of their coming. Melucene regards Koomara, and says that Karassi is indeed Orixa blessed. When Koomara and the others tell Karassi that they don't know where they have to proceed from the village, Karassi smiles at them and says, "But I do. Hesperia. We must go to Hesperia." "Oh, dear," says Melucene. "That could be a... problem...for me."
Friday night's unexpected game session of the Atlantis: The Second Age RPG campaign was a pretty decent one, and wrapped up the current adventure that the players were involved in. The players told me they rather enjoyed this game session, and the adventure in Galacea as a whole, and we talked about some of the highlights of the adventure (including the gryphon ride, which thrilled the players as well as their characters). Peter told us that as the new player to the game system and its Antediluvian world, he was really pleased with the sword & sorcery feel of the game, and rather likes the game mechanics as he found them simple enough to work with. He said that he's also quite fond of Hero Points, on which the whole group agreed, and really liked the concept of Atman and how it worked. The players told me they're quite looking forward to the next adventure or two, and are eager to see what the big deal is with the woman and her unborn child.
Overall, Friday night's session of the Atlantis: The Second Age RPG was highly enjoyable for me, distracted me from my own problems, and was just a fun session. I'm quite looking forward to the next session in a week's time. :)