The Heroes faced some of their greatest dangers last night. Vladamir took lead, making the former Succubus Anna a apprentice of the helm she shared her loot and took an active part in getting the party and herself to the lost city.
Once at the city it seemed that Drow/Dark Elves had Hans Kremper and his people pined down, through stealth and wit the party got as close to the step pyramid as possible. Welf even doned the disguise of a dark elf. Only four Dark Elves where killed the only combat of the evening.
The Party discovered much. These Dark Elves had Templars, Archers, Scouts and Standard Dark Elf Infantry as well as Dark Flyers (Magically altered dark elves with bat wings) and Dark ones (Half dark elf/ half orc). With them where Dark Elf Sorceerers and Dark Elf Priestesses to Slangg.
Then Welf and Vladamir noticed that their was a Døkkálfar amongst the Dark elves and he was advising them how to contain the Bat God within the Temple whilst they looted the ancient city.
The group put their clues together and discovered a secret way in tot he Temple. Here they encountered a Caarth who bartered aid for aid. His aid proved true and soon they where in the Temple. Here a deal was struck with the Bat God and in return the party gained access to the 13th Spell, treasure and a vow made was met.
The Group left the Elves to fight the Bat God whilst they exited the city and went direct to ancient runins beneath Caropolis. Once here much was learned about what was at stake.
THE LEGEND CONTINUES
The AFF ~ CotH Campaign explained
When I first started Role-Playing back in 1984 I started with the Red Basic: Dungeons & Dragons box set levels 1-3, The Fighting Fantasy Multi Player book which came in novel size and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Masters guide and Players Hand Book. Between these five books I learned alot, I learned that their where other people who thought as I did and that I had a vent for my creative streek.
At the time I created my own system Goblin Quest set ont he world of Questar. I spent my first summer holidays playing Goblin quest either as Dungeon Master or as a Player with a friend or Wayne Dungeon Mastering for me. I had so much fun using Battle Beasts, Monsters in my Pockets, Britian Knights, Diansaurs and a variety of other toys as figures.
It was a blast. All the time I drew on those core books, on a whole range of Usborne Childrens Books, comics and cartoons and films as well as my own imagination.
I soon aquired Dragon Warriors, The Forgotten Realms setting and
Greyhawk settings for Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, The Blue, Turquise and Black box sets for Dundeons and Dragons (I could nkow play all the way to 36th level) and Warhammer Fantasy Role-Play.
I started my first forgotten Realms Campaign in 1986 and it continued until the release of 3rd Edition. During that time people played either the same character (unless it died) or hirelings, NPCs or Henchmen of their main characters. We really got to know each other and to do things most players never get to do - care about each other in game and to value the lives of our PCs. By the end the core players had complete folders on all of their main characters detailing every aspect of their lives.
I love Forgotten Realms and I love the Campaign but 3rd edition put an end to it. You see we had started of as Dungeons and Dragons, then I added aspects of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and then went over fully to what some young people refer to as 1st Edition. Then when 2nd Edition came out we converted once more and we even used some of the rules in Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Skills and Powers almost a kind of 2.5. However then came 3rd Edition and it unfortunatly made converting our characters impossible, not without either becomming Epic Characters or without us loosing much of the power and abilitis we had gained over the years.
It seemed to me that our campaign had come to an end and I was quite cross because I did not want it to. A 14 year Campaign accounts for a lot of time and effort on a Dungeon Masters part. Especially a Dungeon Master like myself who likes to research and plan as many aspects of his game as he can.
But what to do. All level based systems had the same problem if I converted the characters over we just did not fit. Most of the points based systems where the same at the very least our points did not match and we could beat anything native to the new system.
Then it came to me. Advanced Fighting Fantasy. The rules are so simple and basic that we converted over to them with ease. Even the most powerful of us could be taken out by a worthy villian or lucky goblin. We lost our levels but retianed all our skills and abilities and equipment. I did change the Campaign setting to include all of the worlds we usually adventured on and so we still retained some of the Epic Elements of the game.
The Campaign now renamed the CotH and based around the quest for the 13 Spells of Darkness in now well and truely in its 24th Year and I am a very happy Dungeon Master. Next Monday sees the end of the Third Spell of Darkness. However the game will go on. Those who wish to go off and play another game. Either Robs Rifts: Chaos Earth or Daves Mutants and Masters Super Hero Game are more than welcome to, however I will be running the AFF ~ CotH campaign with a set of adventures set in the South lands and nothing to do with the 13 Spells of Darkness. I hope some of you will join me as the Legend Continues!
Gary Bates
One of the things I like about been a Dungeon Master and a Player is having a creative outlet. I have never been into sport or music and my teenage years involved me spending alot of time alone or in the Library.
My main problem is I stood out amongst my peers, not as a genious or because I was particularly skilled but because I was classed as wired. However I have been from a very early age secure in who I am. Although I like anyone go through periods of doubt I always end up at the same point I like Me and what I do.
The Thirteen Spells of darkness and the whole CotH thing however are an excuse for me to channel my wiredness and to share it with other people who are as wired or in some cases even more wired than I am.
Most importantly it is about writing a story together a modern piece of folklore or as I often say a Legend. I think this is why I go on the way I do. I do not want Seaxe to be a buisness, nor do I want it to make money and become famous. I want it to be a family based event where people can build up social as well as role-play links.
It is why the Displays are just as important to me as the LARP or the tradition which is Monday Night Table Top. All of these things allow us to mix and grow to understand each other. I think most conflict in Seaxe is generated by those people least willing to admit their own faults and to realise that other people in Seaxe have problems to. Some of us are more forgiving than others.
At the end of the day I think our Elders are a perfect demonstration of people who give everyone a chance and who use our time together to game rather than 'bitch'. You never hear Tilsburg or Calis moaning about other people OOC. Orrin does a lovely job of making everyone welcome no matter what, even Barranor tries to give everyone a chance despite his prejadices. The thing is the people behind these personas are all willing to forgive, forget and get on with life. Our lives when said and done are all way to short to spend to much time hating each other or looking for signs that other people dislike us.
However a small minority do this all the time. They also tend to be the ones who are most critical, most alienated and most likely to leave early at events without offering to much help. Some of the group get so involved in what 'If' and who has said what about me and why that they leave or find excuses to not come down as much.
At the end of the day it is stupid because if we all accept each other and try our best not to OOC offend there is little we cannot accomplish. As Chairman I have to be nice to everyone, it is my duty and part of my role to meet and greet without prejadice. Truth be told I do like some people more than others however I have never let that get in the way of who I write plot for nor have I stopped people from succeeding just because I find them to be offensive or cocky. I am not perfect and I have voiced my likes and dislikes to friends but I do try not to hold things against people and I regularly check myself.
I hope over the next few years to get to know many of you better and to continue to forge Seaxe into something which will continue to prosper. Seaxe has existed in one form or another since 1984, it has had a name since 2000 when Dave named it, we have been LARPing since 1999. I can tell you all know when I first turned up to the school Dungeons & Dragons club and generated a half Elf Assassin of Lawful Evil alignment who would become my first character armed in studded leather armour and armed with a cross bow, short sword and dagger who would become the first Goraxe Meridian that we would run 4 to 6 camping events a year, have a regular weekly table top sessiona nd be the main entertainment at over 4 different schools or public fetes each year!
Seaxe & Sorcery is an interesting place to be at the moment and I hope you will share in our Legend.