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2021-08-31

Mysteries of Mystara 001P

Mysteries of Mystara
Session 001P

Dreams Come True For Panya

210831

Panya tries her best to follow the tenuous trail of the missing mace. She fears she may fail her promise to the Abbot in this endeavor. Her only lead brought her to the small town of Veseya. Not one to willingly leave a task undone, Panya perseveres and walks through the town talking with merchants along the way, looking for the slightest bit of information that would guide her to the thief’s whereabouts. However, the person rumored to have a magical weapon for sale in the area has seemingly vanished. Later in the day, as she passes by a newly arrived and heavily ladened caravan, Panya experiences a strange feeling, like her head is wrapped in soft cotton. Her vision flickers for a moment causing her to hesitate lest she stumble on the dusty road. 


As her vision clears, she sees two individuals that most definitely look familiar. These are two of the people who regularly appear in her dreams. She stares at them, one being of faun heritage and the other is a young man who glows from within, with the light of a hundred flickering lanterns. Now she is certain these are two of four people from her dreams.


She moves away from the caravan towards the docks while trying to decipher the meaning of what she saw. Yet, here among other people moving around the area, she sees the other two people from her dreams. The musician and the dusky hued man walk along the pier, obviously leaving a boat. They begin walking towards the town but suddenly stop and stare at Panya. Panya feels light headed, her legs give way. She stumbles clumsily against a fortuitous, sturdy barrel where she plops down hard, her mouth agape. The dreams and visions were standing before her!


The moment passes as the two men continue their walk into Veseya proper. Recovering quickly, Panya follows them closely, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. That’s when she overhears them talk about someone she had recently met, Fergus Proudsun. Fergus knew there might be people looking for him, and asked her to pass along a message if she met any of these people. 


Timidly, Panya approaches the men and attempts to explain how she met Fergus but before she could deliver the message, the Faun and the Bright One step into the conversation, also apparently looking for Fergus. 


She learns their names, Malakai, of Faun Kinship; Talyn, the Bright One, Lucky the Musician and Dak the Exotic Skin. She delivers Fergus’s message and a brief conversation follows. The group splits up. Lucky and Dak pair up and head towards a tavern. Malakai and Talyn are guards at the caravan she saw earlier and they head in that direction. Momentarily unsure of what she should do next, Panya decides to discreetly follow the pair heading to the caravan. She has no understanding of how these four people will affect her life, but she knows that meeting up with them was no coincidence. Destiny has an agenda and she is willing to follow the best she can.


Panya finds a spot near enough to the caravan to hear any commotion, yet far enough not to be in their way or even noticed. She gets a few hours of sleep and wakes up in time to perform her morning rituals. She ends with a recitation of the 8 Legs of Spiritual Life. When she finishes, she gathers her belongings and carefully packs them in her bag then sits down to watch the activity surrounding the caravan and its workers.


Lucky and Dak, who seems unwell, arrive at the caravan looking for work. She isn’t sure if they got jobs or they just decided to follow the caravan anyway. But she didn’t want to lose contact with the four so Panya decides to join, walking along beside the wagons as they pull out of town heading north towards Castellan Keep. In reality, this is backtracking her journey, heading back towards the Monastery of St. Yulric. Her heart is heavy that she hasn’t managed to find the holy relic.


As the caravan journeys northward, Panya doesn’t find many opportunities to talk to any of the four, so she keeps her eyes moving while enjoying the panorama of nature. Suddenly the caravan stops. Orders called down the line state that there is a large tree fallen onto the road. As caravan employees come together to deal with the obstruction, an arrow flies into the midst creating chaos. Panya runs forward keeping an eye on the spot where she is convinced the sniper is located. She launches herself from a nearby rock, trying to kick the bandit. Unfortunately, the man is able to move out of the way in time to avoid the lunging kick. He turns and slashes at Panya. She is barely able to keep from being sliced.


When the fighting is done, all the bandits are severely injured and unconscious. Panya notices that Malachai is bleeding, injured during the fight. She applies first aid to his wounds by tearing strips of cloth from the shirt of one of the nearby bandits.


After the bandits are tied up and loaded into a wagon, Panya and Dak attend to the various wounds received in the battle. Dak points out the strange bluish growths around the ears, and coloring under the eyes. The bandits would not answer any questions about who they are or what the growths were. It was decided to bring them to town and check for any outstanding bounties.


The day isn’t done yet, and more excitement, appaling as it is, soon arrives. The road ahead was strewn with clutter and as the caravan approached, a plaintive cry for help was heard. A merchant’s cart had overturned and most of the cargo lay in the dirt. A Hin named Isaac was leaning against a tree, a crossbow bolt protruding from his side. Panya attempts to heal him after the bolt is removed, but fatigue gets the better of her. Dak helps with first aid, and Isaac is loaded onto the caravan as well.


Panya uses the time to gather Isaac’s belongings while some of the men turn the cart upright. Finding and capturing the horse is another matter. Malakai locates the beast, who in turn informs Malakai that his name is Bob, Bob the Horse. However Bob is reluctant to pull the cart, having had enough drama for one day. 


Eventually, Bob gives in and is hooked up to the cart allowing the caravan to reach the town of Bergoi where the caravan master, Tsorvano, plans to spend the night. The bandits are given to the local authorities, and a local priestess is contacted to heal the injured. The Bright One questions the priestess about her religion and decides to talk with her further. Panya is tempted to stay as well, but she is still unsure about Talyn and whether or not he would appreciate the extra company. Besides, morning comes early for her. Her spiritual meditation each morning is a necessary and welcomed ritual. It keeps her balanced and centered in her own faith.


Panya heads for the caravan camp, noticing that Lucky and Dak once again head for a tavern. What is the fascination of a night filled with inebriating drink and no sleep? One day she will try to have this conversation with Lucky and Dak. Panya notes that Malakai arrives at the camp before her. She thinks that perhaps he is of a like mind about the need for sleep. 


The few hours of slumber go by quickly. Panya rises for her morning meditations, noting that Malakai had returned to the camp sometime after she fell asleep. She completes her rituals and carefully packs her backpack, ready for the next leg of the trip. She decides that if given the opportunity, she will go to the monastery to speak with the elderly Abbot. Her update on the missing mace will be sparse with no more information about the thief. Panya had the opportunity to see what was in the bandits belongings after the ambush, and the mace had not been in their possession. 


Dak and Lucky show up just in time as the caravan begins its journey northward towards Castellan Keep. Panya notices that Dak looks ill, and for some reason is only partially clothed, the unusual color of his skin is even more obvious. Panya quickly looks away as it is not considered appropriate to view another person’s unclothed body unless it is necessary for healing purposes. 


This day’s journey is relatively uneventful and Panya spends most of her time watching the scenery scroll by. There is one unusual interruption when a group of travelers going the opposite direction stopped to talk with people in the caravan. Panya overhears a conversation about attending a tournament where individuals fight each other in competitions. It makes no sense to Panya, why would you want to hurt someone for money. There is enough pain in the world without needless suffering inflicted on purpose.


The caravan eventually makes it to Novaci and prepares to bed down for the night. Panya notices that Malakai slips out of camp almost immediately. In spite of her curiosity, she knows that it is none of her business where he went. Surprisingly, Lucky the Musician, and Dak the Exotic prepare to bed down for the night near the caravan’s campfires.


Panya is torn between going to bed early or heading to the monastery now. She is sure she can make it there, spend some time with the Abbot and be back in time tomorrow to leave with the caravan. Her duty to the Abbot is more important so she quickly heads out and climbs the wandering path to the Monastery.

Written by Carol C.

Session Notes

This was a player written account of the first session (last post) from the point of view of their character, Panya. 


Cast of Characters:

Malachai, Faetouched, Wilderness Defender - played by JeCorey H
Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, teenage Celestial warrior on the run - played by Don K
Dak, a Makai islander fluid mage - played by Ben L
Panya Masika, a bronze skinned Nithian monk stranded out of time - played by Carol C
Vlajic Savago, the Lucky Savage, a Traladaran bard - played by Dan E

and GMJasonGURPS as the DM










2021-08-15

Mysteries of Mystara 001

Mysteries of Mystara
Session 001

A Convergence of Wanderers

210814

Veseya

Five recent strangers have converged on the small mountain town of Veseya in northern Karameikos. Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, a Celestial warrior on the run from the Heldannic Knights, and Malachai the Faetouched Faun Woodland Defender, have become traveling companions and caravan guards. Vlajic “Lucky Savage” Savago, a Traladaran bard and Dak, a Makai fluid mage, have made each other’s acquaintance after traveling upriver on the same boat. Panya Masika, the “Little Mouse,” a bronze skinned Nithian monk stranded out of time, somehow displaced through the centuries, watches and follows these other four after seeing them repeatedly in her dreams. 
Malachai, the Faetouched Wilderness Defender
(drawn by the player/ artist himself)

The four recent strangers also have another thread in common, they have all crossed paths, shared wine, befriended, or bailed out a Hin rogue and adventurer, Fergus Proudsun. An overheard conversation about him brought Dak and Lucky to speak with Malachai and Talyn about him and that in turn draws in Panya as well. 
Lucky Savage, the Traladaran bard

The Lucky Savage finds a local tavern and sets himself up as the entertainment for the evening. Dak follows him in to the drinking establishment and uses some magic to make the mugs and plates of some patrons dance awkwardly along with some of Lucky’s songs. Knowing they have a long day ahead of them, Talyn and Malachai complete their duties for the caravan and get to sleep. Panya finds a hard spot on the ground near the caravan to sleep as well, ready to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to perform her hours-long daily ritual based on Thothian Philosophies.
Tsorvano, the caravan master

The five find themselves traveling with Tsorvano, a Ylari caravan master, north to Castellan Keep, in the far wilderness reaches of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos. The trip is expected to take three days as they make their way from Veseya to Bergoi, then Novaci, then finally, to the Keep itself. The first day of travel leads the caravan to something of an ambush by 4 strange bandits. After dispatching the highwaymen with spell and steel, they are tied up to be brought to justice at the next village. While tending to their bleeding wounds, Dak and Panya take notice of something strange. Each of the men has flaky, blue skin around their eyes, and upon closer examination, they each have blue crystalline growths behind their ears. The bandits, unable or unwilling to talk, are no help in figuring out this mystery. 

Battle with the bandits


A short time later, the caravan comes across an unfortunate scene. A traveling merchant, a Hin named Issac, had been attacked on the road. His cart was ransacked and he was left for dead with a crossbow bolt sticking out of his side. He was helped and his wound stabilized while others gathered up his belongings and managed to get his horse, Bob, hooked back to the cart. 
Dak the Makai fluid mage

Now with four bandits and one wounded merchant, Tsorvano’s caravan continued on to Bergoi where the local law enforcement was more than happy to take the bandits into custody, paying a small but welcome reward for doing so. The local Traladaran priestess, an Elf woman named Marla was happy to help get Issac the merchant back on his hairy feet. She was also helpful in selling the group some healing supplies. Talyn spent some time chatting with her later about the traditional religion of Karameikos and how the Grand Duke was attempting to subvert the Traladaran people by including their three Patrons in the pantheon of the Church of Karameikos. Talyn finds it fascinating that not all Immortal Patrons demand justice at the end of a blade.
Bergoi

Lucky and Dak again visit a local tavern to entertain the local miners and townsfolk. Again, Lucky hits all the right chords, though on this night, Dak over indulges himself in drink and makes a bit of a mess of himself. Malachai and Panya once again turn in early, sleeping outside near the caravan. Lucky earns his keep again and makes a few coins in tips as well while Dak wakes up outside with no shirt on. He also finds he spent a bit too much on drinks. 
Panya Masika, Nithian monk

Once again, the caravan gets on the road, traveling north deeper and deeper into the mountainous landscape. Along the road, which is narrow, but well maintained, they run across two travelers heading south to business in Veseya. They ask of the group is heading to the Keep to attend or participate in the big tournament being held there the following week. While none in the group had heard of the tournament, it does sound intriguing to some, though Panya struggles with the idea of hurting each other for money. The day’s trek is long and gruelling but finally they reach Novaci, the smallest of the three villages visited. 

Talyn Vanyilam, Celestial warrior

This village is similar to the other two, populated by miners, wooden palisade defenses, lots of Duke’s Men and other mercenary guards as well. Novaci is surrounded by more farmland and a Traladaran monastery lies on the rocky heights nearby. Panya, who had recently been residing in this monastery, decides to hike up to check in. Despite two taverns to choose from, Lucky decides he is ready for a night off and instead just finds a room at the local tavern. Dak, still nursing a hangover from the previous evening, follows suit. Malachai visits the outskirts of Novaci, looking for some owls he had heard on the way in. Finally, after some strolling around,  he is able to locate the bird’s nest. 
Novaci


Session Notes

The first session of a new campaign. We recently finished our 10+ year Varisian campaign and decided to visit one of the original game settings, Mystara. My favorite. Still playing virtually for at least a few more months while the pandemic rages around us. Hopefully soon we will be able to get together in person again!

Leading up to this campaign, we did individual play by post style gaming for several weeks. It helped to get the players familiar and embedded into the setting and really allowed us to develop the characters in some cases. I will be posting those in the near future. 

Cast of Characters:

Malachai, Faetouched, Wilderness Defender - played by JeCorey H
Talyn Dilectus Vanyilam, teenage Celestial warrior on the run - played by Don K
Dak, a Makai islander fluid mage - played by Ben L
Panya Masika, a bronze skinned Nithian monke stranded out of time - played by Carol C
Vlajic Savago, the Lucky Savage, a Traladaran bard - played by Dan E

and GMJasonGURPS as the DM












2021-08-12

New GURPS Campaign coming soon!

Starting a new GURPS campaign this weekend.

Mysteries of Mystara

Considering cleaning this thing off and using it again. 

Sadly, only one of the campaigns currently on the blog (Sundered Lands of Palladium) is still going strong (almost to session 200), I just haven't been able to keep up with Session Posting. We recently finished the long running Wandered Roads of Varisia, and this new campaign will feature the players from that game (my home game, though still running online for the time being.)

Maybe it will be better this time around as we revisit Mystara and the Known World.