Hi from X Rumer

[XRumer_OK]

Hello from XRumer ;))
Anybody home?

[richvalle]

Yes. But what are you doing in my home?

:)

rv

[Oberoten]

HEY! What are you guys doing in my livingroom!

[richvalle]

Obviously waiting for you to run a game for us!

[Oberoten]

Yuppz... Sounds like my regular ArsMagica gaming group.

*leans back and lights his pipe*

It is the lord's year of 1532 and there is great unrest in the provinces of Sweden where the king Gustavus Wasa has declared the country as Protestant and claimed the holdings of the papists.

Down in central Europe and under the hand of the Papal decree there is a great crusade against those whom would wield the art magic despite that the church holds unto 'Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live'. Many magi have turned from the Hermetic order and to the clemency of the church, declaring themselves Pious Magi and hunting down their former brothers in the art.

A few individuals have been invited though to the protestant side of the conflict and given rather free hands by rulers that like Gustavus Wasa that think that protecting these men and women of science and research might lead to an edge in trading as well as in diplomacy and warfare...

At court the new 'scientists' are giving the nobles considerable pause. Obviously these men and women are more than commoners... but are they to be considered as equals?

Let the games begind...

[richvalle]

I say its time for us to band together and head back down South to help our brethren mages. Not brazenly... but with force and direction non the less.

Get funding and setup safe houses and arrange for passage back to Sweden for those that wish it!

[Oberoten]

Almeres of Tytalos voice is low, almost a whisper. "So my esteemed brother would have us rush in as a hungry spide attacking an anthill? Far wiser mayhap to ply the threads of our webs here in Sweden first and make sure that a powerful web and a safe place to rest it is. Cowardly? No... not cowardly, but a wise general will know his own weakness. We are but a handful and they are many. No... What we need to do first is build our own walls and then we send out people to scout and see what else can be taken from the enemy."

Oran of Flambeu speaks thus "Our brother of Tytalos has grown old and frightened, to scared that he might lose his games if he wander into unknown teritory... Far better to take the flame to the nests of others than wait for it to come to our own. I say we strike now, strike deep and aim for the throat. I suggest we strike at the former iberian tribune and decapitate the snakes that turned against us once and for all."

Elyss of Miscelania says little, but her smile seems genuinely amused. "Once upon a time... THIS happened to others who were taught outside the order. They swift strike ended up blunted and broken. And like them we'd be shattered for good."

The discussion runs high and late into the night ere the heads of the impromptu tribune turns to you for your thoughts once more...

[richvalle]

Perhaps we can make everyone happy. While splitting ones forces for battle can be a foolish proposition, it can also bring victory.

I say each of us works on that which suits him or her. Almeres will work on making Sweden a bastion of safety for those that we send back. Oran makes a strike team to harry the enemy.

While Almeres builds and Oran attacks I will look for more forces to send to both of them. Perhaps Elyss will join me in this?

[Oberoten]

Perhaps we can make everyone happy. While splitting ones forces for battle can be a foolish proposition, it can also bring victory.

I say each of us works on that which suits him or her. Almeres will work on making Sweden a bastion of safety for those that we send back. Oran makes a strike team to harry the enemy.

While Almeres builds and Oran attacks I will look for more forces to send to both of them. Perhaps Elyss will join me in this?


Elyss nods slowly. "Perhaps it is for the best that the bush that no longer bears fruit be pruned, but I shall help you in this. But know that the order of Hermes has grown old and dry with years... Perhaps better for all of mankind if we fail?" Her eyes try to capture yours and somehow the flippant remark can't hide the deep despair in the dark eyes.

Oran's response is a less than dignified whoop. "FINALLY, the arts are researched to be used... and where better to try them than on the battlefield?"

Only Almeres seems to be distraught at the way the voting has gone. "I shall do what is within my might, but I fear it shall not suffice. I shall contact master Hanlöf of the smith's guild first and try to teach him some of the true secrets of steel...

[richvalle]

So Elyss of the Dark Eyes, I have given some thought to our task. If we are to travel these dangerous lands tis better to do it openly then to sulk about. Openly... but not as ourselves! I say we either pose as merchants ourselves or attach ourselves to a merchant as part of his group and so visit foreign cities and towns.

Do you know if any merchants that would be amendable to such an arraignment? Or perhaps we can talk to someone in the Merchants Guild.

[Oberoten]

She answers with that enigmatic smile once more. "Yess... I do believe merchants would be best. And if we do trade on our way and make a profit so much the better, it will make us seem less inconspicious, and if we fail to make a great profit we will even have less notice. A failed person is not a threat after all, yes?"

I would suggest we take a cargo of steel, since that is in rich abundance here, and maybe of fine wood since that too is common. Oak will sell for a good price... And I suppose that the order can supply us with enough silver to re-stock if our losses are too great.

She taps her prominent front-teeth with a long nail. "We shall need to tone down our own looks as well... And learn of the areas we are to enter. We shall have to go down through Denmark and travel into the germanic states that remains of the holy roman empire... "

[richvalle]

Yes! We can talk to other fellow merchants (grin) and get an idea for what to expect where. Maybe we can talk to someone in Gustavus Wasa's government and see if there is any additional information to be had from their various... ah... networks. And we can make arrangments to make contact with such networks and send information back. Sounds like a plan!

How about you contact the merchants for information and getting a supply together to trade with. I made a friend in the govenment when I traveled with him on my way to Sweden. I'll see what he can do for us in the way of getting us a contact in the Govenment to talk too.

(Rubs hands together) This will be great! Lets get going.

[Oberoten]

She nods and heads out to gather together the means and the manfolk for your travels to come. Oxen and wagons and wares to fill them, the wagons that is, not the oxens.

A few days pass in a flury of preparations before you finally get onto the roads, a wagon filled with Swedis steel and food produce dragged behind you.
Her contacts seem to indicate that the Steel will be in great demand throughout the whole of Europe and also useable to good effect as bribes and presents. The foodstuffs will be viable in Germany where there is a famine going right now.

Your own Government contacts does indeed confirm the starvation of the lower classes in Germany as well as the recent raise in hostility between Sweden and Denmark. It is possible that the two states will soon be at eachoher's throats over the religious split.

[richvalle]

Right! Into the lions mouth then.

I say we head south to Helsingborg and catch a ferry over Zealand and make our way to Copenhagen. We'll see what we can see there and then head to Korser to start making our way to Germany.

[Oberoten]

The roads are not as quiet as they may seem though. And for some unfortunate men and women trying to make a living by demanding money from those who travel upon their roads... things are about to get very interesting indeed.


................................................c Toll (Inna tree)

=================================================
.......................___...x Elyss.................a Toll
.....................|___|.::::................... .....b toll

=================================================

.................................................. ....d Toll (Crouching by a rock)

"My dear friends, this erstwhile road you travel upon was built by me and my family over many a harsh workseason, I surely hope that you have found it both comfortable and safe thus far and perhaps you will feel inclined to pay us for our hard labour in keeping it thus. A mere triffle of 3 halfpennies will see you, your cargo and your animals safely through and us well fed and able to continue to keep the roads safe. "

Elyss hisses "Rabble" between her teeth in Latin, fully secure in the knowledge that these men will not understand her.


** Edited and inserted . as space-markers to keep positions clearer. **

[richvalle]

(Time out. How much is '3 halfpennies'? Is this as an insignificant amount as it sounds? I'm picturing something like 3 copper pieces in DnD.)

[Oberoten]

(Time out. How much is '3 halfpennies'? Is this as an insignificant amount as it sounds? I'm picturing something like 3 copper pieces in DnD.)


Income in a year :
Peasant 18,25 Dernier
Architect 7,6 Shilling
Doctor 21,3 Sh


1 Days work :
Peasant 5 Penny
Carpenter 15 Penny
Smith 40 Penny
Architect 50 penny
Doctor 70 penny
Unskilled Labour 4 Penny


1 Livre Turnedois ~ 1 Gp ~ 12 Shillings T
1 Shilling T ~ 1 Sp ~ 24 Derniers
1 Dernier ~ 1 Cp ~ 100 Pennies
1 Penny ~ 1 TinPiece ~ 1/5th the wage for a days work for a peasant family
1 Halfpenny = ... well half a penny.

[richvalle]

I'm guessing we are still in Sweden...?

To Elyss (in Latin): "Now there. Having been down on our luck in the not to distant past we should have tolerance for those who have less then us."


To the speaker: "My good man, the road past has been adequate for our needs as I hope the road forward is as well. 3 half pennies seems a fair amount for the use of the road. BUT... your word had best be good. I don't expect to be stopped a half mile down the road by another group claiming to have built this same road."

[Oberoten]

The man happily accept the money and assure you that if anyone else makes the same claim within a day's ride, they are liars and thieves and should as such be dealt with acordingly.


Elyss grumbles angrily as you leave, and manages to radiate an aura of righteous annoyance for days, all the way over to Germany.

Germany itself is in a state of confusion and anger at the rumors about the death of the pope.

[richvalle]

(So... I guess nothing of importance happened in Copenhagen)

(hummms along merrily).

So, looks like our first major stop in Germany is Hamburg. We can stop along the way at the smaller towns for some light trading and information gathering. And looking out for kindred spirts of course. Spending the night in a nice inn is high on the list as well. :)

[Oberoten]

The Devil is in the details. Until the coast of Germany, you have had a quite smooth run, all being planned in advance. Germany however... shows another side of your travels.

The travel to Hamburg itself is a trial. Not by danger but by the sheer number of people on the roads, and with white-cloaked crusaders roaming everywhere. The roads themselves are streaks of more wellchurned mud in fields of mud.

And as people are still recovering from the Germanic plague 1462 to 1465... Hospitality is scarce, especially to anyone with an appearance of the blood of Italy.

Hamburg is a horror on it's own though.
The stench of too many humans piled together in the big continental cities, the streeturchins that are everywhere, and the sheer confusion of so many tongues spoken at the same time.

From Hamburg you can basically choose your paths from what you have deducted so far...

* There is to be a witchburning in a fortnight in Walhingen. The witch caught seems to be an elderly woman, not a real maga from what you have gathered, however she was wearing the colors of house Flambeu.

* The Schwarzwald covenant still stands, but is under siege by papal troops.

* The crusaders now seem to have heavy suport of house Flambeu in many areas, these 'pious magi' seem to love showing their power to one and all once freed from the restraints of the Order of hermes. These renegade Flambeu are one of the major threats in the area and seems to operate out of Frankfurt am Main.

* House Verditius, the tinkerers of the order seems to have been concentrated to the papal seat, strengtehning the crusade with their fine craftsmanship in all things arcane.

[richvalle]

"Tsk, such a deplorable state. Why I remember when... well, I remember when things were better then this!"

Most our options seem long term except for the impending 'witch' burning. Real witch or not we can't let such things become common place. Off we go to Walhingen!

[Oberoten]

** Begins with a cookie-point to anyone who caught the reference to Walhingen graveyard in old Pools of Radiance. ;) **

The road to Walhingen is abyssmal, the mud seems to have mixed with the rain to make sure you actually inhale it with the almost horizontal rain. It feels like the elements themselves are fighting you ... as a part of the will of God to defend the words of the pope.

Your wagon resembles a bucket more than anything else and you are both quite glad that the wares are wrapped in heavy oilcloth... how else to explain that they are dry and clean (with but a touch of help of Elyss channeling that is... )

Walhingen itself is a smallish settlement, at the moment swollen in population by a garission of crusaders there to see the good lord's justice be done. The witch herself is caged by the inn that has been used as a court. The cage is a crude thing of wooden planks and pieces of rope.

The old woman inside wears her stripy dirty hair with the same lack of care that she shows for the insults and oaffal that rains on her from the passerbyes. A nearby vendor offers you a hot meatpie that looks suspiciously grainy... as if it contains more sawdust than flour.

There is also the stocks, at the moment they contain only a small streeturchin and the sign in crudely spelled Latin tells that his crime is Larcency.

The headsman and his assistants are creating quite a large pyre in the center of the townsquare under the eyes of the father inquisitor himself.

The man is a mountain of excess from his gayli red boot with the pointy toes to the purple brimmed cloak with it's winter-fox rimmed hood. Yes, it does indeed seem as if the followers of St: Leopold are living well in this day and age. So well that the man's red beard can't really contain the hog-chin he is developing.

The local priest is looking like a ever-more unhappy manservant to the quesitor and every now and then he gives the lady in the cage a very unhappy look. He clearly doesn't agree with the inquisitor on the decision that she is a witch... or maybe he fears retaliation.

[richvalle]

And... we are now to the point where I need to know what the heck I can do. Besides pay off poor farmers to use their road and drive a cart. :)

[Oberoten]

Aaand, we need to get to char-creation then... Basically, I will let you get a decently powerful magus, either a generalist or a specialist. (In ArsMagica you have ten forms that decides your area of influence, combine these with any of the five techniques to create spells on the fly)

The forms are to
*Influence Weather, air, gasses

*Fluids, water, ice, acids...

*Animals of all kinds, their minds and bodies. (Dead or alive)

* The human body, dead or alive.

* The kindom of wood, herbs, fruits and the like. All things growing by sun, nutrients and water alone.

* Fire, heat, temperatures. Raw energy really...

* Illusions... Bah. No real mage likes those... ;)

* The psyche and mind of intelligent creatures.

* Metals, rock and the very earth beneath your feet.

* And finally the very stuff of raw magic...

:: I am going to let you choose either : FULL specialist, choose one, the others at minimum level, Somewhat specialized, chose two, others at low level. Generalist, most on a medium level, one somewhat higher at random. ::

Finally, choose two-three skills you ALSO want him to posses within reasonable limits.

[richvalle]

(Downloads the AM 4.0 free version and starts looking though it...)

[Oberoten]

And there is of course THAT option too. :)

*nods* I aprove muchly. Send me a PM with what you come up on unless you wish to post publically. Might make it easier for others to follow the thread. (( I am still hoping to draw more people in damnit. ;) ))

[Griogre]

LOL, You almost had me with the bandits, but I don't really have the time. I was going to have the bandits be a Mage's group of grogs/companions from over the border, collecting some silver. The rest of the score or so grogs and companions plus the Mage were hiding and watching the road. Then Something about the "merchants" made the compaion and grogs in the road nervous so instead of a few silver it because a few half pennies. ;)

[Oberoten]

LOL, You almost had me with the bandits, but I don't really have the time. I was going to have the bandits be a Mage's group of grogs/companions from over the border, collecting some silver. The rest of the score or so grogs and companions plus the Mage were hiding and watching the road. Then Something about the "merchants" made the compaion and grogs in the road nervous so instead of a few silver it because a few half pennies. ;)


*grins a bit* Think Hedge-wizard and you are closer to what I had planned. ;)
But, yes the price fell DRASTICALLY when they realized these guys were NOT merchants... They didn't look NERVOUS enough for that.

[richvalle]

Well, I was mainly trying to see what kind of 'skills' they had. But lets see what kind of trouble I can get into.

I'll post here in case others are interested in Ars Magica. I have been for a while, if for no other reason then it is often mentioned as peoples favorite magic system (like here on EnWorld recently: https://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=181119).

Its going to take me a while to work though the book. I'm pretty sure I'm going to specialize (as it narrows the options somewhat) and I'm leaning heavily towards going Earth. Not sure why but it seems cool.

While I'm working that sort of thing out: How much time do we have before the burning is to take place?

Is it possible and common enough for us to rent a house? Saying we have business in town and don't want to spend all that time in an inn. Some place with a cellar would work best. (I'm not so worried about getting her out but keeping her hidden and getting her out of town afterwards is going to be a problem).

[richvalle]

Were you calling me a hedge-wizard? As in I belong to the house Ex Miscellanea?

Thats fine if so... just checking.

[Oberoten]

Were you calling me a hedge-wizard? As in I belong to the house Ex Miscellanea?

Thats fine if so... just checking.


Nah, but the road-wardens... Not a fellow magus in charge there, but a hedgewizard. Oh well... He might get his day another time.

[Oberoten]

Well, I was mainly trying to see what kind of 'skills' they had. But lets see what kind of trouble I can get into.

I'll post here in case others are interested in Ars Magica. I have been for a while, if for no other reason then it is often mentioned as peoples favorite magic system (like here on EnWorld recently: https://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=181119).

Its going to take me a while to work though the book. I'm pretty sure I'm going to specialize (as it narrows the options somewhat) and I'm leaning heavily towards going Earth. Not sure why but it seems cool.

While I'm working that sort of thing out: How much time do we have before the burning is to take place?

Is it possible and common enough for us to rent a house? Saying we have business in town and don't want to spend all that time in an inn. Some place with a cellar would work best. (I'm not so worried about getting her out but keeping her hidden and getting her out of town afterwards is going to be a problem).


I'd say that going Earth is a pretty darn powerful alternative. After all, the form of Terram lets you also manipulate metals, like per example sending someone's arrow back into their eye once it is fired, or simply shatter someone's armour. One of my players tends to go a lot with "Shattering the metal barrier" which is a nice little spell that'll shatter metal (hence the name) and send shrapnel the other way, works great for people in armour it does.


Considering your wagon full of valuable goods, paying for a place where you might keep it closer at hand and not so close to an inn with people wandering around all the time does not seem strange. You proably need to speak with the Burgmeister as he would know who has a house to rent since those on the other hand might be rather a lot rarer...

Sooo...

* Goes In Character *


The major of Walhingen is a scrawnly thing, sweating constantly and nervously, looking around at the crusaders and other newcomers as if he can only think of the troubles they might bring. So far... he has been right.

He considers your request and finally guides you to the outside of the small town. As you walk with him he tells you about the people you are about to meet. Marika and Hans are sibling that have recently fallen on rough times, their father was a tradesman just like yourselves good sir, and they still own the buildings where he concluded his bussiness. In fact, if you are looking for a good deal as well as doing a good christian deed, you might do well to put down some coin to buy the place of their hands or even employ them. Hans is a good wagoneer as for Marika... He actually winks at you and Elys gives a snort of disdain.

He continues as if he has noticed nothing of her reaction, or perhaps he just doesn't care, by telling how the people of the town have taken almost everything these people owned to fill the debts that the father left behind.

The siblings themselves live in a once fine house that has fallen into disrepair, and you can see where things have at places been broken lose to pay for their misfortune in trade. Hans is a strapping young fellow, tall and gangly but with a face that you guess might leave quite a few hearts beating faster...

The girl however, her beauty if like a candle set into a lantern, hidden but radiant. Her powerty and the old and worn clothes can not conceal the bearing and grace in her movements... or the fact as you two can clearly sense that she carries in her the gift of the art of magic.

[richvalle]

( Oh boy... its not like things were not complicated enough!).

Walk around the house nodding thoughtfully and saying "Hmmm". Check out the back of the house. Is there a yard? Cellar? 2 floors or 3? If we bought the house would it be easy to set aside an area for us to use privately while still letting Hans and Marika can still live there?

Current plan: buy the house (or at least put a down payment on it) letting them pay off most or all of their debts. Hire them with Hans being a teamster and Marika an... assistant? How about a cook/seamstress? Something like that.

Do we have a way of sending messages back to Sweden? I'd like to send back a message giving note of our first 'safe house' and asking if someone can be assigned to be a caretaker of it with the front of us using it for our buisness.
____________________

I'll go full spec Earth. Yes, it had occured to me that most weapons and armor are made of metal. :) (Locks and padlocks too!) Right now I have two personallities waring in my head: one a poorish miner kid who had a great affinity for the Earth he worked in and another as a large portly man who loves good food and fine living. Not sure who is going to win that war yet.

What can Elys do?

[Oberoten]

https://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/OberonSweden/wagonhouse.png

The wagonhouse from outside...

https://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n105/OberonSweden/Indoors.png

And the building itself... To the left from the door are the stables, to the right close is the office.

Down right is the servants living quarters and to the left across is the two story gentry living quarters.

[Oberoten]

( Oh boy... its not like things were not complicated enough!).

Walk around the house nodding thoughtfully and saying "Hmmm". Check out the back of the house. Is there a yard? Cellar? 2 floors or 3? If we bought the house would it be easy to set aside an area for us to use privately while still letting Hans and Marika can still live there?

Current plan: buy the house (or at least put a down payment on it) letting them pay off most or all of their debts. Hire them with Hans being a teamster and Marika an... assistant? How about a cook/seamstress? Something like that.

Do we have a way of sending messages back to Sweden? I'd like to send back a message giving note of our first 'safe house' and asking if someone can be assigned to be a caretaker of it with the front of us using it for our buisness.
____________________

I'll go full spec Earth. Yes, it had occured to me that most weapons and armor are made of metal. :) (Locks and padlocks too!) Right now I have two personallities waring in my head: one a poorish miner kid who had a great affinity for the Earth he worked in and another as a large portly man who loves good food and fine living. Not sure who is going to win that war yet.

What can Elys do?


Buying up the house is not as expensive as it might seem, a steal at a mere 4 Livre tunrnedois and you are sure that you can sell it off at 10 at a later date if some badly needed upkeep is just done.

There are two floors, the second is basically just for the gentry living-quarters and contains a sleeping loft. There is also an old stone-basement that is currently flooded at a full foot's level due to proximity to the river.

Elyss seems quite content to let you handle the aquisition of the building, her disdain for mortals clearly showing through, she still acts more like a maga than as a peddler, something which might have to be corrected least you get into serious trouble.

It is not hard to fix up the servant's quarters for use by the sibblings and the gentry quarters for your own use, unless of course you'd prefer to have the rooms on the ground floor and let them keep the gentry quarters, this will after all let you stay closer to the wagon.

Marika is quite apt with the book-keeping, showing that she actually and rather surprisingly knows how to read and write, the books that she leaves over to you shows that the father dissapeared while carrying a wagon full of rare dyes and spices including tulip-onions. (Highly valued and expensive goods in other words, hence the massive debts.) If this wagon could be found and reclaimed it'd make a massive addition to your finances. The estimated value of the goods if in still good addition exceeds 500 livres turnedois.

She also gives over into your hands a list of her father's previous business contacts, men and women who in turn have debts to the company up to a total of 15 Livre turnedois as well as of course a key to a contact net spanning all the way down to Nicae which is curently under the influence of both moors and Venetians. God knows who are more heathen anyway...

As for sending messages back home, yes, Elyss has a spell that will let her direct a pigeon to a location where she has spent more than a night resting as long as she has some keepsake from it with he. From Sweden and the court she has brought a simple black rock set into an ear-ring she wears.

********* OOC **********

Elyss is specialized in the arts of Creation, Destruction, Fire and Water... Which pretty much scorching heat, dehydration, ice or drowning.

She is a rather combat oriented lady if it comes to that.

[Oberoten]

Just a bump to keep the thread active and alive. And as always, more than happy to accept more people...

[richvalle]

Sorry I've not posted anything in a while. I still need to work though that book and work was crazy this week.

Cool pictures of the building!

[richvalle]

Meet Lukas Peters from the House of Bonisagus. I just took the skills listed for that house: Magic Theory 5, Organization Lore (Order of Hermes) 3, Parma Magica 2, Scribe Latin 3, Speak German 4.
Virtues: Hermetic Prestige (+1), Magical Affinity Terrem (+3)
Flaws: Obese (-1), Necessary Condition: Contact with Earth/Rock (-1). Deep Sleeper (-1).

Hows that for a start?

[Oberoten]

Meet Lukas Peters from the House of Bonisagus. I just took the skills listed for that house: Magic Theory 5, Organization Lore (Order of Hermes) 3, Parma Magica 2, Scribe Latin 3, Speak German 4.
Virtues: Hermetic Prestige (+1), Magical Affinity Terrem (+3)
Flaws: Obese (-1), Necessary Condition: Contact with Earth/Rock (-1). Deep Sleeper (-1).

Hows that for a start?

I think it looks like a good start. Some of the skills might be of less use, but they are realistic to have, you have been raised and trained within a more complete order after all.

I suggest you spend a few points on Swedish as well... and maybe a few other local languages. A knack maybe for languages might serve you well too.

Other popular virtues-flaws :

Attractive +1, Gentle Gift +3, Allies (variable 1 to 4 depending on power), Retainers (1 for each multiple of three. Starting with 3 on lev 1.)

Other poplar flaws :

Weakness : <Group of people / Circumstance> -2 to -3
Duty (Other Magi or people) -3
Wovs - 1-3 depending on severity

[rooster]

Oh my, this look like an Ars Magica game. Is it 4th or 5th edition? Also, is this only play by post, or is there an online live game as well?

rooster

[richvalle]

Well, we're making it up as we go along. :)

I think we are doing play by post till a fight happens, then switch to FG to resolve.

I DL the free 4th Ed. Not sure of the diff between 4th and 5th editions.

rv

[Oberoten]

*** OOC ***

We are running things under 4th edition for now since it is a free download over at RPGnow so we might get more players to join in later.

Once we hit the first battle we'll switch to FG proper and see how far we can break my ArsMagica ruleset. (Which admittedly is 5th edition, but the changes are not that terrible once you actually have a character to work with. Biggest change is in the costs of skills which are now ((skill^2)/2 + Skill/2) * 5 instead of ((skill^2)/2 + Skill/2), arts and forms are at the old cost and all experience is now taken from the same pool. Which makes it so that the magi are indeed less skilled in other areas than their companions which wasn't always the case before.

Damage system differs a bit between 4th and 5th... You can now take several of the same kind of wound so the "I scritch him to death with my dagger since the first scritch gives a light the second gives a medium..." scenario does not apply. Cor, the wound bonuses tends to stack up and lower soak so... in the end, yes you CAN wear someone down, and it frequently happends in battle.

I tend to enforce "No skills over 1/4 of your age rounded up" as a rule as well to avoid extreme specialist characters.

[richvalle]

I think it looks like a good start. Some of the skills might be of less use, but they are realistic to have, you have been raised and trained within a more complete order after all.

I suggest you spend a few points on Swedish as well... and maybe a few other local languages. A knack maybe for languages might serve you well too.

Other popular virtues-flaws :

Attractive +1, Gentle Gift +3, Allies (variable 1 to 4 depending on power), Retainers (1 for each multiple of three. Starting with 3 on lev 1.)

Other poplar flaws :

Weakness : <Group of people / Circumstance> -2 to -3
Duty (Other Magi or people) -3
Wovs - 1-3 depending on severity

Hah! Can traveling with Elys be considered a Weakness? :) (I don't say that where she can hear me! :P )

I forgot the... unique thing that each mage has when they cast. I was thinking of a rumbling sound... like stone grating together deep under ground.

How many more skill points shall I spend? I know we are supposted to be 'middle powerfull' but was unsure what to make of that.

Should the virtues and flaws cancel out? I was trying to go for that but didn't quite make it.

Additional Virtues: Ally: the minor Swedish goverment official I mention way up thread. I might as well make him official. :) He's pobably a +1 or +2?

What about the other Mages we are working with? Do they count?

Retainers: +1 I think is good enough. Maybe Elys can have +1/3 as well. That should provide us with enough people to be guards,manual labor, ect. Maybe we can use Hans as one?

Though... if possible it would be nice to have someone who is a bit more... shady. Someone that doesn't travel directly with us but who meets us out of town where we make our plans and then travels ahead to scout out the situation and informs us after we get in. Then we give some sort of sign that we are leaving and he mets us again a day or so out of town.

How much time to we have before they light the fire? BTW, is the street kid going to be burned as well or something else in store for him?

rv

[Oberoten]

Hah! Can traveling with Elys be considered a Weakness? :) (I don't say that where she can hear me! :P )

I forgot the... unique thing that each mage has when they cast. I was thinking of a rumbling sound... like stone grating together deep under ground.

How many more skill points shall I spend? I know we are supposted to be 'middle powerfull' but was unsure what to make of that.


Good sigil that. Works well enough, at higher magnitudes there might even be a bit of rumbling and maybe a slight tremor.

... Lets go with the quick and dirty way of calculating experience... 5 times your age. Where at the least 3x your age should be spent on actual skills.

Note that the skills you got from the house are free in this.

As for Elyss... I once let a player get away with -1 flaw of "Stupid friends..." ;)




Should the virtues and flaws cancel out? I was trying to go for that but didn't quite make it.

Additional Virtues: Ally: the minor Swedish goverment official I mention way up thread. I might as well make him official. :) He's pobably a +1 or +2?

What about the other Mages we are working with? Do they count?

Retainers: +1 I think is good enough. Maybe Elys can have +1/3 as well. That should provide us with enough people to be guards,manual labor, ect. Maybe we can use Hans as one?


Yes, virtues and flaws should preferably balance out.
I'd say he is a +1 only due to his lack of proximity.

The other magi... Hmmm, no. They are not going to be much support out here in the field.

As for the shadier retainer... Hans has done quite a bit of smuggling. That IS how most fortunes in trade were made at this time. ;)



Though... if possible it would be nice to have someone who is a bit more... shady. Someone that doesn't travel directly with us but who meets us out of town where we make our plans and then travels ahead to scout out the situation and informs us after we get in. Then we give some sort of sign that we are leaving and he mets us again a day or so out of town.

How much time to we have before they light the fire? BTW, is the street kid going to be burned as well or something else in store for him?

rv

The pyre will be lit in about 3 days once everyone has had their say and claims against the "witch"

[richvalle]

And the street kid?

[Oberoten]

The kid has only commited the minor crime of petty larcency and will be released on the morning.

[richvalle]

Ok. The character creation process continues.

I'll repost some of the stuff just to keep it all together.

Lukas Peters House Bonisagus Age: 32 (x5 = 160 points)

(I used the 7 points method to get the results below)

Intelligence +1
Perception +1
Strength -1
Stamina +2
Presence +2
Communication +1
Dexterity 0
Quickness -1


I spent 96 of the 160 (3x32) to get the skills below. I suspect I'm making myself too scattered all over the place... but here it is:

Arcane Talent (Terram) 4
Finesse 3
Penitration 3
Awareness 2
Charm 3
Concentration 2
Magic Theory 5
Orgination Lore 3
Parma Magica 3
Scribe Latin 3
Speak Latin 5
Speak German 4
Speak Swedish 3
Folk Ken 2
Guile 2
Disputatio 3
Scribe German 3
Certamen (magic dualing) 3
Storytelling 2
Bargain 3
Etiquette 3
Artes Liberales 3
Legend Lore 2
Hermetic Law 2
Occult Lore 1

I'm not sure what I spend the other 64 (32x2) points on...

Magic... the books says you start with 150 points. Since I'm specializing I think I'm '16, 4, 2, 1'?

Do I have to pick both 'forms' and 'techniques'? So I would be 16 Terram and 4 Creo for example?

Virtues: Hermetic Prestige (+1), Magical Affinity Terram (+3), Ally (+1), Sidekicks X 3 (+1)
Flaws: Obese (-1), Necessary Condition: Standing on Earth/Stone (-1), Deep Sleeper (-1), Noncombatant (-2).

[Oberoten]

*considers this*

Let the rest of the points for experience pay for your training as a magus... and take 250 points for techniques and forms.

I'd suggest Terram as your primary from what you suggested earlier, and then spen liberally on the Techniques.

Spells cost 1 per five levels (also known as one per magnitude. )

[happyduder]

if there's room, i'm interested in joining in on this. (Rooster, who posted above, introduced me to this game a couple months ago--thanks Rooster!)

I've got both the 4th and 5th editions handy and can introduce a magus (or a companion, if that works better) in whatever way works best for your current story.

[Oberoten]

I'd be most happy to accept more players. :)

Fair warning be given though that I am a person that has rather irregular workhours and hence have some problems in keeping any given time a week. But I will try my best to coordinate things.

I curently have a server up with the CRS on it and I am available at last to give some help with the characters.
Adress is : good dice huge roll

[richvalle]

And where is rooster anyway? I thought he was going to join in. That chicken!

:)

rv

[Oberoten]

Server up today too...
... Some work going on for StarWars too so if you connect and get VERY weird results, try again. :)

[richvalle]

I logged in last night and saw the changes you made to my character. I'll try to catch you on line at some point so we can chat about the magic stuff.

Thanks for the help.

rv

[Oberoten]

Both me and my server are present and accounted for at the very moment. :)

Will be so for at the least another hour before I need to switch to another campaign and jump into the GMrobes. :)

[richvalle]

Yes... but I'm at work now. :)

[rooster]

And where is rooster anyway? I thought he was going to join in. That chicken!

:)

rv

I'm around, just been sick. I'll be happy to be part of the game. Are you doing magi only or are companions/grogs allowed as characters?

rooster

[happyduder]

I've got a busy next couple of days but will try to start on a character build Friday or Saturday. Are you using any voice programmes while you're in session or is it just chat for the moment?

[Elf]

Ahh good Rooster has appeared, hopefully I will get a chance to play some Ars Magica... Although I think we were 4th Ed??? Is that right Rooster?

[richvalle]

Ack, sorry to hear you were sick Rooster. Hope you are feeling better.

We've not actually had a FG session yet... so no voice so far. :)

>I< downloaded the 4th ed but Oberoten said he was going to help me build up a 5th ed character. So 5th.

If this gets going and seems interesting enough I'll buy the 5th ed book.

rv

[Oberoten]

I think Companions and Magi will fit the bill well. I believe due to the constraints in 1.5f we will go without the teeming masses of grogs at the least until we have established a base. (I do however have code in place to share out NPCs to player so it is possible to get to run a few groggers later on.)

There is (of course) some changes implemented in the system mostly to make combat a bit more interesting and ready for modern firearms. (I have a version of the ruleset that I created that is geared for WW 2. )

Will try to add more new virtues and flaws to the basic-set this weekend. (I have picked and mixed a bit to take the best from 4th and 5th edition. ... IE more flaws, but all with a fixed cost, wasn't too fond of the minor/major flaw system in 5th. )

Hmmm... What else is new? Yes... introducing the stat Will. Decided to do this after having a player too many invest in "Iron Will" as a virtue.

[Oberoten]

Oh as per usual? The server is up at "good dice huge roll"

[rooster]

Ahh good Rooster has appeared, hopefully I will get a chance to play some Ars Magica... Although I think we were 4th Ed??? Is that right Rooster?

Yes, we were using the fourth edition, but I had secret plans of enticing everyone to buy the fifth edition as well.

rooster

[Elf]

I do seem to recall that.... I am hoping to try some Ars Magica again...

[Oberoten]

Well, I will put the server up again from now 02:52 Am GMT+1, will likely wake up and be in and out during the day : Addy will be warm ogre dead luck

Anyone who needs help getting a char off the ground and up and running in this come on in and we'll see what I can do for you.

- Obe

[richvalle]

Sorry, I meant to try logging in this weekend but it was kinda crazy ( family in from out of town, our work x-mas party and a bday party for one of our kids).

Anyone else get anywhere in creating a character?

rv

[Elf]

No... It was pretty nuts here as well...

[Oberoten]

Server still up. Won't be home very early today though, WILL probably be able to get online by evening here though. (GMT+1)

epic hook dead bard

[Oberoten]

A break over christmas perhaps then Gentlemen? And we come back afterwards and try to make this work.

And I will drop a few hints on what is yet to come...


*Edit : Puts things in a Code-Tag to avoid spoilers even if they are only hints..*
























* Elyss own motives for joining on this will surface.

* The old Lady is part of a greater agenda, just not the one the Inquisitor's think.

* Something INTERESTING happened with the previous owner of the Wagonhouse and his wares...

* Disease decends as an avenging angel...

* As does the hangman's servants on both dead and dying...

* An Archmage turned Diabolist will move his first pawn...

[richvalle]

Sounds good!

Oh man. I both want to read the above and don't.

rv

[Oberoten]

Italy :

As Helios first fingers touches the mountain tops, so does a stirring begin among the corpses of those slain in the new crusade. A hand with it's nails torn out pushes through the soft press of the other decayed corpses.

The dead are rising, and aprentice is pleased as the house of Tremere begins to fight back...



France - The City State of Paris :

Not everyone agrees with the new policy. The noble house of Berognin has many friends among the magi, and from their chateu now begins a strange caravan of coffins carrying the mortal remains of those who were once their allies.


Malta :

The knights of the Order of St John, the Hospitallers settle down on the island of Malta, refusing to join the new crusade citing that they are sworn not to fight other Christians...

[richvalle]

Wohoo! Happy New Year and time to get this game a rolling!

Obetoten, will you be around this weekend? I'll try to login and we can finish up my guy.

Anyone else joining in for the Ars Magica fun?

BTW, I've not looked though the teasers but the first couple showed up on my screen. Elyss obviously thinks I'm a hottie! :)

rv

[Oberoten]

This weekend... Madre de Dios...

Work is about an hour out from where I live, so basically :

Friday I will be away from home 15:00 CET+1 to 22:45 CET+1
Saturday Same times.
Sunday looks a bit better.... With "merely" 07:00 Am CET+1 to 17:00 CET+1
Monday I am off work as us Wednesday.

Why the strange hours one might ask? I work as a private nurse and this basically means that we are five people sharing 24 hours / day on a single patient. Believe me though I am not complaining... While not as fun as roleplaying, work is fun with the curent client, including such things as going on hunting trips and driving recklessly at insane (possibly illegal) speeds on a specially modified snowmobile.

[richvalle]

alias still epic hook dead bard ?

[Oberoten]

Alas...
I forgot about the whole : "I reinstalled" thing...

Curent Serve Alias is : just luck puny seal And BOY do I feel Norwegian saying that one out loud. ;)

*Edit*

... Will leave the server up from now ((22:25 PM Saturday Evening)) And more or less until further notice.

[richvalle]

I placed an order at my game store for AM 5. It might be a few weeks before it comes in though.

And, as I told you in FG, I have another player lined up. She has never played AM either but is looking to get the book and join us.

rv

[rooster]

I know I am still interested if timing and schedule works out. I believe some of the others from my former group may be interested as well if schedules permit.

rooster

[happyduder]

Howdy folks,
Sorry I haven't replied in a while--just got back from holiday travels. My laptop is in the shop at the moment so I've got limited internet but I should be back on line early next week. I'll start a build for a 5th ed. character.


Happiness is Mandatory. Are you happy citizen? If you are not happy you will be used as reactor shielding. There, now give us a BIG smile.

Hmm, do I detect a bit of "Paranoia" there? That's the only game in which I died 6 (ZZZZZAP! umm, make that 7) times before the game even began.

[Oberoten]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! My ONE day off in a long time... And my internet conectivity goes down like a PC over a cliff!

Oh well. Server is back up again, and I apologize for the inconvenience.

Curent Serve Alias is : just luck puny seal And I still feel Norwegian saying that one out loud. *clubbity clubb* How much XP for that?

[Oberoten]

AAAAAAAAAARGH again...

Reinstallation of Windows or the new graphics board keeps **CENSORED** itself...

... oh well. Server Alias is now : warm dice nosy user

[Oberoten]

Howdy folks,
Sorry I haven't replied in a while--just got back from holiday travels. My laptop is in the shop at the moment so I've got limited internet but I should be back on line early next week. I'll start a build for a 5th ed. character.



Hmm, do I detect a bit of "Paranoia" there? That's the only game in which I died 6 (ZZZZZAP! umm, make that 7) times before the game even began.


Oh yes... LOVED Paranoia. :)

[happyduder]

I came up with a Jerbiton magus. Aged 30 and just out of his apprenticeship (a late bloomer, you might say, which means he had some extra experience for Abilities). Main Techs and Forms are Intellego, Rego, Imaginem and Mentem. He's also something of a musician. I've got a pretty well-developed sense of his background but it's still general enough to adapt to the game.

It'll be about a week before I get my laptop back and can access the FG server. If you like, I can post character details here. I've still gotta double-check some numbers--I feel like I've come up with way too many points for my Arts.

[richvalle]

It looks like I have another 'new to AM' player as well. This is a new, new person. I mean, the 2nd one I've found.

The first new person has been going though the AM 4.0 book and getting an idea of the game system. She has ordered the 5.0 book and is waiting for it to show up.

rv

[Oberoten]

I came up with a Jerbiton magus. Aged 30 and just out of his apprenticeship (a late bloomer, you might say, which means he had some extra experience for Abilities). Main Techs and Forms are Intellego, Rego, Imaginem and Mentem. He's also something of a musician. I've got a pretty well-developed sense of his background but it's still general enough to adapt to the game.

It'll be about a week before I get my laptop back and can access the FG server. If you like, I can post character details here. I've still gotta double-check some numbers--I feel like I've come up with way too many points for my Arts.

Post here and I will do a quick count-through. For simplicity I suggest taking age * 25 Xp to work with since this will give you mid-level powerful characters.

[happyduder]

I'll change the age and adjust stats accordingly. I need to remember to bring my char. sheet into work with me to post it here. I'll try to do that Friday but it may be Monday before that happens--this weekend is pretty full.

[richvalle]

Oberoten, when will your server side FG be up again? The new players would like to login and start putting the characters in.

rv

[Oberoten]

Admittedly... I have been working and haven't exactly had the server up. But but... It is now up and running again. Will leave the computer on for the next two days.

Adress : warm dice nosy user

[richvalle]

Sorry, my game store still hasn't called to say the book is in. I'll check with them this weekend.

rv

[Oberoten]

Server once more up at warm dice nosy user

[Oberoten]

'tis not forgotten my friends.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars_Magica

And over at Atlas-Games things have been set into motion. Come one, come all and help win Atlas-Games over to publishing a FG-version of ArsMagica...

[richvalle]

Howdy...

Been on vacation for a week. Still don't have the book yet. :(

Hopefully we'll get things moving soon. And I'll check out that link at some time when it is not after 11:30 at night!

rv

[Oberoten]

Minor Bump...

Just to see how many players we stil have?

[richvalle]

I think at least 3. Me, a friend and her son. I've not seen anything from Rooster or others in quite a while.

BTW, my attempt to pick up the rule book this weekend failed. While they had some other AM 5.0 books they didn't have the rule book. They are going to order it for me and I should be able to pick it up this Friday.

rv

[Oberoten]

Started work on FG2.0 version of the Charactersheet and stuff last night (I have a stomach flu and that somewhat lead to insomnia.) So if we are lucky we might get things working with 2.0 instead once Smiteworks hatches that egg.

[Elf]

I am still interested in an Ars Magica, but it would depend on when you are doing the actual sessions... I can always convert my 4th Ed. chaarcter that I created to play in Rooster's troupe.

[richvalle]

Wohoo! The game store called to say the AM 5.0 book is in. I'll pick it up tomorrow night.

rv

[Oberoten]

Okay. I will do like this...
I am going to start running the server on the other computer and have it runing constantly once all is installed and up. (Unpacking it as today) This will make character creation much easier.

I will come back to the thread with details on IP etc later.

[richvalle]

Maybe we should have a 'test game'/small encounter to get us newbies used to the rules?

Even if it wasn't with our 'real' characters but a couple of easy starting guys.

rv

[Oberoten]

*nods*

I think that sounds like a good idea.

The server is now up and runingm, and is at bold bard cold thug

[richvalle]

*nods*

I think that sounds like a good idea.

The server is now up and runingm, and is at bold bard cold thug


Well Obie, you are the one with strange working hours and a way different time zone. :)

When will be good for you? I could probably do Sun, Mon, Tue night. All of them after 8 PM Central time.

Anyone else? Elf?

rv

[Oberoten]

Far as I can see...
I will be available up until 13:00 GMT+1 most days. (Work has stabilized and I now work 98% afternoons with only one day a month a morning and that'd be on a Friday at that)

[Oberoten]

As for a test-scenario... Yeah, I am all for that.

Maybe pitch a few groggards (Lat Gregus ~ Guardsman) at eachother or against some angry peasants? ;)

[Donna]

Hi this is Rich's friend. I'm still interested in playing and I'm pretty sure my son is also. I'll tell him to come register here if he is.

Any of those times Rich mentioned would also work for me. :)

Oh and I've never played this rule system before so a little tutorial scenario sounds like a great idea.

[Oberoten]

It is a great, simple and fast system to pick up, we have used it with very minor modifications for all from high fantasy to realistic historical campaigns, as well as modern day and even sci-fi. :)

I'd be more than happy to show how it runs (and some of the modifications I have done to it.)

[Elf]

Monday night works for after 8 PM Central

[Oberoten]

... Eh? I am not entirely fluent in American timezones.
What are those times in GMT?

[Elf]

Central is GMT-6. I am actaully on Pacific which is GMT-8.

[Oberoten]

Hmmm... So Seven in the morning.
Sure. :) I can do that.

[richvalle]

So Monday night/morning it is then. :)

Looking forward to it.

rv

[Oberoten]

So do I. :) So do I.

[Donna]

My son is having trouble posting for some reason, but he can play Monday, too.

I can't wait! :)

[Elf]

I like the look of the interface! Way cool! :)

Ok I logged on and entered my 4th Ed. character from Rooster's Troupe. The only thing I did not enter is my equipment list... Where do I put that and how do I enter my ecumberance load... How do I calculate Will?

If I remember correctly I had spent 1 XP. Help!

[Oberoten]

Ah... Will is a house rule stat. (Might as well be with the amount of virtues/flaws revolving about the character's sheer willpower)

The last page is for general notes and equipment. (Didn't finish this version since I am waiting for FG2.0 to come out. )

[Elf]

Thanks I copied in the raw notes for the last page; I will add equipment at the top.

[richvalle]

Well, that was intersting. Especially when Donna blew herself up. :)

(Backs away from the fire mage...)

Oberoten, can you email/post the logs? I was taking some notes but it would be good to look over your expliantions again (skipping the bad math. :) )

[Oberoten]

https://oberonsweden.tripod.com/

Primitive Chatlog.

[richvalle]

Nice. How about the stuff from your ExampleOne guy (the short bow incident).

rv

[Oberoten]

Huh? It should be in there... Oh well let me check again and correct the file.

https://oberonsweden.tripod.com/

There. All in place where it should be.

[richvalle]

Ok. The character creation process continues.

I'll repost some of the stuff just to keep it all together.

Lukas Peters House Bonisagus Age: 32 (x5 = 160 points)

(I used the 7 points method to get the results below)

Intelligence +1
Perception +1
Strength -1
Stamina +2
Presence +2
Communication +1
Dexterity 0
Quickness -1


I spent 96 of the 160 (3x32) to get the skills below. I suspect I'm making myself too scattered all over the place... but here it is:

Arcane Talent (Terram) 4
Finesse 3
Penitration 3
Awareness 2
Charm 3
Concentration 2
Magic Theory 5
Orgination Lore 3
Parma Magica 3
Scribe Latin 3
Speak Latin 5
Speak German 4
Speak Swedish 3
Folk Ken 2
Guile 2
Disputatio 3
Scribe German 3
Certamen (magic dualing) 3
Storytelling 2
Bargain 3
Etiquette 3
Artes Liberales 3
Legend Lore 2
Hermetic Law 2
Occult Lore 1

I'm not sure what I spend the other 64 (32x2) points on...

Magic... the books says you start with 150 points. Since I'm specializing I think I'm '16, 4, 2, 1'?

Do I have to pick both 'forms' and 'techniques'? So I would be 16 Terram and 4 Creo for example?

Virtues: Hermetic Prestige (+1), Magical Affinity Terram (+3), Ally (+1), Sidekicks X 3 (+1)
Flaws: Obese (-1), Necessary Condition: Standing on Earth/Stone (-1), Deep Sleeper (-1), Noncombatant (-2).


*considers this*

Let the rest of the points for experience pay for your training as a magus... and take 250 points for techniques and forms.

I'd suggest Terram as your primary from what you suggested earlier, and then spen liberally on the Techniques.

Spells cost 1 per five levels (also known as one per magnitude. )


I think I'm mostly done.

I used the other 64 points to bump up Mage skills. Then I used 250 points to buy Forms, Techniques and Spells.

I need to pick specialties for the skills and some equipment. Other then that Hans should be good.

Note: the above character information is not up to date as it doesn't show the changes I made. I have the notes I made at home. I'll try to get him into your server later and update the above as well.

rv

[Oberoten]

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5686

May I interest everyone in this new thread as a home for the campaign?

[Oberoten]

The thread has moved...

https://www.fantasygrounds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5686

May I interest everyone in this new thread as a home for the campaign?

[richvalle]

Oberoten, do you have your server up?

[Oberoten]

Server present and acounted for.

[richvalle]

Thanks!

I'm going to try to get Hans entered this weekend.

Though... he is going to be somewhat change able depending on what other spells you have available. I'm GOOD with Earth spells. :)

[richvalle]

Wohoo! First real game played. I even got to cast a spell. And watch a well laid plan get boched. I don't understand how... any plan that has one of the guys dressing in drag to distract a guard is a good plan! :)

rv