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KingsInExile

2010-11-08T00:21:53Z

Tanekaha: layout tweaks

This is the wiki page for '''Kings in Exile''', a retro first edition game played by chat. Game logs, character sheets, house rules and miscellaneous notes can all be posted here.

== Logs ==
[[KingsInExile/Session1]] (15 Oct 2010)

[[KingsInExile/Session2]] (5 Nov 2010)

== Player Characters ==
'''Anthael''', played by Nathan

'''Candida the white blossom''', played by Bomb

'''Burning Cherry''', played by Phobos

== Supporting Cast ==

== Setting ==

== House Rules ==

=== Character Creation ===
'''Concept:''' The theme of this campaign is that the characters are Kings (and Queens) in exile; either a literal king or in/famously known as 'king of thieves' or the like. Ousted from his domains, your character is now in exile; literally driven from home and possessions by powerful enemies or perhaps self-exiled for whatever reason.

'''Nature:''' Not used. Pick a motivation instead, be it an epic long-term objective (a la second edition's Motivations) or simply that thing which drives your character day-to-day.

'''Craft''' is one single Ability. Pick an area of expertise if you put any dots in Craft. Optionally, you can buy additional areas of expertise for the price of a Specialty.

'''Linguistics hotfix:''' At Linguistics 3, additional languages can be bought for the price of a Specialty.

'''Backgrounds''' must be portable for this odyssey-style campaign. Allies can be called on, but they are not your permanent companions; that is what the other PCs are for. You can take Manse, but the main benefit will be the hearthstone.

'''Charms:''' No custom Charms at character creation. All Solar and Martial Arts Charms in the first edition core book and the Caste books are available (exception: Ebon Shadow Style, a good early example for what I do not want in this game). If you want Charms (or Spells) from other sources, run them by me first.

'''Willpower:''' After a good night of sleep, characters recover one WP. Other sources of WP are two and three die stunts, some specialised Charms and Limit Breaks.

'''Anima Powers:''' Scene-length anima powers come into effect automatically when the character's anima banner reaches the 11+ mote level. Other anima powers at that point have their mote cost halved (rounded up).

=== Experience ===
I ask that experience is mostly spent ''between sessions'' and ''by email''. This saves time and cuts down on bad decisions and misunderstandings.

Training time will usually be handwaved beyond the character needing a few days of downtime and some opportunity to practice or study. Increasing Essence above three still takes months. Solars do not need a teacher to learn their native Charms, but learning other Charms requires a teacher. Learning the basics of a new martial arts style requires a teacher, but characters that know at least one Charm in a style can extrapolate the rest on their own in a pinch. Learning a new Spell requires either a teacher or a manual - or a period of research.

=== Mechanics ===
No multiple attacks against the same opponent without magic (like an Extra-Action Charm).

Missile attacks can be parried only if the character is wielding a shield, uses a Charm or stunts. (Consider this a minor stylistic choice that will mostly stop Extra's from parrying arrows with sharp sticks.)

Actions can be delayed, but only in response to some expected, concrete event, e.g. waiting for an opponent to move past the character's hiding place before emerging and stabbing him in the back. Characters who attempt to delay indefinitely simply fail to act before the next turn starts.

All Essence-users can use ''one Charm per instant'' (instead of one per turn). Most of the time, this means one Charm per attack. You can e.g. use Hungry Tiger Technique to enhance your attack and later in that same turn use Dipping Swallow Defense to parry another attack. If that incoming attack still happens to hit though, you could no longer use Iron Kettle Body to soak the damage. At least, not without a Combo.

Charms that supplement an action with a specific Attribute+Ability combination are compatible with any appropriate Attribute in combination with that Ability. As always, the Attribute must be appropriate to the attempted action as defined by the Charm description and basic game rules. This rule applies to Ability-based Charms only.

== Comments ==

KingsInExile

2010-11-08T00:19:13Z

Tanekaha: added specific Attribute+Ability houserule

This is the wiki page for '''Kings in Exile''', a retro first edition game played by chat. Game logs, character sheets, house rules and miscellaneous notes can all be posted here.

== Logs ==
[[KingsInExile/Session1]] (15 Oct 2010)
[[KingsInExile/Session2]] (5 Nov 2010)

== Player Characters ==
'''Anthael''', played by Nathan

'''Candida the white blossom''', played by Bomb

'''Burning Cherry''', played by Phobos

== Supporting Cast ==

== Setting ==

== House Rules ==

=== Character Creation ===
'''Concept:''' The theme of this campaign is that the characters are Kings (and Queens) in exile; either a literal king or in/famously known as 'king of thieves' or the like. Ousted from his domains, your character is now in exile; literally driven from home and possessions by powerful enemies or perhaps self-exiled for whatever reason.

'''Nature:''' Not used. Pick a motivation instead, be it an epic long-term objective (a la second edition's Motivations) or simply that thing which drives your character day-to-day.

'''Craft''' is one single Ability. Pick an area of expertise if you put any dots in Craft. Optionally, you can buy additional areas of expertise for the price of a Specialty.

'''Linguistics hotfix:''' At Linguistics 3, additional languages can be bought for the price of a Specialty.

'''Backgrounds''' must be portable for this odyssey-style campaign. Allies can be called on, but they are not your permanent companions; that is what the other PCs are for. You can take Manse, but the main benefit will be the hearthstone.

'''Charms:''' No custom Charms at character creation. All Solar and Martial Arts Charms in the first edition core book and the Caste books are available (exception: Ebon Shadow Style, a good early example for what I do not want in this game). If you want Charms (or Spells) from other sources, run them by me first.

'''Willpower:''' After a good night of sleep, characters recover one WP. Other sources of WP are two and three die stunts, some specialised Charms and Limit Breaks.

'''Anima Powers:''' Scene-length anima powers come into effect automatically when the character's anima banner reaches the 11+ mote level. Other anima powers at that point have their mote cost halved (rounded up).

=== Experience ===
I ask that experience is mostly spent ''between sessions'' and ''by email''. This saves time and cuts down on bad decisions and misunderstandings.

Training time will usually be handwaved beyond the character needing a few days of downtime and some opportunity to practice or study. Increasing Essence above three still takes months. Solars do not need a teacher to learn their native Charms, but learning other Charms requires a teacher. Learning the basics of a new martial arts style requires a teacher, but characters that know at least one Charm in a style can extrapolate the rest on their own in a pinch. Learning a new Spell requires either a teacher or a manual - or a period of research.

=== Mechanics ===
No multiple attacks against the same opponent without magic (like an Extra-Action Charm).

Missile attacks can be parried only if the character is wielding a shield, uses a Charm or stunts. (Consider this a minor stylistic choice that will mostly stop Extra's from parrying arrows with sharp sticks.)

Actions can be delayed, but only in response to some expected, concrete event, e.g. waiting for an opponent to move past the character's hiding place before emerging and stabbing him in the back. Characters who attempt to delay indefinitely simply fail to act before the next turn starts.

'''All Essence-users can use one Charm per instant''' (instead of one per turn). Most of the time, this means one Charm per attack. You can e.g. use Hungry Tiger Technique to enhance your attack and later in that same turn use Dipping Swallow Defense to parry another attack. If that incoming attack still happens to hit though, you could no longer use Iron Kettle Body to soak the damage. At least, not without a Combo.

Charms that supplement an action with a specific Attribute+Ability combination are compatible with any appropriate Attribute in combination with that Ability. As always, the Attribute must be appropriate to the attempted action as defined by the Charm description and basic game rules. This rule applies to Ability-based Charms only.

== Comments ==

KingsInExile

2010-11-08T00:00:59Z

Tanekaha: added session 2

This is the wiki page for '''Kings in Exile''', a retro first edition game played by chat. Game logs, character sheets, house rules and miscellaneous notes can all be posted here.

== Logs ==
[[KingsInExile/Session1]] (15 Oct 2010)
[[KingsInExile/Session2]] (5 Nov 2010)

== Player Characters ==
'''Anthael''', played by Nathan

'''Candida the white blossom''', played by Bomb

'''Burning Cherry''', played by Phobos

== Supporting Cast ==

== Setting ==

== House Rules ==

=== Character Creation ===
'''Concept:''' The theme of this campaign is that the characters are Kings (and Queens) in exile; either a literal king or in/famously known as 'king of thieves' or the like. Ousted from his domains, your character is now in exile; literally driven from home and possessions by powerful enemies or perhaps self-exiled for whatever reason.

'''Nature:''' Not used. Pick a motivation instead, be it an epic long-term objective (a la second edition's Motivations) or simply that thing which drives your character day-to-day.

'''Craft''' is one single Ability. Pick an area of expertise if you put any dots in Craft. Optionally, you can buy additional areas of expertise for the price of a Specialty.

'''Linguistics hotfix:''' At Linguistics 3, additional languages can be bought for the price of a Specialty.

'''Backgrounds''' must be portable for this odyssey-style campaign. Allies can be called on, but they are not your permanent companions; that is what the other PCs are for. You can take Manse, but the main benefit will be the hearthstone.

'''Charms:''' No custom Charms at character creation. All Solar and Martial Arts Charms in the first edition core book and the Caste books are available (exception: Ebon Shadow Style, a good early example for what I do not want in this game). If you want Charms (or Spells) from other sources, run them by me first.

'''Willpower:''' After a good night of sleep, characters recover one WP. Other sources of WP are two and three die stunts, some specialised Charms and Limit Breaks.

'''Anima Powers:''' Scene-length anima powers come into effect automatically when the character's anima banner reaches the 11+ mote level. Other anima powers at that point have their mote cost halved (rounded up).

=== Experience ===
I ask that experience is mostly spent ''between sessions'' and ''by email''. This saves time and cuts down on bad decisions and misunderstandings.

Training time will usually be handwaved beyond the character needing a few days of downtime and some opportunity to practice or study. Increasing Essence above three still takes months. Solars do not need a teacher to learn their native Charms, but learning other Charms requires a teacher. Learning the basics of a new martial arts style requires a teacher, but characters that know at least one Charm in a style can extrapolate the rest on their own in a pinch. Learning a new Spell requires either a teacher or a manual - or a period of research.

=== Mechanics ===
No multiple attacks against the same opponent without magic (like an Extra-Action Charm).

Missile attacks can be parried only if the character is wielding a shield, uses a Charm or stunts. (Consider this a minor stylistic choice that will mostly stop Extra's from parrying arrows with sharp sticks.)

Actions can be delayed, but only in response to some expected, concrete event, e.g. waiting for an opponent to move past the character's hiding place before emerging and stabbing him in the back. Characters who attempt to delay indefinitely simply fail to act before the next turn starts.

'''All Essence-users can use one Charm per instant''' (instead of one per turn). Most of the time, this means one Charm per attack. You can e.g. use Hungry Tiger Technique to enhance your attack and later in that same turn use Dipping Swallow Defense to parry another attack. If that incoming attack still happens to hit though, you could no longer use Iron Kettle Body to soak the damage. At least, not without a Combo.

== Comments ==

KingsInExile/Session2

2010-11-07T23:32:47Z

Tanekaha: Created page with 'Cherry's words still hung in the air when the bandits, made it to the foot of the last rolling rise and came fully into view again, well within range of the caravan guard's horse…'

Cherry's words still hung in the air when the bandits, made it to the foot of the last rolling rise and came fully into view again, well within range of the caravan guard's horse bows. A gust of wind drew sandy dust into the air, choking the bandits furious cries.

"No hope then," Candida shook her head sorrowfully as the bandits charged forward at her upon their mounts. "If you must curse anything, curse your fate into running into me."

She sighed and drew her weapon, the lambent flames that formed its blade flickered and flared outwards, devouring air eagerly as if pulsing in beat to the sound of the thundering hoofs of the bandits' horses.

Cherry smiled faintly, her expression almost beatific as she kept her hands on her daiklaive in an almost relaxed manner, and watched the bandits approach. Her voice hardly rose, but carried marvelously as she stated, "So. It shall be war."

With a nudge of her heels upon her own warhorse, Candida the White Blossom plunged forwards down the hill her weapons spinning in an intricate pattern. The blade of flames burning a fiery flower into the air, one whose blossom scattered out to the fields to her side.

The wind that blew from behind her only fed the plains-fire that blazed down with her... Forcing those who wished to live to stay upon the caravan road. Something that would be tricky for a formation of bandits.

While Candida's spirited charge and blazing weapon are quite impressive, the smoking, foul-smelling charred trail she leaves behind is less so. Seeing this, the bandits hoot derisively.

Burning Cherry declined to follow after her impetuous companion, but instead lifted the daiklaive in one hand with an ease which no mundane weapon of its size could be matched. In the smoke left behind by Candida she was a wraith of crimson bearing a death of gold and one who waited patiently for the enemy to come to -her- instead. A flick of the wrist spun her weapon around, the large blade forming a brief arc of gold like a phantasmal shield as she tested her reach in the situation.

Spotting Candida's trail of fiery ash and (hopefully) gauging her intentions, the smith angled to the guards standing behind him. "Looks like we're on for a fight, then." He tipped the barrel of his firewand into the air angled towards the approaching bandits. "A bit of support for the good women would be in order, wouldn't you think?"

Checking his weapon's angle briefly, he waited for the mortals to notch their arrows and prepare to release in unison. Essence flowed within him, forming a string as taut as their bows between his eyes and his trigger finger. When they did fire their arching projectiles a gout of flame erupted from the muzzle in a flash to just catch them, transforming them into a rain of fire to fall down upon the bandits.

Set alight by Anthael, a simple dozen feathered arrows became burning harbingers of the fire dragon's wrath. Five hit their mark despite the riders crouching in the saddle, interposing their unmarked shields. Three pierced through their plated buff jackets, flames beginning to lap at the heavy fabric even as the unfortunate's arms flailed at the arrow shafts to smother the flames.

Worse, several of the horses panicked, four rearing rather than charge into the fiery rain, their riders - even while not those hit - struggling to remain in the saddle.

Those mercenaries that could ride on, did, their faces visibly pale.

Having finally gotten a good enough look at the bandits, and determined that a need to protect the guards form incoming arrows was unnecessary, Burning Cherry whipped her blade to the side in a sharp and savage motion. The tip of the daiklaive tore at ground scorched by Candida's passage, sending up a low cloud of ash and embers which were then pulled along in her wake as she dash forwards.

Clad in crimson amidst the black and glowing ash, letting out a howl fit to make the dead crawl back into their graves, she looked like nothing less than a charging demon.

Faced with such a crimson-cloaked, ash-aureated vision of death, already pale faces go distraught and disheartened. Even the mounts widen their nostrils and roll their eyes, their pace faltering before being spurred on again by curses and heels.

It was certainly impressive as Candida formed the pointed tip of the firey arrowhead of death that flew straight and true along the caravan road that eventually led to Nexus, but more importantly, at the bandits who had pursued the caravan that Candida had been in.

At least that was what the Dawn had intended, even if the results hadn't been quite as impressive as she had hoped for; it had rained recently. A fact that she had forgotten and not accounted for earlier... but a small fire could still grow with time and thus she continued the weaving of Blazing Glory as the blade burned hotter, brighter and far more whiter as if she held a fragment of the Sun above in her hands.

And now... now, a bonfire should and would start. Shattering the hope that had likely blazed in the bandit's breasts earlier at the sight of her dismal showing.

There was also the manner that her swings were now just the ever bit more cutting as she moved with greater efficiency and strength.

This time, Candida's efforts did exactly as planned and more. Wind rustling, her weapon kindled a wide 'V' in her wake, the fire eagerly devouring the grass as the Dawn hurled straight down hill.

As the first waves if heated air singed their nostrils, the riders' already uneasy horses started again, visibly rolling their eyes in panic.

Having watch the arc of the ignited arrows and the results of they and the renewed effort of Candida with her blade, Anthael nodded to the guards. "On your own, then. I've a bit to go before my trick can be repeated, but might be best to get off another round before there's a risk of hitting the ladies." Even as he tips the powder horn to reload the firewand, the Twilight glances around the edges of the hill to see if the bandits would be trying to move around the wave of flame Candida was leaving behind.

The bandits' formation, so far as disciplined as professional mercenaries could be, began to break up. Almost a dozen rode on despite their losses, and the twin promises of fiery and ash-ridden death currently bearing down on them. A handful abruptly turned tail, their horses bounding back downhill, and they were joined soon by those already wounded and singed. A handful more stalled, still struggling as they tried to make their horses go -around- the budding conflagration ahead, not back.

As the caravan guards again drew back their sturdy bows, more feathered steel rained down on them. One black-bearded mercenary in the lead fumbled, raised a horn to his lips and sounded it, bringing forth a dull, dismal tone. Discipline still holding even while cursing and spitting, all of them continued the curve began to avoid the fire to loop back and retreat.

At the sight of the retreating bandits, Candida's eyes narrow as she took in the manner that they rode away. It was quite possible that they were attempting to move further back and then around the flames.

The sight of their expressions, and body language were clear to her from where she sat upon her warhorse, surrounded by the crackling flames that spread with the urging of the stiff wind blowing at her back, as if the wind elemental that the Dragon-blooded claimed to be one of their distant ancestors loved the flames she had created.

In the wake of the retreating riders, there is one mercenary struggling with his horse even as flames continue to lap at his buff jacket. His first scream only makes his horse throw him off, the animal bolting downhill after the others. The writhing mercenary is left weakly trying to roll back and forth to choke the flames.

Death by fire was an unpleasant thing, there was no two ways about it. And it is a shameful thing, truly a shameful thing, to simply let a warrior die such a death after he has yielded or admitted his defeat... Not when one could take them prisoner.

Thus, Candida rode to where the screaming bandit rolled on the ground, past the flames she had created. And leaned over to pick up the poor man, and letting the flames that ate at his buff-jacket lick at her protected form as the wind from her motion and the horse's charge transfer the fire to her arm.

The man's struggles ease as the flames die away, leaving his reinforced buff jacket a smoking ruin, and some of the skin underneath not much better off. His eyes briefly meet Candida's, his lips work, then the man goes limp and slumps over her arm.

Having refilled his firewand, but as the bandits had fled at this point, Anthael slung the alchemical weapon behind his shoulder. "That would be that, as far as I can tell. Not bad for earning one's wages I'd think, then."

Cherry slowed then stopped, ash shrouded death on two feet with none to slay or save, and watched through the flames as those curiously disciplined bandits rode away. On foot there was no chance to catch them, even disregarding the barrier of flames in her way, and after several moments she turned back towards where the guards and Anthael waited.

While, normally, Candida would simply put her unconscious captive out of his misery... there was the matter of how disciplined the bandits had been, their potential employer as well as informed. And killing someone tended to be... permanent if one didn't care for necromancy.

Ahead of anyone but Candida, the fiery wedge-shaped stretch was still gradually spreading as the wind nurtured and pushed it, leaving blackened, smoking ground in its wake.

Candida shook her head as she carefully laid her captive over her saddle and returned to the top of the hill around the fire she had started.

Cherry's expression softened, turning from that dispassionate smile to a more reassuring grin, as she approached the guards with words of praise and reassurance. They had done well, after all, standing fast and not panicking. They had been soldiers and warriors with discipline and pride.

Cherry nods, "I'm fine for another hour, perhaps two."

The caravan guards eye both Candida and Cherry with awe, especially the still-burning weapon carried by the former. One guard, the thickest of the lot, reluctantly speaks up. "You'se gonna bring him back? He's... uh, we could just... you know? They's planned to do worse to us, a lot worse."

Reluctant faces brightened as Cherry spoke, however, taking the brunt of the attention of Candida and the wounded mercenary.

Candida nodded back at the guard as she sheathed Blazing Glory once more. "But a dead man tells no tales, and I intent to find out why they attacked us first."

The heavy-set guard gave a quick, respectful nod and said no more.

Anthael nods. "It's all well and good if it's just they thought us not as capable as we turned out, but there is the chance that there may have been some particular reason to target the caravan."

He shrugs, as he can hardly know for certain himself as the new prisoner is unconscious and unable to be questioned yet. "Regardless, would someone be willing to share their mount so I don't have to jog all the way back, then?"

"Sure, of course," one of the taller guards hurriedly spoke up after a distinct dozen heartbeats of silence, the man, like the others, pulling his eyes away from the pillar of smoke raising from the burning stretch of grass. "Better let the other folks know we sent all of them running!"

One of his colleagues, less tall and with a hopeful smile, was much less hesitant to offer Cherry a ride as well.

--- Scene Two --------------------------------------------------------

All the way down the other side of the ridge, a broad grey ribbon of water clouded by the lighter grey of mist in wisps along its center stretched from more hills in the south-east all the way north, where it met another ribbon, brownish in color - the yellow river. Where the trade road met the shore sat an unelegant, broad-beamed ferry, long enough to almost be mistaken for a partial bridge at first sight. The ungainly vessel was tethered on both sides by thick cables that stretched ahead and disappeared into the light fog.

The first two great yeddim-drawn wagons were already aboard, the huge animals placid even surrounded by water, and the next already rolling towards it. Pickgrease in the middle of it, his gleaming face grinning broadly as his hired guards all returned without a scratch, and no bandit to be seen.

Given that there was a band slumped over the saddle before Candida, it is surprising that Pickgrease did not notice him. But then some people had eyes that they saw not with.

Cherry looked away from the young guard she had been quietly chatting with as she realised that they had arrived back at the trading caravan. Smiling to herself she murmured her thanks before carefully hopping off of the horse they had shared and walking over towards the caravan master.

Anthael thanked the guard who he had ridden back with and dismounted. Stretching a bit he trailed after Cherry towards Pickgrease to let the man know how things had went (well, aside from it being a success for the defenders, that is).

"You sent -all- of them running? Good, even great! By Urphugal the fart-god, I knew it was a good idea to take you with me, but not just how good," Pickgrease said, rubbing his hands in gleeful relief.

To his back, the teamsters slowed their pace from 'frantic' to the merely methodical, tense faces peering back, loosening and smiling.

Candida smiled and nodded at the caravan master. "Indeed. They proved to lack the liver to continue the fight. Still, it is a wise commander who led them, for there is no shame in retreating from overwhelming odds. Such as what faced them on this day."

"The guards that stayed with us were a good amount of help as well," Anthael said. "All told, the bandits never even came into striking range between the threat of being peppered with arrows and having to face these two." He nodded at Candida and Cherry.

"However I recognised their iconography." Cherry murmured quietly, "They looked to be a down on their luck mercenary company I know of. One which never was that impressive at the best of times, but that does not answer whether they were employed to attack or simply desperate."

Anthael says, "Fortunately, steps have been taken towards discovering just which it would be."

Candida nodded at that and patted the unconscious and 'slightly' burned bandit still on her saddle from where she stood by her mount.

Pickgrease nodded, cast another uncertain glance at the pillar of smoke, larger than before, that loomed over the crest to Candida's back. "Bah, and instead of taking on a normal job, these armed beggars took to robbing poor honest Guild people like me! It is good that I hire only the best to safeguard the goods placed in my keeping, and they did their job as you said. There's no caravan safer than -my- caravan."

One of the guards, just passing him by to his back, gave Pickgrease an incredulous look.

Finally taking notice of the burned body, Pickgrease scowled. "By U.. you took one of them back with you???"

Cherry gave Pickgrease a pitying look of the sort normally directed at the elderly and senile, but managed to refrain from commenting.

Candida nodded once more, "Indeed, that is so. I intent to find out if it was a deliberate attack or one of opportunity."

Anthael shrugged. "Call it a preemptive form of protection. We should be able to get at least some minor information which may be useful in the future, and it's not like we need to keep him afterward, then."

The caravan master looked dubious. "If you want to. He looks like he's too badly burned to be any good to anyone. The yeddim don't eat no meat, you know."

Cherry inclines her head and informs him, "I suspect that we will be able to provide a funeral pyre if need be."

"Not... quite... what I meant..." Anthael managed to get out in response to Pickgrease.

"Just don't think we can put him on the block or anything. Against Guild policy, you know? Even for bandits," Pickgrease said, and gave a nearly apologetic shrug.

Candida shrugged. "I care not for such things. Merely that he provides information."

"A very wise policy." Cherry informed Pickgrease, her tone amiable and her smile softly reassuring. It was as if she wasn't implying that to have said otherwise would be -unhealthy-.

Slowly, the remaining wagons each found a place aboard the huge, flat-decked ferry. Handlers and wagonfolk walked thro and fro, fastening straps and cargo, soothing the animals, and where possible, chatting excitedly as details of their deliverance from the bandits spread.

"As you wish, as you wish, good ladies, sir. Take him along then," sighed the caravan master. "You'll have to take him aboard. The sooner I got a river between us and his friends, the better I say."

Anthael says, "No argument on that detail."

Giving a nod, with a last scowl at the unconscious mercenary, Pickgrease put the matter out of his mind and set to directing the last of the wagons aboard.

KingsInExile/Session1

2010-10-16T16:36:30Z

Tanekaha: Created page with 'It was almost week ago, on the first day of Resplendent Water, that Pickgrease had set his caravan in motion with an ear-piercing whistle. Four great yeddim-drawn wagons had pond…'

It was almost week ago, on the first day of Resplendent Water, that Pickgrease had set his caravan in motion with an ear-piercing whistle. Four great yeddim-drawn wagons had ponderously taken to the great eastern trade road, followed by the half-dozen horse-drawn wagons and as many heavily-packed carts, and the looming silhouettes of Nexus had gradually vanished into the local grey-brown smog.

Eager to make it out of the utterly unprofitable commercial sinkhole surrounding that great city, Pickgrease had set a demanding pace and bypassed the squalid villages that butted onto the trade road every few miles at first, then steadily sparser. The more experienced among the crew simply put up with it, tending to the dozens of little logistical and mechanical snags that plagued every caravan just setting out, thanking the gods for the absence of heavy rain that could turn a packed earth road into a muddy river, and pitching tent and turning in early each night, bone-weary and taciturn.

But today, the depressingly uniform cloud cover had finally broken under a stiff eastern wind, so that ragged clouds and splashes of sunlight alternated in quick succession and the air warm enough to loosen collars and put aside coats and cloaks. By noon the caravan crested a raise in the landscape somewhat taller than the previous, allowing a generous view of lower, rolling slopes. Beyond and below lay a grey-blue ribbon that twisted its way north to join the indistinct brown line that ought to be the great yellow river.

Seated in the open howdah atop one of the yeddims, Pickgrease finally took note of his three very special mercenary-guests, waving them over.

Candida tilted her head as she took note of her current employer as he waved her and the other 'special' mercenary guards/guests. And by 'special', one could infer essence user. With a slight nudge to her mount, the white haired mercanry rode closer to the yeddim upon which Pickgrease was located upon.

Burning Cherry didn't hurry when making her way over to where Pickgrease was, but instead tilted her hat to shade her eyes from the sun and purposefully wandered in his direction. There was a faint smile on her lips, as the others would be used to seeing, and her unremarkable coat was partially unbuttoned for now.

Though it wasn't typical for him to take up directly combative work (despite how well-armed for the average man he was), Anthael had taken the position as it was after all a lead on some of his wayward creations. He unceremoniously snagged one of the lower-ranked handlers to take the reins of his ox-drawn wagon as he jumps off and heads over, trusting in the amount and variety of weapons he carries to keep the handler from any 'curiosity' (genuine or not) into the contents of his cargo.

Skillful for one of his girth, Pickgrease climbed down one of the half-dozen rope ladders down the yeddim's side, to squat down on one of the larger packs of luggage tied and netted to the shaggy beast. Catching sight of Candida, he smiled his usually greasy smile, included Cherry as she drew ner, and gave a nod towards Anthael - but as he spoke, his eyes soon returned to focus squarely on Candida's chest. "Good to see you lot kept up. Wouldn't want to miss a fine day like this, eh?"

"It is pleasent." Cherry allowed with a tilt of her head, the brim of her hat dipping with the motion, "Little enough rain so that there is little mud, but not so much sun that there is dust. No snow, but instead a pleasent warmth... But was the weather really all you wished to speak about?"

Candida continued chewing on a stalk of some sort of weed or was it grain, and ignored the look on her chest. She had grown accustomed to the strange behaviours of the people outside of her tribe. Still, it didn't mean she couldn't dismount and walk with the caravan. Which she did. "Indeed, it is a nice day... but is something the matter?"

Anthael merely followed along the others for the moment, though gave both of the other hired mercenaries a nod in greeting. They had already asked the most pertinent question, which could hardly be expanded upon without further information from the caravan master.

"Shit no," Pickgrease said. "Just trying to be... friendly, you know? Maybe I'll invite you and your friend here up to the howdah later, but..." He absently scratched his trousers, gathering his thoughts. "Business first, right. We're getting close to Adahra river now, and since the fucking spring floods just flushed the goddamn -bridge- downstream last year, we have to take the ferry."

Candida nodded at that, a frown gracing her face. "And will there be some sort of problem? Tolls or... other river rats trying their hands at banditry?"

"Now, there's bandits in these parts, and some of 'em figured that the river's a great chokepoint to... to..." At a faint shout from towards the back of the caravan, he craned his head.

Burning Cherry turned towards the sound unhurriedly, letting her gaze sweep across the surroundings before looking towards the source of the shout. One hand half moved towards the great blade slung across her back, wrapped in cloths as it was, and her smile became somehow gentler.

Candida nodded at that, a frown gracing her face as she turned to look back and about the environment. Shouts could mean a distraction, which was why her hands were near her weapons.

Anthael turns as well as he hears the shout. "To make ambush or ask for toll or tribute or however they may term it," he finishes for Pickgrease. "What's that shouting about, then?" While he doesn't ready one of his weapons quite yet, he does shift himself so that drawing them would be easier if need be.

A scout, clothes dusty and his mount sweaty, met up with the tall figure of the ex-mercenary Foursquare Herron, and appeared to confer briefly. After a nod and a gesture towards the rise of the crest, the latter made his way towards the head of the caravan. "Sir! We've got two dozen armed men on our tail... I figure they'll get to where we are now in half an hour."

Pickgrease gulped. "Mention the demon..."

Anthael relaxes a bit, insofar as the caravan wasn't in immediate threat within the next few minutes. "Was there anything identifying them? Colors or banner or the like?"

"Well." Burning Cherry breathed, shaking her head slowly, as her eyes took in the ladnscape around for a hint of betraying motion, "That does seem a rather inhospitable group to be chasing our dust so avidly. Would it be better to greet them as they arrive, in case they have further friends, or to step back and meet them half way where nothing might be damaged in the excitement?"

Foursquare hesitated, then answered at a nod by Pickgrease. "Nothing like that, but it's usually like that with mercenaries turned bandit in a slow season, and that's what this smells like." In a mutter he added, "I should know..."

Pickgrease considered Cherry's words, and began to nod slowly.

Candida hmmed and thought about it. "unless they're essence users, two dozen shouldn't be an issue with what we have available. Any obvious signs of godblooded, anathema or... dragonblooded?"

Anthael hmphs at Foursquares comment in agreement, though his own experience with such matters has been from the other side of such incidents...

Caravaneer and second in command exchanged looks as Candida spoke. "Yeah, and they're led by the effing Scarlet Empress," Pickgrease said.

Burning Cherry simply listens to these questions before finally murmuring, "Well, I believe that we might need to admonish her Ladyship then."

"I need to know..." Pickgrease slowly said, leaving unspoken that there was stuff he thought he -didn't- want to know, "Can you three, and half the guards I have if you need 'em, keep them back, or lead them the wrong way? We need only half an hour ourselves downslope. If we're on the water, they can't get to us."

Candida shrugged, confident in her abilities. "It shouldn't be an issue."

"Assuming that you can trust the ferry crew, that seems workable." Cherry stated approvingly with a small nod. Her hand had slipped from the daiklaive on her back as the conversation, rather than an attack, had continued.

Anthael nods in agreement. "Provided there are no exceptionally unpleasant surprises I'd think so..."

"Great. Uh... don't let the girls get cut, that'd be a real waste," Pickgrease somewhat lamely finished.

Candida's eyebrow rose up at the Caravan master's statement. "Me... get cut?"

Anthael sighs quietly and turns to Foursquare rather than get directly involved with Pickgrease's attempts at talking with the two women. "How many guards can be spared, then, and how are they armed?"

"It is a rather quick way to die, but I'll be sure not to worry you by allowing it." Cherry told Pickgrease, her faint smile still in place as she spoke quite conversationally, "I do wish you a pleasent crossing over the river though."

"Just one dozen," Foursquare said to Anthael. "They've got horses, swords, and horsebows. Never mind the ladies, don't get these boys killed. They're not... they're just mortal."

The smile on Cherry's lips, and the look in her eyes, softened slightly and she made a gesture of blessing as she replied, "They are under the dominion of Mars, but I do not count the lives of others as lightly as my own."

Candida nodded at Foursquare, before criking the kinks out of her neck. "I'll make sure that they'll get back alive to the best of my ability."

"Er, sure. I'm sure you'll be fine," Pickgrease said placatingly, keeping a wary eye on Cherry in particular. Then he breathed in deeply and bellowed. "Okay folks, you've all heard it by now. Hike up yer skirts and -move- those wagons! Horse-drawn first, don't wait for each other!"

With that, Candida remounted her horse.

The caravan's personal started flitting about securing various goods and straps, and prodding the horses and yeddim. Gradually, slowly, the caravan began to gain speed, soon at a brisk walking pace.

In its wake, three Exalts and a dozen man ahorse remained on top of the crest. Towards the west, a tiny cloud of dust was raising along the line of the trade road.

Candida eyeing the dust cloud of the bandits and at her forces. "I assume that it would be best if Cherry and I went in up close with you lot providing ranged cover in the form of arrows..."

As it passes Anthael checks his wagon to make sure everything is properly tied down, and pats the ox on the flank as he tells the handler that he would need to keep the reins for a decent amount of time further.

The handler tugged his forelock and said that he'll do all he can to keep the wagon, and of course himself, from being overrun by bandits and possible cut into little pieces.

Anthael says, "Unless you think otherwise I'll stay with the guards in case any of the bandits try to slip around the side. I don't have the range without borrowing a bow, and while I'm a fair hand with my blade I don't see myself being quite as effective as the both of you at the front."

Cherry nods in agreement with Candida then turns to face back along the road. The still shrouded shape of her weapon is in her hand as she nods to the other guards who had been left with them and jokes, "So I think that's a case of us going first and you watching our backs? A dagger in the spine would, oddly enough, put a crimp in my day. Feel free to put a crimp in the day of the incoming gentleman though..."

While Candida's words got approving nods, the guards as one raise their swords as Cherry spoke. "We'll gut them!" "Yeah!" "For the lady in red!"

Anthael grins with a nod. "As you say." He unslings his firewand and loads it, then loosens his sword for proper drawing.

Candida eyed the conditions of the environment. While it was tempting to simply light the plain on fire... the wind was blowing towards them, which made it... not ideal for such ideas. "How far can you shoot accurately?"

Burning Cherry stepped silently forward, her step light and her motions sure, onto the rise and settled herself into position right where those on the trail would be forced to come straight through. Her hands rested easily on the daiklaive's hilt for now and her smile showed only confidence as her very posture drew the eye and demanded attention from those who might look at her.

Candida eyed Cherry as she drew her flame sword, its fiery blade giving a rather good hint as to what it could do.

Burning Cherry murmured in a voice which carried surprisingly well, "I will have a word with the gentlemen. If they stop to listen, feel free to take aim just in case they choose not to turn away at the end."

Anthael takes position partway between the two women and where the guards were positioned, giving him a wider field of view than the two at the fore, but access to the most maneuverability to adapt to their incoming opponents. The firewand in hand and ready for use if needed.

The three Exalts and dozen caravan guards having taken up position, what was left was waiting for the other party. The dust plume had by now approached and enlarged enough so that which was made it became visible: A long column of well-armed and armored riders, their clothing black and bearing no color or flag.

At the very foot of the slope the Exalts stood waiting, the approaching riders paused adruptly in their tracks, horses baying and turning to get out of each other's way, one in the lead even rearing, and settling down. Collectively, they stared upslope, there where a crimson banner swayed in the wind.

"Greetings, ones who come so willingly to war." Cherry announced, a deep breath carrying her slow words easily across the intervening distance and to all those present. "Greetings to those who are here to have blood spilled and be spilled."

Her hand moved and the daiklaive sliced effortlessly through cloth, unveiling its razor sharp edge, "It has been some time since this blade once again tasted lives, too long in the eyes of some. Some shall die today, perhaps you or perhaps I." Cherry laughed softly, "Oh, shall we dance oh brothers of the blade? It shall be a great and glad thing... Who shall partner me first while I am still fresh? Who shall hand back and be filled with steel and wooden shafts. Who shall burn, their flesh roasting under my companions blade? Come now, if you wish war then continue on this path!"

Her voice dropped and she added more softly, making all strain to hear her, "We shall make war... Please, feel free to see who shall die first."

The mercenaries-turned-bandits shouted back from below, their voices shrill and frail despite their anger. After some let loose a handful of ill-aimed arrows, they charged upslope in unordered fashion. The caravan guards drew their bows with grim precision and waited for the word.

Burning Cherry let the smile settle on her face, and the serenity of battle fix itself in her heart, as she spoke in a terrible and eager whisper, "And so let there be war..."

KingsInExile

2010-10-16T16:18:33Z

Tanekaha: Created page with 'This is the wiki page for '''Kings in Exile''', a retro first edition game played by chat. Game logs, character sheets, house rules and miscellaneous notes can all be posted here…'

This is the wiki page for '''Kings in Exile''', a retro first edition game played by chat. Game logs, character sheets, house rules and miscellaneous notes can all be posted here.

== Logs ==
[[KingsInExile/Session1]] (15 Oct 2010)

== Player Characters ==
'''Anthael''', played by Nathan

'''Candida the white blossom''', played by Bomb

'''Burning Cherry''', played by Phobos

== Supporting Cast ==

== Setting ==

== House Rules ==

=== Character Creation ===
'''Concept:''' The theme of this campaign is that the characters are Kings (and Queens) in exile; either a literal king or in/famously known as 'king of thieves' or the like. Ousted from his domains, your character is now in exile; literally driven from home and possessions by powerful enemies or perhaps self-exiled for whatever reason.

'''Nature:''' Not used. Pick a motivation instead, be it an epic long-term objective (a la second edition's Motivations) or simply that thing which drives your character day-to-day.

'''Craft''' is one single Ability. Pick an area of expertise if you put any dots in Craft. Optionally, you can buy additional areas of expertise for the price of a Specialty.

'''Linguistics hotfix:''' At Linguistics 3, additional languages can be bought for the price of a Specialty.

'''Backgrounds''' must be portable for this odyssey-style campaign. Allies can be called on, but they are not your permanent companions; that is what the other PCs are for. You can take Manse, but the main benefit will be the hearthstone.

'''Charms:''' No custom Charms at character creation. All Solar and Martial Arts Charms in the first edition core book and the Caste books are available (exception: Ebon Shadow Style, a good early example for what I do not want in this game). If you want Charms (or Spells) from other sources, run them by me first.

'''Willpower:''' After a good night of sleep, characters recover one WP. Other sources of WP are two and three die stunts, some specialised Charms and Limit Breaks.

'''Anima Powers:''' Scene-length anima powers come into effect automatically when the character's anima banner reaches the 11+ mote level. Other anima powers at that point have their mote cost halved (rounded up).

=== Experience ===
I ask that experience is mostly spent ''between sessions'' and ''by email''. This saves time and cuts down on bad decisions and misunderstandings.

Training time will usually be handwaved beyond the character needing a few days of downtime and some opportunity to practice or study. Increasing Essence above three still takes months. Solars do not need a teacher to learn their native Charms, but learning other Charms requires a teacher. Learning the basics of a new martial arts style requires a teacher, but characters that know at least one Charm in a style can extrapolate the rest on their own in a pinch. Learning a new Spell requires either a teacher or a manual - or a period of research.

=== Mechanics ===
No multiple attacks against the same opponent without magic (like an Extra-Action Charm).

Missile attacks can be parried only if the character is wielding a shield, uses a Charm or stunts. (Consider this a minor stylistic choice that will mostly stop Extra's from parrying arrows with sharp sticks.)

Actions can be delayed, but only in response to some expected, concrete event, e.g. waiting for an opponent to move past the character's hiding place before emerging and stabbing him in the back. Characters who attempt to delay indefinitely simply fail to act before the next turn starts.

'''All Essence-users can use one Charm per instant''' (instead of one per turn). Most of the time, this means one Charm per attack. You can e.g. use Hungry Tiger Technique to enhance your attack and later in that same turn use Dipping Swallow Defense to parry another attack. If that incoming attack still happens to hit though, you could no longer use Iron Kettle Body to soak the damage. At least, not without a Combo.

== Comments ==

Tanekaha

2010-10-16T15:50:11Z

Tanekaha: Created page with 'At the time of writing I am running KingsInExile, a retro first edition game. == Comments =='

At the time of writing I am running [[KingsInExile]], a retro first edition game.

== Comments ==