Foods!

Hey guys,

I texted Tom and James, but I thought I should post for the sake of Frosh. I won't be able to do anything this weekend, due to me starting my new schedule on Sunday and my dad coming up to visit tomorrow. Hopefully I can catch you guys sometime this week. Just send me a message if you wanna grab lunch or something sometime, I'm good as long as it's before 3 or so.

Two notes though:

• Do any of you guys own Chrononauts? I've been wanting to play that game for like a year or so, so I thought I would ask before you all high-tail it out of here when school ends
• The Firehouse theatre is doing a play tommorow night called "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" which the title is enough to sell me on. I'm not sure about tickets, but if any of you guys want to join me and my girlfriend seeing it tommorow night then feel free to let me know.
  

WOOO

Hey guys, AWESOME news. It turns out I've had a bit of a schedule change and I am now working on Sunday this weekend. So, There are a couple of options if you guys still want to play.

1. I can play Friday Night (after 6:30) and Saturday pretty much anytime. I can also play Sunday NIGHT, around 7pm
2.I know Tom is busy this week, but I will be available most days next week to play from 6:30 pm and on.
3. Weekend after this one, I should be available on Friday and Saturday all day but It's not 100% yet.

After that, I most likely won't be able to play the next two weekends, plus I'll be on that ridiculus 3pm-midnight shedule Sun-Thur.

Also, I'm up for just playing James' game. Since I think James runs a good game (at least that tiny off-the-cuff one shot we did once that involved treating a dwarf like a toddler). I haven't done much work beyond a general outline for the VonEinstein thing so I'm seriously not going to be heartbroken if that gets thrown out.

And, If we can't really get to James' game OR mine in the next 2 weekends thats fine too. I'm sure I will be able to get away sometime eventually on a Friday or Saturday to hang out with you guys, whether in Fredricksbug or around Richmond. I'd definitely be up for just grabbing some food tomorrow (Tues) at Hometeam if you guys want to figure things out there as well.

Sorry for the suck. I'm as bummed as you guys may or may not be.

The Rise and/or Fall of the VonEinstein Empire

Guten Tag!

Et est time to soar like ze glorious zepplin! Un Sunday yu vell be transported to a verld unlike anysing yu haf EVA SEEN. YOUR EYES VILL BURN AZ YOU GAZE APON ZE TRUE FACE UF SCIENCE EETSELF!! BWAAAHAHAHAHA

Woo!

Anyway, for the one-shot campaign on Sunday you three will be playing 20th level char., much like when we started Tom's campaign. Only this time there won't be just one VonEinstein.. BUT THREE. I'm asking each of you to create your own 20th level VonEinsteins. I've included a guide on creating your own VonEinstein which follows:

Mandatory VonEinstein traits

• The Last name must be VonEinstein. Pretty much self-explanatory
• Your char. must have an accent. Now, I want to make it clear that a German accent is absolutely not necessary. Your own VonEinstein can be Australian, Belgian, Canadian, British, Danish, Icelandish - Whatever, It just cannot be plain everyday American and it does have to be over the top and borderline offensive
• SCIENCE! Behind the name and the accent, science is the most important aspect of a VonEinstein. One thing that you need to make sure of is that every single power, or extra-ordinary ability can be explained by logical, rational and ridiculous science. Your VonEinstein most have had passion for science since the moment of birth, spending his entire existence perfecting his ONE TRUE PASSION AND SKILL.
  
• Your char. must be an inventor of some sort. This kind of goes along with the whole science thing but I'd like you guys to have at least 2-3 awesome gadgets.
• Whatever your VonEinstein's current race is, he/she/it did not start that way. You were once human until a HORRIBLE EXPERIMENT GONE AWRY turned you what you are today, be that dwarf, goblin, teifling.. whatever. If you want to play a human, you were once a simple but incredibly intelligent dwarf, goblin, teifling, ect.. until a HORRIBLE EXPERIMENT WENT AWRY...

So there's the guidelines. Other than that fell free to make your VonEinstein however you want raised in whatever kind of world that you want. If you guys have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments. See you guys Sunday!

Sunday

Hey, it's Frosh. I thought I said it last Sunday, but oh well. I am planning on heading back home this weekend, and I do not expect to be back in time to conduct a roleplaying session. I apologize, and will try and make it up for a better seesion next time.

Pemberton's Journal Entry 1--March 29

Today our group left Uplandschlag-something-town in search of greener pastures. Suits me fine. Human towns have terrible pastures and smell like battlefields. Besides, I can never remember their names, especially when they get all high falutin like this one we was in. And let me tell you something else about humans--they mumble! Say what you want about us 'taurs but when we say something, we say it loud enough for someone else to hear it.

We spent a really nice afternoon wandering the forest when we were unfortunate to come to another human town. I could smell it from a ways off, but I didn't say anything. They had some kind of problem, and personally I just wanted to walk away, but the crazies I'm traveling with wouldn't shut up about helping these retarded pink monkey people, so we set out to kill some dog-people that were preying on them.

I don't know why we even bothered. I got infected by some stupid Gnoll disease and know I can't sneeze without damn near laughing my head off. I got so feverish I'd have sworn I saw this weird bear a couple of times. It was yellow. That's how I knew it wasn't real. To top things off, the humans tried to swindle us out of our reward and then asked us to help them again! I mean, as a member of the Superior Race, I try to be mature, but I had to get out of there.

The State of the Game 3/29/09

Hey guys,

Frosh asked me to post this for him. The game will take place Sunday (3/29/09) at my place at 12:30. Just a reminder to everyone, make level 6 dudes. I am going to get Frosh in the morning, if anyone else wants a ride, give me a shout.

A change in gaming

Thought I would take this time to update everyone on what is going on, as well as I understand it anyway.

This Sunday, Frosh is taking over the DM reigns to begin a new 4th edition campaign that incorporates material from the PHB2. We are making 6th level characters, and as it stands, I am going to be a shaman, a leader role. Tom is thinking barbarian or sorcerer that's a defender or a controller I think. Robin? Striker perhaps? Lets hear some thoughts, post your cool ideas etc. Frosh also feel free to post any important info here. That's all for now, except that Saturday will be big days for both Tom and myself, Tom is going to visit his grad school and I have a test that is required to be a teacher so wish us both good thoughts Saturday.

Our next session?

It's either Saturday evening or nothing. I can't do Sunday due to a previous obligation. Tuesday's out unless Jon Brinegar wants to join the fun.

Post your thoughts. If anyone can't/won't do Saturday then no game.

A small problem with Sunday...

Everyone,

Frosh won't be back from Spring Break in time to attend session on Sunday. The session is more of a mystery than our normal hackfest, so in theory we could run without him, but to be honest, I can't stand D&D with less than 3 players.

We could play board games on Sunday instead and ttry to do something later in the week. Tuesday's already booked, so that won't work, but other than that I'm open. How's Wednesday or Friday night sound to everyone?

EPIC BOARD GAME EXPERIENCE TUESDAY NIGHT!!!

Any who are interested John Brinegar is going to meet up with tom and I Tuesday in hibbs 308 after home team to play a game called Titan. Its a pretty epic board game of amassing fantasy hordes and slaying all opposition. all are invited. post here if you plan to come.

Sunday, March 15: The Adventure Continues...

The Monsters of Mount Mongibello are dead, but the treasure Kord's Chosen had sought was lost--stolen by an Eladrin witch with formidable powers. Now the search is on to locate the witch, but how? Their investigations will take them into the Feywild, and onward to Astrazalian, the Eladrin city of Starlight.

There, the characters will...

--Learn more about the Chalice of Luccari and the eladrin who stole it!
--Glimpse the fabulous Astrazalian Shipyards, where a certain airship is being built!
--Discover just how deeply the Eladrin hate the Drow!

Sad Blog

I feel like the blog is sad right now what with the last bunch of posts being about Tom's crappy ass phone. So, I post. Robin FYI Spring Break this week and Tom has fled the coup. I assume this means no D&D at all this week, though I am sure Tom wouldn't mind a Axis and Allies game friday. Note Tom's cell is working again, at least it was last I heard you guys should check it out by calling and bugging him. Also note that the Players Hand Book II and the power cards should be instores in the next couple of days, with exciting new classes like barbarian, avenger, druid, and bard. Which FYI you can get on amazon for 20 bucks. Should be exciting. NEWAY I am out. Cha l8r.

I'm going home

Heading out now. Feel free to drop by and challenge me to a board game.

BTW, phone's out again.

See you all tomorrow

This is mostly going out to Robin: We're playing tomorrow at my house at 7. We'll finish Mongibello, distribute loot, and level up.

Further than that, I don't know, but am leaning against additional D&D for now. I haven't generated any new encounters and have too much work already. We'll discuss the possibility of a session later this week tomorrow.

Next Game: Sunday

Just a little reminder that we're playing D&D Sunday at James's. I'll be there between 11-12, and we'll start when everyone arrives. See you then.

Pre-Game Memo UPDATED

Tonight at 7:00 we'll finish the Monsters of Mount Mongibello and begin to foreground the next adventure, which we'll play Sunday at 2:00. After the battle we'll play board games. Right now the plan is to play on Vine St, but given that today's low is in the 20s and we now have an alternate site, this could change.

I'll be at my apartment no later than 4:00, and anyone is welcome to come over at that time. I don't have a phone, so just come on over. I plan on eating at Home Team with Jack at 6:00 and of course I hope everyone will join me in pregame dinner.

At least one person has approached me about changing characters. This is something that will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please talk to me about it first. PHB 2 is due out in less than 4 weeks, and with all the new races and classes I expect some turnover.

UPDATE: I'm leaving for home now. See you all later!

Sunday Game Session

Hey I wanted to write and say that if you sensed any hostility from me this weekend, I assure you it wasn't directed at you or the game or anything like that. Basically, it turns out my NoVa friends really get on my nerves now. I promise I won't bring them along again. I look forward to the explosive conclusion to our volcano escapades Tuesday night. Till then, chow!!!

Coraline

Since Tom has no phone, and no facebook, I thought I would hijack the blog for use of getting everyone together to go see Coraline. Frosh, I'm not sure if anyone talked to you about it but we are entertaining the idea of going to see Coraline in 3d on Friday, obviously.

It's playing in 3d at Regal Commonwealth 20 and Regal Virginia Center tomorrow. Anyone interested in a 7:30-ish showing?

I am without phone. Again.

This means that if you need to contact me, post what I need to know here. You may also try and call Beth--I'm around her most of the time, so you'll get in touch.

As of now, I expect everyone to attend this week's session on Sunday. Please let me know by posting if your plans change.

I should be getting a new phone tomorrow or Friday.

Strad Session Report

Dear Diary,

I write this while waiting for my two strange companions to awake (if thats what you could call what the metal one does at night.) They both sleep so much. We have figured out that we need to collect three magical objects to unlock a glow-y door which we believe contains our target Strad. I can't say I am overly thrilled with the situation. Combat isn't my strong point and I often find I faint before I can even run away. Luckily, it would seem my two companions are exceptional combatants, and I find myself relying on them for my safety. It even seems they have gotten better at keeping the mess off me not that my clothes aren't already ruined. Clearly they have no clear understanding of the delicate nature of silk. Sigh!

Well anyway since last I wrote we have found all three of the items and are preparing to fight this Strad goon with the hope that we can travel home upon the completion of this task. My two companions have apparently already proven themselves in the defeating of several wretched undead creatures as well as a large winged reptile the most luscious shade of purple you will ever see. If this situation wasn't so dire I would definitely call Toni and have him match the color for window dressings. Though I will add I did help in the retrieval of the third magic item, but the exertion was clearly too much and I pass out only moments before the reptile attacked. THE FOOLS THEY THINK THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DEFEATING ME!!! MY POWER IS UNMATCHED THROUGHOUT THE MULTIVERSE. I SHALL BATHE IN MY ENIMIES BLOOD!!! OOOoo... weird I blacked out there for a bit and while I was out someone came along and wrote all these weird things in my diary. How rude. And to think I am writing in pen so I can't erase it Oh well where was I. It does seem, however, that, while my group is getting better as containing the mess they are still quite barbarous. The older shifty one removed the brain from the reptile and decided to keep it with him. It took all I could do not to retch all over the floor.

I just wish they could understand the level of stress and discomfort I am under all the time, being forced to wear the same clothes, never getting to shower, not having anything to eat. What's worse is they don't even seem to care about how often I faint. It's been a long time since the fainting was this bad. Really, it hasn't been this bad since just after I was kicked out of Towono, the Drow village where I was born.

Well, Von Einstein is stirring. I should probably go.

Lots of Love XOXO

Dear Diary,

{supplemental}

I am writing this quick, so my friends defeated Strad. Turns out they are pretty ok, though I will have to keep working on this mess thing they have a problem with. We are back at the big buff guy's house with all the hot boiz. We got all kinds of phat l00ts and whatnots and hopefully, I will be able to go home soon. Oooo the blond one is staring at me, I need to go. Night night dear diary xoxo.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO EASY TO KILL THE FOOLS IN THEIR SLEEP THEY NEVER KNEW I WAS EVEN THERE, TRUE THEIR DEATHS WOULD HAVE BEEN POINTLESS BUT NONE THE LESS, LOTS OF FUN. SOON, SOON I MUST HAVE PATIENCE. VERY SOON. SOOO SOOON DFIDFS DFFD OJ DOKS AOFS DOJSFK AOKF OKJ SDK OKJ AODKFJ AODKFJOKKJ OKJO OIJ AFEBN BPUQ GPUA EURU N NIN UAGYA AIUJDF YER AGHE ABU AFUOIEFH AOIHFHI AHGIHEUYAIU BYBY PAOIDBN MBEUASDF AUSHE AUDFBNE AUSNFE ADFU

Alright seriously, Panda dooodles I am peeved now, Who the heck keeps writing in my Diary. I think its the metal one. He denies It but I am going to keep my eye on him.

Next Session: SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!

A round of congratulations to all, for killing Strahd Von Zarovich and lifting the lands of Barovia from darkness and terror. Starting (and hopefully ending) on Sunday, the group will be its battle against the Monsters of Mount Mongibello.

Level up your damned character before 2 p.m. on Sunday. I'll be around before the session starts, so if anyone wants to come over at say, noon, and level up their character with my help they are welcome to do so. However, it's probably easier overall to just use the CB.

A few things to note about gaining level 21

1: You don't actually get any new powers.
2: All of your ability scores increase by 1.
3: You get a feat, and epic tier feats are finally unlocked.
4: You get to select an EPIC DESTINY and use its level 21 ability.
5: Your at-will powers' damage increase.
6: Some of your class features (like healing infusion) heal additional hitpoints.

Finally, some targeted comments...

James: You may pick any epic destiny, but the destiny you pick will be related to your curse/possession/subconscious fighting ability.

Frosh: I'm afraid I don't have much advice to give, but I do think you were given too hard a time last night by James and me. Fighters are supposed to soak hits, and that's what you did. Try and get that Will defense up, if possible.

Robin: Log into our wizards account and go here. There's an epic destiny called the Keybearer that I recommend for your character. I don't think you should give up on Von Einstein, personally. If you want, I can help you rework him to be more effective.

See you on Sunday at 2, all!

What really happened to Von Einstein that battle...

Okay, so we've gone through at least two different versions of the events of that night, but when you deal with time-travelers, causality occasionally frays while time folds back on itself. That said, though echos of the past two alternate realities haunt the mind, here's what reallyhappened to Einstein.

Cackling, the Lich throws a ball of bright-white energy toward Einstein and CON-R. The ball streaks from her perch atop the bookshelf, explodes, and when the light from the explosion fades, CON-R sees Einstein lying before him, reverted to his natural appearance (gray-skin, hairless, etc.), bleeding from the eyes, nose, and ears, and caught in the grip of a severe seizure.

A few seconds later, the Lich hurls another ball, and but after the explosion's light fades and CON-R gets his sight back, Einstein has disappeared.

The battle continues, Pelloth overcomes the Lich, and seconds later riot of light and sound, like a train bulling through a fireworks factory, accompanies the opening of a portal from which Einstein is thrown, alive and unhurt.

We will pick up on Tuesday from the moment after Einstein returns.

Reminder: No session on Sunday (maybe gaming, though)

We'll be playing one last session on Tuesday, rather than on Sunday as planned.

If we don't finish Strahd's Castle on Tuesday, I will cry. And you will be forced to watch.

Just to recap, you all need one more Talisman in order to gain access to the upper reaches of the castle.

Dinner at Home Team at 5:30, etc.

If you'd like to play games on Sunday afternoon (late-ish), post in comments.

Looking forward, we'll begin playing Sunday, Feb 22, at 2 p.m. and try to do an entire adventure (4 encounters) and then stop.

Schedule Change--Will Play on Sunday from now on.

Last week, we talked about changing from Tuesday to a weekend date. While Saturday seemed imperfect to meet our needs, everyone seemed to agree that Sunday would be acceptable.

The first game at the new time will be played on February 15 at 2:00 p.m..

The new day is more or less set in stone. I really can't keep playing on a weekday and keep up with everything. However, 2:00 p.m. is more of tentative suggestion. Post in comments with other suggestions.

Because I can't more than a week without seeing my buds, you're all welcome to come over this Tuesday for one last game night at the old timeslot. We'll even play D&D! Yay!

Sorry I haven't texted you all yet with login details. Would you believe I've been separated from my phone for the last day?

About tonight...

I just wanted to say a few things about tonight’s session and what it means for the rest of the campaign. First, this is a learning experience for everybody. Nobody knows the system that well yet, so mistakes will happen on either side of the screen. I know it was kind of cheesy to just bring Robin back like we did, but we really didn’t have any more palatable alternative. However, that’s it.
The combat the happened last night underscores what’s always been a very important point in small D&D groups: The need for a really balanced party. Normally I’m comfortable just letting you guys do your own thing, but I really think the whole campaign will run smoother with just a few changes

1) Everyone (but mostly Frosh) needs to have high-ish scores in all defenses. If you need to, restat using the character builder to have a more defensible character. After playing around witht the character builder for a few days, it seems pretty easy to get all of them in the high 20’s-mid 30’s, depending on class.

2) Somebody else should have the ability to cast rituals just in case Einstein dies again. I know that one of you has a feat slot to spare, so one of the other party members need to hop on this.

3) I need to begin preparing more non-combat encounters (I’m thinking every 3rd or 4th encounter will be non-combat).
If we do both of these, I think 95% of the problems we ran into last night will never be encountered again.

Notes from VonEinstein's Journal: #1

Notes on the Multi-Dimensional Time Shift propagated by quasi-being of power and electromagnetism.

by Dr. Leonardo Newton VonEinstein


Shortly after the success of Experiment #245 (Regarding origin of tissue matter found in species "Doppelgangus Polymorious") I found myself propelled into a planar tesseract which relocated me from my home plane to that of a (speculated) high energy quasi-being known as "Kord". The planar tesseract not only caught myself, but transported 2 other beings: A homosexual drow and a fascinating machine-man(Reference "Notes on "Earth"-based automaton: Conn-or-Bot"). The Quasi-being (henceforth known simply as Kord) briefed the 3 of us, detailing a desire to eliminate some sort of political rival. Kord then transmitted a electro-psychic wave of energy over the three of us which I believe resulted in a Multi-dimensional time shift focus. I found while my memories and personality remained stagnant many of the theories and knowledge that I had merely hypothesized suddenly became illuminated as fact. Theories and facts that I had not even thought of before suddenly appeared in my mind. This is evidence of a the matter of my mind transporting through time from the future to the past due to Kord's electro-psychic wave. The neurons did not shift, possibly due to the energy-based make-up rather than the physical matter based knowledge centers of the brain which is why my memories did not travel as well.

The physical brain matter was not the only thing to shift, I found on my person several inventions that I had drawn up schematics for, but were far from actually completing. This includes the transferance-disrupter orb, the "Rocket-propelled And Electrco-capable Miniature" (R.A.E.M. See "Notes on use of R.A.E.M on Earth-Based Automaton in combat situation"), as well as several others, including a set of leather armor that seems to have polymorphing matter applied to the it, allowing instantaneous matter-shifting.

I do not not know if my body has also time-shifted. I documented that the Doppelgangus Polymorious does not age due to the constant multiplying of polymorphing bio-matter. My 2 companions give me no clue either, as the drow are known to age incrediably slow and the Automaton does not have the necessary bio-matter to fully determine an age.

This garners much further study. If the waves used in this incredibly time-shift could be harnessed it could be used to travel through TIME ITSELF. WE WOULD RIDE AMONG THE STREAMS OF TIME LIKE THE FROTHING WATERS OF THE BLUE RIVERS, OBSOLETING DEATH AND CULTURAL PROGRESS. SCIENCE!!!!


(OOC: Not really so much a recap as VonEinstien's thoughts on suddenly becoming smarter and having a bunch of random new items. TIME TRAVEL!)

A few campaign visuals

We'll be playing on Tuesday, as normal. Just in case somebody had the totally crazy idea that we'd push it back a few days.

Hopefully the party will complete the Castle Ravenloft Adventure. Here's A visual guide to the campaign thus far...


Strahd Von Zarovich, Lord of Castle Ravenloft


Simon, Ice Archon Hailscourge


Bill & Ted, Air Archons


Victor, Vampire Rogue (tres scary, no?)


Castle Ravenloft, Domain of Strahd von Zarovich


Finally, KORD, God of Strength and Storms, your benefactor.

Saturday Re-cap

Dear Diary,

Today, I completed item 46 on my list of 100 things (and men) to do before I die. That is to say, I was elected mayor proving that the people really do luv me more than Ricky Robus that skank!

But then, just as I was celebrating my victory with the most ab fab party you have ever seen this big monster attacked me and I was all like AHHHHHH! Needless to say, the stress was just to much and I fainted. Next thing I knew, I had died and gone to haven and all these hot beefy men were walking around all sweaty and beefy. Not that I am really into that Body Builder thing, but it was tempting. All I can say is, what they lacked in fashion sense they made up for in lack of clothes.

Unfortunately, my revelry came to a crashing end when this big pissy adonis came up and was all like duty this and responsibility that and blah blah blah. I don't know what exacilly happened cause I started staring at this butterfly and the next thing I knew I was flying through the air and landed next to this dark castle and it was raining and cold and ewwwwwww all over OMG!!!

So there I was with rain ruining my hi-lights and I was all like let me in to your castle and I got it but then no one was there, not even an man servent to dry me. In fact, the whole place was super ewww. Clearly The owners had never heard of maid service cause ewww!

Well there was a bunch of science stuff that went on next and we wound up in this dark hallway that lead up to the roof or something. It was even colder there, and then I don't really remeber much after that. There were lots of sparkly lights and I remeber a man cat that talked in weird sayings.

When I came back there was blood everywhere and it was still really really cold. Plus, I was hurt and there was blood all over me. I was so mad at those guys. It's not like I had another change of clothes and I doubt there was a GAP anywhere around. I don't know what I am going to do. What if someone saw me like this.

That's all,
Your BFF
Pelloth, TTYLLOL

Blub blub blub

I don't actually have anything important to say. blah blah blah I am boardsssssses.

I'd really like to do 4E this semester

Over the break, I DM'ed a month-long 4th Edition game for a group in Fredericksburg. It went really well, there were no dropped sessions, and I was enthusiastic about DM'ing each and every time.

So, despite multiple dropped sessions last semester, I'd really enjoy running a 4th edition game starting on Tuesday, if possible.