Campaign Chronicles

Day Four of the Odinsleep (Noon- 5pm) Korbin awakens.  The first thing he notices is that his feet and wings are spilling over the sides and end of the cradle and that all of the gathered women seem…smaller than before.  Hugin and Munin, the ravens who led him to the Norn pool twice wait nearby, perched on the lintel above the door.  They too, no longer look quite as massive as they did during Korbin’s previous meeting with them.  He rolls to his feet, stretches his wings, and preens his feathers, noting that the wounds where the nails pierced his flesh have healed. The Maiden looks hopefully to the other two Norns.  The Mother and Crone both nod and the beauteous woman turns and lifts a wooden case from the floor, places it in her lap and opens the lid.  Lying with on a velvety orange cushion is a jeweled dagger, nearly the size of a shortsword.  Runes glitter in the dim light, floating beneath the surface of the metal.  “Thy new brothers hav...

Day Four of the Odinsleep (Noon- 5pm) While Korbin lies dreaming, his body begins to change. His feathers molt away and are replaced by a new glossier ebony covering. His limbs stretch, becoming longer, thicker, and stronger. The tips of his wings, already bearing fully functional fingers become more dexterous, compensating for the change in his size. His feet spill out over the end of the cradle in which he has been placed and hang over the side. The Norn Mother adjusts his blanket, keeping him covered and warm during his ongoing transformation. The Maiden keeps the fire burning in the hearth while the Crone sits with her eyes closed, listening carefully for any muttered word the crow may utter in his dreams – eager to know what secrets he is learning, what insights are being revealed to him. - - - - - - - - - - Idunn turns her attention back to the battle atop the wall. She stares hard at the remaining Svartalfar and is suddenly more THERE. A reassurin...

Day Four of the Odinsleep (Noon- 5pm) Korbin’s dream begins once more – Ginnugagap, the confluence of ice and fire, the creation of the Nine Realms, the rise of the gods and Thor’s death.  All remains the same until the duel atop the rainbow outside of the city.  This time, instead of Loki battling the warrior, a hideous monstrosity stitched together from parts and pieces taken from the Einherjar, the Jotun, Svartalfar, and wyrms faces off against the fighter.  Loki’s would-be slayer is killed by the wretched abomination and Loki goes on to divert the arrival of the fire demons through illusions, lies and other beguilements.  As the demons withdraw, Loki takes the high seat in the gods’ mead hall for himself. - - - - - - - - - - Idunn moves toward the edge of the wall, ignoring the massing Svartalfar behind her as the mortal heroes take up her defense.  The goddess peers over the edge of the wall at the battlefield below and sees her three elven allies – D...

I watched the movie “ Coraline ” for the first time this weekend.   Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen snippets of the film here and there over the years and I recognized the character when the movie started but I have never sat down and Watched the movie (or read the book).   By the time the show was over, I have to admit that I was fascinated by the entire thing.   The animation and pacing were incredibly well done and the main antagonist was delightfully wicked.   This is who I want to focus on today – Beldam, a.k.a. the Other Mother.   Some viewers may think that she was some sort of demon, offering children their heart’s desire in exchange for their souls, much like a crossroads demon but I feel like she more closely resembles a faerie, a member of the Unseelie Court who is allowed a great deal of independence in her operations.   I also think that since the protagonist, Coraline, was just a child that Beldam wouldn’t necessarily have been overly power...

Re-posting this on the three year anniversary of the events described below...enjoy! Not all of the games I play take place at the table. Some are more dangerous than others. This is the dramatic retelling of one of those adventures... By the west entrance I stood, adrenaline pumping, knowing I didn't have long before he took a shot. I took cover, peering out from behind a wall, waiting anxiously. I tried to make myself as flat as possible to avoid being seen. A foam bullet whizzed past me and I erupted into a fit of giggles as I dove into an empty room. Being familiar with the layout of the building, I was aware that there was an exit in the south corner. I push past the furniture blocking me from the main room, and after several moments I am triumphant and cease movement, silently acknowledging the territory I have conquered. The battle had only begun, though: my opponent remained alive. I knew she knew I was in the kitchen. I also knew that she knew that I knew she kn...

This morning, while I was working, I had to move cans of pumpkin mix in the back. It made me think of the phrase, "home before midnight or I'll turn into a pumpkin". What if that was a literal statement? Like a totally normal dude who turns into a pumpkin at midnight? Then I envisioned him (it could be a "her" but in my head it wasn't) as a high school football coach - Coach Peter Gourd. (The name "Peter" from Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater and "Coach" being a Cinderella reference). I hereby present, the Curse of The Pumpkin People. Take one average, ordinary guy or gal who, for some reason, has been cursed to turn into a pumpkin (or squash or other member of the gourd family) at a particular time every evening - most commonly midnight but sunset or another precise time could be specified.  At that time, the curse takes effect an the victim is transformed into what appears to be an average, ordinary, everyday pumpkin.  As a pumpki...

Great Pumpkin Large Outsider (Extraplanar) Hit Dice: 12d8+36 (84 hp) Initiative: +1 Speed: 30’, fly 20’ (average) Armor Class: 18 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +8 natural); touch: 10, flat-footed: 17 Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+19 Attack: Claw +16 melee (1d6+5) or Tendril +12 ranged (1d6+2) Full Attack: 2 Claws +16 melee (1d6+8) and Bite +14 melee (1d8+2) or 2 Tendrils +12 ranged (1d6+2) Space/Reach: 10’/15’ Special Attacks: Constrict; Improved Grab; Fear Gaze Special Qualities: DR5/slashing; Fire Vulnerability; Flight; Low-Light Vision; Spell-like Abilities Saves: Fort +11, Ref +9. Will +10 Abilities: Str 20, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 12 Skills: Heal +12, Hide +12*; Knowledge (Nature) +15; Knowledge (Religion) +15; Search +10; Survival +17 (+19 in aboveground, natural environments or when tracking) Feats: Combat Reflexes; Dodge; Multiattack; Mobility; Track Environment: House of Nature (G...