What You Missed - Exotic Items Creatures & Wares 4.5

By: Joshua "Merrix" Bryant

When I recall my introduction to adventures in Stonewood the message that was reiterated to me, over and over, by everyone was “Have you read the pamphlet?” 

“Of course I read the pamphlet.”

“Who doesn’t read the pamphlet?”

“Váya for the love of the gods, find me this freaking pamphlet so people stop asking.”

Weirdly after I, of course (who wouldn’t), read the pamphlet everyone was telling me about I drew the following simple conclusions. Adventuring in Stonewood has four simple rules to follow.

1. Do not perform blood magick.

2. Respect the land and its gods.

3. Don’t be a dick.

4. Don’t wander off after shiny things.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that we need to traipse through the Stonewood countryside to complete, as J’ortsa eloquently put it, "fetchiest of fetch quests." Complete with 19 different shiny things that we needed to get in order to weaken an angelic servant of the  “Harbinger of Death.” Split the party? Sure… how could that go wrong.

However things did not go as badly as they could have. In order to find these items we delved into the poisonous dwarven copper mines to find an obelisk. We had soup at Jerrick Farms where we found a lion statue. A small group of us went to the Tower of the Gods to bargain with them for an icon of a Starburst Sun as the rest of us went into bat infested caverns to collect a bomb. The forces of the enemy dogged us along the way. Reapers, powerful angelic warriors, of the archangel attacked us many times.  There was a moment that it seemed the sky broke open and attempted to wash away our hard work, with impromptu lakes and rivers springing up from seemingly nowhere. But even this could not distract us from our task with Cappa, Váya and others fishing up (see what I did there) more of these relics.

In light of how many items were sought, retrieved, and the many epic battles I do not feel as if I could do them all justice. I will say what I can of these two moments that were important to me  personally. I was proud to stand with my pack in our struggles before the Dark Chapel to retrieve an item that holds great great importance and needed to be retrieved to protect our own angelic allies. Being able to close the Chapel doors as our enemy sought to open them was something I will not forget. Which reminds me I should thank Margaret for letting me borrow that toy… Also hunting in the woods at Silverglade forest with two members of my bloodline, by moonlight, against a magical, teleporting creature was a fantastic moment that I will not soon forget. 

When all was said and done we emerged from this “fetching fetch quest” having broken one of the four rules I was told to follow, having collected almost all of the items set before us. Components in a ritual, provided to us by Lord, Sir Elwin, to aid us in weakening our foe this coming weekend. 

J’ortsa wrote his missive about why he wanted to go on the “fetchingest fetchapalooza” that the date was Middas 3rd of Hearthfire by his calendar. Having done some research I can tell you that that was the day of Tales and Tallows, a celebration of Necromancy. A celebration of Death. Thankfully Death’s harbinger, though at our heels, did not catch us in our searching. I also find good omen that our next adventure to Stonewood is, in fact, between the 12th of Hearthfire, the day before we return, and is the celebration of Riglametha. A celebration of grateful offerings. And that the 14th of Hearthfire is the Fire Festival, the burning of King Olaf One-Eye. He, who was sentenced to be burned for betraying his city. I will see you all next on Loredas, the 13th of Hearthfire. This will be the day that we make our first strike against he who has betrayed his mother.

Merrix Oreryn

Magus of the Realms

High Mystic of Voraniss

Acolyte and Prophet of Vandor

Why I Want to Go - The Price of Gi-dom

In Character:

Ever since the Risen Kingdom fell last year, I have been trying to find my own way back to Gi to see what human acts of help I could give. After failing to walk the Shifting Path where the Iron Road once lay, I was glad to hear that a portal to Praespero was open once again, and that the Gidans were requesting help. While I cannot honestly say that I am excited to return to these harsh lands, I have been anticipating and awaiting the day we can return. After spending so many months in 1024 traveling between the Realms and Gi, helping them prepare their Resistance forces, and scouting out the land, returning feels right.

I have spent time assembling a team to help with specific missions laid out by the Resistance leaders. There are other teams going and I hope that we can at least travel in and out together. My party, Party Beta, consists of some of my oldest friends, and of people I have been looking to quest with for quite some time now. We expect that our challenges will not only be with the inhospitable environment or the roaming predators, but also in learning more about the land of Gi and the struggles of the people.

During one of our party meetings, I asked some of the group why they were joining me on this potentially difficult mission:

“My first and last experience fighting the Risen Kingdom was about two years ago now. While I was across the sea when the Risen Kingdom was defeated, I am eager to help my friends restore their prior ways of life before they were taken over.” ~ Jasper 

“I have been to Gi once. I was there on Expedition Omega and the final fight against the Risen Kingdom and fought my ass off to the point my legs gave out. Though we did a lot to help them, all the Void magic is gone and there’s a lot messed up that we need to fix.” ~ Leo

“I went to Gi last year. It sucked and I would like it to suck slightly less. Also they don’t have water right now, and we hope to primarily get back their water supply. The land and the people of Gi are hurting, and the people worked too hard in this war to not have a safe home and a place that can sustain them.” ~ Azimuth 

While these are small groups going through the portal, it seems that some parties could still be bolstered by adventurers willing to help.

I hope to see you on the other side,

Squire Fern Eberhardt 

Out of Character:

Okay, so Fern can’t be too excited since this is serious business and all, but I am so excited! I did not expect another Gi-based event after the conclusion last year, and I’m so happy we get to revisit this world, tie up loose ends, and delve into more parts of the story. I know Ryan’s been talking a lot with the Risen Kingdom plot marshals, so this event should have a lot of continuity from the past events too. It’s been so great finding and obsessing over my maps and notes from last year as well. (Though to be fair, I do not think anyone needs to do this to have a good time at the event.)

I’m also really happy that I got to put together a team of people who I’ve been hoping to quest with for a while! We don’t have a ton of healers so I think our main strategy is to just not die. This should be helped a little bit by the fact that this is said to be a roleplay heavy event. I’m excited to see what’s in store for us as we roleplay not only as our own characters, but also as Gidans who get backstories and motivations just like PCs! (We’ll still try not to die though.)

My friends want to go OOC as well, and not just out of a sense of duty to the Gidans. 

“The puzzles leading up to this were interesting and the way that the event is being set up seems really cool.” ~ Adam 

“My friends asked me to come along and I thought it would be really fun. I also want more experiences roleplaying since I love roleplaying!” ~ Kanik 

Why I Want to Go - Exotic Items, Creatures, & Wares 5

By Derek "Hygar" Booke

To pit oneself against a mind such as Malthael’s is no simple contest of blade and spell. As the former Archangel of Wisdom, he presents a formidable foe. For the past several years, we adventurers of the Realms have found ourselves pressed upon every side. Malthael and his Reapers struck with cunning and persistence, in battles where our victories were measured primarily in survival rather than triumph. Yet now, at last, an opportunity arises to turn the tide. Before us stands a chance not merely to endure, but to strike and bring down one of Malthael’s greatest allies: Urzael, the Harbinger of Death.

The Exotic Items, Creatures, & Wares series is something I am very excited about. One of the biggest draws for me is the challenge of going up against well-run evil like Malthael. It’s not just about fighting a villain; it’s about facing an enemy that feels intelligent, dangerous, and deeply tied into the world’s history. I also love how these events create numerous avenues for players to engage with the plot in their own way. Whether you’re battling on the front lines, investigating the enemy’s strategy, learning new skills, or exploring the quieter corners of lore, there’s always a path that feels personal if you’re willing to put in the work to discover the secrets of the living world.

What makes it even better for me is knowing that this plotline has been built and expanded on for over twenty years. That kind of depth doesn’t happen overnight. Travis, Saturday’s EH, is a gifted storyteller who brings it all together, making the world feel alive, dangerous, and worth investing in, even if you think you know the history of Sanctuary and the Eternal Conflict. Most of all, I love the unique challenge that comes with Stonewood plot. Nothing is handed out freely, and everything is (sometimes painstakingly) earned. The victories feel weighty, and the losses matter.

So, I say to all who would see the Realms endure: take up your place upon the field of battle. Whether by spirit or steel, your strength is needed. Together, we may cast down Urzael and break the grip of death upon our lands, proving that even in the darkest hour, the determination and grit of the Realms does not falter.

See you on the field.

- Hygar Athame

What You Missed - Blackwood Tournaments XI

By: Kathy "Makhta" Fey

What You Missed by not being there when Makhta was at Blackwood Tournaments

The first night, we assembled to investigate a portal of likely violence, and before we set out, a champion with a fancy champion belt came and said we had to hang our esteemed foes’ banners and consecrate the nearby fountain so that we could engage in glorious feats of tournament prowess with whoever was stashed beyond the portal.

Now, as soon as the champion revealed that we would consecrate the font with a vial of their blood, I was psyched but the squeamish blood-magic-fearing people bugged out, someone stole the banners off the walls, and it took us seriously half the night just to get going.  You’d think a bunch of killers like us wouldn’t freak out at the sight of blood.

Anyway, we did get to fight a series of interesting and powerful foes with their minions, and some of them fell to axes and others when we wielded light (Orion was literally dripping green glow like a trail of bread crumbs), and the big final champion fight pitted our Cronin against a many-armed foe, to which he understandably fell.

So then our clever forces did some magic juju to get Cronin more arms, and I can still hear Ryu’s voice ringing over the mob chanting “Arms! Arms!” as the heroes themselves were transformed into Cronin’s new arms, which led to glorious victory.

Now, while all this was going on, some people got healed by the blood fountain, which apparently drained them by one drop each time, and kind of connected them, and then we found out that people who’d been healed that way a lot now have open wounds where the blood was drawn, that can’t be healed.  So people like LukeJohn and Anton and I think Cronin and probably Skamos are oozing now.  I never got healed myself, so I’m sure there are no lasting repercussions for me, after drinking like five cups of the stuff.

So anyway, the next day, there were a bunch of tourneys, some silly like fish slapping and snatch the wig, and many “serious” about fighting but not too serious, like Wil and Oliver’s truly epic showing in the great weapons battle.

I did the scavenger hunt, which had us collecting things’ homes and gems and friends and stuff.  There was some weird stuff on that list but I bet Omri found it all.

I ambled my way through the kobold shoot house, which was technically timed but I took my sweet time re-confirming for myself that I am not a magic missileer.  But hey, I didn’t kill the innocent captive, and I left with a snack, so fine by me.

Axe throwing (and knife throwing) was totally fun and after a bunch of after-the-tourney practice I got almost decent at sticking those axes so watch out people.

I did the ritual tourney too, since I’m a long-time sagely master of the arcane arts, where they gave you a bag of stuff and five minutes to work your magic.  I did a ritual to try to help the people with the open wounds from the blood font, no idea if it worked.

Then after stuffing our faces with Hedda’s excellent food, we dove into a party atmosphere with laughing, drinking, music, gambling and party games!

For games, there was Nay, Poxy Knave, which I was terrible at, unless getting Zarine to join me in mocking our more knowledgeable contestants counts as less terrible.

And Dark Deeds, which I was terrible at, unless you count finding out how much more horrible people think you are than you really are counts as less terrible.

Anyway, the games were a riot, and possibly even more fun when you’re terrible at them.

I was not horrible at the reflex catching game, and I actually kicked butt at the matching-flipping game, but that was only because the Baron bet me a gold I couldn’t beat him, which I probably normally wouldn’t have but I was broke so I was motivated.

Meanwhile the bar was serving up very delicious drinks, and great company too, although the rumors ran in reverse a lot (we told the bartender what was going on…or what sounded good anyway).

There was also gambling happening, a whole tent’s-worth, and I don’t know what they were doing but there were green tables with cards and big piles of chips in front of people and those die-hards were basically in there all night!

After the party games, the firepit came alive with music for dancing, and I have to say a big thanks to Mel and Swoop and whoever else was responsible for getting that going because I hadn’t danced in forever and it was so fun I can’t even tell you. 

The next day there were more tourneys but sadly I missed that action due to my affairs of state duties, but I didn’t hear that anyone was obliterated for all time so the day must have gone well.  

Cheers to all those who tournied and partied among friends in Blackwood!

Meme Monday

by the Meme Team

What You Missed - Blackwood Tournaments XII - Photos

 

It's not a tournament event without combat

 

Daekara in the Blind Ritual tournament

 

Winner of Emperor Shodarr's championship

 

May I hit you with my fish?

 

Wig snatching kinda looks like Thriller

 

Live music is always a treat

 

Bridge battles are serious business

 

Liar's Dice with a king's cup

 

Hand shake or "strap" match?

 

Potato has some moves

 

And the handing out of awards

 

Why I Want To Go - Exotic Wares 4.5

By Justin "J'ortsa" Thibeault 

Middas 3rd of Hearthfire

Khajiit has heard of a saying you humans have, something about a "needle in a haystack." Where J'ortsa comes from that is not a common phrase. But he does find that his upcoming foray into the lands of Stonewood are much like this proverbial haystack, alas it is more like trying to find sixteen specific individual pieces of hay amongst the haystack of Stonewood. As that is what we have discovered is needed to defeat one of the rogue angels lieutenants. Sixteen items of varying power and strength, scattered across the lands. Should we manage to collect all of these items then we will be miracle workers. 

Now thankfully the combined magicks of some of Voraniss' seers have figured out what these specific pieces of hay look like, and where they are located. Making our endeavors much more manageable. This one has heard of fetch quests, and he understands this to be one of the "fetchiest of fetch quests." So if that is something that calls to you, then we would ask of you to come to our aid. The 'Harbinger of Death' is not a title one recieves without merit. Any way we can weaken this powerful foe is worth doing.

The tasks to find and collect the items will be grueling, there is little doubt about it. There will be combat of the blade, spell, and mind. Puzzles that will challenge ones mind, enemies to put down, and Odd keeps saying something about "physical labor" so this one can only presume there will be heavy objects to move. Which if one thinks about it for a moment, it all begins to sound like something one would hire a "contractor" for... 

There is much at stake. The rogue angel of death grows ever stronger and we must strike while the iron is hot, else we will surely fall to the onslaught of the angel and his reapers. Or perhaps there shall be smooth sailing, one cannot be sure. But what J'ortsa is sure of, is that he will look forward to the conclusion in one weeks time.

J'ortsa of Rathkeale

Watcher of the Skyless Sea

Apprentice to the Horadrim