More Kirie

Goodness gracious me... is this becoming a fad or what? I sorta like it, though. So this is what a character creator feels when he sees fanart. I don't know yet how an author feels when he sees slash fanart... I don't know if I want to know.

Here's some more Kirie, courtesy of Jandeku. I'm posting the ones I like best.


Here's Kirie with teary eyes.... hasn't happened yet in canon campaign, but it's not that hard.


And this should be... what? Posing? Well, she is cute.


And Kung-Fu Kirie... here's an expression I know she's not likely to make...

Memo - Newsboard Special Report

Document: Newsboard, February 20, 1049
Found in: any place where it is distributed

- Newsboard Special Report - 'Krynn Ibushin - Nothing But the Truth'
Interview performer, written and edited by
Mana TimberStick

Mana - This is my second interview with the Krynn Ibushin in a very short period. I understand there was a problem with our last publication.

Masaru - Yes. Some parts were wrongly cut off and the way the interview was presented, caused a lot of things we said look wrong and be open to misinterpretations.

Mana - Would you care to rephrase the misunderstandings, then?

Beinion - For instance, regarding the reason why we never took any jobs for Dark Realm, the answer in the interview was that "We already answered that question"... which isn't clear at all, because the answer itself was cut off. We always review all requests before deciding on our course of action, and the fact is that we never had to reject any job proposals until now, which means that Dark Realm never came forward with any such proposals. We'll only refuse a proposal if it goes against our beliefs or compromises any of the other Realms.

Masaru - And the way the "fights against Shijima" was presented, will only fuel the gossip around the whle issue. I hope it's clear that we referred to the missions in Dark Realm. Since it's a completely different environment than we're used to, and the environment itself is dangerous. Having an alligator looking at you while you walk around isn't a walk in the park.

Mana - So when you said "against Shijima" what you meant is missions against the government of Dark Realm?

Beinion - It's true that we accepted missions which required us to go into Dark Realm territory, but never were we asked to perform anything that would spark a war between any Realms.

Masaru - Precisely.

Beinion - We know that the last thing we wished for, was for an open war scenario. Our missions in Dark territory were harmless towards their government, their people, or even their economy.

Masaru - We're freelancers, we take oddjobs, we're not here to start a war.

Mana - Are there any other misunderstandings you would like to make clear?

Beinion - This was one of the major ones. There is another one, which I'll let Segare explain, since the questions were directed at him.

Masaru - The comments about Grass Realm... it's amazing how worse they looked once they were edited by the genius you people have there... I expect people to be smart enough to see that no insult was directed at Hizashi or his wife. All I meant was that Ai and I have our life here, what happens there won't bother us unless it's something dire. Those issues will be taken into consideration as they come, we won't be giving it any thought for now.

Mana - Note taken. Is there anything else?

Beinion - There's also the issue about our payment. The chopped-up interview that was published made it seem like we'll work for free. Don't get us wrong, we do our share of good deeds for free once in a while, but we expect to be paid if we're working for other people, obviously. We won't ask for a specific amount, but if we're not paid we won't be able to take care of our living expenses, maintaining equipment, and buying supplies so we're ready to take on other jobs. It's the way the world works. Soon enough, we would have no conditions to maximize our potentials due to lack of equipment and resources.

Mana - Suppose I was to hire you. When we agree a price, I ask you how much you charge. Can you give me an aproximation of how much a regular mission costs?

Beinion - It depends on the risk involved, really.

Mana - Any other misunderstandings?

Beinion - The part about xenophobia... it should still be clear enough... it's said that most elves are close-minded when it comes to other cultures and accepting other races. You hear about many elves rejecting half-elven breeds or refusing to deal with other races. To be honest, it's a matter of tradition and old values, maybe a little difficulty dealing with cultures so different than the deeply-rooted elven culture. In my case, I was lucky. My father always looked beyond that, and he was even married to a human during his last years of life.

Mana - I see. So it was no xenophobia you meant, as much as closeness to tradition.

Beinion - Precisely. If it was really xenophobia, the frontiers of Ice Realm would be closed, don't you think?

Mana - I understand. Can I make a few more questions then?

Beinion - Sure.

Masaru - Go ahead.

Mana - Ever since out last publication, Beinion, we have received a few letters, mostly from women, asking for the following: how you and your wife got together, what your measures are, your favorite food and how many girlfriends you had before. Care to answer your fans?

Beinion - Errr... well then... when I first got to Honshu, one of the first places I visited was Leaf Town. Lacking a place to crash, I turned to the inn. This is where I met her, since it's a family business. Besides her looks, the fact that she's a bard drew my attention. With time, we got closer, played as a duet a couple of times, and things just happened a while after during an outing. It's been two years since we met, more or less, and I couldn't be happier right now. As for my measures... this isn't like asking a woman her 3 sizes, so let's see... I'm 1,68m tall, I weigh 71 Kg, and... that's about everything I can tell, I never bothered to measure my shoulder length or anything like that...

Mana - What number clothes do you wear, for instance?

Beinion - Regular medium. I'm thin, and not really a body-builder. Also, I don't have a specific dish I'd call my favorite, but eggs are mandatory on every meal, regardless of what it is and how weird it might sound.

Mana - Is there a reason for that habit?

Beinion - Something I picked up as a kid. I did the cooking at home when I was alone with my sister, and I tried many weird experiments. Somehow, eggs went well with pretty much everything, to my tastes.

Mana - What about the girlfriends?

Beinion - As for the number of girlfriends I had before... I can say that they were more than 10 and less than 20.

Mana - Masaru, we also received a letter from a young man from Iron Realm, curious about the training that took you 18 months to complete. Care to tell us a bit about it?

Masaru - Well, before I left, my technique was too rough. For a shinobi I wasn't stealthy enough, and the technique was too dangerous in my reckless hands. I needed to get stronger and more focused if I was to fully use my abilities and be of any use for the group and for Ai should she need a hand. I went back to Krynn to train. The master had taught my sensei, and agreed to see if I was worth the trouble. Fortunately I seem to have proved worthy, and I trained not only my stealth, but also worked on the 8 Gates technique. Although I did it in record time, the fact that I was late 6 months coming back is proof that it's not something to be taken lightly. Basically I took the chance to improve as a shinobi while learning the Gates.

Mana - What is the 8 Gates about?

Masaru - Well, easily put, everyone has a chakra system in their body. The thing is, since most people never learn how to tap into it, they don't even notice it. This system, has eight specific points that regulate the flow of chakra inside your body. They help your body keep its limits in check, so you don't cause harm to yourself. The gates are Opening, Healing, Life, Pain, Limit, View, Wonder and Death. If you learn how to unlock them, you'll be using your body's full capacity. Each gate will unlock certain limits. The easiest one to open is the first, Opening. Some people even do it without realizing it. Ever heard stories about mothers who under pressure are able to pull their kids out of large pieces of debris, eventhough their physical strength is nothing special?

Mana - I heard "Death", meaning you can die while using this technique?

Masaru - That's because they unconsciously open the first gate for a few moments, adrenaline is the most comon cause for it. And yes, you may die. Up until the third Gate, it's fairly safe, as long as you have enough chakra in you. From the fourth forward, your body will feel the effects of the Gates. Although the seventh Gate is pretty harsh on your body, and you'll most likely be out for a day or two if you use it recklessly, opening the last one means you will die, do not fool yourself. The ammount of strain it puts in your body, espcially your heart is too much for even the bulkiest of barbarians out there. You can take down a whole army and still trash the castle, but once the gates closes, you're dead.

Mana - How does your fiancée see this risk?

Masaru - Well, I can't thank her enough for supporting me with this training. We're both aware of how dangerous this technique is, and obviously, I didn't open the last Gates during my training, though I have the energy to do it. We discussed this, and we both agree that the last Gates, especially the eighth, are not to be touched unless it's a desperate situation. The price to pay for them is extremely high, and after these 18 months, the last thing I want is to lose her. I didn't just train my body, I became a bit more responsible too. We're aware of the risks, we'll make sure I'll never have to use them.

Mana - A question for both. Are the Krynn Ibushin recruiting, and if so, what is your standard for accepting a new member?

Masaru - Well, we got a few new members already, but if someone capable appears, we could use the help. As for standart... the first one is definetly being trustworthy, we already got burnt with people that proved distrustful.

Beinion - It has to be someone trustworthy, experient on the field, and willing to work as a team towards the mission's success. If you're going to disregard the plan the team set up to go out doing your own thing, then you don't belong in a group in the first place. Following these requirements, we'll accept to work with anyone who has proven their worth.

Mana - Finally, what do you suppose the future holds for your party?

Masaru - Lots of interesting missions, I hope.

Beinion - I'm not going to question fate or even luck. We'll be here to take on challenges as we have when the group was first formed.

'Extra Report - Sorcerer sought for crimes against mankind.'

Five Waterfalls, RR. The Academy of Arcane Practices of Pax Arcana has issued a Wanted call for sorcerer Yoshida Kai for crimes against mankind. The sorcerer, previously a master and researcher of the Academy, has disappeared after a co-worker inadvertedly stumbled upon his latest project.

Yoshida Kai, currently 40, was found to be testing several new enchantments in his own students, all of which perished or were mercy killed during the process. The Academy deans were nothing short of baffled at the gruesome discovery. Professor Damien Brooks, a dean of the Academy specialized in necromancy, had the following comment: "Yoshida tapped uncharted knowledge, but there is a reason why said knowledge remained uncharted: there are no ways to test it without risking the life of the test subject. Yoshida has presented no evidence that these were willing participants, with full knowledge of the risks involved. Even in the darkest studies of the arcane practices, Academy masters are not allowed to have living, rational test subjects without measures illibating them from criminal activity. The Academy will not stand for that sort of behavior."

On being asked what measures the Academy is taking into finding Yoshida, dean Lieutenant General Matsuoka Shiori, evocation master, had the following to answer. "The Wanted call is public, anyone can take it. This man is officially wanted by Pax Arcana for crimes against mankind, and it doesn't really matter who delivers him. We want him here, either alive, or dead with a positive identification of the body. The dean group of Pax Arcana's Academy is ready to reward those who deliver him with goods or services of arcane nature. In his capture, we will accept the services of any army, any group and any being. Two master graduates and teachers of the Academy are currently evaluating his research in hopes of finding more information on his whereabouts or intents, and the justice of this home is in motion as we speak."

"Yoshida protects himself well, however.", commented Lady Annouk Ihiel, also a dean at the academy specialized in divination. "We have a feeling he is being helped by someone who has a grasp of arcane practices, and a rank greater than his own. He managed to block most spells that will contact him or find his location. It will not be an easy task to track him down."

The dean group assures the press, however, that this criminal will be brought to justice and terminated as of Academy law. Already doing some investigation of my own, I am Mana TimberStick for the Newsboard.'

Memo - Letter from Largo Rock

Document: Letter from Largo Rock
Found in: delivered at the Step Forward Inn

'Ibushin, this is Largo.

You were really screwed over by the press lately huh? I laughed so hard at the first interview I nearly pissed myself. It was very obviously cut-up and made. We got the publication a day after I got your letter, so I was up to date with your return, still it was a shock to read all that trash black on white. Damn are you unlucky.

Anyway, your letter arrived to my hands not a moment too soon. I am in need of some brave lads that will run an errand for me. As you probably know already, the Varsuvius graced the Kimon area with a huge belch a few months ago. A belch big enough in fact to destroy millions of GP worth of property, kill several hundred people and cover miles with ash and molten magma. It's odd, since the huge bastard had been asleep for centuries now. Not only have we had problems cleaning everything up and getting the rebuilding going, we also have two big issues. One is looters, and the other is the People's Parliament.

The one I'm currently concerned of is the People's Parliament. Imagine, if you will, enclosing 40 people inside the same room to discuss delicate matters of economy, politics and state. If this doesn't upturn your gut, imagine they're constipated so bad shit is coming out their mouths, in the shape of words, and you have an idea what I have to put up with every other week. The current pain on my neck is called Berto Vangali, Parliament representative of the Guild of Miners.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but this one is abusing the privilege. One thing my government never stood for is trying to profit from my own people's disgrace. Unfortunately, there is a GP in it, an easy one to boot: this asswipe made a motion that the next issue in discussion at the Parliament concerns taking advantage of the land dislodgement in the Kimon area to mine for a specific kind of ore which can only be achieved from magma rock. The resulting product would bring a lot of cash in for the government, since this ore can only be reached normally on the depths of the ground, and this, as you may guess, is a costly procedure. The problem is, this is government only profit: the Guild of Miners would be paid in full for the job, and that's it. Kimon City alone housed thousands of people who lost their homes and need to be allocated, and it would only be fair a part of this mining expedition goes to a fund for housing these people. Less weight on taxes. Still, this part, he doesn't like that much, and on the latest ratings, the Parliament seems to be pending for him.

Of course, I could discuss the issue until the cows came home on the next Parliament meeting. But I'd rather use my saliva and my time doing other things, so I figure it's time he tasted a little of what people around in Kimon are going through. I have enough problems with the Church of Paladin at this point... if you are willing to drop by for some details and to teach this one not to step on my heels when I say no, I would reward you accordingly.

As usual, you are also invited for the Festival of Fire - March 25th. We're in for some good stuff this year, so don't miss it.

Best regards,

Largo Rock"

Kirie

Well, our own Jandeku has created a version of Kirie on AG3. I think it got pretty well, and since I got to see it tested on his podcast, I must say I do approve!

Memo: Letter from Smiling Suwabara

Document: Letter from Smiling Suwabara
Found in: delivered with the eleven archers

'Black Waters, February 18, 1049

Revered Kaishonaji of Tree Realm; Upon investigation about the incident happening on the outskirts of Pitter Village, we have discovered the group responsible for the railroad block, the attack on driver Boon CoalBurner and events leading to the crash at Gracefield.

Because the ones in charge of righting this wrong should be those who kept it from growing larger still, I deliver onto you these men, making an oath under my honor, name and life, they are the ones who committed the felony. I allow any treatment and further identification to be made. Let the party Krynn Ibushin do with them what they find suitable for their deeds.

I pity only it had to be my people who, once again, have made such an inconvenience.

Best regards,
Smiling Suwabara of Dark Realm.'

Memo - Manifest of Time

Document: Manifest of Time
Found in: given to Kirie by Uuger HourGlass

-- MANIFEST OF TIME --

Proposition 1.Time Traveling Devices
1.1 - It is accepted there are only two means of time-traveling available at the time of this writing, known to Man. 1.2 - One can only be achieved through possession of an item which allows time travel to be done by one or more participants. Of these only one is know, the Orb of Time, whose whereabouts are unknown to most, as the item is only mentioned in ancient writing. The possession of this item allows one to, in theory, travel as many years as one wants both in the past and the future. See below for other traits. 1.3 - The other is through the time axis present in the Temple of Ages, which has been proved as one of the few spots known to Man where a time disturbance truly occurs. One can effectively, in fact, remain inside the Temple for as long as one wants, inside the same 25 minute period, and suffer no aging. The journey can, of course, only be made forward, and there is no possible return to the time of entrance. It has been theorized the axis itself would allow time travel, however, the conditions in which the axis is kept are too harsh to attempt to prove it.

Problematic of Time Considering Time-Traveling Methods
- It has been noted that traveling forth in time through the Temple of Ages is useless, and even dangerous for those who attempt it. On leaving the area of distortion, the human body ages to fit the passing of time outside. This causes one to age considerably in a short period of time, seeing as the body can't follow in the same speed as the process. Severe illness and death are likely to occur if this is attempted. - This proves Time acts in the same way the human body itself does. Whenever there is a "wound", the human body attempts to correct the mistake by healing it to the best of its capacities. In the same manner, Time attempts to correct any mistakes that happen in its Paths, like one who is bound to be 30 being 29. - In order to allow time-traveling or time leaping, one would have to be perfectly frozen on time, so that he can go back to his own time undisturbed by the effects.

Proposition 2. Rules of Time
2.1 - Time has no physical form, and no place in space. Space is affected by time, yet time is not affected by space, with the exception of places where a time axis or disturbance occurs. These axis and disturbances are understood as errors. (see below for error descriptions). 2.2 - Path is the name given to the way certain events happen in time. It is theorized that there is an infinite number of Paths from every given moment on, however only one is used at a time. When one Path is taken, all other possible ones vanish into Nowhere (see below for more information on Nowhere) unless time travel would force open new Paths. Time traveling is only possible in a straight line: "alternate realities" do exist in theory and a series of new ones are formed at every moment, however they are impossible to access because either they have already vanished into Nowhere, or have not yet happened. 2.3 - Timeline is the aforementioned "straight line" in which travel is theoretically possible. There are millions of Paths, but a single Timeline. 2.4 - To the process of traveling to a given time, we call time-travel. A similar process may occur, called a time-leap. A time-leap happens in a period of 50 years and can only be made between two distinct periods in time. For instance, if I was to leap from my time to the future 20 years, I would only be able to return to the precise moment when I left. Whereas time-travel allows one to go to any time, and the return needs not to be made to the starting point. 2.5 - It is possible for time travel to have physical effects on living bodies. If one travels to the past, one will become younger in as many hours as one currently is in years (eg. if I was to travel back to the time I was 14, and I am currently 24, I will be 14 again in 10 hours). The same effect is verified the other way around (eg. if I am to travel forth to the time I am 34, and I am currently 24, I will be 34 as well in 10 hours). These changes provoke a series of unpleasant, serious and even dangerous, physical symptoms, and as such, time travel is not advised unless one can be halted in time for as long as one is out of his own time. 2.6 - It is possible for the travel itself to have effects on living bodies. Seeing as in order to travel one would have to bypass time, the travel can be traumatic and difficult. To keep a body in relaxation minimizes the damage and trauma resulting from a time leap. 2.7 - Time cannot be altered both in the present and the future without creating any sort of error, minor or major. An alteration creates a whole new Path, which the laws of probability do not predict. The error is corrected by Time itself when opening a new Path for the alteration.

Proposition 3. Errors and Disturbances
3.1 - It is understood as an error anything that is a time impossibility, or unpredicted in the laws of logic and probability, as described below. 3.2 - An axis occurs when time gains a physical manifestation, usually happening when a portal to a dimension whose time speed is different from our own is opened and later collapses. If not properly closed, this joining of two different periods causes an axis to form. An axis is an incontrollable error, impossible to correct. It is theorized an axis can send one into any time period at different moments, since there is no way to control it or correct it. It is also theorized an axis is a direct link into a form of time and space known among gnomish scholars as Nowhere. 3.3 - A disturbance occurs when an attempt at opening a portal into another dimension whose time speed is different from our own is fumbled. There is a slight chance that time speed is altered at a given space, which may or may not be contained. It is a simple error which is usually corrected over time. Spots have been found where indeed time goes by faster of slower. Time corrects this mistake itself, as the disturbance tends to speed up or slow down to match the dimension's own time. In theory, fumbled time traveling could also lead to disturbances. Most disturbances are so small nobody notices them - yet a major disturbance could be catastrophic. 3.4 - Item duplication is the most common error found in time traveling theories, and one which the experiments made in the Temple of the Ages prove to be the more swiftly corrected. 3.4.1 - In correcting this error, time will eliminate the object which does not belong in a given time. This process is instantaneous as long as the object is not enchanted / has no Will. 3.4.2 - If an object from the future is brought to meet its past self, the future object will shatter. However, it will still be available in the future, since its past self exists. Since the future object is shattered, a second Path opens to the possibility of the object itself not being taken to the past, therefore making the object still available up to the point where it is taken back. 3.4.3 - If an object from the past is brought to meet its future self, both objects will shatter. Since the past object does not exist, the future one is destroyed as well. No Paths open from this action and the object ceases to exist from the point when it was made to meet its future form. 3.4.4 - If an object from the future is brought to the past yet does not enter the same space as its past self (up to 100 ft on smaller objects like pencils), the object will revert to its past form instantly, i.e., it will revert to the form it held at the target time period. A pencil, being taken to a time before its manufacture, would become a piece of wood and coal. Once it is broken into its most primordial state, the object can no longer disappear. 3.4.5 - If an object from the past is brought to the future yet does not enter the same space as its past self, the object will age accordingly until it meets as many years as it should have at the target time period. It will not, however, suffer the same penalties as it would if it had aged normally. Non-perishable materials will suffer little to no alteration, since they have not been exposed to usage or elements. These objects can still vanish if met with their future selves. 3.4.6 - By these premises is item duplication impossible in the same space. The sole exception is the Orb of Time. Being an item which is halted in time, several Orbs from several different time periods can converge in the same space freely. Duplicates of the Orb are both possible and probable, seeing as documents concerning it have appeared in different spaces at the same time period. The Orb is non-perishable, and not recognized by time itself, and therefore not affected by its usual laws. 3.5 - Person duplication has also been discussed among scholars, and through the experiments made with animals in the Temple of Ages, the following theories arise as to what happens when two of the same person meet in the same space and time period; a) if one travels to an age when one did not yet exist, i.e., was not yet born, he is safe from the peril of person duplication. b) if one travels to an age when one does not exist anymore, i.e., is dead already, he is safe from the peril of person duplication. c) if one travels to an age when one exists still, one can stand in the same space if its target time self is unaware of his presence (e.g. if I was to travel into the past to meet myself, yet my past self was unaware of my presence, we would both be safe). d) if one travels to an age when one exists still and both versions of himself become aware of each other's presence, a rift occurs. (see below for rift description) A rift may occur even if the Path in time from whence one of the versions came is not the main one anymore. 3.6 - Source annihilation. In time traveling, it is possible one's actions in the past will affect the future. If the source of something or someone is annihilated in the past, that something or someone will eventually vanish from space, as well as all alterations to space and time relating to it. People who were aware of its existence will forget it, and hold memories of it only up until the time when it disappeared. Objects and items vanish instantly, whereas people will take longer. An individual will vanish in as many hours as years it has. (eg. a 400 year old elf will take 400 hours to vanish completely. However, a 20 year old human will take less than a day) The vanishing is made at a pace. The individual loses memories up to the time when he supposedly died, gaining new ones of the circumstances which led to his own death in the meantime. His physical form vanishes afterwards, and not long after, he vanishes too from the memories of those who knew him. Once his physical form is gone, all alterations in space made by him do as well. It is a major correction and a traumatic event for those surrounding the individual, likely to open a series of new Paths. Deja-vu and irrational fears are the most common symptoms something like this has happened. Yet once the change is through, no proof remains it ever happened. 3.7 - Rift is the most rare of time errors. It affects both time and space and its consequences are very serious. A rift is a fissure in time made by a major impossibility (eg. two of the same people being aware of each other's presence in the same time). The error is serious enough for time to correct it by default: removing every circumstance which led to it. In this sense, not only the two involved versions of the individual will vanish, but also everything that caused the meeting to happen, including people, space, items and events. It is theorized absolutely everything would vanish if a rift was to be opened. It is not know, in these circumstances, what happens once it is opened. Some say it would be the end of everything at all - including time itself. 3.8 - Nowhere is not as much a mistake as the result of many mistakes. The gnomes call it likeso since it is a discrepancy where time forms and mimics a given space. Nowhere is a parallel time dimension which comprises every single unused Path there is. If time was to be altered and a new Path created, the one existing before disappears. Since matter itself cannot disappear, it becomes a conglomerate of loose matter, time and events. Some theories claim the only way to prove and gain access to Nowhere would be through an axis - however, it is not know what consequences this would have. It is not known either if matter and time are recycled or destroyed from Nowhere - in fact, very little is known about it, and what is known is out of plain theory, seeing as it is next to impossible to prove.

Memo: Message to Uuger HourGlass

Document: Message to Uuger HourGlass
Found in: Acess Foyer, Basement, Temple of Ages

'Esteemed colleague Uuger HourGlass,

After having a look at your calculations a few moments ago, I have come to the conclusion that your work at the Temple is nothing short of a joke. I admit I was foolish in thinking your research would pose a threat to my problems. You should stick to what your people know, HourGlass: more or less useful machinery, occasionally tripping on something that can actually revolutionize the world as we know it.

To show you I hold no grudges towards you, I will even correct one of your mistakes. You have made a cross error in calculating the time process in the Temple. It is not T-25+25; instead, it is T=infinity(+25-25). I do not blame your for your mistake, your folk is known to have this sort of miscalculations. I am only glad nothing can explode in the sort of research you are undertaking.

Leave it alone, HourGlass. In a few weeks, I will have the correct formula needed for halting a given subject in time. Your work is not needed.

Best wishes,

Yoshida Kai.'

Memo: Letter to Uuger HourGlass

Document: Letter to Uuger Hourglass by Albin Madoka

Found in: West Sitting Room, Ground Floor, Temple of Ages

'Mr. HourGlass;

Since you are taking a trip to our abandoned temple, please observe these pointers during the time of your stay. While it isn't overly dangerous to stay at the temple, there are some things you should know.

Those who stay in the temple are halted in time in the same 25 minute span. This means those indoors will always hold the same age, however, outside the temple walls, time goes by normally.

In this sense, my advice would be that you didn't spend much time inside. Those who have been know to do often feel sick for long, as their bodies age faster than they were supposed to.

The distortion itself was contained in one of the rooms at the basement of the temple. While it is safe to walk everywhere around the place, I wouldn't advise you to enter the distortion room. When the Temple was first raided by terrorists, the distortion swallowed almost every single staff member inside, and although it has retreated back to its original size, the effects are still active. The Gods only know what would happen or where you would end up if you got sucked inside.

Because it has been abandoned for so long, some beasts have gathered inside, we reckon. Be careful.

Best regards,

Albin Madoka.'

Announcement

Here's an announcement: I know I said I would place session summaries here, but I think I bit more than I could chew. This is a campaign in constant planning and, as you know, I have my own personal blog. It's hard to keep track of everything at once. I'll have to stop doing the summaries.

I would still advise everyone to keep record of what happens. Memos will be posted, as well as maps and any important information I find worth of posting, as well as any information you request (pantheon details, Honshu history details, NPCs bio, the works).

Memo - Mana Timberstick Interviews: The Krynn Ibushin

Document: Newsboard, February 13 1049
Found in: any place where it is distributed

- MANA TIMBERSTICK INTERVIEWS -

'The Krynn Ibushin'

'The Krynn Ibushin are a party which has become well-loved and respected in the capital of Tree Realm. Currently composed of only two members, Segare Masaru and Beinion "Huevo Splash" Randír, have accepted at this point to concede our publication an interview.

Mana - The Krynn Ibushin were almost a household name last year. What happened for you guys to vanish so quickly?

Masaru - I think each of us had some personal issues to take care of. I went away for training, Utsutsu started his family, Huevo got married too.

Beinion - A lot of things happened, really. After we took care of those runaway criminals, we all figured it was time for a break, and each of us followed their own path. Masaru and I, at least, are now coming back.

Masaru - We are keen on bringing the Ibushin name back to business!

Mana - Do you take specific kinds of mission, or whatever comes along?

Beinion - We never refused any mission so far, but it doesn't mean it'll never happen. We always review what we're being asked to do before we accept.

Masaru - We won't go against our principles for a mission, but so far we had no problems with the jobs we were offered.

Mana - What was your most dangerous deed?

Beinion - Any of the ones that got Masaru killed...

Masaru - I'd have to go either with the fight against Shijima or the time we captured the spy in the orphanage.

Mana - How much gold do ppl have to spend in order to hire you?

Masaru - Depends on the kind of mission...but if someone really needs a hand, we won't turn our backs on them.

Beinion - The payment is surely important, but we usually give more importance to the goals, than the reward.

Mana - So people can hire you for change sometimes.

Masaru - I mean...what good would freelancers be if we only took high paying jobs...

Mana - You seem to have settled for Leaf Town. Why Tree Realm?

Beinion - Victims of circumstance. We just happened to settle here, and it became our home now.

Mana - I understand you have a lady love each...

Masaru - Yeah, I pretty much have my life here so...why change? I have the people I know here, Ai, my bro...'sides, it's a nice place...

Beinion - I'm already married, true. Coming to this town was really a fortunate event.

Mana - How is it like, working with the old ball and chain?

Masaru - On my side, it'll still be a while 'til Ai and I get married, so it's still pretty easy to balance both sides.

Beinion - We'll see how things go from here onwards... while I'd like to be able to help more at the inn, there's only one of me to go around. That's the only issue. My marriage won't be compromised.

Mana - What about kids?

Masaru - I suppose that would change things a bit...too soon for me at least. Ai and I are still discussing the marriage details, we'll have enough time to think about building a family in the future.

Beinion - No children yet, but it's a possibility.

Mana - How many?

Beinion - We didn't plan that far...

Mana - Many freelancers claim a difficulty to find resting time. Do you relate to this?

Masaru - As long as you enjoy the missions you accepted, it's not that hard. So far, rest was never an issue

Beinion - It really depends on what we're doing. Should we really need time to rest, we can always let out that we're having a break and not accepting requests until further notice.

Mana - Do you have an answer for the rumour that you are the people who murdered Dark Realm's former leader, Laughing Shijima? The darkling folk would like to have some answers. The Krynn Ibushin name pops up very often as this is concerned. You were sighted in Black Waters the day Laughing Shijima was murdered.

Masaru - We're not going to feed gossip.

Mana - Still you do not deny involvement in it...

Masaru - We weren't the only freelancers with missions in Dark Realm while Shijima was in charge I'm sure. People only decided to start that rumour 'cause we were making a name for ourselves.

Mana - Actually, you never took missions for Laughing Shijima either. You seem parcial.

Masaru - I think we already answered that same issue a few times now.

Mana - Segare Masaru, you are currently engaged to be married to Hyuga Ai, the sole daughter and currently only heiress to Grass Realm, isn't that so?

Masaru - Yup, we're engaged.

Mana - Upon recent news that Hyuga Hizashi has remarried and rumours his new queen is awaiting the birth of a child, how do you stand as the dispute for the throne is concerned?

Masaru - What about the throne...I'm marrying Ai, not some throne. As long as I'm with her and she's happy, I'm happy. I couldn't care less about it... I've been away in training, so I'm not that up to date with the latest events. If the recent events are Hizashi getting married and having a kid on the way, then good for him, may the chibi keep him awake at night and healthly use up a lot of diapers. Hizashi can get cramps from the throne for all I care. Ai and I have our life here. What happens there doesn't exactly concern us. If she happens to wish to discuss something about it, I'll be by her side, but 'til then, our life is here, and that's where it'll be.

Mana - Beinion Randir. You live amongst the humans, you married a human, most of your friends are humans and you came straight for a human town when you arrived. is there a grudge between you and the elves?

Beinion - You got the facts wrong. I just happened to have arrived at a human town instead of an elven when I reached this continent, and got a good enough job to decide to settle here. It could've easily have happened on an elven town. As for marrying a human instead of an elf, two things: first, I love my wife because of who she is and not because of the shape of her ears. Second, it's not like I'd have any luck marrying an elven girl if that was my intention, since the only other elf I know of in this town is a male.

Mana - The two main elven communities in Honshu, Ice Realm and Fellyn Woods keep to themselves. The elves in Fellyn denied the jurisdiction of Bamboo, even. In your view, is there a reason for all this secrecy?

Beinion - That's just how most elves are, I guess. Many of us just won't deal with the outside world or other races. That's elven xenophobia for you... there are still many exceptions, of course, or I wouldn't be here.

There you have it, folks - the Krynn Ibushin, whom you will recall from several important events last year, are back in business and meaning business. I am Mana Timberstick, interviewing.

Memo - 'Jirou's Note'

Document: Jirou's Note
Found in: Kirie's notebook

'Dear Kirie;
Sensei said your last homework assignment was a disgrace of epic proportions. These were the very words he used, and after I had a chance to take a look at it, I sadly couldn't but agree. I'll leave this here to help you out on your next one. There are only a few dates you need never forget. They are not as hard to memorize as you think. I'll write them down for you:

Fall of Darkness = February 10, 1050
Overture Battle = March 4, 1050
Battle of the Three Armies = September 16, 1059
Sunshine Morning = July 24, 1060
Armies of Darkness Civil War = January 4, 1063 - March, 1066
Battle of the Goddesses = June 20, 1067
Battle of Tears = November 7, 1075
Battle of the Dead = July 14, 1077
Here are also a few pointers you should observe when writing your paper:

Iron Realm and Below Fero don't have "kings" or "rulers". They call the country leader a "regent" ever since Liaison Rock and the Rock lineage took over, since Liaison would supposedly fill in for a proper king of royal blood, which was never found. Largo Rock, LaShaka Rock and Goro Rock are all regents (and don't forget: even though his name is officially Hellias, regent Goro took his mother's name when he rose to power in 1068). They are not the only people in charge: a People's Parliament also used to exist, composed of members of every major trade in the realm. One could not act without the other's consent (I know History shows things differently, but you should know regent Largo never really cared much for what the Parliament said).

Rice Realm also didn't have "kings". Oromaru-sama and his kin are known as "emperors" of Rice. In fact, their original title was "Emperor of the Five Waterfalls and Lands of the Rice."

Before their breakup in 1048, Grass Realm had a triumvirate (a government composed of three people), not a "trio".

Dark Realm has leaders, not "dictators", even if their political organization is a lot like a dictatorship. And we call "darklings" to the inhabitants of Dark Realm infected with the plague, but this is just a nickname. We do not go about calling people from Tree Realm "teelings", people from Bamboo Realm "bamboolings" and people from Iron Realm "ironlings". Even I raised my hands to my head when I read this nonsense.

In any period in History was Ice Realm ruled by two leaders. Ridvia and Selspar Tyrnea Timmorn were "lords of Heasi" (and it is not spelled R-E-A-S-Y either - it's the Wild Elven dialect and it means "those above"), but Ice Realm was and is ruled by shamans. The Tyrnea Timmorn brothers are entitled "lords" (in elven "lan"), because they are to interpret the shaman's wills and warnings, and act accordingly. They never held the same power either: the elder brother Ridvia ranked above the younger, Selspar. Hence their disagreement in 1056.

There were two separate and independent governments in Bamboo Realm. The humans were under ruling of lady Yoshino the Hummingbird throughout the whole 1040-1050 decade. The elves were under ruling of the Order of Druids. One was not superior to the other and they hardly ever contacted, let alone be allies.

Incidentally, druids and shamans are not the same thing. Ice Realm, Bamboo Realm and the Free Lands had plenty of druids and they are common figures among the elves. Only Ice Realm had shamans. Ask Luca about that, he knows plenty about the elves and their traditional way of life. He can explain to you the difference between a druid and a shaman better than I can.

Hachi had (and has) a government of plutocracy, not "plurocracy". It means only the people belonging to the aristocracy are allowed to vote when picking a leader for the following four years.

Never bother to write "the government of Indestructible Town" did something. Strange as it might sound, IT never had a government. The gnomes of Honshu have no ruler, and in IT they abide by a sort of odd guidelines... most of us have long given up on trying to understand how they do things. Just write "the gnomes of Indestructible Town". Please don't ask any gnomes to help you with this. They'll keep you for hours.

Samurai clans have heads of clan, not "clan's heads". That expression implies something else and is highly offensive. Never forget samurai tend to pay a lot of attention to these things and so must those who deal with them. Sadly enough for me, the Manako clan was never among the top five samurai clans in existence. The most powerful ones were, from the strongest to the weakest, Issun - Makimura - Kurosawa - Oono - Nagaka.

The Resistance has leaders, not "commanders". They are not a military organization. The Kyushu militia, on the other hand, has "captains". They are a para-military group and use the same ranks as navy officials.

There is a very important difference between a "High Priest" and a "Head Priest". The Head Priest, or Head Cleric, is the maximum superior of a church. For instance, the last great Head Priest in existance was Hyuga Hiachi - he was the leader of the Church of Mishakal in Honshu until he gave away the charge in 1049. A High Priest is the leader of the Church in a given place. For instance, Amano Elina was the High Priestess of Sanctuary - in Sanctuary, the was the top ranked cleric. I know it's confusing and they all sound alike, but they're very different things, don't confuse them!

A group of sorcerers is a Conclave. A group of Druids isn't: it's called an "Order". In the past, there were various Orders of druids. When all the Orders join up, they form a "Congregation". An Order of druids ruled over Fellyn Woods. A Congregation of shamans made rules in Ice Realm. Everyone in Fellyn Woods was of the same Order. The people in the Congregations belonged to different Orders. Again, Luca knows a lot more about that than me.

The Green Shuriken was a House, not a "guild". A guild is a group of people who practice the same trade and may or may not work for the same person: merchants, bankers, miners, thieves, rangers, they all have guilds. The House of the Green Shuriken used to be a major ninja clan, who came to be Bamboo Realm's special OPs.

The Visionaries were also special OPs for Rice Realm, by the way. Not a "secret police".

Hammaren was a dwarven newspaper. Not a dwarven army.

Pax Arcana is not a "government", it was an academy of arcane practices. Tarth Moorda is not considered an academy because it trains archmages and warlocks. It follows military ranks, so it should be called "training grounds".

Clerics don't do "godly magic". They do "divine magic" (you seem to confuse divine spells and divination - there's nothing in common!). And "black magic" doesn't refer to the magic done by the black robes. "Black magic" or "dark practices" is what we call drow magic unrecognized by the Conclave. Their clerics still do "divine" magic.

And speaking of Conclave, the Conclave of High Sorcery is an institution, not a "group of deans". They run, but are independent from the Pax Arcana academy. Some people in the Conclave were deans in the academy. Some were in the military ranks of Tarth Moorda. Some were neither.

The leaders of the Conclave are eight. One per school of magic. Not ten. The deviant types of conjuration do not count, the whole school is represented by one person.

Honshu had only eight separate realms. The following are independent, out of general jurisdiction or free: the Southern Seas Isles, the Free Lands of Northwest, Greyswulf Mountain and surrounding area, Dwarven Hills of Iron Realm, Indestructible Town, Fellyn Woods, and any darfellan or dargonesti community set over 15 miles of the shore. Kyushu Isles were disputed between Grass Realm and Dark Realm while fighting for its independence, and after 1050 they were pretty much left alone, and thus are considered "free".

Only the drow say "Lolth in All Her Grace". We do not. Under any circumstance. In fact, we often refer to their Goddess with other epithets you shouldn't write on essays either. This would be like writing "the Dragon Rider Paladine" or "Majere, the Weaver of Dreams" every single time you needed to refer to either deity.

And finally, Luca can help you a lot in essays and I find it very kind of him to. But when it comes to the Armies of Darkness, don't believe a word he says. We do not call them "the shades", "tints", "critters" or "scourge". When referring to them on an essay you must use "the drow" for people, "the Darkness" for their whole and "Armies of Darkness" or "Armies of House X" for their military. Their religion is the cult of Lolth, not the "church" of Lolth - Lolth is a minor Goddess. Never EVER read the second L in Her name either, like you did last week. Plus, "drow" is a genderless word, it does not have a plural form (we do not write or say "drows", the correct form is "the drow") and it's not like "elf" or "dwarf". Something belonging or relating to the drow is not "drowen", "drowing" or "drowling".

Best Regards,
Jirou'

Memo - 'New Song'

Document: New Song
Found in: Kirie's notebook

'And so once again, my dear ally my dear friend,
And so once again you are fighting us all.
And when I ask you why, you raise your sticks and cry
and we fall.
Oh my friend, how did you come
to trade the fiddle for the drum.

You say I have turned, like the enemies you've earned,
but I can remember all the good things you are.
And so I ask you, please,
can I help you find the Peace and the Star?
Oh my friend, what time is this?
To trade the handshake for the fist.

You say we have turned, like the enemies you've earned,
but I can remember all the good things we are.
And so I ask you, please,
can we help you find the Peace and the Star?
Oh my friend, we have all come
to fear the beating of your drum.'

Tell me what you think later!
XXXX
Luca

Memo: 'Task Briefing'

Document: Task Briefing
Found in: the men in odd armor

The man you are currently looking for is a mark and you must do your best to kill him. You are free to use any means at your disposition as long as he turns up dead. You must prove on coming back that you have completed the task by bringing a piece of the mark's body: either both hands or the head.

We have put at your disposition, for this mission, a set of armor. You are to wear it under penalty of death. You are forbidden of identifying yourselves, your species, your realm and your creed under penalty of death as well.

Should you fail to complete the mission, and ultimately be killed by your opponent, the armor itself will take measures to hide your identity. Once you have put it on, it can only be taken off by dispel, which will be provided freely should you succeed.

Your progress will be controlled from close by. You will be watched at all times. Attempting to flee the mission or failure to put on the armor will be swiftly punished. Any clue or identification you provide your opponent with will be treated as treason.

A Map of Leaf Town

#01 - Leaf Town's Train Station. A train engine workshop and a post office, where Supi works deliveries, are included.
#02 - The Newsboard newspaper headquarters. Where Mana TimberStick and a small team of gnomes edit and publish the most vastly read newspaper of Tree Realm and surrounding areas.
#03 - HQ - Front Yard. Where soldiers hang out, waiting for the day's schedule.
#04 - HQ - Office. Although it is the working space of Kaishonaji Irigo and his wife Tobi, it is usually her who's in. Irigo is well-known for bailing out of work to go have a drink and look at the neighborhood girls. Over the years, this space became known as Tobi's office.
#05 - HQ - Emergencies. The military HH, meant specifically for the military and their family, and some freelancers who get to know its chief cleric, Dr. Yamma.
#06 - Official's area / Melee Division. Hyuga Ai is the current Lieutenant Commander of the Melee Division. Although officials from all areas share the space, it is here the Melee Division makes all their meetings and preparations.
#07 - Ranged Department. The Leaf Town army has only very recently included a Ranged Department in their midst. Their area still serves as a warehouse for equipment and materials.
#08 - All-purpose supply store. Tree Realm is a land of freelancing adventurers, and a store that sells everything they may need is bound to be successful. It is minded by a very old human called Sareno, a freelancer in these parts many years ago.
#09 - Bloodblade weaponshop. Zangetsu, a retired swordsman, runs a store that sells common, custom and enchanted weaponry. For a fee, he will buff up your weapons as well.
#10 - A Step Forward Inn. The only inn in Leaf Town (and possibly the most bard-oriented one in Tree Realm) is minded by Yoko Spinelli and Beinion Randír. There is a large stage in the main room, with different performances every night.
#11 - Ironhide Armory & Armor. A recent store, opening to meet the local freelancers need for defense.
#12 - Siren's Song Pub. The pub opens at midnight, usually the time when the A Step Forward Inn closes. It's is minded by Silene Allein, a native of Hachi, and Orgo, her half-orc brother and bouncer.
#13 - Tailor shop. Anything you need sewn, these girls can do. Mrs. Abby is the owner and main tailorette.
#14 - Misinry Library and Bookstore. The Misinry are a couple of scholars married several years, both native of this town. Tandor Misinry's specialty is Folklore, whereas his wife Emma knows everything about Non-Human Cultures.
#15 - HQ Gadgets Department. Built to contain any kind of explosion, the Gadgets Department's headquarter's walls were reinforced several times, and carefully built outside of the main HQ. Darin "Skipper" RiverSkipper is their Main Engineer, closely followed by his assistant, Nano OffSwitch.
#16 - Ramen & Snacks Stand. A regular stop for soldiers leaving in the afternoon or late night, it is the easiest way to find a meal if you forgot to shop.
#17 - Black Moon Arcane Items. Daelis Lithlad, an elf bearing the black robes, has owned and ran the store for several years, as well as a franchise in Hachi's capital, Metropolis.
#18 - All-Buy Pawn Shop. If someone knows the value of something, it's Fehnut Honorbolt. He'll buy anything from anyone, as long as the price is right - and he'll also sell all sorts of knick-knacks others have sold to him before.
#19 - Baa-chan's Curry Restaurant. A big favorite in this area is curry - and Baa-chan's specializes in all types known to man. Her grandson, Mizuki, will also run errands for you in his spare time.
#20 - Hammerhard Blacksmith. Erich Hammerhard is the only blacksmith you'll ever need - and Daniel Woodsworth, aptly named, the only carpenter in Leaf Town.
#21 - Leaf Town's Temple and Orphanage. Many orphans spawned from the last Great War, and when the time came to give them support, the clerics and attendants of the local Mishakal temple turned their temple into a school. Nowadays, the temple is seldomly used for worship, serving more as a home for the needy. There are plans to improve it as a place of worship futurely.
#22 - Leaf Town's School. The most dreaded place for children in town.
#23 - River crossing services. Since most freelancers are housed outside of town, a river-crossing services is needed. These swift vessels will take you from a margin to another in half an hour or less.
#24 - House of Healing. The place to go if you're an ill civilian. Nurse Tsukiko and Nurse Hana are its two main attendants, while Damien Slein, a rookie Mishakal cleric, can take care of the most serious issues.
#25 - Leaf Town's Hotsprings and Spa. Maybe a little too expensive for most purses, but a good place to relax still.
#26 - General Store. They sell everything from lamp oil to clothing. Odoriko minds the counter as a part-time.
#27 - Abandoned buildings. A condo that was half destroyed during the war, and now houses only stray animals and soldiers in simulated combat.
#28 - Drinks kiosk. Opened all night in case you're thirsty and don't want to drag yourself to the other side of town for a cold one.
#29 - Newspaper stand. The stand sells every Honshu publication and has a board for announcements anyone can use. Minded by Sankyou as a part-time.

Religion 101 - Elven Pantheon

This is the elven pantheon I am using currently. If your character is an elf or knows plenty about them, take a while to read it. Notice that not all deities are recognized and/or worshipped in the same community, still, the whole of the pantheon is as described below.

THE ELVEN PANTHEON

Aerdrie Faenya (chaotic good) is the goddess of the weather, or rather, of wind and storms. She is revered by all involved in agriculture, as well as many druids.

Corellon Larethian (chaotic good) is the creator of elves (according to the elves themselves) and among humans, is known as Branchala.

Deep Sashelas (chaotic good) is the patron deity of aquatic elves, as well as the god of the oceans. Any of his worshippers who is not an aquatic elf likely lives near to a large body of water - many elven sailors and fishermen offer prayers and gifts to him in hopes to receive his blessings.

Eilistraee (chaotic good) is one of the few deities common to both elves and the drow - she is the goddess of the moon. She is also a patron of music and dance, known as a wild and disobedient goddess who likes to see her faithful give in to their passions.

Hanali Celanil (chaotic good) is the goddess of beauty and love. She concerns herself with passion and vanity above all else - and although it is her clerics who perform weddings among elves, they are often more concerned of these sacred binds than she is.

Labelas Enoreth (chaotic good) is the elven god of time, responsible for the long lifespan given to elves. He is also the keeper of History, and as such, patron of scholars and librarians.

Rillifane Rallathil (chaotic good) is the god of nature and life. A male "Mother Earth", so to speak, who is considered the life and soul of the earth itself.

Sehanine Moonbow (chaotic good) is a goddess also associated with the moon, although she is officially the goddess of dreams, illusions and mystery. While Eilistraee is often associated with the full moon, Sehanine is every other fase of the moon - particularly the crescent.

Solonor Thelandira (chaotic good) is a deity which seldom mixed with other gods, and with a church of very few worshippers. The patron of rangers and wanderers, who stay away from their community but with eyes always turned to the horizon, in search of any threat against it.

Erevan Ilesere (chaotic neutral) is the incarnation of chaos, and god of trickery. He enjoys spreading mayhem for fun - even if his pranks are more annoying and embarassing than serious. The most of his worshippers can be found amongst Wild Elves.

Fenmarel Mestarine (chaotic neutral) is the god of protection. Also a solitary deity, he is a cynical and an outcast, and as such a patron to elves shunned by their own species - the fallen included. In many places, he is also considered the funerary deity.

Religion 101 - The Set Religion

Since some of you haven't been playing with me for long, I will address the pantheon we are using. When we first began, we used the Dragonlance pantheon, because everyone had just read the books of the saga and we were mostly familiar with the Gods. We have kept using this pantheon, although I also allowed local deities and pantheon by race.

Humans worship the pantheon described below, elves have their own (although they have deities similar to the humans in some aspects), dwarves are pretty much monotheist and as such worship one God (Reorx is its name among the Mountain Dwarves, Moradin is the name given by Hill Dwarves and other breeds) and gnomes pretty much worship whatever the Hell they want to. Orcs have their own deities, mostly local heroes and demi-gods, Halflings recognize the Human pantheon as well, and half-breeds of any sort pick between one, or none. As for local deities and heroes, they are treated as the Roman vestas were: very minor deities/spirits associated closely to one given God or alignment, cult is local, not very well known outside a given area. The gods of the human pantheon are divided per alignment (white = good, red = neutral, black = evil)

THE HUMAN PANTHEON

Branchala (chaotic good), also called The Bard King and Songmaster, represents the godly power of inspiration. He is the same God elves know as Corellon Larethian. He is the god of elves, music, the arts and beauty, and a patron of bards. His celestial symbol is the constellation Harp.

Habbakuk (chaotic good), also called The Fisher King and Blue Phoenix, represents the godly power of persistence. He is the patron of rangers, druids, hunters, animals of all sorts. His celestial symbol is the constellation Phoenix.

Kiri-Jolith (lawful good), also called Sword of Justice and Bison of Heaven, represents the godly power of unity. He patrons soldiers and warriors who fight to defend their home and defeat evil, and also minotaurs. Widely understood as a god of justice, his symbols can be seen often in courts and prisons. His celestial symbol is the constellation Bison.

Majere (lawful good), also called Mantis of the Rose and the Dreamsender, represents the godly power of discipline. He is the god of dreams and goals. patrons monks and wizards, and scholars of all sorts. His celestial symbol is the constellation Rose.

Mishakal (neutral good), also known as the Light Bringer, the Healing Hand and the Blue Lady, represents the godly power of restoration. She is the patron of healing, motherhood and restoring the lost. Her celestial symbol is the constellation Infinity. It should be mentioned that the Church of Mishakal is the one with the most power in Honshu, since it is a land of freelancers looking for a new life and who constantly need healing.

Paladine (neutral good), also known as the Platinum Dragon, the Valiant Warriors and the Draco Paladin, represents the godly power of majesty and is the head of the white side of the pantheon. He patrons knights, paladines and all those who wish to rise to a new height of glory through good deeds. His celestial symbol is the constellation Dragon.

Solinari, also known as the Mighty Hand, the Ivory Disk and God's Eye, represents the godly power of magic when used for good. His celestial symbol is the white moon, Solinari.

Chislev (chaotic neutral), also known as the Beast, Wild One and World Mother, represents the godly power of instict. She patrons druids and is widely understood as Mother Nature. Her celestial symbol is the planet Chislev.

Sirrion (chaotic neutral), also known as the Flowing Flame and the Firemaster, represents the godly force of transformation. He is understood as the god of all fire, from the one on a candle to the Sun, and patrons art and alchemy. His Church is very well set in Iron Realm. His celestial symbol is the planet Sirrion.

Reorx (lawful neutral), also known as the Forge and the World Smith (and called Moradin by some breeds of dwarf) represents the godly power of creation. He patrons both dwarves and gnomes, as well as gamblers and rogues, because they rely on their talents to change the course of events. His celestial symbol is the red star Reorx.

Shinare (lawful neutral), also known as Winged Victory and the Silver Mistress, represents the godly force of interaction. She patrons merchants and those who use money in an honest way - including freelancers, mercenaries and assassins, who use their skills, whatever they are, to earn their pay. Her celestial symbol is the planet Shinare.

Gilean (true neutral), also known as the Book, the Sage and the Grey Voyager, represents the godly force of knowledge. He is the patron of sages, librarians and scholars, and leader of the red pantheon. His celestial symbol is the constellation Book of Souls.

Zivilyn (true neutral), also known as World Tree, Wise One and Tree of Life, represents the godly force of wisdom. His celestial symbol is the planet Zivilyn.

Lunitari, also known as the Veiled Maiden, Maid of Illusion and Night Candle, represents the godly power of magic when used for neutrality. Her celestial symbol is the red moon Lunitari.

Zeboim (chaotic evil), also known as the Sea Witch and the Dragon Turtle, represents the godly force of strife, and is understood as the goddess of the sea and the weather. Sailors and pirates are her main devoted, who make sure to appease her before any journey they take. Her celestial symbol is the Dragon Turtle.

Hiddukel (chaotic evil), also known as the Prince of Lies, the Betrayer and the Broken Scales, represents the godly force of exploitation. Also a patron of merchants and tricksters, and anyone who will harm other for his own profit - also widely considered the one true god of money. His celestial symbol is the constellation Broken Scales.

Morgion (lawful evil), also known as the Rat King and the Black Wind, represents the godly force of decay. He represents not only disease, but the fear of disease, and patrons few other than his own clerics. Morgion is highly worshipped in the Dark Realm, where most of the population is infected with the plague. His celestial symbol is the constellation Diseased Hood.

Sargonnas (lawful evil), also known as the Red Condor, the Firebringer and the Bull God, represents the godly force of wrath. He patrons those who seek vengeance, wars and anger. Some minotaurs also recognize him as the one true god. His celestial symbol is the constellation Condor.

Chemosh (neutral evil), also known as Lord of Bones and Lifebane, represents the godly force of fatalism. He is deity not only of the Undead and Unlife, he also patrons assassins and necromancers. Chemosh is not the God of Death, however. His celestial symbol is the constellation Goat's Skull.

Takhisis (neutral evil), also known as Queen of Darkness, the Many-Headed Dragon and the Temptress, represents the godly power of control, and is the head of the dark pantheon. Her celestial symbol is the Many-Headed Dragon.

Nuitari, also known as the Nightreaver and Ungod, represents the power of magic when used for evil. His celestial symbol is Nuitari, a black moon which can only be seen by his followers, or when it eclipses another important star or constellation.

'The Fall of Darkness' Intro

This is the introduction post for the campaign 'The Fall of Darkness', I'll be posting a few useful pointers for everyone, so make sure to read it before / once we begin session 01.

I will be using the tag 'TFoD' for anything related to this campaign, including summaries and documents. All documents will be posted here after they are presented in session under the title referring to their name. This will make keeping track of documents easier for you as well as for me. I will attempt to summarize sessions daily, any delays being corrected ASAP since I not only work, but also run another blog not far from here.

While I will not post daily XP values, however, I will post XP per character at the end of the post referring to the session where it was given. Again, easier to track the when and how much.

I advise everyone to keep track of in-game time. Some dates will be featured in summary posts, however, do keep track of when and what. As for player information, Beinion Randír and Segare Masaru make a comeback from the previous campaign I ran; as for new acquaintances, Aewyre Stark, Agatsuma Soubi and Deneius Targaryen, you will not start off in the campaign on session 01, I will insert you into the story before the juicy stuff starts happening. Be patient, it will pay off.

Since we're playing online, I will ask you as I usually do, not to post links for unrelated material in the campaign window, be it shit you found on 4chan, YouTube vids or whatever the Hell is not directly concerned with the campaign at hand. I enjoy getting links to funny shit too, guys, but do so in private to avoid distraction, it wouldn't be the first time it happened. I will also ask everyone to warn me as soon as possible when you are not coming in to play for whatever reason, I will do the same.

Everyone is also required to respect the usual BRB and AFK system - warn the others when you gotta take a break for whatever reasons (Deneius, I'm looking at you...) As character sheets are concerned, I know several people like to keep a physical sheet (I included, several computer crashes on a row teach you), but I'll be very thankful if you give me copies, or at least keep me briefed, at every rank-up. Doesn't need to be at once, but at least soon, so I know what I'm dealing with.

Everyone who still has not, please read my post about Death and Dying! A ridiculous thing on the previous campaign was the fact that no matter how often someone died, he kept getting resurrected, and as such I'm either going to cut that short, or make it the more regular still by resorting to the Sadistic Dungeon Master Syndicate Critical Hit Chart, and dying is the best thing that can happen to you if I decide to use it, you can check it out if you don't believe me. I especially like my odds with damage to the nervous system by electricity and I have plenty of samurai with Improved Critical.

HONSHU - New Maps!

I found a script for gIMP which lets me do hex maps. I give you, then, three new maps of Honshu, these will become official as of the new campaign (this meaning, forget the other ones). The first is a simple map of Honshu geography, I added a map of the main inter-realm train lines and most important rivers, for reference.