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.