The Twelve Kingdoms

Twelve Kingdoms, thirteen tribes of Yisrael.

The setting of the Twelve Kingdoms of Man, is ahistorical, pseudo-medieval.  In other words, it has more to do with Gor and Conan, than it does with King Arthur or even Middle Earth.  But really, I'm not looking for an English Fuedal System.  There's other systems -- the Athenian Greeks had a tyrant, for instance (essentially a dictatorship) that was benevolent during the Age of the City State.  This man became tyrant of Athens by using a young girl and declaring himself chosen by Athena to lead the City State into a new age of prosperity.

The Tyrants were eventually put down and a Democracy set up (rabble rule).  In ancient Israel, my ancestors were ruled by David the King.  It was to be a monarchy that was set up by Yahweh, the El of Israel.  Yahweh would choose the king -- first Saul (who was of the tribe of Benjamin) and second David (who was of the tribe of Judah).  As was promised to Judah, his seed will carry the septre to the end of the World.

Setting up the twelve kingdoms in my new Pathfinder world to be like the twelve tribes of Israel, but giving each of them a different culture is the goal.  One would be based on Persia.  Another, based on Cimmeria, another full of amazons, two with fighting men, and so on (it's ahistorical, pseudo medieval, remember?  I'm just making the 13 tribes obivious!).

Secondly, I thought I'd use churches instead of Gods.  It's different, it's hip, its new.

The campaign setting might begin like this:

In the beginning of our story, the twelve kingdoms were once thirteen tribes who had four hundred years of prosperity.  First as individual tribes, then a small kingdom, then a huge empire, then the empire divided into twelve kingdoms.  This prosperity was not to last, as the kingdoms fell into decline an invasion from another world discombulated the peace and balance in the world.

Something to work on, I admit.  The invasion, of course, are orcs; which threaten humanity.  At least, humanity in the Twelve Kingdoms.  There are others, to be sure.  The orcs were released when a portal transported a raging Orc Horde into the world.  They then spread out, attacking many kingdoms as they sought a place for their own clans and tribes to settle.  The action of the Campaign Setting takes place in the Twelve Kingdoms and the rampaging orc horde with elves and dwarves in there somewhere.

However, the orcs have feeling, they have purpose, they have culture.  I talked a lot about orcs on this blog in my world.  Now it is time to dwell on human culture.

The Caves of Chaos

My, my.

Finally we get the PCs up and going for the Caves of Chaos!!  It's finally happening, the PCs (well, 2 of them) are finally ready to go into the Caves of Chaos.  The problem seems to be that Rolemaster PCs at first level are woefully underpowered against their D&D counterparts.  For instance, at 2nd level, an RM magician gets a plasma bolt -- SHOCK BOLT -- it's called (in D&D 4e, it's an at will power called magic missile that clueless idiots get to cast at the Darkness every time they feel like it while their fellow player wants to do some chicks at the local tavern.  Stupid thing should be a DAILY power).  Ahem.

This is Rolemaster, not the cartoonish thingy of 4th Edition.  People get hurt.  People get maimed.  People bleed.  People get their limbs hacked off.  People get hit by Interplanetary bolts of lightning and light up like Christmas Trees.  That sort of thing.  So what is terrible about a D&D dungeon crawl when you rolemasterize it?  They, the players, are facing greater odds.  There aren't five gnolls that fall down every time you zap them, there are five gnolls that can really kill your character -- with experience comparable to level 1 D&D characters.  But there is a reason why the PCs are going into the Caverns of Chaos.

The Drow of the Underdark is infiltrating the government of Evereska.  They killed the Queen and they dumped her body in the Caverns of Chaos.  The elvish government need proof before they can act against the Drow in Evereska.  That proof, the body of the dead queen of Evereska, is in the Caverns of Chaos.  A place most sane people would stay away from.

Even if your players play fourth edition and have gnolls for breakfast. 

What does a Rolemaster Session look like?

Today, I thought I'd test my players on how well they work together.  Here are the results:

(32340) DM: :fade in
(32340) DM: INT. RAMIEN'S MANOR, SITTING ROOM -- DAY
(32340) DM: INT. RAYNE'S MANOR, SITTING ROOM -- DAY 
(32340) DM: (( Thanks for Ramien to point out my mistake)
(32340) DM: You are in the sitting room of Rayne's manor house. Kale is upstairs, recooperating.
(32340) DM: The room is mostly blue and red, with some expensive purple. The carpet rug looks like it was imported from Tethyr.
** (32354) Kyrgan looks around and wonders how anyone can go without fur and dirt floors. **
** (32352) Maria is a little calmer but sullen. She normally is perky and fun but she was not in the mood. Her mind seems to be elsewhere at the moment. **
** (32331) Ramian kicks his legs up onto a table, leaning back in the chair he's sitting in, looking around at the expensive purple colors. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Minka safe? Likes claw wood."
** (32340) Rayne's servant girl comes in with some food. "Master Rayne is out at the moment, but he told me to make sure you were fed," she explained. **
(32340) DM: She sets down a tray of beef, apples, bread, and cheese.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Food good. Rabbit?"
(32340) DM: The servant girl looks at Kyrgan with a blank face.
** (32354) Kyrgan looks for the rabbit .... but doesn't see any. Just food for king ones. **
** (32331) Ramian reaches over and snatches an apple. "I think he's asking if you've got any rabbit meat around." **
** (32354) Kyrgan nods  **
(32340) Servant Girl: Oh, rabbit meat! That would be up to the gameskeeper.
** (32352) Maria 's mood has not affected her hunger. She begins eating some of the food in somewhat medium portions though she is willing to share with the others without being asked. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Rabbit good. Try funny red things."
(32352) Maria: "Thank you for taking Uncle Kale into your home Ramien. I do not know how I am going to pay you back though.
(32352) Maria: "
** (32352) Maria looks gratefully at Ramien. **
(32331) Ramian: ((Rayne's home.))
** (32354) Kyrgan reaches out and gets an apple and sniffs it. **
(32352) Maria: ((Okay strike the last comment.))
(32340) DM: The servant girl courtseys and says, "I better go check to see if the gameskeeper has any rabbits.
(32340) DM: She leaves the room for several minutes.
** (32331) Ramian takes a bite of his apple, looking over at the door. **
** (32354) Kyrgan looks at Ramian to see how to eat an apple. **
** (32352) Maria asks, "Did any of you see who might have attacked Uncle Kale?" **
** (32331) Ramian eats his apple like most other people, starting in one spot and working his way around the core. **
** (32354) Kyrgan sees that it appears you bite into it and takes a huge bite nearly consuming the entire apple ...... **
** (32331) Ramian swallows the bit of apple. "I did see a suspicious looking person dart into an alleyway. Wore a wooden mask." **
(32340) DM: There is a knock at the front door.
(32352) Maria: "What kind of mask?"
** (32331) Ramian shrugs and swings his legs off the table, standing to move to the front door. "I didn't get too good of a look." **
** (32354) Kyrgan is still chewing and sweet apple bits drip down his chin. **
** (32331) Ramian opens the front door. **
** (32352) Maria keeps eating while thinking to herself. **
** (32354) Kyrgan looks at the door after the knock. **
(32340) DM: Standing at the front door is a lovely thing in a cape, holding a dead rabbit.
(32340) DM: I'm Maeg, the gameskeeper. Someone wanted a rabbit?
(32352) Maria: "Was the suspicious looking person wearing red?"
** (32331) Ramian blinks and looks at the rabbit. "The orc over at the table, ma'am." He says, gesturing to Kyrgan. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Wrathhhh bits ... Yesh me like."
** (32340) Maeg walks in, and sets the rabbit down.  **
(32340) Maeg: You'll have to cook it, orc man.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Much thank"
** (32354) Kyrgan hands the rabbit to Minka. **
** (32331) Ramian closes the door and walks back to his seat, kicking his legs back up. "Not red. Black robes. But the mask was leather, now that I think about it. Black and red. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "My time hunt."
** (32352) Maria takes a moment to think. **
(32340) Maeg: You watch out, though. There's been something killing our livesta;k.
(32340) Maeg: livestalk.
** (32331) Ramian stands up again. "Forgot something... Everyone here like dogs?" **
** (32354) Kyrgan frowns. **
** (32331) Ramian raises an eyebrow. "Dogs that won't attack cats?" **
** (32352) Maria shrugs. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Minka not like puppy. I like, but Minka get mad .... try tell not hurt."
** (32331) Ramian chuckles to himself. "This should be interesting..." **
** (32354) Kyrgan starts growling at Minka **
(32354) Kyrgan: Then shakes his finger at Minka .... 
(32340) Maeg: Well, I better go hunt the beast. Its my priority.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Kyrgan help?"
** (32331) Ramian walks over to the front door, opens it, and lets out a sharp whistle. He leans up against the door frame and looks outside for a few moments, after which a large, grey wolf bounds out of the bushes and stands in the doorway. **
(32340) Maeg: It's a pretty mean beast. Someone said it's a black panther.
** (32352) Maria continues eating and looks at Maeg with interest but only a mild interest. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Grahhhhf Kyrgan not fraid."
(32340) Maeg: Very well.
** (32354) Kyrgan keeps his hand on Minka's shoulder and petting her when the wolf arrives. **
(32331) Ramian: "A black panther, huh?"
** (32331) Ramian reaches down and scratches the wolf behind the ears. **
(32340) Maeg: That's what they say, although I've seen some of our cattle being eaten.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Fur soft?"
(32340) Maeg: Bitten and eaten.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Cat not hunt way that."
** (32331) Ramian eyes his wolf for a moment, then looks back up at Maeg. "I'm good at that sort of thing. I can help you find it, if you'd like." **
(32340) Maeg: All the help I can get, the better.
** (32331) Ramian escorts the wolf into the manor and shuts the door, walking back to his seat. He takes a bit of beef off the platter and tosses it to the wolf, who nimbly catches it with a snap of it's jaw. It begins chewing on it beside Ramian's chair. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Kyrgan help. Not like bad eat animal ones."
** (32331) Ramian rubs the side of his face in thought. "Well, if you wanted to go now, I suppose Eonna and I can eat on the way." **
(32340) Maeg: It's kind of important that I start.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Go now then ....?
(32331) Ramian: "Well, the orc wants to come. How about you?" He nods his head to Maria.
** (32354) Kyrgan starts grabbing food for the road. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Name Kyrgan"
** (32352) Maria looks at Ramian in surprise, "Me?" **
(32340) Maeg: Maeg, pronounced "meg" as in "nutmeg."
(32354) Kyrgan: "Come too? See outside place."
** (32331) Ramian shrugs. "Unless you'd rather stay here. I think you're smart enough to keep out of trouble." **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Gud Meat Meg."
(32340) Maeg: uh, thank you.
** (32354) Kyrgan tries another toothy smile. **
** (32331) Ramian stands up from his seat again. "Nice to meet you, Maeg. I'm Ramian." He says, looking over at his wolf and jerking his head to the side. The wolf stands with the beef in it's mouth and falls in line. **
(32340) Maeg: Nice to meet you both. As for you . . . * to Maria.*
(32352) Maria: "Well I am Maria.
(32352) Maria: "
(32340) Maeg: Are you with the two men?
** (32354) Kyrgan watches Minka as she tears all the fur off the rabbit and starts eating .... **
** (32352) Maria looks up to where Uncle Kale is and says, "Will he be okay?": **
(32340) Maeg: He will be okay.
(32340) Maeg: The beast doesn't approach the manor.
** (32354) Kyrgan growls something and Minka responds with a growl but takes the rabbit off the rug to eat. **
** (32352) Maria shrugs and says, "Okay if you do not mind bringing a 9 year old along. I guess I can help." **
** (32331) Eonna watches Minka intently. **
(32352) Maria: "And by the way, Although I may not be entirely sure, that suspicious character you saw near the alley, he might be one of Manshoon's Blackcloaks."
(32354) Kyrgan: "You help find ."
(32352) Maria: "Although I might be wrong and even though I know a little about Manshoon and the kind of man he is...."
** (32352) Maria shrugs. **
(32331) Ramian: "Can't say I've heard of them."
(32354) Kyrgan: "Kyrgan not meat."
(32352) Maria: "Have you heard about Manshoon?"
(32331) Ramian: "Not that I recall."
(32340) Maeg: Well, Maria, you can come along if you want to, but it might be very dangerous.
** (32352) Maria shrugs, "The leader of the Zhentarim? Well anyways I have nothing else to do so I guess I can come along. I have a few skills that might help." **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Where go black cat be find some?"
(32340) Maeg: I think into the forest or even into the moors.
** (32340) Maeg gets a torch, and lights it on fire. **
(32331) Ramian: "Where are the cattle it's been eating? Might be able to start from there."
(32340) Maeg: Out in the pasture, this way.
** (32352) Maria cleans herself up and slings her backpack on her back. **
** (32340) Maeg walks out of the manor. **
** (32352) Maria then will follow the others. **
** (32331) Ramian follows Maeg, eating his apple. **
** (32354) Kyrgan thinks to see if he has heard of Zhentarim. **
whispering to Kyrgan, make a lore check at -50.
** (32354) Kyrgan grabs a sack of food and follows. **
** (32340) Maeg closes the door. **
(32340) Maeg: (transition to . . . 
(32340) DM: EXT. PASTURE -- DUSK
(32331) Ramian: ((brb))
(32340) DM: You see the dead cattle, lying in the ground. Just one, a bull. It's throat has been bitten out and it looks like it has no muscle.
(32331) Ramian: ((Back))
** (32352) Maria pulls out her dagger and closely examines the wound. She does not touch the dead beast, using her dagger to pick at the wound as she tries to determine what kind of animal did this. **
** (32331) Ramian inspects the corpse to see if it was, indeed, a black panther. **
** (32354) Kyrgan studies the dead animal  **
(32340) Maeg: This is how they are found.
** (32331) Ramian frowns and looks around the area for any tracks. **
(32331) Ramian: [1d100+7] => [75,7] = (82)
** (32331) Ramian moves over to some faint tracks he finds, crouching down and looking at them to see where they lead. **
(32352) Maria: "Well I cannot tell if this was a panther or a wolf."
** (32354) Kyrgan has been observing everything about the dead animal and not saying anything yet **
(32354) Kyrgan: Observation [1d100+15] => [76,15] = (91)
(32352) Maria: "Do you know what did this Kyrgan?"
(32354) Kyrgan: "Me think still sum."
(32331) Ramian: [1d100+45] => [79,45] = (124)
(32367) Beau (enter): 19:29
(32340) DM: Ramien finds that the tracks do lead into the woods.
** (32354) Kyrgan glances sharply to left and points .... "Thing there ... dark." **
(32340) DM: Hello, Beau.
** (32331) Ramian looks to the direction Kyrgan is pointing. **
** (32354) Kyrgan gets his bow out and readies it. **
** (32331) Ramian also gets out his bow, standing and readying an arrow. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "There by rock shape dark sum think there ..."
** (32352) Maria moves closer but not as close as Ramian. She has her dagger ready just in case. **
** (32331) Ramian looks toward the direction Kyrgan is pointing, trying to make out the shape he sees. **
(32340) Maeg: That was quick.
** (32354) Kyrgan thinks and reaches in his sack and tosses some of the meat he brought to eat in the direction of the shape. **
(32340) DM: You here some growling.
(32354) Kyrgan: "See .... hear sum there now."
** (32354) Kyrgan moves slightly right trying to get a better view. **
(32331) Ramian: "Guess we managed to interrupt it's hunting time."
** (32331) Ramian moves in the direction opposite of Kyrgan, keeping his bow readied and pointed toward the shape. **
** (32352) Maria backs away, keeping behind Ramian, "Be careful." **
(32340) DM: A coyote comes out of the brush, picks up the beef and looks at you.
(32340) DM: * you thought that would be too easy? *
(32331) Ramian: "That's not a panther..."
** (32354) Kyrgan tries to shoot the coyote who is stealing his dinner. **
(32340) DM: Roll an attack roll, and add your offensive bonus.
** (32352) Maria watches but stands at the ready. **
(32372) Calchexas (enter): 19:41
(32372) Calchexas (exit): 19:41
(32373) Ambrose (enter): 19:42
(32340) DM: Hello, Ambrose.
(32373) Ambrose: hi
(32354) Kyrgan: [1d100+81] => [75,81] = (156) 
(32340) DM: You struck him, Critical Strike E.
(32340) DM: Roll another 1d100
(32354) Kyrgan: (( sorry for the delay, but still very green about how stuff works ))
(32354) Kyrgan: [1d100] => [24] = (24)
(32340) DM: You struck the poor coyote in the side of his body, missing any vital organs but causing him to bleed.
** (32340) Maeg looks at Kyrgan with eyes of surprise. **
** (32354) Kyrgan charges the coyote **
(32367) Beau: Disconnecting from server...
(32367) Beau (exit): 19:49
** (32340) The coyote is down on the ground with a yelp, and whimpering. **
(32352) Maria: "Kyrgan stop!"
** (32331) Ramian curses under his breath and lowers his bow, walking over to the Coyote. **
** (32340) Maeg starts smiling at Kyrgan. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Unkraska syngrethka ..." 
** (32352) Maria approaches as well. **
** (32354) Kyrgan brings his blade down on the coyote to take his life and release its spirit. **
(32340) DM: Kyrgan, that will require a moving manuever.
(32340) DM: +30
(32352) Maria: "Kyrgan!"
(32354) Kyrgan: [1d100+30] => [55,30] = (85) ??
(32340) DM: You kill it.
(32340) DM: There's blood everywhere on your blade.
** (32352) Maria throws her hands up in exasperation, "Was that really necessary?" **
** (32331) Ramian frowns and sighs a bit, but walks back to the tracks he found earlier, crouching back down and trying to see what made them. **
(32331) Ramian: [1d100+45] => [33,45] = (78)
** (32354) Kyrgan lifts his blade toward the sky "Ingrakaske" then lowers it and kneels beside the dead coyote looking sad. **
** (32352) Maria 's face softens a little and says, "Well I hope that was the real killer." **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Much sorry proud hunter .... spirit strong you."
** (32354) Kyrgan looks at Maria ... "Not be this one hunt ." **
(32387) Robert (enter): 19:56
** (32354) Kyrgan retrieves his meal  **
(32340) DM: Welcome Robert.
(32387) Rob: hi there
** (32354) Kyrgan goes back to looking around the area **
(32331) Ramian: "No, I don't think the coyote was responsible. These are large tracks, feline. They lead into the woods."
(32331) Ramian: "I'd say leopard."
** (32340) Maeg is looking at Kyrgan with bright, googoo eyes. **
(32340) Maeg: Huh, did you say something, Ramien?
(32352) Maria: "Then we killed that coyote for nothing."
** (32331) Ramian peers up at Maeg and just shakes his head. "Tracks. Leopard. Woods." **
** (32354) Kyrgan turns to look at Ramian .... "Cat big?" **
(32340) Maeg: Oh, right. . . 
(32331) Ramian: "Around two hundred pounds."
(32354) Kyrgan: "Go find yes.?"
** (32331) Ramian looks down at the tracks and follows the trail. **
** (32354) Kyrgan seems clueless about Maeg's looks **
** (32352) Maria follows Ramian. **
** (32354) Kyrgan goes back and gets his bow first and then follows after Ramian **
(32340) Maeg: Maeg bounds after Kyrgan.
(32340) DM: (transition too . . . 
(32340) DM: EXT. WOODS, DEEP -- EVENING, DARK
** (32352) Maria picls up a large branch. she then touches the top of it and suddenly it catches fire. **
(32352) Maria: "I think we are dealing with a jaguar, a large one.
(32352) Maria: "
(32340) DM: The woods are thick, and full of trees. The night is turning to a deep blue, and the evening star is out.
** (32354) Kyrgan squints as the light appears but nods approval. **
(32331) Ramian: "I'd sa a leopard. But we'll see."
(32331) Ramian: Say*
(32340) DM: Maeg is still looking at Kyrgan.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Kyrgan not see cat big like "
(32340) Maeg: Oh, what aim!
** (32340) Maeg says that sexily. **
** (32354) Kyrgan looks at Maeg .... What think?" **
** (32354) Kyrgan shrugs .... "Always take aim first hunt." **
(32340) Maeg: Are you married?
(32354) Kyrgan: "Marred? Kyrgan not have scar much yet."
** (32331) Ramian continues following the tracks, trying to listen intently for any sounds, and for some reason finding it difficult. **
** (32340) Maeg blinks in frustration and cluelessness. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Much help Ramian cat find yes?"
(32387) Rob (exit): 20:10
** (32340) Maeg continues to swoon. * what muscles!* she murmurs. **
** (32352) Maria rolls her eyes at Maeg's crush. **
** (32354) Kyrgan scratches his head **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Look funny .... like other female Kyrgan talk."
(32340) Maeg: Then you hear a growl.
(32340) DM: Then you hear a growl. ggggrrrrrrdddll.
** (32354) Kyrgan turns toward the growl **
** (32352) Maria stops and tries to ascertain the direction the growl came from. **
** (32331) Ramian stops and readies his bow, notching an arrow and turning toward the sound. **
** (32340) Maeg quickly gains her composure. **
(32340) Maeg: Sounds as if its close.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Yessss."
** (32354) Kyrgan gets his bow ready **
** (32331) Ramian looks around, trying to listen for movement. **
(32340) DM: Then some brushing in the trees, as if something is passing in the brush.
** (32352) Maria backs away from the brushing. **
** (32354) Kyrgan tries to ask Maria if she can toss light there. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "light throw?"
(32331) Ramian: [1d100+7] => [4,7] = (11)
(32331) Ramian: ((*Kicks the dice across the room*))
(32340) DM: (( Settle down, Ramien. ))
** (32331) Ramian readies his bow and aims it toward the brush. **
(32331) Ramian: ((Hmm? Oh, I was kidding. :P))
(32340) DM: you hear the growling again!
** (32352) Maria points to the brush and then stops herself. She says, "Not without causing a forest fire." **
(32340) DM: ROLL INITIATIVE!
(32331) Ramian: [1d100+5] => [13,5] = (18)
(32354) Kyrgan: "Ok ..."
(32352) Maria: [1d100-3] => [76,-3] = (73)
(32354) Kyrgan: (( no idea where my init is ))
(32331) Ramian: ((1d100 + quickness modifier.))
(32340) DM: (( 1d100 + quickness bonus ))
(32354) Kyrgan: [1d100+3] => [63,3] = (66)
(32340) DM: Rolls -- 1d100+10
(32340) DM: [1d100+10] => [58,10] = (68)
(32340) DM: Okay, Maria, Thing, Kyrgan, Bladecutter, Maeg
(32340) DM: Maria, you are first.
** (32352) Maria concentrates hard and points in the direction of the growling. Suddenly an opaque wall of fire appears in front of the bushes where the growling came from. The little girl is sweating a little. **
(32340) DM: You hear a major growl and the thing runs down to the other end of the wall to the front of Ramien.
** (32354) Kyrgan winces as the light gets brighter but at least now he can see the thing better. **
(32340) DM: The thing appears and it's . . . .
(32340) DM: A Dire Lion -- Panthera Leo Atrox.
(32352) Maria: ((No one is curious as to how a 9 year old is able to create fire like this?))
(32354) Kyrgan: (( I am ... but now is not the time to ask ))
(32331) Ramian: ((More concerned with the dire lion at the moment. Those things are supposedly quite nasty.))
(32354) Kyrgan: BRB
(32340) DM: (( Right when it's Kyrgan's turn . . . ))
(32340) DM: 1. . .
(32340) DM: 2 . . . 
(32340) DM: 3 . . . .
(32340) DM: 4 . . . 
(32340) DM: 5 . . . 
(32340) DM: 6 . . . 
(32340) DM: 7 . . . 
(32340) DM: 8 . . . 
(32340) DM: 9 . . . 
(32340) DM: 10 . . . 
(32340) DM: Ramien, it's your turn.
(32340) DM: the leo atrox looks like it's about to leap at you.
(32340) DM: http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/diary/panthera_leo_atrox.jpg
** (32331) Ramian pulls back on his bowstring, firing off an arrow at the lion. **
(32331) Ramian: [1d100+65] => [21,65] = (86)
(32340) DM: You miss.
(32340) DM: Maeg moves in front of Maria, holding her sword out. "Ramien, watch out!"
(32354) Kyrgan: (( back ))
(32340) DM: Maria, it's your turn.
(32340) DM: Kyrgan, you were too stunned by the fire to do anything.
** (32331) Ramian drops his bow and draws his longsword from it's leather scabbard at his belt. **
** (32352) Maria points her palm at the beast and suddenly a bolt of fire shoots out towards the creature. **
** (32354) Kyrgan is aiming for a head shot if he gets a chance **
(32354) Kyrgan: "How you do? Shaman be?"
(32352) Maria: [1d100+20] => [66,20] = (86)
(32340) DM: Total of 66 . . . and Maria hits the lion with a flash of firey light!
(32340) DM: Maria scores a CRITICAL STRIKE "C"
(32352) Maria: [1d100] => [62] = (62)
(32340) DM: The lion, knowing its in trouble, turns and hits blasted in the side. It gets knocked down and yeowls! It loses it's turn this round. Which means, Kyrgan, you can do something.
(32340) DM: Whats gross is the smell of burning animal flesh.
** (32354) Kyrgan tries to end this fast with a well placed head shot. **
(32340) DM: Kyrgan, the lion's 15 feet away from you.
** (32354) Kyrgan switches to his sword and rushes forward in his attempt to end this quickly. **
(32340) DM: Ramien, you can do something as he rushes forward.
(32340) DM: Everything is as it is in slow motion . . .
** (32331) Ramian picks up his bow and notches an arrow, firing it off at the lion. **
(32340) DM: make that strike.
(32331) Ramian: [1d100+65] => [78,65] = (143)
(32340) DM: Ramien scores a Critical strike! "E"!
(32331) Ramian: [1d100] => [18] = (18)
** (32354) Kyrgan swings his sword hard  **
(32340) DM: You rattle the lion's teeth as you puncture it'sjaw.
(32354) Kyrgan: [1d100+61] => [47,61] = (108)
(32340) DM: And Kyrgan scores a critical strike! "B"
(32340) DM: Roll another 1d100
(32354) Kyrgan: [1d100] => [35] = (35)
(32340) DM: Both ramien and Kyrgan dispatch the dire lion, killing it.
(32340) DM: The beast has been killed, although that's just one dire lion. Who knows if there are others?
** (32352) Maria looks a little tired and sweaty. She is not too bad. But she seems fine. More or less like she did a little jog for a while that she was not used to. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Ongaraske!"
** (32331) Ramian picks up his sword and sheathes it, walking over to the dire lion to retrieve arrows. **
(32352) Maria: She waves her hand and the wall of fire disappears.
(32340) DM: And there this something else . . . the wall of fire, before it disappeared, set the needles of the trees on fire.
** (32354) Kyrgan wipes the blood from his blade on the lion **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Water .... trees light."
(32352) Maria: ((Still no one is curious as to how a 9 year old is able to create fire as easily as she can?))
(32354) Kyrgan: "Shaman water bring?"
(32331) Ramian: ((He's curious, but he'll ask later.))
** (32331) Ramian moves to the base of the tree, taking off his cloak and slapping at the flames with it to try and put them out. **
(32340) DM: The fire is quickly spreading.
** (32354) Kyrgan tries to help put out the fire **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Fire out liddle one?"
(32340) DM: Ramien, you can put out the fire with a moving manuever. Currently it's light. +10.
(32331) Ramian: [1d100+10] => [87,10] = (97)
(32340) DM: Ramien manages to put out the wild fire in time before it grew totally out of control.
(32352) Maria: "Sorry guys. I was trying to protect us from the beast."
** (32331) Ramian puts his damaged cloak into his pack, moving back toward the rest of the group. "I'm curious, how are you able to control magic so young?" **
(32354) Kyrgan: "How you hot much?"
(32340) Maeg: Well, it looks like the beast has been defeated.
(32354) Kyrgan: "One beast. Hope more not."
(32331) Ramian: "It's possible there are more."
(32352) Maria: "I am a magician. And I love books and knowledge. I just learned to control it better than even some adults older than me."
(32340) Maeg: Well . . . I'm impressed.
(32354) Kyrgan: "You hot throw gud. Not think you do."
(32340) DM: You all notice at the scorch mark that the wall of fire left.
** (32331) Ramian nods to Maria. "Must be why you're not really like other little girls I've seen around that village." **
(32340) Maeg: We should be heading back to the manor home. It looks like the crisis is abated.
** (32352) Maria looks down sadly and just shrugs, "I do have limitations though. And I used up a lot of my spellpower." **
** (32352) Maria nods and follows the others whereever they choose to go. **
** (32331) Ramian offers Maria a smile. "You'll get better. Takes practice." **
** (32331) Ramian heads off back to the manor house. **
(32373) Ambrose: Disconnecting from server...
(32373) Ambrose (exit): 21:09
** (32354) Kyrgan just asks .... "Power spell? Fine back go now see how man do." **
** (32352) Maria smiles back. **
(32340) Maeg: [transition to . . .
(32340) Maeg: INT. RAYNE'S MANOR HOME, WELL LIT.
(32354) Kyrgan: "Need drink .... food too. Think all yes?"
(32340) Maeg: You are all exhausted .
(32340) Maeg: And your clothes and hair smell of smoke.
** (32352) Maria goes up to Kale's room and checks up on him. **
(32331) Ramian: "Water would be wonderful, actually."
** (32331) Ramian walks back to his seat and leans his bow up against the wall, picking up another apple. **
** (32354) Kyrgan thinks the smell is fairly normal .... but doesn't like the smoke smell as much. **
(32340) Maeg: I'll see to it that you all get baths. Private or communal?
(32354) Kyrgan: "How smoke out?"
** (32352) Maria returns to the others and plops down on one of the chairs tired. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Bath!"
(32331) Ramian: "I don't see why Kyrgan and I can't take a communal, but Maria will need a private one, more than likely."
(32354) Kyrgan: "Smoke out bath?"
(32340) Maeg: Okay. The bathroom is down the hall.
(32331) Ramian: "Yes Kyrgan, the smoke will go away with a bath."
(32340) Maeg: Yes, of course, Kyrgan.
(32352) Maria: "I would like a private one thank you."
** (32354) Kyrgan thinks a moment and then nods. **
** (32331) Ramian sets the apple back down without biting into it, walking off towards the bath. **
(32354) Kyrgan: "Kyrgan bath now .... " ~ takes shiort off as he heads down the hall.
(32340) Maeg: : fade out
(32340) Elton: Great place to put an end to this one.


That is the game today.  Everyone had fun, although Kyrgan feels like he was slowing the game down.  However, three hours isn't bad for an episode on T.V. translated to an RP session.  Even if I used 4e. I posted a summary on Candlekeep it you want to see how it turned out without reading all this text. 

To those who have players who won't play RM, and Greywulf; show your players this session log.  They may get excited to play Rolemaster. 

Central Casting by Paul Jaquays

My cousin sent me a copy of Central Casting by Paul Jaquays.  Actually, he sent me a copy of all four books.  This is the first time I'm using them, since he told me about them.

Basically, are your 4th Edition characters cookie cutter characters from a MMORPG?  Does your Pathfinder characters need a little more umph? Are you tired of playing characters that are bland and are a lot more like the stock characters of Shakespeare and hollywood movies [Prince John the Bastard of Aragon from Much Ado About Nothing, the local bum in Westerns, and the stereotypical mob boss in Crime movies]?  Do you want to inject more life into your characters besides playing a stock action hero?  Would you like to play something that isn't a trope?

Of course you do. :)  Central Casting makes it so that your life is easier in generating a background for your character.  In this case, Central Casting -- Heroes of Legend.  The first edition is 96 pages and includes several pages of tables to for this end.  The second edition is double this.  So far, for my cousin's barbarian sorcerer character we've discovered that he is --
1. human.
2. a Barbarian.
3. he's legit of birth.
4. His father went off on a mission for his god (probably idol worship) and never came back.
5. he has 3 siblings -- two brothers and a sister.
6. he was born second.
5. he has a friend, and his grandfather died of a heart attack.
6. And we still need to decide the religion of his wayward father and his friend and the Something Wonderful!

After that, we get into adult events and then we determine his alignment through his traits.  We still have to find out how he learned sorcery.  But all in all, it was a great way to cast his character.  Everything is decided randomly (old school, I know, but people tend to play the same type of character over and over; randomness injects a little more variety).   You use all sorts of dice -- d20, d4, d6, d10, d8, d12.  And you can randomly roll everything from culture (primitive, nomad, barbarian, civilized, decadent civilized), to race.  The table includes human, elf, dwarf, halfling, half-elf, monster -- which is further broken down to Beastman (centaur, minotaur, faun, saytr, goatmen, shifter, or anthro-animal), Reptileman (Dragonborn, Yaun-ti, lizardfolk, troglodyte, kobold, etc.), orc and half-orc.

The cultures are explained.  Barbarian isn't just a class, it's a culture--a lifestyle -- to Central Casting. Other tables include adolescent events, special events, apprenticeship events, several occupations, Enslaved, Imprisoned, ah -- Le Amour, to deities, to personality traits.  And GM specials (which the GM injects a little something special into a PC's life.)  A character is born through the use of this book!

Gods of the Ancients: Aetheria

This time, I thought I'd do a series on the Gods of the Ancients.  The Ancient Pantheon is worshiped by many people even though the worship is forced underground.  Pagans, as they are called, are not apart of the great Monotheistic religions that exist in the Caithness Isles.  Nor do they worship the philosophy of the Light.

Pagan worship is mostly centered around the Ancient deities, but can include the Old Gods as well.  The first visited is Aetheria.

AETHERIA
Aetheria of the Forests, the Creatures, and the Sky
Intermediate Deity
Symbol: Two cumulus clouds
Homeplane: Wilderness of the Beastlands and the Plane of Air
Alignment: Neutral Good
Portfolio: Forests, woodlands, storms, flora and fauna, fertility
Worshippers: Wood elves, gnomes, half-elves, halflings, rangers, druids, hunters, farmers, and woodcutters.
Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, N, CG
Domains: Animal, Air, Good, Plant, Weather
Favored Weapon: Lightning Bolt (halfspear)

Aetheria is the Goddess of the sky and of nature.  She is revered as the personification of life and the wilds itself.  She is associated with the sky and is also associated with weather and storms.  The rain is thought to be the tears of Aetheria as she weeps for the loss of her beloved Justin.  Aetheria also cares for the beasts in the field and the beasts of the field are considered her creations.  Life is revered in the Aetheria cult.

Dogma
Aetheria is not that much different from the Greyhawk deity, Ehlonna. Aetheria is the great open sky and the provider of the breath of life to all.  She watches over all good people who love the forest or make their livelyhood there.  Forests and wildlands are sacred to her and her priests ensure that the wildlands are protected from destruction or overuse.  Storms are considered to be sacred by worshipers, since the rain is considered to be Aetheria weeping.  Rain is sacred, and if its not powerful enough, people pray to express their gratitude for it outside in the storm.

Aetheria's dogma is that her followers are to live in harmony with her creatures.  To respect the wilds, and taking only what is needful. Aetheria is thought to be the creator of all plants and animals in respect to the world and her followers are expected to respect the wilds.

Clergy and Temples
Aetheria's churches had suffered a schism during the pogroms in Caithness by Christians against atheists.  The schism has resulted in the Reformed Church of Aetheria and the Rustic Wild Church of Aetheria.  The Reformed Church is located in the Republic of Devonshire and Angland (despite that land's Laws of a National Religion).  The Rustic Wild Church is centrally located in the Nomad Lands and on Long Island but there are pockets of the Rustic Wild Church scattered in Northumberland and Caithness.

The Reformed Church builds temples and meeting houses for the followers.  While the Rustic Wild Church regards the open gaping sky as Aetheria's chapel.  The clerical attire ranges from the functional of forest green to diaphanous clothing of blue and white to being skyclad (that is, nothing at all).  The Reformed Church includes clerics while the Rustic Wild Church is made up of druids.  When being confronted by most anyone who would despoil the forest, the clergy tend to be gentle and firm.  If they continue, or they are being incredibly misguided, her clerics can be ruthless.

The Rustic Wild Church has built Wayshrines all over the Caithness Isles where pilgrims can pray for the blessings of Aetheria.  A typical Rustic Wild Church's meeting place is a statue of the Goddess in a glen with some benches and a stand from which the priest can read from the holy scriptures of Aetheria.   Temples to Aetheria built by the Reformed Church are circular and often include a huge hole in the roof.  Rooms are built for instruction of the faithful.  The instruction of the faith includes the sylvan language, the dogma of Aetheria, and the study of performing miracles in the name of the Goddess.

Nations of the Humans: Devonshire

Capital: Nottingham
Population: 22,500 (humans 87%, half-elves 5%, orcs 5%, half-orcs 3%)
Goverment: Republic
Religions: Christian, Roman Paganism, Hindu Paganism, Ancient Paganism, Lightism, Muslim, Shamanism, Druidism, Judaism
Exports: Glass, Iron, Linen, Paper, Pottery, various kinds of Beer
Imports: Vellum, Wool, Wine
Alignment: NG, CG, LG

Founded out of Caithness during the Religious pogroms of pagan, new age, and atheistic peoples; the Republic of Devonshire included the Shires of Nottingham, Devon, Carlisle, Cambridge, and Lancaster.  The event happened 300 years ago, and the people have kept their Republic from the Caithness Monarchy or enemies within ever since.

The Shires were divided into twelve new shires, each named after the tribes of Israel: Judah, Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, Zebulun, Reuben, Asher, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Issachar.  The Thirteenth tribe of Levi isn't represented as a shire in the republic.  The Senate is composed of twelve Senators, one from each Shire.  At the head of the Senate sits the Prince, who acts for the Executive branch of the government.  Usually the Prince is the representative from Judah, but sometimes a Senator from Ephraim is appointed.  The government is run by Parties -- the Parties include the Moroni Party (Pro-Liberty), the Judah party (Conservative), the Ephraim Party (Liberal), the Gadianton Party (Pro-Totalitarian), and the Neutral Party (Moderate).  The politics swings from these five parties at any given time.  Politics in Nottingham is brutal, the phrase -- "Watch your back, Jack" is truer than ever.  The Republic of Devonshire maintains an Army, a Navy, and colleges.

Since its founding, the Republic of Devonshire has faced incursions from the Blackrock Orcs across the border and from the swamps.  The Republican armies have managed to defeat both tribes of orcs who did not join the Horde, but never conquered them.  It isn't the Republic's way of doing things.  Through the years, the humans have had a mixing of orcish blood into their ancestry, which has affected some of the population.  Caithness has tried to invade Devonshire more than once and each time it has retreated with it's tail between it's legs.  Northumberland tried to invade by sea, and has even occupied five of its shires, but was defeated.  The only time the Republic has been humbled was when Angland invaded on a Religious Crusade.

This happened sixty years ago, when the Navies of Angland conquered the former capital of Devon and burned it to the ground for being full of Christians.  The paladinic Order of Light was founded just ten years after that, but not after the Church of Light was spread over the Republic and made the official religion.  However, five years later, the Devonshirites kicked out the Anglish with an Army of just three hundred.  In a battle akin to the Battle of the Midianites in the Bible, the tiny army of 300 citizens managed to confuse the Anglish Camp and made their enemies slay each other.  Any Anglish left in Devonshire were given the opportunity to become citizens of the Republic or die.  Many of the captured Anglish have accepted.  The Republic has been refounded based on Laws of Justice and Order since that time and the Knights of the Light (the former Anglish) have been protecting the Republic from enemies within ever since.

Life and Society
Life in the Republic is based on freedom rather than slavery.  The people enjoy rights to free speech, freedom to assemble, and the freedom of arms.  They are also free from invasion without warrant, and many other freedoms.  The Republic is represented by twelve Senators from each Shire in Nottingham and has been founded and refounded.  The Senators make new laws and often represent their parties.  Currently the Judah Party holds the Princely Seat and the majority in the Senate.  There is only one Progressive so far in the Senate and he is hoping for his turn on the Seat.

The People believe that they are the Spiritual and Political descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. They have freedom bred into them from 300 years of attaining it and keeping it.  Most citizens of the Republic are farmers, ranchers, foresters, or craftsmen.  The Republic maintains a citizen army.  Every citizen is a part of the army.  Besides the Army, an order of paladins called the Order of Light act as leaders, generals, heroes, and watchdogs of the Republic from its enemies within (which are either Orcs or Radical Revolutionaries).

Major Geographical Features

Carlisle Lake:  This lake is in the heart of the Republic.  There are about five castles surrounding the lake dating from Monarchial times.  Three of the castles are well maintained while the other two fell into disrepair.  The lake is a huge freshwater lake and it is a quiet lake.  The city of Carlisle is located on the western shores of the lake. To add mystery to the lake, Lake Carlisle is rumored to harbor lake monsters.  Castle Hart is controlled by the Blackrock tribe and Castle Norrington is mainly abandoned because of rumors of being haunted.

Shadow Wood:  This forest acts as the border between Caithness and the Republic.  It's a thick forest, only the Devonshire side has become black and darkened thanks for the old growth trees that are in the heart of it.  Lately the forest has been advancing and the settlers on the border have been complaining of ghosts, werewolves, and other supernatural occurrences.  Lately, some people have reported talking and moving trees.

The Heart Plains: Light forests, rolling hills, and cultivated land make up the Heart Plains.  The land is mostly maintained by farmers but the light forests are used to make sure that the soil stays in place until the land is ready to be cultivated again.  The Heart Plains are carefully managed in a rotation cycle.  Aside from the gnoll brigand tribes that are scattered about the place is peaceful.

The Swamps:  The Swamps is a dangerous place since it breeds biting insects.  It's also the home of trolls and ogres.  The monsters leave the humans alone that live near the swamp, but sometimes something worse comes out of the swamp and adventurers often go in to get it.  No one knows what is actually happening in the swamp when a monster that comes out of it is often a frightening amalgam of several creatures (so far a Hydra, a chimaera, an echidna, and other nasty creatures have come out of the swamps).

(Next: Important Sites, Regional History, and Plots and Rumors)

Creation Myths of the Orcs: Clan of the Pheonix

The Clan of the Phoenix.  Another orc tribe, the Phoenix clan was once a tribe that revered its ancestors.  Now, thanks to demonic influence, the tribe has become a tribe of warlocks specializing in deviltry and demonic magic. The Clan of the Phoenix is also the most ancient of the orc clans.

Nwali and the Egg

When Nwali had finished creating the world and filled it with all sorts of plants, animals, and birds Nwali started working on an egg.  The egg was magnificent, for it was made of silver.  It pulsed with all truth and life and Nwali had set it down in a specially prepared area.

The animals marveled at the egg.  As it pulsated with life and energy, they were curious as to see what Nwali had brought them.  The animals asked, "What is the egg, oh wise Nwali?"  Nwali, being all wise and all loving had said; "It is my gift to you, the animals."  And the animals truly marveled at the gift.

The egg continued to pulse in the Garden that Nwali had planted the egg.  The trees began to wonder at the egg and were attracted to the egg.  Nwali said to the trees.  "A gift for you, oh trees."  And the trees marveled at Nwali.

Finally, the pheonix bird was the most curious of all of Nwali's birds and it lighted near the Egg.  Phoenix asked Nwali what the egg is about, and Nwali said it was a surprise.  So, Phoenix sat down on the egg, incubating it with his fires.

In time, the egg hatched, and the Phoenix watched.  And out sprang a man and a woman (meaning, Orcs). The man and the woman were naked and immediately embraced themselves in fear and Consternation.  Nwali then explained that the man and the woman were to have dominion over the plants and the beasts and the Earth.  Pleased with his creations, the man and the woman were in the image of Nwali.  Then the man and the woman went out and went to subdue the Earth and replenish themselves according to Nwali's command.

Creation Myths of the Orcs: the Blood Talons

The Blood Talons

The Blood Talons are a tribe of hunters.  They are associated with Deinonychus and velociraptor, or in other words, dinosaur raptors.  The Blood Talons are orcs who were jungle oriented.  When they came to Galatea, they brought their raptors with them.  The Blood Talons are also the scribes of the Horde.  The Blood Talons use a Glyphic Syllabary for their writing and say that the writing was given to them by the Eagle.  Their totems are Raptor and Eagle.

Eagle as a Totem: Eagle is a leader, the King of Birds.  As a symbol of the Zenith, Brother Eagle helps his shamans soar to great heights.  The Eagle also imparts a major part of its essence to his shamans.  Eagle Shamans are very personable and charismatic.  But they also have noble attributes and tend to be just and fair.  Eagle shamans take the form of an Eagle when they achieve the Ghost Wolf ability.

Raptor as a Totem: Sister Raptor is a hunter totem.  Highly intelligent, Raptor is a pack totem.  Rather than being family oriented, the raptor is tactical group oriented.  Raptor shamans are strategists and tactical thinkers.  They tend to out think their opponents, assess situations, and think of a way to gain an advantage.  Raptor shamans take the form of a Deinonychus when they achieve the Ghost Wolf ability.

The Blood Talons' creation myth is called The Creation of True Men (meaning orcs).

The Creation of True Men
Nwali was the first and the last.  Nwali had created all the animals including the raptor, the behemoth, the leviathan, the three-horned one, the honker, and the devil lizard.  Nwali looked at all of creation and asked the animals to collect clay.

All the animals declined to collect clay except for Eagle and Raptor.  Eagle and Raptor brought Nwali brownish and green clays, which Nwali mixed with his own hands.  Nwali wanted to mix the clay in his own image.  So, he created Man from the clay -- both man and woman.  He breathed life into the clay men and women he made.  Brother Eagle taught Men how to speak, write, and think; while Sister Raptor taught Men how to hunt, cook, and domesticate animals.  One of Eagle and Raptor's best students was a young man Nerva.


Nerva was a great hunter.  He used his gifts from Brother Eagle and Sister Raptor to create animal skins, make pottery, and invent tanning.  Later on, Nerva learned how to farm and taught the people how to make a rough garment out of prey animal skins.  Nwali was pleased with both Brother Eagle and Sister Raptor, and named his people the Gijakkrupu-Hai or people of the Blood Talons.  The Gijakkrupu-Hai accepted Eagle and Raptor as their tribal totems.

Creation Myths of the Orcs: The Desert Vipers

The Creation Myth of the Desert Vipers

The Clan of the Desert Vipers originally was a desert dwelling culture of Orcs.  Although they had minor totems to represent them -- Coyote being one of them -- the clan decided on Snake.  This is simply because not only snakes have qualities of spying but it is also a healer totem.  The Clan of the Desert Vipers named themselves after the sidewinder snakes that lived in the deserts of Outland.  Although there are more than a few Coyote shamans among them.

Coyote as a Totem: Coyote is the great trickster.  Coyote shamans are usually very individualistic and incredibly libertarian and anarchist.  They really don't follow the rules a lot.  Coyote shamans are also hard to pin down -- they can be incomprehensible at times.

Snake as a Totem: Snake is a healer and a giver of wisdom.  Although the Clan of Desert Vipers made up the seed of the intelligence network of the Horde; their shamans are usually at the core of healing for the horde and can carry great wisdom.

The Desert Vipers have two myths (one adapted from Native Americans, and another my own creation).  They are Coyote and Nwali, and The Great Dream Snake.

Coyote and Nwali
Once there was no people in the World, and Nwali began the project of bringing people into the world. He began to collect sticks and cut them into little pieces and placed them into his leather bag.  Nwali did this until his bag was full.


Brother Coyote was very curious as to what was in the bag. Nwali told Brother Coyote that his project was very special and not to look in the bag.  However, Coyote's curiosity got the best of him and he opened the bag to see what was Nwali working on.  Many men (meaning Orcs) burst out of the bag. They were wild and would not listen to the pleadings of Brother Coyote.  They were too wild.  The people spoke many different languages and soon spread all over the face of the World.


When Nwali returned, he found Coyote and the opened, empty bag.  Rightfully angry, Nwali chided Brother Coyote for not listening.  Nwali explained that the people weren't ready to be released as Nwali was going to place them evenly around the World.  The trouble you have caused will be the cause of war and famine in the Land.


As punishment for Brother Coyote's ways, Nwali sent him into the world as a coyote.  So, when the Desert Vipers hear the coyote's howl -- it is coyote howling to return home.  Nwali then picked up his bag and discovered that a few people have remained deep inside the bag.  To these people, Nwali set apart and named them the Mal-Hai.  "You will be very brave, since the people in the World are not as complete as you," Nwali told our people.  "I will place you high in the mountains so that you will be close to me."


So Nwali planted the Mal-Hai in the Mountains of the Bountiful Region.  And there they lived and were attracted and wandered into the desert lands below the Mountains of the Bountiful Region.



Veyothas and the Great Dream Snake


Once a great disease swept through the people of the Mal-Hai.  The disease was a plague of black spots that covered the bodies of the people.  Some people went blind, others developed ulcers, some had spots on their tongue, and others had spots in other places on their bodies.  The Mal-Hai were afflicted, so the great Shaman Urgohaz called on Nwali for aid.


"Take a few warriors and shamans to the Great Red River that flows through the desert and there you will find your cure," said Nwali.  So Urgohaz took with him the five healthiest warriors and his own apprentice and went on a spirit journey to be led to the cure of Nwali.


The journey was perilous, and the band was out in the bounteous desert in order to find the Great Red River.   Urgohaz followed the Green River based on intuition, and they drank from the river and found many fish to eat.  However, the Bountiful Region was soon giving way to a desert of desolation.  The heat was getting greater and greater for Urgohaz and the shaman mysteriously died.


After the death of Urgohaz, his apprentice Veyothas took the title of Great Shaman.  However, Veyothas was not as responsive to Nwali and the young shaman led the group to the Great Red River.  Instead of finding wild oxen, which Nwali intended the group found Shurikmai the Great Dream Snake.


Veyothas implored Shurikmai to heal his people the Mal-Hai.  Shurikmai promised to heal the people, but payment had to be made.  Shurikmai demanded a sacrifice, and Veyothas promised it.  The sacrifice was not of blood, but of gender.  Veyothas obeyed, and used a spell to turn three of the warriors from men to beings that were women but had the parts of men.  The Warriors sacrificed their manhood for womanhood and the Great Dream Snake used their manhood to cure the village of the Mal-Hai of the terrible disease.


The little band did return and found the people free of the sickness.  However, Nwali was angry with this village of the Mal-Hai for their perversions -- of the warriors changing who they were and finding and obeying Shurikmai over him, Nwali.  He declared that the village of Mal-Hai will be forever called the Shurikhai -- or "people of the desert viper."  He withdrew his presence from the village and Veyothas was bereft of his Shamanic power.


A generation later, shamanism was had again among the Shurikhai, however the people were forced to leave the greater Mal-Hai nation and forge a nation of their own.  They became truly the people of the Desert Viper, as they relied on the deserts where they lived food and bounty and made war as the serpents do.  When Shamanism came among them, it was both Brother Coyote and Brother Snake that the shamans speak to Nwali through.

Creation Myths of the Orcs: The Silver Fangs

The orcs are a shamanistic society.  They have been since they came to Galatea to flee the Cephalpodic humanoids that conquered their original homeworld of Outland or Archaeron.  Their creation myths are many, as each tribe of the Horde have their own creation myths.  Each tribe subscribes to tribal law, which defaults to family law.  High above the tribes is the Warchief -- a sort of High King of the orc tribes.

Although the orcs revere animals and the animal totems, the orcs do have a chief god, named Nwali.  He figures in all orc creation myths except for the Burning Sword.  The first myth deals with the Silverfangs.

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Once, there was Nwali, and Nwali was all that there is.  So Nwali spoke and out of his mouth he uttered the Word of Creation.  Out of his mouth came all -- the land, the sea, the air, the plants, the animals.  Now, Brother Wolf was the chief of all of Nwali's creations.  Brother Wolf helped Nwali create all things in the Universe.

When it came time for Nwali to create Men (orcs) Brother Wolf assisted him by hunting and gathering food to make sure Nwali was fed.  However, Nwali did not need to eat, for Nwali is forever.  So, Nwali made men from dirt and sand and breathed life into them.  To reward Brother Wolf for his kindness, he made it so that Brother Wolf would be a companion to both Men and Women to act not only as a servant, but as a Spirit guide and totem to help Men and Women remember Nwali and his statutes and to walk in the ways of Nwali.

Some points to remember:
The Silverfang Orc Tribe hold the Wolf to be their totem.  The creation myth explains how the Silverfangs have the Wolf to be their tribal totem, and why the Orc shamans of the silverfangs often turn into wolves to traverse distances.  Also, wolf is a family oriented totem.  As a result, the Silverfangs are a family oriented tribe.

NEXT: The Desert Vipers and the Dream Snake.

Creation Myths of the Elves: The Wood Elves

The Creation Myth of the Elves of Quel'Lathor

The Elves of Quel'lathor are very primitive.  more primitive than other elves, especially the eladrin.  The world view of the Elves of Quel'lathor is simple -- every being has a spirit, every living thing is alive.

The Quel'lathori teach thus:
In the beginning, there was Spirit Father and Earth Mother.  Spirit Father exists above, while Mother Earth lives below.

One day, Mother Earth complained to Spirit Father that she was barren of Life and needed some company.  So Spirit Father made some plants and planted them into Mother Earth and commanded them to multiply.  And Mother Earth was happy.  Another day, Mother Earth complained to Spirit Father that she was lonely.  So, Spirit Father created all the animals from the majestic lion to the creeping bug.  And Mother Earth was happy.

Another day, Mother Earth said that the animals and the plants were unable to talk.  She complained to Spirit Father that she had no one to talk to.  Spirit father explained that he did give speech to the animals and plants, but Mother Earth complained that they were incapable of reason.  Spirit Father said he was capable of creating things that talk and reason, but forewarned Mother Earth that they will be a burden.  Mother Earth didn't care . . . she wanted beings that were capable of what Spirit Father was able to do.

So, Spirit Father relented and took clay from Mother Earth and Light and made the Elves out of the clay and dirt of Mother Earth.  He first made the Eladrin, and to these He gave the power of Creation.  But the Eladrin didn't care one wit about Mother Earth.  And Mother Earth complained that the Eladrin were too much like Spirit Father.  So Spirit Father tried again and made the Quel'Thalori -- the High Elves.  The High Elves at first listened to Mother Earth but soon began to be puffed up in pride and their own vain imaginations.  And Mother Earth complained that the Quel'Thalori was too vain and too narcissistic to listen to her.  And so Spirit Father made the Quel'lathori -- mixing more Mother Earth than the other two.

And that is why the Quel'lathori are closer to Mother Earth than the vain Quel'thalori and the Eladrin.  We are the chosen people of Mother Earth.  We listen to her and are her most favored children.

Conclusion: even the Wood Elves are narcissistic and vain.  This is the creation myth that separates the Wood Elves from the Eladrin and the High Elves.  It's the current creation myth taught by the druid hierarchy.  However, the shamans teach an earlier creation myth about how Mother Earth and Father Sky made the Elves from clay but animals are their favored children and are to be treated with respect.  Some of the druids break from tradition and teach that all races are sons and daughters of Mother Earth and Father Sky.  Just that the Wood Elves choose to live a life close to Mother Earth and Nature because its simpler to live in such a way.  To them, Mother Earth and Father Sky provide them with simple abundance, and their animistic beliefs allow them to give respect: thanking a game animal that they killed, or taking water from a stream they often express their gratitude.

Next: The Creation Myths of the Orcs, Every Orc Tribe has their own Creation Myth.