Proving Grounds: Randomizing Others

The course of a battle will generally be between humans fighting for power, fame or riches.  Still, from time to time other creatures will be a threat.  This is when you need a different chart to determine the location struck by a random strike.  

Quadrupeds

1               Head

2               Forelegs

3               Body

4               Body

5               Body

6               Hind legs

Lizard Shaped

1               Head

2               Forelegs

3               Body

4               Body

5               Hind Legs

6               Tail

Fish Shaped

1               Head

2               Body

3               Body

4               Body

5               Body

6               Tail

Bird Shaped

1               Head

2               Wings

3               Wings

4               Body

5               Legs

6               Tail

Serpent Shaped

1               Head

2               Body

3               Body

4               Body

5               Body

6               Body

Tortoise / Crab Shaped

1               Head

2               Forelegs

3               Shell

4               Shell

5               Body

6               Hind legs

Insect Shaped

1               Head

2               Thorax

3               Wings / Forelegs

4               Abdomen

5               Abdomen

6               Hind Legs / Stinger

Arachnid/ Cephalopod Shaped

1               Head

2               Forelegs

3               Middle Legs

4               Body

5               Hind Legs

6               Rear Legs / Spinneret

Winged Biped

1               Head

2               Left / Right Wing

3               Left / Right Arm

4               Body

5               Left Leg

6               Right Leg

Winged Lizard

1               Head

2               Forelegs

3               Wings

4               Body

5               Hind Legs

6               Tail

Winged Quadruped

1               Head

2               Forelegs

3               Wings

4               Body

5               Body

6               Hind Legs

Roll off between Left and Right unless otherwise noted. 

Ramon's Travels: Preplanis

Far south east, beyond the Hungry Sea, lies the land of Preplanis.  Reportedly a jungle, this land has never been mapped or explored.  The dense jungle scape has only been seen from afar by the ships that have ventured near.  

The size of Preplanis is unknown.  Sailors who have reported on it are inconsistent, however it is clear that the island is very large.  Long ago, during the Legendary Era, some expeditions were sent to investigate Preplanis.  Only one of the Chroniclers ever returned but she was not the same.  Unable to speak, the chronicler was only capable of writing in a strange cuneiform.  It took some time, but the writings were translated, revealing more questions than answers.  Only three tablets were written before the chroniclerlapsed into a deep coma and has yet to awaken.

The Cuneiform tablets told ofa great temple city, a large dense jungle with terrible creatures including white gorillas and pygmy tribes that would attack on sight, flows of molten rock that would erupt from the ground enveloping the expedition and finally dragons flying about.  This has never been verified.

From the Principalities: Duke Drachen's Horde

The "Horde" of Duke Drachen is moving further north.  Having secured fealty from Breitenburg and all points south, up through Darkwald to the Death Mountains and most recently defeating Kragan of Norfolkshire in trial by combat, Drachen is seemingly able to defeat any comers who stand in his way.  

For now he remains silent as to his intentions, stating merely that he is bringing a new way of life to Analova.  Many believe this means he intends to take over the whole of Analova under his power as prince.  

Certainly he has a legal right to this course, however what is concerning to more than a few is his barbaric methodology.  He comes with his Horde to a town, threatens to sack them if they do not join him.  Far from the civilized method of tournament and war that the Kingdom has enjoyed for the past thirty-three cycles.   This return to barbarism may incite other power plays that could lead to greater violence in the Kingdom.

On the Table: Dice Landings

Well met!  Today we are discussing the etiquette of dice rolling.  Certainly there is room for diversity in rolls, however we must have some sense of order about this.  The debate is not settled yet on such topics as:

Re-rolling:  

1. When do you do it?  
2. Not perfectly on its side?
3. Do you re-roll all of the hand or just the offending die?  
4. On or off table matter?

Dice Accessories:

1. Are towers acceptable or not?
2. Digital apps reliable?
3. Handful at a time or one die at a time?
4. Slamming from a cup or bag?
5. Trays or other landing surfaces?  

Size and makeup:

1. Only Meleeworld brand dice?
2. Any brand but all the same size?
3. Any size?
4. Any shape?

What do you think?

Lore Du Jour: The Chalice of Thought Death Blossom

On the field, and off the field, there is a term that has become associated heavily with the Chalice of Thought.  This is the maneuver known as the Death Blossom.  The origins of the term and the maneuver are not unique to the Chalice, however many have drawn a connotation between the faction and the maneuver.  

For those not familiar with the term, the Death Blossom is a maneuver wherein a fighter who was seemingly wounded in the legs so far as to be relegated to hobbling about on their knees or crawling with otherwise useless legs, would suddenly leap forward at their enemy, with a flurry of attacks hoping to take the enemy down with them.  This sudden burst of life in the apparently lifeless legs is often seen as a deceptive tactic, however this is not always the case.  

As it turns out, many times the legs of the death blossoming warrior are in fact useless.  Perhaps they have been broken or wounded to incapacity previously in a battle or accident.  Dr. Felix Deveraux did a research study on the corpses of several Chalice members, discovering a toxin within their humors that led to temporary paralysis of the limbs.   This paralyzing agent, he later found out, was actually ingested purposefully by the Chalice members as part of their rituals.  

So it appears that the famous Chalice brew is a capricious drink indeed.  This paralysis of the legs actually explains much about the strange Chalice fighting style observed wherein the fighters crawl across the ground with wounded legs almost faster than a man on foot.    

The Trading Post: Faction Hoodies

Melee Faction Hoodie

Melee hoodies available in all Factions!  

Designs shown on sample colors, all colors are available on all designs.

This Hanes classic is comfortable, stylish and versatile. Perfect as an outer or under layer, the hooded sweatshirt has become a staple in any wardrobe. Kangaroo-style front pocket is perfect for your phone, keys or anything else you want to stash.

• 50% cotton/50% polyester | Fabric Weight: 7.8 oz (midweight)
• Ribbed cuffs and waist hem
• Adjustable drawstring hood
• Imported; processed and printed in the U.S.A.

Bardic Chestnuts: Sir Wilmec McWell

Born in the Highlands of Scotland, Wilmec was a shepherd prior to the Arrival.  One night after a particularly long day of herding his sheep, a mighty storm arose on the farm where he worked.  The rains beat down upon the rickety wooden walls of which the barn Wilmec took refuge within were made.  Suddenly, with a clash of lightning a booming thunder, the doors opened and the sheep ran out into the storm.  Wilmec followed with his hounds, attempting to save his flock but fate had another course of action in mind.  Wilmec slipped on the mud and fell down, hitting his head on a rock.  The darkness surrounded him and he fell unconcious. 

Wilmec awoke to find himself strangely out of place.  He had Arrived far from his home in Scotland, he was rather on the coast of Bayside View in the County of Nicholshire.  Wilmec, not being easily scared, was terrified.  He asked around a few fishermen, learned the lay of the land and soon found his legs in Alluvium.   Within the week he was working as a shepherd across the river at the Highland Farms.  There he met with Tiegen Cassady who taught him the ways of the sword.  

Wilmec grew in fame and prominence as a fighter, fighting alongside Clan Chattan for many years.  Often quick tempered, Wilmec would find himself in arguments that would lead him to fight with other factions.  This trait allowed him to gain many friends and allies as well as a repertoire of techniques from various factions including Ravensblood, Justice, Nurnberg, the Chalice of Thought and Triad.  It was on the Faction Triad when Wilmec earned his greatest fame - rising to sergeant faster than any other warrior the Faction ever knew.  

In the political spectrum, Wilmec was the first to welcome a young Boltac and Filch Lowleaves to the land.  His ties to the various factions allowed him to serve as the Chancellor of Registries for a period of time in Nicholshire.  For a time he served as an Arbiter at the Ruin of Roses and Castleton.  Always a well known face around the gambling tables and the bard's tents, and many a lass's tent besides, Wilmec would either be welcomed with open arms or chase, depending on who he knew in a town.  

Sure, he had his fair share of troubles - but such is the life of a rogue.  Known for telling tall tales and running up more than a few gambling debts - he was also known for helping nearly everyone he came across in need.  Such a dichotomy of a man, it was hard to tell where his legends and stories stopped and his reality began.  Surely it was once somebody was certain that he was indeed spreading a blatant lie about saving the Lord of some town's daughter from a huge beast, that the girl would show up wearing a beast-hide cloak!   

He loved this life and never looked back at his days as a shepherd.  

When the time came for squires to be chosen for the White Talbot, Wilmec was one of the five who attempted, yet came short of this lofty goal.  After this, he was taken under the wing of Gustavus and eventually knighted Sir Wilmec McWell Knight Errant.  As a Knight, Sir Wilmec would take to traveling more and more.  He was said to travel to Fadlan on occasion and play music with the famed Bardic Academy.   

Sadly, the fate of Sir Wilmec McWell is not known.  The last story to be told of him takes place just outside of Mercenary's Valley.  Leaving a celebration with friends, Sir Wilmec spied a burning manse on the way back to his house in Nicholshire city.  The manse was set on fire with multiple people bound by ropes inside, the arsonist was still on the premises looting the place of any valuables.  Sir Wilmec ran in and rescued the bound people, leading to a confrontation with the arsonist. According to the rescued witnesses, Wilmec and the arsonist fought inside while the manse burned down around them. 

Still, stories of knight similar to Sir Wilmec appearing on the roadside to help stranded travelers with a broken wheel, or to offer a poor family some food are often told around the pub fire. Similarly some tell tales of a warrior appearing in the middle of a fight, bearing the heraldic arms of Sir Wilmec, fighting for a while and disappearing in the fray.   On nights when the ale kegs run dry just a little too quickly or the door suddenly opens without warning, some who knew him may still call out "Thanks Wimec."  

Wherever Sir Wilmec is today, his legend will live on forever.

Proving Grounds: Hitting Horses and Barns

Sometimes what you are targeting is too large or small to use the standard randomization chart.  To this end the following is submitted to the proving grounds.

Horses and riders pose a problem, as the horse is considerably larger than the rider most of the time.  Therefore, the 50/50 ratio would not be appropriate to hitting the rider.  In this case, before the random chart for limbs is done, first roll the following to determine if the target hit is the horse or the rider.  

Horse hit chart 1,2 = rider / 3,4,5,6 horse

Play test this a bit and let us know how it works in your games!

Ramon's Travels: Nearneth Point

Located just south of Norfolkshire, Nearneth Point is a Granite Spire outpost that until recently was relatively inconsequential to the events within the Kingdom.  What appears to be a training ground for the Spire’s militant troops, Nearneth became a well known name during the Siege of Fallsburn in 32 ACI.   While the eyes of the region were focused on the battle between the House of Woe and Hand of Fate in the Hinterlands, Nurnberg moved troops along the Sandyshore River and took Fallsburn.  

Sheriff Kelly sent his general Hallvardr Olaf Rodgeirr to assist with the retaking of Fallsburn.   Olaf and his warriors of Nearneth even managed to persuade the generally neutral Norfolkshire vikings to come help in the war effort.  While the armies of Nicholshire took the southern walls, it was the unexpected forces of Nearneth and their allies that broke the walls in the north and allowed Castellan Wallace to be freed and consequently causing the Nurnberg retreat.  

Nearneth remains a small outpost, however they have a degree of respect that was heretofore unexpected.  The increase in exposure has forced the Spire to set up a small inn for travelers in the area, a turn of events that is both financially beneficial to the Spire and a source of annoyance to General Rodgeirr who sees the added attention as a distraction to his job training troops.

From the Principalities

Falkenburg has recently come under the assault of vicious animal things.  Chroniclers and adventurers have flocked to the newly opened land beyond the wall to see what waits for them, however it appears that death is key among those things.   Creatures not unlike zombies of the Kaylinn Swamps have been sighted shambling about the land.  

Offenbach, a small city just north of the wall, has reported many of these undead cretin assaulting their towns.  They appear to be wearing Nurnberg soldier's training clothes, blue and red.  It is presumed by the Mayor of Offenbach that these creatures are the turned frost zombies of Nurnberg patrols.  Perhaps these undead attacked their barracks during a war game.  It is unknown at this time.

On a related topic, the assault on Haus Frankfurt has resulted in all of the nobles being killed by the plague.  Whatever has brought this heinous issue to the Kingdom is certainly not done yet.  Only time will tell.