Lore Du Jour: The Chapel of the Saints

There exists a village to the West, close to a forest, a group of people who have known peace for two generations. Their town flourishes and the people there want for nothing. They credit this to the the granite chapel in the center of town. Entering the chapel it becomes evident that there are several stained glass windows all of which feature a saint. Saint William, patron saint of adopted children. Saint Eric, patron saint of Sweden. Saint Raymond, patron saint of expectant mothers. Saint Jerome, patron saint of librarians, and Saint Adam, patron saint of gardeners. There are to friars that over see the chapel, Friar Derek and Friar David. 

Stories tell of powerful artifacts here as well.  On the chapel grounds there is a well that provides healing water to the sick. Should a sinister or cursed soul drink from the well the creature will die within 24 hours, upon their Return they will find themselves in their homeland and free of any sinister urges or cursed states. This well also keeps all magical items and Shade Realm abilities from working within the town.   It is truly a blessed place.

The Trading Post: Ordo Arbiter Messenger Bag

Ordo Arbiter Messenger Bag

Carry your needed gaming supplies in this handy Ordo Arbiter messenger bag.  

Perfect size to fit your Core Rulebook, Adventurer's Guide, Arbitrator's Compendium, Atlas, Fightbook and even a Factionbook or two!

Bardic Chestnuts: Simon Keldor

Simon Keldor came to the Talbot some time ago as a student and quickly proved to have great potential.  Rising in ranks faster than any of his class was not Keldor’s sole goal, he wanted to learn more and discover new things, beyond the mundane.   Simon’s meteoric rise caught the eye of his superiors. Proving himself quite capable on many missions with Tau Delta Sigma, Keldor was promoted to lead the pyramid’s research and development wing.  Given an expansive laboratory manse high in the Mesker Mountains atop Cobra’s Peak, Keldor has continued to develop new and exciting rituals as well as practical methods for improving and combining existing methods to brilliant new applications.

Cobra’s Peak is a daunting place to attempt to visit, and Simon’s defenses added to the natural landscape make it as close to impregnable as can be.  Simon is very reclusive, although far from a hermit, he speaks only to those whom he wishes and casts away others with a piercing glare.  As intimidating as he is, Simon is very respected by others in the House.   

Rumors abound, however, as to the exact nature of Keldor’s activities.  Some tell tales that Keldor is actually a demon worshiper and his applications are infernal evils.  Dark rumors tell of inhuman experiments to create a master race in his peak.  Some inquisitive apprentices suggest that Keldor is actually a representative of the fourth watchtower, the Sorcerers, and Cobra’s Peak houses a secret Shade Realm portal that allows Simon to access powerful magick.  The strangest rumor is that Simon is actually some sort of construct created from the essences of the most evil and powerful men of history. 

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.