Off the Table: Social Melee Media

So this week we will take a break from the standard On the Field and On the Table discussion to talk about the various Meleeworld platforms in social media, and what you would like to see more of.

Our standard social links include of course Facebook, Pintrest and Twitter.  

Have you seen the videos on Youtube?  Back in the day we had quite a few Melee Jackass videos. We would do everyone a disservice to not mention the lost Squire footage.  At one time Thomas MacLeod was going to choose his first squire by a series of challenges formatted like a reality show.  So far, only a few segments of the strange foods challenge have been recovered, but we are looking to find the rest of them and get them available for you.

Also, be sure to check out The Evil of Dr. Schwergwerfer, Melee's first long form movie featuring all sorts of intentional and not-so-intentional campiness.    

Where are you visiting today?  Where would you like to see more Melee?  

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.