While the Queen and her handmaidens settled into the room vacated for them by the Herzgraf, the dashing elder paladin had taken up temporary residence with a half-dozen captains of the 60th Cavalry Regiment in the room they shared along the eastern wall of the citadel above the stables. Nobody thought this especially curious, although … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 20
Month: September 2019
The Bone Shrines
One of the curious things found in roadside shrines, small chapels, and even some of the great cathedrals in Partum are the bone shrines. They are constructed of different materials, usually wood but sometimes stone (and rarely actual bones), but they always have the same general appearance. It is a skull wearing a bishop's mitre … Continue reading The Bone Shrines
The Elf with No Name
Even in a place as dangerous as the Wenigzustand there are legends that stand out more than others. Adventurers and villains whose names alone can tell a hundred tales of intrigue, martial prowess, and danger. Even more so when the person in question hasn't got a name at all. Whispers have abounded across Partum, but … Continue reading The Elf with No Name
The Most Sacred Spot in Partum for Elves
Havre d'Anges is one of those places that seem to ignore how everything works in the world around them. It is a place immune to political intrigue, religious manipulation, and threats of violent destruction. Tied as it is to the plane of Arborea it simply does not function the same as anyplace else in Partum. … Continue reading The Most Sacred Spot in Partum for Elves
An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 19
Empress Reichsha’s arrival at Vorkelburg was preceded by five more black dragon riders, two of which landed in the courtyard of the citadel while the other three circled in the sky. The riders from the first two dragons quickly ran to the gates of the castle and took up positions to welcome their Queen. This … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 19
Notable NPCs; Selkirk Deathtree
One of my game's earliest villains, or more accurately henchman to a powerful villain, is Selkirk Deathtree. A man as troubled as he is hungry for knowledge Selkirk is the archmage that befuddled several years of games with one outrageous scheme after another. But he was never lucky enough to be the primary bad guy. … Continue reading Notable NPCs; Selkirk Deathtree
An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 18
The Herzgraf was given the best accommodations that Vorkelburg had to offer, and after he and his retinue got settled in, the paladin summoned General Grimstag to see him in the communication hall, which was mostly deserted except for Dellila and Oskar, who were playing cards just outside of it. Oskar was in uniform, so … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 18
It doesn’t have to be an act of overt evil… Sometimes stupid does the job just fine
Any Game Master will have at least one player that they can refer to as being so incredibly clueless that the game they were in seemed to hinge on what goofy thing that one player did during any given session. For years that player for me was my buddy Dave. Dave got himself and everyone … Continue reading It doesn’t have to be an act of overt evil… Sometimes stupid does the job just fine
An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 17
It took some time, even using the communication crystal in Vorkelburg, to convey to the Inspector General Grundoon’s petition for his case to be judged by Empress Reichsha, and for the answer to be sent back from the capital. It took a week for everything to work out, but at last Rackerby had an answer … Continue reading An Applewood Gallows; Chapter 17
Infamous Villains: The Fallen Knights of Lotharingia
The land of Lotharingia was once one of the more stalwart and dependable of the Wenigzustand, but long gone are those days. When the Third Imperium was falling apart it did so primarily on the doorstep of Lotharingia. The heroic lords of this place faced the full fury of a waning empire and won. While … Continue reading Infamous Villains: The Fallen Knights of Lotharingia
