Thursday, March 22, 2007

Deux ex Machina

This is an interesting article on the ol' hand of God in RPGs. I used to think I'd be ok with killing PCs in my games. However I've fudged it more often then not. Only one person has died and I essentially force resurrected him.

I have much to learn on the running of games. Too much death is bad but so perhaps is too little.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Ptolus 5

Wow this was several weeks ago. This past weekend was canceled due to all the players getting spring break.

Anyhow the short and quick of it is that through various sources the party learns that one of the legendary "Swords of Ptolus" may be in the Warrens. For various reasons they head down to attempt to find the sword. Initially their goal is to find the sword as payment to help them hide from the various parties they have ticked off in their previous adventures. An attack by some very clumsy muggers-with somewhat obvious connections to more powerful people-gives warning to what is to come.

They approach by their old friend the sewers and arrive at a house on the edge of the King's River (gorge) right next to one of the bridges crossing it. They sneak into the basement of the house suspected of housing one of the swords and listen in on a fight between some guards and some drow. After letting the two fight it out the party jumps them and easily overwhelms the few attackers.

Before they search the basement the party is interrupted by a centaur attempting to make it down the stairs. He doesn't fit too well and the party, led by Gregory engages him. Unfortunately for Greg he is still an excellent swordsman with a very, very powerful sword. Greg gets nearly hewn in half and the rest of the party retreats with his dead body. Nes finds an old sword and takes it with because it's kind of shiny.

Luckily for Greg his employer, the Church of Lothian, takes good care of its paladins and clerics and he is brought back at no penalty except the need to serve the church further. Lothian himself asks Greg to return to the world of the living. The Warrens are in a massive uproar and riot and the party learns of rumors of a 4th sword of Ptolus held by the centaur who killed Greg no less. Greg vows to avenge himself against the centaur.

The party meanwhile further cements their relationship with House Dallamothan.