Star Wars 2020 Session 7: University Blues

Darakin University

We're picking up from last time at Darakin University on the planet Dorcin. The party had just convinced Professor Skoff to give them the location of the mysterious Yoberra system.

The Roster:

• Art- Ithorian Force user, tech Rock gardener, healing(Avi)
• Lucky- a Gran with many natural talents, good at dodging, explosives, stock market, interstellar navigation, leadership, pharmaceuticals(Lauren)
• Deeberjay- a spoiled young Ilay Squib prince with mad hacking ability(Art)
• Jonah- a space fighter pilot with a revolver from some primitive planet. Han Solo meets Dirty Harry(Michael)
• Malcolm- this tough spacer Woman is a hyperdrive wiz with blaster(Gittel)
• Roy- NPC scavenger from Nocto II(NPC)

The professor took the party, via train, to the University's spaceport hangar. He asked them about the First Order and Rebels, and whether they would take him to his Rebel contacts on Yelsain to hide from the First Order. They boarded a light freighter, converted to a Research Vessel. Jonah stayed outside to guard the ship while the rest of the party climbed aboard. Professor Skoff started transferring the coordinates to Deeberjay's Astromech unit.

While this was happening, a couple heavily armed characters began approaching the ship. Jonah ran aboard to warn the party. The gunmen demanded the Professor surrender to them immediately. Jonah fired up the ship's engines and attempted to crush the two assailants.

One was crushed, the other fought a cat and mouse battle with the party before eventually being cut-down by Art's lightsabre. Their terminal identified them as bounty hunters who were ordered to bring the Professor to Nodgra V. Deeberjay tried unsuccessfully to discourage Spaceport Security from arriving. 

The party left the professor in his ship and made haste for their shuttle. They successfully bluffed the approaching security team. The space port was on lockdown so Lucky jammed the hanger entrance while Deeberjay hacked the hanger bay doors. The party took off in their shuttle. Once they were safe, they took the opportunity to argue about whether they should have brought Professor Skoff with them.

While heading for their jump point, three A Wings came out of hyperspace and fired warning shots. They announced:

"Lambda Shuttle Space Ball, cut your engines and prepare to be boarded!"

After attempting to flee, the party eventually won the fight and made the long jump to Yelsain.

Star Wars 2020- Session 6: Dirty Harry in Space

So, after about 8 months, we're picking-up our Star Wars-Cyberpunk 2020 mashup off from where it left off.

The Roster:

• Art- Ithorian Force user, tech Rock gardener, healing(Avi)
• Lucky- a Gran with many natural talents, good at dodging, explosives, stock market, interstellar navigation, leadership, pharmaceuticals(Lauren)
• Candy- a pretty Mon Calamari princess who swings a mean plasteel sword(BC)
• Deeberjay- a spoiled young Ilay Squib prince with mad hacking ability(Art)
• Jonah- a space fighter pilot with a revolver from some primitive planet. Han Solo meets Dirty Harry(Michael)
• Malcolm- this tough spacer Woman is a hyperdrive wiz with blaster(Gittel)
• Roy- NPC scavenger from Nocto II(NPC)

Hanging out on Myloc IV, the party ran into their friend Deeberjay from Session 3. They were also in need of a new pilot and a hyperdrive techie, so they picked up two Human crew members. They decided to follow up the First Order-related lead about the Yoberra from last session:

Yoberra- find them and report on them. Can they be used to our advantage? An academic knows how to reach them(Emiel Skoff, Darakin University, Dorcin, Dorkin System, Minos Cluster)

The party didn't have a hyperlane to Minos in their Nav Computer, but Deeberjay suggested they they could find one on Skor II. The party made a direct jump to Squab from Myloc, avoiding mishaps with a sufficiently high check by Malcolm.

Minos. Dorkin system is 10 hours
Hyperspace travel from Adarlon

Once on planet, Deeberjay managed to use his hacking skills to find data on the lane from Squab to Yelsain. He also found some papers published by Professor Skoff. He couldn't find a sector map of Minos though.

Art, Deeberjay, and Jonah went to a trading post in hope of obtaining a map. When the busy attendant asked for 200 credits, Jonah shot him in the knee and grabbed the data cube. Chaos ensued and the trio made their way quickly back to the space port. While trying to figure out how to get past the checkpoint, Art was pulled into an alley by a shady-looking Squib who offered to take him to "Naked Squib Ladies". Jonah shot him in the head and Art smeared the blood onto Jonah to make him appear injured. They trio talked their way past the checkpoint and the party took off in their salvaged Lambda Shuttle.

The party jumped to Yelsain, Travin, Adarlon, then Dorkin, mostly avoiding distractions on the way, except from some bizarre dispatches to a Pergator Freighter.

They ignored a small space yacht loitering in the area and landed on the moon with the University. They took a train to the Xenobiology deparment, and threatened a droid into taking them to the professor.

Darakin University

The party began interrogating the Professor about the Yoberra. He denied any involvement with the First Order. He told them that the Yoberra are Force sensitive in a way utterly unique in the known Galaxy. He referred them to his papers, discouraging from disrupting a sensitive primitive culture. When Jonah threatened him, he agreed to give them the coordinates of Yoberra system.

Lost in the Dungeon

We had another good turnout this session with my 3 eldest plus A&L came over. They brought their 3 year old, so when my 5 year old's attention span went he went off to play with her. He was reluctantly recalled to the table whenever thieving skills were needed.

The Lineup

1. Princessa- Human Fighter with a bastard sword, ring mail and a shot bow. Watch out for this one!
2. Melech Yisrael- Elf Fighter/Magic User. He carries a longsword and longbow along with his spellbook
3. Lavi- Dwarven Fighter/Thief with leather armor, magic longsword, and light crossbow
4. Ragnar- a bastard of a Ranger with a bastard sword
5. Moriah- a Cleric lady with a warhammer. Yay, a healer- oh wait, it's S&W so she's waiting to get some spells at second level...

Session Summary

The party decided to change directions and explore the Southwest side of the dungeon. I rolled a random encounter and got 9- Scouting Party of Wolf Warriors.

Now, module B3 may say who the Wolf Warriors are, but if so, I couldn't find it. Also, a quick google search fails to turn up anything. So, I did what DMs do and made something up!

The Wolf Warriors are an evil mercenary band(think The Black Company) scouting out the location to use as a base for their next nefarious plan. Their plate mail has the face of a snarling wolf stamped into it.

After some tense parlay with the party, they decided to team up against the monsters. The party took them to the room with the giant invincible monkeys. The monkeys were defeated at last! One Wolf Warrior was injured, so they took half the treasure in the room and left the dungeon. We may see these guys again though!

The party mapped out most of the West side of the dungeon, with it's weird caves and cult areas. They killed some more monkeys and found treasure locked away in a cell. After failing a few lock-picking rolls they heard boots and harsh voices approaching!

We ended the session there!

Run From the Killer Monkeys

Characters:

1. Princessa- Human Fighter with a bastard sword, ring mail and a shot bow. Watch out for this one!
2. Melech Yisrael- Elf Fighter/Magic User. He carries a longsword and longbow along with his spellbook
3. Lavi- Dwarven Fighter/Thief with leather armor,  magic longsword, and light crossbow
4. Minion- a chaotic Elven thief with a two handed sword who has joined the party for obscure reasons
5. Ragnar- a bastard of a Ranger with a bastard sword
6. Moriah- a Cleric lady with a warhammer. Yay, a healer- oh wait, it's S&W so she's waiting to get some spells at second level...

Dungeon Map

Picking up from last session, the party rested a few uneventful days, then ventured out into the dungeon. They went downstairs from the tower level and opened the door to the killer monkeys. They immediately changed their minds and closed the door, securing it with a Hold Portal spell. They quickly met two new PCs, Ragnar and Moriah who were lost in the dungeon. They decided to team up in search of slaying Evil critters.

The party did a lot of exploring. They met an even greater than themselves, and found lots of good treasure, including a magic throwing dagger. That said, they don't seem to be any closer to discovering My Lady's Heart or the source of the Goblinoid invasion...

Silver Princess NPCs

I've been attending the free Yoga class at my work for a few months. One piece of advice the teacher likes to give is to notice where your body is 'weak' and focus your efforts there. I'm going to apply this lesson to the DnD campaign I'm currently running.

So where am I weak? One place I've noticed is in coming up with fully-fleshed out NPCs. So here is a list of some NPCs for the campaign:

Cpt. Vallaria Amazonus

An officer in the Galluvian army. She is haughty and misandrynistic, yet dedicated to her job to the point of self sacrifice.

The party encountered her in session 2. What will she say when she sees them next?

Human F Law F3

HP18 AC17 AB1 Save12

Plate Mail, Shield, Spear, Horseman's Axe, Warhorse, Saddlebags with rations, 10GP

One Eyed Jack

A local bandit of some note. He was born with unnaturally lucky, such that however many times he has lost everything, he always seems to turn up again with a new lot of ruffians.

The party encountered him in session 4. He still holds a grudge over them taking his "eye".

Human M Neutral Th2

HP8 AC15 AB0 Save14

Long Sword, Leather, eye patch, horse

Mooncow the Artificer

A prestigious Gulluvian gem dealer. He old and a bit eccentric. He may give the party escort missions, fetch-quests, etc. He will also buy any gems, jewelry, or other fine relics, though he is a discerning customer. He wants his daughter home to help him with business, rather than running around adventuring.

The party gained his good will in in session 4 and started session 5 in his house..

Mooncalf

Daughter of mooncow. She is a dutiful daughter, participating in her father's business, but she is also well trained in her true passion of sorcery. A bit clumsy on occasion. She has been feeling the itch to go adventuring. As such, she may join the party or meet them after having run away.

Human F Law Mage2 slots2
HP5 AC10 AB0 Save14
Nice but practical dress, emerald necklace, 3 rings, sharp gem file, spellbook: read magic, detect magic, comprehend languages, shocking grasp, Monster Summoning I

King Gob

Big green mean Goblin King. He rules the largest tribe of goblins and has united the hordes, but to what end?

HP22 AC14 AB3 Save14
Battle Axe, armor
Intricate silver ring

Warg Mount

Palace of the Silver Princess

And finally, let's not forget the NPCs mentioned in the module;

• Tinker and Daughter
• Catharandamus
• Xyzom, Boron
• Aleigha

Palace of the Silver Princess Season 2

With the change to Winter time, the kids and I are picking-up our Swords and Wizardry campaign again where we left off half a year ago. Not only that, but one of our neighbor's kids just got into Magic Cards, so he jumped at the chance to join our DnD game when I mentioned it. So the party as it currently stands:

1. Princessa- Human Fighter with a bastard sword, ring mail and a shot bow. Watch out for this one!
2. Melech Yisrael- Elf Fighter/Magic User. He carries a scimitar and longbow along with his spellbook
3. Lavi- Dwarven Fighter/Thief with leather armor,  magic longsword, and light crossbow
4. Minion- a chaotic Elven thief with a two handed sword who has joined the party for obscure reasons

Gulluvia

Gulluvia City

The party begin in the house of Mooncow the Artificer, a Jeweler(and his daughter) who they had previously saved from the goblins.

The three veteran members wanted to head straight for the Palace of the Silver Princess, while Minion wanted to know where he could earn large quantities of coin. They managed to convince him and the party headed out.

But before they could escape the city, a roving Goblin patrol, led by a huge Bugbear, overpowered them(despite Melech's excellent shooting and successful charming of one of the goblins). They woke up in a house that had been modified as a holding cell.

Together, the party members managed to break the lock and Minion found his sword in a pile of equipment and backstabbed the Orc guard into the netherworld. The party managed to find all their equipment, but gave up on recovering their mounts from among the goblin camp laying siege to the castle in Gulluvia. Instead, the party snuck down an alley and made for the nearest exit from the city, killing a couple wandering Goblins on their way out.

Overland

Kingdom

The party shunned the main road and took the less used path to N'Sau. They avoided fairy trickery at night and chased a bear. After two days' brisk hiking, they arrived at the village. After buying some supplies, they headed North.

While heading through the forest, the party was held up by a band of bandit archers hiding in the trees. Minion managed to sweet-talk them into accepting 10GP and leaving the party alone.

The Palace

Arriving at the palace, the party climbed back up the tower and started searching rooms. They found a room full of spare short-swords but were discovered by an angry looking bugbear. The Thieves jumped to attack him. They dispatched the beasie, but Minion was left wounded and unconscious, so they decided to bunker down in an unoccupied room and heal-up.

Norwegian Metal Campaign

Mythic Norway

While wasting time reading about Black Metal bands on Wikipedia, I couldn't help noticing what great stage names some of these guys have. Building a Norwegian Black Metal band lineup looks sort of like an adventuring party, doesn't it?

• Fafnir- vocalist
• Shagrath- guitarist/vocalist
• Silenoz- guitar/songwriter
• ICS Vortex- bass guitar
• Winter- keyboard
• Hellhammer- drums

"Hellhammer" is a great name for a metal drummer, isn't it? This really makes me want to run a campaign where where the party are a Dark Metal band questing through mythic Norway. What might that look like?

Soundtrack

This is easy. Play some Black Metal music from youtube to set the tone. Burzum, Emperor, and Darkthrone are a good place to start.

The Hook

A strange cultic symbol

The adventure hook is simple. The party is a black metal band. Their last gig got a little too intense. It was a show in the old Cathedral of Nidarosdomen in Trondheim. Suddenly, in the middle of the show, there was a dark flash and some sort of gateway or portal opened up and sucked you in! But to where? It looks like the Norwegian countryside, but, somehow...darker. And there is a strange cultic symbol nearby.

Game System

Pick an old school DnD of your choice.

Character Creation

This should be fun. The party is a band. Have the players create their character,

1. Pick a really metal name
2. choose musical specialty
3. Starting level 3 is good
1. Since there are no starting weapons, PCs will need to be a bit resilient...
4. Alignment: choose between Pure Black Evil and Nihilistic Neutral
5. Choose a class. Some of you may soon discover you've gained strange cultic ability. Choose between Viking, Anti-Cleric, and Witch/Wizard)
1. Regarding spells, I need to go through the list and find the most metal spell list possible...
2. DCC Spellburn and Ritual rules would be a good fit
6. Equipment

1. your instruments(not too helpful since Mythic Norway doesn't have electricity)
2. your clothes(probably count as leather, studded, or padded armor?)

Adventure

As DM, you really want to sell the mystery of where they are and how they might get back. Point out how bummed they must feel unable to play their instruments. Have them run into places/people they know, but that are different. Tease them with hints at a way back to the normal world.

As for setting, have strange, run-down castles, haunted forests, bleak snow-covered peaks.

Encounters can include:

• Huge dumb Trolls
• Rowdy Vikings
• Cattle-riding Huldra
• Pale alluring Nattmara Werewolves
• Depressive, man-eating Mermaids
• Ship devouring Krakens
• Cryptic Witches
• Hungry Fossegrimen
• Black-Metal Nøkken
• Plague-ridden Pesta
• Forlorn Draugen
• Cattle-tending Wights
• Greedy Svartálfar and Female Elves
• Fanden- the devil himself