Nine Arrows Adventure #4
Saturday March 6th, 2004, San Diego, CA
Clutching Nine Arrows
Who What When Where
Why How Disadvantages Post Game Analysis
WHO
PCs: (Master Summary)
Not even going to bother breaking it down by player this week. Here's the quick summary: Spatzenjager took the initiative to scout ahead, and made a point of being ready to defend the Hoher Skalding Thrymri at a couple of points. Fyrclian had an argument with Spatz, asking him to stop scaring the horses with his "Im a Wolf!" trick, which Rogate mediated. Ayden talked briefly to an NPC but was hushed up by the rest of the group. Ayden tried hitting on a barmaid. Fyrclian tried to do a flip off of a door mantle to justify eventually getting Acrobatics. Saemund changed his armor at one point while Refskegg and Sonny went fishing. Kjar fell asleep in front of a couple of fires. Sonnenwende sipped his beer rather than pound it and tried to rub Ayden's mildly pointed ears for good luck several times. Rogate drank a beer or two, walked up a flight of stairs, looked around, and walked back down. Refskegg drew a lot of attention to the party and then, confused by his own wit, sat down and didn't say another word all night. Thrymri tried to talk to the Undari via their translator, but forgot to use even a single one of his spells or many many skills directly pertinent to social interaction.
I don't think I'm missing anything of note, more's the pity.
Name XP DEX SPD SPD Chart
$ Ayden Hrdaled 0 15 5 12 3 5 8 10
$ Fyrclian Bergansen 0 17 3 12 4 8
@ Hrani "Refskegg" Thrarinnsson 0 17 4 12 3 6 9
/ Kjar Kvaransen 0 11 3 12 4 8
- Rogate Turvoldsen 0 17 4 12 3 6 9
/ Saemund Magnussun 0 11 3 12 4 8
# Sonnenwende Mondfeuer 0 15 3 12 4 8
# Spatzenjager 0 11 4 12 3 6 9
Spatzenwere   20 4 12 3 6 9
Spatzenwolf   17 4 12 3 6 9
@ Vmundr "Thrymri" Finnvarsson 1 12 2 12 6
NPCs:
On the Road
* Threva Vordinson: Potential friendly Pargori merchant on his way to Fallenheim. From Feyhaus, an Aeldenari with the gift of Knowing and a Carpenter, he is taking a load of small wooden knick-knacks to be sold at the market in Fallenheim. He is in his late 40's. Will speak of the ill rumors he's been hearing of Rollenhurst absorbing Feihaus.
Ah, the good-old "NPC's arent important, only we PCs is!" blow off. Though I didnt know it then, this would be but one of many refusals to engage an NPC in anyform of meaningful dialogue for the session.
Threva mentioned a few passing details in his opening. Ayden started talking to him but was shut up by the other player's PCs, who then basically brushed the guy off and pressed on.
The Weary Druid Inn
Summary: The PCs talked to the Stablehand and the Proprietor only long enough to arrange lodging and stabling, and then ignored them. Ayden lamely tried to seduce the barmaid, but out of character, as a direct statement "Ayden tries to hit on the barmaid". These NPCs might as well not of been there; the same purpose could have been served with a sign that read "stable your own mounts" and a coin-op slot for the rooms for all the interest the players gave to them. There were a lot of clues that either or both Deargan and Polath could have given the group from their own observations -- but, no, they couldnt possibly have anything interesting to say apparantly and were relegated to the same status as inanimate objects.
? Polath Unverson: Proprietor of the Weary Druid. Fifth owner of the establishment, he bought out his partner three years ago. Lean man, Pargori, 5'11", has the look of a Jagrling from his mother's side. Congenial but not overly chumy. Leather Apron over a blue and green tartan and homespun trousers.
? Yolla Unverson: Wife of Polath and head cook. Pleasantly plump, Pargori, greying blonde hair and merry blue eyes. Practical dress with a kitchen apron.
? Deargan Smilssen: Stablehand, mid 20's, 6'4" Pargori, looks like a Huarthmunn from his mother's side. Blonde, unkempt hair, plain dress. Lives over the stables.
? Mara Orunsdotter: Maid, serving wench, and assistant cook, mid 20's, 6'1" Pargori, moderately cute. Lives over stables w/ Deargan (but they are not a couple -- seperate beds).
The Dishonorable Opposition
Summary: Refskegg recognized Kurtzen w/ a "3" on a PER Check when he walked in the door, so he stomped over and was like "Hey, your one of those exiled guys!", to which Kurtzen of course replies, "You must be mistaken", and Thrymri responds "Oh, yeah, sure you are; come on, you can trust me!". I'm paraphrasing but that was the general gist of it. Getting nowhere with that line of approach Refskegg sits down befuddled and goes "off" for the rest of the session while his player opts to use his other character instead (Thrymri), but for some reason doesnt employ his several appropriate spells, like Friends for example, or his half a dozen plus 15 or less Interaction skill rolls, or his augmented 65 PRE even. Everyone else sits around for three hours real time watching Jon flounder despite several recommendations that they jump in and help him out, take over, or do anything at all.
Then, after the RPing opportunity went for naught, as I moved the session forward into the night, despite several signs that they were in potential danger and the Undari group were not what they seemed, the entire group sublimely took off their armor and went to bed, with 2 Undari Cultists in the Commons area with them, and the rest in rooms adjacent. Who needs guards? All the players also looked less-than-enthused about the obviously-about-to-ensue combat, and one player indicated he didnt even have his character sheets with him -- going on 5 hours into the game.
After some consideration, including a harried in-chambers consultation with my oldest player (7 years gaming together so far) and with rising irritation/ frustration/ dissapointment/ anger / you name it, I cut the session short and sent the group packing.
I've seldom been so hugely let down by a game session in two decades of doing this. Every campaign I've started with this group has ground to an early and ignomious end. Prior to this, every campaign Ive run regardless of system lasted for at least a year or more unless the storyline played out to its conclusion faster. By comparison this is the third abortive campaign in a year. I think it's time to face facts -- the playstyles are not lining up here and this group in its current incarnation is not viable.
* Shemrenebi Karptah: Servant of the Cult of Tzoruul; Landrothi, Knife Duelist. Masquerading as head of a small caravan traveling to Fallenheim. Has a magical crystal that allows him to commune with the High Priest w/ Concentration and time -- its a ruby that has been turned black somehow. It raditates Chaos sign if looked for, but only when it's visible.
* Asetmoseb Hatketkis: aka Ketkis: Servant of the Cult of Tzoruul; from Kasaad originally; dirty infighter & thief. Masquerading as the brother of Karptah. Has a magical crystal that allows him to commune with the High Priest w/ Concentration and time -- its a ruby that has been turned black somehow. It raditates Chaos sign if looked for, but only when it's visible.
* Kurtzen Kardenssen: Exiled Raevoring, translator. Was a Raevoring of some ability, followed Torgath Torethssen into exile after Torgath slew Gunnar's brother by striking him in the back in a drunken brawl a decade ago. Serving as translator for Tzoruul cultists sent into the Vold. Not initiated into the Tzoruul worship and largely unaware of that whole angle.
* 4 Landrothi Cavalry: Masquerading as Caravan guards for Karptah & Ketkis. Names: Tabhosattep Nebtra, Neferhenmhat Imeru, Idnemkhefkhem Selher, and Enpakhmoskhem Sataat
* 2 Cultists: Masquerading as clerks\servants for Karptah & Ketkis. Names: Besfertenhet Pakaat, Ibkenaktor Enten
* =  played by GM
- = played by Ron Darbee
/ = played by Jason Roche
@ = played by Jonathan Bristow
# = played by Jake Ellena
$ = played by Kristin Molle
WHAT
Backdrop
On the road to Feihaus. The road travels mostly along or near the shore of Lake Pargo through the Shutzwald forest. Very idyllic but infrequently traveld road (most travel moves on the Lake).
On the Road
Might have a brief encounter with Threva Vordinson, otherwise they dont encounter any other travelers.
The Weary Druid Inn
Total scratch/botch/bust from the word go.
The first night out of Fallenheim, a big summer storm blows in off the lake. They draw near a walled inn off the trail called the Weary Druid. 
Ultimately once the PCs (or at least most of them) are asleep, the Undari will attack. Their goal is to kill; they have been sent into the Vold to disrupt the Prophesy. Both Karptah and Ketkis know what the PC's look like, having been shown a vision by their High Priest before departing.
Stay at The Weary Druid Inn
If the group decides to stay at the inn, they discover that a modest 9 man "caravan" has already put in for the night and the stables are full, though a temporary shelter can be managed for Bjolloc for 3 extra silver. All the rooms save one are full (it's a small inn), but there's enough space in the Common Room to fit the party. The empty room can be let for 3 sp, and its 2 cp to stay in the Commons. Food is 3 cp per meal, and its 2 cp per cup of decent ale, more for better. There are no accomodations for a bath (most folks just bathe in the lake if they are of a mind to).
The merchants staying there are Undari, ostensibly from Kasaad, though if anyone in the party spoke Undari well enough they could tell that they are actually from Landroth by their accents. The head merchant, Shemrenebi Karptah (the Undari use a "last name, first name" schema), and his "brother" Ketkis will be downstairs lightly drinking and chitchatting when the PC's arrive, with the four soldiers also there but at a different table. This leaves one table with 4 chairs and 7 high seats at the bar for the PC's
Karptah will seek to strike up a communication with the PC's if it seems wise, otherwise the Undari will politely ignore the PC's. They will wait until the PCs are settled in before attacking.
Avoid The Weary Druid Inn
If the PC's look like they are going to avoid the inn and camp in the wilderness, the storms get heavier, washouts start to occur, etc. If they insist on staying out in the cold & wet, then the Undari caravan is not at the Inn but is on the road and encounters the PC's while looking for a place to weather the storm, or the PC's stumble upon their camp. Whichever works out. The Inn is a better location as it's more interesting, but either way.
Questioning
If the PC's manage to capture any of the opposition, here's what they can find out from them, potentially:
Cultists: They know little save that:
  1. There is a Cult of Tzoruul in Zerlaaga
    • Lead by a mysterious & highly placed man called simply "The Most High"
    • They were inducted as children off  the street like many others.
L Cavalry:
  1. They are of the Royal Cavalry Co. of Zerlaaga
    • Ordered to guard Karptah and Ketkis
  2. Barraks rumors indicate that something is going on at the higher echelons, but they think its something to do with intelligence-style operations
  3. People have been sent out on numerous missions working around the "dark cloaks" over the last 10 years. Common wisdom is that it isnt wise to get nosy into their business -- some people have reportedly been dissapeared for knowing too much.
Kurtzen Kardenssen:
  1. He's sworn to the exiled Raevoring Torgath Torethssen (Refskegg's distant cousin)
    • There are about 20 Raevoring sworn to him left.
    • Torgath has recruited new followers from among mercs and Undari
  2. Torgath has allied with some important people in the Landrothi government, but keeps the details to himself.
    1. Torgath is a powerful para-military mover in Landroth, advising the rulership.
  3. He doesn't know anything about the Tzoruul thing; he just does what he's told.
  4. This is the fifth time in 10 years he's come back into the Vold
Karptah:
  1. Will not talk unless extreme measures used, and even then will give up as little as possible.
Ketkis:
  1. If captured will do anything he can to stay alive, including feeding the PCs info. Will try to ingratiate himself until such a time as he can get away.
WHEN
Midsummers Day Age of Power Year 1 Day 2. There is a full moon out.
WHERE
Main Locality
In or around the Weary Druid Inn on the way to Feihaus, in the Pargori Clan Hold of the Vold.
WHY
Need a big group encounter, give everyone a chance to work as a team, and set up elements of the meta-plot.
HOW
Good old fashioned On-The-Road site-based scripting.
DISADVANTAGES
Make sure the players keep up with their Disadvantages.
Pretty much a clean wash here as well. The only disads that were played up were the cosmetic ones.
NAMEDISADVANTAGES
Ayden HrdaledNormal Characteristic Maxima No Age Restriction
DF: Aeldenari (Concealable; Extreme Reaction; Detectable Only By Unusual Senses)
DF: Elven-blooded (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Phys. Lim.: Disoriented in Non-Forrested Areas; Easily Lost (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)
Money: Destitute
Psych. Lim.: Destiny Child Syndrome (Uncommon, Strong)
Psych. Lim.: Ethnocentricity (Common, Moderate)
Psych. Lim.: Naive and Sheltered (Common, Strong)
Psych. Lim.: Promiscuous (Uncommon, Strong)
Rivalry: Professional (w Archers; Rival is More Powerful; Seek to Outdo; Rival Unaware of Rivalry)
Fyrclian BergansenDF: Human (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
DF: White Streak in Hair (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
Enraged: Horses mistreated (Uncommon), go 14-, recover 8-
Enraged: When in Claustrophobic Environments (Uncommon), go 8-, recover 14-
Hunted: Osfrid 8- (Less Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish)
Money: Poor
Normal Characteristic Maxima
Psych. Lim.: Claustrophobia (Uncommon, Strong)
Psych. Lim.: Daredevil (Uncommon, Moderate)
Psych. Lim.: Equestrian Mentality (Uncommon, Moderate)
Reputation: Killer of Thralls, 14- (Known Only To A Small Group)
Hrani "Refskegg" ThrarinnssonDistinctive Features: Red Hair and Green Eyes (Clan Raevoring from the North Coast) (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Distinctive Features: Tattoos: Symbols of the sea on the backs of his hands. (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Enraged: At the beginning of battle (Common), go 14-, recover 11-
Human
1) Distinctive Features: (Concealable with Magic; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)

Normal Characteristic Maxima
Psychological Limitation: Drunkard (Common, Strong)
Psychological Limitation: Garrish Loot-wearing Raider (Common, Moderate)
Psychological Limitation: Superstitious (Common, Strong)

Kjar Kvaransen DF: Aura of Random Elemental Sensory Affects (smell of ozone, smoking hair, rocky skin, moist air, sound of creek, crackle of fire, etc) (Not Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
DF: Human (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Normal Characteristic Maxima
Psych. Lim.: Easily Distracted By New Magic (Uncommon, Strong)
Psych. Lim.: Homebody -- Wants To Be In His Tower, And Not Go Anywhere (Common, Moderate)
Unluck: 3d6
Soc. Lim.: Zauberer Stigma (Machtig) (Frequently, Minor, Not Limiting In Some Cultures)
Susceptibility: Entropic/Chaos Energy, 1d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)
Susceptibility: Negative/Unholy Energy, 1d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)
Susceptibility: Positive/Holy Energy, 1d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)
Susceptibility: Static/Law Energy, 1d6 damage Instant (Uncommon)
Rogate TurvoldsenNormal Characteristic Maxima
Distinctive Features: Human (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Distinctive Features: White Streak in Hair (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
Psychological Limitation: Dedicated to Advancement of Herodi Clan (Common, Strong)
Psychological Limitation: Impulsive (Common, Moderate)
Psychological Limitation: Overconfidence (Very Common, Moderate)
Psychological Limitation: Protective of Friends (Common, Strong)
Rivalry: Professional (with other Warriors), Rival is More Powerful, Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival, Rival Unaware of Rivalry, Rival is a Group
Social Limitation: Savage (Feared And Descriminated Against In Cities) (Frequently, Minor, Not Limiting In Some Cultures)
Saemund MagnussunDF: Human (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Enraged: If Quality Of Work Or Honor Questioned (Uncommon), go 11-, recover 8-
Normal Characteristic Maxima
Psych. Lim.: Aggressive Combatant -- Takes on Toughest Possible Opponent In Battle (Common, Strong)
Psych. Lim.: Honest Quality Appraiser -- Announces Quality Of Weapons Fairly, For Better Or For Worse (Uncommon, Total)
Psych. Lim.: Honorable Craftsman (Common, Total)
Notes: Always fulfill contract to spirit and letter, keeps word, will not sell shoddy goods, guarantees work.

Reputation: Miser, 8- (Extreme; Known Only To A Small Group)

Sonnenwende Mondfeuer Normal Characteristic Maxima
Distinctive Features: Human (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Money: Poor
Psych. Lim.: Practical to the extreme (Common, Moderate)
Psych. Lim.: Restless and Kinetic (Uncommon, Moderate)
Psych. Lim.: Superstitious (Common, Moderate)
Psych. Lim.: Trusting and Naive Farmboy (Common, Strong)
Psych. Lim.: Pyrophobia (Uncommon, Strong)
Phys. Lim.: Heavy Sleeper (Frequently, Slightly Impairing)
Notes: -6 to perceive intruders and wake up, takes about an hour to wake up fully

Rivalry: Professional (Other Warriors; Rival is More Powerful; Seek to Outdo, Embarrass, or Humiliate Rival; Rival Unaware of Rivalry; Group)

Spatzenjager Normal Characteristic Maxima
Accidental Change to Were Form: Full Moon Always (Uncommon)
DF: Human (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
DF: Supernatural Creature (Not Concealable; Always Noticed and Causes Major Reaction; Detectable Only By Unusual Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Money: Poor
Physical Limitation: Poor Eyesight, suffers -2 to all Sight PER Rolls (Frequently, Slightly Impairing)
Psych. Lim.: Distracted By Urges To Hunt Small Game (Uncommon, Moderate)
Psych. Lim.: Uncomfortable in cities (Uncommon, Strong)
Vulnerability: 2 x BODY Silver (Uncommon)
Vulnerability: 2 x STUN Silver (Uncommon)
Spatzenwere Accidental Change: New Moon Always (Uncommon)
Enraged: Berserk In Combat (Common), go 8-, recover 14-, Berserk
Physical Limitation: Poor Eyesight, suffers -2 to all Sight PER Rolls Frequently, Greatly Impairing
Vulnerability: 2 x STUN Silver (Uncommon)
Vulnerability: 2 x BODY Silver (Uncommon)
Spatzenwolf Accidental Change: New Moon Always (Uncommon)
Physical Limitation: Poor Eyesight, suffers -2 to all Sight PER Rolls Frequently, Greatly Impairing
Physical Limitation: Very Limited Manipulation Frequently, Greatly Impairing
Physical Limitation: Human Size
Psych. Lim.: Distracted By Urges To Hunt Small Game (Uncommon, Moderate)
Vulnerability: 2 x STUN Silver (Uncommon)
Vulnerability: 2 x BODY Silver (Uncommon)
Vmundr "Thrymri" Finnvarsson Distinctive Features: Skald (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses; Not Distinctive In Some Cultures)
Normal Characteristic Maxima
Enraged: His notes are destroyed or significantly tampered with. (Uncommon), go 14-, recover 11-
Psych. Lim.: Will not carry visible weapons inside the Vold. As a point of pride, he does not carry weapons inside the Vold. To do so would show great distrust. (Common, Strong)
Psychological Limitation: Hard Drinker (Uncommon, Moderate)
Psychological Limitation: Needs to chronicle events. Keeps a diary nightly, takes down notes frequently. (Common, Strong)
Psychological Limitation: The Performer's Itch (Common, Moderate)
Psychological Limitation: Womanizer (Uncommon, Moderate)
Social Limitation: Not allowed to make a living through craftsmanship or agrarianism (Occasionally, Major, Not Limiting In Some Cultures)
Human
1) Distinctive Features: (Concealable with magic), Noticed and Recognizable, Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses, Not Distinctive In Some Cultures
POST GAME ANALYSIS
This was one of the top 5 all time worse games I've ever been party to in twenty years of roleplaying. Highly dissapointing, and perhaps the death knell for this campaign and play group in its current incarnation. I'd rather not play at all than be subjected to such a monmumental lack of involvement by almost all concerned.
The only player that even tried to interact with the scenario simultaneously seemed to forget the 120 odd points of his character specifically designed for exactly this sort of scenario. All other players refused to talk to any of the NPCs, in any way try to interact with the plot, discover what was going on, or in fact do anything at all.
Finally, after 4.5 long hours of utter boredom I stopped the game after several appeals to the players to do something -- anything whatsoever -- fell on deaf ears..
Every NPC was blown off or ignored, and nothing was done by any of the nine PCs save for Thrymri beyond sitting on thumbs and looking bored. This group has a history of inertia bordering on comas; prefering to sit around waiting for something obvious that they have to respond to and letting everything else go by the way side. Recently the group has shown some improvement in that direction, but with the loss of Joe to school and other Real Life concerns, the group seems to lack any player with the capacity for leadership or direction.
At this juncture it remains to be seen whether the game will progress any further.