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Other Games, Development, & Campaigns => Design, Development, and Gameplay => Topic started by: LordVreeg on June 27, 2013, 04:57:18 PM

Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 27, 2013, 04:57:18 PM
I generally do things for the longer term.
I think the 'Long Campaign' model was impressed into my head from the beginning, and that is still how I see the way a game can be at it's best.

My last online foray, the Steel Isle Game (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=15137), I attempted to make it a basic dungeon crawl.  My nature (and the nature of my game so spawned) pulled through, and the SIG, as it came to be called, ended up going to exactly 160 sessions, with five forays into the Ruins of Vexchian and some good times in Steel Isle Town (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956335/Steel%20Isle%20Town).


For my next Online game, we are taking advantage of our game mechanics which allow us to create younger pre-adventure level characters, to play a game of novice, student mages in the hoary, most ancient magic school in Celtricia.  This will include some time in classes, dorm time, time with teachers, building relationships, choosing next classes, rolling for successes and a lot of social skills, exams by way of casting, and tests, but there will be a number of undercurrent plots going along, which the PCs may or may not take part in.

While still a work in progress, some has been finished, which is what I am sharing so far.  Some bits and pieces of that.

Here is the game introduction page (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/57010814/Collegium%20Arcana%20Stenron%20Campaign%20Arc).  It goes through the type of game and some general mechanical ideas.

Now, I've been working with this system and setting since 1983, and the crunch heavily supports the crunch.  The way magic works in the setting is very, very clearly defined and understood.  The first day of class in "Introduction to the Void (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/65548854/Collegium%20Arcana%2C%20Introduction)" class is a good example, very useful and central in terms of this specific online game, but my casting players have found it useful in general.

There is more done, but this is a good start.

I am putting this here more to share it and get some feedback.  There is a lot of player interest, but I am not sure how big a player pool we are going to work with.  I'd say we are maybe a month out from starting.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 28, 2013, 09:04:45 PM
And for those that read this far, here is the History of the Collegium Arcana.... (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/51990358/Collegium%20Arcana-Guild%20History)
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: deleted user on June 30, 2013, 04:46:56 PM
Good introduction - I didn't feel overwhelmed, and from skimming the sidebar, the emphasis on skill aquisition and factions makes your ruleset a great fit for such a campaign.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 03, 2013, 09:24:43 AM
Quote from: Sean !;667066
Good introduction - I didn't feel overwhelmed, and from skimming the sidebar, the emphasis on skill aquisition and factions makes your ruleset a great fit for such a campaign.


Man, I hope so.  Could be ugly other wise.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 03, 2013, 09:25:56 AM
More on the acclimating the players to the game area, trying to create more feel.

The Dormitories of the Collegium Arcana
From here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67168793/The%20Dormitories).  often better to read from the site as there are more linked terms there.
This section is one of those that helps players I the game really acclimate to the area, and the maps are being worked on right now.  What dorm the pcs start in will affect their social lives somewhat.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 07, 2013, 01:57:19 PM
The next installment, about the life of a student in the Collegium.  This is more about mood and feel and to help the players get into character, and to understand routines and what a day is like.
I am trying to have a lot of background at the disposal of the PCs once gameplay starts.  It is looking like 70-80% PbP/email, and 20-30% online IRC.
This is one that also may be better read in the wiki itself, as there are a good amount of links inserted, especially on setting specific stuff.   From here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67453694/The%20Feel%20of%20Student%20Life).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 21, 2013, 09:07:55 AM
We've added a bit more onto this, but much of the underpinnings of the game are also being done.  Unlike most guild school games, where a player chooses their factions and chooses skills from that faction, all players are from the same faction, first year students of the collegium, and as such, their experience mods are very low.  However, unlike most gs games where acquiring new skills or improving expmods is difficult, that is part of the point in this game, since much of the game revolves around classes and choosing which classes to take (ie, which skills to get better at) as the game progresses.

We are looking at a mid August start, still.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 21, 2013, 01:57:14 PM
I was on the Ipad earlier, too clutzy to link pages.

Here is the Experience Modifier Page (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67728553/Collegium%20Arcana%20game%20beginning%20EXPMOD%20page) for starting characters in the Collegium Arcana gamer for choosing skills and using their starting experience.   Every guild or faction in the game has a Base EXPMOD for a skill, which is added to the ATTRIB EXPMOD (the native ability the character's attributes give them in learning a skill) to create the TOTAL EXPMOD the character has in that skill.

Basically, we keep levels in every skill, with them going up a tiny bit at a time.  This gives the players the feel of constant movement and growth while keeping the power curve very low.  Every bit of experience is multiplied by the EXPMOD the character has in that skill.  And as the modified Experience chart (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14955535/Experience%20chart%20for%20skills) shows, after a while it gets difficult to move up a level, the PCs can pick up sub skills and other skills, so their ability 'pool' gets wider as well as deeper.  A low health character may have a .15 EXPMOD in hitpoints, and takes about 700 raw EXP to get to level 1 in HP (which means an additional 2-5 HP added to the 2 they might have started with.  A high health character might have started at 3 or 4, and have an EXPMOD of .35, and need only about 300 raw experience to get to level 1.  (hit points has a larger ATTRIB EXPMOD portion than many, BTW).

More on EXPMODS (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/28719411/Experience%20Modifiers%20and%20Base%20skill%20amounts) here.

As you can see by the chart, there are over 300 skills to choose from.  And while that sounds daunting, and does allow for very different starting characters, all skills nest into up to 4 levels of skills and subskills.  You always have to have a higher level in a parent skill than the subskill, so with only 3k experience to spend, the PCs will choose mainly from the 90+ basic commonality 1 skills.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 12, 2013, 02:41:40 PM
*Updates, pages fixed, working on maps for School neighborhood, physical descriptions.
first three play 'sections' mapped out, four if we include character creation.  
I have also been putting time and effort into the Gigantic Godstraat Neighborhoods of Stenron, since this will come into play regularly.

As mentioned, play will be mainly PbP and one-on-one IRC, in between the bi-weekly group sessions.  The group sessions will represent more mainstream timestamps, such as the end of a semester, a dance, a special lecture, where the in between stuff may be as mundane as choosing classes or rolling to see how well a paper is written or meeting a crush in the hallway, or perhaps a meeting with a Warden...or as deep as searching for a hidden library, gallivanting through the Grace of Water district, or joining one of the hidden Orders.  

I am hoping to get a rolling, staggered start in the next 10 days.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on August 12, 2013, 02:51:50 PM
I'm still interested if you remember about me LV :D. If all slots taken, no worries.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 12, 2013, 03:41:20 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;680441
I'm still interested if you remember about me LV :D. If all slots taken, no worries.


I have 13 people interested I feel pretty sure about.
I think I am going to start with five or six.  But things always happen.  So stay tuned.  Besides, new voices are awesome.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 13, 2013, 04:38:40 PM
Quote from: LordVreeg;680468
I have 13 people interested I feel pretty sure about.
I think I am going to start with five or six.  But things always happen.  So stay tuned.  Besides, new voices are awesome.


Rincewind, I'll probably be on Roll20.net, under the Celtricia Campaign later on.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on August 13, 2013, 05:00:03 PM
Quote from: LordVreeg;680954
Rincewind, I'll probably be on Roll20.net, under the Celtricia Campaign later on.

Okay, I have some experience under Roll20, slap me when I should invite myself over.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 13, 2013, 07:21:30 PM
you bet, probably around 9ish eastern, maybe right after,   Sorry for the later reply, work is being a pain in the ass.  If you are around, we can go over some of the basics abnd maybe even start chargen
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on August 13, 2013, 07:39:27 PM
Quote from: LordVreeg;681019
you bet, probably around 9ish eastern, maybe right after,   Sorry for the later reply, work is being a pain in the ass.  If you are around, we can go over some of the basics abnd maybe even start chargen

Alright, I think that works, though I apologise in advance for a broken mic - that won't be a problem I assume? I'll get it fixed ASAP should you want actual talking done :D.

Edit: In fact, is there a chane we could do this tomorrow? I have a bit of an early rise today (well, relatively early).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 13, 2013, 09:48:01 PM
dude, i apologize as well.
willlexplain
we can stay text
i prefer
it
https://app.roll20.net/join/64904/0eW9tA
join link

tomorrow is fine as well, though I have to train everyone then
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 17, 2013, 01:00:49 PM
Will be back on roll20 tonight, working on other parts, like the later sessions, but am happy to work on characters tonight as well.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on August 17, 2013, 01:09:24 PM
Same time as last time, 9 PM your time? Or earlier?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 17, 2013, 01:22:52 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;682375
Same time as last time, 9 PM your time? Or earlier?


same time, boy should be asleep by then.
We might have a few more, since I have soft opened to a few folk.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 22, 2013, 03:12:49 PM
Been traveling for business, am coming back tonight.   Should be online tomorrow night, maybe a bit tonight late, but certainly by tomorrow night.

The next week or ten days will probably still about character creation and acclimation, looks like I will do five PCs at first, and will look at another class below it if things go well.

Rince, we have the other four players, and we can get you rounded out in the next few days.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on August 24, 2013, 01:43:54 AM
Roger that - I better get to finishing the character then. I should leave some XPs for spells if I remember correctly, yes?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 24, 2013, 09:02:19 AM
Quote from: Rincewind1;685008
Roger that - I better get to finishing the character then. I should leave some XPs for spells if I remember correctly, yes?


A) last night I ended up in calls until late.  Long story, but the company is possibly in a merger/acquisition right now.

B) Experience distribution is one of the things that makes GS very different at the point of CharGen than most games.  It assumes you are not a blank slate, but gives you an amount of experience at creation to simulate the amount of training and life-living you would have had up to that point.  Players sort of use the social ACQ rolls to give them an idea of what their background and personality are, then distribute starting EXP. Normally, most groups start at 5k exp; and we are doing 3k in this game to simulate smart, active teens going to a school of magic, but who have gone through some amount of basic schooling in this wide earlier.  You want to make sure you put some EXP in HP, but getting levels in Spirit Spell points (all spells are triggered by spirit) and a one or two other types would be first priority.

C) look at the character creation page for guidelines on starting language experience points.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 28, 2013, 11:25:20 AM
Should be on Thursday Night, on roll20.net, Celtricia Channel.

Just got back to Boston from San Diego and St. Louis, so a little crazy, but looking forward to a night with some gaming .  Should have a few players that night.

Have to answer some of limetom's questions, as well (http://www.thecbg.org/index.php/topic,209900.msg224834.html#new).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on August 29, 2013, 04:05:32 PM
Roger that. Usual timing?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 29, 2013, 05:11:50 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;686929
Roger that. Usual timing?


yep.
I will be on and raging along with Limetom and probably Llum, and possible one other.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on August 29, 2013, 06:22:28 PM
Alright. On the front of Roll20 technical issues of mine - I still see the huge black screen and can't draw or anything in  the campaign. However, when I created my own campaign - the tabletop loaded properly. Do you have any idea what may be causing this?

Could we try today perhaps re - loading the map or something like that?

Edit: Also, this literally just in - suddenly I can see those "remains of last game". Huh...still there's that huge blob of blackness, and I can see some elements. This is most bizarre. Perhaps a re - load could help indeed.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 29, 2013, 07:44:52 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;686945
Alright. On the front of Roll20 technical issues of mine - I still see the huge black screen and can't draw or anything in  the campaign. However, when I created my own campaign - the tabletop loaded properly. Do you have any idea what may be causing this?

Could we try today perhaps re - loading the map or something like that?

Edit: Also, this literally just in - suddenly I can see those "remains of last game". Huh...still there's that huge blob of blackness, and I can see some elements. This is most bizarre. Perhaps a re - load could help indeed.


Actually, what you are seeing is the remnants of a game where you are perceived as a player, and blocked off from the gm side.   I will load up something new....and should be on in less than two hours.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 29, 2013, 09:00:52 PM
Stupid mouse.   Might have broken it
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on August 29, 2013, 10:19:57 PM
Current HP: 6/7

Invest in ritual casting/blood casting

Pholian Mar

Lost an arm (elbow down, left)
Race: Omnian (Gwynellian) Human
Social Level: 29 (Middle Class)

Age: 14 (Max age: 81)
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 110 pounds

CCs:


Reflex: 53
Fortitude: 60
Will: 80
Surprise: 19/54 (unsure regarding that divide by 3 part)
Social: 59
Attributes:

Strength 16
Intelligence 16
Wisdom 14
Coordination 12
Health 18
Charisma 12
Appearance 9

Skills:


Spirit: 32 (Lvl5)                   EXPMOD 0,54
Animist: 2 (lvl 1)                  EXPMOD 0,41
House of Earth: 6 (lvl 1)                   EXPMOD 0,335
Hit Points: 6/7 (lvl 2)                      EXPMOD: 0,1                6/7
Basic Hand: 2 (lvl 1)                  EXPMOD: 0,185
Basic Martial Arts: 6 (lvl 1)                  EXPMOD: 0,114
Basic Social: 14 (lvl 4)                         EXPMOD 0,352
Basic Detect (lvl 2) : 12                    EXPMOD 0,33, +1 when using it in conjunction with Necromancy
Necromantic (lvl5): 21                    EXPMOD: 0,552
Read/Write 23 (lvl 3)                      EXPMOD 0,4
Westic: 10 (lvl 1)               EXPMOD 0,46
Vox: 17 (lvl 2)                     EXPMOD 0,29
Omnian 9 + 9 Dropdown from Vox (lvl 1)                  EXPMOD 0,204
Basic Scholar 5 + 5 Read/Write Dropdown (lvl 1) EXPMOD 0,188
Basic Dagger (lvl 0) 3
Basic Defence (lvl 0) 2 EXPMOD 0,11

Background Benefits:

Bullseye Lantern (Dragon motif, worth 80 Goodwives) - gifted away
Spellbook with Gold/Electrum Weight spell
First Aid +2%
Basic Martial +3%
+ 0.05 Basic Martial, + 0.05 basic meditate

Combat
Thick robes - +5 avoidance, +5 protection
Quilted Silk Suit - helmet, the curriass, the fill lower, full and articulated upper arms, and thigh with knee legs, 9/9

Weapons:

Claw: Speed 1; To Hit 15%; Damage: (2d4+12)/1d10

Total: 15/15


Spells:

Detect Life, Root Nose, Gold/Electrum Weight, Probability Strike (Minor), Minor Confusion, Chaos Fluid, Dark Stream, Mask of Light, Present, Present Accepted.


XP so far:
6 Hand
24 Earth
126 Spirit
3 Animist
0 Mental
10 Artificier
16 Martial Arts
151 Detect
19 Social
1733 General
Scholar 176
16 Spellcasting
95 Necromancy
0 HPs
0 Combat

Equipment of note:

Ornate Gwylennian Golden Tea Set

4 enchanted Black Candles, most likely Corpse Candles.

2 black stone spiders with golden eyes, about 5 centimeters large
golden disc, 15 centimetres in diameter, 5 deep.

A skull of an adventurer, found in a dark dungeon beneath Oblimet's statue
Gladius that skewered aforementioned adventured

Two circular handles, one with an Anarch H (Hope/Elder), one with an anarch E (Entropy/Runes). They seem to be attachable to something, with square openings for such. Telos in diameter, well crafted.

An odd compass found at Oblimet's statue

Fingerbone with following spells, once per Goesi: Undead Sleep, Ashes of the Dead, Enhance Turn

One use trinkets: magical compass, warming gloves, shadow mirror, instant cleaning comb


Rituals/arcane related knowledge:

A circle with runes that stop Foxface from popping out during a ghost summoning ceremony


Game notes:

Rumours and gossip:
Kelrissa - started a group of girls that study mentalism

Twin statues - one of a warrior, one with head of a fox and a top hat.
Mysterious fox - faced professor called Caleb(?).
Waxcrenior - night of the ghosts.
Rose and Tulip guys interested in Bosh.
Varney Tephlock - check.
Rightmakers - some grumpy group.
Divlish - Home of the Reapers Brotherhood, where Enchanter Bin Resides.
Pyramid and Flame - some fraternity/sorority, Susane is part of
Omwo in robes made of feathers + another ghost from statues

Odd beetle that seems to spy on me/us

Statues:

Owed:

Fox - face - Varney Tephlock
Robed one - Stefan
Klaxik in armour (one from the library?) - hates Gronth hall - Jerome Gar Mitiank
Gnome, with one hand aflame, the other with a cat


8 more to go + 13th, the Chained One


Seana Bin Kaymen - ??? 99% another statue
Bird Bound Boy
Steely One
Feathered Omwo - See Nod Reer? - NOT A FRIEND
Stag Mask - NOT A FRIEND
7 more to go

Enemies owed statues:


Feathered Omwo

The order of the Dead Son - the cult that the Stag Head was leader of.
also transmit Mentalist - phrase heard by Les'z.
Scroll in makerspeak, along an odd dagger.
Order with a book on the sash - ???


Grestic Armenutso = who is that guy?
dark taller figure behind them, in a very dark, green cloak       = ???
Connor Bin - check on his father.
Red bearded klaxik - has companions, who are they???
Why would Frimak spy on us?


buildings, and a grey stone monument with a carven book on it, into a basement, and into a room, poorly lit, with dark wood floors, a reddish carpet with huge roses on it, and a pair of unlit fireplace on 2 sides. The ceiling is low, dark wood, with tight beams and 2 Black metal candelabra, but only a few candles are lit...the shadows are large
- Check the buildings of collegium for that monument. - Building North of Bren


Earthwardens - want something from us.

Dagger and a musical note pin - ???

Ghosts:

Calm voice - the professor (if I remember correctly). Probably Varney Tephlock. Apparently RL Stefen
Angry voice - warrior?
Snide voice - Foxface. Likes to play chess? - likes blood. Probably a werewolf
Dry voice
B. See Nod - probably one of statue ghosts. Apparently rode Strigi (giant owls)
Kind voice
Quiet ghost
Soft
(Chell???) - Klaxik for Scales
Chained Ghost


Other Ghosts:

Partialite - ?

Divilish Ghost, Grey Ball - talk more, fireplace at Crossed Hall
Gerrald - apparently dead for 2 centuries, student.
Mummy - ???, strong and stupid
Floating skull - heh.
Gartier in a golden mask - ??? check about him. Probably something to do with artificer fraternities.
Old teacher with a lot of fraternity pins, gave a clue about the library
Warden Jomak - a ghost of a gnome, cryptic clues. Could be under control by Verstock

Thief of Steel Isle - ???

Gwynellian clans:

Brightbluelimbs - most represented in Stenton,  Gandon BrightBlueLimbs
Mysteriarchs of Lathe
Green Dragons - Black Wings, old thieves guild
Sky of Wings
Black Dragons

Check the pink statue, same magic as one Vee activated in a temple during official ceremony.

"Burning Rose, you are
Tell You a secret , I'm sure to fall,
Crashing Thunder, I blame you all,
Brassy Prose, it cannot call,
the bird calls to dragon, beyond the pall
" - decipher.

"They Made the dance,
they toured the heights,
she hid the keyes
right in plan sight"

'Frosted windows and cut-glass eyes,
Hosted nightmares and leather bound ties,
All that was and all we want,
Beware the Dead Son's Rise.'"

Dilvan outpost - is a key there? Do check when on the school trip, as it is quite high apparently.


Blood will tell,
and the red-hued wall



"Nothing I can say
Can make your picture talk
I feel so tired and
Nothing I can do
Will make your picture move
I feel so helpless but
I can feel
A child with the ghost here
You let your heart slip away
" - next Stanza?

Woolridge's 6 cloaked figures - what are they

Take back the ready spellbook!!!

Pursue the Mysteriachs of Lethe connection re: Kravent Hall

hobyt 'advisor' has a white tree with a snake around it as a sigil.

Ask Christo how she animated th ebunny

their is pretty tight alley between Biss and Finni - some sort of odd necromantic interference, check it at night. (Or, on second thoughts, let's not - some sort of demon - ghost)

Skull found in the dark dungeons beneath the statue of Oblimet - talk to ASAP

Foxface wants to talk - play chess with the bastard

Check who is Heremar

Check what Murderous Night was

Undead bunny racing - raise a few coin?

Thief of Steel Isle - check in library

Jessie - casino owner dad



clues for the fourth one, with his wands and potions, a number of times...."


Quote
and then, in contest, the Dead son and the created buried one will contest, and the world may be left in endless Night when either succumbs

Quote
"there is a group, and old cabal from the Godstraat, that look to the evening sunfall....they have found notice of our presence"'

Quote
."Long we stood and long we knew, despite the hatred and careful ingenue, Wanted less and so found more, one fate for you, the undercouncil door"

Quote
"Beaked and feathered and from sea-king free, with rows of wire three by three, and twixt the plumes an in-between key

Quote
Sad truth, to come so far and wary. And to find a piece that is a the middle of s story"

Quote
Not what we wanted, not the bright key, they hid the enchantment, where none could see. They've done it again, they do it so well, just as before, the words can impel
Brownies - "sub race, servants made of servants...rarely seen at all now". 13 ghosts
Painting of an Omwo Lady with 2 Huge Dogs, from Tom Free Hall - in my room

"Rested Heart and rested mind, artist built and hard to find, struggle long and seek our mind, before we own your souls you signed"


"The Lord of Burning Warns us "


Tom Free Hall - slaughtered Brownies who were tricked into being killed.

Hararuinimikalisomba - an example of an Abishae

Tol Flamis - owner of Divlish ruins

Flame and Flower - a school connected to Word of FLame and Divlish Towers

go back to the Library of Lost Students - clue from a ghost

statue of Coram the Warlock - check him out. was a head of the School in the early 100's of the RON. He set up the whole Fraternal order idea, and fought to make the scholl helpWinterloo against the Dreadwing

Logos Camue, or Meaning of the Blood = bleeding eye order. Connected to the fight with the statues.

Lady who made the Heron/Wire Statue feels we are tracking her

Throw out the heron statue

Cloud and Skull fraternity

If Staghead was the leader of the Dead Son Order, and actually all of the ghosts, did they poison the Hobyt ghost I met outside Souther Eye fraternity? If so, perhaps the relationship should be reviewed.

Warlock Avram
- murdered the Order of the Dead Son. Watch out for him, as he knows everything. Resides in Gronth Hall. Is he a ghost? Conferred in ghost form with Warlock Brett at the High Prefect fireballing inquest.

DeathWine - a drink that makes you see ghosts easier.

The Experiments of Fereld Famar - book found in crypts under school, protected by deadly enchantment. Check author's name.

Senior Enchanter 'Paddie' Padaluscious - seems to be connected to the statues somehow, had a ghost of snake on his neck.

Senior Enchanter Woolridge - 2 powerful necromancers' ghosts follow him, one summoned a fiery cat. Investigate further.

Warlock Simtalia Suprosian


Logic's Path - Order, Mentalist and Animist fraternity living in Donant Halls. Their chief familiar, a huge salamander, seems to be mentally active (magically mentally) - does it actually run the show? Klaxik ghost suggests not to trust,

Order of the Star - investigate. Klaxik ghost from that order buried under Brenick.

Order of the Meter - dying order in Gronth Hall. Lyre is part of their insignia

Check the Old Fountain in Golden Quad

Libraries:
Temiphal
Pillar House
Fessenden
Tom Free Hall
Tenth Hall
Finni
Triston
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 03, 2013, 11:29:16 PM
Very Awesome

Here is a cross post, answering questions for his character's background


Quote from: LimeTom

Moving on from questions about Stenron, I've got a couple more, mostly for background stuff for my character. What's viticulture like in the Grey March? It's pretty northerly, right? Where's it done? Is it set up like an Old World winemaking area, say, modern Bordeaux with highly specific rankings for geography and historical quality, or more like a New World winemaking area, where wines can certainly be of differing qualities, but little regulation or even recognition (outside of those in the know) goes on? Or is it like an Old World winemaking region back in the day, where people simply drank what they grew, and sold surplus if it existed? Finally, who is involved--at least in the Grey March? Do humans have a monopoly? Elves? Hobbyts? Or are there a large number of different families in control? I was thinking of having at least one side of my character's family be from one of the wealthier vintner families, but that may depend on the answers to these questions and the next one.It is sort of in between
.  This is an old world, and with Magic taking some of the place of technology, so we have more advancement in economic, social, and political areas than makes sense in the real world for the technology level.  The development of a trading economy was critical in the Cradle area and others, which is based on the ability to transport goods (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956537/Transport%20in%20Celtricia).  

The Grey March is old, especially near Stenron (formerly Winterloo).  Winemaking is similarly old, practiced here as far back as in the days of the Suprosian Kings.  Vneersberry (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956664/Vneersberry) is the primary Winemaking grape in the Grey March, as it grows well almost anywhere, but most any area north of Stenron only makes good white wines, except in a few cases. In the western Coriel Valley, as well as in the areas close to the Igboniat Plains, red wines of some quality are made.
It is important to note that huge Vineyards don't exist, and that almost all winemaking is in small batches, even for the big, guild-supported vintners.  This is just due to the nature of the world, in that there are few areas immune to the introduction of dangerous beasts (Though the Coriel Valley may be the one of those exceptions).  Castel Ellis, in the North areas, makes a few great wines, as well as the western wines of the Hopiton area (near the old Igboniat areas.

There is almost no regulation on the wines and viniculture, though wine is very popular.  Racially, the Omwo~ and the Hobyts in your area do the larger share of it, as there is still some leftovers from different families that owned property or companies, though they are all allied to different Guilds.  I will try to cement down some of those guilds in the next few days.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 04, 2013, 10:04:35 AM
And we will be on roll20 tonight, finishing background stuff.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on September 05, 2013, 12:59:14 PM
Sorry I wasn't around - I assumed with my character done, you needn't really need me, and I had to wake up early this time :(.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 05, 2013, 06:37:48 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;688852
Sorry I wasn't around - I assumed with my character done, you needn't really need me, and I had to wake up early this time :(.


You were right.  I just wanted to make sure anyone here could at least declare interest.  I have my players, but I am expecting to add another 'class' of players later.  I always keep a waiting list of players.  
(Igbarians has almost two dozen waiting to join that game)

Rincewind, are wed or thurs better for you?  And what not do you want to do your private stuff, as I am still looking at 75% being done privately.  
This is the part that is going to be different than any online r live game I have done, a ton of private gaming per player between episodic irc sessions together.  I can tell you I will be ready to be very flexible....Limetom is insane with the amount of depth he likes....

I will be online with llum tonight, building his character.  I am thinking of doing the intro session next week, with Some deeper commentary about the rules of using magic, and then we start playing the week after.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on September 05, 2013, 07:11:46 PM
At the moment either is fine, I'll update you should that change. Thought we'd be playing by forum?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 05, 2013, 07:20:04 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;688968
At the moment either is fine, I'll update you should that change. Thought we'd be playing by forum?


We will. Forum, one one one, and the group games.  I will be busy out of my mind but it could....could...be awesome.


Get out you best Python accent.
"...and now for something completely different."
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on September 05, 2013, 08:38:55 PM
Quote from: LordVreeg;688972
We will. Forum, one one one, and the group games.  I will be busy out of my mind but it could....could...be awesome.


Get out you best Python accent.
"...and now for something completely different."


Aaaah I see. Well that's an interesting take - I was expecting forum play to be also group.

Could be interesting indeed, if you can take it :D.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 06, 2013, 12:44:50 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;688990
Aaaah I see. Well that's an interesting take - I was expecting forum play to be also group.

Could be interesting indeed, if you can take it :D.


We will see.

I am looking forward to trying something that has not been done before.  My players seem excited to try it, and to spend time in between delving into the RP, and it fits my very detailed setting (and will make it more detailed as we go).

Here is a helpful link to the Celtrician Index (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14955667/Index), which is also growing.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 07, 2013, 04:37:33 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;686966
Pholian Mar

Race: Omnian (Gwynellian) Human
Social Level: 29 (Middle Class)

Age: 14 (Max age: 81)
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 110 pounds

CCs:


Reflex: 52
Fortitude: 60
Will: 80
Surprise: 19/54 (unsure regarding that divide by 3 part)
Social: 49
Attributes:

Strength 16
Intelligence 16
Wisdom 14
Coordination 12
Health 18
Charisma 12
Appearance 9

Skills:


Spirit: 11 (Lvl1) EXPMOD 0,54
Animist: 2 (lvl 1) EXPMOD 0,41
House of Earth: 6 (lvl 1) EXPMOD 0,335
Hit Points: 8 (lvl 1) EXPMOD: (will update ASAP)
Basic Hand: 2 (lvl 1) EXPMOD: 0,185
Basic Martial Arts: 6 (lvl 1) EXPMOD: 0,114
Basic Social: 4 (lvl 1) EXPMOD 0,352
Read/Write 10 (lvl 1) EXPMOD 0,4
Westic: 10 (lvl 1) EXPMOD 0,46
Vox: 6 (lvl 1) EXPMOD 0,29

Background Benefits:

Bullseye Lantern (Dragon motif, worth 80 Goodwives)
Spellbook with Gold/Electrum Weight spell
First Aid +2%
Basic Martial +3%


11 spirit is an awesome way to start, BTW.  That is going to pay some dividends, down the road
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 08, 2013, 03:02:44 PM
The Calendars (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956460/The%20Calendars)
 

There are actually dozens of active calendars, most following the 6 month fashion of the elder Omwo~, or the 12 month House Wastri calender.  There are 366 days in a Celtrician year, which the Omwo~ originally separated into 6 even 60 day months, with a Lithe day in between each.  As is common in the world, things change and usage slurs terminology.   The Westic Word for month is Gosi (Go-See).  This is from the Omwo~ term Goesi,

 

 Months used in the Reckoning of Nebler (RON).
 
  Winterwane   Dumutoux (the month of Ice)   Dumotux
  Spring   Toqusuh (the month of Renewal)   Tokush
  Summerwax   Tan~os (the month of Promise)   Tanos
  Summerwane   Gosiuoni (the month of Flowers)   Gosun
  Fall   Hisieohum (the month of Leaf-fall)   Hisio
  Winterwax   Dumuquisneti (the month of Hardening)   Dumoktis

 

Obviously, the calendar related heavily to the weather in Celtricia.  But it is important to note that there is a different calendar used in the equatorial areas, developed by the Klaxik of Barstone and popularized by the nations originally settled by House Wastri.

In the North-Western cradle areas, there is a large range of tempuratures.  The Northern Grey March has flurries from the beginning of Dumoktis to the end of Dumotux, meaning 120 days of weather that is freezing or below, spending 6 days of that averaging 15-20 degrees and often dripping below the zero mark for hawaaks ata time.  The Argussians get no snow as often as they get any, and have weather below freezing for 60 days in the worst years.  

 

The year 895 RON (in the Reckoning of Nebler), translates to the ninety fifth year of the Ninth century of the Common Age in Argus.  In the Grey March, the Reckoning of Nebler is used exlusively, while in Trabler, you get both the Argussian and Neblerian.  In the Silverwood,  

In most of the Cradle area (Trabler, Orbi, The Bright Lands, The Grey March, Sembina, etc.) the RON is used, and year 0 (of the Common age and of RON) was the year that the Theocracy of Nebler was founded.  It has become more typical to use the term Common Age, and to count in terms of years and centuries, particularly by the merchant guilds.

 

Many Omwo~ mark the year 895 RON as year 7089 Since the Founding, as the Republic of Silverwood was founded back in the Age of Legends.

The eight day week known as the Hawaak is used throughout the known Celtrician world.  The normal work week in town is five and half days in terms of what people get paid for, and what the well-to-do put in.  Your nomal business owner puts in 7 out of eight days, and of course the poor folk generally work 8 out of eight days!  The work-week is supposedly Dunsak through Harvak working 10 hours a day, then 5 hours for Monak, as the moneychangers generally call it a done Hawaak right after noon.  Fasting is normally done every Fastak for the religious.
 

As for the hours and the day, As Celtricia has twin suns (Gerin and Tribin), the 22 hour day has three different phases. The Night, the Day, and the Sou (Siu, White Omwo~). The Sou is the red period in the beginning and end of the day when the weaker, reddish Gerin is the only light, the 'Red Dawn'. After 58 minutes, the brighter and more yellow Tribin starts shining, giving the day a more normal cast. As the binary suns spin around each other very quickly as Celtricia spins, the end of the day, dusk, is spent with 58 minutes without Tribin again, giving Celtricia a very Red dawn and dusk, the dusk Dou being called the Na Sou.  The hours of the day are counted from here as well (evening hours are called Na Sou, daylight hours called Sou.  7 hours after the Sou is called seven Sou, for example).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 10, 2013, 04:36:11 PM
Scheduling is very hard.  This Thursday, as promised, should be the last day of character creation, so we can hopefully get Llum set up (though I still cannot see LC missing the chance to play a pubescent student in Celtrician Hogwarts...).
Next Thursday, I will now be in Vegas looking at new equipment... I apologize, but it must be.  We'll have session one on 9/26, at 8:45 on roll20.net

Meanwhile, see these new notes on the Godstraat of Stenron (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/68006822/Godstraat%20of%20Stenron).  The players will end up visiting this a few times.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on September 10, 2013, 04:46:56 PM
Don't worry about it, LV. I was about to ask when the next meeting's on as Thursday/Wednesday is approaching, heh.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 15, 2013, 11:30:23 AM
The Feel of Living at the Stenron Collegium Arcana (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67453694/The%20Feel%20of%20Student%20Life)
(follow the link to go directly to the Wiki)

This is a section that continues to work on the inner working and 'feel' of the setting and campaign, and answers many questions, up to and including dress, the laws and how it feels to be in sort of a city within a city, food and drink, etc.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 23, 2013, 08:08:11 PM
well, well, well.   we play our first session this thursday, 845 pm, on roll20.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on September 23, 2013, 08:14:37 PM
Roger that.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 26, 2013, 02:54:34 PM
OK, the desktop fried last night, so I will need to buy a new one tonight or tomorrow.
I'll probably be running off the ipad, so graphics will not really exist.  But I will be on.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on September 26, 2013, 02:56:01 PM
Now that's dedication :).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 26, 2013, 04:51:10 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;694393
Now that's dedication :).

Or resigned idiocy.
First session is going to be fun, but nothing too nutso.  groundrules, etc.
Actually Rincewind, I think you will do well, since 70% will be done between online sessions
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on September 26, 2013, 04:56:29 PM
4 hours to game time more or less, yes? Or are my timezones calculations out of joint?

Also, damn, I just realised I haven't written up a character backstory...I'll do so immediately (though I think we figured out most of the stuff anyway - parents always travelling, grandmother dead, used to run with bad crowds).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 26, 2013, 07:42:25 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;694437
4 hours to game time more or less, yes? Or are my timezones calculations out of joint?

Also, damn, I just realised I haven't written up a character backstory...I'll do so immediately (though I think we figured out most of the stuff anyway - parents always travelling, grandmother dead, used to run with bad crowds).


we did.  that was th fun part about the scial acq charts.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 02, 2013, 07:19:05 PM
ok, Rince, we can set you up for game game time Sunday or monday night, and there will be some give and take on PbP afterwards.

Matt, one of the missing players, will be on next week.  Llum may be a few, he has a lot going on.  

Next session will be almost a hawaak later, so days will have passed.  so everything we get done will get you further ahead vs the others after next session.

are you all set as a writer on the Celtricia site?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on October 02, 2013, 08:06:01 PM
I'd prefer Sunday night if it's alright with you.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 03, 2013, 05:02:31 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;696166
I'd prefer Sunday night if it's alright with you.


Thy Will be done.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 05, 2013, 02:19:44 PM
I've gotten the basics of the Player's Campaign page  (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes)up and running.  So far some good feedback.


The First Intermezzo session is going to be based on the  first classes,
"Do make sure you read this, Dexies, since your head will be filled with other knowledge later on and this might keep it fresh.  Now, The green schedule, you are going to Ponce Hall, Room 2, for Spellcasting Basics.  The yellow schedule is going to Penult Hall, in the basement, for the Overview of the History of Magic, and the Grey Schedule is going to Dilvish Hall, for Mathamatics."  These three as well as the Sources of Magic and accessing them....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on October 06, 2013, 03:25:42 AM
What time do you want to play, LV?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 06, 2013, 08:38:20 AM
Quote from: Rincewind1;697002
What time do you want to play, LV?


can we go normal, 845 ish/
right after we put the boy to bed
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on October 06, 2013, 08:38:53 AM
Fine by me, see you then!
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 06, 2013, 12:15:08 PM
looking forward to it.  
Did you see the Page on the Play (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes)?  You should have editing privileges, as well.

Monday night I finish doing Matt J's character.  I'm pretty excited, as Matt is one of the original GuildSchool/Celtricia players.  From the end of 1983.

Also, I should be adding another batch of spells onto the spell list (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956149/Spell%20List) of the wiki soon.  I pretty much am constantly adding onto those, since this is the general list of spells and I always consider that individual schools and guilds actually have slightly better or worse versions, so there are actually dozens or more variations on all the entries on the list.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 08, 2013, 07:30:08 PM
i mentioned the Hardy Boys comment to 2 of the other PCs.   Winner.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 10, 2013, 04:24:22 PM
On for tonight....8:45.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on October 10, 2013, 04:56:50 PM
Should I swing by?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 12, 2013, 01:39:22 PM
The Collegium Arcana game going very well, with the pc's doing a great job of getting deep into character.   Nothing makes a character-driven story go better than engaged PCs.   Vee is showing a self-interested, somewhat sophisticated side.  Les'z is very group oriented, outgoing and comfortable with his surroundings.  Pholian is showing what I can only call protagonistic tendencies, if that makes sense.

Last session involved the first night talking after classes, touching base in the evening and learning from each other.  We also got Les'z mixed in with the group.  

Lez's, Gregoir and Pholian snuck out into the foggy, chill night, to check out the copse of trees where Pholian had seen some armed gnomics searching around (and had chased him into the bathroom when they spotted him watching) earlier in the day.
They found themselves in a much denser fog than it appeared from the widows above, and within, they discovered something following them....(from the last 1/3 of the session)


Pholian Mar: I cast wary glances as we move, regretting that I did not bring my lantern with me, but then again, lighting it would probably be not very sneaky.
Les'z: exactly... we must rely on our hyper Omwo night vision
Gregoir: I agree...keep a sharp eye....
LordVreeg (GM): the 3 move around, and get to the side door

LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir brings the 3 of you to the outside side door

and the three of you, one omwo~, and two humans (Gregoir is a tall Marcher human, Pholian a smaller House Wastri version) find the door is....unlocked
Pholian Mar: "Lucky" I whisper, opening the door and quickly scurrying into the grounds.
ooc - much smaller probably, I'm barely above 5 feet.
Les'z: thank god for your basic hand skills, Pholian
LordVreeg (GM): the night is crisp (39 degrees) and your breath can be seen
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir soundlessly leads the three o you out

Les'z: (i suddenly feel very small and young)
(From Les'z): trees are friends for omwo, yes?
(From Les'z): unfortunately i am an indoor omwo
LordVreeg (GM): the three of you move out from the squat, utilitarian Toad hall, and look around. for some reason, the Golden Quad is silent and empty.
there is a light fog, heavy in areas, also on the quad.  The night is crisp, and the two small moons both peer down.
Pholian Mar: Well it is night time, so it's not terribly surprising.
Les'z:
(I am also quite nervous)
(I wonder if this was a bad life decision)

LordVreeg (GM): there are trees on all four corners of the huge grassy square, and the copse you remember is on the middle of the west side, the opposite side
the fog moves around you as you move onto the quad
Pholian Mar: I huff a little in my hands to bring more warmth into it, then whisper "We need to go west" then promptly sneak in that direction.
Les'z: i grab Pholian.... hang on ... lets go around
lets not cross in the open
Gregoir: This fog is perfect to hide us
Les'z: you sure?


Pholian Mar: "Mrm, yes" I nod, trying to stay out of the light.
LordVreeg (GM): and you are some 20 paces in the middle
LordVreeg (GM): and the fog is deeper in here than you thought
Les'z: i am sensing something else here...I hear...something.....




Quote
LordVreeg (GM): (ooc roll detect, Pholian
Pholian Mar: rolling d100
(
98
)
= 98

Les'z: ooc i see he detected the fog
Les'z  (in a distant voice) i sense red and old
Pholian Mar: IC: Do I notice the fog acts a bit oddly (or think so)?
IC: Because I feel like it's following us.
(From Les'z): to our right would be the north?
(From Les'z): like in the quad itself or on the edge
Gregoir: This stuff is getting thick...Very Thick....Les'z, are you alright?

LordVreeg (GM): the three of you are near what should be the center of the quad
Pholian Mar: I ponder for a moment, but then shrug "Well...it's fog. We're probably all just a little nervous"
Les'z: Shhh... something moves to our right in the north
Pholian Mar: I fall quiet immediately, trying to squint my eyes to see something
(From Les'z): ok i look behind me
Gregoir: we are getting closer, though something moves...I saw...
(From Les'z): what kind of snout... Orc? pig? something else?
Les'z: (yells) HOLY SHIT BEHIND US
Greg: Nothing here...LEZ, WHAT HEY< Is there something there!?!!!
LordVreeg (GM): Screams in the fog
Pholian Mar: OOC -  OUR screams!!



Quote from: please, please


(From Les'z): will is 80
Les'z: (To GM) rolling 1d100
(
14
)
= 14

Les'z: you would see me fumbling to get something from my boot, crawling on my back
LordVreeg (GM): Pholian feels Les'z run into his shins, skittering across the ground
Gregoir: from the West..."Phlian? Lez?? where be you?

Pholian Mar: I shout "Watch out Gregoir, there's -something- walking around with a knife here!" And as I say that, I assume a defensive position, keeping my eye on that knife, or at least trying.
Les'z: It is some kind of haunt, it had a long coat...a hat, and a snout!
LordVreeg (GM): silent fog...sudden normal noises

LordVreeg (GM): the fog lifts a bit, and belatedly, you realize the fog looked not so bad from the outside you were just in some....special area
Gregoir: ....I have found your copse, Polian
Les'z: That was truly frightening

Greagoir: "Entropic Overlords, it seemed so
Pholian Mar: "Y...yeah. We..." Looks at Les "I, saw some figure with a knife about to stab Les here..."
"...and in a top hat" I add after a second.
Les'z: At first the figure appeared small and human in a cape with a snout, and red eyes
then it appeared to be wearing a top hat and was taller with a full coat
Gregior: ...." indeed. the thing... it seemed like...I felt my blood go to icewater
Pholian Mar: "I think we should go back, and quickly....I think the shouts'll attract attention."
Les'z: the fog should have dampened the shouts, let us check this copse while we are here first
Les'z: then lets sneak back around the quad instead of across it

gregoir: "i'm not sure what tree we saw those gnomics near, Pholian

Pholian Mar: "I think I see it!" I speak in an excited whisper. Looking around, I shrug "Well...since we already got jumped by -something-, might as well risk it all" I then proceed to scurry quickly to the tree.
Les'z: (excited!)
LordVreeg (GM): the three of you move to the Vneer tree, and see it has been trimmed some, and has no branches until 6' up


I try to examine the tree, motioning the other two closer. "I wonder why they'd be cutting off branches from some random tree....and why they'd try to keep such a secret about it."
Les'z: Vneerswood can be expensive, it is an ancient and sacred tree with parts of the Omwo
Gregoir, Well, maybe, but Vneersberry is also sacred to the Vintners...
maybe we should get up in there

(From Les'z): does any elven tree hugger sense kick in about this tree's plight
Pholian Mar: "Hrmm, you are right..." A nd then you can see me suddenly tumble back, uttering a rather strong curseword.
Gregoir: Pholian, let's get going...hey, did you find something?
Pholian Mar: I motion to the tree's boll "L - look!"
Not even bothering to whisper
Les'z: well boll me over
LordVreeg (GM): Pholian is holding a sheet metal small doll.......with a long coat...and as foxy face...and a top hat.....
maybe 10" tall
gasps from all

Les'z: that explains the snout... and what we saw in the quad was tied to this
LordVreeg (GM): ...and...that is where we end...
Intermezzo 2 coming up
Pholian Mar: Excellent timing, heh.  Wow!
Les'z: thats the way it always works
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on October 13, 2013, 10:30:08 AM
Well I would like Dodge, horse and  two attacks per round :D.

When's the next game?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 13, 2013, 11:50:05 AM
Quote from: Rincewind1;698958
Well I would like Dodge, horse and  two attacks per round :D.

When's the next game?


The next open session will be 10/24, and I think you and I will be next Sunday, the 20th, unless you want to move it.  The next Open session jumps a bit ahead, to the first Fastak on campus.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on October 13, 2013, 11:54:45 AM
Works for me right now. I'll tell you tomorrow if I don't prefer Monday night instead (21st)
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on October 20, 2013, 03:15:49 PM
We're still up for today, yes?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 23, 2013, 08:28:15 PM
good intermezzo session...we are on tomorrow night, normal time.  playing the first fastak (day of fasting) in the school year, so evreyone will probably be going to the Godtraat to the appropriate douhis.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 28, 2013, 06:24:08 PM
Good group session.
Nice response to the statuette appearing in your pocket.
That got a lot of comments from other players who were there or who read the logs.

Next session on Sunday or Monday?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 28, 2013, 06:24:57 PM
Open Session three (session 8 if you count all the Intermezzo sessions) was gratifying.  The Pcs are learning more about the city of Stenron and the school, and are, realistically enough, learning about the inner workings of the Collegium social scene and how to work within the confines of that and their position as Dexies (first year students)
Last session was the first Fastak of the school year, the 8th day of the Hawaak where almost all people find time to worship and visit the Douhis (Dou~his) of the religions and faiths that deal with their person current struggles.  Stenron having the largest and oldest Godtraat in the CradleLands, it is easy for the students to all go en masse through three neighborhoods and end in said 'Street of the Gods.

An excerpt later in the session is below.


Pholian Mar: I excuse myself and go over to the Green Mother's Douhis as the rest leaves or goes about their way.
(From Les'z): so what did i see them do
 Gregoir, " any other douhis we need to hit, gang?"
he seems relieved
Pholian Mar: Suddenly, I scream and freak out.  Really.  Eyes bug out and all.
Les'z: I am ok with tagging along with the rest of you
 Gregoir "WHAT!, WHAT!"
Les'z: Whoa wat's up ?
Pholian Mar: "It's in my pocket, get it out, get it out!!!"

LordVreeg (GM): a wide berth around you is given by all, even in this strange crowded place full of wide-eyed prophets and strange miracles.
 
Pholian Mar: I throw off my robes, standing just in trousers and shirt.
 Gregoir, "WHat? What? in your pocket?
Pholian Mar: "The statue! The bloody thing just moved!"
Les'z: NO WAY
get it out !
(From Les'z): i want to do detect magic on his pocket
 Gregoir, : why'd you bring the well-damned thing?'
Pholian Mar: "You get it out! You hear that?"
"I didn't bring that! It's in my chest! Well, was!"
"Alright...listen. You two just...grab something, alright?"
"Something to hit it with. I'm going to take it out."
(From Les'z): is the laugh the same we heard in the fog games

(From Les'z): are those clubbers around

Les'z: I heard that laugh from the fog

Pholian Mar: "Right, well....grab a branch or something."
"Or just be ready to kick it. I'll take it out. Just say when ready."

(vreeg-to Les'z) the clubbers have been joined by a third, a klaxik, older, not on school garb but in studded leather.
(From Les'z): do they look amused or just surprised

(From Les'z): directed toward Pholian?
Les'z: I can step on it, but will defer to you guys, i am not very strong
: Gregoir, "I wou;d love to...but the laughing is gone"
Pholian Mar: I go ahead and kick the robes a bit, to see if I hit anything hard and metallic there.
LordVreeg (GM): nope
pretty empty
 " Let's get to the Church of Black Irony and chaos...it fits..."
Les'z: I second that.
Pholian Mar: I make a worried frown "Mrm...sure."
I grab the robes and follow them.
(From Les'z): are teh clubbers watching or are they otherwise occumpied as we leave
(Vreeg to Les'z)  The three of them seem to be keeping a sharp eye, but you feel them focusing on Pholian.

LordVreeg (GM): the group of you spend the am and early afternoon, hittting 2-3 douhis each eating cakes, talking to others, ery social
by 8th Na sui, you are heading back
It is getting Chill, though seasonal for early Hisiu.  Maybe 45 degrees, and you all are thankful for the thick school robes
LordVreeg (GM): Prefect Kakoana, his somewhat long hair perfectly curled and oiled,  and the hugely fat human Keeper Jeesh bring you to North hall, for a meet pie feast...
North Hall is abuzzing hive by the to the huge eating hall that lies below the North Hall Domitory.  The night Sui ihas started as you get to the doors, dodging other students, and Red Gerin, the small red sun, dyes the Golden Quad a bloody red.
you all hear from upper classmen that you get rudimentary books on the night of the tenth, which is great news.
Jessie and Vee, and to a lesser extent, Christo, seem to be in a fine mood
Les'z: OOC does "rudimentary books" mean something everybody understands, cuz i dont
Pholian Mar: I think he meant mandatory
Les'z: not sure i know what mandatory books means either
LordVreeg (GM): ooc..rudimentary, as in first spellbooks
though none of you really have spells
supposedly

Les'z: exciting!
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir and Bosh are thrilled
Christo seems more relieved
Jessie, "about itime..this pace moves so slow, letting the stgragglers keep up"

the tables are full, a meat pies, wet and warm, are all over, some plain, sme heavily spiced in ogril style or Harou subtlety.
Pholian Mar: As we eat, I whisper to the other two partners in crime "You know, I think we should grab a teacher about this whole thing. It starts to look like more than we could chew".
Gregoir, " That statuette, you mean...but who can we talk to about it?"
Les'z: i agree, but who
Pholian Mar: "I think we can probe about the odd mists appearing on the grounds"
 Gregioir, "they will think us insane..."
Pholian Mar: "Also we best check if it's even still in my chest. I'm not sure if I'd be more glad or terrified if it was gone."
Les'z: whispering " i think we should avoid any teachers associated with brokenball" " i saw some clubbers near our little scene today"
Pholian Mar: "Hrm....good call. And I don't think they'd Gregoir, this place has whole chapters dedicated to odd myths."
 Gregoir..."Love the game, but some of those Clubbers do NEED a life beyond the ball and club.
Les'z: whispering " i think any teacher good at detecting magic can figure that object out pretty quickly"

(From Les'z): because of my association thru parents are there any big boy professor types i might have an "in" with
Pholian Mar: "Well I'm not sure we should actually show it to them"
(From Les'z): they were associated with the kakenbyte maker types, who should be able to figure this out
Pholian Mar: "There is a matter of those gnomes"
Vee: If you whisper too much your voice will stick like that.
LordVreeg (GM): ooc hahahahah
Pholian Mar: "Thanks, mom."

Vee Glares at Pholian.
Pholian Mar: I focus on my meatpie.  Hard.  Mmmm, Good.
LordVreeg (GM): ooc and we will end there,


Vee: So I leveled in Basic Detect.
Les'z: agreed, cheers
Vee: I swear I'm not cheating, lol.
LordVreeg (GM): ooc THEre IS S STATUE NIBBLING MY ASS!!!!!
Vee: rolling 1d3
(
1
)
= 1
Les'z: ouch
LordVreeg (GM): obviously not cheating
Vee: I don't mind at all,

There you have another example of the in-game workings of the Collegium Game.  Not super-duper, no earth shaking, but mystery and exploration, which it was supposed to be.  As far as game experiments go, this one seems to be going very, very well.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 03, 2013, 11:02:55 AM
Rince, I might be a little late for our Intermezzo session tonight.  COO and I are going out for a bite this evening, then I'll be on.

I enjoyed the session on the Godstraat of Stenron quite a bit, and thought you did quite a good job with the Roleplay.  Actually, all three of you did.  I got that wonderful palpable feel of surprise when you found the silver statuette of the man with the fox face in your robe.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on November 03, 2013, 02:50:56 PM
Good thing you reminded me, because I was almost sure we were supposed to play next Sunday. Alright, I'll be around say. 9.30 PM your time?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 03, 2013, 05:12:09 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;704938
Good thing you reminded me, because I was almost sure we were supposed to play next Sunday. Alright, I'll be around say. 9.30 PM your time?


Should be fine...
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on November 03, 2013, 10:26:52 PM
Server appears to have gone down for me. Same on your end?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 04, 2013, 09:27:10 PM
enjoying the reread of the log from Pholian's INtermezzo session.

the dreaming was the best part.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 05, 2013, 06:28:31 PM
Finished posting the basics for Hisiu~ (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/70507180/Hisui%20of%20895) (sometimes Hisui).  This is the current Goesi (60 day month), for the reference point of the PCs.

Please note I did place the date for the Dance for the Incoming, which may be a lot of fun, but it will be a time for pomp and gratuitous use of the Woo.
And then, the night of Waxcrenior is soon after..., a different type of celebration.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 07, 2013, 08:53:57 PM
hopefully see you on tonight
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on November 07, 2013, 08:55:42 PM
Ack, we're on tonight? Damn, must've missed that. I'll be, yeah.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 08, 2013, 12:12:43 PM
what a truly awesome session last night was in the Collegium Arcana game.
Thought we would play a bit of a lunchtime in the North Hall, then planned on playing the Incoming Ball over at Selig Tran for the rest of the session.

However, the PCs ended up kibbitizing in the North Hall Basement, then figuring stuff out, and then getting into trouble, that we didn't even get to the dance, just over to The Class of History of SPellcasting in Penult Hall.

Guess we'll do the Incoming Ball next Open Session.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 10, 2013, 03:01:40 PM
Working on maps of the Collegium Neighborhood tonight, and will be on roll20, Celtricia, world of factions tonight.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on November 10, 2013, 04:10:48 PM
I've got a bit of a problem making it tonight. Any chance we can move it for tomorrow night? I can play tonight, but'd prefer tomorrow.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 10, 2013, 05:50:35 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;706857
I've got a bit of a problem making it tonight. Any chance we can move it for tomorrow night? I can play tonight, but'd prefer tomorrow.


No stress.

I'll be on, but we can make tomorrow the main intermezzo for Pholian.

BTW, I find it very interesting, from a narrative standpoint, how Pholian has 'protagonist' tendencies.  Gets into the type of trouble that makes for a great read.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 12, 2013, 09:20:09 PM
the play notes (http://http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes) have been updated.  So far, the sessions are reading more like a 19th century novel + a mystery.  So...not bad.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 18, 2013, 12:03:07 PM
Rince, we should be on tonight...you good with that?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on November 18, 2013, 02:54:56 PM
Quote from: LordVreeg;709454
Rince, we should be on tonight...you good with that?


Sure.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 21, 2013, 12:40:58 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;709524
Sure.


And we are on for tonight.  8:45pm
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 22, 2013, 11:06:23 AM
Now THAT was a session.
This experiment, to play the entry into student life in the Collegium Arcana has been truly fascinating and different.  

Session 5 (12 if you count all the Intermezzos) was truly awesome.

We played the students getting ready for the Incoming Ball, and then a large portion of the ball itself.  The interplay in Toad Hall was good (especially with the social side going on in the upper foyer, and the secret meeting in Pholian's room with Gregoir, Les'z, and Pholian.

Pholian Mar: I show Les'z the two statues if they haven't teleported out of my bed yet, pointing out the blooded one especially.
Les'z: (OOC) who is the human girl, the one who was on the edge of the conversation a few days back?
Pholian Mar: (OOC) It's the mysterious human girl I thought was you, I believe.
Les'z: Whoa, Pholian, what happened here, i remember that one
Vee: (To the human girl) "I don't think we've met, I'm Viwih. You can call me Vee."
Pholian Mar: "I think we've discovered something much bigger than a night's lark, Les'z."
LordVreeg (GM): She smiles, "well met, Vee! I am weronima...are you excited?"
Gregoir, loudly, " Stupid necklace does not fit!"
Vee: I am. I haven't attended a party like this in quite some time.
LordVreeg (GM): Christo, "I either. I feel like I am coming back fromthe cliuds onto clouds"
Pholian Mar: I rub my nasal bridge in thought "this looks an awful lot like this one" I motion to the warrior "Just...sacrificed someone. You remember what happened out at the quad."
Les'z: Tell me where this other statue came from (OOC and which one has blood on it, and description, etc)
LordVreeg (GM): Weronima, " I can see that paen to Froji, Christo."
ooc...the new one is a human statue in lamellar
Pholian Mar: And it's the blooded one.
Les'z: ooc and that is real blood on it?
How did you come by this second statue?
LordVreeg (GM): the candles in Pholian's room all flicker at once, and the room gets dark for a second


Then later the ceremonial march over...

LordVreeg (GM): the walls, as you entered, are heavily painted, and there is a podium up front, with the high honorables at it
you all enter in, and behind you, the rest of the student body, all still wiht candles, fill in behind
The Ball is held in the Seriol Tran, a Marcher style old hall on the corner of Sheval and Restitution Way. Ancient, high walled, there are painted scenes of grand hunts on the roof (somewhat obscured by soot), huge fireplaces on both ends, and the Sheval St Side is covered in high mirrors.
The ballroom is lit, by turn dim and bright, by chandeliers magicked heavily in the center and by the hot ,furnace like wide fireplaces, white mantled and adorned with hoary large Goodeval-styled portraits above.
Around the gilded room, other small portraits, some newer, some much newer, but a few very old ones surround the room in thick, ornate framed ornativity.
LordVreeg (GM): The air is thick, smokey, with food scents, wine scents, musky undertones. Music fills the air, yet no musicians can be seen, horns, piano and violin, with a base drum.
you are brought forward, and an invocation is brought up, "
"To the holy Angels who brought us the Woo, we give thanks, to those that chose us in this grand experiement, we give thanks, and to ou duty of teaching the next generations, we give thanks."
then you are all brought forward, and called by name, and given your Dexdemit spellbooks"
Les'z: BIG SMILES


Later on, we had Suave Pholian asking Christo to dance....and then totally fumbled, leaning on the table with all the wine and knocking over the whole table.  and 36 bottles of wine.  Incredible smooth.  and hilarious.

Pholian Mar: rolling 100
100
= 100
aaahahahah
Les'z: OOC did he land on his face or his ass
LordVreeg (GM): pholian slips and falls into the table.
he knocks of=ver the whole thing
Pholian Mar: ooc: And that's probably a less embarassing way to go in this situation >,<
LordVreeg (GM): 36 wine bottles fall and miraculously.....they ALL BREAK on him

Pholian Mar: ....ouch.
*"....ouch"
LordVreeg (GM): CARASH!!!!!!!!!

Les'z: So much for not embarrassing Kakoana! HA HAAHAHAHAHAHAH HAHA HAHAHAH
LordVreeg (GM): Christo falls on tp of him, soaking herself, as does Gregoir
Vee: Well.
rolling 1d100
(
49
)
= 49
LordVreeg (GM): the music stops
Pholian Mar: I burn up like a candle, of course, looking as if I just tried to shapeshift into a beetroot
LordVreeg (GM): Vee slides, then barely dodges
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on December 03, 2013, 08:40:22 AM
I liked all the spooky last few sessions.

LordVreeg (GM): you turn the corner ...and see Christo standing, her white gown flowing in the wind, in the window overlooking the Goldane Quad, a hissing escaping her mouth every breath, breathing hard

she stands right in the window, covered in Wine stains, eyes wide and unseeing
Pholian Mar: Did she/it notice me?
I of course quickly move my head back, laying close to the wall.
LordVreeg (GM): she does not seem to movebraced in the window
she is totally standing in it, leaning herself out a bit
Pholian Mar: Starting to feel like I should've drank a bit more wine rather than just soak in it, I start to approach it, trying to do so as silently as possible, watching her carefully as I do so, because I'm feeling a bit scared about what I may be dealing with here
LordVreeg (GM): there seems to be a white fog rising on the oter side of her
Pholian Mar: Wait
She's standing in the window.
LordVreeg (GM): yes
Pholian Mar: Not next to the window?
LordVreeg (GM): second floor
Pholian Mar: Alright, this is really giving me a bad vibe, I advance quicker.
LordVreeg (GM): as you get closer, the hissing is starting to be louder
she leans further out
Pholian Mar: Gulping, I ask "Chris, are you okay?" While starting to run.
LordVreeg (GM): she does not answer, but the white mist is starting to wreathe around her....
and you see something rising from below starting to show over the bottom of the window sill, cylindrical
Pholian Mar: Alright, I grab her and pull out of the window, as far from it as possible in fact.


The session made me quite happy, as a matter of fact.

It also looks as if we are on for this Thursday.  Praise be to Woarter, the Hosting God...
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on December 06, 2013, 10:22:21 PM
ok, that was awesome.  We gamed bad dreams,  possession, window breaking, and a sleepover in the girl's dorm.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on December 07, 2013, 06:03:52 PM
We're on for tomorrow, btw?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on December 07, 2013, 06:24:29 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;714127
We're on for tomorrow, btw?


After last game?
I cannot wait.  
Maybe after Waxcrenior things will get less spook-ridden.
"Did I tie her up?"   That was a classic.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on December 10, 2013, 08:14:17 PM
one of the bits of knowledge that comes from celebrating your first Waxcrenior at the Collegium Campus is that different times of year can be read by the movement of the twin suns and twin moons as well as the Planets Legos, Xiou, Cemel,  and Eytu.

"With the right charts, one can determine where in the Dadem you are, even if you woke up after being asleep for months, because the movements of the celestial bodies are a constant, and have almost the exact same placement at the same time of the Dadem, " Says Keeper Voros, showing a simple Orrery.

He looks out and continues.  "Now, everyone knows that Waxcrenior and Hogunnet are holidays where the House of Death is closer to the Waking Dream.  This is the reason we are so careful now.  Ancient cultures, we theorize, did not know the reason why, but they knew that any time of the Dadem when Cernel was close and came in front of Xiou, well, the spirits seemed especially active."

He picks up a book, and thumbs to a page.  The class is silent, absorbing this very relevant information, as the students have all heard ghost stories from upper classmen about Waxcrenior terrors at the Collegium.

"The first alignments between the Void Sources and the time of the Dadem and the celestial movements that was discovered was Waxcrenior, as every year at that time, the spirit's influence is clear, and the power of the House of Life is lessened.   Bronos is the Opposite, and Hogunnet is when both the Well of Death and the Well of Life have strong influence.  There are times when other Void Sources are especially aligned, as well"
He looks up..."From Tel Arrives second Book, written here back in 290 RON, the  "Alignments of planet and Void, the basic version"....which is your reading for the next hawaak.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on December 19, 2013, 01:03:36 PM
we are supposed to be on roll20 tonight, 8:45 eastern.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on December 29, 2013, 03:53:04 PM
we will be playing the night of the 2nd, at 8:50ish on roll20.net.

we will be starting at the end of the Visit to the Reapers Brotherhood in Dilvish Hall.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on December 29, 2013, 06:44:02 PM
Roger that.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on January 03, 2014, 08:42:17 AM
another very good session, with the PCs dealing a lot more with the regularity of magic in the Collegium, as well as how to act and how not to act, as the holiday of Waxcrenior, when the House of Death is close to the Waking Dream, is upon the PLayers.

but the feel of tradition, like the Dexies (first year students) making the Jack O Lanterns for the war of the upperclassmen and prefects later (and old tradition), and all the activity around the Quad, was also a lot of fun.

And Enchanter Perrold will be holding the two crazy statuettes for the nighrt of Waxcrenior.  So Pholian might sleep
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on January 17, 2014, 03:03:18 PM
Frankly, the sessions have been transcendent.
The students, along with Prefect Connor Bin, on the afternoon of Waxcrenior, are surprised by a strange fox-faced spirit digging around a sunken, old entrance to venerable Gronth Hall.
 After mistakenly triggering a secret compartment on the other side of a door, they determine to enter Gronth Hall to try to reach the opened compartment.  here is a portion of the game last night.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Connor..." now...that is interesting I have 2 classmates who can...So ..Fifth Station, huh..."

Pholian Mar: I grumble "I wish I could see things, not dead people."

Tiny Christo tightens her grip on Pholian's hand..." hush..it is our lot."

Gregoir starts down the stairs. " dusty,. very. Maybe a few years, at least."  Clouds of dust move up, but in the still air of Gronth hall, they float, making almost a chalky fog.

Pholian Mar: "Maybe that thing left something there for use after it returned?" I say as I go downstairs

Vee heads down as well.

Gregoir goes first, long, thin knife in hand, cocked behind him.

suddenly, a blue glow ignites from behind
Connor's hand is glowing a cool blue,

Pholian Mar: I turn around quickly

Gregoir….”some sort of spell, giving a little light?  Thank you, we Dexies have a lot to learn.”

The group comes to the bottom of the curves, old white marble steps

Pholian Mar: I mutter a quick prayer under my breath to calm my nerves a bit.

There is a black, wooden door in front of the group, with a rounded top.  the door seems locked, with a brass lock with a thin keyhole.  
Gregoir sticks in his thin, long dagger.   And pops it open

He seems quite surprised.
*creeeeck*

Pholian Mar: "Well, that was easier than expected."

LordVreeg (GM): http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/73107272/Old%20Library%20ca

in front of the group is a strange tableau
A glass dome ceiling, with a metal spiderweb  supporting it, though the light coming through is dimmed by leafy debris, and books everywhere.  Sweeping staircases lead up around to a level with bookshelves above, with dimmed candelabra and darkened entrances left and right.   While in front of you, a low staircase leads down.  The Chamber below is more shadowed, circular, with debris-covered desks left and right, circumscribed by books lining every wall.  IN the center is a strange, 4’ wide half globe made of metal, on a 2’ high circular platform.  It is still in here, with the small of mouldering tomes.

(To Vee): in your ear, you hear.." well. she did find it..."

Pholian Mar: I look around the room. It's heavily covered in dust, I suspect?

Vee: "I know where we are."

(To Pholian Mar): you note a shadowy klaxik in black standing at the bottom of the stair

Vee: "I didn't think we'd find it this easy, to be honest."

the room is coated in ancient dust

Gregoir.." nope..the door really was locked..."  He’s still impressed with himself.

Connor.." Vee...where?"

Pholian Mar: "Sssh!" I turn slowly to face the klaxik, motioning at him with my head so that others see him as well.

(To Pholian Mar): he has a small silver axe, in grey maille. and a green cloak...his face is half removed and bloody.

Connor.." I…sense ..something here...  The tall Omwo is handling a silver necklace.

Pholian Mar: "It's standing at the stairs" I mutter.

Christo turns, looking up ." Pholian...do you see him?"

(From Vee): Do I see anything?

Pholian Mar: "And trust me, you don't want to see him." I speak with clear disgust, though can't tear my eyes away from the sombre sight

(To Vee): roll detect
Vee: rolling 1d100
(
5
)
= 5
(To Vee): wow 37 exp in art
(From Vee): I am surprised.
(From Vee): Also leveled.
(To Vee): many things glow here, to you. the globe in the center area has a large, old, secondary glow...you feel a faint pulse from it



Vee walks over towards the globe, going down the stairs.

(To Vee): and in a book, in the upper right area, it is glowing in the bookcase more than any other.

(To Pholian Mar): she is walking towards the klaxik

Tiny Christo raises her hand, “ ...Vee...slow down.. a spirit has an axe in front of you."

Gregoir, moving to the edge of the stairs….” I hate this place. I hate Waxcrenior..”  he seems undecided.

Pholian Mar: "Yes, wait a moment"…."Dodge!"

(To Pholian Mar): you see the klaxik arm up…his black orbs are full of intended malice.

Pholian Mar: I run forward

Vee:  I duck and roll right!

(To Pholian and Christo) suddenly, the cloaked klaxik with a ruined face is in front of Vee with a silver axe and swinging it with force and anger….

(To Vee): you feel something mortal and terrible happening as you roll…..


In the eyes of most, suddenly Vee dodges and rolls, responding to the yells…

(to Pholian) The angry, ruined klaxik still stands next to the globe...

Vee backs away, slowly.

Christo..."He is tied to the orb"...she is tightly pressed against Pholian’s side.

Pholian Mar: I look at Vee "You said you know this place...what's that globe?" I back away from the klaxik as well, up the stairs.

Connor seems to relax slightly, " well somewhere off to the right is our grate, if my sense is right."  He holds a compass in his hands.

Vee: "I think this is the Library of Past Students, but I have no clue what the globe is, hence why I was walking over."
"It is, magical, obviously, though."

Connor gasps..." How do you know about that?  It is a legend to most of the students."

Vee: "Warden Jomak, or I guess his ghost, told me about it."

Pholian Mar: "Library of Past Students?"

Connor shakes his head. " and I thought my life was weird being in the Bin clan"

(To Pholian Mar): the klaxik seems angry...and a small, winged skull is flying around.." in a high voice" must go.....maybe later, but must go..."

(To Vee): a deep voice, in the back of your head, seemingly from behind you..." once found, found always.."

Pholian Mar: "Can you dismiss the Klaxik like you did with the Foxface, Prefect?"

Christo..." I have a bad feeling..."

Vee: "Before he swung at me, did the Klaxik say anything to any of you?"

 Connor, " I am somewhat tapped, my friends. That took a lot out of me"  He looks sheepish. “ I may be a prefect, but I am still a student, and I poured a lot into that dismissal…and it is very temporary.”

Pholian Mar: "Not really. There's a skull floating around saying something must go."…Spoken as if said skull was an oddly shaped chandelier or some other mundane object.

Christo shakes her head, " No but the mummy thing warned me that he was a servant of something that hates us."

Vee: "Mummy thing?"

Pholian Mar: "Mummy thing?"

Christo.." Floating skull?"

Connor..." ok., maybe we go right towards the grate?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just an amazing session
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on January 27, 2014, 08:40:21 AM
finally over that huge busy season.
Expect an outburst of things Celtrician in February.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on January 27, 2014, 12:44:39 PM
Eggcellent. Also, our group theme song so far: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTq6nwO4oJU

'It was the Dean of Necromancy all along!' 'Yes, and I would've gotten away with it, if it wasn't for those meddling kids!'
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on January 28, 2014, 08:29:15 PM
i certainly cannot think you are wrong.  though the different sensitivities of the kids gives a wonderful digression of viewpoint within the group.

also...
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/73372199/The%20Politics%20of%20Stenron
still working


and this was one of the best endings to an online session ever...

Mar: "Not really. There's a skull floating around saying something must go."…Spoken as if said skull was an oddly shaped chandelier or some other mundane object.

Christo shakes her head, " No but the mummy thing warned me that he was a servant of something that hates us."

Vee: "Mummy thing?"

Pholian Mar: "Mummy thing?"

Christo.." Floating skull?"
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 04, 2014, 09:19:46 AM
ok, well, that was a corker.
And now your collection of statuette's is growing...how much fun is that?
(maybe you should not answer)
What night shall we do your intermezzo session?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on February 04, 2014, 09:42:10 AM
So far, good and fun, don't worry ;). As for the intermezzo - this Thursday night sounds good?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 04, 2014, 12:21:18 PM
Sounds perfect.
I look forward to it.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 04, 2014, 02:00:02 PM
Also, added and updated the players page (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes),

as well as added a number of new spells  (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956149/Spell%20List)to the system, I think we are over 660 now.  Trying to add more of the more cantrip level and easier to cast ones in.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 06, 2014, 02:54:17 PM
The Politics of Stenron

 
In a city as vast as this, the political machination is huge, and in a city as truly ancient, the wells of passion and intrigue run deep.  The Grey March is a representative Monarchy, with a King ( a matriarchal lineage) and Senatorial body known as the Hondurot that is elected.  Similarly, the Governor of Stenron, the Consala, is dictated and selected by the King, but must be ratified by a majority of the Hundorot.  

 
The King and Consala live in the same palace, in a larger and smaller wing.  This palace is called the Wensale.  In terms of the politics of the sprawling city, this area is a hub of excitement and intrigue, in the hills of the Jarminic neighborhood. All the city-provinces of the Grey March have a home for their Hondurs and their staff there.  

The Jarmanic is an ancient district that sits on the foothills and mountain side of the huge Mount Coriel, the huge 'cork' on the eastern side of the valley.  Half way up is the huge and hoary fortress Jarmin, the home of the Tarcleri~ Knights, just above the Wensale palace.   As one moves up past the Fortress, one goes into some very old residences and estates, then strange elder temples and ruins midst older trails.  This is where the cradle term, "I'm going up the Hill with it" comes from, when someone takes an idea or thought to be decided on.
The Hundurot normally number about two hundred and fifty, with some twenty six seats being taken automatically by other settlements and towns (Miston, Hopiton, Castle Ellis, etc), five seats being bestowed by the kIng, twenty nine seats being hereditary or owned by Guild or knighthood (three of these are owned by the Order of Stenron), one seat of each of the sixteen districts within the confines of Stenron herself, and rest being literally voted on, with about half being voted on in the rest of the country and half within the confines of the city.
The term is six years, but voting happens every other year, with roughly a third of the seats being up for re-election at a time.  Since the Grey March, like many of the Cradle states, was once a collection of independent settlements, this means some eighty seats total are voted on outside of the city and tabulated through the use of the BBN.
And where the outer settlements sort of rule within their spheres (until the federal system intervenes), the Hudurot spends at the majority of their time governing the huge population of Stenron, which makes sense since almost half of the entire acculturated population of the country lives within the boundaries of the Great City.
 
For political movements and attitudes, there are plenty, some ancient, some new.
 
Theocrats-this is a wide-ranging group of policies that think the Godstraat and the ancient nature of Stenron's background are under-represented in the government.  The most common argument is about how many seats in the Hunderot are manned by these less-secular folk, though there are people who wish for much more.
 
Milatarists-A rather nice name given to those that believe that it is the duty of the Marcher nation to lead the cradle, and that resistance to the Empire of Argus should be much more active.  They tend to compare Argus to ancient Venolvia.
 
Dademist - Those that tend to see progress as a cyclical and good thing.  Much of the March is somewhat hidebound, and the Dademists are normally the progressives, but very based on the idea of a political and geopolitical cycle.
 
Centrists-those that want to keep political power central to great Stenron and increase the amount of Hondurs coming from the city.  Often tied to the Istar movement.
 
Istar - The power of the old families, and in Stenron, this is huge, as there are 4 major Omwo~ families and many others right behind them that have held political power and mercantile power off and on for hundreds or even thousands of years.  Nobody is really against these families; though many notice their immunity to the laws and their consistent influence.  The positive side is the luxurious side of Stenron, the balls and dances and functions, and the parts of these old families that donate heavily, but there is also an undercurrent that they have outlived their use and that this small group that owns so much of the city.
 
Concerted- The political thought that the 'Planars, Angels, and Saints' (as the phrase goes) directly nudge things in certain directions, in everyone's life, and affect the politics of the Grey March.  This belief often goes with the Theocrats, but not always.
 
Guildist- the power of the mercantile guilds also continues to grow, and is also seen as the voice of the powerful 'middle upper class", and often seen as the voice of the middle class, as well.  this group is often virulently annti-taxation and suspicious of war.
 
Voider - the political idea that too much power is tied up in the ability to sense and manipulate the void.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 16, 2014, 06:20:43 PM
so we missed last session due to the snow storm up here, and me having to roof rake like crazy.  So we are going to try again for this thursday for a full session.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on February 16, 2014, 07:09:42 PM
Roger that - I should be there, without a sudden occurrence :).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 16, 2014, 08:45:55 PM
good.  
Figures we lost the session since the Intermezzos were so good.  We will pick up next Thursday, probably playing after Waxcrenior.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 20, 2014, 06:35:58 PM
and that means tonight, my unconventional conventionalists....we play.
normal time, 8:45-9pm starting, roll20.net,
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 23, 2014, 02:01:19 PM
Session 12 went well, unexpurgated session is right here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/75607451/Session%20Twelve%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game)...

One High Point
"Pholian Mar: "Sounds like your angle indeed, Vee." I grab my bag and stand up as well
LordVreeg (GM): Christo...muttering..."better than dead people. telling me how i should make my Geryon-damned kafee, "
Pholian Mar: I snicker biefly
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..." pretty newish and popular crew, Vee. "
Vee: "Oh one more thing," Vee says as she gets up, "I saw your fox-faced 'friend' last night."
(To Pholian Mar): you here a voice behind you..."well, who doesn't sweeten their kafee???"
LordVreeg (GM): Christo stops dead.....
Pholian Mar: I turn around sharply.
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir groans..." he REALLY gets around..."
Pholian Mar: "Mrm. Indeed."
(To Pholian Mar): there is no one there
LordVreeg (GM): Christo..." in dreams? or last night when you were awake?"
Pholian Mar: "Eh. Just another bird and a rat with day and night ears."

We need to schedule up the Intermezzo sessions, BTW.  Next full session should be 3/6
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 02, 2014, 05:21:28 PM
In case you've every wondered what the robes (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/76134524/cloak%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana) of the boys, girls, prefects, and faculty looked like in the collegium game...very different than the grey wrapped togas of the regular Grey March inhabitants.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 06, 2014, 11:52:02 AM
and we are on tonight, probably around 9 pm eastern
should have 3 then 4 players on.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 08, 2014, 08:35:31 AM
13th full session as the game continues to gain steam and the complexity of their upcoming curriculum and all the layers of history they are uncovering sits next to the social situation of being boarding students in the largest and oldest school of magic in public Celtricia.  Some pieces are still being found, but a groove is coming together.  And you know things are a little strange when unseen voices are expected and people plan on meeting with a mummy.  Here's a sample.


Les'z: Maybe if the mummy wants meetings to happen there, we should start meeting there occasionally after we have checked it out again

then again, i couldnt see the mummy"

Pholian Mar: "And that is, if we'd trust a mummy."

(To Vee): by now, you are full in the throws of a nightmare of the library night, of people talking about things you cannot see and screaming orders to you

Les'z: Christo thought it was a NICE mummy

We know the statues we are dealing with aren't nice

Pholian Mar: "Now, I'm no specialist, but an undead creature wishing to meet with the living doesn't sound...well, Christo also thinks I'm nice, which does say something about her taste" I flash a grin though quickly add "I kid, I kid!"

 Christo laughs, a lovely sound..." I think he'd be pleased. he did not like the klaxik guardian of the eye."

she kicks Pholian a bit

Pholian Mar: "Ow! Fine, we can give the mummy a chance."

Les'z: "its not my talent, but Christo seems to be pretty in tune with that side of the shade"

LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..." They eye...you mean the big orb in the middle"

Christo..."Not a talent you want", she says ruefully.

(To Pholian Mar): an educated voice behind you..." who wants to see spirits? Not you..."

Pholian Mar: I turn my head back for a moment, then return to the conversation.

"Well, there's also a chance I hurt my head pretty badly when I fell over that table, but I can't explain why Christo'd see them that way, heh."

 Gregoir..."sounds like a challenge. Les'z?  and there were a ton of moldy books there."

Les'z: "that library could be a treasure trove of knowledge ... and who else really knows about it?"

which challenge, G?

"falling over a table?

 Christo..."Connor Bin said there was some knowledge of our break in"


Full sheet from session 13 here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/76517528/Session%20Thirteen%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game).  So far, in terms of being less of anything traditional and being more interesting from a story standpoint, this game seems to have more of that 'literary quality' I like.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 12, 2014, 06:10:38 PM
on the left coast of the US for a few days....business, of course.  I can set up a Intermezzo for Sunday.  Next week is very heavy travel as well, though, possibly Florida all week
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on March 15, 2014, 05:29:43 PM
I'm cool for Sunday, btw.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 15, 2014, 08:32:25 PM
awesome.  I should be sort of back on East coast time then.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on March 16, 2014, 10:31:51 AM
If you can't make it, no worries - just post me an update here or on FB preferably :).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 16, 2014, 06:34:16 PM
crossposting from FB,
I think I am getting up at 3:45 am local time to catch a flight.  So that negates any chance of me running the social experiment known as the CA game.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on March 16, 2014, 09:31:59 PM
No worries - travel safe, and we'll do it sometime else.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 22, 2014, 12:00:26 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;736944
No worries - travel safe, and we'll do it sometime else.

finally back from San Diego then all over Florida.

we need to set up a schedule for the next month. thinking we try to play this Thursday, the 27th and 4/10.  how does that sound?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on March 22, 2014, 04:43:29 PM
Good for now.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 23, 2014, 08:41:00 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;738181
Good for now.

perfect.  I'll be on and off roll20 tonight, if you are around.  no stress, but I am catching up with a lot of players.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on March 29, 2014, 11:23:21 PM
This or next Sunday for Intermezzos?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 30, 2014, 11:02:12 AM
Quote from: Rincewind1;739623
This or next Sunday for Intermezzos?


Let's try tonight, while it is still fresh in our minds....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 30, 2014, 02:43:23 PM
Gronth Hall of the Collegium Arcana (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/77904329/Gronth%20Hall%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Stenron)

(Linked, as there are visuals and more links on the original)

Gronth Hall, an Orbian-derived Marcher-style building squatting on the South-Western corner of the Golden Quad,  is currently home to a few small Fraternities. It was one of the earlier building made for the purpose of being a campus building (many of the first buildings on campus were old residences or for other purposes, though some belonged to earlier schools).  It is just North of Penult Hall, and of a similar design and time period.  The lawn on the Golden Quad in front of it slightly slopes up in front towards north, but is open, with a few lit globes on the walk.
 
Gronth was made by a pair of gnomic architects, and has a distinctive tower in the front facing over the Golden Quad.  It is a very distinguished looking building, but some careful observation reveals some wear and lack of care, especially the back, where there are some boarded up windows.  It is old, started on year 2 of the R.O.N, however, in the midst of the muddle of other old buildings, it matches strangely well.  The Golden Quad area of the Collegium is one of the busiest areas, so this little used building on the corner is a bit strange.
 
It is grey bricked, made of Fidikmarple, with wooden accents common to the Marcher style of architecture.  The tower has slotted, thin windows in a faux-military style.  There are two main entrances, (front and rear), as well as a small, lower level entrance with old steps leading to it on the east side.
 
Gronth's interior is mainly dark woods, and ancient rugs, as well as a mishmash of ancient awards and knicknacks that found there way here.  It does get polishing spells a few times a year, but while there are areas that are used enough to look wealthy and attractive still, many other areas are little used, or even abandoned and ramshackle (so the polishing spell actually rips up or damages areas.  
 
So when one walks through the front double doors, they are greeted by an elegant tableau.  But the back door area is in poor repair, and the entry hall there looks like it has seen decades of disuse.  There are tales of students (always from someone who knows someone, rarely from a primary source)going in and seeing long abandoned room, full of spooky desks and strange instruments.
 
Currently, the building houses a few small classrooms on the first level, and then the Historical Eyes Fraternity (a guild that specializes in illusion and the historical study of same), and there is a small hall and attached rooms for the Order of the Meter, an ancient bestowed Order based on advanced work with music and magic.    Sometimes, it seems music can be heard piping though the windows.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on April 06, 2014, 02:32:49 PM
I'll be around tonight, poke me on FB if you'd be.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 06, 2014, 06:22:41 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;741233
I'll be around tonight, poke me on FB if you'd be.


and of course i am suddenly on a flight to NYC for an emergency board meeting.  I will try to get on later, but god damn it, these sudden issues drive me nuts
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on April 06, 2014, 07:46:05 PM
Quote from: LordVreeg;741259
and of course i am suddenly on a flight to NYC for an emergency board meeting.  I will try to get on later, but god damn it, these sudden issues drive me nuts


No worries, do travel safely.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 08, 2014, 10:49:43 AM
Quote from: Rincewind1;741274
No worries, do travel safely.


OK, we are most certainly on this Thursday night, with a full group session...starting right from where we left off at the strange after effects of the testing at 'Spellcasting Basics' class....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 10, 2014, 07:46:39 PM
and yes, not traveling...no issues...will make it tonight
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 13, 2014, 11:21:17 AM
ok, after that session, we can schedule intermezzos for Pholian.  Vee, Les'z and Llum's new character are getting scheduled as well.
We are currently playing after noon on Lawsak the 11th.  

Play page is here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes), where the sessions and some notes are laid out.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on April 13, 2014, 04:37:58 PM
Ah, I thought we were on for tonight :). But I'm good for proposals, heh.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 14, 2014, 05:19:53 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;742412
Ah, I thought we were on for tonight :). But I'm good for proposals, heh.


wed or thur?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on April 14, 2014, 06:04:03 PM
Quote from: LordVreeg;742658
wed or thur?


Wednesday.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 14, 2014, 07:26:04 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;742670
Wednesday.


thy will, oh mighty Pholian Mar, Lord of Ghosts, hater of tables, finder of secret libraries...
see you then
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 19, 2014, 05:50:01 PM
The update of the Play page of the Collegium Arcana game after 15 full session and twice as many intermezzo sessions.

This game is one of the more detail-oriented ones I've ever run in my entire history.  Hence, even this cursory page is getting pretty full.  From here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes), if you want to have the pictures and the links.




Play notes for the Collegium Arcana online game
 
Overview

Six new Dexdemit students congregate in an antechamber between the girls and young men's wings of Toad Hall, the drafty, boxish dorm built expressly to hold a large amount of young students, with comfort being some afterthought. Further introduction can be found here, and a skill list for starting characters can be found here.  All of the Students have their Dexie Student Robes and their Student's Starter Kits.
 
The starting date is Harvak, Hisui the first,  in the Eight Hundred and ninety-fifth year since the founding of the Theocracy of Nebler (the Reckoning of Nebler).  The players take the roles of students of the Collegium Arcana, the largest school for teaching the use of the Woo in the whole of Celtricia.
 
Their first Classes are "Introduction to the Void Sources", "Basic Spellcasting", "History of the Woo", which they take six days a hawaak, and "Basic Math" and "Basic Potions", which alternate and they take thrice a hawaak.
 
Dramatis Personae
Gregoir Hes - A tall, lanky Marcher Human, hailing from the western Coriel Valley.  He was educated in the Lumis Centrat.  
Bosh the Black - A mixed orcash-dominant lad. A little rough around the edges.  History is his favorite class.
Jessie Het Greenfarm - a Hobyt girl, thin, excitable and socially aware.  Some Shrum Blood in there.
Christo Jar Binook - A gnome lass.  Somewhat withdrawn and gets along with everyone, though sometimes overwrought.
Pholian Mar - An adventurous Gwynellian Human lad.  A little excitable.
Viwih "Vee" Ou~sine - A controlled and controlling Imo Omwo~ girl from a (once) wealthy Omwo~ family in town.
Les'z (Lesumi Cel'em) - Omwo~ boy,. spent 2 years in the Lumis Centrat.  
Keeper Voros - Older Gartier Professor of the Woo. Gentle yet still imposing.
Warden Frimak- middle aged, portly Klaxik Professor of Basic Void Sources, offices are in Kravent Hall.
Prefect Kakoana - Young, vain Klaxik, black haired, bushy and a little plump-Kyo class (3rd year)
Keeper Verstock-Orcash professor of the Kankenbytes, a real gearhead.
Senior Enchanter Woolridge - middle aged Clan Telman (Grey March) human, teaches Hstory of the Woo.
Prefect Connor Bin -Huet or Imo Omwo~, silver white hair, handsome young man from a clan known for  Necromantic and Death magic skills.
Grfank-Orcash pureblood, smart but acts the boor . Dexdemit.
Senior Enchanter Frosch Del Albon -Kaan Klaxik Male, younger, self important tutor.
Reginald Far Comstock-A long dead student.
Weronima Ondranet - Grey March/Wastrian human mix, black hair, thin, very social.
Henriessa Gonastic -Tall mixed human girl, strong and a bit thick of build, full of friendship, however.
Enchantger Perrold Bin--Huet of Imo Onwo~, of the reapers' Fraternity. Father of ConnorBin.
Kara Ben Vinook - Prefect, neophyte of Rightmakers and Reapers Fraternities, human, with some Wastrian or Kalil blood.  Serious and acts like she is always behind schedule.
Meldrin Mestune-Motsemik (second year) Wolden Omwo~, a little thick, dark hair, seems to know everyone.  Friends with Henriessa and Jessie.
Petal - Gnomic smart girl, thick, language challenged, smart with math
Warden Caltrop - Kindly Klaxik Kankenbyte, female, teaches math.
Warden Jomak- gnomic Ghost of an old teacher , dead a century.
Tober -short human male Caltok student, from North Hall.  Spiky black hair.
Sarabee- tiny hobyt girl, quiet, lives in Toad Hall.
Horos Han Restwidget-Red Haired hobyt with Terosphere beliefs, from rm 320 Toad Hall.
 
Sessions
Session One - The group played through their introduction and meeting with some other students, as well as their current prefect, Kakoana.  They got situated in the antechamber in Toad Hall, and then went to North Hall, and had Dinner.  All this was Harvak, Hisui the first.
Intermezzo One - This will be based on Q+A of the three introductory classes.
Session Two - A good session after the first day at school, up in the Common room on the second level of Toad Hall.  And then, the illicit trip out to the Golden Quad.
Intermezzo Two - Mainly dealing with individual teacher meetings and a bit of exploration...and people casting spells illegally.
Session Three - The first Fastak of the school year, with 95% of the school and much of the city converging on the Godstraat of Stenron.  More mystery, and such.
Intermezzo Three -Classwork, and privately playing through the 5th, 6th and 7th.
Session Four - Spent mainly preparing for the Incoming Dance, and eating lunch in North Hall, and complications of seeing people that were unexpected.  And some failed CC rolls.
Session Five - The pre-ball, dressing, and the Ball.  The Procession of the Dexdemits, the bestowal of the basic spell books (empty for now), socializing and being expected to act like adults at 10-12 years old.  After a crazy day, Pholian Mar brings down the house as Vee and Jessie look on from a slight distance.
Intermezzo Five - the end of the Incoming Ball, and the time before Waxcrenior on the 9th.
Session Six - Turns out to be the night of the ball and the morning of Waxcrenior...that and some very rough dreams and a possession...
Session Seven - The group plays through the morning of Waxcrenior, classes, and the beginning
of a visit to Dilvish Hall, and talking to Perrold Bin about the Statuettes.
Session Eight - The second half the visit to the Reaper's Fraternity and the Elder Bin.
Session Nine - Vee goes off with Henrissa and Weronima, Connor Bin, Gregoir, Les'z and Pholian go towards Tenth hall...and
Pholian sees the shade of the fox man digging around near an old entrance to Gronth Hall.
Session Ten - Vee and Christo come over, and join the others as the sneak into a back entrance to Gronth Hall, and find the entrance to an old Library...one that Vee Recognizes.
Session Eleven- The group finishes exploring the very dark and dusty old Library, and avoids some spooks only a few can see, then discovers what it seems the Fox-faces shade was looking for....another Statuette...all this, and it is still the night of Waxcrenior.
Intermezzo Eleven - Vee, Pholian, and Les'z enjoy Waxcrenior Hijinks, in between being haunted by spirits.
Session Twelve - The morning after Waxcrenior (Monak, the 10th) the group has breakfast in North Hall, Vee speaks to a prefect, and the group gets back into routine, back to classes.
Intermezzo Twelve - where the students get back to studying, and prying to get answers to the mysteries that keep multiplying.
Session Thirteen - after a tough day at class on Monak the tenth of Hisui, the students huddle in front of the firebrake in the common room in Toad Hall...then the mist rises...
Session Fourteen - breakfast on Lawsak, the Eleventh of Hisui, and Void Sources and Basic Spellcasting class, and a quiz gone wrong....
Session Fifteen - meetings on the Golden Quad with gnomic and FratreCanis Brothers of the Southern Eye, with too many questions, as well as the reappearance of one of the statuettes in Pholian's Pocket.  
 
 
 
Useful Information
 
Reaper's Brotherhood - Fraternity, very old, of Necromancer-prime casters.  Large Scythe Badge
RightMakers Fraternity - Fraternity of Artificer and Earth magicians, crafters and workers, a bit anti-Istar.
Brothers of the Southern Eye - Fraternal order of Mentalist and Transport magic, tied to many merchants.
The Order of the Kankenbyte -  Fraternal Order of Artificers who marry science, creation, and magic.
The Swords Arcanic-A martial brotherhood, studying the violent uses of the Woo and swordplay, as well.
 
"Clubber" - A brokenball player or a rough and tumble type who hangs with them.
"What Douhis do you visit today?"-Common greeting about where a person's day is taking them.
 
 
Locations
The Library of Lost Students-First mentioned in a book of Calcunonis, later found by the young Dexies in the Basement of Gronth Hall...
Gronth Hall -another old building, Marcher style, on south west corner of Golden Quad.  Used by certain fraternities and orders.
Fessenden Hall- The Huge Library on the west side of the Quad.
The Godstraat of Stenron. - The Street of Worship.
Douhis of the Remembered Path - Church of ancestor recognition, Ishmayl the Patient Turtle and Lesmick.  
Douhis of Irony and Black Humor - Chaosian Church of Jubillex and St. Tedu Redescu.
Acri Hall- Across from Penult, has a tower library dealing with artifice and items.
Douhis of the Terosphere-Avuntic Church that sees the end of days being the Stunatu inheriting all the riches of the Waking Dream.
 
 
Items of Note
The Fox-faced man Statuette-the first one found in the tree, in a long coat and hat.  And a knife. 10" tall
The klaxik in Lamellar statuette, sever, with longish hair with 2 axes-as a book holder  10" high
A statuette of a human in robes, wonderfully ornate, with twin kukri daggers, 4" tall.
 
 
Books and Tomes
Koenig and Goodeval's History of the Opening
Tales of Magic in Ambrettus
Art of the Woo, by Castor Excel.
Guide to the Spheres, by Beaumont.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 24, 2014, 06:40:17 PM
and the Collegium Game has session 16 tonight, on roll20.net.
9pm eastern time....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 25, 2014, 08:08:36 PM
Not to double post, or anything...
but session 16 was magnificent last night.

The game has continued on the path towards a school socio-drama, mystery and spookiness.  I've posted Session 15 and Session 16 on the GS site. (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes)  

 some fun parts..
AS the PCs finally have their spellbooks given back and now actually have a few spells in there.  A big event...
(To Les'z): your spellbooks just got given back, you have perfect note and Laugh in yours
Vee: "Hmm? Oh, I got Lodestone and Zipper."
(To Vee): you can hear, however, almost in the back of your head, an occasional waft of music again
LordVreeg (GM): Jessie.." ReallY? I Got Find Water and...Pisswater."
Pholian Mar: "Pisswater?"
LordVreeg (GM): this breaks up everyone...
lots of laughing
she laughs as well. "I'm trying to read it..."
"I guess it makes water pretty undrinkable"
Bosh.." I would say...I will watch my drinking round you....."
Pholian Mar: "That's an odd spell."
LordVreeg (GM): Jessie gives a lopsided smile, " well, these are supposed to be the basics, built to practise one"
Les'z: I got Perfect Note and Laugh
LordVreeg (GM): Grfank, " perfect for you"
Gregoir, " no way, Les'z doesn't even need a spell for Laughing..."
Christo..."well I am not tempted in the least. I can already see 2 spirits wandering around the GQ, I AM NOT BRINGING THEM OVER FOR A CHAT"
Pholian Mar: I chuckle at Gregoir's words "True, true that."

when the organ music starts to drive Vee a bit crazy...
Vee: "Anyone else hear any music?
Pholian Mar: "No, and I sure hope I won't."
LordVreeg (GM): Jessie, "and tomorrow is Fastak, we'll be over that way anyways"
Pholian Mar: "Last thing I need is more crazy."
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh, " Nope. got a tune in your head?"
Vee: "
"Organ music.
Pholian Mar: "By Llum, I have no intention of ending up in a big house listening to the animated armours" he continues to rant on
Les'z: "whose organ?"
LordVreeg (GM): Christo..."no, I see a few spirits outside, but nothing close enough to hear"
Pholian Mar: "Oh by Pablar's mercy, not organ music. Organ music is never good."
"It's all ominous."
Les'z: "only if it is in a minor key"
LordVreeg (GM): Grfank.." More Moog's mercy, but still I hear nothing. How loud to you is it, Vee?"
(From Les'z): nobody liked my organ comment
(To Les'z): hahahah
Vee: "Loud enough to be clear."
Pholian Mar: "So...is it low or high key?"
(To Vee): comes and goes, but the organ is playing some very old song....
Les'z: it must be an Artificer Organ
(To Vee): http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_GDFV-eqGY
Vee: "It's organ music. Sounds really old."
LordVreeg (GM): christo..." is it strange that it cheers me up someone else other than Pholain and I is havng this experience?"
Pholian Mar: I chuckle nervously, blushing a little, then nod to Les'z.


then the group decides on a late night foray...
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh..."To Christo's point....if the white mist starts coming up, I am so running my ass back here and playing Bael"
Vee: "Sword Arcanas, I think."
Pholian Mar: I pale a little as Bosh mentions that "Yeah...we all do that if the mist rises."
LordVreeg (GM): Grfank...." I am not familair with any of this"
Pholian Mar: "Especially if that horned odd guy comes around, then just run. Seriously, the rest is just creepy but he's....something else."
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..."Long story. "
Les'z: He wasn't visible to me
Pholian Mar: "Trust me Les'z, I'd much more have your talent than mine."
(From Pholian Mar): I was so tempted to say "yours doesn't rip off people's hands" but too early to say that IC
Les'z: I am not sure what my talent is good for yet (sigh)
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh.."Grfank, we had a run in with some gnomic Swords Arcanic,,,and they've tracked us ever since
Pholian Mar: "Well, at least it doesn't...but yeah, those jerks."
I pick up some energy after coming back to the familiar topic
"I have some scores to settle with one of them, so I'm all for going out."
(To Pholian Mar): bottom of here....for the image http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes
(From Les'z): what is it going to take to learn these spells
(From Pholian Mar): I remember him - I also remember he was a leader of some banned fraternity that dealt in blood, just can;'t remember it's name.
(To Les'z): well, you have 2
(From Les'z): well, i am thinking there is more to it than just memorizing them?
Pholian Mar: "So...Vee?"
(From Les'z): i can cast out of the book?
(From Les'z): or do we study them
(To Les'z): once it is in your book, and your book is close by, you can cast it
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh..."I'm....taking my book with me"
Christo..." yeah...not me. If I need to find a spirit, something is VERY wrong"
Vee: "I'm still not sure why you want to go out."
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh stops dead
Pholian Mar: "Why, you don't?"
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..." we were going out to find the music"
Gregoir..."if it is going to make it hard to sleep"
(From Pholian Mar): I look at Gregoir veeeery closely when he's not looking
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh.." But if you don't need to, all good"
Vee: "I guess I'll go. Since only I can hear it..."
(From Pholian Mar): Doesn't he act a little -too- keen?
(To Pholian Mar): he seems eager to do things, yes
Pholian Mar: "Well, I'm up for anything that won't be my fault for a change."
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..." Ok. Me, Bosh, Pholian, Vee...Anyone else"
Bosh..." I like how you just assume I'm going..." in a joking tone
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 01, 2014, 07:32:54 PM
Next group session in a week.  No intermezzo, due to the group being 'In Medias'.  About to explore the source of the organ music out in the Golden Quad in the dark night.....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 08, 2014, 12:10:45 PM
And the Dexdemits are on for tonight, trying to find the source of the strange organ music...
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on May 08, 2014, 12:12:21 PM
Roger that.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 11, 2014, 04:56:54 PM
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes

Updated play page and added session 17 to the linked pages. As we said, we will be playing weekly until this 'adventure' period ends, since we cannot do intermezzo sessions whist the group is investigating Gronth Hall.

For any who are interested in this game, we probably will have room in a month to add in.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 15, 2014, 10:24:59 AM
On tonight, as the late-night exploration of Gronth hall commences
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 16, 2014, 10:15:38 AM
Session 18 in the books.
Spooky exploration in the bricked passages under Gronth Hall.
moving through an arched library, and the group of students dealt with their first Combat, when a pair of 2' wide spiders jumped at them...

and they found a white cat.
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes

Session 19 next week.

Some high points...

with the PCs who are necro sensitive creeping out the others...
(To Les'z): you hear, way and far back, so slight you doubt, a babble of voices in the back of your head
LordVreeg (GM): Christo...."Pholian, any of your around? Mine have all taken off"
Bosh...."Orcus' Anus, my spooky friends...."
Les'z: "good news -- you all aren't insane, i am hearing voices in my head"
Pholian Mar: I glance at Christo "Well, I think they are, but they come and go so to speak. I can't really see them."
(To Pholian Mar): the sophisticate...sniffs...."voices, they say...."
LordVreeg (GM): A kinder voice..."the dead are indeed restles"
Pholian Mar: ..."Okay that's not one of mine."
"Oh yeah they warned there were some of the ghosts ahead. And the Klaxik with the axe from the last time."
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh..."ummm does that always happen?"
Les'z: "who said that"
Pholian Mar: "The nice guy I think."
(To Vee): Pholian's backpack is flashing silver and green, btw
Les'z: "i never heard him before"
Vee: "Pholian, something's going on with your backpack."
"The statues, I think."
LordVreeg (GM): Christo, agitated..."Bael's sweatiness, I never thought I'd feel so lonely without them"
Pholian Mar: I look into my backpack
Les'z: By Oroskin's foreskin, there is a lot of god cursing going on


Les'z: a two foot spider is a good bit bigger than a cat
LordVreeg (GM): wider
Pholian Mar: ooc: Ah, phew. In that case all good if we die.
ooc I was afraid we'd be literally wizards killed by cats.
LordVreeg (GM): ooc hahahahah
Pholian Mar: "Which one of you did that?!" I shout as I try to manoeuvre to the next spider.
LordVreeg (GM): ooc you note christo holding her candle in both hands, over her head, chanting
Les'z: "dont assume it is dead just because it hit a wall"
(To Vee): doing what now
(To Les'z): you can swing...
(From Les'z): the only spell christo got was corpse candle... is she summoning something?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 21, 2014, 01:58:29 PM
Most certainly on for tomorrow night...when, despite preparing a 64 salespersons for a huge Memorial day event and getting the marketing ready for it, I will continue with the first year student's exploration of the strange tunnels under Gronth Hall.  I'm enjoying the strange, old stuff the group keeps finding...
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 23, 2014, 11:35:48 AM
FullGroup Session 19 last night...
Spooky, crazy...fun.

" Gregoir..."something about the history of the Cairn Night...
Pholian Mar: I look at Les'z to confirm
Les'z: the scroll is in Makerspeak, I guess you know more about ti than i do
Greg
 Gregoir.."Cairn Night...undead hordes...yo. Tough scroll..
'Bosh..."I'd give my left tit to Inkmisa to take that back with us"
(To Vee): yes
Vee: "Let me give it a try."
Pholian Mar: "Why do you assume we can't?
Les'z: Are you talking about the scroll Bosh?
or the cat
(From Vee): Vee has 1 level in Magetongue (+8 bonus), and 2 levels in Basic Read/Write (+9 bonus).
 Bosh..." the scroll....so amazing..."
(To Vee): ok...come over and look, and roll
 the cat bounces over to Vee
 
Vee walks over and takes a look at the scroll.
Les'z: We have accumulated a number of things, why not a scroll too
Pholian Mar: I chuckle "I think the cat's already chosen the new owner"



A dynamic that has been huge is that some of the players are sensitive to certain types of magic, so they see and hear things the others don't...makes for a really, really weird and surreal experience.  2 of the students are Necromantic sensitives, so they carry on conversations with spirits...
" Bosh..."Redit is "ownership" in Anarch...and Venolvian comes from Anarch."
Les'z: "and for the record, that cat appears to be a cat"
 the white cat jumps on top of the old desk
Pholian Mar: "Well, Mentat sounds kind of obvious..."
"Given Les'z talents"
(To Pholian Mar): sly voice..."someone has a fingerbone you'd be far more useful with...maybe we could find a way to get it."
 Christo..." the idiot also thinks we should have brought Kaffee"
Les'z: "so Bosh you think Rekit in Venolvian is the same as Redit in Anarch?"
(From Pholian Mar): I whisper "A fingerbone? And tell the way."
 Bosh..." yep, based on some other derivations
Pholian Mar: "Why should we bring Kaffee? Since when do the spirits drink."
"Maybe it means - It's supposed to belong to the Mind Talented?"
(To Pholian Mar): well, the snotty one..the snotty omwo...really could use to join the spirit world....
(From Pholian Mar): I look between Vee and Les'z. Does Les'z have more snot than usual?
 Christo...."no, it's just the Idiot's way of saying we sit and ponder well...he's a jerk"
(To Pholian Mar): ok. funny. no,
(From Pholian Mar): I mumble "Did you just suggest I should kill my friend?"
(From Pholian Mar): "Or that there's another spirit trapped here?"
Pholian Mar: "At least he's one jerk, I have four."
(To Pholian Mar): the sly voice...."kill? so harsh...eliminate."
Pholian Mar: "How about you go eat a duck, you qack?"
"Uh, sorry."
Christo laughs....", well, I mean the mummy...I call him the idiot, as he is so simple minded"
Les'z: "you people need to quit hearing things"


http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes   the links to the play page and the sessions.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 29, 2014, 12:17:28 PM
And we will be on tonight, as the exploration of the basement of Gronth Hall continues...roll20.net, celtricia, at 9pm eastern
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 30, 2014, 10:01:10 AM
Full Session 20, oh, with a really bad injury, the fun of the late night exploration is replaced by cold, hard reality, and the students needing to loudly enter and seek help from a dorm....the play centered around the (uber-lawful) players spilling the beans about their illicit exploration into the basement of Gronth hall, and the attack of the cloaked undead...
and then, getting Gregoir Healed, while the white mist comes up.....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 31, 2014, 04:36:08 PM
Here is the page on how Damage is adjudicated in the Collegium Game (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/81242390/Collegium%20System%20for%20Hit%20Points).


Taking Damage in the Collegium Game.
 
In the Collegium Game, we are splitting traditional Hit Points in half. The lower half are considered physical HP, real wounds and actual bodily damage. The upper half is to be considered partially stamina, endurance and ability. These are called Physical HP and Endurance HP, respectively.  Hit Point in our game are low anyway, so this is designed to help the smart player manage them better.  It is also to better represent the physical condition better.  In most circumstances, characters are supposed to take Endurance damage until their Endurance HP are gone, before they start taking actual, Physical HP.

The upside is that players regain the upper half, the Endurance HP after a good night's sleep. All of them. They can also regain 1 endurance HP after a half hour break after a combat, And players can also roll their HP regeneration skill once per injury with a gulp of wine after said injury.  The idea here is that these Endurance Hit Points represent loss of wind and adrenaline, knowing when to rest and how to take a shot (and knowing how to take a shot is a critical part of real combat).  So they come back pretty quickly, and all of the Endurance HitPoints come back after a night of rest, which means 6 hours of rest in an 8 hour period.

The downside is that physical HP heal more slowly from rest, unless one uses by magic.  A character must make a Fortitude CC to gain back one HP during the night, and only if they make that roll by 25 or make a critical success can they heal 2 points up that night.  A failure means no HP returned, and a critical fail means that the wound actually got worse.  Please note that healing skills can be used to improve these rolls.

So if Patricus the Warrior of Underearth  has 10 HP, he splits them into 2 tracks, Physical and Endurance. HP 1-5 are physical, hp 6-10 are Endurance HP. Patricus can take up to 5 HP a day and still recover and be in peak form the next day. It is only when he takes more damage that he starts dealing with sprains, cuts, strains, wounds, etc.
If Patricus gains a few levels and has 15 HP, he would have 7 Endurance Hit Point and 8 Physical Hit points.

Please note that a PC can never recover more endurance HP then they have physical HP. So if Patricus Takes 7 hits of damage one day, 5 Endurance related and 2 Physical, if he misses his Fortitude CC the next day and remains at 3 physical HP, he can only regenerate 3 Endurance HP the next day.  This has a long term affect, without the favor of the gods.
Also note that since a character cannot have more Endurance HP than Physical, in the case of an uneven number of Max HP, the extra one goes to Physical HP.
 
Please note that players and NPCs can decide if their shots avoid Physical HP. For most combat circumstances, the player takes Endurance HP until they are gone, then moves onto physical HP, though certain spells and critical hits go on both.
 
 
I like the way this separates what damage really relates to a player character, and has an in game effect of allowing the players to stay in a game longer.  Maybe I am crazy, but I find this makes more sense to me, as well.
Basically, during the game, the players keep track of two Hit Point sets instead of one, or two damage tracks, if you prefer.  The damage is always taken off the Endurance Hit Points first, and the Physical Hit Points are affected only after the Endurance Hit Points are gone.  Healing works the same way in most cases.

After that, the normal damage taking rules take place.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 05, 2014, 02:04:04 PM
Hmm.
Just got back from Minnesota, should be able to be on tonight.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 08, 2014, 05:12:19 PM
OK, updates after full session 21 ...

First of all, things are going great so far.  we will probably go back to to intermezzos again after next week, now that it looks that the 'adventure' phase is ending.  The core group of PC and NPCs is really gelling and creating a deeper feel.  Very pleased.  Still probably have room for one or two players, but the current three have a great dynamic.

Vee: "Les'z, you're such a child."
 Gregoir..."and then I wake up to the smoking hot omwo prefect..."
Les'z smiles, "indeed! Why thank you Vee"
Pholian Mar: I laugh "Don't ever change LEs'z."
Vee: "Please do. Quickly."
 Gregoir, shakes his head as you go up the stairs..."I really...hope you all fill me in"
Les'z: To Greg, "Dude, you will need to grow a few inches to impress Susanni"
Pholian Mar: "You were Pablar in the flesh, Greg, to put things bluntly."
Les'z: "What's the last thing you remember, (since we all know what the first thing you remember is)"
Gregoir,  he laughs..."indeed, for here I am again...les'z, Rolling over when I was trying to hold off that smelly robed thing"
 Bosh..."well, you weren't so successful..."
Pholian Mar: "Fortunately, we had little help from an unexpected Mummy."
Les'z: "yes it smelled like a combination of vomit and feces that had been sauteed in purest liver oil"
'then Christo's friends helped us out"
 Gregoir smiles..."sounds about right....and my back was tenderized?"
Pholian Mar: "That's a very poetic description, Les'z."
 Gregoir.." Christo's Friend?"
Christo..."The idiotic one."
Les'z: "we didn't think you were going to walking and talking with us so soon..."
 Gregoir, his face clouding as you go up the stairs to your area..."that bad huh?"
Les'z: "then we brought you to Kravent hall and tried to get help from a bunch of drugged out kids"
 Bosh..."we thought we'd be shriving you next"


very, very good interplay.

Also, as per the post above, we are going to a split hit point system, and make sure you update your characters.
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/81242390/Collegium%20System%20for%20Hit%20Points

we will be on next Thursday.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 09, 2014, 08:51:33 PM
BTW Rincewind, did you change your HP yet?
And out of curiosity, how much skill levels have you gained?
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on June 09, 2014, 09:30:32 PM
Split the HP now - I had 8 so it wasn't hard :D. I think I gained 5 levels total in skills, but I admit I am too skint with spending my XP - will probably spend more at the beginning of next game.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 10, 2014, 09:24:35 PM
Good stuff.
BTW, You got some kudos for the roleplay.  Nice job.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 12, 2014, 02:25:51 PM
And we are on tonight on Roll20.net, Celtricia.  
9pm-ish
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 18, 2014, 09:48:41 PM
am down in Florida training staff.
so I think I'll be able to game tomorrow, but might be a little rocky.

I just wanted to add that after 20+ full sessions and 30+ including intermezzo sessions, in many ways, I am more proud of a game that is more based on character development while still including adventure and such than I though possible.
The continued adventure of the first year students going through their first year of the Collegium Arcana, the school of magic, has been about as 'literary quality' an adventure as I've seen or read about.  I look forward to how the game continues to change and grow.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 20, 2014, 05:03:13 PM
Somehow, despite me traveling and others also being busy, we got session 23 in.

It was all a conversation with Enchanter Perrold Bin, of the Reapers Guild in the Collegium.  The early stuff was mainly him understanding what was going on in the Dexies' explorations, and explaining why they should not be expelled.
Later, there was some deeper understandings as to the statuettes; that the three they have are part of a set of 12, and of what some other items really are....and getting a few clues to how they relate.  The mysteries are not really solved at all with a few more clues, but the trails to the solutions are coming.

for those that have not followed, this game has the players taking the roles of first year students in a huge, ancient school of magic.  Much of the game time is spent learning and their schooling, but there are also ancient mysteries that, late at night, some f the players are uncovering.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 25, 2014, 09:21:19 PM
I loaded up full group session 23 on the Collegium Page, and we will be on tomorrow night, as we finish the conversation with Enchanter Bin, and he drops one more surprise....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 27, 2014, 03:17:01 PM
We completed session 24 last night.
The group finished their creepy but useful meeting with Enchanter Perrold Bin of the Reapers Guild.  The Necromancer shared scary information, and then tells them he is moving them from the squat, utilitarian Dexdemit Toad Hall to Kravent Hall, an upperclassmen hall, for their safety.

Enchanter Bin..."for, well, there is obviously much going on. My cursory looks show many spirits are locked or muted when we speak of some of what you are finding"
Christo Giggles
Enchanter Bin..."young lady, tell the mummy to leave Jurgen alone. he's properly terrified of that brute"
Christo..."he's a bit of an idiot, Sir. I'll try. He keeps saying..'black and toasty', over and over again...and I can't well see what he is bothering"
The elder omwo nods. "ah. well, in any case...I think there is much going on. and so, I have already taken one step for you."
(To Les'z): you suddenly hear some buzzing and a gaggle of voices all talking, then it cuts out
(From Les'z): hey is it directed at me or us
Pholian Mar: "What do you mean, sir?"
(To Pholian Mar): suddenly, the winged, blackened dead hobyt child appears at your feet...he runs behind you
(To Les'z): you just hear it, as if from a huge distance, and you get the feeling it came from many directions to this building
 E.Bin..."I'm removing you from Toad Hall"
Pholian Mar: I jump up instinctively
"What?"



the group retreats, spots some 'observers'...

Grfank...."buck up, man, be a bit Shabuto...we'll get through this"
Pholian Mar: "Yeah. Ghosts have nothing on exams."
 Bosh, " 'zactly. we still have to survive those"
(To Pholian Mar): roll detect
Pholian Mar: rolling d100
(3)= 3
LordVreeg (GM): you all are back out on the sunny quad
(To Pholian Mar): whoa...51 exp.
(To Pholian Mar): in a set of trees, mainly vneersberry, to your right, you note 2 figures, gnomics, watching you leave Dilvish ha;;
(From Pholian Mar): Wearing familiar sashes, no doubt?
(To Pholian Mar): yes, strangely....and you see also a dark taller figure behind them, in a very dark, green cloak
(From Pholian Mar): Does it look ephemeral or not? The dark lad figure
(To Pholian Mar): yes, with that roll, you note it does not add to the shade of the tree, and you can 'sense' it is existent in the House of Death
(From Pholian Mar): Wo does it seem to be observing?
(To Pholian Mar): a snide voice...."they don't give up, child. "
(From Pholian Mar): "Which ones...the swords, or the ones behind them" I mutter
(To Pholian Mar): "both. I think they are agents, of some sort. The revenant...not sure"
(From Pholian Mar): "Well, thanks for nothing new."
 Christo..."are we going to skip the dance tonight Pholian?"
Gregoir, groans.." forgot all about that"
Pholian Mar: I look at Les, Gregoir and BOsh, waiting for the obligatory wine joke
 Bosh.."we need to blow off some steam, and Woerter know Pholian needs to dance"
Pholian Mar: "As long as I avoid tables, I should be good"
LordVreeg (GM): the day is brightening.
Red Gerin's light is eclipsed by the golden warmth of Tribin
Les'z: "yes Pholian just falls anyway" (late dance joke)
LordVreeg (GM): the group is moving towards Toad hall
Pholian Mar: "Thanks Les"


Link to play page, and sessions list
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 03, 2014, 05:17:20 PM
Yay, we are on tonight, providing I have power up in the Maine House, as the hurricane merrily rolls up the coast.  Group has dealt with major stress and worry in the last 24 hours...they should certainly go to the dance being held up on the Godstraat....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 03, 2014, 08:36:32 PM
looks like i spoke too soon, I will be doing family things this evening....I apologize
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on July 03, 2014, 09:20:03 PM
No worries, see ya next time!
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 07, 2014, 07:59:28 PM
Quote from: Rincewind1;764126
No worries, see ya next time!

yep.  we are SO on for this Thursday night....cannot wait.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 09, 2014, 10:58:52 AM
Rincewind, after looking through some notes
(That sounds dangerous
LordVreeg (GM): let's say this is made of steel and brass, with green dragon heads on the corners, a family heirloom
Rince W.: I'd ask how much gold and/or electrum is in it, but that'd be unbecoming, wouldn't it
LordVreeg (GM): rolling d100
(
85
)
= 85
rolling d100
(
21
)
= 21
it's pretty nice, from the old country of Gwynell,
rolling d100
(
14
)
= 14
your family has been here three generatioins
in stenron)

I want to spend a little time on your background,
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on July 10, 2014, 12:56:43 PM
Sure :). Throw me any links you have on the wiki about Gwynellians as well, please.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 11, 2014, 07:58:48 PM
I've decided that we're running an intermezzo week coming up, since the timing is finally right.
Though no complaints about the tension and regrounding in the last one.  Much to be done as the students reground in the attic of Kravent Hall.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 12, 2014, 09:17:28 PM
https://open.spotify.com/track/5t8sVFvTOpR8rl8u4dcFcW
direct inspiration for this particular game, and the history in general.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 17, 2014, 04:17:53 PM
We will be on tonight.
roll20, celtricia campaign.  Instead of the Intermezzos, we'll continue with a group session,. with the group still exploring their new quarters in Kravent hall.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 18, 2014, 07:19:58 PM
Re: Celtricia, World of Factions-First Look, Collegium Arcana Online Game

Full session 26 last night, with INtermezzo, we are well over 30 sessions so far.  
AS with most of the ultra-involved RP game, time crawls a bit.  But this is due to the level of detail involved.  PCs know the setting is rich in detail, they do a lot of extra homework...and they are right, as I have never, ever had this level of detail involved in any game, but due to the interweaving of history, mystery, and active undead...there is a lot documented.
Here is a loo at the Roll20 page for the Attic in Kravent Hall where the young students have been moved to for their own protection.
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/83130988/3rd%20level%20attic%20area%20of%20Kravent%20Hall
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 24, 2014, 11:07:00 AM
We are one for session 27 tonight, a full group session.

The group has moved up to the attic area of Kravent (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/83130988/3rd%20level%20attic%20area%20of%20Kravent%20Hall), though there is work to be done in the cleanup.  The students are still picking through some of the interesting finds and items.
It is later in the afternoon of Fastak the 12th, with Red Gerin starting the nightly swing around her yellow partner sun, Tribin.  The Sampanese Celebration, the dance you've been talking about, is at 2 Hours Na Sui (after the suns go down).  The group has to decide if they are going.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 26, 2014, 11:42:51 AM
Having all the conversation of the world building we've had lately..makes one hyper-aware of the effects of all the note taking and prep.  Session 27 was mainly working on the details, of mystery and the characters just existing in the setting.

On a book keeping front, the player info page is probably going to have to split up into parts soon, as it grows at the pace of the level of complexity of the game.  Even with all the links, there is getting to be too much information crammed on this page.

Player Info Page (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes)

Fun parts from last session...young students trying to figure what a magic disc they found does...

Bosh..."You guys have any idea what that disc does?"
Pholian Mar: "Not in the slightest, just a theory. You?"
 Bosh, "I'm late like Worter. No clue"
Pholian Mar: "Well, guess we'll have to do the usual and ask someone smarter" I chuckle
Vee: "I know how to work it, but I'd rather not without knowing what it does."
 Gregoir looks at Vee..."Oh, yes....good idea"
Pholian Mar: "Oh come on, what's the worst that can happen."
"I bet it just makes the spiders move"
 Bosh.." and grow to monstrous size and eat us"
Vee: "Generally, when somebody asks, 'What's the worst that could happen?', everyone ends up dying."
"Like in all the old stories."
"So I'm definitely not telling *you* how it works now."
Pholian Mar: "Hmmm...good point."
 Gregoir, "Look at the bright side, Pholian can avoid the dance"
Pholian Mar: "Well, if you get in trouble with the boyfriend again, some big spiders could be useful help" I retort
 Bosh, "well, we have a lot to discover. and Grfank and Christo have kept up the cleaning"
Gregoir..."and we'll need to clean up for going to the Godstraat"
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 30, 2014, 08:02:37 PM
and after that last night of political learning, we play on Thursday night, 8:45pm.  As the game grows and deepens....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 01, 2014, 05:49:49 PM
Session 28 was an exercise in mood and group dynamic, with many students and faculty of the Collegium going to a Celebratory dance at a Church.  

Lots of socializing, some good social rolls (how rare) and good follow up with them, some issues with a few students and some wealthy socialites...and then there was the statue that sang to Vee.....

Player page with links here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes)....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 06, 2014, 02:45:58 PM
We are on for group this Thursday.  Last session (28) was a wild one, with us playing the Sampanese Celebration Dance at the Church of the Void's Music, after lots of fun, social hijinks, we end up with a student dumped in the punch bowl and an ancient statue singing to Vee.

9pm, eastern, on roll20, Celtricia.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 26, 2014, 07:55:59 PM
we skip this session, since we have one player coming back from Okinawa, one with a Wife's Birthday, and the European one needing to be busy.
Looking to work on Our new Canadian player character, instead, on Thursday.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 05, 2014, 01:16:45 PM
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes

Session 30 last night, as the group deals with dinner and being spied on and their own tremendously inexpert attempts at countersurveillance.

Also, I saved the chat archive (since we play purely typed to stay in character, all text...)  we just hit page 1001 in the saved word document.  A thousand pages of gaming so far, and so much still to go.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 16, 2014, 06:27:41 PM
we will be off this week, I will be out with my lovely wife for our anniversary.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 26, 2014, 08:46:31 PM
31 sessions now, and adding in more players...which, in a very tight run game is it's own challenge.  
Group is settled in an attic dorm area, and, though with some mis-steps, they are building a social network in the school.  There is so much to learn for them.

http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 10, 2014, 09:02:46 AM
We are running intermezzo this week.  
For people watching the game, that means that each player is playing solo with the GM, so as to work on things of interest to them and their characters, to develop their relationships and friendships, to study stuff they've learned in school.  
Also, for the GM to deepen their knowledge base and to connect them to the setting dynamic and the large history.

The time spent will cover Bowyak and Vindak, the 14th and 15th of Hisui.  Full session next week will start on Scaliak the 16th.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 12, 2014, 02:28:46 PM
One thing that makes this game (and most of my games ) work is that the system is built to accommodate the type of game we want to play.  Especially in the Collegium game, where every game delves deeply into the inner workings of magic and combat and fighting are very rarely part of the game, the ruleset must match the game.

some of these design imperatives...









What brought out this particular outburst?
Two things.  I've been working on the intermezzo notes and realizing, based on the way we are only gaining steam (and the way my games normally go) that we have a long, long way to go. The other is that I've been adding spells slowly.  
 The recent additions are :
Touch of Whisper (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/87298453/Touch%20of%20Whisper%20Spell)
Plant Friendship (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/87283582/Greater%20Plant%20Friendship%20Spell)
Greater Plant Friendship (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/87283582/Greater%20Plant%20Friendship%20Spell)
Grass Sheer (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/87283513/Grass%20Sheer%20Spell)...(hey, it only makes sense, the Golden Quad is mown...)
Candle of Death (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/87283243/Candle%20of%20Death%20Spell)
Greater Candle of Death (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/87283420/Greater%20Candle%20of%20Death%20Spell)
Fly on the Wall (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/87279940/Fly%20on%20the%20Wall%20Spell)
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Bedrockbrendan on October 12, 2014, 07:53:09 PM
I have to admire the level of fine tuning you are doing here.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 12, 2014, 08:04:20 PM
Quote from: BedrockBrendan;791575
I have to admire the level of fine tuning you are doing here.


we all love fine tuning, mine is just all based on one game.  I have advanced rules and some simplified rules, but it it is all about creating the right game and feeding the feel of the setting.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 20, 2014, 04:03:46 PM
This is an Intermezzo week for the Collegium Arcana game, where all the players have individual sessions to further their own goals and learning.  It is a game about a School, after all.

Session 33 (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/87619198/Session%20Thirty-Three%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game) was pretty amazing, and also amazing in how much Roleplaying and investigation can get done waking up in the dorm, washing up, and going to breakfast.

It was nice having one of the players say that the school grounds felt more real than any game location they had ever played in.

Now, we need to schedule the Intermezzo sessions.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 23, 2014, 05:18:51 PM
Speaking of heavy Necromancy...from that thread...
the first Intermezzo session features heavy Necromancy tonight.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 01, 2014, 02:35:39 PM
34 full session and some 30 intermezzo sessions.

The group dealt with their strange dreams, and found that Christo had succumbed to some strange controlled slumber...

Les'z: "dream of nothing in particular, everyone"
Mezerous: "Sleep is good. We have a lot we will inevitably have to do tomorrow."
(To Pholian Mar): roll det+1/4 nec
Pholian Mar: rolling d100
(
100
)
= 100
LordVreeg (GM): hah. hahahahahahahahhahha
Pholian Mar: ooc: Seriously, it's a good thing those dice are virtual
ooc: Or I'd be now burning them
(From Pholian Mar): This can be bad xD
LordVreeg (GM): ooc...sigh
ok.
Les'z: ooc did pholian just fall out the window?
Pholian Mar: ooc: More likely I tried walking through the closed door :D
Mezerous: either sounds ideal
good comedic effect
(From Les'z): listening to Telekon
(To Pholian Mar): you don't just have bad dreams...you have dreams of white mist and Fox face leading antlers to a small obelisk, then sacrificing Christo on a stone table beyond it, whie you watch
(To Les'z): always a good choice
(From Pholian Mar): I wake up trying not to scream, and spend the rest of the night looking at the ceiling, no longer even having a lamp to dispel the darkness
(To Mezerous): you have dreams of flying above the campus, of it being covered in white fog.
LordVreeg (GM): (to Mezeros)You spot a procession, led by a human in an antlered skull, and a fox-faced human in a top hat. They bear Christo, chained, and white as snow

Mezerous: ooc at least now everyone understands why I'm crazy
Les'z: OOC ffs
Pholian Mar: ooc lol
(To Les'z): you dream a rough night as well, of endless buzzing
(To Les'z): of words half heard, of communication all around...and in half awakeness you realize that the dreams o others are waffected heavily by outside sources.
LordVreeg (GM): IN the morning ,it is cold and wet
no even 40 degrees f
Gregoir is awake, and has lit a fire in the common room before anyone else gets up
on the am pf Harvak the 17th
(To Les'z): you also dreamed of a workshop, of black metal and clay models
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir knocks on Pholian's door in the morning
(From Pholian Mar): Did I fall asleep again or awake?
(To Pholian Mar): asleep, finally
Pholian Mar: No answer
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir knocks harder
Pholian Mar: "Argh! Who's there?"
 
Mezerous stumbles out of bed and seeks the fire for warmth
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..."Um....you need to see"
Pholian Mar: I walk over and open the door with bloodshot eyes "What?" I clear my throat
(From Les'z): i am going to search purposefully for the echo effect
Les'z: (To GM) rolling d100
(
15
)
= 15
LordVreeg (GM): lying next to Pholian's door is Christo, in a white gown, covered in blood and her feet are covered in dirt. there are scratches in the floor, and her nails are bloody as well
(To Les'z): it does not show up until Mez comes out of his room
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir is in a bit of shock
 
Mezerous looks over half-asleep. "I don't suppose now is a good time to be talking about dreams, is it?"
LordVreeg (GM): "don't ...don't see how I missed her....."
(From Les'z): ffs


The group works through the trauma there, and then at breakfast figures out an amulet worn by one of the pcs has actually been spying on them....


Really, this many sessions in, with a few new additions, this game has been the most literary quality I might have been part of.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 21, 2014, 09:07:37 PM
The collegium game continues, stronger than ever.
One of the very cooleset things about staying text based in an online game is the game logs.

We actually have already 1500 pages (not kidding, word gives you page counts) of singlespaced gamel logs for this game.  And as the story gets deeer and the mysteries of the Campus and the Statuettes and of the different types of magic, it is all their, nearly in story form.

Add that to the intermezzo sessions, the bi-weekly one-on-one sessions that alow for individual research,etc....and you have a very different game
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on December 13, 2014, 07:03:20 PM
36 full sessions, plus a few dozen intermezzo sessions, the young students have been in session 4 hawaaka (the 8 day week), and are finding a real identity, learning about magic while drilling into the mysteries that seem to haunt the ancient old school of magic.

In the somewhat drafty attic common room, warmed by stolen firewood, with dark wind howling outside, and lity by the fireplace and three candles...
...
Grfank..."Vee, did Prefect Pretty find you?"
Bosh keeps feeding the fire, it is cold in there
Vee: "No, was she looking for me?"
Mezerous: "Vee, do you know of a strange gnomic fellow... talks in riddles... has odd hair?"
Vee: "I think so. He's a ghost of an old professor, right?"
 Grfank..."uh.."
Pholian Mar: "Oh?"
Mezerous: "That explains a lot, actually. I was over at Zofter recently and I'm pretty sure we had a chat."
Grfank..." I am beginning to feel left out"
Bosh..."INdeed. Where are MY ghosts?"
Pholian Mar: "I'll be sure to sell you two some, once I can."
"What did you chat about?"
Grfank...."Vee, she did not say. Do you want a half glass of this?"
Vee: "Warden Jomak, was his name, I think."
"Is."
"Whatever."
Mezerous: "He didn't seem to be addressing me properly all of the time really... let's see..."
(To Pholian Mar, in his head): calm voice.."Was is proper"
Mezerous: "He said to me 'You realize you lost your freedom and fly downward and away' and then 'and when it burns, it burns bright' "
Grfank..."maybe I don't want one"
Mezerous: "He's referred to you twice, Vee. And all the others"
Vee: quietly..."I don't like it that a dead person is talking about me
...
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on January 04, 2015, 05:32:31 PM
thirty seven full group sessions and obviously, many more intermezzos.  So well over 80 total now.
over 2000 pages of typed gaming.

And we are just scratching the surface of this emulation of life as a young, talented student in a huge school of magic.  We've added 2 players (5 total, about what I can really handle in this format and with all the Intermezzo).  And it goes incredibly well.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on January 10, 2015, 05:47:12 PM
Session 38 here.
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/91108209/Session%20Thirty-Eight%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game

After a lot of intermezzo time, where the players work by themselves, had them all over the place.

But sometimes, a PC makes a great roll and changes the course of the game.  In this case, Young Pholian, a gwynnellian human, and Bosh the Black, orcash lad were out after dark on a cold late-autumn evening, sneaking around campus trying to steal some more firewood (what could go wrong?)...
And in an alcove, next to the old Finni Library, he spots a thin, gaunt man in a high collared cloak...and remembers little more...

the main session revolved around the PCs, other young students, sneaking out to investigate the area where it happened, and to try to learn more about  it...a spooky night adventure.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on February 05, 2015, 10:55:54 PM
For any interested, here's session 39:

http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/91790616/Session%20Thirty-Nine%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana

And over the course of last two ones, my character died and came back. Armless but not harmless.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on February 07, 2015, 05:45:06 PM
Session 40 here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/92446275/Session%20Forty%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20game).
And I can honestly say there is no end in sight.  I mean that in a good way, that the storyline seems to move of it's own accord, always a goal in a game.  The players lead it where they will.

"Durhum Lentilles moves to inspect the silver item

GM: at the base of the rungs....
A statuette of a human in robes, wonderfully ornate, with twin kukri daggers, 4" tall.

Vee: "So that's where you went."
 
Vee picks it up again.

LordVreeg (GM): vee roll reflex
Vee: rolling 1d100
(96)= 96



 Gregoir...That statue ..all of them...give me the creeps
Les'z: is that the same one?

LordVreeg (GM): the statue slashes Vee, drawing a lot of blood
though no one sees it move

Vee: "Ow. What the..."
"It cut me."
(To Vee): take one hit on the non-physical side

 Grfank..."what in the name of Bael?"

(To Mezerous): you see, for a second, Pholian's face on the statue

Durhum Lentilles: This night is cursed.
Les'z: "leave us be, foul spirit, havent't you done enough damage tonight!"
Mezerous: "That statuette is cursed, too."

 Gregoir..."He has three....this one is not the one that travels, normally


And there is an example of the questing of the students in the ancient halls of the Collegium Arcana...
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 06, 2015, 10:48:19 AM
Full group session 43 last night (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/93575777/Session%20Forty-Three%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana).

The Group and their self-discovered nature ended up going before the Council of Students.  So the fact that they are sensitive to certain void sources of power is now known to the very highest authority in the Collegium.  That was an interesting meeting.

"LordVreeg (GM): the gnomic High Warden..."this makes some sense, though takes some processing.  Based on the fact that two of you see the undead.  “  She ssems thoughtful, then looks back to the group.
"Dexie Vee...would you mind if I tested this claim?"
Vee: "No, but I don't entirely have control over it, so I cannot promise it will work."
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir, whispering...."grunt soldier, reporting for duty"
Gnomic High Warder...."I am going to activate a ring. When you see it, let me know what you see. Is that alright?"
Vee: "Yes, sir."
LordVreeg (GM): she stands up and lifts her left hand.
(To Vee): roll det+1/4 art.
Vee: rolling 1d100
(2)= 2
ooc Hahahah.
LordVreeg (GM): ooc ha
(From Vee): Detect +11, Art +4
Pholian Mar: ooc nice
(To Vee): on her other hand, her right hand, a soft blue glue starts, with a limning of silver
Vee: ooc Last time I was that nervous for a roll, it was a TPK.
(To Vee): 23 exp art
LordVreeg (GM): ooc talk to the dragon....
Vee: "On your right hand, I can see blue and silver. I'm not entirely sure what Houses those are."
(To Durhum Lentilles): oh btw, 13 exp in soc
Vee: "I think the blue might be restoration."
LordVreeg (GM): she had been lifting her left....she smiles...."right on time......and this ring creates an atmosphere of greater healing"
she looks at the others. "Ever see one so young?"
Perrold Bin. "There are a few of them that are like that. And no, never seen the like"
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Bedrockbrendan on March 06, 2015, 11:52:50 AM
This really does seem like a great concept for a campaign. I can see how it would lend itself to longevity.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Rincewind1 on March 06, 2015, 01:03:16 PM
Quote from: BedrockBrendan;819087
This really does seem like a great concept for a campaign. I can see how it would lend itself to longevity.


It is a pretty cool game, definitely one of my top 10.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 06, 2015, 06:11:04 PM
Quote from: BedrockBrendan;819087
This really does seem like a great concept for a campaign. I can see how it would lend itself to longevity.


I think there is something do that.  The first thing to create longevity is to create a conceptual storyline that supports the scrutiny and depth that should happen over the long haul.  That is the reason a lot of games fall off; the idea is cool, but disbelief kicks in without the supporting detail.  This game is 43 sessions in, with the feel that we have only scratched the surface.  I'd put money on it totally eclipsing the lasr online GS game, which lasted 160 sessions.

but understand, as I often say, that most rulesets don't support a really long game.  Especially without massive power gain, but with some small continual improvement reinforcement.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on March 22, 2015, 04:13:43 PM
Session 44 (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/94177418/Session%20Forty-Four%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20game) a few nights ago.

As the Dexies learn their fate, to understand if they will be kicked out by the Council of Students or not.  Could the Dexies explain their late night shenanigans, and make the case that they were doing what made sense?  Or will the trouble and mayhem they have caused (and their big mouths) get them removed, and sent searching for a lesser school?

"Warlock Teramia Bin: "The Council voted, five to none, to keeping you in Kravent hall, but adding another Prefect to the hall."
Warlock Amund:..."There is no doubt but that you have been marked, in some ways."
 
Les'z looks a bit puzzled
 Jobs nods, frowning
(To Pholian Mar): take 5 exp.
 
Durhum Lentilles is smiling, clearly happy with the votes
Pholian Mar: "so...we stay, yes?"
 Warlock Teramia Bin..."you stay, Dexie Pholian."
Pholian Mar: "YES!"
"Uhm, sorry"
I blush
Les'z: "we have much to learn, thank you for your patience"
says Les to the council
Warlock Teramia Bin: 'The Council voted, three to two, to leave your punishment as helping the Historical Eyes brotherhood in keeping up Fesssenden halls on every Lawsak afternoon for the remainder of the year."


Another fun session.  They were able to stay.  I want to see the movie version of this.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 03, 2015, 08:09:51 PM
Session 45 last night.

Very Atmospheric.  On Fastak, the 20th of Hisui.  Also a huge Holiday, the Day of Chaos.  The party had been called to Tom Free Hall to stand before the Council of Teachers to answer for some transgressions and issues.  This, and some side tracks )including  an exploration into the old basement, had been a harrowing morning, and the group had been punished, but still was in the school and not removed.  

This session comprised of the relieved first year (Dexdemit) students leaving campus to go up to the Godstraat (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/68006822/Godstraat%20of%20Stenron) of Stenron to enjoy the later, more adult and riotous part of the holiday, where the many churches with any sort of an entropic bent compete and make merry.
The group had an atmospheric walk through the busy streets up to the Godstraat, through the Grace of Water District and the Forge of Hewecar district to get up to the huge and ancient Street of Temples known as the Godstraat.
There the members found the Church of Chance Meeting, and ran into other people whilst drinking weak light beer,  then conversing with a professor, Senior Enchanter Woolridge.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 08, 2015, 02:28:53 PM
So after 46 full sessions, and a number of intermezzo sessions...maybe a total of 70...and with no sign whatsoever of slowing...

I come to the strange conclusion that this, my lowest combat (by far), most social and political game (and I've run a lot), strangest game I have run....is actually the most suited to a real narrative.

It actually matters to me.
I know that the play and the game encompasses all the joy and excitement one needs.  But I've always liked it when there was a good story created.

But this is not just a few vignettes.  More than any game I've done, this holds together as a really strong narrative.  Spooky Gothic coming of age tale.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 17, 2015, 09:37:22 AM
forty seven full sessions, and I count 33 intermezzo sessions.

So, really, 80 sessions in the collegium game.  
And we've played into the 21st of Hisui, or, as the elders in the Silverwood still call it,  Hisieohum (the month of Leaf-fall) (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956460/The%20Calendars), Hisui being the Fifth Goesi (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14955667/Index#Goesiterm) of six in the full year So about 20.5 days played through.

After the celebrations of the Day of Chaos on Fastak, the players return to class on Dunsak, the 21st.  They get news of some major school events coming, and try to work through some of the stuff they have learned...  And during Void Sources class, Warden Frimak brings them an abishae from the Ninth House to see...

Also, States Warden Frimak...."Though this is a very important trip...."
"On Lawsak of the next hawaak...the 35th"
"A very,very important event takes place, the Fraternal Regalia"
Pholian Mar: I whisper to Les'z "I swear, we have more events than learning here"
LordVreeg (GM): he says it as if it is like a final exam and party rolled into one
"Classes are actually canceled that day, as all Fraternal Orders will be represented"
(From Les'z): it's an 8 day week? remind me
LordVreeg (GM): "this day every year is one of the most important"
(To Les'z): yep
LordVreeg (GM): "For those of us at a certain point, we represent and show the best part of our fraternal order"
Durhum Lentilles: "But sir, we aren't in any fraternal orders"
Les'z: I whisper back "another day you can fall in a table of wine!"
LordVreeg (GM): "For you, you get to move from tent to tent learning about the orders and picking betwen them"
Pholian Mar: "Well it's not like I haven't made a nigh - deadly enemy of the leader of Reaprs lately..."
I whisper to Les'z
LordVreeg (GM): he looks sternly at Durhum..."INdeed, dexie. Perhaps after a millenia, the school knows that about dexies"
 
Durhum Lentilles grimaces and looks elsewhere
Les'z: "oooh ouch, Durhum" whispers Les a bit unnecessarily
LordVreeg (GM): "but it is a time for this year, and the next five, you'll be free to make acquaintance and maybe even be recruited"
"in reality, after you get to your Caltredemic year, you'll have a good idea where you are going"
(To Pholian Mar): I am just imagining how this would be done on screen
(From Pholian Mar): Hah, I can imagine that pretty well
LordVreeg (GM): "So, Dexies...You have those events coming up"
Pholian Mar: I continue to whisper "Still, I guess I know where I'll be going. You?"
LordVreeg (GM): "A very busy class schedule with tests on the 34th, and a trip, then the Fraternal Regalia."


then later in Void Sources...the Warden brings forth an abishae...


Les'z cocks an eye
LordVreeg (GM): "The reason the Devilkin and entropics are so well known is that they seem to seek entrance here, and that they are very intelligent
he walks to the back of the long room
and opens a door in the back....
Pholian Mar: I take notes slowly, trying and somewhat failing to write and keep paper from moving with one hand
LordVreeg (GM): A dark green, winged creature is behind the door
 
Les'z looks suitably impressed
LordVreeg (GM): Maybe four dovhab long
tall
with giant yellow eyes....it launches itself into the air...moving slowly
 
Durhum Lentilles tries to remember if he's seen a statue of the creature...
(To Durhum Lentilles): roll d100
Pholian Mar: My jaw drops
Durhum Lentilles: rolling d100
(
14
)
= 14
LordVreeg (GM): Frimak..."This is Hararuinimikalisomba. "
(From Durhum Lentilles): rolled 14, not sure what skill detect +order/cahaos is 12
Les'z: "that's easy to remember" muses Les
LordVreeg (GM): "Senior Enchanter Peldak has allowed him to come here....he's an Abishae, from the Ninth house
white and red sputters around the green, shining creature
it seems to move one limb at a time,
Pholian Mar: I tilt my head, trying to get a better look at it
LordVreeg (GM): it flies out a bit towards you
towards the students
Frimak...."Gar, n'bor...sima Hararuin"
he seems a bit concerned
The flying creature frowns....."Hararuin tomba Cabal ...Cabal"
Pholian Mar: I stumbled a bit backwards when it flew forward
"Uhm, is it safe, WArden?"
LordVreeg (GM): and it stares over at your area...
(To Durhum Lentilles): the thing said..."Hararuin sees brethren...brethren"
LordVreeg (GM): Frmak...distrazcted as many are moving arouns and stepping back
 
Durhum Lentilles steps forward
LordVreeg (GM): FRimak..."Aye, or it will be and there will be issues"
The thing turns to Durhum....


And of course, somehow, they get through the days, to another cliffhanger...
But
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 09, 2015, 02:12:17 PM
Full Session 49 (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/96109157/Session%20Forty-Nine%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game) last Thursday, with some intermezzo sessions thrown in.

The Dexie Students get together to compare some notes, but also with some verbal jousting and rough exchanges.  And siccing ghosts on each other.  

They are all dealing both as a group with major plot issues, at the same time realizing there is a field trip to the Dilvan Spires on Mt. Coriel later in the hawaak, and major exams the week after.

And a wireframe statue of a heron that has been in their attic dorm area is found to contain a secret, after walking by it hundred if not thousands of times...
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 16, 2015, 12:51:09 PM
So, we've hit the big Five Zero.
Session fifty (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/96408612/Session%20Fifty%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game) (not counting the intermezz sessions).

The game continues to be very different than anything I;ve done, and I've run some strange games.

The Dexie students spent the first part getting together in the common room of the attic of their dorm (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/83130988/3rd%20level%20attic%20area%20of%20Kravent%20Hall) and comparing notes from their various classes and meetings and findings, the most important being the gold/brass handles Pholian found after listening to a riddle from a ghost.  
Darn things were hidden in the back of a statue that they pass every day.  

Then, the group headed down to the Sing Along with their second prefect (the ravishing Suzanni), where they spent the rest of their session making friends and building status, and Lez's found his proclivity for Mentalist Magic helped his musical prowess. They gathered around the Pianochord (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14955667/Index#PianochordItem), in a room with candles, a lantern, and a fireplace, so there was some cheery light, and the PCs felt, for the first time, like they sort of belonged in Kravent Hall.

So, yes, much lower threat level than many games I've run.  And much, much more of a mystery/gothic/social game.  But After 50 sessions and no sign of slowing...there is something to it.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: Bedrockbrendan on May 22, 2015, 08:06:02 PM
Sometimes you don't need big threats to hold the players interest (especially if they are invested in the setting). Sounds like a fun session.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on May 31, 2015, 04:22:05 PM
Quote from: BedrockBrendan;832888
Sometimes you don't need big threats to hold the players interest (especially if they are invested in the setting). Sounds like a fun session.

Well, though there are huge, overarching events that affect them, the students are just that, very talented first-year students, but still first year students.  And  part of the 'Mystery and History' vibe is details.

They just found a pair of ancient Venolvian (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956622/Venolvian%20Empire) Handles hidden in a wireframe sculpture of a heron that they have passed hundreds of times.  And are trying to find what type of magic, what time period, and what they are handles to...and this and the daily interactions are most of what they do.

Now, there is a field trip to the Dilvan Towers (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14955667/Index#DilvanTowersnbspLocation) which which take the next few sessions...this is going to be an interesting group of sessions.

We just had session 51, and we'll be having full group sessions until the field trip is over.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on June 12, 2015, 08:28:26 PM
Session 53 in the books (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/97287975/Session%20Fifty-Three%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game), with the students taking a field trip up to the ancient Dilvan Towers above Stenron.  Here, there are vestiges and evidence of the hoary Pyro-mentalist magics used to defend an older version of Stenron and communicate with others.  

The pacing of the game is carefully slow, to allow for all sorts of roleplay and relationship building, as well allowing for them to dig up historical clues, as well as detect some clues about the myriad of forces looking for the statues they have and are working with.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 06, 2015, 10:02:03 PM
Session 54 in the books (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/97775130/Session%20Fifty-Four%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game), and we have 55 coming up.
And gaining steam.

This is all a set piece in the sandbox, a field trip to ancient towers that ring Stenron, using an ancient Pyro-Mentalist magic.  Superseded hundred of years later by a more simple mentalist network, it was still far more capable and puissant magic.
The students, being more sensitive to the Woo than normal caster, are nearly overcome with the ancient magics artificed into this tower.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on July 25, 2015, 01:18:52 PM
We just finished session 57 of the Collegium Arcana (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes) game.

The Dexies (First year students) survived the field trip out to the Dilvan Towers, examples of ancient PyroMentalist magics, after being in classes for some 28-odd days.  The whole class (some 450 students plus teachers and prefects) went on the 26th and 27th, getting back in the first hour of Fastak, the 28th.  Fastak is the day or worship of the 8 day week (Hawaak), and the day they don't have any classes on.
First real exams are coming up in the forthcoming Hawaak, Monak the 34th, followed by a huge annual event on Lawsak the 35th, called the Fraternal Regalia.
So session 57 starts (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/98335866/Session%20Fifty-Seven%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game), it is early, and the attic dwellers (the PCs ended up in an old attic in an upperclassmen dorm) got up and are headed back from breakfast in North Hall, across the Golden Quad (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67168793/The%20Dormitories), dealing with other students and going over the events of the field trip, as well as dealing with the upcoming exams.
Breakfast, even in the huge commons under North Hall, is a crowded, clamorous affair. Students and faculty and prefects come in and out, many already headed north towards the Godstraat (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/68006822/Godstraat%20of%20Stenron) for worship.  

Durhum Lentilles: We should ask if any of the upper years have previous years exams
Any kind of edge would be nice.
 Christo.." is that cheating?"
Durhum Lentilles: No not at all. Its not this years exam
 Bosh, softly..."Unless it is..."
Vee: "I don't think it's a particularly good idea."
Durhum Lentilles: Then if the professor is too dumb to change, its their own fault.
Pholian Mar: I, like any responsible young adult, am still brooding and have storming off


Pholain Mar, one of the PCs with a very, very strong necromantic sensitivity had a little conversation with a long dead professor during breakfast that the other Attic Dexies hid from the crowds. The crew has decided to make a second visit to the hidden Library of Lost Students they found a few hawaaka back, and had not returned to.

As they get back to Kravent Hall, they are stopped by High Prefect Farslung Jobs , a gentle large Orcash Priest and a student from the Aid of Faith Fraternal Order.  Normally friendly though he is the head prefect in Kravent, they get called to the carpet after Jobs catches on (thanks to Durhum's big mouth) that they are planning 'activities'.

Farslung Jobs herds you into his office and shuts the thick, Shoefelwood door behind you.
"Armor? really? what are you lot planning now? Haven't you been in enough trouble?"
the room is lit by a fireplace and 2 lamps
Durhum Lentilles: Its dangerous. Ive been subject to attempted murder and Pholian lost an arm. Were hardly being unreasonable
Prefect Jobs.." Are you not aware of all those who put their jobs on the line to retain your scholarship?"
Prefect Jobs..." Durhum, your assertions, according to the Council, are a combinatrion of fact, paranoia, and conjecture"
he seems exasperated
Christo..."We all see things a bit differently"
Durhum Lentilles: Fact, yes.
Prefect Jobs, "yes, Durhum, no one doubts your sincerity"
rolling d100 (84)= 84

Bosh.." Sir, nothing isd wrong with us trying to put Pholian's mind at ease. Do you think we imagined himlosing a hand?"
Vee: "We really do understand your point of view, but what are we supposed to do?"
"I mean, what would you do if you were in our situation? Believing what we believe?"
Prefect Jobs, "Perhaps, Dexie Vee, I'd listen to what the Council and professors told you!"[/I]
 
And the chastened PCs try to figure out how to get ready for exams and explore the Library of Lost Students without being caught, for the rest of the session.

Now, it is interesting how pacing affects things.  This is a very, very social heavy game.  So we expect many interactions to be played out that would not be in some games.  But with the protagonists being first year students, the lack of actual combat and the affects of mysteries make the act of exploring the basement of Gronth Hall (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/77904329/Gronth%20Hall%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Stenron) again, where they found the long-forgotten Library of Lost Students, much more dramatic than it would be in a more typical adventure based RPG.
So among the many lessons of this particular game, there is the one that pace and setting can create a lot more tension when exploring a hidden, forbidden place than a typical game seems to.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on August 03, 2015, 01:02:11 PM
Dilvish Hall of the Collegium Arcana...
(see here for the original with links (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/98678071/Dilvish%20Hall%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana))

Fluted Dilvish Hall is one of the buildings on the campus of the Collegium Arcana that is shrouded in history deep enough as to make the actual origins unclear.  The Omwo family of that name is nearly synonymous with the magics from the Age of Legends, and the Dilvan Towers that dot Mount Hiset-Hoy and the Coriel Mount were created by them before the Common Age.  White and graceful, Dilvan hall is an ageless, graceful exception to the dark, squared and regular buildings in that hoary campus.  It actually was nearly unused for a century, after much of the upper government of the Collegium Moved to Orbi in 739RON and the contraction that followed.  The Kankenbytes moved in and created the Sprung Warren in 844 RON.

In a world of magic, or at least where a small portion of the population can touch the Void, the Sprung Warren of the Fraternal Order of the Kankenbyte sticks out as atypical. Nearly otherworldly they seem, in their love of iron and powders, of careful measurement and sudden explosions. Since magic has done the heavy lifting for thousands of years in the place of technology, most minds don’t even look at the mechanical. The Kankenbytes, on the other hand, have a mission to take the stunted knowledge of physics, kept alive by miners and builders, and use magic to multiply the power of this science. The Sprung Warren, therefor, houses huge metal springs, cogs and wires, with gears and interlocked metal wheels and brawny axels, all strewn about in like an expanded version of a tinker’s chest. And all about, everything is placed partially assembled and left with the seeming lack of care of something that someone plans to get back to…eventually.

 
These Kankenbytes, colloquially the Gearheads, dwell in the Basement of Dilvish Hall, in the North East corner of the Golden Quad. Fluted and constructed of occasionally polished White Fidikmarple, with a tapering tower on the west end, Graceful Dilvish is an odd place to hide the smokes and powders of the Alchemical Kankenbytes, as well as above them, the dim and haunted Reapers Brotherhood in the tower-side of the building, and the Tarphon Day Charter filling much of the rest of it.  The Reapers tower is swathed in Green lights some nights, and many students, and admittedly, some faculty, avoid entering from the west side as the undead servants of the Reapers, skeletal pets, zombic butlers and sliver-souled yammering skulls, unnerve many who are not used to them.
 
Since the Kankenbytes and the Charter utilize the power of artifice, they can be found borrowing a wand or powder like a neighbor borrows sugar, up and down the stairs, yet after decades of this arrangement, they’ve never combined their storage, both jealously thinking they’ve been the better neighbor yet both thinking there is something slightly mad about the other; though truth be told, the Tarphon Day Charter, with their work with combining the Alchemic with the Animal Oversoul in creating better, happier beasts of burden and husbandry, is thought of very kindly by the populace, and the Kankenbytes are viewed, at least by those outside the Collegium Arcana, as half daft and a quarter cracked.
 
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 22, 2015, 02:11:37 PM
Oh, the legs of this thing.

I just posted the notes from full session Sixty Four (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/100877284/Session%20Sixty-Four%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game). Session Sixty Five is Thursday night.

The players, first year students, have played out much of their first semester of the school year, with the first set of exams coming up.  At the same time, they are searching for a set of statues that house the spirits of an ancient hidden order dedicated to raising the Dreadwing, an ancient evil.  Session sixty Four has them refinding the Library of Lost Students, at the behest of a ghost they spoke to.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 27, 2015, 02:28:16 PM
[ATTACH]1104[/ATTACH]

Session 65, last week (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/101067151/Session%20Sixty-Five%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game), found the students slowly and carefully exploring the Library of Lost Students, discovered under old Gronth Hall (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/77904329/Gronth%20Hall%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Stenron). One of the student PCs is a necromantic sensitive, and a ghost of an old professor told him there was something they could save there.
"Cold and dead they waited in slumber.
Long their black hearts denied the light
Now at last they awake in number
More than one life to be saved this night"

The group spends the session exploring, avoiding an angry ghost only a few could see, and discover a locked door out, with sigils of a bleeding eye and a set of pipes that are shaped like a fan. Searching the library, they discover the Haunted History of the Logos Camue (Order of the Blood) and the the Rules and History of the Order of the Meter, which gives them the means to open the locked door leading deeper into the Library...
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 10, 2015, 02:14:29 PM
Sessions 66 and 67 have been uploaded to the system

http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes

The students are exploring (and looting, a bit) under Gronth hall, in the secret Library of Lost Students, in the wee early hours of the morning. Following whispered hints and clues from ghosts, they have passed through locked and secret doors, found evidence of ancient ritual slaughter.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 04, 2016, 02:31:18 PM
Work has been insane, with us opening a lot more showrooms.  
But gaming has gone on.  The Collegium Game (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/103902995/Collection%20of%20all%20sessions%20for%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game) just had session 97, and are well into the second half of the first trimester.  The wheels are falling off a bit, in that the upper faculty are becoming more aware of the hauntings that swirl around the young students.  
Again, a very low-power, deep game in that the PCs have spent 97 sessions mainly on campus, dealing with the mysteries and hidden factions, as well as their classes and learning magic in the daylight.  As I surmised early when I started this online game, it has legs.  97 sessions in, and I see little slowing.

"I heard something, Dexies", Says a voice from behind your table...
Connor Bin. Looking haggard, his normal omwo perfection ground down by heavy classwork and worry...
 
Durhum turns to look
Durhum then looks unimpressed when he sees who it is

LordVreeg (GM): Connor... "Or more, I felt it. Lots of ghosts suddenly, then they were gone. Lots of the Necromantic guilds mentioned it"
Durhum: Could be, there was a lot of ghosts in the mists when your uncle disappeared as well.
Weird stuff.
LordVreeg (GM): Connor nods..."Something is being triggered around you kids sometimes...no way around it. It is a weird feeling, nothing is there...then a lot"
Durhum: That's... not a comforting way to start the day at all.
LordVreeg (GM): The Klaxik sitting next to him nods...he Also wears the scythe pin of the Reapers Guild
Connor..."Sorry, but while there are always plenty of ghosts, they sort of rise and fall naturally..."
Durhum: Nature of the world. You'd think a place with this many necromancer would have better shriving
LordVreeg (GM): Klaxik..." Ye would think, but most of the ones on campus we figure don't want to be"
Les'z: Or better control of the local undead
LordVreeg (GM): Connor..." That is more to the point. There are wards, and they seem to be broken"
Durhum: Well, Kravent is still safe. We haven't seen anything inside our Dorm
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..." Grand though"
Connor nods..." That is true"
Everyone seems to be finishing up
but savoring last sips of kafee
Les'z: "Does Kravent have an unusual ward, Connor?"
LordVreeg (GM): Connor..." Many of the buildings and all the dorms have some. I've not heard that Kravent's were different."
rolling d100
(
65
)
= 65

Les'z: Hmm
Durhum: Do wards get stronger with age? Kravent is pretty old
LordVreeg (GM): Connor.."most get weaker"
Durhum stands up and puts a raisin bagel in his pocket
"Time for classes"
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 07, 2016, 08:16:48 PM
the Collegium Game plays tomorrow.  Always good news.  

One of the PCs was remarking on all the many Fraternal Orders they have met with and dealt with and work with, as one of the strengths of that particular game, but also one that illustrates one of the hidden strengths of the system.  The Collegium is made up, after graduation, of many Fraternal Orders of different focus and strengths.  Every student, after their Fifth year, becomes a prefect and a member of one of the Fraternal Orders.  And these orders have chapters all over the world in other Collegiums as well, so this is part of their connection and exit into the greater world.  And each has it's own focus of magic, and how that m agic works with their particular mission and philosophy.
But these Orders are not merely constructs of the Fluff of the game. Underpinning each Order is the fact that the system gives each Order actual differences in their particular skill sets, in magic and other skills, and even differences in how resistant they are to types of magic, how fast they regain ability after casting in different areas, their success of casting different types, and more.  

And from a larger picture, this is an expression of how the game was originally designed over 30 years ago.  To create a synergy of Skill-based and class based and get the best of both types.  To create characters who could create wildly different characters from the same sort of beginnings, then to have them 'become what they do', as a skill based game, while having the ability to have advantages in those skills that come from their particular guilds and orders.  

The current list of Fraternal Orders the PCs have come into contact or knowledge of, from here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/67725545/Collegium%20Arcana%20Play%20Notes).


Guilds, Fraternities and Organizations

Reaper's Brotherhood - Fraternity, very old, of Necromancer-prime casters.  Large Scythe Badge, the reapers have a bit of Artificer and a pronounced and taught lack of connection with humanity.
RightMakers Fraternity - Fraternity of Artificer and Earth magicians, crafters and workers, a bit anti-Istar.  Builders and creators.
Brothers of the Southern Eye - Fraternal order of Mentalist and Transport magic, tied to many merchants.  Their magic moves money, and they are aligned with many Mercantile guilds.
Light of Pengrast-Mentalist and Order communicators, with a healing bent.   They often work with the BBN.
Aid of Faith - Order of mages that are priests in a faith, studying in the Collegium.  Many religions are represented in this scholarly angle on the magic of faith.
The Order of the Kankenbyte -  Fraternal Order of Artificers who marry science, creation, and magic.
The Swords Arcanic-A martial brotherhood, studying the violent uses of the Woo and swordplay, as well.
The Tarphon Day Charter-An Animist/Artificer fraternity of using magic to work with the population.  Two hundred Dadem old, based on partnering with the other town or city guilds, to get things done and build a good reputation for the Collegium.
The Earthwrought- A group of Geomancers, with heavy plant and mineral background.
Cabal of the Elements- Honorary order that can only be bestowed,  Members have power in all four major elements.
Ministry of Demise-Necromancer/Death mages with Mentalist and dream abilities.  Small, rarely seen but feared.
Order of the Hunt - Small Fraternal order of Animist and Air users.  Wealthy, quiet, hunters.
Order of Smoke-Fire and Air mages, with roots in Gorntar.  The touch of mentalist is for making smoke and fire illusions and fireworks.
The Southern Flame-Very Martial Fire Order, combatants and supporters of the military tradition.
Salome Zombie Talkers-Political Order of Mentalism and Necromancy.
The Brown Riders -Animist/Earth tenders of beasts and servants of the Earth.
Logic's Path - Order mages who teach a zen, martial arts, and some animism.
The Red Armor-Chaos and Artificer with a martial bent, big on buffs.
The Wise Fools-From a few students hailing from Sembina in the late 700s came the precepts of the Wise, Mentalist/sages.
Water's Way-Chaos, Water and Air magi working with weather and Entropy.
The Logos Camue- Long Defunct forbidden secret order: The Meaning of the Blood.  Death. Mentalist, and Necromancy.
The Ancient Order of the Meter-Still extant old guild tied to the local bardic guilds.  Mentalist based order of musicians and those who work in meter and time.  
Handles of Hope -Artificer-Water pottery and glassblowing guild
Grain of Uncertainty- Earth/Entropy mages who see the whole cycle.
Hold of the Unknown-Mentalist and Law sages and philosophers who serve the Barrister community.
Diplomats of Rezor-Eighth House and Mentalist Order, training diplomats to be the voice of the Collegium.  About a hundred and fifty years old, messengers and politicians.
View of the Stage-Mentalist/bardic group of actor-mages , seekers of attention and the audience.
The Spirit and the Heart-Animists with a fire affinity, loving snakes and creatures of the Third Station
Mirthers of Yore - an old, barely extant guild of musician-sages, tied to the church of Irony and Black Humor
The Endless Change-Water/Chaos mages with some mentalist
Servant's Army- Offshoot of the Reapers, from some 20 years past, Artificer -Necromancers who create items of dark power.
Life's Water-Ancient group of Water mages, who use Order and Life in harmonious potion making.
Gardeners of  the Steel General- Omnian order of earth/law magi, who build gardens of refuge.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: crkrueger on September 10, 2016, 12:28:58 PM
A question about the campaign, (I haven't read all the summaries, but some).

Do the characters ever go and get a teacher?  This is an ancient magical university, with secrets and dangers, I assume some of the dangers might be something they may not be able to handle?  Or if such a danger did exist, the faculty would have dealt with it already?  Or maybe if the students can't deal with things like angry ghosts, then they don't belong there, and the occasional tragedy is expected?

Just asking because a lot of times in real life when we find ourselves in over our heads we call in someone better equipped for the problem if there is someone available, but a lot of times in games, "game logic" is different, we handle things ourselves...because.  As students in a magical college with presumably powerful faculty, the possibility exists of a very big safety net, and I just wondered how the players dealt with that.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 10, 2016, 09:44:56 PM
There is a very large faculty and research function at the Collegium, especially this, their oldest branch.  They have 4 classes daily, and have a very good relationship with many of their professors.  Buy for the first 90-odd sessions, they did try to keep a lot of stuff quiet that they did or that happened to them.  

And understand, this is a high mystery/ historical puzzle game.  Not that many combats, etc.  But outs of terrifying threats, to your point.  The PC's have kept things quiet for a few reasons, one big one being Agency, that they don't want to lose their ability to be unobserved, but the biggest has been the level of intrigue apparent very early on.  They know there are many agenda for many people, and they have seen many hints of subterfuge from Orders current and even some thought long-extinct and forbidden.  One of their earlier sort-of patrons dissapeared, and they had to rescue him, in a crypt under the hidden Library of Lost Students.  And that sort of blew their cover with the High Warlock.  Who they don't completely trust.

But after 97 sessions, one of the spirits that are tied to the statues they hunt for, that are a huge part of the storyline (they have 3 of 12), almost killed a prefect one night...so their cover has been blown with the whole Council of Students, and last session was spent with Keeper Voros, a professor...setting up a defense that might allow them to tell most without divulging the statues.....

Thank you for asking, BTW.  After all these years and all the long games I have run, this is the one I feel has pushed me the most, and has been the most narrative-worthy.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 20, 2016, 01:12:49 PM
We hit session 99 last week.
Obviously, coming up on a big one.  
Session 99 was one of those relationship sessions, where the group is, narratively, sort of moving into a new chapter.  For the entire time, 38 days in game time, they have been dealing with the ancient undead legacy of an old Illegal Order that was executed some 700+ years before, but no one has really known about this angle, that some undead have been operating, undetected, on campus.
Now, it seems that will change.  
The Students have to go before the Council of Students to explain the events of the last few nights.  Where a Prefect was set afire after finding them out after hours, about what the know about the disappearance and finding of Warlock Bin, about strange mists and horrible dreams.

LordVreeg (GM): Voros.." The history of the School is tied to many groups, Dexie...I am not being difficult, this place, the Godstraat, the Necropolis...are Nexus points"
"I want to protect you by allowing you to control what others know, since now...there is no more denying"
Pholian Mar: "Thank you. That is the plan any way."

Durhum: So it seems, especially a nexus for the dead.
LordVreeg (GM): Voros..." Oh it is not any matured position....I sense something going on...these statues, as you describe them...an ancient order..."
"too many cookies will send it all into hiding"
 
Durhum shrugs again
Durhum: As long as we don't get executed or expelled, we'll find out more eventually
LordVreeg (GM): Voros, " As Grazz't said, we all only see the world in the size of our eyes."
" Your meeting is at 7th hour tomorrow."  He shakes his head, then stares at the tall tapestry on top of the fireplace.
"I am presenting you, " he smiles...." As Jubilex seems to inhabit me"
 
Durhum pulls out his plate
Durhum: SHould I bring a platter to put us on
LordVreeg (GM): Voros..." Nice plate."
Durhum: We think it signals or cleanses poison.
But... we can't get our hands on any poison to test
LordVreeg (GM): Voros..." Do you want me to tell you?"
he smiles..." Before we are all expelled?"
Durhum: Hmmm
In exchange for what?



And so it goes.  
And session 100 should mark the turning point.  The school, some part of it, depending on the inquest,  will understand more that something is stalking the school.
From here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/111210523/Session%20Ninety-Nine%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game).
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 24, 2016, 02:44:26 PM
Session 100 Thursday night.
A nice milestone, always.  And no signs of slowing.

More remarkable for the exposition, as the PC who really understands the secrets of the Statuettes went over a lot of what he understood, and everyone else has a better idea of what he's going through and all the grief the ghosts are creating.  

Durhum: Ummm, there's 13 statues
Pholian Mar: "That's the priestesses name if I remember correctly"
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..." Lots we don't know"
Durhum: So, we don't even know half of what's going on/
Pholian Mar: "Well, it's not like it'sbeen even easy to identify the three so far"
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..." Yes, but maybe we try to make that a focus"
Pholian Mar: "Haven't we already?"
Durhum: Seana Bin.
Pholian Mar: "Not from those Bins"
"We checked"
Durhum: Oh
Hmmm
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir.." Pholian, we didn't even know how many there were"
Pholian Mar: "She was a hobyt to begin with"
Les'z: andd Avram killed 12...
Pholian Mar: "Well, we still don't"
"There might be thirteen or twelve"
"I had a dream once when they were all gathered around a chained figure"
"And there was thirteen total of them"
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..." thirteen with or without the chained one?"
Les'z: which one was the one that you went into
when you almost died
it was poking us
Pholian Mar: "With"
"Stefan's"
Les'z: to prevent us leaving witohout it
Pholian Mar: "Let me just get them from my room"
I go to fetch them
(To Pholian Mar): they are all sitting outside your door
(To Pholian Mar): in a row
Pholian Mar: I return swiftly and showcase three figures, one smaller than the other (ooc: Klaxik's smallest one, right?"
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir puts some wood into the fireplace, the chill of this night is coming on, as Red Gerin sarts to dominate the sky
ooc yes
Les'z: and see, we need wood
Pholian Mar: "Okay, so this " I point to the statue with a top hat and face of a fox "is obviously Foxface"
I tap a robed statue "This is Stefan, and this is the one that kept my soul"
Les'z: we have seen him also aspect in the mist
foxface that is
Pholian Mar: "And this" I point to the klaxik with twin kamas "Is the Angry Klaxik. Name Unknown"
Les'z: i thought you said angry klaxik wasw stefan
where is this priestess
Durhum: And feathered omwo?
Pholian Mar: "Well Feathered Omwo was chasing us the other night"
"And I don't know where the priestess is"
"I just know they exist"
Les'z: is priestess omwo or hobyt you said both
LordVreeg (GM): Grfank.." What about the stag-headed thing we saw?"
Les'z: I bet the priestess is in the hands of somebody else
Pholian Mar: "Oh right. THat's another one"
"So we know six, give or take"
Les'z: how does 5 add up to 6
Durhum: Stag Head, Foxface, Klaxik, Feathered Omwo, Stefan, Priestess
 
Durhum picks up the klaxik statue
Durhum: What happens if we put one in the magic block box?
Les'z: so featherd omwo is not priestess
is it a female?
Pholian Mar: "No, he's the one that fried the High Prefect"
"I don't think it's going to fit for one. And for second, I'd not try"
"You might kill him"
 
Durhum shrugs
Durhum: He's already dead
Pholian Mar: "Technically, yes"
 
Durhum picks up Foxfaces statue
Durhum: Let's try on this one first then.
Pholian Mar: "I wouldn't."
Durhum: Who's got the box?
Pholian Mar: "You do realise they are sentient and I do not control them, and ever since we freed Bin, they've been growing more independent and powerful"


So, this was an important part, as all the Dexies (first year students), after 100 full sessions, a few dozen intermezzo sessions and over 5000 pages of text, the secrets of the Statuettes may be laid bare to the Council of Students.  They know something has been going on, but how much the Dexies are forced to tell and what the outcome of that shall be the important point of the next few sessions.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on September 30, 2016, 02:22:35 PM
Session 101.

You know, you can never tell where PCs will go.

I really thought they'd go to dinner.  Instead, they decided to show the Senior Prefect Farslung Jobs (an Orcash Priest of the Church of Grazzt the Redeemer, as well as being a Senior Prefect from the Order of the Aid of Faith in the Collegium) an old Statue with a secret passage underneath it they had discovered.  
Of course, last time they went down there, one of the students lost a hand.  So, never did I expect this detour.  Oh, PCs...

Session notes here (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/111576817/Session%20101%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game).  Below, we have a portion as the group emerges from the dusty, dark, and vaulted passage found underneath Finni library, after running into some strange shadow that ensorcelled Durham and almost killed Grfank.

LordVreeg (GM): Jobs, as he gets to the top of the ladder, behind the statue of Oblimet..." So... Some kind of Spectre down there. And they normally haunt areas. What happened last time you wandered down there?"
Durhum: We saw the Amerer statue, it's at the T in the hall to the south of where we were.
Also Pholian died.

Pholian Mar: "Was heavily wounded."
I shoot Durhum a look
"And it's not getting sloppier"

"For gods' sake, wake up, it almost killed two of us this time"
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs..."not the safest thing..."
Durhum: It did better last time. It pounced too early
If I fell off the ladder it would have been worse for me.
Pholian Mar: "Maybe you'd like to go back and exchange tactics pointers with it?" I speak with weapon - grade sarcasm

LordVreeg (GM): Jobs.." More to the point, this speaks to what you've been dealing with"
Grfank.." Aye"
(To Vee): roll det+1/4 art
Durhum: See, Jobs now has proof.
We can initiate him into our secret order
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs..." Of something yes. Of a few things"

Durhum smiles giddily
Vee: rolling 1d100
(
10
)
= 10

The group starts to move out of the alley with the alcoved statue.  The wind whips by, moaning, making all pull their robes closer.  Bosh still has his little travel lantern out.  No seems to mind the light, after the attack of the shaodowy thing below.

Pholian Mar: "Yeah, and if things went a bit different, he'd have two solid stone cold proofs"
Vee: "If only there were a way to just banish some of these spirits."
"Or even just forcibly shrive them."
(To Vee): you note a green and silver-blue gold around Grfank 19 exp
Pholian Mar: "I don't know if it's possible"
Durhum: Well there was an idea, that Pholian shot down.
Pholian Mar: "Not in this case. As long as it's...reliquary exists for the lack of better term, I doubt it can be permanently destroyed"
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs.." Let's finish our trip to Peedjit for dinner. we can talk inside
Durhum: Sounds good.
LordVreeg (GM): he leads you back outside the alley
the cold wind whips around you
Grfank is stumbling a bit, after the ordeal below.

(To Pholian Mar): roll det+1/4 necro
Pholian Mar: rolling d100
(
44
)
= 44
Pholian looks around paranoically
(To Pholian Mar): angry voice...." perdition, the infection, so obvious!"
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir.." I think I need a drink after this"
Pholian Mar: "Wait"
"Grfank, Durhum"
"Stand aside from us and stand aside from each other"
LordVreeg (GM): Grfank? "What are you asking?"
Pholian Mar: "Please, just do so"
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs..." Pholian, what is wrong?"
Pholian Mar: I whisper to Jobs

Durhum moves to the west
LordVreeg (GM): Grfank.." Do what?"  The huge gartier's eye's are narrowed in an uncharacteristic confusion.
(From Pholian Mar): "I don't know. The ghosts just mentioned something about an infection. And Grfank does not look good"
Durhum: Spread out.
(From Pholian Mar): "Could you check if he's alright? If they both are?"

Durhum keeps his blacksteel dagger at hand
LordVreeg (GM): Grfank moves east, away from the group a bit..moving slowly, a glint in his eye.
Vee: "I saw some magic around Grfank, but I didn't think much of it."
Pholian Mar: "Now stay calm Grfank"
"Just let the Prefect examine you"

Durhum narrows his eyes

LordVreeg (GM): Suddenly, a black cloud explodes from Grfank, blinding everyone...
An angry screech that cuts to everyone's soul...
At that, Grfank's skin disapears, and an angry
shadow stands in the space, dark and menacing...then it speeds back into the alley
as everyone is knocked off their feet by the Black Explosion
LordVreeg (GM): the bellow is sub-human, a rage from beyond life,
then everyone is left in a strange silence...


Pholian Mar: I cough and try to raise myself on my elbow
"G...Grfank?"
LordVreeg (GM): Just west of Finni library
Grfank is gone
Pholian Mar: "No, no no no no no"
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs...rolling around.."What in the redeemers's name was that?"
Vee: "Oh no..."
Pholian Mar: "We need to go back down"
Durhum: It killed him
Pholian Mar: "No, he's still down there"
(To Vee): the rondel is somehow still in your hand
Durhum: You're damn right we need to go back down.
Pholian Mar: "it just made an illusion of him"

Durhum turns around heads back towards the alley
Pholian Mar: I speak like I'm trying more to persuade myself than others
Durhum: Wait, we left his body?
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs...standing.." yes, it fooled us, for sure"
Durhum: No time to waste
Pholian Mar: "Come on, let's all stick together as close as possible."

Vee hurries along

Durhum leads the pack dagger drawn


Quite a session for drama....
Just when I thought I had everything prepped for the next few sessions...the PCs, perhaps emulating the teens they are playing, decided to go back to danger.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 15, 2016, 01:25:28 PM
Session 102 (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/112046890/Session%20102%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game) last Thursday...

Proving that if the mundane and the mysterious is including in a lot of gaming, when danger actually comes in, it is that much more arresting.
Session 101 included the PCs realizing an undead shapeshifter had taken the place of their friend Grfank, and the need to rush back into the strange old catacombs under the Finni Library to try to find him before he was gone.  

Again, though they know a little bit of magic, these are 12-14 year old kids (or their racial equivalent), so they know little magic, don't really have much for supplies, and minimal arms.  So even a battle with three Huge Rats was a struggle.  Also, the way dynamic lighting works in roll20, and the fact our game has minimal darksight and one person has a lantern, makes for a spooky experience.  I guess one theorem getting proven out of this experiment is that roleplaying and small, incremental progress can make a game last a long while.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on October 22, 2016, 03:18:32 PM
Session 103 (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/112284772/Session%20103%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20game) recently.

The exploration continues looking for Grfank, their fellow student and brother of the Attic, who was replaced by some undead shapeshifter.  As mentioned, these are students, so this is a terrifying and very low-power exploration.  
Also, one of the ghosts in Pholian's statuettes helped him out when the found some fingerbones that radiated magic...but for a price.

Vee: "I have a fingerbone like this that could be used to cast corpse candle."
http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14955457/Corpse%20Candle
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh.." Quite the education, if I live through this"
Durhum: Yep, put the spell on my dagger and we're good to go again
Pholian Mar: "Come on, I'd do it myself if I had a hand"
Durhum: I can hold the dagger, what do I need to do?
Pholian Mar: I sigh
"Just slice my palm open, a bit, enough I can get the blood over the fingerbone"
Vee: "Warden Frimak thought the one I found was a plant by... someone."
"He never said who."
Pholian Mar: "Just watch it, that dagger of yours looks pretty sharp"
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs..." A plant? Strange"
 
Durhum tries to carefully cut Pholians palm
(To Pholian Mar): kind voice..." One wonders"
Vee: "I also met the ghost of Warden Jomak when I found it."
"I doubt they were unrelated happenings."
Pholian Mar: My cheeks puff up and there's a soft blowing sound a I realise this might've not been the best idea
LordVreeg (GM): the blood pools in Pholians hand...
Vee: ooc brb
(To Pholian Mar): snide voice..." Now, that is much better. Oh, maybe..." yes...
Pholian Mar: I carefully clench my hand, wincing and getting the blood all over the fingerbone
Trying very hard not to swear
(To Pholian Mar): UNdead sleep...Ashes of the Dead....enhance turn
(To Pholian Mar): says the snide voice, loudly, clearly


All of this followed by a huge black, hairy spider jumping on Durhum's back, causing another fight....
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 04, 2016, 12:45:08 PM
Hard to keep up some times.
Sessions 104 (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/112682500/Session%20104%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20game) and 105 (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/112697497/Session%20105%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game) have come and gone, as the first year students slowly run out of oil and learn to defeat huge Saligrakian Rats in the basement tunnels under the hoary Collegium Arcana, talk to ghosts of agent prefects and have small statuettes with souls trapped in them communicate.  All this, as they try to rescue their lost fellow student, in the dead of night...underground.



Les'z: Hi ho
Says les yanking out
His dagger

Durhum: ooc: we all have daggers
LordVreeg (GM): Durhum, the table is front of you, old books and vials on it, and a few old wood crates under it
LordVreeg (GM): the coals are giving off a red glow
red eyes can be seen in a few places
Durhum: Stay close.
Everyone with a weapon up front
(To Vee): what say you?
Les'z: Ooc are we still following drag marks
Vee: "I think we're being watched."
(To Vee): shall we move you up? are you armed?
(From Vee): I am armed. Don't think I should be in the front row, though.
(From Vee): Just not entirely sure what I can see and what everyone else can see.
LordVreeg (GM): Durhum, Bosh, and Les'z are in the front
(From Vee): I assume those are Saligrakian rats?
LordVreeg (GM): Vee and Gregoir right behind
Les'z: "Yes those look like eyes"
LordVreeg (GM): Bosh has put his lantern down....


The students are finding out they are adept at killing these beasties, so far.
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on November 02, 2017, 11:46:30 AM
Well, I am quite busy with work and all, but I thought I'd stop by and post that this online game has continued and thrived.

We had session 138 (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/121158993/Session%20138%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game) last week, with the PCs having played some 44-odd days of in-game time.
Very minute detail, and character development, and nearly all of it done inside the campus for 138 games.  

"LordVreeg (GM): 10th hour on the 42nd
Les: n think of
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir.."I am sure that bit about sympathetic items and such from last spellcasting will be on exams"
Bosh.." Terrifying thought"
Durhum: And his synergy bit too
about some things working well with others
Les: that wasn't so hard, what are you worried about?
Durhum: Although I have the instinct that he doesn't know the whole.. truth of it?
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir.." Glad you found it easy, I know we'll be using it"
Pholian Mar: "I imagine the details of the theory'll be much harder than the general statements so far"
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs.." You can say that again"
Durhum: So, home and sleep?
LordVreeg (GM): Suzanni..."Typical underclassmen" she smiles at you all
Durhum: I can't think of anything pressing we need to do
Les: What would an upperclassman do.?.
LordVreeg (GM): Suzanni.." We always have things we are studying"
Les: Well then let's do that
LordVreeg (GM): Gregoir..."Surely we have a pile of strange historical notes to look for?"
Durhum: Wait
 
Durhum holds out a ring with red shield and helmet symbols
Durhum: Venkster had this, someone payed him to spy on us
LordVreeg (GM): Suzanni.." well, That is better. If you are looking for historical, then Fessenden is better. More spellcasting, especially with healing or Order, ten Finni is better"
Durhum: We havent really done anything about it
Pholian Mar: "Spy with that" I motion to the ring "or paid with that?"
Durhum: Paid I think, it was a bribe
Along with some coins and I think promise of admission to a guild
There was a note but I think I left it in my room.

LordVreeg (GM): Suzanni.." Our Venkster in the dorm?"
Durhum: Yes
The slimeball, that I was correct about, B
BY THE WAY
LordVreeg (GM): Jobs.." That is a Red Armor sigil"
Pholian Mar: I sigh "Apparently. Though thank the Green Mother he's not bragging too much about that...ah. Here we go"
Title: Collegium Arcana Online
Post by: LordVreeg on April 24, 2018, 02:01:13 PM
Session 149. (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/125486426/Session%20149%20of%20the%20Collegium%20Arcana%20Game)

Just a little update, as this game is still going on and staying healthy.

One of the students has been invited to a grand, historically significant ball.  
The other students have decided to not be left behind and are sneaking in.
Also, the hilarity of one of the students being bitten by a Pumpkin headed broom golem, and breaking 2 fingers in the process.