Slim to No Chance

Stopped mid-combat, mid-river crossing on the big (now leaking and smouldering) barge; the Spinning Jenny, the odds seem to be dipping in the Party’s favour, despite Liga Bur floundering in the river with only a few fish-finger’s of HPs remaining.

Captain Lynchin and his four Zinerian guards have (surprisingly) managed to defeat the invisible, backstabbing Assassins on the Cottis side of the river and secure the chain-ratchet wheel. Poor ferryman Rod was killed though.

Armoured Banaal’s stuck on the boat with Rifkin, Jane, Ringo, Chape and Locket and all the dogs, mules and horses, but his back-looking vantage point and evil targeting spells gave Captain Lynchin and his men the advantage they needed.

On the Agentian bank though, Fortu has just emerged from the water and already cut down one of the Assassins on that side. Only nine more to go, plus their old-man leader. The old man leader who somehow managed to slip out of the effects of Liga Bur’s flaming blast!

From a conversation I’ve seen on another thread, I’m guessing this is going to be an absolute bust, but just to confirm, please check the possible dates below…

May options

Saturday the 23rd

Sunday the 24th

Saturday the 30th

Sunday the 31st

June options

Saturday the 6th

Sunday the 7th

Saturday the 13th

Sunday the 14th

Saturday the 20th

Sunday the 21st

Saturday the 27th

Sunday the 28th

All 9am starts.

Overworked, overstretched and overwhelmed Scott has spoken and the possible dates whittled down to just two. As I, the mighty DM get the final decision; the 7th of June it is. I don’t know why, but I just like Sundays!

The Gods Laugh

Due to the gods of fate, my wife, a cousin, my brother, my parents and my son all independently ignoring my plans, I went from having an entirely free Sunday the 26th, to having multiple plans, including two separate London shows and three family visits!

Thanks to you all for being so obliging, we can still battle the elements, witches and assassins, but just a day earlier.

See you all on Saturday the 25th at 9am!

Fights, Murder, Action!

After our first entirely (despite David) combat free, role-play-talky-talky session, you all (especially Assif) probably need to bash in some heads and loot their bodies. I can promise you nothing but let’s just see what happens next.

Reunited with the Triplets soldiers; Locke, Chape and Ringo, your ex-wagoneer; Cookie and a contingent of Lord Urdurel’s city guards wave you off on your fresh horses, saddlebags fully stocked with food, water and supplies. 

Now in the pay of Lord Urdurel, you’re heading out of capital city; Cottis through the neighbouring Kingdom of Agentia to present yourself to King Lucius (ex-brother-in-law to Lord Urdurel and twin brother to the late; Lady Dulcetta) in their capital city; Cheval and then onwards to the Gnome realm of Fustilarian to present Lord Urdurel’s sincere apology, promise of full financial restitution and plea to King Trololo Strongarm for his help.

April options

Saturday the 11th

Sunday the 12th

Saturday the 18th

Sunday the 19th

Saturday the 25th

Sunday the 26th

I currently don’t have any weekend plans that far in advance in April, beyond the first one, so it’s up to you jet-setters to decide if we get to play next month or not.

Edit: Thanks for the rapid response boys. Two days remained on the option list but, for some reason, I prefer Sundays. See you all (online) on Sunday the 26th at 9am!

The Time of March

We ended the last session at the heavily fortified outer wall of the towering and architecturally striking, Capital city of Cottis. You’d just overcome the psychotic Halfling bandit; Marvin and captured eleven of his ‘Dirty dozen’ plus all of their horses. Now (finally) you’re about to meet the legendary (near) centenarian; Lord Urdurel himself.

We’ve done February, so here are some possible (currently/semi-pathetically all clear for me) 9am weekend game dates for March…

Sunday the 1st

Saturday the 7th

Sunday the 8th

Saturday the 14th

Sunday the 15th

Saturday the 21st

Sunday the 22nd

Saturday the 28th

Sunday the 29th

Edit: Despite Scott and Assif going off on their jollidays, I think we’ve found a mutually convenient date. Sunday the 8th of March. Just over a week for me to write something fun and/or useful… See you all at 9am!

New Year, Same Scheduling Problems

After stuffing ourselves with turkey and trifle, let us now turn our attention to your, less fortunate, alternate selves. No feasts or family reunions for them as they’re all far from home, if they have families or homes at all. Instead they face the final leg of their journey towards the capital city; Cottis, where they’ll finally get to meet Sir Briefadel’s much maligned father, the legendary; Lord Urdurel and perhaps do a bit of magic shopping in the January sales.

Possible dates for a probable role-playing-no-combat D&D session. January’s currently pretty good for me but February is already looking distinctly shaky…

2026

January

Saturday the 17th

Sunday the 18th

Saturday the 24th

Sunday the 25th

Saturday the 31st

February

Sunday the 1st

Saturday the 21st

Sunday the 22nd

Hopefully enough options here. Let me know if you can do any of these 9am morning dates. 

Also, remember to forward me your new 8th level character sheets. 

Edit: after a slightly worrying delay, we have a consensus:

9am Sunday the 1st of February.

Last game of 2025?

I’m still a bit shell shocked from the last ‘Role-play’ session but still keen to get you boys to Lord Urdurel. Let’s try to slip another session in before the end of the year. Not likely I know, but do any of these mornings suit you all?

November 

Saturday 29th

Sunday 30th

December

Saturday 13th

Sunday 14th

Saturday 20th

Sunday 21st

We have a winner!

9am, Sunday morning, the 14th of December!

Return to the Cottage of Doom!

Much to my surprise, our abject failure to find a free date for an online session in October has somehow motivated us into playing in person for an entire weekend at the cottage in November!

Saturday the 1st of November 2025

I’ll continue posting the Saturday stories but I’d better get planning. My usual three pre-arranged encounters won’t be enough! 

See you all at around midday!

No, No, No, November?

With October a bust, let’s try November. 

Scott’s efficiently provided his availability and David’s provisionally approved them. After taking my few pre-bookings away, we’re still left with:

Saturday the 1st of November.

Sunday the 2nd of November.

Saturday the 8th of November.

Sunday the 9th of November.

Sunday the 16th of November.

Saturday the 22nd of November.

Sunday the 30th of November.

Assif, our fate is in your hands…

Assif has spoken and we have a date!

Sunday the 2nd of November.

9am.

October Turnaround?

As we only managed to make it through three days travelling, one big messy combat encounter and didn’t get to anywhere near reaching Lord Urdurel, let’s aim for less than a month between sessions.

I’ll give myself at least a fortnight’s breather though as I’ve got a couple of busy weekends and simultaneously running thirty assorted bad guys, one good but cowardly Bard and three morally dubious, will-they-or-won’t-they-betray-you, henchmen was exhausting!

Any of these morning dates possible for everyone?

9am, Saturday morning, the 11th of October, 2025.

9am, Sunday morning, the 12th of October, 2025.

9am, Saturday morning, the 18th of October, 2025.

9am, Sunday morning, the 19th of October, 2025.

9am, Saturday morning, the 25th of October, 2025.

9am, Sunday morning, the 26th of October, 2025.

Next session may be more role-playey but I can guarantee you nothing.

Well that didn’t work out! I’ll try for November…

Optimistic Session Planning

Assuming the best:

9am, Sunday morning, the 21st of September, 2025.

Will you manage to reach Lord Urdurel?

Truly July

With my Will save failing and depression creeping in, I’ll try again to find a mutually agreeable three hour morning slot availability on a July weekend. Currently I’m free for all of it, although two of those weekend’s I’ll be tiny-pet sitting but I’m hoping Dougie the doggy will be a good boy.

Saturday the 5th

Sunday the 6th

Saturday the 12th

Sunday the 13th

Saturday the 19th

Sunday the 20th

Saturday the 26th

Sunday the 27th

All morning 9am starts for a three or four hour session.

Respond as quickly as you can, so we can semi-cement a plan in place.

Edit: Thanks for the speedy response boys. Let’s choose the Sunday the 27th though as that takes me a bit further away from my 32nd wedding anniversary.

May-be-days?

Due to typically accursed scheduling issues, April’s sadly a bust, so let’s move along to far away May…

9am start so I’ll have around four hours to set up.

Saturday the 3rd of May

Sunday the 4th of May

Saturday the 10th of May

Sunday the 11th of May

Sunday the 18th of May

Sunday the 25th of May

Saturday the 31st of May

Just for the sake of game momentum, I’d prefer earlier in the month rather than later. I’ve already written the opening scene!

Thanks for all the speedy-ish responses.

Let’s lock down Saturday the 10th of May before we lose all hope.

I’ll start planning in Ernest now…

Semi-Soft Reboot

Return of the Demon

Sadly, no new arty-farty fake module cover this time, as my old AppleMac died a year ago and I’m totally unwilling/unable to spend any money on a new one. So it’ll be just a new module masthead and the start of the next chapter of the game. Maybe a roughly drawn doodle and some expository text though, if I can bring myself to use my uncooperative right hand.

I’ll also need from you, some character change rational posts. Liga Bur’s spiritual enlightenment. Fortu’s interest of skills beyond those for killing. And an entire (7th level) history for whoever/whatever character Assif’s introducing.

Let’s pretend I’ve already written beyond the title though and propose some weekend morning dates in April. An actual session deadline may provoke me into literary action!

Below are the April weekend dates I’ve still got available. Check if you can do any of them and let me know here.

Failing that I’ll suggest some May ones.

9am start so no-one has to skip breakfast.

Saturday the 5th of April

Sunday the 6th of April

Sunday the 13th of April

Saturday the 19th of April 

Oh Noe’s! May dates to follow…

Octoberfest or Novemberbest?

September brought a shortened (one encounter) session. Let’s see if we can do better in October… or maybe November?

Thanks again Scott for your uninterrupted Googlemeet membership. Sorry for missing the initial code you sent. 

Are we all free for four hours on any of these mornings?

Saturday the 26th of October 

Sunday the 27th of October 

Saturday the 2nd of November

Sunday the 3rd of November

Saturday the 16th of November

Sunday the 17th of November

I promise that I won’t make any rash; ‘This’ll be the end of this module’ promises this time.

Edit: Thanks Boys. Saturday morning on the 2nd of November it is! (Almost exactly a month away.)

September Sometime?

Despite my manic morning, last weekend’s game turned out really well. Scott’s professional ‘GoogleMeet’ subscription (Thanks Scott) made gameplay much smoother, with us tea/pee breaking as needed rather than on the hour, every hour.

Considering our original plan of four to six weeks between sessions, we’re looking at September. I can’t make the first couple of weekends anyway, so that works out pretty well for me. The next question is when you’re all free?

Saturday the 14th of September

Sunday the 15th of September

Saturday the 21st of September

Saturday the 28th of September

Sunday the 29th of September

We’ve already agreed that mornings are better for all of us. I’ll (barring another grandchild) be pottering around from 8.30am but although I’ll remind everyone, it’ll be up to Scott to text us all the unlimited GoogleMeet code. 

Edit: We have a definite date where we’re all definitely available! (And two late possible possibilities.) 

Let’s just agree on Saturday the 21st. That gives me exactly a month to prepare Sir Briefadel’s evil monologue.

:D

March-ing Past February

Hi Boys,

Glad that my running the 'Map-cam' worked out to everyone’s satisfaction. I weirdly found that my face being off camera, was liberating rather than distracting. In addition, I was able to set everything up in advance, so there was no need for poor Assif to worry about unwrapping multiple packages in real time and tracking EVERYONE'S movement, especially all my NPCs!

In the future, it’ll also save me the trouble of driving up to St Albans to drop of or collect the boxloads of minis and models in advance of every session.

While Assif's two camera setup is definitely superior to my old webcam toggling system, the stresses are still much easier for me.

Role-play = My face. Combat = Map-cam.

Everyone was very generous with healing potions and spells for poor, clumsy Doberman last session, but a lot of you got minor injuries. Perhaps not the canny Liga Bur or the cowardly Rifkin, but Fortu, Arowe, Doberman, Henshaw and Barbella definitely took some minor spear, acid or sonic damage. Liga Bur’s summoned boar certainly saved Henshaw’s, Doberman's and Barbella's lives!

So, while still fresh-ish in your minds, could you also all please note down your PCs and NPCS hit points, potions, spells and arrows used while you’ve still got the scraps of paper to hand.

Arowe only fired two arrows in the last session and Liga Bur only one in the session before but I’d still like you both to track your quivers. I suspect Arowe’s last normal one is about to run out and I’ve completely lost track of Liga Bur’s.

Like always, I flubbed some of the encounter descriptions but, like always, I'll compensate for my in-game panic by writing expositional Orange Inn posts. As Assif's away, Coachman-holidaying in the Algarve for the entirety of February, I'll have plenty of time to post up more stories and information.

That said, as I've already taken back responsibility for the map-cam, I might as well relieve Scott of the scheduling too. Better that I do it now than spend weeks fretting that no-one wants to play.

We've already done January, Assif's away working all through February and, as he'll probably still be unpacking/readjusting on the first weekend of March, I suggest the following 8.30am (UK) dates...

Saturday the 9th March

Sunday the 10th March

Saturday the 16th March

Sunday the 17th March

Saturday the 30th March

Sunday the 31st March

Between seven to ten weeks between sessions, I'd prefer earlier rather than later but I'm currently free for all these dates. As soon as we can reach a consensus though, we can cement the date in.

Will Arowe be able to make another impossible shot to loosen the emerald semi-hidden in the smaller spinning orb?

Will Liga Bur sacrifice anymore of his summoned creatures to get the Party out of problematic jams/slimes?

Will Fortu spend the rest of the campaign using his ‘Awesome’ new sword to cut through various stone and metal traps and doors?

Did we decide whether ‘Undoubtably’ Was a word yet?

I'm already looking forward to the next session!

Edit: Nice quick turnaround. Next game session: Saturday the 9th of March. Assume an 8.30am UK start unless informed otherwise.

Confusing and Incorrect Game Date Reminder

Emergency Urgent January Game Date Options

As Assif’s wintering in the Algarve for the entirety of February 2024, I’m usurping Scott’s role to post up our game date possibilities…

Ozzy Scott’s still eleven hours ahead of us, so it’s probably best to stick with mornings for us and evenings for him.

Saturday 6/1/24

Sunday 7/1/24

Saturday 13/1/24

Sunday 14/1/24

Saturday 20/1/24

Sunday 21/1/24

Saturday 27/1/24

Sunday 28/1/24

I can currently (sad-sack that I am) do all of these dates and as I’ve already written and model-made everything we need, I’m already as ready as I need to be.

2nd Edit: 

A date has been agreed upon but then buggered up by me.

Now Saturday the 20th of January 2024.  

8.30am Morning start for the UKers / 7.30pm Evening start for Ozzy Scott?

Mandolin Hero 6!

 Updated 

Game Date: Two Months Away

Scott provided several dates and we settled on the one exactly two months from the last one.

Next Session:

Saturday the 30th of September.

9am for the UKers and whatever time that makes it in the evening for Ozzy Scott.

This gives me plenty of time to twiddle my thumbs before my traditional last minute note-writing and model-making panic scramble.

To maintain momentum, I'll be posting up quasi-useful back stories and random imagery every Saturday and possibly Wednesdays, if my idle brain can generate enough self-entertaining mini projects.

See you boys in fifty-seven days!