{"id":2685,"date":"2016-08-27T03:59:46","date_gmt":"2016-08-26T17:59:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/?p=2685"},"modified":"2016-09-27T04:01:30","modified_gmt":"2016-09-26T18:01:30","slug":"gurps-casus-belli-session-2x10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/?p=2685","title":{"rendered":"GURPS: Casus Belli, Session 2&#215;10"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none;padding: 0px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/CB-Banner-Long-anim.gif?w=600&#038;ssl=1\"  \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2x10-Title.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2659 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2x10-Title.png?resize=600%2C326&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"600\" height=\"326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2x10-Title.png?resize=1024%2C556&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2x10-Title.png?resize=300%2C163&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2x10-Title.png?resize=768%2C417&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2x10-Title.png?w=1258&amp;ssl=1 1258w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/2x10-Title.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Warband<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.olympusrpg.org\/index.php\/Lord_Brad%C3%A1n_ap_Cadell\"> Brad\u00e1n ap Cadell<\/a> (Ronnke)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.olympusrpg.org\/index.php\/Meadhbh_verch_Caddell\">Meadhbh verch Cadell<\/a> (Melissa)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.olympusrpg.org\/index.php\/Marcus_Caerloyw_Glevum\">Marcus<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.olympusrpg.org\/index.php\/Echo\">Echo<\/a> (CommJunkee)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.olympusrpg.org\/index.php\/Heddwyn_ap_Idris\">Heddwyn ap Idris<\/a> (Gigermann)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.olympusrpg.org\/index.php\/Aed%C3%A1n_ap_Dewar\">Aed\u00e1n ap Dewar<\/a> (Winston)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.olympusrpg.org\/index.php\/Aonghus\">Simple Angus<\/a> (Herodian)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/wiki.olympusrpg.org\/index.php\/Gwion_ap_Enfrys\">Gwion ap Enfrys<\/a> (Andricus)<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Act I: The Long March.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The pursuit of the Blackshields who abducted<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/owain-ap-edern\">Chief Owain<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>has led to Ynys M\u00f4n, once the most sacred and holy island to the druidic order in Prydain but now, home to sea-rovers and brigands. As<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/heddwyn-ap-idris\">Heddwyn<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>is the only PC who has even set foot on this island, it is to him that the others defer and he points them north, hoping that they will reach a place that he actually recognizes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Two hours elapse as the band hikes along the beach \u2013<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/brad-n-ap-caddell\">Brad\u00e1n<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>is ever aware of the ocean\u2019s looming presence \u2013 but they finally note a large boat grounded upon a secluded cove. The size of this craft is considerable \u2013 ten men or more could pack into this<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><em>currach<\/em><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>without difficulty, and it uses both sails and oars \u2013 but more importantly are the tracks leading away from the boat and into the island proper. Brad\u00e1n briefly considers sabotaging the<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><em>currach<\/em>, but both Heddwyn and<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/marcus-caerloyw-glevum\">Marcus<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>convince him to hold off as they might need this craft upon their return.<\/li>\n<li>Four more hours pass as they follow the trail deeper into Ynys M\u00f4n. The trail ends at an extraordinarily dark cave and, while the others rest, Brad\u00e1n instructs<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/gwion-ap-enfrys\">Gwion<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>to scout this cave. Almost immediately, Heddwyn strongly contests this as \u2018things do not work the same here on this island.\u2019 The urgency behind the druid\u2019s argument sways Brad\u00e1n (although he really seems to think the young<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><em>ollave<\/em><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>is overreacting or exaggerating.<\/li>\n<li>After an hour of rest, the band proceed into the cave where they are almost immediately blinded by light. An incredible, unrelenting heat hammers them and when they\u2019re eyes adjust, they find themselves standing in the middle of a vast desert that stretches on for as far as the eye can see. There is no sign of the cave from which they emerged! All of them are appropriately discombobulated, although Marcus and Gwion are especially affected. Eyes turn to Heddwyn and there are multiple demands to explain this madness, but he can shed little wisdom apart from theorizing that they have traversed into the Otherworld.Fortunately, there are clear tracks leading away so they set out, with Marcus being the most knowledgeable about deserts although all he knows is second-hand wisdom from old Roman legionnaires who had visited the Holy Land. It takes very little time for the band to consume what little water they have on hand and soon, the sun has thoroughly baked several of them, especially the redheads (<a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/aed-n-ap-dewar\">\u00c1ed\u00e1n<\/a>, Gwion and<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/meadhbh-verch-caddell\">Meadhbh<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>On and on they walk, stopping to rest an hour for every two they hike. Overhead, the sun never moves, not even a little, and soon, all of them have noticed this anomaly, especially as they near the eight hour mark. In the far distance, the keen-eyed members of the band are able to make out what looks to be a structure of some sort and it is decided that they will press on, hoping to reach that before trying to get some sleep. Thanks to heat mirages, they soon realize that their destination is actually much farther away than it appears, but still, they press on, exhausted, dehydrated and sunburnt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Act II: Blood and Sand.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>By the time the band reaches visual distance of their target, they have been hiking for well over sixteen hours (including the time spent on Ynys M\u00f4n seeking the boat and then following the trail.) The structure turns out to be a massive ziggurat, which is a form of construction completely foreign to all of the band. Gwion and Marcus are able to make out slight movement within what appears to be the entrance of the pyramid and Brad\u00e1n instructs Gwion to scout forward and investigate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The archer quickly discovers that his experience with moving quietly in the woods is<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><em>very<\/em>different than trying to do so in the desert, but he wisely opts to stay low and move slowly. He makes it to about twenty yards from the entrance of the ziggurat where he makes out a pair of Blackshields lounging in the shade, although they are without their armor. Gwion contemplates engaging the pair but then decides to sneak back to the others and inform them. Brad\u00e1n decides all of them will sneak forward.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Unfortunately, Heddwyn is quite terrible at stealth and, when Marcus attempts to assist, he too is promptly silhouetted against the skyline \u2026 which just happens to be when one of the Blackshields glances up. The man calls out a warning and starts to scramble to his feet which the band takes to mean that the battle is on! Gwion rises out of concealment and takes aim with his bow while Brad\u00e1n and Marcus both sprint forward, with the former bellowing a battle cry. The others follow but are too exhausted and dehydrated to sprint (or, in Meadhbh\u2019s case, too grumpy and too pregnant \u2013 she is definitely wishing she\u2019d listened to Morgan and stayed at home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The battle is over in mere seconds: Marcus darts forward and hurls a spear that is<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><em>not<\/em>dodged just as Gwion looses an arrow that slams home. A second pair of Blackshields emerge from the ziggurat as they respond to the armcry. \u00c1ed\u00e1n,<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/simple-angus\">Angus<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>and Meadhbh join the fray shortly after the first of the Blackshields is felled, and within seconds, all four are on the ground, bleeding out their last. Meanwhile, Heddwyn almost leisurely strolls forward, satisfied that the situation is well in hand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>There is a barrel of water present which the band fall on eagerly. They also find bedrolls enough for eight men, meaning four of the Blackshields are unaccounted for, and stairs leading up. Brad\u00e1n allows everyone ten minutes of rest maximum before they begin ascending; there are complaints, of course \u2013 Meadhbh is especially whiny, though she has an excellent defense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Up the stairs they go with Heddwyn already dreading the inevitable leg pains they will be facing soon. Strangely, though, there is none, even though the stairs climb much higher than they should based on their observations of the ziggurat from the outside. As they ascend, they find themselves feeling \u2026 lighter, less substantial. This is not the World of Dreams as Heddwyn or Meadhbh know it, but it feels strikingly similar in many ways. More worrisome, though, is the tangible sensation of despair growing more powerful the higher they go.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The stairs, which by now are simply rough hewn steps cut from the rock, emerge upon a rocky ledge where the air tastes strange and the sky itself is a bizarre tint of blue. To the west, they can hear chanting in an unfamiliar language that almost seems to pain the listener, and Brad\u00e1n again orders Gwion to scout forward. With fallen pillars and other locations of concealment, the archer does where he quickly finds the remaining four Blackshields though his attention is drawn to the chanter, who is a grim-looking man standing within a semi-circle glowing with heat. Directly before him is a stone bier atop which is Chief Owain. Arrayed around this almost circle are cages which have people within.<\/li>\n<li>And one of those people is<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"wiki-content-link\" href=\"https:\/\/gurpscasusbelli.obsidianportal.com\/characters\/eolande\">Eolande<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>GM Notes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Only partially satisfied though I definitely see room for improvement and note where I could have done things differently, specifically with regards to the desert bit. We spent way too much time trying to figure out the rules and determining the status of the PCs and I didn\u2019t do a good enough job getting across how much time was passing. What I<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><em>should<\/em><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span>have done is split that period up by hour so it was \u201cHour 1, what are you doing?\u201d and figure out the stuffs linked to it like FP cost and all that. Then move to Hour 2 and figure that out. And so on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Am irritated that I did not think of the DF: Wilderness Adventures book as I would have liked to have spiced up the desert wandering a bit. Perhaps a sandstorm or some kind of actual wilderness encounter. As it was, the entire bit was simply too static for my tastes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The fight went on a bit longer than expected due to the characters not being able to burn FP on charges \u2026 as a result, it was actually slightly more interesting to me and something I took note of.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>My original plan was to get to this fight by break 1, then handle the Boss fight in the second half, but having an extra week to spice up that encounter should hopefully make it more interesting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Right now, it\u2019s really looking like I\u2019m going to hit the 14 session mark, which will double what I did for season 1.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Warband Brad\u00e1n ap Cadell (Ronnke) Meadhbh verch Cadell (Melissa) Marcus and Echo (CommJunkee) Heddwyn ap Idris (Gigermann) Aed\u00e1n ap Dewar (Winston) Simple Angus (Herodian) Gwion ap Enfrys (Andricus) Act I: The Long March. The pursuit of the Blackshields who abducted\u00a0Chief Owain\u00a0has led to Ynys M\u00f4n, once the most sacred and holy island to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cb_logs","category-casusbelli"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2685"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2685\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2686,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2685\/revisions\/2686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.olympusrpg.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}