Thursday, May 29, 2025

Overland Travel

 Overland Travel

You move across Map Hexes by spending Movement Points.  Your Movement Points are determined by your Movement Rate and Encumbrance.  Basically, take your Movement Rate and divide by 5.

Movement Rate        Movement Points

       120               =     24

        90                =     18

        60                =     12

        30                =     6

On our map, each Hex is 2 Miles.  If it is clear terrain, like Grassland, it will cost 2 Movement Points to cross those 2 Miles.  Roads speed up travel, while more complicated terrain slow it up.  


In theory, different PC races should start with fewer points.  Dwarves & Halflings are shorter than Humans and Elves, and their steps are not as big.  Certain types of Armor should (according to the book) weigh you down so you have a lower Movement Rate.

But we haven't been playing like that, so we won't worry about this during the Mayhem In Magnifulum campaign.

Right now, the only way to slow yourself down is by carrying a LOT of stuff.

Water Travel is different and I haven't quite figured that out yet.  In theory, you CAN swim or sail through the lake or the rivers.  If this happens (again) in game, we'll handle it.  But once I come up with "Our Way" of doing it, I'll add it here and try to use that in game from then on.

The Hobgoblin Horde

The Hobgoblin Horde

They are a scourge upon the land!

Authra the Awful
Hobgoblin, Female

Leader of a small group of Goblins, Hobgoblins, and a Bugbear.  We met them in the Crypt of Benton Bookbinder when they sought shelter from a heavy storm.  They had wounded members of the Red Brigade (including Sergeant Hilts and Questor the Wizard, whose tongue was cut out) in their custody.  They claimed to have saved these men from Orcs out in the forest.

She claimed they were searching for Blugor the Hobgoblin Chief, to take him north out of the kingdom of Griffonwyr.  However, she seemed perturbed when she found Bookbinder's stone sarcophagus had been opened.  She questioned the Heroes about a Staff that was meant to be buried with the body.  

Some of her Goblins tried to kill the PC Dwarves, and were repelled.  Authra was not upset that these Goblins were killed in self-defense.  Aside from this small attack, she withdrew her forces without incident once the storm let up.


Blugor
Hobgoblin, Male

Father of Krom and Leader of a batallion of goblinoids.  He claims he is collecting Goblins to take them to the north, out of Griffonwyr.
He was encountered in the Blueholme Mines along with Krom and a whole bunch of Hobgoblins and Goblins.


Krom
Hobgoblin, Male

Son of Blugor.  Second-in-Command of the Hobgoblin Warband.  Hot-headed, could be trouble.  He was encountered in the Blueholme Mines along with Blugor and a whole bunch of Hobgoblins and Goblins.

Snyvael

Goblin, Male

A Goblin in Authra's entourage who could not overcome his hatred for Dwarves.  Gathered a band of malcontents to attack the PCs in Bookbinder's Crypt, apparently without Authra's knowledge or consent.  Pretty sure he died.

Triple D's Danger Squad

Triple D's Danger Squad

They are a rival adventuring party.

Dadius

Human, Male

A human Wizard.  He is Chaotic, but Joyous.

Glorelei

Elf, Female

An Elven Swordmaid who is Agreeable and Predatory

Korethil Glimmerglen

Elf, Male

Seems to have an Optimistic outlook.

Used to be First Mate on the Black Budgie until the ship sank during a storm.  Upon arriving at the Elf Encampment, he learned that his brother Thanethil was dead, murdered.  He joined the Danger Squad in the hope of avenging his brother's death.

He and Thoda were hired on as extra security at the party that Edwin Stormhoof threw in honor of Princess Rowena.  They were "killing time" until the rest of their companion showed up so they could embark on their quest.

At this party, he met up with Toriel the Elfmage.  Toriel said that he and Thanethil were searching for "the Talisman".  They each followed different leads, so whoever killed Thanethil must also be looking for the Talisman.


Thoda Stoneski
Dwarf, Female

Sorta-Russian accent.  She claims to not be working directly with the Bandits, but actually employed by a third party (whom she would not name).  She offered no resistance to the Halfling Strike Force when they infiltrated Badger's HQ.  In fact, she fetched the Badger at their request so they could negotiate some "deal"--of which she was promised a full share--1/7th of whatever reward they fineagled.

She and Korethil were hired on as extra security at the party that Edwin Stormhoof threw in honor of Princess Rowena.  They were "killing time" until the rest of their companion showed up so they could embark on their quest.

Thramstag Beardakov

Dwarf, Male

This Ornery Dwarf seems Loyal to Triple D and the rest of the Danger Squad.

"Triple D"
Human, Female, Thief

This mysterious masked maiden met with Fig Hustlree in Serenity Park late one night and traded him the location of Badger's hideout for the mysterious Wizard's Spellbook & Notes, which the Alderman's Heroes confiscated from a Rybault home.

She spoke like a Valley Girl.  

Turns out, she is the Leader of the Danger Squad.  They have some benefactor that they are working for, and are meeting up in Stupenderol to embark on a quest to recover the Lost magic sword of Janjevo the Elf-Hero.  Frida has been invited to join this quest.

Zilch 

Halfling, Male

Little, even for a Halfling (2'9 and 57lbs), his own Team-mates describe him as "Crazy", "Untrustworthy", and "Uppity".  They don't understand why Triple D allows him to tag along.

He did "cause a ruckus" back in Stupenderol and was in jail for a day or two because of Drunk and Disorderly Conduct.



Thursday, January 2, 2025

Cult of Hissek

CULT OF HISSEK, THE SNAKE GOD

This evil Cult has come from the West, and is slowly but surely sweeping across the continent.  Reports insist that the Cult has infected Griffonwyr and Gardonia.

Cardinal Fang
????? presumably Male

I do believe he was mentioned by Vander Cross (or possible we heard the name when Jargonne was reading his mind).  We do not know for sure who this person is, but have the impression that he is higher up than Vander Cross.

Cornell Withencroft aka the Esteemed Serpent
Human, Male

A Minor Noble who talks in a monotone.  Father of Shara Withencroft.  He was funding Blaine Treadwell's Unicorn Hunt.

He is a secret agent of the Snake Cult, and would direct supplies to the "Temple of the Goblin God" where other Cultists are stationed.

He was captured by Charles, Fig, and Randolph and turned in to the authorities in Etta's Fork.

Cristoph Wormwood
Human, Male, Cleric

Stationed in Magnifulum.  He is the(a?) Vicar of Scales.  He invited Charles Danyell to abandon Nodlum and come to the Cult of Hissek.

Edith Morgrail
Human, Female, Cleric

Originally from Incredulos, knows Archibald Baldman.  Last seen in Stupenderol, where she extolled the benefits and virtues that befell her hometown thanks to the Cult of Hissek.

The Serpent's Tongue
Human, Female, Wizard

One of two Cultist Officers leading the hunts for the Unicorn around Etta's Fork.  However, she was captured by Charles, Fig, and Randolph and drugged with a potion that forced her to divulge a LOT of information about the intentions and plans of the Snake Cult.

She turned into a Snake and tried to escape the Etta's Fork jail, only to get savaged by a creature presumed to be the werewolf terrorizing the village.  She was sent to a more secure jail in Magnifulum. 

Vander Cross

Human, Male, Cleric

Alchemist & apothecary, member of the Cult of Hissek

Though he runs an Apothecary Shop in Cropfield, his is really a Member of the Cult of Hissek and was working with Badger's Bandits for an undetermined length of time.  He was with the Bandits during the first adventure--he is the Bandit Cleric that healed wounded PCs in the prison.

He was then encountered in the second adventure.  When Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum, and Grumpy the Dwarf returned to Rybault to collect the bounties on dead bandits, they found Vander Cross in a dungeon below the ruined Temple.  He wore a mask over his face so they would not recognize him.

He was then followed back to Cropfield by Travis Highmire.

He is presumably the Cultist behind the Buried Skulls in the farm fields of Cropfield, and therefore behind the Sickness that now plagues the land.

He was captured by the combined efforts of Ester the Dwarf, Barlow the Thief, and Vergonne the Wizard.  He was last seen when we turned him over to the jail in Magnifulum.

The Venom Fang
???, ??? 

The 2nd of 2 Cultist Officials in charge of the Unicorn Hunt around Etta's Fork.  This person has NOT been seen, we know nothing about him/her/it/they/them.


Ghoul King's Forces

 GHOUL KING'S FORCES

Notable living and undead characters who promote the Ghoul King's fiendish plots.

So far, we've only encountered some misc. undead in the Blueholme Mines.  Nobody with an actual name yet.

The Ghoul King
?????

We may have spoken to him thru a ghoul in the Blueholme Mines.  But we have not met him face-to-face, and do not yet know what he has going on.


Elf Encampment

ELF ENCAMPMENT

This is a group of Elves that have seperated from the current "official" rulers of the Elf nation of Serenestra.  This may eventually turn into a permanent village, or it may not if they can install their preferred ruler.


Glymenor
Elf, Male

Former Captain of the Black Budgie, sunk in Lake Corcora during a storm, upon arriving at the Encampment, his first mate, Korethil, found out his brother was murdered.

Now runs a ferry, helping people cross the river until he can acquire a new ship.

Nanthalene
Elf, Female

She is the Treewardeness, and tends to the Tree of Life.  She is usually found in the Town Hall, which has a balcony that lead out to the Tree.  

She used the magic of the Tree of Life to reiterate a half-ass prophecy about an Elf titled "The Luminelle", who will make some vague but considerable impact on Elfkind as a race.  "The Luminelle" is one of 5 Elfmaids born on a certain date.  These include:  Zaylene the PC, Dermanassia of the Breakers, Temberlain, Anduelle, and Nuellyne.


Rejitimus
Elf, Male

He is the High Steward of the Elf Encampment.  He asked the PCs to retrieve the Rod of the Elvenking from the Tomb of the Sleeping King.


Forest Bandits

FOREST BANDITS

We have heard that there three groups of bandits in the forest, apparently working together.  The three bandit chiefs are called Badger, Bear, and Fox.

Badger the Bandit Chief
Halfling, Male

Badger was the Bandit Chief who's men kidnapped Princess Rowena Griffonwyr and hid her in Rybault.  However, the Princess was rescued by the Alderman's Heroes, and the Badger barely escaped from Fig Hustletree.

Fig and the Halfling Strike Force infiltrated the Badger's HQ and confronted him.  Thus we finally learned that Badger was running the Bandits to raise money to hire an army and drive the Snake Cult from Gardonia.  He swore fealty to Fig Hustletree and offered the hidden treasure he'd been squirrelling away...only to learn that Ludmilla Rigby stole the Badger's Treasure Map!

The Badger gave Fig the whistle to summon his Eagle, and promised if Fig called for him to fight, the Badger would bring as many loyal men as he could muster.

Brom ???
Human, Male, Thief

He is one of the Forest Bandits, usually partnered with Chauncey.

First encountered locked up in Etta's Fork.  Somehow, he and Chauncey escaped and made their way to Cropsfield.  In Cropsfield, he crashed a celebration for the PCs and assaulted Magistrate Eli Farmgood (Hey Maj, what's that on yer face?).  What he and Chauncey were doing in Cropfield is currently unknown.

He is currently "At large".

Chauncey ???
Human, Male, Thief

He is one of the Forest Bandits, usually partnered with Brom.

First encountered locked up in Etta's Fork.  Somehow, he and Brom escaped and made their way to Cropsfield.  What they were doing in Cropfield is currently unknown.

He is currently "At large".

Ludmilla Rigby
Human, Female, Thief

We first found her hanging in a snare trap not too far from the NW shore of Lake Corcora.  She claimed to be running from the Badger, who had already captured her boyfriend--T.H.--and locked him in a room in the cellar.  She met the Halfling Strike Force.

Later, it was surmised that she stole the Badger's Treasure Map to the Badger's Secret Treasure.  No one knows where she went.





Pendergast
Human, Male, Wizard

We have NOT actually met him yet, we have NOT even seen him!

We know he is/was working with Badger's Bandits.  We know he was mentioned by name in a report about a pirate attack.  We know he cast some protective spells over some of Edwin Stormhoof's Relic Collection.

Thoda Stoneski
Dwarf, Female






Travis Highmire
Human, Male, Fighter

Claims to be an undercover agent for Baron Valicor of Magnifulum.

First encountered in Rybault when he freed the PCs from the prison.  Later found recovering in a secret room in John Cornwall's home.  He said that he followed Vander Cross to Cropfield.  He send Vander Cross back to Magnifulum under the guard of the PCs while he set off on further "investigations".
Tristan Haddaway
Human, Male, Thief

Formerly one of the Badger's Bandits.  He was manipulated by Ludmilla Rigby to betray and/or confront the Badger, which led to him being locked up in the cellar of the Badger's HQ.  He was freed by the Halfling Strike Force.

Now it is believed that Ludmilla set him up as part of her plot to steal the Badger's Treasure Map.

Now officially "Not Affiliated" with the Forest Bandits.




Vander Cross
Human, Male, Cleric

Alchemist & apothecary, member of the Cult of Hissek
Though he runs an Apothecary Shop in Cropfield, his is really a Member of the Cult of Hissek and was working with Badger's Bandits for an undetermined length of time.  He was with the Bandits during the first adventure--he is the Bandit Cleric that healed wounded PCs in the prison.

He was then encountered in the second adventure.  When Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum, and Grumpy the Dwarf returned to Rybault to collect the bounties on dead bandits, they found Vander Cross in a dungeon below the ruined Temple.  He wore a mask over his face so they would not recognize him.

He was then followed back to Cropfield by Travis Highmire.
He is presumably the Cultist behind the Buried Skulls in the farm fields of Cropfield, and therefore behind the Sickness that now plagues the land.

He was captured by the combined efforts of Ester the Dwarf, Barlow the Thief, and Vergonne the Wizard.  He was last seen when we turned him over to the jail in Magnifulum.


Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Villains

 VILLAINS

These blackhearts could be anywhere!  Watch your back!


Badger the Bandit Chief
Halfling, Male

Badger was the Bandit Chief who's men kidnapped Princess Rowena Griffonwyr and hid her in Rybault.

Brom ???
Human, Male, Thief

He is one of the Forest Bandits, usually partnered with Chauncey.


Chauncey ???
Human, Male, Thief

He is one of the Forest Bandits, usually partnered with Brom.



So far, we've only encountered some misc. undead in the Blueholme Mines.  Nobody with an actual name yet.

The Ghoul King
?????

We may have spoken to him thru a ghoul in the Blueholme Mines.  But we have not met him face-to-face, and do not yet know what he has going on.


HOBGOBLINS

Authra the Awful
Hobgoblin, Female

Leader of a small group of Goblins, Hobgoblins, and a Bugbear.  We met them in the Crypt of Benton Bookbinder when they sought shelter from a heavy storm.  They had wounded members of the Red Brigade (including Sergeant Hilts and Questor the Wizard, whose tongue was cut out) in their custody.  They claimed to have saved these men from Orcs out in the forest.

She claimed they were searching for Blugor the Hobgoblin Chief, to take him north out of the kingdom of Griffonwyr.  However, she seemed perturbed when she found Bookbinder's stone sarcophagus had been opened.  She questioned the Heroes about a Staff that was meant to be buried with the body.  

Some of her Goblins tried to kill the PC Dwarves, and were repelled.  Authra was not upset that these Goblins were killed in self-defense.  Aside from this small attack, she withdrew her forces without incident once the storm let up.


Blugor
Hobgoblin, Male

Father of Krom and Leader of a batallion of goblinoids.  He claims he is collecting Goblins to take them to the north, out of Griffonwyr.
He was encountered in the Blueholme Mines along with Krom and a whole bunch of Hobgoblins and Goblins.

Krom
Hobgoblin, Male

Son of Blugor.  Second-in-Command of the Hobgoblin Warband.  Hot-headed, could be trouble.  He was encountered in the Blueholme Mines along with Blugor and a whole bunch of Hobgoblins and Goblins.

MISCELLANEOUS

Thornwhistle
Fairy, Female

Thornwhistle was imprisoned on the 3rd Level of the Tomb of the Sleeping King.  She was locked in a chest that was chained to the floor with 3 heavy chains and 3 padlocks, behind an invisible Wall of Force that could "only" be unlocked by the Key Ring of the High Steward.

Freed by unwitting adventurers, she vowed to wreak her foul vengeance upon the "favorite children of Titania".  Then she promptly disappeared.


Edith Morgrail
Human, Femaile, Cleric

Originally from Incredulos, knows Archibald Baldman.  Last seen in Stupenderol, where she extolled the benefits and virtues that befell her hometown thanks to the Cult of Hissek.

Father Fang
????? presumably Male

I do believe he was mentioned by Vander Cross (or possible we heard the name when Jargone was reading his mind).  We do not know for sure who this person is, but have the impression that he is higher up than Vander Cross.

Vander Cross

Human, Male, Cleric

Alchemist & apothecary, member of the Cult of Hissek


Stupenderol Residents

 STUPENDEROL RESIDENTS

This village is surrounded by ranches that raised most of the horses used by the kingdom.

Curate Gertrude Dobbs
Human, Female, Cleric

Local Pantheon Cleric.

Edwin Stormhoof
Human, Male

He is the richest rancher and Chief Citizen of Stupenderol.  He has a collection of rare artifacts which include Demusa's Magic Mirror and a Rod of Kiarmuht.  The Turban of the Sultan of Oaza was recently stolen from his home.

Dr. Felix Fixer
Human, Male

We haven't met him, but we know that he is a local Doctor and Veterinarian.

Gwendolina Flank
Human, Female

She is an airheaded barmaid at the Swiftsteed Inn & Alehouse.  One eye is blue and one eye is brown, and she has some undefinable quality that charms most people so that they are infatuated with her.

Maureen Galt
Human, Female, Wizard

Missing a leg.  During an adventure in the Monster Caves to the north, her brother died.  She admits that she lost her Scroll of Spells, and wants her brother's body retrieved for a proper burial.

Etta's Fork Residents

 ETTA'S FORK RESIDENTS

These folks are found in and around the forest village.
The main tavern is The Swinging Axe.

Blaine Treadwell
Human, Male, Thief

Blaine is the boyfriend of Shara Withencroft and also the best hunter in the village.

Cornell Withencroft
Human, Male


Desiderata the Dryad
Dryad, Female

She lurks in the woods outside the village.  She seems to speak on behalf of the Forest, the Fairies, and the Unicorn.

Dulcimera the Dulcet
Human, Female, Bard

Random Bard, recently composed The Ballad of Father Chuck after hearing stories from her friend, Triple D.

Holwice Daundelyon
Human, Female, Cleric

Mellow Cleric of  Copia.  Pro-Nature, against the Unicorn Hunt.  Gave a peace sign!

Honeysweet
Human, Female

This young girl was raised by Fairies.  According to Desiderata the Dryad, she is supposed to be a link to Mankind to bring them closer to the natural Magic of the land.

Now she is the ward of the Magistrate.

Lythandar
Elf, Male

This despondent fellow mopes about the village and sometimes tells exciting stories to the local children.  He has confessed that he confronted the Devil trapped beneath the Ruins of Fenwick Keep and entered into some bargain with it, which now keeps him within 50 miles(?) of the infernal thing.

Mayor Godfrey Featherstone
Human, Male, Noble

Good-natured but pompous, he wants to protect his village and his ward, Honeysweet.  His wife is Georgette.

Shara Withencroft
Human, Female

Girlfriend of Blaine Treadwell.  She saw a Unicorn in the woods outside of the village.

Wallingford
Human, Male, Wizard

Name-dropped by a guard as being the "local wizard".  He was last seen when Greegan Strabe delivered him to Edwin Stormhoof in Stupenderol during the celebration thrown in honor of Princess Rowena Griffonwyr.  Where is he now?  No one knows.

Cropsfield Residents

 CROPSFIELD RESIDENTS

Cropsfield is a small village surrounded by farms.
The main tavern is the Bloated Goat.

Captain Danforth Whatley
Human, Male

Captain of the Village Guard.

Cedric Blueholme
Human, Male

He wants to re-open the Blueholme Mines north of Stupenderol.

John Cornwall
Human, Male

His wife is Jane Cornwall.

He is the most prosperous farmer in the village, the one that keeps buying up the other farms when they go broke.  His farm once produced the biggest turnip in recorded history, though another farmer recently grew a larger one.

Dr. Doolot
Human, Male

Local Doctor and Veterinarian.

Giles Hampton
Human, Male

Respected farmer, and husband of Georgette.

He is the descendant of infamous thief Hector Hampton, who acquired various prizes during his career.  During a village celebration, a Suzara Tablet Fragment was stolen from his home.

I think this is the farmer that hired Ester the Dwarf and Barlow the Thief as farmhands.

Homer Havershamm
Human, Male

Typical farmer.  Husband to Marge, Father to Lisa, Bart, & Maggie.  He grew the largest rudely-shaped vegetable in the history of Cropfield, and is quite proud.

Built a new house on his property after the old one burned down.  Unbeknownst to him, the burned house & barn was being used by Snake Cultists to store and ship stolen corpses.

Magistrate Eli Farmgood
Human, Male

He's the guy who runs the village.  Was assaulted by Brom during a celebration for the PCs after they apprehended Vander Cross.

Oswald "Ozzy" Seedling
Human, Male

Respected farmer.  His field was contaminated with a Cursed Skull.  His wife, Harriet, has fallen ill.

Sister Ethyl
Human, Female, Cleric

Local Priestess of Copia.

Vander Cross
Human, Male, Cleric

Alchemist & apothecary, member of the Cult of Hissek

Though he runs an Apothecary Shop in Cropfield, his is really a Member of the Cult of Hissek and was working with Badger's Bandits for an undetermined length of time.  He was with the Bandits during the first adventure--he is the Bandit Cleric that healed wounded PCs in the prison.

He was then encountered in the second adventure.  When Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum, and Grumpy the Dwarf returned to Rybault to collect the bounties on dead bandits, they found Vander Cross in a dungeon below the ruined Temple.  He wore a mask over his face so they would not recognize him.

He was then followed back to Cropfield by Travis Highmire.
He is presumably the Cultist behind the Buried Skulls in the farm fields of Cropfield, and therefore behind the Sickness that now plagues the land.

He was captured by the combined efforts of Ester the Dwarf, Barlow the Thief, and Vergonne the Wizard.  He was last seen when we turned him over to the jail in Magnifulum.