Chris McDowall is the creator of Into the Odd, Electric Bastionland and most recently Mythic Bastionland. These games serve as the basis for many other popular games, including Cairn 1/2e and many others.
While a deep dive into what makes these “Mark of the Odd” games tick is certainly in the cards, what I want to talk about today is the advice that Chris gives to game masters in his books. Especially how this advice can make social encounters more fun.
Armag is defeated! The group has an intense battle with Armag and emerges victorious. The defeat of the Tiger Lords brings with it a surrender from the Pitax kingdom. As well as an invitation to something called the Rushlight Tournament.
Asking Zorek about who went into the tomb with Armag, the group learned that he has 4 other warriors with him.
The group uses this information to prepare appropriate spells and abilities before they knock down the door…
Short and sweet! The group completes Zortec’s challenge and learns more about the nature of Orvinbane.
Zortec leads the group into a natural cave portion of the tomb. Explaining that their final test before Armag himself would be to vanquish the unworthy.
With a small gesture, Zortec summons a group of skeletal Tiger Lords for the group to defeat!
These dammed souls where warriors of the past that had attempted to take Orvinbane over the centuries. They did not have the strength to withstand the traps and challenges of the tomb. Ultimately, they ended up losing their lives and their freedom.
I read and listen to a lot of GM tips and methods from all over the internet. Some of these tips cover adventure writing and how to go about creating adventures.
While I generally don’t recommend approaching adventure writing like story writing, I do recognize that both types of writing have similarities. The youtube algorithm seems to agree. It introduced me to a new concept I had never heard of before: the Story Circle.
The group plunder’s the depths of the Tomb of Armag! They face several challenges and save the last of the Iron Wraiths.
The party feels the divine presence of Gorum emanating off the walls of this holly site. The tomb consists of smooth stone walls lined with white glowing metal.
2 young Witches stang guard at the entrance to the Tomb. They explain that their queen has foreseen the return of Armag. They would be the ones to force the hand of fate. The group asks about the Iron Wraiths, almost in response, the group hears the sound of a female scream.
After a long hiatus, the group is back in the Stolen Lands!
This session, the group travels to the Tigerlord’s camp where they are excavating the Tomb of Armag. The current leader of the Tigerlord’s is said to be looking for a powerful artifact buried deep within.
The first order of business the group engaged in is fighting a small army! A group of 12 Tigerlords have set up camp outside the Tomb while their leader plunders the the inside of it.
The final battle for Fort Drelve! The group confronts Drelve and passes judgement on him. They also learn the current location of the leader of the Tigerlords. The group deals with an uppety wizard. Fort Drelve is put under new management. Suzaku is also soon to be a mother.
This session also marks a very special achievement for me and my group, we have successfully played to 12th level in PF2e! This is the highest level I have ever GMed for and also the longest running campaign I have ever been able to play in. A huge thanks to my lovely players for sticking with me this far! Just 8 more levels to 20 folks!
I have recently concluded a short campaign using the specialty rules system called GorgeWorld. Its really a testament to TTRPGs that such a system even exists considering how niche this type of material is. Regardless, it exists, I used it, I liked it, and I hope to talk about it for a little bit!
The system is a very simple attribute based system. You have 4 main attributes: Force Learning Agility and Beauty. Your FLAB. With a secret 5th attribute known as Glut! Rolls are done using Fudge Dice (more commonly known as Fate Dice) or D6s. 1-2 are negatives, 3-4 are blanks and 5-6 are successes.
The group infiltrates the castle proper! Freeing Terrion Numesti. Father of Kisandra Numesti. They fight many guards as well as some hill giants towards the end.
Entering the castle via the secret tunnels underneath proved to be lucrative.
The first few rooms the group got into are supplies and coffers of the castle. Helping themselves to the nice store of gold and treasure, the group went into their first real challenge.
With the kingdom saved from invasion the group has to take the fight to the enemy.
While the forces of Pitax and the Tigerlords have been repelled for now, the threat still remains. The group needs to secure Fort Drev and take it away from Pitax.
Unfortunately, the fort is protected by guards and hill giants. Courtesy of Pitax. The group’s army is also battered and exhausted. Additionally, Kisandra, a daughter of one of Drelev’s nobels informed the group that she has a friend back in the keep who knows of a secret entrance to the keep.