 |
| when you tell Ferigno you still play conventional d&d |
This week covers the immediate ripples after the massive Convergence of the Battle of Firsthaven and the growing dread around the Glarewood. Prince Ronan, Ironrider, Coralynth, and one mysterious mage have gone missing after a weirding explosion in the sky over the Glarewood. Basically the Faction players followed up one Grand Convergence (The Battle of Firsthaven) with another just a week later. The post about this is called "A Second Sun Over Glarewood" on 06/29/26. That Convergence has flipped that campaign state yet again just a week after the massive battle.
Hibobu has started acting like the richest man in town during a crisis, which is to say he is spending money, hiring men, loading wagons, and making grand public proclamations. Moriva is on the march. The Sagoths are back to rallying around the Mahar who, for their part, are doing Mahar things. These Faction Actions appear to be Diffusion of farming resources or moving armies/units and such. In past BROSR games, this sort of thing would have been essentially secret but in UMBROS, thanks to SEEN, it's gameable.
But enough with the theory, lets move on to the "story". As always, the following SEEN posts are presented as in-world reports, rumors, gossip, lies, half-truths, and the occasional outrageous FACT. It's possible most of this is complete lies and psyops of players trying to get an edge on one another. Don't believe their lies! Or do. It's probably more fun that way.
Enjoy!
6/23/2026
Supermen From Firsthaven?
A muck farmer outside Umbral Keep witnessed a strange sight. A small band of men traveling along the far side of the river were ambushed by an entire nest of giant centipedes. The farmer thought them lost, but the creatures flailed and bit the travelers to no avail. When the creatures began to overwhelm them, the travelers ripped the centipedes in twain with their bare hands! After the men left towards Umbral Keep, the farmer recovered a broken pike distinctly Firsthaven made. Surely Prince Ronan has engineered some new form of man and is moving to consolidate his power in the Umbral Swamps now that Hooja is out of the way.
06/24/26
Spectral Riders in the Dawnlands
Reports in the Dawnlands of a group of spectral figures appearing at random to save travelers from peril. These figures are said to bear some resemblance to the late Order of the Iguanodon, though gaunt, pale, and wreathed in spectral flame. One group of travelers reported being set upon by monsters in the night, only for these revenants to ride down from the sky and drive back the nightmarish creatures encircling them.
06/27/26
Azkin's Instruments
If Azkin the Elf Thief/Fighter is to be believed, the Hel Delver party was highly successful during their trip to the local megadungeon this week. While some find it far fetched, he is hear claiming that the party "copped a bunch of musical instruments made out of precious metals" from the dungeon. "Tootch loved the stuff and gave us a big payout over 2,000 gp for the lot." While seemingly feasible, this nice payout doesn't explain why some onlookers claim to have seen Azkin conspiring with local elves to create an Elf Autonomous Zone within Tootchville. Details are sketchy but rumors claim he was "looking shady" and "talking and engaging in martial arts with local elf luminaries".
Editor's Note: Azkin is my adventuring PC. A while back it occurred to me that Faction Leaders who play in the Braunstein Type II (or Downtime Play/ Play By Post) aspects of these campaigns are never too certain what the Adventuring Parties who do session play are up to. So I instituted some class/role based checks to make and then certain types of SEEN posts that PCs may need to make (if they fail the roll). For Azkin, being a Thief, he's obliged to make a SEEN post about the treasure he took out of the recent adventure/delve if he fails a Hide in Shadows check. If he succeeds then he can make no post or make up a bunch of fake info. This allows faction leaders and others in the campaign world to somewhat gauge how successful the sessions are going. And adds another wrinkle to Thieves pickpocketing from the party. No longer can a thief hide in the fog of war 100% as he accrues great wealth. Sometimes hints might slip out that he's doing better than the party... somehow. "He maybe it's because he's stealing from us?!" Maybe. Azkin isn't. He's a great guy. Very loyal. Team player.
06/27/26
Malcontents Could be Here...
The Monk who has been seen in the dungeoneering group in Tootchville was savagely beaten in the town square today. Witnesses report that Senehem issued an open challenge to anyone who wished to test their prowess in unarmed combat, a challenge which was taken up by a dozen malcontents. Simultaneously. This incident mostly proved the hoary old adage about "strength in numbers", as the monk was rapidly surrounded and beaten down. The assailants then attempted to rob their unconscious victim, only to be thwarted by the monk's complete lack of material possessions. They settled instead for destruction of property, vandalism, and some manure throwing for good measure.
6/27/2026
Tales From The Bone Zone
Hibobu's thag riders currently employed by the Hel Delvers were regaling tavern maids of their exploits in the Hel Dungeon while carousing in Tootchvile: "You don't understand love, EVERYTHING was made of bones! We pushed through down a staircase and the walls, the doors, the floor - the whole damn complex was made of skeletons. We saw skeleton knights, skeleton musicians, you open a door and the only thing we could see is skeleton hands grasping for our throats! I've got a much nicer bone I can show you tonight if you catch my meaning..." It is unknown if the mercenaries conquests outside of the dungeon were more successful that evening, though at least one rider was seen wearing the ale he ordered before the night had ended.
06/27/26
The Sagoths March
Out of the Umbral Swamps, the Sagoths march once again! After months of rudderless bickering following the slaying of Srith the Lizard Queen, the ape-men mouthpieces of the Mahar are now organized and on the move.
Editor's Note: The Mahar Faction hasn't had a human player behind it at any point in the history of UMBROS. A very cool BROSR member, this week, found this so absurd he asked to run the Mahar in the Faction Tier. This was sort of his introduction that the Faction now had a player. Back during Dubzaron I used to let Factions hide for a time and have players believe they were NPCs because it became so common for the adventuring party to use session play to kill off a faction leader. Because, when a DM controls a character, he simply plays them much worse than if they have a Player behind them like a PVP game. But I've decided this hiding whether a faction is PC or NPC isn't fun play and it creates extra work for the DM for negative return. Introduce yourselves!
06/27/26
Business at the Guild House
Despite dark rumors stealing forth from the depths of Glare Wood, business continued its steady course at the Guild House of Firsthaven. There the giant caravan wagons stood in formidable array, their lofty frames groaning beneath the ceaseless labour of loading. All manner of goods were heaved aboard while the air rang with shouts and the creak of ropes and timbers. Passersby paused to observe the spectacle, for it was a sight to stir any man with an eye for the world’s affairs.Runners darted through the narrower streets, calling at small shops and warehouses to purchase yet more wares and swell the growing cargo. Thus the currents of commerce flowed on, unheeding.Notably, one rubber-necked idler was heard to declare with rough eloquence: “I seen them swampers packin’ all manner of truck—even iron weapons, and some ’o that shiny armour they wear.”So it was that the ordinary pursuits of men pressed forward with undiminished vigour, while the shadow of unknown tidings lingered upon the edge of things.
Editor's Note: Seems like Diffusion right? The Merchant faction is buying or building something... Good thing he's not totally hiding behind a fog of war thanks to DM attention bottleneck. Thank you DM Serious for creating SEEN!
06/27/26
Weirding at Tootch's Tower but what else is new
The word on the canyon is that something happened in Tootch's Tower.
What that something is hasn't been clearly determined. Alchemy, magic, genetics, alchemigenetics, nobody is really certain.
What is certain is that Tootch seems unimpressed with the outcome and is pushing ahead towards an indeterminate goal that may spell disaster or glory for Inner Earth. Hell, it may spell 'fish and chips'. The rumor network isn't what it used to be, that's what all the oldheads are saying.
06/28/26
Preparations for the Arcane Fair
Preparations for the Arcane Fair continue to stir around the Purple Tower. Stalls for snacks and displays have started popping up all across Tootchtown offering all manner of the strange and definitely magical for the samplings of the peons in Umbros.
All is not smooth, however, as reports from within the reaches of the Purple Tower claim to hear the Eternal Magus making a racket as occasional streams of smoky letters drift from its heights. Some witnesses claim to have seen the words "diamond," "power," and "Elf" in various states of dissipation.
06/28/26
Hibobu Rides Out
It was but moments after the Homestone shed its blessed light upon Firsthaven that the massive doors of the Guild warehouse swung open with a ponderous groan. Forth rode the Guild Master, Hibobu, purple-robed and keenly alert, mounted upon one of his noble riding Thags. He led a heavily laden and well-guarded caravan toward the opened North Gate. Thus, parading into the bright morning, the wealth and might of the Guild were displayed for all to behold.Two great draft Thags immense wagons, while no less than seven war Thags bore archers in their colourful howdahs. Bringing up the rear came the handsome Captain Shulgi and the green-haired Hildaga, both seated upon their own proud riding beasts. The odd little spearmen rode their tigers along left and right of the column. So passed the procession, stately and imposing, into the open road beyond.
Editor's Note: I believe I have used SEEN to fix the Army Recon systems of other games. ACKS' system has too many rolls (check out "Winning Secrets 2" to learn more of my thoughts on this) to be useful. But I instituted a new campaign rule that Marching Armies must needs make a SEEN check (and possibly post) when their Armies "Head Out" and then when their armies "Arrive". If your SEEN post needs to be "Open" then you have to hint at your numbers and where you're heading to. You're also obliged to make a SEEN check if you're calling your banners to war. This will allow players with armies to get some sense of what sort of war preparation and marching their opponents (and allies) may be up to. So with that, myself and the BROSR have easily solved yet another big annoying gaming problem. "DND is a wargame" and "buy my stupid retroclone" dweebs have been yammering for years and have offered nothing this useful to making D&D A WARGAME. This discovery would have been the greatest gaming innovation of their lives, had they thought of it. For me, it was a Tuesday. You're welcome.
6/29/26
The Pale Stone Returns
The strange pale stone has once again appeared above the sacrificial temple in the Dawnlands. Reports of inhuman howling have increased and illness seems to strike with increased fervor and tenacity!
Disease checks for July will be made with a +4% penalty as blood sacrifices call Niflheim closer to Umbros.
06/29/26
Moriva Prepares Siege Engines
Travelers report a felling of trees in the lands held by Moriva. This, coupled with the noises of construction that can be heard at all hours of the night, imply that Moriva is undertaking some grand design. The intent is as yet unknown, but it is rumored that the lich intends to march on one of her neighbors and is preparing siege engines to that purpose.
06/29/26
Abner Perry Alive?! and changed...
Hushed rumors from runaway slaves of the Mahar tell of Abner Perry, somehow still alive, subject to the same experiments he performs on the unhappy victims who become the dwelvemen. But his outcome was different. Suddenly he was younger, more graceful, healthier, and... shorter.
06/29/26
Hibobu Speaks at the Ruined Temple
Hibobu climbs to the steps of the ruined temple and addresses the citizens. "Citizens of Firsthaven, Followers of the Homestone, our valiant Prince has gone to hunt the villian Ferigno. We pray for his success. In the meantime we are left with our temple damaged but not beyond repair. I Hibobu, Master of the Merchant's Guild vow to see the temple repaired and brought to it's previous glory. More glorious than anyone has ever seen! To that end, my personal engineer, Thadius Thrumple will direct any able bodied men willing to help in this holy work. I will pay any who volunteer 1 silver piece per week, plus one meal. I further pledge 1,000 GP for materials and skilled laborers. Work begins tomorrow. Present yourself to Thadius to be placed on payroll. The Homestone bless you all."
06/29/26
A Second Sun Over the Glarewood
In the days after the Battle of Firsthaven, rumors began to spread about a private council between Prince Ronan, Ironrider of Goldhold, and Coralynth the dragon. Cain & Hibobu were noticed taking part as well, yet leaving early with looks none too pleased.
Some days later, Coralynth rose from the waters with a newly fixed howdah upon her back. Ronan climbed aboard with Ironrider and some of his dwarven warriors. A robed magic user was seen joining them, carrying a shimmering magic staff. Stranger still, Coralynth was seen carrying a huge squid from the deeps, no doubt for some very serious purpose, or perhaps because dragons have their own ideas about what counts as sensible battle planning.
Then she flew northwest, toward the Glarewood. For nearly a day there was no word.
Then a great light bloomed in the sky over the Glarewood. Even that blinding forest was made dim by comparison. The sky flashed white and silver, and a thunderous boom rolled out over the trees.
Some wanderers and hairy men from the outer thorps say they saw it. They now talk in frightened and superstitious ways, as such men often do when they see something terrible and do not know whether to blame gods, wizards, dragons, or taxes. Some even swearing they heard Ferigno's terrible laugh echo behind the boom of the second sun.
Those who look northwest after dark say something still shimmers above the Glarewood. But no word has returned from Ronan, Ironrider, Coralynth or even the mysterious mage. The citizens of Firsthaven grow anxious and the most faithful of them gather at the ruined temple of the Home Stone with the prayers Ronan taught them echoing from dry lips. No word comes from the Stone, though the light still pulses at circadian rhythms. Even those men less faithful, in Firsthaven, are beginning to count their princes, allies, and hopes, and finding the numbers much smaller than they were before.
Editor's Note: Every week I make these posts and think "this is the Convergence and gaming moment that UMBROS will be known for because it's so wild and game changing". And every week my players top themselves. The ripples of this event with (probably) 2 Factions and a major PC being eradicated have already greatly impacted the campaign world of UMBROS. What do you do when the Lawful Good Paladin of the game world's Lawful Good city is gone? As a PC do you try to take advantage of it? If you're a Faction, do you try to march on the city and take it? If you're a thief guildmaster, do you try to take over the politics of the town? Who knows. Lots of options, though. Much better than Conventional D&D where your biggest choice is whether to play Angry Birds or Candy Crush between your combat round choices.
06/29/26
A Minor Disturbance Over the Glarewood
“A squid…?”
One rider pointed his staff at Ferigno as the Wyrm let loose a Fireball.
“QUICK ABSORB IT,” Ferigno heard just before a multicolored fireball engulfed the crew, dragon, and giant squid.
“Hm… still got it.”
“Wonder who that was,” Ferigno said as he lay down for a nap.
06/30/26
Moriva Marches East
The moment the light appeared in the sky over Glarewood, the black gates of Hel's Fortress opened. Cloaked in darkness, an army of the dead now marches East with Moriva at the head of this terrible host. Just before all light was snuffed out by some evil fulgue seeping from the Helrock itself, a glimpse of the force is seen of less than 100 undying things; skeletons, ghouls, and shadowy things called terms better forgotten by those of the living. Moriva's dark beauty glides among them. Crackling voices hiss "to Firsthaven".
Editor's Note: Another (possible, assuming it's not a lie or False Flag) hint at an army on the march. I have personally made D&D a Wargame for real, finally. Again, you're welcome.
Closing Note
This week the UMBROS campaign has essentially proven all my theories correct about the TOTAL NONSTOP BRAUNSTEIN. This campaign is historically good, "even with journeymen players", as one friend said to me. Yes, these players are ALL still learning. And, yes, some of their choices may have been tactically questionable (giant squid tossing?) but with TNB even midcard level play and choices from players will create the campaign of your dreams. Why are you still playing conventional D&D?
No comments:
Post a Comment