Aberrant RPG - Ancient Aberrant

[Chuckg]

You need to put 'Retired PC' after Aral von Darien -- I dropped out, remember?

[metaphysician]

Eh, its not really *that* relevant to someone reading the transcripts from start to finish. Likewise, I haven't tagged Hermes with 'deceased' or anything.

[Forge]

Merci beaucoup for the all mightly list. ::biggrin

[metaphysician]

Merci beaucoup for the all mightly list. ::biggrin

So, was this desire inspired by reading some of the actual session logs? Any other comments or questions?

[Forge]

I am slowly working my way through as I have time. This is my busy season (landscape contractor) so I don't have much time to sit and read. What I have read so far I have enjoyed thoroughly, though remembering who's character ties to the chat name can be difficult sometimes, even being a few dozen sessions into it.

I fear to ask any questions until I make my way through all of them, as it would seem redundant (to me at least) to make a query of a situation or char and then have it answered in the next session or two.

___

~In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. -Aristotle

EDIT: You are quite fervant in your hatred of AIM throughout your postings...why don't you guys play in OpenRPG or something similar? They have a very nice log feature, or you can just copy/paste it *shrug*...

[metaphysician]

Oh, I hate it when AIM doesn't work. . . but AIM is still by far the best of our options. OpenRPG is too cumbersome, and IIRC, system resource intensive. Trillian has no dice roller and sucky transcript support. Everything else we've looked at fails on at least one of these counts, too:

1. System hog ( anything using Java )

2. No dice roller

3. Lousy transcript logging

[metaphysician]

Session 154 – "Mereneptah and the other Therans finish making introductions with each other, and are soon summoned back to White Crane. Shortly thereafter, everyone leaves for the Imperial Capital, to get a head start on the intriguing. White Crane’s twin dragon escort ( consisting of Artemis and another Chosen ) leaves an impression on the city, while the possibility the city can turn into a giant war construct leaves an impression on Quetzlcoatl. Once the entourage reaches the palace, however, they find that another has already arrived first: Tezcatlapoca."

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[Forge]

Oh, I hate it when AIM doesn't work. . . but AIM is still by far the best of our options...

That sounds like an institutionalized prisoner who finds the 4 walls of his cell preferrable to the scary world of possibility outside... ::biggrin

Whatever punishment you deal with...as long as you keep going, it is fine by me.

[metaphysician]

Oh, no, we've *tried* other options. Much like our groups experiments with various rules-lite systems, they all just ended up being unsatisfactory.

[metaphysician]

Session 155 – "The party engages in dinner conversation with Tezcatlapoca, which starts polite enough, if with considerable innuendo. From there it goes down hill, massively, with terrible spiritual wounds inflicted upon everyone save Mereneptah, and White Crane needing to be restrained from killing Tezcatlapoca on the spot. The party finally does manage to extricate themselves from the dinner, with Tezcatlapoca laughing in their wake."

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[metaphysician]

Session 156 – "Having left behind the terrible dinner, the party plans out some of its next actions, while Mereneptah desperately fights to prevent a rift between Artemis and Quetzlcoatl. Afterwards, everyone leaves for the ‘tour of the city’, and see some of the monuments to the August Personage’s ‘greatness’. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 157 – "The group having returned to White Crane’s quarters, they discuss the recent matters at hand, before heading off to rest. Instead of sleeping, Artemis flies off to find some wilderness, and discovers a carefully manicured wild park, and Tezcatlipoca, who continues to apply the mind screw."

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[metaphysician]

Session 158 – "The next day, Mereneptah gathers the party, and discusses his plans for further information gathering. The group then attempts to track down White Crane, and finds her at the gates, as a small army lead by Zhuanxu arrives at the city. An angry exchange in the guise of greetings between Si Ma Yi and Zhuanxu ensues, before he is welcomed into the city."

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[metaphysician]

Session 159 – "The party joins in the welcoming dinner for Zhuanxu, which ultimately leads to the new arrival revealing some of his concerns about White Crane and Thera ( with a little prodding from Tezcatlipoca ). Afterwards, the party splits up to engage in their reconnaissance. Quetzlcoatl’s attempt to test the city’s scry shielding is interrupted by a rather angry Darius, who offers a meeting with an unidentified person. Quetzlcoatl reluctantly agrees, and finds himself face to face with. . . the Corruptor. Who offers him a devil’s bargain to get Hermes back, all the more devilish for its lack of an overt cost. Quetzlcoatl ultimately refuses as best as he can, and is returned to his own time."

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[metaphysician]

Session 160 – "Flashback: Several months, to Aral and the Winter King having a little chat following the former’s demise. Back in the present, Artemis and Mereneptah complete their reconnaissance, to varying results, and everyone gathers again. Quetzlcoatl reveals everything that had just happened to him, leading to an extremely angry and charged confrontation between Quetzlcoatl and Artemis, with Mereneptah getting in the middle periodically. As the argument turns to fundamental philosophy, and before any spleens can be removed, however, a new member of the delegation arrives: Adrian von Darien, Prince of Illium."

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[metaphysician]

Session 161 – "Prince Adrian introduces himself, and informs the others of his father’s death, as well as how he came to be Chosen. After being fully informed on the overall situation, the group goes and presents him to White Crane, wherein certain unfortunate facts are revealed by both sides."

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[metaphysician]

Interlude- The Black Tiger Banner plots its next moves in their war against Sun Ren.

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[metaphysician]

Session 162 – "White Crane announces that she is adopting Artemis. This draws amusement, congratulations, further security measures, and lessons in noble etiquette. Meanwhile, Adrian speaks with Zhuanxu, attempting to assuage his fears about Thera. A few days later, the princes Ao Kuang and Ao Jun arrive at the city, in each other’s company. . ."

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[metaphysician]

Session 163 – "After spending several days in solitude, Artemis comes to a decision, and goes to speak with David. A long discussion ensues, in which Artemis has to confront who she is, and what she is willing to become. Ultimately, David agrees to help her. Such help arrives shortly thereafter in the form of a very angry Darius, who rails at the injustice of the universe and demands even a false oath of debt, before he will do his part: to retrieve Hermes from before the moment of his death."

[metaphysician]

Session 164 – "Hermes wakes, to find himself in the Imperial City. What follows is many happy returns, much concern, and a lot of need to get oriented."

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[metaphysician]

Session 165 – "Prince Adrian speaks with Hermes and Quetzlcoatl, establishing his command credentials and giving them an inspiring speech, at the same time as chastising them for keeping too many secrets to themselves. Later, the whole party is summoned to speak with Si Ma Yi, who drops several pieces of information in a very overt attempt to manipulate."

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[metaphysician]

Session 166 – "The party reports to White Crane, discussing the information revealed by Si Ma Yi, future strategy, and Artemis’ soon-to-be court. Later, Hermes talks with her about the battle where he ‘died’, and gets a little sense knocked into him. The party then splits, with some watching from the walls for the arrival of the remaining quests, Sun Ren and Ao Qin."

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[metaphysician]

Session 167 – "White Crane and the party head to the celebration arranged by Ao Jun. Artemis’ new status is announced, much to the shock of almost everyone there. An unintended dance competition occurs between Adrian and Artemis on one hand, and Ao Jun and Sun Ren on the other, revealing a little of Ao Jun’s underlying character. Later, Zhuanxu leaves angrily, after a tale of his younger life is told."

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[Forge]

Its not the greatest song in the world, and its not even a tribute...heh

but when I heard this song, I thought of this campaign.

ATB - The Chosen Ones

[BcAugust]

Its not the greatest song in the world, and its not even a tribute...heh

but when I heard this song, I thought of this campaign.

ATB - The Chosen Ones

Hmm, interesting. And certainly not the worst choice, though I'm sure that by now our st has picked out a couple of songs.

And the fact that at least some people consider our grouping important...

[metaphysician]

Session 168 – "After White Crane, Artemis, and Hermes leave the party, Tezcatlipoca confronts Quetzlcoatl, and makes what passes for an impassioned plea to his brother. Meanwhile, Hermes examines the city in detail accompanied by Artemis, and the two fly off into the east afterwards to unwind."

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[metaphysician]

As for our group being treated as 'important', I think its because sufficient Mega Perception lets one spot the "PC" tag hanging over peoples' heads.

[metaphysician]

Oh, and for those starting in the middle, a summary of the status of the Jade Empire Civil War, or rather, its contenders.

White Crane: Daughter of the Heavenly Emperor, sister of the late August Personage of Jade. Millenium old Chosen, drawn back to her homeland from long exile in the hopes of rebuilding a land of honor and virtue, rather than mere order.

Strengths: Personal power. Depth of loyalist support, including several groups ( Nameless and his army, the Black Tiger Banner ) who are powerful enough to make independent efforts for the throne. Limited Theran backing. Compassionate in nature, which is good for gaining support of the abused peasantry.

Weaknesses: Idealistic, in a field of ruthless pragmatists. Foreign connections that touch of xenophobic tendencies in other factions. Has lost her best cadre of troops in the disastrously bloody battle against Ao Qin's monster army.

Ao Kuang: Firstborn son of the August Personage, a megalomaniac whose highest aspiration was to become daddy.

Strengths: Legitimacy of succession. A platform of returning to the former stability, everything as it once was. Relatively friendly terms with his brother, Ao Jun.

Weaknesses: An inability to avoid comparisons with his father, by which he comes up short as a tyrant. His armies are unreliable, in the wake of their mass refusal to attack White Crane's forces in the wake of the battle with Ao Qin's army. Either no diplomatic skill, no temper control, or both.

Ao Qin: Son of the August Personage, creepy mad scientist extraordinaire. Specializes in 'improving' humans. Possible suspect in the death of the August Personage.

Strengths: Mad science resources, including artificially grown armies, giant monsters, orbital death rays, you name it. Everyone is at least a little afraid of him, and what he might be able to do.

Weaknesses: He is the second most hated man in the entire Jade Empire. Nobody especially trusts him, in any meaningful way. A large amount of his mad science resources were destroyed recently by White Crane's army and allies.

Ao Jun: Son of the August Personage. A hedonist and sybarite, but an extremely intelligent and charismatic one.

Strengths: Probably the best warrior among the contenders, aside from possibly White Crane. Relatively friendly terms with his brother, Ao Kuang. Notable foreign support, in the form of Tezcatlipoca. His purely hedonistic motivation makes grappling with his rationale difficult.

Weaknesses: Connection with the potentially treacherous Tezcatlipoca.

Li Nizhen: Son of the August Personage, possibly a bastard. Sociopathic assassin by profession and inclination.

Strengths: Probably the best assassin in the entire land. Everyone is afraid of him.

Weaknesses: The most hated man in the entire land. Has relatively few forces loyal to him, mortal or Chosen. His telepathic brainwashing crew, his elite ninja team, and his secret prison base are all blown up. He has little land under his control.

Sun Ren: General of the East, expert intriguer, and last surviving noble of the ancient Kingdom of Wu.

Strengths: Commands one of the two largest and best trained armies still extant. Possesses probably the oldest non-imperial noble blood in the land. Open to a marriage alliance.

Weaknesses: The Black Tiger Banner, six Chosen warriors as old as she is, who want her most spectacularly dead for slaying Liu Bei. No legitimate claim to the throne.

Zhuanxu: General of the North, protector against the steppe hordes, and youthful military prodigy.

Strengths: Commands one of the two largest and best trained armies still extant. Possibly the best military commander in the war. Has access to the Dragon Line Network, allowing large scale teleportation ( up to army size ).

Weaknesses: Arrogant in the extreme. Openly contemptuous of the entire society the August Personage built. Extremely, openly bigoted towards everything outside the Jade Empire. No legitimate claim to the throne.

Si Ma Yi: Chancellor of the Imperial City, head of the imperial bureacracy.

Strengths: The best intriguer in the war. Controls the Imperial City. Controls the Imperial secret police and spy organization. Is in a position such that any victor would have to come to terms with him, or else execute the entire bureaucracy. Access to the Dragon Line Network.

Weaknesses: Essentially no military forces, beyond the Capital. Lacks possession of Ao Ping, the child prince. No legitimate claim to the throne.

Lei Kung: Minister of Storm and Vengeance, leader of the August Harmonious Restoration Collective.

Strengths: Leader of a large alliance of lesser nobility. Large amounts of money. An opportunistic mindset.

Weaknesses: Personal power. His only military forces are hired mercenaries. Lack of tyrannical control over his followers/allies. Lack of claim to the throne.

Ao Ping: Son of the August Personage, and small child.

Strengths: Currently in the custody of Serekh, on orders from White Crane to protect him.

Weaknesses: Is a small child, with a blood claim to the throne. Hunted by numerous factions.

[metaphysician]

Session 169 – "The day of the conference. Si Ma Yi proposes a regency council, with Ao Ping as the new Emperor. Adrian reveals both his social and physical skills, amidst the diplomatic feint and parry of the conference ( including one outbreak of violence ). Eventually, the gathering breaks up, with the majority of the participants as yet uninterested in ending the war. Afterwards, the party discusses several angles of attack for the future, and decides to split up across multiple tasks. . ."

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[Chuckg]

To Ao Kuang's weakness list, you can add 'Either no diplomatic talent, or no temper control, whatsoever.'

[metaphysician]

Session 170 – "Quetzlcoatl returns to Thera, reporting back the events of recent days, and officially putting forth his request for a Theran invasion of Anahuac. Meanwhile, Artemis travels to the Ainu lands, finding devastation, warfare. . . and a single shrine to Raijin. After joining the lone remaining priest in praying for Raijin’s return, she leaves for the Oracle of Samothrace to seek answers."

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[metaphysician]

Session 171 – "Hermes and Adrian spend several days in the Imperial Capital, researching topics in the library. While they find little information on the Wall, they do run across another piece of information: the location of a ‘science city’ once run by Ao Qin, a few centuries back. Meanwhile, Quetzlcoatl gains tentative agreement to his invasion plan, under the condition that he acquire Artemis’s support and participation."

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[metaphysician]

Session 172 – "Quetzlcoatl talks with Hermes about needing Artemis’ help. Hermes talks with Artemis about Quetzlcoatl needing her help. Adrian talks with the General about receiving Theran help."

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[metaphysician]

Session 173 – "The entire group gathers again to discuss their activities, ultimately leading to two things: a return trip to Thera, and the revelation to Hermes of what happened while he was dead. The group visits Anubis first, to discuss the feasibility of aiding Raijin, followed by Hermes asking for some advice on his own personal matters."

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[metaphysician]

Session 174 – "Artemis speaks with the Champion of Ra about her adoption, and Hermes’ revival. Hermes recovers his lab space at the Academy. Adrian discusses concerns about Future Quetzlcoatl with Anubis. Quetzlcoatl has his brain checked by Eidelon. Finally, the group regathers, and watches as Anubis scans the past to find the fate of Raijin. As Raijin rides the rocket to the sun, he is visited by three people. First, Darius pleads with him for the sword. Then, Colin offers a devil’s bargain. Finally, a figure of darkness appears, and attempts to strike Raijin down with pure despair. Suspecting this figure is an aspect of Apophis, Adrian asks Anubis to try and send them all to that place and time. . ."

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[Alex Green]

A question I'd meant to ask about your crew list (above), none of those guys are PCs, and all of them are novas, correct?

[metaphysician]

The civil war contenders? Yeah, all are novas, none are PCs. Though I suppose technically Artemis now has a claim to the throne by virtue of adoption. Then again, there's a handful of people who could press an independent claim who aren't ( thankfully, most of them are on our side, backing White Crane ).

[Forge]

Now this could have been answered later, and yes I have been lagging behind in the reading...but---I just finished reading session 74 which encompassed some of the Smith/sword petitioning stuff and Hermes as the representative of the Venerated Seers never got asked why he wanted the sword...

He was afterall given his own room when he introduced himself as one of the Seers, would not then the Smith ask him why he wanted it? I realize that this is just a technicality and really had no real impact on the game and it is waaay past that point now, but I thought I would mention it...

[metaphysician]

Huh, I don't know. I imagine he kinda realized the lot of us were a group, and separate room aside, he lumped Hermes in with the general "Why do you all want the sword?" The separate room was more part of his ongoing mind games.

[Forge]

Huh, I don't know. I imagine he kinda realized the lot of us were a group, and separate room aside, he lumped Hermes in with the general "Why do you all want the sword?" The separate room was more part of his ongoing mind games.

I assumed as much as far as the mind games, but I don't see the Smith, at least as far as I read, as one to give them up after the first meeting. It is probably just more of a brain fart by your ST than anything, though it would have been interesting if Hermes was compelled for a reason why he would want the sword for himself/Seers...