Dino-Con
2004, October 8th to 10th, 2004
We had a great time at Long Beach Island, New Jersey for the
weekend! Most of us arrived Friday during the day and were able to enjoy a few
hours of sun. It was in the 70s during the day but fell into the high 50s at
night. We BBQed Friday and Saturday and played both days, leaving on Sunday.
I’d like to thank all those
that attended: (from the left) Mike “I never roll 20s” Perks, Mike “So pale he’s transparent”
Vapnik, Brian “Fingers for Mayor” Beyer, Dean “The Dino, the cripple” Norman, Steven “cuz I’m
the GM” Balbo”, Shawn “I’m watching the Mage” Morin, Carl “My dice never stop rolling”
Brooks, Richie “I’m still not feeling it” Mok, Simon “Still a minion of Chaos” Mok, and (not pictured)
Anderson “I’ve got a Mage and I’m awesome” Ramroop.
Friday night we played the Princes of Dorwinion group and
surprisingly no horses or other animals were killed. Otherwise, all the
characters are currently staying at Markus DeWinter’s (Brian)
Manor trying to figure out what to do next. Saturday afternoon Mike Vapnik
entertained all by GMing his world, a tale to be told elsewhere.
Saturday was the big game – “The Mage Tower of Maig Tuira”.
I will try to be brief…
In town, Silva (Anderson) is still learning
his new powers and responsibilities as he acclimates to his purpose as the
newly crowned Battle Mage of Rhudaur. Sir Trisaval (Shawn), a
Crusader of the Order of the Mage-Knights, prepares the defense of the Keep,
while Fingers (Brian) acquires everything not nailed down. Trisaval
knights his squire Orn bringing him into the order.
Galdir (Mike P) the Baron of Tir Malbor,
has been recently given the title of Marshall of the North (of Rhudaur) and
Hand of the King, visits the town incognito so ascertain the truth of
rumors he has heard about ghost riding and a Battle-Mage Reborn. He has brought
5 of his men with him, and they wait outside the town as he sneaks into town.
He speaks with Fingers and reveals himself, requesting to meet with Trisaval
and later with Silva. Galdir sends 2 of his
knights south to bring word of these developments to King Arfanhil.
Mourne (Mike V) is a sorcerer from
Arthedain and has traveled to Eregion to study burial rites of the Dunlendings.
There he encounters Lerriel (Simon) a Dunlending Bard fleeing
persecution from the Evil Church of Gorgoroth, they both travel into Rhudaur
searching for the Mage Tower following rumors each has heard.
Troy the Paladin of the North (Carl)
encounters Miras a Hillman Scout (Dean) in the plains south of
town, discovering the dead body of a young Great Eagle. While trying to
properly lay it’s spirit to rest they are attacked by an Ettin. Miras breaks
his leg when he cannot avoid a massive club thrown by the Ettin. While Troy
and the Ettin are fighting, the ice beneath them cracks and both fall
into the shallow water. Troy’s sword Brytta (an Ice-Blade)
allows him to get out and freeze the ice, locking in the Ettin. He binds Miras’
leg and carries him off. Shortly after they are met by Mourne and
Lerriel who assist with bringing back Miras. Mourne
creeps all out by standing and just watching as the Ettin dies by freezing to
death in the ice. Lerriel meets the subject of many bardic
stories and learns new stories from Troy.
When they get close to town a scout sees them and goes back
to town for help. Ithirin (Rick Mok ) a young nobleman from Harnalda,
answers the call with his men. He is followed later by Trisaval with
Orn and Galdir with his men. They meet up with Troy’s
group and all start back to the Mage Keep. On the way find out they are
being followed by a gaggle of Orcs, and prepare for a battle.
Back at the Mage Tower Silva uses his Wizard
sight to detect the Orcs. Unable to contact Trisaval he rides out
of the keep, bring Fingers with him (for protection, or just to
keep him away from the good silverware?). But while riding they are ambushed by
a Wraith –Mage of Angmar riding
a Fell Beast waiting for him to be lured out. A mage battle ensues.
Trisaval senses his charge is in danger and
immediately rides to help and Galdir leaves with him, taking 2 of
the best warriors with them. When the Orcs attack a chaotic battle follows. Troy
is nearly overrun, Ithirin’s Knight and mentor Dirstan
is dismounted and killed, and Yoruve (a young Dunedain Knight of
Galdir) dies rescuing Ithirin who is badly hurt. Lerriel shoots
down a few Orcs, then retreats out of battle, finding Ithirin he
protects him. Mourne keeps Miras (now slung between
2 horses) moving away from battle, but later is separated from them as the
horses bolt.
Silva’s exchanges attacks with the
Wraith-mage then drops off his horse in a desperate dodge which Fingers follows.
Silva surprises the Wraith with a psionic blast that stuns the
Fell-Beast but falls stunned from backlash. Fingers hides him
from the Wraith (sharing his Elven Cloaks ability to disappear) long enough for
help to arrive. Trisaval charges the Wraith and survives it’s
attack but Orn is fatally struck down by it, then Galdir distracts
it long enough for Silva to recover and engage an all-out strike
from his Staff of Striking, destroying the Wraith and almost himself.
The group limps back to Maig Tuira, except Miras who
is brought south by Tagocha, a Hillman scout abandoning Ithirin’s service,
and Galdir who heads home to mourn his dead knight.
This was an epic 8+ hour event in which the DM got to enjoy
20 ‘1’ rolls but had to endure 37 timely ‘20’s. A good time was had by all
(except possibly Dean who spent most of the night carted around like defective
luggage, but whats new).
