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#Post#: 1166--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII New Map of Gwynned
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 2, 2025, 12:53 pm
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To my knowledge, there has never been a map of Gwynned that I
know of before. This is pretty huge for me, since I ran three
games here without a map. Wydara and Las Games have been set
here since their inception on the Forum. Darius Desaad once
lived in the city, but is in the process of moving to Blood Sea.
I am going to convert the game to this map and rename the
existing arenas to the names used on the map.
The Facebook post at the Sages of Krynn, posted by Ferenc Mikael
Mansenis
HTML https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10161737108717632&set=gm.4120032831650731&idorvanity=1485418471778860
You can find the maps to buy at the DM's Guild.
HTML https://www.dmsguild.com/product/528420/Gwynned--Cities-of-Krynn?affiliate_id=2270495
#Post#: 1168--------------------------------------------------
Notes for A Druid’s Tale II: The Story of Talidaar vol. II: The
World of Man Chapter Six: The Raid
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 4, 2025, 1:47 am
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[center]A Druid’s Tale II: The Story of Talidaar
vol. II: The World of Man
Chapter Six: The Raid [/center]
280 AC A Druid's Tale: The Story of Talidaar vol. II The World
of Man Chapter Six: The Raid
HTML https://thedamnforum.createaforum.com/the-hierophant-of-chislev-29/280-ac-a-druid's-tale-the-story-of-talidaar-volume-ii-the-world-of-men/msg1167/#msg1167
This might be one of the most important stories I've ever
written for Talidaar. Documenting these moments with my old
friend has been a dream come true.
Going into this Chapter, I really had no Idea what was going to
happen, but enough time had passed for them to be in that pit,
for Kel to get word to the Centaur. The Wild Elves are who snuck
in and released Talidaar and Nyra Dawnrunner, and from there
they snuck down to save the centaur foals. What I did not expect
was Nyra taking the heat off Talidaar with her cutting remarks,
and I did not expect Talidaar to jump in front of Nyra. I did
not know how these characters were going to get out of this, and
this proved to be a real defining moment. It's by far the most
consequential. In these years before the return of the Gods,
before the War of the Lance, there is nothing that can be done
for Talidaar. Even my old friend was like How is this going to
work out?
Well, there is one that can help him, if she will help him, if
she is supposed to help him. We shall see in the next Chapter.
I was glad to bring this part of the story to its conclusion.
There are still some big things that are going to happen in
volume. I of A Druid's Tale: The World of Elves
I'm pretty sure that when this scene plays out, I'm thinking a
"potak" might be a Klingon word that I just subconsciously added
to get the point across. (I do not know Klingon.)
-Nyra Dawnrunner tells Lorus in her native language that he is a
“small man, a potak” (a disgrace), and she spits at the ground
at his feet.
It has been fun to do a game involving Centaurs. I don't know if
I ever apologized for the bastardization of Old English of the
way Centaurs talked in the earlier chapters, I don't know if I
have ever written anything using the word "Verily" before, but
it was fun.
#Post#: 1170--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII July 5th Update
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 5, 2025, 6:19 pm
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Hello all. Happy 4th, and I was surprised to learn it was
Saturday today, that was nice. Just an update on where I am at
the moment. My studies at the moment are all on getting Chapter
Two of the Path to Schallsea. I want to get the next three well
in hand as well. I expect a New Tale of Karnea coming soon. Its
chapter name is "The Fostering of the Moon Childe." A sort of
Prelude. The Tales of Karnea are kind of like Christopher Nolan
stories told out of sequential time. They are from all over the
places of Karnea's past. Jumping Forward and Backward, and
Backward, then Forward, or something like that, but you sorta
get the idea.
I just got an info dump on Silvanesti from the Sylvan Vale
product, and I am updating my Racial notes on the Silvanesti
notes to build the tapestry of what will be the Path to
Schallsea. Silvanesti is something of a mystery to me to fully
grasp everything, but that is what I am trying to do.
I am also obsessed right now with the 280 AC A Druid's Tale: The
Story of Talidaar vol. II The World of Man Chapter Six: The Raid
Story. Sort of falling a little bit for this rough and tumble
Princess of the Plains of the Que-Han, Nyra Dawnrunner, as a
character. She is feisty, and I'm trying to think of an analog
to describe her. It's just been hard to do when she has been in
the pit for longer than Talidaar. They are about the same age,
maybe Talidaar is two years older. But being a plainswoman, she
is more mature in some ways and he in others. Their
situationship has been very short, but they have been each other
in the pit for Day and Night, it's sure to bond people in ways
that are hard to describe. I spent yesterday editing the
chapter, trying to make it just right.
I have been reading up on a certain Unicorn Master of a Dark
Wood to prepare for the next A Druid's Tale Chapter.
So, what is getting posted? I'm of a mind to write the final
chapter of the Dragon War, the End. I needed some space to tell
that story. It's not just an End, but a new Beginning as well.
And I have decided to try to finish a fight every day for this
next chapter of Wydara. I will post how many fights that is, but
it's a lot, and I am going to need some time. Not doing all of
them, I think, but there are several I have to do.
I am nearly done with the 3rd Act of Chapter Two of Karnea,
Power Moves. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks.
-------------------------------
Hello, I have been working for Hours on the next Path to
Schallsea Chapter. I was remarking to a friend that the first
two Chapters of Path to Scahllsea remind me a lot of how the
first several chapters of A Druid's Tale, vol. I, The World of
Elves. And the next couple of Chapters of Path to Scahllsea
remind me of how A Druid's Tale vol. II The World of Man is
going right now.
There is an evolution in the circumstances where Selene has no
one else to talk to, really, in the first couple of chapters. I
am very happy with how it is developing. I just found out that
Selene had a girl crush on her friend Seraphelle. That was a
surprise for me and Selene. I don't know entirely where that is
going, even if I know what else happens.
A Fun, crossover thing is going to be happening in a chapter or
two of Path to Scahllsea, Saida from the Elven Special Mission
won the Silvanesti Spring Dawning Archery Tournament, becoming
the youngest at fifty-one. Might be my only chance to depict
that event, if only in passing. Just a cool crossover thing that
I made a connection to when I was writing.
-----------------------------------------------
Hello, today is July 6, 2025
In case I needed I need to explain what the Path to Schallsea
is. Attempting to give the girls of Schallsea Tower a firm
foundation to start from. I have isolated when each girl was
born on the timeline, and I'm attempting to give life to these
girls and figure out who they are and the troubles that have
stood in their way to make them who they are now, hence the
tagline What is Past is Prologue.
Selene is that much older than the other girls that it takes
three Chapters for them to get old enough to come into the
picture. As I am sure people have noticed, Selene has that
terrible last name in the first few chapters, but now has this
different last name elsewhere, what gives? All will be
explained.
A Last name for Selene always eluded me. I found a name I liked,
but I decided it was a name she took, not her own. I'm currently
finding out why. I did not know I needed this time to write and
game from inside the Pre War of the Lance Silvanesti, but it has
been sort of nice. I have not read the Dalamar novel, but
consider this a loosely based companion piece from other point
of view characters. Also, a cursory look around the web, and I
still don't know if Ylle Savath, Head of House Mystic, is a male
or female. I have guessed male, thinking they are Silvanesti,
they would not have a woman lead the house, but I leave open the
chance. I don't care, I just don't know. So he is an old Elven
Man until I know any different. Another reason this foray into
all things elven recently is sort of alien and gives me and
chance to do some things I have not done already.
For Path to Schallsea, it will be the first time depicting
Pre-War of the Lance Tower of the Stars, and pre-nightmare Lorac
and Alhana (Going to have Samar in there somewhere in the
background). War Comes to Silvanesti, The Path from Silvanesti
to Southern Ergoth, to Tarsis, to the Path to Schallsea.
A Druid's Tale vol. I, The Raid, and the next chapter-
I am trying to think for sure, but I am pretty sure this will be
the first time I have ever used the Forestmaster in my game
before. First time I have used Centaurs to this degree as well.
It might also be the first time depicting the Forest of Zhan.
Also, I thought Kel had been the most sadate Kender NPC I have
ever used, but he actually low-key drives Talidaar crazy, I am
noticing on my second and third read through. Makes me laugh.
---------------------------------
Okay. I was up all night. I did not get hardly got any writing
done, I guess I needed a break. I instead set up a new
Information for Talidaar, Hierophant of Chislev, and set it up
the way I think I like it. It cuts out some dead weight, and it
recontextualizes some of the information in what I hope is a
better collection of Data about the character. I have moved all
of the Druid info over to the Druids of Krynn section and out of
Talidaar's character section. I have also added an Age of
Despair Section, instead of just the 5th Age accounting of his
life. I have been able to add the recent happenings in the game
into the timeline, and wow, A lot happened in these stories. I
also reveal some key plot points that have not happened in a
story yet.
I moved Merwellyn Forest to the end and put a Character sheet at
the beginning, like it should have been all along. It bothered
me from the beginning, but it took me a long time to do anything
about it. Enjoy.
-------
Hello, New Day, well, it's early morning. It's 7/8/2025
I have spent the last couple of hours putting down on a page
what I have been formulating in my head for the last day and
night. It is Hierophant vol. II, Story One: The Blackthorn
Conspiracy Chapter Three: A Conspiracy of Ravens…
After playing with the pawns, the imperial surveyors, the
Ravens, or watchers picked up on Talidaar's trail from Castle
Eastwatch. Let me tell you how freaking weird is was a hour ago,
after writing my Raven story, I look up on the internet what you
call a group of Ravens and my mind expodes, its called, or one
of things they are called is A Conspiracy. Because originally I
was going to do a Murder of Crows, but then I was like Ravens
are more dangerous, and smarter, and mythological/ Animal Lore
connections to Ravens, so I had already written about these
Ravens, with their glowing eyes. This was a really fun chapter
to write, and poor Talidaar. I have never written or gamed a
situation like this. This really caused us to put our thinking
caps on. I will work on this a little longer. I don't think I am
far enough along to finish it, but most likely tomorrow or the
next day.
#Post#: 1187--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII Big Games translated into
Stories
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 15, 2025, 1:28 am
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Several events have been happening on the forum.
The newest Tales of Karnea was posted, taking a look at Karnea
securing Aravis on another world before Summer Flame because of
her concerns with Takhisis, and these Grey Robes. I had wondered
if the Students were at the Tower when it was attacked. But it
would seem that is not the case. Karnea gets some great lines in
Story. I think my favorite was Analis- "Will she like me?" Then
Karnea says, "Irrelevant."
One is the history of Selene and the girls who came with her to
the Tower of Schallsea. It has been interesting looking back on
this time period. I have really come to like Seraphelle
Moonshadow, and I'm sad she does not make it to Schallsea. Hard
to know how things would have turned out differently. Anyways, I
have personally enjoyed exploring this time period.
In the World of Man, Talidaar is shot nearly dead with a
crossbow, and in the Blackthorn Conspiracy that takes place on
Southern Ergoth, Talidaar stops an assassination, but goes
through hell. The player's move to fly the flock into the
Elemental Plane of Fire was one of the coolest things in the
game that has happened. They have Talidaar's attention going
forward, also have never used an Artic Owlbear before, and
looking forward to seeing how Talidaar handles it. He might even
avoid it altogether; nothing says he has to fight it, but it's
coming.
I know this game is generally calm and chill, with sporadic
moments of violence, but this Conspiracy of Ravens was bad
because I wrote things I was uncomfortable with thinking about.
Like going for the nose, the backs of the hands, and the cheeks.
like something out of the Birds, but updated. I thought he could
turn to stone, but that is wizards, but Bark will work.
Adam is very busy with school, so we will get a few occasional
things from him. He has a pipeline of projects in conjunction
with me, and some of his own, with the Tales of Karnea. I am
doing something with some old gamers who don't have a lot of
time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wydara has to go forward to move Lashia forward, so I will work
on that.---------------------Update. I got three fights done,
out of thirteen. Going to try to do a couple or a few a day and
knock this out. The number of fights left is daunting, and it's
what has been holding me up, but I am committed to finishing it.
I think I am going to do a couple more fights for this chapter.
Deara finally could not take it anymore and opted out of
watching the rest of the fights. Las and Deara are headed back
to Las's to be in Las's finale for Las in Ergoth vol. 1. Lashia
and Marilee are on their way and sure to show up. Going to work
on the Las finale and do a couple more fights and see what can
happen in the next day or so.
working on everything, inching toward finishing.
#Post#: 1191--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII Recent Activity
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 17, 2025, 6:55 pm
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I hope everyone is enjoying the flurry of activity on the site
lately. It has been one of my more prolific weeks this week.
Where to begin. Las in Ergoth has ended, I do not know when or
where a second story will come, but Las will return under a
blanket Story of Lashia in Gwynned. It sort of rhymes in a story
sense. All the Arbagon kids except Nebris are in Gwynned, along
with Lashia and their aunt Wydara. Lashia in Gwynneth will cover
all the kids, except Nebris. I was glad to be able to get Lashia
reconnected with her kids, and everybody was together (Except
Talidar and Nebris)
Staying in Gwynneth, Wydara Story Two had a Chapter drop outling
in the first few Afternoon gladiatorial fights for the Last
Games of the Season. Between Part One and Part Two, there have
been nine Gladiatorial Bouts. For anyone following the fights,
during the game session for this story, I had my player
convinced Wydara was screwed. Wydara only has one winner to
qualify for the Primus Ring of Fire. I intentionally structured
all of this to go so badly, and I sit here laughing a little to
myself that it all worked so well. You just sit there during the
fights, and all your Gladiators are dying, what the hell? It
looks bleak. I can laugh about this now, but this took a lot of
effort to do, and I will need a rest before ever attempting this
again.
I'm glad of the reception a Conspiracy of Ravens has gotten.
Things continue apace with everything else
I have been laying down Thoughts and ideas for future games for
Talidaar. Two more big stories. One is trying to make peace with
the Goblins in Qualinesti and venturing into the cave to the
Goblin Cave Lord. The Other Story is about visiting the Sea
Elves and convincing them to help retake Silvanesti. I was just
laying down some first thoughts, and see everything can tie
together.
I like the idea of both stories. Talidaar is in an underworld
cave in Story Two and going beneath the waves into the deep, and
dealing with the sea Elves in Story Three.
I have a large section of the next Path to Schallsea done, and
working on more later.
New Kalana is kind of stuck because I can't go any further until
the new Karnea Gaming Session, same with Darius Desaad, as he
shows up in the Chapter after this next one.
Developing what I want to do with the Ranger Asher and changing
his name to Ash, and giving him a lady friend archer, and an
adventure with Longshot for a while, and see how long they can
last before Longshot drives them insane. I joke, but I am half
serious also.
#Post#: 1196--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII Grand Marshall in the Grand
Circle and Wayreth side-view description
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 19, 2025, 3:57 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I have to comment on the Tales of the Knights of Solamnia.
First, I don't know if that is the final title, but it is what I
am using at the moment. Be aware that things may change.
Okay, I have a Knight Story going, this covers the Fight for the
Future of the Knighthood.
I have other Knight Game stories that are more like boots on the
ground, soul-searching Knight things I want to do, but I have to
figure this issue at the top first.
I included a Clock motif that may come off as pretentious, but
the more I reread that chapter, the more I feel it influences
the feeling of the passage of time passing in the game. Makes
everything feel that much more impending. I don't know what
exactly is going to happen. But this is a big thing, electing a
Grand Marshall.
This scenario is pure drama with enormous stakes. I can't say I
fully like where the Nexus Game went, it feels like a lot of
wasted potential that has been set up to just do away with, and
I have to say the Grand Marshall they elected to lead the
Knighthood is creepy as hell, as in Kingpriest second coming
creepy.
I am not satisfied with the status quo of leaving Goddard Tasgal
in Sanction. An important Khas piece that has been left out of
the Nexus's calculations is Lady Coryn, the White Witch. Coryn
has proven that she has a vested interest in how the Knights of
Solamnia rise again.
The Knight Games I want to do are in the shadow of the
Half-Giant's War, and in the shadow of this Grand Circle Story.
I want to figure out what the Knights of Solamnia are now.
It should be stated that I am familiar with the criticisms
concerning the character of Lord Marshall Jaymes Markum, and I
have my issues with the character. His actions are very
complicated, and I do not condone anything he has done. Not out
to glorify the man, he is a character that I will continue to
utilize him to tell some difficult stories in the game as the
backdrop. He makes mistakes, but he learns, and even though he
is a hardass, he will eventually arrive at the right decision.
It's not much of a redeeming quality, but it's all he has.
I have held off using the War in Solamnia, we are still a year
out from it in Karnea's game. But I am laying the groundwork for
what comes in the future of Talidaar's games.
--------------------------------------------------------
Wayreth Tower
I posted a side-view cutaway description of Wayreth Tower. I
pulled from a bunch of different sources. The Last Tower from
the SAGA book, The Towers of High Sorcery 3.5 book, and the
Atlas of Krynn.
Wayreth is not finished yet, but it will be a project moving
forward. Wayreth joins Nightlund Tower's side-view descriptions
and those of Blood Sea Tower from the Karnea game.
Looking to further develop this location to better use it in
future gameplay.
---------------------------------------------------------
#Post#: 1207--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII Taking a few Days off
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: July 29, 2025, 6:37 pm
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Hello, I'm taking a few days off. It has been hotter than hell.
Just going to recharge and I'll be back.
#Post#: 1212--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII I'm back
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 9, 2025, 10:37 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I am back.
I have been writing several different things over time, and
going to unload them over the next few days. The gaming has been
spotty this summer, but we have gotten a few things done. Some
things I had been putting off, but am going to try to tackle
them soon. I have been trying to stabilize the Knights of
Solamnia recently, and then will move back to the Dark Knights.
The Dark Knights will make a large appearance in the War to
Retake Qualinesti.
The next few stories for Talidaar have to be approached
correctly, as they are big, monumental stories. In the World of
Elves, I have this little chapter for Talidaar, as he is dealing
with being smitten with Kira, and he is thinking of her more
often. The Next Chapter will be Summer Home, and he will see
Kira again.
In the World of Man story, Talidaar is in a state between Life
and Death. He visits the most beautiful and grand Forest ever
before, it is Zhan, and Talidaar is sent back by Chislev.
Talidaar is being bathed after being in the Pit to lessen the
chance of infection by Dryads. He comes in and out of
consciousness.
So that is coming up.
The Next Blackthorn Conspiracy is coming soon. Finishing up some
gaming on here soon. Been a while since the claws has come out
and a big fight has gone down
War to Retake Qualinesti is going to heat up. I have been
writing out the plans for the first Nine Chapters and going to
game with the elves. Going to try not to have us jump all over
the place anymore to tell a story. So far, this is the most
concise group experiment I have wanted to do between The Elves,
The Leadership of the Elves, The Dark Knights, and the Goblins,
all contained in the same story, this time. I had some
inclinations to want to spread out a little bit, but going to
keep this one tight and concise, at least, until Talidaar shows
up. Going to be well prepared for the games coming up.
The Heir of the Empire, Son of Zeva and Rotas - A Chapter is
coming along, it is the most important story for Lucius ever.
More Wydara: The Final Fights of the Season, the Final Fights of
the Afternoon, and soon the Primus, where all the winners of the
day fight in a Ring of Fire.
More Lashia and the Twins and the kids. I was doing a lot of
planning for this the other night. Starting to fill up the
itinerary
Working on the next Dwarf story.
I have completed Chapter Two for Karnea Story Three. When Adam
has time, we will be doing that. It might be the longest chapter
I have ever written and may turn out to be Three Parts. I have
not been completely idle; I just needed some time to center
myself.
I hope people have had fun getting to know these characters and
what I have put them through.
Take care, everyone.
Update- I have been working on all of the above in these last
weeks, gotten closer on all of them. Last night, on a whim, I
completed my long wait of completing the Battle of Wayreth and
the Forty-Six (46) Wizards of High Sorcery that answered the
call to join in the fight against the Sorcerers.
Over these last years, I have been building the Orders in such a
way as I never thought possible before. I have never tried to
build the Orders of High Sorcery before, maybe in lesser
attempts, but never to this scale. I have recently come across
some maps that I have to take into account with the placement in
a few places, like the Library of Wayreth. I will move those
around ASAP. Back to the 46. The named characters in Wizard's
Conclave who were present at the Battle are on the list.
including people, I learned their names through clues in the
descriptions, and I was finally able to suss out their names
from different locations, and gave names I thought would fit the
people described, but were not named in the Wizard's Conclave.
The rest are there by virtue that they are on the Conclave now,
and all of that was figured out at the close of hostilities, and
a little time passed to heal enough to convene the First
Session. I believe that adds up to 21 members of the conclave,
so I consulted the Orders Census I have written up and posted
according to their robes. I picked out from the lowest to the
largest names that were able to arrive at the Battle, or made at
least to the Conclave. Five People Dead seems like a small
number, and I am going to reread those chapters to get a better
understanding of the number that died. Either way, I will be
updating that list. Maybe the ones on the list were the ones
that survived. Or I am going to need to adjust for another
reason. I have to count out the robes and see that there is a
healthy representation of all the Robes. I feel like the White
Robes might be underrepresented, but I have not broken things
down mathematically as of yet, but that is a future plan. For
now, it can be analysed to see how it holds up.
I have posted what some might call a small filler Chapter. The
Chapter Smitten is meant to reflect Talidaar's inexperience with
the fairer sex; he just knows what it is doing to him and the
things he has noticed since seeing her. It might be read as
slightly juvenile, but there were never really any girls in his
growing up that he ever got serious with. The player and I are
further talking about the character's experiences. It is 82 or
83 years, I think, between Talidaar seeing Kira last and seeing
her again. I wanted to dwell on this and sit with it. I think
the Grandfather can see no good coming from this. We will see
how all of this develops. I will say it is just touching to me
how Talidaar thinks about the cute things Kira did and how they
endear him closer to her. I think we are all happy that he has
something else to think about than the dour landscape of his
normal everyday thoughts and doubts. It is a chapter that might
be expanded in the future, but for now, I just wanted to get the
basic mood across.
#Post#: 1224--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII Happy Birthday to me Aug 16
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: August 17, 2025, 5:00 am
---------------------------------------------------------
So I went to the cookout of a friend's brother's house and
grooved with music, grilled out, and managed to keep an eye on
the 1 and a half year old from hurting himself as he would run
away from his mom and end up near me. The brother and I share
Birthdays. I ate too much, but it's been a long time since I
have been to a cookout.
So I am going to write some more. I am working on the next
chapter of the Lords of Neraka II. Setting it up for its next
storyline.
I will see if anything else is close.
I was in contact with Karnea's player. He has been doing school,
and I have sent him updates to keep him abreast of how Chapter
Two is progressing in Power Moves. I have already decided it is
two parts; now the only question is if it will turn out to be a
three-parter story. Maybe we can do it two, I will just see how
it goes.
A lot of names and new faces. I do not have descriptions for all
of these people. I point out any particulars, but there will be
time to get to know these people. They are hirelings and not the
focus of the story, but they are Karnea's Henchmen, so we have
been messaging back and forth about where she plans to use these
henchmen. He was a little overwhelmed, and I sent him some
options and grouped them into their groups, and some backgrounds
on who could do what she wants them to do. I put a lot of
thought into constructing this list of hirelings that Palainess
has brought together. I have shared some of my development notes
in previous entries in Behind the Screen. Like Khor, the 7’1”
Barbarian from Estwilde, is a homage to the Barbarian Captain
Bombaata, played by Wilt Chamberlain in Conan the Destroyer.
Since I don't get to use a Half-Orc, I went with another
towering race. The Rogue, Grel Fighter/Thief/Bodyguard. A
Half-Ogre from Blöde. Karnea is not sure of the circumstances in
which she could employ his talents. The Answer is not
immediately clear to her on this one. But Palainess has found
him beyond useful in his dealings with the criminal underground,
with Grel at his side.
The Sellswords present something altogether; everyone may be
blooded, but these are veterans, and probably worth every bit of
coin they are going for. Karnea plans to deploy these with
planned precision.
Just a little excerpt from the next chapter for you.
The Good part is Karnea has no idea what else is coming down
range in the next part. I have informed Adam of most of Part
One, but he only has a few clues as to what is coming in Part
Two.
#Post#: 1257--------------------------------------------------
Behind the DM's Screen Vol. XII Big Things coming
DIR By: Dungeon Master
Date: September 6, 2025, 1:38 am
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Hello,
Going to give an update. I have been in contact with Karnea's
player. He's been on vacation, doing school, and a job. So he
has had to prioritize things, but he is back. We have been in
contact. We are laying down some groundwork for what will be the
Second Gaming Session of Karnea's Third Story. It is at this
point that the story version of this Second Chapter might have
to be broken into Three Parts on the Forum. We are determining
the size of the Island. I had been limiting it to pretty small,
but nothing says this had to be very small; I might be able to
expand it 8 or 10 miles. We are trying to come down on a number
we are both comfortable with now that I have brought certain
things to his attention, and he is taking a more active hand in
its development.
The influx of mercenaries and sellswords, adding twenty to the
sixty residents on the island, made it need more food brought to
the island. Then, we will have a captain of the City Guard, but
we don't have any guards who are not politically compromised, so
we are working on that. So now we are going to need a barracks
for the Guards.
9/10 Additions
There will be a big overhaul for the Island where the Tower of
Blood Sea is located. Karnea's Player, Adam, and I have been
discussing the island in full for the first time, and I sent him
away to do a wish list, and what I have gotten back surpasses
what I asked for. The shape of the island Area: Approximately 75
square miles (Roughly 8.5 miles x 8.5 miles in a square or a
circle with a diameter of 9.8 miles)
The Tower and its Grove are assumed to occupy at least one
square mile in the center of the island. Based it on a Greek
Isle, modeled after Thassos in appearance, but has the land size
of Tinos. There is some land to be self-sufficient, with trade
to supplement the island, instead of being completely reliant on
Trade, like we were. This will allow for some different farms,
cow pasture, and swine, giving sufficient room to graze.
Vineyards and an olive grove, separate from the Tower Grove, are
used to make olive oil, and any surplus can be sent out for
trade. They will take 5 years to get up to production, unless
the Hierophant intervenes during a visit. Moving the port and
the town around a little bit.
As written, the farm, grazing land, orchards, and vineyards only
comprise about a square mile of area. If the Tower and the Grove
take up a square mile, and the town and port take up another
square mile, there's still a lot of space on the island to work
with. Greenhouses, warehouses, farming expansion, and even a
second town could easily be in the works for the future.
The guards will wear black uniforms with white and red stripes
down the pants legs, and white and red striped epaulets.
Standard leather armor for daily wear, with chain and half plate
in the armory in case of pirates or minotaurs. Spear, short
sword, and short bow. Patrolling guardsmen will carry cudgels,
since they aren't really trying to kill townspeople. The guards
enforce the collection of all farm and trade goods. I am
currently getting the info into a presentable format and will
post it.
I am very happy to get this nailed down after all this time.
Back to original Post====
I have fallen down a rabbit hole of finding out who the
Guardians of Merwellyn are, the ones before Talidaar.
I have determined some things about the first Grand Druid of the
Age of Despair, the Guardian of Merwellyn, before Talidaar
Kaelan the Hermit
Kaelan was born in 236 AC
A six-year-old Kaelan gets led into a forest by mischievous fey
and becomes lost. A Treant hears him crying and tells him how to
survive the storms and the cold nights.
First Met Talidaar in 281 AC. Kaelan was 45 years old. (I think
the Actor Lee Pace would do the character justice with Kaelan's
eccentricities at this age.)
Kaelan is 131 years old in 367 AC when he abdicates in favor of
his chosen heir, Talidaar.
I have determined some other information and I am using it in a
future Tale. It's been super helpful figuring this stuff up. I
have had some moments of clarity about how Talidaar became the
Grand Druid. I am more comfortable than ever that the Druids
that show up in Dragons of Autumn Twilight are from
Merwellyn/Dire Wood.
I am committed to getting most of the fights done for the next
Posting for Wydara, hopefully done this weekend. Lashia can not
go forward until I get Wydara Done, so I am under the gun. At
work on Knights of Neraka, War to Reclaim Qualinesti, Talidaar,
and spending a lot of time finishing touches of Gaming Session
Two for Karnea. Lots of things happen in this Chapter. I had to
name a bunch of people, which is a huge chore that kills
creativity, though the internet makes it much easier.
Been doing a lot of intense potting, planning, and writing over
the last couple of weeks.
Take care and talk to you again soon.
9/14/2025
I have been working on things still, and doing final touches to
the upcoming gaming session for Karnea Story III Power Moves. I
am letting him see and edit most of Part One, as it is things we
have worked out over email previously. This is mostly a final
check, some opening dialogue, because the player plays Mother
and Daughter. I have done everything from Selene and Karnea, but
I don't have anything down for Aravis in the conversation. So
once that is ironed out, I think we can go forward and start
gaming.
I have done several fights for Wydara, and I have a few more to
go. That is going to take another week. I am focused on Karnea
Chapter 2 of Story III. I am also focused on building the
Information for Master Karnea. I have to get a couple of things
back from the player, and it is taking a little bit of time.
Things will start moving from the Information for Karnea to the
Information for Master Karna
Bye for now.
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