Fellow role-players, here are my notes for “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” Session 39.9, which Brian W. hosted at his home in Newton, Mass., on Monday, 25 February 2013:

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The “Vanished Lands” were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders.

Various groups of mercenaries and diplomats have fought humanoids in the northwestern borderlands, encountered pirates on the Sea of Nagendwa, and wandered the hostile Halmed Desert and the wide Plains of Sathendo….

“Vistel’s Circus,” Player Character Party 39 in Gene D.’s " Vanished Lands " heroic fantasy campaign, using the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, as of spring 2013:

• “Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 2

• “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 2

• “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with owlbear cub “Oswald”; NGc, Lvl. 2

• “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A./absent ]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage seer, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; NGc, Lvl. 2

• “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F./absent ]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 2

• “Tempestade” [Josh C./departed ]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), roustabout; CGl, Lvl. 2

• “Radius” [Jason E.R./departed ]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 1

“26 to 28 February 1228 B.C.E.:” In the Saganim (proto-Celtic) human village of Nobb, performers from Vistel’s Circus had met “Pita ‘Ol’ Pete’ Arborson” [Dan A./Non-Player Character]. The Barbari human Ollave agreed to guide them on a quicker path toward Thadenis, capital of Saganim.

On the way southwest, scouts from the caravan found two small but vicious outposts of Orcs and wargs from the nefarious kingdom of Zuromm. The circus troupe made a forced march through wintery woods to the hamlet of Baln.

Circus founder Orlando Vistel notes that the community is too small to be worth setting up for a full show. Corwin, Hamfast, and Elsa go to the “Sanir’s Trumpet” pub, where they try a variety of brews recommended by barkeep Angus.

“Melody” [Lori K.S./N.P.C.], a Skaevingol human Skald (Scandinavian-style Bard) in [former “Seeker of Lore”] Ol’ Pete’s retinue, performs a song from her homeland. Corwin plays his mandolin, and Gnome inventor Ashkator Bibbleshins joins in with his accordion.

Strongman Hamfast offers to wrestle the diminutive Gnomes in the pub for a round of drinks, as brewer Elsa samples the local ale, Fey wine, and Gnomish cordials. Hamfast returns to the wagons to help drovers Cerdwyn mab Ardain and Baskor Steadyhand set up and guard the camp.

Ol’ Pete’s young apprentice Caleb accompanies Elsa as the Druid feeds Oswald, her Owlbear cub, as well as other animals. Corwin warns Angus about the Orcs and invites Melody up to his room.

The next morning, Elsa overhears Ol’ Pete lecturing Melody about protecting her virtue, and Corwin avoids Tamara bint Yasmina, a dancer in the circus and onetime paramour. Elsa goes to console Melody, while Ol’ Pete confronts Corwin.

The Bard promises that he won’t hurt Melody and that he would take care of her and any potential children. Ol’ Pete is placated, and Elsa says that although she admires his paternal instincts, Ol’ Pete should give his followers more freedom.

The Saganim peasants and Gnomes of Baln bid a fond farewell as Vistel’s Circus departs. Scouts Scully and Ivy (another of Ol’ Pete’s band) walk ahead of the wagons. Giacomo studies spells in the tinkerer’s cart of the late Necromancer from the Sable clan, while Tempestade shivers and stays close to the other roustabouts.

Hamfast asks Ol’ Pete if there’s anything interesting in Thadenis, since he has never been in a city before. The Ollave mentions temples and arenas, the supposedly haunted Isle of Grief, and numerous bars. Ivy refers Elsa to the Royal Society for Exploration and Cartography.

Corwin asks Mama Vistel for hair dye and shaves his goatee. The Half-Elf reveals that “Corwin Windsong” is not his true name and that he is familiar with the capital of the kingdom of Saganim. Elsa concludes that he must be an exiled or disgraced noble.

Scully and Ivy signal the wagon train to halt and bring Hamfast, Corwin, and Elsa to a grim discovery. The Gnoll and Grugach (Wild Elf) have found the frozen bodies of three Sylvan Elves and seven Orcs. There are signs of magic, but no identifying heraldry on either side. If any Orcs survived, they fled without looting the bodies.

Pious Elsa casts Gentle Repose on the Elven corpses so that they can be brought to Thadenis. Corwin warns Orlando and Cerdwyn to beware of more bandits on the road, and Hamfast carries the fallen to a wagon.

That evening, the circus camps under the stars. Hamfast, Cerdwyn, and Baskor take the first watch and stoke the fire. During the second watch, Corwin and Ivy hear an eerie caterwauling.

Corwin wakes Elsa and creeps out to investigate. He is surprised by a mountain lion, but a quick Sleep spell neutralizes the danger. Druid Elsa and Ranger Scully are pleased at the lack of violence. Elsa and Caleb have an uneventful third watch.

The caravan crosses the Plains of Sathendo, as the terrain shifts from woods to hills and, finally, sheep pastures and frosty fields. Ol’ Pete, Caleb, Ivy, and Melody take their leave. The performers behold the gray stone walls and towers of Thadenis and join the throngs at the city’s gates.

They pay the blond Saganim sentries a weapons tax and head to the “Happy Brownie,” which is between the temple district and various consulates. Corwin spares no expense, paying innkeeper Doyle 30 crowns (gold pieces) for a week’s stay in a suite.

Elsa spends 2 g.p. each for midrange rooms for Miranda Barrowright, Halfling priestess of Yondolla, and her family, as well as few other members of the troupe. Hamfast is content to spend 1 g.p. for space in the “Happy Brownie’s” common room.

Hamfast, Corwin, and Elsa go to the Royal Society for Exploration and Cartography and find a brownstone in a quiet neighborhood. An apparently bored student greets them from behind a desk, but a voice from deeper within the building instructs Ilnadu Magevictor to show the guests in.

In a book-lined room, “Ulrich Vandermoor” [Ted A.H./N.P.C.] welcomes the trio. In return for a map of the Zuromm outposts within Saganim borders, former adventurer [with the “Liberators”] Ulrich agrees to arrange for an audience with King Edmund II so the group can investigate corruption within the realm.

The wanderers then go to the embassy of the Waletku kingdom, where they are greeted by Elven soldiers resplendent in mithril chain. The haughty guards are suspicious of the scruffy human, Half-Elf, and Dwarf but swiftly give them permission to bring the Elven remains into the white building.

Quelanthi (High Elf) consuls Annette and Valery are troubled by the group’s story of an Orcish ambush and promise to properly bury the dead and notify their families. The diplomats mention the shrine of Corellan Larethian in the Field of Grulla, the huntsman. Grateful for the service, Annette and Valery grant Vistel’s Circus safe passage through the Blackhorse Woods.

Hamfast later helps Cerdwyn and the roustabouts set up tents in the southeastern part of the Agora, or market square. Corwin goes to the Bardic College, where he sees redheaded priestesses of Brijitt, goddess of fire and poetry. Disguised Corwin also chats with Miss Crevan, a Half-Elf who has performed at the Cathedral of Edillon, lord of the sky.

At Corwin’s recommendation, Gnoll Scully and Lizard Woman Malinzel keep a low profile. Ol’ Pete had recommended that Giacomo check out the Harandrim Academy, the modest local Magisterium (magic school/library).

Elsa goes to the temple of Nersago, also known as Gobnihr, Vulkan, or Moradin. The Dwarf gives a generous tithe and is pleased to see Clerics of the mountain deity wielding hammer and tongs above massive anvils and passing around flagons of strong ale.

Speaking of liquor, Hamfast leads Cerdwyn, Baskor, clown Graham Tervin, and the Flying Perhutens on a pub crawl around Thadenis. The circus folk make themselves at home at “Ghanki’s Gin Pub,” which hosts a mix of sailors and gamblers from the nearby Ironhooves Arena.

They then pay the toll at the Cavalier’s Bridge to party at the “Crystal Goblet,” which turns out to be a stuffy officer’s club. The rowdies stagger back to the “Happy Brownie” and “Half Moon,” and their recollections become blurry after that.

Hamfast intends to lead the carousers to the “Silver Tankard,” the “Leprechaun’s Spittle,” and finally, the “Chalice of Pain,” but few make it that far. Meanwhile, Elsa visits the “Bulging Baldric” but is disappointed to find it full of swashbuckling Saganim swains.

The next morning, the performers groan amid hangovers. Hamfast joins Elsa at Nersago’s Forge, and Corwin awaits word from Ulrich about a royal audience at the Hall of Thanes….

Beruk and Sara, I’m sorry that you couldn’t join us, and I hope that Josh feels better! It was good to chat with you during the latest " Vortex: Terra’s Pride" telecom space opera, and I hope you’ll be able to attend Jason E.R.’s “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars” next week.

I may have to travel in the coming week, but I’ll try to let everyone know if it will affect our games. Note that Brian won’t be available on March 11, so we’ll have to meet at Rich’s place in Waltham, Mass. In the meantime, take it easy, -Gene

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 39.8 of the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy campaign, which Brian W. hosted at his home in Newton, Mass., on Monday, 4 February 2012:

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The “Vanished Lands” were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders.

Various groups of mercenaries and diplomats have fought humanoids in the northwestern borderlands, encountered pirates on the Sea of Nagendwa, and wandered the hostile Halmed Desert and the wide Plains of Sathendo….

“Vistel’s Circus,” Player Character Party 39, using the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, as of spring 2013:

• “Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 2

• “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 2

• “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 2

• “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with owlbear cub “Oswald”; NGc, Lvl. 2

• “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A./absent ]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage seer, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; NGc, Lvl. 2

• “Tempestade” [Josh C./absent ]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), roustabout; CGl, Lvl. 2

• “Radius” [Jason E.R./absent ]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 1

“22 to 25 February 1228 B.C.E.:” After cleansing a farm near Tensar of Undead, Vistel’s Circus rode toward the Saganim (proto-Celtic) human village of Nobb. On the way through some woods, the wagon train was ambushed by Bugbear bandits, but they were quickly vanquished.

As the caravan arrives at Nobb, circus founder Orlando Vistel sends Corwin, Hamfast, Scully, and Elsa to check out the local inn. They enter the smoky common room of the “High Hedge” pub, but the Saganim peasants are alarmed to see Gnoll Scully.

Corwin vouches for his companion, and the Bard buys a round of drinks and sings, allaying their concerns. Scully, Hamfast, and Elsa get a table and order dinner, while Corwin reserves a room with innkeeper Darrin.

A young man named Caleb introduces himself to Elsa and has many questions for the Dwarf Druid, especially about her trained owlbear cub “Oswald.” Caleb is apprentice to “Pita ‘Old Pete’ Arborson” [Dan A./Non-Player Character], a Barbari human Ollave. They also travel with Skald “Melody” [Lori K.S./N.P.C.] and Grugach (Wild Elf) scout Ivy.

Caledil Longbark, a Sylvan Elf trapper, catches Corwin’s eye, but Corwin is curious about Caleb’s group. Hamfast tersely defends the honor of the Zeda kingdom of the Dwarves and Gnomes, since that’s also his homeland, but the Saganim woodsmen and Elves mean no offense to the tall human.

Ol’ Pete asks whether the circus has news from the east. He has heard rumors of hostile Centaurs, evil Druids, and incursions by monsters from the nefarious kingdom of Zuromm. The newcomers haven’t heard of any of these, but are interested in them as well as in possible corruption in the court of King Edmund II.

Corwin asks Ol’ Pete if he could guide the circus toward Thadenis, capital of Saganim. Elsa pays the Ollave 30 crowns (gold pieces), and he recommends heading to the village of Baln rather than taking a northern road across the open Plains of Sathendo.

The next morning, Ol’ Pete and his followers join Vistel’s Circus and head southwest. Giacomo rides in a cart recently acquired from the Necromancer defeated at Tensar. Scully, Ivy, and Corwin to scout ahead through the snowy woods.

Scully slips down a ravine and spots a cave opening covered by icicles. Corwin and Ivy follow, and they notice tracks. Peering into the cave mouth, they see red eyes! A warg and an armored Orc lunge forth.

Corwin draws his long sword, as Ivy shoots arrows from her bow. The wolf-like warg bites Corwin, but the Orc misses with his gladius. Scully sends her bird Owlicious to warn the others.

Back at the wagons, Ol’ Pete is leading the way around the ravine when Owlicious returns. Hamfast, Elsa, and Giacomo prepare to join their friends. Corwin manages to slay the green-skinned Orc, and white-furred Scully fells her fellow canine.

In the cave, Ivy and company find a cache of Zuromm [Roman-style] weapons, jerky of unknown origin, and silver coins with a spider on one side and an eye on the other. They also find a parchment map with a second site marked ahead on their path. The scouts rejoin the circus train and continue hiking.

Sometime later, Orlando and Ol’ Pete give Corwin, Hamfast, Scully, Elsa, and Ivy leave to check out the second site from the map. They climb a hill and see a dense ring of trees around a rocky summit. Vultures circle overhead.

Stealthy Scully and Corwin creep ahead and take out a sleeping warg. The others join them as they enter a pile of standing stones and descend a narrow, winding staircase. A tunnel leads to a vertical shaft on one side and a sloping passage on the other.

Corwin follows the passage and nearly falls into a pit trap. After resetting it, the spelunkers find a back exit near the tree line covered by a relatively thin layer of piled-up rocks.

They head back to the interior of the tor and find an ancient tomb, possibly dating back to the Saganim empire of a few centuries ago. The sarcophagus has been destroyed.

The next chamber has vaulted ceilings and skylights. It was once some sort of temple, although neither Elsa nor Corwin recognizes all the carvings. The raiders find recent bloodstains on the altar. One exit leads to the vertical shaft, and another, hidden behind the altar, leads down to a third subterranean level.

The adventurers ignore the path back to the vertical shaft, which Elsa notes would make a good quick escape route up, if it doesn’t lead down to the nameless horrors of the Underdark. The other direction leads to a mess hall, where three Orcs and a gray-skinned Dwarf are cooking venison and are surprised to have visitors.

Corwin quickly nocks arrows, and Elsa invokes Vulkan (Moradin) to cast True Strike on Scully. Ivy misses and drops her bow in favor of her sword. Hamfast engages the Duergar, as accurate Scully smashes an Orc with a mighty blow.

The two remaining Orcs snarl but miss, and the Gray Dwarf casts Darkness. Corwin swings anyway, as does Ivy. Elsa taunts the Dwarf, and Hamfist kills another Orc. Scully kills the last Orc of the Footmasher clan, and the Duergar levitates Elsa before he is slain by Corwin.

Scully and Hamfast carry the deer on a spit out of the caves, since wise Elsa recommends leaving rather than exploring any deeper. Corwin and Elsa grab scrolls of Chill Touch and Darkness as they head back to rejoin the circus troupe….

I hope you enjoyed the action-packed dungeon crawl! Even though we’ve had more delays because of the weather, I look forward to continuing Jason’s “Barsoomian Adventures” planetary romance miniseries, as well as the " Vortex: Terra’s Pride" telecom space opera. In the meantime, take it easy, -Gene

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Session 7 of the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy campaign, which Brian W. hosted at his home in Newton, Mass., on 14 January 2012:

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The “Vanished Lands” were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders.

Various groups of mercenaries and diplomats have fought humanoids in the northwestern borderlands, encountered pirates on the Sea of Nagendwa, and wandered the hostile Halmed Desert and the wide Plains of Sathendo….

“Vistel’s Circus,” Player Character Party 39 in Gene D.’s " Vanished Lands " heroic fantasy campaign, using the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, as of spring 2013:

• “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage seer, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; NGc, Lvl. 2

• “Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 2

• “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 2

• “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 2

• “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with owlbear cub “Oswald”; NGc, Lvl. 2

• “Tempestade” [Josh C./absent ]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), roustabout; CGl, Lvl. 2

• “Radius” [Jason E.R./absent ]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 1

“17 to 21 February 1228 B.C.E.:” On its way west, the circus had stopped at Tensar, hometown of escape artist Seamus Fenor. Some of the performers found themselves fighting off Undead at the cursed farmstead of Fenor’s family, which had been slain by a Necromancer posing as an itinerant tinker.

Giacomo notes that one building was not burned down in the fighting and boldly leads Scully and Hamfast back to the haunted farm. They meet Brion Black Elk standing guard on the road.

The young Paladin of Otih, god of the sun and justice, explains that “Lady Alcye” [Kim A.G./Non-Player Character] had asked him to warn off travelers. Giacomo explains to the Saganim (proto-Celtic) human that he merely wants to make sure that no traces of the murderer from the Sable clan remain to trouble Seamus or the town. Brion reluctantly lets them onto the property.

Scully is the first to smell something foul as they approach a tool shed. Hamfast opens the door and is disgusted to see human skins piled like animal hides. As the three carnies search the shed and tinkerer’s cart, the skins pull themselves together into a flesh golem!

Ranger Scully draws her bow, but her arrows have little effect on the hideous construct. Hamfast slams into it with his hammer, as Giacomo casts Chill Touch. The grotesque golem hits Hamfast with a mighty but glancing blow.

Corwin and Elsa catch up, and they and Brion race to the shed upon hearing Scully’s shouts. Bard Corwin fumbles with his bow, but Druid Elsa casts Protection From Evil on Hamfast. Brion charges but spears himself in the chaos.

As the abattoir shakes, Gnoll Scully moves the cart for cover, as Fighter Hamfast falls back. Wily Giacomo casts Mage Hand to pick up a lantern and drop it onto the tough golem. He also detects a magic scroll in the cart.

The golem slowly shambles out of the shed. Corwin slips in the oil from Giacomo’s lamp, while Elsa tries to cast Mend on one of the seams holding the human hides together. Scully prepares flaming arrows, and Hamfast drops his maul in favor of a knife.

Giacomo casts Magic Missile, and the golem is forced to stop to extinguish itself. Corwin swings his sword, hitting the golem, as well as hapless Hamfast. Elsa heals the Zeda human and then casts Unravel on the golem.

Scully draws a sword and strikes at the golem’s stitches, as does Hamfast. Ignoring pain from a spell burn, Giacomo casts more Magic Missiles, destroying the golem. Elsa aids Scully and Brion.

After Corwin finds and disables some traps, the adventuring party searches the Necromancer’s cart. They find the following:

• Coins: 50 copper pieces, 100 silver pieces, 200 crowns (gold pieces), and 500 g.p. in gems (to treasurer Corwin)
• Dagger, enchanted (Giacomo to identify)
• Knives and sharpeners
• Needle and thread, magical (but not necessarily evil)
• Scrolls: Alter Self and Animate Dead (to Giacomo), Create Flesh Golem (to Brion to destroy), and Raise Dead (to Elsa)

The group hastens back to the safety of Tensar’s walls. Elsa drops Brion off at the local temple of Edillon, and Corwin reports to circus founder Orlando Vistel as well as Lady Alcye. Seamus takes his portion of the recovered loot and plans to resettle nearby.

Flush with cash (about 130 g.p. each), the would-be heroes buy supplies. Giacomo acquires scrolls of Burning Hands and Levitate. The Wizard also gets some alchemist’s fire and has his staff and cane tipped with silver.

Animal lover Scully buys a donkey, which she names “Nestor.” Practical Hamfast picks up rope, oil, and lanterns and coordinates with drover Cerdwyn mab Ardain. Corwin buys a chain shirt, healing potions, and scrolls of Charm, Sleep, Hold Person, and Invisibility.

Elsa gives half of her funds to the circus, and in return for her tithe, Fr. Wallace provides flasks of holy water. The Dwarf also purchases studded leather armor, inquires about Gnomish brew, and commissions custom flasks with the Fairbottom clan label.

Vistel’s Circus puts on a show one night to celebrate Tensar’s freedom from the Fenor family curse. All give strong performances, except for Scully, who manages not to injure anyone during her knife-throwing act. Ringmaster Corwin finds that his flirtations with Alcye have not endeared him to dancer Tamara the Veiled Wonder or acrobat Simona Perhuten.

Sir Banor Finney and watchful “Black Raven” [Michael C./N.P.C.] head north to Grayton, and the circus folk are quietly relieved. Paladin Radius is assumed to have returned to his home plane, and shivering Tempestade sticks close to his duties after witnessing many horrors.

Hamfast and River Dwarf Baskor Steadyhand (who gives long, meaningful glances at Elsa) help break camp and get the wagons under way. The circus troupe continues west, toward the Saganim village of Nobb.

As woods close in on either side of the rutted road, scout Scully spots some fallen logs ahead. Elsa calls out a warning of ambush, and Orlando orders the wagons to circle. Seven shaggy Bugbears emerge from the frosty forest.

Elsa casts Entangle, snaring two of the Goblinoids in the brush. Corwin strums his mandolin and casts Sleep on two more foes. Hamfast moves around, while Scully’s first arrows are wide of their mark.

Giacomo casts Magic Missile, drawing the humanoids’ attention. They hurl spears at him. Elsa invokes Mekkil, goddess of nature, for Bless and runs to a cart to heal Giacomo. Corwin slays the bandit leader, as Hamfast and Scully finish off the others.

In addition to spears and swords, the Bugbears were carrying 60 s.p., 12 electrum pieces, and 35 g.p. in stolen jewelry. At Corwin’s recommendation, the caravan presses on to reach Nobb shortly after nightfall on its second day from Tensar….

I’m sorry that we’ve had delays because of the holidays and weather, but I look forward to our next face-to-face game, scheduled for Monday, 4 February 2013, as well as to eventually continuing the “Vortex : Terra’s Pride” telecom space opera and Jason E.R.’s “Barsoomian Adventures: the Tenth Ray of Mars” planetary romance miniseries! Happy gaming, -Gene

Fellow role-players, here are my notes for Sessions 3-5 of the “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus” fantasy campaign, which Brian W. hosted at his home in Newton, Mass., in October and November 2012:

In one ancient world, there was a region where strange majicks and demihuman races thrived. The “Vanished Lands” were blessed by the gods and cursed by prophecy. Travelers became adventurers, and adventurers strove to be heroes in the face of many perils and wonders.

Various groups of mercenaries and diplomats have fought humanoids in the northwestern borderlands, encountered pirates on the Sea of Nagendwa, and wandered the hostile Halmed Desert and the wide Plains of Sathendo….

“Vistel’s Circus,” Player Character Party 39 in Gene D.’s " Vanished Lands " heroic fantasy campaign, using the Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game, as of autumn 2012:

• “Giacomo ‘the Mysterious’ Du Vane” [Beruk A.]-male Hifalendorin human Mage (Gypsy Wizard) and stage seer, embittered by experiences in Hesolin’s Magisterium; NGc, Lvl. 2

• “Hamfast Hammerfist” [Brian W.]-male Zeda human Fighter, mountaineer, “barbarian” strongman, and laborer; TNg, Lvl. 2

• “Scully Strongbow” [Sara F.]-female albino Gnoll (Flind) Ranger, archer, knife thrower, and scout, with owl “Owlicious”; NGl, Lvl. 2

• “Corwin Windsong” [Bruce K.]-male Half-Elf Bard, runaway aristocrat, ladies’ man, and ringmaster with a mandolin; CNg, Lvl. 2

• “Elsa Fairbottom” [Rich C.G.]-female Hill Dwarf Druid outcast, cook/brewer, and animal handler with owlbear cub “Oswald”; NGc, Lvl. 2

• “Tempestade” [Josh C.]-male Barbari human Monk (Battledancer/capoeirista from outside the “Vanished Lands”), roustabout; CGl, Lvl. 2

• “Radius” [Jason E.R./absent ]-male Modron Paladin of Primus, lord of Nirvana; exiled to the Prime Material plane; LGn, Lvl. 1

“Hey, he took my spleen!” -Hamfast

“5 to 14 February 1228 B.C.E.:” While their troupe visited the Hifalendorin human village of Androth, a few performers freed Goblin slaves from a hidden silver mine. They slew the overseers, including Adric Thumon, squire to Sir Bannor Finney.

Corwin and company don’t tell the knight about their involvement in Thumon’s death, even as he travels eastward with the circus, across the Aehonir River and into the (proto-Celtic) human kingdom of Saganim.

While on watch one night, Scully goes into some woods in search of her owl “Owlicious.” Branches slam into the Gnoll, but fortunately Stuffy, one of Elsa’s trained dogs, is able to lead the others to her before the evil Treant can do any further harm. It takes the entire group to fell the monster, which later feeds a bonfire.

As the circus, Sir Bannor, and scout “Black Raven” [Michael C./Non-Player Character] ride across the Plains of Sathendo, they sense a winter storm approaching. In the middle of the blizzard, the camp hears a stampeding herd of aurochs pass nearby, as well as something large hunting them on the wing.

The travelers avoid the wyvern — “Cows don’t fly” — but Tempestade helps grab a bovine for food and its hide. The adventuring party also finds 80 silver pieces and 20 gold crowns while sheltered in a cave.

Orlando Vistel and his wagons pull into the Saganim town of Tensar. Giacomo orders an ale at the “Tipped Disc” tavern, while Scully carves an auroch horn. Hamfast demonstrates his prowess by lifting a bench of Halflings.

Corwin avoids Black Raven and flirts with “Alcye” [Kim A.G./N.P.C.], an attractive lady apparently related to Laird Colin. This earns him a cold shoulder from Tamara, a dancer in the circus.

Cerdwyn, head of the roustabouts, tells Hamfast that disgruntled clown Graham Tervin and escape artist Seamus Fenor have gone missing. Hamfast finds Graham drinking and learns that the Fenor clan had a farm on the town’s outskirts until it died off from “the dropsy.”

Orlando gives ringleader Corwin leave to take a group and retrieve Seamus. They find the Saganim human seemingly talking to himself in a family graveyard next to a dilapidated farmhouse and barn.

Bard Corwin approaches Fenor and soon realizes from the escape artist’s grimaces and jerky movements that he is possessed. Eight skeletons burst forth from the ground, grabbing at the circus folk!

Druid Elsa reaches for holy water, and Tempestade stomps on the emerging Undead. Giacomo and Hamfast are hurt, and Corwin smashes a skeleton with his long sword. Ranger Scully slides over a gravestone and shoots arrows, which have a limited effect.

Mage Giacomo casts Shield before swinging his quarterstaff. Hamfast Hammerfist fights as mightily as his name implies, eventually crushing five skulls. Elsa tends to the injured and draws her mace “Grimtooth” in the names of patron deities Mekkil and Vulkan.

Monk Tempestade dodges and kicks, but is attacked in return, along with Scully and Elsa. Corwin covers Hamfast, as Scully switches to a sword. After defeating the skeletons, the team ties up Seamus and returns to Tensar.

Miranda Barrowright, the Harfoot Halfling priestess of Yondolla in the camp, refers Seamus and company to the local church of Edillon. At the temple of the sky god, Fr. Wallace agrees to prepare an exorcism. Scully and Cerdwyn help keep watch.

Corwin reluctantly reports to circus founder Orlando, Sir Banor, and Alcye. Elsa offers prayers to Yondolla and Edillon, while Hamfast and Tempestade eat and rest with the other roustabouts.

Alcye accepts Corwin’s offer to escort her home (he has prepared his Seduction Stash for the occasion). However, a thick fog envelops them, and Corwin is forced to slay Alcye’s butler, who has been zombified! Her cook takes a cleaver to Corwin’s clothes.

The couple soon finds itself fleeing from shambling zombies and sees a building up ahead. Corwin realizes that it is the Fenor farmstead. He takes Alcye’s hand and runs to the barn. They climb to a hay loft and use a rope to get around the gathering horde.

Corwin and Alcye race back to the walls of Tensar, shouting for help. More Undead appear on the misty moors. Tempestade wakes all but Hamfast and Elsa and runs out the gate. Scully checks on Seamus and grabs torches.

Alcye casts Magic Missile, and Corwin knocks down two more zombies, but they’re still overwhelmed. Black Raven, Sir Banor, and three Dwarf newcomers to the town come to their rescue. For once, Corwin is glad to see Black Raven, and he hands Alcye to him to ride back.

The haughty Dwarves introduce themselves as Ivar Giantslayer, Dmitri Sminkevitch, and Yurgi Twoblade. Hamfast defends the honor of “sundered Dwarves” Elsa and River Dwarf rigger Baskor Steadyhand.

With help from Giacomo’s Color Spray spell, Tempestade’s blows, and Scully’s flaming arrows, Corwin and company fight their way back to the town. Fr. Wallace looks at the wounded.

The priest, Alcye, and Orlando agree that a more organized force should return to the Fenor property during the day. Alcye asks Sir Banor and Black Raven to help fortify Tensar, while Corwin prepares to lead another expedition to the haunted farm….

It was good to see some of you for The Hobbit [Part 1 of 3]: An Unexpected Journey this past Saturday. I look forward to seeing most of you at tonight’s face-to-face game, our last for this year. Brian and Jason, we’ll miss you, and I hope that all your holidays are happy!

Josh, I’ll try to write up my notes for your latest “A New Beginning: Mystic Adventures in the ‘Big D’” game soon, and I look forward to continuing that and the “Vortex” telecom space opera.

In the coming months, I also look forward to meeting new role-player Joe T. and playing in Jason’s Savage Worlds: “Barsoomian Adventures” and Bruce’s Pathfinder: “Hyborean Age” scenarios. Take it easy, -Gene