MAGIC - Jon brought a booster box of the new Magic set, "Rise of the Eldrazi" and he, Mat & Ava, Penny & I played a booster draft from about 11-3 before D&D. Jon ran B/R, I ran U/G (mostly green), Penny W/R, Ava W/G and Mat U/G (mostly blue). I ended up winning, mostly from what I could tell because the current set has some great green creatures, including a 3 cost that gets bigger with each enchantment in play - and can't be blocked by anything with a smaller power than it has. It looked like nothing but turned out to work awesome with the enchantments and splash of counter I had, and I ended up winning every match. If I remember, it was Penny & I in the final and it went 3 games, she had some awesome white guys that level up and good red removal to clear a path for them. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to the next one of these. Since Old Town Hobby closed, we pick up a few packs at Gabby's (Olympic Cards & Comics) every now & then. Yesterday I pulled a merfolk champion that's pretty awesome, he plays as a 2/2 for UU, and levels up for 1 per level to be a 4/4 flyer and give other merfolk +1/+1.
D&D - In order to avoid another grim situation for the survivors of Liberty City, the party spent a little extra time (this time) before going off on more adventures to free more cities. Each party member put in a year of effort to help the 1,300 or so lizardfolk, kobolds and half elves rebuild their lives as part of one of the few free societies in a world enslaved by dragons. Oh, and they were cured of the zombie rot (I probably mentioned that earlier). After much discussion it was agreed that the greatest benefit for the least risk for these survivors would be to rebuild trade routes and alliances with the neighboring communities. Because the previous location of the city was destroyed and also inhospitable (partially due to the soil having been salted, but also general terrain conditions) the 1,300 were relocated, (aka Battlestar Galactica but on a shorter timeline) to the coast near the mouth of a river.
After the new site was selected for New Liberty City (the old one will basically become a historical/tourist attraction), Jones was nominated to put together a master site plan. The new location is along a rocky coast where the Jastel River meets the Zarto Sea (the place names look different in various languages). So the mental picture Mat painted for us was from Popeye the movie, of Shantytown. It's perfect because there's not really a city to invade at all, it's basically just one big long stripe of boat launches, with ropes going up into houses set against cliffs. So it's set up to be free and centered on each individual, and there are easy quick exits to sea or into caves depending on any threats that come along. Attacking now would have the same effect as punching Spongebob Squarepants - it just wouldn't do any real damage because the population are so mobile.
Aurora scoured the battlefield and healed survivors, and even rose the dead in several cases. Though reversing their terrible losses was obviously impossible, she was able to take some of the sting out of the tragedy by returning (from who she could find) loved ones and prominent citizens to join their new community on the shore.
Over the year, Shamash directed his hireling Fy'Ev to serve as city manager (not mayor), working hands-on with the Lizardmen in building and defending their new community as the party's permanent representative for New Liberty. Shamash also interviewed candidates for top leadership positions, giving titles, resources and encouragement to those who deserved it. Fortunately for New Liberty, it has a number of residents who are gifted at shipbuilding, which will be key. Also, after shaking off the zombie rot they're quite a bit brighter and there's no shortage of leaders and independent thinkers. Self-rule early on might look more like a commonwealth than a democracy. Because they abhor slavery (having been subjected to it), the more oppressive government forms will be avoided and if a kingdom arises it will be accompanied by a parliamentary representation system of some kind, even if informal.
Willikers established trade relations with the neighboring Drow from below and found his sister Driana entertaining the refugees in the small community of 200 there. Though small, this group, referred to as "The Nomads" by "topworlders," has excellent underdark connections and continues to strike at the Dragon Empire and other threats while carving out a situation better suited to their interests.
Jorel became somewhat fascinated with the lizardfolk's ability to reproduce, and in his contribution to their long term well being and growth as a community this led him to assisting with the establishment of long-term food supply solutions. His logic contributed to the new location for the city, with it's ample fishing.
Sticky Fingers started up a thieves' guild and made connections with his old halfling gang of buddies, including the giant lizard rider Johnny Kneebreaker and the wizard Fizzy Feet. The twin shires of Ed's Hollow and Racklamton have been at each other's throats for as long as anybody can remember and though slowed by zombie rot, the brutal rivalry has been ratcheted up by The Enchantress, a green dragon who annually chooses one or the other side to ally with based on competitive tributes.
So after putting things in order with New Liberty, the party ventured off to help their neighboring community of halflings free itself from the clutches of the dragons' influence. Gang warfare between the twin shires had escalated to near civil war. Tribute day was a week away and thuggery was rampant. The party learned the location of the dragon enchantress' lair and headed up the impossibly huge mountain. After crossing the tree line into the snowy peaks they encountered chillbane zombies. Within the first section of the cave above they discovered large gems in plain sight: Red, Green, Blue and Orange. The red and green ones exploded in flames and poison while the blue and orange ones had unknown properties. Halfings hidden deeper within the cave fired crossbows at the party and once a deep dragon's voice attempted to deter the Uprisers but they pressed on deeper into the cave.
Next: Zeria the Merciless, Dragon Enchantress
XP: 3500 and age your character 1 year. (Yes we're still 15th level)
Treasure: 8,000 GP in gems per character. Though there had been additional treasure much was spent building up New Liberty City and establishing trade relations, so this is the net after that. More to come, stay tuned.
Next session: Sat June 5th 3pm
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