Tales of the Healing Scars

Session 13 Missing in Action

2007-07-02T16:12:00.000-05:00

I've got some bad news: Blogger went nusto over the weekend and somehow deleted several posts from our site. I was able to restore both yesterday's post and the other post containing Session 12 summary, but it looks like I lost the session 13 finale. Older posts seem to be intact, it just messed with whatever I typed up during the weekend. I thought I had a copy of Session 13 document on my work computer, thought being the key word. I forgot that Precoat upgraded my old rickety pc last week, essentially overwriting any local files on my system. What this means is that I might have to rewrite session 13 from scratch. I'm a bit pissed off regarding this. and I'm going to check with the IT guys to see if my old hard drive hasn't been wiped. I really don't want to have to type this thing again! Anyways, I'm sorry for the delay. If you guys haven't noticed, Session 12 is up and ready for consumption. I'll keep everyone posted as to 13's progress.

Also, this weekend is Nick Havey's wedding so I doubt we will be playing session 14 during this timeframe. Currently, July 14th or 15th looks like our best options.

2 New Characters

2007-07-01T22:22:00.000-05:00

Last week, Alex and Rachel drafted new characters for our Werewolf: the Forsaken game. This will mark the first time Rachel has played with the group. Alex (as you may or may not know) used to play the character known simply as Nails. Where did Nails go? Read session 13, the finale session for the Simmons chronicle, to find out!

For me, making new characters is an interesting experience because it takes you back to the basics, forcing you to look at the system at its core. I have a confession to make: I am the type of person who easily forgets things that are not frequently used. As a GM, that can be a pretty big con. So this re-familiarization is always a plus for me. I'm just not really a live-by-the-rules kind of guy. I often go with my gut instincts when it comes to rules, instead of spending time consulting the books. While this does aid in speed and efficiency it certainly does not in accuracy.

Back to the characters. On that fateful night we made our characters an unfortunate thunderstorm rolled through, knocking out power to the surrounding area. Instead of giving up and trying another day, the group tired on and made characters by candlelight. Birthing these warriors by primordial flame was great fun, and flickering light really added to mood. I was also impressed by everyone's resolve to start gaming again, and I believe these new characters will integrate with the Scars most interestingly. I don't want to spoil their backgrounds for everyone just yet, but we are gaining a new Rahu and a Cahalith to the fold. This means the Scars will, for the first time, have each auspice represented in the pack. In the old world of darkness this was called a blessed pack, and it was privy to certain bonuses. I will have to check the new book to see if this same idea has remained.

Session 12. The Fight Ahead.

2007-06-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

Nails places a vice grip on his attacker, slowly draining the life from his human frame. The victim’s voice attempts to break through the stranglehold, coming through in brief stints as a hoarse series of whispers. The bitter fragments of speech relay that the Beshilu host thinks he can help them. Ghetto might even be able to cure the werewolves of their pesky ailment. But it isn’t going to do them any good if he’s dead, he explains. Nails, pack Alpha of the Healing Scars, contemplates his offer and decided to accept, releasing the death hold. He wants answers, so with little patience he demands that Ghetto speak quickly.

Ghetto was approached by Simmons months ago in New York City and offered a job. He was to accompany him to various locations, using his fellow rat brethren as foot soldiers. Ghetto told the boy to shove off, giving him the finger. Simmons was not impressed by his boldness and decided to use the Beshilu's services anyways. Simmons calls forth an ancient hidden power, enslaving Ghetto. A spiritual cord connects Ghetto with Simmons, allowing him to perform his bidding. Since his enslavement, Ghetto has been traveling from city to city cleaning up after the fowl Uratha, using his fellow rat spirits to eat away any opposition.

While Ghetto is explaining his actions to the Scars, the parvovirus once again emerges and threatens to destroy the packmates. Each member’s resistances are put to the test, and Eric Sky's immune system fights long and hard but ultimately fails him. Sky looses consciousness as his mind slips into another realm. Sky is in a forest. He sees a woman of tremendous beauty with fiery crimson hair in a simple green dress. She sings the following words:

One day I may disappear
Don't be too surprised
'Cause I get tired of
Noisy alarms
& phone bills

& I don't think we're meant to stay here very long
I don't dream of bringing heaven down not like this
I'd rather move on

One day I may go for the longest walk
Don't be too shocked
'Cause I get tired of
Sneaky societies
& combat boots

& I don't think we're meant to stay here very long
I don't dream of bringing heaven down not like this
I'd rather move on

As if running through fire, Eric Sky is rushed back to the world of the living in a flash of pain. Sky has almost tasted death, and the experience will linger in his soul reminding of the impending doom should the disease get its way. Sky is not dead, but his life signs are failing. Ghetto urges the pack to follow him to his lair; the Beshilu has medicines within that could prove useful to aid their fallen comrade. As one might expect, the rat spirit's home is nothing more than a massive hole in the earth several miles from where the battle was fought. Trash lines the walls, and there is a thick stench hovering in the air. A pair of prostitutes greet the rat spirit and the pack as they enter. Ghetto explains that his bitches are also Beshilu spirits living in human corpses. These women are most certainly living dead. Their bodies, oozing with scabs and sores, hold a zombie-like appearance as mounds of flesh have completely rotted away. Ghetto offers the girl's "services" to each member of the pack. No one accepts, though Deacon asks if he has any liquor handy. Ghetto grins wide and tosses half a bottle of Colt-45 malt liquor in his direction.

Once it becomes apparent that Sky has recovered from the rat's medicines, Ghetto continues his story. He says that prior to his abduction, his master told him that all of these events would happen: his enslavement at the hands of another and his eventual freedom from a pack of werewolves from a distant land. Ghetto did not take much of this talk seriously at the time, probably in part to him being under the influence of various illegal substances. Ghetto also remembers that his master also told him that after these events came to pass he was to take these strangers to him. Ghetto hates that Simmons is trying to seal up the Gauntlet. As a rat host, it is his job to go against the Azlu by tearing down the barriers between the spirit and the physical worlds. Though Ghetto and most of his kind normally hate the children of father wolf, he decides to make an exception. He says he will even sell his soul to THE MAN in order to see that David Simmons goes down. The have earned a strange, new ally. They leave Ghetto's abode and travel deeper into the forest in search of his mentor. Ghetto leads them into a cave of various tunnels and passages. As they proceed through the cavern, the surroundings become vaguely familiar. The Healing Scars have been here before. This is the same trail that took them to Shadow Wind back when the pack was trying to gain entry to the Ethros realm. At the end of the trek, Ghetto leads them to that aged Uratha. From the hissil, the old man portrays a powerful visage. Shadow Wind sits on a throne of gold dressed in the robe of a king. His face holds the look of wisdom, one who has existed from a time long forgotten to all but him.

Shadow Wind waste no time with salutations. He is aware of the pack’s diseases and explains that he may be able to help. First, he will need four of Ghetto’s strongest Beshilu spirits. Shadow Winds tells the werewolves that he can slow the disease by physically placing one of the rat spirits inside each wolf. A Beshilu spirit naturally eats the heart of its victim making them a slave to the spirit’s desires. Shadow Wind believes that if he can store the spirit outside of the heart, it will eat away at the disease ceasing further infection. This is, of course, very dangerous. The rat spirit must physically tunnel through the host. Once, inside the rat might get greedy and go for the heart, which would prove fatal. Shadow Wind believes the without some kind of intervention the Healing Scars will not last more than 24 hours. He asks if one would step forward, one brave enough to volunteer in this experiment. Without hesitation, Eric Sky agrees. The rat chews through his flesh, burrowing between his ribcage. As painful as this ordeal might be, it is child’s play compared to his recent near dearth experience. Eric Sky is consumed with a will to live and will do whatever is necessary to help himself and his pack. Several agonizing minutes later, the process is complete. While the disease is still present, the infection is no longer spreading. The rat inside is eating away at it each time the disease attempts to place a stranglehold on the Uratha. It is a success, and the remaining members of the Healing Scars follow suit. They too battle great pain and eventually the Beshilu spirits find their way inside, protecting them from further harm.

While the Scars rest, Shadow Wind thanks his fellow brethren for all they have done since they last met. He is quite pleased with their efforts and offers each of them gifts. Shadow Wind teaches Eric Sky one of his most precious gifts. This power gives its user and willing targets the ability to change appearances in the shadow realm. At greater levels he might be able to completely disguise himself. At its current state, he will be able to use it to mask the disease and the Beshilu spirits. This could prove useful if the Healing Scars decide to attend the lodge meeting, as the other werewolves will believe them to be cured. For Deacon Sharpe, Shadow Wind admits he does not know him well enough to help the Uratha specifically but insists that he will teach him any level 2 gift he requires, within his bounds. Nails, still consumed by his rage, wants nothing more than to put an end to David Simmons. Shadow Wind recognizes this, and grants him an increase in primal urge. As far as Marcus Blair is concerned, Shadow Wind reveals a secret about the sword Eternal Balance gave him. As Blair might have guessed, this is no ordinary blade. One of these powers he has used already, though he may not have not at the time. On days and nights of the Elodoth half-moon, Marcus can use this weapon to travel back and forth to the Ethros realm at will. This is how Blair spoke with Eternal Balance the last night while he and the pack were locked in the meat locker.

Marcus is eager to tell the rest of the pack about his weapon’s new powers. That night is still a half-moon, meaning the pack can travel back to Ethros realm if they so desire. The lodge meeting is not for several more hours, so Nails decides they can afford to take this detour. The sword works as intended and the Uratha find themselves back in the Ethros realm, though in a room they had never been in before. This area appears to be some sort of a factory with assembly lines, conveyor belts, and the like. A young man in a business suit sneers in their direction. It is Killer-of-Lies, one of Eternal Balances underlings. He and the Scars have a past, and he does not care much for the intruders. But Killer and the Scars both favor the Ethros elder Eternal Balance, and in this they share a common bound. Killer sarcastically greets the pack. He does not recognize Deacon Sharpe (the previous events in the Ethros realm happened before he joined the pack). Killer-of-Lies tells everyone that they are standing in one of the resurrection rooms. It is in this place spirits who are tried under Ethros law are revived and placed under their newly appointed ban. Eternal Balance has graciously given the pack authority to personally oversee the reconstruction of their totem, Rids-the-Pain. The great bear spirit will receive his new ban, as well as whatever powers the pack chooses within their limits. A ban is chosen. New powers are assigned. The factory springs to life as gears grind and turn. Rids-the-Pain is born anew and gladly joins his pack.

But time is of the essence. Nails and the rest of the Scars cross back into the physical world, ready to attend the lodge meeting. Before they go, Eric Sky uses his new gift and masks the packs spiritual signatures. To the common Uratha, the pack will appear completely cured. Since The Lodge of Harmony holds it’s meeting in a small valley on a secluded side of a mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The only way to reach this destination is to treacherously climb to the other side, which no doubt requires some nimble athletics. The werewolves collectively have no problems scaling the rock and make the climb in great speed. At the bottom of the cliff, Sparks is there to greet them. He is surprised as hell that they made it and found a cure to the parvovirus. He would love to chat in detail as to how they overcame this, but tonight's event is about to start. The lodge meeting begins as various congregation sing melodies of times past in the first tongue. Half a dozen fires are lit, one for each of the packs present. As the first order of business, common matters within the area are discussed such as squabbles for territory, locus management, and threats from the Pure. Most of the talk is spearheaded by the eldest Uratha, Swift Eyes, who resides over the entire lodge meeting. Finally the business concerning the Healing Scars is brought to the table. Swift Eyes tells of the impending threat. A rogue Uratha known by the name of David Simmons has attempted to spread a disease which has killed many normal wolves in our territory. This plague has been mutated by Simmons and is believed to contain the potential to wipe out all of the Uratha. Swift Eyes smiles and announces that, it is with great pride and joy, this threat is no more. His speech strangely changes tone. Swift Eyes informs the delegation that this entire catastrophe, the disease, Simmon’s attacks, everything, is all a grave misunderstanding. David Simmons should be commended, not persecuted. This young werewolf has cleared his name; his parvovirus was never intended with the Uratha in mind as a target. It was actually meant to be used as a weapon to drive away the foulest of the foul, their mortal enemies, the Pure. A cure has been found for the drug by members of the Deathdealers and by the aid of the Healing Scars. Swift Eyes looks at the pack and commends them for their cooperation. The aged wolf makes a startling decree: In one week’s time, he will be traveling north to Yellowstone Park to meet with Simmons and hopes all will present here today will join him. Together they will obtain the cure, vanquish their foes, and return honor to both Luna and Father Wolf!

A thunderous applause pierces the air. The majority of those present have bought into his story: hook, line, and sinker. The Scars hang their heads in shame. Nails wants nothing to do with this, gathering his men to leave this travesty. As they depart, Sparks intercepts them. He was not among those who were impressed by Swift Eye’s speech. He tells the pack that the lodge is grateful for all they’ve done, presenting them with tickets back to London. But the werewolf does not wish them to leave. The Lodge of Harmony will be walking into certain destruction at the hands of David Simmons in one week. He says he has a plan. He wants to accompany the pack on a journey northward to intercept Simmons before the meeting occurs. The objective is quite simple: kick his ass. Nails wastes no time contemplating. To him, killing Simmons is not a decision. It is as involuntary as a heartbeat. It WILL happen.

Apologies for Nothingness

2007-05-30T15:10:00.000-05:00

It absolutely figures. I write a post last week confirming that many awesome things (session summary, posts of coolness) would grace our site and, sadly, I haven't made good on any of those promises. Excuses follow: this Memorial Day holiday weekend became very family-oriented (which is of course fine as they should be) eating up the time I had thought would go towards the game. Work-related stress has once again reared its ugly head: the capital project I'm running has put our engineering guys in a hissy-fit with our sister-company over our new thermal system which they designed and sorta fucked up (one of those multi-million $$ boo-boo's).

Excuses aside, I hope to get my collective shit together and crank out content very soon. I have a rough draft for session 13 on paper but it desperately needs revision. I seriously doubt it will be ready for this weekend. So my question is, how does the weekend after next (June 8-9) feel for you guys? Comment here, or email me, or call, or whatever electronic device route you feel is appropriate to respond.

Thanks. I really heart your patience!

Some Changes on the Way

2007-05-21T10:50:00.000-05:00

A quick shout out to the boyz for an excellent session last weekend! I believe things went down quite nicely. The primarily focus of that session was to prep for the battle with David Simmons (Junior). In the past, downtime was used to do this as players bought gifts, rites, and upped their stats. I chose to instead to integrate these actions directly into the story (like the restructuring of the pack's totem, Rids-the-Pain).

The next session will most likely be the last for this chronicle. It's been a long journey, from those first days when the Scars took over Hyde Park. The first mission was to investigate several murders (that Simmons committed) in their new territory. This hunt took them to the Ethros realm, Lancaster, and now the United States. The finale encounter is in sight. Needless to say, I'm eagerly awaiting this showdown.

By the by, here are few changes to site I plan on adding in the days to come:

-Session Summary for Session 12

-Online character sheets

-New page for pack totem with character sheet

-Music page for the song "Leave"

-New pack pictures

Session 11. Rats, still infected!

2007-05-18T13:00:00.000-05:00

The Healing Scars wake to find themselves in a freezer room somewhere in Colorado. The local pack, the Deathdealers, has found them and locked them here for containment. One of its members is a fellow by the last name Greene who likes to be called Sparks. Sparks (who looks very much like a young Steve Buscemi) is a MacGyver of sorts when it comes to electronics and computers. As the pack attempts to break out of this room, he shows off his skill by electrifying the floors and walls of the room. Sparks informs them that they are infected and, until they are cured, the Uratha will remain here for everyone’s protection. When asked how they arrived in Denver, Sparks explains that members of his pack intercepted them when the phoenix spirit dropped them on the mainland. Fortunately they’ve raided a bunch of factories from this company called Pentex and were able to find several strains of antidotes to the parvovirus. While none of them were the entire cure, it seems that each was a piece to the overall puzzle. The antidote that the Scars found on the plane was, what he and the rest of the Deathdealers believe, the last piece to this puzzle. Currently, Sparks he tells the pack to sit tight and remain in isolation. One of their kinfolk, a research biologist named Amber Smith, cultured the strains together and believes she has a working antidote. She performed this research from her lab in Memphis, Tennessee and this is currently in route with the cure and is estimated to have it there early in the morning. The kinfolk scientist replaced their original doctor who was murdered days ago. Marcus also wants to know where Max Roman and the Silver Syndicate are as this was to be his contact per Strike-with-Courage. Sparks regrets to inform him that the entire pack is away on urgent matters in LA due to a recent Pure attack. The Deathdealers pack is the #2 in Denver and, for the time being, they are in charge of parvovirus matters.

Later that night they are offered some food. Everyone, minus Nails, accepts and eats. He instead finds a slab of semi-frozen meat and dines in style. Eric Sky uses his spare time to create a warding rite to work against the parvovirus. His efforts are unsuccessful, but he does manage to discover several distinct clues that may lead to future success. Marcus Blair still obtains the sword given to him by Eternal Balance. The Elodoth channels its power and attempts to use it to commune with the Ethros Spirit. Through intense meditation, he manages to obtain a connection and finds himself back in the hub of the Ethros realm. Eternal Balance is before him, waving his arms like a conductor while several spheres dangle above, breaking and splitting into smaller orbs. The Ethros elder greets the young Uratha and explains that he is breaking the singular Essence Sphere into several pieces, in order to better protect the realm in case another like Magaloth attempts to steal it. When asked for advice on what to do next, the spirit vaguely informs him that he should listen to the blade of the sword. They will come a time when they reach a seemingly hopeless opposition. He tells Marcus that it will guide him to the answers, though other members of his pack might resist this level of thinking. Finally, he tells him that a great power lies in slumber in that sword, and that he will soon harness its greatness.

Sparks greets them the next day with the newly arrived scientist. Dr. Smith injects each member with a serum and reports that they should know very soon if the effects of the antidote have worked. A half hour later Sparks re-enters the meat locker and is thrilled to report that the antidote was successful; they are free to leave. There’s something fishy in the tone and manner in which Sparks delivers the message of their new cure, as if perhaps he is lying to save face. He also adds that they have been requested to attend at a meeting for the Lodge of Harmony later tonight. Before they leave, the werewolf quite indiscriminately slips them a note. They leave the building without speaking a further word. Once outside, they read the message:

Meet me in approx. 2 hours
Dane’s Pub – 12th street
Don’t be followed

Eric Sky peers across the gauntlet to see if they are any signs of infection. The spirit realm reveals that the parvovirus is still in their systems. They have nearly two hours until they need to meet with Sparks, so they decide to make the best of this time. Marcus thinks they should concentrate their efforts on the previous doctor who was murdered. Deacon does a little snooping around of the net and discovers that his house, where he was murdered, is not far from here. During their investigation, the effects of the virus hit the pack hard. (System Note: here are my rules on how we roleplayed risks for further infection from the parvovirus. Each pack member made a stamina + survival check. Anyone who failed that roll collapsed, taking two aggravated damage. These checks were made at various intervals, ranging from every fifteen minutes to ever hour.) Marcus is overcome will illness and collapses. As the rest of the members tend to him, Deacon weakens to the disease and falls as well. They eventually both recover, but this proves the effects of the disease are quite real. A cure must be found as soon as possible. Nails determines to divide the group as he sees fit; he and Marcus will wait behind while Eric and Deacon proceed on to the doctor’s house. While speaking of these plans the werewolves notice that several groups of rats have been following them, no doubt attracted to their disease. Eric follows a hunch and uses Two World Eyes to peer into the shadow. Sky’s assumptions were correct; many of the rodents in the physical world are actually rat hosts called Beshilu. He creates a warding circle that should protect each packmate should these evil spiritual shards attempt to feed off of the Scars.

Both Deacon Sharpe and Eric Sky take a taxi, generously tipping the driver to get them to their destination as fast as humanly possible. He chuckles and tells them to hold on as says he’ll cut their trip’s time in half. Several of the Beshilu rats attempt to pursue the two infected werewolves but eventually fall out of sight as the cab accelerates to illegal speeds. The cab pulls to the address, and they witness a rather distraught woman, presumably his widow, exiting the home. They wait for several minutes and approach the house, looking for an easy way in. Deacon spots one of the back windows slightly ajar, and they take advantage of this to gain entry. Once inside, they find the crime scene. The master room bed has blood stains soaked through the mattress and along the adjacent wall. A locus is present in the room and both use it to step into the spirit world. A ghost of the former doctor is there lying on the bed in the exact position where he was murdered. Several rats have gnawed away the top of his skull and are currently chewing away at his brains. Eric tries to give him some essence to rouse the spirit. He speaks briefly but it is mostly gibberish about how he can no longer remember. These Beshilu are erasing his minds and they feast on his spiritual body. Eric pumps more essence into the victim to decrease his sedation. The rats grow angry, lashing out at both Deacon and Eric. But a newly formed warding circle drawn by the Bone Shadow protects them for the time being. The doctor snaps up from the bed, eyes burning wide and bright. He remembers something as he repeats over and over:

“He is still in the park, in the park, in the park. HE did this to me. HE did this to me.”

Sky: “Who did this to you?”

“The one who is controlled by another. The ONE who is controller by another. He will do this to you… to US ALL if he is not stopped.”

The last of Sky’s given essence is absorbed as the ghost lies back in his bed, completely comatose beside his anchor. There is no more information to be learned here today. Both packmates depart and race to the pub to meet up with the rest of the Scars.

After that ordeal is over, the entire pack rejoins and promptly meets Sparks at the bar. He’s a bit jumpy as he first apologizes for all the deception. As they have already figured out, they are not cured of the parvovirus. The current antidote was a failure, and more testing needs to be done to see if an acceptable one can be cultured. Sparks also explains why he had to lie to them. His pack is called the Deathdealers for a reason. After seeing what the regular wolves here in Colorado went through, they are not taking any chances with the disease. If the infected Uratha couldn’t be cured immediately, they would be killed, simple as that. And what’s with all the lying and the sneaking around? This is because his pack, in their extreme paranoia, had bugged the entire area (including Sparks) so he had to meet them like this under these circumstances and lie to make the rest of the pack believe there was no immediate threat. He also tells them that the disease tends to spread after long expenditures of essence so they ought to “cool down” using spiritual powers for now. Right now they have, what he can determine, two choices.

1) This is a choice he figures they’ll pass on. Get the fuck out of dodge, go back to England, and lie low. Sparks promises that he and Dr. Smith will continue working on a cure. If they can find it in time, then he will of course see that they get the antidote. At least they can die in peace, not hunted by Agents and Uratha.

2) Find a cure within the next 10 hours (its noon and the lodge meeting is set to take place at 10pm) and then proceed to the lodge meeting as the Deathdealers requested. They cannot go to this lodge meeting with the parvovirus, it would be detected and the Scars would be terminated. Finding a cure is damn near impossible. Maybe, MAYBE there’s something they missed in the dead wolves at Rocky Mountain National Park. But Christ if that isn’t the longest of all shots in the dark, diamonds in the rough, needles in the fucking haystack Sparks has ever heard of. And they can’t stick around here infected. Sparks says that once his pack finds out they’ve skipped the lodge meeting they will hunt them down, assuming the worst. These are dangerous times we’re living in, and these Uratha are not taking chances.

The Healing Scars wonder why Sparks is going through all this trouble to help them in the first place. His motivation is simple, he was a long time ago friends with Nicholas DeWinter. Nails may be just a shell the former ally once knew (due to Nail’s sketchy memory), but he is still a good friend worth protecting. He looks his old mate square in the eyes and says that someday after all this mess is finished he’d like to take him up to Alaska to set his head straight. He and the scientist will be around and might try to check out Rock Mountain NP depending on certain factors. Sparks leaves and wishes them the best of luck, parting them with a little gizmo the Iron Master devised that looks like a lovechild between a calculator and a pager. The device when activated creates an encrypted connection between him and the pack via cell phone. He also gives each one of them a cyanide tablet. They should use this if the disease tries to spread again or if the pain becomes too much. The Scars mull over a couple of beers, deciding to head to the park in hopes of finding clues.

The initial journey in Rocky Mounting National Park is fairly uneventful. But as they grow closer to where the first wolves where infected, more and more rats trail behind. Several minutes later it’s become increasing clear that they are being surrounded by the little beasts. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of them drawing near as they form a circle around the pack. While an all-out confrontation appears imminent, a large black man in an overcoat (very gangster looking) approaches from the horizon and makes his way to the group. After he comes within shouting distance of the pack, he begins a dialog with the furry rodents in their native tongue. Eric Sky strains his ears to make out the conversation, but the dialect is far too foreign for him to comprehend. The rats attention is fizated on him as they retreat a bit, reforming in a group several yards behind the stranger. Even wierder, he starts having a new conversation/argument with himself. After some further exchanges the gangster concedes with his imaginary friend and agrees to do his bidding. But he argues that there’s no point in doing any of this since the werewolves are almost dead anyways. Using a gift, Marcus Blair determines that this man goes by the name Ghetto. Ghetto turns to the froup and tells that he's real sorry that he has to kill them. A faction of the rats behind him break off and join with his body as he transforms in to a massive were-rat nearly twelve feet tall. The remaining rats (hundreds broken up into groups of 10 for combat purposes) around him also go a bit crazy and prepare to attack.

Eric does what he does best and creates a warding circle to keep the disease-loving mother fuckers off their backs. Nails concentrates his attacks on the closest groups of rats, putting the stop sign to good use by slicing the little buggers in half. Both Deacon and Marcus make effective use of their firearms, dropping back to a reasonably safe distance and firing out round after lethal round into the rat monstrosity. Each time the gunmen inflict severe damage on the were-rat; more hordes of rats join with his body giving him a nearly limitless system of soaking damage. The warding circle also briefly collapses as Ghetto successfully poisons Sky's mind through spiritual trickery. In this moment of weakness he attacks Sky, landing a near fatal blow.

The Scars need to act fast. Sky is fading, and the surplus of Beshilu has made the attacker become nearly invincible. Marcus Blair remembers that words that his mentor gave him earlier that day. He unsheathes his sword and initiates a series of vicious melee maneuvers. One of his blows proves extremely deadly and, as sunlight reflects off of his blade, he makes out a faint signature of what could best be described as a spiritual cord of sorts embedded in the back of the attackers head. He raises the blade high, concentrates with ever fiber of his being, and brings his weapon down swift and sure upon the connection of this cord. The link is severed in a flash of painfully blinding light. The were-rat passes out, easing back into his human form as the remaining Beshilu scatter in confusion. The Scars are victorious; their new prisoner has some explaining to do.

We're popular!?

2007-05-17T14:42:00.000-05:00

As vain as that is say, I do get satisfaction from being watched from afar. I’ve been telling the group that I receive emails every now and then from folks commenting on how much they enjoy reading our site's content. It is nice to know that somewhere out there other people our enjoying our gaming experiences. But I didn’t think we were ever this level of popular. I’m posting it below (in caps to illustrate its awesomeness) what I just found out about our “not-so-little” site:

OUR HEALING SCAR’S WEBSITE IS ON THE OFFICAL WHITE WOLF WIKI.

Don’t believe me? Click here and go to the bottom of the page where it lists personal pages for Werewolf: the Forsaken. That means (clearing my throat) that not only do the fine folks at White Wolf Studios know about our site, but they also believe that it is of a high enough caliber to list on their official pages. That's kind of like being in the Dark Spiral times 1,000. It’s super maxi awesome, and I can’t come up with enough words to describe its coolness (other than words that continue to make me come off like an excited schoolgirl, so I’ll quit while I’m ahead).

You guys should be proud. I know I am.

Session 10. Airborne.

2007-05-15T20:53:00.000-05:00

Note to readers: The happenings within the session took place over a year before this writing. Unfortunately, due to the massive gap in time, many sections of this text have been severely summarized. I created this blog back in the day in hopes that our session summaries would provide a concrete picture of the past events, as an aid to both the storyteller and the other players. (GM note to self: I will try, in the future, to post the summaries in a more timely fashion.)

The Scars have returned home from their trek to Lancaster and eagerly discuss their options for confronting Simmons. Unfortunately, the castle turned out to be a trap, and they are now infected with a disease. But they did manage to obtain the lengthy conspiracy files from Agent Wade regarding the parvovirus. Is there something of value locked away inside these pages? Marcus Blair scours over the text desperately trying to find a clue. He surmises that they should travel to the United States, where the bulk of the testing and infections occurred. There are two obvious locations: Alaska, where the Pentex headquarters is said to exist, and the Rockies, where reports surfaced of wolves dying from a strange infection. There is a some debate amongst the pack, though it is eventually decided that they will make their first stop in Denver, Colorado. A major factor in this decision-making is due to Strikes-with-Courage's mentoring. The lodge member reveals that he is acquainted with Max Roman, one of the most powerful werewolves in Denver. Strikes arranges a brief dialog between Roman and Marcus. Marcus explains their situation and arranges for copies of the conspiracy files to be sent to him. Roman agrees to look them over and to provide assistance once they arrive in Colorado. Using packmate Deacon Sharpe's seemingly infinite resources, they purchase airfare and prepare for their journey.

The following day, the pack boards a jet and coasts across the Atlantic towards the USA. Hours into the flight, Eric receives a brief text message from Tonya, who has been watching Wendy with Strikes-with-Courage:

agents brroke in!
shot strikes_and captured him!1!
dead r alive i dont know
wendy & i running

Sky quickly informs the other members of the Healing Scars. Oddly, he received this text information via phone but he cannot reply due to technical difficulties. One of the members of the Scars (it's a bit hazy but I think it was Marcus Blair) uses one of his spirit power's and burns essence. Little does the pack know that this act will set off a chain reaction that will inevitably doom everyone on the aircraft. Shortly after this time, it's discovered that an older man and a young girl have both become violently ill. Marcus checks in on them both, pretending to be a doctor. Using the gift “Two World Eyes” Eric Sky is able to peer across the gauntlet directly into the hissel. Surrounding both of the victims a green substance can be seen swarming through their bodies, the same parvovirus that has infected the Scars! Eric's cell phone beeps again; he has received yet another message:

ok, we r safe
hiding w OMD*
pentex guys said something
about virus is spreading& missiles?
please be careful

*OMD affectionately stands for "Old Man Diaper," the aged Urathan mentor of the Scars

The members of the pack quietly talk with each other discussing various possibilities on how to contain the virus. They also theorize that the expenditure of essence is what could have triggered the possible infection. One thing is for certain, if the disease is airborne they can not let the plane land for fear of a pandemic. Some time later their fears are confirmed: more passengers have grown ill and the first two infected victims have passed away. To make matters worse, people have been hearing rumors that navigation and radio communications have failed. Deacon Sharpe's laptop suddenly looses it's connection along with other electronic devices. An electrical spike rips through the cabin, much like an EMP pulse. The “technical difficulties” that cropped up earlier are back in full force. Something, or someone, is blocking them from making communication to the outside world. Perhaps individuals (Pentex, the government) on the ground know about the problem and are taking countermeasures? It's a theory that seems to fit the facts, as things have officially gone from bad to worse.

Though everyone's electronic devices were knocked out, one man is still chatting on his phone. Using their heightened sense of hearing, the pack collectively snoops in on his conversation. He says a lot of ominously bad things such as “I'll take care of it” and “whatever it takes” as well as “see it through to the bitter end” after which he darts from his seat and hastily proceeds to the front of the plane. Deacon Sharpe take the necessary steps to overt his actions by exiting his seat and following in pursuit. The gentleman arrives at the cockpit, kicks in the door, and pulls a revolver, firing several shots. Deacon rushes the gunmen, initiating a grapple before the gunner can cause further damage. They wrestle over the weapon for several turns; Deacon eventually overcomes his opponent. After a quick interrogation it's discovered that he is in fact a marshal, and the call he received was from his superiors. He was told a deadly virus was on the plane and to take the necessary steps to down the aircraft. The man gets testy and says that it is useless to attempt to thwart this situation. Sharpe's patience wears thin; the Iron Master shoots the man in the leg to up the intimidation factor. Instead he sneers, pulls the classic “spit in your face” maneuver, and tells Deacon that several inboard missiles should be in route at this very moment to finish the job. He laughs methodically confessing that this is all standard operating procedure. Sharpe's patience wears to a boiling point as he uses the remaining revolver rounds to shut him up for good.

While this entire debacle was going on, Nails wisely decides to use the situation/commotion to enter the cargo hold to retrieved their weapons. He also bides his time and searches for clues by tearing the crap out of everything and anything in his way. Oddly enough, he stumbles upon a lone package that bears Pentex's markings. The Scars Alpha opens the box and simultaneously hits the jackpot: a vile of sorts is inside! Could this be an antidote? Nails slips it on his person and continues to pillage. Everyone's weapons are later distributed. By this time most of the passengers have lost it in the wake of all these events. Marcus and Eric attempt to hold some amount of order by instructing everyone to remain calm. Deacon takes his own gun in hand and finally enters the cockpit. The situation there is not pretty, both of the pilots were shot by the marshal and are dead. Two flight attendants remain cowered over the deceased, rattled in a combination of fear and shock. Deacon comes to grips with the fact that one of these women needs to take control of the plane or they're all in big trouble. Note: the dialog below is pretty much exactly how it went down and was one of the silliest exchanges I've had the pleasure of GM-ing.

Deacon: Do you know how to fly this plane?
1st Stewardess: Well, not exactly. I sorta never took the classes.
Deacon: Let me guess... you were fucking one of the pilots so you didn't have to?
Stewardess: Yeah, I mean all I really do is show people how to buckle their seat belts. (Crying) I didn't think they'd be an actual emergency!
Deacon: Right. (Speaking under his breath) Useless broad. (Pauses. Shoots the girl. Looks at the other stewardess.) What's your name?
2nd Stewardess: It's... Star. P..please mister, don't shoot me!
Deacon: Star? You are a stewardess, not a stripper, and your name is fucking Star? Did you screw the pilot too?
Star: Yes. (Worried) But I did take the classes!

So Star the Stewardess (hehe) pilots the 747 in novice fashion while the Healing Scars do their best not come off like complete terrorists to the rest of the folks. Star screams at Deacon, telling him that something bad is showing up on the “radar thing.” This would be the missile, foretold by the marshal. Deacon informs the rest of the pack. Things have gone from worse to fucking terrible. Eric comes up with an interesting long shot. If they start killing off each passenger there is a slight chance all the terror and rage of the events might loosen the gauntlet or even create a locus. Seeing no other viable alternatives, they put the plan into motion. Nails readies himself in the back of the aircraft as the rest of the pack herds the passengers towards him. This might just be the one time in the Alpha's life that he has been truly happy. Nails goes crazy times one hundred: chopping off limbs, maiming, and murdering to his heart's content. He even takes the rampage to a psychological level as he wears the skin off people's faces and chants odd phrases like “I'm Jesus! Wait... now I'm Satan!” The slaughter finally winds down as Nails runs out of victims. The carnage is so severe that the the walls of the plane have become painted with a thick, bloody layer of flesh, sinew, and organs.

Eric Sky searches the confines of the airplane for any change in the spirit world. Finally, he detects a slight breach to the gauntlet in the back of the plane. It just might be large enough for the Uratha to slip through. The Bone Shadow pours some of his own essence into the new locus in hopes of stabilizing it. The bridge between worlds holds, and everyone quickly crosses over into the spirit realm. The Healing Scars could not have found their solution at a better time. Like something out of a James Bond film, a missile strikes the side of the Boeing 747 center mass seconds after their departure. The whole vessel erupts into a massive fireball and plummets towards the waiting ocean.

On the spirit side, the pack is greeted by an unsuspected visitor, the living spirit of the plane. It would appear that a technology spirit, a phoenix to be exact, has been living as a counterpart to the real plane in the physical world. The Healing Scars are perched on one of his massive wings as the creature views them with cautious eyes. Sky communes with the spirit for some time and returns to his brothers with excellent news. The creature has agreed to take them the rest of the way to the mainland.

As they travel through the spirit world towards their destination, signs of the plane's destruction are beginning to take effect here as well. Slowly, the bird's entire being is twisting and fading with each passing minute. As the winged beast nears its end, it finally drops the pack on the surface below, singing to them in its native tongue the word “sleep.” The song wraps itself around the werewolves like a blanket and they drift deep into slumber, as the bird chimes its final melody before meeting with the abyss.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

2007-05-10T16:15:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't noticed, the website's theme (look) has changed considerably. Warning! If you're allergic to "geek speak" then avoid the following. The previous theme's CSS code did not play nice with the new changes Blogger went through in its transition from beta to final. In said switch, the site’s ability to post comments completely crashed. The old theme was one I had modded from the warehouse of customization also known as blogskins.com. After fudging with the code for about an hour, I realized it might prove less stressful to just start from scratch and code the damn thing myself. The result of which you are now staring at is the new and (hopefully) improved Healing Scars blog. I've done my moderate best to ensure that the content and flavor of our site was transferred seamlessly. To be honest, I'm not sure if everything is up to snuff. I know that the site looks pretty fly in Internet Explorer, Opera, and Firefox. I'm not a Mac dude anymore so I can't vouch for Safari. I'm also curious if the site works on lower resolutions, but on the other side of the spectrum it spaces out nicely on my widescreen monitor.

Anyways, I had a point with this post. Now that the rambling is over I'll get right to it: if you guys see anything "screwy" going on due to the changes let me know. I will be more the happy to fix whatever the heck it might be. Also, if you look on the right sidebar you'll see a new section called "Posts by Label." It does what it says... and I find it a much faster way to find older posts than digging through the archives. Enjoy!

My Brightest Diamond

2007-05-07T21:28:00.000-05:00

The session summary is running a little bit behind, so I thought I'd make a quick post concerning some of the music I've recently chosen. Last session, I opened our gig with a song from the band My Brightest Diamond. These guys are the real deal, and I can't stress enough how much I enjoy listening to their sounds. Here's a quick intro to the band via their website:

"My Brightest Diamond is Shara Worden, granddaughter of an Epiphone-playing traveling evangelist, fathered by a National Accordion Champion, and mothered by a classical organist. Having a family of wanderers who migrated across the US every few years, the landscape and the musical influences were constantly changing. Spanish tangos, Sunday morning gospel, classical and jazz were the accompaniment to her home life. Her first song was recorded at age three and by age eight she was studying piano and performing in community musical productions.

As a teenager in Michigan, Shara honed her musical prowess singing along to Whitney Houston music videos and Mariah Carey albums. When pop music wasn't enough, she enrolled in the music program at the University of North Texas, immersing herself in the songs of Purcell and Debussy. After college, she moved to New York City and fell in love with its cold winters and busy streets. She continued to study opera on the Upper West Side during the day, but at night she frequented downtown clubs such as Tonic, Knitting Factory, and The Living Room, catching performances by Antony and the Johnsons, Nina Nastasia, and Rebecca Moore. She began to spend less time sight-reading Mozart and more time de-tuning her Gibson electric guitar to play her own newly-written songs. Coaxed out of recital halls and onto the small stages of bars and clubs, Shara assembled a coterie of musicians to accompany her with bass and drums, music boxes, wine glasses, and wind chimes."

I've embedded their amazingly surreal live cover of Led Zeppelin's No Quarter below, along with several other inspiring melodies. I hope you enjoy!

Roleplaying Again

2007-05-06T21:41:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everybody for getting together and playing Session 11! As always, you guys indeed rock serious stuff. Highlights from the evening include:

1. It could not, would not, be a Healing Scars session if Adam did not loose his character sheet. Adam, being the team player that he his, kept the tradition alive. This was no surprise, as everyone knew this was going to happen. Yay for tradition!

2. Mad props to Chris for having the foresight and awesomeness to hold on to Adam’s character sheet from our last session eons ago. Chris, being a responsible team player and earning experience points for the deed, will from this day forth hold Adam’s character sheet, much like a parent holding a child’s hand (OK that was too harsh. I kid, I kid).

3. Alex earns some respect for using his character’s free time locked in a meat locker to his advantage. When offered some real food by his captors, he declines and decides instead to "do the caveman" by eating some frozen raw meat. Very nice. Very Nails.

4. And finally some praise needs to be delivered to Ben. While playing Sam and Eric Sky this session, he drew so many warding circles to protect the collective pack I’m surprised he did not get dizzy and pass out.

Session 10 (which is horribly late) should be posted tomorrow. If that goes as planned, expect last weekend’s session to be readily available shortly afterward.

Nail's Theme Song

2007-04-22T15:03:00.000-05:00

Alex (who plays Nails) called me the other day with a tiny revelation: he had found a potential song that fit his dark, dark character. I found the song on the good ole YouTube and thought it might prove useful to post it here.

Pantera - Walk

Gawd, this song brings back memories. Between this and Metallica's "Master of Puppets" you'd be hard-pressed to find a heavier song. Good choice, Alex. This song breathes Nails.

Session 9. Wading through Death.

2007-04-20T16:29:00.000-05:00

We're REALLY Back!

2007-04-18T10:59:00.002-05:00

OK folks, we are really (I swear) starting up our Healing Scars group again! I'm also happy to report that everyone from the group is on board and ready to play (Adam, did you loose you character sheet again? /joking).

What the outsiders to our game didn't know is that we actually played Sessions 9 and 10 last year. I never managed to pen the events and I'm going to do so over the next few days. Due to the extreme length of time between writing and playing, I'm quite sure that some things will be left out. So I'd really appreciate it if you guys (the Scars) look these session summaries over and let me know what I've undoubtedly missed.

I'm brainstorming Session 11 as we speak and plan on writing it this weekend. Originally, I had planned on jumping forward one year and playing events after the battle with David Simmons. But an idea I've been kicking around has changed my mind; you guys will be continuing the story.

Did I mention that I'm excited? Hell yeah!

A Post is a Post

2006-03-29T09:44:00.000-06:00

A recent conversation with myself:

Eithan: Damn I am busy.
Real Life: Yeah, I’m going to have to take the blame for that.
Healing Scars: Eithan, where are you? I’m sooo cold.
Eithan: Who the hell are you? (Gives blanket)
Healing Scars: (Cough) We used to be such good friends. I miss you.
Real Life: Don’t listen to him. I AM YOUR ONLY FRIEND.
Eithan: I’m so confused.
Healing Scars: Remember this? (Draws a heart with his finger) Your imagination?
Eithan: Oh damn, I sure do. (Takes out gun. Shoots Real Life in the head.)
Healing Scars: (Smile)
Eithan: Let’s rock.

I am alive. I swear.

2006-03-14T16:15:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the lack of updates.

I’m pulling a full load of classes this term and work is slowing catching up with me. School is a mess as I’m fighting to graduate this year in the rare event that the company I work for doesn’t pick me up next year. That way I have a degree when I job hunt to increase said chances of getting a decent job.

I will post the summaries once I get a chance to sit down at my computer and waste an hour or so. Also, this weekend is really bad for me as a military friend is flying up to hang out.

I’ll post more as soon as time is on my side.

As always, you guys’s patience is super appreciated.

Ben is Mad Funny Yo

2006-03-06T13:49:00.000-06:00

Question: OK, what do you get when you cross a

with a

?

Answer: A WERORRIST!

Other great quotes for the night:

Deacon: Do you know how to fly the plane?
Stewardess: Well, not exactly. I sorta never took the classes.
Deacon: Let me guess, you were screwing the pilot?
Stewardess: Yeah, I mean all we really do is show people how to buckle their seatbelts. I didn't think they'd be an actual emergency.
Deacon: Right. (Shoot the girl. Looks at the other stewardess.) What's your name?
Stewardess: It's... Star. P..lease don't shoot me.
Deacon: You are a stewardess and your name is fucking Star? Did you screw the pilot too?
Star: Yes. (Worried) But I DID take the classes.

Nails: I'M THE DEVIL! NOW I'M JESUS! WAIT, I'M THE DEVIL AGAIN! (While slaughtering dozens of passengers, wearing they faces, and other nasty things.)

Websites of Praise

2006-02-20T23:31:00.000-06:00

Long ago in the age of the old World of Darkness (also know as the 90s), White Wolf decided to create a community for fan's roleplaying websites. This web portal, known as the Dark Spiral, is home of hundreds of fan-sanctioned pages covering each of White Wolf Studios various systems and games. If you scroll to the bottom of our Healing Scars webpage you might even notice that we are also in this little club. Unfortunately, the folks behind White Wolf have a terrible habit of over-extending their resources. And such is the case with the Dark Spiral. Well over half of the links are broken. And the ones that do work, well... the quality and content is certainly lacking. The project is, and has been for some time now, in a state of limbo.

There are a few decent fan sites, in and out of Dark Spiral, that I frequently pass by. Sorting the good from the bad is often comparable to the "needle in a haystack theory", so I figured listing the one's I've found might prove beneficial.

If anyone (and by that I mean anyone in the Healing Scars) wants to edit this post and add to the list please be my guest.

Ex Libris Nocturnis was originally founded nearly ten years ago. The site accepts submissions for pretty much every game White Wolf has published, from the World of Darkness to the Age of Sorrows to the Scarred Lands. If you are looking for some official-looking UNOFFICIAL content, then this is the place to be.

Shadown Essence is a website that gives players a glimpse into the World of Darkness and the added insight to what these games are all about. Shadow Essence also doubles as a friendly community where players and storytellers alike can add their voice to the chorus that is the World of Darkness. The artwork behind this site is absolutely stunning. I enjoy browsing the forums from time to time.

Wolfspoor is the leading portal for White Wolf rumors and official news. The PHP Nuke-based theme is a bit dated, but the news feeds are more reliable than the official White Wolf site.

The Werewolf Forsaken LiveJournal Community has a decent fanbase and posts some of the best session summaries on the net. I highly recommendmend reading the Silence of Time sessions. You also might want to check out another LiveJournal site called Garou Nation, which hosts chronicles based in the Werewolf: the Apocalypse universe.

Pentex: Old and New

2006-02-19T15:58:00.000-06:00

In White Wolf Game Studio's setting the World of Darkness, specifically the role-playing game Werewolf: The Apocalypse, the Pentex Corporation was a vast fictional conglomerate dedicated to promoting the agenda of the Wyrm. Though primarily staffed by mundane humans unaware of the corporation's sinister mission, its upper management is a group of corrupt humans and outright supernatural beings fully aware of the existence of the Triat and werewolves.

The public face of the Pentex corporation itself appears to the public to possibly be a corporate consulting firm or administrative assistance firm. Its true method, however, is to own other businesses. As such, "Pentex" not only refers to the central corporation, but also to hundreds of other companies and businesses, openly owned or secretly controlled by the Pentex upper management. This allows Pentex to achieve vertical integration, allowing them to secure powerful but clandestine monopolies.

That was the a definition of the old. As you all know, the new World of Darkenss has completely done away with this corporation. When writing our new stories I thought it would be interesting to reimagine Pentex in our specific setting. It is VERY important to realize that Pentex is not directly related to the old World of Darkness version. There are several important differences. I will list a few below, leaving some ommited because I want you, as characters, to discover them for yourselves.

- Pentex is a single corporation. They are located in Alaska. They are powerful but not in the old way of possessing hundreds of subsidiary companies.

- It is unknown if they are truly evil in a spiritual sense. Only the connection to their parvovirus production and David Simmons has been uncovered.

- The CIA has been keeping tabs on them. This is apparent from Wades confession to Marcus Blair.

- They have been performing experiments on children. The latest examples of this are Chelsea and Wendy. Wendy has confessed mutliple thoughts of various individuals have been infussed into her contiousness for reasons unknown.

They are plenty more, but that should be enough to spark your imagination. Healing Scars, remember that the clock is ticking towards your death. Finding a cure to the virus can only happen with a clearer understanding of the enemy at hand.

Multiple Character Sheets

2006-02-18T11:59:00.000-06:00

It is the blueprint for your character, a roadmap of sorts that displays that statistics necessary to game in the world of darkness. Having a backup character sheet is a welcome advantage. We’ve all lost a character sheet from time to time, and I certainly don’t want to name any names. But I think I will anyways. ADAM.

ADAM, ADAM, ADAM.

ADAM lost his character sheet three sessions in a row. And if the simple guilt of doing so is not discouraging enough, I present the world (a.k.a. the small fan-base reading this stuff) with a great picture of Ben ragging on ADAM. Good lordy there's a lot of knee exposure going down!

Moving on, I did a little research on some variants to the standard White Wolf Forsaken sheet. They are from Mr. Gone’s website and I think they do a splendid job of changing things up a bit. Here are a few that caught my eye. Feel free to hop on the site for yourself (link below) and do some hunting yourself.

Werewolf 4 Page Expanded Sheet

Werewolf 2 Page Sheet - Old World of Darkness Style

Predators Character Sheet

Werewolf Totem Character Sheet

P.S. We all love Mr. Adam, even if he forgets and forgets and forgets. Will he break the 3 session record? Stay tuned next week!

Source: Mr. Gone's Character Sheets

Session 8. Conspiracy, Incorporated

2006-02-17T16:20:00.000-06:00

The Healing Scars make preparations for their journey to Lancaster. Nails purchases some body armor. Eric creates a small fetish out of Deacon’s computer. On the way to Lancaster the pack stops at a rest station. Nails confronts Marcus and informs him that he is no longer Alpha. Marcus fires back that this is not up for debate currently; that they can discuss the matter later. Nails again tells the Uratha that he is the Alpha and will fight if necessary. One-on-one combat breaks out. In the end, Marcus is overpowered by Nails as they struggle about in a grapple. Several times Blair breaks free only to be confronted by the Blood Talon. Through some impressive social persuasion, Marcus convinces Nails to temporarily ease his attack. Nails then calls to his fellow packmates to vote and choose who will be pack Alpha. After some debate, Eric, Sam (who oddly gets a vote), and Deacon make their choice. Nicholas “Nails” DeWinter becomes the new Healing Scars Alpha. After a long conversation between Nails and Marcus, Marcus agrees to be his beta.

They finally reach Lancaster and book a room in one of the hotels. A voice message has been cryptically left for Marcus Blair. The receptionist was paid to route a message to whatever room they were staying in. Deacon performs a thorough sweep of the hotel room for any bugs, finding none. Agent Wade from the CIA has important business to discuss and asks Marcus to call him back. The Healing Scars debate the results of calling back the CIA agent. Deacon is notably worried about the CIA and wants no connection to this situation. Tonya says she dated a guy in the KGB who has connections in Lancaster. She might be able to set up a meeting but wants the Scars there for protection. They agree. She sets up a meeting for later that night. They decide to hold off calling Agent Wade in hopes that Tonya’s connection pays off.

At the club, Tonya talks with on old flame named Fillip. He tells her that the CIA are working with the MIA and are everywhere. Crime is down due to all the increased special agents mucking around. Fillip recognizes Sam Sky, who is Eric at the time, as an ex-member of the local KGB gang. Sam owes their employer Alexis 1,000 pounds, which is paid out by Deacon. The first 500 anyways is paid. Fillip calls his boss and arranges a meeting at the park, tomorrow at 8. Meanwhile Deacon woos a girl and gets her number. They leave and prepare for the next night.

Back at the hotel room, Deacon does a little prying online and finds some info about the town. Lancaster is fairly small; the only real areas of importance are the park, a museum, and Lancaster castle. The castle catches their attention. It doubled as a prison and held the execution of some nasty witches back in the day.

In the previous session, Pentex had phoned Marcus demanding Chelsea. They claimed to be holding Lindsey hostage and would kill her in 24 hours, if he didn’t agree to deliver the girl. The “clock”, as you might say, is ticking down and Marcus is running out of time. Chelsea is in the shadow with OMD (Old Man Diaper, Shadow Wind) as Marcus has no intention of making a trade. There is little he can do. He’s not even sure if they will call, seeing as Marcus got rid of his phone since it was bugged (see last session). The 24 hour comes and goes. Nothing has happened.

Eric Sky uses his connections with the dead and searches the immediate area for a spirit. Perhaps someone in the land of the unliving can offer a clue. In doing so, he discovers a terrible truth. The spirit of Lindsey is in the hotel room with them. She is dead. Eric informs Marcus of this unfortunate event and acts as emissary between the two.

Lindsey is confused but eventually realizes that she is no longer alive. She tells them that Pentex killed her shortly after her capture. Marcus apologizes for all that has happened. She forgives him for everything and asks him to look after the girl. Lindsey crosses over into the unknown and, as Marcus drains the spiritual essence from her body, she finds peace.

Marcus, with nothing else to loose, makes the call to Agent Wade. Unfortunately, the number is no longer in service. Is Wade connected to Pentex? Only time will tell.

Previously in London, a new murder/rape took place and had “Junior” written all over it. But the scent at the crime scene was not David’s and also led the Healing Scars to a bus stop. After a bit of prying they discovered that this bus stop was going to Lancaster. Nails decides there is always a chance that the scent of the killer is fresh in Lancaster and the Scars might be able to track it to the source. Using their keen Urathan instincts (and much of the day) they finally find the killer’s scent which leads directly to…Lancaster castle.

But someone else is there, and it is not the killer or any affiliate of Simmons. A man with CIA written all over him approaches asking for Marcus. It is Wade, who in a lone conversation with Marcus begins by apologizing for the lapse in his phone number. Pentex is on to him, and he can hide no longer. Wade dedicated his life to exposing Pentex for the evil that they are and it’s about to cost him his life. He doesn’t explain why or how, but it appears that Wade has accepted his fate. He wishes Blair the best of luck, giving him a manila folder crammed with files. He leaves. Marcus opens the folder and scans them over. The majority of the articles deal with wolf deaths related to a parvovirus. The notes suggest some kind of conspiracy and draw several relations to Pentex, identified as an Alaskan company. His investigation is cut short by their Alpha, who reminds him that they have more important business: entering the castle and finding the killer.

Eric Sky uses the Two World Eyes gift and takes a gaze into the Shadow. What he finds is a fiery image of David Simmons that knocks him to the ground. The castle is crawling with Junior’s mojo. After steeping into a nearby locus the Scars get a full glimpse of the castle from the Shadow. A dome of fire shells the entire place, preventing entrance (Ben kicks himself again for not buying the manipulate fire gift). They will have to find a locus inside the castle if they want to confront him.

The Scars try to find a way to break into the castle. Eric pulls out his whip, the Conduit Fetish, and “castlevanias” himself to the roof. Nails feels something is out of place. The resurrection book, still in his possession, is calling to him. He opens the book and enters into a trance. Beside him now is a young version of Simmons, who engages in a playful conversation. He asks Nails why he thinks he’s bad. Upon hearing about Nails oath to the Destroyer Wolf to kill him, the boy confesses to Nails that the Destroyer also contacted him. Confused, Nails pushes this aside and continues that he will put the boy down and that Junior is not Father Wolf. He agrees with the Scar’s alpha to a point. He says that Father Wolf is inside of him, guiding his actions in an attempt to right the wrongs of his own people. He tells him that wolves had their chance. Simmons and his followers are going to purge the gauntlet entirely. The age of the Border Marshes is over. Once the link between the physical and the spiritual world is severed, he will rule between the two worlds of Father Wolf. Problem solved. Nails wants no more of this banter; his vision ends.

DeWinter must confront his master and ask the Destroyer himself on the matter. He gathers his rage and focuses his power into the warrior form. As mighty Gauru he smashes clinched fists into the castle walls. The force is incredible, if not legendary. One side of the stone wall is reduced to splinters. Through the hole in the wall the Destroyer Wolf gazes at his child, offering him the answers he seeks.

“You cannot trust this Simmons, this abomination of our people. He is a coward; he is weak. He slithers as a snake, and in his slipperiness he has tried to fool you. I have never spoken with him, but he would like you to believe this. That is because his is a poison, trying to twist and infect through misdirection and confusion. Remain steadfast in your efforts! He is a false prophet, a blasphemer of the highest offense. This domain is gathering place of those who would follow his bidding: humans, Pure, and even our kind. They are lost Sheep following their Shepard. Answer this: what good is a Shepard without his Flock? Remove them and the Shepard is a Shepard no more.”

Destroyer fades. Nail knows what he must do.

He will destroy. He will kill them all.

THIS ISN'T THE SUMMARY

2006-02-11T18:50:00.000-06:00

But I'm tired of waiting for it so I'm going to tell you part of it. The session began with the trip to Lancaster being discussed. Eventually, the group agrees to leave the apartment and drive to a hotel in Lancaster. On the drive, they stop in a rest area. Nails takes the opportunity to discuss heavy things on his mind and challenges Marcus for authority of the pack. Marcus tries civil discussion with Nails over the matter, knowing that he'd intended to relinquish control to Nails of his own accord after the present matter (Lancaster) was concluded. It comes to a physical challenge between Marcus and Nails, and though Marcus fights admirably and lithely, Nails eventually gets the upper hand. Marcus stops the fight and tries to reason with Nails one last time. Nails, in an uncharacteristic venture, allows the group to decide by a process of vote, more fitting to Marcus's democratic style. Deacon's inclination is to let Nails attempt to be alpha. Eric and Sam are, of course, divided. Marcus, feeling the effects of the battle and short on patience, tries to win the group over but is unsuccessful. Nails is alpha.

Sensing that this might cause Marcus to leave the pack to pursue his own impending troubles with the kidnapped Lindsay and the endangered Chelsea, Nails thinks as best he can and offers Marcus beta position at his side. Marcus is, after all, best fit to lead after him, he thinks, but Nails' believes that his insight into Simmons might be best put on point for this portion of their journey.
After an honest talk between Nails and Marcus in which they put aside differences, the group continues to travel to Lancaster. A message is waiting for Marcus when they arrive... ah, I forget some of this stuff. And I don't want to spoil some surprises either... Well, let's just say that when Eithan does publish the rest, it'll be a lot more thorough. And he can erase this whenever it goes up.

Conspiracy Files

2006-02-02T15:18:00.000-06:00

Enclosed are the documents cryptically given to Marcus Blair by CIA Agent Wade during session 8. Important passages have been highlighted and various notes speculate that a cover-up of sorts exists. What does this all mean? For this GM, mum's the word.

My werewolf players, especially Chris, know how much I love using in-game props. Recently, Chris reminded me about one I used for a Dark Ages chronicle years and years ago. It was an ordinary map that, if you folded it a certain way, revealed a hidden location. Definitely cheesy (esp. if you've seen Romancing the Stone) but it gives me a chuckle in remembrance. I also enjoyed creating Rid's banishment docs, and then watching Marcus pour through the text looking for a loophole.

I honestly don't know how much time it took to orchestrate these documents, but it was definitely the longest bout of research done for the stories as of yet. I really hope you all enjoy. If you like, feel free to use the comments to analyze the crap out of them.

A New Experiment

2006-01-31T11:01:00.000-06:00

I’m going to try something new with the session summaries. If this experiment fails, I will revert back to the old way of doing things. In the past, I have been trying to write out detailed descriptions of every character's actions during the session. The problem is that the summaries turn into pages upon pages of text. My free time is slipping away more and I’ve struggled a lot these past few weeks to crank out the summaries. While I believe that the descriptive content is important, I’d like to approach writing them from a different angle.

The next session summary will be posted in a more condensed format than the last few. I am trying to limit the length of the initial post to about 2-3 pages. With the old system, players used the comment system to note any mistakes or additions. Then, I would edit the post and correct the necessary information. Instead I would like to cut out myself as a middle-man.

After the initial posting, I want to give the players FULL ACCESS to edit the session sumary post however they see fit. If a particular passage needs more description, simply add a paragraph or two. The comment system then can act as a log to note anyone’s major changes. So, if you alter a major section of the text, just post a brief comment about what you changed. Note: Small things, like spelling corrections or a sentence restructure really don’t need to be documented as a comment.

We’ll try this format out for the Session 8 Summary. If it sucks, then we’ll go back to the old method. The major advantage would be the speed of documentation. It will take much less time for me to crank out a brief summary (that can be edited) versus writing a more detailed one. Then I can concentrate more time on writing the next session, and you'll all have the summaries posted a bit faster.

Comments, questions, gripes? My ears are open.

THIS IS NOT THE SESSION SUMMARY

2006-01-29T12:47:00.000-06:00

But I am curious as to when it will be posted. Other than that, what are our plans for the next session? Is this Friday happening, or is there another time that we're considering?

Be looking for a new post from Eric, too. It will be... umm... new.

-Ben/Eric

Session 7. Change of Character(s)

2006-01-18T16:05:00.000-06:00

Or more promptly titled:
"Eric Sky over Sam Sky plus New Tonya minus Rain plus New Packmate plus Explosions minus Lodge minus Nails’s Patience plus Pentex squared, divided by Confusion"

Tonya and Eric, whip in hand, step through the portal into civil war. Two warring sides, one led by Piercing Whisper, the other Eternal Balance, have initiated battle. The Healing Scars take their place by Eternal Balance and Rids-the-Pain. The judge, Piercing Whisper releases her Ethros visage. From under her “business” cloak, she forms into a massive tree. Roots bury deep into the roof of the building and re-emerge from the ground as sharp tentacles. Several other councilmen take her side, weapons drawn, ready to fight to the death. The battle is long and arduous.

(Note: Instead of describing the events blow by blow, the following has been extremely summarized.) Nails takes down one of the Ethros gunmen at Piercing Whisper’s side. The Sky brothers, Eric and Sam, begin to duel. Dirge meditates as a field of amber encircles his frame. Killer-of-Lies initiates a ritual to protect his master; his own body contorts and twists into a wall of barbed wire. Dirge’s meditation is an advanced form of his Mad Rush; he lets forth a barrage of lightning-fast attacks, taking out the remaining Ethros gunmen. Whisper is angered by the defeat of her brethren and stretches her powers to the sky above. The sun in this realm, a small golden dot on the horizon, grows larger. Whisper is commanding the sun; the air begins to boil as it grows closer. Shortly after, the death sphere is directly overhead. Eric Sky, noting the severity of the situation, convinces his brother to use his manipulation powers to stop the tree. Sam finds common ground in this proposal, and coerces one of the nearby ghosts into possessing the tree. The sun dissipates as Sam’s dominance over the tree begins to outweigh. Piercing Whisper is not amused; she strikes back at Sam Sky, and a game of mental wits plays out. Eventually, the Sam cannot hold off her attack; his body keels over in excruciating pain. Piercing Whisper continues to pull the sun towards the Ethros building. Without any other option, Eternal Balance demands Marcus to return his blade. He buries the sword deep into the ground, invoking a rite. Everything stops.

The Healing Scars, Rids, Sam, and Tonya find themselves inside the hub of the Ethros building. Eternal Balance explains that he has stopped time, a severe violation of their laws. There is little time; Piercing Whisper will soon learn of his efforts and find them. Eternal Balance requires a word alone with Rids-the-Pain. The two return after a short conversation; Rids tells the Scars that the ban will be nullified. The totem takes out his banishment documents and sets them on fire. His ban has been destroyed, but an imbalance remains. Eternal Balance decrees that a new ban will be placed on Rids-the-Pain, after this civil war between the Ethros is settled. Balance points above to Sam Sky, frozen in midair. To Eric, he explains that the Sky brother is his mess and must leave with the pack, never to return to this realm again. Balance holds Eric Sky’s book to the sphere and, against the spiritual light, the word Sam appears on the cover next to Eric’s. The two are linked spiritually; the Essence Sphere wants them to go together. Eternal Balance will also be keeping this book, as a way of checking in from time to time. Eternal Balance bids them farewell. One by one, they each loose themselves in the essence of the sphere. Eric and Sam enter at the same time. A surge of spirit consumes everyone. It invokes a sense of rebirth, as the makeup of their bodies in stretched thin and forcefully given new life.

The ground is thick and frozen, it stings to the touch. The group is back at Hyde Park. With some reluctance, everyone begins to come to. An explosion rocks the immediate area; a small blast springs up several meters to the north. From the direction of destruction a stranger emerges. Nails wastes no time and enforces his trademark “vice-grip” on the man, who quickly defends the notion that he is a friend. He hastily explains that Strikes-with-Courage asked him to look after the park while the pack was away. The explosion was from a small grenade he placed, one of the booby traps he’s laid out to protect the park. The Uratha’s name is Deacon Sharpe. Nails relents his grasp. Once the commotion dies, it is made apparent that Sam Sky is missing. Eric, on the other hand, is lying on the ground trembling. He tells the Scars that Sam is not gone but far from it. Sam and Eric are now one; they are sharing the same body. Eric can feel his brother’s presence in him, and through tremendous mental strain, is fending his brother off for control of his, no… their body. Tonya also has undergone a change, under exactly the opposite circumstances: the entity called Rain has left her entirely. For the first time, in a long time, she is free.

The pack decides to travel to the Lodge of the Hunt and speak with Strikes-with-Courage. Upon arrival, they meet one of the lodge members; he tells them Strikes is on business in Lancaster and will return tomorrow. Sharp offers his apartment as a place to crash; everyone accepts. Sharpe’s apartment is located a few blocks from Hyde. It is an absolute wreck, littered with trash, stale food, and various electronics. They order a pizza. Sharp throws on a porno. Tonya rolls her eyes and eats a slice of pepperoni.

Eric decides to perform a test for his current condition. With Nails holding him down, Marcus inflicts a wound on the Uratha with his blade. Eric gives in to his brother, allowing Sam Sky controller of the body. Eric hopes that the cut will not show on Sam. This could serve as a way to distinguish the two, in case Sam tries to trick the Scars as he did before. Unfortunately, the cut remains, leaving no real way to tell them apart.

Later, Marcus has a brief conversation with Words-Unwritten, who has been hiding inside one of his books. Words thanks him for getting him out of the realm, especially not telling Eternal Balance of his presence when they were at the hub. As promised earlier, Marcus informs him that he’ll drop him off at a library tomorrow. He’s a bit upset, as his ability to become Spitfire is dependent on the spirit. Words tells him not to fret; he will be nearby and, for a price, might aid the Alpha in the future.

Meanwhile, Eric’s mental strain to contain his brother has reached an unbearable level. After a lengthy augment and some impressive persuasion he reaches an agreement. They both desire the same thing: to be separate once again in their own bodies. From Eric’s journal:

“And the struggle continues. My will surpasses Sam's by far, but his ability to dominate is troublesome. I have formulated a plan. We've come to an agreement.For now, it does us no good to struggle for control. If he attempts to escape, he will be overpowered by my pack or myself- not to mention, once I regain control, it may put us in incredible danger considering where... or to whom he might take us. I cannot constantly restrain him, either. I need the entirity of my focus to function properly.Thus, we agree to work together for the time being. I will release him, and allow him full, unrestrained use of the body provided he does no harm to my companions or myself. In return, he behaves. We can utilize each other's abilities to quickly find a way to undo this... curse.”

The next morning the pack awakens to horrific news. The television once again admits another rape has happened at the park last night. The police are reopening the case files of the rape/murders that were thought to have been solved with the death of local Detective David Simmons. A news camera briefly flashes to the crime scene, revealing a mess of blood scattered on the ground. Upon seeing the images, Nails becomes furious and storms out of the apartment. Eric takes alarm to the image of blood; a strange symbol is faintly visible in its droppings. If noticed a human could not decipher it, but an Uratha trained in the first tongue could read it plainly. In the ancient spirit speech the blood spells out the name of the Healing Scars own: Nicolas “Nails” DeWinter. Nails perceived it as an invitation to war from Simmons. And it would see that Nails has accepted.

The rest of the Healing Scars follow Nails to the crime scene at the park. Unable to enter the scene Nails uses his senses to get a better picture of the attack. A woman was raped and murdered but the killers scent does not match that of David Jr. He follows the scent to a nearby bus stop. Sharp informs him that he can find the bus schedules on the net, allowing them to track down the killer. The entire group, save Marcus, travels to the Lodge of the Hunt to seek Strike-with-Courage. Marcus has other business to attend to.

Marcus takes Words-Unwritten to the nearest locus and gives him directions to his new home. The ex-Ethros departs into the shadow accordingly. Blair then shifts his attention to his main goal, making sure Chelsea is safe. After a long trip he finds himself at Lindsey’s door. It won’t open; Marcus kicks the door down. Chelsea is tied and gagged to her bed. He breaks her bonds and consoles the shattered girl. Sobbingly she tells him that Lindsey tied her up, saying it was for her own good. Marcus grabs some food from the apartment; the girl quickly eats. She has no idea where Lindsey went or why she left. A note on the kitchen table from Lindsey tells Marcus very little, just that she is leaving and that the girl is his responsibility. He checks the caller ID for any suspicious numbers. One number is particular has been called several times. He dials it, and a youthful teenager responds that this is “Mike’s Pizza.” He hangs up, but jots down the number, just in case.

Sharpe, Eric, Nails, and Tonya huddle in Sharpe’s car and drive to the Lodge of the Hunt. As they turn the corner, the entire building explodes. They quickly make their way to the scene. A black limo speeds away from the building, tempting the Scars to pursue. But, Nails smells the scent of Strikes-with-Courage in the building. A decision must be made: save Strikes or follow the attackers. The Scars decide to save their mentor. Eric and Nails run headfirst into the burning building. They find Strikes, who is unconscious under the ruble. Nails lifts him up and he and Eric carry the Storm Lord to safety. While the other two save Strikes Sharpe jots down the license number of the limo as it speeds away. They load the wounded Uratha in the Sharpe’s vehicle.

Shortly after the limo make a hard u-turn. It would seem that the occupants of said car are unhappy that Strikes has been saved. The limo speeds towards the pack with full intention to ram them. Windows roll down; several gun barrels emerge from the black limousine. Sharpe does his best to protect Strikes and Tonya, moving them out of the limo’s intended path. Eric and Nails leap towards the vehicle and latch on with fist and claw. Eric disarms one of the backseat passengers using his whip, the Conduit Fetish. Nails engages with the driver of the vehicle. He plants a hefty blow to DeWinter square across the jaw. Nails spits out a tooth. The vehicle then swerves to the right, smashing the two against the remains of the burning building. Sparks fly as the two packmates takes great damage. Nails grabs the wheel and forces the moving car away from the wall. In an impressive feat, he leaps to the air, landing several feet in front of the limo. He pull out the stop sign connects with the front windshield, impaling the driver. The limo swerves out of control, rolling end over end into a ball of flames. The skirmish is over. Bloodied and bruised, everyone rushes back to Sharpe’s apartment.

At the same time, Marcus takes Chelsea and checks on his office. An eviction notice hangs on the door. He calls a local moving company and has his goods moved. Low on cash, he uses credit. He also makes a few calls and tries to track down Ben Durbin, but has little to no luck. A relative informs him that Ben took a vacation a while back and hasn’t been around since.

Back at Sharpe’s apartment, Eric uses his powers to keep Strikes-with-Courage alive. The Uratha is finally stable, but with no regain consciousness for a while. Sharp throws Tonya a US 10 dollar bill and wonders if she might tidy the place up. She accepts, and he marvels at her “cleaning” abilities. By this time Marcus has returned, and the pack fills him in on their events. Their Alpha’s presence was sorely missed, but Nails does a decent job of not complaining about Marcus’s inaction.

Strikes-with-Courage finally awakens. He is glad to see that the Healing Scars have returned from the realm. He tells them briefly about his trip to Lancaster. He received a tip that the Pure were organizing a front there. Strikes found little evidence of the Pure, but did manage to bump into a murder spirit, calling himself Reckless-Hate. He also admits that Simmons’s scent was all over the place. They thank him for the information, and Strikes lays down to rest.

Eric Sky formulates a plan. He gives into his brother in an attempt to use his unique ghost manipulation ability. Sam does not want to play nice, though. Once in control of the body, he uses his first action to crash through a window and attempt escape. Nails takes him down and Sam is forced to cooperate. Nails and Eric travel back to what was left of the Lodge of the Hunt. Eric hopes that a ghost from the limo wreck might give them some answers. They get lucky and manage to find one such ghost, lying next to the smashed car. The ghost will not confess the identity of his employer. After a promise of release from this world, he tells the two Uratha that Lancaster is where they can find the answers. Eric holds up his part of the bargain, draining the ghost’s essence. He smiles as his images fades away.

Marcus’s cell phone rings. The caller ID says: Pentex. He hesitates and finally answers. A voice tells him that they have Lindsey and will make a trade, for the little girl. He’ll call back in 24 hours with more details. Deacon Sharpe asks who Pentex is and the rest of the Scars fill him in on the evil corporation. Sharpe pulls the Alpha to the side and runs an electronic sweeping device across him. The thing goes off like a fire-alarm. After scanning everyone, it is discovered that Marcus, Eric, and Chelsea are heavily bugged. It looks like Sharpe’s haven is no longer safe.

Later, Strikes-with-Courage offers Marcus a hiding place for the girl. He tells him that Shadow Wind can temporarily hide Chelsea in the Shadow. This is not an easy task, and it will only work for a short time, but he doubt that Pentex will find her there. Marcus thanks Strikes, and the arrangements are made. Everyone prepares for a journey to Lancaster. What they will find there: the Pure, Simmons, Reckless Hate, Pentex or some other fiend is anyone’s guess.

Is there something of ourselves in wolves?

2006-01-17T10:39:00.000-06:00

Our fear of wolves is rooted deep in our past as a hunting people

The howl was long and mournful, rising slowly to a crescendo in the twilight. I turned to look at my friend, dread filling the space between us. We had been watching a herd of elk in a large meadow in New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains, and we had lingered too long. Now we were hiking up a narrow forest trail toward our car in almost complete darkness.

I was sure the call had come from a coyote, but my friend disagreed, saying it was too long and melancholy, more like that of a wolf.

Fear and fascination warred within us as we walked, the same human ambivalence that erupts every time a wolf reintroduction program is proposed in the United States, even one as seemingly passive as the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission’s recent decision not to stop wolves from migrating into Eastern Oregon from Idaho.

Fearing attacks on their livestock, ranchers are fearful and angry. Protectionists, meanwhile, see the program as a way to bring a historic predator back into the state. Most of the time wolves will likely hunt the game they have traditionally hunted in the lower 48 — wild deer, elk, marmots, grouse, geese, rabbits, mice and occasionally salmon. Yet they are opportunists known to kill livestock as well.

Both sides in the debate know that wolves are brutally efficient killers. With twice the crushing power of a German shepherd, their bite can break through almost any bone to get at its marrow. On the hunt, they harass fleeing prey by striking at the legs, haunches and stomach until the animal is so weakened it collapses.

Written accounts of wolf killings of humans in the continental United States are almost nonexistent, but there is a strong oral tradition of such killings among Eskimos in the far north. Nevertheless, they respect the animals for their superior hunting skills and emulate wolf techniques in their own hunting practices.

Despite this admiration by native peoples, no predator in the United States has been more vilified than the wolf. Beginning shortly after European settlement on the East Coast, wolves were killed mercilessly with guns, strychnine and traps, until the species was almost wiped out in the lower 48.

In his recently reprinted 1978 book, "Of Wolves and Men," Oregon writer Barry Lopez theorizes that this attitude is partly a result of the shift from hunting to an agricultural economy.
In the beginning, humans and wolves evolved congruently as social hunters, he postulates, pursuing essentially the same game species, a competitive existence of constant killing for food, which our glimmering human consciousness needed to appease through ritual.

Native peoples had such rituals, but not later European settlers. As a result, wolves were seen as remnants of our darkest nature, the killing side we no longer wanted to acknowledge, Lopez argues.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission waited months to put its wolf management plan into effect, hoping the state Legislature would enact a measure giving ranchers the right to kill any wolves preying on their livestock.

The agency also hoped the state would provide compensation for wildlife losses from wolf predation. The Legislature failed to address either issue, making the restoration program far more likely to fail if any cattle or sheep are killed.

In New Mexico that chilly September night, when my friend and I at last reached the road, we stood a long time by our car, waiting and looking at the stars, hoping to hear that mournful call one more time. I knew no wolves had been reintroduced into the Jemez Mountains, but in that moment, it seemed possible they had re-emerged dreamlike from some fading ancestral memory.

In that lengthening silence, a profound loss swept over me, a tiny remnant, perhaps, of that ancient bond between two consummate hunters — one a wild canine firmly rooted in nature whose domain is sadly diminished, and the other an intelligent primate who became dominant only by sacrificing his once-deep connection to nature.
As my friend and I drove down the mountain that night, I could not say which species had suffered the greater loss.

Source:
http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2006/0113/life/stories/03life.htm

Other Links of Note:
http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/wolf/alaska.html
http://www.wolfcountry.net/
http://conservationgiscenter.org/maps/html/wolves.htmlhttp://www.serconline.org/wolfpreservation/

The Full Moon Approaches

2006-01-13T10:11:00.000-06:00

The 14th of this month marks the first full moon of the year. In werewolf, the full moon relates to the warrior side of Mother Luna. To the Healing Scars, this is the night for Nails DeWinter. A lush history formulated by various cultures has created many diffenent faces to the moon, pun intended. But did you know that each different full moon has its own name? Here's a little history, for your reading pleasure. This should pass the time as you wait for the session 7 summary.

Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. Those tribes of a few hundred years ago kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred.

There were some variations in the Moon names, but in general the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England on west to Lake Superior.

European settlers followed their own customs and created some of their own names. Since the lunar (“synodic”) month is roughly 29.5 days in length on average, the dates of the full Moon shift from year to year.

Below are all the Full Moon names, as well as the dates and times, for the next twelve months. Unless otherwise noted, all times are for the Eastern Time Zone.

Jan. 14, 4:48 a.m. EST: The Full Wolf Moon. Amid the zero cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. It was also known as the Old Moon or the “Moon after Yule.” In some tribes this was the Full Snow Moon; most applied that name to the next moon.

Feb. 12, 11:44 p.m. EST: The Full Snow Moon. Usually the heaviest snows fall in this month. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some tribes this was the Full Hunger Moon.

March 14, 6:35 p.m. EST: The Full Worm Moon. In this month the ground softens and the earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. In addition, a very minor penumbral lunar eclipse will take place on this night; the Moon will pass through the Earth’s outer and cause a slight tarnishing or smudginess to appear on its lower rim. The darkest phase of this eclipse comes at 6:48 p.m. EST. For about 40 minutes before and after this time, the subtle penumbral shading may be detected with binoculars and even the naked eye.

April 13, 12:40 p.m. EDT: The Full Pink Moon. The grass pink or wild ground phlox is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names were the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and -- among coastal tribes -- the Full Fish Moon, when the shad came upstream to spawn. This is also the Paschal Full Moon; the first full Moon of the spring season. The first Sunday following the Paschal Moon is Easter Sunday, which indeed will be observed three days later on Sunday, April 16.

May 13, 2:51 a.m. EDT: The Full Flower Moon. Flowers are abundant everywhere. It was also known as the Full Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon.

June 11, 2:03 p.m. EDT: The Full Strawberry Moon. Known to every Algonquin tribe. Europeans called it the Rose Moon.

July 10, 11:02 p.m. EDT: The Full Buck Moon, when the new antlers of buck deer push out from their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, thunderstorms being now most frequent. Sometimes also called the Full Hay Moon.

Aug. 9, 6:54 a.m. EDT: The Full Sturgeon Moon, when this large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water like Lake Champlain is most readily caught. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because the moon rises looking reddish through sultry haze, or the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon.

Sept. 7, 2:42 p.m. EDT: The Full Corn Moon. Corn – an Indian staple -- is now ready for gathering. The Moon will also be at perigee later this day, at 11:00 p.m., at a distance of 221,938 miles/357,175 km. from Earth. As such, this will be the biggest and brightest Full Moon of 2006. Very high tides can be expected from the coincidence of perigee with full Moon. In addition, a rather small (19%) partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Africa, Asia, Australia, and Eastern Europe. Maximum eclipse occurs at 18:51 GMT.

Oct. 6, 11:13 p.m. EDT: The Full Harvest Moon. Always the full Moon occurring nearest to the Autumnal Equinox. In one out of three years, it comes in October and 2006 is one of those years.

Nov. 5, 7:58 a.m. EST: The Full Beaver Moon. Time to set beaver traps before the swamps freeze to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Beaver Full Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now active in their preparation for winter. Also called the Frosty Moon.

Dec. 4, 7:25 p.m. EST: The Full Cold Moon; among some tribes, the Full Long Nights Moon. In this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and the nights are at their longest and darkest. Also sometimes called the “Moon before Yule” (Yule is Christmas, and this time the Moon is only just before it). The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long and the Moon is above the horizon a long time. The midwinter full Moon takes a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite to the low Sun.

Note: The following information can be found on Space.com. For more on the moon go to:
http://www.space.com/fullmoonfever/

Email Confirmations

2006-01-12T14:34:00.000-06:00

If you look to the right of our webpage you will now notice that the proposed date and time for the next session is displayed. This is an attempt to iron out any confusion as to when and where the Healing Scars will be gaming next.

I have also devised a system of emails to replace our current system of calling folks up and having them verbally commit to a date. In with the new, out with the old, I say. There are many reasons as to why I feel it is necessary to switch to this format. I'll list a few.

It's hard to reach people via phone. We all work different schedules. Most of the time, I end up leaving a message on one's machine and hope for the best.
No central way to check on the status of the date/time. The Session date and time listed on the main page does perform this. It also lists which players have confirmed the proposed date and time and which haven't.
I'm the hardest guy in the world to reach via phone. It's true. When I'm not working crazy hours or going to school, I'm generally spending time with my wife and my son. Translation: 90% of my time is spent elsewhere. I am however, always on the web and check my email multiple times each day.
I hate phones. They are the devil. The guy who invented them can go to the devil and stay there for a long time.

I could go into further explanation of how this new system works, but I think the first confirmation email explains things nicely:

Session Confirmation Email #1

Healing Scars Packmates,

This is the proposed date and time for the next Healing Scars session:

Next Session: Fri 1/20/06
Locale: Adam's Place
Time: 10:00 p.m.

Please reply to this email and confirm the date above. If you are unable to confirm, please respond and suggest an alternate date and/or time. The date and time information can be found on our main website, http://www.healingscars.blogspot.com/.

When a Healing Scars Packmate confirms the date and time, I will move their name from the "Unconfirmed" category to the "Confirmed" category. This information will be displayed on the main page. If someone cannot play at all, their name will be moved to the "Not Attending" category. By general rule of thumb we will play a session if 3 out of 4 packmates are willing to play.

If a change in the date and time occurs I will send out another email and the process of confirming will continue until an acceptable time and date has been established. Each new email will have a new confirmation number. This email, for example, is Session Conformation Email #1. If I send out another one, due to a change in date or time, it will be labeled Session Confirmation Email #2. This method will hopefully filter out countless phone calls and ease the communication process.

On the night before the actual session, I will phone everyone to get a voice confirmation. I look forward to our next gaming session.

Eithan

Touched by VAST

2006-01-10T10:55:00.000-06:00

Simply put, "Touched" is a powerful song. It sparks a tribal flame with its chanting refrain. I’d like to take a moment and explain the significance of this song. Kindly observe the lyrics to the Healing Scar's theme song "Touched" by Vast:

Touched, you say that I am too
So much, of what you say is true
I'll never find someone quite like you again
I'll never find someone quite like you, like you
The razors and the dying roses
Plead I don't leave you alone
The demi-gods and hungry ghosts
Oh god, god knows I'm not at home
I'll never find someone quite like you again
I'll never find someone quite like you again
I, I looked into your eyes and saw
A world that does not exist
I looked into your eyes and saw
A world I wish I was in
I'll never find someone quite as touched as you
I'll never love someone quite the way
That I loved you

But what does this mean? I remember hearing this song for the first time (thanks to Jarrett) and thinking the melody was perfect but the lyrics were off. At first glance the song seems personal, a lover’s quest through love, rejection, and ultimately acceptance over their partner’s perfection. The Uratha do not display this feeling, or do they? After several more listenings I thought on the lyrics deeper and a connection was made. Allow me to attempt to explain. "Touched" is about dying love. And, if you twist its initial conveyances, “Touched” represents the relationship between the Forsaken and Mother Luna. The narrator is the Uratha, who long for the time before the gauntlet, before the death of Father Wolf. It is a twisted love, for as a parent she cursed her sons and daughters on the night of that kill. Her love is pure, but it is not kind. “The razors and the dying roses” represent the challenges each Werewolf must overcome: the Shadow, Incarnae, the Pure, even themselves. And the bit about “looking into her eyes”… as I experience this particular moment of the song I envision a wolf-form Uratha gazing at the night sky, staring into the full moon, the physical representation Luna. The world that Luna envisions does not exist, perhaps it never can. But, if we give in to doubt, if we allow ourselves to not believe (much like the Pure), we loose her love and then… everything.

The Conduit Fetish

2006-01-07T16:47:00.000-06:00

Fetish
Conduit

Spirit
Agamemnon, Jaggling of the Shadow

User
Eric Sky

Type
Weapon/Support (Whip)

Damage
+1 Bashing/+1 Lethal - *1 Essence/1 Health
+1 to Disarm/Grapple
+1 Against Skeletons and Vampires

Appearance
The whip is of standard black design, with incricate runes carved in the leather weaving. When dormant, the whip is 5ft. in length. When activated, the leather twists lightly as though it were breathing, occasionally twitching.

Abilities

Essence Transfer: As a standard ability, when activated, the whip allows for the transfer of essence to and from a desired target. The user spends 1 essence, and activates the whip. The user must then entangle the target, living or spiritual, via Grapple (Dexterity will replace Strength for this maneuver, as the weapon is engaging in the Grapple). The user then makes an Intelligence + Occult roll vs. the target's Intelligence + Composure. *For a success, the user and target's essence can then be transferred to one another at a rate of 1 Essence per round of combat, or every six seconds. If the user fails, the whip deactivates and the user loses 1 Essence. If there is no Essence to be lost, the user will lose 1 Health instead. For an exceptional success, the user may transfer additional Essence at GM discretion.

Extend/Retract, Thorns: Upon expenditure of 2 Essence, the whip extrudes jagged barbs which line its length, effectively making its damage lethal. Its "breathing" becomes more noticeable, and its movements are more violent and rapid. At the user's will, the whip can then extend and retract to a minimum of 2 ft. and a maximum of 10ft., moving at very high speeds. The user gains +1 towards Grapple and Disarm, as the whip's thorned edge and tightened attacks make these more effective.

Heave: The whip can be perceived as a muscle in and of itself. Having been activated and engaged in a Grapple, the whip can absorb Essence on its own. This Essence roll remains the same, but all Essence goes to the whip. Upon absorbing enough Essence from a target, the whip can then hurl that or another target several feet. The distance and weight are GM discretion, but 200lbs is its maximum lifting strength*.

Drawbacks: The whip is highly attuned to the Shadow. Such is its bond with spirit that when in the Shadow, the whip becomes mildly sentient. It bonds with the user's dominate hand, wrapping itself around his/her upper arm. The fetish then acts as more of a tentacle than a whip, occasionally snapping and grappling of its own accord. The stronger the bond with the owner, the more likely the whip is to succumb to his/her will. A willpower roll may be required to keep Conduit under the user's control. *When using the Heave ability while in the Shadow, Conduit can hurl up to 400lbs or more, as it is stronger when in this realm. This can be dangerous, as the whip could techincally pull the user, if it so desired.

Special: Eric Sky can perform the Binding and Banishing Rituals, as well as the Life Drain with the use of this whip. This process takes a minimum of 4 turns, and 3 Essence. The Life Tap must be activated, as well as the Conduit. When these are complete, Eric must Grapple the target with the whip. If successful, he can begin the Health/Essence transfer at the beginning of the next round, or he can begin the desired Rite.

Also, Conduit's affinity for the Shadow give it latent abilities that may be accessed at the GM's discretion. With a sufficient source of energy and proper activation, Conduit may be used to tear holes in the Gauntlet, or even create portals to the destination of the user's choice.

Tribute

2006-01-04T15:18:00.000-06:00

I fondly remember my first real exposure to roleplaying. I was fifteen. My mother and my sisters were shopping for crafts and other such girly things in a mall in St. Louis. I quickly separated from them and made my way to closest bookstore. Acknowledging my “nerd-dom” I skipped right over the popular literature and made my way to the fantasy section. I’ve always been drawn to fantasy. At this particular point in my life, I knew absolutely nothing about pen and paper rpgs. While searching for the latest Wheel of Time novel, my eyes fell upon this hardback book simply titled: Vampire: the Masquerade.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It seemed so inviting, and with each page turn I felt this book was closer to a “must-buy” status in my head. After a bit of skimming I came across a perplexing notion, this book was no ordinary work of fiction. It claimed, as I continued to read on, to be a game. I was at first naïve to this notion and started looking for another box; there must be figures or a board of something elsewhere. But I found nothing. And, on the next page, the book told me that all I need is my imagination… and this book as a guide. This has got to be too good to be true, I remember thinking. I decided to give it a try/buy, since the latest Robert Jordan work was not out yet anyways. I actually ended up purchasing Vampire: the Dark Ages instead of Masquerade for the absolute silliest of reasons: I thought the cover looked better.

As soon as I was home I took my first step into the world of roleplaying. I read it cover to cover in just 2 days. I remember devoting most of a Saturday tucked away in my bedroom trying to make sense of this complicated game without rules. I finished the book and immediately started a migraine. I was lost. None of it made sense to me. A couple of days later I tried to read it again. It left me with the same results, new headache to boot. My high school girlfriend mentioned that one particular guy played these roleplaying games and might be able to help. I really needed to figure this thing out. I took her advice and looked him up. In fact, we had the same math class, so I started there.

His name was Jarrett Heintz. Jarrett and I had been in a few plays together, but other than that, I knew very little of the guy. Jarrett was a vault of roleplaying information and filled in the blanks to a lot of my questions. Subsequently, he was running his own roleplaying game called Werewolf: the Apocalypse. A few weeks later, he asked me if I would like to sit in on one of his sessions. Now, this made sound a little weird, but Jarrett’s sessions were kind of legendary amongst the dorky folk at Alton High School. His players talked so vividly of the experiences that lots of people wanted to play, so much that sitting in on a group was the first initiation step towards getting to play. I accepted his proposal, hoping that I might earn my way into the group. At least this way I could learn more about the roleplaying process if I ever started up my own group.

I sat in and was amazed. The plots were so deep; the players actually dressed and spoke as their characters. They even had theme music. Very dorky, for sure, but I was engrossed in it all. Luckily for me, I was accepted in the group and slowly became one of their regulars. If I could sum up all of these experiences into one word, I would have to say: EPIC. Everything we did was larger-than-life. The feeling of being in character and running in those games was truly incredible. We all continued to play through high school, all the way up to graduation. And, after a short break, J managed to start up a new group in college. Many of the faces had changed, but the core feel of the group and the game had not. I was a car ride away and did my best to drive up on the weekends to game. Of course, it also helped that my future wife was at that school as well. The games went strong until college finally ended. I joined the military and Jarrett went on to grad school in Montana. Everyone was quite busy with the necessities of life. It looked like our roleplaying would have to take a break, for a short while at least.

I’m happy to say that our group is back, though many of the faces have yet again changed. But I hold true to the belief that the passion of the game, the longing for creation, and the intensity of our imaginations have not wavered. Why am I writing about this? Well, today is Jarrett’s 25th birthday, and I think the last ten years of roleplaying ought to be recorded somewhere. That’s why I started this site in the first place, to make sure that the memories, OUR memories, are recorded.

It’s important to mention that while our group is back, it is missing one key player. Jarrett is the guy who started all of this, and our group would not be here if it were not for his advances in storytelling. So, be sure to wish him happy birthday. You might even want to hop on our other website, Dreaming Eye, and give him a shout.

Thanks for the memories Jarrett. I hope to game with you soon again.

MySpace Profile

2006-01-03T13:16:00.000-06:00

The Healing Scars now have a MySpace Profile. Search for the name "Nick DeWinter" and you'll find it. Look! It's says we're in the UK, and our characterization song is in the profile! Also, my packmates, if you want to alter the MySpace page, just let me know and I'll send you the password.

EDIT: Well done Alex, to ease in simplicity I've added the link to that page:

Healing Scars MySpace Page

-Eithan

Session 6. Trial by Fire

2005-12-28T14:31:00.000-06:00

Eternal Balance uses the Essense Sphere from the Hub to reform much of the building after Magaloth’s attack, and the Healing Scars are taken to new quarters in preparation of the trial. Later that night Sky is awakened by Darwin, a small fellow closely resembling a harpy. It would seem that Darwin has been paid off by an unknown party to help the Healing Scars. With reluctance, he admits that he is posing as a servant of Magaloth and wishes to aid the Scars, specifically Eric Sky. Darwin tells Eric that Magaloth has the book and is going to use it to his advantage. He also confesses that there is a spy amongst them but does not know the identity of the traitor. Nails lifts up the winged man by his neck in a clenched fist, shooting him a menacing stare. Sky asks his packmate to release Darwin as there is no need to harm him… yet. All the while the harpy is quite nervous and afraid for his life in the wake of Nail’s fury. He begs for mercy and implores the Scars that only other thing he’s knows is that he thinks the traitor is an Ethros. If he is discovered helping them Darwin will meet a gruesome death at his master’s hands. He takes his leave and promises to return once more before the trial. They awake the next morning to find that they each have been given security key cards granting them access to the research and development library, a recreational center, and combat training levels. The trial will begin tomorrow morning. Killer of Lies has set up a holding cell in some confinement area in which they can speak to Rids-the-Pain later in the day.

Nails leaves and goes to the combat training room to meet up with Dirge, at his request. The combat training center allows the user the ability to physically manifest conflicts within the mind. The idea is that, by destroying the things that plague one’s mind, the fighter will find resolve. Dirge tells Nail’s that he senses the Uratha’s desire towards destruction. The Ethros spirit warns him destruction is not a simple act of “thrashing wildly.” A destroyer studies his victims and patiently plots his attack. When the time is right, he make his move, swift and sure. Nails empties his mind. The combat room fills with the undead army, David Simmons, Magaloth, and even Marcus Blair. Nails grips the Crashing Halt fetish and initiates his attack. One by one, each opponent falls. Strangely, with each kill Nails does not feel more empowered but instead experiences a great loss. Dirge calls off the simulations and the figures all disappear. Dirge proposes that Nails is not yet ready to let go off these things that infect his mind. As a destroyer he needs to wait until he understands them more. Dirge further admits this is just an old spirit’s opinion, and Nails can do whatever he feels is necessary. In closing, the Ethros warrior teaches him to conserve his energy, focusing it to be released at one specific moment. Dirge’s fighting technique, known as Mad Dash, is learned.

Eric and Tonya go to the recreational level to talk and catch up on things. Much like the combat room, the thoughts of the mind can shape the physical appearance here. Tonya’s thoughts shift to the railroad back in 1990 and the room takes the appropriate visage to fit her mind. While she cannot remember dying, she certainly feels something dark permeating to this area. Tonya talks about yesterday, of how she beat Magaloth and his army. It would appear that she sometimes is possessed by another, some entity known as Rain. Tonya has no idea how long this thing has been inside her or what its intentions might be. She has over time become very comfortable with its presence inside her and often goes by the name Rain, even when not possessed. In confidence Tonya admits that she fears the division line between her and this Rain blur more and more with each passing day. Lastly, Tonya confesses that she recently saw Sam, Eric’s twin brother, in London. In fact, Sam is the very reason she is in the realm. Tonya exorcised a spirit from a young boy that was being manipulated by Sam. Sam was toying with him and, through possession, was going to make the boy jump off of a building. Tonya foiled Sam’s plans and in retaliation he performed some sort of ritual that brought her here. Eric and Tonya both promise to find Sam once they leave this realm and put a stop to his deadly pranks.

But their conversation is cut short. A portal materializes and a reflection of Eric Sky steps out from the shadows. This copy is no reflection, but none other than Sam, Eric’s twin. Ancient words leave his lips as thick silver bindings twist and turn around Eric and Tonya, encapsulating their bodies in a matter of seconds. Sam Sky also has the book in his hands, and within its pages are the faithful recordings of the entire life of Eric Sky. Sam sneers and admits that infiltrating the pack and replacing him would have been less likely without this text. Now he knows everything about his brother in the several years since their separation. And thanks to Magaloth’s help, his plan will work perfectly. Several of Magaloth’s soldiers later appear from the portal and carry Tonya and Eric away, bound and tied. Sam returns to the rest of the Healing Scars, under the disguise of his brother.

During his other packmates absence, Marcus has been interrogating Killer-of-Lies in an attempt to gain more information about the trial. Killer tells the Elodoth that his master, Eternal Balance cannot be reached currently, but will try to attend the trial of Rids-the-Pain. Balance has left Killer to aid the Scars during this trying time. Killer-of-Lies also provides the lawyer with the Banishmentiary Procedures, the legal documentation of the ban that their totem has broken. The text is long and often redundant; Marcus pours over the words looking for some loophole. By this time Nails has returned as well as Sam. Nails is curious and asks Sky why Tonya has not returned with him. Sam quickly lies and informs Nails that Tonya has left to the physical world. She is going to search out Strikes-with-Courage and try to enlist his help. Nails senses something is out of place with his response, but cannot put his finger on it. Marcus Blair and Killer-of-Lies continue to argue over the nature of the phrases within the text. As a lawyer he finds fault in several of the document’s claims and does his best to explain these to Killer. As Marcus interprets the validity of the words within the ban, Nails grows more and more restless. The Healing Scars finally decide to go to the library to search for any leads. The library is huge; tens of thousands of books wrap around countless halls. Marcus Blair shifts through various documents but only finds more riddles. In his search he bumps into an Ethros spirit, named Words-Unwritten. Words is a knowledge spirit and would love to help the Scars, claiming he is an old acquaintance of Rids-the-Pain. Marcus goes over several parts of the ban with the spirit trying to find a loophole. Perhaps through their death (the pack was legally dead during the fight with Simmons) the contract is now null and void? Words does not believe this to be true and argues against the notion. Meanwhile Nails’s patience with their Alpha has worn thin and he demands that they end this nonsense and meet with their totem. Marcus declares that they cannot see him just yet and that they will continue his search. Nails persists and calls his packmate out. They are just moments away from battle when Eric (who is really Sam) plays mediator and convinces the two that a challenge for Alpha at the moment would be self-defeating. Afterwards, Sam whispers to Nails that he can always attack him later, and still be the victor. Nails agrees but is put off by his packmate’s words; that is a notion Eric Sky would never say. Words hints that their totem has done some serious wrongs to the Ethros and will not reveal any further information on the matter. He tells the Scars that they will have to question their totem directly if they want the answers. While Marcus further conducts his conversation with the knowledge spirit Nails stomps away and consults Dirge. Nails tells him that he is ready to see his totem. Dirge does some prying and tells the Uratha that a room has been set up and they can speak with him.

The Scars meet with Rids-the-Pain and he tells them the details of why he is here. Before he was a totem to the Healing Scars, Rids worked as a member of the Ethros. The Ethros clan is a collective of spirits who have deemed themselves lawgivers and lawmakers of the Shadow. Ethros have taken the responsibility to protect the spirits of the shadow by maintaining a balance. It would be important to note that the Ethros do not control the shadow as it is far too large to govern. Nor do the Ethros ever accuse a spirit that they themselves could not physically handle. This is why a jaggling can be persecuted for the smallest offenses while Incarnae are allowed to roam freely. The Ethros spirits are a political machine trying to set harsh examples in hopes that they will echo their law, creating stability within the Shadow. Their law is structured much like man’s law; trials are held to prove one’s innocence or guilt. If a spirit is found guilty the punishment is always death, and the guilty spirit’s essence is transferred to the hub of the realm. Therefore the Ethros realm grows more powerful with every guilty verdict. If found innocent, the subject generally is inflicted with a ban of some degree. As a judiciary member of the Ethros council, Rids-the-Pain corrupted the law for his own personal agendas. Many spirits were executed or endured unbearable bans that later lead to their destruction. Rids accepted bribes of power from rival spirits wanting to silence their enemies through the justice system. Eventually, Rids-the-Pain’s indiscretions were brought to light by several other Ethros and he was accused for his actions. The overwhelming evidence against him sealed his fate, but Rids had a few tricks up his sleeve. During his trail, he was able to twist the legality of certain issues, using ancient numina. To make matters worse, the numina he used to secure his freedom had been the very same powers he received as bribes. He manipulated the truth using old magic, placing the council under various charms and spells. Rids-the-Pain was found not guilty in the Ethros court, given his ban, and removed from the council. The whole proceeding was a slap in the face to everything the Ethros represent. To this very day the other members of the Ethros judiciary council have not forgotten Rids-the-Pain’s actions. They are all eagerly waiting the moment he slips up; then they will have their revenge. That is how and why the nature of the ban was broken during his sacrifice to the Healing Scars. It is a strange balance that Rids-the-Pain’s compassion to others would be his downfall. This is just one side to the Ethros’s sense of balance. Rids-the-Pain did some wickedly evil stuff in his time with the Ethros and suggests that maybe he doesn't deserve to be saved.

Marcus again asks about loopholes within the ban and finds little information to help his case. Rids explains to him exactly how the trial will proceed. There will be 3 witnesses total, 2 of which are called upon by the prosecution. A judge will preside over the hearing and a panel of jurors will vote on his guilty or innocence. If he is found guilty Rids-the-Pain will be terminated immediately. If innocent, the judge will place their selected ban on Rids and he will be free. Rids urges Marcus to look of the Articles of Old, ancient bylaws that might allow him to sway several elements of the case to their advantage. Marcus points out the there was a witness to Rids-the-Pain’s Banishmentiary document and asks if Rids knows who the spirit is who stamped the ban. Rids says that the witness was Words-Unwritten, and if still under Ethros contract, he would prove a useful ally in the courtroom. Marcus admits they have already become acquainted with the spirit and will do their best to persuade his services. The guards come for their prisoner, and the visit is ended. The Healing Scars will see their totem tomorrow morning.

Back at the library, Marcus presents his case to Words-Unwritten. Words is delighted at the mentioning of the Articles of Old and, as a scholar, he would love to aid them in trial, but it must be done in secret. Words-Unwritten decides he will hide as a fetish inside of one of the Ethros law journals. In exchange, he wants freedom from this place; Words is tired of the Ethros law and its duel natures. Words is a knowledge spirit, he wants out, to live his days in the shadow in a library or a museum somewhere away from this madness. Marcus Blair agrees to his terms. The Scars decide to make the best of things and get some sleep.

Later that night Darwin appears as promised and informs Eric (who again is really Sam Sky in disguise) that the traitor is definitely in the realm. One of Darwin’s wings has been broken; the harpy has gone through some painful lengths to enter the realm undetected. He gives Sky a gift, a giant pearly-white orb. Darwin tells Sky that it is a rare communication sphere, allowing its holder the ability to commune with whomever they desire. He warns him to use it sparingly, its magic is strong and the sphere’s power will fade fast. It is all he can give him for the time being but warns that the betrayer will be acting soon, if his information is correct. The harpy leaves and wishes all of them the best of luck. Sam uses the sphere, for a very short time, to contact Eric Sky. He sees the image of his brother bound and tied in a dark room. Sam tells him that his plan is going nicely and his friends will be dead soon enough. Nails, who is on the other side of the room, notices Sky’s actions and strains to listen in on his conversation. He can’t make out the words but adds this to his growing list of suspicions regarding Eric’s recent behavior.

The Healing Scars are greeted by another visitor that night. Eternal Balance has arrived from his trip and wishes the Scars the best of luck in the trial. Eternal Balance gives Nails the resurrection book. He tells him that it’s been calling his name. He doesn’t know the exact language of the book, but hints it is “mortal” written and suggests searching the physical world for its secrets. He tells Marcus to follow his heart in this matter, to feel out the truth. His totem’s situation is not that far off from his own; perhaps Marcus Blair can learn something of himself in this endeavor. He leaves, and the Healing Scars sleep off the rest of the night.

The morning of the trial finally comes. This trial will be held on the roof of the Ethros building. The elevator takes them to the highest floor. From there, they ascend a staircase to the roof. Rids-the-Pain’s trial is ready to begin. The Prosecutor is Forked-Tongue. The judge is a respected Ethros known as Piercing Whisper. The jury is made up of eight other lesser spirits, collectively called the quorum. Rids is placed in a cage in the center of the courtroom. Forked-Tongue pleads his case that Rids is truly evil and must be destroyed. He makes a special notion that the articles of old be used in such case, deemed by the severity of the client’s actions. He calls forth his first witness, Juror number 4. Juror 4 is a spirit who was accused by Rids-the-Pain and is forced to serve on an elected council as punishment of his ban. Marcus immediately objects; a juror cannot be a witness and a juror at the same time. The judge agrees and the juror is dismissed. Due to the void in the juror seat, Piercing Whisper declares juror 4’s position must be filled. After some debate, it is decided that Killer-of-Lies will take this position. Forked-Tongue is furious at the outrage and demands that the court stop twisting the nature of this trial. Tongue cites several objections, quoting various articles. As Killer-of-Lies takes the stand, Nails notices that something is shifty in the spirit’s manner. His packmate, Eric Sky, seems to be staring at Killer dead-on and whispering in some other language. What is really going on is that Sam Sky is using one of the ghosts in this realm to manipulate Killer-of-Lies. Nails knows something is wrong, far too many warning signs have flashed in his mind regarding Eric’s behavior. A court recess is taken. As Marcus consults with Words in his fetish, Nails and Sky retreat to the stairwell. Nails tries to trick Sky and asks him what the password is, stating that he and Eric made up a password in case Sam Sky ever infiltrated the pack. There is, of course, no password and Sam knows this all too well. He tells Nails this, but the Blood Talon still thinks foul play is afoot. Then it hits Nails: the orb. If Darwin is correct then that device that Sky has in possession could grant Nails the power to speak to anyone. What if he looked into it and wished to speak with Eric Sky? Would he see the man in front of him? Or someone else? Nails must find out and reaches out for the orb. Sam locks on to Nails’s arm with an iron-clad grasp and tells him that won’t be necessary. Nail’s predictions seem to be correct; this is not Eric Sky. The two begin to battle.

Meanwhile, Marcus and Words are doing their best with the short recess to form a strategy. The lawyer must choose a witness. Words recommends calling Rids-the-Pain to the stand. And Blair should seriously consider using the Articles of Old. Words tells him when things get ugly to call forth Article 2. There’s not enough time to explain but to trust in the text, and himself. Words says that as an Elodoth, the Uratha and he will be a perfect match for the events to come. Words-Unwritten imbues himself back into the book and their recess ends.

Before Nails can land a blow on his opponent, Sam uses a nearby specter to possess the Urathan warrior. Nails has lost control of his body. He desperately fights Sam Sky, and actually manages to break free with awesome feats of stamina and strength. But, as soon as he shakes off one ghost, Sam simply calls forth another one. The excess of ghosts in this realm relate to all the trials that have taken place. In the Ethros realm, when a spirit is executed sometimes a “ghost” can linger. This strange happening is specific to the realm itself as such a thing never happens elsewhere in the shadow. With hundreds of these ghosts at his mercy, Sam has the ability to manipulate all of them with chilling effects.

Rids is called up on stand, and before a single question can be asked Forked-Tongue objects. The prosecution Ethros calls that this trial be ended immediately. The judge, Piercing-Whisper, seems to be in a sort of agreement. Marcus, backed into a corner, calls that the council recognize Article 2 of the Old ways in Ethrosian parliament. A hush engulfs the courtroom. The judge grants the request and lays out the guidelines. Piercing Whisper recites that Article 2 is a spiritual duel where defense and prosecution simplify the case at hand into raw spiritual energy. Essentially the argument is a manifested verbal fistfight. Their words become their blows. This confrontation will continue until one is rendered unconscious. They each take their positions across from each other and prepare for the duel.

Elsewhere, the real Eric Sky and Tonya are still bound and trapped inside a room. After seeing his brother through the sphere, Eric is determined to find a way out of the place and back to his friends. He manages to loosen the gag around his mouth. Fortunately, Magaloth’s guards left some time ago. Their prison is a small cube, with no apparent entryway or exit. He must think of something. He calls out to Tonya. She replies in a mumble as her mouth is still gagged. Sky asks her to give into Rain, to do everything in her power to let that part of her body take over. Perhaps Rain can offer a solution from this. Tonya nods and meditates. After some time both are about to give up when she finally changes. Her body hues to a shade of silver as her eyes loose pupil and become pure white. Tonya’s shackles melt away into nothingness. She has become Rain once more. Rain speaks to Eric and tells him that she cannot break his shackles, as the laws that govern her forbid such a thing. She smiles and tells the Uratha that she will return in a short while, as there is an old friend of hers that might be able to remedy this situation. Tonya/Rain disappears in a brilliant flash of light.

With Article 2 declared Marcus Blair and Forked-Tongue engage in battle. Forked-Tongue lets loose a fury of words that manifest and bash into his opponent. Each phrase strikes into the Uratha comparative to a well-placed blow to the head. Stringently, Marcus holds his ground. He calls forth his own attack, but the Ethros spirit appears completely unaffected by his blast. Tongue strikes another blow, this time Marcus does a bit better in preparing for its sting. Bruised, but not beaten, he holds his book (with Words-Unwritten) and begins to chant. The book and he become one; Marcus and Words have somehow joined. This new entity glows in a cover of flames. Marcus and Words hover above the ground in a ball of fire. In first tongue, he boastingly declares that he is Spitfire. That name carries some unforeseen weight as many other Ethros spirits cower. The words that leave Spitfire’s mouth burn into a spear that races towards Forked-Tongue. The fire-spear finds its intended target, burning the spirit alive. Forked-Tongue has been defeated in battle. By this time, Sam Sky and Nails have shifted their own battle from the stairwell to the middle of the courtroom. Upon witnessing the events of Marcus becoming Spitfire, Nails finally manages to break free of Sam’s possession and makes his way to alongside Spitfire. The fiery image of Spitfire fades as Marcus and Words-Unwritten separate into their respective selves.

A wooden gavel smashes down as Piercing-Whisper calls for order. She declares that Article 7,541 bears truth to this Article 2 defiance by Spitfire. No one should be killed during Article 2 and thus 7,541 must be invoked. Marcus Blair, the accused, and the entire representative party must be eliminated immediately. But the judge is broken off before she can say anymore. There is an objection from one of the spirits in the audience. Eternal Balance now has words of his own to speaks, and declares no such article exists. Whisper demands that he is to remain silent or share their fate as well. Balance declares that this trial is as much of a shamble as Rids-the-Pain’s first one, except this time the fault lies within the council. He will not stand idly by and let such events take place. Eternal Balance sheds his Ethros shell and shows his real spiritual form, that of a mighty griffin. Echoing their leader Dirge and Killer-of-Lies rise to defend the accused. Both also change to battle, Dirge a bear spirit and Killer into a razorblade murder spirit. Piercing-Whisper welcomes the challenge and a civil war erupts. The Judge grows into a massive oak tree as a horde of Ethros gunmen take her lead. Marcus attempts to pry open the bars with his sword but is unable. Eternal Balance tosses him his own blade and tells Blair that he has earned the right to wield it. The swords tears through the metal and Rids-the-Pain is freed. He also takes warrior form and joins his companions.

After waiting for some time Rain returns to the dark room and tells the Eric Sky that her mission was a success. She has brought back a weapon, a long black whip. With one snap his bindings are broken and Eric is freed. There’s not much time, as Rain cannot control Tonya much longer. She tells the Uratha that the whip is a gift from Shadow-Wind and that it will temporarily allow him to enter the Ethros realm. She does insist that its true purpose is not for reality travel, but it has been blessed to do so on this occasion. Rain slips away as Tonya regains control of her body. Eric Sky wastes no time and cracks the whip into the darkness. It viciously snaps and tears a small hole in the air. On the other side, he can see the rooftop of the Ethros building. It is a trial of some sorts, but complete madness has broken out. Two divisions have formed, one around a giant tree spirit, the other around a griffin. On one side he spots his packmates, Marcus and Nails, preparing for the massive attack. His treacherous brother is on the sidelines, waiting for the victor to emerge so he can take his appropriate place. Eric grabs Tonya by the hand and the two enter the tear and emerge in the middle of the battleground.

Special Day

2005-12-21T10:42:00.000-06:00

This may be a bit off topic for the blog, but I feel I’ve reached a place where I can brag about my marriage. As of today, Brandy and I have been married for four years! Sweet Jesus, that is a long time! Even though she doesn’t read this blog (probably a good thing, she makes fun of me enough as if is) I just wanted to say that it has been a privilege being her husband through good times and bad.

Here’s my lame ass excuse to relate this news to gaming. Finding a girlfriend who supports your roleplaying is no easy task. Most women throw red flags and treat the roleplaying process as if were a cancer to the relationship. Some even go so far as to threaten breaking up if one doesn’t cease said action immediately. I know this; I’ve been there before. And I’m very happy to say that I’ve found someone with whom I can compromise all these things with. Brandy is my voice of reason; she supports my imagination and creative process more than anyone else. On the flip side, she is also never afraid to tell me when I’ve overstepped my bounds regarding family issues. But the difference between her and any other woman I had a relationship with is that she doesn’t nag me about it. She respects me deeply, and in return I do my best to return the favor when it comes to things that she wants. Compromising is never easy, but when you’re with the right person the things you gain in comparison to what you might loose easily outweigh.

I am a very lucky guy, and I’ll leave it at that. The session summary is going well, but for obvious reasons I won’t be working on it today.

A Little Progress

2005-12-20T14:29:00.000-06:00

Session Six wrapped up nicely last week. The practice of "free will in roleplaying" challenged me once again to make changes in my original storyline regarding the Sky brothers. This is not a gripe of course. As I explained previously, twisting events and manipulating character's decisions is far more damaging to protect one’s original storyline. And, as a bonus, my "skills" (call them what you will) are put to the test to write new plotlines into future sessions to compliment said changes. Now, as I write the new session summary, I am reminded of several challenges in its proposed documentation.

For starters, the length of content is almost too large to be shown in a summarized format. I feel that by narrowing several events on paper, they are not getting their due weight and credit. The creation of the individual character blogs should balance this out, allowing packmates to write about their accomplishments in greater detail and, most importantly, from their point of view. Also I have been incredibly busy with work. Realistically, I would estimate that the session summary will be posted no later than Friday of this week. I’ll do my best to post other off-topic posts to fill in that gap. My only real gripe about the session is the way I handled bringing Eric Sky back. Ben, I promise I will write something to add to the dealings with Rain, the meeting with Shadow Wind (Old Man Diaper), and the events that lead to her giving you the whip. A lot more happened there but due to time constraints (it was already 4 in the morning) it was cut short.

Now for a question: What do you think the name of this session should be? I’m having a bit of writers block regarding this. A title like "The Ethros Trial" just really doesn’t do it justice, as the trial was only one part of the session. There was also Sam Sky, the book, the new weapons, etc. I would love to get some feedback on this one.

EDIT: After looking this over I suddenly realized that I might be coming off as a bit despressed about these events. Honestly, I'm pleased as punch with how everything is turning out so far! I'm just being a little hard on myself because I want to continue the level of quality with each new gaming experience.

Free Will In Roleplaying

2005-12-14T09:58:00.000-06:00

Heather Grove does an excellent job of concisely explaining various roleplaying techniques. Discussed below are the concept and illusion of free will, subtle scripting, communication and/or lack thereof between GM and players. I have provided several excerpts of hers along with a few of my own notes to further the discussion of our recent Q&A session.

Following excerpts are from: "Free Will in Roleplaying"
Copyright 2000 by Heather Grove. Currently printed on the Burning Void roleplaying resources page.

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The Appearance of Free Will
What a lot of people don't realize is that it's more important for the players to believe that their characters have free will than it is for them to have free will. As long as the guiding hand is invisible - as long as you trick your players into making the choices you want them to make, seemingly of their own free will - they'll never know the difference. You just have to be ready to throw that guiding hand out the window if your players are bound and determined to do what you don't want them to do. Better to let them lose the quest or end up in an entirely different plot than to make them think that their choices don't matter.
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I am notorious for these type of traps in my own games. The guiding hand theory is always deep in my mind when my own group meets a challenge. Alex brought up a great example with his character Nails a few sessions back. The Healing Scars, through some crazy means, traveled through time using a locus to the year 1990. Instead of dealing with the immediate problem on the train, his attention focused entirely towards David Simmons, his arch enemy. In this current time period the young man would only be a small child, making him an easy target to kill. His original line of thinking completely caught me off guard and forced me to think "outside the box" in order to contain the validity of my script. On another note, paradoxes (time travel) are best left undone in a game because it almost always complicates the situation. I knew quite well when using this type of plot device that handling the whole ordeal woulf be "tricky" at best.

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Subtle Scripting
Not all forms of scripting are blatant. Some are subtle and insidious. The GM might use narration to slip in hints about how the characters must feel. For example, "as you near the corner you see a bloody footprint. It fills you with fear." Such comments are subtle and you might not even realize that you're making them. They're important to avoid when possible, however. Telling a player how her character should think and feel is one of the worst forms of control. (For a particularly bad example of this form of scripting, see our review of "Supernumerary.") The example above isn't a terrible one. It's worse when a GM tells the characters something that directly affects their actions. To pull on the example in that review, you really shouldn't tell a character: "While your suspicion of the android is evident even to him, you cannot deny the necessity of his proposal." In this example the GM blatantly scripts actions as well as feelings: he has decreed that the characters should find the android's proposal necessary, which will have a huge impact on their actions. Mind you, some such comments may be appropriate - maybe a wizard cast a spell to make anyone who saw the afore-mentioned bloody prints feel fear. Or maybe the character has a premonition that takes the feeling of a shiver of fear. "It fills you with fear" does not automatically mean that the GM is scripting. And admittedly, it can be hard to notice when you're saying these things unintentionally. But when possible, you're always better off tailoring your description to evoke the response you want, rather than simply stating the response. In the example of the bloody footprint, you might instead say the following: "You near the corner of the street. The lamp has burned out and everything is a blur of shadow. You can barely make out the shape of a footprint on the ground, but as you get closer, you note rivulets of a dark red fluid trickling out of the footprint. The shadows seem to press closer, and you hear a rustling sound off to your left in the bushes..." You get the point. Use concrete, physical description to convey the feeling you want the character to feel.
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I'm going to use Nails again in an example. When reading the resurrection book I scripted that Alex's character would feel fear from Magaloth's intentions towards the Ethros realm. What took place was exactly the opposite, Nails connected with the spirits lust for destruction, and rightly so. It is very easy to generalize feelings produced from certain events and not give them their due weight in regards to personal experiences. Luckily, Alex caught this remark in the session summary and the error was corrected.

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Communication
One way to avoid the apparent need for scripting is to communicate with your players before the game to make certain that you're all on the same wavelength. If some of your players hate politics-plots and that's what your whole story arc is based on, you're going to have a problem, and you may end up feeling as though you have to push people into following your plot. If you talk to people ahead of time you can make sure that everyone's interested in the same kind of game, and muck with the plot if they aren't. In addition, pay attention to what the characters say when they talk amongst themselves during the game. If they talk about their feelings and suspicions regarding events, they may provide you with plenty of information to allow you to tailor the events to them. When it comes down to it, running a game that isn't scripted can be challenging - that's why a lot of people avoid it. But it isn't as challenging as people think. It avoids a lot of potential friction between GM and players, and it can result in a game that's more fun for all. Besides, nothing quite compares to seeing the wonderful, unexpected plots that your players can make out of your game.
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The Ethros realm is a "cut and paste" example of how I've used communication to determine how to tailor the story. While the bulk of the plot is socially strained towards Alpha packmate Marcus Blair, I have kindly balanced other twists (the thinking trials of the Five of Seven, the brute force necessary to accomplish the last two) in the game.

White Wolf Website Hacked

2005-12-13T08:46:00.000-06:00

It's a very scary world out there. This is quoted directly from their main page:

Dear White Wolf Users,

Like many other well-known companies of the last few years, White Wolf was the target of an attack by international hackers this weekend. These hackers are now attempting to extort money from us with the threat of posting user data to the internet. We have no intention of paying this money, and are in contact with the FBI in an attempt to bring these criminals to justice.

We are choosing to make this public so that our users and fans can take any precautions needed to protect themselves. We are recommending that if you have used your White Wolf user password as the password for any other services you use on the internet, that you change them immediately.

These hackers were able to exploit a flaw in our software and access user data, this data included usernames, email addresses and encrypted passwords. As far as we can ascertain, they were unable to access any credit card data (nor have they claimed they did). However, it is possible for the encrypted passwords they accessed to be decrypted given enough time.

In addition, the site will be down for the next few days while we evaluate some of the software we are using and take appropriate action to help prevent future attacks.

We appreciate your patience and concern while we work through the details of this process.

In addition to this posting we will be emailing our userbase with this information. For correspondence regarding this, please direct all queries to wwaccounts@white-wolf.com .

-Like they said I urge everyone to change their password information if they had an account through White Wolf. I don't know if DrivethruRPG.com was also hit but I'm going to do some more research.

Stupid hackers and their stupid hacking.

Understanding our Game, Part One

2005-12-12T13:24:00.000-06:00

The session summaries are the “meat and potatoes” of this blog. While it may not be very entertaining for outside visitors, the players and I benefit from having our stories etched in digital stone. As our game grows into multiple story arcs and countless meta-plots a sense of direction is greatly needed. The sessions summaries are summations; they do not record every single event in a session. They do manage to capture the core elements of the story at hand.

Let me say that it is very exciting to receive positive feedback from several White Wolf gamers about the presentation of our game. I have posted answers to a few questions here in the blog. Gamers feel free to keep emailing me (eithansmith@gmail.com) with new questions. I had an enjoyable time answering this set.

1. Your stories are very indepth but I was wondering why are specific rolls for actions not recorded in your session summaries? Just wondering.

While the White Wolf’s system plays an important part to our Healing Scars campaign, I don’t feel that it is necessary to record individual rolls in the summaries. Doing so might cheapen the value of these tales, by pulling them out of the narrative fantasy into a mix of techno jargon and complicated rules. As a storyteller I constantly challenge my players through simple, extended, and contested rolls, but I do not feel that the specifics of these dice challenges require exact documentation inside of our story. If anyone wants to know the specifics of a certain roll in our game, I would be more than happy to keep a separate log of these numbers. Until the desire for such a thing emulates, expect to see more of the same from these writings.

2. I'm nitpicking here but you have individual sessions listed in the summaries, but nowhere does it list chronicles. Are these sessions all part of the same chronicle or do you even use chronicles or stories to segregate your sessions?

To answer both questions: no. I detest White Wolf’s style of grouping gaming sessions together. I have always tried to compare our session format to that of individual episode of a TV show. Each session I write about is very close to that standard in length of time, character development, etc. So, one could assume that about 15-20 sessions equal an entire season. And you could take this a step further and state that each season could be a “chronicle.” Of course that requires a lot of “assuming” and “standards,” two things that I never really cared for. They are many reasons that I like the episodic formula. It is very easy to write stories in this format; I have countless examples of plot development at work to pull from on the television. Considering how popular television shows are, I take the good out of this format and apply it to roleplaying. There is no perfect way to group the sessions of the Healing Scars group. I enjoy this complexity because I think it parallels real life; such events in your world cannot be easily split into categories and often change depending on one’s point-of-view.

3. I am a GM for white wolf and have been for a while and I have this problem. How concrete are your stories in writing? Basically what I mean is do you allow your characters to deviate away much from what you are writing?

It really depends on the story I’m writing. For the most part, I write my stories in a loose outline format. One trick I use is that I write down a few themes I want the story to hold to before I start writing. So while I’m crafting my story, the themes are always there and can easily fit into my writings, thus adding more complexity and realism to the game. Characters can, and often do, deviate completely from my proposed storyline. But, unlike most storytellers, I enjoy this when it happens. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the reason someone moves away from the story is due to a major flaw in the logic of where I initially wanted the story to go. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like to TRY to control the outcome of certain events. The difference is that I never force such a thing; I merely test the group with certain challenges and hope for the best. If it doesn’t work out to my design, then it is my fault entirely and I work twice as hard to recorrect my mistakes.

4. Nice site and thanks for the comment on my page. I have a question for you. I was just wondering about what you use (GM stuff) to make the Werewolf:the Forsaken game more fun?

There are way too many to name. In fact, expect me to devote a few posts here in the future talking about just that. One excellent technique (a personal favorite of my old GM, Jarrett H.) is to insert various meta-plots that run outside of the session’s plotline. Character meta-plots are priceless ways to really make players feel at home in your world. One example of this, from my game, would be Nail’s confrontations with David Simmons and the Destroyer Wolf. While this is an important part of the story it runs completely separate of the central plot of the sessions. Without good meta-plots characters loose individuality and often get lost in the tasks assigned to the entire pack/group.

More questions to come! The dark spiral is a great community and it's given many opportunities to meet great people. Gamers, players, whomever: post your questions here or shoot me email. I will answer new questions in Understanding our Game, Part Two.

Character Blogs

2005-12-07T12:03:00.000-06:00

I’m moderately pleased to announce that the individual character mini-blogs (call them what you will) have been published. Currently all three blogs have the same look and feel but, with some excellent user input, I hope for that to change. These are your blogs so let me know how you want them to look and I’ll do my best to reflect that.

To use these blogs the players first responds to the blog invitation email I sent days prior. Last I checked Adam and Ben have accepted, leaving Alex the only one who hasn’t responded yet. By responding you will become a moderator of your blog. From that point forward, you can add, delete, or edit posts at your whim. Moderators also have the power to change the template design of their blog. If you have little to no experience in web development, I would kindly suggest leaving this section alone. If you want anything changed “style-wise” I am always an email or a phone-call away.

The first post in each blog was just a test post to check its functionality. It says something to the effect of “This is a test post for the character, yada-yada.” Once in control of your blogs I suggest deleting that post and adding something more relevant. The exact process of how much experience to award for posting in the blogs is still up for debate. If anyone has any ideas let me know; I welcome comments and suggestions.

To view your blogs, click on the links below. And, for the extremely web-savvy, anybody can click on the newly created links in the pack section of the sidebar (on the right of this page) to check the blogs out. Just look for the open book icons and you’ve found the links. I also linked your blogs to your character’s names that appear on the sidebar. So if you click on the “Eric Sky Ben H.” image you will be transported to the blog as well.

So there you have it, three different ways to access your character blogs. I think, in this case, repetition is a good thing. As always, just direct any question to me and I’ll answer away.

Eric Sky’s Blog: http://eric-sky.blogspot.com

Marcus Blair’s Blog: http://marcus-blair.blogspot.com

Nicholas “Nails” DeWinter’s Blog: http://nicholas-dewinter.blogspot.com

Technical Note, for the Techies: The Healing Scars blog, and your individual character blogs, have been coded using CSS and XHTML. Though I detest the notion of using JavaScript, several scripts I run (web stat counter, moon phase, etc.) contain JavaScript code. If either the Web Stat Counter or the Moon Phase script do not appear to be working, you might have to change your browser settings to allow for JavaScript. The blog “style layouts” function universally in standard web browsers, including Internet Explore, Firefox, and Netscape. I have not tested our code in any of the other “gecko-based” browsers but will do so in the very near future. Also I recommend viewing these blogs with a screen resolution of at least 800 x 600, preferably 1024 x 768. With anything less than 800 x 600, the tables get a bit cluttered. News junkies should take pleasure in our site feeds, published in Atom and Feedburner. I am also adding an XML feed, when I have the time. That is all. Mumbo jumbo tech talk over.

Music Artist: Blockhead

2005-12-05T10:52:00.000-06:00

I’m going to go out on a limb here and state that Blockhead is perhaps the greatest “mood” music I have ever had the pleasure of listening. My Werewolf players might recognize a song or two, as his stylings make up some of the background music I play during sessions.

I have always believed that the sounds used during a session are as equally important as the story itself. Music is a wonderful spark to the imagination, often the necessary push for a player to leave our world to enter the World of Darkness or whatever game one might play. Great story elements can literally fall flat with players if the mood and setting are not in the right place. It is a careful game of "give and take" in which no Storyteller is perfect, but I pride myself in the thinking that I come pretty close to inspiring characters to play their best each session.

Blockhead is not a conventional artist. Casual listeners might take his music and lump in into a techno section or perhaps the “pure moods, Enya, feel-good” category. It is synthetic by design but the output of his songs is hardly digitized. The closest artist I would even consider comparing him to is Moby, but even that is a stretch. He has a unique ability to take a harmlessly simple beat and twist it by breathing the surreal life of a city throughout. Blockhead actually finds insult to the mere claims of being a techno artist. In fact, he claims that his roots are in hip hop. At first I was surprised by this notion but the more I grew accustomed to his style the more it seemed to make sense. Like hip hop, his music is very raw and exposed. There's a simple beauty, and an equally harsh reality, to each of his songs.

My personal favorite is "Insomniac Olympics." The song even hosts a fan-submitted "flash music video" of a gunfight gone wrong; the vid really hits the core feeling of the track. Most techno music is distorted; it is meant to immerse you in some robotic future that lies shrouded in fantasy. And while that style of music is great under certain circumstances, it does very little to encourage characterization in the WoD. Blockhead's music does quite the opposite; he puts the listener in the present-day streets, confronting a harsh world of drugs, sex, and sin. This is dark ambience at its best, an easy choice for a soundtrack to Werewolf the Forsaken or any other World of Darkness setting.

"Insomniac Olympics" Music Video, via AlbinoBlackSheep.

Blockhead’s Webpage, via NinjaTunes.

Session 5. The Last Two

2005-11-30T12:05:00.000-06:00

The Ethros realm is under attack. Nails pulls Marcus over his shoulder as he carries him into the elevator. Eric and Tonya follow directly behind. Alarms sound as their elevator progresses higher and higher up the building. Finally, the elevator stops. By this time Marcus Blair is beginning to wake from the toxin’s effects. He is weary from the blade’s poison but will manage in time. The elevator doors open; the Healing Scars are on the floor 34,382, the same level they met with the Ethros council. The council members are all dead, and the room is in shambles. Something big came through here and left a hefty trail of destruction. It is very dark in the room; the glass windows are blocked by something. Upon closer examination they find that the darkness over the window is a massive swarm of locusts. Millions of the insects have wrapped themselves around the building. The creatures are slowly chewing at the frame of the skyscraper, hoping to find a weakness.

Amongst the maze of broken circuits and wire one of the video conference equipment monitors is still functional. The face of councilman Eternal Balance appears on the screen. He demands to know Killer-of-Lies’s location. Marcus regrettably informs the Ethros spirit that Killer-of-Lies has been destroyed by the pack’s hands. Balance smirks and informs the Uratha that things work much differently here in the Ethros realm; spirits do not die from “mortal death.” Killer-of-Lies is merely incorporeal and will not take form until reunited with the realm’s essence. Balance further explains that within the building is a Hub, the heart of the Ethros realm. It contains enough essence to fuel the entire realm and will easily give Killer form once more. Magaloth must not encounter Killer-of-Lies. If Killer joins with him, very bad things will happen. Killer is a “spiritual cousin” and his power will only increase Magaloth’s. Above all, Magaloth cannot enter the Hub. If he does so, he could take out the entire realm. Before Eternal Balance can unravel more details the power is shut down. His monitor flickers off and the lights are replaced by total darkness.

During the commotion and loss of power, no one realized that the attackers were still in the room. Three rather large and nasty black dragons lie mounted to the ceiling ready to strike. Each dragon falls down and grapples its intended target, only Eric Sky manages to dodge the beasts. He pushes Tonya to the side and clicks off the safety of his Uzi. A hideous sound travels through the air and stings Sky’s ears. One of the beasts is shrieking at the Uratha in a deafeningly tone. It wants to know where the book is. Sky quickly answers the dragon’s question with a long burst of 9mm rounds from his weapon. Even in the darkness he manages to find the target, his other Urathan senses make up for his lack of vision. Bullets rip flesh; the dark reptile is bleeding profusely. Tonya retreats to the corner of the room and is safe for the time being. Nails takes a beating but eventually manages to overpower his opponent dragon. He finishes off the aggressor with a well-placed back-breaker. Meanwhile Marcus, still woozy from the effects of the toxin, has some trouble defending himself. The third dragon wraps its forked tongue around the Alpha, tightening its grasp in a vicious choke-hold. Marcus cannot breath, and instinctively decides to give into his rage. The Iron Master shifts into his warrior form. Muscles bulge as he turns into Gauru. The dragon’s tongue swells with Blair’s change, eventually snapping as Marcus flexes his neck. Blood spews forth from the confused creature’s mouth. Gauru Marcus tears into the dragon with tooth and claw. The battle is over as quickly as it had started. In an uncontrollable rage, Marcus devours the beast’s flesh, a quick fix from the malnutrition imposed during the trials of Seven. Nails and Eric also have they fill of the other two beasts. The rage slowly subsides and Blair returns to human form, covered in flesh and blood. Marcus is appalled that he just ate raw meat and does his best to clean up. “Nails” DeWinter grins and licks his bloody lips; obviously he felt quite different about his meal.

Eric Sky’s first thought after battle is to check on Tonya’s status. He finds her on the floor, shaking and shivering. Rain tells Eric that something is attacking her spirit, and she cannot fight it off any longer. Her eyes turn white and she shakes violently. The tremors within her eventually fade. She quickly regains her footing and looks at the Sky with a menacing stare. Eric Sky grits his teeth, he can smell Killer’s stink inside the girl. The Ethros spirit, inside Tonya, tells the Healing Scars that he has temporarily possessed the girl. Tonya will serve as a vessel until he can regain his essence. Sky doesn’t like the situation one bit, but Eternal Balance said to protect the whelp so there is little he can do for the moment. The Ethros looks down the girl’s shirt, smirks, and confesses that the girl does have a nice rack. It would be a pity for him to kill her. Eric Sky’s fury boils. The Uratha Bone Shadow carefully buries his hatred for the time being, warning the spirit that he will exact revenge if harm should befall the girl.

Killer will become whole once they reach the Hub, which is only five stories above. Unfortunately, the elevator will no longer be an option for traveling. After opening the elevator doors the shaft reveals a pillar of unnatural fire, a new defense of the building in light of the attacks. The Healing Scars quickly close the doors and escape the approaching flames. Nails pulls out the RPG and points it to the ceiling as everyone else scrambles for cover. Two blasts later the five stories have been breached. The group climbs each level and enters the Hub, the brain of the entire building. Killer-of-Lies wastes no time and goes to the control console to open the gates. After several attempts he curses in the ancient tongue. With the power cut, the console will not function properly. They need to restore the main grid to obtain access to this room.

Killer-of-Lies sighs and informs the Scars that the power grid is on a sublevel within the basement. Nails only has three RPG rounds left, hardly enough to blast through the structure of the building to that destination. The Healing Scars continue to discuss how to travel thousands of floors without the elevator or any stairs available. Killer, overhearing this, corrects them and explains that the Ethros floor number system is different than mortals. Humans number their buildings off of the first floor above ground, while Ethros number their building off of the first basement floor and work their way up. There are exactly 34,000 basement levels so the “first floor” of the building is really labeled 34,001. If they are on Ethros floor 34,382 then, by simply math, the group is really only 381 stories in the air, much lower than they had originally thought. Breaking the glass and climbing down would be possible, if not for the millions of locusts that would devour them and gain access to the building. They formulate a plan: why not use the building’s defenses to their advantage? If they break the glass, all the locusts will undoubtedly enter through at that point. Perhaps they could simultaneously open the elevator door and use the fire to kill the swarm. Nails stands by the elevator and waits for Marcus to break the glass. Blair draws his Katana and strikes the window. Locusts pour through the opening. Nails pulls the door open, releasing a pillar of flame in the insect’s general direction. It is working, the bugs are not smart enough to learn from their mistakes, more and more enter to meet their demise. After a long while the bulk of the locusts are destroyed. Nails pulls the large doors to a close and the fire ceases.

With the majority of the locusts gone, the hole in the window allows the Healing Scars to climb to the surface below. Marcus offers himself as a host to Killer instead of Tonya, but Killer-of-Lies refuses. From the side of the building, the pack notices an army of undead soldiers mounted around the building hundreds of feet away. The hordes are quite comparable to that of Nail’s vision from the book. He scans the thousands looking for the one known as Magaloth. No such figure emerges from his field of vision. The army is not attacking; they must be waiting for a signal from Magaloth before advancing.

After the climb to ground below, they enter the front doors of the building. Killer tells them that sublevel can be entered through a trap door on the first floor. Inside the group meets the secretary again sitting at her desk. She laughs and admits that she was the one who betrayed the Ethros realm by revealing its location to Magaloth. Her false image fades away as she shifts into a spider host. She is an Azlu, one of the fiercest fiends of the Uratha. The spider hosts are shards of an ancient greater spirit that once battled Father Wolf. Marcus quickly draws his duel Uzis and prepares to fire. The Azlu returns a cold stare that turns the Alpha to stone. Completely immobilized, there is little Marcus can do but try his best to break free. Nails engages the creature, striking it squarely with the butt of his RPG. Eric Sky protects Tony/Rain/Killer-of-Lies while the Blood Talon continues to battle. DeWinter leaps high in the air above the creature and fires his weapon at the spider. The RPG round buries into its abdomen and explodes. The Uratha returns to the ground just in time to smash its severed head with his feet, which happened to be the only recognizable part of the spider remaining. Upon the Azlu’s destruction, Marcus Blair is returned to normal. There’s no time to waste, the Scars descend the trap door and begin climbing. Eventually they descend for several hours until the walls are not longer scalable. With little light they cannot see to the bottom. Everyone releases their grasp and falls down into darkness. They all land on solid ground, finding themselves in the middle of a war zone.

The Healing Scars have reached the power grid sublevel. A dwindled group of Ethros lead by one individual is fighting off a faction of approaching zombies and various other nasty creatures. They leader, named Dirge, is barking commands as he wields a mini gun as if it were a mere pistol. Dirge quickly explains that the enemy took over the power control station and the Ethros have spent the last few hours trying to gain it back. Eric Sky searches the countless corpses and finds a few grenades. Dirge agrees to draw the aggressor’s fire as the Scars make a suicide rush on the power control console at the other side of the room. Dirge warns them not to let any of the “fuckers” touch them; the beasts can infect anybody by physical contract. The Scars take heed and begin their assault. Dirge and his followers concentrate their cover fire on the brunt of the attackers. Sky also uses the grenades to blast back several opponents, but the fiends are beginning to surround the Healing Scars. Dirge tells the Uratha to keep going as he rushes on the countless zombies. He pulls several grenade pins attached to his hip as the creatures steadily come within range. Several grenade balsts erupt into a fireball that destroys most of the opposition, including Dirge. The Scars don’t have time to dwell on his sacrifice; they quickly rush on the control panel and start mashing buttons. Seconds later, the building begins to power up. The powered defense systems spring forth to life, as several automated rail guns detach from the ceiling and take care of the rest of the intruders.

With power restored the Healing Scars will be able to gain access to the Hub. An elevator located next to the power terminal will easily take them to the appropriate level. They all enter the elevator and the doors close. It races upward, much faster than the other they had previously ridden, and drops them off at floor 34,387 in just a few seconds. Killer and the Scars input the correct code and enter the central room of the Hub. A giant sun-like sphere of essence spins at the core. It is flowing with thousands of points of essence! Killer is immediately made whole again, and Tonya gains control of her body. In presence of Hub sphere, the werewolves have also regained their connection to their essence.

An enormous explosion rocks the building. One side of the skyscraper is reduced to ruble to reveal a dark figure mounted on a black dragon. His armor is laced with various wardings of the First Tongue. Though humanoid, his appearance bares strange features; one might say that there is savage animalism to it. A thick scar runs down the middle of his face. Nails immediately recognizes him from the book. It is Magaloth, and he wants Killer-of-Lies. The newly formed Killer-of-Lies cowers in the corner of the Hub in fear. Magaloth is taken back when his eyes fall upon the mage called Rain. With cold words he declares that she should have been killed by his servant Reckless-Hate. Tonya appears to know him as well; her skin begins to turn silver as she initiates a spell. She whispers a few words and it begins to rain. The Ethros sphere dims with her magic, as if she is harnessing the entire power of the realm itself. The silver mage tells the Healing Scars to stand close to her. A layer of protection forms around the caster, Killer-of-Lies, and the Scars. The sky continues to rain. Magaloth laughs and sneers, telling her that it will take more than water to sway him. The rainfall is steady now. The drops grow more frequent and powerful with each passing second. Over time the raindrops have turned into needles, long and sharp blades that piece and puncture everything in their decent to the ground. Magaloth’s body is literally torn apart, and his surrounding army is also washed away by the deadly downpour. Magaloth and his invading forces have been banished from the Ethros realm.

From behind the sphere the Ethros councilman Eternal Balance makes his presence known. He thanks the Healing Scars and decrees that the final two trials of the Seven are complete. With the sixth trial they saved the entire realm from total destruction. The final act of the Seven involved them returning Killer-of-Lies to form. Through this action a balance was created, an answer to the imbalance that began with Killer's death at the pack's hands. He proclaims that the Ethros are the only spirits who believe in balance, the idea that harmony can and must exist between all things opposing. The rest of the spirit world follows a “kill or be killed” philosophy and cares little about such things. The Ethros attempt to enforce their moral code throughout the shadow, but the small troupe can only do some much. He understands their resentment towards Killer, but balance holds a blind eye in its resolve. The lesson learned here bears great importance; this example of balance amoung the Ethros spirits might give Marcus Blair the insight needed to save their totem spirit.

Experience Points

2005-11-29T13:58:00.000-06:00

I've always hated the concept of dealing out experience, especially with the World of Darkness system. The fix I provide below is by no means "perfect," but with our game I desperately need a more accurate way to gauge one's progress. This is a draft that will be used for session 6. By the way, the session 5 summary is 90% complete and should be posted tomorrow. The mini-blogs are also 90% complete. I shall contact the players to iron out the details of posting and all that jazz. Hopefully everyone's excited about this stuff; again these journals will be optional. But posting in the eyes and ears of your Uratha character will definitely earn you EXP points in the future.

Behold the new system for handing out experience in the Healing Scars sessions. It mostly follows White Wolf's current formula, with a few twists. With these new mechanics it is possible to lose points if a character follows ego and tries to gain experience points for non-herioc deeds (See Heroism). Also added is MVP points that reward the deeds of one particular packmate. The learning curve system has new flavor by associating the deed proposed with a certain skill or attribute. That way, if a character wants to spend EXP points to raise a stat, I might require that they have a learning curve associated to that stat through roleplaying first, even if they have the number of EXP points required to raise it.

Experience Points System

1) Breathing. That's right; you get ONE experience point for just being in the session.
[+1 EXP, Automatic for every Character]

2) Learning curve. Each player can attempt to explain "what they learned this session" towards a particular attribute or skill. If they represent this claim well they receive ONE experience point. Also, I will be tracking learning curves for each player and might deny someone boosting their stats if they haven't grown enough in that particular area.
[+1 EXP, for Characters Proving Learning Curve]
[0 EXP, if Character Fails to Prove Learning Curve]

3) Exceptional Success. This is very simple, if the character performs at least one action that yields an exceptional success, they received ONE experience point. Dramatic failure has nothing to do with this system, failing one of those rolls is dangerous enough as it is.
[+1 EXP, if Character has at least One Exceptional Success]
[0 EXP, if Chracter has No Exceptional Successes]

3) The Incredible "Fuckup" Point. The character gets ONE EXP point for fixing/surviving some tremedously stupid action. This is storyteller's discrection.
[+1 EXP, If Character Overcomes the Feat]
[0 EXP, if Character does not Overcome any Feat]

4) True to Form. Sticking "true to form" deserves experience, simply because people fine-tune that which is steadily practiced. This ONE EXP allows characters EXP even if they "suck" for an evening, but still grow from their actions as a character.
[+1 EXP, If Character Holds True to Form]
[0 EXP, if Character Does Not Stay True to Form]

5) Heroism. Performing heroic deeds is not all that stands to being a hero. To receive TWO experience points for heroism the character must recall a situation they handled in regards to one of their primary Renown skills. This must be something extraordinary, something a normal Uratha would not have done in their place. Characters should be very careful when considering their deeds heroic; they should always listen to their heart and not their ego. Hero points are graded harshly and if not represented one can loose ONE experience point instead of gaining it. If a character doesn't want gamble on heroism points, they can deny the attempt all together.
[+2 EXP, If Character Attempts and Proves Heroism]
[-1 EXP, if Character Attempts and Fails to Prove Heroism]
[+0 EXP, if Character Denies Attempt to Prove Heriosm]

6) MVP Award. Each player secretly votes who they feel contributed most to the success of the session. I, the storyteller, will also cast a vote. The winner of the vote gets THREE experience points. Note: In the event of a tie, no points are awarded.
[+3 EXP, if Character Wins MVP Vote]
[+0 EXP, in the Event of a Tie for MVP Vote]

Thanks to Ben for the updates and changes to the system. With it currently in place it is possible to recieve anywhere from zero to ten EXP points. On average, I expect the characters to recieve between 5-7.

"Alex Loves His Dog"

2005-11-27T10:24:00.000-06:00

The following is a post I meant to put on the site a while ago, but due to technical constraints (my computer got sick), I did not. Last session Alex had a small encounter with the rat/dog of his named Pumpkin. I was fortunate enough to witness the entire ordeal, and capture the major events on camera for your viewing pleasure.

Disclaimer: This post is not for the faint of heart. It displays the raw emotion that exists between master and servant: the unspoken bonds of love, trust, and companionship. Watch at your own risk! You have been warned!

Side note to animal lovers: Pumpkin wasn't harmed or anything like that. Like the Grinch at the end of that movie, Alex's heart grew a couple of sizes and he let her back inside.

Marcus's Background

2005-11-26T17:19:00.000-06:00

STORTYTELLER EDIT:
The character know as Marcus has gone though several traumatic events which revealed his background is not accurate. The background below was written by Adam and is the initial belief of how Marcus was to be received as a character. I will attempt to explain what Marcus knows as of this moment. Marcus now knows that the lawyer named Ben Durbin is actually himself. He used to be a crooked prosecutor and framed several people, including Gerard. Marcus is trying to make up for his sins by protecting Chelsea. He also bears the burden of being pack Alpha. In a recent flashback, it was revealed that he might even have connections with the evil corporation Pentex.

Marcus may never fully understand his real past due to the twisted nature of his memory. His early background is riddled with half-truths. The truth is that only when looking deep into the heart of this man can anyone truly undestand what makes him Marcus Blair.

THE OLD BACKGROUND
Marcus was not necessarily the smartest child(though he was not an idiot either), but he did always know how to deal with people and he was very ambitious. He knew how to get what he wanted from almost anyone. Once he graduated from high school he knew that his skills would be able to shine if he went into law, so he headed off to one of the top law schools in London and pursued his dream to be a lawyer. He is a genuinely good person so he decided early in his college career that he wanted to be a defense lawyer and that he would only take cases where he knew the person was really innocent. It seemed that he could always tell when people were lying to him. While in college both of his parents died in a terrible car accident. They were killed by a drunk driver which just added to Marcus's desire to have the law upheld in order to protect the innocent.

Well, due to his large amounts of motivation, ambition, and need to support himself, Marcus was already done with school by the age of 23 and he started a job at one of the best firms in the city. He was very successful as a lawyer, and he always stuck by his code of only defending those that he really knew to be innocent. There was even one case that he took where the guy had before been a convicted felon and everyone in the city knew that this guy (his name is Joseph, but everyone calls him Joey) had connections with the Mob. However, in this particular instance, Joey was actually innocent for the charges set against him and he went to Marcus to have him defend him. Marcus was iffy about it at first, but had a feeling to trust Joey and took the case. He was able to get Joey out of all of the charges against him and Joey because of that told Marcus that if he ever needed anything that he would be more than willing to help him with it.

Marcus was really starting to get a great reputation as a wonderful lawyer. Because he was so good at what he did he started to get very confident and even a little cocky, and the very few times that he would lose a case it would greatly affect him and he would start to get very down on himself. But then he would get a new client, defend them to the best of his abilities, win the case, and be back to his old self again. Until one day things began to take a different turn for Marcus. There was a case that Marcus got very involved in. He was defending this guy named Gerard who had been framed for 1st degree murder. He knew Gerard was innocent but the evidence against him was really hard to fight. Marcus got very involved with the case and even with Gerards family. Gerard had a very young daughter named Chelsea and no wife because she had dies during child birth. the day of the trial came and even though Marcus did everything in his power, the jury found Gerard to be guilty and sentenced him to death. While on death row Marcus promised Gerard that he himself would take care of Chelsea and help her to grow up into a wonderful woman.

After Gerard was executed Marcus just could not get out of his slump. He started losing all of his cases, wasn't making any money, and was starting to lose his wonderful reputation and flare. One day he decided that he couldn't take it anymore and decided that he would be better to just not be around. He was 24 and he decided that his life was over. He took out the 9mm Glock that he kept in his drawer for protection, wrote a note to the police that would find his body telling them what to do with Chelsea, and loaded the gun with one bullet. He held the gun up to his head and just as he pulled the trigger something bizarre happened. Because of his emotions being all over the place and being in such a lost state of his life his body began changing. Marcus's bones began breaking, his arms started flailing and Marcus "shifted" into a large wolf-like creature. Just as the bullet left the chamber his arms had moved around so much that instead of it shooting him in the head it instead hit him in the left upper pec. He howled in pain and then looked down and saw where he was bleeding from the shot. Then the spot glowed a little bit and the wound just closed up and started healing. After the wound was healed he "shifted" back down into his normal form and collapsed to the ground. He looked back down at the spot as he came to so he could make sure that it wasn't just a dream. There was a small round scar right where the bullet had shot him. He now knew that it was real, this definitely was no dream. He knew that there was something special about him, something that he didn't quite yet understand, but he would someday. He decided that his life must be for some greater purpose that he didn't know about. Marcus's life completely turned around. He got out of his slump and started winning cases again. His life pretty much went back to normal.

It has been a year since his attempted suicide, he is now 25 and Chelsea and him have been just fine. He is still a lawyer and he is still making good money at it. He knows that one day things will be more clear to him and soon he hopes to look for answers to the questions that he has not yet had answered.

Change of Address

2005-11-23T10:32:00.000-06:00

Since the new term "gauru" is confused with its older "garou" counterpart, I took a bold step and changed our url (web address) of the Healing Scars blog.

The address http://gauru.blogspot.com/ will no longer link you to the site. I used the words "Healing Scars" because the blog centers of the adventures of said Urathan pack. You can now enter our lovely site by entering the following into your browser:

http://healingscars.blogspot.com/

The truth of the matter is that, if you're reading this, you should already know about the change. I sent out a mass email to the bulk of the blog users informing them of the new address. You guys (you know who you are) can forward this info to anyone left out of the digital loop.

Besides writing session summary 5 and the upcoming stories, I'm also working on "miniblogs" for your individual characters. My goal is for these blogs to serve as an outlet for players to spew information from each packmate's point of view. They can be diaries, journals, whatever. I leave the proverbial “ball” in your court. This is, of course, not mandatory. But I've been thinking about awarding exp. points based off of added content. The miniblog template designs are going well and I expect to wrap them up sometime next week. More updates on that to follow.

Dreaming Eye. I really need everybody’s help in testing out this rpg. I was thinking of running it on a Sunday, perhaps on a weekend that we don't roleplay Werewolf. Any ideas?

Session 4. Five of the Seven

2005-11-21T14:31:00.000-06:00

The realm of the Ethros contains a towering skyscraper looming over the dull green horizon. The building is so vast that the Healing Scars cannot gauge its height; countless floors are lost in the clouds above. After a bit of debate they decide to enter the building. The Uratha pass through a set of revolving doors that lead to a lobby. An attractive young woman greets the Scars. She phones a spirit known as Killer-of-Lies and asks them to have a seat and wait. Elevator music softly plays in the background. The whole place reeks of "corporate America." Some time later Killer-of-Lies tactfully greets the pack. He is rather tall and dressed in very expensive business attire, perhaps Italian. Marcus attempts to explain their situation. After a brief exchange of dialogue the Ethros spirit is rather taken back at the mentioning of Rids-the-Pain. He requests that the Scars follow him immediately. With some reluctance, the Uratha follow him into an elevator and descend several levels.

The elevator opens and the Scars enter the confines of a small library. Unexpectedly Killer-of-Lies quickly steps back into the elevator and closes the door. The elevator melds into the wall and disappears, leaving the Scars trapped. Eric Sky strongly feels something spiritual is out of place. He later comes to the realization that a gauntlet has been drawn between the werewolves and their essence. Their Uratha powers have been blocked somehow.

After some investigation, they discover that the walls cannot be broken down; they are reinforced by thick steel. After some searching Marcus finds a first aid kit in the office. Sky researches various texts in the library and finds two unusual books bound by mystical powers. One of these books contains an accurate history of his life, exactly up to this moment. The last page even reads that he is holding this book. It would appear that the book is being written by itself; pages are added with every one of Eric's actions. The other book is similar in nature except that it is written for the girl named Tonya. Unlike Sky's, her book ends with the scene at the train; there are many blank pages after this point in the book. When searching the confines of the library the Healing Scars find that one room is completely locked out; a four digit code is required to open the door. Eric dusts the control pad revealing the last numbers entered were one, nine, and zero. After entering many different variations, one set of numbers opens the door: 1-9-9-0. Eric recalls that 1990 was the year they saved Tonya from the train by defeating Reckless-Hate. Somehow this must be all connected. The locked door was hiding a small room filled with even more books. Marcus Blair and Eric Sky notice the bloody pentagon inked in the center of the circular room, a clear indication of evil at work. A spiritual boundary separates them from the texts; anyone attempting to touch a book cannot maintain a hold and is fiercely burned. Eric Sky cannot make out the language on any of the books and suggests that it might be older than the First Tongue. Outside Nails experiences an unseen force pulling him into the newly opened room. As he enters a large book suspiciously "falls" from the shelves and hits the floor. Against Marcus and Eric's advice Nails picks up the book; it does not burn him. The words look like a variant of Chinese. Some of the words begin to form in Nails's mind. It is titled Resurrection. Somehow he can read small sections of the book. The word "Ethros" surfaces several times followed by one name: "Magaloth." He will have to search the contents of the book later, as it will take some time to truly understand the nature of this text.

Killer-of-Lies appears inside the room as a holographic projection and tells them that the council has agreed to hear them. He regrets having them contained in this fashion. They agree to follow and ride the corporate elevator to floor 34,382. During the trip, Killer is curious why Uratha would want to defend such a spirit. Once on floor 34,382 they enter a board room filled with a dozen or so chairmen of the Ethros council. Their leader, Eternal Balance, is on assignment and is linked to the room via video conference. Actually, about half the seats in the room are rigged in the same way. A great deal of arguing occurs. The Ethros bicker about how they can't afford to let certain events repeat themselves. Marcus acts as leader and makes a plea to the council to defend Rids-the-Pain in trial. Eternal balance asks everyone to leave the room, save the Healing Scars Alpha. Eternal Balance is quite impressed with the Marcus's tact and grants him his request. In this private meeting he decrees he and his packmates will have to pass the Seven. The Seven is a test of sorts that allows the accused in question legal representation in trial. Due to Rid's sketchy past, his option to take the Seven was denied. Eternal Balance will let the Scars bear this burden in place of Rids. Eternal Balance makes a snide comment on how Killer-of-Lies is young and that the Ethros council are normally more swift and assertive. Marcus thanks him for his generosity. Killer-of-Lies escorts the pack back to the elevator. It appears the "rookie" has been scolded a bit by Eternal Balance. Marcus renders Killer speechless as he jokes about the young spirit being "just a rookie." Infuriated, Killer leads them back to the library and tells them the Seven will begin tomorrow.

The pack undergoes a vision that night. Through this vision Helo "Shadow Wind" manages to break through the shadow realms and commune with the Healing Scars. He warns them about the Ethros and their mind games. The Ethros clan often uses riddles to confuse their prey during their capture. Helo also mentions that some things cannot be taken at face value, the laws and physics of shadow realms vary from the physical world. He answers as many questions as he can before his powers begin to fade and their connection is lost.

THE SEVEN.

ONE. Killer-of-Lies greets them the next morning with a simple message: they have exactly 7 hours to escape from the library. After uttering these words he disappears back into the elevator. The first of the Seven has begun, and time is not on the Healing Scar's side. Their weapons are gone, undoubtedly taken during the night. The pack tries various things such as breaking the walls and looking for an escape route, but all these things reiterate that the library is unbreakable. Nails seems much more interested in his book than the first trial of the Seven and instead continues searching for more answers in its pages. After pouring over the text, he is consumed by a vision. He finds himself inside the Ethros realm in a different time. The skyscraper has been replaced by a castle. An unholy army of thousands marches to destroy the realm. The horde is lead by a figure in black, Magaloth, riding a winged serpent. Nails smirks at the thought of the conquest. This Magaloth character knows how to throw a party. The Ethros do their best to defend the realm from Magaloth's army. Countless Ethros perish. After the long and gruesome battle, the walls of the castle are breeched. The Ethros realm has been overun. The vision ceases. Meanwhile, Marcus and Eric both agree that there must be a way to escape the room without actually leaving it. In his frustration, Marcus finally gives up. He decides that he might as well pass time by reading something as well. In his recent search, he found a copy of Twain's "Tom Sawyer." In the midst of reading, he accidentally solves the first puzzle. By reading the book, he has mentally escaped the room and himself for that matter, by fictionalizing with the story's characters. The answer to the riddle hit him and, with the 7 hours nearly up, tells Eric to grab a book from the fiction section and read it as well. Since Nails has been reading the Resurrection book he also has passed the first trial. When the 7 hours have passed, Killer applauds their efforts and tells them to rest; the next trail will begin tomorrow.

TWO. They awaken and find that they have a new prisoner. The young woman is bound with metal chains. Killer-of-Lies enters and tells the group that one of them is a traitor and must be subdued. Killer gives them a large rope and tells the Scars that this traitor must be tied in 7 hours, when he returns. After he leaves, the Scars untie the girl, who tells them her name is Rain. Rain is a mage, and when she learns that they are werewolves she is quite disturbed. She tells them that her powers in this realm have also been sealed by some barrier. Rain has no idea where she really is; immediately after exorcizing a spirit from a small child she was brought to this place. Nails wants to tie the girl with the rope and end this test. They argue for a while which leads to a dead end. Through some analysis of the riddle the pack deduces several clues: the traitor may not be the girl and to solve the puzzle the traitor doesn't need to be found. With this information Eric Sky formulates a different plan. After judging the size of the rope, he concludes that everyone could be tied together. With everyone in the rope, they will pass the test. When the 7 hours are over, Killer-of-Lies returns to find the group bound together. The Scars, and prisoner, pass the test. Killer sneers and tells them not to get carried away, as the harder tests have yet to come. He also mentions that while they passed the test, they still do not know who the traitor really is.

THREE. Killer-of-Lies returns the next morning. The spirit informs them of their next test. In 15 minutes, a manticore will be released inside the library. They all have to survive the fiend's attacks for 700 seconds. The Healing Scars quickly formulate a plan of attack. Nails breaks off a leg to a table for a make-shift club and holds his ground in the main lobby. Marcus Blair goes to the office and grabs the first aid kit. Rain's protection is left up to Eric Sky. He takes the girl into the fiction room and finds a suitable place to hide. They wait. The 15 minutes pass. Unexpectly, Rain enters convulsions. She begins to twist and change. Sky immediately retreats the scene and shouts at his packmates. It would seem that Rain is the manticore. He tells Nails not to kill it, as everyone in the room, Rain included, must survive to pass this test. The transformation has taken place, the visage of Rain has been replaced by a hideous beast. This "mythical" animal is massive, at least 15 feet tall. The manticore closely resembles a winged lion with a scorpion's tail. It breathes fire and its tail is laced with poison. Eric Sky, as usual, has a plan. He makes his way to the restroom and finds a fire extinguisher. He also breaks a mirror and makes a dagger out of the glass. Marcus rummages through the office. Using his crafts to the limit, he creates a make-shift sword out of random supplies in the room. He quickly fumbles through the medicine cabinet in the office. He also has a plan. Taking various drugs, he attempts to make a sleeping agent. He dips the blade of his weapon into the chemicals. With some luck, perhaps his creation will bring the beast down. Using its towering wings, the beast soars to the top of the ceiling and rests on an archway. With foul breath it rains down a stream of fire in Nails direction. He dodges the blast in the knick of time and leaps into the air towards his attacker. As the two battle the scorpion's tail penetrates Nails's body. The poison digs deep but cannot take hold; Nails's iron-will amazingly nulifies the toxin. He vicously clubs the beast over the head causing it to fall back and crash onto the floor below. With blade in hand, Marcus rushes the manticore and stabs its side. Eric also enters the room and helps the others keep the beast at bay. Marcus's concoction works well, the substance eventually knocks the animal out. After the 700 seconds pass, the manticore changes back to Rain again. She is beaten and bloody, but the sword wound is not fatal. Killer-of-Lies applauds their efforts and whisks the girl away. He tells the Scars that they need not worry about her any longer. Eric screams as Rain is taken away.

FOUR. The next day Killer-of-Lies meets them once again. The spirit tells them that this next test is very simple, but often proves hardest of all to accomplish. Each member must confess a secret. This secret must be severe enough to question each other's loyalty. Killer informs them that the Ethros know the Scars better than they know themselves and will be able to tell if they are lying. After a great deal of reflection, each member confesses a secret. Eric Sky admits that he has a twin brother who looks exactly like him. He tells them that Sam represents everything he doesn't want to become and that he's afraid that he can't escape his brother's mistakes. Nails tells them that he used to be a Predator King, one of the Pure tribes. The Pure are the worst of the Forsaken's enemies. Nails tells them that is all they need to know about his dark ties. Marcus confesses that he has doubts that he should be a trusted member of the Scars, let alone their Alpha. He admits that he doesn't know his past and many recent visions have led him to believe that he is in league with a corporation called Pentex. With this information revealed Killer-of-Lies returns and reveals a secret of his own: the girl named Rain is really Tonya. Eric is quite angry and demands he return her. Killer-of-Lies tells him he'll do so when he's "finished" with her.

FIVE. The next day Rain is brought back to library as Killer had promised. She has been tortured and is barely alive. The spirit informs them that he'll be gone for a while; they will have to make due with what they have. Lights fade as the power is shut down. The room becomes very cold. Rain/Tonya has been nearly beaten to death. When Tonya finally regains consiousness she tells the pack that this test can only be beaten if someone dies. Killer-of-Lies plans to wait until someone starves to death in this prison. Nails uses his survival skills and plots out a plan at making the best of their resources. The vending machines have a few snacks left in them. The water fountain is turned off, but there is a small amount of water in the reservoir. Rain pleads with Eric to let her go; that she has to sacrifice herself. When Eric is not looking, she grabs a shard of glass. Eric quickly wrestles it away from her. There must be a better way. Each member of the Healing Scars silently formulates a plan. It is as if they can read each others minds, the sign of a true pack in action. Without saying a word the three Uratha put their plan into action. Nails grabs Tonya and begins to choke her. He wants to put an end to this nonsense. Eric quickly intervenes and he and Nails trade blows. Nails tosses Eric, slamming him against the wall. In a blind fury Marcus charges Nails with his sword drawn. The two Uratha connect. Nails intercepts the blade and turns it against the Alpha. The blade, still covered in toxin, pierces Marcus's flesh. He lets out a howl of pain, collapsing on the library floor. Eric recovers and rushes to his ally. Marcus has perished, or so it would seem. Nails tosses the blade to the ground and demands for the next trial; he has met the challenge at hand. An elevator appears from the wall and their captor, Killer-of-Lies, emerges. He slinks towards Nails and congratulates his bold manuver. As soon as Killer is in attacking range, both Eric and Nails grapple their target. With hands trembling in fury Sky snaps Killer-of-Lie's neck. The spirit is dead and the 5th trial has been passed: someone has been killed. Nails and Sky check on Marcus's condition. The wound does not look serious, and the toxin from the blade has put him in a deep sleep. Killer-of-Lies has also made another critical error; the elevator door is still open. Without a moment to loose, Nails and Eric each carry Marcus and Tonya and enter the elevator. The doors automatically close, and they begin to rise.

The entire building begins to shake. Alarms sound and red lights flash as an emergency compartment in the elevator opens, revealing a stash of automatic weapons. An emergency message is broadcast throughout the building. It is in First Tongue. One word in the message catches Nail's attention. It is a word he read in the resurrection book, the dark word "Magaloth." The message reveals that his forces are attacking the realm. With guns drawn the Healing Scars prepare for battle.

Some Eye Candy

2005-11-17T00:56:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures I've been working on. This should help to pass the time as I tediously write the session summary. It's OBVIOUS I was going for a "Sin City" feel for 'em. They turned out much better than expected. My photoshop skills are really only so-so, so anytime I make something decent it makes me happy.

By the way, they all make very nice wallpapers on the desktop. Just click on the pictures to view them as large pics. Let me know what you think of them.

Nicholas "Nails" DeWinter

2005-11-16T15:57:00.000-06:00

Eithan asked for a summation of Nails' philosophy, so here it is...

Nails' simplistic background betrays the complexity of his emotional state -- he is at once an avatar of destruction, who thirsts for nothing more than absolute war, and a man, who processes every thought by its relevance to the constructiveness of his affiliation with the Destroyer Wolf.

Other than his pack, few know any historical details about Nails. One little-known fact is that he was once a Predator King of the Pure Tribes. Why he left is uncertain; in truth, he feels very little about this save he does not want it discussed. He understands that this may cause problems later on, but status and rank among his peers is not important to him at all. The rest of Nails' background, whether due to the influence of some external force or just his own lack of attention, is unclear to him. It's not in Nails' nature to dwell or brood on the past -- rather, he puts all thought and effort into the present. He focuses on his function within the pack, and his first thoughts in any situation are most likely to be on how "problems" can come to immediate resolve, without regards to ramifications or morality. Both future and past are irrelevant.

Nails' has a profound connection with the Destroyer Wolf. No one is certain why this is, or the history behind it, but Nails makes it clear that destruction in its purest form is at the core of his being. He recognizes that he still needs to work on the distinction between constructive entropy (if there is such a thing) and evil, none of which comes from any emotional response. The only emotion Nails values is Rage; everything else just gets in the way.

Nails could be considered a blend of Marv from Sin City, Porter from Payback, and the Incredible Hulk -- he began as a tribute to these sort of characters but is still evolving into his own identity.

In response to the post "What I Think Your Characters are Thinking", I have to say I got a good idea of how Nails is perceived. Nails does feel -- he just quickly pushes feelings aside. Though he is not at all smart, Nails is coldly logical at times (whatever "logical" means to him). Nails grants Simmons (whom he refers to as "Junior") his respect as a powerful opponent, and sees him as a constant reminder of his need to grow. Eithan's observation that it's unclear as to who the "bad guy" is illustrates Nails' need for identity in this regard. A sense of right and wrong conflicts with Nails' philosophy that he is merely a vessel for Destroyer Wolf without true name or any purpose but Destroyer's. Nails' is not decidedly "good" or "evil", but merely an extension of the Destroyer, whatever He may desire. Though subconsciously and consciously he does consider himself to be physically superior to his packmates, he leaves the thinking and talking to them to promote the unity of the pack. And what he thinks of Eric and Marcus he keeps to himself.

The Life Tap Fetish

2005-11-15T18:50:00.000-06:00

Fetish
Life Tap

Spirit
Atman & Brahman, Life Jagglings

User
Eric Sky

Type
Support (Tattoos/Hands)

Damage
*1 Health/Round

-Abilities-

Drain/Heal: User activates Life Tap, spending 1 essence. The tattoos glow lightly, and are warm to the touch. The user then attempts to make contact with a living being, be it physical or spiritual, then rolls Intelligence + Occult vs. the target's Stamina + Composure. *For a success, the user and target's health can be transferred to one another, at a rate of 1 health level per round of combat, or for every six seconds. For an exceptional success, the user can transfer additional health and possibly essence at GM's discretion. If the user fails, the fetish deactivates and the user loses 1 health. In certain circumstances, primarily combat, the user must succeed in a grapple against an unwilling target. Provided that the grapple is successful, the health transfer will begin at the beginning of the next round. Note: The user loses his defense for every round the fetish is used- it is assumed that focus is needed for the desired effect, thus the user foregoes his self-preservation. Only the tattoo with the desired effect need be in contact with the target, i.e. the tattoo that drains health (Atman/Right Hand/Circle of Binding) can still drain, without the effects of the tattoo that bestows health (Brahman/Left Hand/Circle of Banishing). Health can be taken or given from a third party, provided that both targets are willing and/or grappled.

Drawbacks
Aside from the possible damage and vulnerability the user undergoes during usage, there is no negative effect. If the user decides to kill a neutral/unhostile target through the use of this fetish, it will require a harmony roll, and a possible harmony deduction.

Ben's Summary of Session 4

2005-11-12T05:41:00.000-06:00

Ok, since I have a feeling it's going to take a bit for the real summary and our pictures to be posted, I've decided to put this temp summary up for our amusement. Eithan, feel free to take any of, or delete this post if you feel the need. It's simply for happy.

-There's a really big building.

Enter Asshole.

Marcus is all like, "Hey, give us that spirit guy back."

Random guy is all, "Well, maybe. That new guy sucks."

Asshole is all, "Seven trials. I'll be back later."

First trial, Eric tells Marcus to play with a door, then to go play pretend. Nails leaves. Marcus plays with Tom Sawyer. Eric forgets to execute his own plan until Marcus gives hits him with Da Vinci.

Second trial. Uh, something. I'm sure it involved rope. A girl is there!

Third. The beast. Eric and Marcus prove useless, until the end of combat. Again.

Fourth. Sharing is caring.

Fifth. It's Tonya. She's all, "I gotta go." Eric's like, "Nope." Marcus is all, "Lets think about this." Nails is like, "I wish everyone would shut the fuck up."

The greatest execution of unspoken planning unfolds, the pack argues, Eric insults Nails, Nails hits a girl, Marcus attacks Nails, Nails stabs Marcus, Marcus passes out, Eric plays a drama queen. Then, Nails punches Asshole, and Eric snaps his neck.

Cue alarm. Nails gets to carry Marcus, and then he gets an RPG. Eric carries Tonya, and gives her some uzzis. Everyone is about to get stomped.

Some quotes I remember:

"Everyone speaks Latin in the World of Darkness."

"I'd like to make a roll to read the Manticore's body language."

"Don't fuck this up." Or, if you'd prefer: "Fuck you."

Session 3. The Past Leads the Way

2005-10-28T11:57:00.000-05:00

Previously Detective Simmons ignited C4 during a battle with the Scars, killing himself and incapacitating the rest of the pack. His son, also sharing the name David Simmons, escaped the incident unscathed.

The Healing Scars wake up to find that they've been spending the last few weeks at the Lodge of the Hunt receiving medical attention. This is a direct violation of Rids-the-Pain's ban and consequences occur; Rids has been captured by the Ethros spirit clan. Rids-the-Pain's loyalty and sacrifice to the pack obligates them to undo what wrongs they've created. Strikes tells them that their best chance is to seek out an old Bone Shadow called Helo, also known as Shadow Wind. Helo is the authority on the wild realms of Shadow. Unfortunately, their mentor doesn't know exactly where the old man is hiding, perhaps somewhere in London.

Marcus meets with Lindsey who is worried sick about him. She tells him that Chelsea is doing fine. Marcus hints that he may be leaving again. She is considerably angry and tells him that he needs to stop living in denial and accept responsibility for the girl. Marcus leaves and promises to return shortly. Knowing that the pack may be gone for some time, Marcus calls Kay, the internal affairs detective, and schedules an appointment to talk to her the following day. He wants to warn Kay about the possible dangers that might befall Hyde Park when the Pure arrive. Meanwhile, Nails has his first conversation with Thane Dakuth, the new spirit in his fetish. Thane Dakuth is a spirit of cunning, a Lune. Thane was one of the choirs that danced at Mary Higgins's deathbed. Dakuth tells him that the Uratha known as Simmons must die. The spirit offers him great powers to fulfill this task, and even more once the deed is granted. The spirit will not confess why it wants him dead. Lunes as fetishes can be incredibly dangerous; they often make a Werewolf go crazy. Nails accepts the spirit's offer and the fetish Crashing Halt is born. Sky undergoes a mission to find the location of the Bone Shadow they desperately need to contact. At the park Eric convinces a local tree spirit, named Whispering Roots, to reveal the whereabouts of the Uratha named Helo. In return, the spirit is granted a small pool of essence from the locus at Diana's Fountain. The spirits tells Sky that a crazy old Uratha by that name lives in a large locus under a church nearby.

Later that night, Eric, Nails, and Marcus all experience a different dream/vision. It is said that when an entire pack dreams in unison it is a sort of blessing or curse.

Marcus Blair dreams that he is back at the trial, the one where Gerard is found guilty. It is 2004. The prosecutor's name is Benjamin Durbin. Ben and Marcus are meeting behind closed chambers, directly before the start of the murder trial. Durbin informs Marcus that his client should plead manslaughter because his "air-tight" alibi is blown. Ben shows Marcus a security camera picture of Gerard entering the building where his wife was killed. The security tape is 30 min before the murder. Ben sneers and confesses that the picture is really a fake, but that it will still hold up in court. Mr. Durbin is the worst kind of lawyer scum; he's been warping the law his entire life. Durbin hasn't lost a case, and he's hell-bent on keeping said record. Even in light of this Marcus isn't intimidated. The truth will shine through, and he will do everything in his power to see Gerard's side of the story is heard. Durbin leaves the conference, warning that he's through "playing nice." Gerard is escorted into the room by several officers in cuffs. Marcus relays the recent conversation to him. Gerard is furious and wildly denies the allegations. The man sticks to his story: he was at home with his daughter Chelsea. Marcus is interrupted by his secretary, Lindsey. She consoles him and tells him that this case is going to cost him everything he's got. Marcus doesn't care. He knows that this is the right thing to do. Fade to darkness.

Eric Sky dreams about his first encounter with the dead. It is 1990. Eric grew up on a small house off the coast of Lancaster. He is around ten; he's playing a game with his good friend, Tonya. Tonya is a bit of a loner and has few friends. Sam, Eric's brother, picks on the girl quite a bit. Today, she is even more depressed than usual as she rambles on about learning the word karma. Tonya says that karma is the good things that happen to the good guys, like she and Eric, later on and the bad guys, like Sam, will get what they deserve eventually. The two are playing their favorite game; one waits on the railroad tracks while a train steadily approaches. The other counts off to see who can break the record of staying on the tracks the longest. It's incredibly dangerous, and ten-year-olds don't always use the best judgment. It is Tonya's turn. The latest record is 115 seconds. This time Tonya is desperately trying to break the record. Eric counts all the way to 115. 116. 117. 118. Eric screams for her to move as the train speeds dangerously close. Although she broke the record, Tonya won't budge. He screams again, but it is too late. The train makes no effort to slow. Tonya is killed instantly, but Eric doesn't see her die. In fact, Eric sees her ghost and doesn't even realize that she is dead. Tonya, like many ghosts, doesn't fully understand what has happened to her. Confused, they both go back to Eric's house. His mother greets Eric, who tells him that his brother has been up to trouble again. Eric tries to explain to her that Tonya is right beside him, but of course his mother cannot see the ghost. Sam enters Eric's room with the usual conversation, making fun of him. Sam has the ability to manipulate and control spirits, while Eric can see and speak to them. They get into a fight, but something different happens. Sam manipulates Tonya's ghost and Tonya attacks Eric. Ashamed of what she's done, she leaves the house and returns to the scene of her death. Eric follows closely behind. The railroad tracks have become her anchor and she is unable to leave. Eric tries to console her. Tonya asks him to protect her. Before he has time to answer, a form of shadow slips upward from the tracks and whisks the girl away. It materializes and looks at Eric with a penetrating stare and utters a single word, "Remember." Fade to darkness.

Nails dreams of being tortured by the Destroyer Wolf. The entity reinforces that this Simmons must be destroyed at all costs. The pain is like nothing he has felt before, and in a strange way becomes intoxicating. Nails is the perfect man for the job. He has no attachments, nothing binding him one way or the other. Destroyer tells him that there is indeed a vast difference between evil and destruction, warning him never to confuse the two. He tells him that the werewolf can, in time, become the manifestation of the destroyer. If the Uratha can break his bonds and escape this madness, he will be accepted by the stranger. Nails accepts the proposal, by breaking through a set of spiritual bindings in an awesome feat of strength. Fade to darkness.

The next day, the pack briefly discusses their visions at Marcus's flat. As Eric and Marcus ponder over the meaning of last night's events, Nails shuffles about the apartment. While he is rummaging through the fridge, Marcus informs him that the money is "stashed" elsewhere. Nails finally finds his intended target: a bowl filled with various fruits. The other two continue their conversation only to be interupted by a long belch. Nails has apparently devoured the entire stash of produce. Marcus asks him if he has anything intelligent to add to the discussion. Nails smirks and tells them that, in his haste, he thinks he might have eaten a sticker. Typical smart-ass Nails. The coversation regrading visions will have to continue later, perhaps when Nails is full.

Marcus meets Kay at the police station and does his best to vaguely warn her of the events to come. She mentions to him that a blood sample was found at the explosion, but the lab results are still pending. Marcus tries to ask her out and inadvertently uses the phrase "stick it in" way out of context. Kay laughs and marvels at the thought of how, even after all of man's technological progress, boys still act like big dummies when asking girls out. He returns to the flat, and the Healing Scars all set out to find Shadow Wind.

Shadow Wind's lair is indeed under a church. The vicinity of this area is a large archeological dig swarming with dozens of Uratha. None of them will divulge what they are digging for, but one finally agrees to take them to Helo. The funny thing about the character is that when Marcus used a spiritual gift to learn his name, it failed. It's almost as if he doesn't exist. The strange Uratha leads them to the heart of the dig. The locus there is enormous, more powerful than anything the pack has seen. They step sideways and encounter the Uratha Helo, a.k.a. Shadow Wind. Helo is easily in his eighties. He is in poor health, his wrinkled skin stretches thin across his frail body like sandpaper. Regardless of appearance, Shadow Wind projects an awesome sense of spirit within the Shadow. Even the chair at which he rests appears to be made entirely of mystical energy. He greets the pack and is very interested in the spiritual bond forming between the members and their new visions. To Marcus, he stammers about the pain he is causing everyone, even himself, because of his denial. He will have a chance to prove his worth, when the time is right. But certain events must be recollected first. Eric Sky has gained some insight into his ghostly powers. Protecting a life is not noble or just; it is tedious, hard, and painful. Sky now has a pack strong enough to help him bear this task. Helo doesn't much care for Nails; it also seems that Nails agrees that the feeling is mutual. Nonetheless, he recommends the Healing Scars first go to Lancaster and attempt to solve their individual problems as a whole. The rite Helo must perform to find the Ethros will not prove effective in the pack's current state. He also decrees that Marcus Blair is to be the pack Alpha, a title his must prove in order to hold. He gives them train tickets to Lancaster. Helo always appears to be one step ahead of the pack in this manner; the tickets even have their names and are dated for the next day. The pack leaves and prepares for the journey.

Marcus is having a difficult time balancing his loyalties to the pack and his child. His secretary agrees to watch Chelsea but is at her wits end, threatening to walk out. She also asks him when he's going to start working again. Their funds won't last forever. She understands that he's got some deep stuff to work out. She lets him know that his taking care of Chelsea is definitely a step in the right direction. He needs to eventually confront Ben Durbin, and settle this thing once and for all. She upset and asks him when he's going to stop living in denial. Marcus is tired of everyone being so vague and demands to know what the hell he's in denial about.

She tells him that this "false" image he gave himself is growing old. Marcus is still confused. But the truth starts to flood Marcus's brain, as Lindsey explains how he's been deceiving himself for over a year. Apparently Marcus has been masking his true self and claiming that he is a good and noble man. Marcus encountered a lawyer, Ben Durbin, and stole his personality. Then he took everything he didn't like about himself (prosecutor, cheat, lair, and deceiver) and switched things around. Marcus was never a defense attorney. Instead he has been a prosecutor all his life, and the worst kind of lawyer sum imaginable. The defense attorney he thought to be himself was really Ben Durbin; everything is backwards. He didn't take Chelsea out of responsibility, he did it out shame. He was the one who framed Gerard, and eventually sentenced him to death. Marcus killed her father. He somehow hoped that by taking Chelsea he could mend the wrongs he had brought upon Gerard. He thought he could make up for his sins. Not much later, hopelessness crept in. Marcus felt he was in over his head, with raising Chelsea and with trying to do the right thing for the first time. He tried to kill himself, but he went through the First Change instead. The Uratha form soaked the bullet and saved his life. Since the attempted suicide, he's been living in denial and pretending to be something he's not. Lindsey claims she has told him the truth several times, but he always goes back to forgetting. Marcus cannot express how sorry he is to her. He promises to make things right. She leaves and tells him that this is his last chance.

That night the Healing Scars sleep, all except for a guilt-ridden Marcus. No one experiences any strange visions. The next morning the pack is ready to travel to Eric's hometown of Lancaster, England.

The tube allows them to ride to Lancaster and the trip should only take about 5 hours. About a half hour from their destination a locus appears inside the train. As Eric is attempting to cross the gauntlet, something truly weird occurs. He steps sideways and finds himself on a different train. The rest of the pack follows him across the gauntlet. There is no doubt about it; this is an entirely different train. Also it appears that the whole pack can see into the physical world, much like the werewolf gift Two World Eyes. The physical reflection of the spirit matches this different train. This suggests that, by stepping sideways, the Healing Scars have somehow left their train and traveled somewhere else. Something is not right. Upon further investigation, Eric Sky notices the date on one of the passenger's newspaper: 1990. Sky is confused, claiming that travel through time with a locus is impossible.

Nails thoughts immediately shift to the werewolf, David Simmons. If it is truly 1990, then he can intercept David as a child and easily kill him. Nails is consumed by this notion and leaps from the moving train, not even informing the rest of the Scars. He runs, at full speed, back to London.

Meanwhile, the passengers are growing a bit anxious, the train is speeding up and they appear to have passed Wakefield, this train's supposed destination. Eventually, they make their way to the engine room and confront the engineer, who appears to be spirit-ridden. It looks deep at Sky and utters the phrase from his vision, "Remember." The spirit is known as Reckless-Hate to the minions of the underworld. Combat ensues. During the battle, Hate uses manipulation powers against Marcus and Eric, but is unable to control the two. In his frustration he smashes the controls to the train, as it continues to gain speed. Eric remembers Tonya's unfortunate death by train and desperately battles the shadowed figure, hoping to solve this time puzzle. Marcus uses his sub par technology skills to try to salvage the console. After some time he manages a vicious hack on the wires, bringing the train to a halt. Marcus joins the battle and the two easily best the spirit. Reckless-Hate slinks back into the darkness before the two can steal his energy. Hate curses the pack and vows to find them later. With their Two World Eyes vision Eric and Marcus witness an interesting scene outside the train. Several feet in front of the train on the tracks, a young girl named Tonya is standing. Next to her is a 10 year old boy named Eric Sky. It appears the train didn't kill her, this time at least. The surrounding area begins to loose focus. Reality slips apart as their vision ceases.

Nails, using his incredibly stamina, sprints for countless hours until he reaches his destination. He eventually manages to sniff out David's house. He reduces the front door to splinters and finds a baby's room. Before he can find the child, Nails is interrupted by laughter. In the corner of the room, a figure emerges from the shadows. It is David Simmons, all grown up. He tells Nails that he had a feeling he might try something like this, and that it is useless to try to defeat him. The house begins to burn as they battle. David seems distracted but still manages to fight hard. The Crashing Halt fetish is activated; it turns black as the stop sign's blade forms jagged razor-sharp edges. David presents his weapon, a massive klaive quite comparable to a buster sword.

Simmons and Nails duel for what seems an eternity. David final makes a critical error, temporarily lowering his guard. Nails acts quickly, and lands a severing blow to his right arm. Both the arm and klaive fall to the floor. David oddly seems uninterested. He gathers his appendage, telling Nails that a simultaneous engagement elsewhere demands his full attention. He is gone. Through Nail's eyes the burning room begins to fade. His vision ends.

The Healing Scars awaken at the train station. 10 hours have passed. The ticket attendant tells them that this is the end of the line. They have been on this exact car all day long and their way right back to London. All the pack's battle wounds remain as evidence that the last 10 hours may have not been entirely a dream.

Helo is waiting for them when they return to his lair. The old wolf inquires towards their quest; adding later that he wants their tickets back. Shadow Wind informs them that Tonya is alive and well; he is now ready to help them find the Ethros realm. Finding the realm will be incredibly difficult, and Shadow-Wind will only show the Healing Scars the path. The pack must navigate to a specific point in the wilds surrounded with essence of order or balance. Marcus, being an Elodoth, will serve as a perfect host for the locator rite. Shadow-Wind performs the ritual on the pack's Alpha. A spiritual map is imprinted on Marcus's back, only visible in the Shadow. Helo directs Eric Sky with the proper instructions to begin the rite. He warns them that many will sense the essence of the ritual needed to open the portal. They might have to hold off a barrage of nasty spirits until the ritual is complete and the doorway is opened.

The Scars step sideways and, using the map, pinpoint the location where the portal must be opened. After hours of sifting through Shadow, they are led to the site of an old courthouse. Eric prepares the location for the ritual. Marcus must remain stationary for the rite to be effective; the spiritual carvings on his flesh are the key. They tactically position themselves so approaching spirits will be forced to attack from one location, creating a bottleneck of sorts. With Marcus and Eric both preoccupied, the brunt of the battle rest on Nails's shoulders. Nails doesn't seem to mind that much; the Crashing Halt is clenched in his hands as he prepares for battle. Sky begins the rite.

Spirits begin to crawl and slip from the underbelly of the city. The surge of essence has caught their eyes; they are all hungry for a taste. Nails wields them off using the stop sign as an extension of his body. A much larger and stronger spirit enters the fray. It is Reckless-Hate, and he's had 15 years to prepare for this encounter. Dozens of spider hosts leak from his form. They surround Nails and begin to drain his spirit. He swats them away as if they were mere rodents. Hate is considerably pissed. As Nails and the vile spirit trade blows, Marcus focuses and takes great aim with his firearms. An incredible barrage of bullets twist and rip into the target, in fact so much damage is inflicted that Reckless Hate becomes incorporeal. As his body of spiders and ripped flesh slowly begins to reform, Eric shouts that the ritual is complete. A door of light makes its presence known. The portal is 30 feet directly above, attached to the side of the courthouse. They will have to climb to reach he door. Claws pierce into the courthouse structure as they make their way to the top. Reckless-Hate has reformed, but the Healing Scars beat him to the portal. As the white light dissipates Hate curses the pack once again.

The portal leads them on a rollercoaster ride through the Shadow. Everyone's senses are muddled as they twist and turn through the spiritual maze at immeasurable speed. The portal dumps them in a cold and unfamiliar place. The air is stale and hazy. They are standing in front of an enormous structure, a skyscraper towering as high as their vision allows. They have succeeded. The Healing Scars have made their way into the realm of the Ethros.

What I Think your Characters are Thinking

2005-10-25T13:06:00.000-05:00

I am very pleased with everyone’s performances. I sound a bit overly optimistic about our group, but the quality of our gaming really has been that good. I’m currently working on the summary for session 3, and I can’t believe how much the Healing Scars accomplished in one night of roleplaying. It’s seriously going to take me a few days to accurately write those events down. An inexperienced group couldn’t have handled half of that content in the same amount of time. Until I finish that project, I leave you guys with some brief internal notes about your characters. Feel free to comment and let me know where you think they are developing as well.

Nails is indeed a dark character, but not “Vargus Creed” dark, not by a long shot. Nails is tough, and it’s in his nature to hide his feelings, and actually to kill them off as if they were his opponents. And this type of thinking is working great for him now, but everybody needs to feel something. Now he has been paired against the mysterious David Simmons in a classic battle of good vs. evil. At least Nails would like to think of it that way. But life is more complicated. He has a sketchy past, but it doesn’t plague his waking dreams as it would someone else. His life before really doesn’t concern him, not nearly as much as the future. How long can Nails go through life detached from emotion? Is there really a difference between evil (Simmons) and destruction (Nails)? And, as a natural-born leader, will he eventually challenge Marcus’s authority as pack Alpha?

Eric Sky just relived a crucial turning point in his life. He has a twin brother who represents everything he doesn’t want to become. The bonds of blood between the two are thick and there’s little he can do to completely rid himself of his brother’s presence. Eric has an opportunity to take care of the ghost of Shelly Wright, another chance to prove that he is good. Eric knows and fears evil firsthand. When he looks in the mirror, he doesn’t just see himself. He sees the reflection of Sam’s deeds, his hatred, and his wrath. Will he be able to save Shelly? What of the Dark Iron pack and their connections to him? Is there any possibility for forgiveness for Sam?

Marcus Blair has shown enormous mental resilience in light of everything that’s happened. His life has sharply turned upside-down. And now he is the Alpha, the one who is supposed to have all the answers. Yet he can‘t answer the simplest question: Who am I? There’s so much raw emotion attached to his family (Lindsey and Chelsea) that blinds his decision-making. Marcus is really two people, his false image (chivalrous, defender, noble) and the real image, the persona of Ben Durbin (prosecutor, liar, and manipulator). He will always have to struggle between the two, and never will one part completely fade away. But Marcus obviously wants to be good; the transformation is already taking place. How will Marcus make up for what he has done to the real Ben Durbin? How will he protect Chelsea? Does he really deserve to protect her in the first place? I personally can’t answer these questions, and that’s what makes him interesting.

The Sky that Binds

2005-10-21T13:40:00.000-05:00

"Ah yes, the Sky brothers. Such a sad story with those two.

Eric and Samuel were always at odds with each other- as brothers are wont to be. They fought over everything; girls, possessions, and especially their mother's affection. Their mother, Jenna, loved them both dearly, and equally. Most mothers never want to favor one child over the other, but it was especially important to her to show them that; them being without a father and all. It didn't help matters much that Eric and Samuel were twins, no less. Something was odd about the two of them. They weren't just twins, with a few differences here and there. Mirror images of each other, those boys. Never could tell them apart.

They grew normally enough, but as you and I know, the Sky boys were a pair of gifted kids. Eric received the highest marks in his class, and Samuel was a born athelete. I don't mean to say that Sam was daft, or Eric a clutz- hell, sometimes Sam could outsmart Eric just as much as Eric could outplay Sam. There was a such a balance between the two. Smarts and game weren't the only things the two boys had in common. When I say gifted, I mean gifted.

Eric and Sam could control the dead.

Don't get frightened now- we knew Eric and Sam were our kind from the start. Their father had the genes, so we'd been tagging them; waiting for some of the "typical" occurences. This wasn't exactly typical, as I'm sure you agree- thus it merited some investigation. We'd figure out what the kids could do, and when the time came, we'd teach them what they needed to know.

What was I sayin'? Oh, right. Necromancers. Both of 'em.

Well, kind of.

You see, their abilites were unique of each other, yet somewhat equal. See, balanced once again, eh? Eric could see the dead- ghosts, wandering spirits, and such. He could sense their presence, and if he focused for a moment, he could see them clear as day- hold conversations with them, and everything. Sam couldn't see them like Eric could... nope, he could do something a little more dangerous. Sam could command them. If he knew one was around, he'd just mutter a few words and phrases, and they'd bend to his will. If you paired the two of them, Eric could hunt them down, and Sam could tell them what to do. They could make puppets of the damned. Gifted. Bizarre, but gifted.

Jenna really had no idea of what their sons were, or what they were destined to be. Her husband intentionally left her in the dark- tried to live a normal life with normal people; but you know how well we handle normal folk. They were doomed from the start. Their father died fighting some Pure, trying to defend his home after they got his scent. No, the Pure didn't make it either. Their father was a tough one, and he let 'em know that his home was off limits. Cost him his life, though. Good man- we were glad to have him- even if he didn't want to have us. The police say it was street violence- they also claim that all the bite and claw marks came 'from some dogs the gang probably trained to cockfight'. Heh. Cockfight? Do people even say that anymore?

Anyway, the Sky kids. Eric and Sam always tried to talk the spirits into serving them for some minor purpose. Scare this guy here, knock something down over there. Despite this, they were acted almost responsibly with their abilities. They used 'em rarely, and they never hurt anyone or told anyone. You almost wouldn't know what they were, if we weren't patrolling them for most of their life. Jenna raised them best she could, but you could see the signs forming. The two became more aggressive; more competitive. Sam would start demanding that Eric hunt the dead, for whatever purpose- pranking, stealing, revenge. Eric was a pretty good kid, though- and since he could talk to the spirits, he felt a little sympathy for 'em. He didn't like manipulating the skewed existance they already had, so he stopped helping Sam.

That's when Sam lost it.

Sam took his aggression out poorly, and his mother wouldn't have any of it. The more he acted up, the harder she was on him. In his teen years, Sam started getting in with the wrong crowd- and just between you and me, I think the Pure had something to do with it. The kids got into trouble for petty crimes here and there, and it just spiraled down. Sam got into drugs, and then he got into the same 'street violence' the police were raving about with his dad. You'd think he would've known better. You know what I think? I think Sam used his ability to get his way. He wouldn't know if anything was around, but all he had to do was speak to anything that listened. If a ghost picked him up, it'd do what he said. It'd make things easier if he got in a jam. I don't know- maybe not. It's possible though, eh? Get caught by a cop, command a ghost for a quick possession? Eh? Hell, I don't know.

Eric stayed by his mom's side, keeping his wits sharp and learning a bit about what he was as he grew older. By the time Sam was fighting and vandalizing, Eric could've started his own cult. Ouija boards and all. Good kid, that Eric. You could see the path the boys were taking, and once the time hit- you knew which sides they'd choose. We really could've used Sam, too. Ah, I'm getting ahead of myself.

Sam was brought home by the cops one day, sometime around his 16th birthday, and his mom was furious. She let him have it a few times across the face, and Sam just about snapped on her. That was the night.

Sam found Eric talking to himself that very evening. You and I know that Eric wasn't talking to himself, though. Sam pounced on the opportunity. Sam ordered the ghost to possess his mother. Eric ran to confront his brother at his actions, and Sam just slugged him right in the face. Eric, stunned for the moment, was unable to stop his brother from locking Eric in his room. The ghost did as it was told, unable to resist Sam's ability. Jenna was helpless against the ghost's command. That's when Sam ended it.

'Kill her.'

The ghost commanded Jenna to take a knife, and she unknowingly slit her own wrists. If the ghost could maintain the possession while Jenna died, then she wouldn't be able to stop the bleeding. Eric could hear his brother commanding the ghost, and that is when Eric succumbed to the Wolf.

His body twisted and contorted; and the beast became him. Within seconds he had slashed his door to pieces- blood in his eyes. Samuel had almost no time to react to his brother's fury.

And as one Sky brother is gifted, so is the other.

Eric advanced on his brother at blinding speed, only to be met with a beast his same size and strength. Samuel changed just as his brother did, and the two began the struggle I fear will never end.

Teeth gnashing and claws flying, the two mauled each other to near death. Eric lay bleeding on the ground as the cops broke down the door.

Poor Jenna died that night. They found Eric next to his mother's body, holding her wrists with his hands. All that remained of Sam was a bloody smear, trailing out the window. The cops couldn't make odds or ends of the situation. Was it murder, suicide, accident? They'll never know.

After some hospitalization and a funeral, Eric was without family. That's when we came in.

The dear boy had no idea what hit him, and you could tell he was a little dumbstruck. Took us a good month to convince him to talk. We raised Eric from that point on. We told him who we were, and what we do, and he accepted it rather easily- but Eric wasn't foreign to strange events. We told him that we knew all about him; and for a period he hated us for letting his mother die- as if we could've stopped it. I think he understands now... I think. It's been 6 years, after all. Eric's a smart kid.

We've trained Eric extensively. We taught him how to use his talents, both known and unknown. He was eager to learn. That's when our alpha decided to make Eric our secret weapon. The kid had a knack for spirits, why not amplify that skill? We got some more of our tribe to decorate him tricks; he's got a binding and banishing cirlce tattooed on either hand, and we even bound a fetish to 'em. He's a bit of a healer now too. We coupled this with some ritual training, and now he's a walking, talking rite. The kid has actually started making his own rites. He's become so proficient, and he's a real quick thinker; I think we're going to make him our 'field agent'. He's got a thirst for knowledge, and he loves the Shadow. Our alpha says he's got a special assignment in the Shadow he wants Eric to take on when he's learned enough. Something we Bone Shadows haven't been able to tackle. We want him to see the world; learn how to advance his skills. I think we're just going to send him out to find his own pack, and then he can check back with us whenever he learns anything. He'll be an incredible asset to us. Maybe while he's out there, he'll find his brother.

I'd hate to see the look on his face when he finds out Sam's a Pure. I haven't the heart to tell him."

-Adrian Page, Elodoth Bone Shadow of the Dark Iron Pack; retelling the history of the Brothers Sky

Crashing Halt Fetish

2005-10-20T12:45:00.000-05:00

Fetish
Crashing Halt

Spirit
Thane Daku, Lune of Cunning

User
Nails

Type
Weapon (Stop Sign)

Damage
+3 Bashing

Abilities

Terrify: User spends a point of Essence. The sign will reflect an image of terror upon whatever spirit is gazing into the sign. Roll Strength + Intimidation + Cunning, minus Spirit’s Resilience. For a success, lunacy is inflicted on a spirit for a single turn. With an exceptional success (5 successes) lunacy lasts for an entire scene. This power only works against spirits and can only target one spirit at a time. Terrify will only work when inside the Shadow. For example, using Terrify on a spirit-ridden human in the physical world will not scare or exorcise the spirit from the host.

Six-Sided Blade: Upon expenditure of 2 points of Essence the stop sign turns black and emits a jagged hexagonal blade around the outer sign. This blade does +2 lethal damage. Also, targeted attacks are easier to achieve with this fetish (-2 modifier). It is important to note that achieving an exceptional success (5 successes) on a targeted point, such as a head, will decapitate the opponent. This blade reeks of Luna’s death and may require a harmony roll, depending on the severity of its use. 1 point of Essence will hide the blade and return the fetish to normal.

Seal Locus: Normally if a Werewolf wants to rid the world of a locus they naturally drain the essence of that locus. This does take a considerable amount of time, sometimes even days. If the situation is dire, with the expenditure of essence, this fetish can quickly attempt to seal any locus. The amount of essence spent will equal the rating of the locus. This will be an extended action. Roll Wits + Occult + Cunning. The amount of successes needed to achieve the effect is equal to the locus’s rating times 3. The action is skill based and must be completed within a certain amount of rolls, equal to the user’s Wits + Occult. The amount of time passes with each roll is 3 turns, or 5-10 minutes for non-combat. If successful, the locus is sealed and destroyed. If the attempt to seal the locus fails, the Uratha can immediately try again as long as he spends the appropriate essence. If a dramatic failure ever results, the locus simply cannot be sealed. Note: If the user is in the Shadow world while sealing the locus they do not have access to the spiritual essence. The essence is destroyed with the locus.

Drawbacks
This fetish is powered by a Lune of Cunning, Thane Daku. Lunes offer incredibly power, but due to their variant nature, are not stable spirits for Urathan use. Many elders downright forbid the use of Lunes, other than for obvious advancement in renown. Many stories tell of Uratha that used mighty Lunes as totems to wield awesome power, but later were driven mad.

The Help Post

2005-10-12T14:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the infamous help post. Included within is a detailed explanation of each component of the Healing Scars Blog website. This post will be updated frequently, with new changes being logged by date. Users can feel free to use the comment system for this post to ask questions regarding whatever.

Blog Format as of 11/16/05

1. New pictures have been added to the blog. Each session summary post has a new set of pictures to increase the realism of these stories.

2. The Sessions section has been moved to the top of the Sidebar. I also changed the links into a drop-down menu. This will keep the Sidebar clean as more and more session summary posts are created.

3. A Moon section has been added to the Sidebar. This handy little script will help the group with keeping track of how to give bonuses from Luna when we roleplay.

Blog Format as of 10/26/05

1. The new Healing Scars Home page displays only two posts at a time. I chose this format because the length of our posts was cluttering the Home page. You can look for older posts in 3 different ways: Search, the previous Posts, or the monthly Archives.

2. The Sidebar is the column of links and information on the right side of the website. It contains several sections: Search, the Storyteller, the Pack, previous Posts, Sessions, and Archives.

3. The Search section is a webform that allows users to search the entire blog. Simply enter the relevent data you are looking for and click the "Search Blog" button. You will be redirected to a page listing links to posts that match your search.

4. The Storyteller section is extremely straightforward. This section contains any relevant information about me. I do not expect the format of this section to change much.

5. The Pack section lists the current members of the Healing Scars, providing several descriptions such as character’s auspice and tribe affiliation. As members post their backgrounds, I will put direct links to those in this section. In the future I want to take this concept even further and upload character sheets for each packmate.

6. The Posts section displays the previous 10 posts that were published to the blog. This is an excellent way to search for a post, especially if you know the post was recently added.

7. The Sessions section lists the last 5 session summary posts for the Healing Scars. The session summary posts all have a standard naming format. For example, if you wanted to read the third session that the Scars played, you would need to find the post titled: “Session 3” followed by the name of the session. If the session you are looking for is not listed in the Sessions section, the easiest way to find it is through the Search section. Types in the word “Session” followed by the number of the session "2, 3, 4, etc." and click the “Search Blog” button. It's that easy.

8. The Archives section is where you want to go when you simply can’t find a post by any other means. The Archives section displays a list of links grouped together by different months. For example, clicking on the “January 2006” will display each and every post that was published in that month.

Session 2. Blood of the Wolf

2005-10-10T15:19:00.000-05:00

The Pack returns to the physical world and is immediately hounded by several hospital staff, gathering around the body of Mary Higgins. A detective, named Simmons, enters the room demanding to know why Eric, Marcus, and Nails are there. Marcus informs him that he is an attorney assigned to Ms. Higgins and that they have special clearance. Detective Simmons is at first suspicious, but he eventually grants them leave. On the way out, Simmons gives Marcus his card and tells the group not to skip town for a few days, he might have to bring them in for questioning.

The group returns to Marcus’s flat to collect their thoughts and sleep. Fortunately, the television confesses that no new crimes have taken place in Hyde Park last night. It does reveal that the park has been closed indefinitely. At the others request, Nails uses his necklace to call Strikes-with-Courage. Strikes arrives and is annoyed that the pack would waste time informing him of obvious events. He scolds the Uratha, stating that they need to act as wolves and remember the hunt. Even though the hospital is not officially their territory, as a pack, they need to assume responsibility for this locus. Nails is also upset, mostly that he let the others convince him to call upon Strikes in this instance. Later, Marcus calls his mob connection, Joey, hoping his underworld influences may shine more light on the situation. Joey is a bit perturbed, cursing Marcus for calling him so damn early. He does tell Marcus that one of his “boys” noticed a new crime scene in the park, located behind the old police station. It would seem that this murder is not being released to the press. Meanwhile, Nails remembers the phone found earlier at the Shelly’s crime scene and presents it to the group. Eric Sky examines the broken cell phone. Though not the most electronically adept, he agrees to attempt to reconstruct the device in hopes that it will give them a vital clue. The process will take some time so Nails and Marcus decide to investigate elsewhere.

Nails manages to infiltrate the park and makes his way to the old police station. Tony was right, the area is roped off and crawling with cops. Since Nails has almost no chance of entering the area from the physical world, he searches the surrounding area to find a locus. Luck favors him, as the stump of an old oak tree 50 yards away yields the spiritual energy of a portal between physical and shadow. A considerable amount of time has passed, Nails decides to hold his efforts and return to the flat. At the same time, Marcus takes the subway to the northwest station, near the park. This rural route is out of the way, Marcus has a hunch that he might be able to find a suspicious character about. As soon as he exits the train, he encounters a bum, resting against one of the pillars. Marcus uses a gift to determine the man’s name, which reveals it to be Charlie. Marcus can sense that the man is not himself, probably possessed by some kind of spirit. Charlie is very drunk; he slurs at Marcus that he has witnessed the murders firsthand and is afraid, for the first time in his life. Before Marcus can ask him more, Charlie bids him farewell and murmurs that the train is coming. As a subway car races by, the bum surprisingly dives unto the track and is killed. Confused, Marcus rushes back to the flat to inform his fellow packmates of the events he has witnessed.

Nails and Marcus return to the flat just as Eric is wrapping up his work. With fingers crossed he turns on the phone. The display screen briefly flashes the owner’s name: David Simmons. Moments later, Marcus receives a call from the detective, who also shares the name Simmons. He wants Marcus to come by the station to fill out some standard paperwork. Marcus agrees to meet him, receiving a glare from Nails. He and Nails briefly argue over the notion of following the cop’s orders. Eventually Marcus convinces Nails that there is little danger; perhaps he can get more information from the mysterious detective. Before Marcus can leave the flat, they receive an unexpected visitor. Strikes-with-Courage enters the domain and requests Nails’s presence. Outside the apartment, Strikes tells Nails that he has a possible lead, a pinpointed location in Hyde Park were the next murder might take place. He admits it is a long shot, but insists the pack should stake the territory out tonight. Nails agrees and thanks him for the information.

Marcus makes his way to the police station to confront Simmons. Unfortunately Detective Simmons is out of the office, away on some emergency. Marcus is greeted, instead, by an attractive woman named Kay. Kay apologizes for Det. Simmons absence and reveals that she is also a detective, assigned to internal investigations. She speaks very highly of the man, and tells Marcus that since the Chief of Police is away Simmons is currently the acting chief. Marcus fills out a few forms and thanks her for the info; he even manages to casually ask her out. She smiles and says she’s seeing someone already.

Marcus returns to his apartment and the pack begins to work out a plan for a stake-out of Hyde Park. Marcus purchases a high tech camera and some hands-free walkie-talkies for easy communication. He will take his gear to the roof of the police station, about a half a mile from the point of attack. From there, he should be able to document the crime and, if necessary, use the evidence against Simmons to put him away. Eric Sky decides to put his knowledge of the Shadow into use; he will remain at the reflection of the area where the alleged crime should occur. Nails will go for natural cover of the ground below, positioning himself about 20 yards away from the point of attack, under the cover of brush. The 3 Uratha stick to their plan and wait.

About 2 and half hours later, the Pack sees a teenage couple approaching the area. The teenage girl matches the general description of the past victims. Marcus receives some outside chatter with his communications equipment. The message is from Det. Simmons; he commands that the police evacuate the immediate area, which just so happens to be the location of the teenage couple. Meanwhile, the boy is trying to initiate foreplay, and the girl is resisting. This game of affections continues until the boy’s patience is worn thin. He becomes violent, grabbing the girl fiercely and forcing her to the ground. Before the pack has a chance to act, the two completely disappear. Only Eric Sky can see the pair, leading him to believe the disappearing act as being spiritual in nature. Unexpectedly, a barrage of gunshots pierces into Nails’s flesh. The shooter is none other than Detective Simmons, who screams in the direction of the attack for David to get away. Eric helplessly watches from the spirit world as the boy rapes the girl and literally tears her body in two. Marcus attempts to use a gift to learn the nature of the attacker’s name. The spiritual gift reveals that the boy’s name is indeed David. To be precise it is David Simmons II, the detective’s son. Eric, fearing the need for help, calls to a wind spirit and sends for Rids-the-Pain.

Combat ensues. Sky manages to break the invisibility of David Jr. and the girl by tainting the spiritual ground beneath them. The attacker is furious, and David Jr. starts to shift uncontrollably thorughout the various Uratha forms. Detective Simmons, noticing that Eric Sky and Nails are both werewolves, pleads that they spare his son. He pleads that he and his son are both kinfolk and that they are protected under the Oaths of the Moon. David Jr. is the one who has the blood of the wolf, and that blood must have been passed into the victims through sexual transmission. David is undergoing the first change and cannot control himself. Nails, who at this point is quite pissed off from being shot at several times, disarms Detective Simmons and puts him in a chokehold. Marcus gathers up all of his equipment and, hoping he can make it to the scene in time, starts hotwiring a nearby van. Rids-the-Pain descends from the sky and is ready for battle. He imbues his spirit inside of Eric Sky, granting the Uratha increased healing powers and an awesome sense of presence. A natural shield of essence has formed around young David, some other strange spiritual act that cannot be explained. Marcus starts up the van and races to the area. Eric Sky, imbued with the powers of Rids, does manage to shortly intimidate David Jr. This is an impressive feat, considering the bizarre powers and strength infused in the boy.

Marcus has the pedal to the metal as he approaches within ramming distance of David Jr. Detective Simmons whispers a short prayer and, in the midst of his grapple, manages to press a detonator. Fate would have it that van Marcus stole was owned by Simmons. The crazed detective had a significant amount of C4 stashed in the back. The explosives ignite, completely destroying the vehicle. Marcus is unconscious and dying fast; he would have been dead if his armor had not held up. The massive explosion kills Detective Simmons and mortally wounds both Nails and Eric. David Jr. doesn’t have a scratch on him as his shield deters all the damage. Rids is pissed, leaving Eric’s body, and manifests into the physical world in his warrior form. He screams for Nails and Sky to save Marcus and themselves.

The battle between Rids-the-Pain and David rages. Eventually, David gets the upper hand and lands an attack at Rid’s throat, tearing it out. Rids lies on the ground, his body is beginning to break apart, a side effect to spirits when they are beaten in the physical world. David blames his father’s suicide on the three attackers, his eyes begin to glow black with fury. As he raises his arms to the sky, a wall of fire flows forth and races towards the Healing Scars. Nails and Eric carry Marcus and attempt to flee the scene. The unnatural fire surrounds them and engulfs the group, scorching them alive.

As they hang on the very edge of death, Rids miraculously summons forth the last of his strength. He attacks David, tearing his David’s physical shield in half and as well as his body. The fire ceases. Strikes has finally arrived and takes the group back to the Lodge of the Hunt.

The Pack awakens weeks later to find themselves bloodied and bandaged, but in mostly good condition. Strikes calls for them when they are well enough. He greets them by thanking the Scars for their sacrifice. Strikes-with-Courage informs the Uratha that the spirit totem performed a sacrifice of his own. The entire pack needed immediate medical attention or they would die. Rids was too weak to heal them himself, and with a heavy heart told Strikes-with-Courage to break his ban, allowing the Pack to being healed through medical science. Rids-the-Pain’s defiance to his ban has come at a high cost; he has been captured by a strange spirit clan known as the Ethros. Strikes says that there is more bad news: the latest intelligence reveals the Pure are planning a massive attack towards all of London. The Healing Scars must to find a way to save their friend; they will need every warrior to fight the battle soon to come. And, to make matters even worse, a young werewolf with amazing powers has been sited in northern England. It would seem David Jr. is very much still alive.

David and David vs. the Pack

2005-10-09T12:05:00.000-05:00

Well, session 2 brought my very short intro story to a close. I think it played out quite well, and it seems the rest of the group felt the same way. Our next story is a bit deeper than the first, both in length and character development.

My Favorite Character Quotes of the Evening

"If we don't solve this puzzle tonight, I'm looking up the name David Simmons in the god damn phone book." - Marcus (when the pack discovers that the detective and the son share the same name of the killer)

"Hey, I've got a plan!" - Eric (the "thinker" of the group said at LEAST three times during the session)

"Stop, motherfucker." -Nails (the greatest/coolest pun of all time, as he bashes his foes with his weapon, a stop sign)

Next Session: Fri October 21st.

Session 1. Welcome to Hyde Park

2005-10-07T15:22:00.000-05:00

Three young Uratha (Eric Sky, Marcus Blair, and Nails) are led to the Lodge of the Hunt in Westminster. There they meet Strikes-with-Courage, who informs them that they are to replace a pack lost in battle known as the Healing Scars. Eric and Marcus accept the elder’s proposal. Nails refuses, at first, but later joins the pack in Hyde Park.

The pack’s first order of business is to scout out their new totem, Rids-the-Pain. They are greeted by the proud bear spirit. Rids agrees to be their ally as long as they abide by his ban. The pack must deny any form of non-spiritual healing. Seeking aid at a hospital or having a surgical procedure is out of the question. When searching their new territory, the Pack finds a raped, dead girl in the Kensington Gardens.

They cannot sense anything special about the girl or the murder/rape through scent. Their investigation reveals that the corpse has been dead for hours and fingerprints and all forms of incriminating evidence have been covered up. The ghost of the girl, Shelly Wright, later appears to Eric Sky and confusedly rants on about how she was special and how there was much work for her to do. Nails manages to find a broken cell phone buried in the ground near the crime scene. After the ghostly experience, Eric Sky convinces the rest of the group to join him in looking for clues in the Shadow. Unfortunately, the nearest locus is Diana’s fountain, a considerable distance away. The pack reaches the fountain and enters the hissil. After a treacherous journey through the spirit wilds they find the spiritual reflection of the crime scene. The Shadow world in the immediate area contains a spirit of pain, emulating the dead girl’s corpse. Combat ensues. Moments before the spirit is destroyed, it chants out in the First Tongue. The spirit of pain and suffering conveys a message similar to what the Shelly’s ghost was also saying; she was somehow special. Strangely it admits that is can sense the scent of the wolf-blooded within her.

Another rape victim is found the next day; luckily this woman has survived the attack and was taken to a nearby hospital. The victim’s name is Mary Higgins; she’s in a coma due to severe head trauma. Marcus uses his knowledge in the law to convince Mary’s parents that he should represent the victim, giving him and Eric access to her at the hospital. Nails remains in Hyde Park in an attempt to find clues at the new crime scene. He is later joined by Strikes-with-Courage. Strikes tells Nails that nearby hospital is crawling with Lunes, the spiritual children of Mother Luna. Nails decides to render aid to his fellow packmates. He steps sideways and begins a long and dangerous trek through the wilds to the hospital. At the hospital Marcus and Eric are granted complete access to Mary’s room, unmonitored for 15 minutes. Once inside, through spiritual investigation they find that the comatose girl has recently become a small locus of pain. Unexpectedly, this locus pulls them into the shadow. The pack’s totem, Rids-the-Pain, will not render aid there. The shadow realm in this location is truly a sick place, nearby spirits of death and suffering crawl through the walls, ready to kill. The pack is astonished to discover that the locus is gone, trapping them in the shadow realm. It seems hospital staff has moved the girl to another room. Nails makes it to the scene and joins the battle. After much fighting, signs are beginning to show that the spirits of death are not fading, but growing in power. The pack escapes from the room, desperately trying to find Mary. The coma patient, and thus the locus, has been moved to the 5th floor ICU.

When the Pack finally finds her, the locus has been reactivated. Quite unexpectedly, the locus is guarded by an entire choir of Irralunim lunes. It is a rare moment, these spirits almost never gather in choirs, and never for a mere mortal. In unison the renowned spirits of cunning sing a sad tale of loss and a great urge to kindle the blood of the wolf inside this girl. The wolf-blooded nature has attracted them to this location; the girl must have had some deeper purpose within that only the wisest of Luna could truly understand. The spirits slowly fade away, as does the life force and soul of the girl that used to be Mary Higgins.

New Changes... More to Come

2005-10-04T15:43:00.000-05:00

I hope you guys like the new pretty changes to our site. Do some "visual cartwheels" with your eyeballs!

I have absolutely no idea what that really means. Just let me know what you guys think of the changes.

I'd like to create a blood-strained background on the webpage title and description. My CSS programming is pretty crappy right now so I'm hitting the books (and the web) in an attempt to figure this bad boy out.

And So We RPG'ed

2005-09-25T11:23:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time (almost a year) since I've roleplayed. THAT'S A LONG TIME. Honestly, I was dreadfully scared that I'd somehow lost the thrill of it all in my absence of gaming.

Bow howdy, was I worried for nothing.

Thanks to Adam, Alex, and Ben for kicking arse. Weaving stories is such a blast when characters are attuned to the world around them. And you guys most certainly were.

I'm not sure how I'm going to post the happenings of each session as of yet. For now, I'm going to post a list of things I liked and disliked about our gaming processes. I might list a few nitpicks here and there; mostly complaints towards myself.

Likes

Creative Combat. I F'ing love it when people use the environment to their advantage. Not only does it liven the fighting, but it makes the scenes more believable.
LARP/Table top transition. I really liked the pace of shifting between these two forms. And not once did I have to urge characters to do this, you folks knew when scenes dictated a storytelling form. That shows the signs of experienced players.
Fluidity. Time wasted screwing around = ZERO. That was a very focused bit of playing.

Dislikes

Alex's CD player. It is the electronic bane of my existence. We'll have to work out something else in the future.
Voice over narrations. That was my bad. I need to brush up on that a bit. Perhaps I'll write out certain key passages instead of going for the improv route. I really want certain scenes to hold a level of weight to them and I'm don't want to rob them of this.

In case you're interested (probably not) here's the list of music I used. I am a dork and will provide a CD copy upon request, for the also dorky folk.

Vast - Touched (3:58)
Richard Gibbs - Are You Alive? (5:34)
Richard Gibbs - Thousands Left Behind (2:15)
Billy Corgan - Disconnected (3:47)
Orbital - I Don't Know You People (7:47)
The Cardigans - Erase/Rewind (3:36)
Phillip Glass - Metamorphosis One (5:38)
Gorillaz - White Light (2:08)
Aphex Twin - Come To Daddy [Pappy Mix] (4:21)
Aphex Twin - Come To Daddy [Mummy Mix] (4:24)
Vast - Cello Song (4:36)
Gorillaz - El Manana (3:50)
Vast - Thrown Away (4:00)
Billy Corgan - To Forgive For Nothing Less (3:58)
Orbital - Know Where To Run (9:42)
Vast - Don't Take Your Love Away (4:56)
Vast - I Don't Have Anything (3:45)

RPG Nerd am I

2005-09-10T07:43:00.000-05:00

WW's new frickin' combat system is awesome! Great mock combat last night! Pat yourselves on your hairy wolf backs.

If anyone is interested, I'm running another refresher some time in the middle of next week with Boyer in order to catch him up. Y'alls invited, of course. Just call me up on the phone thingy and we'll work out the details.

Ben and Adam, I'm looking forward to seeing those backgrounds.

First session, hopefully: Next Friday

Update

2005-09-08T11:22:00.000-05:00

Just got over a real nasty cold and I'm ready to start this thing up. Also got my job this week so I don't have to worry much about the whole NOT EATING thing. Yay!

The story is about 70 percent complete. I'm going to get on the phone and see if we can set up some dates for playing.

Love, peace, and chicken grease.

We need to DUKE IT OUT

2005-08-29T11:55:00.000-05:00

Before we start our first session, I think it would benefit it us all to try out the new combat system. Some time this week would be best. Comment this post and let me know, guys. Here's your homework: try to learn the combat summary rules before we test the system.

Combat Summary:

Stage One: Initiative

Everyone rolls Initiative: The result of a die roll + Dexterity + Composure. The character with the highest Initiative performs her action first. Or you may yield your character's action until later in the Initiative queue or intro the next turn.

Sage Two: Attack

Unarmed close combat: Strength + Brawl, minus target's Defense and armor
Armed close combat: Strength + Weaponry, minus target's Defense and armor
Ranged combat (guns and bows): Dexterity + Firearms, minus target's armor
Ranged combat (thrown weapons): Dexterity + Athletics, minus target's Defense and armor

Add bonus dice based on weapons used or effect performed, and then subtract penalties for circumstance conditions. Roll your remaining pool. Each success equates to a Health point of damage inflicted, the type of which is determined by the nature of the attack (bashing, lethal, aggravated).

Possible Modifiers

Aiming: +1 per turn to a max of +3
All-Out Attack: +2 with Brawl or Weaponry attack; lose Defense
Armor Piercing: Ignores amount of target's armor equal to item's own rating
Autofire Long Burst: 20 bullets fired (Multiple targets) with a +3 attack roll. -1 per roll for each target, if there is more than one target.
Autofire Medium Burst: 10 bullets fired (1-3 targets) with a +2 attack roll. -1 per roll for each target, if there is more than one target.
Autofire Short Burst: 3 bullets fired (single target) with a +1 attack roll.
Dodge: Doubles target's Defense; requires one turn
Drawing a Weapon: Requires one turn (without Quickdraw Merit), may negate Defense
Offhand attack: -2 penalty
Range (guns): -2 at medium range, -4 long range
Specified target: torso -1, leg or arm -2, head -3, hand -4, eye -5
Using willpower: Add +3 to roll or +2 to a Resistance trait (Stamina, Resolve, Composure, or Defense) in one instance

Other neato combat thingies

2005-08-25T22:31:00.000-05:00

-Other neato combat thingies-

All-Out Attack- or as I have dubbed it- The Balls Out

A character may choose to forego all self-preservation during a round of combat.

System: You gain two dice for your character's attack, but you lose your Defense. Works with close combat, armed or unarmed. If your Defense has already been applied, this attack cannot be used.

Perception = Wits + Composure

2005-08-24T22:18:00.000-05:00

Perception = Wits + Composure (or a relevant skill in place of Composure)

So as far as the debate goes, both Adam and I were right. It does come from an attribute, but can be replaced if a skill applies.

Dodge = Lowest of char's Wits or Dex is used to determine his defense, which is subtracted from incoming Brawl, Weaponry/thrown. You can declare a dodge at any time in the turn, even before you place in the roster- assuming you have not acted yet. As with defense, if multiple attacks are directed against your character, your Dodge total is reduced by one for each attack after the first.

So! You choose to dodge, or you choose to fight. You can abandon at any point assuming you've not already acted. If you've been attacked several times and decide to abort to a dodge, you simply subtract your increased defense by one for every time you've been attacked.

I.E.-My defense is 4. I am attacked twice and decide to dodge. Normally, my defense would be increased to 8, but since I've already been attacked twice, I subtract two from my total. I'm at a 6 for the remainder, or until I am attacked again.

I like it.

Don't forget the WoD Core Rulebook

2005-08-23T15:34:00.000-05:00

I can't stress this enough. WW has placed only the material exclusive to Werewolves in the Forsaken book.

Things like skill specialties, basic combat, and merits are in only the new WoD core rulebook. Any type of familiarity with the new system will only make things easier when we start playing.

I'm looking forward to reading those backgrounds. In the meantime I'm researching Hyde Park to keep our setting as true to the location as possible.

Damn I'm excited about this shit.

The bee always means New York.

2005-08-22T23:57:00.000-05:00

The bee always means New York.

As the best GM once told me, "Are you sure you'd go back to sleep after that dream? Are you sure you wouldn't leave the caern? Don't you want to leave the caern, and say goodbye to your mom? You want to do that, right?"

And he was right. I don't know what I was thinking.

-Ben

P.S. - Story is in progress. Should be posted shortly.

Image Index

2005-08-20T12:27:00.000-05:00

This post contains all the static images for the Healing Scars Blog Website. The post will beupdated frequently with new pics as they are added to the site. This is not a photo album of the Healing Scars. Once a group of pictures is created a gallery link will be added to the main page. Please do not link to these images without consent. Consult the disclaimer at the footer of the page is you are unsure. If you are still unsure, don't do it.

Sad

2005-08-19T10:07:00.000-05:00

I will sadly watch from afar as you bastards roleplay without me...

Just remember that the bee means New York.

RPG Blog Created

2005-08-18T21:43:00.000-05:00

Greetings all.

Once the group is established, I plan on posting the Pack's sessions in some form (shorthand, outline).

I might even use the page to add side stories to the chronicle. With some group feedback using the comments system, this little page could turn out quite useful.