Today was the kickoff of the new campaign. We did a session zero where the initial scenario was presented, the assorted house rules were discussed, and the group created our party of adventurers. We were down one, as one of the players had a previous engagement, and so there were five of us at the table. Things did not go as expected.
Players were eager to get to the character creation guidelines and were offput by the delay placed before them. We began with the revelation that they had each received a letter.
Samman salroka,
Gundren Rockseeker
I have need of you, and have sent word to the others. Meet me in the north of Ajwain, I will be in Redding at the Hotel Lorenz until I have spoken to you or until the danger grows beyond my tolerance. I will say this little, for fear that letter falls into unfriendly hands, but my need is great. We have found it.
Your Friend,
Gundren Rockseeker
P.S. This is not like last time.
Because the characters were still blank slates, the letter began with the denwar (dwarvish) address, samma salroka, which they were told translates to something like “trusted shield-brother/battle companion” “one at my side”. This was a letter from someone they knew. Someone that had a high opinion of each of them. They, the players, were then asked how their characters knew this Gundren Rockseeker and what might be meant by the post script.
There were several attempts to turn this person into some untrustworthy ne’er-do-well that was due a swift killing. We were off to a good start. And the resistance to creating a connection to the npc was surprising, though perhaps it should not have been. There were cries of how could they answer this without knowing their own character and blank stares which stripped all hope of this working out. But we pushed on with the next bit to help center them in the situation…
2 Piscus 5026 VA
Gundren Rockseeker sent word for our cast of characters to gather at the city of Redding (pop. 9,361) in Ajwain’s northern Sacramento Valley where he would ask their assistance and reveal to them news that would change their fortunes and ensure their futures. It took a couple days, but the friends were able to find each other and gather at the Hotel Lorenz. Spirits were imbibed, tales were exchanged, and friendships renewed.
“Are you familiar with the Phandelver Pact? No. Can’t say I’m surprised, it’s pretty dusty stuff. Basically, a hundred and fifty years or so back, during the last gold rush, before the big sleep, the denwar, homen, and nomes found a big vein. A magical vein. Everyone says it was a rich mine and fount of arcane energy. It was a big deal. Then the scro swept through the region and wiped out everything. A few big quakes, some forest fires, landslides, and all the rest. Now, no one knows where it’s at. Gone. Lost to all eidola and just a footnote in the history books written since the big sleep. Well, we’ve been looking for it, Tharden and me and Nundro. And while we were doing some survey work for the governor, we found it. Not a hundred percent sure, but pretty damn sure. We’re going to dig it up and find out what all the fuss was about. And I’m going to need your help to do it. It’s pretty wild country up there; monsters, scro, claim jumpers, and who knows what all… then you add a fount of magic into the mix. I thought of you. All of you. We’re gonna make a big stake this time, not like last time and certainly not like the time before that.”
gundren rockseeker
And with that, their friend asked them to pick up a shipment of mining supplies he’d acquired from a contact in the town of Redding. He’d provide both oxen and wagon. Just pick them up, and roll them up to Weaverville in the foothills of the Trinity Alps. The favor would take a little time, but he’d pay them for that time. A crown a day and a stake of the mine if they stuck around and pitched in. The deal sounded good, help a friend, make a little money, get some steady work, possibly striking it rich. Why not? They didn’t have anything else going on and it was a chance to see a bit of the world.
Still not sure about this guy, neither were they. So, before setting them loose on character creation, it was explained that this denwar friend of theirs was a merchant, an entrepreneur, and perhaps a little bit of a shyster. He and his brothers were decent folk and not out to do them dirty. When that wasn’t enough incentive, they were told to pretend that the character they were working up in their mind left to do something else, and that they should make a character that did have a relationship with Gundren, because that was the adventure and if they wanted to play, that was step one. Then the Adventure Reference was handed out an a character sheet was given to everyone. This is a booklet full of the additional and alternative house rules and setting information prepared for the campaign. And things went sideways.
One player took one look at the booklet and bowed out, not interested. Another seemed frustrated with the idea behind the changes. Several editing errors were found. Much was simplified to fit in the 28-pages and became too vague in translation. A bunch of time was spent reviewing some changes. Let’s not go into it all here, but those rules can be visited in the future. In the end, there were three players who made characters, one player that didn’t make it, one player declining the game, and a frustrated game master.
But, the campaign has begun and they’ll be loading up the wagon and hitting the trail next week.
