Well hello there! It's week 7 (oh my gosh) and we have a lott of things to look forward to coming at the end of this term!
If you're reading this on Monday- quick reminder about the RPG workshop to get you ready for running one shots for Tabletop Extravaganza!
Andd Megagame tickets are live!! More details below :)
â Announcements â
đTabletop Extravaganzađ
It's this weekend!! Yes folks you have the whole Friday AND weekend 12-14th of June :D
- đşď¸ B2.02: đ10am-10pm Fri/sat/sun
- đşď¸ B2.04 + B2.05: Friday 10- 5, Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-5
If you haven't seen my previous ramblings, Tabletop Extravaganza is like our big Tabletop weekend so you have the chance to play all your favourite boardgames, RPG's, CCG's & draft and your regularly scheduled LARP!
We are running the quiz on the đď¸Friday 12th đ6-8pm in đşď¸B2.02/B2.05 so do come along! Entry is ÂŁ1.50 for some mysterious prizes
đUpcoming events!đ
There's too many things! I cannot fit them in the newsletter! AAA!! More to come next week??
- Picnic- Week 8
- Kenilworth Castle- Week 8 Sunday
- Megagame- Week 9
đ Megagame đ
You may or may not know that our lovely exec are running Megagame Week 9!! It's a mix of all the factions you love in Tabletop society so treat yourself to a much needed post exam break :)
đď¸Sunday 28th June đ10-6pm in đşď¸Westwood Teaching
This years Megagame is: Project Crypsis! It takes place in a cyberpunk city and wasteland, with a new technology to fight over!
ââTICKETS ARE OUTTTT ââ
It's ÂŁ1.50 for members, and ÂŁ2.50 for non-members. Click this link to purchase tickets!!!
(please contact an exec involved - @Alex (RPGs Rep | he/him), @Adam (Treasurer/Wargs | he/him) - after purchasing so you can join the discord server!)
â What's happening this week? â
- Monday 5-10pm: In Person Wargames - MB.07
- Tuesday 6-10pm: In Person Draft - B2.02 - Murders at Karlov Manor- ÂŁ10 - you must sign up on the Magic Discord to take part
- Wednesday 2-10pm: In Person Board Games - B2.02
- Thursday 5-10pm: In Person CCGs - B2.02
- Sunday 12-5pm: LARP - B2.02
Remember, you can always find an up-to-date timetable of what's going on on our website's Schedule page, and you can see special events (including RPGs) and sign up to them via our Events page.
đ What happened last week? đ
Buckle up for some eventful LARP and RPG highlights!
Last week in LARP
The land of eternal dusk
The high mage-guard to Fitzsabre Bryce Pyria and the talented shadow mage Pietro needed to discover the secrets of death and shadow magic and so accompanied by their compatriot Alexios set out to find an island where they were told an old mariner could grant them the knowledge they sought. Sailing out on a boat which had been lent to them for the adventure the party encountered another ship full of sailors. These sailors explained how they had lost all their guns in a storm and they would really appreciate if Alexios gave them one of his. Deciding to immediately resort to violence Alexios used his talent with a pistol to begin shooting the sailors from the parties boat. They responded by boarding the parties boat starting a fight which they then lost. After dumping the corpses into the ocean (as well as one of the survivors) the party sailed on before being interrupted by a Siren. After confusing the party with its song the siren suggested the party come join it on the rocks. However, this failed as the controlling effect was not strong enough and after being threatened with a gun the siren agreed to let them pass. Then the party encountered a priest of Ashen sailing on a makeshift raft. After the party provided him with some food and water and giving him some offerings to Ashen the priest explained how he had been a part of a larger contingent of priest who had sailed into the ocean to give a great offering to Ashen before a sea monster sent by Ashen claimed the treasure as well as most of the boat and crew. With this warning in hand when the party later encountered a sea monster Pietro advised they not harm it lest they anger Ashen and so the party fled to a nearby island to avoid the creature. Exploring the island they found the ancient ruins of a settlement which was full of willâo the wisps. Cautiously following them the party were brought to a ruined tower, one of the only structures that was even slightly intact. Where they talked to an ancient man who informed them that to find the knowledge they sought they would have to go to a realm in-between death. He told them the way to get there was by leaving and the way to leave it was by leaving. Confused by this the party left the building to discover themselves in a well populated settlement. Looking at the sky they also saws it had suddenly become dusk. As they talked with some of the residents of the settlement it became apparent that people from all sorts of different times had become trapped in this place. Travelling deeper into the settlement they encountered a pair of people who were really eager for them to walk into a secluded alley. Seeing through this obvious trap the party attacked them before being attacked from behind by a third figure. After nocking them down the party began interrogating one of the would be thieves about the place they were in. They discovered that it was called the citadel and that its king resided in the large tower which dominated the skyline. However, no matter how you tried to approach the tower you could not get close. Intrigued by this the party continued on before coming across an execution. The alleged crime was drinking all the flats milk without consent (admittedly a serious offense) however, the punishment seemed a tad disproportionate. The executioner claimed to have authority to kill the milk drinker as they were a Tarquin king (the Tarquinâs being a sworn enemy of Lupanum whom have been driven to near annihilation). After performing the execution the milk drinker came back to life revealing that those who âhad been claimed by the kingâs own handâ could not die in this place. Taking advantage of this fact to punish the Tarquin noble for being annoying Alexios shot him to death allowing his house mates to take his axe. The party then heard calls for help from the walls of the citadel as the armies of âthe unspeakable oneâ were attacking the citadel.
Travelling outside the walls to help fight off the attack the party witnessed a baren landscape as far as the eye could see all around them. However, they did not have long to dwell on this fact as they had to fight off waves and waves of the unspeakable ones armies. Finally, they found the general who was leading the attack a large spider like creature although none of the party would know to call it that. The party slowly defeated its segments before finally managing to kill it and re-entering the citadel with the hope that this display of prowess would grant them an audience with its king as they heard someone say that the second act was beginning. Inside the walls the party encountered a group of the citadelâs residents who had begun worshipping the unspeakable one and hoping he would end their existence forever. Deciding they were not a threat to anyone but themselves the party continued before meeting a group of generals engaged in a strategy meeting. The generals explained that the unspeakable one would attack in 3 waves. The first would be lead by one of his generals, which the party had repulsed, the second by his 3 riders and the third would involve no army as the unspeakable one himself would descend upon the city. The party also discovered that those claimed by the kingâs own hand seemingly could not leave the land of eternal dusk and that they could not remember there battles with the unspeakable ones armies. Then whilst travelling in a slightly quieter part of the citadel the party was approached by a figure who began speaking to Alexios. He told him that they were of a similar nature and that even in this place where the moon could never rise the pull of the full moon could still be felt. Turning to the other members of the party the figure warned them that Alexios was hiding something dangerous from them. After assuring his compatriots that whatever it was he was in control they agreed to let the matter rest for now. Fortunately, for Alexios they could not pry any deeper as the call once again went up that the citadel was under attack by the forces of the unspeakable one. Charging out of the gates the party managed to fight off several waves of enemies before getting a brief moment to rest. This was interrupted when they spotted the riders in the distance; they were charging directly at them. Jumping off their mounts the party witnessed the three riders: one had a body made entirely of metal, another was made of shadow flitting into and out of existence and the third transformed into a massive wolf. As they fought the riders it became apparent that shear force of arms and magic would not be enough to defeat them. Realising each of the riders matched them in some way and being asked by the great wolf to say its name Alexios called it Alexios unmaking it in an instant. The rest of the party realising what they must do also spoke their names to their respective riders destroying them and defeating the second assault. As they made their way back towards the gate the party were informed that the king was no longer in residence of the citadel as the third act began. They encountered a couple of guards whom hoping to avoid fighting the unspeakable one fell upon their own swords. Then they found a group of citizens brought to despondency at the departure of their king. They feared that when the unspeakable one arrived there would be nobody to protect them. During their conversation one of them began remembering times before the ruler of what was now the citadel was a king. He had always been there leader of some kind however, not always a king and his domain not always a citadel. Travelling deeper into the city with the hopes of infiltrating the tower now that the king was absent the party encountered a mage of metal whom they had previously spoken to. He explained that the party should be cautious as those who trespassed in the kingâs tower often found themselves claimed by his own hand. Finally, the party ended up in a eerily quiet part of the city when they were approached by a hooded figure. Suddenly, they were outside the citadelâs walls and the figure introduced himself both as the unspeakable one and the king. He offered the party power if they would promise themselves to him however, deciding this was a bad idea the party instead decided they wished to leave and so the figure reminded them that the way to leave was by leaving. Taking this advise rather literally the party began to walk into the endless baren wasteland which was the land of eternal dusk before they all collapsed and began slowly dying. Alexios and Pietro then both woke up on the ship they had sailed to the island from although the island had disappeared. They struggled to communicate for a time as Pietro was unaware that everything he said was a lie until Alexios explained to him that he was requesting they throw Bryce (who was in a state between life and death on the ship) off the ship and saying they should stay where they were whilst preparing the ship for travel. Realising that he must now concentrate to speak the truth Pietro went very quiet and helped make the ship ready to travel once again with Alexiosâ help. Alexios then took to the wheel of the ship and began to take it back to the port they had first travelled from. During this time Bryce was talking with Oath spirit of promises and oaths about the fact that he had made a great many promises and was unable to keep them all. In particular, the fact that he had promised his soul to a fire temple in return for magic and was now making it near impossible for himself to truly die. Bryce promised to one day let his soul return to the fire temple and to decide which of his promises mattered most to him before making one last oath, to better himself. Having done this Bryce awakened to the relief of his compatriots and they managed to sail back to port without incident.
Last week in RPGs
Last time on Of Spheres and Scales: Season 1 - Cirque D'Aur:
Episode 13: Berserker Rage
[In the Ethereal PlaneâŚ]
At Maevenâs firm insistence that the two spar to prove whether or not she was exercising her full potential, Talia immediately decided to go on the offense. Her rapier still wreathed in Green Flame, she lunged elegantly at her old mentor, repeatedly piercing his uniform and setting his already flame-braced form even more on fire, though she decided not to throw her daggers on account of decorum. Maeven, however, had no such qualms, immediately dashing past her and summoning one of the many books scattered around the arena to his hand. With it, and a memory of Taliaâs casting of Faerie Fire on the partyâs tent, he cast the spell on her instead. Despite this, she still managed to dodge the several attempts he made to hit her with his flaming blade.
She responded in kind, deciding to relinquish her previous decorum and instead go all out, hurling her returning dagger at him twice in quick succession⌠and watching as the books surrounding her began to flutter excitedly. She rushed towards the largest cluster of them and before she even reached them one flew to her grip â fluttering open to a memory of Maeven running from a teacher earlier in his academic career and casting Grease to aid his escape â she mirrored his motions, and beneath Maevenâs feet appeared a large puddle of slippery oil, tripping him onto his back in an instant â the flame of his summoned wings catching the oil and burning him somewhat.
He did manage to regain at least some composure, using his wings to fly away from the grease and raising his hand, trying to pull the book from Taliaâs grip but failing. Instead he summoned a Staff of Thunder and Lightning to his side and cast a powerful Lightning Bolt at Talia â which she bore the brunt of effortlessly. She grabbed another book, which leapt eagerly to her open hand⌠showing Maeven hurling a fireball at the school when he too dropped out, something heâd never told Talia. With one last look at her mentor she mirrored his motions again and hurled a Fireball at him, consuming his form in an instant and reducing his helmet to molten slag, his body turning to ash before it could hit the ground.
In that instant, Talia was overcome by a sudden rush of psychic energy as her mind suddenly expanded to encompass the power it had consumed â in Maevenâs death, his Mindscape had become hers.
[In and around the Karen-Tun FortressâŚ]
Deep within their cells, Vaelith and Casandra watched as the Berserker tribe rushed to the walls to defend against the oncoming attack, leaving the two prisoners unattended. With their new power they effortlessly destroyed the door to their prison and began their escape. But, before they could flee, they felt themselves drawn down the path theyâd seen before â to the heavy, glowing object in the treasury room. First, they had to avoid several large swinging axes, with Vaelith using the Locusâ power to shatter the first and teleport past the other two, and Casandra nimbly dodging past them.
Once within, the two found themselves face to face with the magical object, but also three Barbarians, each of whom swiftly activated a powerful magic â Chromatic Hammers, Fists of Fire, and an arcing weave of Lightning respectively, manifestations of the magic that Vaelith and Casandra had used on Alieth in their sparring. More familiar than that, however, was the sense of siblinghood that radiated not only from these three warriors but also from the magical object at the centre of the room. Not siblinghood to Vaelith or Casandra, but to the Locus and to the Guide. Meanwhile, at the fortress walls, roused by the appearance of Lilliana, Twig, Talien, and several magical animal constructs, several barbarians leapt down from the wall to attack, lead by Kazan. Gilgram, stood up on the walls, elected to stay within the Anti-Magic field, instead hurling hand-axes at Lilliana whilst he fought with his conscience. Twig and Talien meanwhile were focussing on fighting Kazan, but did throw their Javelin of Lightning at Gilgram â unfortunately the magical potential was snuffed out by the Anti-Magic field, but it hit nonetheless.
With the various creatures created by Lilliana focused on destroying the various barbarians alongside Lilliana herself hurling Lightning Bolts to dispose of as many of the Karen-Tun as possible, Twig and Talien were able to focus on fighting Kazan. As Gilgram ran down to meet them in combat, the two scourges of the Karen-Tun wailed on the steadily more terrified Goliath, watching as he steadily realised that what heâd been told was true â a final look of terror on his face as he understood. The Karen-Tun were right to be afraid. And with that thought in his mind, and an axe through his core, Kazan was killed.
Further away from the fortress, the Cardinal of Flame stood between Thorne and his allies. Having failed to convince him to convert, he instead decided to attack the child and remove the scourge on his faith by force. He repeatedly tried to destroy Thorne with his wicked, trident-headed flail and bolts of dark lightning summoned by the Amulet of Flame, but Thorne was able to elegantly dodge every single attack, returning fire with the tattoo claws he had been given by Baern. The Cardinalâs well-regimented combat training was no match for this divine frenzy, and no sooner had the battle begun than it had ended. Thorne plucked the amulet from the Cardinalâs body, and went to rejoin the larger fray.
As Thorne ran up the wall to attack those Barbarians still up there, Gilgram emerged through the main door of the fortress, and rushed forwards towards Twig and Talien. They exchanged blows, but it didnât seem as if Gilgramâs heart was truly in it⌠and it wasnât. With a great exertion of mental energy he managed to sever himself from the immense weight of conditioning that Kazanâs Jurisdict-enhanced drum had put him under, dropping to his knees in surrender.
Meanwhile, deep within the fortress, Casandra and Vaelith continued their fight against the Barbarian Spellmasters, using the powers of The Locus and The Guide to put their foes down in short order, leaving them alone with the magical focus. One after the other, the two possessed spellcasters allowed themselves to be overcome by their respective divinities. Order turned Vaelithâs arms to solid Tungsten whilst The Guide turned Casandraâs head and heart to solid Calcium. They both then expelled this power, allowing a rush of magical energy to be released from them â the higher-dimensional capabilities of Order and Future together able to destroy the Jurisdictâs Anti-Magic generator, disabling the field preventing magic from being cast within the fortress.
Returned to their mortal forms, they raced to escape the now somewhat crumbling fortress, whilst outside Lilliana raised her hands to cast a Lightning Bolt at the now-surrendered Gilgram. Twig and Talien raised their Animated Shield at the last second, defending Gil but shattering the shield in the process, but even this didnât seem to shake Lillianaâs uncharacteristic bloodlust, and she charged another bolt of Lightning even as the two heroes stood in-between her and Gilgram⌠[In the Yggdrasi VillageâŚ]
Left alone with Loretta, Baern had been told the importance of his task. He was to be sent into Lorettaâs mindscape to find something valuable to her. With no more information than that, he was transported back into the familiar setting of his compatriotâs mind.
Rather than the circus-tent, however, he found himself significantly deeper within her consciousness â in a hall, half bricked with golden sandstone and the other made of deep, dark grey stone, a large sigil on the floor which Baern knew meant âEnterâ. Before him were a mix of Black Kobolds, servants of Hiro, and Golden Kobold Constructs, created by Carthollo â the latter of which seemed to contain similar sigils inside of them. Destroying them with his Spirit Guardians, Baern received two tokens â one with the symbol of Clerics, and the other with a symbol of a Mind. He inserted them into two holders at the rear end of the room, creating between the three symbols the sentence âCleric Enter Mindâ â and opening the door between them to access deeper into Lorettaâs brain.
Here he found another hall, similarly decorated, with a sentence pre-written on each side and several large crescent-shaped metal devices at the centre. One sentence read âKnowledge Kill Lorettaâ, whilst the other read âParty Love Lorettaâ. Again, Baern was faced with several kobolds from each faction, and each slain Golden Construct dropped a large, glass lens. With these, Baern was able to reflect a beam of light from the ceiling to shine upon the true sentence, âParty Love Lorettaâ. With that truth ringing in her mind, the deepest sanctuary of Lorettaâs psyche was opened to Baern â a peaceful garden.
In this garden, Baern swiftly dispatched of the last of Hiroâs Kobolds, each of whom dropped a symbol that he could pick up. With the symbols at his disposal he wrote one final sentence â âParty Protect Loretta.â With this final assurance, the spell that Carthollo had cast on his daughter long ago came undone. The binding component, another shard of that inky black orb whose counterparts Baern had been collecting and using, emerged from the pool at the back of the garden, and the moment Baern picked it up he was ejected from the Ethereal Plane.
Returning to the Material Plane, he saw that whatever he had done had unlocked Lorettaâs true potential. The fishscale rashes on each cheek had expanded into one gold and one black horn which spiralled elegantly from the crown of her head, and two immense dragon wings unfurled behind her. She smiled at Baern before reaching into the minds of her friends and in an instant severing the Draconic Rage that her fighting fathers had imparted onto them with their presence. She spoke to them, telling them that they were ready for their final fight, and with a single motion summoned them all to her â her friends, her party.
Extra Bonus End Bit
Bee2.02's Surprise End Bit!
The answer to Bee2.02's quiz last week was: A: LARP, B: CCGs, C: Board Games , D: RPGs , E: Wargames Is it to obvious I'm using any excuse to doodle bees?
Bee2.02's question for this week:
What game translates to "build"?
- A) Blokus
- B) Lego
- C) Jenga
- D) Minecraft
Quote of the week:
"For human, grossly underqualified"đľ -Imposter syndrome
Take care this week, drink water and I'll see you for the next one! â
Erin (she/they, Communications and Operations Officer) @rin_doodle on discord
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