Hero: Toadface

AARGH, feel the might of my fist, puny human!! 

Storyteller's note: This is the third of the hero-biographies from the Pius Chronicles. It is written by Bjørnar, this character's player.

Toadface is something of an enigma and little is known about his life before he joined the adventures of the Pius Cabal.


What is known is that he was raised by his grandmother, both living alone in a cabin located somewhere in what is called The Wild. His mother died giving birth to him, and his father is unknown. The only things he inherited from his parents was his grim-looking face and his considerable bulk, though there is a possibility that the magical artifact called Thunderer's Gauntlet once belonged to his father.

Chapter: The End of an Era

Cast: Aegir of the Enæidùn, Mandan Bansl, Gryff Galan, Percival O'Conner, Velimir Tito, Yolander van Zaar, and Toadface. Many NPC's also played a part.

The following takes place between 6 and 21 Undecium, YE 1022.

After the Pius Cabal returned from the Void, having killed Dr. Mörbius, they came to realize that unless the schemes of the Queen of Stars were stopped, all they had done would be for naught. No amount of lesser victories would stem the tide. Evil would triumph, and the fate of mankind would be sealed. But how do you go up against an ancient goddess?

Chapter: Nemesis No More

Cast: Bansl, Galan, Tito and Toadface. Also, as NPC's: Aegir, Dr. Mörbius, Droctors Misterio and Toombs, Commander Spearhawk and Master Ludenius.

The following takes place between 28 Decanum and 3 Undecium, YE 1022.

Locked in a trance, in combat with the evil master-mind, Galan and Toadface makes a stand, all the while, Tito's soul, given over to his spirit-totem, stalks the labyrinth – the tide turns, van Zaar disappears again, and the survivors have to carry the lifeless bodies of two of the cabal to safety.

Chapter: Dr. Mörbius, I presume...

Cast: Aegir of the Enæidùn, Gryff Galan, Velimir Tito, Yolander van Zaar, and Toadface. Guest starring: Deep Thought.

The following takes place on 28 Decanum, YE 1022.

Having reached the position of the OUT mother-ship, EXODUS I, the heroes decide to play fair: one by one, they enter the labyrinth designed to bewilder, weaken, and kill them – Bansl has already gone missing, soon others will too; meanwhile, van Zaar reappears with new visions of imminent doom.

Chapter: Into the Darkness

Disclaimer: Due to a lengthy bout of rampant procrastination, combined with the afore-mentioned blockage and vactaioning, the details of this chapter is more than a little vague in my memory. Therefore I ask that you pardon any mistakes and omissions, and if you happened to be there you should pipe in. Note that certain liberties have been taken due to who will be playing in the next chapter.

The following takes place between 20 Decanum and 28 Decanum, YE 1022.

Having successfully cleared out the catacombs of Zalburg, the cabal, now without the steady urgings of Master van Zaar, decided that it was time for them to take a stab at the heart (brain might actually be more accurate) of the Ordo Ultima Thule: the good ship Pius is taken into the Void, where Bansl, now a Disciple of the Abyss, steers her deep into the eternal darkness.

Chapters: Counter-strike, Bomb Run, and Departure

Storyteller's note: This post will cover three separate sessions, one with the majority of the cabal, the second with Master Bansl, and the third being Yolander's last chapter. For now. The last of these chapters also closes another volume of the Pius Chronicles.

Cast: Aegir of the Eneìdun; Mandan Bansl, Master of Matter; Gryff Galan, Master of Prime and Space; Velimir Tito, Master of Spirit: Yolander van Zaar, Master of Fate and Time; and Toadface, Master of Life. Many NPCs were also involved.


The following takes place on 14 and 15 Decanum, YE 1022.


After the scouts return from the moon, Yolander has become certain that the enemy is about to attack the Black Man's Mill, as well as the Pius Fleet lying at anchor in the port of Petra; all plans are changed, new are hatched -- Velimir refuses to sacrifice his land, and preparations are made to defend the mill -- and a daring assault seems the only way to reach the moon.

Chapter: Moonwalk

Cast: The entire Pius Cabal. Also, as NPC's: Illandra of the Rubayan, Master Ludenius and Onkel Smit.

The following takes place between 10 and 14 Decanum, YE 1022.

After discussing the imminent assault on the OUT's moon-base, the war-council agrees that more intelligence is needed; Toadface promptly volunteers himself, Bansl and Dr. Drake for this job, Tito expands expands his maps, Aegir enters the slave-business, and Galan stares at the moon.

Chapter: Council of War

Cast: The entire Pius Cabal, as well as several important NPCs.


The following takes place between 7 Decanum and 10 Decanum, YE 1022.


Following the victorious Battle of the Blight, most of the cabal gathers in the Barony of Geistwald for some gardening, while Gryff heads North to be with his daughter and acquire some meese; thereafter the companions joyfully gather again, and several prominent personages are invited to attend a palaver in the Black Man's Mill.

Chapter summary: Into the Breach

This time I'll go for a slightly different approach, as 1) it's been a week and a half since we played, and 2) we did about 22 hours of gaming in two days. What follows is a not necessarily chronological, or even entirely accurate, account of the events.


Cast: The entire Pius Cabal, including the long lost Dr. Drake, a.k.a. Arkrash Mnarkl, a.k.a. Percival O'Conner.


The following takes place between 29 Novium and 7 Decanum, YE 1022.


After lengthy preparations, the cabal mounts an attack on the heart of the zombie plague; they face the OUT in personal, if highly magical, combat, they make new alliances, acquire new resources, are faced with problems of far reaching proportions, and Bansl wrecks a bakery.

Chapter: Preparations

Cast: King Aegir of the Gypsies, Masters Bansl, Galan, Tito, and van Zaar, and Toadface of the Great Woods. Also, as NPCs: Queen Ylvana of the Terema, Mistress Severa Septimus, Master Octavian Arbalestus.


The following takes place between 23 Novium and 28 Novium, YE 1022.


After the naming ceremony of Gryff's daughter, the heroes start planning their assault on the Redlands, first by discussing the situation with their allies, then they undertake a complex ritual so as to scry the city of Zalburg; the whole thing is delayed by heated negotiations over the new members's status within the cabal.

Chapter: Generations

Cast: Mandan Bansl, Gryff Galan, Velimir Tito, Yolander van Zaar, and Toadface. Also, as NPCs, in order of appearance: Mr.Godfree, Master Septimus Arachnidus, Queen Ylvana, and Mistress Severa.


The following takes place between 8 Novium and 23 Novium, YE 1022.


Following their pilgrimage to the Temple of the Sacrifice, the cabal runs into an old acquaintance, before paying a visit to their friend in the North, thereafter Galan follows his doctor's advice; the captain's child is born, and Velimir goes hunting -- all while van Zaar works hard to keep time flowing.

Chapter: Show Me Your Hand

Cast: Gryff Galan, Velimir Tito, Yolander van Zaar, and Toadface. Also, as NPCs: Master Severa Septimus of the Ordo Hermetica, Don Avanti of the Black Hand, Master Kazeem al-Askari of the Awakened Viziers.


The following takes place on 8 Novium, YE 1022.


Having left Cora before the siege was laid, the cabal spent some time discussing the state of affairs with their Hermetic allies, as well as amongst themselves; they followed van Zaar back in time in search for an Arcane Tool, before they prostrated themselves before the Light of Aziz.

Chapter: Monkey-wrench!

The seventh chapter of The Black Spear

The following takes place on 7 Novium, YE 1022


Cast: Aegir of the Enidùn, Mandan Bansl, Gryff Galan, Velimir Tito, Yolander van Zaar, and Toadface. Also, as NPCs, in order of appearance: Theurge Galeantis of the Draccian army on Cora, Mahdi Abu Aden of the Enlightened Viziers, The Purple Robed Man, Master Octavian Arbalestus of Battlefleet Hermetica.


Having left King Radan the Great of Draccia, the heroes find their plans thwarted by the Court of Star's untimely attack on Cora, and the Pius Fleet escapes before the Kraken drags it into the Deep; a meeting turns sour, van Zaar seeks the wisdom of the Prophet -- and meets a man in a tower -- before they again turn to Octavian for his advice.

Chapter: Aftermath

The fourth chapter of The Black Spear.

Cast: Aegir of the Enæidùn, Mandan Bansl, Gryff Galan, Velimir Tito, Yolander van Zaar, and Toadface. Also, various NPCs.

The following takes place on 29 Octavum, YE 1022.

Following the victorious Battle of the Tower of Man, led by the Pius Cabal, various events takes place as the magicians take stock of the situation; van Zaar and Toadface takes an interest in genealogy, Bansl makes an alchemic breakthrough, two Black Friars delves into the dungeon, and nature reclaims what was taken from it.

Chapter: The Battle of the Tower of Man

The Third chapter of The Dark Spear

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Cast: Aegir of the Enæidún, Mandan Bansl, Gryff Galan, Velimir Tito Toadface, and Yolander van Zaar. Also, as NPCs: Master Octavian Arbalestus, Onkel Smit, Admiral Colomb, Brigadier General Bothwell, First Mate Hawkins, a.k.a. Commander Spearhawk, and Adeptus Rupertus Ludenius.


The following takes place between 28 and 29 Octavum, YE 1022.


After a night of much needed debauchery in Göteshafen, the Pius Cabal sets sail again, and discover that the dastardly Thulists have established a base in the ruins of the University of Man. Toadface and Tito takes a bath in a river and decides that what they need is a mire. A hastily laid plan is made complicated and Bombmaster Bansl's craft becomes the target of criticism.

Chapter: Shoreleave

Cast: Mandan Bansl, Gryff Galan, Toadface, and Yolander van Zaar. Also, as NPCs: Simon the Apprentice, Master Vermis Ludenius, and Rupertus Ludenius.


The following takes place between 27 Octavum and 28 Octavum, YE 1022.

After having destroyed the OUT base Fort Niebelungen, the cabal decided to anchor in the Hermetic port of Göteshafen. As this is probably the safest port on all of Argos, and since the crew of the Pius haven't had a proper shoreleave in months, they were allowed ashore for the night. The cabal meets a new patron, haggles over the price of Mana, and enjoys a night on the town before setting sail again.

Chapter: Point of Catastrophe, part III

(Death Comes From Above)
The final part of the second chapter of the Dark Spear

Cast: Gryff Galan, Mandan Bansl, Yolander van Zaar, Toadface, and Prince Aegir of the Enæidun. Also, as NPCs: Hans Willem Smit (Wezellian Onkel), Octavian Augustus Arbalestus bani Flambeu (Hermetic Master), and Geoffrey Colomb (Admiral of the Argonauts).


The following takes place between 25 and 27 Octavum, YE 1022.

Chapter: Point of Catastrophe, part II

Cast: Mandan Bansl, Gryff Galan, Jolander van Saar, and Toadface.


The following takes place between 24 and 25 Ovtavum, YE 1022.




Previously, the cabal decided to attack the Ordo Ultima Thule on the Waymar Islands, and to take down the OUT battle-ship ADMIRAL VORTIGERN. This chapter starts with the good ship Pius - now rigged for flight - high above the Isles. Three Reavers have been defeated, and several more are forming a defensive formation between the Pius and the OUT base.


Below them, the heroes could see more Reavers taking off from the island, and amongst these there was a wing of three white vessels. They climbed from a jungle-clad valley, and suddenly they vanished in thin air - they had breached the Gauntlet and entered the Umbra. This is the Achilles Heel of the cabal, as  both Thaumathurges have vanished.


The magicians decided to up the ante, and they called on the Great Dragon Ahariman. He came out of the sun, falling towards the ground at immense speed, heading towards the OUT base. As the dragon passed the Reaver-formation, fire engulfed them, and many were struck out of the air. Suddenly cannons hidden on ridges and hill-sides started a frightful barrage. The sky around Ahariman became riddled with lethal dark blossoms, and glowing trails of death whipped the air.


And again the lookout called, "Meteorite, hoi!"


ADMIRAL VORTIGERN, the enormous steel monster, engulfed in flames, came thundering into the Troposphere. The Pius sprang into action, and as soon as the flames were extinguished, Captain Galan ordered the ship to teleport.


The Pius jumped to a position where Bansl could fire the White Arrow the cabal had forged for this job. Immediately the enemy's defences opened up, and the decks of the Pius were scoured by red hot metal poured from the countless guns jutting from ADMIRAL VORTIGERN's hull. Even so, Bansl calmly took aim, and fired his cannon. The White Arrow pierced the thick hull without trouble, and galan teleported Bansl, van Saar and Toadface aboard the enemy, then he took his own ship to safety.


In the steel bowels of the great battle-ship, the OUT found that a war-cabal is a terrible thing indeed. The magicians effortlessly fought their way to the bridge, and only there did they meet resistance sufficient to slow them down. Bansl's bombs proved invaluable in clearing closed rooms.


Two Hellghasts stood between the heroes and the door to the bridge, and Toadface whooped with joy at an enemy worth walloping. He charged the two as van Saar shifted time to get behind them. Despite the Hellghasts being fearsome fighters, they stood no chance against two Masters and an Adept, and the battle ended shortly.


The bridge was scryed, and Bansl came up with the idea to use a basic apparition-spell to deliver his ordnance into the room without exposing themselves to the enemy. Thus it was that the bombman blew a great hole in the hull of the enemy ship, and almost killed his brothers-in-arms as well. Bansl himself will of course tell you that everything was under control all the time.


With the ADMIAL VORTIGERN now falling helplessly towards the sea, Captain Galan brought the boarding-party home again.


Further East, the OUT base was now burning, but the dragon, now grievously injured, was fleeing. Relentlessly pursuing the wyrm was a fleet of Reavers. Each was pouring death into the ancient creature, and it was clear to the magicians - who were scrying this from afar - that Ahariman would fall.


Again the Pius was readied for battle, and Captain Galan teleported her between the dragon and the pursuers. As the enemy vessels screamed past them, the Pius opened up with both her broadsides. Of the seven Reavers following the dragon, four were blown out of the sky, and a fifth soon followed.


Toadface, being an Adept of Life, asked to be put on the wounded dragon's back, and Galan promptly teleported him there. Once on the ancient creature, Toadface could feel broken bones grinding against each other, torn tendons and ripped muscles straining to keep moving. The dark and sinister sea was coming closer by the minute, and it looked like there was a malicious shadow following them just below the surface.


Toadface started pouring his magic into the dragon, and despite his best efforts, it did not seem to be sufficient. At last he reached deep into himself, and sacrificing ten years of his life, he managed to bring enough strength back to Ahariman to make him able to climb again.


Simultaneously, the Pius had become threatened by the three white white Reavers. Coming out of the Umbra, one on each side, and one beneath the ship, they made ready to board with dozens of Hellghasts. The cabal didn't think twice, and they retreated.


Toadface was at this time clinging to the dragon's back as it climbed higher and higher, towards the sun. As the horizons widened around him, he felt the light fill his soul, and before the dragon came too high he let go. Before the Pius left the Western Isles, Galan brought the dragonrider safely back aboard.


Aftermath
The Pius anchored off the western coast of Pendrell. Here the wounded crew-members were seen to, and teh ship was mended. There was extra rum for each man, and the cabal celebrated the victory.


At 0500 on 25 Octavum, an enormous explosion wiped out a large portion of Rederhaven. Tens of thousands were killed, and several important buildings were lost. The Ordo Ultima Thule's revenge for the loss of ADMIRAL VORTIGERN has begun.




Storyteller's note: This is a great example of what the Pius Cabal is capable of when they act rationally and in concert. Still, this is only the third victory they have had since they left the Dark Continent (a year ago, RT). Since then, they have made invaluable contributions to the defence of Argos, but they have avoided battle.


The first great victory was the defeat of Captain Armand, following the Dark Triumvirate's attack on Wezell. The second great victory was the defeat of the Flood at the Battle of Geminon Field, where the migrating people were turned towards the lands of the Temple. And now, the defeat of ADMIRAL VORTIGERN. Three victories, against three enemies.


There are in effect three different groups of enemies. The Dark Triumvirate, the Temple of Man Supreme, and the Ordo Ultima Thule. Behind, or below, there is of course Cthulhu, but he's a little out of the reach of mortals.


Following the first victory, they were told by the Queen Mother herself that if they meddled in her affairs again, she would not forgive. Not worth all that much, perhaps, but since then she has left the cabal alone. The   second victory has not yet borne fruits, but by the end of YE 1022 or so, the Flood should start pouring into Temple-lands. This war is also being fought by the Enlightened Alliance (in effect every friendly magician and all their allies).


The Ordo Ultima Thule has been allowed to operate freely on the Western Isles for a generation, and now they have been attacked openly.




[Picture source: LayoutSparks.com]

Chapter: Point of Catastrophe, part I

Chapter Two of the Black Spear

Galder Fjord, near Caernfarena Abbey

Cast: Master Galan, Master van Saar, Master Bansl, and introducing: Toadface. Also as NPCs: William Blackstaff, Master Octavian, Brother Osberth, and Brig. Gen. Bothwell.


The following takes place between 23 and 24 Octavum, YE 1022.


Last time the heroes discovered the true might of the OUT navy, and were forced to flee.


When the Pius landed in Armac bay, off the Pendrellian western coast, the lookout spotted a small skiff laying in the bay. As soon as the Pius settled on the water, the skiff set sail and came towards the magicians. William Blackstaff was quickly recognised as one of the three aboard the smaller vessel. He looked to be pale and harassed.


He soon came aboard, and could tell that the Queen of Stars had sent a terrible demon after him, to get his staff, the Black Staff of Argos. The demon had nearly succeeded, and William had barely survived this encounter. He further advised the cabal to go north, to Caernfarena Abbey. On the question why, he said that there they would meet new friends. More than that he could not say. He also asked the cabal to take a man aboard.


This new man, a large and ugly fellow, looked a little like an ogre and introduced himself as Toadface. The cabal found this new acquaintance extremely fascinating, and spent some time getting to know him. Apparently he came from Bigwoods, a location he could not put on a map - this frustrated the masters greatly. He claimed to be able to talk to a turtle, and great wisdoms that his grandmother had taught him. As for a name, his grandma had told him that no one should know his real name, and so she had never told him.


from  In this time, Octavian, the cabal's old friend, called on the cabal. In the telepathic conference that followed, he could tell that the First Amalgam had discovered the nature of the disappearances along the Pendrellian coast. It had cost the life of two of its members, but they had discovered that flying vessels from the OUT were behind it all. Octavian was informed of the ADMIRAL VORTIGERN, something that disturbed him greatly.


After an argument over what course to set, the cabal agreed to follow William's request and sail to Caernfarena. While the magicians argued, Commander Spearhawk set sail for the north, on the captain's orders. Once an agreement had been reached, the Pius teleported to the Abbey.


There the heroes were met on shore by two Black Friars, both wearing warswords and advanced revolving pistols. The younger of the two also carried a very sophisticated longarm. Once they met Brother Osberth, the abbot, he proved to be very knowledgeable about the Thulists, but he would not disclose how and why his brethren carried such futuristic equipment. He did promise that everything would be explained after Vespers, when someone would be there to talk to them.


Vespers, something that Toadface could not wait to experience, enraptured the magicians. When the choir sang, it was like the souls of those who listened became filled by the light of creation. Only van Saar remained sceptical to what he called, "primitive occult practices."


After this, the magicians were introduced to a short and pugnacious fellow wearing what could only be described as blue uniform. This character, one Brig. Gen. Bothwell, was said to command the forces of the Commonwealth of Man on Argos. He cheerfully suggested that the abbot pour some of his famous brew, and that they all had a good, long chat.


Amongst the things that were discussed were the strategical situation on Argos. The problem, the general said, was that the only route into the world was through an eye in the Æther-storm that surrounds Argos. This storm was, according to Brother Osberth, the Dreamshell created by Morpheus. The Eye is not only a hazard for the Commonwealth's ships, but also held by two ships just like the one guarding the Waymar Islands. Further, the general suggested that if the Pius Cabal could provoke the ships stationed in the Eye to leave their station, the Commonwealth navy could make the passage and then pound the bastards out of the sky.


After this talk, the magicians were given a demonstration of their new friend's toys. They fired rifles and automatic cannons, and inspected the general's ship, the Bounder. Master Bansl used this knowledge to forge a similar cannon to be mounted in the bow of the Pius.


Now the wizards sat down to plan their assault on ADMIRAL VORTIGERN. Their goal was to destroy it, thus drawing the other two in. Although a simple enough plan, it still needed preparation to minimise the possibility of defeat. After long deliberations, they decided to use the same plan as last time, with the addition of breaching the hull of the great battle-ship. This they proposed to do by forging a projectile to be fired from Bansl's new cannon. This projectile only had to penetrate the enemy's hull. Galan, Master of Space, would then use the missile to establish an Arcane connection, and a boarding-party would be teleported aboard the enemy. Once aboard, the heroes reckoned, even OUT-forces would be able to withstand the might of a war-cabal.


Toadface now asked whether his gauntlet could be of any use. Van Saar almost ended up insisting that it be thrown into the Bansl Apparatus and used to forge the magical missile. Not wanting to sacrifice his heirloom, Toadface proved less than enthusiastic about the proposition. So after a round of debate, the choice fell on the sword recovered fro the OUT scientist on the Dark Continent. Deicide was placed in the Bansl Apparatus, and the masters wrought powerful spells into the ritual. Content with their work, the order was given to take the Pius into combat.


When the ship teleported into the air, high above the Western Isles, the three of the Reaver-wings started to climb, while the rest moved to form a formation above between the enemy's main base and the city of Freeport. The magicians immediately opened fire with the heaviest spells they knew. They quickly discovered that the Reavers were capable of taking a deal of punishment before being destroyed. Rather than blow the OUT vessels out of the sky, they had to hammer them with a prolonged magical barrage. Eventually they managed to shoot the closest wing down, but the other two retreated to form up with the rest.


ADMIRAL VORTIGERN did not enter the scene.


And so this chapter ended with a cliffhanger.




Storyteller's note: Before this session I had actually written down and prepared each scene. This is something I usually never do, but as a link in my GM-awareness project, I decided to try something new. I'm quite satisfied, as the players ended up at least somewhere close to where I wanted them, although there are a couple of scenes that didn't get used. It really is like herding cats.


I used this session planning template posted on Gnome Stew, and I think I liked it enough to give it another go.


I must also say that the players went about tonight's actions with a good eye towards the strategic picture. For a wile now, they've had a tendency to either invoke greater powers, elves, dragons, spirits, etc., or to make a full frontal assault. I'm no longer that afraid that I'll have to kill them ;)


We also had a new player join the group. The grand total now is up to seven, but so far we've never had more than five at the table. Even if the group is mostly aboard a ship that travels far and wide, the magical nature of the ship has now become so established that I can have people coming and going without it being too weird. Also, now there's enough players that there's always someone to curtail the long ramblings of the masters.




[Picture source: Fotoviva]

Artifact: Thunderer's Gauntlet

This artifact is an armoured gauntlet of the type used by Erian knights in past centuries. It appears to be new and well made. The gauntlet itself is of a  type of blue leather that does not appear to be dyed, and the armouring is of thin metal plates fastened to the leather with copper rivets. While it weighs no more than a leather glove, it will feel hefty once the wearer clenches his fist. This will also cause arcs of electricity to coil lazily over the metal, making crackling sounds. 


Thunderer's Gauntlet
Artifact llllllll
Mana 13
Powers:
Thunderbolt (Forces llll)
   Contingent: Mimic throwing a spear.
Telekinetic Strike (Forces llll)
   Contingent: Strike a blow as if striking the target.
Call Lightning (Forces lll)
   Contingent: Raise fist towards the heavens and call out, "I smite thee!"




[Picture source unknown]