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08:41, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Posted by Dread Pirate RobertFor group 0
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 103 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Wed 15 Mar 2023
at 03:58
  • msg #514

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

If it's not obvious, I'm looking for whose memory recall I should bless.  I can't target myself ever, and I can't hit Alessandra without trying to strongarm the pearl.
Vasily Pavlychenko
player, 237 posts
Ussuran Sorcerer/Duelist
HP: 0
Wed 15 Mar 2023
at 23:24
  • msg #515

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

It wasn't obvious... however Vasily is not only a sorcerer, but also a scholar... so what he says is true. :D
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 104 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Wed 15 Mar 2023
at 23:27
  • msg #516

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Yep, and I noticed that in your bio. :)  I'm just waiting on Valentino and Anders to post.


Edit: But yes, Vasily is probably the one getting kissed.  What will he think of that?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:21, Thu 16 Mar 2023.
Alessandra Castillo
player, 89 posts
A lady, then a pirate.
Sat 25 Mar 2023
at 16:34
  • msg #517

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

In reply to Fiora Ambrogia (msg # 512):

Probably not.
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 106 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Sat 25 Mar 2023
at 21:10
  • msg #518

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Alessandra Castillo:
In reply to Fiora Ambrogia (msg # 512):

Probably not.

Probably don't want a sorcery, or probably don't stop it?  Also, "probably" isn't enough.  I'm not handing the GM 30+ danger points for a "meh".  If you definitely don't want one I'll act.
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 107 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Sat 1 Apr 2023
at 08:07
  • msg #519

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Valentino Iocovelli:
"We know sorcery as a bloodline, such that only someone from Montaigne could be a Porte sorcerer, right?"

This is somewhat ironic from a Vodacce native, given that Sorte only pretends to be a bloodline thanks to active effort by the agents of the Princes.  Sure, the daughter of a Strega is very likely to be a Strega, but peasant girls with no noble blood at all are sometimes born with Fate's Kiss.

There are teams of people who go around checking newborns for the birthmark.  The families of those newborns...  Well, they actually get a shot at becoming lesser nobility.  Of course, without the proper upbringing, they have no idea of the proper manners of high society.  So they quickly get dragged into duels and killed, unless they keep their mouths shut.  At which point the young strega is from a fallen noble house, not a peasant house, and all it cost was the blood of her family.

It's not even a well kept secret, the peasantry knows about it, everyone just pretends.  Presumably because not pretending is bad for your health.

Nations of Theah volume 2.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:39, Sat 01 Apr 2023.
Vasily Pavlychenko
player, 238 posts
Ussuran Sorcerer/Duelist
HP: 0
Sat 1 Apr 2023
at 19:12
  • msg #520

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

I think the implication is that nobles spread their wild oats freely amongst the peasantry.
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 108 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Sat 1 Apr 2023
at 19:28
  • msg #521

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

It's actually not, but the truth of the matter is very tightly guarded.


Sorte is the result of a bargain that the first princes of Vodacce made with unearthly beings of some sort (one fan theory is that they were the last of the Syrne, but I don't think there's any official confirmation).  They made a mistake in their wording and got a monkey's paw.  That's why it's women-only, the restriction was a middle finger to the men who were trying to leverage a better deal.

Sorte is tied to the land itself in addition to being heritable.  Any woman born inside the borders of Vodacce can potentially be born with Sorte, but no man will ever have it.  The first Princes lost that bargain, but made the best of it, from their perspective, by enslaving the Strega as they have.

As a result, unlike Al Adente Fuego (the extinct sorcery of Castille), Sorte can never be driven entirely to extinction.  As long as the region remains habitable, there will continue to be Strega born there.


All that however, is deep lore of the setting which very few, if any, in-setting characters know.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:36, Sat 01 Apr 2023.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 293 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 5
Sun 9 Apr 2023
at 17:35
  • msg #522

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Wow! That's some really DEEP background that even I wasn't aware of. But, as the GM, I get to tweak that... just a little if I want to.

Just curious... where does that all come from? Something for me to read when I get bored...


Apologies for no update but really didn't think there was one.

Still paraplegic trying to recover mobility at a poor rehab facility with bad nursing and half-horrible food until...

Developed a sore on my butt from laying in bed 24/7 that didn't get treated properly and turned gangrene, so now I'm back in the hospital with surgery scheduled for Tuesday.

Recovery to go home was still about a month away. Don't yet know how this new problem will affect that.

Low energy levels at rehab have left me with a one-track mind--just have trouble shifting gears between game systems right now.

My OCD stubbornness is still keeping me from pulling the plug on my games. I really have fun running games and it really bums me out that I can't keep them going right now for all of you. For those of you who are still sticking around waiting for the game to restart, I sincerely apologize for the delay. For those of you who have moved on, no hard feelings here--I completely understand.

Anyway, Happy Easter to everyone!
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 00:26, Tue 11 Apr 2023.
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 109 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Sun 9 Apr 2023
at 18:24
  • msg #523

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Dread Pirate Robert:
Wow! That's some really DEEP background that even I wasn't aware of. But, as the GM, I get to tweak that... just a little if I want to.

Just curious... where does that all come from? Something for me to read when I get bored...

Scattered across the 1e books.  1e was printed in the age of heavy metaplot in TTRPG's.

The Rilasciare were actually founded by some of the staff of the Numian(Roman) Senators who made the various bargains to gain sorcery.  They happened to witness the bargain made with Things From Beyond The Veil and were horrified by the act and the prices paid.

Most of the senators who participated in the bargaining made rather straightforward deals and ended up with sorcery that's purely bloodline based. One senator (or group?  It's not clear how many founders each sorcery had) tried to get clever and make sure his(their?) line(s?) could never die out as part of the bargain.  It didn't work the way he (they?) wanted.

Regardless of whether it was one or several, as the Numian empire collapsed, those who made the bargain for Sorte ended up maintaining control of Vodacce, becoming the first princes.  Their daughters were the first Strega, but as time passed, they found that girls who were definitely not of their line showed up with the sorcery.  In modern Thea, Sophia's Daughters have been smuggling Strega out of Vodacce, and their daughters still have the gift, but nowhere outside Vodacce do they just show up for no apparent reason.

If it was entirely bloodline based, it'd show up all over Thea in every nation, because of how much Vodacce sailors (more specifically the captains) get around.

The Bargain only produced seven lines of sorcery, several of which are still nameless.  Porte, Sorte, El Fuego Adentro, Mirage, Zerstörung, and two unnamed.

Porte, Sorte, and El Fuego Adentro survived to the 17th century, with El Fuego dying out before 2e (Maybe?  There might be a few left in hiding, or who carry the blood without knowing how to use it.  No stats for it in 2e though.  If Allesandra decided to go for it then all the abilities would need to be houseruled.)  Zerstörung was the bloodline sorcery of Eisen, but was driven to extinction by the Rilasciare.


The other sorceries, Glamour, Hexenwerk, Dar Matushki, Sanderis, the stuff in the Khitai books, etc... have different backgrounds.


Dread Pirate Robert:
Developed a sore on my butt from laying in bed 24/7 that didn't get treated properly and turned gangrene, so now I'm back in the hospital with surgery scheduled for Tuesday.

Wow, that really sucks.  Hope things turn out better.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:42, Sun 09 Apr 2023.
Alessandra Castillo
player, 90 posts
A lady, then a pirate.
Sun 9 Apr 2023
at 23:31
  • msg #524

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Neat. Happy Easter, everyone.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:31, Sun 09 Apr 2023.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 296 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 5
Mon 10 Apr 2023
at 06:15
  • msg #525

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

I've probably already asked this, had it answered, and forgotten it already...


When Fiora takes a lash, is this supposed to be a visible physical injury like if someone was actually whipped? I realize this is just a game mechanic--too many wounds and you die, but how does it 'appear' for role-playing purposes?

Can it manifest in a different way from one sorcerer to the next? Or even within the same sorcerer?


Or is a lash supposed to be damage to the soul? If this was the case, it'd have to impose some negative condition, wouldn't it?


I can see each sorcerer working out the price that affects him. Limp? Reduced speed? Can't talk? Blind? Specific skills that can't be used for an hour? Might work this into the Healing sorcery...
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 114 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Mon 10 Apr 2023
at 07:15
  • msg #526

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Dread Pirate Robert:
When Fiora takes a lash, is this supposed to be a visible physical injury like if someone was actually whipped? I realize this is just a game mechanic--too many wounds and you die, but how does it 'appear' for role-playing purposes?

Lashes accumulate in her fate, and another Strega would be able to see roughly how stressed her fate is, but other than that no.

It's when I get rid of them that the injuries become evident (Well, if I absorb them instead of shedding them), manifesting as cuts like someone might recieve from a barbed lash.  Those bleed just as normal, and are the reason for the black dresses Strega in Vodacce are required to wear, to hide the blood.  This is also why Fiora wears white as much as she can, specifically to not hide the cost of what she does.


Keeping lashes built up is a bit risky, but also not.  Or maybe preemptively risky?  It's "tempting fate" and also tempting the GM.  (Neat bit of setting/mechanics convergence there.)  Any time anyone around me, including me, makes a Risk, you can spend a danger point to take away any dice that roll below my pending Lashes.  So it's a balance, the more I have, the more tempting that is for you, and the worse it is for us if you use it.  On the other hand, the more you use it, the faster you run out of danger points.  Fate is eventually appeased by a Strega who just takes her licks as they come.


Dread Pirate Robert:
I can see each sorcerer working out the price that affects him. Limp? Reduced speed? Can't talk? Blind? Specific skills that can't be used for an hour? Might work this into the Healing sorcery...

Empathic healing is a classic.  Transferring the sorcerers own wounds to someone else, or someone else's to themselves would make sense.  The cost could come in the form of lingering wounds that can't be transferred.  "Sorcery cannot pay sorcery's price." style.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:23, Mon 10 Apr 2023.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 300 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 5
Sun 7 May 2023
at 08:13
  • msg #527

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Can't sleep, can't focus to post... turn. More of the same. Turn. Repeat.

STAGE MINUS ONE--SPINAL SURGERY: Hell, I don't even remember half of it. This would have been the spinal surgery to remove the tumor and put me on my back for two weeks. DONE. SUCCESS!

STAGE ZERO--REHAB ERROR: Weeks at rehab facility where inadequate and improper nursing care turned an ordinary bedsore into a far more serious gangrene wound... one that now needed surgery to fix. DONE? WAS THAT A SUCCESS OR FAILURE?

STAGE ONE--BACKSIDE SURGERY: Operation on my tailbone went off without a hitch apparently. Just left with a major wound on my tailbone. Couldn't/can't put pressure on the wound while it heals, thus laying on my side and having to get turned to the other side every two hours, necessitating having to learn to type on my laptop upside down and sideways with one finger. Remember, this is at the BETTER recovery/rehab facility rather than at home, so options are still limited. Did I mention the I-V dangling from my arm that also gets in the way? DONE. SUCCESS.

STAGE TWO--STAPLES/SUTURES REMOVAL: Staples and stitches still need to come out. Don't have a timeline for that yet but presumably soon.
___STAGE 2.1: First half of the staples were taken out Tuesday. On schedule, standard routine. DONE. SUCCESS.
___STAGE 2.2: Second half of staples were removed Friday. Again, right on schedule with no complications. DONE. SUCCESS.
___STAGE 2.3: Sutures are currently supposed to come out on Monday, though that probably depends on how the final healing has progressed, since not everyone will heal the same way. PENDING.

STAGE THREE--WOUND REHAB: sitting protocols start as soon as sutures come out (?). Start getting used to sitting up  again... in 15-minute intervals. No details yet on frequency or duration. Will kind of depend on how well I do, but further complicated by not  having any control of my leg muscles. Requires moving to a normal bed rather than this deluxe air bubbling mattress that's meant to stimulate skin/muscle do I don't get more bedsores.

STAGE FOUR--HOME REHAB: As soon as I can stand up on my own two legs, I should be able to go home for final rehab. Regain mobility. At this point, there's no telling how well the wound rehab and the paralysis rehab will work together. The therapist seemed to think they could make them work together in synergy, but I didn't get a whole lot of enthusiasm from him. I suppose it could be uncharted territory for him.


ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: I now qualify for Frequent Surgery Miles. I've had four surgeries so the fifth one is free! Oddly, I started with the Big One (double bypass heart surgery 15 years ago) and that went easier than these.

Still not sure if there's a light at  the end of the tunnel yet--if there is, hope it's the Battery Low indicator and not the Westbound #9 train!
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 117 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Sun 7 May 2023
at 08:18
  • msg #528

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Holy hell.  Good luck with all the remaining steps.  I'd wish you luck for stage zero, but it's a bit late now.
Vasily Pavlychenko
player, 241 posts
Ussuran Sorcerer/Duelist
HP: 0
Mon 8 May 2023
at 14:08
  • msg #529

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

What a trial. My mom has been going through a similar long-term saga involving surgery and recovery and disappointing turns of events and/or results. I hope that the current cycle is the final one for both of you.
Alessandra Castillo
player, 92 posts
A lady, then a pirate.
Mon 15 May 2023
at 21:06
  • msg #530

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

In reply to Dread Pirate Robert (msg # 527):

Good god.
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 301 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 5
Wed 17 May 2023
at 13:02
  • msg #531

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

___STAGE 2.3: Sutures came out on Monday right on schedule, but the final healing is still in progress for several weeks/months. DONE. SUCCESS.

STAGE THREE--WOUND REHAB: sitting up for continued wound rehab protocols start as soon as sutures came out, about a week ago now. Start getting used to sitting up  again... in 15-minute intervals twice a day. Moved to a standard air mattress bed. Frequency and duration will kind of depend on how well I do, but further complicated by not having any control over my leg muscles and not enough feeling below the waist. Communication/responsibility issue has only produced one session--should have been six by now! PENDING???

___STAGE 3.5--RESUME PREVIOUS REHAB: In a week or two or three depending on how quickly I improve here, I get transferred to yet another Rehab facility for continued wound recovery... takes a long time... as well as mobility rehab.

___Stage 3.7--TRANSFER TO NEW REHAB: So the Wound Recovery has done well enough that I'm getting transferred to a different rehab facility for the Sitting/Mobility rehab. Don't know why there's a difference other than where I'm at is more medical than therapeutic so they need to make room for a new patient.

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL: Different tunnel, different light. I suppose it's a step in the right direction, but we'll have to see how it goes.
Vasily Pavlychenko
player, 242 posts
Ussuran Sorcerer/Duelist
HP: 0
Wed 17 May 2023
at 15:05
  • msg #532

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

At least the wound recovery is going well. Obviously, all of it needs to keep improving, but having the wound not healing is extra bad and annoying.

Keep on going! I'm sure almost everyone in all of your games are happy to wait while you take care of getting back in proper form. I know I am. :D
Dread Pirate Robert
GM, 302 posts
Master of Fate
Danger Pool: 5
Thu 18 May 2023
at 01:21
  • msg #533

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Thanks. I appreciate that.

And more good news--the dogs are allowed in to see me! I was really missing them. They'll help my rehab for sure!
Vasily Pavlychenko
player, 243 posts
Ussuran Sorcerer/Duelist
HP: 0
Thu 18 May 2023
at 01:33
  • msg #534

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Oh yeah, for sure. They have probably been wondering where you are too. Just be prepared for being licked a lot. :D
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Tue 30 May 2023.
Alessandra Castillo
player, 93 posts
A lady, then a pirate.
Tue 30 May 2023
at 18:06
  • msg #535

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

In reply to Dread Pirate Robert (msg # 533):

Aww.
Fiora Ambrogia
player, 118 posts
Sophia's Daughter Strega
Tue 30 May 2023
at 18:22
  • msg #536

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Dread Pirate Robert:
Thanks. I appreciate that.

And more good news--the dogs are allowed in to see me! I was really missing them. They'll help my rehab for sure!

Pets, the only placebo that still works when you know it's a placebo. XD


Fuzzy scritches lower cortisol.
Vasily Pavlychenko
player, 244 posts
Ussuran Sorcerer/Duelist
HP: 0
Fri 7 Jul 2023
at 13:03
  • msg #537

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

Reposting from another of StarMaster's games:
quote:
Fellow Human Beings ... Fellow Gamers ... Friends ...  It is with a saddened heart that I inform you all of the passing of Robert Rusk -- better known to many of us as StarMaster.  Rob passed in his sleep on Thursday morning, July 6, 2023, at approximately 10:30am.  He had been hospitalized since early in the year due to complications concerning Cancer & associated surgeries.  He was 73 years old.  Rob was a Comics Fan Boy & fiction writer wannabe his whole life and came to Roleplaying in the Early Days of 1978.  It was my distinct pleasure to have met him, and gamed with him, since that time.  After his Retirement, Rob committed himself to the community he found in RPol, participating in over 20+ games, here.  He was an especial "softie" for GM-adopting abandoned games and working to keep them running, for the enjoyment of the Players.  He will be missed.

Alessandra Castillo
player, 94 posts
A lady, then a pirate.
Sat 15 Jul 2023
at 15:39
  • msg #538

Re: Rafters Pub (OOCs)

In reply to Vasily Pavlychenko (msg # 537):

How horrible. May be rest in peace.
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