Being a chronicle of the assailment of the Castle of the Sphinxes in ye year of the Mottled Vulture… Listen now oh wanderer, to a tale of heroism, bloodshed and rapine in the perilous wilderness of the Forsaken Wastes. Five men had set out into that barren land that had not known the touch of … More [Actual Play] Le Chateau du Sphinx, Session I & II
First: A grand and momentous 2024 to all of you. Thank you for your kind words, sharp critique, penetrating insights, laborious support and humor over the past year. You are the finest audience a blogger could wish for. To business (and fear not, NAP III continues unabated). I had some thoughts on some of the … More [OSR] On Design and Anti-Design
In the distant valley of Sargoon, our heroes arose from their slumber, and once again prepared to delve further into the Labyrinth of Madness. Brandoch Daha, overcome by a sullen anger, announced that he required solitude, and would not join the delve that day. His companions nodded, and made what preparations they could, venturing once … More [Actual Play] Like Unto Gods Session XII (AD&D 2e); Labyrinth
At the end of their hiatus, the Six travelled back to the valley of Sargoon, and there assembled to deal with the Eye Tyrants. With scrying they had ensured that the foul creatures were still in place. For a day they prepared, and grimly, for they too had noticed they were being scried. The denizens … More [Actual Play] Like Unto Gods Session XI: Ambush!
Once more the Six assembled, to lay siege to the Labyrinth of Madness. Vaus called upon the powers of his gods, calling the shade of the slain Medusa from beyond the grave, and from it, learned how to access the Glyphs, and the names and number of the serpent-men that dwelled inside the Labyrinth. Using … More [Actual Play] Like Unto Gods Session X; Setback
While on the surface, Vaus called upon the might of the gods to mend the broken spirit of the Five, and they were soon made whole, though the spell exacted a toll, and they were aged several years. Vaus, harrowed by the strange ways of the Labyrinth, stayed behind for a day, to mend his … More [Actual Play] Like Unto Gods Session IX; Gaze of the Medusa
And so it was the Six rested for a day, and with magic healed their wounds, and using divinations once more asked the gods to reveal the mysteries of the strange Glyphs. The answer was that they indeed formed the key to further unravelling the secrets of the Labyrinth of Madness. Brandoch stayed behind this … More [Actual Play] Like Unto Gods Pt. VIII (2e); Serpents Brood
On their second venture into the Labyrinth of Madness the Four rejoiced, for they were joined by their companions Lemmikainen Half-Elven and Brandoch Daha, killer of Giants. Spending one extra day to cast divinations and figure out if meddling with the statue in the pit on the lower level of the labyrinth would have favourable … More [Actual Play] Like Unto Gods Pt. VII (2e); Delving Deeper
And so it was that Four of the Six set out for the Valley of Sargoon, taking 2 weeks for Simeon the wizard to brew a potion of giants strength, and pen several scrolls. Brandoch Daha and Lemmikainen were delayed by other errands, but would follow later. For 3 hard weeks they rode, gaining permission … More [Actual Play] Like Unto Gods Pt. VI (2e); Labyrinth of Madness
And so it was that for three days our heroes prepared for their last sally into the Stronghold of Azureax. And using divination, they gleaned yet another command word of the Mirror of Mental Prowess, allowing them to open gateways to other places. And they questioned the mirror in vain, for they knew not how … More [Actual Play] Like Unto Gods Pt. V (2e); Peace Treaty
Age of Dusk 