Wyntornocht in Caligo

Wyntornacht is the popular mid-winter festival in Ember Shoals, and apparently it has made its way to Caligo as well. As the celebration draws nearer, I am reminded of the traditions of the season. Here is a short excerpt from The Wayfarer's Guide to the Ember Shoals-Customs & Rituals by Phremynn.

"There are two figures central to the Wyntornacht mythology, Greatfather Wyntor & his antagonist, Dur Krommpys [also known as the Krampus]. The pair seemed to be locked in a never ending cycle of battle; with Greatfather Wyntor seemingly coming out on top at the conclusion in the folklore.
Below, I've included my best attempts at depicting these beings."

Greatfather Wyntor

The Krampus

And another excerpt from The Wayfarer's Guide:

"The origins of this holiday boogeyman are mostly unknown. What little information, my brethren & I, have been able to gather is at best...fragmented & anecdotal. Dissconcerting to say the least but, we work diligently with what we have to compile this tome.

Rumor states the this creature is the bastard child of a Faedwyr noble & Dyvaalkin called a Succubi(we're still uncertain about the Dyvaalkin; more on that in a later chapter).

Depised by both it's Fey cousin's & the Dyvaalkin, Dër Krahmpuz, took to wandering the mortal plane. Gaining followers amongst the nascent Fomorach(orc) tribes that once inhabited the archipelago. Revered as a nature diety by the Formorach for millenia, it had found a place that it could belong & cheerfully ruled over it's chosen people.

This changed however. With the coming of the first Krewes, everything changed...forever.
As the orcs numbers dwindled from the diseases & slaughter wrought by the humans, Dër Krahmpuz, found it's strength fading.

Over time, it came to know emotions that it had never known. Sorrow, hate, anguish, envy...the sudden rush of these feelings twisted & warped the creature; slowly driving it mad. In its madness, Dër Krahmpuz, began demanding sacrifices from it's followers. At first animals but, that soon wasn't enough. Dër Krahmpuz hungered for the most precious of souls....children."

OOC Notes:

• I copied these bits of lore from Facebook. They were written by Robb Rodgers, aka Kettlebaun aka Xhorja.
• Greatfather Wyntor and the Krampus shall have starring roles in this Sunday's Amtgard scenarios.

A Horrifying Harvest

With voidling attacks petering off, the lands of the Sentinels were able to reap a bountiful harvest. There was, however, something missing - turkey! The Sentinels decided to take up their bows and go hunting. Two parties were formed - one led by Vibe and the other by Beast. Boasting began, and soon the two teams had arranged a contest. Which team could come back with the most turkeys?

The two teams set off into the forest, one to the east and another to the west. I, Rufus, was with Vibe's team. As we wandered through the wilderness we were amazed by the stillness. No birds sang and no animals scurried underfoot. What sorcery could do this?

After a while, we heard a scream in the distance. Shortly thereafter, we spotted a figure rushing towards us. It was a man, fleeing in terror. Behind him came this towering, feathered creature.

Before we could do anything, it caught the man and pecked him to death.

"A dire turkey!" I exclaimed.

"What?" asked my companions.

Briefly I explained. Back in Ember Shoals, the Faedwyr had performed arcane sorcery upon the native wild turkeys. They grew to monstrous size and began attacking the populace. After a bloody battle, we defeated all but one, which fled deep into the wilderness. But that was in Ember Shoals; how did one get to Caligo?

After dispatching its prey, the dire turkey looked up at us, then unleashed a gobble that sounded more like a lion's roar. Our knees quaked in fear. Suddenly, a swarm of the beasts converged on us. We steeled our nerves and prepared to defend ourselves. Then one of them did this:

We covered ourselves with our shields and joined the battle. We hacked and slashed, slaying many of the beasts. More attacked, flying over us and then diving upon us. Still, we put up a brave resistance. After a heated battle, the remaining dire turkeys fled. We gathered up the carcasses of the slain turkeys and brought them back to Landfall Castle. We had 37 of the creatures, enough to feed the settlement for many months. Upon our return, we met Beast's team. They had a similar experience but only netted 36 turkeys. Vibe had won the bet!

Beast would gain a measure of revenge. After our feast, a friendly battle broke out over the pumpkin pie. Beast's team won the lion's share of the dessert.

OOC Notes:

• For our Thanksgiving weekend battlegame, I pulled out a scenario we ran at Ember Shoals a few years prior - a twisted turkey hunt.
• Dire turkeys had flight, terror, and 1 fireball spell.
• I actually was reeving the turkey battle but joined Vibe for the pumpkin pie fight. So he won without me and lost with me. Hmmm.
• The pumpkin pie fight was a game of Heavy Object, using a shield as the object (a pumpkin pie, naturally). Of course, players had to hold the "pie" horizontally so as not to spill it.

Ghouls in the Graveyard

It had been a quiet two months, but then the tranquility of Landfall Castle was broken when a scout burst into the Great Hall.

"We've found another Node!" he exclaimed to the startled populace. Lord Lancelot was away from the keep, but his second-in-command, Vibe, wasted no time. Soon after, the Sentinels were saddled and riding hard to the location of the third Node.

The scout led them to a graveyard. As the Sentinels made their way onto the grounds, they could see things scurrying among the tombstones. Hellish figures were rooting through the graves, digging up fresh corpses.

"Ghouls!"

"Where is the Node?" Vibe asked.

The scout replied, "In one of the graves. We'll have to dig it out."

"Look!" cried one of the Sentinels. On the other side of the cemetery, they could see the figures of voidlings hastening toward the graves.

"Hurry!" Vibe commanded, "before the voidlings get it!"

The Sentinels rushed forward, hacking and slashing their way through the ghouls that patrolled the graveyard. They got about halfway in when a wave of stench, drifting up from the unearthed corpses, struck their nostrils. They were left gagging and gasping for breath and had to withdraw. Logan, a recent arrival at Landfall, cast a spell, negating the effects for some of the Sentinels. Vibe flanked to the left while Amaru and Mark went right. They reached the graves and began digging, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the voidlings had cut a path through the ghouls and likewise began to dig. The ghouls converged, but one of the voidlings went on a berserk rampage. Its powerful blows cleaved the ghouls while it seemingly ignored all strikes against it. It finally fell, but it had cleared a space. More voidlings rushed in and ransacked the graves.

The Sentinels were nearing the voidlings when suddenly there was a bright light and a clap like thunder. One of the voidlings held up the Node! Light flashed again and then the voidlings, and the Node, were gone.

Deflated, the Sentinels trudged back to Landfall Castle. The voidlings now had a second Node.

OOC Notes

• This is the report of the latest Caligo lore battle.
• In this scenario, one side played the ghouls while the other were the questers trying to find the Node (a wooden disk) which was placed under a "gravestone" (actually a rectangle of heavy, gray cardstock). I timed how long it took for the questers to find the Node. Then the teams switched roles. The team that found the Node quickest won the scenario. In this case, the team representing the voidlings won.
• To make it more challenging, the ghouls' half of the field was deemed to be an area of Eternal Stench. Unless immune to death, questers had to cover their nose and mouth while immersed in the stench.
• Kudos to Lord Gr'Rakt (Josh), a visitor from Crest Haven. He played a crucial role for the voidling team when his barbarian character went into Fight After Death mode and mowed down the opposition. This cleared space for his teammates to come up and find the Node.

The Shot

A minor incident in the everyday life of the realm

I was riding on patrol the other day when I came upon a curious sight. A man was throwing a rope up into a tree while a young boy looked on expectantly. I stopped and asked if they needed help. The man explained that he was trying to get his son's toy down from the tree. I did not ask how it got there in the first place, but when I looked I could see the toy lodged in the crook between 2 branches.

"I'll see what I can do," I said.

I dismounted from my steed and gathered up my bow and some arrows. I strung my bow, placed an arrow on the string, a drew it back. My archery was not the best so I wondered if I could make the shot. I momentarily worried that I would get my arrow stuck in the tree while leaving the toy untouched. What if my shot skewered the toy, destroying it? All these thoughts filtered through my mind. I had to dismiss them and concentrate on the shot.

Focusing my concentration, I aimed and loosed. The shot was true; the arrow grazed the toy without puncturing it. It swayed on the branch, then came tumbling down. The man and boy applauded.

I was very happy to be able to help. And I am particularly pleased with the shot!

OOC Notes

• This was an actual incident at last week's practice. There was a Cub Scout pack having a party at the park's pavilion. One of the lads got a bean bag stuck in a tree (I didn't ask how). One of the fathers was trying to get it down with a rope. I came over with my bow and arrows and offered to help. I got it out of the tree in one shot. There was applause.
• Note that I used Amtgard arrowheads. I didn't have to worry about piercing the bean bag.
• Nevertheless, I am so pleased with the shot that I had to write down the story.

The Fight for the Flagon

As Kettlebaun wrote about the Fibber's Flagon, " You never know just where the blasted thing may turn up!" Somehow it arrived in the Great Hall of Landfall Castle. I, Rufus, found it sitting upon the table. I picked it up and asked, "Who does this belong to?" Then, the flagon exerted an insidious influence on those feasting within the hall. No one could truly say who owned it but all desired it. Soon, the assembled members began to put forth their claims to the mug. Tempers frayed; the sound of weapons being drawn filled the air. Then, without warning, blows were struck!

The clang of weapons resounded through the Great Hall as former comrades were at each other's throats. The melee was so confused that I could not make out exactly what was going on. Various factions formed and squared off against one another. One by one, however, the combatants succumbed to their wounds. Eventually, only three remained - Lord Lancelot, Beast, and Vibe.

The three combatants agreed to honor duels to decide the fate of the flagon. First, Beast and Vibe squared off. After a dazzling display of swordsmanship, Beast prevailed. Then he took on Lancelot. Again, we were witnesses to some sword mastery. This time, however, Beast was bested. Flush with victory, Lancelot seized the flagon from my hands. I was too flabbergasted by the whole affair to refuse him. Fortunately, no one was killed in the scuffle (perhaps the flagon's magic prevented any killing blows).

OOC Notes

• This tale is based on a tournament I held at Caligo last Sunday. It was a free-for-all for the ownership of the Fibber's Flagon, a new artifact that we introduced to the realm. Click the link above for a description.
• I was the reeve for the tourney so I did not participate in the fighting.

The Fibber's Flagon

The following passage has been taken from the pages of the journal of Lord Admiral Kettlebaun.

A curious magic item of either halfling or gnomish design; though none can be absolutely certain due to the proclivity of both races play pranks upon larger, stupider folk.

Its properties bear mentioning, whilst beneficial...there can be certain hindrances if more than one is used at a time. Such as rendering a person powerless for a time. Oddly, this only seems to affect preternatural abilities & magicks. Raw martial prowess is unaffected.The first, is it's miraculous ability to remain ever full. A man can drain it's contents to the dregs & the cup will fill itself again of it's own accord.

Second of which are it's restorative powers! A single sip will cure diseases, restore lost limbs, & heal the body whole! A delightful tool in any event.

Thirdly & the most seemingly inconspicuous ability of the Fibber's Flagon, is its power to render the bearer immune to mental dominion so long as the tankard is carried & an old sea shanty is sung or hummed aloud...whether this is an inherent magick placed upon the Flagon or an after thought conjured up by its most recent bearer is yet to be determined.

Speaking of its history & bearers, there have been countless tales of this auspicious mug being lost & found by the most unlikely individuals. You never know just where the blasted thing may turn up!

The Fibber's Flagon (also known as Kettlebaun's Crock) was last rumored to be in the possession of a certain halfling pirate Lord in the Ember Shoals...

OOC Notes

• The Fibber's Flagon is an artifact that we created as the prize in the recent Caligo tournament.
• Its powers:
• Can be used as a heavy throwing weapon (can be used by the owner regardless of class)
• Grants healing like a Potion of Healing
• If the owner chants or sings while holding the Flagon, it acts like a Song of Determination
• If both powers are used, then the bearer is Suppressed for 60 seconds
• Only the owner is able to use it
• Robb (the former Kettlebaun) built the flagon, developed its powers, and provided the above lore.

The Second Node

The Sentinels were on edge as they awaited word from their scouts. They lost the first node to the voidlings; losing another one would severely threaten their very existence.

Then the day came. A messenger came riding hard. Panting, he rushed to the Great Hall and reported to Lord Lancelot. The node had been found in the Haiiro Ransu (translates as the Ashen Lances). Lancelot organized his troops and rode out.

The Haiiro Ransu is an area rocky badlands. Large boulders and high cliffs arise from the dusty plain. Anyone traveling there would need to wind their way through narrow passages between the cliffs. As they approached the region, the Sentinels could spy numerous creatures flying over the cliffs.

"Something must have died recently. Vultures." one trooper stated.

Lancelot looked closer. No, those weren't vultures. Too big. Suddenly, one swooped down upon the war band. Although it had the body, wings, and talons of a vulture, its head was that of a woman.

"Harpies!" someone yelled.

The creature slashed it talons, slicing into the flesh of one of the horses. It reared it fright and pain, sending its rider flying. Then it bolted for safety.

"Our mounts cannot survive against these monsters," stated Lancelot, "we must advance on foot. Swiftly now!"

The Sentinels dismounted, unslung their shields, and advanced into the Haiiro Ransu. Several harpies swooped down and engaged. Talons clashed against shields, but the Sentinels held firm and slashed away at the enemy. Wounded harpies flew away, only to be replaced by more of the beasts. Suddenly, a rock fell from the sky, hitting a Sentinel in the head and knocking him senseless. Lancelot looked up; some of the harpies hovered overhead, dropping rocks on the dense formation.

"Archers! Take out those rock-throwers!"

Artemis took aim. Her accurate shots scattered the harpies, but others made rapid passes to bomb the Sentinels.

Slowly but surely the Sentinels pressed deeper into the Haiiro Ransu, although some warriors fell to the talons and rocks of the enemy. Then, the rocks and cliffs seemed to part, revealing a wide canyon. In the middle of the canyon was the Node. It sat upon a small boulder, pulsing with energy.

"Look!"

Across the canyon, coming from the other side, the Sentinels could see a band of voidlings. It was now a race to the Node! The Sentinels tried to surge forward but the harpies redoubled their attacks. Fortunately, the voidlings were similarly beset.

"I'm going to make a break for it!" yelled Lancelot. He girded himself and rushed forward. The harpies swarmed him, but he hacked and slashed, clearing a path. He reached the Node and smiled in triumph. But a voidling also charged forward, reaching the Node.

"I'm coming to help!" shouted Vibe. He burst through the swarm of harpies and rushed to Lancelot's side. Together, they were able to hold off the voidling and grab the Node. They retreated back to the rest of the Sentinels. For some reason, the harpies shied away from the Node. Once Lancelot and Vibe rejoined the warband, the harpies flew away, attacking the voidlings instead. This allowed the Sentinels to retreat in safety. Once they reached their horses, they rode like the wind back to Landfall Castle.

Afterwards, Lancelot sat in the Great Hall, pondering the recent events. Many Sentinels had been wounded and some had made the ultimate sacrifice. Was it worth it? He thought so; if the voidlings captured most of the Nodes then Lndafall Castle, even Caligo itself, would be in deadly peril.

OOC Notes

• My apologies to Kage if it seems that I'm not giving them enough credit in these narratives. I choose to write from the Sentinels' perspective in order to maintain narrative consistency. After all, my character has taken refuge with the Sentinels.
• I named a few individuals whom I recall playing a role in the battle. There are others who fought valiantly. Please forgive any oversights. Feel free to share n the comments your remembrances of valiant deeds done by others.
• The scenario was essentially a gauntlet. One side played the questers (either Sentinels or voidlings) while the other played the harpies.
• The goal was to get as many players to the Node as possible.
• I used rope and the tree line to represent cliffs, which were impassible to the questers (although the harpies could fly over them). This created easily defensible narrows.
• As it turned out, this was a difficult scenario for the questers. Kage only managed to get one person through. The Sentinels ran through it second. Lancelot dashed through, followed by Vibe a little later. There were more Sentinels still alive but I called the game because the Sentinels won 2-1.
• The part where Lancelot and Vibe fend of a voidling and retreat with the Node was not part of the scenario. It is just a little artistic license.