(Georic Gazetteer) Kingdom of Mercadia

The Kingdom of Mercadia

Pantheon: Mixed Ferasean/Dwarf/Gnome Mythos

Ruled By: "Mad" King Norm I the Shaven
Capital: Golgonooza

Other Cities:  Dingleburgh (old capital),  Grunsch, Luren, Dewberry

Language: Trade Prythax, Gnomish, Dwarvish

Flag/Emblem:  A field of navy, with a white mushroom center, in front of crossed battleaxes.

Coinage: Mercadian Standard
Important Personas: Prince Jerek Stormhammer of Krondahar, Prince Grumli (heir apparent/eldest son), Count Edward of Aosta, Arthur Tinkerswagger (Lord Mayor of Dingleburgh), Julio Hohensee, High Priest of Akana in Golgonoza, Queen Sorienne Lafontaine, Thorrin, Royal Armorer

Alliances:  Uneasy alliance with Skyforge, Gran Duchy of Vesthamm, Argos

Hostilities:  Crosedes, Masgoth, Emron (except New Koland)

Open Warfare/Skirmishing:  The methodical destruction of Emron.

Intrigues: King Norm loves to create intrigue and crisis in Skyforge, showing the other dwarves that he has more power. Daughter is missing???  Counterfeit coins threatens to undermine new currency system.

Demi-Humans:   Human 60%, Gnome 25%, Dwarf  15%,  

Magickal Devices:  Sign of the Paladins, Librum Arcanus, the sword Rottonenkopf, the ancient battle-axe Overslayer.

Thumbnail Sketch:  

Mercadia was orginally a "Gift Duchy" of Crosedes, awarded after the formation of the Third Ferasean Empire around 1075 to a simple dwarf mushroom farmer, Norm Dingleberry. Despite his name and his profession, that fact that he helped fight off the forces of darkness which one of the most powerful artifacts in all of Talaishia was enough for Emperor Rurik IV to grant the dwarf his dream.

King Norm has been always been underestimated and forgotten, and those that do have earned his wrath. Mercadia was carved out of southeastern Crosedes, but considered an Imperial land grant. Over the years (and three human wives) Norm has successfully carved off a portion of the Gnomish land of Masgoth, usurp the dwarven government of Skyforge, break off to form his own Kingdom with the collapse of the Ferasean Empire, and has continued his expansionist policies further into Masgoth and Skyforge, and a campaign into the Principalities of Emron that seems to embarrass the powerful wizards with not a scent of retribution.

Dingleburgh, the original capital, from the original Duchy

Despite supporting the Agenmoor rulers in exile, Elvenkind (including pixie faeries) are banned in the borders of the kingdom..

Both Masgoth and Mercadia had been working towards a unified capital of Grunsch, being constructed as an independent city in the Barony of Qually. If completed, this may result in the two countries merging, probably under King Norm's Banner

Rumorsthat Golgonooza has an entrance to the center of the world. (... and why Norm began his expansion in the first place!)

His expansionist policies has garnered the nation the vast knowledge of windship technology.  Yards in North Forge and Hugelspitze manufacture a number of the ships, most going to other countries.

Travelers beware, though!  While the King is quite sympathetic to the lost tribes of elves of Agenmoor.  Elvenkind, including pixie faeries are banned in the borders of the kingdom.

The Notable Dominions of Mercadia

County of Aosta 

Ruler: Count Edward of Aosta (Human Magic-User)

Capital: Aosta Tower

Outside of Krondahar, the only magic-user that retained a title from the conquered Emron lands.

Barony of Belagerung

Ruler: Thurgood Hammerstien (Dw Fighter) Rella Hammerstien (Dw)       

Capital: Kopstar

Other Towns: Hunter's Mill

Famous for its flowers (and the dyes and perfumes which come from them

Barony of Dewberry

Ruler: Lord Bezwinger (aka  Orcimedes Stoneskinn, Dw Fighter)

Capital: Dewsburg
Orcimedes was Norm's right hand man during the invasion of Appresca. He is very loyal and very well trained in the art of tactics of battle and war.  Orcimedes insists most people, especially commoners or lower ranking people of the army, call him “Lord Bezwinger” (lord conqueror). His friends call him Bezwinger and very few call him by his real name. Orcimedes lost his wife of many years in a battle of his home city in Skyforge.   She was killed and this has haunted him ever since.  

Barony of Grenze  (Eastern Masgoth)

Ruler: Baron Festus Ironguard (Dw Fighter), Mimi IronGuard (Gnome Prostitute)

Capital: Orcshame Pass

Other Towns: New Viscose 

Festus was a very adept fighter.  He enjoys taunting his foes and thinking of ways to kill them in a more unique fashion than just slicing, smashing and chopping. He enjoys the ladies and often flirts heavily on them. He married Mimi, who was a prostitute from Viscose when he conquered the town. 

Duchy of Heimstatte

Ruler:  King Norm I
Capital: Golgonoza 

King Norm moved his entire court to Golgonoza once the Principality of Appresca was completely conquered. The port city is beautiful, but also has centuries of magical experiments under its streets and deep into its sewers. 

Barony of Hugelspitze  

Ruled by: Giselle Magemasher (Dw Fighter), Ottis Magemasher (Dw Cleric)

Capital Tawdryberro  (Formerly Alberro)

Other towns: Luren, Elmendorf

Giselle was one of the few female fighters in Norms army. She was fierce and has just as strong a personality, taking no slack or disrespect from other. She is a fierce fighter with knowledge of many weapons, some exotic in nature. She and her husband Ottis are a package deal, though Giselle obviously controls the situations and decisions. Ottis is a practicing priest. 

Barony of Illefarn (Formerly Gulluvia) - 

Ruler: Baron Devin Ironeater  

Capital: Argenta

Other Towns: Thorvald, Mere

This remote barony was not just claimed by Mercadia in 1143 from Skyforge territory, the Mercadian claims make it sound like they just discovered this lost Barony of of the Second Ferasean Empire, cut off from society by foul swamps and dangerous mountains.  Baron Ironeater led the initial forces who discovered and defeated an evil human witch who ruled the people harshly.  Ruling from the Silver Citadel, Ironeater's efforts have been instrumental to resuming some very profitable gemstone mines. 

A rare, but dated, map of Illefarn/Gulluvia.  The gem mines are north of Mere.

Principality of Krondahar 

Ruled by: Prince Jerek Stormhammer (16th level Dwarven Battle Mage)
Capital: Mountova
Other Town: Brasstar (1,500)
Notes: Krondahar was previously a Principality in Emron, but being the only principality with a with a Dwarf on the throne easily turned it into a buffer state in 1141.

Barony of Northforge

Ruler:  Uli Fireforge (Dw Fighter), Maeve Fireforge (Dw)

Capital: Dingleburgh

Other Towns: Cleaveland

The original lands bequeathed to Norm in 1175.  "Mercadia Prime" 

Uli was a master blacksmith and fighter for Norm's army. His weapons were exceptional and he was quick at making them. His wife was the daughter of a shopkeeper and taught to handle finances and inventory by her father.  She does this for Uli and his shop when needed, but manages the territories finances as well for Uli so he can work in his shop or make more important legal and leading decisions.

 

The Mad King himself, King Norm I

Barony of Ostmark

Ruled by Zwerg Schlepprock (Gnome Titan Fighter),   Brynhildur Schlepprock  (Gnome Cleric)
Capital: Battleborough
Other Towns: Freewood Station (Nice)

Zwerg is very loyal and a decent fighter, but much better with his diplomatic skills.

Barony of Quallys

Ruled by Oberon Settedetsammen (Gnome Illusionist), Arnleif (Gnome)

Capital: Nordmark

Other Towns: Grunsch

Quallys was the primary agricultural regions for the Masgoth Gnomes, and under Mercadia rules, little has changed.

Oberon was one of the few magic users in the army.  He is currently very obsessed with steam and its applications to machinery and possibilities of daily uses. He can be scatter brained and forgetful at times, but is extremely smart and well versed in most subjects. His wife Arnleif is the daughter of merchant and engineer who has built many buildings, towers, bridges in the kingdom. Arnleif was taught many of these skills and is a huge asset to Oberon and his pass time. She also helps with his rulings and decisions of the territories, especially keeping him on task at times.  Concreecia is their daughter. She is a young teenager.  She is being taught the ways of the family trade by scribes and hired help. They are also overseeing the slow construction of the future capital of Grunsch. 

Geography of Note:

The Silver Palace of Illefarn

The Tower of Aosta

With hallways that reconfigure, doors leading to different floors, the tower itself might be alive, or subject to Count Edward's moods, the actual reason Norm and his generals did not want to attempt to physically capture this territory. 

The Fields of Parfume (Belagerung)

The Rolling hills of flowers cultivated for dyes and perfumes. When in bloom, the air is overwhelming, sweet to the point of dizziness.  Legends have certain blooms are magically altered; inhaling them induces prophetic dreams, though prolonged exposure can be fatal.

Mentions of the Country in the Blog: 

Ballad of the Pigeon God #31 - Norm's first claim to paperwork to being a Duke of Mercadia, at least four years before it even existed.

Burning Trogs Rule! #8 - King Norm I of Mercadia, escorted by the Burning Trogs, tries to broker a peace deal between Emron and Senzar. First appearance of Mercadian skyships.

Burning Trogs Rule! #16 - Rumors that Golgonoza has an entrance to the center of the world 

Burning Trogs Rule! #33 - King Norm continues to control Senzar-Emron negotiations, plus installs a new king on the throne of Skyforge.

Burning Trogs Rule! #50 - Stronghome owns a Mercadian Airship

Adventures in Gulluvia #28 - The Mercadian invasion of Gulluvia in 1143.

GM Notes: Yes, the campaign this country developed from happened right around a certain set of Magic cards were available.  Imitation is the sincerest form....

1085 - Marriage to  Queen Elanisse Veyrond 

1090 - Birth of Daughter - Beryanna

1092 - Birth of Son -  Grumli

1098 - Death of Queeen Elanisse

1100 - Marriage to Queen Mirelada Chavanne

1102 - Birth of Daughter  - Tovanna

1103 - Mercadia invades Masgoth

1104 - Birth of Son  - Drogath

1105 - Death of Rurik IV, Mercadia Declares Independence

1107 - Birth of Son - Elgrun 

1110 - Death of Queen Mirelda
1112 - Mercadia invades Bergdhoven
1114 - Mercadia Invades Appresca

1115 - Marriage to Queen Sorienne Lafontaine

1118 - Birth of Daughter - Carya
1120 - Birth of Son - Supagol

1122 - Birth of Son  - Halgstr 

1127 - Mercadia captures Golgonoza 
1128 - Death to 2nd Wife
1138 - Mercadia invades Belcadiz (Punitive action only)

1141 - Krondahar joing Mercadia
1143 - Mercadia invades Gulluvia

(Gamma World) Not a Test #116 - Another Week of Delay, but a Curry in a Hurry

 Back in their hometown of Riverbend, the De Facto Explorers do wish to support Lathar and finding his father somewhere in the Wildlands downriver before winter comes.  But actually enjoying the downtime between adventures is drawing each of them to stay a little bit longer...

==============================================================

Lathar Bracken: A pure-strain human from River Bend.  He's got the muscle, the face, and a mount for most encounters.  Lathar's trusty beast of burden, No Name, travels wherever he does.   Looking for trouble in all the right places. The two-time champion of the Fair-Town Queen's Joust.  Recently married to the now-pregnant Thunnelda Haycock.   Just received a letter from his long-lost father, and has convinced the others to accompany him to the Wildlands.

Sneaky Pete: A mutated weasel scout.  Pete's telepathy and night vision take a backseat when he whips out his electrical powers.   Apparently addicted to his newly uncovered yellow powder found at "The Pool House"

Sonny Helianthus: an over 10' tall sentient sunflower artifact examiner with four arms, and trusted Restorationist ties. Knowledgeable,  but not a good one with device repairs or upgrades.   Sonny may have recently detonated an atomic device in the petrified woods... although no one else knows. 

Slitheran Wurmtail (aka Squiggles): a mutated earthworm scout, in impromptu power armor, looking for trouble in all the wrong places,  and finding it often.   He  has been subject to genetic testing and developed super-human strength, a more human body, and a thick coat of shaggy white hair.  Recently gave birth to another pile of baby worms. 

===============================================================

A week after the group agreed to travel with Lathar... and supplies weren't secured yet.

There was certainly enough talk of logistics, of wagons, of buying a barge to sail down the Big River.  Reviewing the few maps they had, and their lack of river piloting skills, and confusion over tales and facts they had heard.  

The map of the world.  Lathar's dad (Wookie token) at the far bottom.

Pete: Isn't the Wall where the animal kingdom live?

Sonny: No, that's Parr, they're further west.... and the Hisser lands."

Squiggles: Yeah, that guy Razorback said he was from there, but he did say they had too many animals.

Lathar: Squiggles, which of your old kids are good for traveling with us?

Squiggles: Poppy and Speedy are game... 

Sonny: I fought alongside Poppy against the Podog attack, they'll do fine.

Squiggles: He's a corporal in the militia already.  An extra week will get them better prepared... and more rest for us.

Pete:  Agreed....  Remember those Iron Men were marching down there, right when we met the blue-skinned Kirothians, and yet another one Lathar's ex-girlfriends.   I'm more worried about stopping at KIA and paying to recharge energy cells.  

Sonny:  We're definitely going to need that.  I have three ancients weapons, and only four shots between them all.  Plus I my device to throw the curry powder on those belligerent invisible toll-takers.  It's fast enough, but I need more time for range... I'm calling it Curry in a Hurry.

Pete: We're going to need every bit of firepower for as long as we stay on this side of river....  plus it's getting cold soon.  We need to make it back to KIA before heavy snow.   I have fur... Sonny is the one I'm worried.

Sonny: Winter does not excite me.

Lathar: Plus I probably have a council meeting at Fair-Town to make."

Squiggles: Pay no attention to your pregnant wife, who will be VERY pregnant by the time we get back...

Lathar: She'll be fine... I'm more intrigued in the curry powder is explosive.  

With the harvests coming in, supplies were coming in, cold weather furs obtained, extra beasts of burden were not available.  Hopefully some options would be available in Fair-Town.

Soon the worm children completed their obligations in town, found cold weather clothing, and were ready to go.

Poppy Wurmtail, Militia Corporal, ready for adventure

The extra week allowed Sonny time in his workshop to further tinker with his Curry in a Hurry.  The area of effect was barely improved to two meters away,  but the device was getting larger... it was almost better to mount the device and strap it to No-Name for the journey.

Sonny: It worked for the spear-hurler...

Lathar: Which is sitting in my mother's backyard... next to Chambrey's coop.

GM Notes: A short session, which was mostly planning, finding the list of Squiggle's children,  and researching the odd questions that popped up (What types of beasts of burden are in town?).  first generation worm children should be generic muppets of various colors... Not sure why Poppy has a nose, no matter who I set the prompt.   And they're yellow just to spite Mike, who took they obvious route that Poppy should be red. 

Next: #117 - 

(Kickstarter) East Texas University: Fresh Blood for Savage Worlds by Pinnacle Entertainment Group

Over a decade since the original book came out, East Texas University finally gets an update, both to the material, as well as an upgrade to the latest edition of Savage Worlds with East Texas University: Fresh Blood.

From the Kickstarter itself:

Study. Party. Fight evil.  So what is ETU? East Texas University is a college horror setting for the Savage Worlds roleplaying game. It takes place at a small but renowned college in the fantastic Southern climate of Pinebox, Texas. Pinebox has been the epicenter of supernatural disturbances for generations. But nobody really believes in that stuff, so students still flock to ETU thanks to generous scholarships, prestigious courses, and the active social scene…even if not everyone survives their college experience.   Players must contend with annoying roommates, murderous professors, and things that go bump in the night...all while trying to maintain good grades and graduate! Enroll at your own risk.  The original East Texas University released in 2014 for Savage Worlds Explorer's Edition. Savage Worlds has evolved since then to the Adventure Edition (SWADE), so now ETU is offering a refresher course!

While I haven't played the original in its original form, I have used the plethora of adventures for 20-year old Illuminati University (IOU) game, and the ones I haven't been able to use would make great material for multiple themes of strangeness and horror.  

(Gamma World) Not a Test #115 - The Letter Makes Its Rounds

After a month out in the glow zones, the De Facto Explorers have returned to Riverbend.  They've picked up the news of the village, some want to rest, others to reunite with loved ones, others to get a moment to tinker in their expanded lab.  But a random letter to Lathar will probably throw the group off their sedentary plans and back onto the road. 

==============================================================

Lathar Bracken: A pure-strain human from River Bend.  He's got the muscle, the face, and a mount for most encounters.  Lathar's trusty beast of burden, No Name, travels wherever he does.   Looking for trouble in all the right places. The two-time champion of the Fair-Town Queen's Joust.  Recently married to the now-pregnant Thunnelda Haycock.   Just received a letter from his long-lost father.  

Sneaky Pete: A mutated weasel scout.  Pete's telepathy and night vision take a backseat when he whips out his electrical powers.   Apparently addicted to his newly uncovered yellow powder found at "The Pool House"

Sonny Helianthus: an over 10' tall sentient sunflower artifact examiner with four arms, and trusted Restorationist ties. Knowledgeable,  but not a good one with device repairs or upgrades.   Sonny may have recently detonated an atomic device in the petrified woods... although no one else knows. 

Slitheran Wurmtail (aka Squiggles): a mutated earthworm scout, in impromptu power armor, looking for trouble in all the wrong places,  and finding it often.   He  has been subject to genetic testing and developed super-human strength, a more human body, and a thick coat of shaggy white hair.  Recently gave birth to another pile of baby worms. 

=============================================================

Lathar stood for a few minutes on the porch, one foot on the railing, conflicted over the surprise letter from his long-lost father.  His father, Harkonn, was known to disappear for days on end, but just before Lathar's 15th birthday, he left for a potential "big haul," and never returned.   Ultimately, he folded it up into his leather loin-croc and returned inside. 

Lathar Bracken... possibly not fatherless.

He showed his letter to his mother, who became angry and started shouting.  

"After ten years!!!! Not now, not after all this time, to hell with him!"  

Thunnelda was just confused and tried to support her husband as best as she could. 

It wasn't enough, and Lathar grabbed a jacket and went into town.   The black reeds the letter referred to were part of the Wildlands, , a mysterious land much further down the Big River.  He needed advice from his friends.  

Lathar arrived at Farmer Yulius' land looking for Sonny and Squiggles.  Squiggles was easy to spot, or hear.   The sound of a bongo could be heard, and as he neared the center he could see a few dozen of Squiggle's young worm spawn, dancing and swaying.   Squiggles was playing, mixing in his telekinetic hand for a third hand and a unique beat.  

The worm was so into his drumming, Lathar was able to almost sneak up to him.

"Hey Lathar, want to play my bongo?"

"No thanks... I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm coming to you first for advice..."

It appeared Squiggles returned to farmer Yulius,  his worm kin had thoroughly aerated the fields, and the crop was going to be bumper.   He also announced his first generation spawn,  Adelgardo announced he was going to have his own children.  Squiggles was going to be grandpa... a "Manchi-Manchi." 

Squiggles pulled his younger spawn together tonight and showed them the wonders... of the bongo. 

Thus had already begun an idea of the building bongos for all of them.... "Most of you will play the smaller bongos, called a macho.   I hope my macho worms make Manchi proud. "

The Macho Worms

Lathar finally got a word in, explained the letter from his his father.  

Squiggles: Sure, but when are we leaving?  We literally just got back.  Can we take a week to recover? We've been gone for a month.  I need to heal, the little worms are building their own bongos.... 

Lathar: Would some of your older children be interested in coming too?

Squiggles: Sure, let's give it a little time to heal, and talk to my kids, but if you need me before, follow the thumping in your chest, the sound of the music, the beat goes on... and on... the rhythm is gonna get you....

Sonny was on the other side of the farm, already been enjoying the new barn at Farmer Yulius' with space for the giant sunflower to stand.  He was sketching out plans for a device to shoot out powder... to reveal those invisible toll takers. They had plenty of the yellow powder.... and if Peter wasn't going to give up his, they could just make some at the Pool House. 

Lathar:  Sonny, what do you make of this letter?

Sonny:  Lathar, stand right there, close your eyes.  

The sunflower played with some pieces of equipment  *BOOM*  a cloud of dirt surrounded Sonny. " I knew what went wrong with that..."

Sonny:  I could use a week to rest, and work on my projects, but I've got your back.  

Down by the Big River, Pete had finally settled back into his summer burrow.  He was paranoid enough after the long journey, that he personally carried his containers of his "special powder" back home himself.  Once there, he sniffed and nibbled on a few handfuls and was zoned out in his comfy chair, next to a small fire.  Pondering the universe.

"Is it genocide if I eat all the Hoppers?   If my friends stop me, is it genocide against me?   Weasel genocide"

Even under the influence, Sneaky Peter was receptive to traveling to the Wildlands...

Pete: You need to visit Fair-Town, we need to visit KIA Academy to recharge our power cells, but you know you're father is in a land with a huge animal population.  He's in the heart of Parr... the animals who allied with the Hissers. " 

One week later:  The happiest moment of the week?  The arrival of the White Hand to heal up the humans and mutant animals.   Squiggles was a bit distraught when 18 of his worm children left home to learn from the White Hand.  Sure they were going to be cannon fodder doing the searches and expeditions to refill the experienced members supplies, but it was a boon for the White Hand, nevertheless.

Sonny worked on his projects... including a few pushed wheeled objects for some of the younger worms.  Worms on scooters.  

Squiggles' bongo project netted the materials, but the end results didn't have the same sound.  Still, it was enough to get the bongo circles going, sometime deep into the night. 

GM Notes:  

In a case of mishearing things, but it sounds better in Gamma World.  Lathar's player stated Lathar was folding up the letter and putting him in his leather loincloth.... I heard "Loin-Croc" and will stand by that.    Sure the footwear will be disgusting hundreds of years in the future, but I cannot unsee the image of Lathar using one as an athletic supporter.

While the storyline of the Power Cell facility, the Hoppers, and the "strange explosion" are well in the rearview mirror for the characters, Sonny accidentally detonating a controlled fusion bomb is still a gold mine for the group.  Hoyce (Sonny) created this little gem to continue the campaign gaslighting. 

Next: #116 - Another Week of Delay

#StarWarsDay Mos Eisley Cantina Adventure Set (West End Games)

 May the Fourth be with you!  

(And also with you....)

It happens that Star Wars Day corresponds with my recent trip to Mepacon 50, trying to figure out events to run for Mepacon 51 (complete with survey!), and my attempt to start painting minis after a three month hiatus.

The theme continues as my first project I started in April was the Mos Eisley Cantina boxed set for West End's Star Wars minis line that I happened to pick up for retail at the... Mepacon 49 Auction.

WEG 40309

I've picked up a lot of Star Wars blisters over the years, and more recently, I've been picking up loose figures at the HMGS convention flea markets.  I do not remember ever picking up a boxed set... did I mention the cantina set I grabbed from the auction was still in the original shrink wrap. 

The set is ten different figures featured in the classic cantina scene from the original Star Wars.  We're not building armies here, we're developing characters for your RPG/skirmish game.

And I'm more surprised that I finished them before May 4th. 

I've probably previously painted up half this figs. none are perfect, but since I made the last bartender look like Uncle Own, it's nice to have some variety.  

The most amusing thing about the boxed set literally fell in my lap when I opened up the shrinkwrap. 

The back of the box, including the the product bar code, pictures of the figures of the figures and the logos for both West End Games and Grenadier Miniatures.  

Flipping the paper to the other side, West End has provided Star Wars d6 stats for each figure!

All in all, it's an effective boxed set, although the figures were also available in the three-figure blister packs.

Kabe (SW86) and Hem Dazon (SW81)

In the spirit of #StarWarsDay, I plan on using the boxed set for a standalone game... of Galactic Heroes for the Fistful of Lead rules. 

Muftak (SW87)  Kerru (SW84) and Sivrak (SW85)

Garindan (SW83) and Labria (SW82)

Bartender (SW90), flanked by Cantina Musicians (SW 88 and SW89)

In the Queue - A number of Death Planet Iota buildings to kitbash and get off my painting bench, some more Star Wars figures that weren't part of the boxed, then some Reaper Bones fantasy, and then maybe, just maybe, the Great War Teddy Bears.

Project: 350 - This is my self-actualization that I'll never get around to all the stuff I've stowed away as a draft in the back of Blogspot.  My initial goal years ago was to have 350 or fewer blog drafts and long-term scheduled posts.  

That number still makes me laugh.

As of this post, I'm currently at 452 posts (289 drafts /163 scheduled posts).  That number is up from 451 (284/167) from the last time I reported when I last painted in February.  I would have made headway, but I have set up some placeholders for about a dozen ideas for next year's #CharacterCreationChallenge in January.   Outside of my weekly Gamma World episodes, there's not much coming off of the scheduled posts through Historicon, and  let's be realistic, I'm more likely to run games off on the fly, rather than the saved ideas, but with little prepping necessary for Historicon, there's always hope. 

Admiral Ackbar Was Captain Obvious in His Early Career

 

Another Month of Meeples (May 2026)

I'll figure out my new system of monthly solicitations eventually, but I'm not going to complain when I click on over to ACD and find out the latest issue of Meeple Monthly is on it.

Meeples Monthly doesn't slide in large swaths of exisiting product with the monthly solicitations, but it's arranged like two sets of interns simply pooled together two groups existing soliciations.  

ViscountEric's Want List

Nothing

ViscountEric's Money-Is-No-Issue Want List

New Comet Games

Savage Worlds: Zeta Complex: Robots and Roller Coasters: It's to Die For.... $22.00

Osprey Publishing 

Armies in North Russian and Siberia 1918-20 ............................ $20.00

Something to spark my RCW mindset. 

Warlord Games

Wargames Illustrated #462

The Imaginary Store List (Infinite Shelf Space Games & Hobbies)

25th Century Games

Beer Mug Dice ...................................................................... $25.00

Hits and Outs ......................................................................... $25.00

Aerobellum Games

Cat Nap Deluxe ..................................................................... $39.99

Asmodee 

Coming of Age ...................................................................... $54.99

Gretchen's Garden ................................................................. $37.99

First Giants ............................................................................ $34.99

Dnup .................................................. $14.99

5 Minute One Piece ........................... $31.99

Atomic Mass Games

Star Wars Legion - Echo Base Defenders Spec Ed Army Box .... $139.99

Star Wars Legion - Blizzard Force  Spec Ed Army Box .............. $139.99

Star Wars Legion - Tauntaun Riders ............................................. $49.99

Star Wars Legion - Captain Solo and Commander Skywalker on Tauntauns ... $59.99

Star Wars Legion - Imperial High Command ............................... $69.99

Star Wars Legion - Hondo Ohnaka & Weequay Pirates ............... $54.99

Star Wars Legion - WLD-5 Speeder Tank .................................... $84.99

Star Wars Legion - Imperial Probe Droids ................................... $34.99

Bezier Games

Zombie Princess Deluxe Edition ........................................... $29.95

Board&Dice

Maestro .............................................. $70.00

Catalyst Game Labs

Frostpunk RPG ...................................................................... $49.95

Shadowrun RPG: Mean Streets ............................................. $49.99

Catan Studio

CATAN: On the Road ............................................................$ 9.99

Chaosium 

Call of Cthulhu: Campfire Tales: Scouts Against Cthulhu ... $42.99

Creature Curation

ShadowDark: Deck of Crawlers ........................................... $22.99

Cubicle 7

Warhammer 40K RPG: Wrath & Glory - Sons of Russ ....... $34.99

Warhammer: The Old World RPG: Starter Set ..................... $39.99

Warhammer: The Old World RPG: GM Screen ................... $29.99

Devir Games

Berlin 1960 ...................................... $49.99

Evil Genius Games

Everyday Heroes:  Adventure: Free to Good Home ............. $19.99

Everyday Heroes:  Adventure: High Heaven ........................ $19.99

Everyday Heroes:  Adventure: Into the Mirror ..................... $19.99

Everyday Heroes:  Adventure: No Expense Spared ............. $19.99

Everyday Heroes:  Adventure: Rough Ridge Rustlers .......... $19.99

Everyday Heroes: Return of the Living Dead ....................... $29.99

And $34.99 for the alternate cover.

Exalted Funeral Press

Carcass Crawler #6 - The Official Old School Essentials Zine ... $15.00

Old-School Essentials Deluxe Referee's Screen - Benjamin Marra Edition .... $25.00

Old-School Essentials: Quick Delve #2 - The Grotesques' Grotto .................. $12.00

Hexen OSR Zine Vol 2 - The Syzygist's Stellarium ......................................... $20.00

Whispers of a Dead God .........................$15.00

Free League Publishing

D&D 5e - The Lord of the Rings Adventure - Trials of Saruman ...................... $39.99

The One Ring: Adventure: Hands of the White Wizard ..................................... $39.99

The One Ring: Hobbit Tales ................................................... $39.99

Good Games Publishing

Mythic Baths ....................................... $31.99

Winds of Numa Sera ........................... $64.99

Goodman Games

XCrawl Classics - Core Rulebook SC .................................. $29.99

Iello

Luz ....................................................... $19.99

Fifty ..................................................... $17.99

Timebomb ........................................... $17.99

Bunny Kingdom Town ....................... $59.99

Insight Editions 

Roll Play: Fight or Fright ...................................................... $26.99

Konami Digital Entertainment

Yu-Gi-Oh!  Battles of Legend - Glorious Gallery Boosters

Legendary Games

Tales of the Valiant: Legendary Planet 0: The Assimilation Strain ..... $16.99

Tales of the Valiant: Legendary Planet 1: To Worlds Unknown .......... $29.99

Tales of the Valiant: Legendary Planet 2: The Scavenged Codex ....... $34.99

D&D 5e - The Dragon's Hoard #64 ..................................................... $13.99

Nerdburger Games 

Cosmic Corsairs RPG............................. $17.20

Cosmic Corsairs Adventures .................. $ 6.45

Cosmic Corsairs Fringe Folio v1 ........... $ 6.45

Osprey Publishing

Winter War 1939-40 ................................. $25.00

Kyiv 2022 ................................................. $23.00

Koniggratz 1866 ....................................... $25.00

Battle of the Atlantic (2) ........................... $25.00

Lords of the Salt Road .............................. $30.00

Into the Firestorm ..................................... $32.00

1942 ...........................................................$40.00

Overshadowed .......................................... $40.00

Flakpanzer ................................................ $50.00

The Lost Ships of Charles II's Navy ........ $90.00

Generalship on the Eastern Front 1941-45....... $40.00

US Liberty Ship vs German Surface Raider .... $23.00

Oathmark 2nd Edition ............................... $35.00

Rattlesnake ................................................ $25.00

Paizo Publishing

Pathfinder: Flip Mat: Ravages of War .......$19.99

Pathfinder: Lost Omens: Hellfire Dispatches Special Ed ..... $64.99

Parable Games

ION Heart: Pilot's Handbook: Solo RPG Rulebook ............ $39.99

ION Heart: Remembrance Expansion Book ....................... $39.99

ION Heart: Pilot's Logbook ................................................ $24.99

ION Heart: Dice Set ............................................................ $19.99

Penguin Random House

Choose You Own Adventure: Dungeon Crawl at the Haunted Mall .... $9.99

D&D: Dungeon Master's Workbook of Worldbuilding ........................ $26.00

D&D: Player's Workbook of Epic Adventures ..................................... $26.00

Pokemon USA

Pokemon TCG: Mega Evolution 4: Chaos Rising Boosters

Ravensburger

Disney Lorcana: 2-Player Deck Elasti-girl/Buzz Lightyear

Disney Lorcana: Set 12: Wilds Unknown Illumineer's Trove Pack

Disney Lorcana: Set 12: Wilds Unknown Merida Playmat

Disney Lorcana: Set 12: Wilds Unknown Goofy Playmat

Disney Lorcana: Set 12: Wilds Unknown Boosters

Renegade Game Studios

Hunter: The Reckoning 5th Ed - Legacy of Defiance Sourcebook ............... $50.00

Werewolf: The Apocalypse 5th Ed - The Coming Destruction Chronicle .... $50.00

Severed Books

Party Backstory Generator: Deluxe 2nd Edition ................... $39.99

Sickest Witch: Coven Box ..................................................... $29.99

Space Penguin Ink

Mothership: Bombs Bursting in Air ....................................... $20.00

Warlord Games

Bolt Action: Armies of Italy

(Gamma World) Not a Test #114 - Return to Riverbend, Mandolin Wind

It's been a month since the De Facto Explorers left Riverbend on a mission for the Restorationists.  They have travelled into the alleged Glow Lands to discover a parts of an Ancients' power-cell facility deep in the zone.  They search was cut short by some giant explosion and paranoia among the Hoppers allies.  They were able to discover actual treasure and have returned to the shore of the Big River to be ferried back to Riverbend.

=============================================================== 

Lathar Bracken: A pure-strain human from River Bend.  He's got the muscle, the face, and a mount for most encounters.  Lathar's trusty beast of burden, No Name, travels wherever he does.   Looking for trouble in all the right places. The two-time champion of the Fair-Town Queen's Joust.  Recently married to the now-pregnant Thunnelda Haycock.

Sneaky Pete: A mutated weasel scout.  Pete's telepathy and night vision take a backseat when he whips out his electrical powers.  Apparently addicted to his newly uncovered yellow powder found at "The Pool House"

Sonny Helianthus: an over10' tall sentient sunflower artifact examiner with four arms, and trusted Restorationist ties. Knowledgeable,  but not a good one with device repairs or upgrades.   Sonny may have recently detonated an atomic device in the petrified woods... although no one else knows. 

Slitheran Wurmtail (aka Squiggles): a mutated earthworm scout, in impromptu power armor, looking for trouble in all the wrong places,  and finding it often.   He  has been subject to genetic testing and developed super-human strength, a more human body, and a thick coat of shaggy white hair.  Recently gave birth to a pile of baby worms. 

Luna of the Restorationists:  Recent recruit of the Restorationists, who was part of the group who had discovered the artifacts across the River that led to the mission.  An attaché, an intern, another set of snooping eyes against the Explorer's methods, ready to report back to the Restorationists. 

================================================================ 

The final morning of the journey back was a difficult go.  The cart they had brought with them was a hassle to port through the woods from the river.  A fully laden cart with gold, gems, and a feeble Luna made everyone grumpy.  

No one in the group was a teamster or heavy laborer, so tempers flared, and discussions that had been concluded resurfaced, like whether Luna was worthy of a share of the treasure.  

Pete: Why does she deserve anything? She did nothing out there and has been dead weight for the past week?   She better not be taking any of my snuff as she's lounging in the back of the cart...

Sonny:  Pete, no one wants your snuff.  Hell, you shouldn't want your snuff.  

Lathar:  Seriously, give her a fair share, I'll give her a big smooch and that should earn us good standing when she goes back to the Restorationists... 

Sonny finally teleported across the river and fetched Clover Haycock.  

It took Clover two trips to bring everything back.   Sonny gave him two of the diamonds as payment (Clover: I would have done it for free!  Lathar got my sister out of my house.).  They split up the loot, giving Luna her equal share and she departed. 

Pete wandered to his tree house by the river.  No traps had been set off.  He washed off, grabbed his mandolin and wandered back into town, finding the rest of the group in Ye New Leaping Happy Eagle. 

Squiggles ventured there with Lathar and Sonny, to find his daughter, Sophie the Keg.  She climbed up to a stool to reach the bar. 

Sophie: Manchi!!!! You've returned!

Squiggles: Pour me a pint and tell me the news, my favorite offspring!

Sophie, ever the wise bar manager, still charge the Explorers, even her father, for drinks. 

Of all the rumors and news in town, his daughter was still perseverating on a Radish Toss tournament they hosted that went sideways.  

Sophie the Keg: Remember Tumble Jacques? He was in the finals.  His final radish flew across towards the board, only to vanish in thin air.  People went crazy  We were forced to call the tournament.  We even called Justinian from the Restorationists to investigate to figure it out, and he had no clue.   I guess it's an okay thing.  We didn't give out the trophy, so we can use it next time. 

"Tumble" Jacques - Rogue, Scholar, Radish Toss Cheat? 

Some crackpot fella named Zohan showed up, saying the vanishing radish was an omen of agricultural doom.  We haven't really messed with him yet, but he has pulled some of the villagers to an enclave outside of town.

Apparently there is some toll on the road to Fair-Town?  Some folks came up from Fair-Town for the tournament and they were accosted by invisible people called the Sky Lords? 

Pete: I told you we should have killed them, or at least beat them cut and take a cut of their operations...

Pete had broken off from the group, to find the other musicians and set up a jam session, with the rest of the Explorers departing, he was the only one who heard the hills away from the riverside lit up blue again in the distant hills along the horizon.  

Sonny had barely made it back to Farmer Yulius' place, and was pondering just purchasing his barn, since he no longer fit in the shack he and Squiggles had previously live in.  A courier for the Restorationists arrived, requesting his presence at Ascension Hall. 

He was led to the large room in the back of hall.  Justinian was already sitting there...

Sonny, what the hell???

Sonny crouched down in the room, as he was taller than the ceiling.  He began giving the leader of the Restorationists a full briefing, edited for deniability, all the while knowing Luna had already give him her version of the events.

Sonny mentioned the troglodytes, gun turrets, monsters, a tube-based horror.. that he admitted creating, He admitted the site was a facility for power cells, with heavy glow spots and a hallway of death.  He mentioned the hoppers and seemed perplexed as to the source of the mysterious explosion that forced them to leave.  

Justinian bought some of it... rolled his eyes at other time.  As a sunflower perplexed by human social cues, Sonny simply continued giving his report.  Justinian did admit he was intrigued by a power cell facility not dedicated solely to weapon power cells. 

In fairness, it had been quite awhile since Sonny and Justinian had caught up to their projects.  Sonny finally admitted  to the Toard Jakey facility far from the village "The Pool House".  Justinian somehow did not request any more information about that than Sonny had provided.  Sonny did promise to return tomorrow with a piece of the crystal sample they found at the epi-center of the explosion.   Justinian still offered tinkering space for the sunflower's projects. 

Lathar finally arrived at his childhood home, currently home to himself, his mother, and his pregnant bride Thunnelda.  Chambray the peacock waddled out to great his master.  

Thunnelda, another month pregnant was far more excited to see her beloved than disturbed that he abandoned her for an entire month, right after the wedding. The only thing that irked her.  He had taken the very ornate hinge "their very furry friend Pete"  had given them as a wedding gift... and Lathar had to admit he destroyed it to save the group.  

Lathar pulled out one of the clear gems to Thunnelda.  

Thunnelda: "Wow, that looks a lot like the one Clover brought over to show me, very nice."

Lathar: "We can always bedazzle a hinge with these.... " 

Thunnelda had avoided the Radish Toss Tournament and admitted to seeing the blue lights in the distant horizon, away from the river. 

After he settled in, Lathar's mother pulled him aside. 

"A raccoon showed up.  He was riding a giant goose.  He demanded three hard-boiled eggs for himself and a bath for his goose before he would delivered this letter.  

Lathar stepped outside onto the porch, alone, and read the letter.... 

Lathar

If this reaches you, then the winds of fortune favor us still. I set out years ago, following the whispers of a machine buried beneath the glowing plains, one said to heal both flesh and spirit. The Wildlands held me longer than I wished—storms, beasts, and the shattering of roads.

I have not perished. I endure. Know that I sought no abandonment. Every fire I kindled, I thought of you. Every night I kept your name upon my lips.

If word can travel to Riverbend, then so too may I, in time. Trust the Restorationists with caution, my son. Their faith is a chain as much as a torch. Seek the valley where the black reeds hum—there, perhaps, we shall find one another.

Your Father,

Harkonn of the Old Marks

Lathar stares off into the future, and that future is uncertain... 

The session ends with Lathar stares off into an uncertain future, with the strains of Rod Stewart's "Mandolin Wind" playing until the fade to black....

GM Notes:  

*This was the first time we actually needed dimensions of the Big River.   Pete had wanted to try to use his telepathy to reach out to Clover, and upon my refence, I realized he was like 100 yards short. Thankfully, it was still within the range of the sunflower's teleport, and he easily made his roll. 

The Big River is at its maximum up to 300 meters across.  Most of the river was nine foot deep, a few areas, like the one a few miles north, are fordable, while other spots are  more than 20 foot deep. a

*Quote of the Night:  Mike (Pete): Your daughter's charging us for drinks, after we set her up in this bar?  

Steve (Squiggles): I'm not raising worms, I'm raising Ferengi. 

*Jim (Lathar) requested Mandolin Wind playing at the end of the episode....

Next: #115 - The Letter Makes Its Rounds

Mepacon 51 - What to Run?

The proverbial ink isn't even dry from Mepacon 50 last weekend, but it is a good time to think about events for Mepacon 51, taking place November 13-15, 2026, just outside of Allentown, PA at the Delta Hotels Allentown Lehigh Valley at 7736 Adrienne Dr., Breinigsville, PA 18031

For this last con, I asked the question "What to run?" to the gaming community at large, and its no surprise that the most successful events were the winners from the survey.  a

With the theme of 51 turning to "Aliens" I have set up a poll to take everyone's input.  You should be able to vote for multiple options.  Thanks everyone for your help! 

1 - Death Planet Iota (Fistful of Lead - Galactic Heroes):  Death Planet Iota is my take on the wormhole/ "junk planet" where you can take figures from all sorts of games and plop space marines with Star Wars or Star Trek.  Obviously, only the strong survive, but within the confines of the City of Carf, the intergalactic refugees huddle together to last just a bit longer.  My daughter, Maja, and I ran our oversized but simple board at Historicon for over 50 players (over 100 when we add in the gnomes and the joust at that spot for the weekend).  

I have conversion notes for most intellectual properties, so I might allow you to bring a smattering Fallout figures to fight Orks or Jawas or Mouslings.  

2 - Burning Plastic - Green Army Guys who are secretly robots fighting a distant galactic war for their mysterious galactic overlo.... who am I kidding, people just like to make scout floaters careen into their own troops and self destruct robots against enemy tanks... and chuck dice at the table.  

3 - Legions of Steel - Most of the classic 90s miniatures game involves the valiant troopers of the United Nations of Earth (UNE) fighting the invading hordes of alien robots known as "The Machines" (or Legions of Steel), but running four or six player games could finally justify me painting up the other alien races from the game.

4- TWERPS Science Fiction Theatre - TWERPS is the "The Worlds Easiest Role-Playing System" and I have a track record from early Mepacons (and the Bogglecon/Lehicon lineage) of taking classic Sci-Fi RPG material and boiling it down to it's base components.   Quick two hour sessions, heck players could jump in and out... all in the name of having fun. 

5 - TOON - "Don't Blame Me, I Voted for Kodos" - I still have people who couldn't jump into my classic "Cthulhu Comes to Springfield" game, so perhaps a game based in the future of the classic Treehouse of Horror episode might appease the masses... and the theme? 

6 - Star Wars d6 - I know a handful of folks I would prefer to PLAY in the their Star Wars game, but if needed, I have no issue running a few sessions.

7 - GURPS: Humanx -I'm stretching here, but GURPS, plus the long out of print sourcebook of Alan Dean Foster's novels, plus the con theme, brings back high school nostalgia.

8 - Classic Traveller - Yes, there's some aliens in Traveller, but in a bit of nostalgia, I remember playing in a "Intro to Mega-Traveller" game run by Ray George at Lehicon IV, and I do believe we still killed off one of the players' characters during character creation.

9 - Other - Surprise me...  The Mepacon crowd always does.