🧙‍♂️(Georic Gazetteer) Kingdom of Marakeikos

The Kingdom of Marakeikos 

Pantheon: Single-focused devotion to Akana.  
Ruled by: Queen Adriana Marakeikos-Hyraskos
Capital: Mirros (75,000)

Other Cities: Celsior (25,000), Califon (15,000) , Verge (10,000)

Language: Trade-Prythax, Traldar

Flag/Emblem:  A Blue Sword, pointing up towards a blue merchant vessel, on a white field.

Coinage: Marakeikan Standard
Important Personas:  Elenwynd of Whisperydown of the School of Magecraft,  Archdruid Gwendalyn Lorax, Nobles, priests, officials, etc.

Alliances:  Eastern Defense League with Stronghome and the Gnomish City-States

Hostilities:  Milosic, Yarbay, diplomatic Ispatlia and Vlachia

Open Warfare/Skirmishing: None at present  

Intrigues:  Traldar minority support for an alliance to Barthey, to bring back "the good old days" 

Demi-Humans:   Gnomes (15%) in the central region.  Elven communities plus growing groups of Agenmoor refugees (10%).

Magickal Devices:  The Agrarian Hawk, the Bow of Ski-do, a

Thumbnail Sketch: Gran Duke StephanI  brokered his ancestral lands in Barthay for the collected northern buffer states of the Traldar people in 1080.  With the coronation of King Stephan II in 1102, it has been fully recognized as it's own independent state, rather than a puppet of the Barthey Empire.  King Stephan II had instituted the Church of Marakeikos as the royal religion, a peculiar religion of the trappings of Akana, but no direct worship of a god in any form.  It was met with derision, but amazingly its priests and clerics were able to obtain divine spellcasting and perform miracles. 

When Stephan II's son, Valens, assumed the throne in 1130, a comical series of poor judgements led to the invasion of Ahk Tang's humanoid hordes from Milosic into Frandor's Keep and Califon.  His lack of control of the Church of Marakeikos led to a holy war between the native Church of Traldar, and his willful ignorance and lack of political savy led to a civil war/invasion led by the Baron of Vadevicsny and the Kingdom of Vlachia.  Valens disappeared in 1134 and Seneschal Alexius Korigan was named regent, since no direct line of ascension had been declared. On 1 Undec 1136, Valen’s sister, Adriana Hyraskos was crowned Queen of Marakeikos.

The queen has been quick to replace those within the royal cabinet/court who have been inept, and
pushed forward a number of initiatives, such as mandatory schools in major towns (but not mandatory
attendance). She has rebuilt Frandor’s Keep (Now renamed Fort Titanicus.) as well as annexing the
humanoid frontier which Ahk Tang and the Southern Orc League vacated in 1137. Now hundreds, if
not thousands, are risking it all and pouring into Califon and Fort Titanicus, preparing to venture into
the new frontier.   Fifteen years into her rule, Queen Adriana is a potent force internally and among the notable kingdoms.  

Religion:  Single-focused devotion to Akana.  Churches of Traldar and their sub-sects are formally banned throughout most of Mk.  Remnants, now named the Church of Halav, remain out of the heavily populated areas.

Geography of Note: 

Mirros: The capital is one of the major ports of the Mer Kasp, as well as the only cosmopolitan city in the Kingdom. All weapons must be peace-bonded. No spell casting on unwilling people. Mirros does have a Magic-User’s Guild. Krull’s Crossed Swords, a famed mercenary company in Crosedes has formed a new location here in response to The Master Yarbay and overall increased violence in the region.

Celsior: A smaller city at the base of the Highreach Mountains west of Mirros. A huge ornate central castle, dominates the area.  Ruled by Duke Desmond Celsior, leader of  the Order of the Griffon, the martial arm of the Church of Akana in Marakeikos. The Duke is quite influential in all Marakeikan affairs, as he not only led the Elvenguard and a detachment of the Order of the Griffon to stop the religious civil war in 1134, crushing all sides that opposed him, (even Marakeikan and Traldar army units). When Vadevinczy threatened civil war, Desmond led troops against the rebelling armies.

Califon: Former frontier town, it is the base of operations by many adventuring, trapping, and mining parties.   Ruled by Baroness Arlene Shermanova, after the recent death of her father.  She is acting Partriach of the Church, and commands a small squadron of mounted Order of the Griffon.  Califon's location close to an adventuring area has created some unqiue opportunities, such as the fame adventuring inn, the Black Jug Tavern on Fogor Island, and Cardia's Carpet Service, where a you can rent the services of an actual magical flying carpet for 100gp/day. 

Fort Titanicus:  Formerly Frandor’s Keep, a permanent outpost, protects against Milosic and the remnants of the Southern Orc League on the other side of Hell’s Throat Pass. 

Highforge: A Gnomish/dwarfish community, that pledged full fealty to Queen Adriana in 1137.  

Krakatos: Built atop some ancient Traldar ruins, it is home to the Marakeikan School of Magecraft.

The School of Magecraft in Krakatos, artwork by Senarch

Radlebb: Forest community of refugee Agenmoor elves near Vorloi.

Rifilian: Elven community, this town served as a trading post between the humans and the few Callarii elves still living in this area. Most building show elvish architecture. Most elves
‘disappeared’ in 1138. The Company of the Dragon, an adventuring group, patrols the area.

Verge:   Ruled by Nubian "Mayor" Mutumbo, it is the the largest growing portion of the Kingdom.  He recently won the title of "Mayor" from  “Mayor” Sam the Wise, a Halfling bartender of the Burning Ox and defacto leader of Verge from 1128 - 1148. Mutumbo's trading post is one of the largest trading posts I have ever seen, with extensive equipment, a wide variety of mundane weapons, and a giant collection of many magic items for sale, managed by the fame adventurer and wizard, Turvel Sit.  

Mutumbo and Turvel are largely retired members of the famed "Burning Trogs" from their deeds during the War with the Master.  Also located outside of Verge, is another former Burning Trog, Gwendalyn Lorax, the Arch-Druid of Marakeikos.    Tales of other Trogs residing in the countryside, including the infamous Gnome-Titan Madwoman Janus Redrock, have not bee corroborated at this time.  
Crusade against the Master.

Mentions of Marakeikos in the Blog: 

Almost all of the Burning Trogs Rule! is focused in or around Marakeikos. Episodes #1-8 of Burning Trogs Redux also take place in the Marakeikan interior. 

(Backerkit) Household - Welcome to the Garden by Two Little Mice

 The social media algorithm has certainly pinned down some of my interests, to the point where my ads go down a pretty narrow specific.  After the marketing dump for the Smurfs Kickstarter, I am leery of anything the ad campaigns even offer.  

Household - Welcome to the Garden by Two Little Mice, now on Backerkit, is definitely in my demographic, yet wildly out.  

The main Household rulebook focuses on an abandoned mansion, filled with a society of Littlelings and how things change over a period of five years. If you're of the certain age that remembers The Little on ABC Saturday mornings, then remove the humans and add a lot of swashbuckling and tri-corner hats, and you have the gist of a fun game.  

Welcome to the Garden is essentially Volume II of Household.  From the Backerkit description:

This book will expand the world of the game, opening the door to the Garden and introducing new Little Folk as well as other creatures of all shapes and sizes. You will be able to visit the Fountain where the legendary Battle of Quillwaters took place, Bramble Town where the Boggarts found refuge during their time in exile, and even the Stump of the Dèndronaos Tree and the distant Shogunate of the Silver Blade in the Backyard.

On top of that, Household Volume II will also introduces new Folk and Vocations, additional mechanics tied to the changing Seasons, new Colossal Opponents that are completely out of scale for all littlings, and much more!

I've seen versions of this game (a "Littles" RPG for the uncultured) ranging from zine scale to this beautiful monstrosity... and that's the only problem I have with this expansion.  The PDFs seem like a bargain, but printed matter is beautiful and pricey, and the books seem numerous.  Most of the focus is on the slipcases that are $200 which are phenomenal, but not a necessity for me.    Luckily, intrigued folk can pick up the Quickstart Rules, which are Pay What You Want on DrivethruRPG

(Gamma World) This is Not a Test #57 - Lathar's Restoration

Our heroes, the De Facto Explorers,  are at the KIA Academy.  They have successfully rescued Charley Onyxhoof, and are now trying to figure out their next steps before winter comes...

================= 

Sneaky Pete: A mutated weasel scout.  Pete's telepathy and night vision take a backseat when he whips out his electrical powers.  

Sonny Helianthus: a sentient sunflower artifact examiner with trusted Restorationist ties. Knowledgeable,  but not a good one with device repairs or upgrades.  Very interested in a "Children's Alchemical Laser" (CAL) he recently acquired.

Slitheran Wurmtail (aka Squiggles): a mutated earthworm scout, in impromptu power armor, looking for trouble, and finding it often.  Previously "gave birth" to a litter of sentient earthworm babies, but recently has been subject to genetic testing and developed super-human strength, a more human body, and a thick coat of shaggy white hair.

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.  No Name has recently been fitted for a artillery device of the Ancients that chucks spears further than any human.  Looking for trouble in all the right places.  Former jousting champion of Fair-Town and has been awarded... a peacock he has named Chambray.  He's recently been struck by a weapon by a strange race of people and transformed into... something else.

RHA-9: A lab assistant piece of "Living Metal" that seems to have befriended the group... for now!  Currently getting repairs done by the Restorationists.

================= 

The Explorers returned from the Academy sublevels back to their housing... and fighting over the options before the winter got worse. The debate still raged whether or not to use the Children's Alchemical Laser on Lathar one last time,   Lathar's stone form, which the rest of the group referred to as "Latharite" had generated a significant crack across the chest.   Pete insisted on insulting Lathar's tainted heritage, and that shame motivated him to be transformed one more time, for the better, for the worst, or even having the device explode. 

Heading outside of the facility, they found an empty field.  The cold weather seemed to affect the mutant sunflower, as the blast from the CLA went far right, missing Lathar and hitting something far off in the distance.    Before the compromised energy cell fell out of the device, Pete had scurried over and commandeered the device from Sonny.

"Just tell me how to aim this thing, we can only waste another power cell, no more." Pete demanded.  Sonny double checked the device, showed him how to fire it, and stepped back.  

Pete's shot slammed into Lathar's chest.  There was no explosion, no smoke, no haze like usual.    Standing before them was Lathar, who looked like he was back to normal, save some tattoo-like markings and darker hair.  

Lathar... Restored?

Pete:  Lathar, you look badass finally....

"I feel soft and squishy finally... and very cold since I'm in a loincloth." Lathar declared.

Sonny did his best to take credit and claim the CLA worked as it should.  

Returning back to the facility quite triumphant, they moved towards purchasing warmer clothes for Lathar, and finally working on the one project they had full consensus: try to make contact with their old friend, the mutant mountain goat Ramsay Kallax.  

Level 2 house things like law enforcement, fire, and the equivalent of a city hall.  Sonny had been able to determine the Kallax family was on Level 8, out of their authorization as common visitors.

A large, elevated desk stood just inside the entrance.  A dapper looking gentlemen with eyeglasses manned the opposite side, heavy with a wave of his cologne.   Stacks of paper files and wooden cabinets dominate the back, and separating the front from the other offices.

Sonny was able to provide enough information about Ramsay that the gentleman was able to reach out and contact them.... by written letter.   

Sonny composed a letter detailing their arrival, the location they can be contacted at, and all their good fortune.  

Once the letter was dispatched to be delivered, Sonny also inquired about work over the winter.    The gentlemen referred them to the KIA Academy Works board, but there was a generic board closer to the entrance from the Overpass that might have jobs more their 

Sonny also inquired about taking classes/lectures at the Academy.  The gentleman provided him with a large packet and a writing implement.   "Fill this out, with 100 domars, and if the Academy approves, you may be allowed to enroll."

The Works board was quite frankly employment opportunities through the Academy, from Winter Road Specialists, to janitors, to Reconnaissance Scouts outside, and the ominous Mutant Tracker.  

The outside jobs from the Works board also appeared on this generic board by the entrance to the facility.  Also included was a dated and worn bulletin for a "Salvage Specialist" interested in venturing in the "sub-ruins" for particular objects.  

It was decided to take the Salvage Specialist position, requiring a trip back down to Sub-Level 1 to venture to an establishment of a place call O'Pinney's

Next: #58 - O'Pinney's Quest

(Kickstarter) Savage Rifts: Europa

 Kickstarter is always better when Pinnacle and Palladium are active on.

The campaign book for Rifts for Savage Worlds:  Europa is now up and running.

From the Kickstarter, this campaign includes:

• Rifts® for Savage Worlds—Europa: With over 200 pages, this hardcover worldbook explores the British Isles, New German Republic, Neo Rome, the Phoenix Empire, the Brodkil Empire, the Gargoyle Empire, the Free Scandinavian Alliance, the Russian Frontier, and everything in between, including new character options and plenty of new gear found across the continent.
• Savage Foes of Europa: A 128 page hardcover book with statistics for the creatures and enemies found across Europa, plus Savage Tales and a Plot Point Campaign that draws the heroes of the Tomorrow Legion into danger all over the continent.
• Rifts® for Savage Worlds Map Pack 4—Europa Battlefields: A double-sided, 30" x 24" fold-out combat map. Sturdy, wet & dry erase, and great for tactical combat, it features the Millennium Tree Settlement and the Moscow Deadzone maps.
• Europa Boxed Set: This has it all! The Europa source book and Savage Foes of Europa, plus the Europa Battlefields map, six all-new Archetype Dossiers, Pawns for the heroes and foes of Europa, and a fold-out political map of the region! The two books and the Europa Battlefields maps are available separately, but the archetypes, pawns, and political map are only available as part of this box.

(Painting) A Full Haunting of the Irish Ghost Brigade for Gnome Wars

Maja managed to knock out the original group of Irish Ghosts for her Gnome Wars game, but I was quite impressed with Millie's performance knocking out the remaining Irish I had in my collection.  I'm not saying this unit will ever see the light of day at an HMGS conventions (Can pots of gold be ghostly?).  Perhaps it's time to write up some rules.   

Millie was over for a solo weekend of quality time with dear old Dad and jumped at the opportunity to use the new painting bench.

Millie awesome contribution

Stanton's Irish Ghost Brigade

Still used a variant of the "Ghost Juice" videos from YouTube, with the lighter ghost glow taking over the bases of the newly painted figures.  Definitely thinking about the fantasy figure bin and finding some ghostly figures to keep applying this technique on. 

In the Queue: Death Planet Iota sort of has the feel between Sakar from Thor Ragnarok and the Void from Loki,so whle my figure selection is appropriately random, so is a random group of new terrain.  Gnome Wars, Star Wars, Pulp, OGRE, and possibly some Stargrave to sweeten the pot.

Project 350: A bump up as more stuff gets finished for future community project:  502 (310/192)  from 501 (319/182)

New Battle Valor 28mm Sci-Fi Figures... and Vehicles.

 I have a great love for Battle Valor Games, as my pile of unpainted Space Dwarf (aka Gnomish Space Marines) can confirm. 

He's been back producing new figures for 15mm, 28mm, and newer 20mm ranges.  The 28mm Apes are very nice, but what drew my eye were the new one-figure vehicles. 

SCI-FI 900 Vehicle Prototype #1 (1 Vehicle Kit)

SCI-FI 901 Vehicle Prototype #2 (1 Vehicle Kit)

These are good hunks of metal, so I certainly accept the $35 cost.  Multiples do net you a discount!  

The New and Improved Painting Bench

My work-life  is vey feast or famine.  I'm either unable to take a bite of my sandwich for two days straight, or I complete War and Peace from cover to cover.  On one of the latter days, I finally decided to open up the box for my standing desk I got for my birthday, but instead of replacing my work desk in the office I turned around and replaced the my old painting bench.  

Assembly was a breeze, and while it's barely a few inches shorter in length, the cord caps have made the table  less cluttered.

The paints are resorted, about a half dozen dead bottles chucked, and glass shaker beads in every large bottle.  I do need to hit Wal-Mart for a matching lamp to the one of the right.  

I've spent the last 3-4 weeks mentioning a revision of the painting queue, and this allows me to set this up.

1. Gnome Wars - 4x different units, including a new take on the Southern Gnomes, thanks to Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff #620.   KARTAS has been rather listless the past few months (but listless KARTAS is far better than more podcasts), but even rarer than recent inspiration is wargaming inspiration from them.  If I'm skipping Cold Wars, they'll premiere at Historicon next year.
2. Pulp - 1 unit.   The vaporware 4th season of the Pulp game hinges on one unit, and everything is further along and supported than its ever been. Also a piece of random terrain. 
3. Death Planet Iota - I had planned a new gang to roam the streets, but after my flea market finds at Fall-In!  I can refurb the figures I acquired and set up a second, rival gang! There's certainly another  plus another wave of the terrain, thanks to the replacement bench
4. OGRE Minis - More Transnistrian Scientific Republic clean-up.  

I'm going to be able to get another set of shelves and give my 3-drawer "work" drawers an ergonomic lift shortly, but in reality my focus is on the bottom shelves.  All of them down below are simply unpainted lead/plastic/etec.