Gateway Chronicle - July 1998

THE GATEWAY CHRONICLE
July 1998

WAR STORIES: June 1998

At the most recent gathering of the Ram's Head, the Gatekeeper had to set up shop just outside a sacred Dainite shrine in Argoth. Apparently, the gates would only open once every month due to some strange disturbance in the wards, or the locks, or some other part of the working of the Inn. The Gatekeeper had negotiated an uneasy truce with the church allowing the Inn to appear on Church grounds.
    The reason for this was simple: the Church had called a Festival of Great Works for heroes across the land to do great deeds. And what better way to draw heroes than to assemble the Ram's Head Inn?
    The day began with attendants slowly arriving at the Shrine of Ceruill. Some of them were off on mysterious journeys, including a group of attendees who were deep in the Wood Elf lands discovering grim portents for the future. Another group, led by the Pantheist Priest Bax, headed high into the mountains to question a mysterious oracle. Among those outside the inn was Elestan, who began acting strangely and then passed out for a long while. Many tried to help him, including Kobar -- who used a mystic amulet, but to no avail. Eventually Elestan awoke and attacked Liam! He spoke of seeing his brother and thinking Liam a zombie...
Eventually the full company of the Inn was present, and those notables of the Dainite faith -- Torchbearer Kedrik, Inquisitor Umbar, Crusader Andor, and Justin Swift -- were called into the Shrine of Ceruill to speak with the Bishop Marchet Talbot, a kindly member of the council of presiding bishops who had come to the Shrine to make a special announcement. When those of the faith were addressed, the remainder of the Inn was called into the Shrine, where the Bishop welcomed each personally.
    Once assembled, the Bishop announced a startling discovery on the part of the Church of Dain. The Church had acquired an ancient document from the Kytheri that stated quite clearly that Dain is the All Father. The document told of a group of Scripture Monks from the mother church of Sangir. The monks were sent to Kaleth to receive some sort of sacred insight into the nature of Dain. Dain himself gave them this insight, coupled with knowledge that all creatures were the children of Dain.
    The Church's reaction was to issue the call for the Festival of Great Works and to officially apologize for its sins against its brethren in the past -- the wood elves, dwarves and high elves. The Bishop offered a representative from each an extravagant gift as a show of the Church's apology. Every gift was refused. Then a pantheist noble by the name of Count Kerrigan also called for the Festival of Great Works, though one supported by both churches and at the end of which, the deeds of the pantheists would be weighed against the deeds of the Dainites.
    During this speech, several of the members of the Inn had walked out, but by the time it was done, most were still in assembly. Then, Elestan returned from outside the Inn and called for all heroes to come with him back to the Inn. They followed but for the Dainites.
    Once in the Inn, the Gatekeeper had his first vision, announcing that the portal would not open for a month. He looked into the waters and then back up, the vision done, only a few words said. When asked, he was certain he had seen a vision, but he could not remember what it was.
    With that, the festival of great works was afoot. People went on expeditions to lands near and far to heal sick children and kill bands of marauding ogres. Loremaster Jocko D'Light even went to a nearby town and successfully defended a Peasant from summary judgment under common law. Meanwhile, word spread that the Pantheists who had visited the Oracle discovered the existence of a powerful seed that would grow the tree of life. This seed could best be entrusted to the Druids.
    Heroes went away on lengthy expeditions while others did research. The Gatekeeper asked all to leave his Inn for a month and then return. They did so, reassembling in one month's time, many of them returning from great adventures.
    Once all were returned, the Pantheists assembled an expedition of representatives from every faith, including two Druids who had shown up to the Inn, and went out to retrieve this Seed. This journey ended in a need for one among them to give up his or her life to have the Seed freed. Moorkoth agreed and died so the seed might be free. In the process, he was reborn and lives again.
Meanwhile, Elestan formed an expedition to go and turn his brother's Black Rose, last worn by Gregor, back into a White Rose. To do this, he had to face the Death Knight that took his brother's life and purportedly took Gregor Rhys' as well. He faced the Knight, the two drew their blades, but neither would swing first. After some time, the Death Knight saluted Elestan and returned to its home. The Black Rose turned White.
    While this was happening, Kobar had decided that folk in the Inn cared more about politics than doing right and had walked off to find and stop a band of trolls that were rampaging to the East. Kayla and a group of other adventurers chased after their friend to help him save the people from the trolls.
    On top of all this, Torchbearer Kedrik lead a group to the Argoth woods where they were to hunt down a lion with wings that was killing local foresters. Curiously, when they returned, Kedrik was dressed as a Justicar of the Church and wielded a blade unsheathed.
    Back at the Inn, the Gatekeeper had a second vision -- to come fulfilled in one month. this time of two brothers locked in eternal struggle. After a time, he closed the Inn again. A month went by, and when folk returned from their many journeys, a peculiar site greeted them at the Inn. Almost no sooner than he returned from his rebirth, Moorkoth was challenged by Lady Catherine to a duel. Defenseless, the Lady offered him a challenge "because of who she is" and "because of who he is." At first Moorkoth refused because she had no blade, then she was fetched a sword which she barely held before her. They stood there a while, and then at last Moorkoth dropped his sword, refusing to fight the lady. He surrendered his life to her, which she gave him back charging him to continue to do right and be just. However, Moorkoth's test was not done, for his friend the Gatekeeper Risisin Oreth proceeded to challenge him to pronounce his sorrow for each of his crimes. He went on to be challenged by Captain Gray and Robin Goodfellow to show that he is human, to show his sorrow so that he might be forgiven. At last, Moorkoth told those assembled that he did not kill Catherine because he loves her, that he has no more tears to shed for his crimes, that he has spent ten long years seeking to repair his crimes, and that he will spend more. Eventually Risisin embraced him, and even stalwart Gray relaxed his fury. Then a series of folk at the Inn proceeded to approach Moorkoth and embrace him, including Captain Owl and Kayla.
    When this was done, the second portal group left and another set of adventurers departed to go on great adventures. In this case a number of them went to retrieve a staff that would tell what faith is Truest. The other group went to retrieve an artifact of Talos. The portal expedition led to a strange place, apparently created by Zayven, which led to a stone that was responsible for the strange time dilation at the Inn. The heroes on all three expeditions retrieved what they sought and soon all were assembled at the Shrine of Ceruill.
    Soon, the Bishop Talbot returned to the shrine to find out how the Festival of Great Works had gone. He soon engaged Kithkirian in a debate about the Church's offer to the High Elves. Slowly, Kedrik approached him through the crowd raising his blade. When the blade was raised, suddenly no human in the Shrine could move. Kedrik approached the Bishop and the Bishop, recognizing his blade as Vengeance, encouraged the Justicar not to kill him. He told Kedrik to resist the will of Dain, that what he was doing with the announcement that Dain was the All Father was for the best. It was political, but it was a pure good. Kedrik did not disobey Dain and, in fact, slew the Bishop. Curiously, the Bishop called out with his last breath "Pluck out my eyes!" and Kedrik obliged. Soon after, as an assembly stood around the Bishop's body, a number of guards accosted Kedrik. Both Umbar Churchson and Andor Orban refused to aid them in arresting Kedrik and soon the guards left, having been told by several people that the Bishop’s death was God's will.
    The Shrine was soon abandoned by all but the Dainites, though those who remained saw Kedrik wrestle with what he had done and then hand Vengeance to Andor. Andor sheathed the blade and seemed not at all pleased with becoming its bearer.
Outside the Shrine, those not of the Dainite faith debated what they had just seen. Several worried that this was but the first of many portents that Dain was an angry and un-virtuous god. Others worried that this episode would result in new tensions between the Church of Dain and non-humans. Some thought this would lead to War. From the Shrine of Ceruill there came no reply.

FROM THE BLACK DESK

About a year and a half ago I had this crazy idea. I had been running LARPs for years but they were always isolated events with no continuity or character development. At the time I wasn't running a tabletop campaign and was missing the role-playing so I decided to turn the LARP I was planning into the first of series of events. It wasn't exactly original, I have played with groups that do similar things (but usually with boffer weapons) and the Vampire crew has been doing it for years but it was new to me and the possibilities were intriguing. This weekend I played Session Fifteen of our live action campaign. I found the experience rewarding for several reasons, but two key things come to mind.
    First, I had very little to do with the event. David and Aaron planned and executed Session Fifteen with help from Chad and some local folk. Flake handled the record keeping, setup and checkout. Tom did the newsletter. Dan ordered the pizza. I have been involving other people as Hosts more and more but this Session it really felt like I was able to step into the role of player. Very few questions were directed at me as gamemaster. It was a nice feeling. After pushing for more than a year it seems that the game finally has its own inertia and we can all push together.
    Don't get me wring, I realize that there is no such thing as autopilot and I am extremely grateful for all the hard work contributed by those involved in keeping the game going. The biggest difference between these days and the old days is the number of people willing to spend their time contributing to the upkeep of the campaign. With every new voice the story grows and becomes more interesting. Dave and Aaron did things I would not have done in ways I would never have considered doing them. How wonderful. Next month I get to see what a Session Hosted by Tom looks and feels like. I can't wait.
    Second, I was struck by how interesting the relationships between the characters are. As Elestan and Gray I rediscovered that I have friendships that are unlike the relationships I have with the players who portray those characters. Elestan has developed a paternal relationship with Liam and has started referring to him as his son. The once taciturn Gray is in love. During Saturday's session I found myself dealing with aspects of my characters personalities that proved to me that I may have underestimated both of them.
    In many ways both Elestan and Gray began as two-dimensional cartoons, characters intended to contribute to the campaign by providing examples of important archetypes. Over time these simple characters developed complexity and depth. It wasn't anything I did, it was something that happened to them because of the people they know and the things they experienced. This is the strength of the Gateway Chronicles. It has evolved from a simple game into an organic construct that is defined by the collective effort of everyone involved in telling the stories of our characters.
    Elestan and Gray grew because they were woven into the larger tapestry of the game. When Joe made his ill fated challenge to the Nomad warlord and Nightshade was killed Elestan lost a fallen companion who failed to redeem himself before his death, an event which has had a significant impact on how he thinks and acts. No one has had more of an effect on Gray than Catherine and he would not be who he is without the role-playing I have done with Lori. The way Kevin has portrayed Liam's respect and admiration for Elestan has helped define him in a way I could never have done on my own. Robin Goodfellow has been a good friend to both of them and has provided insights into their lives that they would never have discovered without him. Gray as Captain has dealt with two very different Gatekeepers portrayed by two very different players. His relationships with both of them are multilayered and his recent encounters with Risisin have made him feel the weight of his age, perhaps for the first time.
    All of this amounts to the same thing. I am still playing this game because it is a pleasure to play with all of you. As long as we are having a good time I will make sure that the Ram's Head is open for business.
    Thanks guys. See you all soon.
    M

THE RUMOR MILL

After a long vacation Phantor is back with all of the news you have been waiting for. Rest assured that Phantor has eyes and ears everywhere.
    No one seems to be able to stop talking about Kedrik. You all know that he apparently had a revelation, that he killed a bishop and that he rode through the night to the Cathedral. There he demanded to speak to the council of Bishops. Not surprisingly he has not been seen since, not by the outside world at least. Insiders indicate they saw Kedrik being led away in chains. Whatever he said there seems to have had some effect on the Archbishop -- or is that *former* Archbishop?
    The recent turbulence within the church of Dain has had an unusual effect on the life of Crusader Andor Orban. Having returned to the Cathedral bearing an unusual new weapon, many are now referring to him in whispers as "the vengeful hand of Dain." Many within the church, particularly those who have voiced liberal views or those insecure in their station in these uncertain times, are avoiding the Crusader or going on unexpected retreats.
    Is it true that the Church of Dain is letting Loremaster Jacko D'Light of Zurek (of all places) and devout Pantheist authenticate the so-called "All-Father Fragment" that spurred the Church's recent (and quickly rescinded) "declaration of unity"? And if that's so is anyone surprised he's claiming it's false? Perhaps Jacko should audit the books of the Master Merchants of Vathos while he's at it....
    Who would have thought it, but our gallant High Elf Kithkirian, now sporting a snazzy sword, has been running back and forth between the Elven Wood and the palace of Duchess Maegra of Thallarin. One rumor reaching Phantor's precious ears is that the Duchess has become quite enamored of the dashing elf. Another has it that the High Elf's repeated visits to the Elven Wood have dredged up old animosities between the two branches of elf-kind. A third rumor (oh we are busy!) says that some of Kithkirian's fellow High Elves believe he is lowering himself to by acting as some kind of "mortal diplomat".
    Is it a case of hero worship, or is it something else, that's got Kantr following Kithkirian around Kaleth. The High Elf has been shuttling back and forth between the court in Thallarin and the Elf Wood apparently trying to talk some sense into their respective leaders. First Phantor hears that Kantr is a wizard in training, and now this....Could it be our elf-friend is far more than he seems??
It appears that the young Piers is seeking a spiritual cure for nightmares. He spent several months in a shrine in Argoth, speaking with Crusaders and priests in search of relief. After the incident with Kedrik and the Bishop, he was seen making a hasty retreat in the company of Risisin, the Gatekeeper.
    Gwen has been locked away in her workshop of late, apparently crafting some sort of great work. It's not clear what this work is, but Phantor hears it is very expensive.
    Is it true? Can the greatest of evils be embraced and welcomed back into the civilized world? Apparently that is exactly what is happening to Moorkoth. Phantor has heard that he was challenged by Catherine, rumored to be a friend of Moorkoth and known companion to Captain Grey. Apparently he has been blessed by a Crusader. Even the hard Captain Grey seems to have accepted him as his successor, claiming that his "black banner has been turned white". Moreover, has Phantor noticed a new color to his face? A spryness to his step? A vigor to him that has not been seen before, at least not while he has been welcome in polite company? Strange changes indeed for this man with the blackest past. Is there a white future before him?
    The Lady Catherine was seen to leave the festival of great works recently to visit the home of an old woman named Isolde. Rumors have it that the old woman is a witch. Could this have something to do with Catherine's challenge of Moorkoth?
Seen attending a small gathering at Wellspring, a young newcomer to the Ram's Head Inn named Morianna seems to have interests beyond the scholastic. And what is her connection to the ill-famed Quentus Finder? Is there truth the rumors that she searches for an item of great power, and that the item has brought her to the Ram's Head Inn?
    It is said that Quentus managed to track down Rhys, Countess Rhianna DuVallier's errant brother, in a small village in Argoth. One eyewitness saw harsh words and drawn swords before making haste out of the bar. Since that time, no one has seen hide or hair of either Quentus Finder or Rhys DuVallier. Sheriffs in three counties in Argoth are one the lookout for the Finder and the dis-owned DuVallier. One way or the other, it appears the search goes on.
    Twins! Countess Rhianna Du Vallier has born two healthy boys. The first was healthy, and the second sickly, but reliable sources say that the second's condition has improved significantly in the last few weeks. Is this what has been keeping the lady off her feet, or is it the rumored exploits of her troublesome brother which keep her in seclusion? One thing is certain, by all reports, the twin boy's father could not be happier.
    Its said that some in the Elven Wood place some blame on Autumn for not doing more to end the recent human-elven strife in the area. Seems they think that with her contacts among humankind she should have been able to push things toward a more elf-friendly resolution. Some in the Wood may not be taking the current "suspended hostilities" all too well...
    Was that Hunter seeing slipping through the back-woods routes from Thallarin to Evangar and back? And was the Liam carousing through the taverns and wenching halls of the area looking for her. Phantor wonders what would have happened if he'd found her....
    Phantor hears that Reynn of the Ram's Head Tavern may not be happy with his position. Seems he's been heard grumbling about the conditions the Tavern has appeared in and the fact that he has so little to do. The odd elevation of Jacko D'Light to "Expedition Master" (fox guarding the henhouse again?) seems to have certainly compounded the problem. Couple that with Risisin's growing isolation and lack of concern for mundane matters has placed sweet Reynn on the short end of the stick.
    Commander Owl and her troops held a ceremony out in the field in honor of the dear departed Gregor Rhys. Phantor hears it was a touching ceremony and surprisingly unmolested by omens, evil signs, or mysterious strangers. What is the world coming to?
    Passers by in the area of the Fallow Spire, former abode of the wizard Zayven and now the residence of our favorite Gatekeeper Risisin Oreth reports seeing a bonfire at the base of the spire and silhouetted figures burning books and odd items. Could it be that the Gatekeeper found some things not to his liking in the Spire and decided to take care of them in a most direct manner?
    What was all this Phantor heard about Segial regaining some lost memory? Wasn't that the rag-wearing sorcerer in the capital of Vathos playing jacks and marbles in the streets with some of the local waifs? It certainly looked and sounded like him, and trust Phantor good souls, he was as daft as ever...
    With all the furor over the goings on in the Church of Dain it seems that most have missed the reports of a massacre of Druids near the Elven Wood. Eyewitnesses say that some elves from the Wood murdered an Envoy from the Wheel and his escorts in a most barbaric manner (Phantor hears flayed alive....). Phantor also hears that the Wheel is very much not pleased by the act and is demanding recompense and that the murderers be presented for justice.
    Druids from across the continent of Kaleth have been gathering in Northern Thallarin. They have refused to discuss their business with anyone, but the word is that they are preparing to perform some kind of major ritual.
    Well, well, guess who's been bitten by the love bug? It seems that Madam Gretchen and Mssr. Elestan had a public lover's quarrel at the Ram's Head Tavern recently. The shrieking fight, apparently, was caused by some sort of argument about children.
    Word has spread that Kayla has been saved from the depths of Cormorand, the Kayla that was seen in the lands prior was a fraud. A week after news reached one of the dwarven holds, the Dwarven King there had three of his advisors executed. Others report the mysterious disappearance of the Lady Amberwine is somehow linked to the Kayla impersonator, as apparently the lady's last days were spent with her.
    The hero Zurion the White was recently helping a number of children being menaced by a bear when suddenly his right eye was poked out by a mysterious force. The great hero managed to best the bear and then retreat to wherever he calls home to recover.
Reman Ananym has been Ananymous for several months now. No one knows where the fellow has popped off to, though rumors place him simultaneously at Zayven's Tower, in some Cabal library, at the Count Skye Memorial library, and in a Dungeon somewhere.
    The Dainite Nun, Sister Annora had been following the warrior Kayla everywhere she went but recently she seems to have disappeared. Phantor has heard that the Nun has been terribly sick every morning at dawn and that lately she has been in seclusion.
Caladan is reputed to have made a frantic appearance in a tavern in Argoth during a dark and stormy night. Those who were present in the tavern reported that the fire mage was ranting about Turan being haunted by spirits.
    Tragedy struck a young woman from Vathos who has been claiming that Bleys took money from her to heal her infant son and he died any way. She apparently drowned while bathing in a river.
    The people have spoken! The man responsible for bringing the common man into the theaters of Kaleth in droves (albeit via the voice of Robin Goodfellow) is returning to Evangar to the hum of the word" knighthood." Meanwhile, it is said that the Captain's name is spoken in a less flattering tone during meetings within the Royal halls. It is said he has much to answer for.
    Originally scheduled to play a large part in the planning of the upcoming festivities in Evangar, the embarrassing depiction of the King in his recent play has left Robin performing less crucial and less sensitive services. It seems, however, that Goodfellow has taken things in stride and commits himself to his assigned tasks with the same focused exuberance he would apply to a request from Dain himself to compose a 3 act passion play.
    The wizard, Malachi, has gone missing for several months. Curiously, his sudden absence has drawn a number of discrete inquiries. Even more curiously, some of them are coming from persons within the church of Dain.
    Tyler Melwei, called "cursed" by those who live near her, has inexplicably chosen to turn from her growing reputation and go questing beyond the hospitalities of Lord Tyler's castle. This disregard is being interpreted by some as an unspoken confirmation of the deadly curse that follows her.
    Stories have come from remote sources about an incensed Bax decrying the crimes of the church of Dain against the Pantheists. Is the newfound Saint about to lead the increasingly popular pantheists into a holy war against Dain himself? The Church seems to be taking the rumors seriously and briefing the commanders of the Crusaders on whatever pantheist background they can find.
    Three strangers on horseback have visited several towns along the coast of Vathos dressed in deeply hooded riding cloaks and wearing masks of darkest blue. Strapped to the backs of the horses were the bodies of a nomad and a known sorcerer of Thallarin. In every town they visit, they seek the sorcerer Xander and move quietly on when they hear no word of him. None has been brave enough to question their motives.
    Slayer, Champion of Mordekar, has reportedly been called before the pantheist elders to hear his thoughts on the earthquake and other recent omens suggesting dissention among the old gods. He is but one of many priests and champions called before the group who apparently hope to determine, through these various representatives, where the wishes of the gods truly lie.
    Citizens living near the Cathedral of Dain in Argoth have begun speaking quiet, disparagement about the Church's newest, and most questionable member, the Troll-priest, Okk. It seems Okk has been spending a lot of time perched atop the Cathedral's highest spire praying to Dain for guidance.... rather loudly and at all hours of the night. At times he even seems to be holding conversations with an unseen companion. Could the troll truly have the ear of the Divine One?

A TALE FROM ARGOTH

Word spread like wildfire through the court of Argoth recently that Moorkoth of the Legion of the Damned would be staying in the same place for a number of months, and that it was in Argoth. Finally able to capture and punish the defiler of his people and lands, the Duke had a company of crossbowmen and horsemen assembled to surround the rogue and have him brought to justice. As the company hurried toward the Shrine of Ceruill, they encountered by a wandering Minstrel named Indiel.
The Minstrel stopped them and told them the full tale of the recent challenge between Moorkoth and Lady Catherine...how Catherine stood before him, defenseless, and Moorkoth threw down his blade. They heard of Moorkoth's plea that he had no more tears to weep for his crimes, that he had tried for ten years to make amends, and would keep trying. While many of the soldiers cried out, "So what! Bring the villain to justice!" their Captain understood and turned his troop around. And so, it seems Moorkoth was spared a certain death...or did I not mention their numbers? Some 500 men were sent to retrieve Moorkoth, and their Captain had been ordered to heed no words and accept no challenge.

THE STATE OF THE UNION

Events of late have made all discussion of politics senseless without also discussing the religious effects on political movements. It seems every religious organization of Kaleth has been goaded into action by the declaration of the “Festival of Great Deeds”, proclaimed by the then Archbishop of the Kaleth Church of Dain. The flurry of activity took a significant shift when Bishop Marchet Talbot of Argoth was killed at the altar of Dain in the shrine of St. Ceruill. Some have cried for war, others for reorganization. The festival of deeds burned bright for a few months and was then snuffed into political confusion as the Church of Dain speeds toward fragmentation and isolation from the rest of Kaleth.

CHURCH OF DAIN
Many may not know the events that occurred in the shrine of Ceruill. The stories vary slightly, as expected, but most seem to agree that a powerful presence was felt, that it led the hand of Inquisitor Kedrik to strike down Bishop Marchet Talbot in front of thirty or more witnesses. It is clear that no one moved to assist either Bishop or Inquisitor in the act, and that most felt compelled not to act by the same powerful presence.
    Following the death of the bishop, Kedrik and the senior Church officials present, including Crusader Andor of the Third Star and fellow inquisitor Umbar Churchson, rode with shrine guards and the body of the Bishop to the Cathedral. There they presented themselves in closed session before the council of Church leaders.
    Sources are quiet concerning the details of events that occurred within the chambers. Hearsay suggests that accusations of heresy flew freely. Facts show that as a result of the meeting, the Archbishop stepped down to travel to Sangir, the origin and home of the Church. The order was given to detain Kedrik, and the others present were released to await possible further questioning.
    The archbishop’s resignation caused a void in the leadership of the Church that has prevented them from responding to the crisis with any kind of clarity or unity. A decision was made to convene the council of cardinals and bishops to choose another archbishop, but each day that passed compounded the complexity of the situation that would face the new Church leaders.
    At this time we don’t know the result of the meeting of Church leadership, but if the demeanor of the Church population can be a good indicator, the Church is responding by becoming more conservative. This reactionary move is alienating the liberal portion of the Church and is driving a political wedge powered by theological differences. The other, parallel, theological struggle within the Church lies in the distinction between Dain the All-Father and Dain, Father of Man. The Monotheists and the Humanists are becoming discernible and distinct movements within the Church hierarchy. Most members of the church seem to be humanist and slightly conservative, but all indications from the last ten years have indicated that much of the leadership is liberal and monotheist. With the resignation of the Archbishop, hard times are on the way for both liberals and monotheists within the church.
    How will this effect the Church’s relationship with others? We predict support of the dissidents to increase. We expect relations with the non-humans to deteriorate from sporadic attempts at sometimes honest, sometimes political-minded reconciliation with non-humans to cease, perhaps even to result in territory disputes. We predict the pressure to reunite te alliance of the faithful will compound one hundred fold. Will it progress even further? Time will tell.

PANTHEISTS
Just when we thought the tide of pantheist resurgence was breaking against the traditionalism of the Kaleth common person, the festival of great deeds and the conservative pressure from the Church of Dain seems to have given them new life. There has not been time to fully grasp the extent of these changes, but the organization of a pantheist defense fund, pooled in part with a non-human defense movement, has shown a level of effective local organization which has not been previously clear.
To this point many scholars believed the pantheist movement would fade due to a lack of central authority and direction. Most underestimate the power of the combined, coordinated efforts of the separate temples and their leaders when focused on a single goal, a positive reaction to the changes in the Church of Dain. Pantheist temples as one have sought to increase stability to their regions in the last few months and to give all people a place to turn if the movement of the Church should become dangerous. Of course this stand is a direct threat to the authority of the Church within areas they until recently were thought to firmly control. Of course all of this would be impossible were it not for a renewed, simultaneous effort by their allies among the Druids.

DRUIDS OF THE WHEEL
Old wisdom portrayed the Druids as a decrepit and invalid power in the religious struggle. Their only strength was in their ties to the Duchy of Thallarin and to the Highlord, ties which are to a large extent incidental, and which many believed would not survive the war with the elves and the turnover of power to Jurel or some other candidate for King.
Along with the movement to provide shelter and stability to their areas, the pantheists and druids together declared their unity of purpose in resisting any attempts at religious or racial persecution made by any individuals or groups. This statement of solidarity might be seen as somewhat contrary to the apparently hostile rivalry current flaring between wood elves and the Wheel, but few have stopped to question that contradiction. Still, the implied threats by the Church have acted to spur on many of the Druid faith, who have once again started amply supporting their shrines and local priests. Apparently the combination of the Inner Circle’s organization and the Wheel’s discipline combined with the charismatic leaders which seem to find their way to Pantheism in disproportionate numbers has made the alliance a force which even a united Church would have to consider a threat.

CHOOSING YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER

At then end of each session we vote for our favorite characters. Those characters are rewarded with extra experience points. This mechanic is a way to reward players for exceptional performances. It award is also affected by the Famous Advantage and the Infamous Disadvantage, which gives them more of an effect on the character in game terms than the impact they have on the characters interactions. I think it is a useful mechanic but I also think it isn't being used as effectively as it could be.
Here is the trouble - there are players and characters who tend to be in the spotlight a lot and we as a group tend to vote for those folks. There is nothing wrong with that, it is usually justified, but it can exclude other players and characters from the validation that winning the vote can provide. It also robs deserving characters of the extra experience they probably deserve.
The solution is simple. Change the way you think about your voting. Instead of choosing "your favorite three" base your choices on different criteria. Here are my suggestions;

Which character entertained you the most?
Use this vote for the player/character who was the most fun to interact with. We are all in the game to have a good time and entertaining characters like Elistan and Jacko are important because they keep us smiling.

Which character had the most significant impact on your character?
As I mentioned in the letter which opened this issue I think most characters are created by the player but it is their interactions with other characters that breathes life into them. Characters like Catherine and Robin have made a career of trying to change the lives around them for the better and have been rewarded time and again for their efforts.

Which character have I overlooked?
Try to remember if there is any player/character who you really think is doing an excellent job that you haven't voted for in a while. It is easy to lose track of such things in the face of more obvious choices like the hero who had the big scene at the end of the game. Bear in mind that many memorable performances are the result of opportunities that some players may not have had. That doesn't mean they don't serve your accolades.

To make sure that more characters are able to interact with the Players Choice mechanics I am adding two more "winners" each game. One is chosen by the Host (or Hosts) after the results of the voting have been tabulated and the last is chosen by the Primarch (me) after I see who the Hosts picked. This will give the Staff the chance to make sure that deserving players and characters aren't overlooked. No distinction will be made between those that won by vote and those who were chosen by the Staff and all five winners receive the same award.
These changes take effect next session.

AND YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS WERE...

The winners for Session 15 were:

Moorkoth (Mike Malony)
Kedrik (Tom Dowd)
Andor (Rob Wilson)

And NPC:
Captain Gray (Mike Nystul)

Elsewhere in this Chronicle you'll find an article about the Favorite Player selection process. Check it out!

BEAT THE BUSHES!

Over the past month or so the number or players who have dropped out or moved on has exceeded the number of players we have recruited. In addition, many of the players who are still active are busier than they used to be so we are down a bit from what seems to be the ideal group size of slightly less than 40
    It is up to all of you to help us find some fresh meat. Do what you can to spread the word. We have yet to reach any kind of upper limit where growth will be a problem. The web site is a great recruitment tool and the revised rulebook will be ready any day now, which should also help.
    Remember that the procedure for new players is to put them in touch with the Coordinator (Dawn) who will take their contact information and either pass them along to the Host of the next session (if they want to play a gamemaster character) or their Storyteller.
    Let's do what we can to fill the Ram's Head to capacity.

A day of excitement and little water
By Sorsha Berwynoak

Once upon a time.
Not so very long ago.
Way down in the depths of a mine.
The dwarves were rebelling
And the thirst was swelling
All agreed someone had to draw the line.
Now lots of expeditioners
And various practitioners
Went down to see what they could find.
There was gold and jewels in lumps
And a couple rabid skunks.
They kept the gold but left the skunks behind.
The dwarves were to negotiate
With Valenheim’s associate
Before all of the others died of thirst.
But Florin, he was killed
Before a friendship could be built
For a while we all feared for the worst.
Now within the cavern halls
Where you hear echoing calls
They found some appendages of stone.
When the stones were set upright,
The statue sure gave us a fright
As it came to life by forces well unknown.
It started ripping walls
And then it broke a couple skulls
Our efforts for to kill it were in vain.
Risisin opened up a portal
And with a nasty chortle
We shoved it thru ne’er to be seen again.
Now there was one slight problem
When the monster moved his bottom
Thru the portal were dragged a couple braves.
But then they reappeared
Before we shed a tear
That is, all except Slayer who is dead.
Now the miners are all satisfied
And Valenheim is gratified
And better yet the water’s on again.
Except for those who stood their stead
Who’s head’s got smashed and now are dead
This tale can come to a happy end.

The Battle of the Heroes against the Stone
Giant at the Ram’s Head Inn
By Fourth

Twas at the Ram’s Head Inn, the meal it had just ended
Came a hideous noise, the wall it was a-bending
It came a-crashing down, a stone behemoth there stood
Autumn shot an arrow, it broke and did no good
The giant swung his hand
Knocked poor Godhammer dead
Several faint hearts fled
But many brave folk rushed it
Stood full 12 feet tall
Wading through us all
Meself, I felt so small
It was a fearsome struggle at the Ram’s Head Inn

Then arcing through the air all metal came a-dash sailing
Struck poor Turan’s mail, his face it turned quite pale
And Rock, he gave a shout, he was no longer standing
The ground on which he stood had turned itself to sand and
With their strength mighty
The crowd pulled poor Rock free
Led by Kantr, he
Had thrown a rope to save Rock
From brave Turan’s side
With their mighty pride
The warriors pulled aside
Still onward came the stone man at the Ram’s Head Inn

Our weapons did no good, they broke upon the giant
When Risisin said, “The Portal, we must try it!”
The giant then was swarmed led by the strong and speedy
All prepared to die if that’s what would be needed
Risisin open’d the door
Elestan left the floor
From a beam he hung and swore
He’d kick it through the Portal
Anthor stood before the gate
Goodfellow tried— too late
The giant took Anthor’s weight
With Slayer, Kayla, Risisin, at the Ram’s Head Inn

The silence was complete— the crowd stood fast in horror
No one moved or breathed— we all stared at the door for
The bravest and the best had perished in the battle
Kayla, Risisin, Slayer— their deaths left us all rattled
Opened the Portal flew
Risisin striding through
Kayla followed too
With Anthor close behind her
Alas, Slayer was dead
Killed, the others said
He should have stayed in bed
Let’s drink to all the heroes at the Ram’s Head Inn!

NEXT SESSION: July 18th, 1998 (Geneva IL)

The July Session, Session 16, takes place on July 18th in Geneva IL at the residence of Tom Dowd and Lori Ralston. For those who do not know, Geneva IL is directly north of the Aurora IL home of Kurt and Vicki Martin where many games have been held and is about the same distance away. Directions are as follows:
    Proceed WEST on I88 to the FARNSWORTH ROAD/KIRK ROAD exit. (This is one exit before the one taken for Kurt and Vicki’s.)
    Proceed NORTH by turning RIGHT at the end of the ramp ($0.30 toll please…Exact change!)
    Proceed NORTH for seven or eight lights (and at least as many miles)until you reach Route 38. (Roadmarks— You will pass an Ice Rink, then the Kane County Cougars stadium on the left, then drive across a bridge over a set of railroad tracks, and then reach Route 38 which has a Shell Station on the far left corner. Turn LEFT.
    Proceed into Geneva (a mile or two), cross the FOX RIVER, proceed through Geneva and TURN RIGHT onto FIFTH STREET (there is a Shell Station on the far corner)..
    Proceed down Fifth Street to FORD Street. TURN LEFT.
    515 Ford Street is the first house on the right. Please park on the street and enter through the front door only.
    Set up begins at 11 AM. Our phone number is (630)-208-9404 and I can be reached via e-mail at tom.dowd@ix.netcom.com. Check the website for a map!
    Session 15 takes place at a Summer Festival in Evangar. It is a Court Event to be attended by Duke Montrose and the cream of Evangar nobility. This is not an appearance of the Ram’s Head Tavern, but gathering of a different kind. All are promised “safe passage” and hospitality” (Pantheists and Zurek Nobles Welcome!) but talk to your Storyteller if you feel your character’s presence “inappropriate”.
    Note that both lunch and dinner is provided, with lunch available in-character once you begin the game. The session will be primarily outdoors, so bring sun block and bug spray if you are victim to such things.
    The August game is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of the 22nd (lets give Mike some extra time after GenCon) and will be run by Mike Nystul. September is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of the 19th.

This edition of the Gateway Chronicle was created by:

War Stories (Session 15)— Aaron Loeb and Dave Simkins
From The Black Desk—Mike Nystul
“A Tale From Argoth”—Aaron Loeb
Rumor Mill—Chad Brinkley, Tom Dowd, Aaron Loeb, Mike Nystul, Dave Simkins, and Doug Tabb
Layout, Production, and additional writing: Tom Dowd

The Gateway Chronicles Staff

Primarch: Mike Nystul (PariahMike@aol.com)
Game Coordinator: Dawn Nystul (ElvenDawn@aol.com)
Treasurer: Aaron Loeb (aaron@gamepen.com)
Archivist: Dan Grendel (udun@aol.com)
Chronicler/Webmaster: Tom Dowd (tom.dowd@ix.netcom.com)

Storytellers:
Chad Brinkley
Tom Dowd (tom.dowd@ix.netcom.com)
Aaron Loeb (aloeb@hotmail.com)
Dave Simkins (dsimkins@jaka.ece.uiuc.edu)
Doug Tabb (dougtabb@aol.com)