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[Overview:]

Overview: The IVth Legion of the Sultan's Jannissaries has been given the dubious privilege of maintaining law and order in Ephia's Well.  Called "The Misfortune" by their compeers in Baz'eel, they are dominated by an obsession with their perceived ill luck.  Carrying charms and following their own superstitions, they prowl the Well looking for ne'er do wells... and ensuring they find a fair few each time.  The day-to-day of a recruit in the Janissaries is similar to the dreary life of a town watchman: they ring the bell for open and close of market, sit and gaze vacantly over the bustle of the bazaar, patrol its walls for signs of attack and arrest petty criminals.

Unfortunately for them, they are also the Well's first line of defence against invasion, and many find themselves on the wrong end of a barbarian's axe, or dragged to Qa'im to suffer a fate worse than death. Those that survive such perils, and prove themselves worthy of laurels, can soon find themselves advancing into positions of command, from there springboarding their way into the upper echelons of Baz'eel society.


Recommended Alignment: Any, characters of a chaotic alignment may be uniquely challenged.
Recommended Classes:  Martial and Cleric Only
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Application only

"We the swift remember to ye the dead, all the red blood that beats in our hearts."

The Cinquefoil Rose is a coalition of the forces that once fought tooth and nail to free Ephia's Well from Orentid occupation.  Originally composed of refugees and heroes from far-away places, it now exists as a populist movement and formal alliance of the occupants of the Krak des Roses.  Crucial to the citadels defense, and bearing a never-quite-suppressed enmity for Baz'eel and her Jannissaries, the Cinquefoil Rose blooms still in Ephia's Well -- thorns and all. 

United under Grandmaster Elizabetha d'Avergne, these three groups compose the coalition:

Overview:  The Balladeers of the Lost Hearth are the dwindling souls who still follow the noble ideals of the old Rose.  Originally the squires, troubadours, servants and sons of the original Cinquefoil Rose they have banded together under the name "Balladeers" - and do all they can to keep their fallen forebears memory and legacy alive.  At odds with the callous Banda Rossa, whom they must abide so the Rose is not lost forever, and with a rumored fondness toward the Drink and the nostalgic bliss it brings, they struggle to embody chivalry and poetic virtue in a broken world.  They are forever seeking (or proclaiming themselves to be) a prophesied hero who shall claim the  Cup - the mystical relic whose waters might reinvigorate the arid sands.


Recommended Alignment: Any, characters of an evil alignment may be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes:  No druids
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Application only

Overview:  The Banda Rossa are a mercenary company under exclusive contract with the Grandmaster of the Cinquefoil Rose. While independent, the groundswell of refugees, adventurers and cupseekers into their ranks means they have become tightly coupled with the other members of the alliance, serving as the bulk of the military might of the Knights of the Cinquefoil Rose. This integration is at times a tense one, with many calling them allies of convenience at best. They yet seek gold and glory above all else... and their bloody reputation proceeds them.

Recommended Alignment: Any, characters of a good alignment may be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes:  No druids
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Application only

Overview:

The Sisters of the Sibylline Vine are a monastic community of mystics, seers, fanatics and scholars united by shared consumption of a sacred wine -- called The Drink by laymen. This wine is said to grant them visions of things that have yet to pass. They are highly secretive, zealously safeguarding their strange rites and their knowledge of past and future, and rarely share their insights even with the other members of the alliance. Even so, they serve as the mystic foundation of the cause: their vision of a sacred Chalice and the Heroic Pilgrim who shall find it has bound the Cinquefoil Rose together in the years after the fall of the Orentid dynasty.


Recommended Alignment: Any lawful, characters of a chaotic alignment my be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes:  Any non-martial
Recommended Race: Human strongly recommended. Non-monstrous possible.
Advancement: Application only

Overview:  The Astronomer's of Q'tolip are the free-thinking, curious  collection of scholars gathered under the banner of the enigmatic and brilliant visionary, Q'tolip.  Seeking to master the Cosmos through understanding, they are constantly engaged in the quest for knowledge of yore - and indulge in the power that comes from such things.   In more practical terms, they are the prime archaeologists and magical authority of Ephia's Well, and their maintenance of the Shade affords them influence that few other organizations can boast.  Often the quest for knowledge is hindered by the unlearned, and the Astronomers understand well that their search can only be strengthened by cultivating a safe environment for their studies to bear fruit. 


Recommended Alignment: Any lawful, characters of a chaotic alignment my be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes:  Wizards and Astrologians.  (Non-traditional classes/concepts may be accepted on a strictly app-only basis)
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Application only

Overview: The unceasingly busy bees of the Well, the commendable and highly stressed civil servants of the government.  They are constantly collecting informaiton, ensuring that letters arrive on time, and generally serving at the leisure of Ephia's legates.  They are the workhorse of the minutiae of governance, and they are forever ensuring that taxes are paid, citizens are registered, and food is stored.  Their duties and responsibilities are exhaustive.  They, too, are exhausted.  But the work is never done.

Recommended Alignment: Any, characters who cannot handle stress well and have a fear of papercuts may face unique challenges.
Recommended Classes:  Any non druid
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous

[Wizard-Lord Hetairo, Master of the Kiln]

Ring 93, the Wizard Warrens.  Here is the magicians paradise, where every scholar of arts profound may pursue his studies in peace.  Such is the nature of magic that those who master its power become reclusive, covetous and secretive and suspicious. 

Peace is kept here via privacy, and every Wizard is allowed his own Warren, a Tower in which to dwell.  Rarely do these Warrens convene, each Wizard-Lord distrusting his peers. 

But now, atop the myriad spires shine shimmering sigils, signs shared among sorcerers and legible only to the trained eye.

The Wizards are gathering. 

Hey folks!

In tandem with the incoming Bulwark prelude, I intend to run one in a similar vein.  PCs will be the Apprentices or Bondsmen of one of the secretive masters of magic who reign supreme over the 93rd Ring.   

PCs can expect to start at an advanced level, with starting supplies and tailored gear, and each of the three groups will have a unique agenda and NPC to lead them.

This will be a part of the overarching storyline of City of Rings, and PCs will play a major part in the fate of the Wizard Warrens and the City as a whole. 

The three NPC Masters will be given a brief listing in this thread.  If you are interested in playing an Apprentice (each will have no more than 2) or a Bondsman (non-magician, no more than 2) to one of the Masters, please reach out to me on Discord within the next two weeks.

Wizard-Lord Hetairo, Master of the Kiln

A stern and meticulous alchemist, artificer, and engineer.  He leads the Order of Saltpeter, wizards who approach their field with the steady hand of potters and the rote manner of engineers.  He has a cordial, even friendly, relationship with the Bulwark -- but is loathed by the other lords for being a principled bore, and for upholding the scholarly contributions of non-arcanists.  It is said that Hetairo has some knowledge of the rites of Alledha Amastacia, and may dabble in Golemcraft... 

Andaquirax Elabras, Master of the Allseeing Eye

A diviner that has risen to the apex of his power. Andaquirax has become something of a prophetic figure of worship for his students.  His gift of Sight is such that he is thought to be infallible  and unreachable -- but not immortal, and he is old and near to dying. His hubris has driven away most of his colleagues, though his coterie of servants and apprentices hope each one day to be chosen his successor -- and be taught the final secret of their master. 

Wizard-Lord Alistair Tydineus, The Master ofTowertop - An extremely powerful and respected Generalist whom claims to be descended from the very first Wizard. He has very few apprentices, as he is notoriously difficult to work alongside or for due to his attitude towards anyone who "ignores the balance of magic" by specializing in a school.  Many a rival magician has had his spells strangely shifted or skewed in the presence of Alistair, and it is whispered he has chanced upon some means to manipulate the fundamentals of wizardry itself.

Hey guys,

I have been thinking about this for about half a year now; since December, at least, and I have decided to step down from my position as an efu DM.

I'm disappointed to say that there's not a lot of juicy gossip behind my decision and there won't be any catastrophe or flair — I'm not going to haunt the forums critiquing my friends on the DM team or spilling secrets and bitterness like other exits.

I know we are all messy for drama, so I wish I could give you some big fireworks display but the reality is that I'm just tired and bored and don't have a lot of time these days.

It's purely a me decision. 

I'll still be around on discord and I'll still play off and on — I just won't be a DM.

See ya'll around

The green fields of Cormyr have given way to frost-choked needles of ice, and her people are scattered to the four winds.  During the initial nights of terror and bloody murder, the Purple Dragons and War Wizards mounted many a campaign.  The thousand rolling banners of Cormyr billowed bravely in blackened sky, and the noble men of the Dragon marched onward to what would surely be a heroic triumph.

...They faltered and broke, and the purple standard was trampled by the listless marching step of thralls.

It has been four years.

Four long, and grueling years.  The scant survivors of the kingdom resign themselves to slow starvation, carving out a miserable and small existence in what few safe places remain.  The holdfast of Bogbrooke, a township in the southern reaches of Cormyr, is one such place.  A small band of fighting men maintain the crumbling keep, safeguarding a score or more frightened and dead-eyed commonfolk.  Though all the world is pitted against them, and though all hope of salvation has long since been burned away, these few fight on -- for what else can man do?


I am looking for a handful (no more than five!) serious players to play a member of this group of haggard soldiers.  PCs will be veterans of the long Cormyrian struggle for survival.  They will have served as members of the Purple Dragons (Or War Wizards!), and therefore should have a fairly military-minded outlook. 

If this interests you, please contact DM's Ironside and Samophlange on Discord.

Some aspects of the prelude will be divulged one on one, to those who are approved.

Hello friends!

I will be running a prelude sometime this coming weekend, likely on Sunday in the evening (EST).  The prelude will be themed around freedom... and PCs should expect to exit with a bit of experience under their belts, and a dangling thread to populate one of our suffering factions.

Find me on IRC if you're interested.

[Experimental Division]

Experimental Division
(Officers only - rare exceptions possible)

Through mastery of the Machine the engineers and Agents have created a small division who have been augmented by animatronic augmentations and devices to further enhance their abilities in service. From one Experimental to the next their augments will vary greatly.

Details:

This is a side prestige position within the Watchers and Warders that can be achieved alongside whatever normal rank the character has achieved. It is reserved for exception members of the faction who prove themselves worthy of animatronic augmentation. Experimental Division is not a rank in itself but those who have been inducted are expected to do great things and generally afforded respect by their peers - they are the Elite of the Watchers and Warders.

Requirements


Much like Bloodmage and Psion, this is a difficult and potentially dangerous PrC to earn - but with risk, comes great reward.
 

[Psion]

Hello EFU,

We are introducing a new Prestige Class called the Psion. This prestige class is modelled on the Bloodmage PrC, in that it is designed to be both highly powerful and to have strong affinities with the current setting.

Psionics is a troublesome area for many game systems, particularly in the definition of what psionics are capable of doing (i.e. the limitations), and how they are different from mere magical effects.

For these reasons, we wish to be clear about the place of the Psion in the EFU universe by setting out a few basic principles:

- Creatures exist which are uniquely gifted with psionic abilities, such as aboleths and illithid.

- Other races are not gifted with psionic powers, but may develop them through a lengthy evolutionary pathway (e.g. during enslavement to the illithid over many years). Examples of these races are the Gith (githyanki and githzerai) or, to a lesser degree, the Duergar.

- In addition to the above, individuals may have their mental capacity shaped by the teachings and guidance of a master (who can unlock their psionic abilities). An example of this is the unique Society Ritualist prestige class, or the Psion prestige class.

- Psionic abilities gained by Psion PCs are not part of any broader psionics system. They are standalone special abilities unlocked by apprenticeship to psionically gifted beings.

- The Monk class channels a subtle energy "ki" which may be related to paths taken by psionically enslaved races (e.g. the Gith, the duergar) toward mental resistance and emancipation.

 

Hey guys. I am looking for a handful of players to participate in an upcoming plot - though I will warn that a subrace application will be required.

PM me on the forums, or catch me on IRC, for more information.

As we move on from the Directorate,it's inevitable that some mentions of the former governing body will be missed in the module.  This thread exists for you guys to catalogue and flag egregious mentions and unpolished conversations, placeables, etc... that you might catch IG where we have missed them in the toolset.  There are really a tremendous amount of texts in our gameworld, so the team would appreciate any help that you guys are willing to give!

I'll keep an eye on the thread and change things as I see them.  

 (55) Application-based, subrace, faction, prominent/semi-prominent or high level PCs who are not played for an extensive period of time (1 month+) should not return to active play after this break unless permission is given from a DM or you submit an application to do so. We're eager to welcome back players to EFU but it can be highly disruptive for characters that have long been missing to make a return. That said, there may be exceptions - you simply need to check with us first.

I am cracking down on this lately.  If I see it happening, expect to be retired until the above conditions are met.  

Hello!

At a to-be-determined time this week, I'll be running a prelude. The Prelude itself will be sort of unique in that - PCs will already be citizens of Sanctuary, but will until now have been fairly low-key members of society there. The finer details of this are best discussed in person - No clerics, no paladins, and no druids please. Sorcerers/Wizards are possible, but a hard sell. Interested people should catch me on IRC.

The channel is #weary on irc.

blue41 and I are interested in running a prelude that will breathe some life into certain aspects of the server. PCs in this prelude will ideally be centered around the exploration of different philosophies and viewpoints. There will be space for any number of people, but we ask only for mains, no alts this time.

Contact me on IRC to learn more.

Hi guys, I think I'm going to run a prelude in a few hours (read: three or four) time and I'd like to welcome you guys to join in and have a little bit of fun.  While the exact nature of the 'lude I would like to keep a surprise, here's some general breakdown:

Characters should have some sort of combat experience or value - military-style concepts are best

There will be lots of opportunities to win GLORY but also DEATH

Characters should generally be of NEUTRAL to EVIL alignments, but if you want to play something else just ask me on IRC - I'm willing to flex some depending on concept.

The Prelude will be all inclusive (anyone can hop in and play), but those of you who wish to keep playing the PCs after as your new latest and greatest (provided you survive) should get in touch with me on IRC

Hello EfU, DM (!!!) Ironside here -

I decided to put in an SoI and they actually accepted me, the absolute madmen.  I'm looking forward to getting to know you guys all over again from behind the screen with a killswitch. I'm hoping to be a positive force here, so don't be afraid to bug me with any and all PMs on IRC or the forums, like always.

I'll see you guys in-game, for fun, fun times.  

I'm uncertain why this happens but when you are subdued and your pack is yanked, any of these journals that aren't presently contained in a writing tablet revert to their default, store-bought form.

The one difference is that you can no longer write in them, as if they're still filled.  It's a bit frustrating, to say the least.

[Roland wouldn't have been half the man he was without the influence of one Hubert Cline, and though I don't have many screenshots of the man the two were as thick as thieves:]

As most of you no doubt know, Roland Vordhael has joined a long line of Ironside PCs in death. I can honestly say he was one of the most enjoyable PCs I've played in efu:r, and this was in large part due to the absolutely kick ass players we have running around Upper and Lower Sanctuary. I have here an excerpt from his application that I hope will explain exactly what I wanted to accomplish with him:

"Ultimately, with Roland I want to alter the way in which players perceive the Society of the Ordered Mind. He possesses strong convictions, coupled with paranoia – in his mind the Dread Empire are already here among us, and all the mortal races might carry their taint. Every man, woman, and child of Sanctuary is vulnerable and could well be Enthralled, for the Shield does not truly protect us from the Illithid nor the eldritch terrors of the Underdark. Roland will not trust easily, gone will be the days where Ordinants frolicked with wild-folk, drow, the monsters of the dark, or even their fellow Sanctuarians."

Screenshots come now.

Roland wouldn't have been half the man he was without the influence of one Hubert Cline, and though I don't have many screenshots of the man the two were as thick as thieves:



Jason Keswick proved a valuable ally, though he had a habit of getting Roland set on fire:

   

Roland and Iestryn had something of a rocky relationship:

   

   

Roland was something of a hypocrite, here he is spying on a certain flayer's tournament, praying the Golden Chalice would all die:

   

   

(Note Griff running away from the monsters!)

   

Of all of the people Roland hated, Phaele Gedreghost topped the list:



Ysinode! We went there! It was incredibly frightening, big props to Mort for an amazing quest:





Naturally, after facing down such horrors a man needs a stiff drink:



Because I am such a nice guy, you do get ONE loot shot, but the rest will remain a secret (for now!)[/S]

WOW LOOK LOOT!

That's all for now folks, though if I can find some more (read: better) screenshots, I'll be sure to post them! I'll be seeing you all again very, very soon...

​

It is hard to believe you are a whole 14 yrs old today D_I but look at how the time flies! Your meteoric rise to fame from the son of a humble pig farmer/underground pikey boxer to DMhood and fame is mirrored only in the rise of the noble StuG III from useless shitbox to powerful mobile assault cannon. Here's to maybe 6 or 7 more years i guess if you are lucky and do not bowl a wide in the ashes, buddo. I will never forget the time you completely halted all play for three hours to explain to me the intricacies of a cricket bat (it's not narrow, it's WIDE haha, you card...) and other such blatant abuses.




Your pal, friend, lover, acquaintance,

Ironside

What can I say about Aldric Walden? From the very beginning he was envisioned as an outwardly friendly man, a somewhat doddering Halruuan of wealth thrust into a decidedly harsher world.  And like I'd hoped, the world quickly set about changing him.  A man who started as a well-meaning magician quickly became a scheming and conniving bastard when his duties demanded it.  I could say more, but I'd rather just say I had a lot of fun.  


RwG's Warlock and I were joined at the hip:




Science is fun, doubly so when you have research subjects. (Thanks to LordOfCinder for the shot!)




The Auxiliary in all their glory.  A man could not ask for better faceless goons. Love you guys.




They made me do it, honest!



Mad respect to Abala Quickfeet's player for sticking to her guns through thick and thin.  Made me feel genuine remorse for every time.



The Auxiliary players really went above and beyond with THE SPELLGUARD CARES INITIATIVE, which was a personal favorite.  




And here is a final shot of some scheme or another, I sort of lost track after a while.  




Props to everyone I interacted with over the past months, I would list you all but I don't like carpal tunnel!

[MORE MOLLYS]

Well, it's finally over, and I have to say I could not have wished for a better end to his tale.  I had an amazing time running around doing the ~secret~ work of the Order, and I want to give a special shoutout to all of my prelude buddies and of course Mistson as well. You guys made my first run through the Order faction one of the best role playing experiences I've ever had.

Another special thanks goes to my secret little allies (You know who you are) and the town of Mistlocke at large, whether discussing the nature of religion with Aerhyn or trying to steer ragamuffin Molly onto the right path, chasing the myriad of cultists (Love you guys) or just yelling at people who didn't believe in the right Gods, I had a blast.

And last but not least, of course I have to give huuuge respect to the entire DM team, particularly WCsherry for those first events, Core for crazy visions and SLIME TIME, ShadowCharlatan for a glorious end, and of course, Winston Martin for tolerating a thousand and one questions while constantly feeding delicious plot and answers to prayer.

It was a good run, everybody. Screenshots forthcoming!


At the front ^

And walking in the ever-spooky Mist!


JUST WHAT WE NEEDED, MORE MOLLYS


Prophecy can be so damn vague!



Selling off my young granddaughter to murderous slime-men.  Aaaah, good times.



And probably my favorite, young love.



Doesn't it just give you that warm, snotty, slimey...-shitty- feeling inside?