Hivemind!

Aftermath & Waterdeep. The plot thickens this episode. One of my most favorite characters, Sebastian of the Hawkmoors… but I won’t tell you why! You’ll have to listen to find out. Download The road to Waterdeep shrinks, but the mists of mystery thicken. Battles are won, but the costs are greater. All is quiet, yet danger screams in our ears. Strife.Not all is as it seems, for good and for bad. Who is Logar, the man who hides in shadows and speaks unwelcome truths? Just as the roads are unsafe, so too are the thoughts that plague Desna’s thoughts. She wonders if she will ever be free from this curse… but she already knows the answer. There is no turning back. The only way out is forward. El be with us…

In the beginning of S2, Desna approached the party with dire news, setting them off on their adventure to White Plume Mountain. Little did we know what had happened to her along the way… Download War… war has changed. Since the invention of the cannon, man has sought to use the powers of magiks, reserved for the most studdied and faithful, at mere whim. Wanton destruction and hate fuels the need for such things to enter into the realm. Luskin aproaches. Deasna sets of on her journey, but not without a proper fare-well! Or some company!

WE’RE BACK! No need to fear, we’re still alive and kicking… until Ken rolls more 1’s! Download As Dan will explain, for the start of this adventure we will be returning to Desna, Lycinia, and Alminius, the three sole survivors of the dreaded Tomb of Horrors. We go back to before the start of S2, White Plume Mountain, and discover more was going on than really meets the eye. A word of caution, Logar lurks in the shadows…‘Warp drives are functioning normally captain’ First Lt. Mia will report throughout the show, but don’t mind her, she’s keeping the mothership on course. What we need to focus on now is the task at hand, the cursed temple that lies in our midst. Maybe this adventure we can go without someone dying…

Gather round! It’s story time! Here we are, talking and enjoying a game well fought. We earned it. For the record, I didn’t ‘hide’ behind any chair, more I was cringing from the amount of 1’s we rolled. No, seriously,it was bad. When the barbarian decked out with +5 everything needs only a 2 to hit and still doesn’t hit, you mileage may vary. Download The rest of the photos taken where added alongside those of the end of S2, so if you want to see them, you’ll have to go back in time (and give the episode a listen too, it’s great!) But untill then, we sit around the table and kick around the best parts, the sad parts, and even have a few laughs. I don’t want to steal the thunder or the magic of the show, because the magic is in there. But reflecting back, my favorite moment was the dragon battle, thus the picture. True it want the toughest of foes, not when you can roll above a 2, but it was fun. Wish you could’ve been there! See you again soon!

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; Download (right click and save as) We wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! This is our look back/recap of things on the Mothership. We talk about the wrapped up campaign, Holiday traditions, and memories of Christmas’ past; all around the dark stained table, Stormbringer. Enjoy the show!

 There comes a moment in a man’s (a person’s) life when they stop and realize what they value most. Caught between a rock and a hard place, facing unfavorable odds, forced to except that no one is mortal. When confronted by evil a choice must be made… but it is not made in the antechamber of fear. A choice is made to carry on before a decision is ever necessary, before swords are drawn, before curtain falls. And then our heroes enter the room… Download Opening: “Bullhead’s Lament” Baroness - Blue Album Closing: “Count of Tuscany” Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings It took us a long time to get to this point. A long time. It’s bitter sweet, seeing the end we’ve all wanted. Like watching the sun set on a beautiful day, watching it go is the greatest honor you can give. And a sun set is really the proper analogy; you will see why. No words can express the emotion, the pure energy we had that night. Smiles on our faces, tears forming in the corner of our eyes. Like the warnings etched in the stone walls, so are the memories etched forever into us. Sure the caffeine high may come and go, and the dice have been rolled, but in some weird role-play way, the bonds formed are forever. But this is not the end of this story. And death… is only the beginning…

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The victim of my enemy is my friend. The victim of my enemy is my enemy… Download (right click and save-as) “If it was a different time, a different place, perhaps we could have met on the battlefield as equals. The blood spilled would have been without lament, and the victims thereof would have been a natural occurrence. But evil is not natural, and the god’s will remember those who have fallen under Acererak and his ilk."  ~ Hendrix Braveshield Opening: “Bullhead’s Lament” Baroness - Blue Album Closing: “Count of Tuscany” Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known…”~ Dickens Opening: “Bullhead’s Lament” Baroness - Blue Album Closing: “Count of Tuscany” Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings Download (right-click and save as) “Behind The Veil” Someone save me, look behind the veil Please don’t walk away Someone save me, bring me home tonight I can’t face another day Can you see the stranger Hiding in plain sight? Feeding on the chaos When the lightning strikes There’s no redemption There’s no being saved There’s no salvation For a soul depraved You are finding promise in your finest hour You are bent, not broken Calling out Gmail: podcastHivemind@gmail.com OSRGaming Forum for the forum monkeys. We know you want to. Hivemind! Facebook Page press like because it means something. Twitter also at the bottom of the page

“You are now on the Elemental Plane of Fire…” DM Dan said, rounding off last session. The players, myself included, quickly exchanged glances. None of us had had an experience with the Plane of Fire in any form over our D&D careers, and now we had be thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire; literally. So what do you do when the very air around you burns your lungs, when every step you take you sustain critical burns, and your are surrounded by blazing beings of flaming brilliance, gods in their own right. The next week, like so many others, was spent planning. Survival was a lofty goal at that. Escape, all but impossible… We had defended ourselves from a dragon attack reasonably well, yet fear set in, smoldering the courage we needed to defeat the master of White Plume Mountain. But we would not go out without a fight! Download (right click and save as) Opening: “Bullhead’s Lament” Baroness - Blue Album Closing: “Count of Tuscany” Dream Theater - Black Clouds and Silver Linings So for all those who are just tunning in, you might want to turn back and start at the beginning. We are nearing the end of the adventure, and things can only get more intense. If you think this episode holds surprises , then you will for sure be sustaining maximum backstab damage by the time we end! Gmail: podcastHivemind@gmail.com OSRGaming Forum for the forum monkeys. We know you want to. Hivemind! Facebook Page press like because it means something. Twitter also at the bottom of the page

Not a few days before the concert, I stopped by my local record store (yes they still exist), Rasputin’s Music, to ask if they had ‘the new Yes album’. The conversation went something like this: Rasputin’s Associate (RA): Yes album? Me: Yes, that is correct. ~scowls in confusion~ RA: Do you know the name of it? Me: The album cover is blue. ~RA picks up radio addressing front counter~ RA: ____ have you heard of the new Yes album? Counter: Yes? RA: Yes. Counter: The band’s name is Yes? RA: Yes. Counter: Was that an affirmation? RA: Yes. Y-E-S. Yes Counter: OK, let me check ~moments pass~ No. Download (right click and save as) Opening: “Long Distance runaround” Yes- Fragile Closing: “The Game” Yes - Heaven and Earth So in case you want to see what we saw, you can find the entire event (random drunkard screaming included) here. Also, I believe we referred to Steve’s acoustic piece as the Fish, this is a mistake of sleep deprivation on our part, we meant to say Mood for a Day. Sorry for any confusion, but hey, nobody’s perfect right?

“We have barred the gates, but can not hold them for long. We cannot get out. They have taken the Bridge and the Second Hall. Frár and Lóni and Náli fell there. The pool is up to the wall at the Westgate. The Watcher in the water took Óin. We cannot get out. The end comes. Drums, drums in the deep. They are coming” ~ The Book of Mazarbul Download (right click and save as) Opening: “Cloak of Feathers” The Sword - Apocryphon Closing: “Astronomy” Metallica org. Blue Oyster Cut - Garage, Inc  Last week I prefaced how difficult it can be for me to get into a dungeon, to warm up and learn her personality. This session we all hit our stride, and tensions started to mount. To wear the armor, or not to wear the armor, to me it was never a question, but I suppose for others it was the only option. Alex is forever be disappointed in us… No spoilers, but it only gets more intense from here!

Finally. We have gained entrance into the heart of all that 'causes us so much pain, yet in so many ways, our problems are just beginning. The lessons learned from Tomb of Horrors have not be forgotten, and the sacrifice each of us was willing to make… unknowable.  Download (right click and save as) Opening: “Cloak of Feathers” The Sword - Apocryphon Closing: “Astronomy” Metallica org. Blue Oyster Cut - Garage, Inc One of my major weaknesses in D&D are dungeons. I feel capable enough in front of dragons, roleplaying a character who’s intentions and morals I don’t agree with, even committing character death (hey, it happens to all of us), but dungeons are in another plane of existence for me. Reflecting back on the Tomb, I learned a lot, but it takes me an exceptionally long time to warm up to a dungeon, to know my way around catacombs of darkness, caverns of craven surprise. I partially blame playing a spellcaster. It’s in my nature to think of possibilities, I am, after all, an Intuitive. I see many possibilities of danger behind every corner, beyond every step as a player, and to a certain degree, a character. Not playing a rogue in this case can be nerve racking, but playing the mage, even more so. A Thief has all his abilities at a moment’s notice. At his whim he can check the floor for traps, or determine if there is a noise on the other side of a locked door; and just as easily walk away from it, never to be seen or heard. Granted, the first to die if something goes wrong is the trap detector, so I guess in the end it all evens out, but one thing is for sure, fighters are still prone to poison!

The calm after the storm, yet the chaos and wreckage remains. The party must steel themselves and make haste for shelter. But past the point of no return, they have nowhere to go but into the devil’s maw, as was intended from the start. The winds blow cold, but it’s what they learn inside the mountain that sends shivers down their spines. Download (right click and save as) Opening: “Cloak of Feathers” The Sword - Apocryphon Closing: “Astronomy” Metallica org. Blue Oyster Cut - Garage, Inc They say knowledge is power. Reading the clues that surround you and understanding them, knowing what your opponent thinks before he thinks it, some might say it’s the power of a god… or of something ascended beyond the realm and limitations of mortality. This is why choices are so important, they either liberate from or condemn us to a prison where we ourselves are the jailor. The question: is that what we intended from the start? Did we know where the road would take us, or are we so far in over our heads and don’t know enough to realize it? Multiple doors lie in front of the party, each one a choice, and each a decision which can not be taken back, but will they learn this before they walk though the wrong door? Gmail: podcastHivemind@gmail.com OSRGaming Forum Hivemind! Facebook Page Twitter also at the bottom of the page.

With Lusa, the White Snake, trapped in the clutches of a mighty dragon, the party must pick themselves up, and free their companion before it’s too late. But that’s not half the problem, as a second great predator circles around, ready to assist in the hunt. Blood is spilt, and not everyone makes it… Download (right click and save as) Opening: “Cloak of Feathers” The Sword - Apocryphon Closing: “Astronomy” Metallica org. Blue Oyster Cut - Garage, Inc It had been another two week gap between sessions from the time Lusa was caught and the battle, and let me tell you, there is normal stress then there’s dragon stress. Dan had said this was a shot across the bow, but that’s still none the less comforting. It was the topic on my mind almost everyday at work, ’How am I going to kill these dragons?’ or better yet, ’Why do I have to play the mage?’. It’s not easy when you have to rally the troops after a surprise attack, someone always gets hurt. Dragon battle aside, there where some pretty cool pieces in this episode. I will admit the tale of the helm was not an original one, (and for those of you who caught it, make sure to call me out on it) but it fit just so perfectly that I couldn’t pass it up. The second one was my mage. With so many different versions of Sherlock, it felt cool to be able to channel one of them into Sergius, Guy Ritchie eat your heart out. Now the Forgotten Realms will forever have a 19 Intelligence, 14 Wisdom, and 17 Dexterity Sherlock Holmes/ Sergius de Vahn Ifran. Even the name means something (look it up). Next episode we actually make it into the door of White Plume Mountain, and if this is what greats up on the outside, just imagine what could be in store. 

At long last the trek to Fenrahîme comes to a close, however time has not stood still for Alek Grummhammer and his people who he know must lead. Upon the arrival of our heroes, plans are made to conquer the mountain before them, and obtain their prize. But the forces that lurk in the shadows are restless, and will give no quarter along the way. Download(right click and save as) Art: The Trials of Devotion by noahbradley Opening: “The Sundering” The Sword - Gods of the Earth Closing: “Garden of Light” Isis - In the Absence of Truth ‘That night, the fires burnt bright. Fires, not of defeat parse, but of redemption and pride, funeral pyres. Stacked high, so that as the bodies return to dust, becoming material to one day be forged and return to battle,  the spirits might rise victorious from the  struggle of life. The final  battle all mortals must face, death. Tears of sorrow cannot quench these fire’s no matter how plentiful. The bugbears must pay!’ Toggling back and forth gave the session a real cinematic feel, a favored method of storytelling for both Dan and I. Life revolves around no single person, so why should the story of the lives of our heroes? It’s a great tribute to those who have defined the genre before the concept of this adventure, and to which homage is paid. See if you can find the easter eggs hidden in plain sight, and if you do, let us know:  Gmail: podcastHivemind@gmail.com OSRGaming Forum Hivemind! Facebook Page Twitter also at the bottom of the page. By this time, the recording process of the adventure is wrapped up, and future plans are starting to come into fruition. No spoilers; you’ll have to wait until episodes are released. All that will be said for now is that July 22nd was an intense night! Big thanks go out to all who have supported the show thus far, and our gratitude to all who have participated, either through feedback or sharing the show with a friend. Let Hivemind! spread like and take root in your mind!

The menace has been subdued, thanks to Rolland (new character, go back and check!) and his men. However, there are questions that need to be answered. Will Blackstaff return? Who is coordinating the Bugbear packs? Where is Grummhammer? The answers lie together, capped with snow, looking down from the Spine of the World, in White Plume Mountain. Download (right click and save as) Art this episode: Taiga by e-will Opening: “The Sundering” The Sword - Gods of the Earth Closing: “Garden of Light” Isis - In the Absence of Truth Part five has one of my most favorite scenes in the series thus far, the Shabbat.  In the beginning of the episode Dan describes the smoke hanging in the air; we had gone through so much. Lives lost, a party formed, the Shabbat was a chance to breath, even though it was the air that was suffocating us. With slight spoilers, I have to draw this map out for you. We start off in Chimera Mount, scarred but with purpose. Directly after that, but before the journey is started, the Shabbat scene transpires, while elsewhere the Firen tribe with Alek Grummhammer is meeting their fate. It is an archetypal thought, out of destruction comes creation. Not soon after, we as players realize who our characters are, a ‘campfire scene’, another part of the Heroes’ Journey. But that’s not where things end, we have yet to reach the Mountain. But that’s all you’ll get out of me! Listen to the episode to see what happens next, and when you’re done, tell us. Gmail: podcastHivemind@gmail.com OSRGaming Forum Hivemind! Facebook Page Twitter also at the bottom of the page.

It can be good to take a breather after a battle; regain your barring, refocus. After the Bugbear incident last episode, we needed just that, and so we talk about the characters, our inspirations and aspirations for them.   Download (right-click and save as) Opening: “Aunt Lisa” Mastodon - Once More ‘Round the Sun Closing: “The Motherload” Mastodon - Once More 'Round the Sun As a fore to mentioned in the episode (or soon to be mentioned if you haven’t listened yet), we have contact information, and because we get lonely, drop us a line. Gmail: podcastHivemind@gmail.com OSRGaming Forum for the forum monkeys. We know you want to. Hivemind! Facebook Page press like because it means something. Twitter also at the bottom of the page And there you are. This episode was actually recorded directly after the third part of the series. We had been off the horse for nearly three weeks, and needed to reestablish center. Nothing kills a gaming session like bad role play. So to remedy this, we did what can only be described as the long version of introducing one’s self in an AA meeting…multiple times.

The morning air hangs heavy over the North. It falls like a ton of bricks off the Spine of the World, blades of cold amongst the spears of conifers. And where man shelters himself, beasts attack. A horde of Bugbear emerge from the trees, setting their evil purpose upon Chimera Mount. No one is safe from their hatred. The only shield against tide of malice, the guardians of good: Shamar Gash, Guillermo del MarLuna, Hendrix Braveshield, Lusa the White Snake, Sergius de Vahn Ifran, and Erel the Silent. Innocence will not perish today, not without a fight! Download (right click and save as) Opening: “The Sundering” The Sword - Gods of the Earth Closing: “Garden of Light” Isis - In the Absence of Truth Role playing this session was intense. We had just come off explaining where/how we each saw our characters, redefining them of sorts; always an exciting process. Another contributing factor is the simultaneous nature of this battle, as it corresponds with last episode’s focus on Alek ‘Thundar’ Grumhammer, and his struggles (for those who haven’t listened, make sure you go back and do so). Added on top of it all, in the middle of the battle where several real-life interruptions, which due to the magic of editing go unnoted. However, the point to take home from this is that we all where running high-octane, and we hadn’t even touched the blood and thunder! Also, as you might noticed, we took the time to seek out art representative of Dan’s vision of the Realms. It was a much welcomed addition to Stormbringer, the ebon table. Alas, as you can see, getting it all to stay on the table is the trick. Hell, half the time we don’t use the battle mat! But that’s a conversation for another podcast, maybe an illusion to another GM I know… *hint-hint*

There is always calm before the storm of battle. There is always silence on the eve of loss. And in the absence of victory there must needs be valor.     God’s in His heaven— All’s right with the world!                           ~Robet Browning Pippa Passes Nothing could be further from the truth. The literal blood of Tempus walks the earth of Faerûn. Powerful smiths and smelters, their home lies on the slopes at the base of the mighty White Plume Mountain; a village by the name of Fenrahiem, or ’Home of the Wolf’. The age old tradition of gathering the precious ore of the maelstrom, or Mealör, and wielding it in defense of their lives. Even older than this, however, is the war-hammer of Tempus, heirloom of chieftains, Grumhammer. Download (right click and save as) Art for this show: Barbarian Chick by tiger1313 Opening: “The Swordmaker” 13th Warrior - Jerry Goldsmith Closing: “Mystic’s Dream” Loreena McKennitt - The Mask and the Mirror It has been foretold, that in the end of days, the line of Tempus will take up the Battle-father’s instrument, and play a role in the destruction of the villainy of ages. Only those of it’s line may wield it into combat, and our hero, Alek Grumhammer or Thundarr, stands as heir to the mantle of one day wielding its power. As nervous as he may have been, Ken had some big shoes to fill. Leading a party is one thing, but being one of the figureheads for an entire tribe is something on a whole new level. At his side stands his kin, Ada Grumhammer, a warrior in her own right, proud and strong, played by Alexis. Between the two, the tribe came alive in a way no one had imagined, making this episode all the more tragic!

Far in the North, there lies a fort upon a hill. It is a fort on the frontier, where the wild caresses the face of civilaized life, that we find the Chimera Bastard, Shamar Gash. The fort’s name, Chimera Mount, after the marshal himself. But he is not alone. Wispers of a mysterious figure slither through the Moonwood not far off. Sightings of a phantasmal figure, wrapped as a lepper circulate amongst the men of Chimera Mount, but little to they know, Lusa the White Snake is a personal friend to Shamar; Druid Regent, and chosen of the Godess. Dark clouds hang over the fate of the North, and Lusa has come to warn Chimera Mount of the pending fate! Download (right click and save as) Art this podcast: Vek Landscape by Rene-w Opening: “The Swordmaker” 13th Warrior - Jerry Goldsmith Closing: “Mystic’s Dream” Loreena McKennitt - The Mask and the Mirror I recall when Dan and I first spoke about continuing the tragedy of the Tomb of Horrors. It was about a week after wrapping up the adventure, we where still high off the excitement, and Dan had decided he was going to run through the ’S’ series to build up the next round of adventures to face the demi-lich. As I recall, it was an afternoon when I got the traditional afternoon call. Full of excitement, we started to conceptualize characters, and this is really where the story is written. Little did we know it would take us here. We began at the first place almost all stories start, the iconic hero, the cavalier. I expressed some hesitance, simply because I had such a stagnant idea of what a cavalier stood for. I wanted a class I had never played. The idea was a ranger, and Dan having explained the background of the area beforehand, I proposed he be half-orc. With that, he would experience the inner battle of both bloodlines, but not only that, but in his faith as well. And after an hour long conversation about alignment, Shamar was decided. During that conversation, Dan suggested perhaps a druid, and I didn’t like it. Then somehow, Drow came into the picture, and the two where quickly added. I didn’t like it much better. But then, a spark of inspiration hit, I could deal with it if this character was truly unique, something more than the hordes of Drow characters created who have a change of heart and leave en masse. Could she be… albino? That was the skeleton idea, an albino Drow who became a druid on the surface. But then the character took another leap forward when Alexis was brought on board, reworking the idea into a full concept, into a character.