Here's What I'm Thinking...

My brain is in a weird place creatively.

Now I know what you're thinking...'You're Adam 'Barking Alien' Dickstein. When is your brain NOT in a weird place creatively?'

Ha-ha! Aren't you clever. Whattaya want? A gold star? Why I oughta...

Thing is...you're right of course. This ain't the blog you go to in order to read about Barely-Medieval Fantasy Game Alternative Encumberance Rules for the umpteenth time. Nope. This is where you go to see some crazy sonofabastich (I'm that sonofabastich btw) talk about a super niche IP-based game or the latest Japanese indie RPG no one else has heard of.

Yeah, I'll admit it. That's definitely me. 

So what exactly is on my mind? Well, I was mentally updating my list of current favorite games and realized, WOW - this is some wild stuff. Without further ado, here are the game occupying my thoughts: 

The Adventures of Horai Academy!!

Ever since rediscovering this game in February of last year and learning of its fan-group made 3rd Edition (cover art pictured above) I have been secretly working on ideas for bringing it to one of my tables. As I've mentioned before, I love this game. Finally got a full on copy of the new '2020' core rulebook and its as awesome as I remember and then some. 

Labeled 'Crazy Japanese High School The Roleplaying Game' by my buddy Ray, I think his group is my best bet for getting to run The Adventures of Horai Academy!! once again. Ah, if only my ex-wife and ol' New Jersey crew could get together. They'd also knock this one out of the park.

Meteor City - Star Rainy Days

This game...it just makes me happy. It's a cozy, slice-of-life, Science Fiction game and there just aren't enough of those IMHO. Add in the neat aliens, the implied setting left open for the players and GM to flesh out, and the simple, straightforward rules and Meteor City: Star Rainy Days is really my kind of RPG.  

For some reason I can't quite put my finger on, reading and thinking about this game reminds me of various previous Sci-Fi Comedy games and Anime I've seen, as well as successful past campaigns I've run. That's understandable of course, except for the fact that none of them were exactly this and vice versa. This odd paradox makes me want to run the game even more, to explore what it is about the idea that has such a hold on me. 

SATASUPE (Saturday Night Special)

This is a game I've been desperate to get back to for what feels like forever. I go through stretches where I don't think about it and then some Anime or Manga or whathaveyou makes me go, 'What a cool setting for a game! If only there were an RPG that could...wait...SATASUPE!'.

I really need to sit down and re-read the rules again to nail down all the fiddley-bits but man, this would be a one I'd love to run again as well. Problem here is the group. Who would not only 'get it' but enjoy it as much as I would. Hmm.

The Smurfs Roleplaying Game

He's still going on about the Smurfs? Smurf yeah I am!

Aside from the fun absurdity of playing those three apples tall blue people who live inside mushroom houses, this is currently one of my two absolute favorite games mechanically. I love the rules and that is definitely not something you'll hear me say often! Simple, easy to understand, with just enough teeth to give it more depth than one would expect from a TRPG about...well...Smurfs.

Plus, I just have a blast running and playing it.

Tokyo Ghost Research

What more can I say at this point about Tokyo Ghost Research? Probably a lot! I am completely enamoured with this short, simple, and thoroughly enjoyable little TRPG. The fact that it is so easy to add to and modify helps a ton, enabling me to do things like my Solo Ghostbusters game.

This is the other game in which I've totally fallen for the simple, elegant rules. I love that it keeps the PCs/Players engaged through giving them greater control over the outcome of their rolls. If your roll succeeds you Succeed, if it fails you still Succeed but with Trouble, or you can decide to actually fail for 1 point of Damage and an Overtime point that can be cashed in later to use your Overwork Skill. Brilliant.

That said, I'd really like to play it with some friends. I wouldn't mind running it 'straight' either, as in not connected to Ghostbusters but as its own thing (as intended). Then again, I do so love the Ghostbusters concept. Either way would be totally fantastic.

And finally, a special shout out to a much adored game that remains at the forefront of my 'TOP RPGs' list but in a more familiar fashion; the French Toast and Bacon of my tabletop gaming interests. Nothing exotic, just tried and true roleplaying adventure:

Star Trek Adventures

With the same campaign still going strong after 11 years, you could place Star Trek Adventures* as not just one of my favorite RPGs at the moment but one of all time favorites ever. And you'd be right!

I continue to run, play, and collect STA on the regular and I'm am enjoying doing so. I'd love to give it a go with some of my old buddies or my Japanese friends just to see the differences in how they approach it. 

Other than these, Daggerheart is on my mind because I am currently playing in a short campaign of it. Its making me want to revisit/revamp Aerth/The Winghorn Guard or create a new Fantasy setting of my own, though not necessarily because I'm loving Daggerheart; although I do like it a lot, especially compared to something like D&D. I've been watching a lot of Fantasy related Anime lately and that's the stronger influence to be honest. 

In addition, my old 'Advanced Teenagers from Outer Space' campaign and running a Land of Oz game have also been on my mind for no specific reason I can think of.

Anyway, those are the marbles rolling around in my noggin. 

Curious to see what becomes of them in the near future,

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Barking Alien

*You might notice the cover for Star Trek Adventures is the 1st Edition version of the game and that's on purpose as my Star Trek: Prosperity campaign still uses those rules. 

Also, I linked to the wiki because trying to link to any single previous post of mine about the game seemed an arduous task, lol. I've written about it a lot but the post are kind of all over the place subject wise. 

RPGaDAY 2025 - Challenge Denied

I've done the RPGaDay Challenge for a number of years now but I rarely finish.

I usually get overwhelmed with work, family stuff, actually running and playing games, and other Real LifeTM  distractions that force my August blogging to take a back seat. Another major factor is that the supplied questions/prompts are often uninspiring. Sometimes, especially most recently, they've been downright boring. 

I'm being a bit harsh perhaps but most of the words and inquiries have simply not generated a strong desire in me to talk about the subjects suggested. Therefore, with everything else going on, I rarely feel truly motivated to complete the challenge.

This year?

As I mentioned in my previous post, I will be passing on the RPGaDay Challenge for 2025. I have some other things I want to discuss this August that are more interesting to me than trying to come up with responses to essentially random prompts [such as my planned Cities series]. I'd much rather devote my time, energy, and passion to created material I really care about.

Sorry RPGaDay. Maybe next year.  

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Barking Alien

Summer in the CITY

I'm not doing the RPGaDay Challenge this year but I do have a project of my own making I'd like to work on for August. I'd like to celebrate my 48th Anniversary in the TRPG Hobby by showing my love for Cities in RPGs.

That's right, Cities. I'm really into Cities.

The image above is from the recently released Japanese Anime series 'CITY-The Animation', based on the Manga of the same name. Written and illustrated by Keniichi Arawi, the show follows the humorous, not-so-normal, sometimes downright surreal, slice-of-life escapades of a group of quirky characters living in a fictional city in Japan.

 

I am really enjoying the series as its definitely my kind of thing. Simultaneously, it got me thinking about how much I lenjoy my life in New York City. I am a City boy at heart. The urban sprawl of a modern metropolis is in my blood.

More than the dank dungeons of Fantasy or the wilds of an alien planet in Science Fiction (though I do love those as well), I really like developing the Cities that the Player Characters visit before or after their excursions into the unknown.

I am even more jazzed when they decide to set up a home and/or headquarters in a City and we - the Players and I - get to further explore the setting as resource of both safe haven and potential adventure. 

Remember my affection for Player Character Bases? Well this is an extension of that. 

City based adventures are some of my favorites. This is why genres or games that focus on a City as the primary locale are ones I find particularly intriguing. Just as the Starship a group of PCs own and/or operate is a character in itself in a Space Adventure Game, a city is a personality all its own in campaigns centered in and around one.

Think of Superheroes, where the majority of your scenarios take place in a City like Gotham, Metropolis, Mutants & Masterminds' Freedom City, or my buddy Will's version of New York [in Champions].

Your Ghostbusters franchise can be set in your own hometown or, as is the case in the Solo TRPG outing I'm currently running, it could be placed in a made-up place such as a fictional coastal city in Japan.

In Traveller we sometimes set up a semi-permanent base in a planetary spaceport or on an orbital space station that functions very much like a City.

I don't want to leave out Fantasy either! My many campaigns of The Winghorn Guard on my homebrewed world of Aerth have each group of Guardsmen attached to a Division based in one of several Cities across the realms. Ars Magica often sees the PC Mages' Covenants placed none-to-far from a town or city that they regularly visist (or which regularly visits them).

The possibilities are virtually limitless! 

So far I am planning to showcase Cities I've created for games such as:

Maybe more! We'll see how much time I have.

Bare in mind, these will be in addition to any other RPG recaps, reviews, or thoughts that might pop up. I am hoping my current creative mood translates to posting a bit more (famous last words?). 

Wish me luck and see you around the City!

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Barking Alien

Solo Ghostbusting - 'Computer Glitch' - Part I

Scenario I, Session 1:

Phase 1: Introduction / Opening

Fumiko Magari was sitting at her desk, randomly scrolling through a dating app on her phone wondering why she was scrolling through a dating app on her phone. She was weird by Japanese standards and (kind of) proud of it. She wasn’t going to meet anyone on this thing. She turned to look at her co-worker and friend Michio Tsumura who seemed to have a new girlfriend every few months. He was asleep at his desk with an unfinished report on his computer screen. 

The door to the Boss’s office opens quickly to reveal the ‘The Old Man’, Mr. Kori Koarishi, standing there with his customary frown. As those in the office turn to see what’s up, Koarishi nods at Miss Aya Nakamura in General Affairs and motions her into his office with a sharp movement of his nose. Nakamura enters without a word and a few moments later exits holding a folder. She walks between the desks of Fumiko and Michio and reveals that that she has a Project for them.

  

“Ghostbusters: Ningyotoshi Ghost Research has gotten a call from Hiroshi Taniguchi, the Head Network Engineer with Seijitsu Soryūshon (Sincere Solutions). Several members of his department, including himself, were experiencing computer issues with no discernible source or explanation. Eventually, a couple of them saw a Desktop Computer, complete with Tower, Screen, Keyboard, and Mouse, moving on its own about the office. When pursued the Computer ran away and seemed to disappear. He finished with ‘Please help Ghostbusters! We have numerous projects and sales reports due’!”

Happy to have some action (really anything constructive to do), Magari and Tsumura suit up. As they enter the Gear Locker room, each takes a Proton Pack with a Neutrona Wand, a Ghost Trap, and a Walkie-Talkie. Additionally, Fumiko takes Ecto-goggles. As they enter the garage, Kenji Boudreux tosses Michio the keys to the Ecto-NT 1 (a 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser).  Michio adjusts the seat and mirror and then reaches for the siren but Fumiko gets to it first and sticks her tongue out at him, then smiles wide. Michio smirks and shakes his head as they drive off to their destination.  

Miss Nakamura calls them while they’re enroute to let them know she will be their Manager on this Project if they need anything from headquarters/the home office. 

Project #1: 

Project Name: Computer Glitch

Number of employees required: 3 people

Number of phases: 3

Recommended skills: None

Client: Hiroshi Taniguchi, Network Engineer Manager at Sincere Solutions

Ghost: Class V Animated Phantom Tsukumogami – Computer Spirit

Phase 2: Investigation

The team of two arrives at the office building and head upstairs to the 5th floor (really the 4th, an unlucky number in Japan). Upon stepping off the elevator they are able to locate Mr. Taniguchi easily as he was hiding…I mean waiting for their arrival. “Thank goodness you’re here!”, shouted Mr. Taniguchi, a lot louder than was necessary. Yes, there was noise in the background – yelps and gasps from employees, falling chairs and coffee cups, etc. – but he was no more than a few feet in front of the Ghostbusters. 

Michio started to ask for the current details about the situation but Mr. Taniguchi shouted, “Excuse me? Speak up please! The ruckus caused by this…whatever it is is very loud!”. 

Fumiko exchanged glances with Michio and then leaned in close to him and whispered, “I’m thinking something made a loud noise near his head. He might be temporarily hard of hearing until he…”, but before she could finish the client stamped his foot and pointed at her with a frustrated face and finger.

Fumiko makes a Task Roll using her Brains to figure out why Taniguchi appears hard of hearing. She gets a Success with Trouble, taking 1 point of Mental Damage and 1 point of Environmental Damage. She is embarrassed and thinks she might be reflecting poorly on her company. 

“I said PLEASE SPEAK UP! Don’t whisper. Whispering is obviously the opposite of speaking up. My goodness, I thought you all were professionals! I…”

Michio stood up straight, puffed out his chest, and moved quickly into Taniguchi‘s ‘personal space’. Tsumura put on a frown and a furrowed brow and his message was quite clear. Mr. Taniquchi backed up, took a deep breath, and apologized. “Terribly sorry young lady. I think I’m having trouble hearing, I am at my wits end with this…situation…and again, my apologies.” 

Fumiko gave a polite bow. “Completely understandable!,” she shouted, actually catching Michio off guard and startling others in the area. “My fault entirely. I should have realized I was being impolite. Can you tell us exactly what’s going on?”

Taniguchi proceeds to describe what began as a normal if busy day but one which changed dramatically just after lunch/midday. Various computers in the office started having issues, including not saving work, sudden shutdowns, going onto naughty sites of their own accord, and other strange activities. As the issues spread, Taniguchi and some of his best people checked the servers, ran diagnostic programs, and even investigated the buildings electrical systems. Nothing seemed wrong and the problems made no sense. 

Finally, someone in the main offices screamed and a small, almost robot-like figure appeared. It seemed to be made up of computer hardware from an older model desktop. It began running around and as it passed people’s desks even more network issues and IT problems erupted. Taniguchi and others tried to catch it but it made a Laptop on someone’s desk explode and then disappeared in the chaos. 

Fumiko asked how the ‘Computer Boy’ blew up the laptop. While no one knew exactly, someone nearby said she saw it press a button on the laptop’s keyboard before the item exploded. “We should take a look at the remains of that device”, said Michio. Fumiko agreed. 

Mr. Taniguchi escorted the Ghostbusters duo through the office as concerned company personnel looked on. He brought them to the desk of a young woman named Arai Hotaru who stood beside her chair looking very frightened. A charred, open laptop sat on the burnt surface of the desk, bits of metal and plastic scattered across the area like confetti. Taniguchi introduced Miss Hotaru to the pair of Paranormal Investigators and Michio noted she had some minor burns, cuts, and her hair was all frizzy. 

“Are you alright Miss Hotaru?”, asked Michio in a purposely slow, warm manner, with a calm and kind tone. The woman blinked and looked up at him as if she had just that moment noticed that anyone was there. 

Miss Hotaru said in a quite and shaky voice, “I moved away from the laptop as soon as I heard it sizzle and smelled smoke but …I feel hot and there’s a tingle…”. She trailed off unable to focus. Tsumura placed one of his large hands on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring look. He nodded to Magari with a particular expression she knew quite well. 

Using her cellphone, Fumiko called the Fire Department and explained the situation*. She followed that with a quick call in to Nakamura back at the GB: NGR office to fill her in on the information they had so far, which wasn’t a lot. Nakamura let her know that as Project Manager she can coordinate with the Paramedics at the local hospital and can send back-up Field Operatives if needed. Magari nodded (even though Aya couldn’t see her) and let Nakamura know they hadn’t yet encountered the entity, so don’t send reinforcements just yet. Fumiko recommended Aya keep them on stand-by. 

*Fumiko calls the Fire Department and not an Ambulance or Paramedics. Why? Well, in Japan it is the Fire Department that handles transporting injured people to medical facilities. They are trained with basic Paramedic skills. Once at a hospital or emergency clinic, full Paramedics respond to the patients and get them to doctors and nurses in the facility as necessary.

Michio and Mr. Taniguchi helped Miss Hotaru get around her desk and Taniguchi walked her towards the elevators. Tsumura grimaced, narrowed his eyes, and looked about the place as if he could simply sense the entity they were searching for. Thing is…he could. He had always had this knack for feeling the presence of spirits and the supernatural. Here…

Michio makes a Task Roll using his Spirit Perception Skill. I made the Difficulty Number 8, Slightly Difficult, as I wanted this first entity to be hard to locate. Why? Something to explore later. I rolled a 6. Instead of a Success with Trouble I decided that Michio straight up fails in his attempt.

When this happens, the character takes 1 Point of Damage, in this case Mental, and also gains 1 Point of Overtime. He can now activate his Overwork Skill once by spending the point of Overtime. Going to save that for later.

Tsumura let out a sigh. Nothing. He almost felt like there was some sort of 'background noise' making it really difficult to sense this thing. He turned, hoping to locate Magari and continue with their investigation of the premises only to virtually slam right into her. "Eh?! Fumiko, were you right there the whole time?”

For her part Fumiko was standing barely a foot in front of him, almost on her tippy-toes, grinning widely, and holding the burnt laptop to her chest with both hands. “I think I’ve figured something out!” 

I decided to have Fumiko’s ‘Player’ ask the following question(s):

1) Can I determine what caused the laptop’s battery to explode and is there any connection between this cause and the other issues Sincere Solutions have been experiencing due to this entity. 

Hmm. I’ll use an alternative system here. To answer the first half, ‘Can I determine what caused the battery to explode…’, I rolled a D100 (Two 10-sided dice read High/Low) and consulted the chart ‘Ask The Gamemaster’ in the One-Page Mythic GM Emulator. I’ll expend a use of her Super Search Technique Skill to accomplish this. 

I rolled a 40 against the Difficulty Level of ‘50/50 or Unknown’. This results in a Yes! Cool. 

For the second part, ‘is there any connection between this and the other issues Sincere Solutions have been experiencing?’, I roll again on the same chart, this time applying Fumiko’s Office Chair Detective Skill. The roll is 17 – Yes again! OK. So, what is that connection?

I got it!

“Electricity! That’s the key! After a thorough analysis of the damaged laptop I discovered that the battery had been overloaded. Other evidence pointed towards an electrical surge as the cause. Then I thought about the other issues the employees have experienced and wondered, ‘If the electricity going into the other computers…um…hiccupped…wouldn’t that cause the computer to do strange things like fail to save documents, shut down suddenly, etc.?’”

Michio considered this. It all made sense though he would be the first to admit he was no computer specialist. On the other hand, Fumiko was and so he had faith she was on to something. He nodded and said, “OK, let’s go with your theory.  So the entity can control electricity or at least it can transfer it into technology to cause glitches…or worse”, he said motioning toward the ruined laptop. “How do we stop it? Ground it? How do we do that?”

Fumiko’s big grin shrank, then faded even further as she spoke, “I’m not sure actually. Thing is…Mr. Taniguchi reported that he and several other people had seen what appeared to be an old computer walking around looking somewhat like a person. This would indicate a spirit possessed item or an item that’s developed a spirit. Like a…um…”

“A Tsukumogami”, said Tsumura. He then waited for his friend to continue.

“Right! A Tsukumogami! Wait…don’t those take a really long time to form? I mean, there isn’t going to be a hundred year old computer in this place.” Michio nodded to confirm as she put her index finger on her chin. Then she snapped her fingers and her eyes brightened, “What if its pretty old, a classic model, and someone has been turning it on and using it off and on. Suddenly, for whatever reason, they’ve stopped and the spirit is upset?”

“If someone were really attached to it, their feelings might have accelerated the formation of the spirit within. That could be. Hmmm.” Michio trailed off, a lot of questions still running through his head. 

Suddenly, a loud, grating noise blared through out the offices. It was awful! The Ghostbusters tried to cover their ears – Difficulty 7. Michio, using Physical Skill rolls a 7. Just made it. Fumiko using Brains rolls -holy smokes – a 7 as well! 

Can either member of our team recognize the sound? Difficulty ‘50/50 or Unknown’ for Michio and Likely for Fumiko. Percentile Rolls. 16 for Michio and 44 for Fumiko making it a Yes for both of them!

“A dial-up modem?!?” exclaimed Magari.

“Make it stop!!!” shouted Tsumura.

 

To be continued...

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Barking Alien

A key factor in my enjoyment of this exercise in Solo Gaming is the speed at which it moves, which is basically 'as fast as I want it to'.

 
I've mentioned in the past that my old games progressed really quickly compared to the ones I've run over the past decade or so. This is largely do to playing the majority of my games online and the limitations of the medium.

That isn't the only reason though. Now I apologize as I get a little ranty. 

It's also the fact I have been gaming with players unaccustomed to my rapid fire approach; most people didn't grow up gaming at the breakneck pace I find 'normal'.

I get it, it takes time to process what the GM has said, ask questions to get a clear idea of situation the PCs are in, and to define the details of the scene's setting and environment, etc.

I don't have to do any of that when I'm gaming Solo. If I randomly roll up that there's a 'Large Crowd', thats 'Gawking' at something in the 'Fish Market District',, I know EXACTLY what that looks like. I can instantly see it in my head.

I can further dispense with the [usually] unimportant questions most players will ask at that moment like 'how far away are we from the crowd', 'are there any fisherman or sailors there?', or 'what kind of fish do I see?'.

Since the answer to these types of questions is always the same, 'What does that $^#&ing matter?!?', I can get right to having my characters actually do something. This is how it always worked with my Grade School, High School, College, and New Jersey crowd but these days people seem to need everything spelled out to commit to a course of action. Honestly, it's weird.

Obviously that's not the case when playing solo.

The Thin Blue Line

This is it! The first half of a two-part breakdown of the fifth and final session of the Smurfs TRPG five session mini-campaign, The Smurfs and The Palace of The Silver Princess. 

Based on/Inspired by the Dungeons and Dragons module B3 Palace of the Silver Princess and using the upcoming The Smurfs Roleplaying Game from Maestro Media, the sessions were run over Discord with five players (Andrew, Brandon, Heather, René, and myself) and a Gamemaster/Storyteller Smurf (Stephen).

While the first three sessions were roughly 4 1/2 hours each, Session Four was about 5 1/2-6 hours, and Session Five was about 5 hours. 

To catch up check out this post on the Player Character Smurfs and for the recaps of the previous sessions, you'll want to read:

Something Burrowed, Something Blue - Session One, Part 1

Singing The Blues - Session One, Part 2

Blue Green Red - Session Two, Part 1

Cry Blue Murder - Session Two, Part 2

Tangled Up in Blue - Session Three

Blue Blazes - Session Four, Part 1

Blues Clues - Session Four, Part 2

OK, here go...

Session Five, Part 1

With the Court Magician Mirabillis freed from the influence of The Eye of Arik's dark magic, the next logical step was to obtain Arik's Sword. When the two items - the Eye and the Sword - touch each other, both will be destroyed. 

The problem of course was that the Sword was being kept in the Royal Armory protected by a mighty Ogre. Then there was something about a Dragon...

"YES, the Dragon! I should have mentioned the Dragon right away" said Mirabillis in a somewhat embarrased tone. 

"Yes, you should have", said Apathy Smurf flatly. 

"I mean really, it is just proper etiquette you know", added Suave Smurf.

Mirabillis cleared his throat, "The Princess' betrothed is Sir Ellis, a Knight of the Order of the White Drakes. This isn't just some fanciful title. Sir Ellis landed in the castle's courtyard astride a pale dragon the length of the four horses nose to tail. It had red-pink eyes and a look of cunning intellect. It breathed a burst of bright flame in display, to the excitement and terror of the crowd."

This started a short discussion about how or why a White Dragon might be able to breath fire. We quickly came to the conclusion that this may be A) an important element to the mystery of the adventure, B) evidence this isn't really a White Dragon,  or C) it doesn't really matter and here White Dragons breath fire. All good. 

"When the crimson light of the Eye of Arik flashed its awful brilliance, the White Dragon - called Fellbane - took off into the castle. Strangely, during my time walking the Palace's halls as both a sane man and my corrupted self, I never again saw the Dragon. It may have been corrupted by the Eye's evil, it may have fled, or it may be hiding somewhere within the these walls", Mirabillis finshed, concern etched on his face. 

"OK...", Apathy began, "So who else is really excited to keep going?", finishing with a mocking 'hurrah!'.

The gang decided there was nothing to be done regarding the Dragon for the time being (other than being on alert for its potential presence). Instead, the Smurfs would proceed to the Royal Armory to face the Ogre and obtain the Red Sword of Arik...somehow. We suggested to Mirabillis that he use the cure to the Petrification Curse to free Rowena the Minstrel, as we recalled the information from an earlier clue that 'merry music' irrated Arik and might weaken his power. There was agreement, the wishing of luck, and off we went.

It took us a fairly short time (roughly a random encounter with rat skeletons and a scene transition) to locate the Royal Armory. Readying ourselves for battle - or possibly talking our way through this - the team smurfed themselves up mentally and went to unlock the door.

"Who goes there!?", he bellowed. "I smell not beast, nor man, nor fairy. A scent I do not know? Be wary! Whomever you are come forth but be warned! You face the might of Suffertooth's scorn!"

"Suffertooth?", whispered Smurfcornflower, a look of both anxiousness and skepticism on her face. Apathy shrugged in response.

The door had a normal keyhole but the Smurfs took a chance and used the Magic Key with the Blue Crystal to try and open the door. It worked! Brash, Honeysuckle, and Apathy slowly pushed the door open, largely because it was big and heavy, as Suave and Cornflower readied themselves for whatever would be revealed.

The latter were under no delusion that the two of them could handle the Ogre themselves. Quite the opposite. The team decided it was best for the tougher Smurfs to enter the room first, placing them closer to the Ogre sooner. It was the group's hope that Smurfcornflower and Suave Smurf might be the best to assess the situation and think of a plan...from a slighter safer distance.

What they saw was... 

A collective 'Gulp' was made by all [the Smurfs]. 

Suffertooth was massive. He stood two heads taller than the tallest knight they'd ever seen and nearly three times as wide. His hands could hold two or three Smurfs within them and crush them easily by making a fist. He carried a long handled club with a heavy head studded in spikes.

For his part, Suffertooth the Ogre took a ready stance but his face twisted into an expression of confusion. He definitely wasn't expecting five tiny, blue people and yet he didn't immediately laugh nor did he ignore them. He was clearly wise enough to not take any chances. 

Suave and Cornflower each had an idea which came to them at the same time. Their eyes widened, they looked at each other, smiled, and turned back to the Ogre at hand. Suave stepped forward with his characteristic charismatic charm as he gave a deep bow. Smurfcornflower on the other hand stepped backward, allowing the focus to be placed squarely on Suave so she could slip a Potion out of her bag. 

"What manner of invader enters this room? What creatures are these that come to their doom?", Suffertooth called out, ending with a droll chuckle.

"Greetings mighty Suffertooth! My name is Suave Smurf and on behalf of my colleagues and I, may I say what an honor and a privilege it is to be in the presence of such a magnificent warrior as yourself!"

Suffertooth starred hard at Suave, a grimace etched into his rough and leathery face. He then smiled what could only be called a polite smile and said, "You may! You may I say! Tell me now small blue one, what brings you here? Why don't you run? I am mighty that is true and could easily smash the lot of you." Once again the Ogre chuckled.

All the while he failed to notice Cornflower handing a Potion to Brash, making sure Honeysuckle was right beside him, and gave the two of them quick instructions. Apathy looked around for the Sword of Arik, though the room was surprisingly big and full of weapons of all sorts, he was certain a blade of such terrifying power wouldn't be too difficult to notice.

"Why we came to marvel at your might and majesty m'lord. We have heard that you guard the great Sword of Arik the Vile. Certainly only the strongest of wills and most battle-hardened men-at-arms would be charged with such a task.We have come to pay homage and congratulate you on a task well executed." Suave spoke with air of admiration, doing his best to hide his building fear of Ogre. 

"I see, I see but you can't fool me. You have come to try and steal the blade. Perhaps so the Eye may be unmade? Well then, well met my brave foolish friends. Sadly you have come to meet your end. My strength is real, my prowess true. The time has come to smash each of you." Looking almost disappointed, Suffertooth raised his mace above his head such that it scrapped the ceiling of the Armory. As he swung it down, sparks flew where weapon met stone.

It hit the ground with a thunderous sound but missed each and every Smurf. Apathy, Cornflower, and Suave were knocked back a bit by the sheer force of the blow but were otherwise unharmed.

"NOW!" shouted Cornflower. 

Brash Smurf drank half of the contents of the Potion bottle she'd given him. He than handed it off to Smurfhoneysuckle who downed the other half. At first, nothing happened. Everyone started to get very, very nervous. 

Suddenly the two Smurfs shook in place, vibrating and trembling, before they grew and grew...six apples tall, then twelve, then twenty-four! Within seconds Honeysuckle was the height of the Ogre and Brash (proportionally) just a bit less so. "Cornflower!", Suave practically squealed her name, "You clever, clever girl! A Growth Potion! Genius!" For her part Smurfcornflower blushed and did a slight curtsy-bow. 

"Now then...", Brash said with a serious look and just the faintest of grins, "let's see who smashes who, huh?"

AD

Barking Alien

I was originally going to try and right up this session in a single post but between some of the fun dialogue I wanted to include and my giving more description in the retelling then was present in the actual game, I ended up with a lot more material then I intended.

That is also why this post has taken so long to come out.

My apologies. See you soon!

Incidentally, you may be thinking...

"Hey, how did Smurfcornflower know to make a Growth Potion? She didn't know they'd be facing an Ogre until they freed Mirabillis. We call shenanigans!"

A Growth Potion was one of the potions I had Cornflower brew in the Magician's laboratory and it had nothing to do with the Ogre or any other single monster in particular. I simply noticed that as we went on many of the obstacles and opponents we were facing were really big and we Smurfs are really small. It only made sense to even the playing field by making a Growth Potion and putting us on the same level (roughly) as our adversaries.