the-ballad-of-johnny-goldfiddle

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Never felt better from a single fist bump in my entire life.

@bath-creek-lake

#ardowin hoe #lake galatfire #dungeons and dragons

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I think Fiasco got some dream vision bs during sleep (DMs) and couldn’t DIRECTLY tell us what was going to happen. Like when people who go back in time have to get people out of like a normal place because of an apocalyptic event or something, but they, in fact, look like the crazy person to everyone else.

But I don’t know, that’s just a theory.

WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SPEAKING IN RIDDLES?!

Obviously I can’t say. I’m glad it had the effect on the party it did, because that was really my intention.

If anyone would reblog this with their theories as to what they all meant, id really like to hear them!!!

#fiasco #ardowin hoe #dungeons and dragons

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How worried is Johnny about losing those last 2 tallies? Does he think his time is coming to an end? Is he thinking about death a lot right now?

Johnny is VERY worried and did not mentally prepare for being THIS close to being out of tallies this soon in the adventure, but it was always a possibility he had to worry about or let just eat at him in the back of his mind.

As optimistic as Johnny usually is, he is genuinely scared of whatever happens when the tallies run out. Is it just more torment from Lucian, or something far worse? He thinks about death semi-regularly, but in the way that he would ride out into the sunset or something. He's having a blast riding the ride while he's still allowed on, but he is scared that he's a lost cause. So close to "death" and existing with a soul that's being pulled in multiple direction by beings far more powerful than him.

Johnny's general feeling since he got the marks is that he is on "borrowed time". He believes he's already had his time on the mortal coil and technically "died" when Lucian first attacked him in the Lucky Shot. Everything after that has just been luck getting him through every day.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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[DAZED FROM BLOOD LOSS] hey not to kill the vibe completely but i think i am in love with you

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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What's Johnny doing with all that ass?

Johnny's ass was meant to be in assless chaps. Although all chaps are assless.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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What is one item the Johnny wishes he could have gotten from the hag loot? Assume he could have used anything in the loot pile regardless of if he was proficient or not.

The hag loot was way larger than I anticipated it being. The items were really cool and flavorful. Of the non-magical loot, I want the emerald ring for obvious reasons, but i got two shortswords and that's great. Plus Johnny also wants to hold the black dragon hand, both for curiosity and also for intimidation factor. Of the magical doo-hickeys we found, Johnny kind of wants the emerald headpiece. Both for the mechanical benefits that it would bump his weapon damage, but also because maybe a new headpiece would be cool. Not planning to retire the cowboy hat by any means, but it would be a new look for Johnny to experiment with.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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The current members of The Bane Train and Superheroes that I think match them!

@sparrow-eats-kats - Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) - The Woman of Tomorrow is an absolute powerhouse within the DC Universe that can stand toe to toe with her notoriously powerful cousin, Superman. Sparrow and Supergirl both have life-altering events centering around their childhood being ripped away from them. These events required them to grow up very fast and without much guidance in a brand new world. They both also have to navigate the world somewhat within the shadow and influence of their very powerful family members.

@fiasco-of-freyglen - Human Torch (Johnny Storm) - The hottest-head on the Fantastic 4 by looks, personality, and also sheer temperature, The Human Torch is a near perfect match for our favorite rebellious sorcerer. The match is so good that is almost self-explanatory. But there's more than just aesthetics here, Storm grew up destitute on the streets on NYC after his mom was killed in a car accident and his father kicked him out on the street.

Johnny Goldfiddle - Gambit (Remy LeBeau) - A smooth talking, gambling, hot-head with a southern draw who throws explosive playing cards, wears a weird head accessory, and grew up in a gang of thieves to soon become the leader because the patriarch of the thieve's guild retired. I didn't realize how close these two's backstories were until making this post. The only things separating the two characters at this point is a silver quarterstaff.

@varina-has-a-gun - Wonder Woman (Princess Diana of Themyscira/Diana Prince) - Born from clay in the image of a literal Greek god, Diana has been winning feats of strength and agility since she was born among a lineage of warrior women on the mystical nation of Paradise Island. She had to fight EVERY SINGLE ONE of them to gain the famous lasso and uniform best associated with Wonder Woman. Both are from an alternate world to the mortal plane (Feywild/Themyscira), the two fight and move each step with the force that could move a mountain. They embrace strength wherever they can find it and are foundational in the crossing boundaries to gain new relationships. They both speak with authority and great composure. When Wonder Woman talks about politics, war, battle strategy, or even just breakfast, people most definitely listen. Same thing with Varina.

@bath-creek-lake - Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) - A air-force pilot given superpowers from an alien superhero's machine explosion made Carol Danvers one of the most powerful Marvel heroes the universe has ever seen. She is a bastion of perseverance and has shot up on the list of morally upright good characters in the Marvel Universe on the level of Spider-Man and Captain America. On teams where Captain Marvel is prominent, she will become the sort-of moral compass to help the team accomplish their goal. She's so steadfast in her morals that she was the opposition to Tony Stark in Civil War II. Lake and Carol both emulate and radiate that every step forward is a step in the right direction.

@lionel-the-librarian - Doctor Strange (Dr. Stephen Strange) - The Sorcerer Supreme (even though by D&D standards he is most definitely a wizard) and Protector of The Eye of Agamotto, Doctor Strange is the most formidable magic user on Earth 616. Like Lionel, he's nosy and witty but makes it worthwhile with his seemingly endless depths of arcane knowledge. They both also have some experience with handling live human organs.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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Soooo Johnny tough break with the whole hair forest, using emojis how is Johnny feeling about his deal for Sparrow, and the chat with Varina?

Tough break indeed. You didn't say emojis ONLY, so i'll answer in my preferred method of expression: the written word.

Johnny is, of course, relieved that Lucian proposed a deal at all and even more elated that Sparrow is back no matter their "form". Losing a party member worries Johnny that upon a permanent death of the Bane Train (new name pending), fractures will splinter amongst the crew quickly, something Johnny would like to avoid for the time being. Varina's passionate plea came from real, palpable anger, but Johnny needed to hear it to secure the deal with Lucian. Johnny spoke to Kat (the child) about feeling guilty about his ego getting in the way of the betterment of the party.

About how he feels about the deal itself, he doesn't feel guilty or anything, Johnny said to Lionel, in a round-about way, that he hasn't met a person he wouldn't jump in front of danger for. Being a "hero" in Johnny's book is integral to the mythos of the cowboy/outrider. The delusion of hero-dom is so deeply engrained in him that, as crazy as it sounds to others, it's better than he be the one to shake Lucian's hand than anyone else. No need for Lucian's eyre on another party member. Johnny doesn't like to share the spotlight, you could say. But he is worried about the slippery slope that is his dwindling number of marks on his arm. Just 2 left of the original 20.

Emojis/Emoticons: ;), but also (＞д＜）

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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me when i tag myself, I'm Geister.

Are there any legends of notorious Ardowin outlaws (I.E. "Billy the Kid", "Butch Cassidy", "Doc Holiday", etc.) that a certain party member may have heard of that inspired the legend of the "cowboy"? Are they even called "cowboys"?

The more common term would probably be “outrider,” but several exist.

It’s important to note that most “legends” are almost immediately tied to actual folks, removing a bit of the mythological factor. That being said, there are those identities who have taken on a sort of fantastical role in Ardowin’s history.

Perhaps among the most infamous outlaws to date went by the moniker “The Ghosts of Sundown Pass.” The number varies, but it is typically associated with four figures who would descend upon the foothills of the Winged Peaks of Whiskfeld, toppling caravans, busting corrupt officials, and torching the camps of rival bandits, all while making a fortune off each pass through town.

Each Ghost had their own name. “Sihua” was described as a feminine horse rider who fought from horseback with clawed handaxes. She would be found at the camps of bandit lords, drawing them out to meet her in combat before sealing their fate in the dead of night.

“Geister” was the face, described as a man with wicked green eyes, Geister was a swindler to match all swindlers. His skills at any table were unmatched. No other ne’er-do-well’s stood a chance.

Often seen alongside Geister was “Rojan,” a woman in red who took it upon herself to talk the leaders of town into stupors, luring away their senses and their pockets. While no scuff with a blade herself, she preferred to leave the messy work to her comptriots while she made off with the real prize.

“Yengan” was described as a tall, lanky roguish type. They would stay on the outskirts of town, ensuring nobody escaped the purview of the other three without their knowing.

The Ghosts of Sundown Pass were well-known in their day. Many young outlaws modeled their own methods after one or more of them. However, their legend came to an end when King Tivor Valiant fell from grace, and took his kingdom in the mountains with him. Some say the last town they were in burst into flames as Tivor struck his bargain with Bane, and the screams of the Ghosts could be heard across the winds.

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does johnny play mtg?

yes, he does. I feel like Johnny is a Izzet/Spellslinger type player. He probably like Niv Mizzet, Parun or like Kykar, Wind's Fury. Something explosive, interactive, and more about big plays rather than winning the game.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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COOLEST ARDOWIN LORE YET!!

Are there any legends of notorious Ardowin outlaws (I.E. "Billy the Kid", "Butch Cassidy", "Doc Holiday", etc.) that a certain party member may have heard of that inspired the legend of the "cowboy"? Are they even called "cowboys"?

The more common term would probably be “outrider,” but several exist.

It’s important to note that most “legends” are almost immediately tied to actual folks, removing a bit of the mythological factor. That being said, there are those identities who have taken on a sort of fantastical role in Ardowin’s history.

Perhaps among the most infamous outlaws to date went by the moniker “The Ghosts of Sundown Pass.” The number varies, but it is typically associated with four figures who would descend upon the foothills of the Winged Peaks of Whiskfeld, toppling caravans, busting corrupt officials, and torching the camps of rival bandits, all while making a fortune off each pass through town.

Each Ghost had their own name. “Sihua” was described as a feminine horse rider who fought from horseback with clawed handaxes. She would be found at the camps of bandit lords, drawing them out to meet her in combat before sealing their fate in the dead of night.

“Geister” was the face, described as a man with wicked green eyes, Geister was a swindler to match all swindlers. His skills at any table were unmatched. No other ne’er-do-well’s stood a chance.

Often seen alongside Geister was “Rojan,” a woman in red who took it upon herself to talk the leaders of town into stupors, luring away their senses and their pockets. While no scuff with a blade herself, she preferred to leave the messy work to her comptriots while she made off with the real prize.

“Yengan” was described as a tall, lanky roguish type. They would stay on the outskirts of town, ensuring nobody escaped the purview of the other three without their knowing.

The Ghosts of Sundown Pass were well-known in their day. Many young outlaws modeled their own methods after one or more of them. However, their legend came to an end when King Tivor Valiant fell from grace, and took his kingdom in the mountains with him. Some say the last town they were in burst into flames as Tivor struck his bargain with Bane, and the screams of the Ghosts could be heard across the winds.

#ardowin

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When you answer asks you always answer them in a way that makes it seem like Johnny’s doing really well, but during play he has been pretty angsty. How’s he really feeling?

The answer to this question is two-fold:

Firstly, Johnny is not doing good. period. none of us are. we learned that in the "check-in" bit during last session. Johnny has a sense of pragmatism that is constantly at odds with him wanting to be optimistic about the party's bond. He wants his friends to be happy and only wants to interact with others in order to make them feel better. But when it comes to anything beneath surface level, Johnny is doing bad. there is no way a person could go through what he has and end up totally okay on the other side. From just the physical toll his body has experienced: shot multiple times, nearly burned alive by Lucian, losing and then regaining his fingers, partially exsanguinated, and nearly beaten to a bloody pulp by hell beasts and self-righteous paladins, some of which of his own volition. It is truly extensive the trauma that he has suffered.

Secondly, his mental state is in just as bad a state as his physical body. Lucian's trauma haunts him in every dream and is now becoming "cool" with the party, he's becoming more conscious of the way his bullshit antics is endangering himself and the party, his attire, personality, and entire essence is based on a tired-out Ardowin-ian cowboy legend, his warlock patron leveled a city when he wanted a phone call and that's terrifying for future endeavors (Johnny's player may want more warlock levels later, and devoting more to the beastial fury of The Demogorgon may cause more damage to Johnny), paranoia racks nearly every thought he has in his head during a day before he drifts to sleep just to wake up to the next day and start it all over again, and the guy he's fawning over has a mysterious new boo with even more mysterious background ties, and lastly and most meaningful to Johnny, people keep making fun of his clothes and hat.

There is no area of Johnny's life that is stable. He's an adventurer, that's how it goes.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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How does Johnny feel about Mission Hell? Does he see it more as Operation Rescue his Friend's Girlfriend or more Operation Release Demons In Hell or does he have other reasons to follow this path down with the party? I'm a huge Johnny fan and I'd love the hear more about his reasons for sticking with the party through Hell, thanks!!!

Johnny originally had a very "gung-ho" vibe about the whole thing. From competing in the R.O.F., to reminiscing in Balor's Run, and now moving the layers of hell, Johnny has developed an "strength in numbers" mentality. He believes, even if WE aren't, the Bane Train are doing good. That's what keeps him moving forward. The light of the "good" that he's doing right now. When, not if, but WHEN Lake and Jerry are reunited, Johnny will find another reason to stay in the party. He truly sees good in the hearts of every party member, it's that whole "heart on the sleeve" thing he's got going on.

Also, Johnny is also willing, and more than happy to be, a conduit for the worse impulses of the others. Wanna sneak out in the middle of the night? Johnny will turn you invisible. Want to cause a fight in this tavern? Johnny will get the scariest guy's attention for you to really get the tension rise in the room. Wanna run head-first into danger with me? Johnny will take your hand and run with you.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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Does Johnny have a gag reflex? (Regarding the hair, obviously)

The grossness of the forest was so intense and the feeling of hair going into my lungs was so gross that yes, it did activate Johnny's gag reflex. The witches/hags, a surprise Lucian cameo, and the creepy factor of the forest was so spectacular for this session!

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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FMK the greatsword girlies

Johnny would likely choose to marry Sparrow. That's the easy part.

Now.... i will reserve my answers for the two when we meet Jerry Bronco.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth

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How did Johnny feel about the conversation with fiasco during their watch in phlegathos? He mentioned that he felt like Fiasco was holding back… what’s running through his mind? Gay boy

caught me red handed i'm afraid. Johnny felt that Fiasco was hiding something about the altercation in the dressing room with Lake. Vynn is clearly very important to Fiasco and Johnny wanted to know what to expect from a RANDOM SURPRISE courtesan we met in Hell. But also cause Johnny's nosy about drama, got it from Stick and Lake.

#dungeons and dragons #ardowin: hell on earth