[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 4] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Is there a map?

There is, but I have not shared it with the players. They have to make one themselves! :D

However, there are two maps of the area and of the city itself:

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 3] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Where the Heck are we?

The Campaign takes place on the western edge of Tarsyn near the village of Darveshnagar. The party took over the Tower of St Edras after taking it over from a clan of troglodytes that occupied it.

Nearby locations are:
- Zapel Lake which is home to Ysoria la Voilé, a powerful fey spirit.
- Skotadion is a hilltop fort always covered by a dark cloud.
- The Badlands is a rocky area full of canyons and ruins.
- Zapel Lake which is home to Ysoria la Voilé, a powerful fey spirit.

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 2] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

About your Tour Guide

Tarsyn is an "island" floating somewhere in the Multiverse that encompasses the Holy City and roughly thirty miles around. The area has a climate similar to the Levant: mostly dry.

Tarsyn: Lost Holy City is a campaign setting I co-wrote for First Ones Entertainment (FOE) that is inspired by mixing Arthurian Legends with the Crusades, with the city itself taking inspiration from Jerusalem, Constantinople, and Ctesiphon.

The "Island" floats in the Mists, which is a device that links all of FOE's settings. Similar to the Mists of Ravenloft, anyone who enters them, disappears. However, the Mists around Tarsyn sometimes "open" and allows passage to other planes simply by walking across.

So the campaign has some trips to other planes, local politics, and adventure!

[Campaign Challenge 2026, Day 1] RPG Campaign Tour Challenge

Campaign Introduction and Overview

My current campaign is set in the world of Tarsyn by First Ones Entertainment. It is called the Crown of Tears and is the subject of several posts with pictures of the game.

I am mixing elements of the campaign setting (Arthurian Legends and the Crusade) with elements of kingdom building, downtime, and Westmarch.

The Setting Tarsyn is highly cosmopolitan with people from all over the Multiverse making their way here. The party has/had characters from: Olympia, Ozaka, Tarsyn, and a pair of First Ones.

Kingdom Building Early in the campaign, the PCs found and abandonned tower they renovated and made themselves lords of the area, which includes the village of Darveshnagar.

Downtime: Every week, the players can call upon or do research themselves on a topic they want: NPCs, items, or locations and I send them information about that. They get some basic information about it, but sometimes, they get a "This is something you'll have to adventure for."

Westmarch: The PCs discuss what they found during downtime and most times, they get to decide what to do/ where to go. One key I found with this type of campaign is to make sure the party always has MORE hooks for adventure than they have time to do.

[Kinda Book Report] Marvel X-Factor Essential Vol 1

I first read this compilation back in 2019 (you can check out some of my thoughts in this classic post). However, in those days, I did not provide a more in-depth review.

The re-creation of X-Factor and the return of Jean Grey always fascinated me. I loved Phoenix as a character and her return prompted several questions. This tome answered them. It brought back the five original X-men: Angel, Beast, Cyclops, Iceman, and Marvel Girl under the guise of a group of mutant hunters.

Let's be honest, the idea sounded stupid to me as a child, and it still sounds dumb to me today...

Cyclops has a great storyline, with him leaving his wife and son for Jean. But for most of the issues, Angel, Beast, and Iceman are background characters who don't do much.

The highlight of this, beyond the return of Jean Grey, is the Mutant Massacre (of which I raved in this post). However, when I re-read the X-Factor-specific parts... I found it lacking and not as interesting as the X-Men. (X-Men vol 6 provided full context and was more exciting).

I liked it, but I think after going through an X-Men marathon... It wasn't as good. I waffled between a 3 and 4/5. I'll settle on a 3/5 mostly because I don't think it's as good as several other 4s out there.

[Gencon 2026] The FOE Program for Gencon

It's Gencon Season already. Today, I finalized the Gencon program for FOE and submitted everything to Gencon.

At this time, I have two adventures ready to roll already and am moving on to the next ones.

The Regular Adventures...

Legacies: Heart of Decisions

By Bill Church

The heart of a colossus has been found. Mytenian forces must rush to obtain it before the Titans. A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Greece-inspired Olympia. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies: Fiends of Dreams

By JP Chapleau

Not All Men Seek War/ It Looms Over Sazame/ Som' Have dark designs A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Japan-inspired Ozaka. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Ready for Playtest

Legacies: The Mirror of Basat

By Brandon Alspach

A prophetic vision leads where desire shapes reality–but some secrets were never meant to be seen. A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Egypt-inspired Akhamet. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies: What the Titans leave Behind

By Brandon Alspach and JP Chapleau

Appease a few gods, steal war riches from the Titans–what could go wrong? A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Greece-inspired Olympia. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Expanding Outline

Legacies: Bleeding Hearts

By JP Chapleau

The trees bleed when cut. Blood-soaked knights vs desperate loggers. Is the forest crying for help? A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the byzantine world of Tarsyn. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Ready for Playtest

Legacies: A Stolen Daisho

By Chris Ketchum

A stolen daisho/ A vital chess piece taken/ Sails away slowly A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Japan-inspired Ozaka. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies: Sifting the Sands of Obscurity

By Matt Adams

You wake to find that you have been buried alive with little to no memory of how you got there save for some scribbled notes torn out of a journal that resembles your own party's handwriting. You must use these clues to solve your own attempted murder. A 3rd-level 5e 2014 adventure set in the Egypt-inspired Akhamet. Part of the Legacies Campaign.

Status: Outline

And the Epics!

Legacies Epic: Friends We Make

By JP Chapleau

Invitations sent
All Smiles and Diplomacy
Sharp Tongues and Swift Blades
A 5e 2014 multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies Epic: To Find an Enchantress

By JP Chapleau

Mytenian forces won a great victory at Emessos, but the Titans are not beaten. A 5e 2014 multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies Epic: Battle of Shiro Azaki

By JP Chapleau

First diplomats speak
Then the armies assemble
And the blades come out
A 5e 2014 multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

Legacies Epic: River Run

By JP Chapleau

At the start of the Rainy Season, the rivers swell and the Church of Khem organizes a friendly competition. Friendly but deadly A 5e 2014 multi-table epic adventure. Part of the Legacies Campaign

Status: Outline

[Kinda Book Report] Elminster in Myth Drannor by Ed Greenwood

Ed Greenwood is a giant in the world of D&D. as the creator of the massively-successful Forgotten Realms. His slate of adventures for TSR are a mixed bag, but most are good enough. I had never been exposed to his fiction before (I am not a big fan of D&D litterature).

This book did not endear me to either.

Things happen randomly and the plot armor reaches deific level. Litterally. Most of the book is complete, boring filler as he goes around from one random event to another, meeting random NPCs. And their events are best described as "the GM rolls random shit and you see it."

- The names.... the long, unpronounceable name
- The many, many, many characters whose importance is dubious
- Exactly what happens in parts is difficult
- Elminster changes sex (and back) for no reason
- NPCs get major introduction then get kill off then come back to life only to die(?) again.
- The Epilogue is where the important and interesting event happens, even if what is happening is not fully clear.
- But then we are introduced to NPCs we never heard from before (or after).

Now... I would have dropped this book one third of the way in. BUT it did something that I found I could apply to my own current novel, the sequel to One Hundred Daughters. The characters introduced to be disposed of later. In my own book, I use this to expand and present elements the main characters would not know, yet provide the reader with the information to better understand the situation.

The funniest part of this was that my wife kept telling me to "Stop reading it if you don't like it" every night when I picked it up to read a few pages.

[Xmas Gifts] Jojo's Stitch

For Xmas, I printed and painted a Stitch for my daughter. I had fun with it.

[Xmas Village] His Angels

After my wife completed her Xmas village this year, I took the liberty to add some of His angels to her colorful display.

BLOOD ANGELS THAT IS!!!

Then every couple of days, I would add one of two more until she discovered them.

She only found the terminators, and forced me to remove them. The rest snuck through the Holidays. The Emperor Protects! Not pictured, but I even have an old dreadnaught, yes, the metal ones that weigh about 15 pounds...

As I write this, they are still protecting the good villagers from the eight-pointed star...

[Xmas Gifts] Pumpkin Monster Redux 2010

In this post dating back to Halloweend 2010, my daughter found herself a model that I painted for her. This model survived no less than 15 years, four and a half moves. By then, it was pretty chipped and worn.

She asked me for a refresher job on it, which I was quite pleased to do. The new paint job is darker and more atmospheric. I also added much more depth to it.

BTW, Shout-out to the Gang from Gamers' Haven in CO. I haven't forgotten about you guys.

[Crown Of Tears] Chaos in Tarsyn

The heroes had many things to do that took them to the city itself. There, they conducted several short tasks: bought some magic items, met with a mentor, and, best of all, discover information about the Hidden Foundry, said to be somewhere deep below the city.

The session ended as the heroes went to look for a lead about the location of the foundry when they encountered a group of Knights of the Whip involved with a citizen accused of draft evasion. Terrificus plunged the area in darkness and the knights immediately took action, killing the poor man and looking for the culprit. A potential culprit showed herself: Brindle. She was promptly arrested and when offered a mark to be set free, she refused and was promptly taken to jail...

[Crown Of Tears] The Badlands

Our heroes traveled to the Badlands to the northeast of the Tower. As they travel, they came upon a bandit camp and charged in.

Another fight that came really close and challenged our heroes. This time, they put the mage to flight despite almost losing one of their own. They managed to find some information about happenings in the Badlands.

[Crown Of Tears] Death in the Juniper Woods

Our heroes traveled to the Juniper Woods northwest of the Tower of St Edras where they encountered a band of gnolls and a mage.

A brutal fight led to the death of Star Chaser and the flight of the mage.

[Yearly Retrospective] Looking Back on 2025

Another year has ended and we are now in 2026. This one is late but better late than never!

Personal and Family Life

- I am still working with the immigration service to become a permanent resident of the US. 6 years and on-going. Yes, I have harsh positions about illegal immigration.

- Kitty graduated high school. I'm so proud of her.

- I am now the father of two college girls! Proud of both of them.

- ActionMan was part of a Blackman High School that did took part in its first 12-win season!

World Events

- The Continuation of the Russia-Ukraine War. Although the peace between the two sides I wanted did not come true, I keep hoping that the suffering comes to an end and that peace returns.

- The Peace around the world. I will give kudos to President Trump for his efforts to bring peace across the world. Whether this is a lasting peace, remains to be seen. I admire the willingness to talk to disparate parties. A desire the previous administration did not have.

- The "Tariff" War. I don't care about most countries, my main interest lies with Canada, and the Canada-USA relations. I am an avowed Quebec Separatist, dating back to the failure of the Lake Meech Accord in 1990. That proved to me that the country cannot be reformed or changed without something major. I proudly voted OUI in '95, and would do so again. Now Canada talks a big game (and in all fairness, one it SHOULD talk). However, that's all it is: talk. The country cannot get out of its own way to accomplish its goals. It has the resources it needs to thrive and see its economy EXPLODE and diversify by providing what the world needs. Becoming the powerhouse it thinks itself to be. But red tape and bureaucracy will ensure its own destruction. Canada was created on the basis of an economic accord: Charlottetown in 1864 and Quebec in 1865 before the BNAA on July 1st 1867 (the first Canada Day). So economic consideration will lead to its ultimate demise. Separation sentiment is on the rise again, in Quebec and in the West (Though I give the latter a better chance to succeed).

Trips

2025 was a pretty tame year when it came to traveling. We spent most of our year at home.

- My wife, Jojo, and I traveled to Ottawa, Canada for a quick visa-renewing trip in March. It was great drinking some hot Tim Hortons coffee with a donut. And a smoke meat sandwich with yellow mustard. Ah... the simple pleasures of life. I also got to spend time with my parents, my sister, and my in-laws. Not everyone I wanted to see, but on a short stay, it was a blast of awesome. That was SO good.

Fiction

This year, I released not one but TWO novels! My first two major pieces of fiction

To help me complete this work, I continued my association with the Reading Nook Discord (hi gang!) and the Murfreesboro Writer Group that meet Wednesdays at the Linebaugh Library here in Murfreesboro TN. From these two groups, I got involved with very different story styles than I would normally. This includes romance in particular, something I really do not like. However, by trading critiques, I learned a little insight into female psyche and provided insight into male psyche. Yes ladies, we ARE that simple.

The Bloody Notebook Book 1 of the Olympia Chronicles

One Hundred Daughters Book 2 of the Olympia Chronicles

RPGing/ GMing

- The Online Ozaka Campaign in French ended after two years, leaving good memories behind.

- The maritime Olympia campaign ended and I wrote a full timeline of the campaign in this post.

- With school starting, we changed to a new campaign set in Tarsyn. I keep track of the campaign in this post series.

- I am no longer involved in the Adult D&D group mostly out of a desire to avoid conflicts as they are playing a hybrid form of 5e/5.5e. They don't need me to run anyway, so all good!

- I joined a campaign for 2nd Edition in this post series.

Conventions

2025 was a good year.

- Midsouthcon Memphis TN

- I took part in Festival Draconis Online

- Gencon Indianapolis IN

- I took part in Music City Multi-Con again this year.

Books

Different things to read thing year. Again a variety of things, from fiction to comics.

Fiction
- Bound by Destiny by R MB Pearson
- La Reine Étranglée by Maurice Druon
- The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman
- La Reine Étranglée by Maurice Druon
- Ships of Minos by Maciej Slomczynski
- Beowulf
- African Samurai by Tom Lockey and Geoffrey Girard

Comics
- Essential Xmen Vol 4 by Marvel Comics
- Essential Xmen Vol 5 by Marvel Comics
- Essential Xmen Vol 6 by Marvel Comics
- Essential Xmen Vol 7 by Marvel Comics
- Ayn Rand's Red Pawn
- New Mutants Vol 1 by Marvel Comics
- Red Star Vol 2

Movie/TV reviews

If I ranted about it...

- Doctor Who: Joy To The World

- Doctor Who: War Games

So with all this, I wish you all a very happy new year.

JP

[Campaign Fail] Failing at Creation

So recently, I asked to join a Pathfinder 1e group to try out a classic PF Module I never played. Met with the GM who seemed like a good guy, experienced, with a lot of takes that vibed well with me. Quirky but not in a bad way (aren't most GM?). We had a long chat about the game and I was definitely on the hook. He was looking for people to refill his group after life happened to many of them. Nothing to worry me. He was well-organized and made great use of online tools, exciting. Definitely things I may use for my own campaigns.

Then came character creation... "Make a character" he said... I built myself a cleric - which the party did not have (they only had melee thugs).

I started asking questions to round out my character.
- "What creation method?" No answer. I used 20-points as a type of default.
- "How much money/equipment do I have?" A question particularly important since he spoke of integrating me while I was in jail with half the party. And 7th level! No answer.
- "When/Where do you want me to come in?" No answer.

I gave him a background, using the following guidelines for myself: since I did not participate in the opening segments of the game, having someone from the outside would allow me to play that I didn't see/know everything they did. I sent him four concepts that could fit the above, and he liked 2 of them, so I merged them into one, ending up with this:

Henry von Garabet is a low-tier noble from Cheliax. Charming, he drew the attention of a Countess and they started got into an affair. Captured in the throes of love, he fled. The husband accused him of rape (which it wasn't), and placed a bounty on his head. Escaping, he swore his allegiance to whatever gods would save him. He received help from Shelyn - goddess of love and beauty. From there, he came to [adventure location].

And that's pretty much where the shit hit the fan. He got annoyed that I changed from Taldor to Cheliax, giving me a paragraph why Shelyn made no sense in Cheliax and sent me to the Pathfinder Wiki to "read up on Golarion"...

After back and forth that yielded none of the answers to my questions (I still don't know how much money I should have). He began asking me for an extensive family history (about my siblings) and I said "whatever you need, I'll go with it."

After a week of this back and forth, he told me I was not longer welcome in his game. Funny because I was about to say the thing due to frustration to get the character done.

Now, what *REALLY* happened? There was clearly a breakdown in communication here. Instant messaging is great but it is important to ask the questions you need. And answer them. Massive multi-paragraph answers are not good for Q&A-type discussion. Keeping replies short allows for replying to particular elements.

Also, answer the questions.

So this post is about Pathfinder, but not really. In fact, my biggest gripes would've happened regardless of whether we played PF or 5e or Call of Cthulhu.