{"id":2862,"date":"2026-10-24T21:30:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T21:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cliffnordman.com\/blog\/?p=2862"},"modified":"2026-11-14T05:51:47","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T05:51:47","slug":"chasing-the-sunset-milbar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cliffnordman.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/24\/chasing-the-sunset-milbar\/","title":{"rendered":"Chasing the Sunset & Milbar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chasing the Sunset<\/a> is a West Marches<\/a>-style exploration game using Fellowship 2nd Edition<\/a>\u2018s Horizon rules.<\/p>\n

The fellowship: Dryden of Conwall the Collector\/Hunter, Averiela the Elf\/Elven Elite, Markus the Squire, Pierre Jardiner the Harbinger<\/p>\n

Last time<\/a>, the Fellowship went to The Academy to get help for Pierre, who was trapped in stasis.\u00a0 This time, they try to remove the remaining three layers of protection and solve the problem that triggered his defensive reaction.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Fellowship (just Averiela, Dryden, Markus, and Pierre. All their companions stayed behind) are just outside Bodgen with Baffle (a Technician) and Froob (an Alchemist).<\/p>\n

Pierre’s protective spell has layers:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. reflection<\/del><\/li>\n
  2. force<\/li>\n
  3. pressurized shards of metal<\/li>\n
  4. time dilation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Dryden and Froob removed the reflection layer, allowing Averiela to examine Pierre with her Elfsight.\u00a0 The pressurized metal shards are zinc. Froob assumed that the metal was iron. The bath he prepared to turn iron into something harmless will turn zinc into platinum, multiplying its mass and destructive force.\u00a0 Pierre’s mouth and nose are filled with water vapor, not air.<\/p>\n

    Markus remembers that Pierre had been cursed by a spirit who demanded a body. Pierre put him in a\u00a0snowman body<\/a> and left him in the Razor Fields.\u00a0 Markus thinks the water vapor is that spirit enacting his revenge.<\/p>\n

    Markus:<\/strong> Is there an alternate thing, since this is zinc?<\/p>\n

    Froob:<\/strong> I really want to help, but alchemy isn’t cheap. To prepare another solution will require a Precious item and a couple of days.<\/p>\n

    Markus gives Froob a cut amethyst.<\/p>\n

    Froob consults with Baffle for how to safely dispose of the 200 liters of alchemical goo that Froob prepared.\u00a0 They won’t just dump it in the swamp. They live in the swamp.<\/p>\n

    Averiela:<\/strong> I can make something out of it. I hate for things to go to waste.<\/p>\n

    Averiela Master of the Old Ways:\u00a0 When you have time and safety, you can make beautiful art (1 Use, Elf-Made, Precious)<\/em><\/p>\n

    Averiela pulls the silver out of the alchemical solution, neutralizes the toxins, and makes a necklace for Baffle.\u00a0 Baffle and Froob make a new solution to transmute zinc into something harmless.\u00a0 Just to be sure, they find a big mangrove tree a ways off from the village and put the tub of solution behind the tree.<\/p>\n

    Froob alchemy 7-9<\/strong> someone must Pay a Price<\/em><\/p>\n

    Froob and Dryden place Pierre in the tub and run to hide behind the tree’s exposed roots. The surface of the goop in the tub rises up. The goop is inflating and will explode!\u00a0 Dryden sends his Shadow Warrior to poke the bubble.\u00a0 It pops before rising high enough to splash over the roots.\u00a0 Froob waits a few moments until the fizzing completely stops before goingto check on Pierre.<\/p>\n

    The Force and Metal layers are gone, revealing the Time layer underneath.\u00a0 The magical properties of the alchemical bath were spent neutralizing the other two layers, so it’s basically paint now. There’s a layer of paint that doesn’t flow off Pierre’s body because it touches the Time layer.\u00a0 If someone picks up Pierre’s body, their arms will press through the paint under him, hit the time layer, and get partially frozen.\u00a0 While Dryden sorts through all his magical items, Markus pulls out a blanket from his pack and wraps Pierre in it.<\/p>\n

    Baffle<\/strong>: We’ve reached the limit of our expertise. You’ll have to find someone else to get through the final layer.<\/p>\n

    Dryden:<\/strong> Well, back to the Academy.<\/p>\n

    Averiela:<\/strong> Before we go, do you have any collegues you recommend?<\/p>\n

    GM note:<\/strong> The players looked through a handout explaining the specialties of the different Academy branches.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Markus:\u00a0<\/strong> Ultimately we have to deal with a curse. Milbar does spirits and curses.<\/p>\n

    Averiela is not sure where to go.\u00a0 Averiela knows that Milbar and Hamiss have been at war as long as anyone can remember, and Elves can remember a long time.\u00a0 Averiela’s people have not picked a side in this feud.\u00a0 The route through the Academy to Milbar goes through Vieport.<\/p>\n

    Markus:<\/strong> Do they know that we are the ones that caused chaos?<\/p>\n

    Dryden:<\/strong> They shouldn’t recognize Pierre because he’s been painted.<\/p>\n

    Indeed, Pierre is now a floppy body wrapped in a blanket dripping with orange and yellow and gold paint. The Fellowship goes through the pool next to Baffle’s hut, through Port Fennrick, and through Vieport, avoiding anything that looks like an investigation.\u00a0 They reach the portal from Vieport to Milbar.\u00a0 A human man is talking to the portal attendant.<\/p>\n