This reason became clear as we approached time in, we were divested of all our weapons and armour. We were placed and told that we had no memory of the previous week. This worked reasonably, there was some brief confusion as to whether the IC meetings in a tavern could be remembered, but that was quickly overcome. Over the next few hours various people were given snippets of memory, sudden images in their minds, and we had to use these and other clues to piece together what had happened and why we were apparently colluding with murder as time in happened. I really enjoyed this plotline.

The main plotline was around an evil warlock who we had apparently made a deal with to pass him a spell book. When we found the spellbook we burned it, and not even at the behest of the religious characters! I get the impression that this wasnt entirely unexpected... So then we had to deal with the warlock, which we did again by having pieced together the necessary information (literally in this case). Once again, there was more to it than just hitting things, which is good.

There was some reasonably heavy combat as well, in fact I think the balance between combat plot and cerebral plot was brilliant. There was even some medical plot that wasnt 'stitch the characters back together after a fight'.

The event was predominantly static, with just a couple of trips out to gather herbs or beat up Lost (undead). This was a welcome change from the previous event's long and uneventful linear. The players got to spend most of the time in the cottage with access to a fire, which was definitely welcome considering the inclement weather. The crew were based out of what is normally the main IC area, so did have access to braziers and shelter.

Officially we had no access to the kitchen, but after explaining that I was recuperating from a bout of possibly-flu the previous week and therefore needed frequent infusions of hot drinks to keep me going, I was allowed access to boil up water. If I'd been planning properly I would have taken my IC kettle, and will endeavour to do so next time, which will remove that particular problem. This sort of thing is typical of BRR reffing - they are always willing to accomodate requests if there is a particular reason to do so.

Officially the event was 24 hour time in, with IC sleeping in the cottage. Originally I had planned to sleep IC, but the aforementioned flu put me off and I slept in the car instead, which was OK. I think about 8 characters did sleep IC in the end, but to be honest the event wasnt 24 hour time in, as there was a time out on both evenings. I honestly dont consider this a problem, I welcomed the chance to socialise OC with a group I dont see often. Its a shame the experiment didnt work and I have suggested that in future they either stick to the 'time out at 1am' model, or else have one night IC and one OC. There was some stuff happening overnight on the first night, but not on the second.

Good things;
Nice balance of combat and cerebral plot
Nice response to downtime use of knowledge skills and research
Good change of pace from previous events

Less good things (there wasnt anything I'd really call bad);
Time in states around meal times went awry
24 hour time in experiment unsuccessful

If anyone is interested in Blood Red Roses, have a look at www.bloodredroses.co.uk

The next event is in late June, and will feature a banquet.

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It is not a competition. It is a web forum.

BRR: Master Mason, Ranger of Algundy:  All criminals will be put up against a wall and shot, players or crew, its all the same.