The last time we left our character, he managed to flee a group of very aggressive hunters. It seems logical to Delve the Depths with Shadow this time (Weak Hit, 5+2=7 vs 7, 1, Mark Progress (+3) and Reveal a Danger). Progress goes to +3, but the game really doesn't give us a break.
The feature is a narrow path through a fetid bog. The danger is a disturbing evidence of a victim's fate.
Having evaded my pursuers, I should have been elated. But, instead, I couldn't help but think how close to dying I was. It could have taken one arrow or a thrown spear to kill me on the spot.
I didn't know why this group of people decided to hunt fellow travelers like animals. Of course, they may have recognized the armor and thought we had something to do with their companion's demise. But was that a good enough reason to attack us on sight, never giving us a chance to explain ourselves?
Finding a narrow path out the expanse of reeds several minutes ago was a mixed feeling. It certainly felt good to not have to wade through cold, murky water to be able to put on my boots again. But if I could reach this way that easily, the same could have been expected of my pursuers. As the overgrown lake made its way to a fetid swamp, sparsely covered by trees, I also felt more exposed.
Now entering the water looked like a horrible idea. On both sides, it was stagnant, partially covered with duckweed, nearly black where there were no plants. Occasionally, tiny air bubbles reached the surface. It was deathly silent here, save from the quiet buzzing of mosquitoes.
What was worse was the stench of rotting plant matter permeating the air. Carious wood and waterlogged grass mixed with the stench of rotten eggs, probably released from the mud. As I walked the path, I retched several times when a whiff of stink blew into my nostrils.
I was moving silently through the path, made of slippery tree roots, overgrown patches of land, and an occasional tree trunk. As I climbed a small mound, I looked for another raised surface where I could set my foot. Suddenly, a large number of bubbles disturbed the water on my right. Then, a dark, elongated shape broke the surface with a sudden splash.
To my horror, I saw a mummified corpse of a man. His skin and long hair were blackened, dirty with dark mud and green duckweed, but his face seemed familiar. I have found our village carpenter.
This is certainly scary and requires strength of character, so we roll Face Danger with Heart (Weak Hit, 5+2=7 vs 10, 3). We lose 1 point of Spirit and Endure Stress (Miss, 3+4=7 vs 10, 7). This also loses us a point of Momentum (+3).
For some time, I simply watched the body. How did it get here? Had the man gotten merely lost and drowned here, far away from anyone who could have helped him? Had someone killed him and dumped his corpse here? Should I have tried to bury him?
It was becoming increasingly clear I was out of my depth here. Not only I had to find a way to kill a wounded basilisk somehow, but I also had to get to its lair and not drown or get shot on my way there. I briefly thought about obeying Glain's request and getting back to the village. Getting some help.
But the entire reason I was here is that the overseer didn't want to send more people to help my mentor. Danger didn't change the reality of what needed to be done. First, the basilisk had to be killed; otherwise, we would lose more people when digging for bog iron. Second, Glain was sure to get back here at some point, this time making sure I can't follow him quickly. And I had to be the one to kill the beast, or I would have to forsake my vow and risk the wrath of the Iron Goddess when she escapes her confinement.
Again, we Delve the Depths with Shadow (Miss, 3+2=5 vs 10, 6). These rolls are really terrible. The danger is: You encounter a hostile Denizen.
Who will that be (01-50: the hunters, 51-100: something else)? Something else. We roll a wolf.
I felt like someone was watching me, which took me out of my thoughts. I almost laughed hysterically when I saw a grey, quadrupled figure following my steps. The wolf was clearly visible in the distance, repeatedly sniffing the ground and carefully stepping on the same path I traversed.
Wolves were intelligent animals. An entire pack could attack a human if he was a threat to them, or they were starving—but in the latter case, it wasn't usually worth the effort. It rarely, if ever, happened with lone specimens. This one must have been really desperate, or just really confident.
I put out my bow. If the wolf felt so good about itself, it was best to show confidence.
Compel with Iron (Weak Hit, 4+1=5 vs 7, 1). It wants something, most likely food—leaving some of our Supplies should pacify the animal. This requires some courage, so let's Face Danger with Heart (Miss, 5+1=6 vs 8, 6). Oh, well.
As soon as I turned towards the beast, it stopped, watching me and the bow in my hands with care. It knew what it meant, so it didn't dare to attack yet. But I was aware that as soon as I loosened the bowstring, it would sprint towards me. I might not have time for another shot.
If the animal wanted to eat me so desperately, I would have to sweeten the pot. Still watching the animal, I reached for my bag for salted pork. In retrospect, this was stupid. The animal couldn't have understood my intention, but it clearly saw me distracted and chose this moment to pounce.
Enter the Fray (Miss, 2+1 vs 5, 7). Sigh. Pay the Price gives us "It is stressful" and seems fitting, Qamar is probably as dejected as I am. Endure Stress (Miss - Complication, 1+3=4 vs 6, 6). Momentum goes to +2.
At this point, everything goes against Qamar to the point where it seems almost ridiculous. It's not hard to imagine he's frustrated beyond belief. Enough to make him see red. We won't be shooting at all.
Instead we Clash with Iron (Miss, 1+1=2 vs 8, 5). Terrible. I don't want to take harm yet, so I'll Pay the Price another way: the bow is destroyed.
Had I maintained cold blood, I could probably shot the animal there and now. But, instead, something broke in me. The fear of dying, the anger at being constantly waylaid, it culminated in one reckless decision. I moved towards the attacking animal, swinging my bow at it as if it was a club.
The wolf caught the arc with its powerful jaw and bit. I heard a crack as the wood gave up and bent. Because of my stupidity, my best weapon became useless.
Let's Clash again (Weak Hit, 6+1=7 vs 1, 10). We get some Progress (+2), but also Pay the Price. Harm seems the most obvious consequence (Health goes to +2). Endure Harm (Strong Hit, 6+2=8 vs 3, 4) lets us get some of it back (+3) at the price of Momentum. It falls to +1.
Fortunately, it had to spit out the remains of my bow, which gave me just enough time to get my knife. I thrust at the animal's flank, feeling it sink into its flesh. It only angered the wolf, though. I felt its teeth on my calf, tearing apart the skin and almost pulling me down.
We can't afford to trade blows with the wolf. It's time to Turn the Tide. Securing an Advantage narratively seems more fitting, then we'll do just that, with Shadow (Strong Hit, 2+2+1=5 vs 2, 4). We get Momentum to +2, taking control.
At that moment, I realized something: we were fighting on a narrow path, with swamps on both sides. I couldn't dodge easily, but neither could the wolf. I just needed to trick it into making a mistake. Instead of jumping into its waiting jaws, I grabbed my ruined bow and raised it. As I expected, the animal didn't know it was too damaged to be used; it jumped left nervously. Its paws slid from the path, and it fell into the water, head first.
Let's Strike with Iron (Miss - Complication, 4+1+1 vs 7, 7). Way to waste getting the initiative. How do we Pay the Price? We roll 86, it wastes resources. Supplies go to +4.
I intended to jab the animal as it flopped in the water. Instead, I stabbed its surface. The weapon slipped from my hand, hit the surface, and disappeared. I briefly considered jumping in too and ending my miserable existence. The wolf already regained its bearing, climbing back on the path. I remained with a broken bow and several useless arrows.
Instead of fighting, I just ran blindly towards the path's end. Outrunning the wolf on the open space would have been impossible; on the winding path full of slippery roots, I had a chance. The animal pounced again, only to hit the ground as I jumped over it. I no longer cared about dispatching it, just ran away blindly, hoping not to get eaten.
At this point, Qamar has no chance to kill the wolf, let alone a basilisk. I'd rather cut my losses here, rather than get my character killed. First, we have to Face Danger with Edge (Strong Hit, 3+2=5 vs 1,3). This allows us to regain Momentum and get it to +3.
Now it's time to split. Let's Escape the Depths with Edge, as we're trying to find the fastest way out (Miss, 4+2=6 vs 6, 8). Of course. Well, I just have an idea for the Price.
I expected to hear the panting of the wolf behind my back and feel its teeth sinking in my back. But no such thing happened. Perhaps it didn't consider me a meal worth pursuing. Maybe the wound I gave it was more severe than it looked. But I managed to nearly get to the end of the path, and when I looked back, it was gone. I was safe. I couldn't believe it.
"Well, well. Who do we have here."
The entire group of hunters, six people in total, waited near the end of the path. Among them, a woman I escaped stood, smiling triumphantly. Some of them wielded bows, others—spears. There was no hope I could fight them and survive. Nor I had any hope to flee.
I could only hope they was in magnanimous mood and wouldn't hurt me too much.
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