At the end of the last session, we finished weaponless, hurt, and ambushed by a hostile group of warriors. We're really not in the position to fight them off, but hopefully they won't attack me on sight. But first things first, what do they even want here? Let's ask the Oracle.
It seems they're here to make an agreement. But is it with someone in this swamp (unlikely)? No, it seems they're passing through or got waylaid.
Who is their leader? Morter, someone Active, Critical, and Fervent. Given that I already decided they're working for the Tyrant, they're most likely highly loyal to him.
"Drop that." The woman barked, and I realized I was still holding my ruined weapon. I threw it on the muddy ground. "Good. Do something as stupid as before, and you'll die. Where's the old man?"
"I told him to run away." I decided to omit the fact that I told him to get help. I didn't want to point them at my village or expect trouble.
Face Danger with Shadow (Weak Hit, 6+2=8 vs. 9, 7). She may suspect we're hiding something. Momentum goes down to +2.
"Convenient." The woman spat on the ground. "Do you have any other weapons I should know of?"
"Only my knife, but I lost it. I had to fight off a wolf."
"That's why he turned back." A young man with a wispy mustache chimed in.
"I'd say it's poetic justice unless you're lying, and we'll find this knife later."
"Justice?" I asked, incredulous. "I didn't do anything to you!"
"Really? Can you explain why did your friend wear Rhoddri's armor?""
"We found a body, which I assume was Rhoddri. He was long dead when we found him."
"Let me get this straight." The woman pointed the finger at me. "You saw a dead man, and the first thing you do is rob his body."
"We were hunting a basilisk. We needed every help we could get."
I could Face Danger again, but it doesn't seem like she has a solid case. Securing an Advantage with Heart better represents what's happening here (Weak Hit, 2+1=3 vs. 1, 7). Momentum goes back to +3. Not great, not terrible.
"All right, and why would you flee immediately after seeing me? Do you have an explanation for that?" Her voice lost an accusing tone, and she was only going through the motions at this point.
"It really seemed like you were going to attack. What were we supposed to do?"
She sighed.
"Well, a basilisk did attack us two days ago, and it's much more likely it killed Rhoddri than a one-handed old man and a beardless boy. You stole from us, but, given the circumstances, it's not a big deal. Of course, we will need to see his body and get the armor back."
"Well, thank you," I said, although I was seething. Those people tried to kill me, chased me away, apprehended me, and accused me of murder because of their own hotheadedness. And when their allegations proved to be unfounded, they didn't even have the decency to apologize. Instead, they behaved like they were doing me a favor.
"Perhaps you can help us, though." The woman continued. "My name is Morter, and I'm looking for the outcasts of Thornhall. I was told they settled somewhere in this area."
We definitely don't want to tell them we're one of those outcasts, so Face Danger with Heart seems appropriate (Weak Hit, 3+1=4 vs. 1, 6). Let's take some stress (Spirit +2) and Endure Stress (3+2=5 vs. 8, 4).
It took everything for me just to stand here and look her in the eyes. I was sure I was going to faint, yet my voice was emotionless when I spoke.
"I never heard of Thornhall." I lied. "What of those outcasts? Are they dangerous? What did they do?"
That probably warrants a Gather Information test (Weak Hit, 5+3=8 vs. 6, 9). I have something in mind that introduces a new danger and fits the group's goal.
Morter looked disappointed.
"Well, it's not a secret." She shrugged. "They disobeyed our king and were banished for that. But in his mercy, he decided he would give them another chance."
"Another chance?" I felt weak. Those people were the servants of the Tyrant!
"They just need to swear fealty to him, and they're forgiven." The man with the mustache explained. "Not a bad deal, eh?"
"Beats getting slaughtered." A giant of a man staying behind Morter laughed.
"But enough about them." The woman decided. "If you don't know them, it can't be helped. Where do you live?"
I didn't like where this conversation was going.
"There's a settlement nearby." I tried to be as vague as possible. "But it's poor. We may not have enough food for all of you."
Do they want to resupply (Likely)? You bet.
"Good enough. We have some rations, and there are some skilled hunters around us. We just need shelter, information and some boats. And our armor, of course. Lead the way."
I opened my mouth, then closed it again.
“What’s the matter?” The man with the mustache asked. “She said, lead the way.”
I didn't want to lead the way. Our entire village had taken a vow to free Thornhall from the Tyrant's yoke. What will happen if I guide his servants there? After they realize they had found the outcasts of Thornhall and make their offer?
It would have been nice to think that my kin would refuse and stand against the enemy side by side. But five years in this hell would have given anyone second thoughts. Some would take them up on an offer and leave. Some would refuse, and what then? I didn't want to find out.
We don't want to guide them to the village. This calls from a scene challenge: Losing the Escort. It's going to be Dangerous.
We're not threatened right now, so I'm going to start with Securing an Advantage with Shadow (Strong Hit, 6+2 vs. 7, 1). Let's take control and follow this up with Facing Danger with Wits (Miss, 2+3+1 vs. 7, 9). Progress 0, Countdown 1. Paying the Price gets us "It causes a delay or puts you at a disadvantage." Let's represent that by losing 1 Momentum (+2).
"I just have to remember which way was that." I lied. "I'm a little bit lost."
"Understandable, but try not to waste too much of our time," Morter said with a shred of sympathy.
I looked around, pretending to get my bearings and looking for an escape route. I spotted a place where reeds were dense, but there was a suggestion of a path; if I jumped there and sprinted, I could have a chance of losing them.
"And where do you think you're looking?" The giant man sneered, following my gaze.
"Unless your village is hidden in these reeds, I suggest you look elsewhere." The woman didn't even look angry, just mildly annoyed. "Kalidas, Tamar, keep an eye on him."
I barely kept myself from grinding my teeth. I hadn't even tried to escape yet, and they were already suspicious.
"For gods' sake, can you at least try to treat me with some dignity?" I couldn't hold my anger anymore. "Some envoys you are! Why would I lead you to my village if you behave like common bandits?"
I didn't even see the fist before it hit my nose. I reeled backward, lost balance, and hit the wet ground with my bottom. My head was pounding, but the nose seemed numb. It started to hurt only after I touched it and saw blood on my hand.
"Any more questions?" The big man looked down on me. "No? I thought so."
I tried to Secure an Advantage with Iron (Miss, 3+1 vs. 6, 4). My Health is now at +1, and Endure Harm went even worse (Miss, 1+1 vs. 9, 6), so Momentum is down to +1. These rolls are downright terrible.
I Face Danger with Wits (Weak Hit, 2+3 vs. 10, 2), trying to lead them to the body. Progress +2, Countdown +2. Still not good, but at least I have made some progress.
Resigned, I spoke no more and began leading the way towards where Glain and I had found the body. I figured out if I gave them something, they would be less hostile, or at least less vigilant. But while no more hits were coming towards me, the veneer of civility was gone. They kept me at the center of their group, glaring at me whenever I slowed down.
Maybe let's try to regain some momentum by Securing an Advantage with Heart (Weak Hit, 6+1 vs. 1, 7). Wheeeeee... Momentum goes back to +2.
I tried to break the ice by talking to them. I explained where I found the body, how far away it was, and its state. It seemed to work for a moment. However, when I asked them how they lost their friend, the only answer was Morter's icy stare.
It took me some time, but I could finally locate the floodplain where I had found the body. This time, I didn't even bother to take my boots off; I could be needing them soon enough. My captors watched me like hawks, but I assumed they would want to take a close look at their companion's corpse at least. Maybe this would allow me to escape.
But, annoyingly enough, I couldn't find the trunk where the body was located. There were plenty of trees there, after all. I sensed by captors' growing hostility, enhanced by water sloshing around in their boots.
"Are you sure you remember where he was?" Morter asked, visibly annoyed.
I was just about to give up, then something in my mind clicked: I was already in the right place. Stressed and annoyed, I forgot I was coming from the opposite side, and I instinctively looked for the reeds in front of me.
Secure an Advantage with Wits (Weak Hit, 2+3 vs. 4, 7). Progress +4, Countdown +3. Not great, not terrible, although it doesn't seem we will slip away.
At this point, I wouldn't have been surprised if the body had stood up and left the swamp, but it was lying as Glain and I had left it.
"That's Rhoddri, all right." The man with a wispy mustache knelt next to the body. He briefly patted the body in search of something worthwhile. It seemed that he hadn't found it because he spat into the water, visibly disappointed.
Something seemed wrong to me.
"You don't seem upset that your companion died," I said slowly.
"Who said anything about a companion?" Morter shrugged.
"Rhoddri was a bloody traitor!" The man stood up and kicked the body angrily. "A thief! What he stole was-"
"Kalidas." The woman didn't even raise her voice, but the man went silent. It didn't matter because he said enough.
"Then that thing is what you're after, right?" I asked. "You're not looking for the outcasts?"
"The outcasts were one of the first things we asked you about. What do you think?" Morter asked sardonically.
"You think he took it to them." My question was more like a statement.
I know I'm not supposed to Gather Information during a scene challenge, but this seemed like a perfect place (Strong Hit, 3+3 vs. 3, 3, Opportunity). I didn't expect such a great result. Not only did we learn the envoys' true goal, but we also got an opportunity.
Oracle says, "Uncover Health.” I decided it's metaphorical – the Tyrant's kingdom is not as united as it seems, and poor Rhoddri stole something very crucial to its continued existence. I even have an idea of what it could be. We get Momentum to +4 and give "Free Thornhall from the Tyrant's yoke" one tick, bringing it to 1/2.
"That's not your problem," Morter stated. "Of course, that's only if you have nothing to do with the outcasts, as you claim."
"I already told you that! Can't you believe me for a moment?" I tried to feign outrage, but it sounded false even to me.
"Then why you're so interested in them?" The woman looked me into the eyes. "Do we really have to beat you up to get the truth?"
We try to Secure an Advantage with Shadow by lulling them into false security (Miss, 2+2 vs. 5, 9). It seems we used up our entire luck for this session. The obvious consequence here is that our captors now know we're actually with the outcasts.
She expected me to protest and assert my innocence or to get cowed and spill my guts. I did neither.
"Well, I-" I said and started to sprint. The man next to me reached over to stop me, but he was too slow, and his fingers only skimmed my shoulder.
"Don't just stand there, morons! Get him before he warns them!" I heard Morter's voice behind my back.
Water splashed under my boots as I ran. There were no reeds here to hide. No one to distract them. They had a numerical advantage over me and could quickly surround me if they tried. It would have been over for me if I weren’t significantly faster than them.
A javelin hit a tree on my left with a loud thunk, cutting into the wood. I didn't think I could go faster, but I did. I couldn't help but take a glance back. One was fumbling with an arrow, trying to notch it and draw his bow simultaneously. One waddled to the water towards the javelin. Kalidas, in desperation, picked up a thick bough and threw it towards me. It got caught by the branches on an oak next to him and fell into knee-deep water with a silent splash.
Nothing more was sent towards me, except some impotent, angry shouts.
It's sink or swim now: Face Danger with Edge (Weak Hit, 5+2 vs. 6, 9). It got our Progress to +6, but Countdown is now +4. This means we're ending the scene challenge now (Weak Hit, 6 vs. 1, 7). It appears that we managed to slip away, but the Tyrant's men already know that the outlaws they want live somewhere nearby. They’ll likely pay us a visit soon.
**
- Get Glain safely back to the village (Troublesome, 9/10)
- Kill the basilisk (Dangerous, 2/10)
- When you Secure an Advantage by taking a moment to aim, choose your approach and add +1.
• Trust your instincts: Roll +wits, and take +2 momentum on a strong hit.
• Line up your shot: Roll +edge, and take +1 momentum on a hit.
- When you Secure an Advantage by crafting arrows of fine quality, add +1. Then, take +1 supply or +1 momentum on a hit.
- When
your supply is reduced to 0, suffer any remaining -supply as -momentum.
Then, roll +wits. On a strong hit, you manage to scrape by and take +1
supply. On a weak hit, you may suffer -2 momentum in exchange for +1
supply. On a miss, you are Out of Supply.
- Glain, vilage hunter, Escape from something, Timid, Cautious, Wary
- Stilthouse, settlement in the Flooded Lands
