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>START
The four Dungeoneers are standing in shallow water, by a running stream within a gloomy forest cavern tangled in tree branches and moss.

You have heard of a rumour that a missing Highborn Princess has wandered into the Old Forest Of Idols. Perhaps she strayed into this cavern, and lost her way...?

To one side is a steep cliff, a rock wall adorned with twisting vines.

You see the water surface beyond where you currently stand appears uneven, potentially with hidden depths.

You hear the roaring cascade of water further ahead, accompanied by restless chattering and grunts from above.

There is a curious stench of cooked gristle, yet also a smell akin to the spoor of wild beasts nearby.

Some possible ideas / actions
- change the formation of the party (swap character positions etc. or describe a formation. Who is in the lead?)

- send someone to wade around and search the shallow water for any items (who?)

- send someone to scout ahead (who?)

- send everyone to climb up the vines by the rock wall (or just one person?)

- command everyone to hide (or just a few?)

- ready a weapon, or prepare an item (what belongings are you carrying?)

- boldly call out a challenge to see if anyone hides ahead

- sing a hearty song (briefly improve hp by 1d6) to raise morale. IMPORTANT: If you choose this, you must write-in some song lyrics! Then,
>Roll 1d6

- write-in some dialogue for the characters (they may respond, hee hee)

Rolled 5, 6, 6, 6 = 23 (4d6)

>>5481242
Barbarian: Maul
Wizard: Hooded Lantern
Dwarf: Pickax/Mattock combo (One side of the head is the pickax, the other is the mattock)
Elf: Long coil of strong hempen rope

Barbarian speshul: Has received cryptic but useful 'prophecy' in lyrical poetry form by an old crone who has Delved this Dungeon before.
Wizard: Can cast spells, duh.
Dwarf: Good at finding traps and treasure
Elf: Absurdly good acrobat.

Here we go again...

>>5481243
>For now set the default formation to Dwarf, Elf, Wizard, Barbarian.
>Have the Elf climb the vines and scout ahead. Meanwhile the Barbarian will use the butt of the long haft of his maul to get a feel for the footing in the murky water ahead.

Send Saorlai off to hide near the waterfall and eavesdrop on the chatter and grunting

Have Yazdegerd and Tharfish pool their knowledge together to concoct a salve or poison from the environmental resources at hand

Skallagrim kills a jackalope or platypus and eats it raw

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Barbarian Maul
A heavy slab of stone on a stick, perhaps scavenged from the shattered plinths and ruins of some forgotten empire. There one can feel the carved scrawl of fading hieroglyphs spiralled upon the suspiciously brownish-scabbed hammer-surface. But all Barbarians know that reading is only for cowards and weaklings.

Je suis le ténébreux, – le veuf, – l’inconsolé,
Le prince d’Aquitaine à la tour abolie:
Ma seule étoile est morte, – et mon luth constellé
Porte le Soleil noir de la Mélancolie.

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Dwarf Pickaxe / Mattock
Since the Elder Ages all have coveted the secrets of dwarven stonecunning and metallurgy, the masterworks of their forge; for who other than a dwarf would think to combine an axe and a mattock attached to the same haft? Such ingenuity!

(QM: please use your imagination and visualise a mattock and an axe combined in this picture; my apologies I cannot find a good medieval-looking version unfortunately)

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Wizard Lantern
You are far too ignorant to comprehend the sheer intellectual feats of sorcery wrought upon the ornate ironwork of this shrouded lantern, the wonders of foveated illumination cast by chromostereopsis through a birefringent shroud. Only a true wizard lord can master its power, certainly not one that found this whilst rummaging through a dung heap

(QM: very clever to specify a hooded lantern! You can also use this as an artifact to channel some ancient rites. More on this later...)

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Rope Coil (Hangman's Knot)
It is said that all Elves share their enchanted dreams with each other, of a Magical Realm where lissome maidens cavort amidst a city of flowers, butterflies and faery glamourie, woven with sorcerous silks and scarves of a thousand colours knotted between the gnarled branches of ancient trees. This rope was looted from someone far less fortunate.

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>>5481281
As Saorlai The Elf reaches for the vines to climb the rock cliff, a hideous beast with a vicious beak and webbed talons leaps out at her...

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QM: roll 1d6 for Skallagrim the Barbarian's nutritious snack

1 Oh no it is poison, the poison of remorse. -1hp for a twinge of sadness at your heartless butchery of the beauteous platypus

2 You look like a maniac smeared in the guts and blood of a platypus, but other than that there is no effect

3-6 Gain a temporary nutritious bonus of the (result-2) hp

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5481320
>hideous beast
:(
>vicious beak
>webbed talons
>the horror.jpg
Kek

>>5481324
Oh no :((

Hehe

>>5481327
Why, skallagrim... Why?!!?!

Tharfish informs Skallagrim that it's bad luck in his home village to see a dead platypus, much less slay one with your own hands. Tharfish fears the group and r expedition is now cursed, and forces Skallagrim to wear the dead platypus draped across his neck.

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(Skallagrim hp 11/12. You have been intestinally punished for this barbaric act of platypus slaughter!)

As Saorla the Elf swiftly ascends the rock vines with the help of her pilfered gallows rope, she peeks over the edge and sees the origin of the beastly stench of gristle revealed...

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You can see two Orcs - a Fat Orc and a Skinny Orc, carrying some sort of large sack; something within seems to moan and struggle violently.

These Orcs appear brutish, but unarmed, as they both have their hands full, clasping the cumbersome burden of the large sack.

Ahead of them you see a small Goblin carrying a spear. He appears to be guarding a rope bridge strung across a waterfall. There is another vine directly below this goblin, which you could climb, but the water beneath appears deeper and more treacherous, and the rock cliff ledge there being closer to the waterfall is sodden and slippery.

Neither the Orcs nor the Goblin have noticed your presence.

As they approach, you hear the Fat Orc snarl at the forlorn Goblin guard, arguing:
- No, we will not help you look for your stupid beloved pet! What sort of use is that ugly monster anyway? Can you not see we have an important gift here for the Troll King? Stand aside, you wretched runtling!

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QM: here is the overview map. Let me know if you have any questions or need the view rotated etc. Also I am not too sure I understood this default formation order (the anon here)
>>5481277
Do you mean the dwarf takes the lead, or the barbarian?

>Write in your plan, specifying actions for each adventurer.
As mentioned you can try anything, from all out combat to talking or negotiating. Most weapons deal damage in the ranges of 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, and 1d12.
(QM: I will leave this open for a while, and update the tabletop tomorrow!)

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>>5481332
Rhynchus Amulet
A talisman of savagery. Currently, it has no purpose beyond that of an ornament, though it could be of worth to a collector of curiosities.

(Skallagrim is now wearing this morbid decoration)

>>5481363
Saorlai uses her intuition and surmises the aforementioned "pet" the greenskins are looking for to be the platypus that now dangles from the Barbarian's chest.

"Hide!" Saorlai instructs Skallagrim. She begins unbuckling something from her bandolier...

Yazdegerd to Saorlai: "What are you doing?"

Saorlai: "I've dealt with orcs and goblins before. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. I'll call for help if I need you to intervene."

Saorlai disrobes, and confronts the group of 3 by herself.

From behind bushes, now joined by Skallagrim, Yazdegerd and Tharfish share a look of disbelief and gulp, reagents for a potion or poison still in hand.

Skallagrim nibbles around the eye sockets of his new trinket, to Tharfish's dismay. He's gnawing rather loudly...

>>5481363
I intended for the Dwarf to lead. I know it was confusing because I then said for the barbarian to check the water which implies he is leading, but I meant for that to be temporary. Dwarf goes ahead first to check for traps and stuff.

I'll check in tomorrow...gotta sleep.

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>>5481552
>Dwarf goes ahead first to check for traps etc.
You do not notice anything in this area that appears to raise your suspicion.

You can see a passage leading outwards to sunlight from the far side of the rope bridge. The wafting orcish stench of meat and gristle appears particularly strong in that direction, and you can see at least two more indistinct hunched silhouettes on the other side - one goblin with a spear, and yet another goblin archer with a bow.

You could try to wade across the water beneath directly, but you suspect the cascading torrents near the waterfall to be rather dangerous, especially for one of shorter Dwarvish stature. If you fall in, you might get swept away! A nagging itch of your curiosity yearns to check behind the waterfall... There remain also the slippery vines directly beneath the spear goblin on your side of the rock cliff.

Yazdegerd The Wizard mutters:
- Did you know, in Lunfardo... they hanged a notorious Swindler? He garrotted his victims silently, it was really all quite sinister!

And the wizard chuckles contentedly at his silly nonsensical rhymes.

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Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>5481447
His eyes then widen as he sees Saorla effortlessly undress - flesh taut as her thighs sing an invitation to moaning shadows.

Perhaps this is some debauched act of acrobalance, or the corde lisse of a faery circus?

(1d6 reaction roll for the startled small Goblin spear guard; the two Orcs carrying the large sack are turned away from you at this moment. The goblins on the far side of the rope bridge have not noticed you yet).

1 In perplexed shock and outrage at the appearance of this naked Elf acrobat, the Goblin hurls his spear at you!

2 The spear Goblin flees, screaming loudly for help across the rope bridge

3 The spear Goblin begins to flee over the rope bridge, but the sight of the naked Elf acrobat has stunned him into a bashful silence

4 The Goblin stands and gawks

5 The Goblin crumples and faints at the sight of your dainty Elvish feet. (QM: effectively incapacitated)

6 As the Goblin backs away in astonishment, he slips and loses his footing - plummeting over the cliff edge into the churning waters below

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(Currently, Saorla the Elf is the only one who has climbed onto the upper rock cliff by the rope bridge; she is on her own)

>Write-in your plan / course of action for the adventurers, eg you can specify any mundane weapons or belongings the Elf is carrying here

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Rolled 3 + 3 (1d3 + 3)

(Rolling for Spear Goblin hp)

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Rolled 5 + 5 (1d5 + 5)

>>5481349
(Rolling hp for the unarmed Orcs, carrying Large Sack; I think the Fat Orc gets +1 this and the Skinny Orc gets -1 this)

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>She begins unbuckling something from her bandolier
>bandolier, an unusual accoutrement for an Elf...
QM: I just saw this; you can have a Wheel-lock pistol. Maybe you are a Pirate Elf, who also joined the circus? But you can change this to a bow and quiver if you want, or some other weapon eg melee etc.

To fire a ranged weapon as the Elf, specify a target and roll 2d6+1 (Instinct).

A strong hit on >10, a hit on 7-9 with some complication, a setback on <7.

As you have surprised your opponents this counts as a skill check (combat commences thereafter)

>>5481745
Quick, while the goblin is stunned, have the wizard cast a silence spell upon him, so the elf may hurl him off the cliff and approach the orcs. The barbarian can catch him to incapacitate and later interrogate about this place. The dwarf can scramble up next, pass the elf her weaponry, and together they can battle the orcs!

Rolled 2, 6 + 1 = 9 (2d6 + 1)

>>5481803
>>5481804
The elf can target one orc, the dwarf can charge the other.

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Ok so to summarise, you want:

- The Wizard to blanket this area in Silence
This is a Roll 2d6+3, Will. Make sure you utter the incantation correctly...

- The Barbarian to capture the fleeing goblin. He can do this by climbing, intercepting and snatching him from the vines directly beneath the rope bridge. It is an Instinct roll, 2d6+1. Also, you can write-in your interrogation questions / topics, or I can roll for some random information

- The Dwarf to attack the other Orc with his pickaxe / mattock weapon? This is Strength 2d6+2

(From this roll
>>5481807
The Elf can shoot and kill the Skinny Orc, for 9hp. I will let you co-ordinate this with the Wizard Silencing spell, and mask the gunshot... if your Will roll above is successful, hehe. Also, bear in mind that the wheel-lock may require some time to reload afterwards)

So in total, please
>Roll 6d6
and I will tally and incorporate modifiers afterwards in the respective order, thank you!

Rolled 1, 3, 5, 2, 5, 3 = 19 (6d6)

>>5481824
>Barbarian method
Snatching him up

>Questions
Has he seen the missing princess? How many orcs , goblins, etcetera lie ahead? Are there any other specific traps or monsters he knows of that we should prepare for?

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>>5481827
>Rolled 1, 3, 5, 2, 5, 3
Wizard Roll, Will 2d6+3 (Silence spell)

1+3+3 = 7, it is a success... but only just!

Perhaps you are expecting some spectacular display of sorcery, as the Wizard flaps his arms waving his silly lantern in the air? Ghostly, spectral hands covering the ears and mouths of all present, in a supernatural dulling of the senses to silence?

Nothing happens. Yazdegerd the Wizard has a crestfallen look on his face.

But just then, a screeching swarm of bats rushes through the cave - the black cacophony of gnashing wings combined with the drenching roar of the waterfall is a sufficient distraction. Maybe this was wizard magic??

You see the indistinct figure of the goblin archer on the far side of the rope bridge ( right side here >>5481724 ) gesture vaguely through the rush of water - he appears a little suspicious, but the other goblin guard remains unconcerned.

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Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>5481827
>>5481914
Barbarian Roll Instinct 2d6+1 (Climb, capture and grab the fleeing Goblin)

>Has he seen the missing princess?
>How many orcs , goblins, etcetera lie ahead?
>Are there any other specific traps or monsters etc
Lench the Terrified Goblin squeals:
-Eeeek! Get your oafish savage hands off me! Traps? Traps? Can't your blundering barbarian eyes tell the difference between goblin boys and girls... (a sudden glimmer of hope in his eyes) Oh, traps! Um, yes... there are so many! So many traps! (You have a feeling goblins cannot count very well, or perform arithmetic). I laid them all! Only I know where the biggest traps are! For instance, this... this... rope bridge is a trap! Don' t walk over it! You should release me now, see - I saved you! And there are so many guards, heavily armoured orcs and trolls, so many. Because the Troll King is trying to bargain with the Disinherited One by the Tower. He keeps sending all these gifts and treasures, but the Disinherited One is so difficult to please!

5+2+1 = 8. This was also a success, but still a partial one. I will make this reaction roll for the unfortunate Goblin

1 As you snatch at Lench the spear Goblin, he sees the Skull of his beloved pet companion Sir Mallory Duckles the deceased platypus dangling from your Barbarian throat. The goblin stabs pathetically at you with tears of helpless rage! (Take 1d3 pathetic damage)

2 The devious Goblin will answer your questions, but you see a sly look on his face...

3 Lench the Goblin sobs piteously, lamenting his fate. From now on he just blubbers incoherently.

4-5 You think the spear Goblin is so terrified he will say anything to save his own skin.

6 The terrified captive Goblin will obey you as your follower. (You can control this NPC)

...

Dwarf Roll, Strength 2d6+2 (Attack Fat Orc with Pickaxe/Mattock)

5+3+2 = 10, this is a strong hit! The Dwarf bellows: I SHALL MAKE AN ANVIL OF YOUR SKULL as the Fat Orc's head is punctured like an eggshell by the mattock's hardened edge.

I believe the Orc technically has 1/11 hp (due to the Fat bonus, >>5481771 ) but for all intents and purposes this Orc is helpless / dying / near death.

The two dying/dead orcs have dropped the Large Sack they were carrying; the sack has stopped... wriggling, for now, and appears very still, as if whatever is inside has heard the commotion and sounds of your combat, and is now listening.

>Write-in what you would like to do

>>5481243
>>5481312
Ah, damn, should've chosen a lute for the elf. Would've went well with the poem. Let me guess, the princess lost her lover and is seeking solace in madness or the comfort of idols. Perhaps this little stream is in fact a literal or metaphorical branch of the river Styx.

>>5481803
I hate PbtA...

>>5481916
Okay, maybe the princess came to lift the disinherited one out of his melancholy?

>Yazdegerd, fooled by the beaver(?)cap, chains with gaps to large to be armour, and red feather mistakes the goblin for heretical shaman and starts throwing a fanatical fit and demands Skallagrim to put the goblin shaman on trial. He'll be drowned and if he dies and sinks he is innocent and so will instead be hanged with the elf's rope instead for being a subhuman instead of a heretic, if he drowns then he is guilty.
>Skallagrim eagerly complies, though he is just doing it for fun rather than justice or out of zealousness.
>The elf gets dressed and gathers her things before opening the sac just barely to check what is inside and calm it down.
>The dwarf positions himself so as to catch whatever scurries out of the sac just in case they decide to flee.

>>5482337
Whoops, that should read "If he drowns and floats he is innocent" and "if he drowns and sinks he is guilty"

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Rolled 1 (1d3)

Rolling for the wriggling contents within the Large Sack

1 Arrogant Peacock
2 Noseless Arbeau
3 The Princess! It means... you won? Right?

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>>5482452
Gulshara, The Angry Princess?!
A goblin hag's child. She makes you think of jackal's fangs and bent-backed wolves licking the blood from paving stones.

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Perhaps enraged by the failure of his purportedly magic lantern to produce a spectacular and convincing sorcerous effect earlier, Yazdegerd the Wizard seizes the helpless Goblin Lench, and with the assistance of Skallagrim begins to dunk the helpless goblin repeatedly in and out of the water.

Lench the Goblin struggles vigorously at this treatment, and amidst the loud yelps and submerged burbles he is suddenly swept away by the treacherous currents! You hope the unlucky goblin has been swallowed into a watery grave, and not carried violently elsewhere along the watercourse to plot his revenge... (QM: he is plotting his revenge)

A hail of goblin arrows from across the bridge kills the entire adventuring party. Fortunately, however, it appears that the swarm of bats (either summoned through Yazdegerd's "wizard magic" or just natural denizens of the cave) must have driven away the other spear guard as well as the archer goblin on the far side.

The rope bridge now appears eerily unguarded across the downpouring rush of water.

From the upper cliff ledge, by the dropped sack, Tharfish the Dwarf can see a skeleton dangling from an iron cage - a half-hidden gibbet, nearly recessed behind the waterfall.

The limbs of this skeleton appear contorted in a strange agonised posture, and one arm seems raised at a peculiar angle, as if scrabbling or gesturing for something behind the plummeting deluge of water. Could there be... a secret passage there?

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Chains Of Castigation
Penitent armour consisting of rusted lengths of winding chains, fetters and rags. This peculiar armour possesses the property that any living bearer, touching or wearing the chains within the vicinity of any blow or attack will always be the first to unerringly receive any suffering inflicted (QM: this includes traps). You think the rusted chains will likely break and become useless afterwards. A cruel, cursed punishment for a scapegallows, or could it be put to some other use?

(The skeleton hanging in the gibbet is wearing this)

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Glancing and peering down the hidden waterfall passage, you can see it leads to an outside ledge with an ominous-looking watchtower, part of an imposing edifice of castle battlements.

(QM: just like in videogames, always check behind the waterfall!)

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>Write in what you would like to do.
You can choose to explore the watchtower revealed behind the hidden waterfall passage, or continue over the rope bridge to the cliff cavern exit. Assign actions to each adventurer or ask questions etc.

>>5482478
>Tie Gulshara around the neck with our coil of rope then have her grab the Chains of Castigation and put it on.

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>>5482452
(QM: I made a mistake with the order of this table! Of course the peacock is supposed to be the better option 3, as it belongs to the princess, whereas Gulshara is option 1. Oh well, too late now!)

>>5482503
Which character is attempting this action? It sounds like a Strength roll, and Gulshara will likely fight back. Also
>roll 2d6

You can also specify actions for the other characters, and whether you head to the watchtower or over the rope bridge.

Also, you can specify any new formation for the adventurers before you enter a new area etc.

I will leave this one open for a while, and update the map tomorrow!

Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d6)

>>5482505
qwute birb.

>>5482532
The entire group is tying her up and ensuring she puts on the armour before moving on. But if we can only choose one then I'll go with Skallagrim.

Afterwards we'll go through the waterfall with the same default formation. Oh, and Saorlai should reload.

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>>5482547
Ok, so the formation order is
1 Tharfish the Dwarf (Pickaxe/Mattock)
2 Saorlai the Elf (Rope/Hangman's Knot, Wheel-lock: Loaded)
3 Skallagrim the Barbarian (Maul, Platypus Skull / Rhynchus Amulet) leading
... Gulshara (wearing Chains Of Castigation)
4 Yazdegerd the Wizard (Lantern)

>Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d6)

Barbarian Roll, Strength +3 (chaining up Gulshara The Angry Princess in the Penitent's Armour)
3+4+3 = 10, a strong hit! Gulshara howls in protestation and gnashes her jaws, grinding her fanged teeth and she scratches and slaps you very hard, the feral bone charms she is wearing jangling furiously. She had imagined being freed from the horrible asphyxiating imprisonment of being bundled and carried by two Orcs in a sack, only to endure the even worse fate of being adorned in cursed armour, the Chains Of Castigation! Well it is probably better than being offered as a gift to the Troll King.

...

As you sidle past the leering skeleton dangling from the gibbet, a chilling breeze rushes past as you see the open cliff here is vertiginously high, almost as if you are treading upon the edge of a sliver of stone piercing the sky. You can hear the crunch of old bones underfoot, but amongst the knucklebones and ribcages you do not see any skulls. This unnerves you a little.

A spiralling staircase of stone ahead leads to a watchtower, that appears to be the southeastern entrance to the battlements of a ruined castle. The entire area seems deserted and unguarded, and you hear only the groan of lurching trees clawing their gnarled talons against the shriek of mountain winds. The dead trees appear hideous to you, their gnarled branches possessing a resemblance akin to demented insectile appendages.

To your right you see a large winch or capstan wheel, with some elaborate rope mechanism leading to the steps of the spiral stone stairs.

Then you see there is the form of a knight encased in a complete suit of armour, who appears to be kneeling before a wooden archway or shrine of some form, the entrance threshold at the bottom of the stone stairs. This kneeling Penitent Knight is turned away from you in supplication before the Wooden Archway Shrine. You cannot see his face, only his shoulders, as he appears slumped in devotion or prayer.

Through the mountain clifftop mist you can perceive the shape of a squat culverin or small mortar to your far left. It is separated from you by a chasm - perhaps you could reach it by leaping across with a rope? (QM: assign a character and roll 2d6 to leap over the chasm if you want to investigate)

>Write in what you would like to do
(QM: you can investigate / inspect any area or map feature just by saying that you walk over and look at it etc.)

>>5482897
>The party is paranoid and suspicious of the atmosphere in this place and the imagery of the gnarled tree branches. Tharfish and Yazdegerd want to investigate the winch, though Skallagrim that they have Gulshara lead in case the trees come to life and attack them, to which the others agree.
>Saorlai intends to tie her rope to a tree and then around her waist in preparation to jump across the chasm but waits until Gulshara confirms there is no danger and for the other to be ready to pull her back up should she fail the jump.

>>5483858
Support. When springing and striding are required, send an elf AFTER a prisoner or hireling

Say, where is Gulsara princess OF?

>>5483858
*that should read "though Skallagrim insists that they have Gulshara lead in case the trees come to life and attack them"

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>>5483858
>paranoid and suspicious
>gnarled tree branches

You inch cautiously and carefully towards the large winch, the capstan wheel entangled in thorny branches. You have a strange sensation of being watched by hundreds of insectile eyes...

To turn the wheel would require a great feat of Strength. But Tharfish the Dwarf stares at its mechanism suspiciously (QM: this revealed by your caution + Dwarf detect traps ability). Why do the ropes from the wheel lead to that Wooden Shrine Archway, where the Penitent Knight appears to be kneeling in devotion with his face turned away? Why would you set any lever, winch or handle so far from the entrance gate?

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With a shiver of recognition, Yazdegerd the Wizard recoils in growing horror. Something about that knight kneeling before the Wooden Arch is VERY WRONG. The wooden pillars of that shrine sprout from his headless shoulders...

Guillotine Knight
hp 50/50
He is just kneeling motionless, before the "Wooden Archway". The Guillotine Knight is clad in a full set of armour and does not appear to be carrying a weapon - that is, if you ignore the massive sliding axe blade wedge sharpened and hoisted on ropes between the wooden pillars of his headless shoulders.

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(QM: please see the updated map, and compare it with >>5482897)

Roll 4d6 for
- a 2d6 Strength check to turn the winch / capstan wheel (which character?)

- a 2d6 Instinct check if you want Saorlai the Elf to leap across the chasm to explore there using the rope. Once the rope is affixed there successfully, any character can then traverse the gap.

- write in any other actions assigned to other adventurers

- Gulshara wriggles and protests miserably in the Penitent Armour, the Chains Of Castigation.
- I can help! Give me a weapon!
(If you free Gulshara, you can see her stats hp Strength Instinct Will Charm etc. But do you trust her?)

>Write in what you would like to do
(QM: Please also roll 2d6 each time for any particular feats or skill actions you want to attempt, thank you!)

Rolled 2, 3 = 5 (2d6)

>>5483924
Well, fuck that thing.

>Saorlai will finish tying her rope around her waist and hand the other end to Skallagrim so he can pull her back up should she fail the jump. Tharfish and Yazdegerd will police Gulshara and keep an eye out on their surroundings. Then Saorlai will leap across the chasm and look for somewhere to tie the rope.

Oh...wait nevermind, I didn't refresh before posting and so didn't see the other two posts. Let me just catch up...

>>5483931
Hmm...are the trees actually 'awakened' and acting in a hostile manner or did we catch ourselves before springing any trap?

If we can tell that we are about to fight then I may want to revise my action, otherwise I'll keep it the same.

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>>5483937
You think your caution has narrowly avoided a dangerous ambush. The strange barbed insectile looking creatures just leer at you from beneath the twisted trees, waiting. They resemble some form of spider mixed with centipede and crab, adorned in chitinous plates and have a macabre demonic appearance. Their hooked appendages sway wickedly with the tree branches. If you had not examined and proceeded with such caution, it would have been difficult to notice them at all, camouflaged as they were in the thorns.

QM: the strange thorn monsters and the headless Guillotine Knight appear to be just waiting. If you attack, you get to act first.

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>>5483934
>Rolled 2, 3 = 5 (2d6)
Elf roll: Instinct +1 (leap over the chasm, and affix the rope)

2+3+1 = 6 < 7 (oh no!)

Saorlai steadies herself with a deep intake of breath as she prepares to vault over the chasm to the other side. Don't look down... Imagine that this is just like a circus act... Skallagrim stands besides her, holding the rope.

The Elf steps back from the edge of the precipice, and her lithe acrobatic body suddenly uncoils in an explosive burst of speed. Saorlai sails through the air in a graceful parabolic arc, as if swinging elegantly from some invisible trapeze...

As she hurls herself over the edge and scrabbles desperately to cling onto the other side, you see rocks and clods of earth come loose as the Elf desperately claws with her fingertips and scrabbles upwards, struggling to clamp onto a firm handhold. The knotted rope around her waist loosening, the strands fraying... But there, she has made it! By the torn skin on her hands and knees Saorlai has somehow clung on and scampered up to the other side. Skallagrim the Barbarian claps in delight! Only an Elf could have accomplished this astonishing acrobatic feat!

Saorlai stares aghast at the idiotically clapping Barbarian Skallagrim. He was supposed to be holding onto the other end of the rope...

(QM: the result of this failure is - Saorlai makes the leap onto the other side. But the rope has unknotted and frayed, falling into the chasm below. Saorlai is on her own here. She can attempt to leap back, but there is a -1 modifier, so a flat 2d6 roll. Other characters can still attempt the perilous leap with the same 2d6 -1 + Instinct modifier, if they want to join her).

On this side of the cliff there is a culverin, the short squat cannon you saw indistinctly earlier. There are ample cannonballs and gunsulphur here to prime and fire it.
(QM: arming the cannon is a Will check for the mental knowledge of how to charge and load it; afterwards it can be fired at will. At this range, you cannot really miss if you orient and swivel the cannonmouth to aim it at anything)

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You have discovered a treasure chest! There is the glint of something beneath the gnarled branches of a tree. It is so tantalising close to your reach!

(You can choose to leave the treasure chest alone).

1 Skull Chalice
2 Mermaid Ring
3 Lute
4 Honey Electuary
5 Spiral Wind Jewel
6 You choose (or write in)

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From this side of the rock outcropping across the chasm, you can ascend the spiral staircase and bypass the sinister inanimate Guillotine Knight.

So if all the heroes were to leap and join Saorlai The Elf across the chasm (QM: -1 modifier due to no longer possessing a rope), you could then climb around and avoid the headless Guillotine Knight.

(QM: I am thinking from now on, please just roll 10d6 each time you write-in any action or response for the adventurers. I will take each action and assign it 2d6 and a modifier in the order you have written for the hero characters.)

Saorlai can also see an arrogant-looking peacock, preening its brightly coloured feathers at the top of the spiral stone stairs.
>>5482452
>>5482505

For some mysterious reason, Skallagrim feels a warm tingling from the Rhynchus Amulet around his neck as he glances at the ominous shadow cast by the headless Guillotine Knight.

So please
>Write in what you would like to do. Please remember to assign each action to a specific hero, thank you!
>roll 10d6

Dang, I got some catching up to do

>>5484077
>Elf to load and fire cannon at Guillptine Knight
>Wizard to cast Silence again, wrangle Angry Princess
>The rest to charge in and finish off Guillotine Knight if he survives cannonball

Rolled 3, 1, 1, 6, 6, 2, 2, 3, 2, 1 = 27 (10d6)

>>5484077
>>5484378
Oh, and my roll. Woopsie.

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>>5484378
>>5484381
>Rolled 3, 1, 1, 6, ...

1/ Elf roll: Will +0 (Intellect to recall how to load and arm a cannon)

3+1+0 = 4 < 7 (oh no!)

There is a twirly stick. Also some sponge-like wadding? Some cord or string here that smells a bit sulphurous? Does it go before or after the cannonball, maybe on top of it? Hmmm. Saorlai The Elf recalls the circus once had some "Acrobat launched from cannon" act. If only she had paid more attention...

A sudden thought occurs to her. Wizards are supposed to be intelligent? Maybe she should have asked Yazdegerd to shout out instructions... as Saorlai the Elf turns to look at Yazdegerd, the demented sorceror is muttering under his breath and flapping his arms and waving his silly lantern again. Last time he did this, all that it produced was an exceptionally unmagical-looking swarm of bats that may have been just a coincidence.

Perhaps he is just insane, and not even a wizard at all...

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2/ Wizard Roll: Will +3 (spellcasting for Silence effect)

1+6+3 = 10 >=10, (a strong success, yay!)

The contorted chanting face of Yazdegerd is wreathed in unnatural light, his eyes and mouth aglow with scintillating flame. The shadows around him writhe in agony and dance with malicious delight. Perhaps there is something about this watchtower... has it somehow amplified his invocation?

You see the sinister Thorn Fiends, the insectile demon-like creatures lurking in the trees, cower and shrink in fear, at this terrible unravelling of corrupted power.

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The Wizard unleashes the Ancient Rite:
The Sorrow That Throws The Mountain
(this spell is expended, and Silence can never be used again)

QM: All magic has a price, a consequence.

As you may have gathered, on an ordinary roll success, 7-9, you will unleash merely some coincidental mundane effect, akin to petty or hedge magic, that may or may not be exactly what you wish.

On a roll of 10 or greater, you will unleash a unique named spell, an Ancient Rite, that will give you the effect you want and potentially another added benefit.

The Ancient Rite once invoked can NEVER be used again.

Use magic carefully and sparingly, for failure and mishap can invite dark and severe consequences...

(QM: the Thorn Fiends are effectively stunned. Any hero with any melee weapon can deliver a coup-de-grace killing them instantly without any roll required. Assign your actions carefully...)

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In the swathe of sky above a swollen pillar of thundercloud and maelstrom churns.

When the Wizard throws up his arms and claps, you see space folding and the air itself vibrating, dancing motes and flecks of dust thrashing against the unnatural light as if pounded in harmonic patterns stretched upon the skin of a drum.

There is a thunderclap, a detonation, and you feel an uncoiling pressure wave of invisible force rushing over the entire clifftop.

There is barely any sound, though perhaps you can hear a high-pitched distant ringing in your ears - but it feels very far away, very quiet. You feel the throbbing of blood in your eardrums but there is no sound. You wonder if this deafening blast of force could bring down a mountain; an avalanche that swallows all sounds.

You can see the horrid Thorn Fiends, the barbed insectile demons lurking in the trees, overturned upon their backs in excruciating pain, spiked chitinous legs flailing in the air. They appear to be severely afflicted by whatever the Wizard has unleashed.

Gradually the sound returns to your ears again. The Thorns Fiends are still paralysed and stricken with pain, but the deafening and crushing sorcerous aftershock is gradually dispersing. Yazdegerd is panting heavily, fatigued with exertion. You think he may have bitten his tongue a little, and there is a small trickle of blood running from his ears.

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QM: Here is the map currently

(The Rhynchus Amulet around Skallagrim's neck glows very warmly. How strange!)

- Saorlai unfortunately failed the Will roll to load the cannon. It can be fired by rolling 1d100, but she is unsure if she loaded it correctly. You need to roll >=50 which is the hp of the Guillotine Knight to kill him in one shot.

- Yazdegerd is fatigued from his spellcasting exertion. He can cast another spell, but with a -1 modifier (ie Will +2).

- All of the Thorn Fiends are stunned / severely injured. A single blow from any melee weapon equipped character, ie assigning them an attack action, will execute the targeted Thorn Fiend without needing to roll.

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- You see the Wizard's invocation of sorcerous power has awakened something in the Guillotine Knight. There is a horrifying grind of metal and rope, as it lurches and struggles to raise itself to its feet, unbalanced, top-heavy and tottering, as its sharpened axe-blade head is slowly winched and hoisted in glinting anticipation...

(You think the Guillotine Knight likely possesses a lot of Strength, but appears a little unbalanced, because... well, he has a massive guillotine axe raised on wooden pillars nailed to his headless neck. The Guillotine Knight will act after you take this turn. Thinking back to the headless skeletons, absent any skulls,
>>5482897
you have an ominous sense of foreboding as to what this monstrous tortured abomination desires...)

>Write in what you would like to do. Please assign every action to a hero, thank you!
>Also, roll 10d6 (I will apply the rolls in order of your mentioned actions)
>roll 1d100 to fire the cannon. No need to aim at this range, you kill the Guillotine Knight instantly on a roll above 50.

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>5484513
>Does our wizard have a knife for when he is desperate and alone? If so, let him deal the coup de gras to the insects
>Elf! Fire thine cannon, and pray to whatever gods or devils will listen!
>Dwarf, barbarian, push and shove the (hopefully wounded) guillotine knight off yon cliff

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>>5484527
The Guillotine Knight is staggering and teetering closer. The most grotesque and perverse aspect of this monstrous, tortured being is that its lower torso and limbs appear entirely human. It wants to collect skulls... as it lurches towards you, axe-blade a slanted grin of whetted murder, you can see that trailing behind it is a garland of severed heads. The Guillotine Knight stretches his arms out to embrace you...

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When the cannon fires, it emits a choked and distorted snapping bark... you wonder if this peculiar noise is the muted lingering after-effect of Yazdegerd the Wizard's dread invocation of Silence, the Ancient Rite of The Sorrow That Throws The Mountain. The cannon-shot nonetheless reverberates and shakes the entire clifftop. You think perhaps Saorlai the Elf overcharged the gunsulphur a bit too enthusiastically...

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The Guillotine Knight is blasted into splinters and fragments. His guillotine axe-head spins, somehow remaining intact, and sinks into a nearby boulder with a resonant metallic thunk. Perhaps it could be put to some use?

Saorlai the Elf looks up and gives a weak cheer. Her face is blackened with the backblast of overcharged gunsulphur, and her hair is charred and singed. But The Elf appears to have survived - and not many cannoneers can say the same.

Saorlai takes 5 damage from the cannon backblast; 3/8 hp remaining.

QM: Congratulations on defeating the Guillotine Knight! This effectively ends the fight in this area; I just assume you dispatch and kill the remaining three Thorn Fiends - yes, there were three! Did you notice the one under the gnarled tree by the treasure chest? Always look carefully at the map for clues!

You can now write in any actions for your characters. For instance, you can try to search the area to scavenge any items, roll 1d6 on the table here >>5484074 for a treasure, ask characters a few questions etc (they may respond with dialogue), attempt to scout out the area etc.

For defeating the Guillotine Knight, Saorla The Elf and Yazdegerd The Wizard each receive +1 attribute points! The upgrade system to raise any attribute is akin to Stars Without Number and is as follows:
- for <0, or 0 to +1; cost is 1 point
- for +1 to +2; cost is 2 points
- for +2 to +3; cost is 3 points
- no attribute can be increased above +3

So for example, with her awarded 1 point, Saorlai The Elf can increase her Will or Strength by 1 (either stat from 0 to +1). She does not yet have the required 2 points to raise her Instinct or Charm to +2, as they are already at +1.

>Decide what attributes to increase for Saorlai and Yazdegerd. You may increase an attribute from 0 to +1, or -1 to 0 etc. You can also keep the points in reserve if you want to increase from +1 to +2 later etc.

>Decide any actions you want to take in this area for the characters before moving on. You can also change the formation of the characters. Is there a way to retrieve or replace a lost item, perhaps?

>Roll 1d6 on this table below for a treasure (all the Thorn Fiends have been dispatched now, no worries!) You can also choose to not take anything.
>>5484074

>Roll 10d6 because I might need to assign skill rolls for your actions / choices in order; I will update the map tomorrow. Thank you!

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>5484576
>save up points for now
>scrounge for items or clues as to where to find the real princess, all characters except the barb
>leave barbarian in charge of captive anger-princess

Rolled 1 (1d6)

Woops, forgot to update my dice field.

Some other enterprising anon can rol the 10d6 action dice. I don't want to hog all the fun.

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QM: I forgot to mention, I will permit a skill point to be sacrificed in order to permanently raise maximum health by +2, this also acts as a one-time full heal and restoration of fatigue / status effects.

Whilst Gulshara is fettered in the Chains Of Castigation, she cannot escape whilst adorned in the Penitent Armour. Beware: remember the cursed property it possesses,
>>5482480
whereby ANY damage afflicted in its vicinity is first redirected to the one clad in the armour! Fortunately Gulshara was standing far away from the cannonball, and also the exploding backblast of the overcharged cannon, or else that damage would have been redirected at her!

Currently the party formation is as follows:

1. 10/10 Tharfish the Dwarf (Pickaxe/Mattock)

2. 3/8 Saorlai the Elf (Wheel-lock: Loaded)
- lost Rope/Hangman's Knot, failed leap over cliff edge to reach cannon
-5 hp, singed from cannonfire backblast
+1 attribute point unused

3. 11/12 Skallagrim the Barbarian (Maul, Platypus Skull / Rhynchus Amulet)
-1 hp from consuming an innocent platypus
(the mysterious warmth from the Rhynchus Amulet has now faded)

guarding
... ?/? Gulshara (wearing Chains Of Castigation)
- ANY damage in her vicinity first redirected at her. Armour breaks afterwards
- Gulshara cannot escape whilst wearing this Penitent Armour

4. 6/6 Yazdegerd the Wizard (Lantern)
Weary from unleashing a Greater Ancient Rite:
Sorrow That Throws The Mountain
(spell expended. Can no longer use Silence)
-1 Will spell casting check, magic at +2
(QM: non spellcasting Will checks not affected, remain at +3)
+1 attribute point unused

I will leave this open for a while, if any players want to discuss options.

Yazdegerd knows a healing spell. However, bear in mind that spellcasting is now down from +3 to +2 (roll 2d6 to use). If he achieves a >=10 on the roll, ie a strong heal, the invocation of another ancient rite may fatigue him even more...

I will leave this one open for a while if players want to discuss upgrade options, and update the map and reveal the treasure
>>5484074
>>5484715
tomorrow, hehe. You can also write-in any other possible actions, please roll 10d6 and I will apply skill checks if neccessary in your described order. Thank you!

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Final addition: Saorlai The Elf can also invoke magic and the Ancient Rites, to a lesser extent than Yazdegerd The Wizard. (QM: this is a holdover from the Hero Quest board game, where the Wizard and Elf choose spells from a card deck!)

Saorlai casts intuitively with attribute Charm; the same limitations of magic apply to her as well. Use magic carefully and sparingly, for failure carries severe consequences!

If you have been carefully following the rules, you may have been wondering: if all spells are unique and single use, once I cast heal - won't it be lost forever? (Perhaps there is a clever sorcerous way around this, hehe...)

The approximate guide to the attributes is as follows. These are the equivalents from other rpgs.

STRENGTH
"warrior, barbarian things; melee weapons"
endurance, heart, fortitude, stamina, physique, athleticism, might, toughness, prowess, morale, resist, vigour, power, trauma, blood, muscle, violence, force, courage in battle
(note: some melee weapons, eg a rapier, may also possess INSTINCT requirements)

INSTINCT
"thief, hunter things; ranged weapons"
agility, skill, dexterity, grace, insight, speed, finesse, reflex, reaction, precision, coordination, mechanical devices, aptitude, stealth, guile, deceit, edge
(note: some ranged weapons, eg longbows, may also have STRENGTH requirements)

WILL
"wizard, priest, scholar things"
rationality, logic, memory, learning, resolve, reason, psyche, composure, authority, command, aspect, control, wisdom, intellect, belief, determination, curiosity, courage against unnatural creatures

CHARM
"witch, shaman, courtier things"
superstition, social capital, reputation, seduction, etiquette, presence, influence, luck, affinity, manipulation, charisma, empathy, animal control, fellowship, aura, look, appearance, face, trust, compromise, intimacy

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Rolled 6, 2, 3, 4, 1, 5, 4, 3, 1, 5 = 34 (10d6)

>>5484716

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Under the reign of Queen Ilsapesi II there were once two princes of her long dynasty: Gilamur Firstborn, and his brooding brother Heimeric.

After their mother died in a mysterious hunting chariot mishap, the two brothers drifted apart and quarrelled.

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When the Firstborn Prince Gilamur came of age and wed the Lady Catheryn, his cruel and vindictive bride discovered Heimeric's dark secret: for Heimeric Second-Born had secretly fallen in love with a hag, a goblin witch named Meregrot! She must have seduced him with her foul ensorcelments, in order to usurp and seize power, overthrowing the Firstborn Prince to steal his rightful throne! Imagine a goblin sat upon the Ravenspur throne of Queen Ilsapesi! How horrible!

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When his treachery was discovered, the Derogeance was declared upon Prince Heimeric. His bloodline was forever attainted, and he was stripped of his Highborn name, forever known only as The Disinherited. It was said that the spiteful Lady Catheryn urged her betrothed the Firstborn Prince to have the goblin seductress of his brother tortured to death before his very eyes; his Disinherited brother was then banished from the realm on pain of death.

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Some say the Disinherited Prince took his own life rather than embrace exile.

Yet others speak of how in his deathless wanderings beyond the realms of living sanity, the Disinherited One sought the accursed power of the ancient Empire Of Nacirema.

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Through fetid jungles and desolate wastelands, the Disinherited Prince finally discovered a forgotten ziggurat that would grant him demonic power, grant him his long-awaited revenge; for entombed within that stone pyramid was the lost witchcraft of the Unbidden Court. The form taken by this demonic power was deceptively simple; to unknowing eyes it was named simply The Crown. Others recognised it as a vile artifact of the Deathseers, fallen and corrupted mercenary sorcerors: the Deathseer Crown, howling demons of madness, pain and slaughter imprisoned within an evil carcanet. Yet without a moment's hesitation, the Disinherited Prince set The Crown upon his own brow...

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>>5482472
Having failed to coax you into releasing her, Gulshara The Angry Princess (?) commences gloating and taunting you relentlessly:
- You are all so stupid! All that cliff-leaping and silly spell thunder-chanting and stupid cannon-firing, nearly blowing yourself up! It was so obvious that the HEADLESS GUILLOTINE MONSTER wanted to... collect heads! You could have just given him your stupid platypus skull and he would probably have let you pass! And you look like a complete buffoon wearing that platypus skull by the way, not like a fearsome barbarian at all. No matter how big and bulging and glistening your oiled muscles are. No, I am not staring! Or you could have just unchained me, and put this stupid cursed chain armour on that headless knight. Then stood back and watched as he guillotined himself! Just unchain me! I am a beautiful Elf Prince! I am SO GOING TO ESCAPE afterwards!

(Gulshara rattles her chains and snarls at you, her petulant lips trembling, fangs protruding from a quivering jaw)

Er... she must be insane. You are pretty sure beautiful Elf Princesses do not look like her. Why does she think she is a Prince? She must be unhinged.

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From the high watchtower, you can survey the ruined castle below.

You are in the Southeast tower.

To the West, you see a bizarre scene occurring by the drawbridge and porticullis gate.

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A tearful Prince, surrounded by a motley and bedraggled cohort of maiden knights, is alternately pleading, wailing and threatening a gloating Troll King and his horde of orc and goblin followers squatting upon the gates above.

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Searlas The Meek whimpers:
- I know you have her! And this... this is my castle, the Ritterskeep! It belongs to me! This was meant to be... our wedding gift! Now your horrible goblins have seized it, and my beautiful bride too! If I could only see her, know she is safe - don't you dare touch her! If you touch her, my mummy will send so many warriors, so many weapons and siege engines! Any day now, we will receive all the weapons, and tear these walls down and slaughter you all! Except, we won't, because it is my castle! Now please just leave!

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The Troll King, Ilunn Moonmusk, cackles and chortles in delight:
- You lie, weakling wretch! Where are your battalions, your bright oriflamme banners? Your riders and retinue, the war-horses of your proud men-at-arms? You have only that maundering gaggle of girl-knights to protect you, the rest of your warriors died of dysentery on the road here!

We goblinkind and troll-folk are not as foolish as your mortal kin believe - we have keen eyes and green ears listening in all sorts of places.

We know, for instance, that Queen Ilsapesi is dead; a white-haired seeress of ours predicted it. Your beloved mother Carmillian has fallen into disgrace and disfavour in the Palace of Berceuse. There will be no weapons and no siege engines, no cannons or relief for you. If you approach the walls of this keep, you will never meet your bride, for you will no longer be alive. Yet it amuses me to see you snivelling and grovelling before us! It pleased me immensely to dispatch your lamenting pathetic servants and peasant castlefolk, we executed at least half of them, maybe soon seven in ten, and we will enslave the rest! Nothing pleases a troll more than savouring the liberal outpouring of your tears!

From the watchtower you can see a LARGE gathering of orcs, goblins and trolls encamped around the ruined castle - uncountably many. There is no sign of the princess. Or that mysterious peacock you saw earlier, either.

Curiously, you notice that there appear to be some humans in the castle too. Skallagrim The Barbarian squints and recognises some of them as men of the Steppe, khans and nomads of the Khurultai. There also appear to be pirates of the jungle archipelago of distant Langkasuk amongst them. The goblins and orcs appear to be on amicable terms with these men - perhaps they are traders and merchants, or slavers... A thought occurs to you. Perhaps you could infiltrate this goblin market, walk amongst these orcs and goblins and savage men unopposed. If only you had a convincing goblin guide...

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>>5484715
>>5484074
Skull Chalice
You wonder what this sorcerous artifact is truly capable of... from whose skull was it made? The hollow cavity within beckons to be filled, and invites a sip.

(QM: You are not sure what the full potential of this macabre treasure can do. Perhaps you can find someone knowledgeable in these matters to ask about it?

You have a feeling that if you offer the Skull Chalice blood, it may speak and give advice. Perhaps the chalice can even bestow spells, sorcery at no cost of mental fatigue or exertion, only blood. The blood does not have to be your own...

But the chalice is likely to crave more, and bargain for other things in turn, all in exchange for greater power.

Of course, you can also just sell this item.)

>Write-in what you would like to do
For example, you can
- try and mingle with the Steppe nomads and barbarians in the goblin market, to gather some information beforehand
- ask Gulshara if she has any ideas as to how to pretend to be a goblin
- ask Gulshara why she thinks she is an "Elf Prince." Even if she is utterly deluded, shouldn't she be an Elf Princess?
- sacrifice some blood (how much hp? which character?) And take a sip from the sinister Skull Chalice. Just see what it can do...
- try and stealthily approach the spoilt and whimpering prince, Searlas The Meek. How?
- try to approach Ilunn Moonmusk, the obese, strangely eloquent and gloating Troll King, and persuade him just to kill Searlas. Can you negotiate with a troll?
- scout around the castle a bit more and see if you can observe anything. Name a section of the map eg Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, centre or a feature and I will reveal some more miniatures showing you what you can see from the watchtower.
- there are A LOT of orcs and goblins hidden in the ruined Ritterskeep castle. Just kill them all

>Please roll 10d6 again assigning actions to each hero, thank you!

Rolled 5, 1, 3, 2, 5, 5, 3, 4, 2, 5 = 35 (10d6)

Sing a song.
The dog I met on Rinsey Heath
Had coal-black hair and crimson teeth.
And said 'Good morning!' like a man.
But trotted after when I ran.
'You'll have to stop!' he called to me,
'The left or right -- which shall it be?
'You have to make some sacrifice
Before you pass -- so throw the dice!'
The dice lay still. The sun went out,
And in came Darkness, fear and doubt.
The Black Dog ate my pleasured eye;
The one he left could only cry.
Though when I looked the dog had fled,
I heard a distant voice that said:
'You chose to keep the jaundiced eye,
Rejecting childhood's cosy lie.
'The game is up, the dice are toossed,
The sham exposed, the vision lost!'

File: alexandru-vitali-patrasca(...).jpg (1010 KB, 2416x3000)

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(QM: I really liked this artwork >>5485274 anon, I tried googl images and tineye to trace it but could not find it unfortunately. Where is it from?)

Yazdegerd the Wizard has broken out into a deranged rhyming song ( >>5485525 ) You wonder whether the Ancient Rite he unleashed earlier has unsettled his sanity a little...

You can see a strange limping figure in harlequin attire and a plumed cap idling in the courtyard beneath you. He appears to be tuning the pitch of a stringed guiterne, or lute of some form. When he turns his face, you can see the man has no nose.

(Perhaps you recognise this pitiable figure?)
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5265138/#5271470

Around him you can see the nomadic men of the Far Steppe who appear to be waiting for some sort of song from the miserable and mirthless musician. Mingled amongst them are goblins, orcs and trolls.

File: frayn-xiao-c1.jpg (672 KB, 1920x1920)

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One of them, a Great Khan, steps forth and slaps the noseless musician on his back:
- Cheer up, Noseless Arbeau! Why not give us a little song? Surely you can spare... just one? Just remember not to sing through your nose!

(The men of the Steppe guffaw at this. Arbeau The Noseless stares at his lute in sadness)

The Great Khan looks at the bard mischievously.
- Say, do you know which people make the best slaves? Now some would say without hesitating: The Elf. Their bodies are so delicate and alluring! But they are very arrogant and difficult to break. Others prefer the hardy Dwarf, but they are too stubborn and hold fast to grudges and mistreatment. I would not relish a pickaxe in the head when I least expected it! There are of course many creatures who could serve a whole manner of different uses and purposes... get it? A "hole" manner of uses?

>QM: write in if you want to reply to the Great Khan's question

write in what you would like to do; some of the options here >>5485518 may provide you with some ideas, or suggest your own. You can also try to move around the ruined castle,
>>5485496
but your intentions may be questioned or challenged.

>>5485571
Suggest that the answer is a goblin, because they're used to it, or a troll, because they think they are actually winning by binding themselves to you and needling you.

>>5485518
Then, having answered the Khan as a bive, dosplay our half-goblin 'Elf Prince' in her (his?) BDSM armor. We're clearly here to trade thisbvery nubile and OBVIOUSLY high-grade slave, so let us in!

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>>5485579
A sudden ingenious idea has struck you. These nomads, the Khurultai of the Far Steppe, trade and deal with everything and everybody. You could pretend to be traders! Slave traders! You already have this angry goblin princess chained up -

Gulshara screams: You will address me as Prince! I am a Beautiful Elf Prince! I bet you call actors "actresses" too. You are so ignorant! You have no familiarity with Elven manners, even the slightest understanding of courtesy and decorum. (Her feral bone charms jangle satirically). How dare you... try and sell me! I am going to escape, any moment now. I am just biding my time -

When you present this hysterical and screaming trophy Princess to trade and bargain before the Great Khan, his response makes your blood turn cold:
- My, this is a wild one! She will fetch a low price, for I can see we will incur great trouble domesticating her. It is a wonder that she has not scratched out your eyes already! But that armour she is wearing... (The Great Khan's eyes narrow shrewdly) ah, perhaps she can be put to some use after all. And you - you think that Goblins make the best slaves? (The Great Khan's face suddenly turns murderous, vicious) Look around you, you fool! We have sworn a pact with our green-skinned orc brothers. We will kill you now!

There is a horrible ringing metallic chorus, the synchronous unsheathing of steel. You scrabble in terror for weapons, eyes swivelling in panic upon their stalks for cover or escape. But you are surrounded by a ringed phalanx of curved blades. They say the Khurultai flay their victims alive...

The Great Khan laughs:
- That was a joke! Orcs and goblins enslave each other all the time! I have sold my own children into slavery. Because my loins are so fruitful, and my many offspring so stupid. Better they pay their debts of folly as chattel, than to die of exposure upon the winter steppe, eh?

The Great Khan shoves a bowl of fermented, curdled milk before you. He laughs heartily:
- Come, drink this! Now you may sleep with my daughter. It is permitted amongst my people. She is very ugly and barren, and will wither your manhood! (The Khan's face turns from jolly to murderous again) that was another joke. If you touch my daughter, I will flay you alive. (Recovering his mirth) But come! You have brought us a great gift. Perhaps the Troll King should meet you, he likes to know all the merchants and traders. Let us help you, give you the welcome of the Great Steppe. For what is best in life...?

>Write-in if you have any requests or questions for the Great Khan
(You now have permission as his guest to wander around the Ritterskeep, the castle seized by the Troll King. Gulshara and her armour are dragged away)

>Write in what you would like to do

>>5485597
Use the charms of the elf to uncover knowledge if the whereabouts of the Troll King.

Recover Gulsara. Protest that she is a piece of high-grade merchandise (at least in her armour) and that we wish to present her for trade with the Troll King directly.

File: 20221204_142506.jpg (351 KB, 1677x1080)

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>>5485609
When you protest at seeing the hysterically screaming and struggling Gulshara being dragged from you, the Great Khan waves his hand dismissively:
- I see you have dwelt amongst the "civilised men" for too long. So suspicious, so untrusting! We are men of great honour here, we will not meddle with your merchandise, merely... inspect her, for safekeeping. Some of my men are a little restless though. They see that foolish Prince outside (referring to >>5485502 ) encircled by his strange coterie of maiden knights - what sort of man cowers behind an armed woman as a lady protectress (the men of the Steppe guffaw again in unison, the Great Khan raises a hand to quieten them) - so, it is as I say, the men see this and are offended. They say we should judge him by the old way of the Steppe, the Conqueror and the Great Dark Sky (Skallagrim the Barbarian understands this as: kill him and take his women). What say you, eh? The Troll King has commanded this Prancing Prince be left unharmed, for his entertainment...

You wonder if there is an opportunity here. Could you meet with the feeble and cowering Prince Searlas the Meek outside?

Before he returns to his yurt and encampment within the walls of the ruined castle Ritterskeep, the Great Khan offers you some final words of advice:
- Perhaps I should answer my own question. What sort of people make the best slaves? The answer, I have found, in all my dealings with the so-called civilised men -

The Great Khan scratches his face thoughtfully. You see that his hands and arms are criss-crossed with many scars, gashes and sword wounds.

The Great Khan continues:
- The best slaves are those who cannot see their own chains.

QM: Please see the map for the courtyard in your vicinity.You can also consult the overview maps here
>>5485496
>>5485496
if there is a particular location or feature you wish to investigate. The entourage of Steppe nomads has mostly dispersed alongside the Great Khan; Noseless Arbeau is still gazing sadly alone at his lute strings though. You can also attempt to look for other traders or merchants etc.

I wonder where that Arrogant Peacock went, Saorlai The Elf wonders, as she winces and clutches her concussed chest in pain (3/8 hp).

(The Great Khan has departed to his private tent quarters in his yurt for the time being).

>Write in what you would like to do.
(QM: if you wish, you can meet the Troll King immediately, or look around elsewhere etc)

>>5485624
>Let the elf go try to find the peacock
>The three men can go meet the troll king and try to trade one princess for another

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>>5485664
>The three men can go meet the troll king and try to trade one princess for another

True to his word, the nomads of the Great Khan Of The Far Steppe have Gulshara bought before you for an audience with The Troll King, Ilunn Moonmusk.

They have even tried to anoint her with incense and fragrant oils, freshen her up a little... Gulshara pouts at this "mistreatment", but does not seem altogether too displeased. She is now attired in an ornate embroidered needle-lace gown, cinched so tightly against her waist, that you can almost hear the panting breathless murmurings of her fluttering heart, pleated folds of silk pulled loose over her cradled breasts yet taut across parted thighs. You catch the tingling exotic scent of Black Myrrh, an exaltation of perfumed desire misted over her bared neck and throat.

The Chains Of Castigation, the cursed armour, however, is nowhere to be found.

File: denis-gricuks-screenshot004.jpg (166 KB, 1920x1080)

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The Troll King, Ilunn Moonmusk, gazes disinterestedly as you approach. You see goblin archers flanking him on either side of the gate where he squats, grotesquely fat with belly distended, slobbering a little from the side of his mouth. There is also a curious goblin shaman to his side, and doubtless many more goblin archers and orc warriors hidden in recessed alcoves and the shadows.

You also observe many kegs of black powder, gunsulphur, treasure chests and weapons heaped here, the Troll King's pillaged and looted hoard. In particular, you notice an ornate heavy crossbow - some form of wallarmbrust, alongside a peculiar humped firearm, that seems to possess a cyclindrical drum before the barrel. You can see many many more armaments stacked alongside these.

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The Troll King utters imperiously:
- The Khan says you are traders, but our goblins and orcs have never seen you; we do not know you. How do I know you are not impostors or spies sent by that snivelling human wretch, that Prancing Prince, Searlas The Meek, cosseted and spoilt by those palace-dwelling decadents of the Imperial Reichskloster? Long have they tormented my people, and even your kind (the Troll King glances at Skallagrim the Barbarian) those that embrace The Wild, and curse The Oath And Light. You say you wish to bargain with me! Exchange one Princess for another! (The Troll King laughs). I have not taken his Princess. This castle was ruined and in despair long before we "resettled" it. You see what a fool this Prince resembles - it is through his own folly and decadence that he has allowed his own land to fall to ruin, dwelling far from it in the spoilt palaces of Berceuse, even as he sends his peasants to war against orc and troll on his behalf. The strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must! Yes, we killed those that resisted us. But you see we spare and trade with those who embrace us! I tire of this Prince Searlas. Go and deliver this message to him, that he pleads for his Princess in vain, witness his grief... and kill him afterwards! I want to savour the look of disbelief upon his crying dead eyes, for this is what the Troll hungers after!

As you are contemplating your reply, you can suddenly see a diminuitive figure struggling to push past the Troll King's guards in the distance. He appears to be a small, soaking wet creature, shouting:
- Let me through! I know the truth about these..."traders". The Troll King must know what they did...!

(QM: see the map for the identity of this mysterious, drenched informant)

>Write-in what you would like to do
>Roll 10d6
QM: you must also decide whether to accept or reject the Troll King's proposition

File: Book.jpg (4.97 MB, 2454x3322)

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>>5485569
>Where is it from?
hallelujah anyway by patrick woodroffe.
>>5485730
>Moonmusk
This castle is twitter?
Don't accept his request.
Find prince Searlas and take him away from this, maybe try and find another "civilised" location.

File: Patrick Woodroffe 1992 ch(...).jpg (90 KB, 600x800)

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(QM: Thank you very much for that art recommendation by Patrick Woodroffe, kind anon! That surreal and dreamlike aesthetic is very reminiscent of OSR styles! Perhaps you have received a vision of what is to come...

Also, if I have correctly surmised your intention: was this song poem here
>>5485525
an attempt to regain hp for the wounded Elf Saorlai, as I mentioned at the very beginning of this quest, ie sing a song to boost morale / gain temporary health etc? Sadly this time a cannonshot backblast cannot be cured through the power of poetry alone...! But do not be discouraged, snippets of song-poems and quotations may still have an effect, it all depends on the timing!)

>Moonmusk
hehe

...
(Meanwhile... as we rejoin the wounded Saorlai on her search for that elusive Arrogant Peacock...)

It is so obvious. An exotic bird such as a haughty peacock must belong to the menagerie of the Highborn, for who else could afford to countenance the upkeep of such infuriating and condescending creatures? Highborn! With their servants, of course. This annoying Arrogant Peacock must be able to lead you to his owner...

Amidst the noise and bustle of the inner keep of this ruined castle, the bustle of traders, orc, goblin and men alike, you suddenly hear a peculiar honking noise - eh-yow! eh-yow! Like a honk combined with a yelp. These strident yet mournful calls lead you to an unusual woman, who is cradling the fugitive and baffling bird...

File: victorien-berry-tbrender-(...).jpg (569 KB, 1920x1536)

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Lady Gracelyn Scantgrace
She has blue eyes like a fleeting glimpse of azure sky caught in a deep well of heartache. Lady Scantgrace is attired like a corsair, a sash and rapier at her side, skin sun-freckled and kissed like honey warmed in summer.

Now she is cooing softly to the peacock, caressing and pampering it as she whispers:
- How kind of you to return to me, O noble Rhadamanthus! I knew you would not abandon me. Your presence here must signify the most unwelcome arrival of... that Prancing Prince. Well I will not be returning with him to his hated court, and his... ridiculous Dowager mother. But Searlas possesses a sky galleon, a kiteship paravane! It will be our escape away from him, once we stow away and cast her adrift...

>Write-in what you would like to do.
>Please also roll 10d6
For instance, you could
- ask the Lady Scantgrace some questions (why does she hate Searlas?)
- help her escape from Searlas, by stranding him here as she escapes on his sky galleon
- Rejoin your party and inform Searlas you have located his beloved (betray Lady Scantgrace)
- Attempt to steal the sky galleon for yourself

- (The Wizard, Dwarf, Barbarian before the Troll King's court)
>>5485730
You have rejected the Troll King's offer. You may soon feel his displeasure...
You should consider how you might deal with this unwelcome intruder, Lench the Drenched Goblin,
>>5481766
>>5482478
extricating yourself from any accusations from this goblin witness who appears to have returned after enduring an unpleasant dunking by your hand in the cavern river...

File: GALLEON exterior.jpg (494 KB, 1915x1080)

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QM: I will use this as a reference for the sky galleon owned by Prince Searlas. Please just imagine that the sea is the sky, hehe. The sky vessel is berthed in an area far leftwards beyond the bridge where the Prince stands in the map here
>>5485496
or from this angle, diagonally down southwest:
>>5485500

Rolled 1, 2, 5, 2, 4, 4, 3, 4, 6, 1 = 32 (10d6)

>>5486020
>Elf: reveal yourself to the princess and offer your aid in her quest to escape, provided she gives you some token in exchange that could prove you liberated her
>Barbarian: hold up the platypus skull, and repeat back the Troll King's words -- the strong do what they will, the weak suffer what they must. This goblin deserves no sympathy.
>Wizard: Prepare to cast a teleport spell to escape
>Dwarf: move to guard the wizard

File: victorien-berry-tbrender-(...).jpg (524 KB, 1920x1536)

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Rolled 1, 2, 5, 2, 4, 4, 3, 4, 6, 1

Elf Roll: Charm +1 (persuade the princess to offer you aid, give a token etc.)
1 + 2 + 1 = 4 < 7 (oh no)
Well, you will just have to trust the word of a Highborn. Gracelyn is probably a trustworthy sort, not like she would stab you in the back or anything. But right now, Lady Scantgrace looks like a pirate.

Barbarian Roll: Charm -1 (Persuade the Troll King to offer no sympathy to the goblin...)
QM: for your clever use of the Troll King's own words back against him, I am giving you a +1 setting the modifier to +0. So
5 + 2 + 0 =7 >=7, it succeeds, but only just... will this be enough to invite the Troll King's mercy?

Wizard Roll: Will spellcasting (modifier reduced to +2 due to fatigue; prepare a teleport spell)
4 + 4 + 2 = 10 >=10, this is another strong success! You will invoke a strong and unique ancient rite, lowering your next spell modifier to only Will +1 ... Yazdegerd is starting to feel very exhausted now. Note also, by invoking teleport as a strong rite - that spell will be irretrievably lost.

Dwarf Roll: Instinct -1 (move to guard the Wizard)
3 + 4 - 1 = 6 < 7 (oh no! Maybe a stocky Dwarf is just not tall enough to fully shield a lanky weird wizard man...)

QM: Thank you very much for playing today, a lot of interesting actions, suggestions and recommendations from all the anons! I encourage everyone to be as bold and daring as possible. I will reveal the effects of all these rolls and update the map tomorrow!

File: espen-netland-jakobsen-final-o.jpg (770 KB, 1920x1283)

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Not only is Lench, the Drenched Goblin, completely sodden from his thorough river dunking, and bruised from head to toe from being knocked about and swept away in the waterfall cavern - but this goblin is also hopping mad with indignant fury...
- THEY DUNKED ME!!! Several times! I was so brave, I revealed nothing during this brutal torture, Your Majesty! Nothing of the secret bargain you are trying to make with... I mean, nothing! Also, they killed your orcs! Who were unarmed! They killed my... (Lench suppresses a sob) ... my only friend, my furry duck companion, Sir Mallory Duckles. And they stole your gift, that... insane half-goblin woman who thinks she is an Elf. And now these treacherous thieves and murderers and torturers and liars are trying to trade you back your own merchandise, stolen from you! Please, please... punish them, Your Majesty!

The Troll King listens to this tale impassively. You have a feeling that he requires much greater tales of abasement and suffering to satiate his troll appetite, and that this pageant and litany of grievances does not suffice to amuse him adequately.

File: 20221205_082430.jpg (1.12 MB, 1842x2876)

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As the Troll King's gaze turns to you, Skallagrim the Barbarian steps forward and makes his petition... perhaps your conversation with the Great Khan Of The Steppe has awakened a curious eloquence in the Barbarian's untamed spirit, for those who have dwelt long in the wilderness have long guarded their ancestral memory with only the gift of storytelling, their wits and cunning ways with the spoken word.
(QM: Skallagrim acts as described here)
>>5486028
>Barbarian: hold up the platypus skull, and repeat back the Troll King's words -- the strong do what they will, the weak suffer what they must. This goblin deserves no sympathy.

As Skallagrim concludes his eloquent oration - even Lench the Goblin is now looking a little confused, and unsure of himself - you see the Troll King's eyes squint and recede a little, squelched between his bulging flabby brows. You can see he is flattered, yet simultaneously his vanity is troubled, for he had thought the Barbarian to be dim-witted indeed.

File: andre-castro-screenshot117.jpg (288 KB, 1920x1080)

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You wonder if the Troll King, Ilunn Moonmusk, prefers to surround himself only with the company of lesser intellects, goblins and orcs, in order to feel the greater distinction of his own cleverness and stature amongst them.

After a long pause, during which you observe a pantomime of murder, torture and an errant stray thought of mercy flitting over the bloated Troll King's visage, Moonmusk delivers his verdict:
- Well spoken, for a wild man! I can see that you, Barbarian, possess the strength of a warrior... You, and you alone, I can use. But the rest... this scrawny Thunder-Caller, this mattock-wielding Stubborn Son of the Mountain, and this demented half-goblin captive "Princess"... they shall be condemned to torment.

Take them to the Tower Of Vultures, where chattering carrion-crows can peck at their eyes, and offer their flesh to Mahiragula the Conqueror, the Great Dark Sky...!

File: 20221205_074923.jpg (167 KB, 951x655)

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Before a horde of orc guards can emerge to seize your companions, a curious, iridescent swirling clouds the eyes of the Wizard Yazdegerd, as a milky blindness descends.

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The Wizard sees a tunnelling pillar of fire, a flaring column of fragmented worlds swirling in broken fragments around the Black Eclipse Of The Sun. He sees Places, People, Possibilities... the Old Names. A mysterious bird hieroglyph, the blue of lazulum or lapis lazuli. The Wizard sees the meaning of the Old Names... The Journey Of Eyes.

File: 20221204_232249.jpg (868 KB, 2218x1054)

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What his companions see is the rush of the abyss, a fall into a pit of a thousand colours.

File: 20221205_085442.jpg (359 KB, 1721x1080)

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QM: As you rolled a strong success, Yazdegerd The Wizard calls an ancient rite: the Journey Of Eyes, effectively a teleport portal direct to the sky galleon of Prince Searlas. Somehow this strong success opens a pathway for Saorlai The Elf, Lady Scantgrace and her beloved peacock Rhadamanthus to rejoin the party too!

Yet there are a few complications (please see the overview map)

- The Troll King and some goblin archers, together with Lench the dunked goblin and the Troll King's Shaman have been pulled in as well

- Perhaps because you tried to teleport a split and regrouped party, there are now two branching exits from this astral pathway... which one leads to the sky galleon?

- Yazdegerd is very fatigued and struggling to maintain his concentration whilst in this astral gate. Any action he takes is at 2d6-1 (no modifiers). You can actually still try and cast attack spells, but it will be at 2d6-1

- The Troll King's hp is 30/30. If blubber and fat counts as armour, he would have a lot of it... but he is effectively unarmoured. Three strong attacks (ie rolls >=10) will outright kill him, but you need to bypass his archers first. You can also attempt to physically shunt the Troll King off the narrow astral teleportation path of shattered castle ruins. This incurs a Strength check at -3, because the Troll King is so fat and blubbery; he also emits slimy nauseating smells

- Princess Gracelyn / Pirate Lady Scantgrace can help you attack. She possesses a rapier (Instinct weapon) and the following attributes:

8/8 hp
-1 Strength
+1 Instinct
+0 Will
+2 Charm

She cannot cast spells.

- The Goblin Archers and Shaman all have hp 6/6, the same as Lench
>>5481766
They are dazed by the sudden appearance of this portal and astral pathway, so you get to attack first.

>Please write in your actions assigned to each hero; I will process them in the order provided, thank you!
>Also, please roll 14d6 this time!
You can see the possessions of the heroes here
>>5484738

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QM: Just a slightly closer zoomed view of the battle. The two portal exits out of the astral path are 1/ behind the Troll King and 2/ directly below him in the screenshot. Goblin arrows and spears here do up to 1d6 damage (lower of their 2d6 roll for Strength or Instinct checks, as they are dazed).

You are not too sure what form the attacks of the Troll King and his Goblin Shaman might take.

>>5486501
Tell the Troll king he mustn't attack. The gate plane is fragile and if the wizard loses his concentration, the results could be disastrous. Try to get him to leave via one exit while taking the other.

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>>5486549
Which character will attempt this anon? It is a Charm roll, 2d6. I think you need a very strong success to persuade the Troll King to this course of action...
>roll 2d6

You can also plan out your other actions or attacks here (if that Charm roll fails). Please roll 14d6 in that instance, thank you!
>roll14d6

Rolled 6, 4, 4, 1, 4, 2, 1, 1, 4, 5, 1, 1, 5, 6 = 45 (14d6)

>>5486569
Elf.

>>5486569
>>5486499
Agreed. Elf can make the argument. Barbarian can protect the wizard. Dwarf and Pirate Princess can ready to attack if negotiations fall through (aim for Moonmusk!), and Dwarf can secondarily be wrangling the Anger Princess.

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>>5486800
>>5486809
>Rolled 6, 4, 4, 1, 4, 2, 1, 1, 4, 5, 1, 1, 5, 6

Elf Roll: Charm +1
Persuade The Troll King to leave
6+4+1 = 11 > 10
Wow, somehow she does it! I think the Shaman leaves as well alongside The Troll King, this is a very strong result. I will roll a morale check for Lench and the goblins, it will be tilted heavily in your favour.

Barbarian Roll: Instinct +1
Protect the Wizard
4+1+1= 6
Oh no! The Wizard is just too gangly and he is fidgeting and waving his arms around! However, if any goblins remain hostile after my morale roll for them, they may not necessarily target the weakest; goblins become much less tactical in the absence of leadership holding them together. Hostile goblins will fire at random targets, so Skallagrim may not need to act as a muscular human tower shield!

Dwarf Roll: Strength +2
(I will just interpret this as attack any hostile survivors)
4+2+2 = 8 > 7
It is a slight success. And let us see what happens with the fearsome Pirate Lady Scantgrace...

Pirate Lady Scantgrace: Instinct +1 (Rapier attack)
1+1+1 = 3 < 7 (Oh no!)
This is the worst result imaginable; Lady Scantgrace is aptly named.

Here is the goblin morale roll:

1 Shocked by the betrayal of his former liege the Troll King, Lench the Goblin alongside all goblinkind swears undying revenge against Trolls, Shamans, Elves, Dwarves, Barbarians, Pirates, Wizards, Half-Goblins, Peacocks etc. With a cry of defiance, screaming to avenge his beloved platypus as tears stream down his agonised green face, Lench hefts his spear and charges at you as the archers loose their arrows...

2 Only 1d3 goblins join Lench on his suicidal endeavour

3 It is just him on his own. You killed Lench the goblin's only friend.

4 The goblin archers try to comfort Lench as he collapses in frustrated tears and bawling

5-10 The goblin archers simply leave as Lench wilts in despair

11 The goblin archers decide to shoot Lench instead as they perceive him as being responsible for their current predicament

12 The Troll King accidentally sits on Lench as he waddles towards the portal exit; the goblin is instantly pulped by a mountain of flatulent troll rump descending upon his face. The Troll King then belches contentedly afterwards.

Here are any potential random archery targets:
1-2 Skallagrim the Barbarian (he is big)
3 Tharfish the Dwarf (he is small)
4-5 Yazdegerd the Wizard (he is gangly)
6-7 Saorla the Elf (she is injured already...)
8-9 Gulshara the Half-Goblin (she is angry)
10-11 Pirate Lady Scantgrace (she is disguised!)
12 Rhadamanthus the Arrogant Peacock (He is most displeased)

I will roll
1d12 for the goblin archer reaction
3d12 for any potential targets (up to 3 goblins may or may not loose their bows)

so total 4d12

File: espen-netland-jakobsen-final-b.jpg (1.57 MB, 1920x2095)

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Rolled 4, 4, 12, 1 = 21 (4d12)

>>5486844
Here is the reaction and potential targets roll...

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>>5485518
A contemplative, yearning voice murmurs:
- So many secrets dwell here in the Void; I can help you learn of them. Yet I thirst... the thirst is maddening...

In her haste to prove herself worthy of her disguise, Pirate Lady Scantgrace eagerly steps forward and brandishes her rapier... and accidentally cuts herself across the arm as she draws the lengthened blade.
-1 hp, 7/8

All of a sudden, upon what had been a plain white bone goblet, a skeletal face appears, glancing hopefully at Lady Scantgrace and the seeping wound upon her arm...

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>>5486800
>>5486809
>>5486844
>>5486847
QM: hehe, so this clever nonviolent solution
>>5486549
has essentially resolved this situation amicably. The Troll King and his Shaman alongside him will both depart in peace as they do not see any gain from fighting over the injustice suffered by Lench the Goblin.

The remaining archers will comfort Lench, they will not fight.

After the Troll King leaves they will drag him away through another portal - unless you stop them. You have an opportunity here to just kill them all outright here in the Void, the astral path (out of sight of the Troll King).

After that, you may choose to leave through one of the two portals, which one? Left or bottom?

Unfortunately, because you did not fight the Troll King, you missed the chance to loot his treasure for massive amounts of attribute points (described here >>5485725 )

However, because of the inventive decisions and suggestions made by all players, I will award you the meagre +1 skill point for only a single hero. So your choices are now:

>Decide whether to slaughter all the goblins, Lench and the archers, as they are comforting each other here in the lonely astral path of the Void where there are no witnesses
(no roll required, you may describe which heroes do this grim task)

>Well if you are going to draw blood, why not... feed some of it to your treasure, the Skull Chalice? Four helpless goblins could be a good start...

>Decide which hero should receive the meagre reward of +1 attribute points. Currently, Yazdegerd the Wizard and Saorlai the Elf each possess +1 unused point. If you wish to upgrade an attribute please see the rules here. You can also sacrifice an attribute point for a permanent +2 health, and a full status / restore one-time heal back to max hp (spell fatigue also cured)

>Decide which portal exit to take, straight across or down?

>Write in any other actions etc. Please assign them to a hero, and roll 2d6 for each action, thank you!

>>5486868
Sacrifice the skull point on the sootfaced lady who used the cannon.
Do not kill the goblins.
Can we examine the portals for any clues? If none can be found go down.

>>5486868
>Give the skillpoint to the elf
>Spend the wizard's skill point to heal his spell fatigue
>Spare the goblins
>Collect the Pirate princess' blood in the skull chalice to get its advice on which portal to use

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>>5486887
>go down
QM: I was actually quite interested in seeing what you might try to do here with the portals - if only you had not lost the rope at the cliff jump, or even just looted back a free rope lol from the wheel winch after killing the Guillotine Knight etc, maybe you could have tried throwing out the rope and reeling it back in etc.

But somehow you randomly guessed it correctly, so I do not have to make a Very Unpleasant Roll (disappointed evil GM face)

Ok, Saorlai the Elf gains a full heal and status effect restore, and a permanent +2 max hp.

The party formation and status now looks like this.

1. 11/12 Skallagrim the Barbarian
Maul, Platypus Skull / Rhynchus Amulet
-1 hp from consuming an innocent platypus

2. 7/8 Pirate Lady Scantgrace
Rapier
-1 hp from eagerly charging into battle... and cutting herself

3. 10/10 Tharfish the Dwarf
Pickaxe/Mattock

4. 6/6 Yazdegerd the Wizard
Hooded Lantern
Fatigued from unleashing Greater Ancient Rites:
Sorrow That Throws The Mountain
(spell expended. Can no longer use Silence)
Journey Of Eyes
(spell expended. Can no longer use Teleport)

Fatigue now impairs spellcasting AND all Will checks; Will modifer at only +1

still +1 points remaining unused

5. 10/10 Saorla the Elf
Wheel-lock pistol, loaded
- lost Rope/Hangman's Knot, failed leap over cliff edge to reach cannon
full heal from use of attribute point, max health permanently +2
still +1 points remaining unused

6 ?/? Gulshara the Half-Goblin
wearing an Alluring Dress
>>5485724
- lost Penitent Armour, Chains Of Castigation

7 ?/? Rhadamanthus the Arrogant Peacock

QM: I should also ask, which hero possesses the Skull Chalice treasure? Just in case you are separated or horribly killed hehe. But I have a feeling the sinister voice can reach across distances, regardless of who is holding it, so long as the listener possesses a skull...

You are standing on the main deck of the sky galleon of Prince Searlas.

It appears completely deserted and unguarded.

The sky galleon is moored to some form of tower, which appears indistinct to you. Something that you notice is that this Sky Galleon is in a very poor state of disrepair - perhaps Prince Searlas is in truly dire pecuniary circumstances, after his Mother Carmillian fell out of favour with the Court in Berceuse (perhaps you could ask Pirate Lady Scantgrace about this?) You can also explore lower levels, climb the Crow's Nest, assign tasks etc. Unless otherwise specified, Lady Scantgrace will insist that her peacock Rhadamanthus and Gulshara stay on board this vessel, which she now declares as under her command, and also belonging to her, because of course she is Highborn, and also a pirate.

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>>5486919
QM: ah I missed this did not look to refresh lol. So in this case, Yazdegerd the Wizard hp is raised permanently to 8/8. He is fully restored and Will is back to +3, however remember that Silence and Teleport spells cannot be used. But perhaps a certain... Skull-shaped friend can teach you a way around this...

(Collecting blood from the seeping wound of Lady Scantgrace may disturb her. Which character dares attempt this? Roll 2d6 and describe how you approach this, guile, stealth, coercion, trickery? etc)

>Write-in what you would like to do. You can explore this sky galleon a little, eg search for supplies, try and work out how to fly it, or explore the mooring tower surrounding area etc. You can also ask the NPCs questions.
>Decide which hero possesses the Skull Chalice (or is it the other way round...?)

The levels of the ship are
Crow's Nest (peacock here)
Upper Deck (you are here)
Gun Deck
Storage / Lower Deck

Rolled 2, 5 = 7 (2d6)

>>5486933
>>5486937
>Wizard: approach Pirate Princess, attempt to bargain for blood, claim (maybe truthfully?) that this artefact and her blood could work together to strengthen his magic for HER ultimate benefit
>Dwarf: affect repairs and make recommendatiosn while exploring ship
>Elf: Get to know Pirate Princess better, learn her circumstances, deduce if there is there a reward in it for us to get her home or to her prince
>Barbarian: Flirt with Angry Princess, as per alluring dress

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>>5486954
Ok, I will incorporate these choices into the map update for tomorrow!

In the meantime, here are the lower levels of the ship.

Please could you
>roll 8d6 (Dwarf, Elf, Barbarian actions, and also another thing I need for the ship)

If you like, you can also try to imagine an extremely witty and clever appropriate sky galleon name. But Lady Scantgrace may be displeased if your name does not agree with her (of course she wants to name it after herself, or maybe her beloved peacock). I will leave this one open for all players to discuss...!

Thank you very much for playing today, and all the interesting choices!

Rolled 1, 1, 2, 1, 6, 1, 5, 5 = 22 (8d6)

>>5486989
Ship name, Witty beauty?

>>5486989

The Scant Chance, perhaps?

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Rhadamanthus the Arrogant Peacock gazes upon the deck beneath with a haughty, disapproving beady eye - already there is an atmosphere of mutinous misrule.

Gulshara is quarrelling with Gracelyn, who is sternly reproaching the angry half-goblin:
- You will address me as 'Pirate Captain Lady Scantgrace! And if you dare mention Elves again, or even so much as cast an insubordinate scoundrel glance upon my beautiful pet, I will have you... walk the plank! Do you know what that means? On a skyfaring vessel?

The enrages Gulshara replies
- But you are deluding yourself! We are so close to the Sanctuary of my people, the Elves! Why do you want to hide out in the desolate wastes of the desert, The Dead Land? And this "City Of Scars" you mention, upon the Corpse Shore, Nastrond... the clue is in the name! It can only be a den of iniquity, some hideout for horrible murderers and cut-throats and thieves and slavers. Why do you want to take us there, when we could be drinking honeysuckle nectar and petal dew from the tender kissable lips of beautiful Elves?

Lady Gracelyn Scantgrace replies irritably, as she struggles to keep her temper and command:
- You are not an Elf! Not a princess! If you were Highborn, you would know that the Beauteous Beldame Of Berceuse has issued a dread proclamation, that all Elfes have been declared Ugly in the eyes of the Oath And The Light. I heard some traitor Elfe spy insulted the Beldame, but it must really be because she cannot bear the thought of anyone being more beautiful than her. The Church Of The Oration will kill any elves on sight, just as they treat all abominations and otherkind. And with good reason too, for the Elves of Irminsul and the Skraeling Tree in the Old Forest Of Idols are feral, completely given to the Wild! Were I to follow your counsel, we would all be quartered and hung in pieces scattered across the forest! Just as you will be, if you mention Elves again!

You think Gulshara and Pirate Captain Lady Scantgrace are almost on the verge of blows, or perhaps tearing off each other's clothing and wrestling.

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But just as this is about to occur, the Wizard Yazdegerd interrupts helpfully:
- I have it! I know the Name! This ship shall be Named... The Titty Beauty! No! Wait: witty, witty! Witty Beauty! Also, my dear Lady Scantgrace, would this be a convenient time to collect some of your blood? Not your menses, just ordinary blood. Any chance at all?

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Seeing the oiled and muscular form of Skallagrim hulking silently nearby, Gulshara declares spitefully at Lady Scantgrace:
- How come you get to be captain, anyway? Just because you say you are Highborn. How do we even know? Oh you think you are so rich and beautiful and clever and well-mannered. But during that last battle all you did was fumble and cut yourself unsheathing your sword! You are not even a pirate! All you do is sit around moping and feeling beautiful and miserable and mistreated by everyone, and then you go stroke your peacock! And your peacock is Ugly! You, Lady Scantgrace, will never experience this (the half-goblin Gulshara snatches at the astonished Barbarian, and gives him a long intense kiss...)

(still kissing...)

(getting a bit breathless now...)

(they are still kissing; the Wizard Yazdegerd opportunistically pilfers the blood-soaked wounded rag from Lady Scantgrace's arm whilst she is distracted...)

Still kissing and fondling each other passionately, Gulshara begins to drag Skallagrim to some nearby hammocks, as Lady Scantgrace storms off in disgust.

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In the decks below, as he is inspecting the condition of the ship with an expert eye, Tharfish the Dwarf reminisces over his days as helmsman aboard a Sky-Whaler, as he begins to hear a rhythmic pounding and moaning hammering interspersed with the occasional girlish squeal likely originating from the sleeping quarters somewhere nearby.

Knowing these noises not to have arisen due to any impairment in the condition of the skyfaring vessel, Tharfish the Dwarf contemplates the task at hand.

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Here at the edge of The Old Forest Of Idols, the Warguild have scattered wind-spires and cannon-towers upon chokepoints and mountainous thresholds all along the borders, so that any errant privateering sky vessel captain not bearing a Letter Of Marque and Reprisal will be unceremoniously shot down.

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But once past this Warguild blockade erected and enforced by the East Galernese Trading Company, out in the desolate wastes of The Dead Land a sky carrack cannot be challenged by any authority. Though some survivors speak of far worse things, things afeared by even the Warguild, that hunt through storms over the rust dunes and ruins...

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Through the East Galernese Trading Company, The Warguild have also strictly stipulated that all eligible vessels must bear working cannons, as a defence against piracy from other sky vessels that also bear working cannons. The Warguild trades in cannons. You wonder if there is some war profiteering occurring here. But for a vessel of this size, you think the minimum requirement is likely twelve, not counting bow and stern chasers or swivel guns.

QM: The ship is currently in a tremendous state of disrepair. Please bear with me as I upload some of these options -

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1/ Swivel Cannon
The only omnidirectional weapon, as broadsides, bow and stern chasers all require the ship to be oriented to the target first. This is the best pure offensive weapon

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2/ Harpoon
Can reel things in, and the grappling hook enables strong early boarding. The harpoon unfortunately does negligible damage to the hardwood timbers of any sky vessel

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3/ Catapult Crane
Used to fling a versatile variety of items at targets, and the trebuchet arm and counterweight serves as a manoeuvrable crane hoist. Can also be used for boarding, (ie launch yourself from the crane arm), but very dangerous.

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4/ Barrage Balloon
Useful for both surveying and sabotage, as the trailing rigging and cables can entangle ships. It can be charged with explosives or flammable gunsulphur (QM: effectively a mine-layer in the sky)

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5/ Trawler Nets, and Rigging
Used for fishing and ensnaring wildlife, sustaining vessel supplies and also provides a small bonus to durability and repair of rigging and driftsilk sails.

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6/ Reinforced Prow, and Ram
A combined ship hull armour and ramming improvement. The ram is completely useless at long distance.

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7/ Windmill and Kite Vanes
Propellers and glider paravanes that greatly increase turning and manoeuvrability for a sky vessel

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8/ Lightning Rod (Coil, Pylon and Battery)
Defends against storms and the maelstrom. As a last resort can be discharged as a weapon, but there is a great risk of fire. Lightning is valuable, and can be harvested!

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9/ Telescope
Cannon broadsides are useless if you cannot see a target. This will also aid your observation in adverse weather, storms and mist

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10/ False Flag
Disguise the insignia of a sky vessel. Can be used to manoeuvre close for an ambush, and bypass blockades or checkpoints. However, it becomes useless if you are boarded and inspected.

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Rolled 7, 10, 9, 8, 10 + 50 = 94 (5d10 + 50)

QM: choose as many of the 10 sky galleon outfittings as you desire - but there is a catch!

1/ Swivel Cannon
>>5487552

2/ Harpoon
>>5487555

3/ Catapult Crane
>>5487557

4/ Barrage Balloon
>>5487561

5/ Trawler Nets and Rigging
>>5487566

6/ Reinforced Prow and Ram
>>5487568

7/ Windmill and Kite Vanes
>>5487571

8/ Lightning Rod; Coil, Pylon, Battery
>>5487606

9/ Telescope
>>5487625

10/ False Flag
>>5487626

Each ship tool or component chosen reduces the starting condition of the ship by 1d20 (that's right, 1d20 !! I will roll for this afterwards)

What is essentially occurring is that Tharfish The Dwarf is stripping the ship for timber and parts to repair these features. The ship begins at
50 + 5d10 % condition.

Too many and you risk starting with only wrecked timbers, or ruining the ship altogether!

The ship improvements help by providing certain modifiers in various conditions of weather or sailing phenomena. eg the windmill and kite vanes could help give a bonus to ship rolls manoeuvring between floating island cliffs, the lightning rod helps give a bonus against storms, etc. These events may be randomly generated during travel. You may still be able to attempt some actions even without a ship improvement, but there is likely to be a heavy penalty modifer, beginning at -1 to -3 depending on the situation. The ship components function the same as your attributes, beginning at +1, improving to +3 etc

If you are inventive, you can suggest a few ship features yourself (it will mostly depend on if I can find cool pictures for them hehe). But remember, the cost of each one is high at -1d20 ship condition. There will be the opportunity to purchase, manufacture or procure other ship features later.

>Write in which ship features you would like repaired by Tharfish the Dwarf. Afterwards, I will tally and reduce the ship condition by -1d20 for each one... choose carefully!

>>5487663
Telescope and swivel cannon.

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Rolled 11, 4 = 15 (2d20)

>>5487723
QM: rolling 2d20 to reduce the condition of the ship as Tharfish the Dwarven Shipwright salvages what he can from various ship parts, in order to repair the Swivel Cannon and Telescope.
You will gain a bonus to rolls whenever a telescope is needed. The primary ability of the Swivel Gun is being able to fire a shot in any direction, before an enemy sky vessel can turn and aim broadsides at you. The Swivel Gun is also useful when defending against boarding actions - but be careful you do not miss and overdo all the swivelling, and hit your own mast or sails by accident!

After you see the result of this roll, I will leave it open for a bit to see if any anons want to risk repairing any other ship features - remember, the cost is very high at this stage.

In the meantime I will also show you the surrounding area, the tower where this sky vessel is berthed. Hold on whilst I prepare those miniatures (it is complicated hehe).

>Write-in if you want to repair other ship features, bearing in mind you will risk the condition of the ship by a reduction of 1d20 each time!

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QM: From the tower where the sky galleon is currently berthed, looking down you can see this overview of a bridge, another berthing tower, and a river crossing below.

You are situated in the Southeast portion, looking down upon the scene.

I will provide a zoomed-in screenshot of the various quadrants step-by-step.

But first, Tharfish the Dwarven Shipwright has some more bad news.

Not only do you require a Letter Of Marque And Reprisal, if you are to avoid being boarded or shot down by the blockade of Warguild cannon-towers, but the Dwarf has also discovered that one of the broadside cannons in the gun deck is damaged beyond repair.

This makes obtaining a signed Letter Of Marque nearly impossible, as you cannot meet the Warguild's skyfaring requirement of armament. So your tasks must be:
1/ somehow find or procure a replacement cannon, to meet the skyfaring vessel requirement;
2/ obtain a signed Letter, enabling your sky carrack to take flight without being shot down
3/ decide whether you support:
- Lady Scantgrace, and intend to navigate to the desolate sands of the City Of Scars as a hideout;
- Gulshara the Half-goblin, and intend to seek sanctuary with the Elves of the Skraeling Tree

Where can you find and procure a working broadside cannon? You think of the culverin that you fired at the Guillotine Knight... but that was more akin to a mortar, and cannot be fitted to the gun deck for broadsides.

As you puzzle over this difficult question, your thoughts return back to the scene below where you stand in the ship's tower berth.

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Recall that your ship berthing tower is in the Southeast. To the Northeast, you can see a group of brightly dressed individuals, who resemble entertainers and performers from a carnival or circus. They appear to have had poor success attracting an audience. A mounted guard and a foot soldier are approaching them to drive them away.

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Moving Northwest from top right to top left along the bridge takes you to another watchtower. You see a large crowd of peasants gathered in a disorderly queue; they appear mostly quite dishevelled, as if they had been fleeing from someplace. You can see some guards but these men are attired very differently to the mounted guard and foot soldier you witnessed accosting the circus entertainers. The Northwest guards are clad nearly entirely in black with sinister white beaked masks. You wonder if these are Witchfinders, of the Church of the Oration. Their leader here appears to be pointing accusations and gesturing violently at a figure carrying a lute, as if interrogating him. (QM: The tower here has several floors and tiered sections, it can be entered)

You can see that these Orationists appear intent upon questioning everyone in the entire peasant crowd, one-by-one, causing the queue over the river crossing bridge to grind to a halt.

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Directly beneath this northwestern section is a ladder to the middle of the map. You see a lonely figure wading out of the river on his own. He is being challenged by one of the ordinary river crossing guards.

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Finally, over a makeshift wooden bridge in the Southwestern section of the map, you see two ordinary guards, one mounted and one on foot. It is usually their task to oversee the river crossing, but with the arrival of the Witchfinder from the Church of the Oration, they are left idle by the delay and have nothing left to do.

Curiously, your high vantage point enables you to spy upon two mysterious hooded figures to the farthest west of the river here. They are crouched against the cliff and riverbank, and appear very furtive and suspicious in their behaviour. None of the guards have seen them.

>Write in any questions, and what you would like to do
>Please roll 10d6, thank you!
You can venture forth directly and explore the map yourself, or you can wait and observe to witness how events might develop.

Your gift of blood has pleased the Skull Chalice. It will offer you a rite named Whispering Fire, that will allow you to both speak and eavesdrop upon conversations within any area in the vicinity of a torchlit flame's illumination. (QM: this is the entire map - essentially grants you remote listening and communication).

ANY character may cast this rite, whilst holding the Skull Chalice, so long as they offer -1hp in blood to the chalice.

If you already guessed where to find a cannon, or who might know, write-in now.

If you already guessed a way to obtain a Letter Of Marque And Reprisal, write-in now.

Rolled 2, 1, 6, 2, 2, 4, 4, 5, 3, 5 = 34 (10d6)

>>5487781
>Fix False Flag
>>5488019
>Support Lady Scantgrace for now, but attempt to discover if turning her over to her nation would glean a reward; if so, look to betray her at first opportunity
>>5488030
>See the guards under our false flag, and inquire about places to buy a broadside cannon.

>>5488106
>See the guards under our false flag, and inquire about places to buy a broadside cannon.
Not sure that's a good. They may try to apply their laws to us.
>>5488030
Could we travel to the Palace of Berceuse and get a cannon from them?

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QM: Tharfish the Dwarven Shipwright repairs the False Flag! I will roll 1d20 to reduce the condition of the ship further, as Tharfish scavenges what he can for repairs.

As you descend the mooring tower, you encounter the following scene across the river from you, where a bedraggled Searlas - entirely on his own and looking mud-spattered, befouled and dirty, is trying to convince a crossing guard:
- I am telling you, that ship belongs to me! Look, I have the Letter Of Marque to prove it! The Salt Rose! That is my ship, but I lost all my maiden knights and crew when I ran away from the goblins... I mean, when my traitor retinue all deserted and abandoned me! I am Highborn! I demand to be seen by The Oration!

The River Crossing Guard looks at the Befouled Prince Searlas sceptically:
- Well... these papers prove you are the owner of The Salt Rose. But that ship moored there is clearly named, the Titty Beauty. Look, you can see that bright, newly-painted lettering along her prow very clearly!

- The Witchfinder is very busy questioning these villagers. They have received reports of a rumour there is some Unsanctioned Mad Wizard roaming around, flinging forbidden rites at will, calling the thunder and the storm. This Mad Wizard must be very Evil, all know The Oration have forbidden all use of sorcery! The only description we heard is that he possesses a long beard, wears a silly hat and carries a strange Lantern. Have you seen this vile sorceror, by any chance?

- But if you have some other dispute or matter you wish the Witchfinder to address, I suggest you join the back of the crowd and queue there...

Prince Searlas The Meek weeps and screams hysterically in despair:
- But I am HIGHBORN! I demand to be seen! This is an outrage and disgrace! If only Mommy were here, O, such woe has befallen me!

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Rolled 7 (1d20)

You have gained: Signal Rocket
Use this item to command whoever is onboard the Sky Galleon to open fire with the Swivel Cannon; remember that the Signal Rocket cannot be used indoors.

A thought occurs to you. As you chose the Swivel Cannon, a brutal approach might be, to stay within your sky carrack, tilt the cannon downwards on its pintle mount, and open fire killing indiscriminately everyone who tries to rush towards and ascend the tower mooring to stop you.

You could just do this now, with no warning. Or you could leave one crew member behind, capable of firing the Swivel Cannon when they see the signal as a last resort. This crew member must be either the Barbarian, Dwarf, Elf or Wizard; ideally someone possessing adequate Will and Instinct to target and operate as a Cannoneer. You can still use the Signal Rocket to call for artillery support if you do not leave someone behind, but then you must trust either Lady Scantgrace or Gulshara not to abandon you...

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Ship Condition:
94 - 15 - 7 = 72 %
>>5487663
>>5487781
>>5488459
You possess: Swivel Cannon, Telescope, False Flag

As you explore the world and map, keep a lookout for treasure chests! If you manage to clear an area (either pacifying / killing all enemies, or somehow persuading them into letting you take the treasure or open it) you will gain attribute points or potentially ship improvements and other items! Some chests are hidden, I will not mention them unless you search the area where one resides - but it is best to do so when it is safe, or after you have secured the trust and protection of any guards etc (or killed all of them)

It also occurs to you that you should be on a lookout for additional crew for your ship. Having looked down from your sky galleon's mooring tower onto the crowd, who appear mostly as an immiserated rabble of peasants (refugees?) gathered awaiting interrogation one by one before the Oration Witchfinders, you doubt you will find them here... but you never know. You could do with a Cook, for instance! But for more experienced crew, you may need to ask around...

>Support Lady Scantgrace for now
>look to betray her at first opportunity
You astutely conjecture that the reason Lady Scantgrace disguises herself and seeks to hide amongst pirates is that there must be a Very Large Reward indeed for her capture. What exactly has she done? But you wonder if handing her in right now to these guards and the Oration Witchfinders might provoke too much attention, too many questions...

>Write-in what you would like to do. How can you get past this River Guard?
>Please also roll 12d6, thank you!
QM: the river is not too deep here
>>5488025
in the middle by Searlas and the River Guard; you can also try to wade over to this point,
>>5488021
and climb up to the Northeast, joining the circus entertainers and the mounted guard riding up to them, behind the crowd and queue of villagers and peasants awaiting questioning by the Witchfinder.

>>5488422
QM: I just saw this. You can attempt to just break free of the Blockade by flying away on your sky vessel right now, without the required Letter Of Marque And Reprisal and also without the Warguild mandated number of cannons. But you may be targeted by cannon watchtowers and shot down (if False Flag roll fails at some point), or intercepted and boarded at some stage.

>Just leave this entire scenario without engaging with it. (QM cries Dungeonmaster Tears, but I will permit it! I have more maps hehe) If you choose this option, you think the skies will become very dangerous for you.

>>5488462
>send the elf to hang out with the circus performers and try to recruit them, maybe she knows them from her past ?
we can skip the letter of marque and just try to bullshit our way through the checkpoint with magic, like a smoke spell or whatever

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Maestro Charivari
Ringmaster and consummate artiste of the eponymous Circus Charivari, by virtue of his incredibly loud and booming stentorian sensibility. Currently the ineffable Maestro is a little crestfallen after his main and most popular circus act - the Human Cannonball - endured an unpleasant accident, having been fired at by an actual cannon. Maestro Charivari is fond of exceptionally extravagant and flamboyant dress, being nearly always attired in the most bombastically embroidered capes and gilded, multicoloured waistcoats, wearing an exotic Peacock plume in his enormously oversized hat.

In his booming voice, the Maestro bellows:

Come Great, Come Small!
Come Revellers, All!
Come See: The Circus Charivari!
Where All Is Bright And Gay,
Entrance Is Free! (after you pay)
Come See The Circus, Today!

Ordinarily, hearing a loud maniacal man boisterously shouting at you to "Come" would trouble even the most hardened and ruthless mercenary or adventurer. Yet something about this strange ringmaster catches your attention - you wonder, is there something you possess with which you could trade with him?

At his side you see a small, subdued harlequin:

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Cymbal The Clown
A little jester girl painted blue wearing a ruff and floppy cockscomb hat, with dangling liliripe bells jangling mournfully whenever she tilts her head. She cradles a little lost poodle, also blue.

Cymbal intones lamentfully:
- Step On No Pets! Mr Owl Ate My Meal Worm. Rats Live On No Evil Star. Borrow Or Rob? Borrow Or Rob? Oh, who was it I saw, oh! - who? Ma is as selfless as I am. Never odd or even. In Girum Imus Nocte Et Consumimur Igni. Live not on Evil! Live on time - emit no Evil! Won't Lovers Revolt Now? Draw, O Coward! I did! - did I?

And the bells on her blue hat jangle as she tosses her head distressingly.

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The Mounted River Guard is approaching the circus entertainers alongside a companion guard on foot. He carries a long spear on horseback and his companion some shortened form of a halberd or bardiche.

In an austere voice, the Mounted Guard addresses them:
- Move away, you vagrants and layabouts! You are blocking this bridge, and we want none of your jibes and foolery here. There a Mad Wizards and Foul Witches, changeling kindreds, the otherkin and wicked Elves about! The Witchfinder of the Oration is here, it is no laughing matter. Now move away, before I make you...!

(The Mounted River Guard levels his spear at the Maestro Charivari threateningly, as the ringmaster cowers)

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QM: The only direct way onto the raised bridge is either via Searlas in the middle and the River Guard, here
>>5488025 (this map pic related)
or to climb up the Bridge behind the circus performers (Instinct check).

Through the corner of your eye, you also see the crouched and hiding outlaws (?) you spied from your high vantage point earlier;
>>5488030 (this map pic related, furthest left)

You wonder if these two are merely scouts, for it would be foolhardy indeed to attack such a heavily armed and mounted contingent on their own. None of the guards or the Oration witchfinders seem to have noticed them. Could you draw their attention away, by pointing this out? Or perhaps speak to these Outlaws first?

>Write in what you would like to do. Please assign actions to each hero
>Important: if you want to speak to someone, please mention which Hero is doing the speaking
>Please also roll 12d6, thank you!

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(When Cymbal The Clown Girl speaks, you feel your Skull Chalice treasure glow with warmth. You can almost see the bone folding and churning, as if it yearns to speak an answer. Is there some secret to the clown girl Cymbal's words?)

>Write in if you know the secret behind Cymbal's strange utterances

>(very brave) speak a phrase yourself. If it is correct, well, something has to happen, right?

>>5489132
Wizard. Talk to Maestro Charivari about the peacock.
Dwarf. Tell the guards of the bandits hiding over the river.
Elf. Scream in distress about the bandits across the river.
Barbarian. Start running towards the gate, hoping to cause a panic.

>>5489147
>(very brave) speak a phrase yourself. If it is correct, well, something has to happen, right?
Wizard: speak "Dammit, I'm mad." in response to the clown.
Elf: Speak to Circus Naster about the peacock.
Dwarf:Tell the guards of the bandits hiding over the river.
Barbarian: Offer to help extricate bandits.

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>>5489347
>>5489412
The River Guards stare at Yazdegerd The Wizard with deep suspicion, as he declares his madness. Beneath their helmed and menacing appearances, you see the Mounted Guard contort his face into a snarl. He is mentally comparing Yazdegerd's appearance - beard, silly hat, carrying a lantern - to the description of a dangerous, fugitive evil Mad Wizard the Oration Witchfinders have been hunting for.

Yazdegerd suddenly says,
- Dammit! I'm mad. But I don't smell any smoke... There isn't any smoke...

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Rolled 2 (1d6)

But then you do, the strong acrid smell of burning. You can hear alarmed and panicked screams coming from the crowd gathered around the bridge. They are pointing west, where it looks as if the river is burning.

The advancing conflagration casts warped and twisted black shadows upon the faces of the River Guards, contorted in fear.

(QM: rolling morale check for River Guards)

1 Somehow, they rally and confront the Burning Host, preparing to fight

2 The guards just remain rooted in place, paralysed with horror at the sight of the Burning River

3 The guards drop their weapons and flee in confusion

4-6 The Burning River drives the guards insane. Some claw out their own eyes; others draw their swords and stab themselves and their own companions

>Er... well this is happening. Write-in what you would like to do.
You think the situation is very dangerous. The mounted guard's horse buckles and rears, whinnying and stamping. You wonder if it might bolt and charge into the panicked crowd of villagers, causing a stampede.
>please assign actions to the heroes, and roll 12d6

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QM: zoomed out overview of the miniatures and the entire river crossing scene. (Let me know if you need it rotated or focused to see anything more clearly)

>>5489538
Elf: Open Fire
Wizard: Signal the ship to also open fire on the Burning Host and repeat the palindrom in the hopes the Clown Girl gets it
Dwarf: Attempt to rally the guards with a stirring speech about duty and honour
Barbarian: Attempt an intimidating wardance at the Burning Horde, avoid being lit on fire

Rolled 5, 5, 4, 2, 5, 3, 2, 5, 1, 6, 3, 5 = 46 (12d6)

>>5489538
>>5489545
Oh, and rolling.

>>5489544
Computer, zoom in on the burning people!

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>>5489545
>>5489545
>Rolled 5, 5, 4, 2, 5, 3, 2, 5, 1, 6, 3, 5
Elf Roll: Instinct +3
Open fire with wheel-lock (upon whom, though)?
5+5+3 = 13 > 10 (QM: This is the best result and course of action - can you see why?)

Some Instinct tells Saorlai the Elf to shoot the nearest Unmounted River Guard dead. At the loud blast of the gunshot, the mounted Rider Guard's horse startles, throwing him (QM: no stampede, or charging into the crowd, fortunately due to the roll result here >>5489538 )

In the sheer chaos, panic and pandemonium of the current moment, with all eyes and attention drawn to the West of the river, your killing of this guard and incapacitation of the other transpires without much response or even really anyone noticing.

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You see the Witchfinder General of the Oration Church running out hurriedly from his tower, accompanied by his sinister Whitebeak Masked Guards:
- What's all this? What's all this?! Is it a fire? (seeing the Burning River, aghast in horror, visibly shaken) Demons of the Oath And Light...! "Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram..."

In the background, Yazdegerd the Wizard keeps chanting and giggling in a spasmic frenzy:
- Dammit, I'm mad! I don't smell any smoke! There is no smoke! I can't smell anything...

Cymbal the Clown pokes at herself, and wipes the painted tears on her blue face, the bells on her hat laughing and jangling:

Borrow or rob? Borrow, or rob? Step on no pets! Live not on Evil! Live on time - emit no Evil! Won't Lovers Revolt Now? Draw, O Coward! I did! - did I? In Girum Imus Nocte Et Consumimur Igni... Live on time... emit no evil...

You notice that the Oration Witchfinder and his Whitebeak guards are all now gathered upon a flimsy wooden rope bridge overlooking the Burning River. The Witchfinder himself raises his arms to the heavens as he chants in a panicked zealotry, "Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram..." repetitively over and over again, though nothing is happening as the skeletal war-host upon the Burning River seems to advance through the flames.

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Rolled 3 (1d6)

Yazdegerd the Wizard decides now is the time to light the signal rocket... (unfortunately, as you did not cast Whispering Fire
>>5488030
you have no means to communicate who to target to your crew upon the sky galleon)

Wizard Roll: Instinct -1
Fire the Signal Rocket, to tell the sky galleon to target the Swivel Cannon
4+2-1=5 < 7
QM: I will make this roll, 3d6 with 2d6 to determine potential firing accuracy. Lady Scantgrace aims at 2d6+1 with the Swivel Cannon, (you get a bonus because you repaired it)
1 The Signal Rocket explodes, setting The Mad Wizard on fire

2 The rocket flies off at a low oblique angle, sputtering and spiralling an unseen spark trail into the trees

3 The rocket soars into the sky. Gulshara is glaring at Pirate Captain Lady Scantgrace, who is "stroking her Peacock" intimately. Both of them are too distracted to notice.

4-5 The rocket is seen by Gulshara and Lady Scantgrace. They prepare to fire the Swivel Cannon, but at whom...?

6 The rocket directly hits the Witchfinder general, setting him alight like a witch on a pyre

>Dwarf: Attempt to rally the guards with a stirring speech about duty and honour
>Barbarian: Attempt an intimidating wardance at the Burning Horde, avoid being lit on fire

Dwarf Roll Charm +0
Rally the guards
5+3+0 = 8 > 7

Barbarian Roll Charm -1
Shamanic tribal wardance
2+5-1 = 6 (you have a feeling even if this succeeded, it would have no effect...)

For some reason, Tharfish the Dwarf tries to rouse the Guards frozen in horror before the burning apparitions. The same guards that want to capture and hunt all otherkind, Dwarf and Elf and Mad Wizard alike, in order to deliver them to the Oration pyre.
>>5487516 (Lady Scantgrace quarrel speech)
Which is ironic, because everything is already on fire around you.

The Dwarf is too far away to be seen or heard by the Oration Church Witchfinder and his Whitebeak guards upon the wooden rope bridge. But the River Guard in the middle,
>>5488025 (this pic related)
sees and shouts (unsheathing his sword):
- Is this - a distraction? And... and there is a Dwarf here! A Vile Elf too! They must be the ones summoning this accursed witchery! I will have you! (The River Guard unceremoniously pushes past the dishevelled Searlas, who topples face first into the river. This Sword Guard advances towards you, blade unsheathed)

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>>5489588
QM: a strange distorted vision of the world whirls towards you - one which appears lifelike, akin to the puppet-shows and performing mummery of the Circus, though the angles and perspectives appear tilted and bizarre. You swear you catch a glimpse of a little blue girl clutching a blue dog amidst the flames - but how can that be, as Cymbal The Sad Clown is standing before you, above upon the stone leading to the bridge?

You notice that aside from the Sword Guard advancing upon you, roused from his fright by the Dwarf, the path to the Tower is clear of guards, who are all grouped upon the wooden rope bridge, clustered and staring at the Burning River in fear.

Maestro Charivari alone appears entirely unperturbed by the proceedings - as if it were yet another routine daredevil stunt at a performance. In his booming voice he proclaims:
- Come away, my dear Cymbal! I sense the Ringmaster has changed, but the show stays the same! Away now - to the Circus!

>Write-in what you would like to do
You can use this opportunity to investigate the Witchfinder Tower. If you choose this, you will have to fight and kill the Sword Guard roused by the Dwarf. You may also have to deal with the Witchfinder and his guards later, if they survive the Swivel Cannon blast...

You can follow Maestro Charivari and Cymbal The Sad Clown, and make a hasty getaway, escaping to the Circus (flee the area)

If there are any npcs that you wish to retrieve or escort with you, declare it now (assign a hero to escort them) otherwise they may be lost in the crowd.

You can also just commence battle, fight and kill everyone, hehe.
>please also assign actions to heroes and roll 12d6, thank you!

Rolled 2, 5, 1, 3, 5, 1, 5, 6, 1, 5, 3, 2 = 39 (12d6)

>>5489635
Dwarf and Barbarian: Try to cut the rope bridge sending the guards and Witchfinders into the river.
Elf and Wizard watch their backs.

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>>5489654
>Rolled 2, 5, 1, 3, 5, 1, 5, 6 ...

Dwarf Roll: Strength +2
Barbarian Roll Strength +3
Cut down the rope bridge, sending the Witchfinder, his Whitebeaks, and all the remaining river guards into the river

2+5+2 = 9 < 10
1+3+3 =7 >= 7

So these are successes though the Barbarian one is a near miss, and I should probably have applied a -1 modifier for trying to cut rope with a hammer, a Barbarian Maul hehe. I will just let you climb up and ascend the cliff to do this without an Instinct agility type check. And I think what occurs is the Barbarian eventually just smashes down the wooden bridge posts as the Dwarf chisels at it with his mattocks / pickaxe.

However, as you did not specify anyone to kill the charging Sword Guard closest to you (the one who pushed Searlas), and as the rope bridge cutting / hammering saw no success above >10, what I think occurs is that the rope bridge eventually falls, but not before a pitched battle where some of the River Guards and Oration Whitebeaks realise what is occurring and slash at you with their swords. So the damage is this

-5 hp Dwarf, Tharfish 5/10
-1 hp Barbarian, Skallagrim 10/12
-5 hp Elf, Saorlai 5/10
-6 hp Wizard, 2/8

(good thing you took all the permanent hp heals and upgrades!!)
>>5486887
>>5486919
>>5486933
>>5486937

The Witchfinder and his Whitebeaks plummet as the combined efforts of Barbarian and Dwarf finally smash the bridge planks to splinters. They fall to their deaths screaming and their corpses are swiftly washed away by the river current. One mounted River Guard escapes... I think it is this one.
>>5489632 (horse rider far left)
You can assume you dispatch all the rest.

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Congratulations! You have cleared the area! Unfortunately, when you search the tower, you do not find any treasure. In the distance you hear some whooping shouts that sound like "For The Blearie Queene!" and perhaps two hooded figures scampering away whom you never met.
>>5488030

When you search the river for any signs of the Burning Skeletal army, you find a pile of charred black sticks, some blue ribbons and a single, tiny stray bell about the size of your thumb.

>Write-in what you would like to do
You can mention where you would like to head to next, for instance

- The Elf Sanctuary, the Skraeling Tree
This wins the support of Gulshara, the angry half-goblin (?) princess (?) who thinks she is an Elf

- The City Of Scars, by the Corpse Shore, and the desolate desert sands
This wins the support of Lady Scantgrace, who is in hiding and disguised as a pirate

- The Circus Charivari
Meet with Maestro Charivari and Cymbal. Maybe you could recruit a sky galleon crew of jesters and clowns?

- The Palace Of Berceuse (?)
well, if you think this watchtower was heavily guarded... This action may trigger a tantrum from Lady Scantgrace though. It will please, comfort and reassure Prince Searlas (should you wish to take him home to his mother, on board his own sky carrack, which you have stolen lol)

You can also mention any npcs you wish to escort, seize or collect, as well as any other actions.

For completing this area of The River Crossing and guessing Cymbal The Sad Clown's palindrome riddle, you also gain 2 attribute points.

You can decide if you want to spend them on a permanent +2hp health and heal, upgrade an attribute, or hold them in reserve.

So please also
>Decide who gets the 2 upgrade points, whether to heal or spend or keep in reserve etc.
>Decide next destination
>Any other actions etc, assign to heroes
>Please roll 10d6, thank you! I will prepare the next map afterward. The very first 2d6 roll there will be for False Flag as your sky galleon unmoors itself from the berthing tower and departs, to see if your pretense is maintained. This time I will give you a +3 to that roll, as the area is now mostly cleared.

>>5489709
>Spend points to heal Wizard and Elf
>See about recruiting the circus troupe
>Promise the ringmaster that he can have the haughty peacock if he and his peoplenhelp us tie up the Pirate Princess and deliver her to her home

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>>5489856
>Spend points to heal Wizard and Elf

Ok, the current formation and status of the adventurers is as follows below.

I have decided to tweak the rules hehe. From now on, the choice is EITHER
- attribute upgrade,
- keep it unspent, hold in reserve
- full heal, or
- max hp upgrade (+2 max, but NO HEAL)

As combined it is a bit overpowered hehe. To compensate though, I will scatter some healing items around in random locations (see if you can find them...! Always inspect the map!)

1. 10/12 Skallagrim the Barbarian
Lifepaths: Orator (Skald)
Hunted by Church Of The Oration
Maul, Platypus Skull / Rhynchus Amulet

Demolished River Crossing bridge, by cutting rope with a hammer, killing the Witchfinder General
Ravished in an ambush by Gulshara the Half-Goblin, felt a bit sore afterwards
Slightly disliked by Lady Scantgrace
-1 hp from consuming an innocent platypus
-1 hp sword slash, River Crossing Guard


2. 5/10 Tharfish the Dwarf
Lifepaths: Shipwright, Sky Whaler
Hunted by Church Of The Oration
Pickaxe/Mattock

Demolished River Crossing bridge, killing the Witchfinder General
-5hp Wounded (sword slash, River Crossing Guard)
Repaired Swivel Cannon +1, Telescope +1, False Flag +1 aboard the sky galleon


3. 10/10 Yazdegerd the Wizard
Lifepaths: Mad Wizard, Unsanctioned Magic
Hunted by Church Of The Oration
Hooded Lantern, and Skull Chalice

fired Signal Rocket, but Lady Scantgrace did not notice as she was "stroking her Peacock"
fought and defended against River Crossing Guards
fed Lady Scantgrace bloodied wound bandage to Skull Chalice (1hp so far)
deciphered Cymbal The Sad Clown's palindrome riddle... but did not learn her spell, hehe

Obtained Rite: Whispering Fire (unused)
- speak through and eavesdrop within illumination of any burning flame

unleashed Greater Ancient Rites:
Sorrow That Throws The Mountain
(spell expended. Can no longer use Silence)
Journey Of Eyes
(spell expended. Can no longer use Teleport)

x2 full heal from use of attribute point, max health permanently +4


4. 12/12 Saorla the Elf
Lifepaths: Circus Acrobat, Cannoneer
Hunted by Church Of The Oration
Wheel-lock pistol, unloaded/empty

- lost Rope/Hangman's Knot, failed leap over cliff edge to reach cannon
fought and defended against River Crossing Guards
shot River Crossing guard with Wheel-lock
x2 full heal from use of attribute point, max health permanently +4
still +1 points remaining unused

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Ship Condition: 72%
Swivel Cannon, Telescope, False Flag

QM: the good news is I have improvised a weird hack to get around the no square pictures / locked vertical portrait only aspect ratio of this free 3d Virtual Tabletop app. So we can have an overworld display too! I will use this to track your location around the world, and drop into this map random cities, terrain, dungeons / ruins, watchtowers etc.

For the time being, the sky galleon has two modes of travel, basically fly High or Low.

HIGH: Ascending to the clouds permits you to avoid some terrain obstacles and also draw less attention, but it uses more Ship Condition (think of it as combined "fuel" and maintenance) and also risks more damage from the Maelstrom, weather and storms.

LOW: More obstacles, eg canyon gorges, Watchtowers, more encounters (rival sky vessels, or wildlife). Can replenish supplies, obtain random treasure / find map features,

Please specify the following:
>whether you are flying HIGH or LOW;
>any ship actions you would like to take, eg survey surroundings, try to gather some supplies, prepare for a storm etc. Assign each task to a crew member. You can still attempt actions for ship features you did not repair eg prepare for a storm even if you have no Lightning Rod, it just means that the modifier will unfortunately be very adverse.
>Please could I have a 10d6 roll, the first 2d6 are very important, as it maintains your False Flag ship deception when travelling! I will add a solid
+3 modifier this time, because this area is cleared and you repaired False Flag.
>Roll 10d6

>>5489908
I'd like to fly high and interrogate the apirate Princess (if successfully captured and toed up) as to why we SHOULDN'T just turn her in for the reward. Crew can keep an eye out for hazards. Wizard can cast atailwind to spedled our travels, maybe? Dwarf can train the crew in ship operations? Barbarian can, uh... Occupy Gulshara.

Need another song to heal.
Now I've been happy lately
Thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun
Oh, I've been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Someday it's going to come
'Cause out on the edge of darkness
There rides the peace train
Oh, peace train take this country
Come take me home again
Now I've been smiling lately
Thinkin' about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun
Oh, peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Ooh-ah, ee-ah, ooh-ah
Come on now, peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Ooh-ah, ee-ah, ooh-ah
Come on now, peace train
Get your bags together
Go bring your good friends too
Because it's getting nearer
It soon will be with you
Now come and join the living
It's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer
Soon it will all be true
Oh, peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Ooh-ah, ee-ah, ooh-ah
Come on now peace train
Peace train
Now I've been crying lately
Thinkin' about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating?
Why can't we live in bliss?
'Cause out on the edge of darkness
There rides a peace train
Oh, peace train take this country
Come take me home again
Oh, peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Ooh-ah, ee-ah, ooh-ah
Come on now, peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller
Everyone jump upon the peace train
Ooh-ah, ee-ah, ooh-ah
Come on, come on, come on
Yes, come on, peace train
Yes, it's the peace train
Ooh-ah, ee-ah, ooh-ah
Come on now, peace train
Oh, peace train
Ooh-ah, ee-ah, ooh-ah

>>5489919
*Pirate
*tied up
*a tailwind to speed our travels

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There is the gentle rasp of long strakes and a slight undulating groan of lurching timbers, as driftsilk sails flutter to a gallant breeze. The creak of hinges and the twist of rope against crosstree and knotted halyard, as the ship climbs passing clouds like mountains beneath the tempest perilous - yet those heaving gusts are hushed here, and there is sun and prophesy woven into the wandering winds that billow and swell upon your sail.

This is the wind that breathes over Highborn and Lowborn, conqueror and commoner, maiden and monster alike, that ushers away all deeds and names to be forgotten in time. Here the body is merely drifting dust, through which only the Song of the wind sings.

As the Wizard stands upon the aftcastle, gesturing and calling at the mainmast, a bird wheels beneath the keel - perhaps a sparrowhawk, startled by the buoyant trespass of this barque, that the bird sees as a graceful flying tree uprooted and intruding upon the vault of his precious domain.

Gulshara is a little awed and overwhelmed as she whispers tearfully:
- It is so peaceful up here, you can see everything! The trees are a green quilt drawn snug over the hills; the river is a blue ribbon. And this is our maiden voyage...

Lady Scantgrace venomously eyes the Half-Goblin, with the Barbarian by her side:
- I see it has been such a long time since you were a maiden, urgh...!

The Wizard, Yazdegerd, suddenly interrupts:
- I have it, I have it! This is the poop deck. The name of this ship shall be... The Lady Scatgrace!

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>>5490291
Gulshara continues in a contemplative tone:
- Seeing the land laid out before us from this ship... it makes me almost want to cry. Thinking about the world as it is - why must we go on hating? Why can't we live in bliss? Think about how sad the wind and sky must feel, watching us quarrel!

This naivety is almost too much for Pirate Captain Lady Scantgrace to endure:
- You should have told this to the villagers gathered at the River Crossing, fleeing from war. "How sad the sky feels!" That would probably make them feel less cold or hungry or sick or poor, or Ugly. None of you Lowborn know anything, anything at all...!

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Once, Berceuse was the Cradle-City of ten thousand shrines, whose white spires sung the proud fortunes of a hundred thousand dynasties.

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Her battlements guarded the World-Soul of this land, the Mandorla Gate to the Path Of Transfiguration and the Pathless Labyrinth, the means by which the Elders finally transcended the Two Heresies, Perdurant and Renunciant, escaping the ceaseless conflict and strife of old.

https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5391397/#5413987
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5391397/#5413989
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5391397/#5422532

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All worlds are made by the power either to preserve or change: either to usurp and dominate, or to relinquish and forget.

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This, and only this, is what truly distinguishes Highborn and Lowborn: the desire to impose one Will upon another.

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They say a Warlord Of Lotan, Jarl Totenbork, made a death-pact with a cruel caliph of the desert wastes named Mahmoud Khosaef Bey-I'doon.

Bey I'doon showed the Warlord the true power of the ancient rites wielded by the Navarchs and Synthemata of old: the power to make the Conquered forget.

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They intend to combine their warhosts to conquer Imperial Langkasuk Of The Lotus And Cannon, but they need to burn the Old Forest Of Idols to get there! They will build cannon watchtowers and windspires to encircle and blockade the skies, through the Warguild and East Galernese Trading Company.

And so Jarl Totenbork has ordered the Oration to hunt and kill all the Elves of the Skraeling Tree, their Sanctuary, for Witchfinders and the Maiden Knights to destroy their ancestral memory.

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The Cathedral of Envy were once very much enamoured with the Elves, who were so beautiful they declared themselves to be of a new gender. The Cathedral was obsessed with the endless hunt for prophets - the visionaries of old who knew of the wonders of the Synthemata and their godlike sorcery. The Cathedral poured so much treasure into finding these prophets, undertaking enormous burdens of usury and expenditure, all in a futile endeavour to find and reach the source, the means to make a Prophet.

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They empowered the Eschatonomists, the usurer sorcerors, to divine and discover a means to the prophets. But the search for prophets came at a terrible cost - the rites devised by the Unseen Hand, such as the Seeling Night or Rite Of Dirce, produced horrifying abominations, Half-Men. Some merchant-sorcerors were driven mad; they were the fortunate ones. One survived by becoming a sort of vampire. The tortured souls of others became the Deathseers.

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In the end the Cathedral lost power after the betrayal at the Battle of Grantebryc - called the Bridge of Kham in Langkasuka - when the Oration with their analytical sorceries, their maiden knights and orisons, witchfinders and fanatics together overcame them, usurping and seizing their power.

The Oration declared a Great Reformation and a New Crusade, and I think this is why we saw the Ritterskeep in ruins and taken over by trolls!

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Now the Church Of The Oration has declared all magic heretical, all of the ancient rites, except those they keep for themselves to trick and deceive others with their tyrannical Song.

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Lady Scantgrace pauses, as her lips tremble and quiver with emotion:
- This is what I am running away from - and if you knew better you would do the same!

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The Seeling Night
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5340783/#5344110

The Rite Of Dirce
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/5391397/#5412737

QM: Please could a player roll 10d6, thank you!
>roll 10d6

Rolled 6, 5, 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 1, 3, 6 = 38 (10d6)

>>5490606