Session 1:
1st Heyday
-warm, clear skies, gentle wind-
-Enemy asks a question-
Scene #1: E: Resolution of ‘Orcs raided Lost Shoe’: Guidance regarding Portals
By brother and I watched Coln stretching the prisoner on the rack until the orc screamed and begged mercy. Severon aske a few more questions and the orc stammered out something that did not seem to please my brother.
My brother leans over the orc who seems to be pleading with him, and whispers something in his ear. Tears flow from the orc as Coln cranks the wheel another notch. The orc was already suspended by the leather straps that dig into its flesh. It cries out some sort of answer to my brother’s question
Q: Does Severon release him? YES E: Resolution of ‘Yseldra must prove herself’: the Taking of Energy
“Release the wheels, let him rest,” Severon commands, and Colm immediately lets the straps loosen. The orc gasps in relief though it is still held bound. “Why did you come down here, sister? To enjoy the spectacle? A bit of blood and pain that a little princess never gets to see?”
“No. I was curious about the attack on Lost Shoe. Why orcs attempted such a raid,”
Q: Will he tell her? NO
Severon snorts dismissively, “That’s not your concern. Go back to your books and…read or something.” Then he glances at the orc, “Or clean it’s wounds if you’d like. The church will want us to let it live, and ruined hands and feet would make it useless even to them.” With that, Severon leaves.
I look to Coln, “What did the orc say?”
(1-3 avoiding something, 4-6 looking for something)
The portly young torturer looks up at me, “They were seeking something. He called it the stone key.”
Q: Capture? NO Q: Major attack? NO
“Did they capture it? Or is it in Lost Shoe?” I ask Colm.
“No, they didn’t get inside the village. If I understand correctly, there were fewer than a dozen warriors in the raiding party. They just tried to sneak in to steal, but got caught. Well, this one anyway. Several were killed. I suppose some may have escaped,” Colm shrugs.
“Did he say what the key was for?” I ask.
(Generate location…a reef? really? Roll again, a Guild Hall? hmmm, maybe this isn’t the best table, lets call it an old ruin called Guldall)
“To open a stone door in a place he called Guldall” Colm shrugs
“Where is this place?” I press.
Q: Did he say where? YES Q: Did he say why? YES
“About two days northwest of Lost Shoe, in what they call the Whispering Hills. It was a coming of age test, to recapture the stolen key, then venture into Guldall and bring out some sort of trophy. This one failed,” Colm shakes he head glancing down at the victim.
“What sort of trophy?” I ask Colm, looking down at the orc. Colm repeats my question to it.
(Generate item…books? odd choice for orcs) Q: Does the orc answer? YES
Colm shakes his head, not understanding what the orc is saying. “Books,” I answer. “That’s the dwarven word for books. Why do orcs want books?”
Q: A patron? EXCEPTIONAL NO
Colm asks, then tells me, “It sounds like that is something they only find there, so it is proof they got in. No other reason I think.”
I nod, “Thank you. Let him recover. I didn’t realize orcs could cry.”
Colm shrugs, “Dislocate enough bones and they’ll whimper a bit. If I let him though, he’ll spring off the table and rip our throats out though, so…don’t let a few tears fool you.”
I nod, “Duly noted.”
—
-Immersion-Sound-Footsteps-
Scene #2: (My character is a noble, I ought to be able to grab stuff from my dad’s inventory, a couple of hundred gold worth of potions and herbal remedies is something a lord generating 3800 crowns per month in discretionary surplus will not miss too much)
I head upstairs to Master Krenal’s Quarters and begin filling my bag with items I suspect I will need for a journey to investigate this Guldall ruin. I am sure to bring Clearhead and Trollblood among other things. Then I hear footsteps behind me, turn and see….Master Krenal.
“What are you doing in my chambers, girl?” Master Krenal scowls.
“Packing for a journey, of course,” I reply as I add a jar of Sunberry salve to my bag.
“And where is your father sending you that you would need,” he looks into my bag, and his eyes widen, “Darkwater? And Trollblood?”
“That is not your concern, Master Krenal,” I reply matter of factly.
“Your are taking from my stock!” He exclaims.
“Purchased by my father’s coin,” I remind him.
Q: Does he guess? EXCEPTIONAL YES
He smirks and fixes me with a steely gaze, “Your father isn’t sending you anywhere. You are going somewhere he would not approve.” He put his hand down on my bag, closing it shut so I can pack nothing else. “You think you are clever, little child. A few years under your aunt, and you think you understand magic. You know nothing. Stay here in the court. Entertain guests. Play little games with the courtiers, tend to your birds, but put my things back. Now.”
-Persuasion 24 (nat 20 too!)
I meet Krenal’s stern gaze with a pleasant smile, “Krenel. You have served my father since before I was born, and perhaps you still view me as a child. A fledgling bound to its nest. But one day, the fledgling must take flight, lest it die from weakness. My father will understand this when I return, and you, looking the other way now, will help ensure that I do.” I slip my bag from under his loosening grip and throw it over my shoulder. “Wish me good fortune. If I am right, I will repay you for these with something you value far more.” I wink and he raises an eyebrow as I walk out the door.
—
-Immersion, I see something liquid that saddens me-
Scene #3 (Positive Alteration):
I head outside to the courtyard, dressed for the road, with my pack slung over my shoulder and two sacks of provisions I’ve taken from the larder. I see my brother Mical sparring in the yard with one of the soldiers. Suddenly, he takes a solid crack across the brow and starts bleeding profusely. I rush over to him, but before reaching him, he recovers his footing and slams his foe to the ground, holding his blade to the trainer’s neck, besting him. “Well done,” Captain Sonder declares as he yields.
Mical helps Sonder up to his feet as I reach the pair. I quickly dab the wound with a water soaked sponge from the nearby drinking trough and help clean up my brother, “I feared it was deeper than that,” I lament.
He shakes his head, “Ah, dear sister, I wish that it were! A nice scar persuades warriors that you are one of them. Safer to get a nice cut by wooden sword than from an orc’s axe!” My tears give way to laughter at my brother’s good spirits. Then he notices my bags and attire, “I thought that you were staying until the fall before returning to your studies?”
Q: Does Sonder overhear? NO
“Well, dear brother, there is more than one way to study. And more than one way to persuade warriors that you are one of them.” As Sonder walks away, I whisper into my brother’s ear, “I have learned of a source of ancient tomes, not too far from our lands, and I aim to recover some. But I need your advice. Who can I trust to guide me into the Lonefields and the edge of the Craglands?”
Mical considers for a moment, “The men father would usually send for such a mission are…well, they’d be missed, and they all know who you are. But there is a company that came to court a fortnight before you returned to us asking for patronage. Go to the Devil’s Cup, and look for a couple of big Craglanders, named Calbrock and Habran I believe. One of Severon’s former men, Baerlon, was with them, and an elf too.” Mical steps back and studies my appearance, “Good. You’re not wearing your ring. Nothing that broadcasts that you are part of our house. Tell them you are a scholar or something, hiring guides. Do you have coin?” I grin, “Good. And good luck. Be wary. Their kind are a savage people, but they hunger for work. And you’re more clever than the lot of them together.”
Q: Does the stable hand tell father I left with a mule? YES
I kiss my brother’s cheek, then give him a wink, “Thank you, Mical. I can always rely on you, and you on me.” He nods agreement and I head to the stables, collect a pack mule, load it with gear using the stable boy’s help, and head into the village. The Devil’s Cup is not a place I frequent, so pulling my cloak up over my head, and leading a mule instead of riding my white horse, hope to pass through town without undue attention.
—
-Immersion-see something decorated that stirs a memory-
-Encounter-Barbarian brawling with whoever is convenient-
I quickly make my way through town when outside the Devil’s Cup, I come across a Craglander fighting a couple of burly locals. I pause to watch, joining the crowd of spectators to see who gets the upper hand.
Q: Does the barbarian win? YES
Soon, both of the locals were lying face down in the dirt, groaning in pain while the foreigner stands triumphantly over them. He suddenly picks up a piece of jewelry from the dirt, and holds it up, stating in our tongue, “That’s what happens if you try to steal from me!” The gold torc reminds me of a treasure I saw in the market at Kiddimir, the merchant claimed it was captured from a great Cragland chieftain. It makes me wonder.
Q: Is he Calbrock? NO Q: Habran? NO
“Are you Calbrock? Or Habran?” I ask the man.
“Pah! They are inside,” he looks me up and down, “But if you…”
Q: Do I see them? YES
I quickly lash the mule to a post and slip inside, there is no need to hear the rest of his suggestion. I look around the tavern for two Craglanders, and spotting a pair, I approach them signaling the tavern girl to bring us a round of drinks. Drawing close to the table, I ask directly, “Are you Calbrock and Habran?”
Q: Do they admit to it? EXCEPTIONAL YES
They look me up and down, then one of them replies in Nordard, “I am Calbrock. This is Habran, but who are you?”
-Deception 17 (Better than their passive Insights)-
“A scholar in need of a guide to the Whispering Hills. I asked help at Lord Faust’s keep, and one of his sons, Mical, said that the two of you had been seeking work there, and might be able to help me,” I explain as I sit down and the drinks are brought over, “I understand there are two others in your company. A soldier and elf.”
Calbrock nods towards the elf playing a tune near the hearth, “That would be Anlyn over there. Bareln is sitting at the bar. What’s in it for us?”
“Ten crowns per day to hire your company? We leave today, if possible. I hope to return in a week’s time, two week’s perhaps?” I suggest.
Q: Do they accept it? Unlikely YES (1d6 days in advance)
“Very well. The first day now to settle up here, then the rest on our return,” Calbrock responds to my surprise.
I nod, “I’ll wait outside, and we can head out as soon as you have your things together.”
“Provisions?” Calbrock asks.
-Deception 7-
“Food is taken care of. I’ll trust you to arrange anything else we might need,” I count out ten crowns, then slide the rest of the pouch towards him, “But I’d rather wait for you outside the gate than linger in the markets.”
“Why is that?” Habran asks, breaking his silence.
-Deception 13 (beats insight 12)
“I may already have a bit of a reputation in this town, and would rather not run into people who might recall past encounters,” I shrug.
Q: Is he satisfied? YES (d4 hours wait, 2 hours)
He regards me with narrow eyes, but nods. I step away. Outside, I let Calbrock inspect the kit already packed onto the mule, my tent, bedroll, mess kit, the amount and variety of food, a hatchet, crowbar, cooking gear, waterskins, etc. He smiles, then goes back inside to collect the rest of his company while I lead my mule, Dunn, out of the town gates.
Q: Am I intercepted during the two hour wait EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: By one of my father’s men? YES Q: Indescreet? YES Q: In front of the party? EXCEPTIONAL YES
Just as Calbrock and his companions arrive to join me, Captain Sondor appears accompanied by two of my father’s household knights. “Lady Yseldra, where do you think you are going with one of your father’s mules? A stash of his coins, and a great deal of food from his larder?” His eyes glance from me to the Craglanders and the others. “And who are these? Friends of yours?”
“Guides. I’ve hired them to help me investigate the reason for the attack on Lost Shoe. The orcs want something in the Whispering Hills, the key to the mystery is in Lost Shoe. I intend to collect the key and figure out what the orcs wanted. Then perhaps, we can put this messy business behind us.” I explain with firm resolve.
Q: Do my companions keep quiet? YES Q: Do I recognize Bareln? NO Q: Does he me? EXCEPTIONAL NO (Persuasion 11) Q: Does Sonder have orders to bring me back? EXCEPTIONAL NO
Calbrock’s eyes shift between Captain Sonder and I. Habran’s eyes narrow. The soldier, Bareln is visibly surprised, while the elf seems positively giddy with excitement. The captain looks at me appraisingly, “White opens. An interesting gambit you’ve played here today,” he examines the mule and its pack, “A good mule. This one won’t run off or get spooked easy. Of course, he won’t run no matter what, but that’s a different issue. You seem to have…” he pauses on seeing the things I took from Krenal’s chambers, “planned very well.” He turns to Calbrock and the others, “This is Baron Faust’s daughter. Bring her back unharmed. Harm her, and you will learn how far his reach can extend.” Looking back to me, “Be safe. Keep your head.”
Then he and his men go back inside the gate.
I look to my companions, “Well. Are you with me?”
Habran speaks out, “You lied to us!”
-Persuasion 5-
“I said I was a scholar, and that people in the market might recognize me. There is no lie there,” I argue.
“Half truths and deceptions!” Habran snaps back, “How can we trust you?”
“Never trust anyone until they prove themselves. You came to my father’s house seeking a patron. Seeking work from his house. I am of his house, and offering you work. The opportunity to have our house as patron. If you do well, you will be rewarded, as I promised. Or you can walk away. Westhold is four day’s ride to the north, Faithstone four days southeast. Hammerfall, four days east. Or you can be paid to guide me to the Whispering Hills, explore some dusty old ruin with me, and share the wealth and glory from whatever we find. Your choice,” I leave it at that.
Q: Is Colbrock in? EXCEPTIONAL YES Q: Is Habran in? EXCEPTIONAL NO
“No! I don’t trust you,” Habran objects and walks away. Colbrock nods his head as the other Craglander walks away, “I said I would guide you there and back. I will…take your measure as we go.”
Bareln nods in agreement, “It’s a job. Here. Now, and certain.”
Anlyn bows with a grin, “Anlyn, ever at your service, my lady!”
-Persuasion 5-
My eyes narrow as I study him, “We’ve no need for courtly introductions where we are going. Please dispense with talk of my lady. In this land, I am known. But in others, I’d rather not be. Very well, let’s go.” I look back towards Habran as he retreats into the town, “Habran. We may need you!” My words fall on deaf ears.
So with my three companions, and a well loaded mule, I head off to seek my fortune.
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