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Playtest Campaign: Dread, The Dead, And The Downpour
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<blockquote data-quote="MortalPlague" data-source="post: 6149948" data-attributes="member: 62721"><p><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong>Session One - Ribbon's Eve</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>Our session began on the morning of Ribbon’s Eve. The people of Croft were preparing to celebrate; all day long, they would drink and eat and rail against The Downpour, splashing in puddles, singing and shouting, and showing that they would not be cowed by the constant rain. And in the evening, the pageantry would happen.</p><p> </p><p><em>Historical Interlude: Ribbon's Eve began two years into the Downpour; it's been going on for eight years. With the population dwindling, and the rain showing no signs of stopping, the townspeople realized they were in a desperate situation. So they started a festival called Ribbon's Eve. All day, people would go outside and splash and shout and make noise to show the rain they were not cowed. An hour before sundown, the unwed ladies of Croft would go inside to doll themselves up, and go to the mayor's manor. There, the menfolk would enter, each with a ribbon tied around their arm. The ladies would be scattered throughout the house, also with a ribbon about their arm. The men would tie their ribbon around the arm of a girl, beginning a period of courtship. The courtship concludes in a month's time at the Maiden's Dance, where the man presents a gift to the courted lady. If she feels the gift is suitable, she accepts it, and they copulate. It is considered bad form to decline a gift, or to decline an offered ribbon. It is also considered shameful for a man to still have his ribbon at the close of the festival. Married men are permitted (even encouraged) to participate in the festival, and most unwed ladies are strongly encouraged as well. Some call the festival 'The Ribbon Rape'.</em></p><p> </p><p>Jorick Von Rinehart was standing on the front steps of his home, looking out at the falling rain. His great grandfather Moag was sitting on the porch next to him; he had the distinction of being the oldest man in Croft (he’d lost count at a hundred, but nobody else came close). Jorick’s younger siblings stood with him, the twins Callan and Clara. Clara was teasing Jorick, asking if he’d tie a ribbon about his arm and participate in the evening’s festivities. Both the twins were eager to do so, but seeing their stoic older brother squirm caused them much delight.</p><p> </p><p>While they talked, Jorick’s aunt came walking by with Sybilla Van Witte on her arm. The matronly lady was making every attempt to convince Sybilla to tie a ribbon that evening, and join in the festivities. “Some people marry after Ribbon’s Eve,” she said. To Sybilla, it sounded like the closing of a cage. The aunt left her with Jorick on the front steps, where Clara shifted her teasing to Sybilla.</p><p> </p><p>Across the square, Archibald stood under one of the walkway covers, watching the rain pour down. Being a stranger to town, he was observing the festival with a curious eye. He carried his rifle over his shoulder; a strange item, unfamiliar to most of the villagers. He had spent much of the week keeping to himself, but this festival would offer an opportunity to see Croft at its best. Before long, Ursula and Tealannalessa appeared, walking with Tea's friend Katrina, a red-haired barmaid at Croft Public House. Katrina was gently teasing Tea and Ursula, suggesting they both tie ribbons that evening. Tea was considering it, but Ursula flatly refused, giving her one-word answers with little emotion.</p><p> </p><p>It was a regular gathering in the square in front of the Von Rinehart home. The Von Rineharts were under cover at the porch with Sybilla Van Witte, while Archibald looked at them across the square, sticking to the covered walkway. Tea, Ursula, and Katrina were all standing outside, moving for cover. But before they could hide away, there was an unwelcome sight.</p><p> </p><p>The elderly mayor Phillip Van Tallow is a clever, kind old man who runs Croft with a fair hand. His grandson Calvin shares the shrewdness, but none of the kindness. A striking man in his mid-thirties, Calvin marched into the square, flanked by two of his mage friends; the intense, bald Jameson Godrin, and the beautiful Annabelle Candice. </p><p> </p><p>A war of words began as Calvin Van Tallow began to tease Ursula about not being feminine enough to participate in Ribbon's Eve. Jorick Von Rinehart came to her defense, and soon Calvin and Annabelle were verbally sparring with nearly everyone. Jameson Godrin walked over to gaze at Sybilla; he had strange, grey eyes and a deep stare. He asked her if she would tie a ribbon, though whether he was expressing interest in the young Van Witte or trying to spook her was up for debate. Either way, Jorick eventually got the best of Calvin, and he gathered his friends and left in a huff.</p><p> </p><p>Jorick invited everyone inside, and they stepped into the interior of the Von Rinehart family home. It was like a hunting lodge; antlers hanging everywhere, thick stone walls, and a massive, roaring hearth. Sitting near it, everyone dried off from the rain, and they talked about the coming festival. Archibald was introduced; most of the characters had not yet met him in town.</p><p> </p><p>But Ribbon's Eve is a festival best spent out of doors, so they made their way outside and enjoyed the day. On this day, the streets of Croft came alive. There were covered fire braziers, where meat could be grabbed, and ale aplenty. There were all sorts of people singing and laughing and fooling around. One of the farmers, a mischevious man named Harkken Woal jumped full-bore into a ditch in an attempt to splash Sybilla. He invited Ursula to join him in the chest-deep ditch, to attempt to splash Annabelle. The mage proved too quick to be soaked, though she was splattered, and she stormed off in a huff. Ursula shared a rare smile.</p><p> </p><p>"I'm going to tie a ribbon on her tonight," Harkken told Ursula with a grin. Winning Annabelle didn't seem like a likely thing, but by the way Harkken laughed, he probably knew it.</p><p> </p><p>Tealannalessa found the festival fun, but she gravitated towards the warmth of the blacksmith. Garret Amberstone, the blacksmith's apprentice was there, and the two exchanged pleasantries. Eventually, however, the characters filtered in to Croft Public House which was serving hot cider for the festival. There, they sat by the warm fire, and talked a little more. Tea finally gave in to Katrina's pressure; she would tie a ribbon. Sybilla and Ursula were both disinclined. But Clara and Callan managed to talk Jorick into it as well.</p><p> </p><p>Finally, the time came for the ladies of Croft to prepare themselves. And so Tealannalessa retreated with Katrina, and they got themselves ready for the pageantry. As did Clara, Callan, and Jorick. The ladies made their way to the Von Tallow estate, where the evening's festivities would take place. Katrina expressed a desire for Callan to find her, and begged Tealannalessa to let them linger in a room close to the entrance. Ursula joined them, despite her lack of ribbon. Katrina begged Ursula to intercept anyone who wasn't Callan.</p><p> </p><p>Outside in the rain, Jorick and Callan were preparing to head inside. Jorick was reluctant to participate, but Callan reminded him how shameful it would be to still have his ribbon at the end of the night. "It reflects poorly on our family, dear brother," he said with a grin.</p><p> </p><p>Jorick reluctantly agreed.</p><p> </p><p>They headed inside, and immediately came upon Tea and Katrina. Callan tied a ribbon around Katrina, which made both quite happy. Jorick lingered but a moment, talking with Tea. Archibald was outside near the tavern when he heard the boy running up, nearly out of breath and exhausted. He stopped him, and the boy caught his breath enough to cry, "The mill! Bullywugs are attacking the mill!"</p><p> </p><p>Knowing he wouldn't be enough to stop them on his own, Archibald ran to the Van Tallow manor. He burst through the front door and shouted the warning. Jorick left immediately, with Ursula, Katrina, Callan, and Tea in tow. Tea paused to snatch a bow from a pedestal; she'd need a weapon. Sybilla joined them in the street, carrying a spear that she wasn't quite strong enough to use effectively. The word was spreading through the Van Tallow house, but the mill wouldn't wait; the characters moved out to the mill, which was a fifteen-minute walk south of Croft.</p><p></p><p><em>Behind The Dice: I was thrilled with how the first part of the session went. 5th Edition is a very light system, and it was easy to use skill checks throughout the roleplay and meeting up. Tea in particular was a master of stealth, so she loved to remain unseen. The first two-thirds of the game had a lot of PC and NPCs being introduced, so it wound up being a bit heavy overall. But in the end, the game was richer for having introduced a world and its inhabitants. Giving Croft some faces the players care about only makes things stronger when the town is in peril.</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MortalPlague, post: 6149948, member: 62721"] [SIZE=4][B]Session One - Ribbon's Eve[/B][/SIZE] Our session began on the morning of Ribbon’s Eve. The people of Croft were preparing to celebrate; all day long, they would drink and eat and rail against The Downpour, splashing in puddles, singing and shouting, and showing that they would not be cowed by the constant rain. And in the evening, the pageantry would happen. [I]Historical Interlude: Ribbon's Eve began two years into the Downpour; it's been going on for eight years. With the population dwindling, and the rain showing no signs of stopping, the townspeople realized they were in a desperate situation. So they started a festival called Ribbon's Eve. All day, people would go outside and splash and shout and make noise to show the rain they were not cowed. An hour before sundown, the unwed ladies of Croft would go inside to doll themselves up, and go to the mayor's manor. There, the menfolk would enter, each with a ribbon tied around their arm. The ladies would be scattered throughout the house, also with a ribbon about their arm. The men would tie their ribbon around the arm of a girl, beginning a period of courtship. The courtship concludes in a month's time at the Maiden's Dance, where the man presents a gift to the courted lady. If she feels the gift is suitable, she accepts it, and they copulate. It is considered bad form to decline a gift, or to decline an offered ribbon. It is also considered shameful for a man to still have his ribbon at the close of the festival. Married men are permitted (even encouraged) to participate in the festival, and most unwed ladies are strongly encouraged as well. Some call the festival 'The Ribbon Rape'.[/I] Jorick Von Rinehart was standing on the front steps of his home, looking out at the falling rain. His great grandfather Moag was sitting on the porch next to him; he had the distinction of being the oldest man in Croft (he’d lost count at a hundred, but nobody else came close). Jorick’s younger siblings stood with him, the twins Callan and Clara. Clara was teasing Jorick, asking if he’d tie a ribbon about his arm and participate in the evening’s festivities. Both the twins were eager to do so, but seeing their stoic older brother squirm caused them much delight. While they talked, Jorick’s aunt came walking by with Sybilla Van Witte on her arm. The matronly lady was making every attempt to convince Sybilla to tie a ribbon that evening, and join in the festivities. “Some people marry after Ribbon’s Eve,” she said. To Sybilla, it sounded like the closing of a cage. The aunt left her with Jorick on the front steps, where Clara shifted her teasing to Sybilla. Across the square, Archibald stood under one of the walkway covers, watching the rain pour down. Being a stranger to town, he was observing the festival with a curious eye. He carried his rifle over his shoulder; a strange item, unfamiliar to most of the villagers. He had spent much of the week keeping to himself, but this festival would offer an opportunity to see Croft at its best. Before long, Ursula and Tealannalessa appeared, walking with Tea's friend Katrina, a red-haired barmaid at Croft Public House. Katrina was gently teasing Tea and Ursula, suggesting they both tie ribbons that evening. Tea was considering it, but Ursula flatly refused, giving her one-word answers with little emotion. It was a regular gathering in the square in front of the Von Rinehart home. The Von Rineharts were under cover at the porch with Sybilla Van Witte, while Archibald looked at them across the square, sticking to the covered walkway. Tea, Ursula, and Katrina were all standing outside, moving for cover. But before they could hide away, there was an unwelcome sight. The elderly mayor Phillip Van Tallow is a clever, kind old man who runs Croft with a fair hand. His grandson Calvin shares the shrewdness, but none of the kindness. A striking man in his mid-thirties, Calvin marched into the square, flanked by two of his mage friends; the intense, bald Jameson Godrin, and the beautiful Annabelle Candice. A war of words began as Calvin Van Tallow began to tease Ursula about not being feminine enough to participate in Ribbon's Eve. Jorick Von Rinehart came to her defense, and soon Calvin and Annabelle were verbally sparring with nearly everyone. Jameson Godrin walked over to gaze at Sybilla; he had strange, grey eyes and a deep stare. He asked her if she would tie a ribbon, though whether he was expressing interest in the young Van Witte or trying to spook her was up for debate. Either way, Jorick eventually got the best of Calvin, and he gathered his friends and left in a huff. Jorick invited everyone inside, and they stepped into the interior of the Von Rinehart family home. It was like a hunting lodge; antlers hanging everywhere, thick stone walls, and a massive, roaring hearth. Sitting near it, everyone dried off from the rain, and they talked about the coming festival. Archibald was introduced; most of the characters had not yet met him in town. But Ribbon's Eve is a festival best spent out of doors, so they made their way outside and enjoyed the day. On this day, the streets of Croft came alive. There were covered fire braziers, where meat could be grabbed, and ale aplenty. There were all sorts of people singing and laughing and fooling around. One of the farmers, a mischevious man named Harkken Woal jumped full-bore into a ditch in an attempt to splash Sybilla. He invited Ursula to join him in the chest-deep ditch, to attempt to splash Annabelle. The mage proved too quick to be soaked, though she was splattered, and she stormed off in a huff. Ursula shared a rare smile. "I'm going to tie a ribbon on her tonight," Harkken told Ursula with a grin. Winning Annabelle didn't seem like a likely thing, but by the way Harkken laughed, he probably knew it. Tealannalessa found the festival fun, but she gravitated towards the warmth of the blacksmith. Garret Amberstone, the blacksmith's apprentice was there, and the two exchanged pleasantries. Eventually, however, the characters filtered in to Croft Public House which was serving hot cider for the festival. There, they sat by the warm fire, and talked a little more. Tea finally gave in to Katrina's pressure; she would tie a ribbon. Sybilla and Ursula were both disinclined. But Clara and Callan managed to talk Jorick into it as well. Finally, the time came for the ladies of Croft to prepare themselves. And so Tealannalessa retreated with Katrina, and they got themselves ready for the pageantry. As did Clara, Callan, and Jorick. The ladies made their way to the Von Tallow estate, where the evening's festivities would take place. Katrina expressed a desire for Callan to find her, and begged Tealannalessa to let them linger in a room close to the entrance. Ursula joined them, despite her lack of ribbon. Katrina begged Ursula to intercept anyone who wasn't Callan. Outside in the rain, Jorick and Callan were preparing to head inside. Jorick was reluctant to participate, but Callan reminded him how shameful it would be to still have his ribbon at the end of the night. "It reflects poorly on our family, dear brother," he said with a grin. Jorick reluctantly agreed. They headed inside, and immediately came upon Tea and Katrina. Callan tied a ribbon around Katrina, which made both quite happy. Jorick lingered but a moment, talking with Tea. Archibald was outside near the tavern when he heard the boy running up, nearly out of breath and exhausted. He stopped him, and the boy caught his breath enough to cry, "The mill! Bullywugs are attacking the mill!" Knowing he wouldn't be enough to stop them on his own, Archibald ran to the Van Tallow manor. He burst through the front door and shouted the warning. Jorick left immediately, with Ursula, Katrina, Callan, and Tea in tow. Tea paused to snatch a bow from a pedestal; she'd need a weapon. Sybilla joined them in the street, carrying a spear that she wasn't quite strong enough to use effectively. The word was spreading through the Van Tallow house, but the mill wouldn't wait; the characters moved out to the mill, which was a fifteen-minute walk south of Croft. [I]Behind The Dice: I was thrilled with how the first part of the session went. 5th Edition is a very light system, and it was easy to use skill checks throughout the roleplay and meeting up. Tea in particular was a master of stealth, so she loved to remain unseen. The first two-thirds of the game had a lot of PC and NPCs being introduced, so it wound up being a bit heavy overall. But in the end, the game was richer for having introduced a world and its inhabitants. Giving Croft some faces the players care about only makes things stronger when the town is in peril.[/I] [/QUOTE]
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