Some Stories Are True

[MacConnell]

]Wrenn nods... intends to take point...

Askari will nod... thread... canine teeth...

... Wrenn... asks... stay stealthy.

A full day is spent resting.

Astrid, being more proficient at generating light than the others, elects to stay in the middle of the group and hold the lantern stick. It should also help that she is the tallest in the party. She wants to keep one the dark green stones.

Previously Hiroshi retrieves his two ularin javelins. When moving, he elects to take rear guard with Volki, his own shadow from the lantern stick aiding her attempt to hide. He, too takes one of the dark green stones.

Oorvid takes a liking to the other set of canine teeth and trades his green stone back to party collection for the last pair, fashioning them for his own necklace. He suggests to Wrenn that he should take the other sets of feather talismans.

Wrenn takes point, followed by Askari then Astrid then Oorvid. Hiroshi and Volki follow last. Climbing back down the 9 stride ladder, the party follows the tunnel that heads West, wanting to explore new territory first before back tracking. Having become more comfortable with the tunnel system, travel is faster.

Little work in restoration seems to have been done along this particular path compared to the previous few, walked. The domed design of the tunnel is still solid, but the growth of a forest above still takes a toll. After just over three hours, the party enters a room like the ones under the other keeps. There are four paths and a 3 stride ladder, leading up, but debris has fallen through the the trap door and a pile of rubble blocks the egress and the further western tunnel.

Hiding the lantern globe momentarily allows the party to notice that faint light emits through the ruined trap door. It seems likely that the entire Keep above may have collapsed. When the globe is again uncovered, trouble strikes.

Spoiler: Wariness

Askari: 29(perception) + 21(analysis) + 21(d100) = 73
Astrid: 31 + 23 + 62 = 116
Hiroshi: 22 + 30 + 75 = 127
Oorvid: 21 + 30 + 62 = 111
Volki: 27 + 24 + 88 = 139
Wrenn: 27 + 24 + 62 = 113
130 + 72 = 202

Four venomous vipers must have slithered their way through the debris to take residency in the relative cool darkness of the sub-basement of the former Keep. Having lain perfectly still among the strewn rubble, they escaped notice until they decided to strike.

Spoiler: Physical Assault

Vipers: 41 + 72 = 113

Askari: 29(readiness) + 29(avoidance) + 21(analysis) + 76(d100) = 155
Astrid: 22 + 31 + 23 + 75 = 151
Hiroshi: 23 + 22 + 30 + 75 = 150
Oorvid: 23 + 21 + 30 + 75 = 149

Spoiler: Venom

11 + 72 = 83

Askari: 39(conditioning) + 22(fury) + 76(d100) > 83, resists
Astrid: 24 + 21 + 75 > 83, resists
Hiroshi: 23 + 27 + 75 > 83, resists
Oorvid: 23 + 32 + 75 > 83, resists

Askari, Astrid, Hiroshi, and Oorvid are all bitten by one the vipers. Fortunately, as Askari would phrase it, all were able to resists the effect of the venom. The poor lighting in the room, which is only provided by the lantern stick that Astrid is holding, causes difficulty in focusing on the vipers, which are a mottled of color resembling the dirt.

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: 113 + 202 = 315 - 155 - 73 = 87% * 4 = 3. Body: 10 - 3 = 7, hurt.
Shirt: 40 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 37.
Astrid: 315 - 151 - 116 = 48% * 4 = 2. Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt.
Mantle: 30 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 26.
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: 315 - 150 - 127 = 38% * 4 = 2. Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt.
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 56.
Javelins: 3, stone: 3 ularin
Oorvid: 315 - 149 - 111 = 55% * 4 = 2. Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt.
Tunic: 68 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 65
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 50 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 46
Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 9

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 5 ingots, {shock x3}

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, ??
Bat Guano: 12 measures, {heat x2}
Goat Beard: 2, ??
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, (Cohesion +1)
Teal Skull: 1, ??

Coal: 7 bricks, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??
Emberstone: 1, ??
Grayish-Black Stone: 2, ??
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)
White Semi-Translucent Stone: 2, ??

Dried Leaves: 3 measures, ??
Other Leaves: 2 measures, ??
Flowers: 4 measures, ??
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Spoiler: Discoveries

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
Rheini Village

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP. State combat intentions and provide a random roll for physical and mystical tasks.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Wrenn will shoot his bow, and attempt to Toxicify one of the snakes.

Spoiler: Base Rolls

Bow: 83
Toxicity: 94(+81) = 175 Wow!

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

Askari will drop into a defensive stance, attempting to block the next incoming strike with his buckler then counter before the viper can recoil. Having encountered many vipers during hunts in the deserts around his home, he offers some tactics

They can see our body heat in this low light. We need to heat the air around us to even the odds. If you can produce heat, do so. Even if it produces light, well still be on equal footing. Try not to ignite the debris. A fire down here would be highly dangerous.

Thinking back on their recent battle, he will also utter; Fortune guide my hand. Attempting to gain any aid possible.

Spoiler: Random Rolls

65, 99(+52 luck) = 151, & 36

 

[Gigeaux]

Volki, taking Askari’s advice grabs some of the guano and uses it to start a few fires in front of the party to throw off the senses of the vipers while also providing us light, while targeting one snake with fire attack and following up with her daggers. Careful to place them on clear areas that won’t spread the fire, and to avoid the strikes of the snakes, Volki starts the fires as fast as she can.

Spoiler: random rolls

67,92+luck44, 83

 

[MacConnell]

Wrenn will shoot... Toxicify...

Askari... defensive... counter... offers... utter...

Volki... guano... fire... daggers...

GM: A difference between TUW and D&D: Flame has 2 components, visual and tactile. Only Astrid and Hiroshi can make fire. All others generate heat with no visual aspect. This is just technical information based on game mechanics. As GM, I will use the mechanics to best apply player intentions. Because Wrenn's weapon does physical damage, I am changing "toxicity" to "acidity," which also causes physical damage. If this is not acceptable, let me know and I will correct it.

Astrid, being empty handed, will take a queue from the words of Askari and heat one of the vipers, using a piece of guano.

Hiroshi, with an ularin javelin in each hand, point down in his left and point up in his right, will also attempt to use heat against a viper while physically assaulting it.

Oorvid smiles at the suggestion from Askari and realizes instinctively that he can perform such a task. With regard to the confined space, he uses his carving axes to punch at a viper, rather than swinging them in an arc.

Spoiler: Reaction

Askari: 29(readiness) + 26(speed) + 22(clarity) + 65(d100) = 132
Astrid: 22 + 31 + 24 + 65 = 142
Hiroshi: 23 + 21 + 32 + 85 = 161
Oorvid: 23 + 22 + 29 + 73 = 147
Volki: 26 + 31 + 31 + 67 = 155
Wrenn: 23 + 28 + 38 + 83 = 173
Vipers: 16 + 26 + 0 + 83 = 125

Spoiler: Speed of Action

Askari: 200(bend) - 132 = 68
Astrid: 200(bend) - 142 = 58
Hiroshi: 200(bend) - 161 = 39
Oorvid: 200(bend) - 147 = 53
Volki: 200(bend) - 155 = 45
Wrenn: 300(bow) - 173 = 127
Vipers: 50 - 125 = ~0, 50, 100

Spoiler: Physical Assault

Vipers: 41 + 124 = 165
Askari: 39(aggression) + 26(accuracy) + 25(fury) + 151(d100) = 241
Hiroshi: 22(finesse) + 21(accuracy) + 32(clarity) + 85 = 160
Oorvid: 26(aggression) + 22(accuracy) + 32(fury) + 114 = 194
Volki: 26(finesse) + 31(accuracy) + 31(clarity) + 136 = 224
Wrenn: 23(launch) + 28(accuracy) + 32(clarity) + 83 = 166

Askari: 27(readiness) + 29(avoidance) + 21(analysis) + 151(d100) = 228
Astrid: 22 + 31 + 23 + 65 = 141
Hiroshi: 23 + 22 + 30 + 85 = 160
Oorvid: 23 + 21 + 30 + 104 = 178
Volki: 26 + 27 + 24 + 136 = 213
Wrenn: 23 + 27 + 24 + 83 = 157
Vipers: 46 + 114 = 160

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

Askari: 25%(ambient heat)
Astrid: 50(bending) + 22(fire) x 2(guano) + 65(d100) = 159
Hiroshi: 26(bending) + 29(fire) + 85 = 140
Oorvid: 32%(ambient heat)
Volki: 44(bending) + 23(heat) x 2(guano) + 83 = 173
Wrenn: 32(bending) + 38(acidity) + 175 = 245

Vipers: 11(conditioning) + 112(d100) = 123

Spoiler: Venom

29 + 84 = 113

Askari: 39(conditioning) + 22(fury) +
Astrid: 24 + 21 + 65(d100) = 110
Hiroshi: 23 + 27 +
Oorvid: 23 + 32 +
Volki: 27 + 27
Wrenn: 22 + 29 + 83(d100) > 113, resists

Spoiler: Combat Data

V1: 228 - 165 = 63% * 11 = 7 - 4(deflect) = 3. Body: 4 - 1 = 1, injured.
140 - 123 = 17% * 2 = ~1. Body: 1 - 1 = 0, incapacitated.
241% * 11 > 6, dead.
V2: 224 - 160 = 64% * 6 = 4 - 4(deflect) = 0, ineffective.
173 - 123 = 40% * 2 = 1, Body: 4 - 1 = 3, irritated.
V3: 159 - 123 = 36% * 2 = 1. Body: 4 - 1 = 3, irritated.
V4: 245 - 123 = 122% * 4 = 5. Body: 4 - 5 = -1, incapacitated.

Perhaps it is Fortune who rides on the wisp of a cool draft that wafts through the opening in the debris, for Askari realizes that it is he who can best manipulate thermal waylines. As a result, he generates ambient heat around his body, enough to be felt by anything within one stride of him but not enough to damage anything or himself.

The room, being only 3 x 3, makes for very tight quarters when filled with 6 people and 4 vipers. The snakes prove still faster and strike a second time before anyone can act, striking at Askari, Astrid, Volki, and Wrenn. Askari and Volki reflexively dodge the strike, but the first is too fast for Askari to counter. Astrid and Wrenn are both bitten, but only Astrid is affected by the venom. Perhaps the strikes only glanced the thigh of Wrenn and not much venom could enter the body.

Hiroshi acts second. He thrusts his right javelin at the viper who struck at Askari but is unable to make contact. He does, however, cause some physical damage by mystically heating it. Askari counters the second strike, blocking the viper with his shield and making a vicious cut with his short sword, incapacitating the thing. Pressing down on its head with his shield, he severs the skull from the body with another blow.

Volki acts next, ineffectively stabbing at the viper who struck at her, but causing it some irritation with mystical heat. As soon as she began manipulating thermal waylines, she could feel that there was not any flammable material within the room, except what was being worn or carried by her friends. The debris is all rock and dirt.

Oorvid punches his carving axe at the viper who bit Astrid but is unable to cut through the scaled hide. Astrid, as she is struck the second time, irritates the snake by mystically heating it.

When Wrenn draws and fires his arrow, it narrowly misses the snake and careens wildly from the floor, into an adjacent wall, the ceiling, then back into some debris. He instantly realizes that the bow may do more damage than good in such an environment and thinks that magic should suit better. Despite missing the viper that struck him, he burns it with mystical acid. Luck being in his favor, he causes enough damage to incapacitate the thing.

Two active vipers remain. They seem overly aggressive. It could be because they cannot exit the room. It could be something yet unknown. Only Astrid is currently affected by venom.

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: 113 + 202 = 315 - 155 - 73 = 87% * 4 = 3. Body: 10 - 3 = 7, hurt.
Shirt: 40 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 37.
Astrid: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt.
165 - 141 = 24% * 2 = ~1 x 3 = 3. Body: 8 - 3 = 5, injured.
113 - 110 = 3% * 10 = ~1 x 3. Motility: 1 - 3 = -2, still mobile.
Mantle: 30 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 26.
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: 315 - 150 - 127 = 38% * 4 = 2. Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt.
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 56.
Javelins: 3, stone: 3 ularin
Oorvid: 315 - 149 - 111 = 55% * 4 = 2. Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt.
Tunic: 68 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 65
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 50 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 46
Wrenn: 165 - 157 = 8% * 2 = ~1 x 3 = 3. Body: 10 - 3 = 7, hurt.
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 9

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 5 ingots, {shock x3}

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, ??
Bat Guano: 10 measures, {heat x2}
Goat Beard: 2, ??
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, (Cohesion +1)
Teal Skull: 1, ??

Coal: 7 bricks, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??
Emberstone: 1, ??
Grayish-Black Stone: 2, ??
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)
White Semi-Translucent Stone: 2, ??

Dried Leaves: 3 measures, ??
Other Leaves: 2 measures, ??
Flowers: 4 measures, ??
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Spoiler: Discoveries

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
Rheini Village

OOC: Bonus awarded for the use of actual biology and character theology. Everyone receives 10 DP. State combat intentions and provide a random roll for physical and mystical tasks.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Wrenn will cease using the bow at this point, and concentrate on killing these things through wayline manipulation. Wrenn will use Toxicify this time, in an attempt to paralyze one of them.

Spoiler: Base Roll

79

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

Askari will continue to produce heat trying to attract the attention to the two remaining vipers. He will continue to fight defensively, attempting to create an opening for his companions.

Spoiler: Random Rolls

87, 48, & 29

 

[Gigeaux]

Realizing heat might not be her strong suit, Volki will change tactics to toxicity. Using Askari’s heat distraction, she will try to strike one of the vipers when they are distracted by dealing with him.

Spoiler: rolls

54,57,85

 

[MacConnell]

Wrenn... Toxicity...

Askari... fight defensively...

... Volki... toxicity... strike...

Astrid will use a second piece of guano to try again at igniting the snake.

Hiroshi keeps his weapons as they are with the left for defense and the right for attack. Being stronger in the talent, he switches his manipulation to cause an electrical shock.

Oorvid, with continued regard for the confined space, uses his carving axes to punch at a viper.

Spoiler: Speed of Action

Askari: 68 + 30(hurt) + 50(sword) = 148, 198, 248, 298
Astrid: 58 + 50(injured) + 200(bend) = 308
Hiroshi: 39 + 20(hurt) + 200(bend) = 259
Oorvid: 53 + 20(hurt) + 50(axe) = 123, 173, 223, 273
Volki: 45 + 200(bend) = 245
Wrenn: 127 + 30(hurt) + 200(bend) = 357
V2: 50 + 10(irritated) + 50(strike) = 110, 160, 210, 260
V3: 50 + 10(irritated) + 50(strike) = 110, 160, 210. 260

Spoiler: Enhancement

Askari: 25%(ambient heat)
Oorvid: 32%(ambient heat)

Spoiler: Physical Assault

Vipers: 41 + 124 = 165
Askari: 39(aggression) + 26(accuracy) + 25(fury) + 87(d100) = 177
Hiroshi: 22(finesse) + 21(accuracy) + 32(clarity) + 75 = 150
Oorvid: 26(aggression) + 22(accuracy) + 32(fury) + 72 = 152
Volki: 26(finesse) + 31(accuracy) + 31(clarity) + 54 = 142
Wrenn: 23(launch) + 28(accuracy) + 32(clarity) +

Askari: 27(readiness) + 29(avoidance) + 21(analysis) + 48(d100) = 125
Astrid: 22 + 31 + 23 + 75 = 151
Hiroshi: 23 + 22 + 30 + 75 = 150
Oorvid: 23 + 21 + 30 + 67 = 141
Volki: 26 + 27 + 24 + 57 = 134
Wrenn: 23 + 27 + 24 + 79 = 153
Vipers: 46 + 67 = 113

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

Astrid: 50(bending) + 22(fire) x 2(guano) + 75 = 147
Hiroshi: 26(bending) + 31(shock) + 75 = 132
Volki: 44(bending) + 31(toxicity) + 85 = 160
Wrenn: 32(bending) + 38(toxicity) + 79 = 149

Vipers: 11(conditioning) + 79 = 90

Spoiler: Venom

29 + 69 = 98

Askari: 39(conditioning) + 22(fury) +
Astrid: 24 + 21 + 75 = 130
Hiroshi: 23 + 27 + 75 = 125
Oorvid: 23 + 32 + 69 = 124
Volki: 27 + 27 + 85 = 139
Wrenn: 22 + 29 + 79 = 130

Spoiler: Combat Data

V1: dead.
V2: Body: 4 - 1 = 3, irritated. 177 - 113 = 64% * 11 = 7 - 4 = 3 x 2 = 6, * 3 = 2 - 1 = 1 x 2 = 2. Body: 3 - 6 = -3, Mind: 6 - 3 = 3, incapacitated. Mind: 3 - 2 = 1, dazed. 160 - 90 = 70% * 4 = 3. Mind: 1 - 3 = -2, dead.
V3: Body: 4 - 1 = 3, irritated. 152 - 113 = 39% * 11 = 4 - 4 = 0, ineffective. 150 - 113 = 37% * 10 = 4 - 4 = 0, ineffective. 132 - 90 = 42% * 4 = 2. Body: 3 - 1 = 2, hurt. 147 - 90 = 57% * 2 = 1. Body: 2 - 1 = 1, injured. 149 - 90 = 59% * 4 = 2. Mind: 6 - 2 = 4, dazed.
V4: Body: 4 - 5 = -1, incapacitated.

The confined space of the room does not facilitate distraction but being mere animals, the vipers randomly choose targets. They strike at Hiroshi, Oorvid, and Volki. All three are bitten, but none is affected by the venom, including Astrid who is able to override her previous dose.

Oorvid is bitten four times during the course of action, becoming injured. He punches his carving axe at the same viper but is still unable to cut through the scaled hide.

Askari assaults the viper that attacked Volki, striking at it with sword and shield in a swaying body motion very similar to way Oorvid uses his axes but proves more effective against the scaled hide. He cuts the snake twice and bashes it with his buckler twice. The cuts incapacitate the snake and, with the blows from the buckler, almost kill it.

Volki completes her manipulation of chemical waylines, taking from the viper its remaining consciousness and causing its death.

Hiroshi proves ineffective at physically assaulting the viper that bit Astrid but is able to cause some harm generating an electric shock.

Astrid, as she is overrides the venom coursing through her veins, causes more harm to the viper by generating heat. It is not quite enough damage to incapacitate the thing.

Wrenn cradles his bow and alters the mind of the viper that bit Astrid, somewhat muddling its thoughts.

With that one viper being the only danger left and it already being injured and dazed, it is quickly killed by Askari and Oorvid. No one seems to be suffering any effects from the venom but everyone is hurt, having taken fang punctures to the legs.

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: Body: 10 - 3 = 7, hurt.
Shirt: 40 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 37.
Astrid: Body: 10 - 2 - 3 = 5, injured. Motility: 1 - 3 = -2, still mobile.
Mantle: 30 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 26.
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt. 165 - 150 = 15% * 4 = ~1 x 4 = 4. Body: 8 - 4 = 4, injured.
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 56.
Javelins: 3, stone: 3 ularin
Oorvid: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt. 165 - 141 = 24% * 4 = ~1 x 4 = 4. Body: 8 - 4 = 4, injured.
Tunic: 68 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 65
Volki: 165 - 134 = 31% * 4 = 1 x 4 = 4. Body: 10 - 4 = 6, hurt.
Tunic: 50 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 46
Wrenn: Body: 10 - 3 = 7, hurt.
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 9

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 5 ingots, {shock x3}

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, ??
Bat Guano: 9 measures, {heat x2}
Goat Beard: 2, ??
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, (Cohesion +1)
Teal Skull: 1, ??

Coal: 7 bricks, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??
Emberstone: 1, ??
Grayish-Black Stone: 2, ??
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)
White Semi-Translucent Stone: 2, ??

Dried Leaves: 3 measures, ??
Other Leaves: 2 measures, ??
Flowers: 4 measures, ??
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Spoiler: Discoveries

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
Rheini Village

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP. Combat has finished. State nominal actions and provide a random roll.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Wrenn will immediately move to help the others to heal their wounds. He will also examine the dead vipers, to see if any of their skin or teeth has proclivities.

Spoiler: Random Rolls

67, 71