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Episode 33: We Biffed a Beetle - 24 Jun 2021 16:55
Setting
The party had been sent by Fazzur to take a message to the Shaker Temple.
The plot was going to be at the Shaker Temple, but instead was provided by travel, beetles,and arguments.
IC Play
The group travelled, rather nervously, through Lunar Tarsh. They spotted a dust cloud riding, which turned out to be a Lunar patrol that was not very casual at all; possibly even directed. They managed to hide in a culvert off a rocky path, but although they got away from the Lunars, Kerentha's beetle decided to take a chunk out of Kosa's horse. Kerentha tried to bribe the beast, while Saronil tried to smite it, to silence the fight, and came off distinctly better, in that he was alive at the end of the fight, while the beetle was dying.
The group then heard other noises, and on investigating found Trollkin. Androus immediately challenged them, as they were creatures of darkness, but they did not answer. He therefore set out to wound each one, according to his interpretation of his geas. This panicked them, and they split up, trying to lead him off and kill him, while he followed.
Meanwhile, one that had managed to get past him, wounded, crawled up to the beetle and began sobbing openly, comforting the thing in its last moments. It had Darkness and Beast Runes carved on its skin. Karentha failed to communicate with the trollkin, and Androus retreated, wounded, but still calling out his challenges. There was a lot of noise.1 Aria coaxed the trollkin into leaving, and they did,taking a beetle leg with them - the one that was already mostly hanging off.2
The group pondered routes. Aria remembered a rocky path further back up the road, and they went that way. Aria fell into a very very cold lake while trying to keep her horse safe, although she was rescued quickly. She was nevertheless freezing and miserable for a while. However, it seemed they had lost the Lunars.
They travelled through Old Tarsh, where there were few troops, little food, and a lot of evidence of fires. They reached the Shaker Temple near the end of Disorder week in Earth Season, when there was already a festival happening. Androus was sure he could feel shaking beneath his feet, but when he asked about it, was told he was blessed.3 They were held as honoured guests, with a very simple square guesthouse given over to them, until the Priestess Amara could speak with them. Kosa and Saronil both spent some time at their shrines.4
During this time they met several priestesses, and decided not to talk to the women dressed only in bloodied chains.
Amara spoke with them in a room with a single brazier in, below the ground. She said that they were politically interesting to a lot of people because Saronil had failed at keeping Death from Zorak Zoran, but Yelmalio had taken fire back from him; everyone was mystically entwined, but Aria was a weak link because she was only there conceptually, and had not taken part. She was therefore in danger. She let them know about the political situation; some were offended by what Andros did, some Humaktis thought that Saronil had failed. Some who followed Yanafal Tarnils thought they could do better. "Friends should understand there is a lot of politics balanced on them, with the lunars and at boldhome." She said a commander of large lunar unit was interested in them. However, the Priestess was more interested in Androus than anyone else, saying that the group (and possibly the Temple) must be ready when others tried to take Androus power from him. She called on him to talk with her later, alone.
When Androus had a talk with Amara at dawn - in the same room, but very brightly lit, and with many women there - she asked him questions about why Yelmalio did not search for Yelm in the Great Darkness, and about loyalty. Amara noted cold-bloodedly that she would be very happy to kill him if he failed her; she had a plan. A trickle of the Father's blood had been held from Yelmalio, for failing to find his father, but if he could go through the Hill of Gold and find the details of Yelmalio's searching, then he could attain knowledge. In effect, by doing a version of the Hill of Gold that they helped him with, they could open up the Shield spell to Yelmalio once more.
Other Things
“I don’t think I even have ride beetle” - Kerentha
“Why are you riding a beetle then?” - Aria?
Androus: I'm looking for the undamaged one
Kosa: At his challenge, Kosa does face palm, as best as possible with a shield in hand.
Hendira: Aria gets full points for sense.
Hendira: "Androus, this is not honour, it is slaughter."
Aria, after rolling on Survival: "Oh no. That's more zeroes than I like to see."
Aria: "I'm not stripping in front of everyone! Does someone have a spare sheet?"
Kosa is impatient. "I've spent years in an Earth Temple. You have nothing I haven't seen. Just change."
Kosa: Kosa is very happy here. Can she wander off to a shrine?
Kosa: She does so.
Kosa: Kosa will make a blood sacrifice at her shrine.
Hendira: Kerentha isn't happy. She is in a middle ground between terror and a feeling of safety.
Androus: I'll go barefoot.
Hendira: I would warn him against this, but I kind of want him to be Shaker-ed.
Hendira: ShAkEr-Ed.
Hendira: So… how come I have Loyalty (Shaker Temple) on my sheet, but not Fear (Shaker Temple)?
Androus: they are capable of great subtlety. Sadly, they are utterly disinterested in exercising it.
Aria: I always thought it would be odd to choose to be a Humakti, but this Temple is making me rethink that.
Hendira: There should be Insight (Earthquake)
‘This priestess does make me feel at home too, it’s just that I had a dysfunctional childhood at home’ - Karentha
"Your POW is now 7." - GM
"I'm rich." - Aria
Episode 32: Good News, You Aren't Dead - 24 Jun 2021 15:57
Setting
Fire Day of Truth Week.
Androus had taken a week at his Temple, who were effectively keeping out of all the politics that others were embroiled in, and had demanded that his service this season was internal, and would happen *now*.
The re-waking of the flame meant that Sartar had a Wyter once more, even if it did not have a Prince to be the Priest of that Wyter.
Saronil's summary: Immediately after all the Yelmalians left, one of the tribal leaders of the Colymar took offense at not getting to go up to the palace & Saronil fought a duel against him to prevent this. Saronil won, but then let the Nameless go up. Then later, Saronil was guarding the Prince's body and there was a lot of shouting and running around with torches in the city, which Saronil doesn't actually know much about, but believes was the Colymar. And then later Kallyr's body, which wasn't rotting by the way, immolated and lit the flame of Sartar
Also, we should send a message to Kosa with the good news.
Plot was created from the mix of things going on at the time and background politics for everyone who was present.
IC Play
Back at the Battlefield of Queens, Kosa woke to be told that Aria was dead. This, along with knowing her mind had been taken from her by Lunar magic once more, shook her badly.
Meanwhile, Saronil arranged for a message to be sent to Kosa, telling her that Aria was alive. The Issarians hired a Humakti to do it; Saronil. The instruction came down via the Temple structure, telling him to take his friends.5 This would give him the chance to deliver the message and then go look for Aria.6
The group told Kosa the good news, which cheered her up but made her more determined to help Aria. Kerentha was happy because they could meet Aria and finally take her to the Shaker Temple. Everyone was happy!7
Aria, meanwhile, was making her way from Dunstop towards Alda Chur. She successfully avoided some Lunars by making her way to high ground, but was escorted in to Alda Chur by cavalry, who did not at first know who she was. Eventually they worked it out and they gave her a nicer house to be a free-ranging prisoner in. She was allowed around the city, but not out. While looking for things and people she knew, she found that the Lunars had engraved Moons on the Temple of Humakt. Sword Gallem was nowhere to be seen.
The rest of the party went towards Alda Chur by way of Dangerford and Herongreen, where Androus rather upset the locals by saying that Fazzur was not so bad.
The group coming in to Alda Chur were escorted in by Sun Dome Templars, and arrested. Saronil turned out to be not good at keeping secrets, much to Karentha’s annoyance, giving away much of what they were doing. However, they were at least reunited. The Yelmalian with decision-making powers over them turned out to be Weeping Helver. Saronil paid his ransom, while Aria could not quite afford it.
The party could not find a way to escape that they were willing to risk, especially given that Saronil had said he would not use his sword to try to escape. However, they had only been in the city for a few days when Fazzur Wide-read himself arrived, and asked them to take a message for him, to the Shaker Temple. This was handy for everyone, as it got them out of his city without him having to execute his kinswoman's friends.
Other Things
On the way out, they noticed several gibbets, but Saronil failed to see that one of the bodies within was Gallem, surrounded by crows. Thus, nobody died.
GM: *list of people who know Aria is alive, with one major exception*
Androus: I believe Aria is aware she's alive…
Kosa: "You're hired. Please take your friends." = "Go away."
Hendira: This is like a pantomine.
GM: Oh no it's not.
Kosa: "Excuse me, I have to work out whether that was a fumble." A (after rolling charm)
Kosa: Look at you lot, just throwing money at things. You must have lunars to burn.
GM: To melt.
"I talked to Fazzur. Pharandros is the crazy one." - Kosa. Perhaps accurately.
Aria, to Fazzur: Uncle…
Kosa: Uncle?
Saronil: A high truth rune is a blessing, not a disadvantage
Androus: "How can you be Honourable, if not True?"
Saronil: It's like Humakt's wonderful blessing of protection from resurrection
Episode 31: You're Only In Charge Because Everyone Else Is Dead - 24 Jun 2021 14:34
Setting
The PCs, having failed to keep Kallyr alive, were set to guarding her body. Kosa was ICly out of action, so her player took over Korol Serpent-tongue, Chief of the Varmandi. Aria and Androus were not present OOC.
Plot was based on previous actions and their consequences.
IC Play
Karentha & Saronil met Korol, Chief of the Varmandi and loyal Thane of Leika, on the way back with the body. Even going back it was clear there were tensions, as Nameless and other Colymar were trying to get control of Kallyr's corpse, and guard it, while others were not letting them.
At the foot of the palace stairs, in Boldhome, Tennebris took charge of the body, taking Saronil and Karentha and a few others as guards, and leaving Nameless below, with thanks. Once they were at the top, he sent Saronil back down with thanks and gifts, but no invitation for the Honour Guard to share hospitality.
Korol dis not take the message well and ordered a guard to stay at the base of the stairs, which he had been entrusted with, but he himself tried to go up to the palace with his bodyguard. Saronil challenged him to fight. After some flurries of blows and magic, an already wounded Korol befuddled Saronil, but then tried to punch him with his remaining hand, and Saronil got his sword in the way, thus defeating Korol. Nameless was allowed to go up, on the promise of good behaviour, to talk to Tennebris.
Karentha, meanwhile, to check in with the Maran Gor temple about what to do when her escortee is dead. They essentially wished her good luck with that. She sent back a message to this effect, to the Shaker Temple, anyhow. Karentha then went to the Temple of Argan Argar, who were also less than helpful, but in a rather nicer way.
Saronil talked to the Issarians about Aria’s body & family, and how to break the news to them.
Saronil and Karentha were sent to guard the body (possibly by Eril. It sounds like the sort of thing he would do. Possibly by Tennebris), and settled in for the night. Meanwhile, Nameless gave an unlit torch to Koral, and sent him to the Palace. This time, he was able to get up the stairs, and in, but then multiple palace guards got in his way. There was a lot of posturing.
Outside, Saronil and Karentha noticed that there were people in the streets with torches; Colymar, as far as they could tell.
Korol ordered his guards forward, and tried to burst through the lines of the bodyguards, but they kept their spears online, and the situation escalated. However, the body-count was low, because many more guards arrived, surprisingly quickly, and Korol was hemmed in, unable to move, and not wishing to cause slaughter.
Out by her pyre, in the brazier of the flame, Kallyr burst into flames and relit the flame of Sartar, surprising just about everyone, and making Tennebris weep because he knew he had lost her forever.
A few days later, Saronil was given news from Dunstop; Aria was alive.
Other Things
At some point, Korol swore that Saronil would be in serious trouble if he came through Varmandi lands. This did indeed come up later…
"It's not like it's your fault?" - Korol
"You will remember-" - GM
"Some of them will. Most of us were unconscious." - Hendira
"I have one sentence!" - S
"Is it a Death Sentence?" - GM
"I haven't turned his polite thanks into here is your money, fuck off." - Saronil
"Lord Tennebris sends deep thanks for the service done for Prince Kallyr by the Colymar and gives these gifts in recognition." - Tennebris
"If you would pass, fight me. I'll not have you interrupt the sleep of the dead for petty political problems." - Saronil
"Make Lord Eril proud. Or at least make him slightly amused." - Hendira
"This is a very Gloranthan way to sort out a political disagreement." - Hendira
"I miss home. At least there I only get into political squabbles that are mine." - Hendira
"I like dragonewts. They don’t do this sort of stupid thing. Mind you, they are really weird." - Hendira
"Oh, her brains had dribbled out of her ears, hadn't they?" - GM
"Yeah, lunar madness magic." - Saronil
"Good times." - Ethrava
Episode 30: Being a messenger sucks, also everyone dies - 11 Jun 2021 11:16
Setting
The PCs had been told to go deliver a message to Kallyr from Leika that was at best borderline insulting. They went to do it, and then found out that dragonewts were really weird.
Plot was an extension of what had been happening over the past few weeks, following (as best as the GM knew it) the Official Line of Facts.
IC Play
As the group travelled to Boldhome, they worked out that all of the Fyrds seemed to have been called up - there was a lot of marching, mostly away from where the adventurers were going. They noted as they came into Boldhome that people had been warned in advance; the place was mustering.
After getting up the steps, they delivered their message. It seemed that Kallyr was ready, and while irritated, she did not blow her top. Instead, she rewarded the group by inviting them to join her honour guard. Kallyr also had words for Eril about him sending Saronil off to Dangerford against her orders, but he was able to say, entirely truthfully, that he had sent Saronil to Alda Chur. Kallyr did not push it, given that the end result had been a lack of invasion.
Gratefully, Saronil returned to Black Sword to the Temple of Humakt, noting the care with which it was treated. Runelord Heenith seemed to be cautiously worshipful.
Kallyr led her army out and turned the wrong way, as far as the PCs could tell, going to High Wyrm and a nearby altar. There, she called in a favour that allowed the entire army the chance to walk along the Dragonewt road, arriving at Oldtop before Leika, and in good time to greet the Queen of the Colymar.
There was a great battle; Saronil and Karentha were knocked unconscious by magic. Aria was almost killed in a terrified but determined defence of Kallyr, who was killed by assassins. Aria only escaped by having Issaries return her to a market, a place of peace that left her in Dunstop, without any weapons. Androuranos was magnificent in battle, but Kosa was attacked by a Mindblast and left gibbering.
Other Things
Saronil's player wrote a death-song for Aria, after he could not find her body and she failed to appear.
Life is ended, dim thy eyes,
a journey long, behind thee lies
Farewell friend, in honour slain
And never shall we meet again
This was enough to put Loyalty Aria on his sheet, given she was not in fact dead.
'A rough translation would be, "I am doing this. Keep out, or come deal with it personally."' - Hendira
'My notes from last week summarise the message as "We’re going to go fight the Lunars, you can join us if you really want, but we’re in charge because we’re going to get there first."' - Saronil
'"A disorder" is now the official group noun for Storm Bulls.' - Androus
"About that favour." - Kallyr
"Oppression is the slave of duty!" - Dragonewt
Hendira: So that's why we took the dragonnewt road - to win a petty race between queens.
Saronil: yep
Saronil: a very important petty race
Androus: It is not bad for shit to go down. The alternative is worse.
Saronil: Probably going to look for Aria, this is not likely to work well.
Androus: OK, that's fresh. Androus actually passes Intrigue.
Hendira: Oh look. They're fighting over a corpse.
Hendira: Between a pair of diplomats. One of the most dangerous places to be.
Hendira: I don't think Androus is the "rock" in this scenario.
Taking Saronil aside: "How are you with politics?" - Androus
"Mostly oblivious." - Saronil
Episode 29: Beetle versus Mule - 06 Jun 2021 17:01
Setting
The PCs could not get to Alda Chur and therefore safely through to the Shaker Temple, so they got embroiled in Sartarite politics instead.
Plot was about the GM working out what would be interesting in getting the adventurers to the Battle of Queens.
IC Play
Kosa had followed along with Fazzur's army to be sure that Orontes was treated well. She did not gain any new *news* but she did have assurances that he would be treated as a prisoner should be treated, with honour. There was the understanding, however, that when he was executed it would be quick - and certain. She did reaffirm things he had said before; that Pharandros was likely to invade by Runegate, and that he was possibly possessed by the ghost of Moirades. She had a few more details on the civil war that was likely about to burst out in Tarsh.
Saronil sheathed Skaal, although a little of his spirit was trapped on the Hero Plane when he did so. They all set out for Clearwine. Karentha lost control of her beetle, which tried to eat a mule, with hilarious8 consequences. It had Light cast on its eyes, and Saronil beat it off with a sword. They stopped off in Jonstown to tell the news to various temples, and then arrived in Clearwine and did the same. Androus went to help the Ulerians with the seasonal holy day, after telling everything to a somewhat drunk Light Son who had thought he was going to have a day off.
Queen Laika summoned everyone early the next morning, and called on Aria to be her herald. The message was, "The people of Colymar stand ready and the Colymar are at muster. Feel free to meet us at Runegate." Leika then entertained the group all day, meaning they could not set off until her hospitality was done with them.
Other Things
Episode 28: The Island of Danger and Snacks - 06 Jun 2021 12:03
Setting
Karentha was trying to get Aria moving towards the Shaker Temple. Certain other political forces, chiefly but not only Lord Eril, were trying to protect Aria.
Plot was chiefly from https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/307504/The-Duel-at-Dangerford?affiliate_id=205935 with some start/end points added.
IC Play
Karentha attempted to have Aria ride at night on beetles to the Shaker Temple, despite Aria having mules. Karentha also wanted to leave behind the day-time bodyguards and go alone for speed. Aria was unconvinced, as was Kosa and everyone else, but Karentha set out to arrange it anyhow, as travelling at night was, to her mind, safer. However, she found out that there were no troll bodyguards available, despite having been assured there would be, a few hours before9.
Eril ordered Saronil to take the Black Sword, relic of his Temple, to Galen the God-talker in Alda Chur. He added that if that were not possible, Saronil should draw it at Dangerford. Just touching the Black Sword nearly killed Saronil.10
On seeing the sword, Kosa was immediately attracted to its aura, and the feel of it11. Saronil bought some expensive black cloth to wrap the sword up in, so he did not have to wear it, and to keep its aura back. That night, he dreamed of fighting a Holmgang, of glory, bringing death to everyone around him. He was holding an iron sword in his left hand, although he fought with his right.
The group set off for Alda Chur, but only got as far as Dangerford, where they found that the Lunars were building a bridge on the other side. It looked like a very impressive bit of military engineering. Saronil drew the sword12, and its spirit, Skaal, emerged, and asked the group to volunteer to fight the army in single combat. Meanwhile, an island coalesced in the ford area, created by the sword enforcing its own reality upon the world. Having made sure to send the word about the army, they stepped onto the island, and challenged the army. Skaal was delighted to have them sitting down and eating and enjoying themselves and accepting his hospitality, and the food from magical cauldrons13 was good.
The Lunars sent over boats and tried to take the island by storm, but Skaal proved himself entirely able to dismember a landing force, even cutting down their arrows. After that, volunteers rolled up. The island could enforce waiting for magic to be over or dismissed before the next fight, and thus Saronil went first, fighting a huge warrior, Robustus, and taking him down. Everyone else did put helpful magic on each other, but it was not much needed.
The next man to step up was in iron armour, and he turned out to be rather important. Prince Orontes of Tarsh, nephew of the King, obviously entirely outmatched Androus, and the whole party, but he had come to surrender in the hope of defecting. He just needed to make it look good, and said he would go down at the first blow. Skaal had no ruling on this, and so with some compunctions, Androus fought him; indeed, Orontes surrendered once he had fallen to a head blow, and so the rules of the island were kept, although Orontes was obviously a slimy and unclean thing…
Orontes gave the group some news about what might be going on in the palace of King Moirades, and went to hide on the back of the island and be grateful he was alive.
After that, the Lunars took people who were probably not even volunteers, and made a massive four-armed demon out of them, sending it against the island. Kosa stood up against it. It turned out to breath fire. As she cut off bits of it, ghosts came out and fled, making it marginally less effective. She slew it, and it seemed to die with relief.
A little later, they spotted the Lunar Magicians being arrested on the orders of the general of the army, who was there in person. Fazzur Wideread was Not Pleased, and came out to the island under a flag of truce to apologise, and to have snacks pressed on him by Skaal. His apology include an offer of a two-hour window in which they could leave the island, and a promise that if they did not, he would send one of his bodyguard or a high ranking officer of Yanafil Tarnils every fifteen minutes until they were all dead. He let them talk about it for a while, and retreated to go have food on the shore.
The group decided they had done all they could; they had held up the army for several hours, effectively giving Sartar an extra day, and they were convinced of Fazzur's honour and his intention to destroy them if he got in the way. They decided to accept the offer, and signalled him back to the island to tell him.
Suddenly, as they were in the middle of talking, everyone knew that there was an assassin present, and Fazzur was the target. Kosa got in the way, while others attacked the assassin, and then Fazzur was at least technically in their debt, although he seemed more angry than scared. However, he mastered his emotions quickly and offered Androus 5000 Lunars as ransom for Orontes. Androus agreed to it before he realised what he was doing, and everyone felt that his word was his bond, so a horrified Orontes was handed over.
The group looked at the money for a while, and even considered burying it on the island. They did not want it. Finally Androus decided to lodge it at his Temple to be used when he decided what to do, wishing it to be used for the captive's family or some honourable cause, but not wanting to have any hand in its distribution. Orontes was taken off in chains, and the army marched away towards Alda Chur. The group decided not to walk through a war zone, although Kosa followed Fazzur's army to be sure that Orontes was being treated well.
Other Things
The PCs had been around Dangerford a lot without mention of this island, so the GM decided that the sword would create the island and the conditions in which it could be used. This is a major relic, and it can only be used under certain circumstances, but when it IS used, this sort of thing happens.
"That ritual they did is not a nice situation. If you lose, you die and your ghost gets bound into a demon as a power source. If you win, you turn into a demon." - Saronil
"It was not. It was very not nice." - GM
Episode 27: Nobles Oblige - 06 Jun 2021 10:44
Setting
Karentha was introduced after Varaema retired.
Plot was made up mostly of people trying to meet up and go to a temple.
IC Play
Notes by Aria's player, and a little of my own writing-up.
Ethlin, senior in [Issarian] temple is talking to Aria
Interesting shipments in Clearwine area. Seems that everyone likes Clearwine right now
Seems hazia (drug) is moving around14
Might find joy in Whilmskirk
Request has come via him from elsewhere
Pick up a few amphoras for him
(Andros)
Hardeep asks him about Esephorus (Yelmite who approached him)
Says Andr should find out more about it
Torc is connection to Yelm (This was a torc that had the Shield spell on it.)
Flashback:
Andr holding western line in unimportant position with barbarians
Harrek makes his way through barbarians. Attention drawn by Lunar battle wizards
Yelm’s spear hits Harrek. He and his men run through but the Lunar spell casters were singed
(Harrek did a very powerful thing by redirecting the bolt)
Andr told to seek out answers
(Kerentha)
Wet and rainy in Wintertop. Seeing priestess at SHaker temple, Aranga. Earth and disorder tattoos
[Kerentha] addressed as merchant. Says she has news for Yara pertaining to a Lunar
Given gold coins to start a caravan
Heads off to Sartar. Talks to trolls at market
Tries to work out where [Aria] is from trolls, they don’t know
At Boldhome, heads to tent of Argan Argar
Troll approaches Aria asking about Yara
(Andros)
Goes to find Yelmite Esephorus, talks to him for guidance
Needs to look for shield
Given golden necklace
(Kerentha)
Hunting for Aria, Aria convinced to go north to Old Tarsh without friends
(Andros)
Talks to Hardeep
Karentha, a noble of Tarsh was called on by the Shaker Temple, who told her they expected to see Aria arrive there as soon as possible. To disguise the fact that a noble was travelling on such a task, and because she was a worshipper of Argan Argar, they outfitted her as a merchant, and sent her away. Karentha reached Boldhome and told Aria that the Shaker Temple wanted to talk to her, but the rest of the group was not quite ready to go. Still, they began putting the expedition together. Karentha made contact with the Shakers and the Argan Argar temple in Boldhome.
Fargast, in the marketplace (Possibly in Whitewall?), met a Yelmite by the name of Esephenos, who told him to live up to his potential, or words to that effect. He had no idea what that meant.
Other Things
Contextless Quote: "You have loins painted on the floor for the benefit of humans."
Semi-precious stones = Troll Skittles
GM Fiat: a small red car zooms up and dumps the plot out.
"I'm not going anywhere near anything that's coming out of your mouths." - Karentha
*weak sobs of laughter* - GM and Androus
"How urgently?" - Aria
"Consider who is asking." - Karentha, for the Shaker Temple
"I wish to speak with you about a Lunar." - Karentha
"Two Lunars and we can talk." - (What I wished Aria had said)
Kosa criticals intimidate at Karentha. (GM decided to for her, as Kosa was absent RL)
"Oh, don't worry, she does that. It seems to be a hobby of hers." - Aria
Episode 2: Fearing the Reaper - 22 Dec 2019 23:28
Setting
Late in Fire Season, as Ethrava returns to her Clan to live a dull life again, accompanied by Saronil, who ransomed her, and Varaema, her Praxian Guide.
Plot taken from Journey of the Heroes episode 2, episode 3 and episode 5 - significant NPCs are the same, although there is no overarching 'go Westfaring, young man'.
Brief Flashback
Saronil had a run-in with a Duck who declared he was running a Customs Post for the new Prince, Kallyr. Saronil happily paid 5 Clacks to help defend the Kingdom, despite being a bit puzzled by the fact there was only one person at the roadblock.
IC Play
As the group were riding down towards Wilmskirk, or in Ethrava's case attempting to control her Sun Elk on the way to Wilmskirk, they were caught up by a Duck on foot, who noticed Saronil and ordered him to follow, saying he should bring his friends, as they might be needed. All he would say was that there was a problem with the Undead in Whitewall. It was not until they had reached the city that the Duck even stopped to introduce himself; his name was D'Val the Sword, and he was travelling to Wilmskirk because there had been a call for a Humakti Hero. His Temple had sent him. As a Duck with absolutely nothing to prove, when he bought them all drinks it was pints all round, including for him.
Ethrava had heard of D'Val, and talked about his tales - he was eight feet tall with eyes of fire, she said. D'Val corrected her, first about his height and second about the number of eyes he had. D'Val did not know much about what he was going to be facing.
That evening being Wildday, D'Val took Saronil to a private room for worship. The Duck's Rune Magic failed him, but Saronil stepped in to Sanctify the place, and then D'Val led him through the night's worship. During that time, Saronil noticed the sword he was using was iron. D'Val was not just a Duck, but a Rune Lord.
In the morning, Varaema had to worship, but it was deemed a White Lady would be safe when travelling overnight, and D'Val told her to do that. The others travelled to Whitewall over the course of the next day, and found a shanty town around an empty, destroyed hill fort. D'Val bought them rooms at the only 'inn' in town, a tiny place that sold food, drink, and floor space. Saronil and Ethrava did some evening rounds to talk to guards, finding out that there were shambling undead beyond the gates up into the White City itself, and booking a conversation with the local Orlanthi, Gostin. Unbeknownst to them, D'Val was Divining on what they would face, and found out that there were servants of Delecti about. He spent part of the night searching for vampires, and slept the rest. In the morning, he sent the pair off to speak to Gostin, and had another nap. Varaema arrived in the 'city', having not asked at Wilmskirk about what was known about the situation in Whitewall.
Gostin and his bard had also heard of D'Val the Sword, although they were rather disappointed when Ethrava told them how he was 4'7" with a single metaphorical eye of fire. Saronil changed the subject. Gostin offered to raise the militia, but, as Ethrava noticed, he did not use the word 'fyrd', which indicated he did not have the right to call men up under him. Nevertheless he said he could get twenty men in to fight. The numbers in the hill fort were estimated around 50 undead.
Varaema arrived reported to the guards and then the inn to find out where people were, and then to the makeshift Temple of Chalana Arroy where she met and impressed the High Healer, Jaldis. Jaldis was able to tell her that the inner city probably held 30-50 undead.
Ethrava and Saronil checked with the guards again, and called for ladders once they were sure the zombies could not climb. Saronil spotted that, incredibly, some of the bodies were wearing Lismeldan wave-pattern cloth, a marker of the Tribe from West of Colymar lands. They seemed to have been dead for under a year, although Saronil was not sure if that was the magic of undeath keeping them. When they checked later, D'Val indicated that was possible. He also told Saronil to take command. On the way around the city, they noticed the near-drought conditions. There was a river nearby but there had been no rains for a while. Ethrava checked in with the local Ernaldan Initiate (no Priestess here) and was told it had been at least six weeks since rain.
The next day, the militia mustered around dawn. Saronil failed to impress them, but D'Val suddenly turned into a shouty sergeant-major sort, and terrified them into believing in their new leader.15 Saronil lead the group up through the gates, but found that he was losing control as the zombies hit his front line. D'Val asked him for permission to command, which he gave, as zombies were all up in the everything.
With Ethrava in the back row with Varaema, most of the group got up the hill unscathed.16 However, Saronil's arm was broken by a zombie and he was about to be killed by another when it flew to pieces as D'Val used Turn Undead.17 In the final charge, Ethrava was badly hit in the head and then trampled by D'Val running over her to get zombies, while the other two were also injured.18 Saronil healed himself enough to look around for his charges, and found that Ethrava was dying near to him, so he saved her. Varaema tried to fix Ethrava's head wound with first aid and made it worse19, and one of the militia had to use magic. They traipsed up to where D'Val was finding out, much to his displeasure, that he hated being hoisted shoulder-high by the victorious men he had just led.
At the top of the hill, all slightly worse for wear, they found that only four buildings still stood in the centre, although there were no undead things here. The buildings were temples to Humakt, Chalana Arroy, Ernalda, and Orlanth. Saronil detected the undead near them, and found that three - Orlanth's, Ernalda's, and Humakt's had undead in. Up close the temples had all been defaced. Those of Orlanth and Chalana Arroy were thatched, and the thatch was in bad condition on Chalana Arroy's Temple.
While he was planning how to deal with the Temple of Humakt, Saronil realised that the thatch on the Temple of Orlanth was on fire20, and ordered the men to form up outside it. A beautiful-looking woman emerged, and looked D'Val in his remaining eye. The Duck froze21,but Saronil ordered his men to charge, and led them, and the woman turned into smoke and fled. They were unable to work out where she had gone, but when D'Val started being able to move again22, he looked pointedly at the smoke of the burning thatch.
There were now, to Saronil's senses, two undead in the Temple of Humakt. However, once he had formed up his men to go in, with him and D'Val at the front, he could sense no more. D'Val, Saronil and Ethrava went into the Temple of Humakt to find there was a rip in the air there, and they could see some sort of swamp through it. Varaema went to her own temple, and found a White Lady had been killed there, nailed to the ground. Ethrava's Temple had had the lower half filled in, desecrating that, too.
D'Val sent Saronil to fine Ethrava and tell her to keep quiet about the rip for a bit, but to send for Gostin, and get ready to go for help23. Varaema sent down the hill for Jaldis, and then started to prepare the dead body for a proper pyre and burial.24
Jaldis came up the hill with Gostin, and met Varaema. The young White Lady had just found a medallion that the body had been wearing, which Jaldis took and put on. D'Val arranged with Gostin for supplies to be made ready and sent with the group, and then sent them to Boldhome to explain the situation and ask for help. Jaldis noted to Varaema there was no need to ask the White Ladies there.
The journey, which was uneventful, took two days, first up to Wilmskirk and then a short day's ride up to Boldhome. Ethrava was riding on a borrowed bison rather than risk her Sun Elk misbehaving, but it turned out she could not make those work properly either25
In Boldhome, Ethrava made straight for the Earth Temple to make nice with Kalis, the High Priestess there, while Varaema went to the Temple of Chalana Arroy to help out. There, she was quickly spotted as having troubles in her mind and put into the area of the hospital that had women in childbirth, and bad wounds. This was also, not by coincidence, where an Initiate was singing the Comfort Song.
Saronil thought a bit about Lord Eril Humakti, and whether he should go straight to the Prince, or whether he should go via Eril. He decided his duty was to avoid telling the High Sword of Humakt about what was going on, but to do as D'Val had indicated and talk to Kallyr directly. He climbed up the thousand steps to the palace, and asked for an audience. When it was granted, Kallyr Starbrow saw him in a small room with a couple of attendants. She named herself over his stammers26, and also introduced her Chief Priest Tennebris and Lord Eril. Saronil explained the problem including the rift in the Humakti Temple. Kallyr looked at Eril, who admitted grudgingly that he did indeed know how to dedicate a Temple. She told Tennebris and Eril to deal with it, and Saronil was dismissed.
Saronil walked down the stairs with Eril27 and met Kalis28 and Ethrava29 coming up. Eril sent them up to the palace30 to find out what was going on. At the bottom of the stairs he informed Saronil that they would travel to Whitewall together.
The next day they set off for Whitewall as a group.31 and spent two days getting there. As they came in towards the city there was a decision to be made on whether to push on into darkness32 Eril was not in favour of doing so, but Ethrava pointed out to Tennebris that there were Initiates of Ernalda who might be in danger, and this was enough to hurry them on. At the top of Whitewall, Tennebris looked glumly at the remains of his Temple and then he and Kalis had a cheat-off for whose Temple would be rededicated first, resulting in Tennebris looking smug, and being given first go.
Eril went to examine the Temple of Humakt, where D'Val was still meditating where he had been left. There was a rather tense handover from the Duck, who then went straight to sleep, snoring in the corner. Eril sat down to guard the hole rift. Saronil guarded the temple itself. In the small hours, he heard Eril speak a word that meant Death, and for a brief moment he understood Separation from the soul.33 This also gave him an understanding of the High Sword's power.
In the morning, Orlanth's temple was rededicated, and then in turn, each of the adventurers were called on to help with theirs.34 Ethrava picked up a healthy respect for Kalis, and Varaema learned that Jaldis had a mind like a scalpel, and was capable of great concentration. Saronil found out that Eril was not only powerful, but that his power was wide-ranging and deep, as he had the most difficult task of all, being backed only by a Rune Lord and an Initiate, and with a magical construct trying to keep the place from rededication. After that, Eril left immediately, handing over the Temple to D'Val, who put Saronil in charge and crawled back to sleep.
Pretty much immediately, the rain began to fall. Tennebris got absolutely soaked in his roofless Temple, but Kalis kindly invited him into Ernalda's house to take advantage of her hospitality. There, he got to sleep on the floor. It was better than the storm.
Afterwards the group stayed in Whitewall for a short time. Ethrava lamented to Kalis about her problems with ransom, and Kalis offered to have the money sent, if Ethrava would move to Boldhome. Ethrava agreed to this enthusiastically. Meanwhile Saronil heard that D'Val was denying having been in command and saying that had been Saronil. He asked D'Val to stop lying about this, which the Duck took with a frozen moment Saronil did not notice, followed by a quiet explanation that he was not in fact lying. Saronil agreed this was the case, but said D'Val was pushing a narrative that did him too much credit. D'Val pointed out that Saronil needed to tell the truth to others, then, which was a thing that happened.
D'Val offered to fight Saronil for the challenge sword (See Episode 1) if Saronil wanted it to be guarded by the Temple. Saronil decided against this.
Outcomes
D'Val's legend has spread. He is, at least in Wilmskirk, no longer known as an 8' tall hero, but by his true height, 4'7". He is also celebrated there as a great Humakti hero.
Saronil picked up a D6 on his Death Rune and Fear (Eril).
End of Season happened, with some reputational gains for their fine work.
Tags: 1625 d'val eril ethrava fire kalis kallyr saronil tennebris varaema
Episode 1: Ransom and Cattle Raid - 16 Dec 2019 15:13
Setting/Setup
1625, after Dragonrise and the retaking of Sartar. In my game, that happened in Fire Season, so I have some time to work before Dark Season makes things cold.
Official Plot (tm) taken from https://d-infinity.net/game-content/runequest-thursday-188-cattle-raid-koli-complete-gloranthan-adventure-river-cradles . Twisted to have the correct time/place/rule system.
As preamble, there was a ransom to pay. Ethrava Earthwife, trainee Priestess, started the game taken for ransom. A friend kindly agreed to NPC her for a while so that my newest players could get a handle on the game.
The Saga
From Tinder Fox tula they followed the thief
bent close to the ground sharp-eyed Scaffloc the tracker
Through narrow defile past they found stolen cattle
Ethrava sang out swallowed archers with earthquakes
but from behind that came fire and chanting
So Saronil sprinted to fight the foul ogress
surrounded by fires she finally fell
Vareama took care of the mounts most mistreated
Victorous then they returned to their journey
on zebra and llama and sun elk they rode
— Saronil
IC Play
Ethrava made herself agreeable to her captor, a bison rider who was pretending happily that she was his guest, and was a polite person. She was brought in to Pimper's Block to meet the Ransomer.
The Ransomer in this case was a Humakti, Saronil, sent along with 1000L. As far as he could make out, he had been sent fresh from Boldhome, and not even from his home town of Clearwine, because he had massively annoyed Lord Eril Humakti, by getting in over the walls before his right flank.
Saronil had a guide, his friend Varaema All-healer, a Chalana Arroy initiate who was a good counterpoint to his highly armed competence, and made sure she was the one going in front some of the time. In the encampments around Pimper's Block, Varaema went around healing a lot of people, including helping a bison rider who had an infected wound in his arm.
The exchange with someone-or-other Forkbeard went well, and Ethrava was freed, immediately suggesting that they head for Pavis where the action was, but ultimately understanding that her mother's status as well as her own loyalty to the Clan indicated she should go back to Clearwine and face the drums. She also understood from the fact only one warrior had been sent that she was not in good standing, and nobody really cared about her, making it imperative she did return, or her mother, a Priestess, would not have much authority left.
They set off, with Varaema being given a free bison for Ethrava by the man she had healed, who said it was the wrong season to be keeping it anyhow. Electing to take a route back along the difficult but passable track through the Cinder Fox Tula, they came into a village that was within Sartar, where Ethrava agreed to help with stolen cattle, for their hosts. She volunteered the aid of Varaema, on the grounds that Praxians were all good at tracking, but luckily for them they were offered aid, a man called Young Scaffloc, who was about sixty.
The grounds to the East were broken up and rocky, unsuitable for bringing an army, but workable for driving a few cattle to steal them, especially in a dry season. With Scaffloc's help they managed to follow the tracks until they came to the border of Prax. Around that area were some Lunars, spotted easily by Saronil.
After these had turned out to be a pair of local cattle, unrelated to the task at hand, and Saronil had looked appropriately embarrassed, they moved on, and this time saw a Rhino rider, facing away from them, by the side of the path. On finding out he was dead, they made offerings, which moved his spirit to talk briefly to Varaema, who understood him; he had killed several accursed lunar-loving Sable-riders here, and his friend had survived, seating him for burial facing the block. He had noticed chaotic things pass him by, but been unable to stop them. His name was Razig Tanarau.
A little while later they passed a troll trader, who told them they were probably headed the right way, and thanked them for their warning about chaos beasts, and sold them jewellery and trinkets suitable for Praxians, healers, and rhino riders. The trader agreed to go to Clearwine, to pick up money owed by Ethrava for her terrible bargaining for a rather nice arm ring, and to trade there as well.
They moved on, tracking the cattle to a cliffside, which they approached carefully, using magic to find enemies - there was someone on the cliff above them. With Scaffloc using his bow to provide some covering fire, Saronil ran for the cliff, followed by Varaema, who was hoping to help. Scaffloc's bowstring broke, and he had to use javelins, but he was a pro and kept up fire while he remembered where his spare string was. (GM forgot the replacement time, but he did take some useless moments being bad with a javelin, so that was fine.)
Saronil got up the cliff and found a human figure there, with an axe. They fought, and Saronil won. Meanwhile, the figure had pushed rocks down onto Varaema, who had healed herself, tried to climb up, failed, fallen, and hurt herself. She was almost but not quite hit by the dead human figure.
Ethrava had noticed a wind going along the canyon as the fight began, so she warned them of a huge bird or some other problem. They went along, and as they reached where the canyon opened out, they saw before them an area with a low wall, behind which two people were ready to shoot, and did.
Varaema cast Harmony, effectively stopping her friends from aggressive movements, but Scaffloc, canny old man that he was, shrugged it off and sent arrows back at the raiders. Varaema ran forwards to try to get the edge of the harmony effect to the raiders, freeing up the minds of Saronil and Ethrava.
Ethrava summoned a large Earth Elemental beneath the archers, who ceased to be a problem. Unfortunately by this time they had already peppered Varaema, such that her white robes were reddened. Also unfortunately, there was a further foe in a cave beyond, who targeted Saronil with fire. Saronil ran in to defeat this one, narrowly cutting her down in a clumsy butchery fight that went to fists and fire and a last desperate sword swing, and then the foes were all done.
The loot from the place was recovered, the 'humans' were discovered to have sharp teeth, and thus be ogres, and the cattle were un-raided. Among them Ethrava discovered a Sun Elk, a bad-tempered relative of the bison that she could just about ride, although it took a sleep spell to get it to lie down so its saddle could be taken off and its sores treated.
The look included a Praxian rhino goad, which was obviously expensive, so they offered that to Razig's spirit on the way back. He accepted it, and challenged the Humakti to a spirit fight, by starting one. Saronil was being defeated when Ethrava stepped in and clobbered Razig, driving him back to his body. He thought this was a splendid wheeze, and offered over his sword, on the proviso that they fight for it. Ethrava accepted.
The cattle were returned and the tale was sung. The sword was fought over, and Saronil won it - it was not magicial like his one was, but the Boon of Humakt could be moved to it if he wished.
Item: Challenge Sword
To win the sword of Razig Tanarau in combat against the wielder earns a one-time reward of 1D3 Reputation. The wielder must always be prepared to fight for it against any honourable challenger.
