Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Roses & Wyght - Chapter 10

(Read Previous Chapter Here.)

Game System: Adventurers!
Tools: rpgsolo.com solo engine; other random generators

Setup:

Prior to the next scene, I had each character roll for their daily healing checks until each was back up to full END.  Bhart and Harper have 2 checks remaining; Leira has 1.

All distances mentioned in this chapter are approximations or best guesses. Apologies in advance if distances traveled seem too slow or too fast. As I suspect is the case with most tabletop RPGs, they are merely a means to chart progress and not intended to represent realistic movement or spatial physics.

Tristan has the potential to see action in this chapter, so I generated some stats for him:

Tristan Cleves (Curious Bard):
STR:0  AGI:3  MND:3  ATT:3 Dag/0 Lute   DEF:3  END:6  HER:1  ENC:0
Skills: Charisma (Basic), Learning (Basic)   Gear: Dagger, Lute

[Scene 1]

Bhart, Leira, Harper, and Tristan return back at the Castle Plaza for the Sacrament of Fortitude Celebration approximately an hour before the King is to give his speech. By this time the plaza has begun to fill in with individuals and families. Most are gathering near the front of the dais, while others, particularly families, set up blankets on the ground to sit upon. A general festive atmosphere is developing, with children running around and merchants selling food and other wares from sacks and baskets strapped around their waists. 

The dais itself is a plain, wooden construction that provides a five-foot-high raised platform.  On the platform is a pedestal and several chairs. The castle wall and gate stands about one hundred feet beyond the makeshift stage. In front of the stage, the plaza extends for about another 200 feet.

Since they still have a little time, the group decides to split -- Bhart and Tristan, Leira and Harper -- and wander about to look for anything suspicious. After about forty minutes, having spotted nothing unusual, they meet back at a location directly in front of the dais. By now, the crowd in front of the stage has thickened. Uncertain of where exactly any attempt on the King’s life might come, the group picks a central location about [2d10] 90 feet from the stage.

As the two o’clock hour nears, a great trumpet fanfare is heard from the direction of the castle and the royal assembly makes their way from the Duskcall Castle. While much of this is obscured from the party’s view, several King’s Guard line the road leading from the gate to the stage. Once they are in place, [1d2] two clerics of the Church of the Creator walk from the gate to the stage flanked on either side by two rows of five Guards each.  Behind them, an ornate enclosed carriage drawn by two white steeds follows.  Inside are King Angelo and Queen Tryphena. The carriage and entourage continue until they reach the rear of the stage. 

The first person to step on stage is a tall, broad female human Guard with a stern face and short blonde hair. In addition to the King’s Crest--the sparrowhawk against a black and red division -- her shining plate armor displays additional decorations denoting her rank. Tristan tells the others that she is Sacreelia Fiststeel, the Captain of the Guard.

Following behind Captain Fiststeel are four more Guardsmen, both male and female, wearing more simple ringmail. Next comes the two clerics. Right behind the clerics come Queen Tryphena and her husband, the King. Finally, bringing up the rear are the five remaining King’s Guard. 

[Is the queen on the Dais?
(Likely | 8[d10]) Yes +Event: Intolerance / Expectations (I will include this in her speech introducing the King).

The speakers take their seats while the Guards form a perimeter around the sides and rear of the stage. From the crowds' vantage point, the King sits just left of center stage with the Queen seated to his right.  Next to the right are the two clerics. Flanking the speakers on the far right is Captain Fiststeel while a bearded Guardsman posts himself on the opposite end, left of the King.

Leira makes a Recognition Roll with a “Likely” modifier. (1, 4, 5) = 9, High Recognition]

“No!” Leira exclaims, examining the Guard standing next to the King.

“What is it?” Harper asks. 

“That Guard. The one with the dark hair and the beard. That’s Shylock!”

Without any hesitation, the group begins to move closer to the stage.

Once everyone is in place, the younger of the two clerics stands and approaches the podium to offer the invocation. [which lasts 1d2+1 = 2 turns]

[Turns 1-2]

A large group of spectators, including a family spread out on a blanket, stands right in front of Bhart, Leira and Harper. They move back and forth, trying to work their way through the group with little success.  Finally, Leira tries to force her way through but is met with an elbow to the chest as a particularly muscular man turns abruptly to see who keeps pushing him from behind. [A combination of AGI loses, including a critical fail for Bhart and a failed STR check for Leira, resulting in -1 END] Tristan is the only member of the group with an opening and he takes it, nearly halving his distance to the stage by the time the cleric finishes his prayer.

[Turns 3-7]

When the cleric finishes, he sits down and the Queen approaches the podium to introduce her husband, King Angelo.  Before the introduction, Tryphena uses the opportunity to address the crowd and subtly call for social change. She starts off by commending the residents of Duskcall for their strength, a strength that began with the city’s battle for freedom many, many years ago. The source of that strength she attributes to their unity, but also acknowledges the need to strengthen that unity between certain factions within the city, particularly by extending hospitality to newcomers. While the Queen doesn’t specifically mention their race by name, most of the citizens know she is speaking of the elves, whose residence in the city is a recent occurrence in Duskcall’s history.  [Speech lasts 1+1d4=5 turns]  

While she speaks, the party continues to fight their way to the stage. Tristan continues to move quickly until he is nearly 20’ from the dais. There the crowd is tightly packed and his small size makes it difficult to push through. The Bard progress comes to a near standstill as he pokes and prods for openings, moving only a few inches at a time.

Bhart finally worms his way through the group of people in front of them and spots a clear path. He charges forth and soon finds himself just over 40 feet from the stage. Harper checks on Leira, who is catching her breath from being elbowed in the chest. Once he sure she is okay, he takes off again, Leira following behind. The hunter runs past the family on the picnic blanket and weaves in and out of spectators until he plows into a tight group of four men. They try to move out of the way, but Harper gets tangled in their arms and legs and tumbles to the ground. Quickly getting back to his feet, he continues. [Harper advances to 36’ from the stage] Leira trails behind and is not as successful as the others in moving through the mob. [She only advances a total of 18’, spending a HER point to even do that.]

Queen Tryphena finishes her speech and, with great adoration, introduces King Angleo to the people. The King approaches the podium to the cheers of the crowd. Raising his hands for silence, he begins his speech commemorating the start of the Sacrament of Fortitude Celebration.

[Turn 8]

Tritan finally is able to reach the stage as the King begins to speak.  Further back in the crowd, brother and sister Bhart and Leira close the distance between them and the stage while Harper finds himself in a particularly dense crowd of people and unable to move. [Crowd rolled Critical Success against Harper’s AGI check]

[Turn 9]

Not being trained in combat, Tristan is unsure what to do. He turns back to the crowd to see if he can spot any of his friends. While he does catch a quick glimpse of Bhart, now less than 20 feet away, he cannot see either of the other two and can only hope will catch up as time is passing quickly.

[Turn 10]

Just as Bhart reaches the stage, he hears a cry come from behind him to the left.

“Help! Somebody help me!” A woman screams. “I’m being robbed!”

About the same time, a great commotion occurs on the opposite side of the plaza as several citizens yell and scream. A large plume of smoke is seen approaching the plaza from a side road. The source of the smoke turns out to be flaming carriage that is being pulled driverless by a pair of horses. 

[How many guards does Fiststeel send to the disturbances?  2+d4=4]

The king stops his speech as Captain Fiststeel sends several of the Guards to assist with the disturbances. She directs the two from the end of the stage closest to the King to check out the screaming woman and a third Guard from that side of the stage to accompany the Guard standing next to her to check out the fire.  [2+1d4=4 Guards dispatched.] 

[All characters made successful distraction checks (MND) and continued with their current progress toward the stage. Leira advances to 18’ from the stage. Harper spends a HER point, but is unable to move.

 Does Tristan try to warn the Guards about the assassination? (50/50 | 2[d10]No +Event: (to be revealed later)]

[Turn 11]

Hearing the screams and the commotion, many people in the crowd turn their attention from the stage to the events happening behind them. Leira is caught up in the shifting of the crowd and is knocked down and partially trampled. [Lost STR and ATT challenge, which drops her another 1 END. Additionally, she spent a HER in the process.] Meanwhile, Harper finally pushes his way through and is just under 20 feet from his target. [Spending a HER point to get there.]

Without hesitation, Bhart climbs on stage. [AGI check: 9 Success] The one female guard (G4) that remains near the King fails to notice, as she is distracted by the flurry of events.
[Does the Guard see Bhart? (50/50 | 2[d10]No

Does Tristan follow Bhart on stage?  (50/50 | 2[d10]) No +Event: Assist / The public]

Seeing that Bhart has made it up on stage and is close to Shylock, Tristan hesitates, trying to decide if he needs to stay and help or see if he can assist with anyone injured by the cart. Complicating the decision is the struggle between his sense of social responsibility and a desire to be at the location that would offer the most material for the epic song he will certainly write about this event.

[Statistics of the remaining NPCs:

FISTSTEEL  STR:3  AGI:2  MND:1  ATT:Swd 3  DEF:3   END:8  HER:1 
Skills: Weaponcraft-blades (Basic)   Gear: Sword, Heavy Armor (AR:3/4/6)

ALL GUARDS  STR:2  AGI:2  MND:0  ATT:Swd 3  DEF:4   END:7  HER:1 
Gear: Sword, Med. Armor (AR:4/5)

[Turn 12]

[Does Shylock see Bhart? MND check: 4 No, too focused on his task]

Bhart yells, “Murderer! Stop him!”

[Does G4 respond?  Opposing MND check; B:11  G4:10]

The female Guard first looks at Bhart who is drawing his sword, then shifts her eyes toward the direction Bhart is looking. Too confused to react, she hesitates while Shylock approaches the King, dagger drawn. 

Bhart charges but is unable to reach Shylock before the assassin reaches the King. [Bhart lost AGI challenge] Alerted by Bhart’s warning, the King catches a quick glimpse of Shylock and attempts to ward off the attack. While not the death blow he was hoping for, Shylock is still able to make a significant gash in the King’s side. [King makes his surprise roll, but still is hit for 2 damage, down to 1 END.]

[Turn 13]

On the opposite end of the dais, Captain Fiststeel hears Bhart’s warning and sees the attack on the King, however, she is slow in responding and does not immediately move to intervene. The other guards around her are quicker as they draw their weapons and run to the scuffle. Unfortunately, two of the three guards collide and both tumble to the ground.

[Shylock focuses on: 1-3 King 4-6 Bhart  1d6=5 Bhart.]

Shylock drops the dagger and draws his sword as Bhart swings his own weapon, striking the assassin in the arm. [2 Damage, Failed AR, Shylock down to 6 END] The nearby Guard (G4) also jumps into the mix, attempting to wrestle Shylock to ground. Shylock punches her in the face, sending her back stunned. [Guard critically failed the grapple challenge]

While this is going on the two clerics cover the Queen to protect her from any attacks. King Angelo sits as he feels a burning sensation where he was cut by the dagger. He powers through the pain and retains consciousness. [Is the dagger poisoned? (Likely | 6[d10]Yes, King is able to make his saving roll against poison.] In the midst of all this, Leira finally reaches the edge of the stage by Harper is nowhere to be seen.

[Turn 14]

“Attack on the King! Stop him!” Captain Fiststeel cries as she finally takes some action and begins to move past the two fallen Guards. One is able to get to his feet (G5), but before he can take two steps the guard who originally got in the other’s way grabs his ankle and trips him up. Realizing his leader is in jeopardy and he must do something to help, the Huntsman posing as a King’s Guard drives his sword through the true Guard’s upper thigh. [Random rolls determined that the Huntsman would drop the charade and help by attacking G5. G5 is down to 4 END.]

[HUNTSMAN  STR:0  AGI:0  MND:0  ATT:Swd 1  DEF:1   END:5  HER:1 
Gear: Sword, Med. Armor (AR:4/5)(Stat reflect penalties for being Encumbered as NPC doesn’t have sufficient STR for Med. Armor)

Leira climbs up on stage while her brother and assassin trade blows [Shylock hits for 3 damage, Bhart misses]. The final Guard (G7), a slender reddish-blond man, looks for an opening in the battle but is unable to move in for a tackle.

[Turn 15]

[A morale check for Shylock determines that he will attempt to flee. I make a roll on my Recognition Table (at disadvantage due to the distraction of the battle) to see if Shylock recognizes Leira from the tavern. 2d6=5  Unsure]

Shylock backs away toward the steps at the rear of the stage, holding his sword up in defense. The nearby Guards (G4, G7) prepare to charge as Captain Fiststell nears, oblivious to the ambush that just occurred behind her.

A slightly puzzled expression crosses Shylock’s face as he looks at Leira, almost as though there the faintest hint of recognition. “Do I know you?”

Without giving his sister a chance to respond, Bhart confronts the Hunstman. “Our names are Leira and Bhartram Rosemight! You killed our father! Prepare . . .”

“Bhart!” Leira screams. “Stop talking before he gets away!”

She and the guards charge as Shylock, now near the steps, turns to descend and flee. As he spins, he sees Tristan standing on the steps holding his lute in both hands like a club. [Back in Turn 12 - “Does Tristan head around the stage to the back?” (50/50 | 9[d10]Yes] The bard swings with all his might, hitting Shylock square in the torso and shattering the instrument. Shylock is unhurt, yet surprised and falls a step back as the two guards throw their arms around him. Reacting fast, the assassin is able to push both Guards off of himself, sending the female tumbling down the steps [G5 Critically Failed attempt].

Once free, Shylock bolts away from the steps only to be met by Captain Fiststeel who drives her sword into him. The ringmail offers minimal protection at the sharp point is still able to pierce the armor and bury itself into the flesh beneath. [4 total damage, 2 END] Their eyes meet as Shylock stares daggers at the Captain. Slowly, painfully, he pulls himself off of the blade.  Clutching the bleeding wound,  he turns only to be challenged by Leira, her own weapon aimed high. Shylock is unable to react as the point penetrates his throat and blood runs down his chest. Lifting his hands to grasp the weapon, he gurgles as he slumps to the wooden floor dead. [-1 END. Since I had a few options with Shylock I rolled on my Death Table to determine his injuries. Only a 10 would have resulted in death. I rolled . . . a 10. That took care of him.]

The sounds of a struggle come from the other end of the dais and the group turns to see a blond hair Guard on his back fending off blows from the bearded Guard standing over him. 

“Guardsman! Stand down!” Captain Fiststeel orders.

The attacking huntsman fails to respond as the male Guard next to the Captain runs to assist his fallen comrade. Reaching the battle, he grabs the attack and tries to pull him to the floor. The huntsman fights back and struggles to break free until the female Guard, who has by now recovered from the tumble down the steps, joins the fray as well. The huntsman collapses under the extra weight and is subdued.

Fiststeel orders the imposter taken away to the holding cells and then heads over to check on the King.

“What did I miss?” Bhart, Leira, and Tristan turn to see Harper, who has finally made it up on the stage, standing a few feet away, assessing the battle’s aftermath.

“Everything,” Bhart responds dryly. “Everything.”

[Scene 2]

With order finally restored, Captain Fiststeel begins to clear the stage. Two of the Guards have already left with their prisoner and couple more Guards load Shylock’s body on a cart and haul him off. The clerics inspect the King’s wound and confirm the presence of poison. After they offer some minor healing prayers for the monarch, Fiststeel insists that both the King and Queen return immediately to the castle and be tended to more thoroughly by the healers. Before they leave, however, King Angelo acknowledges Bhart, Leria, and Tristan’s role in stopping the would-be assassins by thanking them, promising some form of reward, and inviting them to tour the castle in the near future.

Once the King is gone, the older of the two clerics approaches the podium to address the crowd that remains and salvage as much of the Celebration as possible. Despite the near assassination of their monarch, the people of Duskcall are not dissuaded from continuing the party and listen eagerly, longing to begin feasting, drinking, and dancing. The cleric finishes as the bells of the nearby Church of the Creator ring out to officially announce the beginning of the celebration and cheers rise up throughout the plaza and nearby city streets.

As the plaza clears, Tristan compares notes with the others as they head back to the Faint Mule Hostel, an epic song already taking shape in his head. “So, the fiery cart, the woman screaming, and anything else was planned distractions to draw people’s attention away from the stage?”

“That would be my guess,” Bhart confirms. “Then Shylock could approach the King, perhaps under the guise of offering protection, stab him and get away in the confusion before anyone knew something was wrong.”

“Even with the distraction, it seems like he was taking a big chance,” Tristan says. “He was surrounded by guards.”

“Was,” Bhart corrects, “Until they were sent to help with the various situations in the crowd. Besides, he also had a co-conspirator on stage to help him escape.”

“That was a bit odd,” Leira cuts in. “Sending the guards to help with the crowd when we know there were plenty of King’s Guard already in the plaza. Weren’t they on stage solely to protect the King and Queen.”

“I can’t remember anything this sinister happening in Duskcall before,” Tristan explains. “Perhaps Captain Fiststeel just wasn’t prepared. She did seem a bit overwhelmed by everything. I mean, she was the last Guard to make any attempt to reach the King.”
“Then I guess it was a good thing that we were there to stop it.” Harper chimes in.

Bhart flashes accusing eyes at him. “Some of us, at least.”

“Sorry about that,” Harper apologizes. “The crowd was just too thick.”

Leria gives: an introspective response

“Yet the rest of us made it,” Leira observes as she offers a playful grin. “I guess I don’t need your protection, after all. As long as I can avoid the danger I don’t need to wait for you to plow through it.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Harper retorts. “I saw you take a couple of hits, as well.”

“We did fine enough without you,” Bhart cuts him off, unimpressed as ever with the braggart. “Let’s just get home.”

“What’s the hurry?” Leira asks. “The festivities are just beginning.”

“Yeah,” seconds Tristan. “The Cozy Fish is offering the first round of drinks free tonight to anyone coming in to celebrate. I’m sure I can perform a song or two and possibly earn us some more in lieu of payment.”

“C’mon, Rosie,” Harper urges, giving Bhart a slight punch in the shoulder. “Let’s celebrate our . . . your victory!” he suggests, adjusting his words to avoid offending the trap maker.

Bhart looks from Leira to Tristan to Harper. Sighing, he gives in. “I guess we did do a lot and it’s time to rest. To the Cozy Fish then?”

“To the Cozy Fish!” They all agree.

The Rosemights and Harper Wyghtwing, along with their new friend Tristan Cleves, head off together to enjoy a hearty night of celebration, followed by a long morning of sleep.

[End of Roses & Wyght]

Wrap Up:

Per Adventurers! rules, PCs should be award 1-2 XP for completing an adventure, as well as additional XP for accomplishing major goals and finishing a session.  Based on that, I am awarding the characters the following XP.

Bhart and Leira will each get 4 XP. (1 for the session, 2 for the adventure, 1 for defeating Shylock)

Harper will get 3 XP (1 for session, 2 for the adventure. Since he never made it to the stage I will not award him credit for the kill.)

Tristan (now upgraded to PC) will get 2 XP. (1 for session, 1 for defeating Shylock. Since he wasn’t along for the entire time I don’t feel he should get adventure credit)

Any gold awarded to the party from the King will be handled later to be carried forward when I continue the story with these characters.

I plan on writing one last major post to this thread, an After Post if you will, to wrap up some loose ends, relay some promised background information, and offer some thoughts on the entire solo roleplay experience, now that I’ve finished my first campaign. Apart from that final post, I hope you have enjoyed reading “Roses & Wyght”. That about wraps it up for this one . . . 

Oh.  Except for this . . . 

[Epilogue]

Captain Fiststeel sits at a small writing desk in her personal quarters housed within the castle. The room is lit by a single wax candle that rests on the desk’s corner. Her hand moves quickly over a piece of parchment as the quill she holds writes instructions to her various Lieutenants for the next day. Finishing, she scans the document and contemplates the day’s events.

It was a long day and the Sacrament Celebration certainly did not go off as the Captain had expected. Following the botched assassination attempt, she spent most of the afternoon and early evening questioning the Guard to see if anyone had important information and attending to the prisoner taken from the scene. The King would have questions and she had to be ready with answers.

After folding and sealing the document, Fiststeel pulls another sheet of parchment from the small stack next to her and begins to write:



“Orcan,
I regret to inform you that the King still lives. Furthermore, your agent was killed during the assassination attempt and I have seen to it that any loose ends have been eliminated” (Cut to scene of the Huntsman masquerading as a King’s Guard in his cell. He clutches at his throat as foam drips from his mouth and he slumps forward over his dinner tray.) “With that, I am certain my position within the castle is safe. While I know of your haste to have the King removed from the throne, I would advise against taking any action at this moment. I have strong reason to believe there are some citizens in the city who were familiar with your agent and, to some degree, our plan.  Allow time for the situation to calm and people to relax. When I feel it is safe I will contact you to proceed.
Fiststeel”

[Event of the Epilogue based on the following oracle question asked at the start of Chapter 10:
Is Captain Fiststeel in on the plan?  (50/50 | 9[d10]) Yes]


(Read the AfterPost here.)

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