(Read the previous chapter here.)
System: Adventurers!
Tools: CRGE ; Never Engine Random Generators; rpgsolo.com
(The above contains affiliate links.)
Setup (Surge Count 10):
There is a little bit of administrative work that needs to be done before we continue with the campaign.
First, it was established during the Catch-Up that Maegan’s parents had a dowry set aside for her and part of it was used to pay Tristan’s fine after being thrown in jail. A random roll determined the full amount of the dowry to be 70gp. So after subtracting Tristan’s fines, that left 22gp, 2sp for the couple to put in their savings.
Next, the thieves took two books from the House of Lost and Found. A book of poetry called “Breath of my Future” and a book about astrological fortune-telling. Ilhard held on to the books and turned them over to Elinzia, the thieves guild’s fence, to evaluate and sell. Any future proceeds will go into the guild’s general coffers and none of the party will receive any direct benefit from the items.
Between the wedding and the start of this story, Leira takes Harper up on his offer to train her in sword fighting. This, plus her experience in the House, raises her AGI from 2 to 3 (Narrative reasoning for spending 4 EXP points to raise a stat). This also has the side benefit of raising her END to 7.
Finally, between the wedding and my anticipated start of this chapter, does Bhart confront Leira about her secret activities? [To Conflict = 17-10 surge=7 No, and… Surge resets to 0]
Bhart is really concerned about Leira and really wants to know what is going on. However, he knows she’s stubborn and independent. Bringing it up again will probably lead to another loud yelling match, from which Bhart will walk away with no new information and an upset stomach. For his own sanity, he’s decided to just drop the issue for the time being [the “and”]. Besides, she proved herself capable of taking care of herself during the first week they were in Duskcall when they confronted the Huntsmen. In fact, at times she seemed more sure of herself than he or Harper had. Tough as it might be, Bhart resolves to do his best to let Leria handle her own affairs and only discuss it with her should she bring it up herself.
Finally, Salaries. Tristan didn’t work this week other than helping Bhart, so he’ll get nothing. Bhart will get paid later in the week when he delivers the traps. Per a roll on the Cities tables, Harper saves none of his salary (6gp.) I’ll say he used a portion of it for a gift for Tristan and Maegan. Leira saved 10% of salary from the tavern (2sp).
[Scene 1, Surge count 0]
Main Thread: Leira and Thieves Guild
Minor Threads: Bhart’s Career; Conspiracy against the King
Leira hands the statuette of the man with the large sphere on his shoulders to Beada Ashbane, the Master of the Order of Two. It has been nearly a week since she last saw the Master Thief during her first introduction to the guild. A lot has happened since then. Besides retrieving this artifact from the House of Lost and Found, Tristan and Maegan had been married, she and Harper spent a lot of time together training (not to mention rekindling some feelings that had been dormant for some time), and her brother Bhartram has been avoiding her. Leria was tired of waiting around and was relieved to not only move forward with the guild but to also get rid of this strange statue that made her uncomfortable ever since it revealed that mysterious vision of her father.
Beada leans forward across the large oak desk to take it from the young recruit. [Does Beada know any specific information about the statue? (To knowledge) 20+0 surge=20 No, and . . she couldn’t care less about its function. surge resets] She gives it a quick look, let’s out a “hmpf,” then places it unceremoniously on a shelf behind her next to a candlestick and other small trinkets.
Confused at Beada’s disinterest, Leira asks, “So? What does it do?”
“I don’t know,” Beada shrugs.
“Aren’t you interested in what we discovered?”
“No. It’s unimportant.”
“Unimportant?” Leira exclaims. “We risked our lives! You specifically asked for this artifact! What do you mean it’s unimportant?”
“It’s not the artifact I was interested in,” Beada explains, meeting Leria’s gaze with a cold stare. “It’s you. I needed to be sure you would follow orders without question. I needed to be sure you had the willpower to face the unknown and not run. What better test than the House of Lost and Found? Wouldn’t you agree?”
Leira doesn’t respond, but doesn’t turn away either.
“I should let you know, Vyncent was not impressed with your performance,” Beads continues, resting back in her chair and folding her arms across her chest. “Sure, you ultimately found the statuette but offered little else. In fact, he feels that if it weren’t for them you never would have succeeded.”
Despite resolving herself not to be intimidated, Leira finally succumbs to the scrutiny and drops her eyes.
“I’ll admit, I had hoped for a better report,” the older thief confides. “However, it’s understandable. Ilhard and Vyncent are two of my best, trained to take initiative. Regardless of how competent a thief you are, your efforts would have been overshadowed. Regardless, I learned what I needed to learn.”
“And that is?” Leira asks, once again looking up.
“That you, Leira, are fearless, willing to take on a challenge, and will see a task through to the end. That is exactly who I need to complete a special assignment.”
“But why me? You just told me yourself, Ilhard and Vyncet are some of the best. Why not use them?”
Beada once again leans forward and rests her hands on the desk, fingers interlaced. “Two reasons, my young thief. The first, and most important, is that you have connections and a reputation inside the King’s castle. You saved the King’s life and your boyfriend is a member of the King’s Guard.”
“Just friend,” Leira corrects, but can’t stop her cheeks from reddening.
“Yeah, friend,” Beada agrees while simultaneously giving the blushing girl a knowing smirk. “The second reason is a bit more selfish. It’s a dangerous mission. Things could go very wrong and I’m not about to lose important guild members because of it.”
“So I’m expendable. Is that it?” Leira says, plainly stating what the other woman merely danced around.
“Yes, for now,” Beada admits. “But succeed, live, not get thrown in the dungeon, and you will have earned your place among the Order of Two.”
Leira searches the Master Thief’s face for any sign of deceit.
[L’s Perception (MND) roll vs. B’s Charisma (MND) L: 10 B: 13]
Though Leira has only met Beada once before, she finds her rather convincing. Nothing on her face nor in her body language screams betrayal. That, as well as what she has learned from Ilhard, leads her to trust the older woman sitting in front of her.
“What is this mission?” She finally asks.
[Okay, while I have a general idea of what she will be doing, the specific quest will be determined with Never Engine’s Espionage Mission Generator. Like the Weird [Stuff] Generator, you roll on multiple tables and fill in the blanks in the mission’s description. I will roll only what is necessary.
The mission is to [6-Steal/Destroy Supplies] via [49-Socializing] in [13-a City]. Resistance will come from [25-Regular military], but an ally can be found in [100-Mercenary]. Potential intelligence can be uncovered via [26-Reconnaisssance], revealing [63-Damning Documents]. Completion of the mission will result in the gain of [Withheld for now]. Possible Twists and Turns: [To be rolled at a later appropriate moment].
Does Beada know specifically about Orcan? (To Knowledge - 81+0 surge=81 Yes, and… surge resets]
“Someone is planning to assassinate King Angelo,” Beada states plainly.
Leira scoffs. “Master, you are about two months behind the times.”
“The Sacrament attempt was only a part of a larger plan. Because it failed doesn’t mean it’s over. The person who wishes to remove the King is a merchant named Orcan. I use the term “merchant” loosely. More accurately, he’s a powerful dealer in a rather nefarious trade: the human trade.” Beada pauses to let this sink in.
“How do you know this?” Leira questions.
“Like any other business, we have a network of thieves among the cities of Arigord. News travels. The point is, King Angelo has made it difficult for Orcan to conduct business freely and Orcan would like to see that situation change. The most efficient method is to kill the King and, with any luck, have him replaced with someone a bit more lenient towards the slave trade.
“Orcan has a contact within the castle. Someone trusted by the King. We’ve even managed to intercept a letter intended for that person.” Beada pushes a sheet of parchment that rests on her desk toward Leira. She picks it up and looks it over. The letter contains some general comments about Orcan’s desires and proposed methods and timelines, but nothing specific to thwart another attempt.
“We have strong reason to believe the intended recipient of that letter is Sacreelia Fiststeel, the Captain of the King’s Guard.”
Leira’s eyes shoot up and catch Beada’s gaze. It takes but a moment for her to recall her curiosity about some of the Captain’s actions on the day of the first assassination attempt. Furthermore, this information helps to explain the vision she received from the ring several nights ago.
“Interesting,” Leira finally says. “But why should this concern the Order?”
“Because, King Angelo is good for the Order’s business,” Beada explains. “No, before you ask it’s not like he secretly supports the guild and condones all that we do. In fact, he would have no problem seeing one of us rot in the dungeon should our crimes warrant that punishment. However, over the years we have learned how to deal with him. We know what he tolerates, what he doesn’t, and we tailor our jobs appropriately. We avoid the wealthy quarters and respect those we do target by leaving much more than we take. Additionally, we have mild alliances with some of the Guardsmen and officials in his court. They don’t always pursue us as diligently as they should and occasionally even turn a blind eye towards us. When a guild member does get caught it’s not uncommon for a mild sentence to be handed down or even dismissed completely. Bottom line, such knowledge takes years to acquire and test, and starting over with new leadership would seriously affect our coffers and safety. We would like to avoid that.
“And that’s where you come in. I need to find some solid evidence, preferably physical, that Captain Fiststeel is plotting against the King.”
“Why don’t you just show this to the King?” Leira asks, holding up the letter.
“As I’m sure you read, there’s nothing in the letter identifying the recipient. All it does is implicate Orcan, but that’s no big surprise.”
In her head, Leria begins to fit the pieces together. Because of her connection to Harper, a member of the King’s Guard, and her saving the King’s life, Beada must think she has special connections within the castle. While she might have a little more influence than the rest of the Order, Leria isn’t as confident as she thinks Beada is. There’s no guarantee Harper can, or will, help and all of Leria’s goodwill with the King was probably used up when she was arrested for shoplifting. Accomplishing this mission seems like a long shot. But didn’t Beada say as much in a roundabout fashion by admitting that Leira was expendable?
“What if I accept and later choose to bail if it gets too dangerous?” Leria asks, weighing the stakes.
“Well, obviously you will forfeit membership in the Guild, not only today, but forever. Furthermore, we will disavow any knowledge of you and you may no longer seek our assistance in any manner, formal or informal. Finally, don’t be surprised if your name is dropped here and there as a person of interest, should we ever need a scapegoat.”
“Thanks,” Leria replies, her words dripping with sarcasm. “At least I get to live?”
Beada’s mouth turns up in a wide grin. “We’re not the Huntsmen.”
“Fine. I’m in.” Leira accepts the mission.
“Good!” Beada exclaims, throwing her hands up in mild celebration. “But before you go, let me give you some advice. First, use all your resources. Your resources are what you know, who you know, abilities given to you by the Creator, and abilities you have honed on your own. Use everything and everyone. Yes, people are tools. Don’t forget that. Second, you are on a mission for the Order of Two. That means the Order is a resource. Use it. And third, while you are on a mission for the Order, you are not a member of the Order. If it’s a choice between the Order or you, we will always choose the Order.”
“Yes, you have made that perfectly clear,” Leira acknowledges.
With that, Master Thief Beada gives Leira her leave and the young thief leaves the office.
[Scene 2, Surge count 0]
Main Thread: Expose Fiststeel
Minor Threads: Bhart’s Career; Conspiracy against the King
What in the Creator’s Name have I gotten myself into? Leira thinks to herself. It was bad enough when they came to Duskcall and took on the Huntsmen. Now she’s taking on the King’s Guard?
But that wasn’t exactly true. The entire King’s Guard wasn’t corrupt, only the Captain and possibly a few trusted men. But did that really matter? Who would the Guard and King believe? She, a serving girl working at a local tavern, or the head of the King’s military. Would even Harper believe her? She doubted it. Not without proof.
Still, Harper might be able to help. Thinking back to the Sacrament of Fortitude and the assassination attempt on the King, if she, an untrained citizen, noticed irregularities in Captain Fiststeel’s orders, then surely other members of the Guard noticed them, as well. Also, with every conspiracy, there must be leaks. Someone has to either know or suspect something. “Use your resources,” Beada said. Maybe if she could speak with some of the members of the Guard, Leira could charm some information from them. And the best way to meet some Guardsmen is through Harper.
[Using a combination of rolls on my “Description Table” and CRGE, I determine that Leira is unable to find Harper and she has no idea where the King’s Guard like to hang out when not on duty (i.e. What tavern do they go to after a shift for a drink?)]
Right now, Leira’s greatest obstacle is finding Harper. She has no idea what part of the city he might be patrolling or if he’s even on patrol today. The best she could do is wander about and hope that she runs into him. This also will give her some time to think of some sort of plan.
Leira searches through the merchant and middle-class districts first since she was already in the vicinity. Unfortunately, she does not find Harper. She considers the wealthier west side of Duskcall, but soon dismisses the idea as it is rare that Harper is assigned to protect the nobility, being rather new to the Guard. Besides, it is a bit more of a walk than she wishes to make at the moment. Instead, she decides to roam through the lower class streets.
Most of the houses in this part of town, known by the locals as “The Wrecks,” were run down and in need of repair. The inhabitants weren’t much better, their bodies thin from hunger and their clothes dirty and torn. One thing that stands out to Leira is the lack of beggars that are common in the merchant district. This was a relief at first, as she is tired of constantly being hounded for a hand-out. However, once she realizes that the lack of beggars on the street is probably due to the fact that this is where those poor folks live, her heart drops and she feels ashamed at her irritation. No honest citizen should have to live like this.
As she tries to think of some way she might be able to help, however small, she hears a small voice. It sounds to her like a small female child whimpering. She listens closer and thinks she hears the word “Mommy.” Leira carefully walks along the space between a shack and a two-story brick building in the direction of the crying child.
Rounding the corner of the shack Leira finds herself in a dilapidated garden growing nothing but weeds and a few bare-limbed trees. Sitting on an overturned bucket is a little girl, possibly five or six years old, dressed in a plain burlap dress. Her face, arms, and legs are smudged with dirt and soot and her hair is all a mess except for a single braid that lays across her shoulder. She looks up when Leira nears, her tears carving rivulets through the filth of her cheeks.
Her face, arms, and legs are smudged with dirt
“Hello,” Leria says, squatting down to meet the girl’s eyes. “Are you lost?”
“I . . . can’t find my mommy,” the girl sniffs.
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Leira says, putting a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Do you live around here? Can I take you home?”
Just then, Leira notices the girl’s eyes flitter for just a second to look at something behind her shoulder. Instinctively, Leria dodges to the side as something swings past, barely brushing her arm. She spins around to see a man dressed in dirty work clothes holding a club and approaching for another attack.
[I rolled a random encounter. Using one of Never Engine’s Urban Encounter Generators I rolled an ambush by thugs, using the ruse of luring the PC off the path and the strategy of springing out from concealment.
The thug is armed with a club. His ATK is 1. His DEF is 1. His END is 5.
Leira has a high enough ATK to use “Flurry of Blows” This gives her two attacks each round with the second having a -2 modifier.]
Rounds 1-4:
Leira is barely able to pull her rapier from its sheath before the man is on top of her. She takes a few swings to brush the man back. He is only momentarily deterred and charges again, causing Leira to break off her attack and back off herself. In an attempt to regain her advantage, Leria steps toward her attacker but her foot slips on some gravel and her balance is compromised. Seeing an opening, the man swings his club hard hoping to send Leira to the ground. Somehow, Leira manages to grab the man’s wrist and slow his swing enough to keep the strike from doing any serious damage. [Thug rolled a critical defense which gave him an extra attack, which Leira successfully defended.]
Breaking Leira’s grip, the thug moves to take another swing but then shifts his arm to thrust the club in a poking fashion, hoping to strike his target in the gut and knock the wind out of her. Leira responds with a deft flick of her wrist, using the rapier to push the club to the side. [Leira rolled double 2’s, allowing her rapier to deflect the only point of damage done by the thug.] With her opponent open for attack, Leira counters with a swing of her blade that cuts right across the thug’s torso, opening a wide gash. [Instead of “Flurry,” Leira uses “Wild Attack” which gives her one attack at +2, doing 4 damage.] Now fighting for his life, the thug gives a backswing that catches Leira square in the side of the ribs. [Thug’s rolled 6,6, for a critical attack, doing 5 damage. However, Leira’s armor roll absorbed 2 of those.]
The two combatants step away from each other to catch their breath and quickly assess their wounds. Leira presses her free hand to her side and the man looks down at the red stain spreading across his torn shirt.
“I’m just trying to feed my family,” the man says as if to justify his actions.
Instead of being moved by the man’s words, Leira is infuriated. “And I’m just trying to stay alive!”
“Don’t worry,” he says. “I’ll go.” He starts to head for the alley between the buildings, which is now behind Leira, but when he gets close he suddenly lunges once again, hoping to catch her off-guard. [Round 5] Leira is faster, however, and brings the point of her weapon up in time to drive it through her attacker’s chest. [3 damage, dropping him to -2 END]
“Idiot!” Leira mumbles in frustration as she kicks the fallen thug for good measure. Not only does he not move, but Leira suspects he might even be dead. [A roll on my death table confirms this.] Remembering the little girl, she spins around to find her huddled in the corner of the garden beneath the bare branches of a scraggly tree. Without thinking, Leira marches over, her rapier held out point first. She stops with the sharp tip only a foot away from the girl’s face. The scared child shakes, tears streaming down her face.
“Was that your father!” Leira demands to know. “Your brother! Was this some kind of trick to rob me?”
The girl remains quiet except for the deep heaving of her attempts to hold back her sobs.
Leira whips the rapier around and points with it to the garden’s exit around the corner of the shack. “Get out of here!” She orders the girl. “And don’t let me ever see you again!”
The girl doesn’t move, frozen to the spot in fear.
“Go!” Leira screams, which breaks the spell and sends the waif sprinting across the garden.
Who uses a child as bait? Leira wonders. How desperate do you need to be? And what kind of life will that girl have? Growing up in squalor, now possibly without a father. She and Bhart didn’t have much, but they were loved and there was always food on the table. They were just lucky, she guesses. Much luckier than this peasant girl.
“Wait!” Leira cries out.
She turns to see the girl standing near the corner of the shack looking at her, her bottom lip quivering. Leira reaches into her pouch and pulls out a gold coin. She tosses it and it lands in the dirt at the girl’s feet. She makes no move to pick it up.
“Take it,” Leira says, her voice softer and more controlled than before. “Get yourself something to eat.”
The girl hesitates but a moment before bending down to grab the coin in her grimy hand. Then, not waiting for Leira to change her mind, she runs as fast as she can from the frightening woman with the sword.
Leira swallows hard before leaving the garden herself and heading back to the merchant quarter.
[Scene 3, Surge count 4]
Main Thread: Expose Fiststeel
Minor Threads: Bhart’s Career; Conspiracy against the King
While many stores in Duskcall’s merchant district cater to a specific need or interest, such as clothing, weapons, art, furniture, etc., the Golden Rose carries a little bit of everything. It has racks of clothes, shelves full of books, miscellaneous weapons, vessels and chests of all shapes and sizes to name a few. However, the largest portion of items for sale is various works of art and jewelry scattered throughout the shop. Leira knows that most, if not all of these are created or modified by Elinza, the Guild’s fence and resident crafter, from items pilfered by the Order of Two. She finds Elinzia sorting through various clothing items contained in a plain wooden crate.
“Hey, Leira,” she says in her rather cheerful voice, before doing a double-take. “What happened to you?”
Leira realizes she must look a bit dirty and beaten from her near mugging. “Got into a tussle over in the Wrecks.”
“What are you doing in there? The Order tends to keep out of that part of town.”
“Too dangerous?”
“No,” Elinza explains. “Nothing of any value worth the guild’s time.”
Leira knows Elinzia means physical things to steal, but she can’t help but wonder if that's also the attitude many Duskcallians have about the people living in the slums. “New item’s for sale?” Leira asks, indicating the crate.
“Yeah. It’s a crate Driffin scored from the public storehouse. When people fail to pay the upkeep on the crates and items they keep there, the storehouse puts the items up for auction,” Elinzia explains. “It’s usually a blind sale as the bidders don’t know what’s in the crates. Driffin manages the accounts at the storehouse at a reduced rate in exchange for some perks. Sometimes they’ll let him see what’s in a lot before it’s up for bid. Other lots they’ll let him buy real cheap before an auction. Or, every now and then, he will just be given a box that doesn’t sell. Driffin brings them here. We keep what we can use and sell the rest. It goes a long way to help fund the Order.
“But I’m sure you didn’t come here to talk auctions,” Elinzia says, wiping her hands on her skirt and turning to give Leira her full attention. “What can I do for you?”
“Beada’s given me my next task. If I succeed, she’ll make me a full member of the guild.”
“Well, that’s exciting!” Elinzia says, her face bright with excitement.
“It is, but it’s a daunting task. I need to find proof that the Captain of the King’s Guard is a traitor.”
Elinzia’s excitement immediately vanishes and is replaced by a frown of concern.
“What I was hoping,” Leria continues, “Is that you might have some useful information.”
“I don’t know,” the crafting rogue replies. “I’ve never been in the castle and I know nothing about the Captain.”
“Actually, what I was wondering is if you are familiar with the Duskcall Historical Society?”
“A bit. I’ve sold them an item or two in the past. Some legit. Other’s good forgeries.” Elinza says this last with a bemused smirk.
“Exactly how familiar with the Society are you?” Leria asks, stressing the word “how” to let Elinza know she’s looking for more than just surface knowledge.
[Does E know about the Huntsmen’s involvement with the society? (To Knowledge) 37-4 surge=33 No +2 surge]
“What do you mean?” Elinzia asks with a scrutinizing gaze.
“Huntsmen? Tunnel? Anything”
“No! Tell me more,” Elinzia says, intrigued.
“When my brother and I first came to Duskcall we had a run-in with the Huntsmen. We learned that the assassin’s guild had a secret tunnel that ran from the Historical Society to the castle. We even explored part of it. I’m thinking I might have to use it if my friend Harper can’t or won’t help me get inside.”
“Could be dangerous,” Elinzia speculates.
“Yes,” Leria agrees, “But I have some tricks I can use. The problem is, the Society’s curator has seen me and may remember who I am. Do you happen to know if Barda still works there?” [(To Conflict, since the answer affects the mission) 62+6 surge = 68 Yes +2 surge]
“Unfortunately, he does.”
“Hellhounds!” Leira curses. “I was hoping the Huntsmen would have replaced him after we got past him into the tunnel. Do you have anything else that might be helpful?”
[Does Elinza know if Barda lives in the museum? (To Conflict) 45-8 Surge=37 No +2 surge]
“Sorry,” Elinzia apologizes. “I don’t.”
Leira thinks for a moment before asking one last question. “You wouldn’t know where the King’s Guard hang out when they’re not on duty?”
[Does she? (To Knowledge since it doesn’t involve a direct obstacle) 75+10 surge = 85 Yes and surge resets]
“That one I know! The Cozy Fish. It’s a tavern just near the Guard’s barracks, just off the plaza in front of the castle.”
Leria remembers the place from their celebration after saving the King several months ago.
“In fact, if you run into a Guard named Dedericus you should talk to him. He’s a friend of our guild and often has useful information about the goings-on inside the castle.” [This is both the “and” and possibly the “ally that can be found in a mercenary” that was generated as part of the mission.]
“Thanks,” Leira says. “That might be helpful.” She wishes Elinzia well and turns to leave the store. However, before she walks out the door, she stops and turns back.
“Elinzia? Are we any better than the common street thugs?”
Elinzia throws her a puzzled look, not sure what is prompting this question from this new recruit.
“Of course,” she finally answers. “Thugs just want money for themselves. The Order is providing a service. Someone, usually a merchant, needs something they don’t have and we help them get it. For a fee, of course. We’re not a charity, after all.”
“No, of course not,” Leira agrees, pretty sure Eliznia fails to catch the sarcasm in her voice. “But we’re still helping them take things that don’t belong to them.”
“True, but the person targeted this week is typically the one doing the targeting next week. It all works out in the end. If it’s going to happen anyway, why shouldn’t we profit from it? And if we can pick up a few items for ourselves on the side, all that much better.” Eliznia’s wide grin betrays her pride in the Order’s work.
“But to what end? What good comes of it?”
“Excitement. Adventure. Enough gold to live a little better than the next guy,” Elinza suggests.
“I guess.” Leira lowers her eyes in contemplation. “But is that really better than the poor guy who steals simply to survive? To clothe and feed his family the only way he is able?”
Before Eliznia can answer Leira leaves, letting the shop door close silently behind her.
(Read the next chapter here.)
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