• The Vanguard Institute — Part 23

    The Vanguard Institute — Part 23

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Night 5 – The 17th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Lunaday.
    Weather:(1d20: [14] = 14)
    Cold
    Moon: 17 -> just past the full moon
    Terrain: Darkwell
    (1d100: [64] = 64)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: NPC Enabler
    Unseen, Command, Rescue
    (1d20: [19] = 19)

    Q: Does anything eventful happen while at the tavern that night?
    (1d20+0: [17]+0 = 17)
    Yes

    Q: Is it while they sleep?
    (1d20+0: [19]+0 = 19)
    Yes, and Unnatural, Lake, Unsophisticated

    I sat and watched as the lady had instructed but I was distracted by my thoughts. I missed Nyx. I glanced at the map but his dot was steady for the night and no new notes exchanged meant he was asleep.

    The beds were uncomfortable. The tavern never quieted for the night and the noise from below carried up into the room we stayed. It was safer in numbers Austin claimed, even though he was among friends. Or at least that was how it looked.

    An eerie glow from the windows woke me. I slept light with Nyx beside me. As a child he’d spark fire in his sleep the tiniest amount of light woke me. Any noise too.

    I climbed out of bed and looked out the window and watched as an eeire green fog spread across the lake to our north. The dark waters were the name sake to the town, and it was darker and sicker looking with the green palor of the fog drifting across it. It was clearly not natural.

    A tiny boat sailed through the fog and landed behind an old run down building. I couldn’t make anything else out except shapes moving through the night.

    Austin put his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t mind the locals. Sleep we have things to do in the morning. And you more so than the rest.”

    I sighed and laid back down in my uncomfortable bed and tried to sleep, but the visions outside my window kept me up. Was that what I was supposed to have seen? What else was going on here?

    Day 6 – The 18th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Serenday.
    Weather:(1d20: [19] = 19)
    Hot
    Moon: 18 -> Waxing Gibbous
    Terrain: Darkwell
    (1d100: [84] = 84)
    Interesting Feature -> Rumor about another kingdom (Solara)
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [5] = 5

    [!note]
    Solara is sending tactical groups against The Vanguard Institute.

    I eventually did fall asleep. I woke to the sun peaking through the window at the barest hint on the horizon. The noise from below still carried through the floorboards.

    I splashed cold water on my face — missing the perpetual heat source that was my best friend. He was more than that, but that was what he was always going to be. The others were still asleep. Kis was snoring soundly at the foot of Austin’s bed, he’d opted to not take a bed — he was just a servant after all. Whatever, he was part of the team even if he didn’t do any fighting. He was good at keeping Rhesus quiet. And that was a challenge for anyone, but the little kobold did it with ease. Good for him.

    The hall was empty as I left our shared room and mae my way downstairs. The common room was still as full as it was when I went to bed. I sat down and ordered food and a drink, nothing strong but still a drink. I could hear Nyx protesting my choices.

    I still held on to the guise I’d taken last night. It would stay until I changed it. Blending in was key and really I didn’t want these people to remember me.

    The noise of the crowd was interlaced with sounds of a bard playing in the corner. The soft sounds of their lute making my ears shudder. I could do so much better. And I hardly played. Though Nyx would state otherwise. Saleh too for that matter. I thought I was horrible in comparison, but this guy, this guy was worse.

    Whisperes drifted across the room. Voices carried in lulls and dips as the story teller got excited. Someone proclaimed news from the north. And all waited on bated breathe as the news fell on whispers. But still those whisperes were loud in the din, and as an initiate of the Obsidian Syndicate I was encouraged to eavesdrop.

    Q: Perception (12)
    (1d20: [16] = 16)
    Success
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [2] = 2

    1. L7 Information Sensor: Over the course of one day, the user can activate the cypher a total number of times equal to its level. Each time, they can select a living creature within long range and learn the following about it: level, origin, species, name, and possibly other facts (such as an individual’s credit score, home address, phone number, and related information). (391)
    2. L2 Nutrition and Hydration: The user can go without food and water for a number of days equal to the cypher’s level without ill effect. (393)
      (1d20: [11] = 11)

    I managed to hear snippets of the conversation. “Solara” and “Oceana under attack”. That was not something you idly chit chat about knowing. There is only one reason to attack Oceana — the Vanguard Institute.

  • Water — Life and Death

    Water — Life and Death

    AJ made a submission to Auto Crit’s Short Story Challenge last month. This is a bit not about me! But it’s actually a game play and we’ll share that too.

    The human body contains sixty percent water — on average. In our modern day, end of the world scenario, water is more of a treasure than the gold of era’s past. It’s funny what you think about as you root around in the dirt and debris of this desolate land.

    While tossing a rock to the side, the water I sipped made me think how precious all water is. A singular drop fell on the hot red rock I stood above. I winced in pain like it had hurt me more than a drop of my blood dripping from a deadly wound might. If someone saw they’d be scrambling to chase the steam and then scold me for my careless behavior.

    No one was around. I was alone. Or so I thought, a scream from nearby pierced through the darkening cloud covered sky. I should mind my own business.

    I’m a good guy at heart. At least that’s what I tell myself every morning I get to open my eyes. We must fake it till we make it, right?

    I dash through the dust covered street looking for a way through to the other side.  The opening was small, but I squeezed through. The rising dust storm was partial cover, but in this barren landscape it might not be enough to stay out of trouble. Another reason I should get the hell out of dodge and mind my own business. Slowly, I crept along until I saw the disturbance ahead.

    The woman screamed again, drawing my eye to the scuffle going on. A ragged clothed ghoul with long claws and black ooze dripping from long teeth cornered the woman against a rock outcropping that might have once been a wall, or steel structure of some sort.

    She was familiar. She was part of the last encampment I had ventured in to, to sell some scavenged goods. Except I’m pretty sure she was part of the crowd that chased me out when I got caught with my hand in someone else’s stash. Such is the life of a scavenger. Welcome until we get caught.

    The spiteful guy inside me thought she’d get what she deserved. The good guy in me drew an arrow from the quiver of my hip. I knocked it to the bow and let loose. The wind picked up, shifted the trajectory and the arrow sunk into the wall beside the woman’s left ear. She screamed again as the ghoul’s claws sank into her body.

    I readied another arrow and loosed it.  The second arrow sank into the ghoul’s left shoulder. It howls in pain, but it doesn’t stop its claws from slashing across the woman’s throat and she falls to the ground. Well, fuck!

    The ghoul’s dark eyes shift as it lops towards me in the rising wind. I have barely enough time to draw my machete before the ghoul is upon me and the cold burning rain falls from the sky. Lightning strikes nearby and the crack of thunder knocks us apart. The creature’s claws fan out. A gust of wind snags the claw, and my machete embeds into the creature. It roars in pain.

    We do the same dance again. The dust and rain kept its claws from my body while the machete had an advantage and sunk into the body. The winds shifted and my next blow misses, my advantage gone. 

    The muscles in my arm tire as I whittle away at the ghoul, keeping it at bay. With every strike, its skin knits together while I watch.

    Our battle rages on, and a cry of anguish, pain and rage shattered the sound of the falling rain. Out of the corner of my eye, a young girl who looks like the fallen woman bears down on us with a knife raised. 

    “Stay back!” I shouted.

    It was too late.

    The ghoul breathed its last breath, the squelching and sucking sound they made on death began its sickening song. It was a horror story waiting to happen. The girl reached us just as the eyeball popped out of the ghoul’s corpse and followed with a fleshy explosion, spewing toxic acid all over us.

    The rain washed most of it from my armor and body. Only small patches landed on my skin and the flesh oozed, but was only just damaged. I was fine, but the girl. She lay dead in a pool of goo left by the ghoul’s explosion.

    Kneeling down beside her, I sighed. “I told you to stay back.”

    I rummaged through her corpse. Everything about her said poor. The child had no belongings or food in her pockets and the arrow that landed on the ghoul was nothing but blown up bits.

    I retrieved the arrow from the wall and searched the woman’s body. She carried a pair of night goggles I slung over my neck. If anything, they’d fetch some food and water — nothing else of note except the rolled-up piece of paper I found in her back pocket. 

    The wind and the rain soaked the paper as I unfurled it to examine the contents — an old flyer for a motel northeast of here. It wasn’t the restful place that caught my attention; it was the hand drawn symbol of water in the upper right-hand corner that told me water was nearby. This was a map of sorts. 

    The paper was old and brittle, and the acid ate through it. So much for my treasure map. I knew where that place was — I found no signs of water. Maybe I didn’t look hard enough? Or… 

    It didn’t matter I needed shelter. The sun would set soon, and it was even more dangerous at night.

    The flapping canvas of where the girl had emerged was gone, lost in a gust of wind. The entrance was nothing more than a hole in the ground. A place to hide from the sun and rain, but now the canvas was gone, and it was pointless.

    Before I can even begin to find this so-called treasure, I need a safe space to sleep for the night. The scent carried on the wind from the north speaks of death and rot and likely where the ghoul came from. So instead, I headed east. At least partially in the direction the map said to go.

    I searched for hours, but in this desolate land that I call home, well home for now, someone else picked through the zone. Sometimes, you get lucky and find a stash that someone else thought they hid well enough. 

    Today, I was that lucky someone to find someone else’s stash. In a stone outcropping that was probably debris from an old building, I found a cache of MREs, enough for six people for a week or for little old me — 42 days. Forty-fucking-two days of eating well. Do you know what that means? 

    My backpack could only hold so much. With what room I had, I filled it with food and water — thirteen days’ worth, by my calculations. It would be so worth it. Though, I could probably make that last a month if I tried. I was gonna eat like a king!

    I returned the site back to its former glory of when I arrived. Maybe the last owners abandoned it, but probably not — a professional scavenger knows not to leave things looking like a stash. It’s dangerous for many reasons. Your stuff getting jacked was number one on that list. 

    Not long after finding the cache, I stumbled upon a distant light. The rain fell and the dust flying about still hid my location. I crept up on their tents and listened to the conversations.

    “I wonder where Becky went? Sarah followed her,” one man said, followed by another. A third man echoed, “We should go find them. It’s getting dark.”

    The men slunk off into the shadows and I shimmied around their tents. A sleeping man snored at the fire underneath a large-brimmed hat. A small, steady stream of water from his hat’s brim pelted upon the thick mustache. He’d wake to a painful surprise. Not that it mattered much, what was another scar added to his pock-marked face? Men like him meant survival. He probably killed more men than I had any right to know. 

    These were the folks I’d run from earlier this week. Payback was a bitch. 

    I snagged a bag from one of their tents before I scampered off in a northerly direction — away from the men who’d left and toward my water hole. Not that I believed it to be true, but one could only hope to find such a dream — water. Water that didn’t burn you. That was life.

    Some distance away, when I can no longer see the light from their fire, I open the pack and check inside. Most of it’s garbage I don’t care about, but the simple med-kit I tuck into my bag. The rest can stay in the shadow of the falling light. With the water and MREs I found earlier, my load was more than I liked, but I couldn’t pass up that deal. No way. I hated leaving all the rest behind.

    The sun was hours from setting and I hunt high and low for a place to crash for the night. The rain finally stops falling and I can hear the thunder in the distance, threatening a repeat, but in the failing light, the clouds are breaking up. That’s wonderful news, except tomorrow will be a hot day. No clouds meant the blaring sun striking your skin — a worse thing than the acidic rain that falls from the sky. 

    A tower comes into view, and I skirt around the edges. The tower might work, except for the large man asleep against the entrance. A guard meant safety, but also others. I wasn’t in the mood to share, so I moved on. I didn’t want a fight. 

    More time passes and the smell of smoke perfumed the air. A fire. A shout from the distance pulls me towards it — again, that good guy in me wants to help. 

    A hand sticking up from a fallen building, the surrounding fire diminished, but it’s still burning. I try to help — I do. I can barely lift the beams.

    “Help!” cried the trapped man. “Help me!”

    I didn’t bother saying I was trying as I lifted again. The soft sound of cracking grew louder. The roof tumbling down. Now I’m fast, but I’m not that fast — I tripped over debris and the roof pins my foot beneath it.

    Holy shit, that hurt! I wiggle my toes, at least it’s not broken. 

    The man I was trying to help fell silent. I didn’t help at all, and now I’m trapped. I try to lift the beam.

    The sun is below the horizon, and the shadows are deep. The sounds of the wild creatures emerging are all around me and I have no place to go, even if the beam did not trap me underneath its still burning weight.

    I try again. It’s no use. I’m not that strong.

    Slurping sounds grow near. Fuck! I lift again.

    Snick.

    A soft cracking sound emanates from the beam.

    The moon provides no light, and the only sound is that of the slow slurp of a slithering ooze that is heading towards me. I can almost feel its acid touch on my skin, but it’s just the burning sensation left over from the rain. 

    I lift again. A sudden burst of energy and the beam breaks in two. The fire damage giving me an advantage for once. I scramble up just in time to see the yellow glow of the ooze inch around a fallen beam. I run. Nothing more I can do but run. My leg hurts, and I run until I can’t breathe. 

    The ooze doesn’t move fast, and I’m pretty sure I’m safe. Safe, at least for now.

    I try to catch some sleep, but I can only manage a few moments before I feel the need to find some place safer.

    A few more hours pass before I stumble, literally, into a hole in the ground. It’s not so much a hole as a cavern that starts at the ground and into the depths of the walls behind. A root cellar of some old place, maybe? It’s safe and dry, and looks like someone used it before as shelter. 

    I curl up in the blankets in the corner, and I sleep off the day’s events. I’m so exhausted.

    The day dawns and afternoon approaches. I slept nearly twelve hours trying to catch up on much needed sleep. This was a rare find. I’d have to remember it if I stuck around the area for long.

    Back on the route to the motel on the flyer. I remembered where it was still, but the image was fading from my mind. Doubt crept in as the sun beat down upon my brow. Pearls of sweat beaded on my forehead.

    I wolfed down a packet of food as I walked towards the motel and sipped at the water. It was a decent day, despite it all. I didn’t need to scavenge. I had more than enough food for days, and shelter to go back to. Only thing left to do — find that water. That glorious, precious water we all needed so much to live.

    The giant red ball of the hotel came into view. It had fallen long past and was nothing more than just a fallen bit of debris, but it was still iconic. The place itself was standing still, which meant it was a hub of activity. A place to be wary of.

    Walking around the outside made my spine shiver. Strange sounds echoed all around, creaking and cracking and the often lost on the wind sounds that my mind turned into words. Phantom music drifted on the air. Ghosts might be real, though I’d yet to see anything out of the ordinary. Just my mind playing tricks on me in this heat.

    I walk around the backside and find myself behind canisters of something that smelled awful. Like refuse, fecal awful. Beyond the barrels are 5 bodies, human men and women in a cage. Several others outside. 

    Men carrying spears. Women walking the perimeter. I hid in the barrels so they can’t see me outright. A man sitting in a beat up modified truck with spikes and metal looked fearsome, and he gnawed on an arm. 

    Cannibals! 

    It was a horrid practice — eating other men and women. No call for it. One needs to draw a line somewhere. That was my line.

    I had to do something. I was a good guy, remember? A mantra I kept telling myself, even as I’m jerry-rigging a timer out of the bits of junk I’d picked up. Making bombs wasn’t my forte, but it’s worked in the past.

    The barrels were as good as any for a place to place the bomb. Nearly half the barrels were propane. Fuel was as precious as water, but I didn’t care — I’d blow it to kingdom-come to rid the world of flesh eating monsters.

    Except what was supposed to be a bomb is merely a fire. A time ill-conceived fire. The cannibals all react and I try to run away in all the confusion.

    One of them catches me by the scruff of my neck and hollers. “Iz gotz me a skinny one,” he sniffs me and drags me off towards the cage the others are in and tosses me like a rag doll across the way.

    Well, fuck me!

    My things are still with me. They didn’t even bother to take it. Hell, the others in the cage still had their things, too. Why hadn’t they freed themselves yet? Where they a-bunch-of-no-gooders. People who’d given up on life. It’s not that hard out here — not so much as to be eaten alive by fucking cannibals! 

    No fucking way someone’s eating me. At least, not in an unfathomable way— of course, I could imagine other things. Things that were long overdue, but those weren’t thoughts for now. For later. For when I met someone. Good luck, I told myself.

    Five other people were in this cage with me. Most of them watched the tall lanky guy in the corner who was muttering to himself. I watched for a long while with nothing else to do, anyway. Well, except maybe plan to get the fuck out of this place before I lost an arm or a leg.

    I sat down next to an older looking man. He might be their leader. When he shied away from me, I was pretty sure that wasn’t the case. “Anyone know of a way out of here?” I asked softly.

    The man moved away from me and continued to watch the man off by himself. I sighed. “Suit yourself.”

    I got up and walked over to the man alone. “Got a plan?”

    He grabbed my throat, and the others had to pull him off while the cannibals watched, laughing at us. We were doing the work for them — the killing each other; I meant.

    A bell sounded, and a man came out of the motel behind us, a crowd of other cannibals behind him. The auction was about to start. I wondered what kind of currency they used. What was I worth? A ham? Or a bottle of water. I almost wanted to stick around and find out.

    When the door opened and a cannibal came into grab one of us, I made a run for it. I slashed with my machete and I barreled over the guy. I was fast. I didn’t stop to look at the losers behind me. I didn’t give a fuck. I just ran. Ran until my legs could no longer carry me. I was so fucking tired by the time I stopped; I was sure they were going to catch up. 

    When I finally stopped, I hung my head and planted my hands on my knees and panted. Panted like I’d never panted before. Looking back, I saw nothing, no one following me — just nothing but the dust in my wake. The rain had all but dried up now. Nothing but dirt and sand and dust. 

    I craned my head around; I needed to get my bearings. I might never find that sanctuary again. I did not know where I was. So I spent the time to look around while I caught my breath.

    In the dim light of the deepest shadows of an outcropped rock, I found a sign. It wasn’t an old school sign; they carved it into the rock and it was the same symbol that had drawn me out this way to begin with. Water!

    I pulled out my flashlight and light the area to verify. I had found the water. Deep in the shadows, I went. The passage just stopped.

    I kept looking. 

    I searched the area for hours and when the sun was failing and I was bone dead tired; I stumbled into a crevice and found a hidden crack. Not visible to anyone from any angle but this one. I smiled as I crawled through the opening. It was barely wide enough for one man for a long time.

    The narrow crevice went on for a long while. Time had no meaning in the vast sameness of it all. I lost track of my steps and the hours. Hell, it was probably only minutes. The crevice widened and narrowed several times over before it opened into a wide, echoing cavern. A light blue glow from the water, and the plant life around the pool in the center gave the place an otherworldly glow.

    The sight was beautiful, and more than for the picturesque view than the entire body of clean water. Glorious fucking water!

    I sank to the ground in celebration. The air was cooler here. Yet it was still warm. Perfection came to mind.

    As I scanned around the cavern, I saw a pair of skeletons wrapped up in each other’s arms. Death was the only certainty in every life. Water was the force that gave us life, and yet they died. Died because they probably never left this cave. A warning to me about the dangers of finding such a grand treasure and then doing nothing more. That wasn’t me. I couldn’t sit still. I got up and started searching for rocks. They at least deserved a proper burial, even after all these years.

    I am a Resilient Stealthy Explorer who Scavenges

    Tier: 1
    Effort: 1
    Armor: 1

    Skills

    • practiced: light weapons, medium weapons
    • trained: intellect defense, stealth, scavenging
    • specialized: might defense
    • inability: moving, bending, breaking things, knowledge or figuring out problems/puzzles, heavy weapons

    Asset

    • attack rolls where the creature has been attacked

    Abilities

    • Fleet of Foot (short + action or long distance or long distance + with effort and hindered attack)
    • Practiced in Armor (can wear medium armor without penalty)

    Weapons

    • unarmed, light 2 damage, eased
    • machete, medium 4 damage
    • bow, medium 4 damage, long range

    Equipment

    • appropriate clothes
    • weapon of choice – machete
    • armor of choice – Piecemeal light armor
    • backpack, sleeping bag
    • flashlight, lighter
    • chocolate bar
    • light tools
    • bow & quiver (11 arrows)
    • water flyer
    • night goggles
    • water stick
    • 13 days supply of MRE
    • medicine
    • med kit

    Junk

    • electronics: 0
    • textile: 2

    Day 1

    Adventure Status: 4 (12)
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    (1d20: [12] = 12)
    Moan, Monopoly, Payment

    Setting Desolate Land
    Rites, Implicate, Seat

    Q: Scavenge (12)
    (1d20: [6] = 6)
    Fail

    [!note]
    A scream draws your attention.

    L4 Ghoul Level: short distance, hp 20, damage 5
    regeneration (1 point per round), claw swipe (5 damage)

    L3 Survivor: short distance, hp 14, damage 5

    [!note]
    A ghoul is attacking a woman.

    Initiative:

    • Ghoul 12
    • Survivor 9
    • Me 12

    Q: Is there any cover?
    (1d20+0: [3]+0 = 3)
    No

    Q: Does the ghoul see me?
    (1d20+0: [9]+0 = 9)
    No, but Chase, Village, Warrant

    [!note]
    I recognize the woman from the last village that chased me out. I have a warrant out for my arrest there.

    Round 1:

    Ghoul attacks the Survivor: survivor hp 14 -> 9

    Skill Boost Cypher L5 (ease speed defense by 3 good for 24hrs or 5 times)

    Survivor attacks the Ghoul: survivor misses

    Round 2:

    Ghoul attacks the survivor: survivor hp 9 -> 4

    Q: Attack Ghoul with bow using effort (6) -> 2 might
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [14] = 14)

    Survivor attacks the Ghoul: survivor misses

    Round 3:

    Ghoul attacks the survivor: survivor dead

    Q: Attack Ghoul with bow (9)
    (1d20: [14] = 14)
    Success
    Ghoul hp 20 -> 16

    Round 4:

    Ghoul advances towards me (short distance) +1 hp 17hp

    Q: I pull out my machete and attack the ghoul (9)
    (1d20: [1] = 1)
    Fail
    GM Intrusion: No XP
    Developer: But…
    (1d20: [6] = 6)
    Duty, Chill, Percussive

    [!note]
    A cold Thunderstorm stirs up the dust and dirt making it hard to see

    Round 5:

    Ghoul attacks me -> Skill Cypher -1 +1 hp 18hp
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [6] = 6)
    Success
    Developer: NPC Inhibitor
    (1d20: [17] = 17)
    Glowing, Vessel, Nobility

    Q: Attack the ghoul with machete (9)
    (1d20: [19] = 19) -> Major Success +4 damage
    Success
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [3] = 3

    1. L7 Nutrition and Hydration: The user can go without food and water for a number of days equal to the cypher’s level without ill effect. (393)
    2. L6 Remembering: Allows the user to recall any one experience they’ve ever had. The experience can be no longer than one minute per cypher level, but the recall is perfect, so (for example) if they saw someone dial a phone, they will remember the number. (396)
    3. L3 Intelligence Enhancement: All of the user’s tasks involving intelligent deduction—such as playing chess, inferring a connection between clues, solving a mathematical problem, finding a bug in computer code, and so on—are eased by two steps for one hour. In the subsequent hour, the strain hinders the same tasks by two steps. (391)
      (1d20: [10] = 10)
      Ghoul hp 18 -> 11

    Round 6:

    Ghoul attacks me -> Skill Cypher -1 +1 hp 12hp
    Q: Speed defense (3)
    (1d20: [14] = 14)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)

    Q: Attack the ghoul with machete (9)
    (1d20: [19] = 19) -> Major Success +3
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Ghoul hp 12 -> 5

    Round 7:

    Ghoul attacks me -> Skill Cypher -1 +1hp 6hp
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [18] = 18)

    Q: Attack the ghoul with machete (9)
    (1d20: [7] = 7)
    Fail

    Round 8:

    Ghoul attacks me -> Skill Cypher -1 +1hp 7hp
    Q: Speed defense (3)
    (1d20: [4] = 4)
    Success
    Developer: But…
    (1d20: [8] = 8)
    Tunnel, Argument, Daughter

    Q: Attack the ghoul with machete (9)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Success
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    (1d20: [9] = 9)
    Gossip, Express, Warning
    Ghoul hp 7 -> 3

    [!note]
    From a near by tunnel a girl shows up crying and yelling at me, how it’s all my fault and runs towards me with weapon in hand

    L1 girl hp 1, damage 2

    Round 9:

    Ghoul attacks me -> Skill Cypher -1 (depleted) +1hp 4hp
    Q: speed defense (3)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Success
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    (1d20: [12] = 12)
    Weird, Eye, Warning

    Q: Attack the ghoul with machete (9)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Success
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [2] = 2

    1. L5 Repel: One NPC within immediate range who is of a level lower than the cypher decides to leave, using their next five rounds to move away quickly. (396)
    2. L6 Intelligence Enhancement: All of the user’s tasks involving intelligent deduction—such as playing chess, inferring a connection between clues, solving a mathematical problem, finding a bug in computer code, and so on—are eased by two steps for one hour. In the subsequent hour, the strain hinders the same tasks by two steps. (391)
      (1d20: [10] = 10)
      Ghoul is dead

    [!note]
    Girl reaches me as the ghoul dies.
    As the corpse falls to the ground the eye begins to expand and there is no warning before the corpse explodes.
    Girl and I take 1 might damage -> girl is dead.
    Retrieve 1 arrow (1 arrow blown to bits with ghoul)

    Loot both bodies
    Q: Loot bodies (6)
    (1d20: [6] = 6)
    Success

    [!note]
    Find a ‘flyer’ advertising water & night goggles

    Q: Perception (12)
    (1d20: [13] = 13)
    Success
    Developer: But…
    (1d20: [6] = 6)
    Web, Invite, Temper

    Q: Can I see anything in the storm?
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but Alcohol, Rancid, Pilgrim

    [!note]
    The smell of scum is rising on the wind. We don’t want to go that way.

    Q: Is the smell coming from the north?
    (1d20+0: [16]+0 = 16)
    Yes

    Go east -> 4-2
    Setting Desolate Land
    Escape, Step, Carry

    Q: Scavenge (12) -> 2 hours
    (1d20: [14] = 14)
    Success
    Developer: But…
    (1d20: [8] = 8)
    Talk, Magic Item!, Dripping

    [!note]
    Finds a water stick

    Useful: 1d100: [90] = 90 -> MRE cache (food and water for six people for 1 week)
    Junk: 3d6: [1, 2, 2] = 5 (Electronics, plastic x2)

    Q: Is there a small structure here
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Glowing, Target, Patrol

    Q: Is there a place to hide?
    (1d20+0: [9]+0 = 9)
    No, but Rope, Fire, Shame

    Q: Is there a camp here?
    (1d20+0: [17]+0 = 17)
    Yes

    Q: Sneak in behind the tents and grab something (9)
    (1d20: [18] = 18)
    Success
    Developer: But…
    (1d20: [8] = 8)
    Original, Magic Item!, Mammoth

    [!note]
    Steals a med kit

    Q: Is it getting dark?
    (1d20+0: [14]+0 = 14)
    Yes

    Q: Did the storm stop?
    (1d20+0: [10]+0 = 10)
    Maybe

    Q: Is it still raining?
    (1d20+0: [4]+0 = 4)
    No

    Q: Is the wind still blowing?
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Noxious, Accident, Prehistoric

    [!note]
    It’s not safe here at night

    Go North -> 3-2 Desolate Land
    Sea, Device, Medium

    Q: Scavenge for a place to rest (12) -> 2 hours
    (1d20: [4] = 4)
    Fail

    Q: Has the sun set?
    (1d20+0: [5]+0 = 5)
    No

    Q: Is there anything here to bother me?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Sleep, Gaping, Controller

    [!note]
    A tower with a sleeping guard

    Go north -> 2-2 Desolate Land
    Performance, Secret, Cover

    Q: Scavenge for a place to rest 12 (9)
    (1d20: [2] = 2)
    Fail
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    (1d20: [9] = 9)
    Trapped, Smoke, Unsafe

    [!note]
    There is smoke, someone is trapped in the makeshift cover

    Q: Help the trapped person (might roll) (12)
    (1d20: [4] = 4)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [14] = 14)

    Q: Try again with Effort (-2 might) (12)
    (1d20: [4] = 4)
    Fail
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    (1d20: [9] = 9)
    Talk, Loot, Medicine

    [!note]
    You hear cracking of the roof falling in

    Q: Leave quickly (15)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [5] = 5)

    [!note]
    You are pinned under a wooden beam

    Q: Lift the beam with effort (9)
    (1d20: [5] = 5)
    Fail
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [5] = 5

    1. L4 Stim: Eases the user’s next action taken by three steps. (398)
    2. L2 Effort Enhancer (Noncombat): For the next hour, the user can apply one free level of Effort to a noncombat task without spending points from a Pool. The level of Effort provided by this cypher does not count toward the maximum amount of Effort a character can normally apply to one task. Once this free level of Effort is used, the effect of the cypher ends. (388)
    3. L2 Strength Enhancer: All noncombat tasks involving raw strength—such as breaking down a door, lifting a heavy boulder, forcing open elevator doors, competing in a weightlifting competition, and so on—are eased by two steps for one hour. (398)
    4. L5 Motion Sensor: For one hour per cypher level, the user knows when any movement occurs within short range, and when large creatures or objects move within long range (the cypher distinguishes between the two). It also indicates the number and size of the creatures or objects in motion. (393)
    5. L5 Rejuvenator: Restores a number of points equal to the cypher’s level to one random stat Pool. (395)
      (1d20: [10] = 10)

    Replace Reflex enhancer with strength enhancer and use it

    Q: Lift again with effort (9)
    (1d20: [7] = 7)
    Fail

    Q: Lift again with 2 effort (6)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Success
    Developer: PC Inhibitor
    (1d20: [13] = 13)
    Boy, Communion, Break

    [!note]
    The sun has set

    Attempt to rest

    Q: Does anything interrupt the 1 hour rest?
    (1d20+0: [14]+0 = 14)
    Yes

    Q: Is it a creature?
    (1d20+0: [13]+0 = 13)
    Yes

    Q: Does it see me?
    (1d20+0: [13]+0 = 13)
    Yes

    Q: Is it a deathclaw?
    (1d20+0: [2]+0 = 2)
    No, and Symbol, Sea, Wilderness

    Q: Is it a swarm of mutated rats?
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but River, Proof, Thick

    Q: Is it an ooze?
    (1d20+0: [17]+0 = 17)
    Yes

    L3 Ooze, immediate range, damage 4 +2 acid damage

    [!note]
    I run away. The ooze can’t keep up.

    Go west -> 2-1 Desolate land
    Hole, Treacherous, Mammoth

    Q: Scavenge for place to rest with effort (9) -> 2 hours
    (1d20: [8] = 8)
    Fail
    Developer: NPC Inhibitor
    (1d20: [17] = 17)
    Crypt, Blood, Sleep

    [!note]
    There is an old crypt in a hole, getting tired

    Q: Is anything in the area to hinder our progress?
    (1d20+0: [6]+0 = 6)
    No

    Go North -> 1-1 Desolate Land
    Gaping, Magic Item!, Smoke

    Q: Scavenge for place to rest with effort (9)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)

    Junk: 3d6: [6, 1, 6] = 13 -> textile x2, electronics
    Useful: 1d100: [11] = 11 -> Medicine (provides an asset to one healing-related task)

    [!note]
    Hiding in a rocky crag is a safe haven that looks like it had been abandoned

    [!Note]
    Rested
    1d6+1: [2]+1 = 3
    1d6+1: [5]+1 = 6
    Spent 4XP

    Day 2

    MRE -1

    Go east 1-2 -> Abandoned building
    Success, Gift, Calm

    1d20: [6] = 6 -> Hotel

    Q: Does someone live here?
    (1d20+0: [9]+0 = 9)
    No, but Natural, Loot, Fetid

    Q: Scavenge (12)
    (1d20: [6] = 6)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)

    Q: Are there multiple floors?
    (1d20+0: [7]+0 = 7)
    No

    [!note]
    It’s an old motel 8 type ‘hotel’

    Q: Does anything impede my way?
    (1d20+0: [10]+0 = 10)
    Maybe

    Q: Is it home to a creature?
    (1d20+0: [14]+0 = 14)
    Yes

    Q: A ghoul?
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Moan, Hairpin, Woven
    GM Intrusion +1XP

    Q: A deathclaw?
    (1d20+0: [3]+0 = 3)
    No

    Q: A ghost?
    (1d20+0: [20]+0 = 20)
    Yes, and Bother, Awful, Indication

    Q: Will the ghosts hurt me?
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Fire, Refuse, Explosion

    Q: If they are attacked by someone else will they attack me?
    (1d20+0: [7]+0 = 7)
    No

    Q: Does the hotel explode?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Gap, Protection, Blustering

    Q: Is it a territorial fight?
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but Sell, Livestock, Treacherous

    Q: Is someone trying to steel someone else’s cattle?
    (1d20+0: [5]+0 = 5)
    No

    Q: Did the livestock trip over something?
    (1d20+0: [9]+0 = 9)
    No, but Demon, Natural, Monopoly
    GM Intrusion +1XP

    [!note]
    The livestock are humans at a Cannibal Auction

    Q: Are there any gas tanks around?
    (1d20+0: [20]+0 = 20)
    Yes, and Hidden, Technology, Vacant

    Spend 1XP for a Bomb Knowledge Cypher

    Q: Craft a bomb (9)
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)

    [!note]
    The bomb fails to go off but a fire is started nearby threatening the gas tanks

    Q: Flee (12)
    (1d20: [6] = 6)
    Fail
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    (1d20: [12] = 12)
    Silence, Performance, Ammunition

    [!note]
    Cannibal catches me

    L3 Cannibal hp 12, damage 5, short L6 deception, persuasion intimidation, with surprise attack L5 +2 damage

    Q: Might defense (trying to escape) (6)
    (1d20: [1] = 1)
    Fail
    GM Intrusion: No XP
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [5] = 5)

    [!note]
    The cannibal throws you in the cage with the other livestock

    Q: Are there fewer than ten others in the cage?
    (1d20+0: [19]+0 = 19)
    Yes, and Possession, Seat, Cloying

    Q: Is there less than five?
    (1d20+0: [4]+0 = 4)
    No

    Q: Is there more than five?
    (1d20+0: [7]+0 = 7)
    No

    L6 HP 31, damage 7 Vengeful
    L7 HP 22, damage 11 Lonely
    L1 HP 17, damage 3 Frustrated
    L3 HP 16, damage 4 Afraid
    L4 HP 11, damage 7 Pity

    Q: Does anyone look like the leader?
    (1d20+0: [17]+0 = 17)
    Yes

    Q: Is Frustrated the leader?
    (1d20+0: [2]+0 = 2)
    No, and Important, Sleep, Whoosh

    Q: Is Lonely the leader?
    (1d20+0: [13]+0 = 13)
    Yes

    Q: Does Lonely have a plan?
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Temple, Fire, Fancy

    [!note]
    My fire disrupted their plans

    Q: Are the cannibals dealing with the fire?
    (1d20+0: [13]+0 = 13)
    Yes

    Q: Are they safe from the fire?
    (1d20+0: [2]+0 = 2)
    No, and Cover, Forbidden, Vibration

    [!note]
    The fire is encroaching

    Q: Is the cage made of wood?
    (1d20+0: [11]+0 = 11)
    Yes, but Camp, Woman, Blustering

    [!note]
    There is a female cannibal watching them

    CB: L3 Cannibal hp 12, damage 5, short L6 deception, persuasion intimidation, with surprise attack L5 +2 damage

    Q: Persuade the crowd to attack when the gate is opened (12)
    (1d20: [9] = 9)
    Fail
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    (1d20: [9] = 9)
    Implicate, Obligation, Food

    [!note]
    Another cannibal opens the gate and snatches one of them

    1 L6 HP 31, damage 7 Vengeful
    2 L7 HP 22, damage 11 Lonely
    3 L1 HP 17, damage 3 Frustrated
    4 L3 HP 16, damage 4 Afraid
    5 L4 HP 11, damage 7 Pity
    6 Me

    1d6: [2] = 2 -> Lonely is taken to be eaten

    CC: L3 Cannibal hp 12, damage 5, short L6 deception, persuasion intimidation, with surprise attack L5 +2 damage

    Q: Bum Rush the cannibal with the door open and escape (9)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Success
    Developer: PC Inhibitor
    (1d20: [13] = 13)
    Rites, Maximum, Performance

    [!note]
    Step in some baskets on the way out. but outrun the cannibals

    Head east -> 1,3 Treasure! Oasis

    Q: Is the oasis hidden from view?
    (1d20+0: [15]+0 = 15)
    Yes

    Q: Is there a sign that is recognizable from the flyer?
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Swear, Sea, Force

    Q: Is there a symbol marking the location that was on the flyer?
    (1d20+0: [18]+0 = 18)
    Yes

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 22

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 22

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Night 5 – The 17th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Lunaday.
    Weather:(1d20: [14] = 14)
    Cold
    Moon: 17 -> just past the full moon
    Terrain: Darkwell
    (1d100: [64] = 64)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: NPC Enabler
    Unseen, Command, Rescue
    (1d20: [19] = 19)

    Q: As they approach town does anything happen?
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but Chill, Twilight, Title

    The wind is cold as we approach the town as the sun sets. There is little action going on. The village looks deserted, or at least tucked in for the night. Nary a light in a window, but small fires burn in hearths as smoke drifts up in the darkness.

    We ride slowly through town, eyes peak out of shuttered windows. Doors slightly ajar as we pass the few houses.

    Austin points to the red roofed building in the middle of town, the only building with glowing orange windows that welcome those who might pass by. Not that anyone would pass by often. But there was a road that ran through town. “That looks like the tavern.”

    “Nyx didn’t stick around, we need to be careful.” I said.

    We traveled to the tavern. An ant drinking out of a stein hung above the door. The sounds from the other side of the door were diminished, not the raucousness you’d expect from a tavern.

    No one greeted us, or came to stable our mounts. We tied the four steeds to the rail and Rhesus pulled open the door and what little noise there had been ceased immediately.

    All eyes were on the rich and pompous as we followed him through the door. I pulled up the rear, Kis followed behind his so-called master. Austin pushed past Rhesus and made his way to the bar. He wasn’t going to be part of whatever trouble was about to go down.

    The crowd didn’t seem to mind Austin much, a few glances as he waded his way through the chairs and tables scattered across the floor. I skirted the edge of the room finding an empty table. I didn’t exactly want trouble either.

    Q: Does anyone make any trouble with Rhesus?
    (1d20+0: [2]+0 = 2)
    No, and Command, Shoe, Obligation

    Q: Kis?
    (1d20+0: [11]+0 = 11)
    Yes, but Diversion, Fluttering, Skill

    Q: Austin?
    (1d20+0: [16]+0 = 16)
    Yes

    Q: Sasha?
    (1d20+0: [4]+0 = 4)
    No

    Austin sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. A gruff man with scraggly hair and dirty clothes stood behind him. “That’s my seat.”

    Austin looked up at him with a smile and removed himself from the stool and moved down to the next one. “That’s my seat.” The man said as he moved towering over Austin.

    “Is any of these seats not your seat?” Austin asked without moving.

    “There all my seats!” He bellowed. And the crowd laughed.

    Rhesus and Kis took the opportunity to sit down at the bar just the other side of Austin. A show of solidarity maybe, but maybe Rhesus just wanted to get into his first bar fight?

    Me on the other hand I shifted in my seat and hid my face while I quickly rearranged my features with a thought. I didn’t want any trouble, and I sure as fuck didn’t want to be associated with a bar fight when I needed to do things here.

    I waited for the serving girl to walk by and ordered the house special and whatever ale they had on hand. She gave me a bright smile and was off towards the kitchen.

    A woman cloaked in a dark hood wearing mostly black with an obsidian gem pulled tight against her throat on a black silk ribbon sat down in front of me. She tilted the hood back to reveal her bright grey eyes with the same bland features I knew my own face held when in natural form. A changeling, like myself.

    She smiled at the recognition on my face. “Very Astute. Your friend, Nyx is safely away from here, with supplies to hold him over till he gets to his destination.”

    “How do you know where we are going?” I asked.

    She gave me a petulant smile. “We have our ways. And I know you translated the note. Your friend saw it. You need to do better in hiding your tracks if you wish to join.”

    I was mildly confused as what she meant.

    She continued, “He saw your notes. Your translation when he left a note.” She said. “His words.”

    I nodded, still really not wanting to think that Nyx knew I had business here. Or that I hadn’t told him everything.

    “He’s a smart boy. He didn’t seem upset.”

    “Will you stop that.” I said.

    “Stop what?” she returned with a smirk.

    “Understanding me. What do you want from me?” I asked. It had started out as a demand but in reality I just wanted to get this over with.

    She sat back in her chair and pushed the hood back revealing a beautiful elven woman with golden hair and green eyes. “I’m Avyne, and right now I just want you to watch.”

    So that’s what I did, though the feeling from the woman was of odd familiarity, like I’d seen her somewhere before yet, this elven woman was not something I knew. But the choker at her neck told me I didn’t really want to be too casual or let my guard down. She was an assassin for the Obsidian Syndicate and I was a mere initiate. Was this what they intended for me?

    Q: Perception (12)
    (1d20: [18] = 18)
    Success
    Damage +2
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)

    Q: What does Sasha see?
    Command, Blustering, Embrace

    My food arrived, a milky colored porridge with junks of something in it. Avyne looked at it with a frown and went back to sipping her ale. I took a swig of my own and regretted it almost instantly. If the food tasted like the ale I was going to be hungry later.

    I returned my gaze to the common area and watched all the people. I wasn’t nearly as good as reading folks as Nyx, he had a second nature about those things. He always seemed to get it right, knew how people would react. We often made a game of it.

    The man continued to puff up against Austin who sat there calmly while the man tried to intimidate him. The crowd watched intently.

    Austin looked up at the blustering man and shook his head. “Seriously, sit down and have a drink.”

    The man backed down and wrapped his arms around Austin and squeezed tightly. “Been a while. Bringing some brats through again?”

    “Yep. One came through last night.”

    The room grew quiet and the big man looked around the room and leaned in, “That glowing fuck?”

    “That would be him.”

    “He put me to sleep.”

    Austin quirked a smile. “I suppose that’s what happens when you try to scare a kid who coulda burnt your whole place down with one accidental hiccup.”

    I smirked. Nyx definitely could have done that.

    Rhesus jumped in then, “He coulda done it on purpose too. Sleep sounds preferable.” He laughed. “And he’s such a tiny thing, got the best of you.”

    The night eased down with Austin at home in the Tipsy Ant. Avyne nodded to get my attention and I drew my eyes to her. “Watch, and tell me what you see in the morning. Bright and early by the lake. Austin is aware of your interlude here.”

    So I sat there and watched things in the inn until Austin went up to his rooms. Rhesus and I followed to our own rooms.

    [!note]
    Sasha will have some observations as he succeeded on his perception roll. What they are will be in the next scene.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 21

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 21

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 5 – The 17th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Lunaday.
    Weather:(1d20: [10] = 10)
    Overcast
    Moon: 17 -> not quite the full moon
    Terrain: Plains
    (1d100: [56] = 56)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [16] = 16)

    Q: Does anything happen on this day?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Arid, Native, Fair

    [!note]
    In the tiny fairy village of Atmos there is a fair celebrating

    Recovery Rolls:
    1d6+1: [5]+1 = 6

    Morning drew the sun above the horizon and sleep was had. Bellies were full and we were off onto our next leg of travel.

    Travel was boring, even with Seralina and Cimmeris chatting away with Xit chittering in my ear. It was nice to have companions but I missed Sasha. I watched his purple dot as he drew near the village I had just left. I wished him good look and better fair than I had. Hopefully they would have better luck than he did.

    My day of travel was mostly uneventful, the sky overcast and looked like rain, but the sky never deluged any of its water upon us. By mid afternoon, the skies were only mildly threatening and faint sounds of whimsical music floated on the air.

    The plains were far more boring than the forest, and the creatures few and further between. The landscape was flat as far as the eye could see. The grass touched my ankles on Thunderbolt’s sides and the wind carried the faint tunes to our ears even though there was nothing in sight.

    But despite the view, the sound grew louder. The music was festive and happy and small.

    Very small.

    Seralina and Xit sat and listened and craned their heads to find the source. Cimmeris chuckled softly to himself. “It’s fairies you nitwits.”

    “Where?” Seralina asked looking around us.

    “On the ground most likely.” I said. “We should walk a bit slower so we don’t squash anything.” I dismounted and drew Thunderbolt behind me by his reins carefully watching where we step so as not to devastate a colony of fairies.

    That could be bad.

    Xit fluttered as the sounds grew louder near the mushroom patch we approached. He jumped with eagerness and joy and pointed a long clawed finger in the direction he saw fairies.

    We could have stayed to watch but I took a wide berth around the mushroom patch and avoided contact. I didn’t want to disturb their festivities, nor anger them by some stupid thing I did or said. After last night I was feeling a little out of sorts.

    We made our way east following the path laid out before us. And in the distance a dark lake of mud and muck came into view. We were still far from the swamp but we were nearing our destination — my destination.

    Just before the land turned soggy and wet we stopped for the night. It might be our last dry night for a while and I intended to sleep well at least for once.

    Night 5 – The 17th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Lunaday.
    Weather:(1d20: [10] = 10)
    Warm
    Moon: 17 -> not quite the full moon
    Terrain: Plains, edge of swamp
    (1d100: [71] = 71)
    Water Feature -> edge of swamp
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)

    Q: Does anything happen during the fifth night?
    (1d20+0: [6]+0 = 6)
    No

    The night wasn’t much more eventful than the prior days journey. I slept and our resident shade elemental trapped in a skull watched. Maybe because of his dark presence the creatures of the dark avoided us? Or maybe there was nothing around. But I was grateful that I was able to sleep and dream of Sasha.

    We share a small friendly conversation through the map and told each other we were both alright. Everything would be alright. I hoped Sasha’s stay in the village was better than mine. I still had a bit of traveling to do so I called it a night and slept till the sun peaked over the horizon.

    Day 6 – The 18th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Serenday.
    Weather: (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Precipitation
    Moon: 18 -> waxing gibbous
    Terrain: Swamp
    (1d100: [68] = 68)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [14] = 14)

    Q: Does anything happen at the start of the morning?
    (1d20+0: [16]+0 = 16)
    Yes

    Q: Is it weather related?
    (1d20+0: [10]+0 = 10)
    Maybe

    Q: Is the swamp thick with ug?
    (1d20+0: [2]+0 = 2)
    No, and Slice, Mammoth, Twisted

    The sun rose and breakfast was had. Nothing major but enough to fill our bellies and keep moving for the rest of the day.

    The rain started shortly after we started our journey and the dry land gave way to sticky slurppy mud. Day six was going to be slower than the the others.

  • Monster Hunting

    Monster Hunting

    So I have a new idea. I want to hunt monsters again. We are thinking a cross between Shadowhunters and Supernatural. Where magic is real but hidden still, and there is a type of monster that ‘infects’ humans and that’ what people hunt. (shadowhunters demons) But there is a secret society which does hunt these monsters and other normals who hunt them because they’ve been touched by them in some manner — usually tragic (supernatural men of letters/hunters).

    While I think I’ve talked AJ into at least creating Alex and I in the world and writing up the base world to which we can play in, we are wondering if you’d be confused if we switched back to that for a while. And them maybe in the near future we can pick up where we left off, or intertwine the two without confusion.

    I’m not unhappy. Except in that maybe it’s boring because I already know Alex in this new adventure.

    I dunno just new idea. Shiny. I do miss the modern world though.

    Let me know your thoughts.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 20

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 20

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Night 4 – The 16th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Auraday.
    Weather:(1d20: [10] = 10)
    Clear
    Moon: 16 -> just past the full moon
    Terrain: Darkwell
    (1d100: [89] = 89)
    Interesting Feature -> Dying Lake
    Developer: NPC Enabler
    Moan, Vision, Medicine
    (1d20: [19] = 19)

    Q: Anything interesting happen during the night?
    (1d20+0: [16]+0 = 16)
    Yes

    Q: Does someone come to Nyx’s door?
    (1d20+0: [10]+0 = 10)
    Maybe

    Q: Are they hurt?
    (1d20+0: [20]+0 = 20)
    Yes, and Diversion, Check, Indication

    Q: Is the hurt person a diversion to steal from Nyx?
    (1d20+0: [20]+0 = 20)
    Yes, and Wine, Maximum, Noise

    The room was a hole in the wall, about the size of the door itself, barely any walking room, but it had a bed and a basin to wash up in. Not that I really needed that, between my magic and Seralina, water was pretty common place for us. A heated bath was easy when you could heat the thing without effort.

    But I plopped down in the bed and glanced at the notes Sasha had left and scribbled my own.

    Wishing you were here.

    I tried to sleep but the noise carried up through the floorboards. People shambled across the floor above me, and down the hall clattering and knocking things over. Sleep was far and few between. But I did manage to rest my eyes just long enough that when a big burly man barged into my room with his cock hanging out and his pants around his ankle and a girl struggling to get away in his large hand.

    “Oh good. Another one.” He said as he flung the girl in my direction.

    She landed on top of me in a crying heap, pleading. “Please, leave me alone.”

    I quickly shielded the girl behind me and stood up bearing the shroud of flames once I was away from the bed.

    “I think you need to leave.” I said.

    The man glared at me.

    [!danger] NPC
    L8 Brute HP 33, damage 4 L6 intellect defense
    disposition: Amorous/Drunk
    loot: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [1] = 1
    L8 Nullification ray: The user can immediately end one ongoing effect within long range that is produced by an artifact, cypher, or special ability. (393)

    Initiative:

    • Nyx 1d20: [5] = 5
    • Brute 1d20: [17] = 17

    Round 1

    Brute attacks Nyx: hindered by pants around his ankles & Xit is stabbing at him with his tiny dagger
    Q: Speed Defense (eased x2) (18)
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Nyx 4 damage
    2 damage to Brute

    Nyx casts a sleep spell on the Brute
    Use L3 Sleep inducer cypher
    Brute is hindered by being drunk
    Q: Intellect Attack (hindered) (15)
    (1d20: [17] = 17)
    Success
    Damage +1
    Developer: PC Inhibitor
    Armies, Country, Common
    (1d20: [13] = 13)

    The man trips over his pants around his legs as he advances but he clobbers me in the face none-the-less. But as he falls I reach out and cast a sleeping spell, chanting the foreign words as he stumbles and the utterly collapses on the floor as the spell takes effect.

    The smell of fermenting ale and piss permeate from the man and the girl moves to kick him.

    I drop the flames and grab her arm, whispering calmly to her, “If you do that you’ll wake him. Let’s just get out of here.”

    I step around the fallen man quietly and help the girl over his wide chest. Xit grabs my things and hopes on my shoulder offering the backpack to me. “Sorry, guys, no bed tonight.”

    And we slip out the back door with the girl in tow.

    She follows me to the edge of town looking back nervously.

    “Can I come with you?”

    I stop and turn. Blinking in confusion at the request. “Don’t you have a family here?”

    She shook her head, then looked back. “No.” She looked like she wanted to say something more, but her nerves got the better of her. “I should get back.” she said. “He’ll notice I’m gone.”

    “You can’t go back to him!”

    She bit her bottom lip and started to cry. The tears streamed down her dirty face and I sighed. “You can come with me, but it’s no place for someone like you.”

    The words weren’t out of my mouth before she was reaching up to throw a punch. Her fist landed squarely in my nose and I rocked backwards. My companions were chuckling, Seralina was giggling raucously from her urn as she watched from the crack in the ceramic.

    “You’re crazy!” She said running off into the direction we had fled.

    Me? I’m the crazy one? Whatever I sighed and started east again. I needed away from this town. I supposed I would have to hunt for some more rations.

    I gave a simple whistle and Thunderbolt whined. I walked away from the town never looking back. There were no shouts and screams as Thunderbolt joined me on my walk.

    Q: Does anyone follow Nyx?
    (1d20+0: [2]+0 = 2)
    No, and Percussive, Guest, Seat

    After about an hour of walking I found a place to settle in for the night. Thunderbolt grazed nearby, happy to be free from the stables. He never liked being tied up anyway.

    A bit away from my camp I set up a snare in the hopes that I might catch a rabbit or prairie dog or something — anything really. Food was going to be hard to come by sooner rather than later.

    Q: Anything happen in the night?
    (1d20+0: [10]+0 = 10)
    Maybe

    Q: Someone from the village find him?
    (1d20+0: [4]+0 = 4)
    No

    Q: Snare catch something bigger than vermin?
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but Guide, Beast, Slave

    A sound woke me from my dreams — good dreams of Sasha and me back home mixed with the kiss from the pond. It was a good dream and I blinked awake startled by a woman sitting at my dying fire. Hunched over cooking a rabbit on a skewer.

    “Figured you might need some food since you left in a hurry.” She said.

    “Do I know you?” I said. She looked familiar in the flickering firelight.

    She shook her head. “No. But I know you. Nyx U’rah de’Saleh, a child of the phoenix. A rare child.”

    “How do you know who I am?”

    “I’ve watched you. You and your changeling friend. We’ve kept an eye on you.”

    “You’re the person Sasha’s supposed to meet in Darkwell.” I guessed.

    Her smile was bright. “He told you?”

    I shook my head. “No. I saw the note in his backpack when I left mine.” I looked upon the woman’s person, but things were hard to see in the flickering light, but she wore an black gem around her throat. She was
    part of the Obsidian Syndicate. And she’d been watching us both?

    “Why are you helping me?”

    She gave me a warm smile and handed me the rabbit on a stick. “It is in my best interest to do so. You are a smart kid, getting away from the village was your best move. Keep going. I’ll make sure Sasha knows you are alright.”

    She left a bag at the edge of the fire and lopped off into the darkness.

    Xit was first to the bag and bringing it to me with a chittering of happiness.

    Contents of the bag:
    1d6 meals 1d6: [6] = 6
    1d4 inexpensive pocket items 1d4: [1] = 1
    1d4 Cypher 1d4: [4] = 4
    Nyx takes:

    • L7 Nutrition and Hydration: The user can go without food and water for a number of days equal to the cypher’s level without ill effect. (393)
    • L7 Detonation: Projects a small physical explosive up to a long distance away that explodes in an immediate radius, inflicting Heat drain (cold) damage equal to the cypher’s level.(386)

    A few meals and trinkets were wrapped neatly in the bowels of the sack. All of which I put into my backpack and continued my rest. I still had a long ways to go before we were where I needed to be.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 19

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 19

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Night 4 – The 16th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Auraday.
    Weather:(1d20: [14] = 14)
    Cold
    Moon: 16 -> just past the full moon
    Terrain: Plains
    (1d100: [47] = 47)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [18] = 18)

    Watch Order: Sasha/Rhesus, Austin/Kis

    Q: Anything happen during Sasha’s watch? 
    (1d20+0: [7]+0 = 7)
    No

    Q: During Austin and Kis?
    (1d20+0: [7]+0 = 7)
    No

    Day 5 – The 17th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Lunaday.
    Weather:(1d20: [14] = 14)
    Warm
    Moon: 17 -> not quite a full moon
    Terrain: Plains
    (1d100: [44] = 44)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    Luck, Fortune, Ruined
    (1d20: [9] = 9)

    Q: Does anything waylay their path?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Blood, Command, Hollow

    [!danger] Creature
    L5 Hollow HP 16, damage 7

    [!note]
    Hollow was sent by Darreh Cazendi to kill Xit and return the skull to him.

    We stopped for the night in the middle of an open plain. It looked like it might have had other camps, the grass was flattened, and the pile of embers hadn’t been overgrown. Maybe it was Nyx’s camping spot.

    I imagined where he might have sat, what he might have done. As the sun faded I saw scorch marks on the ground and wondered what might have happened. But even through my half of the watch nothing of note took place, nothing to tell me what might have happened to Nyx on his stay here.

    I kept his last note on the margin and added another.

    Sleep well and dream of me. I’ll meet you there.

    Nyx didn’t reply, sleep had probably taken him — in a bed with warm food in his belly. Needless to say I missed his warmth on the cool spring night.

    Kis woke me when the sun rose, I was lost in the dreams of my fiery pretty boy and wishing I never had to wake from them. The day was bright and sleep had been restful if not comfortable. Even Rhesus looked better for a few hours of shut eye. Maybe the spoiled brat was getting used to living on the road — doubtful, but one could only hope.

    We made breakfast and headed east where Nyx was already moving. Tonight I’d get a bed. If we kept up pace and weren’t stopped by anything out of the ordinary.

    Much of the morning went well. Much of the afternoon as well. The sounds of the plains was predominately silence, but something eerily slithered over my skin as we moved into the evening hours.

    A dark swath of dying grass laid before us. The rustled of the brittle leaves cut off in the wind and disintegrated as we passed through.

    Austin knocked his arrow and I readied myself for a battle. Rhesus who was on point did nothing more than look about.

    In the distance a dark figure shambled towards the town of Darkwell, that had come into view only a minute before we saw its shadowed guise.

    All of us dismounted and Austin loosed his arrow at the shambling creature. Better to kill it now then let it get to town. And Rhesus prepares with a charging run. Kis takes the horses and stays out of the way like a good little kobold squire.

    Initiative:

    • Sasha 1d20: [18] = 18
    • Austin 1d20: [7] = 7
    • Rhesus 1d20: [6] = 6
    • Hollow 1d20: [16] = 16

    Surprise Attack -> Austin:
    Q: Attack with bow (eased x2) (6)
    (1d20: [19] = 19)
    Success
    Minor effect or Damage +3
    Hollow: 16 -> 4 + 3 damage HP: 9

    Round 1

    Sasha: Far Step behind the creature Hollow
    Hollow turns and attacks Sasha:
    Q: Speed Defense (15)
    (1d20: [17] = 17)
    Success
    Damage +1
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)
    Rhesus closes the distance to the Hollow
    Austin Attacks the Hollow
    Q: Bow Attack (eased) (12)
    (1d20: [14] = 14)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)
    Hollow: HP -> 5

    Round 2

    Q: Sasha attacks with his dagger (eased x2) (9)
    (1d20: [2] = 2)
    Fail
    Developer: PC Enabler
    Arid, Pleasant, Gaping
    (1d20: [15] = 15)

    Hollow attacks Sasha
    Q: Speed Defense (15)
    (1d20: [13] = 13)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [16] = 16)
    Sasha takes 6 damage

    Q: Rhesus attacks Hollow (15)
    (1d20: [17] = 17)
    Success
    Damage +1
    Developer: PC Inhibitor
    Malodorous, Release, Original
    (1d20: [13] = 13)
    Hollow dead (8 damage)

    Q: Rhesus tries to stop raging (6)
    (1d20: [17] = 17)
    Success
    Damage +1
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [18] = 18)

    Sasha Recovery Roll (action): 1d6+1: [6]+1 = 7

    The arrow flies true and deals a massive amount of damage as the thing shambles around and meets me at the edge of my shadow walk. It wasn’t the first time I’d used the power and it was always a little disorienting for both me and the creature. It’s swing missed as I stumbled. Rhesus continued his charge, while Austin’s next arrow landed dead in an eye socket, but it continued it’s onslaught of claws on my body and raked across my chest as I stumbled from the stepping before.

    Rhesus axe cleaved the creature clean in two when he drew near enough to swing without hitting me. The look on his face was pure rage. Blood red eyes and his face nearly matched the color of his eyes. He turned his gaze upon me and I took a step back. He’d lost control before — not on this mission, but before, in training.

    I saw the switch in his mind when it flipped. The rage oozed from his body and left him weak and concerned for what he did.

    “Just the thing is dead. It’s okay.” I reassured him.

    Rhesus looked at me and the injury. “I’m fine.” I said. “I’ll heal.”

    Wasn’t as bad as it looked, nor felt, but it would ache and might leave a scar. Chicks dug scars so the saying went. I wondered what Nyx’s thoughts on scars were. Or even what he’d think of the less then ideal body beneath the dark clothes. As a changeling my body was non-descript in its origin. Nothing to write home about. No amount of working out would change the musculature. I could learn to hold the form, but my skills there didn’t work as well — not yet. Maybe someday as I learned more about it. But that was difficult when you didn’t have a changeling teacher. It was part instinct, but there was skill involved too.

    Kis returned to us with our horses and we all mounted and headed into town. Darkwell was a shit hole if you asked me. Nothing looked right. And I had a person to meet. Things to do. But I glanced at the map and watched as Nyx’s orange glowing dot got further from me. I had a choice to make.

  • Independent TTRPG Month

    Independent TTRPG Month

    So there is a trend starting, hopefully, with July being Independent TTRPG Month. You can watch the YouTube video linked in order to hear what I’m talking about.

    In addition to Tagging my posts in July with NaNoWriMo I’ll tag with Independent TTRPG Month as well. Maybe we can start a trend here on WordPress and other blogging platforms with YouTube and Twitch.

    I’m not a gamer, but AJ is definitely getting involved in solo play and is loving Cypher System and her homegrown mechanics for playing my games. And to be honest as long as I’m front and center I don’t care how the words flow.

    Though I did give Alex the option to being hero, he said, I’m good. I knew he was good already — great as a matter of fact, but still it’s good to know he’s happy in his role. I’d gladly give him some hero action. AJ does have some stuff in the works for Sasha I think. We’ll see how the dice roll. We are definitely enjoying the randomness and the kinda sorta direct line approach we got going on.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 18

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 18

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 4 – The 16th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Auraday.
    Weather:(1d20: [14] = 14)
    Warm
    Moon: 16 -> just past the full moon
    Terrain: Plains
    (1d100: [71] = 71)
    Water Feature -> unmapped lake
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [14] = 14)

    Recovery: 1d6+1: [4]+1 = 5

    Q: Does Nyx have any encounters in the morning
    (1d20+0: [6]+0 = 6)
    No

    Q: Anything in the afternoon?
    (1d20+0: [13]+0 = 13)
    Yes

    Q: Does it have to do with Darkwell?
    (1d20+0: [18]+0 = 18)
    Yes

    The might was fitful, the dreams were the same. I was a sacrifice to Ardere, the Great Phoenix. The same Phoenix that I’d been in the vision in the fire. The glowing lines on my body were cut into my skin, healed by the power of the phoenix and what gave me my power. That was what the dreams told me. But were they real?

    Or were they just figments of my imagination.

    I knew of only one place that could help — The Church of the Phoenix. Saleh had forbidden me from talking to the cult in Oceana. But after this initiation I could do what I wanted. I would speak to the high priestess there in town when we got back.

    But for now I had to find that staff and venture forth into the world alone, well with my new found friends. Kinda anyway. I missed Sasha. I wished I hadn’t left. But I couldn’t back down now, no matter how much I wanted to. I just wanted to be with Sasha. He wanted to be with me.

    I glanced at the note left in the margins and wondered what he was doing as he rode through the forest. What would they see that I didn’t in the dark.

    My day was uneventful. Seralina and Cimmeris chatted in their respective vessels while Xit flit around us on his wings, sometimes perching on Thunderbolt’s head or rump to rest. It was oddly quiet through our journey, much more enjoyable now.

    We stopped for a midday meal, and then started again. Nothing happened on the plains it seemed. They were boring and flat and not even a tree in sight.

    The village ahead came into view at least an hour before we reached it. The closer we drew to the village, the darker the sky felt, and not just because the sun was setting. There was a heavy weight upon the village. Everything felt suffocating to me.

    Even my other companions felt it, at least their chatter stopped and Seralina hid in her urn away from prying eyes as we stepped onto the dirt road that lead north away from the village, but we went past the nearly abandoned farms into the village proper. Xit hid in my saddle bags. My friends left me to fend for myself it seemed. Thunderbolt danced nervously as we trod through the street. The lake beyond the village was black. I imagined it was just as dark in the daylight as it was in the fading sun.

    Q: Does anyone approach Nyx?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Unsophisticated, Awful, Familiar

    [!danger] NPC
    L6 Stubborn Bodyguard who Spies on Slavers HP 17, damage 10, L7 stealth, L7 information gathering
    disposition: Joyous
    loot: 2 inexpensive items

    Q: Knows about Sasha’s Involvement with the Obsidian Syndicate? (9)
    (1d20: [17] = 17)
    Success
    Damage +1
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [16] = 16)

    Q: Recognizes the Theives Cant used by the Obsidian Syndicate? (9)
    (1d20: [16] = 16)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [18] = 18)

    I wasn’t halfway to the tower before a guard was on me, sword drawn with the smell of foul swill ale emanating from their breath as they spoke. “Halt. Who goes there?” Followed by a snicker at the cliché words spoken.

    I dismounted Thunderbolt and he danced as I calmed him before approaching the dwarven woman who bore the crest of the Vanguard on her chest, but the black gem in her left ear spoke of the Obsidian Syndicate. I wasn’t sure exactly what it meant, but Sasha carried an uncut stone around his neck like it. Sasha thought I hadn’t been paying attention to things. That I didn’t know he was to be initiated into their ranks. I didn’t care much, but Trevan liked to talk about Sasha when he thought I wasn’t in ear shot.

    The dwarf looked up at me with her dull green eyes and gave me a stout smile. “I remember you. You’re friends with Sasha — that little shape shifter!” She clapped me on the small of my back. “He ain’t with ye?” She asked looking around for any of my companions.

    I shook my head. “I’m scouting ahead.” I lied.

    Q: Deceive the dwarf (9)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)

    She nodded as though that was something that might happen. It wasn’t exactly a lie, but I wasn’t planning on waiting around for Sasha either.

    “Is there any place in town I can buy some food for the road?” I asked.

    “Sure, sure. The Tipsy Ants is the only place to stay and find food for travelers.” She laughed. “I’m heading there now. Let me take you.” She grabbed Thunderbolts reins and he jerked out of her hand and nuzzled my elbow.

    “Feisty one.” She laughed.

    I took his reins back in my hands and followed next to the dwarven woman. “I’m Nyx by the way.”

    She looked up at me with a frown. “I knew I knew your name. Daldroni Steelforged, but most people call me Roni.”

    “A pleasure.” I said.

    Roni lead me to the Tipsy Ant. Darkwell wasn’t that big. It was smaller than Oceana, but Oceana didn’t have as many residents as this small village. It was a school after all. And this was not. The Vanguard Institute took care of the instructors and villagers who lived there, it was rich in comparison.

    The door swung open and the smell of swill ale and body odor poured out. I nearly gagged as I tied Thunderbolt to the post and waited for the stable boy to begin tending to the horse. I took my saddle bags which included the urn and skull trinkets of my companions and the little imp sat on my shoulder.

    Roni stared at the small leathery creature. “What be that?”

    “That’s Xit. He’s a friend, and he won’t bother anyone.”

    And the moment I stepped into the raucous scene it quieted and all eyes turned to the glowing stranger with an imp on his shoulder. But Xit was the least of my concerns.

    Q: Does anyone do anything when Nyx walks in?
    (1d20+0: [2]+0 = 2)
    No, and Twisted, Cover, Pattern

    Glares and stares were the only greeting, but the room didn’t return to the noise level it had. Whispers filled the room. “Look at the stranger.” “What’s that on his shoulder?” “He’s fucking on fire.”

    I ignored what I could of the hushed whispers and approached the bar. “I need a room, a meal and some travel rations if you have any for tomorrow.”

    The man at the bar grumped at me then nodded as he headed into the kitchen for a moment and returned with a bowl of gruel. It looked cold and congealed and worse than what I had left of my travel rations. This was going to be a long night.

    “Three pence for the food. An eagle for the room. Rations I can sell ya tomorrow.” He said.

    I handed over the coin and he handed me a key with a wooden toggle with room number burnt into it. Xit clicked in my ear and the others were eager to be free of their confines so I made my way up to our room. I didn’t want to linger long. Everyone stared at me. I would have to be extra cautious over the night. Last thing I needed was to be accosted in my sleep.

    Though short of staying awake I wasn’t sure how best to handle that situation. But for now food and seeing the accommodations. I didn’t expect much.

  • Happy Birthday to Me!

    Happy Birthday to Me!

    So in my original world I was born in 1992. That makes me 31 today! Fuck I’m getting old.

    Photo by Cup of Couple on Pexels.com

    But I wanted to say, we haven’t stopped writing. AJ was off last week and got on a Mass Effect kick and played the whole Trilogy in a week. So we are feeling the effects of romance, story and dead characters. AJ picked up writing the next session of play today, probably won’t get it till tomorrow as we aren’t through with it yet. But we will be back in the next few days.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 17

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 17

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Night 2:– The night 15th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Fierday.
    Moon: 15 -> Full Moon
    Weather: Warm
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d100: [63] = 63)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain

    Watch: Alex & Rhesus, Austin & Kis

    Q: Anything happen on Sasha’s watch?
    (1d20+0: [17]+0 = 17)
    Yes

    Q: Does something attack?
    (1d20+0: [10]+0 = 10)
    Maybe

    Q: Does Rhesus cause a problem?
    (1d20+0: [6]+0 = 6)
    No

    Q: Are there glowing eyes?
    (1d20+0: [20]+0 = 20)
    Yes, and Health, Scary, Possession

    The messages from Nyx were nice. I still needed to follow him, to go after him. But I might worry less, I knew where he was. I could talk to him, which was absolutely amazing. Whatever spell he did, he should do on a journal and then we can always have each other nearby. Not that the map wasn’t comforting. The added words seconds later made me smile. He hesitated, not because he didn’t feel that way, but because he knew me. Knew I might run. I said it first. I had. I meant it and my heart swooned.

    Everyone one else was bedding down and I stayed up for first watch. Austin pointed to Rhesus, you take this watch too. No one sits alone. Kis and I will take second.

    “Why are you in charge now?” Rhesus complained.

    “Because you won’t take a shift if I didn’t say so.” Austin said.

    The brat just glared at him but he sat down next to me and Austin and Kis drifted into their bed and off to sleep.

    “What’s the grin for?” Rhesus asked.

    I shook my head. “Just happy.”

    “Why do you like him anyway? He’s weird.” Rhesus said looking away from the fire and into the darkness.

    “He is weird, but he’s also nice and sweet. And honestly, he’s hot as fuck.” I said.

    “You don’t mean that literally.” Rhesus said, a slight reddish hue to his ears.

    “You’ve noticed as well. Is that why you hate him so much?” I asked. “And hate me because I’m his friend. Can’t get him?”

    “He’s pretty blinded by you.” Rhesus intoned with a bit of anger.

    A pair of glowing eyes peaked through the shadows. I nodded in the direction of the tree it perched in. Rhesus turned and eyed it and shouted. “Get!” He tossed his arms in the arm and whatever flying creature had been fluttered away in a hurry — didn’t want to be bothered by the annoying brat of a boy.

    “You didn’t have to scare it away. It was just an owl.”

    “Just like last night it was just a bee.”

    “A wasp but it wasn’t attacking us this time.”

    “Probably only attacked cause Nyx was here.” Rhesus grumbled, “He seems all sorts of trouble magnet.”

    I chuckled. I didn’t deny that. He was trouble, that was for sure. It always seemed to find him.

    Rhesus nodded off several times. I tossed a rock at his feet two times before I gave up and let him snore. It was nice having quiet time. I could think about Nyx and the map. And I could wonder what was in store for me in Darkwell. I missed Nyx when a strong gust of wind nearly gutted the fire, but it fought as much as Nyx might and it made me smile.

    The moon was high in the night as full as it could possibly be. It lit up the small clearing we stayed in. And the fire was only needed for warmth — and to keep the vermin at bay I supposed. I definitely didn’t want to see it die in the night.

    I shifted Austin awake for his turn, and Kis too. Rhesus was sleeping sitting up and I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him so I left him so I could sleep for real — it wasn’t my bed at home, and it wasn’t a shared space with Nyx. And it was only the second night I’d really spent away from him that I could remember. He was always there waiting for me. And I missed his warmth and presence of mind.

    Q: does anything happen on second watch?
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but Banter, Accident, Admission

    My dreams were filled with sexy times with Nyx. Things we’d never done, things I honestly never really dreamed about until now. He was always my friend, always like a brother. I had feelings of course. But never thought about his towards me, how much we had changed in the past few years.

    Why hadn’t I seen that he had been growing and showing me he wasn’t a burden. Why didn’t he just tell me?

    Between the naughty bits there was romance. Our friendship was built on it in a weird way. Always friends, always together. My dreams reminded me that there had always been more. And I had fucked it up with a shitty reaction to his escaping powers. Except it wasn’t really — was it? He wanted to prove himself. I’d let him. He needed it. I didn’t.

    The sun peaked it’s head and I groaned through the thickness of a restless sleep. My back ached and my knees were stiff. I think I needed a good walk.

    “Maybe we should walk a little today.” I said stretching my body like I was about to get in the sparring ring. I ached all over.

    Austin agreed. “That sounds like a plan. Which way we heading.”

    I glanced at the map and notice a lightly drawn X over top of the tower. Nyx warning me from it I supposed. “Eastward I guess. Though we might see a tower, Nyx says we shouldn’t go there. Or at least that’s what I’m assuming the light X means.”

    I glanced at the three words still in the margins and grinned. I couldn’t wait to see him again.

    Day 4 – The 16th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Auraday.
    Weather:(1d20: [14] = 14)
    Warm
    Moon: 16 -> just past the full moon
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d100: [66] = 66)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: And…
    Cover, Carry, Rusty
    (1d20: [4] = 4)

    Q: Is there morning interrupted with anything
    (1d20+0: [15]+0 = 15)
    Yes

    Q: Is it in the forest?
    (1d20+0: [15]+0 = 15)
    Yes

    Q: Is there a creature?
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but Break, Web, Wary
    GM Intrusion

    The rain and clouds had disappeared and our morning was bright and sunny. I was grateful for no rain. I was much happier drier than wet. Soggy clothes sucked.

    We headed in the direction Nyx had traveled. The forest got eeriley quiet as I led the party through the seemingly never ending wood. The trees grew closer together, the sun didn’t peak through the canopy and there were no animal sounds in the trees.

    “Somethings around here.” I said quietly.

    Kis sniffed at the air and growled softly. “Eight legs.”

    How the hell did he know how many legs were out there? And then I saw the first web that stretched high in the limbs above. “Spiders. And big ones from the looks of those webs.”

    Austin shushed us. “Quiet. And be on the guard.”

    Rhesus edged his axe from the loop on his back and I freed a dagger on my belt. Austin was knocking an arrow as we moved through the forest as quietly and as quickly as possible.

    Q: Do the spiders attack?
    (1d20+0: [4]+0 = 4)
    No

    I felt my heart in my throat. It was the only sound I heard other than the clip-clop of the horses hooves on the ground.

    I wasn’t sure when the sounds of the forest returned, and the trees started to lessen as we looked out on to the plains. A tower in the distance was visible. “We need to avoid that too.” I said. No telling what was there. And I wasn’t in the mood to go near a fucking tower my more than brave friend said to stay away from.

    So that was what we did. We went around the tower in a wide berth, always keeping it in view but never going close enough to it. We didn’t want any trouble. I just wanted to get this fucking staff and get the fuck back to Nyx.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 16

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 16

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Night 2:– The night 15th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Fierday.
    Moon: 15 -> Full Moon
    Weather: Warm
    Terrain: Plains
    Developer: PC Enabler
    Itch, Obligation, Metal
    (1d20: [15] = 15)

    No watch

    Q: Does anything interrupt their sleep?
    (1d20+0: [20]+0 = 20)
    Yes, and Escape, Overexcited, Possession

    [!note] Note
    An imp with a possessed skull crashes through their camp. Imp escaped from the tower Nyx saw to the south. And the skull is possessed by a Shade Elemental

    The plains were empty for as far as the eye could see. Stopping might as well be anytime. I found a flat spot and cleared the grass from the area so not to start a fire. Though that was always a possiblity with me around.

    We settled into the middle of nowhere in the middle of the plains under the starry sky to rest. I sat by the fire and sketched the tower I’d seen earlier and noticed the note in the margin.

    I love you. I’m sorry. Come back.

    I bit my bottom lip and my heart beat faster. I erased the note and scribbled my own note.

    You do? I need to do this. Trust me.

    There was a slight delay before the message disappeared and Sasha returned a response.

    I do. You will come back to me?

    I didn’t have to think about it. I was erasing and scribbling.

    Always.

    I paused a few moments and scribbled a few more words on the map in the margin.

    I love you.

    I curled up staring at the map. Seralina sang softly in her urn. She was enjoying the adventure. Tomorrow would be better.

    Q: Does Nyx dream?
    (1d20+0: [19]+0 = 19)
    Yes, and Portal, Duty, Performance
    GM Intrusion

    I drifted off to sleep and woke to the fire and chanting. A screaming child in the distant and the soft cry of a mother nearby. The chant was in a strange language, one that the dreamer didn’t understand, but for some reason I could.

    The crowd chanted “Ardere. Great Phoenix.”

    While the man dressed in fiery feathers and a beaked hood spoke from a book. “I summon thee Our God. Our savior. Come burn the heretics. Come with the offering.”

    A baby, not barely a few months old was held above the man’s head. The child’s skin ran with blood with lines that looked like feathers.

    My eyes shot open and I sat up in my bedroll. I pulled my sleeves of the dark cloth from my skin and saw the lines that ran with blood. I stared at the lines in horrifying memory. But there was no time to reflect upon that as a howl nearby pulled my attention to the edge of the fire light. And the next second, barely any time to react an demon with wings carrying a skull dashed into our little clearing and through the fire. A wolf cashed through after it.

    The wolf was jet black with glowing red eyes.

    [!danger] Creature
    L7 Shadow Hound HP 25, damage 9 L8 stealth, L8 perception, fear of fire and light (takes double fire/radiant damage)

    L4 Cheerful Water Sprite who Adventures HP 17, damage 5, L5 deception, L5 charm

    Initiative:

    • Nyx 1d20: [2] = 2
    • Seralina 1d20: [18] = 18
    • Shadow Hound 1d20: [1] = 1

    Order: Seralina, Nyx, Shadow Hound

    Round 1

    Seralina holds

    Nyx pulls shroud of flame around him

    Shadow hound stops at the edge of the firelight and takes in all the fire.

    Q: Does the shadow hound run away when Nyx pulls out the fire halo?
    (1d20+0: [10]+0 = 10)
    Maybe

    Q: Does it attack?
    (1d20+0: [5]+0 = 5)
    No

    Seralina watched the shadowy wolf circle us as I pulled my power out and waved my hands in front of it. “Go away!”

    It cringed at my movement but stalked around us. The demon creature staying behind me crashing through the fire a second time. “Be careful. We don’t want to start a fire.”

    A voice boomed from seemingly nowhere. “Yes we do.”

    “No we don’t.” I said. I pulled upon the power and a ball of fire formed in my hands, the creature stared at me and then slinked back into the shadows. It bayed into the darkness and was gone — or so we hoped.

    That could have gone badly.

    I sighed as I sank to the ground and let the flames depart.

    “Handy trick.” The voice again boomed.

    “Where are you? Stop hiding.” I said softly.

    “Not hiding.” The winded demon said. It patted the skull. “Cimmeris, here.” It tapped its chest. “Xit.” Then pointed at me “You?”

    “Nyx.” I pointed to Seralina. “This is Seralina. What are you running from?”

    The skull chuckled. Or the voice did rather, the skulls only indication it was otherworldly was the shadowy fog that swirled in the eye sockets. “Our master sends his pets after us. He wants me back. And I refuse to go. Xit sat me down by the fire.”

    The small creature set the skull down and then it curled up next to it. “You have a horse. Take us with you. Once I’m freed I can offer a reward, but trapped in this infernal thing I’m nothing but a tool.”

    “How are you going to get free?” I asked.

    “Damned if I know. The Umbral equinox maybe? Might be thin enough to go home.”

    “When’s that?” I asked. This wasn’t precisely my understanding. Though I knew a little.

    “Ten months or more I gauge by the feel of the Shadow Plane, tis very close but on the far side.” Cimmeris said with sadness. “A long wait indeed. Plenty of time to repay you for your services here. What do you seek Nyx?”

    “I’m on a mission.” I said. “I suppose I could use help. But how is a skull supposed to help me.”

    “I am a powerful Shade Elemental, I retain some of my powers. And Xit can help. He is loyal to me. Easily persuaded though, so we will need to keep him happy too. I was lucky Darreh Cazendi is a horrible master.”

    “How do we keep him happy?”

    “Treat him well.”

    “I don’t have much food. We are going to have to stop.” I said. “What do you all eat?”

    We discussed food and travel arrangements and other things before I drifted back to sleep.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 15

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 15

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 3 – The 15th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Fierday.
    Weather:(1d20: [2] = 2)
    Precipitation
    Moon: 15 -> full moon
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d100: [21] = 21)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: PC Inhibitor
    Manage, Turgid, Banter
    (1d20: [13] = 13)

    Q: Does Sasha look for Nyx for more than an hour?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Orbit, Calm, Percussive

    Q: More than two?
    (1d20+0: [4]+0 = 4)
    No

    Q: Does Sasha rise with the sun ?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Express, Storm, Fetid

    I slept in fits. The ground was uncomfortable I was cold and my mind wouldn’t shut off. I thought about going after Nyx, but figured he was already asleep and he wouldn’t wander far. He never did.

    When the sun rose by the forest lined pool I was sure I’d find Nyx sleeping in his bedroll or sitting by the fire making breakfast. But he wasn’t there. Nothing of his was there. He’d run away — again.

    I didn’t bother waking the others, I searched the perimeter of the camp looking for signs.

    Q: Looking for tracks (hindered) (15)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [14] = 14)

    But this wasn’t my thing. I truly sucked at scouting. I wasn’t sure why I’d been assigned this task at all. But I made a spiral away from camp until I heard Austin.

    “Sasha!”

    He didn’t cry out Nyx’s name, maybe he was back!

    I rushed back to camp and my heart sank when my glowing friend was not present.

    Austin waved me to sit down. “He’s taken his horse and left. Do you know where he’d go?”

    I shook my head. “He doesn’t usually go far. But I can’t find his trail.”

    Austin handed me a cup of hot liquid. “It’ll wake you up and help with the hunger. He took the urn too, she said about three hours ago.”

    “We should get moving.” I said.

    Rhesus groaned still in his bedroll.

    “Get up you nit wit.” I shouted.

    But the spoiled brat didn’t move quickly or much at all.

    Q: Is something wrong with Rhesus?
    (1d20+0: [7]+0 = 7)
    No

    It was another hour or more before we were packed up and on the road. We all made sure to fill our waterskins with fresh water from the bond. It could heal us in a time of need, and it was refreshingly cool.

    As I packed up my horse I noticed my map sticking slightly out of my pack. It shouldn’t be. I unfurled the parchment and a torn not flit from the wrappings and settled on the ground.

    The paper threatened to get away but I grabbed it quickly. A note from Nyx. I read it slowly. It was simple yet, why the fuck would he think he’s a burden to me or anyone else. But Rhesus’ words had stung hard. And he’d started two fires in two days. Nyx was fragile when it came to the fire within. Stronger than most people knew, but words were stronger than any axe or bow when it came to Nyx’s self doubts. I sighed as I looked up at the map and the glowing orange dot that rapidly moved away from us. It wasn’t far.

    “I think he’s gone to do this thing by himself.”

    Rhesus shouted. “That’s not fair! He can’t have all the loot!”

    I rolled my eyes. Nyx didn’t care for any of that. He wasn’t rich, he wasn’t poor but he didn’t care for much outside his own personal happiness — and mine. He was always trying to make me happy. Fuck!

    “Maybe we can catch up to him?”

    Austin chuckled. “It looks like you both swapped roles. He’ll be our scout if we can follow behind him. And you get to be our navigator.”

    “Let’s go.” Rhesus demanded. “We have to catch him.”

    Q: Does anything hinder their travel?
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Oppress, Disease, Government

    We headed west in the direction we’d been going and past the former farmhouse. In the rain and winds of the past day, the house no longer stood as a structure. The fire weakened it if it did not burn it all away. We edged the clearing as far from it as we could. The lingering threat of whatever inside was not something we wanted to deal with. The water sprites words still lingering in our ears — my ears anyway.

    Nyx’s orange flicker on the map pulled away from us as we made our way through the forest. My heart beat hard in my chest. I worried for the frail boy I’d loved since I was a kid.

    Aurora knickered at my thought. I loved Nyx. And I never told him. And it weighed on my heart now that I might never see him again. What if he died?

    The longer the day drew on, the further Nyx pulled away from us. “He must be using magic to get farther from us.” I sighed.

    Austin pulled up alongside me on Whisper and looked at the map I held out for him to see. He nodded. “Looks that way. We follow in his wake. He’s a smart lad. He can take care of himself, and he’s the little water nymph with him to protect against fires. He’ll be fine.” Austin said patting me on the shoulder. “We need to focus on us.” He pointed to a ruin in the swamps. “This is where we are going. If you are right, that’s where he is heading. Keep us going this way, even if he goes another. If he forsakes the journey we can lie and say he died and we buried him. He has no family that will miss him — ‘cept you.”

    That was not a comforting thought as Austin pulled to catch up with Kis and Rhesus who were arguing about something. Probably how slow the pony moved. He was even less eager to learn that Nyx was pulling so far ahead. He wanted whatever treasure lie at the ends of this journey. Right now I just wanted to find Nyx.

    Terrain: Forest
    (1d100: [63] = 63)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain

    Q: Anything interesting make them stop?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Reflect, Shape, Luck

    Somewhere between midday and the sun setting an X appeared on the map. “Holy fuck!”

    Austin slowed Whisper and matched pace with me when I caught up. I showed him the map. “Whatever he marks shows up. It’s a bit jittery, he must be on his horse. I wonder what he saw?”

    “Maybe he’ll updated it when he stops?” Austin asked.

    “Sounds about right. That’s what he’s been doing. Marking all the spots.” I pointed to the wasp nest we encountered, the pond. “He’s marking down generalities for it all.”

    Austin chuckled, “It’s too bad that glowing dot doesn’t leave a trail. You two share quite the connection. Magic like this just doesn’t happen.”

    That was an interesting thought.

    We stopped for the night and I watched the glowing dot continue to move until the sun was below the trees. Nyx was in the wide open, alone.

    I grabbed my pencil from my pouch and wrote in the margin of the map. I hoped that it would work from myside too.

    I love you. I’m sorry. Come back.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 14

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 14

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 3 – The 15th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Fierday.
    Weather:(1d20: [2] = 2)
    Precipitation
    Moon: 15 -> full moon
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d100: [21] = 21)
    Nothing Special, continuing terrain
    Developer: PC Inhibitor
    Manage, Turgid, Banter
    (1d20: [13] = 13)

    Q: Should Nyx leave the party and go off on his own?
    (1d20+0: [20]+0 = 20)
    Yes, and Rusty, Manage, Few

    [!note] Author’s Note
    For a while now it has been in our head to separate Nyx from Sasha. So the above roll is that random determination because I’m torn. We love throwing in complications for the boys, but this might make following the writing that much harder. Definitely considering getting to a certain point with one and then getting the other to that same day and switch them back. So we’ll see how it goes. Not decided yet.

    “I hate you!” Sasha yelled.

    My eyes popped open and I found myself still sitting in a hollowed out tree where I’d taken shelter to come down from my embarrassment. The sun was still down, the glow of the forest was ominous and I felt lost and alone, even though I knew the camp wasn’t more than the other side of the thicket of trees.

    My heart raced, blood rushed to every part of my body and the power inside flickered with passion and heat of the dream I’d woken myself from. A simple kiss had hurt Sasha and my mind played horrible tricks on me. The whole thing was hard to shake. Sasha hating me was the worst thing in the world. He was my world. He had been since my very first memory. Saleh took care of us from infants left on the Institutes door step. We were like brothers — and then some. But there was always a distance between us. A distance we had closed in the water only for my power to spark between us hurting him. I ran away embarrassed, and Sasha hadn’t followed. Maybe he thought it was a mistake?

    I was a mistake?

    But I was more than that. I was a burden.

    I made my way back to camp in the dark silence of the night. Everyone slept in their bedrolls and I packed my things with ease. I wasn’t quite as stealthy as Sasha but I could hold my own.

    Q: Keep quiet while packing (12)
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Success
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    Request, Ability, Gap
    (1d20: [12] = 12)

    I picked up the urn and Seralina woke from her slumber inside. I held my finger to my lips and whispered. “Let’s go adventuring.”

    Q: Convince Seralina to be quiet (eased x2) (6)
    (1d20: [12] = 12)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)

    A wide smile grew across her lips and she perked up and stayed quiet as I tied the urn to the back of Thunderbolt.

    He stomped and pawed at the ground but otherwise made little noise as I finished preparing to leave. I took a piece of paper from my book and left Sasha a note.

    Sasha, I’m sorry. I’m going to prove to you I’m not a burden. ~Nyx

    Nyx spends 1XP for a Cypher that connects his and Sasha map so they always know where each other are.

    I rustled through Sasha’s bag and pulled out his map and I laid the two together and concentrated the powers Saleh taught me. It wasn’t something I’d cast before, but I knew in theory I could do it. The magic came easily in this place of magic and I connected the two maps. Twin dots, one a flaming orange and the other a dull purple shadow flickered on top of each other. I drew a pond on Sasha’s map and watched as it appeared on mine. Perfectly connected. I grinned at the magic around us and whispered, “Thank you.”

    A splash from the pool drew my attention and the water sprite smiled brightly at me before she dipped off into the water after waving at the two of us. She kept her silence, and watched as we both departed from the other side of the pool.

    The note was neatly rolled up in the map and I stuck it back in his backpack. I stared at his sleeping form for a moment longer before grabbing Thunderbolt’s reins and silently departing the clearing of the pond and heading out into the still glowing forest with I didn’t know how many hours of darkness ahead of me.

    Q: Does anything waylay Nyx and Seralina in their departure?
    (1d20+0: [6]+0 = 6)
    No

    Q: Does anything interrupt their journey during the day?
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Guest, Unthinking, Hollow

    Time before sunrise: 1d6: [3] = 3

    Nyx spends another 1XP to double his travel speed so he can out pace Sasha the first day

    They traveled in relative silence in the darkness. It was slow moving in the darkness and Nyx carefully watched the map as he parted ways from Sasha. When the sun finally rose there was only a small distance between them on the map.

    “We need to be further away.” I said mostly to the air.

    Seralina nodded. “The magic of the pool still resides in the water until the edge of the pool. We can do that.”

    I concentrated on the power of the urn and the affect I wished to create and soon Thunderbolt was flying through the forest, bounding in and out of bushes at double time. It was amazing. I tucked in low, close to Thunderbolt’s neck and guided him in the idea of the direction we needed to.
    Trees rustled around us, but we leapt through the air over the danger and Thunderbolt kept running. He was free and had the wind in his mane. He was alive. I felt it in waves.

    Seralina giggled behind me, holding on to her urn like it was her life boat, and perhaps it was. But she didn’t ask to stop, she laughed with as much glee as Thunderbolt ran. They were both free.

    And even in the spirit of the adventure I still felt like I was being a burden on Sasha — maybe even more now that he would be forced to look for me. He always wanted to take care of me. I sighed with sadness I already missed my best friend.

    The trees broke way into the plains.

    Terrain: Plains
    (1d100: [76] = 76)
    Interesting Feature -> Watch tower (1d100: [26] = 26)

    A tower of some sort to our south poked into view, but we kept riding. I did manage to mark a quick x on the map where it might be. I’d draw it proper when we stopped for the night.

    By the time the spell slowed the distance between our dots had grown further apart — almost double the distance. And the moon was nearing its peak.

    “We should stop and rest.”

    Thunderbolt whinnied.

    Seralina giggled softly, “I think he agrees.”

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 13

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 13

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Night 2:– The night 14th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Fierday.
    Moon: 14 -> Mostly Full Moon
    Weather: Overcast
    Terrain: Forest
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)

    No order of Watch

    Q: Does anything happen during the night?
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but Nothing, Suggestion, Bother

    Nyx didn’t stomp away. He didn’t so much as make a sound. While these weren’t the woods we grew up in exactly, they were woods none the same. Rhesus glared after him and Seralina pouted in her urn. “He’ll be okay.” I reassured her. Though she hadn’t seemed overly concerned with him before that moment.

    She gave me a smile. “Must not be easy with living fire inside you.”

    “No, it’s not. His emotions can spark a fire. I’m going to check on him. Welcome aboard. And thank you. Nyx needs a friend who can help him.”

    She giggled. “Seems like he’s got one already.”

    I shrugged. “Yeah, I dunno about that.” I said looking off after him. “I’m gonna go try though.”

    I got up and followed Nyx into the woods. He wasn’t too far ahead of me but he slipped through the trees and it would take me a while to find him.

    Q: Find Nyx? (12)
    (1d20: [19] = 19)
    Success
    Minor effect or Damage +3
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [5] = 5)

    I pushed past the brush and found Nyx leaning against a tree with a half smile on his lips. “You always follow me.”

    “Did you want to be alone?” I asked. “I can leave.” I pointed back with my thumb over my shoulder.

    He shook his head. “Why does he hate me?”

    “He’s a spoiled brat. He hates everyone who’s not rich and powerful.” I walked closer and Nyx’s smile grew wider and the fire in his eyes brightened. There was no denying that Nyx saw something he liked. Nyx flexed his fingers at his sides and crossed them in front of him hugging himself tight. The fire under his skin rose and the flickering in his eyes brightened.

    I stopped moving towards him which drew a frown across his lips. His gaze dropped to the ground and his voice was quiet as he spoke. “I scare you.”

    I finished my approach and put my finger under his chin. “Never, Pretty Boy.” His eyes met mine but he hugged himself tighter. Control was his ultimate goal. He never got to be free, never could let the fires lose. It was a struggle I would never understand because I never had to endure it. One slip and he could burn down everything he loved.

    There was fear in his eyes and sadness. I wished I could take it all away.

    “Let’s get that firewood. I want to try something.”

    Nyx gave me a slight nod and pushed off the tree and moved away from me gathering sticks and leaves.

    We were gone about half an hour before we returned to the others. The fire pit was waiting our kindling and wood and Nyx easily started it. While he was doing that I whispered to Austin, “You mind making us a meal. Nyx needs a swim and I want to try something.”

    Austin chuckled. “Swimming and making out?” He nodded. “I’m surprised you boys haven’t tried that before.”

    “Nyx wasn’t ready. Not sure he is now. But I have to remind him I’m not going anywhere.”

    Austin nodded and started pulling out some rations to make our evening meal.

    I took Nyx by the hand and moved around the water sprites pond to someplace a little more secluded. We couldn’t get away completely, the pond wasn’t very large, but there were enough bushes and trees we could find a semi-private place.

    “She said we could swim. Maybe you can relax in the water.” I said as I pulled my coat from my shoulders. Everything was still damp from the rains earlier. And the water looked chilly. I wasn’t looking forward to taking a dip, but I disrobed anyway and Nyx waved his hand over them and they lost their dampness and neatly folded into a pile which he put a rock on top of so they didn’t flutter away in the wind.

    He watched me sink naked into the water. His eyes glowing brightly and the flames flickering near the skin. “Come on in, the waters surprisingly warm.”

    Nyx looked around with a sigh and removed his clothes one piece at a time. It could have been a slow sensual strip tease but I knew for Nyx it was born from shyness about what lie underneath.

    The flames below his skin were nothing compared to the glowing lines that resembled feathers that were drawn over his skin. The Phoenix feather tattoo’s Saleh had called them were the very essence of his power. They glowed brightly in the dying light of the day. Nyx glowed with power he kept hidden under the thick dark clothes he wore.

    [!note] Author’s Note
    Decided that because every prompted ai picture kept putting Nyx in dark clothes that instead of being proud of his heritage, he’s embarrassed/shy about the markings on his body and his attire has changed from what was previously stated — so yes, this is a discrepancy in the writing :P

    He folded his clothes neatly and dried them the same as he had mine. Another rock set upon them and he stepped into the water. Steam rose from his step and as he took another step the pond bubbled around his feet. He was fucking hot. And I meant that both literally and figuratively. He was perfectly beautiful in every way, but he burned to the touch. Touching him right now would be dangerous. His emotions fed the fire inside. It powered him. But his control was perfect. He held on so tight.

    Knee deep and Nyx sat down in the water and then pushed off towards me on his back, submerged in the liquid. There was a look of peace on his face, contentment. His flaming hair was wet and looked more real then I had ever seen it. His eyes were still burning coals and his skin flickered with the inner fire, the water glowed a warming orange but it didn’t boil.

    “You okay?” I asked.

    He smiled at me and lifted his head from the water and his arms and legs tred the water below. “Hmmm?” He mumbled like he was punch drunk.

    “You okay?”

    “Better than ever.” Nyx said, “The water is so cooling.” The cuts on Nyx’s body were rapidly closing. She hadn’t at least lied about the healing properties of the water.

    Free Recovery Roll
    Nyx: 1d6+1: [3]+1 = 4
    Sasha: 1d6+1: [1]+1 = 2

    “Are you controlling the power or did you let it free?” I asked pulling him closer to me with a hand on his hip.

    “I don’t know.” He whispered staring into my eyes biting his bottom lip. The glow in his eyes I had seen many times over, seen his determination and his will to push forward. He was fighting something, warring with something, and then his lips were on mine and there was a spark. A literal spark as our lips touched.

    “Fuck!” I yelped.

    The moment was broken and Nyx was scrambling out of the water. “Nyx, come back!” I shouted after him as he scooped up his clothes and crashed through the brush away from the camp. I knew tears were falling. I knew I’d hurt him more than he’d hurt me. And I knew he was going to tear himself up over it. But if I followed this time, he’d throw fire — quite literally. The moment he was free of the pools magic his body had roared to full life. He had to fight for his control. His whole life burning around him and I was only trying to comfort him.

    Dinner was ready when I dressed and sat by the camp fire.

    We decided there was no need for camp the water sprites trusted the forest, so would we. And we drifted to our bed rolls and Nyx still hadn’t returned. I tied to keep my eyes open and listen for him as I lie there staring up at the glittering leaves above. But my eyelids sank shut and I slept soundly with the lapping of the pool against the shore and the rustling leaves of the Glowing Forest.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 12

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 12

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 2 – The 14th of Verdantwisp of the year 70AEE. It is Gloriday.
    Weather:(1d20: [4] = 4)
    Moon: 14 -> Mostly full
    Precipitation
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d12: [7] = 7)
    1 Feature -> (1d100: [57] = 57) Large Clearing -> (1d100: [94] = 94) Structure -> (1d100: [29] = 29) Farm House
    Developer: And…
    Laugh, Resident, Fetid
    (1d20: [2] = 2)

    [!note] Update
    Damage should have been done on the gauntlet flame. Nyx takes 5damage from the blast -2 for scourge of fire -1 ward => 2 damage

    Sasha: Q: speeded defense (15)
    (1d20: [8] = 8)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    5 -1 ward => 4 damage

    Rhesus fails takes 3 damage HP 14 -> 11

    All others were out of range.

    Nyx Spends 4XP -> Intellect Edge +1
    Sasha Spends 4XP -> +4 Stats: Might +2, Speed +1, Int +1

    Forgot to decide what phase of the moon it is so Sasha can do his thing:
    Roll 3d10 for the day. 30 is the day of the new moon (~30 day cycle)
    3d10: [5, 1, 8] = 14 => N
    ight 2 is the 14th day of the 30 day cycle. The 15th is the full moon. Tomorrow night the moon is full. and then 15 days to the new moon.

    Q: Are there any complications on the way back to the water sprite.
    (1d20+0: [8]+0 = 8)
    No, but Flee, Few, Priest

    I was riding the high of getting the water sprite. But she was whining as I got away from the goblin barricade.

    “Let me out!” the water sprite squawked weakly from her iron cage.

    “Let’s just get away from here, find a clearing or just away. I promise I’ll let you out.”

    Q: Persuade the water sprite (9)
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Fail
    Developer: PC Enabler
    Storage, Moan, Burial
    (1d20: [15] = 15)

    She whined more. “You are just like the goblins. Mean and killing me.”

    I sighed and stopped just out of sight of the goblin’s home. The cage was locked. I looked to Sasha. “Can you open it?”

    He took the cage from we with a wink. “Let me see.” The lock didn’t look difficult but Sasha made a show of it tossing the little annoying water sprite around as he adjusted the cage in the dimming light.

    Q: Pick the Lock (eased x2) (6)
    (1d20: [1] = 1)
    Fail
    GM Intrusion: No XP
    Storm, Child, Shape
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [5] = 5)

    Sasha pulled his lockpicking set from his bag and the minute he started picking the lock his pick snapped. “Fuck!”

    And as if the bad luck wouldn’t stop the rain fell from the sky in buckets and we all rushed for the cover of a large leafed tree near by.

    The water sprite giggled with glee with the falling rain forgetting about the cage for the moment as she absorbed the water. She looked much brighter in the falling rain so I set her just outside the cover and she beamed brightly at me.

    “We’ll get you out. I promise.”

    Q: Persuade the water sprite (9)
    (1d20: [5] = 5)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)

    Her smile faded as she turned towards the rain. She still didn’t beleive me.

    “We need to get to her mother. We don’t know how much time we have left.” Sasha urged us back on to the road.

    We all mounted up, I hung the water sprite from the back of my saddle with a bit of rope from my pack and we headed off in the direction Sasha lead us.

    Sasha lead the way to the pond at a break neck speed. We almost slide down the side of a hill once because he moved us too fast through the soft terrain. He apologized profusely but he kept looking back at me — waiting for any signs of my discomfort. I was only wet and tired, it had been a stressful day. And it just rained and rained as we traveled the short distance to the pond.

    The clearing was in view and the rain lessened and then stopped around the pond where the water sprite lived. The sprite on the back of my saddle pouted a little. “I didn’t wanna come home.”

    “Where did you wanna go?” I asked.

    She shrugged, “Anywhere but here. Please take me with you. I only need a little water. And out of this cage.”

    The creature in the pond swirled and hovered over the water clapping her hands. “Oh you did it. Seralina, it’s so good to have you home. Let her out!” She demanded.

    I sighed. “We can try again.”

    Sasha was the first one off his horse and tying Aurora to a nearby tree so she could graze and drink from the pond. “First payment, then we’ll work on getting her out. We can’t get her out if we are dead!”

    “Mother!” Seralina shouted, “You didn’t.”

    “I did no such thing. There was never any danger. Only the thought of one.” She giggled. “But you may swim in the waters, and heal. And you may take a vessel each when you leave. It can heal and replenish as long as you are in the Glowing Forest.”

    “I want to go with them mother.”

    Austin stood next to the cage still mounted on my horse and shook his finger, “We are going dangerous places, this is not an adventure for the ill trained.”

    “She can stay with the horses and Kis.” Sasha suggested. “I think we’d all like to do that, wouldn’t we?” Sasha grinned at me.

    Austin growled, and looked at Rhesus, “It’s his decision.”

    “What good does a water sprite do us?” He asked. “They are just nuisances playing tricks on us.”

    “I’m sure Seralina has some talents. Don’t you?” I pulled her cage from the saddle and draped the reins over a branch so Thunderbolt could graze and drink at his leisure. And then I sat down next to the water and looked at the lock. I didn’t have tools to open it.

    I opened up my bag and pulled things out, one by one seeing if I could find anything useful. I placed the urn at the edge of the water and it drew the attention of both water elementals. “What’s that?” Seralina asked.

    “The Urn of Unending Water. But it’s broken now.” I said.

    “I can fix it.” She said. “And it will get me out of here.”

    “How?” I asked.

    Sasha was sitting next to now with curious grin to his lips. “Give it to me.” He reached across my body and took the urn from my hands and gave me a smile only for me. I dropped my gaze and felt the flamed ignite inside. I took a moment of deep breathing to calm the fires. Only Sasha could do that.

    He uncapped the urn and pointed it at the water sprite. A loud sucking sound pulled at the water sprite trapped inside the urn and soon she was a swirling mass of water and being sucked into the urn.

    “Cap it!” She said faintly in the aether of magic that had once been the magical vessel.

    Sasha put the lid on and it glowed with blue light. The crack in the side that had manifested when I broke it healed like skin knitting together. And then the lid popped open and Seralina giggled and spun with joy. “Oh I love it. Now I can go with you. I will help now. Keep you safe.”

    “Can the urn still put out fires?” Sasha asked.

    Seralina giggled. “Of course. I can do that for you.” She splashed water from the urn and it drenched Sasha from head to toe.

    “Hey.” Sasha laughed.

    “I guess you can come with us then. We need your talents.”

    Rhesus growled. “He needs your talents.” He pointed at Nyx, “Two fires in just as many days. You should have stayed home.”

    My heart sank and I stood up in one graceful move. “I’m going to get some firewood. Looks like a good place to spend the night!”

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 11

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 11

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 2
    Weather:(1d20: [4] = 4)
    Precipitation
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d12: [7] = 7)
    1 Feature -> (1d100: [57] = 57) Large Clearing -> (1d100: [94] = 94) Structure -> (1d100: [29] = 29) Farm House
    Developer: And…
    Laugh, Resident, Fetid
    (1d20: [2] = 2)

    Q: At the goblin camp do they see the captured water sprite?
    (1d20+0: [18]+0 = 18)
    Yes

    Q: Does she look like she’s in danger?
    (1d20+0: [14]+0 = 14)
    Yes

    Q: Are goblins tormenting her?
    (1d20+0: [1]+0 = 1)
    No, and Captive, Clank, Gap
    GM Intrusion

    [!note]
    She’s in an iron cage and whithering because there is no water nearby

    Nyx was down. I felt it in the air but no one else seemed to notice as we followed Austin towards the goblin barricade. We had a water sprite to save — and save ourselves. But I worried about Nyx.

    I pulled Aurora up to Thunderbolt who stepped and pranced with renewed pride with the female so near. He was such a showboat. Nyx gave me a sideways smile to acknowledge my presence but he didn’t look at me. The flames underneath his skin flickered with ill-ease and I was surprised no one else noticed.

    “It’s not your fault.” I said.

    “What isn’t?” Nyx asked. “I started the fire. I broke the urn.”

    “None of it’s your fault. Things break. You know that. The wind blows. Did you cause the gust of wind? I mean you were there to stop it. The rest of us were ready to just leave it to burn uncontrolled. But you wanted to stay.”

    “Because everything I touch turns to ash.” Nyx said in the quietest whisper. I barely heard his voice catch on the edge of a sob.

    “It’s not…” I started to reassure Nyx.

    Austin held up his hand to stop and for us to be quiet as he dismounted Whisper and tied her to a branch. We had reached the barricade. And now it was time to see just what was really going on.

    When Nyx dismounted he immediately pulled his fire around him. It was a soft warm feeling and comforting yet frightening all at the same times. Rhesus ran his palm across his axe and fueled his Rage. We all readied for a battle.

    I was first through to the nearby brush, crawling on my hands and knees until I could see the barricade through the trees without being seen by their lookouts.

    Q: Sneak up to view the barricade (eased) (9)
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Fail
    Developer: PC Inhibitor
    Illusion, Gears, City
    (1d20: [13] = 13)

    [!note]
    The barricade notices Sasha, and 1d4 scourges of goblins attack the party. 1d4: [3] = 3

    The moment I hunkered down the bushes around me disappeared and an alarm sounded in the barricade. A horn rallied the troops from the center of the barricade and three scourges of goblins rushed out of their dwellings collecting their armaments and manning the tower in the front of the barricade.

    [!danger] Creatures
    3 Goblin Leaders
    2d6: [6, 5] = 11, 2d6: [3, 4] = 7, 2d6: [6, 4] = 10 => 28 goblins

    Q: Does Scourge 1 stay and defend the barricade?
    (1d20+0: [13]+0 = 13)
    Yes
    11 goblins + 1 Goblin Leader stays in the barricade

    Q: Does Scourge 2 man the tower and walls?
    (1d20+0: [13]+0 = 13)
    Yes
    7 goblins + 1 Goblin Leader man the walls and tower

    10 goblins + 1 Goblin Leader rush out of t he barricade to attack Sasha and the party

    Round 1

    Sasha runs back towards the rest of the party.

    Goblin Leader chases after Sasha.

    Rhesus goes into a rage and charges the Goblin Leader.

    Q: Austin attacks the goblin leader with bow and arrow (9)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Success
    Goblin Leader HP: 4 -> 0

    Q: Nyx attacks the nearest goblin with Onslaught (3)
    (1d20: [20] = 20)
    Success
    Major effect or Damage +4
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    Break, Food, Dispute
    (1d20: [12] = 12)
    Goblin HP 3 -> 0

    Goblins 2,3 and 4 attack Sasha
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [14] = 14)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [5] = 5)

    (1d20: [9] = 9)
    Success
    Developer: Automatic Success
    (1d20: [20] = 20)

    (1d20: [13] = 13)
    Success
    Developer: NPC Inhibitor
    Sleep, Prize, Moan
    (1d20: [17] = 17)

    Goblins 5,6 and 7 Attach Rhesus and miss

    Goblins 8, 9 and 10 attack Nyx
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [2] = 2)
    Fail
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [5] = 5
    None Taken
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Nyx: 2 Damage -1 (armor)
    Goblin 8 HP 3 -> 1

    (1d20: [2] = 2)
    Fail
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [5] = 5
    None Taken
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Nyx: 2 Damage -1 (armor)
    Goblin 9 HP 3 -> 1

    (1d20: [5] = 5)
    Success
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    Vessel, Government, Pilgrim
    (1d20: [12] = 12)
    Goblin 9 HP 3 -> 1

    Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I thought as I ran back towards the rest of the group with the goblins in hot pursuit. Rhesus ran towards the leader of the group, but it fell long before either reached each other from the arrow that landed precisely in the Goblin Leader’s eye. It crumpled to the ground and did nothing to impeede the movement of the remaining goblins rushing their way.

    Nyx took out the next rushing goblin with a fiery explosion shot from his hands. The poor goblin didn’t so much as die as it disintegrated from sight on the slight breeze in the air. It was scary watching Nyx some days — and others he was just an innocent boy who felt way too much.

    The first three piled on top of me and I managed to evade all their blows. As another three reached Rhesus and he shoved them from his body.

    The last three headed for the inferno that was Nyx and while they struck his body they yelped as the flames about them did more damage to themselves with their blows.

    Round 2

    Q: Sasha attacks Goblin 2 (0)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Success
    Developer: NPC Inhibitor
    Smoke, Tedious, Clue
    (1d20: [17] = 17)
    Goblin 2 HP 3 -> 1

    Rhesus obliterates Goblin 5

    Austin takes out Goblin 3 with his bow and arrow

    Q: Nyx attacks Goblin 4 with Onslaught (3)
    (1d20: [5] = 5)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)
    Goblin 4 HP 3 -> 0

    Goblin 2 runs away

    Goblins 6 and 7 attack Rhesus and miss

    Goblins 8, 9 and 10 run away

    I stabbed my dagger into one of the goblins attacking me and it howled in pain. The second and third dropped with ease, one from an arrow to the back of the neck and the other from a fireball to the back. Neither were as dramatic as the one before but the fell to the ground in a heap.

    Rhesus swung his axed through the head of another goblin while the other two attacked him and their blades bounced off his armor. All the hurt goblins turned tail and started a limped run towards the barricade.

    Round 3

    Q: Attack Goblin 2 (0)
    (1d20: [7] = 7)
    Success
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [3] = 3
    None Taken
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Goblin 2 hp: 1 -> 0

    Rhesus attacks Goblin 5 and it falls

    Austin Pegs Goblin 6 and it falls

    Nyx

    Q: Nyx casts Onslaught at goblin 8 (3)
    (1d20: [5] = 5)
    Success
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    Magic Item!, Runes, Rambling
    (1d20: [9] = 9)
    Goblin 8 HP 1 -> 0

    As the fleeing goblin goes to leave I jammed my dagger into the back of it’s shoulder and it falls to the ground with a sucking sound as my dagger pulls free.

    A second swing of Rhesus axe chops the head off of a second goblin like a hot knife through butter. Austin’s arrow fells the third goblin that had taken some bad advice and attacked the raging prince.

    Nyx felled a fleeing goblin, but the other 2 made it to safety on the other side of the barricade. There was not a second wave. We waited for several long moments before they started pounding the hilts of their daggers to their leathery chests and chanted. “Katta Yashil! Katta Yashil! Bizni himoya qiling!”

    [!note] Translation
    Big Green! Big Green! Protect Us!

    From the brush to the north the trees swayed and rattled with a thump, thump of heavy feet falling on the earth below. Trees cracked in it’s path. Whatever it was.

    Nyx stepped closer to me his burning inferno still blazing brightly in the dim forest filtered light.

    Crunch. Crunch.

    Rhesus charged towards the sound.

    Austin knocked another arrow.

    Kis cowered behind the tree he’d found, and scurried away with the giant of a goblin ambled forward. His large voice boomed, “Xafa bo’lmang do’stlar!”

    [!note] Translation
    No hurt friends!

    Q: Does Sasha understand (12)
    (1d20: [1] = 1)
    Fail
    GM Intrusion: No XP
    Nimble, Prize, Midnight
    Developer: And…
    Dance, Communion, Smoke
    (1d20: [4] = 4)

    This time I didn’t understand what it said. I really sucked at puzzles. I musta hard that term before — maybe something Saleh warned us about.

    I joked, “Maybe he wants to dance?”

    Rhesus laughed and the Big Green Goblin stomped his feet in fury. He raised a gauntleted hand and a blast of fire shot from the gloved fingers. All but Nyx jumped out of the way. The inferno enveloped him and he just smiled.

    Q: Does Nyx understand? (12)
    (1d20: [20] = 20)
    Success
    Major effect or Damage +4
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [3] = 3
    L7 Information Sensor: Over the course of one day, the user can activate the cypher a total number of times equal to its level. Each time, they can select a living creature within long range and learn the following about it: level, origin, species, name, and possibly other facts (such as an individual’s credit score, home address, phone number, and related information). (391) -> Nyx takes and drops Perfect memory then uses the information sensor (his empaty)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)

    Nyx stands in the burning blasted area and the large goblin cocks his head to the side as he starts speaking.

    “We don’t wish to harm them. We only want the girl in the cage. They attacked us. We were just looking.”

    Q: Persuade the big goblin (eased x2) (9)
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [18] = 18)

    The big goblin looks at the barricade and all the goblins below shuffle their feet and look the other direction. They all understood Nyx. I was mildly impressed with the shy boy I knew standing his ground.

    The big goblin squated down in front of Nyx who still raged with fire in the burning underbrush and asked. “Do’stlar xafa bo’lmadimi?”

    [!note] Translation
    No hurt friends?

    Nyx shook his head. “No we won’t hurt your friends. We just want the girl in the cage.”

    Q: Does Big Green give them the water sprite?
    (1d20+0: [14]+0 = 14)
    Yes

    The Big green goblin looks at the goblins in the barricade and a small redish green goblin brings the water sprite in her iron cage to the edge of the flaming circle left by the goblin’s fireblast.

    It shouted “Ket!”. The rest of the goblins chanted the same word over and over pounding their dagger hilt to their leathery chest.

    [!note] Translation
    Leave!

    Nyx turned to us and smiled. “They want us to leave.” He walked through the flaming circle and picked up the water sprites cage and when he was clear of all the fire he dropped the shroud of flames. But he only paused long enough to get his horse and lead him away — in an easterly direction. We had to return the sprite to her mother.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 10

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 10

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 2
    Weather:(1d20: [4] = 4)
    Precipitation
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d12: [7] = 7)
    1 Feature -> (1d100: [57] = 57) Large Clearing -> (1d100: [94] = 94) Structure -> (1d100: [29] = 29) Farm House
    Developer: And…
    Laugh, Resident, Fetid
    (1d20: [2] = 2)

    Q: Does Sasha return before Austin
    (1d20+0: [7]+0 = 7)
    No

    Q: Does Austin tell Nyx and Rhesus about the goblin camp?
    (1d20+0: [20]+0 = 20)
    Yes, and Rites, Refuse, Smoke

    Q: Does anything happen while Sasha and Austin are scouting?
    (1d20+0: [13]+0 = 13)
    Yes

    Q: Does the fire get out of control?
    (1d20+0: [12]+0 = 12)
    Yes, but Invite, identity, Moan

    Rhesus stared at me the whole time. He would open his mouth and then close it. Kis wandered a round the perimeter of the clearing the farmhouse stood in. He stomped out small fires as the embers drifted away from the fire.

    “What?” I asked aggravated at the constant staring contest from Rhesus.

    He looked away with a slight reddening of the cheeks and then got up and joined Kis in walking the farmhouse. He glanced back at me still, but at least it wasn’t staring anymore. I wondered what was his problem.

    A large gust of wind swept through the trees and sparks flittered in the direction of the forest lining us. Sparks fell in dried leaves and twigs and quickly ignited.

    “Shit!” I hollered.

    Where the fuck was Sasha?

    Wait did he leave his pack? On Aurora?

    Q: Search Aurora for Sasha’s pack (12)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)

    Sasha took his pack with him, and with it the Urn of Endless Water. Shit! I yelled in the direction Sasha had gone. “Sasha! Fire! We need you.”

    Q: Hear Nyx yelling his name? (9)
    (1d20: [11] = 11)
    Success
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [2] = 2

    1. L8 Perfection: The user treats their next action as if they had rolled a natural 20. (393)
    2. L8 Poison (emotion): The victim feels Fear: Flees in terror for one minute when threatened. for one hour. (394)
      (1d20: [11] = 11)

    I need you. I sighed. I needed him again. I didn’t have enough water on me to do any good. I pulled out a blanket from my back pack and tried to smother the smaller fires and keep the flames from growing larger and spreading deeper into the forest.

    Rhesus and Kis were doing their best to do the same thing.

    Q: Keeping the fire at bay (6)
    (1d20: [7] = 7)
    Success
    Developer: And…
    Tedious, Music, Laugh
    (1d20: [2] = 2)

    While the job was tedious, and it wasn’t stopping the fire, we were at least keeping it from spreading deeper into the forest. Hopefully Sasha would arrive back soon.

    I yelled again.

    “Sasha!”

    The sound of melodious laughter could be heard on the wind. Someone was laughing at us.

    Austin arrives in a hurry, and begins to help with containment. Until Sasha arrives there was little more we could do.

    In our panic Rhesus asked, “You find an water out that way?”

    Austin shook his head. “Just a goblin barricade.”

    “Damn.” Rhesus pouted.

    Sasha bursts through the brush with his back pack falling to the ground as he pulled out the Urn of Endless Water and points the opening at the fire in the brush.

    Q: Puts the fire out in the brush? (9)
    (1d20: [18] = 18)
    Success
    Damage +2
    Developer: And…
    Arid, Overexcited, Noise
    (1d20: [4] = 4)

    Depletion: 1d10: [2] = 2

    The fire dies quickly with the water dosing the flames. We all sank to the ground in relief. Sasha sighed, “Maybe our fire starter should carry it.” He said handing the urn to me. “Makes more sense I think.”

    I nodded. It was my responsibility after all.

    “But we have bigger problems to worry about.” Sasha said.

    “Bigger than a house on fire.” Rhesus asked.

    “Yeah, we are all going to die from this flesh eating disease if we don’t bathe in the water of the magical pool guarded by a water sprite.” Sasha regaled us of his conversation with the girl of blue in the magical pool of water not too far from here.

    When Sasha concluded Austin laughed, “Well I know where these goblins live. Should we get moving?” He looked to Rhesus.

    Rhesus looked at Sasha and me and then back to Austin, “Are sure this isn’t some sort of trick?”

    “Do you want to take that risk?” Sasha asked. “I sure don’t.”

    Sasha collected his fallen back from the ground.

    “What about the fire?” I asked.

    “Put it out.” Austin said. “We can’t risk it spreading.”

    I sighed and uncorked the urn and let loose a geyser of water at the farm house.

    Q: Put out the farmhouse fire (9)
    (1d20: [2] = 2)
    Fail
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [4] = 4

    1. L1 Best Tool: Provides an additional asset for any one task using a tool, even if that means exceeding the normal limit of two assets. (384)
    2. L5 Repel: One NPC within immediate range who is of a level lower than the cypher decides to leave, using their next five rounds to move away quickly. (396)
    3. L8 Poison (emotion): The victim feels Fear: Flees in terror for one minute when threatened. for one hour. (394)
    4. L6 Effort Enhancer (Noncombat): For the next hour, the user can apply one free level of Effort to a noncombat task without spending points from a Pool. The level of Effort provided by this cypher does not count toward the maximum amount of Effort a character can normally apply to one task. Once this free level of Effort is used, the effect of the cypher ends. (388)
      (1d20: [11] = 11)

    Depletion: 1d10: [10] = 10

    Q: Second stream (9)
    (1d20: [16] = 16)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)

    Depletion: 1d10: [1] = 1

    Most of the fire was out but a second stream was needed. As it gushed the urn cracked and the water stopped. But the fire was out.

    Well shit!

    “Great. Just fucking great! You give the kid the urn and it breaks. Just fucking great!” Rhesus growled as he mounted his horse with Kis’ help. Willow still didn’t like him much, but Sunny helped calm her disposition. The pony was good that way, even with Kis handling the poor creatures so roughly. Kobolds probably never really tended to horses much.

    But I did feel the sting of the words. I had it all of a few moments and now it was broken — probably unrepairable. But I tucked it carefully into my bag and wrapped it in the slightly burnt blanket and thought maybe we could find someplace to repair it.

    With the fire out, Austin lead the way to the goblin barricade.

  • 52 Miles!

    52 Miles!

    Tomorrow starts Pride Month! So I thought I’d share some a fun race.

    AJ’s Facebook offered up an interesting challenge for Pride this coming month. Move 52 miles however you want and help fundraise for the Trevor Project. Trevor Project is a great resource for LGBTQA+ kids. And it holds a special place in AJ’s heart as it has helped her kid through some tough times.

    For more information about the fundraiser check out their webpage.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 9

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 9

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 2
    Weather:(1d20: [4] = 4)
    Precipitation
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d12: [7] = 7)
    1 Feature -> (1d100: [57] = 57) Large Clearing -> (1d100: [94] = 94) Structure -> (1d100: [29] = 29) Farm House
    Developer: And…
    Laugh, Resident, Fetid
    (1d20: [2] = 2)

    Q: Is there a creature in the farmhouse?
    (1d20+0: [3]+0 = 3)
    No

    Q: Did something die in there?
    (1d20+0: [15]+0 = 15)
    Yes

    Q: Are there survivors?
    (1d20+0: [10]+0 = 10)
    Maybe

    Q: Is the disease contagious?
    (1d20+0: [18]+0 = 18)
    Yes

    As we passed by the pile of dead bodies, or what we thought were dead, the larger goblin reaches up and tries to grab Nyx’s ankle. It groaned its last words, “go’sht yeyish kasalligi.” It’s hand fell from Nyx’s ankle, eyes wide and the words hanging in the air.

    [!note] Translation
    flesh eating disease

    Q: Understand the goblin? (15)
    (1d20: [20] = 20)
    Success
    Major effect or Damage +4
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [5] = 5
    None taken
    (1d20: [11] = 11)

    The words had a meaning. I’d heard it somewhere else before. It was like recalling a memory. “Flesh eating disease” I said.

    Nyx looked at me with wide eyes and looked at the house in which the goblins had been attacking. Small barrels were placed around the farmhouse.

    Austin grabbed both of our elbows. “We need to leave immediately.”

    “And let someone else stumble upon it?” Nyx asked.

    He didn’t hesitate as he pulled the fire around him and a ball of fire formed between his hands. He tossed it at the farm house at one of the barrels and it exploded in a triumphant boom. “We should stay just incase it tries to catch the trees on fire.”

    Austin growled but nodded. Rhesus shouted, “We need to go! I’m the leader I say we go! I’m not dying here. I’m not going to breathe in this dying death any longer. We move now!”

    Austin looked to me and then to Nyx, “He’s boss.” He said with a sigh. “I’m just here to watch your backs.”

    Nyx growled. “If the forest burns down it’s your fault,” he said.

    “Actually, it’s yours. You could have just left it alone. Like we should have done.” Rhesus said.

    “Then fine. I’ll stay and watch.” Nyx said and sat down where he stood and watched the fire burn the house.

    Rhesus laughed. “Like I care. Let’s go.” I stayed near Nyx and looked at Austin and pleaded with my eyes.

    “Fine you two can stay here. Let’s go Austin, Kis. On me, we move out.”

    Austin frowned. “We shouldn’t split the party Rhesus.”

    “Then make them come.” He said as he headed off in the wrong direction.

    Nyx snickered. “You are going the wrong way.”

    Rhesus made a double back. “I knew that.”

    Austin mounted his horse. “I’m going to scout the area. See if there are any other goblins lurking.”

    “Good idea.” I said. “I’ll go the other direction.”

    “I said let’s go.” Rhesus shouted.

    Kis groveled as he knelt before his so-called master. “We stay. We help. Good things beat bad things. Bad things there.” He pointed to the farmhouse on fire and waved his hand in front of his rust colored snout. “Go when fire kill all. Bad. Bad things hide. Small. Die. Safe here, but cover holes.” He said as he wrapped a his cloak around his snout.

    “Good idea.” I said and pulled out a kerchief to tie around my nose and mouth. Everyone else followed suit.

    Q: Perception on Scouting (12)
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Fail
    Developer: But…
    Water, Natural, Friend
    (1d20: [6] = 6)

    [!note]
    Sasha finds a natural spring with a water sprite

    Q: Does Austin find anything?
    (1d20+0: [19]+0 = 19)
    Yes, and Flee, Toss, Whoosh
    GM Intrusion

    [!Note]
    Austin finds a Goblin hideout with defensive barricades tossing acid bombs

    I didn’t take Aurora with me, I left her with Nyx to watch over. Rhesus grumpily sat on the ground next to his horse, and Kis watched with fear in his eyes. But it wasn’t my problem. I wasn’t going to worry about the bratty prince. Nyx could handle himself.

    Scouting was my job. And Austin was right. We had to watch out for anything else that might attack us.

    Q: Perceive any threats? (12)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [18] = 18)

    Q: Are there any threats?
    (1d20+0: [9]+0 = 9)
    No, but Break, Give, Guest

    And to the west there was nothing to be found. I traveled a good distance when laughter caught my ears. At first I thought I was hearing things. I crouched down in the nearest bush and listened in the glittering sunlight from the canopy above.

    The soft giggle of a girl splashing in water carried on the silence of the Glowing Forest. I should leave her be. Sirens and Water sprites were dangerous.

    “Oh please come out of the bushes and let me see you.” The melodious voice called out.

    I sighed and stood up, stepping around the bush and trees I hid behind and took in the site of a small natural spring spilling into a clear pond with vibrant fish swimming in schools and a blue tinted girl sitting on a lily pad that was the size of a hippo.

    [!danger] Creature
    L10 Water Sprite HP 33, damage 11, L11 dancing, swimming, water breathing, L12 persuasion

    She smiled. “Aren’t you tall.”

    “Not that tall.” I said with a smirk. “Average for my kind.”

    She cocked her head to the side. “Won’t you come play with me?”

    I shook my head. “I should get back to my friends.” I pointed in the general direction of where the farmhouse was. “You know what happened at the farmhouse out that way?”

    The water sprite shook her head. “The creatures say it is death to go there. The goblins want to destroy the place, I’m told.”

    “Yeah, it’s burning now. Do you know what happened though?”

    Q: Does the water sprite know what happened at the farm house?
    (1d20+0: [7]+0 = 7)
    No

    She giggled. “It is not here. I am not there, why would I know?”

    “Figured you might have heard something. Thanks anyway.” I said.

    “Come play with me?” She sang softly.

    Q: Intellect Defense (eased x4) (18)
    (1d20: [2] = 2)
    Fail
    Developer: PC Inhibitor
    Nimble, Fear, Disease
    (1d20: [13] = 13)

    The music washed over me and I took several steps closer to the pool of water. “Oh goodie,” she giggled.

    “I really shouldn’t stay,” I said even as my feet moved closer, “I really need to get back to my friend.”

    “He’s going to die of the disease.”

    I blinked. “What?” All my movement stopped, “Why do you say that?”

    Q: Is she telling the truth?
    (1d20+0: [17]+0 = 17)
    Yes

    Q: Does she know a cure?
    (1d20+0: [11]+0 = 11)
    Yes, but Disguise, Daughter, Raid

    “All who go there die. The fire burns, the smell carries I feel the death on the air. But I can help.”

    “How?” I asked.

    “You do me a favor. I do you a favor. Simple.”

    I sighed. “What do you need me to do?”

    “My daughter has been captured by the goblins. Bring her back and I will let you and yours bathe in the cleansing water of my pond and heal all that ails you.”

    “How do I know you are telling the truth?” I asked.

    “You don’t. Kill the man that captured her and I’ll give you an extra bonus.”

    “Fine.” I sighed. “How long till they die?”

    She shrugged. “Could be dead already.”

    I growled and stormed away from the pond and when I was far enough away I bolted towards my friend. I couldn’t let Nyx die.

  • The Vanguard Institute – Part 8

    The Vanguard Institute – Part 8

    Q: Adventure Status – Unstable 4 (12)
    Developer: PC Enabler
    (1d20: [15] = 15)
    Birth, Message, Target

    Season: Spring

    Day 2
    Weather:(1d20: [4] = 4)
    Precipitation
    Terrain: Forest
    (1d12: [7] = 7)
    1 Feature -> (1d100: [57] = 57) Large Clearing -> (1d100: [94] = 94) Structure -> (1d100: [29] = 29) Farm House
    Developer: And…
    Laugh, Resident, Fetid
    (1d20: [2] = 2)

    Rest:
    Nyx: 1d6+1: [1]+1 = 2
    Rhesus: 1d6+3: [4]+3 = 7 HP: 12/14

    Q: Does it rain in the morning?
    (1d20+0: [9]+0 = 9)
    No, but Investigate, Banter, Refuse

    Q: Is there any disturbances?
    (1d20+0: [19]+0 = 19)
    Yes, and Diseased, Gossip, Operation
    GM Intrusion

    [!note]
    They find the farmhouse and it is occupied by a scourge of goblins

    [!danger] Creatures
    1 Goblin Leader & 2d6 L1 Goblins -> (2d6: [2, 3] = 5) 5 L1 Goblins

    Sasha made breakfast from a portion of our rations. It was not his usual fare but you made do with what you had. It was hot and filling and that was all that mattered.

    We packed up camp and put out the fire. And we were on the road before the rain started to fall. We were all wet at miserable as we trudged through the forest in the direction of this swamp we were supposed to obtain an object. A thing we had no idea what it was.

    Rhesus bitched about Kis. Kis just sat and listened. He rarely said anything in return. Sasha rode by my side, but he didn’t do more than glance at me from his saddle.

    “What?” I asked.

    “You are mad at me.” Sasha whispered.

    “I’m not mad at you.”

    “Well you are something at me. I know you better than you think I do.”

    I laughed. “I know that. I don’t underestimate you.”

    “And I underestimate you? Is that what you are saying?”

    I shook my head with a frown. “No. But you think you’ll leave me so I’m doing something wrong.”

    Sasha growled and pushed Aurora faster to lead the way for now. We were traveling west. That’s all that mattered for the moment. West through a forest thick with trees.

    I don’t know what I was doing wrong but Sasha was upset with me more than usual. I didn’t worry about it as I tried to gauge where we were on the map. It’s not like it was to scale or anything. Just notes on a map really. Nothing like measurements or anything.

    Sasha was several lengths ahead of us and he slowed and then stopped. He held up his hand for quiet and for us to stop as he slipped off Aurora and tied the horse to the nearest tree with a simple loop she could pull out of if danger entreated her.

    Sasha slipped into the shadows.

    Q: Stealthily check on the farmhouse ahead (eased) (9)
    (1d20: [8] = 8)
    Fail
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [7] = 7)

    We all slide from our horses and prepared for a fight. I pulled on the power of the Phoenix and sheathed myself in flames.

    Austin chuckled even as he knocked an arrow. “That is so cool.”

    Rhesus scoffed as he drew his axe and shield from his back and raged towards the goblins. Kis took the horses and lopped off to safety.

    Sasha made his way closer and as he knelt in the bushes, he stepped on a root that rustled the bushes nearby and there was a shout, “Intruders!”. Several figures ambled through the bushes towards Sasha.

    Initiative:

    • Nyx 1d20: [19] = 19
    • Sasha 1d20: [2] = 2
    • Austin 1d20: [12] = 12
    • Rhesus 1d20: [6] = 6
    • Goblin Leader 1d20: [13] = 13
    • Goblin A 1d20: [12] = 12
    • Goblin B 1d20: [7] = 7
    • Goblin C 1d20: [14] = 14
    • Goblin D 1d20: [16] = 16
    • Goblin E 1d20: [16] = 16

    [!danger] Creatures
    L1 Goblin HP 3, 2 damage L5 perception, stealth and setting traps, L4 Sneak attack, set L5 traps, flee in the face of danger

    L3 Goblin Leader HP 9, 4 damage, L5 perception, stealth and setting traps, L4 Sneak attack, set L5 traps, L5 Incite goblins into fighting

    Order: Nyx, D, E, C, Leader, Austin, A, B, Rhesus, Sasha

    Round 1

    Nyx cast onslaught at D
    Q: Onslaught at D (3)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [18] = 18)

    Goblin D HP 3 -> 0

    E: Attack Sasha
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [16] = 16)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)

    C: Attack Sasha
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [3] = 3)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [16] = 16)

    Leader: Attack Sasha
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [7] = 7)
    Success
    Developer: GM Intrusion: +1XP
    Entertain, Blood, Stale air
    (1d20: [12] = 12)

    Austin: Attack Leader
    Q: Shoot Leader (9)
    (1d20: [10] = 10)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [18] = 18)
    Leader HP: 9 -> 5

    A: Attack Sasha
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [5] = 5)
    Success
    Developer: And…
    Parent, Tunnel, Symbol
    (1d20: [2] = 2)

    B: Attack Sasha
    Q: Speed Defense (3)
    (1d20: [6] = 6)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [5] = 5)

    Rhesus: Attack Leader
    Q: Attack the Leader (9)
    (1d20: [19] = 19)
    Success
    Minor effect or Damage +3
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [14] = 14)
    Leader HP: 5 -> 0 (10 damage)

    Sasha: Attack B
    Q: Attack B (eased) (0)
    (1d20: [20] = 20)
    Success
    Major effect or Damage +4
    Developer: Find 1d6 Cyphers
    1d6: [2] = 2

    1. L8 Gas bomb: Thrown a short distance, this bursts in a poisonous cloud within an immediate area. The cloud lingers for 6 rounds unless conditions dictate otherwise. Poison gas: living creatures that breathe suffer damage equal to the cypher’s level. (389)
    2. L4 Stim: Eases the user’s next action taken by three steps. (398)
      (1d20: [10] = 10)
      B HP: 3 -> 0 (6damage)

    Round 2

    Nyx: Onslaught at E
    Q: Onslaught (3)
    (1d20: [16] = 16)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [16] = 16)
    E: HP 3 -> 0

    C: Flees

    Austin: Shoots C
    C HP: 3 -> 0

    B: Flees

    Rhesus: Attacks B
    B: HP 3 -> 0

    Round 3

    Rhesus tries to stop raging
    Q: Rhesus rage ends (6)
    (1d20: [16] = 16)
    Success
    Developer: None
    (1d20: [3] = 3)

    Six goblins rushed towards Sasha I unleashed a fire from my hands and it shot towards the first goblin and it collapsed to the ground writhing in pain and screaming horribly. The smell of burning hair and flesh permeated the air.

    Three smaller goblins and a much larger one reached Sasha at the same time and he managed to dodge out of both of their stabbing daggers in their stubby green hands.

    Austin’s knocked arrow flew straight and true and landed in the bigger goblin’s shoulder. He howled in pain as Rhesus finished their Leader off. They looked a little demorialized and even more so as Sasha’s blade ripped through another goblin.

    I hurled another fireball at the nearest goblin to Sasha and it fell too. The goblins turned to run away. Austin pegged one in the back of the head and it fell to the ground in a heap as it ran away. Rhesus pursued the last fleeing goblin before wandering off into the woods to collect himself. He bashed his shield against a tree several times before he returned to us panting, but sane. Blood rage was hard to break.

    I wondered if that was the reason he’d been sent to join the Vanguard Institute — put his talents to good use.

    Sasha didn’t hesitate as he rummaged through all the bodies. Rhesus followed behind Sasha taking all the daggers.

    I quelched the fire on my skin and headed towards the farm house. Sasha grabbed my elbow and stopped me. “Don’t go alone. Something doesn’t feel right about this place.” He handed me several items he picked up from the goblins. He handed what looked like a throwable container of noxious something to Austin. “Figure you can use this from the distance. Just don’t hit us up close guys.”

    Sasha pocketed the rest and joined me as we headed towards the farmhouse.

    It looked abandoned, but why had goblins been attacking it? Maybe I should have left the shroud of flames up?

The Mind of Nox

escaping into reality

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