Dungeon World PBP play (Inactive)

Game Master Elsine

Belym

Brother Elijah gasps You and your companions slew a pair of Quetzal demons, I am impressed. when was this, perhaps they only rallied their strength before the attack. and they only slaughtered the cathedral, hopefully they did not have the strength to assault the town proper he says, wringing his hands. What do you do?

How much gold do we have to spend? Is 500 out of our budget? How about 200?

Roshan's face goes through a series of horrified transformations. First, at being offered alcohol. She returns the skin to a fold in her sash, and eyes the pint as one might eye a coiled viper. The corner of her mouth quirks, however, at mention of being civil.

Second, she looks shocked as the hedge-priest makes an idle oath to Hebron. Her hand goes to her wrist, and she looks still more uncomfortable. When he continues on about bandaging injuries, she first looks down at the fresh cut on her forearm, shifting the bracer to better cover the scars, then realizes he may be talking about the minor bruising she took from the ghouls. Her face darkens beneath her tan, but it's difficult to tell if it's a blush or anger. She does start to look like a kettle ready to whistle.

Finally, all of this is interrupted at the mention of Zimran. Roshan reflexively spits on the floor. The impulse seems to settle whatever emotional state had been building, and the holy knight takes a deep breath.

She allows the two strange men to lead her somewhere private. Among women, she is likely one of few who might consider that a comfort. Being around fewer people contributes to settling the initiate's nerves.

"Time is not our ally. The spoiled sons of Einora have congregated in the ruins of a small town, erecting their altar in the town common. The ruins are guarded on all sides, but the weakest line of defense is on their west flank. There are still relics of Mersiel in the cathedral, but their availability is time-sensitive, I suspect that means there yet remains a threat in Ghostmoor. An unnatural gateway has opened in the moors, a source of otherworldly creatures. There was one man still living as I fled--the man associated with that mark--I doubt seriously that he has since died. It is only a matter of time before he returns to the ruins with word and foils our one advantage. If you have a guard or two, even footpads, that shall be a sufficient force. Equipped with the blessings of Mersiel's desecrated house, we may yet strike a blow to this Einora."

Roshan pauses for a moment before she ads, "our camps will not benefit from Hebron's Censure. One of my blades was damaged in the fight." She looks deeply shamed by this admission.

Ron's counter shows 1524 for the party. We presumably want to restock on potions for everyone who used them. I'm fine with you going for the full plate. You could also see if he wants an Astral Ruby (the gems the demons leave behind); we've got 3 now among the party.

"We were ambushed <4?> nights ago. Is there anything more you can tell us about the attackers? How did they get to the cathedral?"

We have plenty to let you go for full plate.

Ron's counter shows 1524 for the party. We presumably want to restock on potions for everyone who used them. I'm fine with you going for the full plate. You could also see if he wants an Astral Ruby (the gems the demons leave behind); we've got 3 now among the party.

I wonder if there's something more valuable we can use the Astral Ruby for rather then sell or trade them away. They might be powerful, dangerous or both

spout lore about the Astral Ruby: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) = 8

I'll most assuredly be taking the full plate. I'm not familiar with enameling armor. What does the process do?

Tom puts up his hands urging Roshan to relax a little and failing, Slow down, lass. You plopped skin - I presume - came from a man you flayed. I respect the militant side of the church, but those symbols are from the sea; it bears no importance to any cult. What reason do I have to trust a foreign loon based on waggling a pirate's tattoo in front of my face?

Roshan draws her swords, one at a time, and lays them on the table. First the wide, square khanda, then the two curved talwar, then the broken chakram. "This is the symbol that hangs over the cairn of Hebron. These weapons together cannot be wielded by a creature in service to a dark God. Even the Wayward Son's Black Vance dares not to carry the symbol of Hebron. I am not a goodly creature. I would make for no man a goodwife. But I serve Hebron in fighting back the forces of chaos. If I cannot gain your aid, my time is better spent elsewhere."

She scoffs genially, "I apologize. I have not introduced myself. Roshan Kaur of the Red Vance, Sworn Blade of Hebron, student of Danyal of the White Vance. He was in the cathedral during the attack... You have heard of the attack, surely."

Wait, I may have missed something. The church massacre I saw in the crystal wasn't the church I was trained at, but the one here?

Belym

It would seem they came in through the ghostmoor, The chapel is on the edge of town. they took the church with overwhelming force. and 4 days is not enough to rally that force, it would seem their magical capabilities are greater than we had feared, or that they are using unbound demons. either option is terrifying. Brother Elijah supplies.

But you guys took down, like, two pretty nasty demons, Hopefully this Einora won't be too tricky after that The captain of the Militia says optimistically.

What do you do?

Conwall

Te astral Rubies can be used in rituals to create semi-stable portals to the lower realms, or to draw energy from the same. very valuable to a practitioner of the arcane arts. also, Enamling makes armour resist water, to prevent rusting. and it can be used to colour armour, if you so wish.

Tom

No, that was your abbey. My point in introducing that sigil as belonging to the pirate was to hint at Kelos's reach being far, and to introduce new ties to your old life. sorry for confusing you

Was Selwyn's armor enameled? What does it look like? Also what are the stats on the badass elven full plate?

We will clear out Einora's cult, be certain of that. But the demon's had powerful poison. Is the apothecary still in business?

I love when there's stuff to buy. <3

Belyn, perhaps we should attempt to sneak past the cultist's sentries. If we be discovered, I can pretend to be Selwyn. It may confuse them long enough for ye to ambush them.

Would someone else like to try their hand at invisible infiltration during the assault?

Ron

Selwyns armour is enameled red, with the Tarak family crest in gold on the chest. The stats for the smokesteel is 3 armour, 3 weights, worn, clumsy, ornate. and it is interesting thatyou assume Einora is working with the Braxans

Yes, Lloyd's apothecary is still in operation, you could get some nice antitoxin, and maybe medical supplies The captain of the guards says.

Lanig Mayor Rushmantle says Have you worked out the lists for the conscriptories? He says, sneering as he does.

What do you do?

That sounds wonderful. I'll take a full plate, enameled in a forest green.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Even if we get past, I don't think the demons will retreat as easily as the Braxans did, even if you could "convince" Einora to order it. I'd hate to be in the middle of things and not have cleared a path for us to retreat.". Belym turns to the mayor. " Did I hear you mention another dwarf as we arrived?"

Didn't we have explicit evidence that Selwyn was working with Einora from his papers and his words? Am I remembering incorrectly?

#notAllEinorans

Selwyn was working with the group in the keep - but I'm pretty sure this bunch was a heretical offshoot, as far as they were concerned. *checks* Yep - page 10, about halfway down. Also of note, there's apparently about two dozen casters, plus demons, in the cult - more if they've been recruiting since Einora split off.

Conwall

Aye, let me get yer measurements. It'll be done in two days Geralt says, taking out a length of rope. The measurements take a few minute, assuming yu cooperate. what do you do afterwards?

Belym

Yes, about a two weeks ago Mayor Rushmantle says They bought the deed to an iron mine to the southwest, and a months worth of supplies, and left

They also bought a number of weapons from Geralt, at least three t a dwarf The captain of the militia says I remember being told that. but they left without trouble

What do you do?

Ron

The Braxans were being helped by the circle of Orphixis, who you destroyed back at the fort. Einora's circle was a splinter group, denounced as heretical by the circle of Orphixis. Admittedly that was a bit... complex.

As a servant of Iisac I am willing to give you a chance, I have a strong warrior who can come with us to investigate this ruin - but at the first sign of the mission failing you must swear to retreat and redouble our force before heading back. Before then, at least let me heal you.

Cast a Spell: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 1 = 11
Cure Wounds: 1d8 ⇒ 5

I set out, Roshan willing, to find Conwall.

I leave to join my comrades, likely squabbling and getting into trouble. With me looking for Tom and Tom looking for me, I've no doubt we find each other quickly.

Woooo! Tom and Conwall assaulting a demon-infested location again!

You enjoy this too much :p

Roshan visibly marvels at the healing, and gives Tom a firm thump on the back. "A proper Caloused Hand of Iisac. Sterling. Preservation is your domain, and I will trust your judgement on the matter. Let's meet with your warrior and investigate the chapel. It would be best to secure this town before striking out at the ruins"

The chapel in town is supposed to have relics which should help us in the less immediate threat of the ruins. Plus, Roshan really came to find someone to hold her hand while she checked to see if daddy died this time.

At the cathedral

The acrid smell of smoke and brimstone hangs heavy over the gutted ruins of the Cathedral. Where once stood tapestries and stained glass, not there are scorches, scratches, and gore. In the sanctum, there are a dozen corpses, all mutilated and scorched beyond recognition, the pews and altar have been destroyed, and mostly piled onto a pyre in the centre of the room.

The bunkroom is a charnel hall, The majority of the clergy, and several parishioners, were apparently here when the cult struck. you are unable to identify any bodies, however, you find your companions blades, still in charred scabbards Slaughtered like animals in their sleep.

The relic room is sacked, mostly cleared out. There are a few pints of holy water, and a pair of consecrated ceremonial swords.

What do you do?

"Only three apiece? They must not be expecting too much trouble then. Did they happen to mention their clan name?" There's nasty beasts underground - a standard mine-clearing loadout is no fewer than five weapons; crossbow, heavy hammer, dagger, polearm, and of course a mining pick.

To Ron: "We should discuss our plan with Conwall and Tom - they've both got useful expertise."

If I cast speak with the dead would you really make me do a move for each corpse or can we roll it into one?

"Only three apiece? They must not be expecting too much trouble then. Did they happen to mention their clan name?" There's nasty beasts underground - a standard mine-clearing loadout is no fewer than five weapons; crossbow, heavy hammer, dagger, polearm, and of course a mining pick.

To Ron: "We should discuss our plan with Conwall and Tom - they've both got useful expertise."

umm... what was your clan name again?

If I cast speak with the dead would you really make me do a move for each corpse or can we roll it into one?

Roll for every 3 questions you want, but you can basically pose them to the dead as a whole

Felstone. Thought that was in the profile... But it wasn't. Updated!

Aye Belym, ye be right. No misdirection this time. Naught but pure violence be called for. We should investigate the remains of the attack for more information about our adversaries, and then seek out Tom and Conwall.

Ron bids farewell to Natria and the others and then leads Belym (assuming she joins) to the ruins of the cathedral.

The website has been wonky for me all day.

"Seek not the voice of this one, brother Bonney. We under the Censure of Hebron do not dally at Death's gate." Roshan stands over the warped metal, gripping her knife.

Belym

Ummm... Fall-stone, or something. That accent is near indecipherable. The captain says If you want to see them yerself, just go south out of town, and follow signs for blackstone mine. its about 5 hours from here, 2 if you've got a horse. he says

Ron rushes off toward the cathedral, what do you do?

Did the group find me and we all went to the Cathedral together? I thought Roshan wants us to go to the chapel first, then to the ruins (because there's something helpful at the Chapel?

I think we got you and went to the chapel/cathedral in town together, and have not left town... but I could use clarification too.

As I understood it, you three were heading for the Cathedral/chapel (There's probably a difference, but I am not that well versed in architectural taxonomy, so I kinda use them interchangeably) and So I offered a description, rather than wait for a "Meeting up somewhere in town, and deciding to go there" scene, allowing that to simply be implied, like with Ron and Belym joining you guys, there is an implied scene there where someone points them to where you are. does that make sense?

"Thank you, I appreciate the information." Belym says, as she follows Ron out the door.

So Ron and I can jump in on the cathedral bit as we feel like, then? Works for me.
And because I happen to know: chapel and cathedral are kind of opposite ends of the church-building spectrum :p Cathedral = seat of a bishop, and is usually the largest church in an area; chapel = small church, frequently part of another institution (e.g. a university).

With you so far. Are the ruins of the cathedral/chapel different than the ruins that Roshan wants us to visit AFTER the chapel?

So, yeah, in that case, it is definately a cathedral, very large, with stained glass and a sanctum big enough to fit the whole town (Turns out living surrounded by the ravenous dead gives you an appreciation for the clergy)

I believe, and Roshan should correct me if I am wrong, that She means the island where there is currently a portal to the lower plane.

Well, there are three places anyway. A cathedral where there may be relics, a portal on the island where Roshan started, and a village ruin that is vulnerable on one side. I think I've listed them in order of difficulty. Roshan's 'plan' was to grab holy weapons from the cathedral and kill her way to Einora's front porch. I trust cooler heads to amend that plan.

When she is introduced to Conwall, Roshan glanced from his ears to his sword and nods approvingly.

When Ron and Belym join them, she gives a slight bow with her arms crossed on her chest. I think Roshan recognizes Ron by reputation. She's worked with people who have worked with him, but they haven't met before now. Likely, she's taken more than a few confessions of lascivious thoughts from shield-maidens who idolize him. "Your reputation precedes you, Ser Bucanero." She looks down at Belym, sees her armor and her blades, but still can't really decide how she should act around the dwarf channeler. Her face darkens, and she purses her lips and returns to the business at hand.

That sounds EXACTLY like Conwall's idea of a plan!

Meeting Roshan, I nod back as she nodes approvingly, but my reaction sours as she looks disapprovingly at Belym.

I look at the ruins of the cathedral with a sense of sorrow. The idea of dead bodies is disquieting to me. For a moment, I'm glad Sheridan isn't here for another uncomfortable discussion on the ins and outs of eating the dead.

The moment I have that thought, I regret it. I'd obviously rather have a hundred such conversations and have her still with us.

Looking at the holy water and the swords, I ask Is this what you expected to find, Roshan?

Aye, it seems to have that nasty habit. Ron extends a gauntleted hand to Roshan. Me days with honorifics are long past. Please call me Ron. What is yer name, ma'am?

"Roshan Kaur of the Red Vance, Sworn Blade of Hebron, student of-" Roshan pauses. She wasn't sure if there was still an end to that. She grasps Ron's wrist and shakes firmly. "Roshan is sufficient." She presses her face into a smile with some effort.

Roshan, it's good that Ron is here but I must insist we gather information we can from those lost on these grounds. Death is but a journey, and there is no final horizon. You and I both know that those who depart this life can be brought back - even if it always carries a heavy burden, Tom says sternly over the interruption, Such acts are no more profane than my own ability t' knit flesh and bone.

Cast a Spell: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 1 = 4

She did warn you.

Roshan, it's good that Ron is here but I must insist we gather information we can from those lost on these grounds. Death is but a journey, and there is no final horizon. You and I both know that those who depart this life can be brought back - even if it always carries a heavy burden, Tom says sternly over the interruption, Such acts are no more profane than my own ability t' knit flesh and bone.

[dice=Cast a Spell]2d6+1

Ask your questions. bad shit goes down of screen, but the spell is fine

Question: Did Roshan recognize Belym as a channeler, and if so, how? Aside from the last two weeks Norwhich, there's only one other town where anyone has even seen her channel. Also, minor note: Belym's only weapon is a one handed hammer.

Belym returns Roshan's gaze. A surfacer zealot? That's trouble. flashes through her mind, but she puts a neutral expression on her face as she introduces herself, and offers a hand in greeting.

No, there are other reasons she's being awkward. I just didn't think of a better descriptor other than dwarf or woman. She's just looking at blades, you've got some in your gear. She doesn't exactly consider a hammer a weapon.

Roshan takes the proffered hand, but seems unsure what to do with it. Her other hand tests the comb holding her turban together. Her lips press into a tight line . "By what might I call you?"

I just wanted to see what the group thought. I was thinking of asking "How large was the force that attacked you?", "What manner of creatures attacked you?", and "Tell me what happened that night". Since this complicated things off screen (again) I figure I should run this by the group, which Tom would realistically do in fiction anyways.

Doesn't "Tell me what happened last night" cover the first two questions? How about "Tell me all about what happened last night, did you hide any treasure, what is the afterlife like?