Dungeon World PBP play (Inactive)

Game Master Elsine

Reasons to at least get to the portal: prevent us getting flanked, and there may be something useful (another astral gem?) Holding the portal open. Reasons to skip: resources we'll have to expend. Rereading Roshan's introduction, the gem that created the portal sounds like it's gone, so I'd argue for heading to the brass walls.

What did we decide was her anathema? Being forward and honest? Nothing more honest than a direct forward assault!

Do I know what the source of the effect was?

Do I know what the source of the effect was?

yep, was totally Einora.

It seems your protege also supports the idea of killing you. It seems fate has tied us together more than I would like.

Just doing this to push forward.

Aye, we'd best head to the hellgate, if only just to close it. Form up for march!

Ron insists on marching behind Ishtar, and continues to hold the chunk of divine ore in his hand.

Perilous journey, or are we close enough?

Works for me.

you proceed along the path , for about half an hour before the telltale glow of the portal begins to colour the clouds above you. the gate is dead ahead, a half mile at most. and you see something large moving near it, bone white, and large enough to rival the cathedral back in Ghostmoor. What does everyone do?

I changed my prepared spells in preparation to meet Einora... we still have a jewel right?

I want to say we had one more big astral ruby, but I can't recall where from offhand. Belym's still carrying a cultist dagger, which has a small one in the pommel.
DM - does the marsh here appear to be ghoul infested still, or have the demons cleared them out?

" Ishtar, Roshan, can either of you tell what that is?" Belym asks, trying to recall any Dwarven tales of demons that were quite so large...

Spout Lore: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 2 = 10

you guys still have 1 big one left, from the quetzal demon, and one from the harbinger

It would seem that the demons have more or less displaced the undead here. to answer a probable follow up, it is also shallow enough to wade through, though deep enough to be unpleasant and a hindrance

You know the tale of the dwarven hero Hadouna mentions a beast not dissimilar to this. Hadouna's Battle-brother hasd been captured, and she had to storm a demon keep, deep within the endless sands, to rescue him. The keep was gurded by a monster made of cacti, sand, and bleached bones. No blow, however strong, could fell the beast, and she only prevailed when she found the demon-sign that gave it life, and marred it.

Well, it would seem the portal has gained a guardian... there is a way to kill those, I think... I believe in you guys, and defer to your expertise! Ishtar says, trying to back away

Tom sighs heavily.

Ron leans in close to Roshan and whispers. Can ye close the hellgate if I lead the beast away?

Have we had a chance refresh/change out spells since the battle with the demons and undead?

I lean in behind Ron and Roshan I also volunteer for beast leading away. Or maybe just killing it? I squint at the monster. I bet I could probably kill it.

"I may be able to distract it while one of you destroys it. It may not kill me outright, as someone who is familiar with these gates and their crossing. Walking with the Godfiend might sharpen the line between success and death." Roshan removes her turban, rolling the cloth over her one hand and roughing up her oiled curls with the other.

Belym gives Ishtar a contemptuous look before turning to the party. "So, how do we actually close the gate? I could wall it off, but that beastie looks like he'd clear anything I could do in a few seconds. Oh, and Conwall... If you need a hint on how to kill it, just ask. Know that Hadouna supposedly fought one of these for three days and nights before finding its weakness."

We aren't here to slay every beast we come across. I can attempt to lead it astray then make myself invisible and lose it. Belym, do the stories of Hadouna suggest how fast it might be?

Do we want to attempt to slay it? Seems, unnecessarily risky, and this is coming from the guy who still thinks the hell shortcut is the greatest plan ever.

"Thou shalt grant no quarter to evil." Roshan's imitation of Tom is uncanny. "I'm not sure we want to make more exceptions." she indicates Ishtar with a glance.

Tom pats the top of his bald head and scratches the beard on his nexk, I have t' say that a beast like this seems like it is more time and effort than we can afford. It should be a rut along the road t' our destination, Ron's plan seems best. If this was some rampaging beast it would need t' be put down, but this is just a sentry.

I weigh what Belym has to say. Three days, huh? But Hadouna was a dwarf, no? If I had a coin for every time the elves killed something that the dwarves though was unkillable...

Then again, maybe Ron's plan is better. They normally are better, if less glorious, than my own.

Roshan, I think you may misunderstand the plan. Ron distracts, you close the hellcat. I...don't kill the monster, I guess...

Ron removes his armor and puts it into Larune's care. He grabs the spear, shield, and health potions.

I am ready. He turns to Ishtar. If I do not survive, please at least wait until after Einora is defeated before you turn on my friends.

Spout Lore about how to close Hellgates: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11

As Ron prepares to set off, Belym says " If you need backup...", then turns and casts her thoughts into the marsh again. Speed. Swim and dig. Haste.

Summon Elemental (Teleport): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6
Control: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Well, I was hoping for a giant swamp otter... Able to grab someone and dart to Near range via Command Elemental, or bear a rider and do the same. Naturally, that's a 6-, so... What do I get instead?

Have Tom and I had an opportunity to refresh spells? I can't remember the timing here.

[ooc]Loving this planning. no, it has been like an hour, all of it on the road/dealing with Ishtar[/b]

Ron

portals need a steady stream of energy to keep them going, so some artifact or being nearby (like, within 200 meters) must be providing it with that power, from either or both sides of the gate. from what you understand of demonic magic, and the use of the rubies, there is likey a powerful demon who was bound by the ruby keeping the portal open.

Belym

the good news, there is, in fact, an giant swamp otter. The bad news, the otter comes from the earth directly below one of the supports, the platform is sliding down into the hole in the swamp. Everyone, defy danger, or be caught in the muck as the demons approach!

p.s. loud noise as the platform collapses, the guys at the gate are almost certain to notice, probably demons coming.

I thought we agreed to refresh spells after summoning Ishtar, because I burned a 5th level spell doing it...

Wow, I've completely misread this situation. There are other creatures (demons?) besides the giant here? What supports? What platform?

We definitely rested before the summoning, since Tom had to prepare Commune. We'd talked about reading again after, but it wasn't made explicit at any point after Ishtar showed up.
I'm assuming the supports/platform are the section of swamp walkway we're currently on.
And we know some demons retreated back this way...

As the platform begins to slide from under her, Belym eyes her otter, and allows her momentum to slide her forward onto its back.

Defy Danger Dex: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 1 = 4

...or not.
Question: would riding the elemental at a normal pace require a Command roll, or not?

Roshan is caught prepping for trouble, and it takes little to drive the hatchet-like end of her Khanda into the platform as it rocks.
Defy Danger(STR): 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

Before her footing is secure, the templar reaches out to catch anyone nearby who may be slipping.

Ron dashes towards a nearby steady platform, and then looks back to see if anyone needs help.

DD Dex: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 = 10

Feeling the platform slip, I try to keep my footing, leaping to the next steady platform.
dd dex: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 = 9

Shoot, I forgot about that, yeah, looking back, you totally did. so re-do spells. mea culpa

And, no roll, unless you use the teleport tag, or get attacked, or it is otherwise interesting/possible to go wrong. and I will add in the responses once everyone has DD'd

I thought my quest gave me the ability to not breathe for a second there, time to change my move.

Seeing no better option, Tom follows Ron and Conwall's movements but is just too slow to keep up with the warriros.

DD Dex: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

Beym

dwarven biology is useful in many circumstances, you resist magic more naturally than most, you can see in the dark, and are very resistant to most poisons, however, in this instance, dwarven biology is quite the hindrance, your legs aren't long enough to get you across, you fall into the impromptu pit. You open your mouth, and draw in breath, and aspirate swamp water. take the sickened condition until you have a few minutes to cough up. what do you do?

Roshan

You get to safety, but the strain of quickly lifting yourself, and your equipment, leaves your muscles sore and burning. take -1 str forward. what do you do?

Conwall

Tell me, do you fall down into the pit, and get covered inslime (-1 dex and wis forward), or do you land hard on the edge of the marshway (and take 1d4 damage ignoring armour).

Tom

tell me what you leave behind when you jump.

Ron

with a grace that belies your age, you land on the stable marshway, looking forward, you see a short column of demon shock troops, three abreast, and 5 deep. they will be on you in 2 minutes, at best, what do you do?

Tom makes the jump, glancing back to see the offering plate still laying out with some herbs and his shield resting on the ground when it was far too late to return for them.

Ugh, sickened again :p Just remembered that I still had the serpentine (hazard) elemental out at the end of our last fight, with 3 control. Is it still around?

Sputtering, the now mud-caked dwarf pulls herself up alongside the otter, trying to keep the elemental's bulk between her and the approaching forces as she clears her lungs.

If possible, I'd like to use the otter and my mud-covered self to avoid drawing the oncoming demons' notice. Of course, the stone otter may attract notice on its own. That feels like a Defy, so...
Defy Danger Dex?: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 1 = 10

I land bad, but I land safely. damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

How did the hirelings and remaining soldiers fare with the collapse?

Ron looks at the shock troops, then down at his undergarments. Gods damnit..

Form up quick as ye can! Belym, break their formation when they close. Larune, help her. Roshan command the left flank, Conwall take the right flank. Tom, take the center with Merrick and Beldroth. Troops with your commanders.

I'll hit them from behind.

He closes his eyes for a moment ...

Cast Invisibility: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 = 11

... and disappears from view.

Now's the time to heal up if ye need it.

Ron moves to the very left edge of the platform, about thirty feet ahead of the allied formation.

[b]Right flank it is. Archers, shoot anything that looks like it wants to stab me from behind![b]

I take a deep swig of healing potion and I bound into combat with the right flank. Catastrophe is itching for demon blood.

Roshan pulls her blade from the wood with a "chunk" then raises it in the direction of the incoming danger. "Keep it distracted! Don't be an hero. Archers, pull when the right flank's arrows reach their apex, make it rain while we close. Cover once allies are in range. Front line, shields!" Roshan levels her own shield, her flank forming into a tight wall of iron, spears sliding out of the gaps from the second rank.

Defend: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 = 10
My whole group will try to divert an attack, halve its damage, and halve the damage of a second attack. I'll also consecrate the ground, in case that does damage through the thing's skin.
As the group marches forward, funerary stones rise to meet their feet through the broken platform, steam the color of dried blood rising from their surfaces.

I think about half the soldiers, and all the hirelings, made the jump to one side of the falling section, and 6 or 7 soldiers are in the swamp, covered in slime and treading water toward you guys. it will take them a minute to get organized

Belym

You cling to the otters side, head just out of the water, and watch as Conwall charges the demons. you see the back two rows of the column drawing energy from the portal behind them, a lot of energy.

Oh, yeah, the serpent is still totally around, I think this means you can't channel until one of them is released. Right?

Conwall

You charge the demons, and they stop, the front row draw swords, and lock shields while the second and third row's spears bristle up behind them. what do you do?

Roshan

Are you advancing with Conwall, or hanging back and defending the other soldiers?

Ron

You move ahead, but you reach an obstacle very quickly, the formation of demons take up the entire Marshway, you will need to get by them to get to the guardian. what do you do?

Admitedly, Roshan is not calling a charge, and Conwall is. I think we're acting as a sword and a shield, Conwall's forces moving faster, glancing across the shield wall, and Roshan's forces coming in behind to hold their attention more permanently. Arrows to cover Conwall's advance, (halve damage) then collide with the demon lines (divert attack and halve damage)

As Conwall's forces scatter to regroup for a second strike, Roshan's will fill in to cover the archers of both forces with a fighting withdrawal. Hopefully Conwall's red rover maneuver will punch a hole somewhere and we can get into some Sun Tzu tactics.

Yeah, I'd forgotten about the can't-channel-with-two-elementals-out restriction, but we totally did establish that. Time to start spending some control!

With a few careful gestures, Belym commands the serpentine elemental to erupt from the swamp at the back of the formation, on the far side of the walkway from her, trying to ensnare one or two of the demons in its stony coils.
Command Hazard Elemental: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 4) + 2 = 8

This next part assumes it's possible to wield the dagger without invoking the ruby's power; if that's not the case, Belym will hang out quietly in the swamp instead.

As the serpent attacks, she quietly draws the dagger from her belt, and wraps one arm around the otter's neck; another quick gesture sends the otter surging up behind the demons, and she rolls off its back, stabbing the dagger into the closest demon.

Command Teleport Elemental: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13
Hack and Slash finesse, if required: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 1 = 9
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Ron straps shield and spear to his back before dropping off the side of the platform. He grabs hold of the edge, and attempts to slip quietly into the water to climb back up behind the demon line.

DD Dex if necessary: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5

Living walls? An elven fighter cares not for walls. I rush in to charge and then leap above the demons, flipping past their defenses and landing behind them to strike.

defy danger dex: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7

We still doing the on 7-9 narrate how our lives or the lives around us get more complicated, or are you doing that?

I would have cast Bless on Ron before he went invisible, can I squeeze this action in now? At the very least I would like to Help Ron by distracting the demons so he can get to his mission.

Conwall

yeah, I think I will turn over 7-9's to you guys, but for this one, I'll do it, because I haven't officially turned it over quite yet

the surface of the Marshway is slippery, and in your leap, you stumble slightly. you get plenty of height, but no nearly enough length. you would have smashed right into the second rank, however, they and the front rank charge the formation. instead, you land hard on the marshway, in front of the hird rank. what do ou do?

Roshan

The first two ranks of the demon phalanx advance hard on you and your soldiers, heedless of the Funerary stones. tell me, do you or your soldiers take the brunt of the attack?

Belym

Your serpent grabs onto one of the demons, and holds them fast as you drive the knife into the demon, but the creatures armour holds against it, you only wound it some. however, the demon grabs at the pommel of the knife, breaking the gem. their spell is suddenly pulsing, empowered by the gem. what do you do?

Tom

Sure, throw bless on, and aid Ron

Ron

Going to wait on tom here

Can I determine anything about what/how this energy is being used? Is the visible connection running to each demon individually, something they're carrying, or just a general aura around them?
Starting to feel like a DR, so...

Discern Realities: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 1 = 6
Ugh. This is getting ridiculous.

Cast a Spell(Bless): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 3 = 10

Tom uses hos bare hands to strike Ron's forehead (with permission) and a warm sensation flows through him like his limbs received blood for the first time after falling asleep. The action certainly draws attention to Tom's glowing hands as Ron casts his spell and vanishes.

Empower, double effect, attract attention.

Aid(Ron): 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 1 = 5

As the demons move to try and reach the casting, Tom hears Ron splash only to see his figure as a void in the water. Trying to use the attention in his favor Tom draws his sword and says, You come and you come but I will not fall t' miscreants like you!

Tom musters what confidence he can but glances at the water where Ron is moving.

If that was empowered then there is no need for an Aid roll.

Ron slides down gracefully into the water with only his fingers grasping the edge of the platform. As the battle above him rages, Ron begins moving hand over hand towards the rear of the battle line. At one point his left hand slips, but he feels a hand grab his own. Whatever grasped him is an invisible as the battlemaster, and allows Ron to continue on unhindered and unnoticed.

Thank yer gods, Tom!

Ron climbs back onto platform and takes a moment to study the magic flowing into the demon horde. As his gaze flows towards the hellgate he feels ice hardens in his veins. The behemoth has taken note of the battle, and slowly moves towards his allies, crushing the platform underneath its girth as it moves through the water.

Ron pauses for a moment, and then takes off towards the beast at a silent sprint.

I love this masochism move.

I would aid even if I didn't cast bless, the whoel point is Tom would focus on supporting Ron's action.