Dungeon World PBP play (Inactive)

Game Master Elsine

Ron and Roshan

so, did you guys bring any booze, food, whatever? I ask because this sounds like it is turning into carouse.

I'll take ye. an old man says but I'll warn ye, I'm not so easy an opponent as yer used to, godslayer. he laughs

Tom

well... no one has ever heard of the door... though the individual in white seems intrigued. however, given the size, and magical defenses, you doubt that it is imprisoning a group of bunnies, or protecting a chocolate cake recipe.

No one lives up on the mountain... it's too steep, too unstable. if you plan to go up there, keep your feet steady, and your volume low.

The mountain is neither the site of any outbreaks (for obvious reasons) nor especially near any of them...yet Iisac directs you toward it. There must be something important up there, something no one wants discovered.

Belym

Bogdoruhl? the dwarf-hold in the badlands? He says I haven't heard from them in near a decade, since all the unpleasantness. Don' much blame them, they probably just sealed their doors, and still aren't keen on opening up. he says.

Is this city well provisioned? Could I have purchased a Keg of Dwarven Stout on the way to the barracks?

So what is Tiles, should we come up with a custom move?

Dwarfish stout? not in this town. but you could probably get regular food and booze. not cheap, but available... usual carouse rules

Tiles, I was thinking it was a lot like Go... I think we'll just have it be part of the carouse roll

Ron grins at the challenger. He then tosses a small bag of coins (30?) to a nearby spectator. Would ye go purchase food and drinks for the barracks? The good stuff!

I nod cautiously. It's good to see a friendly face. I had some...misdealings with the redcaps.

A Point then. That's promising. When elven mages go out into the world, they're one of three things.

• Points, trained to enter quietly and remove Asmodeans and their mortal servants.
  
• Flails, who kill every living thing in a town where the corruption has grown too widespread to salvage.
  
• Planks: The coordinator between the two, who carefully investigates the extent of the corruption and decides when things have spread so that a Point is no longer effective and a Flail is needed.

Planks are commonly known as Death's Accountant, and they take their job very seriously. For every corrupted elf or human that's found, it's believed that there are five more who you'll never find until it's too late.

Points tend to want to remove a scourge with the most limited loss of life.

Flails would prefer to leave every city outside of the great forrest a smoking crater.

Planks are the final call between the two.

Working alongside a Point means that she's not here to kill everyone in the town. If I can just redirect her to another infestation point, we can work to cure this without killing everyone.

Maybe...

Flashback:

I scratch my chin. The shapeshifter is loose? How did this happen?

In my moment of weakness. When Einora seemed on the brink of victory ... I smashed the astral ruby and made a deal with Stríðsherra, the demon lord of conquest, to aid me. As part of this deal, the shapeshifter was freed from hell. I did not remember this until a fevered dream last night. I have failed Conwall, and I need your help. What am I to do? Perhaps it would be best if you ended my life now.

Ron relays what he knows of Stríðsherra and of the deal:

Ron

You know the formless moster og blood and shadow was, in fact, stríðsherra, the demon lord of conquest. you know for a fact that, if her gets that relic, he will use it to bring sorrow and slaughter to thousands.

you also know that he is a member of the demon triad, composed of himself, the lord of Hatred, and the lord of vice (There also used to be a lord of deception, but he was slain by the other three a long time ago), and that the other to would like nothing better than to kill him.

Flashback
I place my hand comfortingly on Ron's shoulder.

I knew about the demon. Wanted to see if you were going to tell me. You made a bad calll for a good reason. Everything will be ok, my friend. As long as we don't encounter any Elven mages. They have a nose for demon summoners...

I search my admittedly limited demon knowledge for anything on Stríðsherra.

spout lore: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 1 = 4

I know...terrible things...

Roshan gives Ron a bleak look. "I took a God's wrath to the face, this is our first proper meal off the road. I hope that's not all we're getting."

Ron laughs. Ye'll soon learn never to ignore the wise counsel of Sir Kaur!

Ron pulls out a bag of more coins (total 200) and tosses it to the guardsman.

So +2 to carouse. Want to roll Roshan? Can we say Merrick is here too?

Hollow.

It had never been more than a calculated ruse. Roshan had hoped that being tossed around by a would-be God would have fixed what was broken. She had hoped she could move on. She had hoped the drinking, gambling and rough-housing would become fulfilling, sincere, or at least entertaining. Instead it was...

Hollow.

Through the evening, Roshan learns about life as an enforcer for a court of a Godless nobility.

Carouse: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2) + 2 = 10
I think that's 300 coin total for a +2.
You hear rumors of an opportunity
You gain useful information
You are not entangled, ensorcelled, or tricked.

Reading the move that should be 300 for a +2. I've updated party gold appropriately. This is the campaign with custom carouse options, right?

Conwall

I imagine, given the company you keep. Whatever gets the job done, though. She says, looking you over. Which house did you come from? She asks

Flashback:

The name Stríðsherra is a simple human bastardization... the proper name for the demon is Asmodeus, chief lord of demonkind. If he has Ron fetching an item like that, then he has a way to use it. A demonic army with a dragon at their command would be formidable indeed.

Ron and Roshan

You are not entangled, ensorcelled, or tricked.

Aww.

fortunately, there is more food than drink this night, and though you spend most of the evening with the guard, things do not get overly celebratory..

Ron, after your third draw in tiles, you and the old man get to talking. apparently, his son commands the western watchtower, which is in the middle of the quarantine zone. none of his men have been infected yet, by some miracle. if you brought them some Omar root, you would get a safehaven to stay in.

Roshan, you get information on 3 of the major nobles in the court, choose which 3:

Briben daelorin I swear to god, that was a random generator the woman in green.

Orilanae Jodithas: the woman in orange

Eiralath Perrora: the man in lavender

Giselona Raloralei: the woman in azure

Iartis Enrel: the man in red

Aveqwyn Ravabella: the woman in Magenta

Lorosrin Urisatra: The man in Brown

Perrora, the lion. Enrel, the stallion, and I'm not sure if Urisatra was the person of indeterminate gender in off-white, but that's who I pick.

Perrora is a distant cousin of the late king Stiborg, and he resents his greatly decreased station over the past decade. Many people suspect him of hoarding food from the shipments to the quarantine zone, and giving it to his household guard (which has grown considerably since the beginning of the crisis).

Enrel has been vocal since the beginning of the crisis, against incendiary purges, against the quarantine zone. In the time before the crisis, he was known for leading expeditions into the badlands, but now he spends most of his time outside of court in his tower, with his wife and guards.

Urisatra is not, in fact, the individual in off-white... no one knows anything about them, including their name. however, Urisatra is a noted proponent of agressive eradication of the plague, before the individual in off-white arrived (about a week ago). they have also called for less food to be sent to the quarantine zone, arguing that, as it is apparently incurable, the food is wasted. If you wanted to find him, he is in the southern wing of the castle I think castle have wings...I've never actually known what a wing was, except that it's a big-house thing..

what do you do?

What unpleasantness is the guard referencing?

Spout Lore: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 = 11

Belym thanks the guard, and leaves to rejoin her companions. Mindful of the results the last time she indulged, she avoids the alcohol, instead spending her time learning this new-to-her game.

When Roshan has a private moment with Ron, she lays out the information she's gathered. "Perrora, the plump one in purple colors, spends his time holed up in his castle with a heavy guard. If we are to approach him, it will have to be on the road home. Seems like he's just a scorned noble with no solid perspective on the crisis. He's acting selfishly, but not maliciously. Enrel was resistant to the traditional methods of disease containment, and has spent a suspicious amount of time in the badlands. He too will be traveling back to his home to spare his own health. While Uristra has no pity for the common folk, he also depends on the castle guard. This speaks to a level of trust that may not exclude him from suspicion, but puts him ahead of the others in my judgement. I couldn't find anything on the one without an insignia. They seem to have arrived recently, and no one knows anything about them. Not even their name. I am inclined to seek the truth, Ron, and my instincts tell me to dig where there is the least information. Short of that, my next mark would be Enrel. He's either an idiot, or is actively promoting the parasite, and he will be vulnerable in transit."

I look helplessly around. I'm...actually not sure where my team has gotten of to.

I suddenly remember Ron's...predicament. It wouldn't be prudent for the Point to meet him. It would be...disastrous, really.

I'll go look for them. You should lay low. It...wouldn't do for someone of your...role to slum with the likes of us.

sorry, calc decided to hammer me

Belym

about 15 years ago Valtanis, the kingdom which Eolen used to be a part of, became involved in a serious civil war after a failed coup. unfortunately, rather than resolving itself, the situation deteriorated, as Ravagers began to increase in number sharply (no one was holding them back anymore) and other supernatural threats which were no longer being dealt with, have more or less taken over the area. the duchy, which had avoided the worst of the fighting by dint of quasi-sovereignty, and isolationism.

as for this situations specific effect on Bogdoruhl, Akira had shown you a few of the last reports the stronghold had sent. They detailed the decaying situation in the surrounding area, and that they were forced to sut their gates. it is entirely possible that they are still doing fine... or at least still all surviving.

Conwall

Nalea bows her head, and replaces her hood. I will do so. Please, though, do continue to coordinate with me. it has been nice to meet with you.

I nod as well and try to find my friends. I take a very circuitous path to get to them, in case Nalea follows me.

I sidle behind Ron as the revel starts to get underway.

What did I miss?

Catching up after discussion the issues of the invisible hand pointing somewhere new far from the containment area, Tom finds everyone after breaking free of the court. Speaking to Belym, he describes what he saw: the large door and what he has heard about this strange mountain.

With your power, I imagine this land is not so inaccessible as it seems. I'm torn - my priority is t' go where Iisac wills it, and I fear once we enter the quarantined areas we won't find it so easy to leave. I don't know if there are any dwarvish tales of such a door or this mountain, but it seemed like a good place t' start with you lot.

Belym looks contemplative for a minute, and asks Tom to sketch the doors and runes as best he can.

Spout Lore: mountain stairs and buried doors: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2) + 2 = 9

" Well, it's not much, but here's what I've heard..."

Ron whispers to Conwall. Roshan suggested we can get some information from these soldiers. Enjoy yerself and see if ye can round up anything useful. Yer a hero here Conwall. These men and women believe ye to be the 'elf whose blade is sharp enough to cut the wind.'

Aid Belym(Draw Runes): 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 1 = 8

Let me draw this for you, I could never forget something so strange.

Belym

The door is definitely familiar to you, though you never had the misfortune to see it yourself. there was a door just like that in the tunnel they found the golems in. You don't know how it could be related to the plague, but you know plenty about the effects of discovering the gate. What do you do?

Everyone

It is officially planning time, what is it you guys intend to do?

I think going straight to the quarantine risks getting stuck there, so I think I would prefer to investigate the mountain/door first and then go into the quarantine zone to find that one doctor that is there - Berlen Yesydark.

I'm open to ideas though.

Roshan wants to get one (preferably all) of the courtiers alone for questioning. If we're embarking on an expedition, the man in red may be interested. Otherwise, Roshan would need to be convinced the mountain poses a danger to whomever is going, or she'll be trying to pull something sneaky with one of the nobles.

My thoughts are that her best chance of cornering one would be to catch Mr. Red or Mr. Purple as they scamper off back to their homes. They'll have the fewest guards while in transit.

Oh, and Roshan just has to hold someone captive to get two truths and a lie. It's pressing to learn what is true that does harm. It might help to know what might count as being held captive. Like, if Roshan schedules an obviously inquisition-based tea time with each noble which they, for some reason of etiquette, cannot turn down, would that count? I could use a string of failed CHA rolls.

Roshan thinks back to Danyal's treatment of the court of Eloen, and her methods outside the battlefield.
Spout Lore: 2d6 + 0 ⇒ (6, 3) + 0 = 9
I could be wrong, but I think I still have a +1 forward for acting on the courtiers having power over the Duchess, if that might apply here.

Belym's face pales as she studies Tom's drawing. "This...could be very bad. Is this door already open?"

Belym's take is that the door is probably less urgent than the plague - people probably aren't dying right now - but probably a bigger long term problem. So, fine with tackling either problem first. If we go mountain first, it probably makes sense to at least send some supplies to the outpost Ron learned about.
If Tom presses for details, Belym won't say much of anything beyond "an ancient enemy of my people" until they're well clear of the city.

I honestly don't know, my still still aches when I think about my visions. There was a river coming from mountains, and in a cave or something was that door. It had these glowing runes flicker and go dark.

Roshan

Just having them compelled to attend wouldn't count as trapped. you need some way to stop them from just telling you to f*+& off. Having Cassandra and Merrick, or Conwall, or Ron at the door would do it.

Danyal had held the duchy in contempt. a nation built on apostasy and artifice. but particular dislike was reserved for the aristocracy.

They are something like this spider's web. She said, gesturing with her blade at the 6-foot radius web, the Jorogumo that had spun it laying dead nearby. they are all interconnected, tied together in a weave of lies and bargains. This is why they fear the gods, they know that they will be judged, and they have done so much to escape that judgement She spun her torch around, incinerating the last clutch of eggs. But, if we are able to get them within our power, all these deals and lies will be their undoing. once one stand is cut... instead of finishing her sentence, she severs a strand of the web, and smirks as it collapses

That what you were looking for?

That's pretty good. It validates Roshan's trajectory and sets an expectation of uncertainty. If there were anything else to establish, it's which of Roshan's crazy, antagonistic plans is more feasible, and I think I'm leaning toward a transparently agressive tea time. I have a few ideas in mind.

I dunno, anyone interested in either operation stagecoach or operation teaparty?

I'm happy to go along with the group on this. I don't have strong feelings on what we tackle next.

I quietly pull Ron aside, after looking VERY carefully for the Point. There's a demonhunting elf in town. She's not looking for you, but if she finds you she'll smell demon all over you. You need to make like a side view of a dwarf and keep a low profile, understood?

Sounds like Ron, Belym, and Tom should head for the mountain, and Conwall, Cassandra, Roshan, and Merrick can snoop around the castle.

Roshan notes Conwall entering the barracks. He would have some insight into the nature of the shadow cast over the court of Eloen. She finishes the arm wrestling match she was poorly pretending to be challenged by and bows curtly to the drunken guardsman.

Sounds like Ron, Belym, and Tom should head for the mountain, and Conwall, Cassandra, Roshan, and Merrick can snoop around the castle.

Is this the official plan? should I start framing scenes?

Are we really going to split the party? Why not stick together?

We certainly don't have to. Roshan will want to get Mr. Red to follow along if we're all headed to the mountain.

Roshan makes her way to back Ron and Conwall as they finish their potentially inflammatory exchange. "Did Brother Bonney decide he needs any rare ingredients to treat the people of Eloen? I find the courtiers to be a distrustful lot, and I seek the means to corner one in the open. Enrel in particular may be coaxed out with the promise of an expedition."

Behind her, Cassandra slaps a guard who likely misjudged a few social cues in his inebriated state.

"-and I am not sure how long my initiate can keep herself out of trouble in law-bound-lands."

I hate to say this, but I agree with splitting the party. We need a rally point beforehand though, maybe out near the wizard towers or in the quarantine zone where the court probably won't go.

And splitting is so Ron can avoid elf trouble, I can follow the divine guidance, and the others can investigate the courtly intrigue stuff. I think the plot is pulling us a few directions.

If we do split, the tower Ron got a lead on seems as fine a rally point as any.
If we don't, bringing Mr Red along seems like a fine way to try and split the difference.

We could let fate decide. Send Enrel the invitation and see if he would even come? If there's a roll, then the roll will determine if we split?

I also like the idea of making it a move.

Split the party?
When you try to decide if you should split up and deal with multiple issues at once, roo + your best guess at the number of fronts you're facing.

• On a 10+, spliting the group might be your best hope
• on a 7-9, you should probably clear out one or two of the minor threats, before they get major.
• on a 6-, there are definitely threats your GM hasn't revealed yet. best to stay together.

Also, I thi k we might be confused on a point here. the guys all like in the palace, they just have seperate "households" within. sorry I didn't correct this sooner

I'm fine with splitting up.

I nominate Roshan to roll when we are ready.

Split the Party: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 = 12

well, that move was mostly facetious, but ere we go!

The mountain crew!

Beyond the city walls, the terrain of the Duchy is beautiful, dominated by prismatic leaves, and golden fields of wheat, almost ready for the harvest. There is already a light dusting of snow atop the mountain. you travel through a few relatively quiets towns as you make your way to the mountain path. few individuals go up as far as you plan too, beyond a certain altitude the mountain is still ruled by gryphons and trolls. it will take you nearly 2 days to reach the cavern's mouth. Gonna need some perilous journey rolls.

The palace contingent.

As you plan your inquires, a few hours after the others depart, Merrick says Well, i think we want to bring them to us, ask Lady Eolen if she will request that the monarch go and meet with us, have her give them some BS line about information gathering, or guard distribution planning. That way, we control the situation.

I disagree Cassandra says, perhaps because she actually does, perhaps just to be difficult I say we should interrogate them in their own abodes. Show them how powerless they are in the face of the inquisition!

What do you do?

Roshan raises an eyebrow at Cassandra's remarks. "The time will come for crushing displays of dominance, but crush the first roach, and the rest will scatter. There are too many of them. By the time we have finished with the third, the others will have word of an inquisition. We know not which of these powdered lapdogs is using their station to subvert the needs of the state. What's more, we must remain above reproach. The blades don't come out until we have signs of defiance. Failure to comply to a simple audit can be used to secure the support of those who do comply- then it appears our hands are tied. We have no choice but to bring the audit to their holdings. Their guard is held in suspicion. The path to the truth paves itself."

To Merrick, she states. "To move forward, the Duchess' third party comity must perform an audit of all holdings. Guard distributions, as you said, but rations and resources as well. We need records and ledgers dating to three months before the first account of the plague. Because this is a comprehensive audit, I will need to meet with the heads of house, not their accountant or guard-captain." She pauses with a smile. "Sound about right?"

Tom consults his map to lead the way to where he thinks the steps might be.

Undertake Perilous Journey(Trailblazer): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

Turns out the map might not be to scale...

Off to a solid start.

I'm on team mountain? There are just three of us right, so I will have to roll this?
I'll take quartermaster and let Belym scout.

Quartermaster: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

After about a day on the road, Belym hears a curious munching sound coming from behind her. She turns around to find Ron gorging himself on some of the fancier rations they brought from the guard house.

He stops for a moment, crumbs tumbling down the front of his armor. What?

Belym takes point, keeping an eye out for the mountain's hazards.

Perilous journey: Scout: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2) + 1 = 9

Well, at least we didn't fall all 3!