Dungeon World PBP play (Inactive)

Game Master Elsine

The spear flies towards the creature's back ...

Cast Magic Spear: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5) + 3 = 9

Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

... and strikes true, before disappearing in a flash of green.

-1 ongoing to cast.

Armor clanks as the man sprints towards the beast, grinning as the spear rematerializes in his hand.

DD (Dex?) to catch up to it if needed: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3) + 3 = 9

Tom takes his sword and attempts to use the heated blade to slowly work its way between the rock and goop. Then he will try and use it's leverage to tear the goop from the rock.

Strength?

Defy Danger(Strength): 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 1 + 1 = 5

I regret ever complaining about scrubbing clean a ship in port.

Belym presses herself against her barricade, trying to force the creature to impale itself to get to her, and lifts her stone arm to act as a shield.

Defend: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

Or not.

Ron

You wound one of the giants. not badly, but blood flows. then the creature charges, and knocks Belym aside. bad news: you're too late to protect her. Good news: You can stop it from pressing the attack.

Tom

good news: you've prised yourself free!

Bad news: so have the giants.

worse news: they're smashing at the palisade, and it won't hold.

what do you do?

Belym

the creature charges, and claws you. sending you flying into the wall 1d8+3, messy and obviously forceful. also, take Stunned and Shakey. what do you do?

Roshan

It takes hours, and draws upon a lot of energy to break this. it wasn't any ordinary enchantment, it was either entirely non-magical, or simply lightly reinforced with magic. either way, Nlaea is rational again, but Sarah and her group have no doubt had time to go to ground. What do you do?

I help Niaea get cleaned up and recombobulated. You were under that woman's control...she had some sort of power over you. I fear many elves have been compromised, but I don't know how...

Ouch: 1d8 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 - 1 = 6 16/28

Belym staggers to her feet, blood pouring from a gash down her good arm. She blinks a few times, trying to get the multiple huge creatures in her vision to resolve into a single figure; once they do, she mutters "Back at you" and launches a stone spike at the huge creature.

Overchannel Giant's Sharpened Stones: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3) + 3 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + (2) = 5 14/28. That's forceful 2 piercing
Complication on the 7-9

"I still have Ravabella and Uristra to question, but I think we may have more pressing news for the Duchess. Lady Jodithas has been acting under sinister--if not exactly infernal--instruction, and it would appear Sarah has been working with Lady Daelorin to produce enough alchemical fire to... well, it's likely more than they need for any goodly task. The men seem to be equal parts cowards and pigs. Hopefully, Lady Ralorelei and the Duchess can right this country's course against such odds. We need to speak to the Duchess. Although... let's not not rush into an ambush. Our enemies have now been given ample time to turn the Duchess' against us."

Having finished the remainder of the food, Cassandra swaggers back to Roshan's side. The templar catches her shoulder and leans in. "Cassandra. In the future, would you kindly keep in mind that I am not, in actuality, a God."

"Could have fooled me, sir."

Roshan struggles to suppress a smile. "In any case, take care not to stop my heart next time."

I need to be more clear in my posts. My last attack was intended to attack the very large creature ... not one of the giants. I'll continue to press the attack on the very large creature. I'm not sure what to call him/her/it. Since I think I'm behind it and Belym just hit it with forceful ... I'm going to do this:

The (very large) creature is rocked backwards by the stone spike, only to be met with a spearpoint in the back of a knee.

H&S: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Pierce 2

Tom will climb the palisade and try to run past the giants, drawing their attention and opening them up for a counterattack.

Sorry, got swamped at work.

Defend(Palisade): 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 3 + 1 = 10 hold 3, spend one hold to open an opportunity for an ally (I think it's +1 forward).

The Inquisition:

That woman... the room... Everything is kinda a blur Nlaea says. I don't know how that was possible. We're trained to resist mind control.

So, what are you going to do? Merrick asks, Do you figure we're about to get attacked? should I be dragging the dresser in front of the door?

Ron & Belym

Belym's missile punches through the beast, coating the floor in blue ichor Yeah, you're both gonna need to DD for that stuff and the spear punches right into its neck, killing it. what do you do?

Tom

Ron, Belym, either of you gonna take that opening?

The two swing around, lanky arms swinging toward you, palms open and fingers splayed, like they plan to grab you. what do you do?

Tom aims to lop off a finger for a painful reminder to follow Tom as he runs breathing heavy away from the palisade.

Hack and Slash: 2d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 1 + 1 = 11

Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Spend one hold to deal 6 more damage as well.

Is the DD for the ichor +dex because it's slippery, +con because it's Bad, or something else?

Defy Danger +Something: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10 Well, as long as it's not Str, I appear to be okay :p

Belym launches another volley, this time at the giants that are busy presenting an easy target.

Overchannel Giant's Sharpened Stones: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 + 1 = 6
Damage, Forceful 2 piercing: 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (4) = 5

Really? Missed with a +4?!

I doubt it. They're likely getting rid of any evidence... I look to the dead creature. Any...OTHER evidence that is.

The spearman stands firm as the ichor washes over him.

DD Con: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11

He sprints towards the dwarf and launches his spear in tandem with the rock volley.

Aid Belym: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Wonderful.

"It may be days before Ron returns and Tom can serve to address the Duchess." If they survive, since you've abandoned them to conduct this farcical Inquisition. "As much as we can't afford to await them in the Eloen dungeons, we would as well abandon this place as hope to hold out for rescue. We should go now, but keep a wary eye on the guard. They are not the monolith they would have us believe them to be."

Would this be a perilous journey through the castle, or do we just get to the audience chamber?

Tom

you lop off half the unwounded beasts hand as you fall back, and deliver a devastating follow-up attack, before deftly retreating. the two keep on you, what do you do?

Ron & Belym

You both shake off the fumes and malignant effects of the creatures fluids.

But Belym's next attack, where they intended to conjure stone, instead used the stones from the roof, causing a collapse Yeah, thats defying danger, and the entrance you guys used is gonna take some work to get back to.

Conwall & Roshan

Yeah... honestly, that demon-baby thing has been creeping me out for a while now. Merrick says, as he and Cassandra gather their gear. he also packs rations, and a set of clothes

no need to roll, you can walk right into the ambu throne room.

Yaaaaaa...wait what

The spearman nimbly avoids the collapsing roof.

DD Dex: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9

Unfortunately, the spearman has dodged away from the cleric, and is delayed as he scrambles through/around the debris.

Roshan openly scoffs at the mention of demon babies, but her trunk is soon packed and deftly shouldered. It was heartbreaking, but "Conwall's was a good guy" so Roshan would bite her tongue and leave it to him to describe his broken imp to the Duchess.

"Looks a bit like an imp." Cassy stretches, cat-like, against a beam. "like an imp from hell. Like a hell imp. Don't see a lot of those since you-know-who kicked the you-know-what. Doesn't that look like an imp to you, sir?"

Spout Lore: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 4) = 9

Belym avoids the crumbling ceiling...

Defy Danger Dex: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5) + 1 = 10

And hopes that this ancient Dwarven construction won't collapse completely as she tries to finish off the giants.

Overchannel Giant's Sharpened Stones: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 5) + 3 = 13
Damage, forceful 2 piercing: 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + (2) = 3 Overchannel damage, now at 12/28.

Roshan

YEP, that there's an imp, and it's a beauty. a mouthful of needle-sharp teeth, rubbery skin that resists magic, and the ability to eat almost anything.

You usually see these little guys in the company of more powerful demons, often temptors, who like to turn young mortals, or weak cultists into them, and have them serve them, and hunt down sacrifices!

"I am sure-" Roshan speaks through grit teeth, "that Conwall has an acceptable explanation for the corpse he is carrying, and we shall have the patience to hear him give it to the Duchess."

Shifting the trunk on her shoulder, Roshan storms off in the direction of the throne room.

I do the "so so" gesture. Ehhhh, kinda? I tell the story, guard murder and all.

Belym and Ron

you both manage to escape the falling ceiling. Belym even gets a boulder off, killing a second giant.. but ron is distracted by a spray of warm blood running down his face.

In front of him, Tom is there, impaled by one of the stalactites, which a giant broke off. He reaches toward the wound, the familiar words of Isaac's healing upon his lips, but he goes limp before he can cast the spell. What do you do?

Roshan and Conwall

So, one of the lords has a crazy, demon-loving sorceress in his chambers, who has been regularly attending court, and is a voice in the duchesses ear... and she has the guards convinced those... things Merrick gestures toward the Imp Are children... Y'know, back when I was an adventurer, it was all ravager camps, and barbarian invaders. it's never so simple with you guys.

what is your next move?

The spearman wipes the blood from his eyes, before launching the spear at the last remaining giant.

Cast Magic Spear: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7

Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Forget spell.

"They are children." As others turn to look at her, Roshan's face pulls into a forced smile. -or the weak willed, the desperate, the deranged... "Are we too petrified to face the court? Should we go to the towers, board ourselves in, and wait for Tom to drag the others back from whatever gilded mountain top they're searching for? It's a dead man, a mouthy woman, and children. I think we may have dealt with worse in the past."

Belym takes aim at the last giant, sending more stone at it.

Overchannel Giant's Sharpened Stones: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4) + 3 = 10
damage, forceful 2 piercing: 1d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (4) + (3) = 7

Sorry guys, really awful weekend

Belym and Ron

You both inflict what would have been fatal wounds on the giant, near simultaneously. you'll need to sort out between yourselves whose kill that was. dare you venture back into the labyrinth?

Roshan

They shall quake, when shown the light of Hebron's truth. Cassie says, indicating a wish to go

I'm not in the mood for a siege. Merrick quips we could probably take down some of the guard, in a fighting retreat, if it came to it.

Be careful, this Sarah's influence is both subtle, and Insidious. I was unable to detect it at all. We do not know who might be under her sway Nlaea says, seemlessly including herself into the leadership of the group.

what do you do?

While I don't have them on my sheet, in this post I think we bought 2 healing potions each, and haven't used any since. Should I count those as available?

After the giant falls, Belym says "Tom, I could..." before her eyes fall on the priest's unmoving form. She falls silent, before moving towards the body and saying quietly "Stone guide you to Iisac's side, Tom." After that, she'll let Ron tend to any surfacer rituals for the dead, assisting with the burial.

Then, she studies the blocked off entrance, and the abyss outside the hole in the wall, assessing how secure their current location is.

The spearman drops to a knee next to Tom's body and places a hand over his face.

Safe travels, friend.

After a minute, he stands and turns to the channeler. We cannot bury him in this solid rock. He sighs deeply. Why are we even here? We have learned what we needed and suffered a bitter loss. It is time to leave this place.

Could you use your stoneweaving to give him a crypt or something? I wouldn't want these monsters to have access to his body.

Yeah, by "assist with the burial" I pretty much meant "perform necessary excavations" - we've got plenty of rubble to work with at this point. A Bender roll for creating and filling a grave, if necessary:

As far as getting out - we might want to rest first, if we could do so safely. Volsung, how would "just leave" work with our dungeoneering moves?

If we rest, I will take the first watch.

Before laying Tom to rest, Belym takes the time to go through the priest's pack, pulling out the bandages, soul gems, and divine specimens. If Ron objects, Belym just replies "I don't think he'd want us to die down here, too."

Tom had a huge stock of bandages, so at least HP isn't an immediate worry. Probably still worth pausing long enough for you to prep spells, and possibly clear our debilities - you picked up confused when we got separated, I can't find where I picked mine up from right now. But since we can heal the HP,
I say we skip Make Camp and just take a short rest.

After surveying the area, he sits down to sharpen his spear. This area is defensible enough to afford some sleep. You sleep first, I will take first watch.

Leaving would mean you lose all your hold, and likely a grim portent is to come to pass in the time it takes you to retreat. but fighting a stronger enemy at full force could be worth that. Just tell me if you guys head back.

The spearman wants to leave.

Yeah, leaving seems prudent.

Conwall & Roshan

You guys still there?

Only so many ways Roshan can leave in a huff. I think I've made her trajectory pretty clear. She's headed for the trap throne room.

Yeah we decided that a long ass time ago. I just didn't say anything because I'm super spun on our Masks game.

Oh, shit, I misread that. Sorry, my bad. Onward to the trap!

Alright, Belym and I head back as fast as we can.

The tra throne room

The nobles and clerks are already gathered the room is a mass of murmurs and occasional shouts. The second your party crosses the threshold, The room goes dead silent.

I'm glad you've arrived. I am afraid that you've a few things which I would like explanations for. As it stands, unless you can give me reason to pardon you, you face a number of criminal charges. The lady Eolen says

To be, more precise the old steward says, holding up a list You are charged with... assaulting lady Ralorelei, assaulting Lord Perrora, though there are conflicting reports there, assaulting lord Urisatra, breaking and entering the estate of the same, assaulting a guest of the crown, assaulting two on-duty guards, and harboring an agent of a foreign nation.

Care to explain these actins? The lady Eolen says.

those in the depths

you backtrack quickly, having prudently left chalk marks where you had explored. you find yourselves in the tunnel. do you continue on to the dutchy (probably arriving at the caste around when the trial is starting... because of convenient time magic), or do you take the other path of the Ankheg tunnel you found, and follow it to its terminus?

Isn't it a three day trip? Where are we chronologically? I think we're looking at about four days of rotting in the dungeons.

it was a day with a botched trailblazer roll. with them backtracking, it will be less... but you're probably right... but you guys spent several hours, maybe a day, sorting out the important bits of the records before the interviews happened, right? andyou just spent hours deprograming Nlea, after spending time interveiwing and torturing nobles... I can sorta justify it, and it works better because I don't have to put two players on pause, or shove them into meaningless random encounters (or make meaningful encounters, and hope they resolve soon enough for you guys to be reunited on schedule.

Roshan blinks at the list of- "Allegations," Roshan corrects, catching her own listing trail of thought. "Perrora was struck by my initiate in defense of my person, your grace. She has been punished under my judgement, but we are subject to your judgement in turn. I am afraid I was the only other person in the room. I am not sure why your guards insisted on remaining outside." She turns to Conwall as though that was all she need speak to.

Sounds good to me. Civil court can be a bureaucratic nightmare. Roshan probably wouldn't even get an hour of torture before Ron busted in.

Whats the cliff notes version of what is about to go down with the throne room?

Man...everything else is true but...extenuating circumstances? Is this an appropriate time for a cha-based defy danger?

Ralorelei was broken, but nobody touched her that I know of. It's an interesting turn of events to see her name on the list and not Jodithas', who should be gathering all the dirt she has on Enrel and Ralorelei "in a way that best benefits herself."

Also, we forgot the most important part of this scene: the music.

I'm all for heading back to the castle.