Dungeon World PBP play (Inactive)

Game Master Elsine

In the Throne Room

Is this true, Lord Perrora? The Lady asks

I did no such thing. I was in the process of explaining to thisWoman that her attempts at manipulation were as unwanted as they were transparent, when I was taken from behind by one of her cohort.

More to the point, you have no such excuses with your invasion of my household, or the assault upon my person, my guards, and amy guest, and Kidnapping one of my Guest's wards. Urisatra says

Nor your deplorable intimidation tactics. Briben says. Ralorelei seems rather subdued in the background behind lady Daelorin.

And... Enrel says You can hardly deny harboring an agent of an enemy state. He points to Nlaea

what do you do?

After several long, tiring, offscreen hours

The two of you reach the capitol, really, really wishing horses could go in the mountains. as you approach the palace, you see squadrons of guards mobilizing, at least 4 groups of 20 pass by you.

what do you do?

Your majesty, the charges against us are grim, to be sure. I'm afraid that I'm not qualified to speak on my defense. If it pleases the court, I'd prefer to have my sword speak for me.

As the guards ready to attack, I quickly clarify. No no! No, I mean that literally. My...is there a word for this in human? Advocate? My sister. She's in the sword, she'll present my case.

I set Catastrophe down in front of me and wait for my sister to speak in my defense.

heirloom: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6

Or...uhh...the demon that killed my sister...he might be the one speaking for me instead. WHOOPS

The spearman marvels at the city for a moment before he begins sprinting to join the guards. How much would you care to bet that our friends are the cause of this frenzy of activity. We had best find the others quickly!

"No bet," Belym tells Ron, as she picks up her pace to match the old soldier. As they pass another squad, Belym asks one of the guards what the situation is.

For clarity: are the guards converging on the palace, or headed away from it?
Also - I'm assuming we did rest, so Ron and I should heal, clear conditions, etc?

Yeah, we should be at full strength.

Conwall

Ladies and gentlemen of the court. the blade begins... to yourself alone. it seems the connection is telepathic.

Magic sword? Urisatra says Why, I ask my peers upon this court, does an accountant need a magic sword? These people have come under false pretenses, with assumed identities, no doubt plotting to overthrow our government! I was the first to come under attack, but I ask you, are you willing to bet your lives on my being the last?

what do you do?

Belym & Ron

The soldiers are moving to a storehouse, collecting several items, and then heading back toward the quarantine zone.

The soldier repies quickly, so as not to lose his squad By the Duchess' orders, we are to use the countermeasures upon the quarantine zone.

Better than it could have gone...

dd cha: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 1 = 8

I begin a long defense that isn't convincing enough to get us off the hook but is just plausible enough to stall until an opportunity shows itself.

The old man dismisses this news. We must find our friends first.

He heads towards the palace and attempts to brush past any guards with the old look-like-you-are-supposed-to-be-there trick.

Belym stops to argue/chastise the soldier, but stops after half a sentence or so. The Duchess would be the one who could stop this. And without Tom, can we even still find a cure? She moves to catch up with Ron.

Conwall

The two nobles Raloelei and Urisatra try to force the duchess to imprison you and Roshan, however, Enrell, Daelorin, and Ravabella back you, and turn it into a stalemate, until your allies arrive.

Belym an Ron

you burst into the room, and find 2 lords (well, a lord and a lady), in brown and azure, arguing before the duchess to have your allies thrown in jail, while three, in green, red, and magenta, shout over them, arguing that they are, in fact, beneficial and just. This could very well go on or hours. what do you do?

slight edit, Ravabella does not back you. Sorry, my notes got all jumbled up. Ravabella is silent

Glad to have something she really knows how to do, Roshan turns and gives Ron a curt bow of the head. "Good to see you, Ron. The court is compromised by eldritch and possibly infernal influences. The plans to burn the city are being motivated by an illuminator--not actually a pyromancer--who has infiltrated the inner court. Where is Tom? We need him to quell this talk of imprisonment so we can get on with saving these people."

The old man's head bows slightly as he whispers to the templar. Our friend is dead. But we will mourn later in private.

His voice grows louder as he turns to the nobles. What nonsense is this? Right now your soldiers are headed out into the fields to murder your people!

He slams the butt of the spear onto the ground to emphasize the word "murder."

He points to the templar and the elf. They claim a conspiracy in the highest ranks, and you respond by threatening imprisonment? What will that accomplish? Would you arrest me as well, though I have done nothing wrong?

His eyes shift slowly among the nobles, and he glances over the guards with disgust on his face.

Finally he turns to the duchess. Lady Eolen. You know me. Whatever transpired, you know that I was not here. Place my friends into my custody and I promise you, as the gods themselves witness, that they will not leave this city without facing justice. But now is not the time. You must see to your people, immediately.

Should I roll something?

sounds like charisma-ing to me.

DD Cha: 2d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 3) - 1 = 3

Cut to: Gallows Ext. Day. Four nooses dangle above the platform.

Ron looks around the room quite pleased with himself, before noticing that everyone is looking at his legs. He glances down, curses, and then slowly zips up his fly.

Belym lets Ron do the talking, but tenses when the mood of the room doesn't appear to improve significantly.

You... what? soldiers have begun implementing countermeasures. Enrel says, deafeningly loud

We may resume this later, Lady, but I feel we should see to this issue. None of us, to my recollection, gave that order, and I am certain we never came to a consensus on it. perrora says

The, it might be prudent to disarm the godslayers, and place them under guard within their quarters. Ralorelei says

Oh, please Aveqwyn. I will take them as guests into my own household, with an understanding that, until such a time as we decide to utilize them. Ravabella says, gesturing to Lady Eolen, who nods

That would seem a prudent compromise. Jodiathas says.

Urisatra glares and grits his teeth, but says nothing as he joins the group heading out toward the growing crowd

As she escorts you to her household, Ravabella turns to you We shall discuss the issue of repayment for this aid while the others deal with the insurection. I'm sure I can find some use for a group of skilled mercenaries.

She leads you to a quiet room within her wing of the palace. There will be guards outside, but I trust you not to make trouble. If you have any needs, simply ring the bell, and a servant will be right with you. What do you do?

The spearman checks the room, bolting or barring any unlocked windows and doors, before turning to the group.

What in the depths is going on here?! What infernal presence did you uncover?

Thanks for the save. I absolutely did what they said I did but there's a bit of context. Get Tom and I'll tell you the whole sordid tale of why you don't make me do math...

Roshan speaks over the reference to Tom. "Lady Jodithas has been worshiping fraudulent gods and propping up a plot by Sara, the illuminator, to use Briben's Wealth and Urisatra's... girth to infiltrate court, and fill the city with incendiaries. Sara has a commanding tongue, and an infestation of imps... or so I have heard." She gives Conwall a withering glance.

My eyes widen. I had...not put any of that together, but it made sense.

"What kind of fraudulent gods?" asks Belym, although she suspects she already knows the answer.

"She called them the ancient ones. They came in dreams and through a medium. I would suspect they have some considerable skill with mind control. Jodithas was used to clear obstacles in and around the court so the illuminator would have a way in." I think it's the Aboleths.

The spearman whispers, Fraudulent…, and he begins coughing. He stumbles towards Roshan as if in a state of distress, and flecks of blood and spittle moisten Roshan’s chest piece.

A long-fingered claw darts out and grabs the templar by the throat as a flash of red lightning pushes its way into Roshan’s mind. Conwall and Belym see the flesh of the man’s face begin to slough off in large patches, revealing pale white skin beneath. But to Roshan’s eyes, the face morphs into an all too familiar visage. Danyal. His voice fills your mind.

I’ve returned child. These two have blasphemed against our cause. Fight with me once more.

The creature’s off hand tightens on the shaft of the spear and its red eyes narrow, as it focuses on probing weaknesses in Roshan’s mental fortress.

What do you do?

Wait what

Roshan is caught completely off guard. Ron has become such a source of stability she has him by the shoulders when the horrors begin with no room to react. "Danyal? I'm so sorry. Of course-"

Then, Cassandra's incongruous priorities take control of Roshan's pool of inhuman Wrath. "Hands off my meatshield, scum!"
Defend: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7
The woman's twisted fingers move through forms with lightning speed as a crimson circle expands out from the center of Roshan's forehead, and sparks fly from the hand clutching her neck.

Assuming that's a thing I can try to do, that would be 1+1 Hold for Cassandra to use in defense of Roshan against this mental attack? Probably halve the attack's effect, and grant a +1 forward to someone who wants to do something about it?

Does this...thing look like one of the tunnel thralls?

Conwall

Ever since he flubbed a roll in the tunnels, like two months ago, Ron's actually been playing an infiltrator. originally, he was gonna be a nasty surprise for Tom and Belym when they made camp...but that gt scrapped, so I improvised.

[oocBelym[/ooc]

it definitely bears similarities in appearance, but it clearly is something different, but related.

Roshan

Oay, what seems fair for halving the effect of mind-f$+$ery? be only convinced one of them needs to die? it burns up some of your willpower to throw it off? -1 ongoing against this thing? Something else? What seems fair?

I think Cassandra has to hold Roshan's Wrath to ward off the attack, and a DD(WIS) determines who she will attack: attack an ally on 6- and attack the enemy on a 10+? Or just an odds/evens roll? Maybe she just can't attack the enemy because she still looks like Danyal?

Rohan

The suggestion freezes you, or perhaps your will is strong enough to resist it. But Cassie reacts as if Danyal is an enemy, and that is enough to give you pause. what do you do? Yeah, you aren't compelled to attack, but you can't recognize wRong as a threat either.
Until someone snaps you out of it.

Conwall and Belym

the abomination that had been wearing Ron's face smirks, revealing a set of shark's teeth. it opens its jaws wide, wider than they should be able, the bottom almost touching his chest, its hand still holding her jaw, claws digging into the side of her face. Roshan does not seem to notice, what do you do?

Ron

You wake up, feeling as though you have been dragged for miles by wild horses.the room you are in is nly lit by candles, and is clearl a storehouse, with foodstuffs and lantern oil and other, more exotic things. You have no doubt the door is barred. Remorse is nowhere to be found, and you are unarmoured. what do you do?

It takes Belym a few moments to react, but her face darkens with anger as she raises her arm. "How dare you!" she yells at the creature, as stones fly from her conduit.

Overchannel Giant's Sharpened Stones: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 6) + 3 = 13
Damage, forceful 2 piercing: 1d6 + 3d4 ⇒ (5) + (4, 3, 2) = 14

wRong goes flying slamming into the wall as ichor stains the ground. he slams into the far wall, grunting, and slamming its spear into the ground, and starting to inscribe a sigil on the wall in its own fluids. what do you do?

"Danyal, these others... Please, we can redeem- Belym, what are you doing?" With her hands on Danyal's shoulders, Roshan can only move to mitigate the damage done by the hail of stones.
Defend: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9
1 Hold used to halve the damage.

"Why is this happening? Danyal is a templar, like me. These others, for all their faults, do good work to the benefit of mortal lives! I could understand your feelings toward Conwall, but-" Drawing shield and longsword, Roshan widens her stance as the combat continues.

Ron shakes his head to clear the fog from his mind. Tom? Belym?

He jolts when he realizes that Remorse is missing. He searches the room, in a bit of a panic, for anything that could be used as a weapon.

Discern Realities: 2d6 - 1 ⇒ (5, 6) - 1 = 10

What is about to happen?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
What here is not what it appears to be?

By Pelnor's knotty trunk, what is happening?

That's pretty clearly not Ron and he's up to some magic hi jinx, so my way forward is clear.

Catastrophe is good for two things, a mirror to fix my hair and cutting up demons.

And I already did my hair today.

H&S: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 3 = 10
damage: 1d10 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + (2) = 8

Demon doesn't know what hit him, and certainly isn't in a position to hit back.

Conwall, can I get you to roll DD, to reach him in time. Roshan, you can either defend wRong from Conwall's attack, or interfere with this roll, but not both.

I'm not sure if Roshan would be able to keep up with both Conwall and Belym with Defend rolls. I do think we've been able to act and aid in the same vaguely round-like period, though.
Conwall comes in from Roshan's flank, and she attempts to counter with Rolling Tortoise, bringing her shield up to interfere with the lunge.
Interfere(Conwall): 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 1 = 7

Elsine, question for you. Given the fiction we have created, can Ron cast spells without Remorse? I want to disclaim decision making here because I have a vested interest in the answer :)

You can channel magic through any implement, but remorse is your spellbook, and until you get it back, you can't prepare spells.

I have a new technique idea (forceful/teleport) I keep thinking about using, but forgetting to actually declare that I'm preparing it. Any complaints if I retcon that?

What would you be replacing?(also, go for it, just bookkeeping)

Replacing Barricade of Spikes.

"Roshan, that's not Danyal" Belym tells at her. Once Roshan moves to intercept Conwall, Belym uses her good arm to raise her stone one, pointing it at wRong. A burst from her conduit sends her flying at the demon, trying to knock the creature away from Remorse and its sigil.

Channel Flying Fist: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8
A complication, if you please.

Fast Conwall, they called me back home.

But...uhh...for good reasons.

ddd: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 5) + 3 = 13

Roshan

haven't forgotten you, just sorta letting you be an antagonist in this fight, until your allies wake you up to it. your prompt is pretty muhc Conwall & Belym's, only instead of wRong, you see danyal, and you don't notice the weird body horror stuff

Belym and Conwall

You two strike hard onto wRong, even if Roshan's interference protects him form the worst of your attacks. he is sent flying by Belym's attack, and lands on the far side of the room. Belym, however, overshoots, and finds herself with her good arm, and left knee stuck in the wall.

Your knowledge will die with you. wRong rasps, once again showing those tearing teeth. Its flesh ripples as it shifts, repairing most of the damage, and turning his hands into rending bone-spurs. I'll use your flesh to make more doppleganger, go back to your homes, and tear your families to shreds!

Ron

What is about to happen? well, they'll have someone checking on you. there are torches in here, which would need refreshing every few hours.

What here is valuable?: here's what you have: a small knife [hand, -2 damage 0-weight], a few miles of rope, enough provisions to feed a few dozen people for months, hundreds of torches, lanterns, and oil. loads of long nails [put them through a board or something, it gets +1 damage, and 1 peircing], a sturdy barrel lid, whcih could serve as a shield with a half-hours work [+1 armour, clumsy, fragile.], and all the crates you could ever want.

not what it appears? The door here is recent work, placed there less than a year ago. And this entire area, including the are leading out to the next room/halway (whichever it is out there) are warded, powerfully. Old enchantments, still with a lot of power.

I'm thrown off balance by Roshan. Sap, now I'll have to fight two friends.

Ok, ok...think. We just dealt with mind control...how did I fix that? I brought the point to...uh...sap!

I remember that Catastrophe is good for three things. Killing demons...helping me look pretty...aaaaand...

Sis...how do I break the hold this thing has on Roshan?

heirloom: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3) + 1 = 8

Definitely offering up a golden opportunity here...

Without leverage, and with her good arm trapped in the wall, Belym does the only thing she can; opens her conduit, pouring a torrent of stone into the wall, hoping that will push her free.

Channel Landslide(forceful, hazard): 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5) + 3 = 12

Not Danyal? Following through with her maneuver, she sees Danyal draw her talwar. That... that doesn't make sense. "How would you know who was or was not Danyal, fake-Belym?" Roshan takes a few steps back toward Danyal, shield at the ready. She wasn't ready to attack, but she wouldn't interfere with Danyal's retaliation.

Defend: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

Cassandra backs up against the far wall, still fighting against the hand that has Roshan confused. She's gritting her teeth and grunting, but she can't speak.

Roshan

Keeping in mind that this illusion is fairly fragile, what would it take to shatter it?

Belym

While Conwall consults his sister, and you shatter the wall, wRong manages to reach your position, arms and legs almost seeming to extend as he skitters over. his teeth tear deep into your side, as he reaches for his... no, Ron's spear. best of 2d10, 2 piercing. wRong is a bruiser