Any Leftover Electromagnetic Folklore?

Game Master Iadel

(An experiment: playtesting a method for playtesting)


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One of the people in grey steps forward. His expression has altered, from concentration to concern. “We’ll help, of course,” he says to Donralaiz. “What does your friend look like?”


Human Witch

“On the short side. Reddish hair. Smiles a lot. You’ll know her when you see her, I think.”


“We’ll organise a search at once,” the man says. “We didn’t see anyone on the road, so your friend must have wandered into the wilderness. It’s rugged terrain out there - we’d best call for some aircraft.” He turns to one of the other people in grey. “Are you carrying a messenger?”

“No,” she replies. “Tolzias said…”

“Of course.” The man faces Donralaiz again. “Perhaps your…” He stares at Limmiri, who is perched on Donralaiz’s shoulder. “Companion? …could assist.”


Human Witch

“He was thinking of saying ‘pet’,” murmurs Limmiri.

Aircraft? Donralaiz wonders if Woohoo’s translation spell has gone awry. Perhaps the man is talking about some sort of elemental magic. As for carrying messengers…

“Possibly. Limmiri isn’t a strong flyer, though. They won’t be able to travel far.”


“Then perhaps… they could begin the search while we find a way to send a message. Maybe…” He turns towards the pale-haired woman who was in the workshop when Donralaiz, Woohoo’oosh and Tririesk arrived. She looks back at him and shakes her head slowly.

In the workshop behind her, a door is thrown open and a man steps through. He’s the one Tririesk saw walking into the building from the front.

He is frowning, and his frown deepens as he gazes past Donralaiz towards the place where the gateway is. “What’s going on? My instructions were clear.”

“But,” says the man who has been speaking to Donralaiz, “the situation’s changed. See, we have visitors.”

The newcomer glances at Woohoo’oosh and then looks at Donralaiz. “Good morning,” he says, not bothering to hide the coldness beneath the greeting. “My name is Tolzias. I’m the local Guildmaster. May I ask who you are and where you come from?” He raises one eyebrow, as if he’s already preparing to disbelieve any response he hears.


Human Witch

What have I got myself into? Could I have chosen a gambit that’s more exhausting than continually pretending to be enthusiastic and innocent? “Hello, Tolzias! My name’s Donralaiz, and this is Limmiri, and that’s Woohoo’oosh. We’re all very multisyllabic, so please call me Donral if you prefer. Sorry if we’ve caused any trouble. One of our friends has disappeared, and we don’t want to go back until we know where she is.”

That’s all technically true, although ‘friend’ is sometimes debatable.

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12


A roll:
Tolzias Sensing Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25


Another roll:
For descriptive purposes only - bluff check for Tolzias to limit how much distrust he reveals: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18


“It’s an honour to meet you, Mr Donralaiz. And your companions. However…” Tolzias pauses for a moment, and when he starts talking again his words are slower and more emphasised. “We can’t afford generosity. That gateway is a threat to our lands’ defences. You have the length of one spell’s casting to decide which side of the gate you want to be on when it closes. If we find your friend, I will make sure she is well-treated and provided for.” He turns towards the man who was speaking earlier. “Astarain, dispel the gateway immediately.”

“With respect, sir, that’s not possible,” Astarain replies.

Tolzias lowers his voice. “That was an order.”

“And by our charter, we must refuse to obey orders that are illegal or cruel. Trapping one or more innocent visitors here would be inhuman. Unless we can prove we can send them home.”

“‘Innocent’ is quite an assumption,” Tolzias says. He looks at Donralaiz again. “What exactly did you do to them before I arrived?” he asks mildly.


Human Witch

“Me?” asks Donralaiz, still keeping up this wearying display of naive enthusiasm. “Well, I think I said hello and tried to explain about our missing friend, and then you arrived and I said hello again and introduced-”


“He hasn’t used any magic, sir,” Astarain tells Tolzias. “Although there is magic about him. To help him speak our language, I think. And then there’s that ring he’s wearing…”

Tolzias folds his arms and frowns at Donralaiz. “Fine,” he says. “Astarain, you’ve volunteered to take the first shift of guard duty here. Expect plenty more shifts for as long as that thing remains open. We’ll get a messenger pack to you as soon as possible.” Then he turns to the copper-skinned, pale-haired woman. “Zefalra, your orders were clear. By charter law, I’m hereby placing you under arrest. You’ll accompany us back to headquarters. And I’m confiscating any relevant research notes and clockwork. I’ll be needing the keys to those locked cabinets.”

“Keys won’t help you, Tolzais,” Zefalra says quietly.

“Hand them over.”

Zefalra tilts her head towards the building. “They’re back there, in my workshop. Somewhere. Unless they’re elsewhere.”


Pixie "Knight" (actually rogue)

Tririesk stays very still. There are no jangling noises from the place where the invisible pixie watches. None whatsoever.


“And I’d appreciate it if the three of you would also accompany us back to our Guild headquarters,” says Tolzias, glancing from Donralaiz and Limmiri to Woohoo’oosh. “They’re quite comfortable. We’ll coordinate the search for your friend from there.”


Human Witch

He’s probably going to find a way to close the gate as soon as all the relevant backs are turned. But if we go through now, we risk leaving Tririesk behind. And we’ll know almost nothing about the people here, except that they haven’t yet decided that arrogance should be a completely disqualifying characteristic for leadership.

A gate, once opened, can usually be opened again. Is this woman Zefalra responsible for creating it? We may benefit from paying attention to what happens to her…

He glances towards Woohoo’oosh, then nods at Tolzias. “Of course. Delighted to visit!”


Fey Owl Bard

Woohoo’oosh hopes that Donral will have a chance to reveal the translated version of all of this some time soon.

Meanwhile, he realises that most of their attention been on the building or the people in front of them. Behind, there’s an invisible gate, and then what?

Woohoo’oosh takes a quick all-the-way-around look backwards, and sees they are close to the edge of a plateau. It’s impossible to tell how deep the chasm beyond is, though, because it’s almost entirely full of mist. Ordinary white mist, mostly, but with a few swirls of greenish-grey through it.

That doesn’t look like wholly hospitable fog…


Pixie "Knight" (actually rogue)

Tririesk’s opinion of this man named Tolzias has been falling steadily. He has some authority (though I bet that “local Guildmaster” isn’t quite as impressive as he’d like us to think) and he’s throwing his weight around. I reckon a little bit of being thwarted will do him some good…

Will Tririesk’s immediate plan for thwarting involve trying to rescue Zefalra from being under arrest? (50% probability of Yes)
Decision: 1d100 ⇒ 96


Pixie "Knight" (actually rogue)

Before making up her mind, Tririesk spends a bit more time looking at the copper-skinned, pale-haired woman, who’s standing still and watching the scene without showing much emotion. If she escapes, we’ll be suspects, Tririesk concludes with perhaps uncharacteristic forethought. For no particularly good reason except that Tolzias probably already suspects us of lots of things. Besides, she might turn out to be as annoying as he is. Let’s wait and see. The pixie looks back towards Tolzias. But you can still expect some sizeable thwarting soon, Guildmaster.


Most of the people in uniform start to leave, walking back around the building. The mood seems casual. No one restrains Zefalra; they don’t even watch her closely. But she walks alongside them.

With a gesture, Tolzias indicates that Donralaiz and Woohoo’oosh should go as well. The Guildmaster stays behind. He enters the workshop and begins searching among the many pieces of clockwork left scattered across the benches.

The road on the other side of the building winds gradually upwards through land like a spacious garden that has become overgrown with tall grass, scraggly bushes and a disordered mix of flowers - it’s a strong contrast to the neat lawn on the other side.

This road reaches a wide, flat, straight one where three large vehicles wait empty.

These vehicles are a little like carriages, but considerable longer, and without a clear front or back - there’s no place for animals to be harnessed. They’re constructed out of brass-plated metal and wood painted a nearly matching colour. There are a few glimpses of springs and gears between the wheels.


Human Witch

“Some sort of enchanted clockwork?” He tries to make this sound like an enthusiastic guess. It’s actually a wary guess.

These people have inventions that are unknown in our world… and now they have a gateway to us as well.


“Yes, in one sense they’re just a logical development from the standard carriages,” says a woman standing near Donralaiz, “but their length means they need two drive mechanisms to run smoothly, and the fields tend to interfere with each other. So we worked out how to attach three pairs of isolating…” Here, she uses a term that Woohoo’oosh’s spell is apparently incapable of translating, and she talks more and more quickly - even the words Donralaiz can understand don’t seem coherently ordered.


Human Witch

Donralaiz tries to give the impression that he doesn’t understand a word the woman is saying.

This is not difficult.


The journey in the long carriage is remarkably smooth and comfortable. There’s barely even any noise from whatever mechanism below the floor is driving the wheels - just an ongoing purr and occasional metallic clicks. At first, the Guild members are also quiet. They glance at Donralaiz, Limmiri and Woohoo’osh, then glance at each other. A few of them open their mouths briefly, but they decide not to speak and instead display a strong interest in the passing scenery.

The road appears to follow a winding ridge - the ground slopes away gently on either side. The landscape is a mix of forest, untended fields and terraced farms. Every so often, the road goes past the end of a long valley, giving a clear view down to a cliff-edge and more of that mostly white mist.

After about half an hour, one of the Guild members takes out a small circular metal object from his pocket and flips open the lid. “I think we’ll make it. Just. But there won’t be much time to get changed.”


Human Witch

“Make what?” Donralaiz asks. His tone is casual. Innocent. There’s no hint whatsoever of how much he’d like these people to reveal what they’re being so quiet about.


“Oh, social formalities,” says the man who just spoke. “Dancing and prize-giving at our Guild ball. It will be astonishingly tedious, but our Master will want us all there for the start, even if he ends up being too busy searching for some keys.”

There’s a clear sarcastic emphasis on the word ‘Master’.


Human Witch

“I hope it won’t be too astonishingly tedious,” Donralaiz says. He shrugs and smiles. “Because where I’m from, anyone who’s serving as herald or ambassador or representative is culturally obliged to attend any formal social gatherings in the area.” Which is technically true. And if I don’t mention that it’s been more than fifteen years since I was in “where I’m from”, these people may worry that they’re being disrespectful if they don’t invite me.

A prize-giving ceremony may be one of the best opportunities to learn more about them… as they helpfully put all their ambitions and jealousies on display for us.


Fey Owl Bard

Will Woohoo’oosh ask Donralaiz for some translations? (50% probability of Yes)
Decision: 1d100 ⇒ 20


Fey Owl Bard

A long journey interrupted only by incomprehensible conversation has much scope for improvement. If I ask Donral to translate, I’ll be demonstrating to these people that I can talk, even if they can’t understand what I say… Is that a problem? Am I gaining any advantage by pretending to be an ordinary bird?

Perhaps? But Tririesk is probably having fun being invisible. So I refuse to be bored in silence!

“Donral, what are they telling you?” Woohoo’oosh asks, speaking in the language of the Wood.


Pixie "Knight" (actually rogue)

Tririesk (who managed, when the door was first opened, to sneak into the carriage and find a not particularly comfortable seat in a small wire rack above the passengers’ heads) now looks down and pays attention to whatever Donralaiz is about to say.


Human Witch

Donralaiz glances around at the Guild members. Clearly they heard the complexity in Woohoo’oosh’s speech even if they couldn’t understand the meaning - they were all looking at the owl.

Hopefully I can start talking to the owl in a natural-seeming way, enough that they won’t even notice I thought I should be pretending that I didn’t know the owl could talk. Fortunately, I’ve had lots of experience with talking to owls… Not quite so much experience with being listened to by owls, though.

“We’re being invited to the Guild ball!” he replies in the language of the Wood. “It should be an excellent chance for us to meet many fascinating and influential people.”

It wouldn’t be wise to assume none of them can understand us.

“What should I wear?” Limmiri asks.


Pixie "Knight" (actually rogue)

Lots of people are talking! Will Tririesk say something in her loudest, deepest voice for no particular reason? (5% probability of Yes)
Decision: 1d100 ⇒ 55


“I’m sorry,” says one of the Guild members who hasn’t spoken until now. “You introduced your friend, but I can’t quite remember… Do you need translation devices? I doubt we’re carrying any… we weren’t expecting to meet… But we should be able to find and unpack some before the Ball. If you really are planning to attend…”


Human Witch

Donralaiz looks around the carriage once more. He doesn’t understand these people’s magic or their machines. Perhaps they aren’t even entirely human - they all have a metallic tint to their skin, ranging from pale silver to dark bronze. But Donralaiz has heard enough to know that some of them are arrogant, and some resentful, and some awkwardly fearful of giving offence.

And they’re offering Woohoo’oosh a chance to talk to them?

“Translation devices? That would be wonderful!”

Or, if not wonderful, at least highly entertaining.


After about another half hour of travel, the carriages arrive at a small city filled with gardens. The buildings are mostly one or two storeys tall and are made of stone, either white or cream-coloured. The Guild hall is similar, but much wider than most of the other buildings.

“This way, this way,” says one of the Guild members to Donralaiz, and gestures to the main doors. “We’ll find you a room, and clothes you can borrow, and if we’re quick we won’t miss the opening speeches.” He leads Donralaiz, Limmiri and Woohoo’oosh inside the building, and then along some dimly lit corridors.


Pixie "Knight" (actually rogue)

Hovering, the invisible pixie watches as Donralaiz is shown to a room and given so many clothes that he needs both hands to hold all the coat-hangers.

Hmm… I assume he’s not expected to wear all of those at once. Though it would be an interesting sight if he is.

Tririesk glides into the room, twisting in the air at the last moment so her wings aren’t trapped as the door is closed behind Donralaiz and Limmiri.

“Hello!” No need to let that loudest, deepest voice go to waste!


Human Witch

He’s definitely startled but may be able to hide it. Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21


Human Witch

Intellectually, Donralaiz has been expecting Tririesk to reappear without warning, but he still lifts his head sharply at her slightly-less-soft-and-flutelike-than-usual voice. He manages to convert the movement into a weary nod. “Spell or hex?” he asks, in a whisper, since as far as he knows someone from the Guild could be just outside the door.


Pixie "Knight" (actually rogue)

“A spell please!” replies the pixie, not bothering to whisper. “For the comprehension of languages! These people are probably going to say lots of interesting things while they’re sure you’re busy getting dressed.”


Human Witch

“I’ve explained before - it only works on me. You’ll need to ask Woohoo’oosh.”


Pixie "Knight" (actually rogue)

“Not only on you. You could cast it on Limmiri and they could sneak around corridors with me while you’re choosing a jacket. I think Woohoo must be hoarding spells today, or he would have cast some comprehending on himself.”


Human Witch

Donralaiz glances at Limmiri, who shrugs.

I could start a debate about Woohoo’oosh’s possible motives and plans… but I really can’t be bothered. “Just try not to get seen. Or... not seen but stepped on.”

From the pile of clothes, he picks up a long red jacket with gold trim and considers it briefly. Then he opens the door and looks for Guild members - one is waiting near the end of the corridor. Donralaiz walks towards the man briskly. “I really like this one,” he says. “I had coat a bit like it once, long ago, but not in such a well-tailored style. If I wanted to keep it, would I be expected to buy it? What do you use for money in your culture? Do you even have money?” He’s fairly sure that as soon as he turned towards the door, Tririesk would have spotted the opportunity to sneak out of the room.


Meanwhile, in another room, one of the Guild members is taking small boxes down from a shelf while talking incomprehensibly in an apologetic tone to Woohoo’oosh. The smell of dislodged dust becomes stronger against the steadier background scent of machine oil.


Fey Owl Bard

A Wisdom check (DC 12) to interpret the evidence: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8


Fey Owl Bard

Woohoo’oosh’s sneeze is soft and owlily charming. He ponders the Guild’s lack of organisation. Sadly, I do not believe that we are the strangers destined to bring a system of filing unto you.


The woman keeps talking while she opens one of the boxes and takes out a small, roughly spherical device made of interweaving brass gears and rings etched with symbols. With her free hand, she gestures towards it. While her words don’t cease, her enunciation becomes clearer and more deliberate.

The gears and rings start turning, and the device emits a barely audible purring sound.

“That should work, unless of course it’s been damaged in storage. Sometimes when we have to rearrange everything, the smaller machines don’t get treated quite as carefully as they should be,” the woman says, and turns around slowly. Her expression seems apprehensive as she looks at Woohoo’oosh. “Is this working?” She holds out her hand, the device resting on her palm.

After a few moments, the device rises smoothly into the air, hovers, then moves towards Woohoo’oosh.


Fey Owl Bard

“Your ingenious contrivance appears to be generating a fluent, prompt and pellucid translation,” Woohoo’oosh replies. Might as well put the thing through its paces.


The woman’s eyes widen. “You can talk. Sorry. I suppose… I thought there was probably just some misunderstanding between us and your friend.”


Fey Owl Bard

“Across many lands of my world, the owl is a proverbial symbol of wisdom,” Woohoo’oosh says. “Because you’ve been so hospitable, I will offer one piece of wisdom for free: It’s possible to have both misunderstanding and talking birds.”


“Owl…” says the woman, as if trying out the word for the first time.


Fey Owl Bard

“I believe there’s a party for me to attend?”


Human Witch

“On the other hand,” says Donralaiz before the Guild member even has a chance to answer his question, “there was a blue and grey jacket that looked almost as good. Possibly even better. I really should try it on as well to check. Sorry, I’m getting over-enthusiastic.” While he’s speaking, he starts walking back to the room where he left the clothes he was given. “It’s just that it’s been such a long time since I’ve had an excuse to wear anything elegant. Practicality is all very well, and…” He steps into the room, closes the door, and raises his voice. “I suppose I like to think that luxury and finery aren’t important to me, but…” He begins to soften his speech so that the Guild member should still be able to hear the sound but not make out the words.

“…being dismissive of such things can be an indulgence too.” Donralaiz takes off the red jacket, picks up the blue and grey jacket and starts pulling it on as he’s kneeling down. Then he touches Limmiri’s head and recites the words of the spell, trying to keep the same conversational tone.

“And every so often I find it’s healthy to abstain from dismissiveness. For a short period of time, anyway.” Just find something relatively sensible to say once I open the door again, he tells himself.

“So what do you think?” he asks as he steps back out into the corridor. “Red or blue?” He puts his hands in his pockets and leans against the wall, hoping to provide cover for Limmiri to sneak out of the room unseen behind him.

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