Band of Blades: The Road to Skydagger Keep (Inactive)

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

With the crafting of Black Shot, the undead armies had been at a standstill in the Western Kingdoms — too well entrenched to attack directly, and held at bay by smaller but better-equipped forces. That changed at the Battle of Ettenmark Fields.

Now, the Legion has been shattered and the Cinder King’s troops march east, bolstered with heretofore unseen horrors to fight humanity. You and your squad must secure a retreat for your comrades. To make it worse, Shreya has gone off on her own mission and left you to make do without her...

Hozelbrucke Bridge is amazing.

It spans the Tigeria River, which is over two hundred yards wide, fast-flowing, and deep. It's a no-kidding suspension bridge, with cables hanging in graceful arcs, delicate but strong, from two tall, beautiful towers. It was built in the days of the Old Empire, using powers or techniques that have long since been lost. It is a key piece of the kingdom's infrastructure, linking the capital to the east. But more than that, it is a legitimate wonder of the world. If it were somehow destroyed, there is no way it could be replaced.

Your mission is to destroy it -- thoroughly and completely.

Old Gurgles the alchemist died hard.

Towards the end he wasn't making much sense. Not that he ever did. "The cinnabar phoenix, but eucatalytic! The efficiency... it's transcendent! Fully oligodynamic, but instead of simple biocide, it expresses as PROFOUND exothermy!" And on and on like that.

Still, Gurgles had been with the Legion since forever, and it was hard to see him go. He'd been at Ettenmark, whipping up all sorts of crazy salves and potions, and some pretty terrifying balls of flaming goo. And the way he went, well... there's no nice way to put it: he melted himself, plain and simple.

Emphasis on _himself_. Old Gurgles had been brewing up the Stuff. He said that nobody had ever made more than a few drops of the Stuff at any one time before. He was the first one to figure out how to make barrels of it. "They laughed at me! Said the angles couldn't be trisected. The fiery dragon wouldn't scale. I'll show you scale!" And it killed him. Towards the end, all the running sores ran together and Gurgles was just a mass of red sludge that, every few seconds, made a wheezing noise. And then the wheezing stopped. Gurgles' apprentice Sonia wept softly in the corner while a couple of rookies, choking and gagging, swept and scraped what was left of the alchemist into a barrel.

And yet... he'd pulled it off: the greatest alchemical coup since Widdefut the Wise had stopped an earthquake with a sheep's bladder. Horrible as it all was, you have the distinct impression that old Gurgles died smiling.

And now Sonia has decanted the Stuff into several leather-wrapped wooden casks. You can't help but notice that she does this a mile downwind of camp, while wearing a thick, clumsy leather suit with an elaborate breathing apparatus. When she comes back to camp and pulls of her helmet, her face is even paler than usual, and her wild red hair is soaked and matted with sweat.

"Place these with a timed powder charge. Not a lot, just enough to crack them open and release the Stuff. You want them all to go off more or less at the same time."

"So, they explode?"

Sonia's face scrunches up into an expression you instantly recognize: an alchemist trying to use simple words, and failing. "It doesn't... exactly explode. But it will start a... process."

You look skeptically at the casks. They're not that big. "And there's enough Stuff here to destroy the bridge, you think?"

"Oh, yes! If correctly placed, that is. Should be. Should be." Sonia looks at the casks and pats one, a little wistfully. "Sorry I won't be there to see it. It should be quite something." She brightens. "But you can take notes! Do take notes. Get close enough to... umm... well, I guess you can't take notes if you've been... well, anyway, just watch carefully from a distance. A safe distance? Which would be... oh, well, some distance. Away. Oh, and," she pats the cask again, this time protectively, "Don't drop it! "

After your first mission, the Quartermaster decides whether the Legion should have an Alchemist or a Mercy. If you want an Alchemist, Sonia will step into old Gurgles' boots. If not, Sonia will suit up as another Rookie.

Note that under RAW, Alchemists are sort of cumulative -- two are more than twice as good as one. If you have more Alchemists around, they can roll more dice for their projects, AND they accumulate Corruption more slowly, AND also they can distribute Corruption more efficiently. So if you go with Sonia, finding a second Alchemist might be a priority.

After your first mission, the Quartermaster decides whether the Legion should have an Alchemist or a Mercy. If you want an Alchemist, Sonia will step into old Gurgles' boots. If not, Sonia will suit up as another Rookie.

I am really rooting for Sonia. My first instinct is that we should totally have an Alchemist just so Sonia can follow in old Gurgle' footsteps, but on the other hand being able to play Sonia would be amazing.

I am really rooting for Sonia. My first instinct is that we should totally have an Alchemist just so Sonia can follow in old Gurgle' footsteps, but on the other hand being able to play Sonia would be amazing.

It's ultimately up to the Quartermaster. A Mercy is a more straightforward kind of thing: you can get a Specialist back into play. That's pretty simple and pretty nice. Alchemists are more chancy and can take a while to pay off. OTOH, they can take you to some fairly spectacular places.

At least the rain has stopped. For now.

It rained a lot today. Now -- an hour after midnight -- the storm has passed, but a fierce wind is still blowing out of the south. Clouds scud across the sky. A gibbous moon hangs low in the west. When it comes out from behind the clouds, it's red. In the distance you can still see the smoke from the burning of Karlsburg. The rain didn't put it out. (Some say the Cinder King called up fires that will burn forever.)

The rain has stopped, but it's mud, mud, mud. As you begin the descent, a few refugees plod past you. They're covered with mud, smudged with smoke. There's not much for them behind you. On the other hand, it's surely better than what's ahead.

In the distance you see the bridge, towers still tall and beautiful, its lines clean and perfect. Below it, the river is swollen with the rain, and the gale is whipping up whitecaps on the water.

"I never imagined, when I was half-dozing through The Esteemed Margrave Garibaldi's Architecture 101 seminar on the Hozelbrucke Bridge, that I'd ever see it, let alone be responsible for its destruction. I imagine old Garibaldi would be turning over in his grave at the thought of what we are about to do."

The wind felt good in Rising Silver Gale's hair, his eyes closing for a moment to enjoy the strength of it. The scent of fresh rains had cleaned the air for the moment, reminding him of the forests back home. His hand pushes back through bright blue hair, knocking the bit of wetness that had clung to it down his back as he looks over the challenge they had ahead of them.

The Hozelbrucke Bridge stood as a testament to the brilliance of the Old Empire, to the glorious days of that age and a testament to the ingenuity and the strength of its people. The same people who marched by them with their heads hung low, soiled with mud and soot. The marked Payan looked them over for just a moment for any indications of corruption before turning towards the sniper beside him.

"I think that Garibaldi would turn over in his grave if we let those undead bastards soil it with his feet. Then again, maybe the Cinder King will give us a chance to ask his opinion, right?" The Peynar says from behind with a small, wry grin. He turns and looks over his assembled team; larger than usual but Command had made it clear that this was of critical importance. The Legion needed time to flee and forcing the undead to reroute through the smaller, weaker bridges would be a tactical advantage.

"Alright legionnaires, on me!" Silver commanded, nodding as the team assembled before him. "We all know the plan; we are to use Gurgle's last gift to us to detonate this bridge and make sure not a single rotten bastard makes it across. The enemy knows this is a vital position but things to our brothers and sister dying on the other side, we are not expected to be entirely overwhelmed."

"Zemyati, Doyen, I want you both to take high advantage locations on top of the wiring. It is going to be wet, it is going to be slippery. You are not allowed to die from a fall. Be our eyes for high priority targets and eliminate the more dangerous nuisances." The two snipers were both dangerous and skilled, he had seen their talent already in the field of battle. His attention turned next towards the heavy in their presence.

"Brother Attero, you are a machine. You are the key to us holding them off of the bridge. You will be joining me, Alisa, Jughead, and Aron at the front. Any carts or things that can be used to make a barricade, we shall do so. Tabita, you know how to use explosive, you're quick, and so you will be setting up the charges. Monicca, I trust you to make sure she stays on task. Even if we are dying, you must get the bombs set. Am I clear?" The Panyar looked between his soldiers, adjusting the red cloak on his shoulders before checking the beautifully crafted pistol on his side one last time. There was a moment for questions from his comrades, a chance to speak up or add to his plan. Silver Gale was not an officer that earned his title in a school. Promoted from the ranks, he was more than willing to hear what his comrades had to say.

"Given what an ivory tower snob Garibaldi was, I suspect he'd prefer to allow the Cinder King to come over for tea than destroy this bridge. Nonetheless his expertise, along with your learned help Soaring Silver Gale, may be the bridge's undoing.

Would it be an action for the officer and One Eye to do a group research to recall the ideal locations to plant our alchemicals, or would it be a fortune roll, possibly as a setup? Can that also work for identifying the standard way that workmen use to get to the upper wiring.

We should coordinate our movements to get into position quickly.

Could we get into position with a single Marshall roll? Alternatively, we can do a group Maneuver roll.

If I can borrow Brother Attero's flare gun and once Ashora and I get into position we can keep watch and send a signal once we spot the enemy, so that the rest of you can focus on setting up the alchemicals.

I a thinking perhaps a group scout with Ashora and I, using fine lenses to help (and if necessary, can see losing it as part of a devil's bargain).

"Any job worth doing is worth dying for," Attero stoically states by way of acknowledgment of Silver's orders.

Attero was in a foul mood during the whole of the retreat. He hated retreating. Not that any could tell, for he would be the last to complain. About anything. And to withdraw in disgust was not apathy. But it's hard to win when you retreat.

But they had advanced, and lost, and so retreat is what they would do. He felt honored to form the rearguard. That meant a chance at GLORIOUS COMBAT. Had to look on the bright side.

The rain bothered him but little. He had a saying he had heard, somewhere. "The purpose of steel is to bear weight." The rain patted down on the twice-tested helm that covered his hairless head, and so he considered himself dry and thought no more of it.

"Acknowledged," was all he said as he handed over his flare pistol to the sniper. One-Eye was both in better position to use it, and take advantage of the light, than he. Actually, he had _had_ a plan for its use. But he will adapt. Or die. As is the way of things.

"Purity of purpose," he says mechanically as he sets to, setting up a barricade to retard an advance.

But his first step is odd. He goes about thirty paces in front of where the barricade will go (that is, to the rear, but he always thinks of the way toward the enemy as the 'front') and makes a small wall. An odd stone, a misplaced brick, a children's stuffed bear now discarded. The whole is perhaps eight inches. Easily missed.

Behind the wall (toward the bridge and his position) he places several of his alchemical charges. It seems the bridge will be blown without his help, so the explosives can be called to a higher purpose. They are concealed by the wall of junk.

That done, he sets to building.

"There is nothing to fear but failure."

Would it be an action for the officer and One Eye to do a group research to recall the ideal locations to plant our alchemicals, or would it be a fortune roll, possibly as a setup? Can that also work for identifying the standard way that workmen use to get to the upper wiring.

I would allow this.

Could we get into position with a single Marshall roll? Alternatively, we can do a group Maneuver roll.

You could do a group Maneuver roll.

I a thinking perhaps a group scout with Ashora and I, using fine lenses to help (and if necessary, can see losing it as part of a devil's bargain).

So, everyone else swarms the bridge and set the charges, while you two scout ahead?

The rain bothered him but little. He had a saying he had heard, somewhere. "The purpose of steel is to bear weight." The rain patted down on the twice-tested helm that covered his hairless head, and so he considered himself dry and thought no more of it.

Niiice.

But his first step is odd. He goes about thirty paces in front of where the barricade will go (that is, to the rear, but he always thinks of the way toward the enemy as the 'front') and makes a small wall. An odd stone, a misplaced brick, a children's stuffed bear now discarded. The whole is perhaps eight inches. Easily missed.

Behind the wall (toward the bridge and his position) he places several of his alchemical charges. It seems the bridge will be blown without his help, so the explosives can be called to a higher purpose. They are concealed by the wall of junk.

I haven't specified exactly how many casks of Stuff there are, but it's not a large number -- less than ten. Individual casks are small-ish, maybe a couple of gallons (or ten liters) each.

So, are you taking one of the casks to basically set a mine?

His hand pushes back through bright blue hair, knocking the bit of wetness that had clung to it down his back as he looks over the challenge they had ahead of them.

Blue hair, you say. Hm! Okay.

The Legion needed time to flee and forcing the undead to reroute through the smaller, weaker bridges would be a tactical advantage.

Oh, the next bridge is over 50 miles (80 km) upstream. And while undead don't need to breathe, the river is too deep and strong for them to just walk across it.

Boats are also a thing, of course. But shipping an army across in boats will take much longer than just marching.

"Zemyati, Doyen, I want you both to take high advantage locations on top of the wiring. It is going to be wet, it is going to be slippery. You are not allowed to die from a fall. Be our eyes for high priority targets and eliminate the more dangerous nuisances."

"Brother Attero, you are a machine. You are the key to us holding them off of the bridge. You will be joining me, Alisa, Jughead, and Aron at the front. Any carts or things that can be used to make a barricade, we shall do so. Tabita, you know how to use explosive, you're quick, and so you will be setting up the charges. Monicca, I trust you to make sure she stays on task. Even if we are dying, you must get the bombs set. Am I clear?"

Okay, so:

To the front: Soaring Silver Gale (officer), Attero (heavy), and three rookies (Alisa, Jughead, and Aron).

Going up: remaining two rookies (Monique and Tabita)

Unclear: Ashora and Doyen. Are they going up with the rookies, or scouting ahead?

Okay, so:

To the front: Soaring Silver Gale (officer), Attero (heavy), and three rookies (Alisa, Jughead, and Aron).

Going up: remaining two rookies (Monique and Tabita)

Unclear: Ashora and Doyen. Are they going up with the rookies, or scouting ahead?

I think the intention is to get into a high overwatch situation atop the bridge (possibly as high up the towers as we can get), and keeping alert to try to spot any incoming threats from as far away as we can. The scout action would be of an observational manner (getting into the right location atop the high ground so as to have best fields of vision, intuitively understanding the funnel points for the enemy) rather than actively scouting ahead, based on my understanding of Soaring Silver Gale's orders.

Okay, got it -- you two are climbing up the bridge tower to do overwatch /scout, while the rookies set the charges of Stuff. So you'll want a maneuver roll to go up the tower. If you go together with the two Ravens, you can make a group roll at +1d.

Determining where best to set the charges will be Research and/or Rig. Feel free to start setting up these rolls.

However, before you do...

"Hey! Hey!" An old man, wrapped in a hooded rain slicker, carrying a lantern.

"Who are you people? What are you doing?" It's old Hans, the Bridge-Keeper. He looks exhausted and haggard, but he's still on duty, watching over his bridge.

Can we have a flashback where we are briefed about Hans, so that we know what he knows about/can do and what he's like? I can imagine that some specialist in theory could have a more aggressive flashback about how they had met Hans in the past, but don't think that the Doyen would since he is a bit of a classist snob and probably would overlook Hans.

You could absolutely do a flashback! Success would get you useful information, partial success gets you basic information.

You could absolutely do a flashback! Success would get you useful information, partial success gets you basic information.

If it is a fortune roll, then One Eye is likely to roll via Research, for which he has two dots. I believe Soaring Silver Gale also has two dots in Research, so he can do the action for narrative purposes if he prefers. If it is a standard action with possible consequences, let us know position and effect so that we can consider whether we want to play some sort of modification to that (e.g. teamwork, assist, trade position/effect, etc.) Also, I am new to pbp-- once we agree on an action, do we tell you the dice pool we have and you roll it to find out what happens?

Research is reasonable. I would call it no stress (it's a reasonable thing to have asked about) controlled position (there's not a lot that can go wrong), and standard effect. So it's 6 good information / 4-5 basic information / 1-3 no information.

Great effect would be, you know ALL about the Code of the Bridge Keepers, or maybe you knew Hans' son personally. You'd have to DB, trade position for effect, or push to get that.

Research is reasonable. I would call it no stress (it's a reasonable thing to have asked about) controlled position (there's not a lot that can go wrong), and standard effect. So it's 6 good information / 4-5 basic information / 1-3 no information.

Great effect would be, you know ALL about the Code of the Bridge Keepers, or maybe you knew Hans' son personally. You'd have to DB, trade position for effect, or push to get that.

Mechanically, I see three promising lines-- a simple roll, a two character team action with One Eye and Soaring Silver Gale (ignoring the good Brother for this as research isn't his jam, and don't have info on whether Ashora would want in on this), and a third option for the above team action and further trading position for effect for Risky/Great. For either team action option, One Eye would be happy to lead.

As a summary for teammates new to FitD, the first option would have two dice, the second option would total 2+2 = 4 dice, with possible stress from failures, and the third option would have 4 dice, possible stress from failures, and consequences for failure. Soaring Silver Gale, do you want to make the call here?

If one of the other team member wants and the GM agrees, I can think of a possible DB, where as a consequence the bargainer has a personal tie to Hans or one of Hans relatives that would make harming him (either physically or emotionally) to be personally problematic. I don't think this is a good bargain for One Eye, because he is a bit self absorbed, though I can be egged into it by one of the other players.

One eye, do you want to be egged on IC or OOC? :)

As a summary for teammates new to FitD, the first option would have two dice, the second option would total 2+2 = 4 dice, with possible stress from failures, and the third option would have 4 dice, possible stress from failures, and consequences for failure. Soaring Silver Gale, do you want to make the call here?

Nice summary!

If one of the other team member wants and the GM agrees, I can think of a possible DB, where as a consequence the bargainer has a personal tie to Hans or one of Hans relatives that would make harming him (either physically or emotionally) to be personally problematic. I don't think this is a good bargain for One Eye, because he is a bit self absorbed, though I can be egged into it by one of the other players.

It doesn't have to be a personal tie to Hans himself. It could be "my uncle was a Bridge Master, how he loved that bridge, I used to go and sit with him fishing into the water". Then we start a clock for, oh I don't know, "It's All Really Getting To Me". That clock becomes available for DBs going forward. When it fills, you suffer some sort of breakdown. Exact details TBD, more than Level 1 Harm but less than Trauma.

One eye, do you want to be egged on IC or OOC? :)

Oo boy, I mean OOC, if you don't mind, I'll answer tomorrow in the discussion post with way more detail than is probably called for for this sort of question ;)

.

to recap with the retcon: One Eye (where's Goblin?) is going up for overwatch, Attero and 3 rookies are holding the line and the two remaining rookies are placing charges. Leon seems like his best place is with those holding the bridge, I'm wondering if Silver might be best to set charges? Scouts seem sneaky and agile and probably better than a rookie at setting a charge. Leon could do it too, if needed

One Eye is going up the tower with two rookies, Attero, and now I guess Leon, are down below holding the line with three. The Scout can go up the tower, join the line, scout ahead off the bridge, or do something else.

Setting charges is going to be either Rig or Wreck.

Is anybody talking to old Hans?

I will, but first do we want to do that research flashback? I only have the one pip in research but can throw in on a teamwork with one eye if he wants to lead.

I have no objection.

Going forward: group actions can be powerful, but if we're waiting around until everyone agrees, they're going to slow the game down.

So here's a suggestion: anyone can propose a group action and roll for everyone. Remember, everyone gets the benefit of the best roll, so probably everyone will succeed. However, the roller takes the Stress from failures. If you don't want to do that (i.e., because you're out of Stress), okay, ask someone else to lead the action. But otherwise, just say it and roll. If someone subsequently says "that's not what my character would have done", okay, we can retcon that. I'd rather deal with the occasion rewind than slow the game down.

If you want to wait an short period of time to see if anyone has comments or ideas, that's totally fine. But it's optional, not required. "When in doubt, move the game forward" is the default rule.

funny you say that because I was just going to post something to get moving and worry about the flashback later. Not sure if said research will make any difference to this interaction anyway. Just took me a bit to marshall my thoughts.

Leon strides behind the rookies, I'll have to learn their names and the big Brother Dominatus as they set up the barricade. Watching them work for a moment, the grizzled medic automatically checks his kit, hands wandering across pouches and bags, for the hundredth time since they had a break from the running.

He still felt pain at having to abandon the triage tent after the rout, how many wounded didn't make it in the chaotic moments, how many he could have saved if he'd just been more efficient in his treatments. Harshly he shakes himself from his ruminations, can't get bogged down on the what ifs. Move on. Adapt and overcome.

His hand finds his fine revolver and he draws it as he reaches the barricade. A fine gift from his mentor Atticus, dead now in the overrun medical tents. He'd find a use for this thing soon enough, he was sure.

At the yelling to his rear, the medic turns and looks over old Hans, frowning at the man.

"We're the Legion, or what's left of it. The Cinder King's forces are right on our ass and this bridge has got to come down or we're all dead. Do yourself a favor and get the hell out of here while you can!"

Picked a Normal Load for this mission

So I'd like to do the flashback Research roll. Group action, One Eye leading, Leon Zardani also rolling (all medics have two dots in research). One Eye takes the Devil's Bargain (having been egged on by the peanut gallery), though if Leon wants to he can be the soft-hearted man of the people instead and take the bargain instead.

Controlled/Great, two dice for One Eye, two dice for Zardani.

Also we should establish (is this GM choice?) who is leading the mission, given that there is no officer. I nominate Brother Attero :)

Also we should establish (is this GM choice?) who is leading the mission, given that there is no officer. I nominate Brother Attero :)

Victory requires no excuse. Defeat allows none. ;)

Sounds like the wisdom of a squad leader to me

Thinking perhaps our bonus specialist could be an officer, probably be handy.

I think Leon is too caught up in the keeping of people alive to care about stuff like bridges, so the bargain doesn't appeal too much.

I'll go ahead and roll my two.

2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10

4 and 6.

I think Leon is too caught up in the keeping of people alive to care about stuff like bridges, so the bargain doesn't appeal too much.

I'll go ahead and roll my two.

2d6

4 and 6.

Didn't know if GM rolled or we do. If we do, My 2d6 was 3 and 5.

So no stress, no consequences besides the devil's bargain, and great success.

"Drift" is scouting away from the rest of the team off of the bridge.

Group action on a Flashback seems a little strange. Is that really a thing? I'll allow it for now, but it seems odd.

"It's All Really Getting To Me": 1d6 ⇒ 6 so, 3 ticks on a 6-clock.

Okay then: your uncle was a Bridge-Keeper. You know the Code of the Keepers, including the private stuff they don't usually tell to outsiders. (The Old Empire loved its infrastructure. Bridge Keepers, Road Wardens, there were a bunch of them. The Bridge Keepers are the only ones who survived into the present day pretty much unchanged.)

Hans is sworn to protect the bridge, so a clumsy attempt to intimidate him could actually result in him running off to get help to "save" it. But you have two possible points of entry. First, there's a provision that in time of war, the authorities may close or even destroy a bridge.
The lawfulness of your authority is open to question, but this is definitely time of war. Second, Bridge-Keepers were officers of the Old Empire, and were sworn "to serve the greater good of the Empire Kingdom, through blood or storm, though the sky fall."

You can pick one or both of these as a basis to persuade Hans to either stay out of your way, or help you. The fact that you have a common background and know the oaths means you get enhanced effect -- so, great effect if you succeed; he'll probably help.

Group action on a Flashback seems a little strange. Is that really a thing? I'll allow it for now, but it seems odd.

"It's All Really Getting To Me": d6 so, 3 ticks on a 6-clock.

So, mechanically you could just ignore this clock forever. That said, I think it's more consistent with the spirit of the game if you try it again, pushing your luck until the inevitable breakdown... Up to you.

OK, since we know he's an officer and had sworn a duty to the kingdom, I'm wondering if I can use Discipline to provoke his sense of duty to help us, or at least let us get to work unhindered. Brother Attero could perhaps teamwork with the appeal to duty, I'd lead or he can

Meanwhile, One Eye is going up the tower with the two rookies, and the Scout is... have we heard from our new Scout yet? Going up the tower too, scouting ahead, or something else?

"Faith without deeds is worthless," Attero opens to Hans the Bridge Master.

"As it has been explained, we have orders to destroy the bridge. Doing so will save countless lives. Yours included, if you wish to join our train of refugees.

As I am invoking the Greater Good due to Wartime Necessity, you may oppose me by engaging in single combat now, as is your right," he adds, lawfully, without emotion, "or you may bring your issues up with the army's commander. If you can find her.

To question is to doubt," he finishes.

Team Discipline!: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3, 3) = 16

Okay then: your uncle was a Bridge-Keeper. You know the Code of the Keepers, including the private stuff they don't usually tell to outsiders. (The Old Empire loved its infrastructure. Bridge Keepers, Road Wardens, there were a bunch of them. The Bridge Keepers are the only ones who survived into the present day pretty much unchanged.)

Hours earlier, in the Commander's tent, mission briefing

"Do we know anything about these locals?" said Brother Attero.

"Uncle Enzo is a Bridge Keeper, " said Doyen Alistair "One Eye" Rodano softly. "He would give his life to protect his bridge, and his was just a corbel arch bridge not a tenth the length of the Hozelbrucke Bridge. In a way, the Bridge Keeper's are like us, products of the Old Empire making our way in the post imperial world. I don't see how a Bridge Keeper would allow us to destroy their bridge."

"Bridge Keeper's you say?" mused Leon Zardani. "That would make them like the other Aediles. If so, as officers of the Old Empire, they would be sworn to serve the greater good of the Empire, or likely now the Kingdom, through blood or storm, though the sky fall. We can likely appeal to his duty to his ruler in this time of war."

"If you think so, " quavered One Eye. "We'll have to be careful about we approach the subject, as it will go against their primary instincts. Perhaps we can preserve some symbolic piece of the bridge so that future generations may remember it."

Meanwhile, One Eye is going up the tower with the two rookies, and the Scout is... have we heard from our new Scout yet? Going up the tower too, scouting ahead, or something else?

Drift intended to go scouting ahead of the bridge. One Eye will be keeping an eye on his progress with his fine lenses, and they have likely already discussed Drift's likely routes so that One Eye has a good guess where Drift is likely to go.

Team Discipline 6,4,3,3

Rules note, for a group action, you have to note each character's roll separately. Each character that rolls a failure gives the leader of the roll a stress (though the overall result applied is always the best of all results). So for instance, I'd probably eyeball the roll as Brother Attero rolled 6,4 (success), and Leon Zardani rolled 3,3 (failure). So the leader (Brother Attero?) takes 1 stress, the action succeeds with no consequences.

If we are to narrate, we would first show how Leon almost failed, and then how Brother Attero helped Leon out, averting disaster and getting Hans on board.

Also, in a face to face game, we would always ask for Position/Effect before the roll, and once hearing it we could choose to apply modifiers (trigger special abilities, push, assist, trade position for effect, etc.) or even just change what sort of action we might want to take, as it is completely within the GM's purview to set different positions and effects for different skills/approaches to solve the same underlying obstacle.

The Position/Effect negotiation is time consuming, maybe we can have some general guidelines so that if the position/effect is unexpected, then we can rewind? For instance, perhaps by default the player, when rolling, will allow the roll to go through by default unless the Position is judged to be Desperate or the Effect is judged to be Limited or None, in which case we ignore the roll and go on to the negotiation?

"Drift" once Silver Drifting Powder, was trained as a sapper and even as he avoids the Bridge and the charges he caries he can't avoid the memories of the last time he acted as a sapper. It cost him his squad, and it caused him to forsake his deed name.

Would it be a flashback to have requisitioned charges for blowing the bridge? or could it be part of his medium kit?