GM West's DCC Adventure - Hole in the Sky (Inactive)

Game Master Stiehle

Just another day in the life of a would-be-hero/peasant, mid-spring or thereabouts.
Weather is clear and mild, slightly chilly.
Mid of Night, but a full moon and stars offer at least some amount of vision.

----------------------------------------------

Led by the orphan, the group makes their way along the bridge, well beyond the point where the thrown dirt at least offered the false comfort of solid ground beneath their feet. Now when anyone looks down, there is only hundreds of feet between them and the ocean and apparently nothing else! The full moon reflects upon the surface, its image undulating with the waves that rush toward shore far below. The bridge appears to slant slightly upward as they go, though at a very slight angle, but they do seem to climbing steadily higher. At least the surface isn’t slick like metal or the like, in fact it feels like cobblestones, even when they brush it with their hands, offering decent footing.

Soon enough, the orphan is about a eighty feet out over the ocean, everyone else staggered out behind all the way back to the cliff’s edge. As far as the would-be-adventurers can tell, the bridge continues to span about twenty feet across, offering a fair amount of space – though only if they proceed cautiously, for it is quite easy to lose one’s perspective about where the edge of the bridge might lie without the constant tapping of poles, shovels, weapons and whatever other implements the group utilizes to feel their way along. Soon enough, only the trapper, the miner and the three comrades have yet to test their faith by stepping upon the unseen bridge…

The rest of you stepping forward?

Map

Attack Roll Modifiers/Dice Chain

--------------------------------------------

The brothers three keep moving ahead.

"That sure is a LONG drop!" cries the farmer.

Moving slowly forward, Burke keeps his eyes aimed ahead, wary of losing his nerve if he looks down into the churning waters far below. Eventually he calls forward to Chopper, "Do you see anything up ahead?"

For himself, Franhk does look forward, fascinated by the view as he slowly taps and steps forward, tap and step...repeating the process carefully and precisely.

How do perception/notice/etc checks work in this game?

Despite the fear coursing through their bodies, the group is bolstered by their success in negotiating the invisible bridge. So far, so good...

INT checks is what is rolled for noticing something unusual. I'll let you know when to roll them if possible, or will roll them myself (same with initiative) if I don't want to stop the game and wait for everyone to roll before continuing on.

Vperiod! Za Kommunismu! Let our sacrificed Rutabagas not be in vain!

The Comrades link together, holding their shoulders with the sturdier Marx in the middle, so that if one miststeps Marx can stabilize him.

Smarter persons would have had a rope for that :).

The orphan was first, and the smuggler was on the bridge. Finally came the trapper, who was smart enough to know the bridge to be safe now. The only question was where the bridge would take them…

"Does anyone see anything?" Franhk calls out.

Still not wanting to look directly down, Burke adds, "You know, besides the ocean, all the way, way down there?"

The sky. Larry says. Just keeping looking ahead.

Stinky glances ahead, but then immediately looks back down at the javelin that he is using to probe the edge. He needed the assurance that his foot, his left foot, isn't too close to the edge of the invisible surface. "I can't look. Someone that isn't probing the edge can look. Can anyone see anything ahead? Can anyone see where we are going?"

The orphan called back "Just a horrible death from falling! By the gods why did I have to decide to go first?" Shaking, he continued to move forward, hoping that the ordeal would soon be over.

Ferambus and the others shuffle behind.

"Go slow!"

"But not too slow... Franhk calls out. "We don't want to take too long and have our invisible path...er, dissapear."

If it'll be more convenient for somebody else to place the 'yet-to-cross-the-bridge' character tokens on the map, please feel free to post or message me or another player or GM West to do so- preferably with whose token that you wish to be placed approximately to. :)

Feeling a bit more braver now that there is something decidedly under their feet, supportive of everyone's collective weight- however unseen as it could possibly be, both Stormy and Berry move past the leading orphan as they use their respective shovel and pole to gauge the solidity of the path ahead. Charmy- on the other hand- lingers more closer to the crowd of folks that are a bit behind all the others as he finds more comfort in being among the throng of many making their way upon the unseen Bridge.

Took the liberty of placing all the others on the back of the bridge- assuming we're moving to the right/east side of the map; especially since the prior posts indicate that everyone is now on the unseen bridge. If you'd prefer to have them placed elsewhere or would prefer to have it done yourself, please feel free to let me know and my apologies in advance for all the presumptive movement/placement.

Moved my proletarian vanguard to where I think they are now.

Walking along an invisible, seemingly endless bridge over the vast ocean around mid-spring or thereabouts.
Weather is clear, but quite chilly.
Mid of day.

----------------------------------------------

Emboldened by the others, soon all of the would-be-heroes are making their way along the bridge. Minutes roll onward, and after an hour and a half still they trudge forward, their painstaking progress becoming tedious and tiring. Soon they realize that they will certainly start dozing on their feet, which could be very fatal given their circumstances, and the group takes their rest as best they can – huddled up along the center of the bridge. Some hours later the sun rises, and the adventurers rouse themselves and begin to journey forth once more. The air is quite cold up here, but the day is sunny and bright and the occasional gull that flies past seems to stare at the party – as though not quite believing what they’re seeing. The ocean is at least a half mile straight down and land is completely out sight. Oddly, those who ate at the feast the day before still feel quite full while those who didn’t partake (Berry and Frahnk) feel their stomachs rumbling for breakfast.

The day continues in much the same fashion, endlessly moving forward along an invisible bridge that seems to stretch away to the horizon far ahead…

Anyone doing anything worth mentioning, or just continuing onward? Berry is going to be consuming a day’s worth of rations, while Frahnk is going to have to ask if anyone can spare some of their food if he wants to eat…

Map

Attack Roll Modifiers/Dice Chain

--------------------------------------------

We could eat those that die. :)

The three brothers stump along unhappily, the stomach dropping terror of the abyss has lessoned some what but is still there.

The orphan continued moving forward, the stress of being first obviously getting to him. In the back, the smuggler and the trapper went on, engaging in light conversation as the two men watched and followed those before them.

Comrade Bukharina erupts in a Patriotic song to stop people from dozing off. It is kind of unlikely for anyone but the 3 comrades to be familiar with it.

O'Dweeds' right leg is proving a bit more bothersome than usual due to the chill air and the slight change in air pressure, but he presses along gamely. The metronomic creak-ing of the metal device supplies a steady rhythm . . . and the herbalist perks his ears to see if he can discern whether or not the songstress is matching the timing.

Stave, meanwhile, is wondering just what useful supplies Jeb might have had on his person at the time of his . . . "mishap". Whether it was foolhardiness or naivete or some other flaw that led the fellow to jump, it boded more deaths to come . . . and that meant more possibilities for material gains! I wonder just how much stuff I can load into this barrel . . . . I'll probably get a chance to find out!

Tater's placid stride and unruffled demeanor never fail as the group moves onward. The hen is noisome enough to account for all the racket coming from his vicinity -- the farmer felt compelled to stuff the addled avian inside his tunic, and each time the critter peers out its squawking redoubles for a time. Campin' on nuthin' and inside o' no walls a-tall . . . . How's a feller t' go back to 'tatoes and ferdulizzer after summat like dis? A dark thought arises. IF'N a feller lives threw it a-tall . . . .

Ferambus shrugs his shoulders.

"How long is this bridge?" shouts Marco.

Franhk's stomach gives the slightest of growls. Not so loud that anyone else would hear it, especially above the sound of his tapping, but enough that the thin apothecarist knew that he could not simply wish away his hunger. Perhaps I misjudged the food that was offered...I was so sure it was a trick of some sort.

To Burke, he says, "My friend. Did you happen to bring any rations with you at all? I did not...a serious miscalculation on my part, seeing as I didn't eat what the Lady in Blue offered."

A bit more stout, but far less agile, Burke lumbered along beside his drinking buddy, limping slightly. "Sorry, brother. I didn't." The larger man pats his belly, "Ain't really hungry, though, after eatin' that dinner. Maybe you could trade something to one of the rest of these fellas for some food?"

Never one to be shy, Burke doesn't wait for Franhk to act, but calls out to pretty much everyone, "Hey, folks! Anyone got an extra ration they can spare for ol' Franhk here? He didn't eat at the banquet table...we'd be willin' to trade something if we can, or promise to help each other if it comes down to a fight."

Other Brother Daryl looks over. I ken split some of mah jerky I bought at town. OBD will hand over some nasty dried meat sticks.

Bucks considers his rations, and the strange lack of hunger. But for now he stays silent. They'd been told that this journey would be hard and some of the group wouldn't make it. Maybe following instructions was vital? Would they be rewarded or penalized for helping each other?

Chopper also thinks about food. He is glad that he isn't hungry. He hadn't purchased any rations. And what would happen when people started getting thirsty? The ocean below would probably kill anyone that got so thirsty as to jump....

Franhk accepts the jerky with a grateful smile, clasping OBD on the arm in a comradely way. "Thank you so much, good man. I haven't much actually to trade...would you want my steel vial or my rope? If not, I can only offer my hand in friendship at this point, and my oath to stand by your side when this all goes to s&~%e...which is most likely shall."

OBD nods. Let's just keep a good grip on the rope, I have a feeling it will be very important.

OBD graciously shares some of his rations with his fellow traveler as the group continues onward along the bridge. He also suggests keeping hold of the rope as a means of precaution. The day lengthens, as does the bridge seemingly, and after several hours it is nearing dusk. Again, those that did not partake of the feast feel thirst and gnawing hunger as night begins to fall with no reprieve in sight. The bridge goes on and on with no mysterious hole in sight!

I went back through and didn't see details about the rope. Who is anchoring themselves with the length? Speak up now or forever hold your peace! Thirst and hunger will begin to play a role the next day, unless folks are willing to share filled waterskins and food with those going hungry. Also, any plans for camping out tonight? Anything else you're all doing as the day goes on and night falls? It's chilly, but not cold enough to cause anything beyond discomfort.

Ferambus and his two comrades tie themselves to a rope.

"Hey where's the food!?" cries Marco.

My three will tie in if there's enough rope. Stinky will share food once he realizes that he is strangely not hungry. Bucks might accept a trade? After all, he did pay good coin for what little he has....

Comrade Engels has a duck, at which he is beginning to throw sideways glances.

Comrade Engels has a duck, at which he is beginning to throw sideways glances.

LOL! There's also a hen, I believe... but no fuel for a cooking fire...

We simply discussed that Franhk HAS a rope, and the idea to link characters together was brought up but never acted upon. Just for the record. ;)

"Alright...who else wants to tie in on the rope? Maybe a couple of us can tie it around our waists, and some others can grip it in the sections that hang between us?" As Franhk speaks he removes his 50' rope from his pack and hands it to Burke who ties a secure loop around his own waist, and holds out the rest of the length. To anyone offering questioning looks, Franhk mutters self-consciously, "I'm simply not as strong as Burke. He makes a better anchor..."

Burke then pulls out his waterskin, takes a drink, then holds it out for Franhk and others near him. "I'm thinking we should all start trying to think like a team. Or at least like a militia or something...stop for a rest. Set watches." he pauses, then adds, "Also, I'd be much obliged if anyone has a small bit o' food to share. Don't need much."

Larry nodsSome watches would be good. Also helps keep us from fall off the bridge

Di'nt bring no food?! Tater pans a bleak look over the huddled group and huffs a disgusted sigh. Ain't even offa 'is bridge an' summa us'r set t' starve . . . . He resumes his steady tread on the unseen path, probing with his 'tato-fork. How long till someone decides a tolchock to the head and a boot over the side is answer to going hungry? We knewed afore we got t' the cliff we'uhs in fer a long haul, jus' from th' dreams. Not too re-shurrin' t' hear talk o' 'mulishuhs' and 'teams' when y'c'n see a lack o' sense. Ye'll pardon me er not as y'like for talkin' plain, but I spent m' coin t' mebbe gimme a shot at seein' this thang through. Ah ain't one to not help a soul when th' need comes, but ah'unno that need's here quite yet. We'll see how quick this "hole" shows itself, an' mebbe what's t'other side uvit afore ah give up on wut ah pre-pared. And two days' of food isn't going to be anywhere near enough, I'll wager. This endeavor is already off to a glorious beginning.

O'Dweeds ponders the options (or lack thereof) for a brief span before speaking. Tater is right, he muses. . . . to a point, anyway. I already planned to ration what I brought for myself, and think we should all do the same. Once we take a rest, I might be able to mix up some herbs that will take the edge off hunger, though I'd need water to do it, I'm sure. Unless chewing a pinch of dried leaves sounds . . . appealing to you. The sullen scream of the brace's actioning metal punctuates the pause. Perhaps during the break we can take stock of what we all brought along. . . . . And hopefully we'll all live long enough to gain some wisdom, and the chance to remedy . . . certain oversights.

Stave says nothing, but his paranoia begins to kick in. Huzzah! In-fighting over food before we even make it somewhere! His knuckles whiten around his trusty crowbar. How quick are we going to be trying to survive against each other??

----------

The cooper, herbalist, and farmer all decline to tie themselves off to the community rope, much as before. But they are certainly willing to take a watch to help keep folk within the confines of the bridge while resting.

The orphan gladly tied the rope around himself, grateful for anything that could keep him safe. The trapper and miner refused, for after discussing it decided that they didn’t want to be dragged down by someone else falling off.

Larry grunted. Mah brothers and I got another day's rations each. Maybe that hen and duck can lay eggs?

Larry grunted. Mah brothers and I got another day's rations each. Maybe that hen and duck can lay eggs?

Marco turns to Larry "Yeah I'm hungry!"

Ok, who's joining Franhk and Burke with the rope? Burke will either be the anchor at the back, or the lead, whichever works best for everyone. West, how many of us can actually be tied to the rope? NOT suggesting we all, or even most of us do it, btw. THAT would be suicidal, and just begging a DM for a TPK. :D

The three brothers started muttering amongst themselves. While they know they should have bought some more food and they were always willing to help out a fellow townperson, this group was starting to to grate on them. It wasn't their fault that they didn't buy piles of food for everyone, getting some extra coin was plenty hard for them and going hungry was something a peasant just had to endure at times. A bit of chicken was a treat because they had to keep them for eggs.
The grim thing was that they might have to figure out which ones were the biggest drain. Of course, none of the brothers would stab anyone in the back, but if one got into a bad spot. Well..hard choices had to be made. Larry and OBD also knew that as a peasant, one had to not be too picky about where one got their food. Unless one was a butcher, livers all tended to look alike.

West, how many of us can actually be tied to the rope? NOT suggesting we all, or even most of us do it, btw. THAT would be suicidal, and just begging a DM for a TPK. :D

Could be pretty funny though!! :) I'd say, for 50' of rope, allowing some slack so folks can move around without bumping comically into each other all the time, I'd say no more than about five total. Beyond that you'd be getting into serious personal space issues. Also, don't worry about food and water - for most of you anyway. Those who partook of the feast aren't feeling any hunger or thirst, and there's no indication that you will be. Those that did not partake... well... when you snub a meal laid out by the Lady in Blue, do you really expect no repercussions? ;)

Those who partook of the feast aren't feeling any hunger or thirst, and there's no indication that you will be. Those that did not partake... well... when you snub a meal laid out by the Lady in Blue, do you really expect no repercussions? ;)

Sounds like Berry and Frahnk will have to be worried about the hunger and thirst then.

Ok, who's joining Franhk and Burke with the rope? Burke will either be the anchor at the back, or the lead, whichever works best for everyone. West, how many of us can actually be tied to the rope? NOT suggesting we all, or even most of us do it, btw. THAT would be suicidal, and just begging a DM for a TPK. :D

Ferambus, AGM Lemming, and Grumbaki's Orphan have mentioned wanting to go on the rope train. ;)

Berry, Charmy, and Stormy continue as they were, though all 3 will rest when all the others are resting.

The comrades are not into Bondage, "Proletarians break your chains" and all that.

It is nice that we do not have to butcher Comrade Tukhachevsky (the duck) yet.

...Also, don't worry about food and water - for most of you anyway. Those who partook of the feast aren't feeling any hunger or thirst, and there's no indication that you will be. Those that did not partake... well... when you snub a meal laid out by the Lady in Blue, do you really expect no repercussions? ;)

Of course there's repercussions! Good, bad, or indifferent, that's half the fun of roleplaying, right?

GM West wrote:

...Also, don't worry about food and water - for most of you anyway. Those who partook of the feast aren't feeling any hunger or thirst, and there's no indication that you will be. Those that did not partake... well... when you snub a meal laid out by the Lady in Blue, do you really expect no repercussions? ;)

Of course there's repercussions! Good, bad, or indifferent, that's half the fun of roleplaying, right?

Exactly Right! And one of the reasons I enjoy DCC more than any other ruleset. It plays a lot quicker too, on tabletop anyway!

The brothers all hunker down together, making sure to switch watches so people don't roll off the bridge.

Walking along an invisible, seemingly endless bridge over the vast ocean around mid-spring or thereabouts.
Weather is stormy and very cold, with high winds and driving rain.
Midafternoon.

----------------------------------------------

Franhk, Burke, the orphan, Chopper, Stinky and Bucks tie themselves off to the rope. It’s a bit cozy, with only about five feet of slack between them, but they feel safer tied together with the vast gulf of the ocean beneath them and nothing but empty sky everywhere else.

Berry and Franhk do their best to get some rations, splitting what Stinky offers up. Most everyone takes turn standing (or sitting) watch, and the night passes uneventfully – save for the fact that clouds begin to obscure the stars during the wee morning hours. By the time the sun rises, the sky is a grey slate and by midday a light rain begins to fall. Soon the skies darken, and by mid afternoon it has become a full fledged storm! Lightning streaks here and there and the wind begins to blow harder and harder! Those tied together may (or may not...) find themselves at an advantage as the driving rain and wind combine to make footing treacherous, threatening to send the travelers sliding off the bridge entirely!

I need EVERYONE to give me a Luck check! Remember, you want to roll UNDER your Luck score! Also, I’ve seen Stinky offered up a day’s worth of rations, and I’m figuring that Berry and Franhk will split it between them – unless anyone else offering, or getting a trade going? I’ll be ruling that hunger and/or fatigue is going to result in penalties to dice rolls – though not to the Luck checks I’m asking for. Further rolls may be taking such circumstances into consideration though, so I’ll need to have this issue clarified for the day previous and for today. Again, those who ate at the feast still aren’t hungry or thirsty.

Map

Attack Roll Modifiers/Dice Chain

--------------------------------------------

Luck Larry: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Luck Daryl: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Luck OBD: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Daryl will try to help Larry stay on

If I lose two characters by having them slide off, I'll just bow out here

Luck Engels: 1d20 ⇒ 20 (Luck 8)
Luck Mars: 1d20 ⇒ 9 (Luck 12)
Luck Bukharina: 1d20 ⇒ 3 (luck 8)

I guess Comrade Engels demonstrates the superiority of socialist science by breaking the sound barrier with his face?

Honor the involuntary Cosmonauts!

Fermbus: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Casper: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Marco: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

LOL all failed! I did -1 to +1 modifier which I think is correct IIRC

Those that fail the Luck check, if you are NOT roped to another person, please give me a Reflex save!

Those that are roped together I'll be handling a little differently once I figure out who, among those roped together, are in danger of being blown off the bridge.