Doom of Daggerdale, scene 6

Project Prospectus

Scene 1. Cruel Welcome in Dagger Falls

Scene 2. A Brief Meeting with the Constable

Scene 3. The Townsfolk Demand Answers
Scene 4. Ambush at the Rebel Camp
Scene 5. Rendezvous at the River

Scene 6. The Witch of the Wood

Setup. Janson and Amelia arrive at the healer’s house

Chaos Factor. 8

Altered? Interrupt! PC Positive (Janson) — Excitement Business 

NPCs. Randall Morn; Eragyn, priestess of Cyric; Colderan the Mage-Lord; Constable Tren; Zhentarim; Dalesfolk; Goblin Raiders; Marlas Dwinkle, curator of the curio shop; mysterious dark elf authority; drivers

Threads. Solve the Trouble of Daggerdale; Get Randall Medical Help; Discover What Deception Took Place at the Rebel Camp

Another derailment? Let’s see… I’m going to roll a few Cubes to distill the meaning, and I get Chalice, Fearful Face, and Quill. Sounds like they run into surviving members of the camp who have with them the healer.

Q. What’s the healer like? Crow, Skull & Crossbones

The night deepened as Janson and Amelia plodded through the woods. Amelia did her best to trailblaze and keep a lookout for trouble. Janson bore his cousin stoically over his shoulder.

When they heard sounds ahead, the two came to a halt and crouched quietly. There was torchlight and anxious voices. Janson recognized some of the men and yelled to attract their attention. Soon, the pair were surrounded by fierce men wielding bows and spears. Janson held up his hands to placate them.

“It is Janson Morn, along with Randall!”

“…And a friend!” Amelia added.

The men were rebels, including a number of reinforcements from nearby farms. Among them an old crone stepped forward. She was withered and repulsive — she was blind, finding her way with a crooked walking stick and the help of two other men.

“Malda!” Amelia said under her breath in astonishment.

Janson turned to question how she knew the old crone of the woods, but he was overcome by cheers of his relieved colleagues. The men crowded in, bombarding him with a dozen questions and helping place poor Randall on the turf near a tree.

Amelia withdrew, horrified by the woman.

I’m compelling (by choice) Amelia’s A STRING OF POWERFUL ENEMIES. She has 4 fate points.

Malda Tel’fyr was a phantom out of Amelia’s distant past. The novice Harper had run across her before. Malda was some sort of witch, an authority of the occult, and perhaps even devoted to some dark goddess. She had helped one of the slave lords working in Waterdeep with his evil work. As far as Amelia knew, Malda had been apprehended like may of the other villains by the lords there when they were taken down. How she had escaped, and what she was doing so far from Waterdeep in the Dales begged questions of the Harper.

As the men rejoiced that their lord was alive, Malda’s repugnant face turned in Amelia’s direction, probing the air suspiciously with her bulbous nose toward Janson’s friend. Amelia shrank into the shadows.

“Malda!” Janson cried. “My cousin was wounded in battle. He has lost blood. Can you help him?”

The woman felt her way toward the prone man who clung tenuously to life. Her gnarled fingers found their way to the wound in his chest and felt for signs of life.

“We haven’t much time,” Malda croaked.

Q. Does she help Randall? (Likely) Yes

The old woman removed some sort of foul-smelling poultice from her neck. She chanted and seemed to shrink over Randall’s form, nearly collapsing atop him. At last, she righted herself. “He needs rest,” she said in a spent voice. “We must bring him to my cottage immediately,” she urged.

In agreement, the men helped bear their fallen leader after Malda. Many of the men parted with them and continued back to the ambush site to find more survivors or oust other evil lurkers. As they continued, Janson questioned his companions as to the happenings when they were attacked.

Q. Do they know who the drow work for? (No Way) No

Q. What do they know? Monkey, Treasure Map, Mushroom

None of the rebels knew the reason for the attack. They were completely taken by surprise as dark elves descended upon the camp silently from the trees. The initial wave decimated many men. However, the force was not large and the survivors eventually routed them. They followed the fleeing attackers to a cavern not far to the north that was filled with giant mushrooms. They dared not enter for fear of great numbers and prepared tactics, but at least tracked the place from which they issued.

They then immediately went to get reinforcements and summon Malda, the witch of the wood, to heal any survivors.

Before they arrived at Malda’s place, Janson looked back to Amelia, who had fallen behind. He waited for her. “What is wrong?”

Amelia didn’t speak at first. When she did, she kept her voice low. “How do you know that woman?” her voice was full of dread. She remembered seeing some horrific things in Malda’s presence in the past.

“She is sympathetic to our cause,” Janson replied. “Or at least willing to give assistance when we are in need of it.”

“You shouldn’t trust her,” Amelia warned.

Janson looked down at the Harper with sternness. “She has saved many men. We owe her our gratitude!”

Amelia was about to reply, but kept her mouth shut. She would watch the witch carefully. For all she knew, Malda might try to slit her throat when she slept for retribution.

Chaos factor goes down a point to 7.

I’ve added ‘Malda Tel’fyr’ to the NPC list and removed ‘Get Randall Medical Help’ from the thread list. Questions still remain about the dark elves’ involvement. I’ve also added ‘Discover Malda’s Story’.

Doom of Daggerdale, scene 5

Project Prospectus

Scene 1. Cruel Welcome in Dagger Falls

Scene 2. A Brief Meeting with the Constable

Scene 3. The Townsfolk Demand Answers
Scene 4. Ambush at the Rebel Camp

Scene 5. Rendezvous at the River

Setup. Shoshana is roused from sleep

Chaos Factor. 9

Altered? Interrupt! Remote Event — Travel Ambush

NPCs. Randall Morn; Eragyn, priestess of Cyric; Colderan the Mage-Lord; Constable Tren; Zhentarim; Dalesfolk; Goblin Raiders; Marlas Dwinkle, curator of the curio shop; mysterious dark elf authority; drivers

Threads. Solve the Trouble of Daggerdale; Get out of Jail; Get Randall Medical Help; Discover What Deception Took Place at the Rebel Camp

Well, this is getting crazy! In keeping this as focused as I can make it in context with the given narrative, it sounds like Shoshana is being handed off somewhere on the road, but Tren’s contacts are found dead…

In the middle of the night, Shoshana was unshackled from the iron ring in the floor in her dismal cell. The manacles about her wrists were kept on, as were the bindings around her mouth. She was roughly escorted from her erstwhile confinement and into the night air.

She recognized the despicable lackeys of Tren, including the original two that had accosted her outside of Dwinkle’s curio shop. She protested behind her muffle, but they shoved her forward.

“Move! And stay quiet,” said the leader of the small band of four.

She was ushered toward the town’s edge, where they were allowed outside by a subtle sign to the gate warden. The old wooden gate creaked open and the silent escort prodded Shoshana forward. Once they were a safe distance from Dagger Falls, two of the ruffians lit lanterns.

“Where are we to meet them?” asked one.

“By the river’s crook at Shane’s Crossing,” answered their leader. “Now be quiet!”

Q. What do they find there? Empty Cradle, Trap

The five figures continued for perhaps an hour accompanied by the crunch of grit underfoot and the jingle of the sorceress’s shackles. Shoshana’s wrists were raw and she was weary and thirsty. At last, they came to a narrow stone span over a swift portion of the river sheltered on both sides of the banks with leafless oaks and maples.

Whoever the group was scheduled to meet, none were there to greet them.

“They should be here already,” remarked one man. “We’ll just have to wait,” answered another.

They continued to wait. The men gave the mage an evil look from time to time. One finally broke the interminable silence. “Maybe we should just do away with her here and now!” suggested one. “Tren will find out, and then it’ll be our hides,” argued another. “No, he won’t!”

One of the men cried out suddenly, pointing at the base of the bridge in the water. The men looked over the edge and held their lantern aloft. There they saw the floating form of a man with an arrow in his back.

The men suddenly cursed, drawing their daggers and clubs.

That was it. Shoshana was poised and ready. She made a dash for it across the bridge to the other side of the river.

Shoshana has SHACKLED AND GAGGED, and I’ll give her Athletics at Average (+1). Her spellcasting ability is compromised until she can overcome those aspects. I think I’ll also give her those other required skills, filling in her pyramid thusly:

Shoshana

Great. Lore

Good. Shoot, Will

Fair. Contacts, Empathy, Investigate

Average. Athletics, Notice, Provoke, Rapport

I’m also giving her the following stunt:

Blast. Once per session, you may attack everyone in a single zone with Shoot. Apply your roll to each target in the zone, and they can each defend individually.

This will be a chase here in the form of a contest. These are Average (+1) Nameless NPCs with LOW-PAID TOUGHS and a +1 rank in Fight.

“Hey!” cried one of the men, seeing the Sorceress getting away.

Although her RESTRAINTS were cumbersome, and she couldn’t freely breathe, Shoshana was ahead of them. Wide-eyed and bent on freedom, she looked for an AVENUE OF ESCAPE. It was DARK through the TREES, but because she was OBSESSIVELY SINGLE-MINDED (new declared aspect), she quickly spotted a track through the forest (1 invoke). She sped forward.

The four broke into pursuit, but the leader ordered his subordinates to SPLIT UP (boost). She risked a glance before speeding headlong along a narrow game trail (2 VPs for Shoshana). She came to a crossroads and saw the dim flickering orange torchlight further behind. She took an alternate smaller track leading perpendicular to the main way (final VP for Shoshana).

Finally, gasping through her gag, she slumped against a tree, having evaded her erstwhile captors. She worked against her RESTRAINTS, pulling her slender flexible hands through the cold iron (success at cost). She freed herself, but her hands were RAW AND BLEEDING (mild consequence). They shook from pain, and she feared she might not be able to use them to work the intricate semantic patterns required of her spellcraft. She pulled her gag from her mouth.

Once she had composed herself, a white-hot need for vengeance warmed her insides. She was free, and prudence dictated she find her way to a safe house where she could recover and plan her next move. However, she had other immediate ideas…

She found her way to a nearby clearing. She rubbed her poor hands, allowing the blood to return to them. Ignoring the bleeding, she used her magic to light a few small fires nearby. She could hear the men taking note of the flame and making their way over.

When the first of them appeared cautiously at the edge of the clearing, Shoshana addressed him. “You should have killed me at the bridge when you had the chance,” she said, her voice shaking from controlled anger. “That mistake will be your last!”

With that, she lifted her bleeding hands and uttered words of magic (success). Fingers of flame shot from her hands, sizzling through the air. The men’s agonized shrieks filled the forest as the white-haired witch destroyed them.

That removes ‘Get Out of Jail’ from the thread list.

Moving the CF back to 8.

Also, I think this marks the end of a ‘Session’. I’ll bring the PCs back to their refresh levels. Amelia and Janson have 3, and Shoshana keeps her remaining total (3). Shoshana’s mild consequence will stick around until she does something about it.

Doom of Daggerdale, Scene 4

Project Prospectus

Scene 1. Cruel Welcome in Dagger Falls

Scene 2. A Brief Meeting with the Constable

Scene 3. The Townsfolk Demand Answers

Scene 4. Ambush at the Rebel Camp

Setup. Amelia and Janson arrive at Randall’s camp

Chaos Factor. 8

Altered? Interrupt! (Good Lordy!) Remote Event — Dominate the Physical

NPCs. Randall Morn; Eragyn, priestess of Cyric; Colderan the Mage-Lord; Constable Tren; Zhentarim; Dalesfolk; Goblin Raiders; Marlas Dwinkle, curator of the curio shop; Fendil the blacksmith; mysterious dark elf authority

Threads. Solve the Trouble of Daggerdale; Get out of Jail

Sticking with the original crew here, it sounds like they come to Randall’s camp to find it abandoned with shocking clues as to the rebels’ vacating.

I’m carrying over the extra GM Fate Point since it wasn’t used in the last scene.

Janson Morn pressed through the failing evening, taking Amelia on a circuitous route through the woods, frequently doubling back to further confuse the trail. The Harper peppered the brawny rogue about a good number of things.

“You talk entirely too much,” Janson remarked. Yet he answered each of her questions.

Janson was a bit of a hothead. Of all of Lord Randall’s rebels, none were more despised by the Constable of Dagger Falls and his men more than Janson. He had hurt a good number of Tren’s cronies on one of his last visits to the town when he was discovered. Now a hefty price was placed on his head, which seemed to delight Amelia a good deal.

“Good for you!” she said in response. Janson’s scowl only deepened.

In exchange — even though Janson hadn’t solicited any such reciprocation from her — Amelia revealed something of her past. She was a street urchin in Waterdeep and had broken a dark slave ring operating in secret there, almost purely by accident. However, it had gained her a number of powerful enemies as well as friends. The Harpers had taken notice of the girl and her plight, and granted her protection. It wasn’t long before she was working along with them, first as a messenger who could get into secure places, and then on to more daring missions.

I’m going to declare A STRING OF POWERFUL ENEMIES as a new aspect for Amelia.

When at last Janson came to a discreet marker in the grass that he sought, he froze at what he beheld.

Q. What signs are left behind? Meat on a Spit, The Rack, Arrows, Alien

Beyond a clearing the two saw the sign of smoldering embers. Smoke was thick in the air along with the smell of burned flesh. Janson abruptly drew his bow and leapt forward.

“Wait!” called Amelia. The Harper donned her hood and made her way to the deeper shadows along a line of trees.

When Janson stepped to the edge of the camp, what he found filled him with tremendous dread. In the darkness was Randall’s most recent rebel camp. The many tents and makeshift stables were tossed aside, ransacked, or altogether burned. Bodies were strewn about, many showing signs of needless wanton torture. Men were maimed, or quartered, or worse. Arrows peppered many trees, showing signs of an ambush or skirmish in recent history.

Janson immediately assumed Constable Tren or his Zhentarim supporters, but his eyes fell upon the body of a dark elf. Hate and loathing filled him. Snarling, he spat at the body, and went to look among the dead for sign of his cousin.

Q. Does he find his cousin among the dead? (Unlikely) Yes

Q. Is Randall still alive? (50/50) Yes

Q. Are there men unaccounted for? (50/50) Yes

Q. Any other immediate threat? (Unlikely) Exceptional Yes

Q. What is it? Spider

It seems the drow left behind some driders to finish off any threats.

The woodsman searched about. Amelia came to the edge of the encampment, her senses tuned to lingering threats. Janson came upon a figure prone with a broken sword still clutched in one hand.

“Randall!” he cried. Dropping his bow, he knelt next to the figure. Randall was alive, but barely. He had lost blood and treaded dangerously near death’s doorstep. “Can you hear me?” Janson cried, holding his head.

Q. How is this set up? Fire, Chaos, Lurking Shadow, Trap

I already know I want to treat these baddies as Good (+3) Nameless NPCs with EIGHT-LEGGED CURSED ABOMINATION and HORROR OF A LIGHTLESS WORLD with +3 Stealth, +2 Fight, and +1 Athletics. Three of them would be a significant challenge.

Borrowing a battle map, I’m dividing into a tic-tac-toe zone configuration. Anything visible is a usable aspect, plus it’s DARK with a SMOKESCREEN, and there are various burning EMBERS.

I’m also gong to devise a bit different notation for rolls, incorporating them direct in the text using the ellipsis trick from Fate Core along with brief parenthetical summaries.

I’m also going to give the stunt, DANGER SENSE to Amelia along with the Stealth skill at Good (+3) and Notice at Average (+1).

The rightful ruler of the Dale was pale, pierced through the lung with a crossbow bolt. He looked like death had claimed him, but after repeating his prompt Janson saw Randall’s lips twitch.

“Water!” his brawny cousin said, reaching for his skin.

Amelia, in the meantime, cautiously approached from the southwest of the small clearing (Zone 7) clinging to the DARK (2 invokes) and approaching noiselessly (assume action already happened before the conflict). The Harper saw Janson leaning over a figure in the center of the clearing (Zone 5) while keeping to the shadows and scanning the deeper concentration of trees to the north (1 shift). With her keen eyes, she spied three hideous bloated shapes emerging from the darkness — massive spiders the size of ponies with the torso of an elf — dark elves to be precise, with stark white hair. Each was armed with a spear and assortment of other weapons (Zone 2).

Janson was exposed. Amelia cried out suddenly, revealing her position. “Janson, look out!” The ALERTED (2 invokes) woodsman whirled around to confront the danger (free invokes on DARK go away). The rebel drew his sword and charged forward fearlessly.

Janson has the skill, Athletics at Average (+1).

Blade leading, the burly woodsman leapt a fire pit and into the path of two fiendish monsters. The smoke in his eyes and the darkness spared them worse hurt as he pressed them into a hasty defense (1-shift hit after invokes spent). Two of them worked together, thrusting with their spears in an attempt to get him HEDGED IN (1 invoke). The third scuttled westward just ahead of Amelia’s position (Zone 4) into the darkness. No doubt the monstrous beast devised a plan to cut her off from within the deepest DARK (2 invokes).

Amelia put her back to a tree in an attempt to PROTECT HER BACK (2 invokes). She awaited the thing to close, which it did with frightening speed and stealth. A spear out of nowhere flashed out to PINION (2 invokes) her against the tree. She saved herself from getting impaled with a sudden twist, but the cruel tip of the spear dug through the cloak around her neck and deep into the living wood behind her. She was immobilized, her air pipe compressed. She fought for air and was unable to call out.

In the clearing, Janson was surrounded but no less full of fight. He relentlessly sliced at the beasts, missing, but effectively ruining their positional advantage (invoke on HEDGED IN used). The creatures retaliated with terrible efficiency enhanced by the gifts of their unnaturally imbued state. They might have hurt him a good deal if not for the fact that Janson’s dear cousin clung to life not far away (Janson dealt 4-stress after invokes; GM has no remaining Fate Points; Janson has 1). This pressed him into greater acts of courage.

Amelia fought against her restraint as the cruel drider smiled and leaned in for the kill. A secondary short sword waited in its off-hand. The Harper choked, but with a slight movement of her left hand, reached for the drawstrings to her cloak (overcome PINIONED with style). She abruptly disappeared like some street magician, slipping from her tacked cloak and leaving her opponent DUMBFOUNDED (boost). The creature sought the girl, swiping blindly with its secondary weapon. Underneath her suspended cloak, Amelia was OFF BALANCE (boost) from her hasty evasion.

Janson renewed his relentlessness, crying out the name of his cousin. “Die, fiends!” (6-shift hit after invokes; Janson has no remaining Fate Points). One of the monsters curled up in a ball, dead. The other reared up to gain a HEIGHT ADVANTAGE (fail), revealing the sickly yellow markings underneath. Without hesitation, Janson went for the exposed underbelly (5-shift hit), slaying the second beast.

In the meanwhile, Amelia still had her blade in hand. She crawled away from the tree toward the clearing. With an inhuman shriek, the third fiend dogged her clumsy steps. The Harper turned on her back as it approached. The remnants of a fire pit glowed near her feet. With a kick, she sent up BURNING EMBERS INTO THE MONSTER’S EYES (1 invoke after Fate Point spent; Amelia has no remaining Fate Points). The monster shrieked, trying to clear away the burning ash (fail). Returning to her feet, Amelia quickly stabbed at it (fail).

Janson was suddenly at the girl’s side and stuck, (fail) missing. However, now the pair had some advantage over the lone remaining monster. Amelia rolled to the side and hacked at its articulated spider legs, DESTABILIZING (2 invokes) the thing. Janson was ready as the flailing and scrambling monster turned away from him and exposing its flank. With a tremendous swipe he separated the drow torso from the arachnid like body (8-shift hit after invokes).

When the deed was done the two gulped air, looking with disgust at the remains of the ambushing attackers. “That’s twice in one day!” Amelia exclaimed. “We work well together!”

Janson nodded in agreement, but turned toward his cousin. “We can recount our adventures some other time.”

They looked over the fallen rebel leader. They needed to find help and fast. Amelia looked for other survivors as Janson did what he could for Randall. However, his wounds were in need of a true healer.

Janson now has Contacts at Fair (+2).

Janson looked grave as he examined his cousin. “We need to get him to a healer and soon.” (success) After some thought, he said, ”I know of a woodland healer who just might be able to help…”

Here is an update of our two protagonists after this action scene…

Amelia

High Concept. Beautiful Cat Burglar
Trouble. Web of Lies
Aspects. Novice Harper Agent; A String of Powerful Enemies

Great. Deceive
Good. Stealth
Fair. Athletics, Fight
Average. Notice

Danger Sense. You have an almost preternatural capacity for detecting danger. Your Notice skill works unimpeded by conditions like total concealment, darkness, or other sensory impairments in situations where someone or something intends to harm you.
Dirty Tricks. Gain +2 to attack with Fight the first time you’ve deceived an opponent into thinking they have the better position in combat.

Janson

High Concept. Fighting Rogue on the Run
Trouble. Poor Impulse Control
Aspects. Brawny Cousin of Lord Morn

Great. Physique
Good. Fight
Fair. Contacts
Average. Athletics, Notice

Next, we’ll see how Shoshana fares with her escalating troubles. So far, the established pre-written module serves nicely to set starting problems from which to springboard into new events. New intrigue injected here from the introduction of a drow elf element keeps me wondering what is going on. Hmm… Let us continue to find out next time!

The Choas Factor goes up yet again, now to 9, its highest level.

Driders added to NPCs.

‘Get Randall Medical Help’ and ‘Discover What Deception Took Place at the Rebel Camp’ added to thread list.

Doom of Daggerdale, Scene 3

Project Prospectus
Scene 1. Cruel Welcome in Dagger Falls
Scene 2. A Brief Meeting with the Constable

Scene 3. The Townsfolk Demand Answers

Setup. Amelia and Janson arrive at Randall’s camp

Chaos Factor. 7

Altered? Interrupt! Ambiguous Event — Inform Masses

NPCs. Randall Morn; Eragyn, priestess of Cyric; Colderan the Mage-Lord; Constable Tren; Zhentarim; Dalesfolk; Goblin Raiders; Marlas Dwinkle, curator of the curio shop

Threads. Solve the Trouble of Daggerdale; Get out of Jail

I’m assuming word gets out that Tren has imprisoned a visiting wizard.

Q. Do the townsfolk inquire if she can lift their curse? (50/50) Yes

Q. What is Tren’s response? Worried, Masks, Menacing Shadow

Constable Tren was still in a fit the next day. How the woman had gotten under his skin! The contemptible authoritarian sat at his desk when one of his toothless cronies came in the door with a worried face.

“What is it?!” spat Tren Noemfor impatiently. “Can’t you see I am busy?!”

“My lord,” the man said sheepishly. “You need to come — the townsfolk are demanding answers.”

“What?! I don’t have time for… Oh, just let me see what this foolishness is about!”

Tren got up from his seat and walked outside. Standing outside of the town’s hall stood a multitude of folk, including some of the more noteworthy shopkeepers and even some of the local watch.

“Noemfor!” cried Fendil, the town blacksmith “We have heard you arrested a wizard!”

Tren scanned their faces. Although he was contemptible, he was clever, and a capable speaker. He had to wear many faces to keep order in a town with little enough of it. Clearing his throat, he answered, “Good townsfolk of Dagger Falls, master Fendil speaks truthfully. Last night, a sorceress of no uncertain power tried to assail your good constable without provocation.”

An indignant hrumph resounded somewhere among the gathered. Tren decided to ignore the disdain. “We had no choice but to imprison the attacker. Rest assured, she will be examined by the magistrate and justice will prevail! Your town is safe.”

“That’s not what Fendil was getting at,” shouted another voice. “Maybe this wizard can be made to lift the curse!”

“My sister succumbed to the dream fever last night!” cried another, followed by many others.

Tren held up his hand to stay them. “Peace! Peace! This villain assailed me yesterday by surprise. This wizard is dastardly. A villain, I say! How could you trust one so vile to loosen her sorceries on this already stricken town. She could make such problems worse still!”

This went on for some time, and Tren eventually assuaged their curiosity and concerns, telling them every resource was being spent to find a capable healer or priest who could lift the curse. There were also calls to find Eragyn, the priestess of Cyric that had disappeared. Many shouted their belief that she was behind the debacle and should be hunted.

When at last Tren retired, sweaty and perturbed, a lone figure awaited in his office.

Q. Who is this character? Beetle, Question Mark, Tree

Tren started at the abrupt appearance of a cloaked dark elf. “This woman,” the drow said without preamble. “You were careless to make a spectacle with your mouth. Now the people know and will question the narrative. Do away with her.” The drow’s last statement was hard like a do it or else threat. Tren knew little enough about his messenger contact, but knew enough not to question him. “She must be gone by tomorrow. You do not want to see me again in your office. Make sure it is so.”

The dark elf abruptly vanished without awaiting a reply from the now petrified Tren. When at last he recovered, he made a plan. The sorceress would have to go in the night during the curfew when no one would witness her removal.

Mostly a scene for color and plot building. I think we’re off the rails already.

The Chaos Factor goes up by 1.

I'm clearly off the rails entirely by this point, but I'm looking forward to seeing how Shoshana gets out of this, and how Amelia and Janson meet up with her.

Doom of Daggerdale, scene 2

Project Prospectus

Scene 1. Cruel Welcome in Dagger Falls

Scene 2. A Brief Meeting with the Constable

I decided to go with introducing our third protagonist.

Setup. Shoshana begins her investigation, having already arrived in Dagger Falls
Chaos Factor. 6
Altered? Yes (1) — but people are especially uncooperative
NPCs. Randall Morn; Eragyn, priestess of Cyric; Colderan the Mage-Lord; Constable Tren; Zhentarim; Dalesfolk; Goblin Raiders
Threads. Solve the Trouble of Daggerdale

Q. Where exactly does she begin? Tent, Map, Jewel
Q. What about this place draws her here? Fossil, Magnet

Shoshana Ezgrandilia was a stranger to Dagger Falls. Few strangers went unnoticed in the afflicted and depressed township. The sorceress drew even more obvious stares most likely because of her strange otherworldly appearance. Appearing almost elven-blooded (although she was thoroughly human), the white-haired pale practitioner of the Art shot contemptuous looks at those who gawked. Wherever she inquired, the Dalesfolk slammed doors and latched shutters. Being a wizard in a place where a mysterious curse plagued the town did not endear her to the locals.

That’s a compel of the current issue, FEAR AND PLAGUE… Shoshana now has 4 Fate Points.

She sought Marlas Dwinkle, a jewel-smith and curator of various curios who had a small shop in the market. She had researched that he had small finger bones that might aid her in a spell of finding. A powerful mage was laid to rest here in Dagger Falls sometime in its past. She scoffed that such a provincial backwoods trading post might have once been the chosen home of one of wizardly order. She was only a novice spell-caster, albeit possessed of considerable power already — but never would she consider residing in such a contemptuous excuse for a town!

As she approached Marlas’s humble shop, she thought she saw him turn the sign on his door to ”closed”. Nonetheless, she was determined to gain entrance.

Using High Fantasy Magic to handle her abilities, I’m going to do just enough homework to set those. I imagine Shoshana as wielding some fiery blasting magic, and having some divination magic. I’ll give her the Disciplines of Fire and Sight. The associated skills include Lore (default Casting Skill for the Relentless Learner mode permission), Shoot, Provoke, Investigate, and Empathy. I’ll place those in her skill pyramid when the time is appropriate. Will is also extremely important. However, because she has two Disciplines, her Refresh is set at 2.

In light of this, her last compel would bring her to 3 rather than to 4 Fate Points.

Q. Do Constable Tren’s goons pick up Shoshana like in the module? (Very Likely) Yes

These are going to be two Fair (+2) Nameless NPCs with OPPORTUNISTIC SWORD FOR HIRE, Provoke at +2, Fight and Physique at +1, as well as 3 stress each.

Suddenly, two men loomed suddenly behind the enchantress when she was peering through the dark glass of the establishment and rapping on the pane for someone to answer the door. She turned when it suddenly got abnormally shady, finding herself facing two very unwholesome fellows with clubs and knives.

“Stand back, simpletons!” she screamed. “Get you away from me!”

Shoshana attempts to place SHOCKED AT HER MOUTHINESS on the pair. I’m assigning Provoke at Average (+1) rank in her pyramid. She gets a full success.

The two backed away involuntary, having never before encountered such an impetuous and daunting woman. They looked stupidly at one another.

“Someone wants a word with you,” one grumbled.

“If it pleases you, m’lady,” the other added.

With burning bright eyes, Shoshana glared at them. “Who might that be?” she challenged.

“Begging your pardon, m’lady — it’s the Constable. Constable Tren.”

Her face softened somewhat. “Yes! That’s more like it,” she said to herself. “Yes, take me to your governing authority. He must get his lazy townsfolk to work harder! Show me at once!” she said.

The men bowed obediently and led her to an official-looking lodge at the town’s center. There, they escorted her to an office with a sneering man sitting behind a large oaken desk.

Q. Is Tren’s motivation still the same (to hire adventurers to clean out the crypt)? (50/50) Yes

“Thank you, gentlemen,” the man said dismissively. Looking at the mage, he asked, “…And you are?”

Shoshana’s eyes narrowed. “You do not know!? Ah, well, how could you? You are but a simpleton… I am Shoshana Ezgrandilia, apprentice to the mighty Simbul herself, ruler of Aglarond. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm and arrogance. “And who are you? By the slouch of your shoulders and the confused stupor of your troglodytic forehead, you must be the clerk. Now be a good man and fetch me someone capable who is in charge of this petty, insignificant town. Off with you…”

Of course, Shoshana realized this worm was the Constable, but she hated being herded, patronized, and made a laughing stock of. Her sharp tongue was not something she could easily control.

Going to natural compel her BRUSQUE AND ARROGANT TO A FAULT (her Trouble). She now has 4 Fate Points.

Q. How does Tren react? Shackles

It was said that Constable Tren’s tirade continued much of the day, spewing obscenities from the window to his office. Shoshana was naturally ushered roughly to Tren’s jail. As she was an enchantress of uncertain power and ability, they made sure to keep her securely shackled and masked to prevent any words of power that might unleash terrible curses.

“Well, I never…!” was the last outrage to fall off her lips. Perhaps this search for the secrets of the mage-lord Colderan would never come to be. As she lay prone and bound, Shoshana remembered some of the Simbul’s admonishment for the frequent unfurling of her unguarded tongue, and thus her mind. The young adept was starting to see the value of that lesson.

Shoshana’s sheet so far:

Shoshana Ezgrandilia

White-haired and pale, Shoshana is a flashy woman in embroidered robes, and a pupil of the Simbul.

High Concept. Adept Learner of the Arcane

Trouble. Brusque and Arrogant To a Fault

Aspects. Seeking the Secrets of a Fallen Wizard

Great. Lore

Good.

Fair.

Average. Provoke

Not much gained here other than learning about our third protagonist and her quirks. It was still fun! But she’ll need some bailing out.

The Chaos Factor goes up by 1. I add “Get out of Jail” to the thread list. Stay tuned for scene 3.