Showing posts with label FU rpg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FU rpg. Show all posts

Thursday, April 27, 2017

The Wizard's Ruby

Reading over an old actual play from about five years ago in preparation for getting an old character ready for reprise, I was entertained by this story. The following is a four-scene short solo AP in the form of short fiction.

A solo game wherein the hero starts at a random location in the Forgotten Realms game world, and shit happens to him. This game uses the Freeform Universal RPG and Rory’s Story Cubes.

GAME ENGINE TWEAKS
This one uses FU rules straight-up, with the exception of characters being defined by profession, body/mind, edge, flaw, gear, gear, and a general Basic, Expert, Champion, or Master scale Descriptor used only for scaling the types of questions to be asked and give a clue as to what type of challenges may realistically be met. The profession Descriptor grants a bonus die for everything assumed under a profession’s description. It also uses the optional uses for FU points founding on p. 14 of the rules, namely, “Flip a Pip”, “Use a Prop”, “Stunts and Powers”, and “Taking a Hit”. Also, damage accrues through the logical stages, though spending an FU point can replace a damage Condition with a freeform creative one, such as, “I Can’t hold a blade!”, or “Limping in Pain.”

FU Points are earned from living up to one’s background, such as taking other people’s shit for a thief or kicking ass for a fighter, humorous or memorable description, succumbing to one’s weakness, and emerging victorious by engaging one’s enemy.

GEDRIC TWOBLADES
Description: He’s tall, slender, and grim with long dark hair and an eye patch covering a dead eye. He’s all about himself and cashing in on gold and fame.
Relationships: He’s got nobody except the occasional courtesan and enforcer from the odd disgruntled crime lord. Gedric had it with the cities and left to seek the better company of ghosts and goblins, but had it with that as well. Now he’s back trying to freelance as a petty thief, hired sword, or what-have-you.
Drives: Strong drink, women, and of course the jingle of coin.
Stat Block
Scale: Basic
Descriptors: Thief, Swordsmanship, Clever, Greed Gets the Best of Him
Gear: Twin Sabers, Pouch of Useful Tools

FU Points: 1


Credit: the incomparable Jason Chan


Lord Blade, Xalivar Exalskaiy
Description: Somewhat diminutive with repugnant facial features, Xalivar dresses in dark, drab robes and has a bald head and pinkish eyes. He is one of the ruling Blades of Mulmaster, the only wizard, and without heir or bride.
Stat Block
Scale: Expert
Descriptors: Wizard, Brilliant Researcher, Fearsome Mien, Repugnant
Gear: Wand of Transmutation, Ring of Protection

ONE
crescent moon, building, key, evil shadow

It was dark. The moonlight filtered through the tower window slit of Baron Xalivar’s inhabitance, one of the Towers of the Blade on the rocky sides of Mulmaster’s singular mountain. Xalivar was one of the Blades of Mulmaster, the patriarch of one of its feared and formidable ruling families.

…and it was said, possessed a wealthy house.

Gedric Twoblades worked at the lock of the highest part of the tower said to contain the Blade’s vault. He stopped, suddenly – alerted by some strange sound. Was it the wind? Rats? A passing guard outside on patrol? After long moments of bated breath, the thief continued to work the lock.

Life’s many ups and downs had kept Gedric on the move. How had he gotten to Mulmaster, anyway? he wondered. It was a convoluted road of petty thievery, buggaring of women (some courtesans, others the bored wives of surprisingly grudging fellows of note), dungeon delving, cavern spelunking, and once (and never again) as a caravan guard.

One thing he had learned. Coins – whether earned through honest means or not – were slow to beget and quick to loose, not to mention heavy to carry in any great quantities and capable of attracting undesirable attention by many an envious man or woman. Then, there were trade bars, some in far more valuable denominations. But these, however, also suffered from similar weight and space restrictions. Jewels, on the other hand…

…There it was again… What was that?

Gedric waited out the figment of his imagination, repeating to himself that Lord Xalivar was away, his whole household with him. Now, where was he? Oh yes…

Jewels, on the other hand, were even thousands of times more precious, and small too! A handful of the beautiful colored stones cut into magnificent rainbow-casting shapes were easy to carry, conceal, and highly sought-after – at least to those who knew their value and could afford such luxuries. A buyer was not always easy to find.

It was said that Xalivar had troves of gems, jewels, and precious objects – all tucked away in his vault, by which was secured by nothing more than a fancy lock.

Suddenly, Gedric heard the sweet sound of the tumblers falling into place. He replaced his well-used picks as the door swung open. He defeated the lock, and inside reflecting the pale moonlight were a multitude of dazzling gemstones that even in darkness foretold of many hues, shapes, and sizes.

He stepped in, eager to stuff his pouches full of the precious stones. He heard nothing of what now followed him with violent, hateful eyes. But a queer unsettling feeling stole some of the expectant pleasure, replacing it instead with dread and loathing. He knew not why the sudden change overpowered him. Nonetheless, he proceeded forward.

The feeling subsided somewhat when he saw the jewel-encrusted gold and silver dainties and opals and emeralds and rubies. He stuffed a sack with jewels that spilled through fingers and rolled pearls on the floor, and so tripped the lurker standing but mere feet behind him poised to slay.

magic wand, uncertain face, earth, chaos, speech bubble, tower

The scrape of feet alerted Gedric first. He spun around in surprise, dropping his bag of jewels. A scream shot out and in front of the thief’s eyes materialized a robed form who, moments before, was invisible. In dark garb, a flailing form with a wand in hand fell backwards after sliding on a handful of round bead-like gems underfoot. The form hit the floor with a thud and a the hood fell back revealing a stunned man with bald pate and an expression of shock and anger.

Gedric wasted no further time and snatched up the half-empty sack and leapt over the sprawling form of the man. Obviously a wizard, the man, moments before, no doubt nearly loosened a lightning bolt or similar devastating effect at the back of Gedric’s head. He needed to get as much distance between the two as possible. However, the man must have regained his wits nearly as quickly, latching on to the hem of Gedric’s breeches, bringing him down with a gasp, and sending the sack and its glittering contents across the moonlit floor.

Gedric struggled to free his pant leg from the astonishingly tenacious grip. His twin sabers clanked uselessly under his legs. The proximity from his assailant disallowed any effective use of his blades even if he could draw them. With a desperate kick, he shot the heel of his boot into the wizard’s grimacing face, knocking himself free of his vice-like grip and stunning the aggressor.

Then he was up and off. He picked up a choice gemstone, a flat-cut ruby a third the size of his palm and tore off down the curving stair. Giving the wizard a good kick would have no lasting effect, and who knew of what the wizard was capable?

TWO
Does Xalivar have other guardians? “Yes…”
scary shadow, bee, guard tower, lock, chaos
Details: Dark, Locked Door

Gedric rushed headlong down the winding stairs, escaping the vengeful screaming from above. He came to a landing which opened to an area almost completely dark. From somewhere, moonlight filtered in, but revealed little but a black vastness. He stopped to get his bearings, panting uncontrollably. The area was dark, but echoed his breathing with a stony reverberation. Then he pushed ahead with feeling fingers.

He could tell he was in some sort of lofty area, but no light leaked through any windows here. It was likely a more interior hall or chamber. He shuffled forward to get to the exit. In the distance, he heard more echoes of the wizard’s voice in the distance. He was coming, and suddenly appeared in the room’s center not more than a few feet in front of Gedric. Purplish motes flew away in all directions and lit up the room momentarily.

The two locked eyes on one another, and something else in the upper corner of the chamber caught Gedric’s attention too. It was an evil, toothy grin on a diminutive winged figure. Even now, he could see the thing’s red eyes aglow.

In a moment, the wizard spoke a word of power, and light in his hand appeared, constant and bright, brighter than that of a torch. Gedric wasn’t idle either. He slipped his two sabers from their scabbards and come forward to deal with the wizard before he could loose any more magic.

The thing resting on the crown moulding extended its wings and descended. It was some sort of gargoyle-spawn or wizard’s pet.

Homunculus
Descriptors: Small, Winged, Hideous-Looking, Barbed Tail, Poisonous
Conditions: Out of Action

Two strides brought the thief within striking distance of the wizard, but not before the hideous gargoyle-thing was on his shoulders grasping at his neck with tiny clawed hands. A long, barbed tail snaked over the thing’s head and stabbed at Gedric like a scorpion. The thief let a horrified scream. He dropped one of his sabers to grab at the thing which was latched on with tenacious strength. It growled like a demonic puppy.

Try as he might, he couldn’t get the thing off. Even prodding at it with his sword, the thing would wriggle out of reach. It stung him numerous times about the arm. It didn’t hurt, but now he saw that its tail glistened with something. Was it poison?

The wizard leveled his wand at the intruder, but waited with a grin for the outcome of the brief struggle. “Soon the sting of Jordie will weaken you.”

Even now, Gedric swooned from a sickening, dizzying sensation. Sweat beaded on his face, and he felt nauseated. He was poisoned, but got a grip on the creature and flung it off. He stooped down to retrieve his sword while the imp recovered and launched itself toward him. That’s when Gedric heard the words of power being recited.

Whatever spell it was, Gedric rolled and somehow avoided its effect, coming within striking distance of the wizard. The man’s face once again registered astonishment as the swordsman struck. The blade arced through the air, true and swift. Aimed to gut the repugnant man, it was Gedric’s turn to be astonished as his two blades jarred his arms as though he had struck solid rock. In fact, one of the blades was notched. The wizard grinned.

Then the man’s wicked pet was on Gedric again, stabbing with that barbed tail. Gedric slashed our with both arms, scissoring the creature in two, but the poison had done its trick. He kneeled down on one knee trying to fight the delirium, but the wizard sped up the process, knocking Gedric on the back of the head. The thief went down and knew nothing more.

THREE
tower, stars, magnet, bumblebee
Details: Brimming with Power

Homunculus
Descriptors: Small, Winged, Hideous-Looking, Barbed Tail, Poisonous
Conditions: Out of Action

Gedric felt that he was dying… No, that he was already dead. He did not like the feeling of death. It made him feel thin, stretched, to the point of snapping like a cord. Slowly, pain filtered its way into his brain. It nagged him like an ember, burning its way deeper and deeper. A cry of agony escaped his lips.

“Ah! I see that you are awake,” said a voice.

Gedric slowly opened his eyes, and much to his dismay, he found that he was not yet dead. Reality was slow to come into his perception. A cloudy haze obfuscated his sight. Finally, with a shake of his head, some of that haze cleared away.

The rogue looked around at his surroundings. There was a chill air scented by exotic herbs and acrid odors. The room in which he found himself was round and high. A dome ceiling was vaulted above, and set about the walls that even intervals were burning braziers. At the center of the room stood a large table of black granite. On a pedestal lay open a great tome, clearly of magical origin. Numerous candles outlined the table, their wax running into long stalactites down its sides. It was clearly some sort of conjury or laboratory. Gedric could nearly feel the arcane power vibrating in the room.

Before the book and pedestal stood the ugly man Gedric had met in the floors below when he broke open into the Lord Blade’s vault. Obviously Xalivar was indeed home.

The thief found himself hanging by bonds that shackled his wrists together. He dangled against a wall at the end of a long chain. His cloak and weapons were taken away, and he was left with little but his small clothes. Another one of those small, winged, hideous creatures sat on a perch not far from the wizard, leering down at the helpless hero with an evil grin on its demonic face. Was it the same creature magically mended, or some wholly new counterpart?

“Are we feeling better?” asked the wizard. Gedric could little more than groan in response. “Good! Then let’s begin…”

The man thumbed through several pages until settling on one that satisfied him. His ugly pig-like features contorted to an evil toothy grin.

“Good help is so hard to find these days,” the wizard commented. “The other Blades of Mulmaster abhor my gruesome experiments, but only out of fear and misunderstanding.”

The revolting flying thing giggled and scratched under its wing, its deadly tail swinging left and right.

The wizard intoned the preamble of some rite. The vibrating energy Gedric felt seemed to come alive then with a baritone hum bespeaking of dangerous power. Xalivar Exalskaiy completed the overture, his face displaying great exaltation.

“Now, my slippery weasel, hold still and do not resist what next will take place,” he said. “I promise that the pain will be far greater if you do.” Then, the wizard continued his ritual.

Gedric allowed the pain to clear his dazed state somewhat. He had to get free! Glancing near a wall, he spied a stool upon which his few belongings were laid. Vials and decanters of strange frothing fluids bubbled, warmed over the many burning candles. He also sought the ruby he had filched. He saw it, but it was being toyed with in the hands of the wizard’s pet. A plan quickly worked itself into the bound victim’s imagination.

Gedric waited until the homunculus' attention was on the gem. The wizard was absorbed in the complexity of his ritual, and the thief could feel that power building. He had no idea how much time he had, but he had no desire to discover what horrifying transformation awaited him when the spell was finished. He began wriggling one wrist free of his bonds.

So skillful was Gedric, able to collapse his hands gracefully, that he quickly escaped both bonds immediately and slyly without either the wizard or his pet noticing. He was free of his bonds, and he had the chains in hand. One flick of his wrist would clear the chains from the iron hook on the wall. He waited until the time was right.

The moment was ripe. With a deft flick, Gedric released the chain and whipped it across the table. His intent was not to harm or maim directly, since the wizard was clearly enspelled against such malady, but to set other things in motion. The chains knocked the tome of spells from its podium and shattered two of the beakers and their hot fluids doused the astonished wizard, breaking his concentration. His spells clearly did not ward against boiling liquid that now burned his face. The man screamed in agony.

At that moment, the homunculus cast aside the ruby and leapt down at Gedric. The one-eyed rogue was not idle and leapt on the table, allowing enough room for him to swing his chains effectively.

The chains whistled through the air as once, and then twice, the winged horror evaded his blows. On the third swing, the heavy chains caught the thing mid-flight and cast it in ruin across the chamber. It was dead, but that was all the time the wizard needed to regain his wits and reach for his wand.

“You prefer a quick death, I see!” the man screamed with white-hot rage. He leveled the dweomer-imbued stick at Gedric who was but a step and a leap away.

Gedric wasted no time to fetch his weapons and instead lunged at Xalivar. The rogue sprang on the wizard before the Mulmasterite could release the potent magic, and Gedric wrapped the chains around the wizard’s neck, squeezing his wind pipe.

Through clenched teeth, Gedric twisted and tightened those cold links with all his might. The two went down in a heap together. Xalivar fought with hands trying to free those choking threads from his throbbing, reddening neck. Legs kicked, eyes bulged, and mouth opened vainly to gulp for air. Gedric leaned close putting lips to ear and with hissing voice whispered, “This would have been far easier for both of us if you were elsewhere, master enchanter! Now there will be one less evil conjuror in the world…”

Gedric continued to squeeze, and did not stop until the fat form of Lord Xalivar Exalskaiy, High Blade of Mulmaster went limp and final breath expired. Gedric lay sweat covered and weak, gasping for air with a heavy dead weight atop of him. He had defeated the wizard!

FOUR

And though he did not mourn the loss of so devious a sorcerer, nor did he wallow in guilt nor regret, a part of fantasy often played out horrors in his sleep of the spirit of the wizard Xalivar escaping through that final accursed breath, and living in some malevolent deathless state houseless in a realm of shadow – lurking in the doubt of Gedric’s mind, or perhaps haunting the blood-red stone that the thief later pocketed.

It was not a great enough fear to restrain Gedric from filching the ruby, although he did not seek the vault again for the remaining dropped treasures for fear of encountering more flying horrors. Nor did he take the sorcery-enspelled devices left in the magician’s conjury that might have afforded many more such precious stones. Fencing the wares of wizards would likely draw unwanted attention from other wizards, and Gedric wished to cross no other wizard’s path in the future.

But he was alive, and richer than he was before – at least for a time…

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Mask of Khatri, a Perilous Intersections and FU walk-through, part 4

Continued from here is the fourth and final part of my Perilous Intersections walk through, examining the last two scenes of my actual play.

For the sixth scene, since I could think of no Fightback Scenes to try and counter the advances made so far, and since most of the questions were already answered, I jumped right into the final Big Boss Fight phase and final confrontation. I rolled to see if there was a last-minute alteration twist to any of the Big Questions, but rolled a no. It was already twisted enough anyway. No seed is required for this scene.

Relajii had the means to magically whisk Aleena back from her confinement in Turmish. She struggles to keep the mask from him, but is unsuccessful.

Relajii's ultimate plot comes to fruition! Aleena fails to contain the situation, and now is liable for whatever consequences come next.
Next is the optional Aftermath phase. I usually like a good denouement to figure out where the world stands. I think I'll be seeing more of Aleena Salenskar in the future, which makes it all the more integral.

I am next going to examine Solo RPG Voyages' One Cube Challenge, and examine if Aleena can clean up her mess.

Perilous Intersections adventure, a failure for our protagonist. But for us? Lots of fun!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Mask of Khatri, a Perilous Intersections and FU walk-through, part 3

Continued from here is the continuation of my Perilous Intersections walk-through examining scenes four and five.

Leaving off with a rather unwelcome curse that threatens to derail her quest, our heroine goes in search of the death cult leader. Here, I gave him a name, and used my chosen seed for scene four to give a bit of detail about his nature. I decided to give him a serpent-like aspect.

She tosses a point to use a special power and tracks him magically. Aleena is easily surrounded, but demands the mask anyway.

She handily conquers most of the challenges here, all of which were set up to provide a challenge as suggested by the increasing Danger Level. Except being able to capture the fleeing Valdemar, she defeats her opponents. This leaves her in the fictional position to deny a story probe for this scene.

Also, no change in the DL happens here, because there's no movement to either the positive or negative.

In the fifth scene, Aleena's magical compulsion gets her into plenty of hot water in Arrabar due to slaying some officials. This is a long chase scene ending in a confrontation in another land. I posed the challenge of travel inspired by the seed of the undead boatman, which could have derailed her had she not been able to determine his destination.

Confronting her target, I went ahead and posed a story probe just for fun that might turn the whole plot on its head. The answer was affirmative, which meant that the rakshasa who enchanted Aleena is behind the real plot. Even though I had confirmed answers for some of the Big Questions, it is still acceptable to amend them along the way before the Big Boss Fight phase.

Lastly, she causes trouble for herself in Turmish before getting captured there, earning her some points. The Danger Level is already at its highest point, so cannot escalate further. In the next scene, all missing BQ's must get answered, because there is only one seed remaining.

What will happen next? Will she be forced to play the unwitting part in Relajii's nefarious plot? Can she find a means to thwart whatever dark plan he has and free herself from her curse?

The conclusion of this short adventure in my next post...

Monday, February 15, 2016

Mask of Khatri, a Perilous Intersections and FU walk-through, part 2

Continued from here is part two of my Mask of Khatri walk-through for Perilous Intersections.

To set up, it's necessary to generate seeds. I wanted a shorter game, so I chose six. I use Rory's Story Cubes for my idea generator.

Given the character generation, which produced a conflict with Wianar, I went ahead and put his name in the Who position of the plot. This also facilitated my shorter game. And with only six starting seeds, it won't feel like such a panic to obtain three more answers. It was also fine to begin already with some danger (one step up on the DL), and close to the next phase of action.

Here's the first play sheet:


Starting with one of the Big Questions still left the phase in the Something Amiss phase, which targets the PC’s goals rather than the PC herself. I choose the hamster wheel for my scene’s obstacle. I knew Aleena would start by seeking out the last priest of Mystra there to protect and question him. I interpreted this event as a distraction (having Aleena “running in circles”). By the time she dealt with that, her target was already captured by someone. Taking the bait is very much in line with the idea of an intersection — an interpretation that has the potential to push the narrative in a new trajectory.

The action pushed on from naturally from there. But since the heroine was clocked on the head, it denied her being able to pose a Story Probe. I interpreted this as a setback for her, which raised the Danger Level. Although I didn’t have a second BQ yet, I felt justified to moving into the Rears Its Ugly Head phase. There was a good chance that whoever took Iankul would also be interested in Aleena as well.

Onward with scene two:



In this scene, Aleena finds herself a captive. I chose the scary skull (that Fright set of Rory’s Story Cubes is the bee’s knees!). I decided to interpret this as the cult’s scary leader and his countenance granted by his freaky mask. I also mixed up the order of things, so asked the Story Probe first, before jumping to the intersection event.

I came up with a bog-standard goal for the baddies, and got a “Yes” due to adding when to the die throw. Then, having my answer, I knew they were going to sacrifice the two Mystran priests for their nefarious death god.

A daring escape ensued, and I had some fun.

As an aside, FU is wonderful for those times when one really wants to delve more into story, because it really gets out of the way by the virtue of being able to resolve any big action in a single throw of the dice. Perilous Intersections is a bit demanding on the brain, and focusing more on its twists and turns it’s pushing than the system I’m using is helpful. Having said that, any rpg system that allows for twists and turns, like FU or Fate, adds to the experience.

Now I had a new BQ answered, but by implication, it also changed the Who. The subject of the plot was not confirmed by my probe, so is marked “u” for unconfirmed, and is subject to amendment during the Big Boss Fight. With one BQ answered (What) and one amended through guessing and clarification (Who), this balanced the DL, meaning no change for the next scene.

On to scene three:

This scene proved t be all too brief. I chose the tiger for my seed. Interpreting it gave a head scratcher, so I went with my immediate reaction. I knew Aleena wanted to take Iankul out of town for safekeeping and some questioning. However, I felt as though the intersection event had to come first here.

Yep, a rakshasa!

What did he want? First I had to see if Aleena could resist his powers. Nope. She was magically compelled to perform a task for him. The probe is as seen on the sheet. What could it be? I searched the events from before and decided it was that scary mask the leader of the death cult wore (that would eventually be my adventure’s namesake). What did it do and what was its significance? I had to play to find out...

For now, that was enough to deduce that the cult was going to use the mask in some sort of rite to achieve their ends. But why? That remained to be seen. However, it was enough to raise the DL to its highest level. Things were getting difficult for poor Aleena! Also, not being able to act autonomously from her role as stooge for Relajii the rakshasa made life much more difficult.

In my next post, we examine scenes four and five, and things get turned completely upside down...

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Mask of Khatri, a Perilous Intersections and FU walk-through, part 1

It occurs to me that I have very few walk-through AP's for my Perilous Intersections solo plot driver. I whipped up an example using my favorite ultra-lite, FU by Nathan Russell, which I later dubbed Mask of Khatri. In this first part, I simply go through a character generation process.

I love Forgotten Realms. I don't really know why. It's mostly nostalgic familiarity. Anyway, I'll go with this to generate some anchors and hooks. I decided to use the John Fiore's 9Qs NPC generator to fill in some missing gaps.

I recently came across this picture (credit: Jason Chan art):


An awesome piece of art. Off we go...

Aleena Seranskar


Background


Trained by not one, but two of the Seven Sisters in magic, Aleena is a native of Aglarond. Having served there as the Simbul’s personal handmaiden and a caretaker for the Queen’s house, her talents were recognized, and she served under another purpose.

A devout of Mystra, Aleena is also ordained as a member of the Lady of Magic’s clergy. Under that, she learned not only the secrets of the Art, but of the hearts of men, and the corruption that leads them to their folly. During her studies, she vowed to defy and destroy corruption where she found it.

She traveled to the deep south where corruption was great. In the steaming lands south of the Sea of Fallen Stars, she was captured by wemics. There she stayed with the tribe for months and developed a friendship with a massive male lion. Since then, they have been inseparable.

While working in the south, she met others of her cloth. In tandem, they focused on routing out the evil and corruption in places like Chondath. This was no easy task. The power and corruption was deep and old. She was poisoned by her own kind. Tholamin was a traitor and double-agent in the church and the employ of Lord Wianar of Arrabar. She survived the attempt, but she is now an uncompromising loner.

Aleena Today


Her search has now illuminated some sort of death cult in Arrabar that may or may not be connected to the elite’s corruption in the region. However, several others of her order have perished as sacrifices to the deity in question, their remains dumped in the streets at night after their dark rites. Aleena is trying to route out the group and see if it somehow relates to Wianar’s corruption.

Appearance


Aleena is slender woman of modest height garbed in common clothing. She has dark brown hair and dark eyes, with a pretty-but-plain face. She wears a cobalt blue cloak about her, and has seemingly few possessions. She carries a dagger with her concealed in one boot. She keeps her magical accoutrements in pouches about her belt.

Drives


Aleena is bent on the impossible — routing out ages-old corruption that seeks to destroy the world with unwieldy magical power. Currently, she concentrates on the areas of the south, specifically Chondath. She is tireless and unrealistic about her pursuit.

Relationships


Aleena is seen traveling abroad with her lion, Rovahan. He is the only companion she trusts. However, in cities, she enters usually alone if there is any alarm from the locals. Rovahan is free to roam the outskirts of town biding his time until Aleena emerges. Sometimes, he tracks her by scent at night by stealth.

Her nemesis is Tholamin, a trusted of Wianar who also serves as a cleric of Mystra. Currently, he believes Aleena to be dead. She wishes to keep this notion intact for the time being. Wianar is currently the subject of her investigation.

She has few friends, though the Simbul and Alustriel Silverhand are beloved mentors and friends. They are far away with problems of their own. Aleena has thought to reach out to the Emerald Enclave, whose aims parallel her own (via a different paradigm). She, however, correctly assumes that the Enclave would have trouble taking her as a trusted ally due to their aversion to sorcery and wizardry.

Stat Block


Concept. Lone Adventuring Sorceress-Priestess of Mystra
Descriptors. Willful, Inconspicuous, High Sorcery, Uncompromising
Gear. Concealed Dagger, Rovahan (Massive Male Lion)
Starting FU Points. 3
Conditions. [ ] Angry, [ ] Scared, [ ] Tired, [ ] Trapped, [ ] Blinded, [ ] Hungry, [ ] Dazed, [ ] Injured, [ ] Dying

Options


Options for spending/earning:

gain 1 for notable inconvenient twist
gain 1 for taking a hit
gain 1 for putting leverage on relationships
spend 1 to use a prop for a scene
spend 1 to use a rule-breaking power granted by a concept or a special thing

I'll cover the first three of ten scenes in the next post with images of notes plus my own commentary.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Powered by FU 2 — “Get Loot!” (Sword & Sorcery), part 2

Continued from here, part two of “Get Loot!”, a solo play report using Freeform Universal by Nathan Russell, and Perilous Intersections.


The Escape Attempt



GM’s FU Points To Use This Scene:
1

Gedric sat in fear listening to the distant noises. He had to get control of himself15. He shook his head and girded himself. Next, he felt the manacles. They were made of cold hard iron16. He pulled hard against them, feeling the snap of his thumb dislocate to pull his hands free. However, he fell back with a shout, and the iron links clanked loudly together. There was the sound of voices approaching.

 

Beast Master


Concept: Warrior-priest cultist of Malar
Descriptors: predatory instincts, athletic, uncivilized
Gear: spiked mace
Conditions: ▫️dazed ▫️trapped ▫️slowed ▫️out of action

Scrambling in the pitch blackness, Gedric felt along the wall’s edge, feeling the entry of a corridor way leading to the room17. He was well hidden as a single torch bearing man entered. It was the same one Gedric had followed into the merchant’s inn the previous night — or at least one looking the same dressed all in black with a wolfish face, black bristly facial hair and a grizzled build. The man’s surprise could not be more complete as Gedric leapt out18.

The man saw out the corner of his eye as Gedric leapt out to wrap his arms about his neck. With animal-like reflexes, the man twisted out of harm’s way and threw a glancing blow with a spiked mace he carried. The worst of the swing missed, but Gedric was tossed against the wall, getting winded and dazed.

The bearded man stalks over, now fully in the present moment19. Gedric shakes his head just as the moon looms over him, his weapon lifting to bear. Quick like a mouse, Gedric scurries away, a burst of adrenaline clearing the momentary haze.

 

Intersection Event


Heading down the only available corridor, Gedric sees light ahead. He tumbles out into a large cavernous area. Many fiery forges are scattered about the floor of the cavern below him, each attended by many figures. All about various perches are several more of the shadowy night monsters Gedric had encountered the previous day. He was easily visible amid the more fierce light.

From behind him came the growling voice of his pursuer, and all about before him, the night monsters transfixed him in their unholy gaze. They groped about, climbing down from their perches to accost the petty thief.

 

Story Probe



  • Are these dwarves bent into servitude to make some sort of unholy device? Yes!
His quick glance of the cavern floor revealed that these were dwarven craftsmen, each bent by broken spirits, leg shackles binding their legs, all working on some strange device which was being assembled in the center. About the device were several cultists chanting in an endless incantation in low tones. What the contraption was, Gedric didn’t know. Nor did he care more than saving his skin at the moment.

 

Night Beasts (squad of 4)


Concept: Demonic black gorilla of Malar
Descriptors: cloaked in night, immensely strong, athletic, taloned, vulnerability to the sun
Conditions: ▫️confused ▫️separated ▫️trapped ▫️slowed ▫️out of action

 

Lair of the Beasts


Concept: Hidden subterranean lair of cult of Malar
Descriptors: twisted ways, dark
Conditions (applied to PC): ▫️lost ▫️dead end ▫️escape

Gedric cursed his luck when he reached for his blades, realizing they were not there. He darted down a side passage20. Several other passages snaked away from the main one, each a twisted water-carved way. Through a series of backtracking, hiding, and moving, he evaded the bearded man and demon apes, all who fanned out in search.

Next, he tried to feel the air currents, seek light, and use his instincts in the dark to try to find an exit to his prison21. He seemed to be working his way further from the forge cavern

 

Summary



  • DL escalates to ‘Overwhelming Odds (+2)’ — enemy plans thwarted for the moment (+), one BQ answered (–), plus a setback (–)
  • seed produced the captured dwarves at forges being guarded by large number of apes
  • story probe succeeded at establishing Why? — constructing some unholy device
  • 1 FU points given due to overwhelming odds
  • 1 GM FU point spent to make Gedric lost

Associated Rolls

17 Does Gedric take advantage of being hidden? Yes, and… [makes the beast master ▪️surprised; is ▪️hidden]
18 Does Gedric incapacitate the man? No, and… [Gedric is ▪️dazed]
19 Does Gedric scurry away in time? Yes, and… [Gedric is not ▫️dazed
20 Does he evade his pursuit? Yes…
21 Does he find an exit? No… [GM Point spent: and he’s ▪️lost]

 

BIG BOSS FIGHT



 

Fightback Scene: Failed Rescue


GM’s FU Points To Use This Scene: 2

Gedric stopped groping in the dark. It was pointless. Where was he to go? With startling new revelation about his mother — and, truth be told, he had never imagined his mother the martyr type — something awakened in him that he had never before known: legacy. Assuming he was from lowborn stock, or worse yet, the product of a whore, he wanted to learn more. Furthermore, there were some diabolical plan at stake here. Normally, survival of the street dictated that he was extremely self serving. However, he now contemplated that he could perhaps make a strike against two ends — A blow against these horrible cultists, and at the same time rescue those poor dwarves who might know of an exit.

He turned and began tracking his way stealthily back22. The place was a maze, and he was groping along blindly. There was no helping it…he was still hopelessly lost.



 

Intersection Event


He worked his way along a path by which he could hear distant metallic impacts at rhythmic intervals. Inch by inch he progressed when a incredibly loud boom behind him startled him. He could see nothing. Another bang before him thundered through the cavern. The air was still. He was again trapped. Unseen doors sealed off escape.

Then came the hideous laughter from something evil. Through a stout door came a low bestial voice. “You cannot so easily escape!” it said. “The son of Martyrsblood will not need much longer to wait…”

 

Stout Door


Descriptors: stout iron, heavy, squeaky
Conditions: ▪️locked ▫️dented ▫️in ruin

Gedric crept to the door and listened. There was no sound from beyond. He studied the lock and withdrew a few hidden picks he kept up his sleeve. Taking his time, he tried to summon calm patience23. However, he became eager as he noted that this was a familiar lock mechanism. He set about working it24.

It’s not long before he heard the satisfying click as the mechanism disengages. He slowly swung the door just wide enough to slip out. Just to maintain the deception, he closed the door behind him and set the lock again.

He continued his way, trying to at least find where his weapons were kept or some other useful items25. He wandered aimlessly, until he saw light ahead. Moving cautiously forward, he peered around a corner to observe a room with a few cots, some dried foods and a jug of wine. He spied his sabers in their sheaths leaning against a wall. However, another black-garbed cultist sat on the floor in the middle of the room, a cruel double-headed axe in his lap. His eyes were closed as though he was in some trance or meditation.

Acting with determined desperation, Gedric leapt into the room26. He rolled, snatched his blades, throwing off the sheaths and got their two tips under the man’s throat before he could get to his feet.

“Careful!” warned Gedric. “Let go of that axe haft and I might let you live a bit longer,” he promised27. He was good at lying, but this time, he really meant it.

However, these cultists were savages enthralled the passions of the beast. The man rolled back away and reached to snatch up his axe. However, Gedric clearly had the upper hand28. Gedric hacked away. The larger man was surprisingly agile and quick for his size and darted out of reach. Next, Gedric played to his conniving nature, and continued forward seemingly recklessly with his two blades29, hoping to lure his opponent into false feelings of martial superiority. However, the man snarled, anticipating Gedric’s next move. The cultist spun in perfect synchronicity to the thief and pounced on his exposed flank30. A powerful swat of the flat of his axe head sent Gedric flying. He struck a wall and went unconscious.

 

Summary



  • DL remains at ‘Overwhelming Odds (+2)’ (maximum) for getting a setback
  • no BQ’s clarified (Story Probe never came to be due to fiction)
  • seed produced a trap
  • 1 FU points given due to setback
  • 2 GM FU points spent to modify roll #27
  • no seeds remain

 Associated Rolls



22 Does he find his way back? No.. [1 FU point spent to re-roll a 3, remains a 3]
23 Does he create calm patience for himself? No, but… [he has encountered this sort of lock before]
24 Does he unlock the door? Yes, and… [he opens it quietly; he’s no longer ▫️trapped]
25 Does Gedric find his sabers? No, and… [1 FU point spent to re-roll a 1] Yes, but… [the room is guarded by a cultist]
26 Does Gedric get to his sabers before the man can react? Yes, and… [he gets them leveled at the man’s throat before he gets to his feet]
27 Does Gedric get the cultist to surrender? [2 GM Points spent to tip the odds] No, but… [he has the upper hand in the duel]
28 Does Gedric inflict harm on the cultist? No…
29 Does Gedric lure the cultist into a false sense of martial superiority? No, and… [the tables are turned, giving Gedric’s opponent the upper hand]
30 Does Gedric defend himself? No, but… [the cultist spares his life; Gedric is ▪️unconscious; 1 FU point earned]


Stay tuned later this week for the final showdown...

Monday, May 11, 2015

Powered by FU 2 — “Get Loot!” (Sword & Sorcery), part 1

Here's a solo actual play report of Freeform Universal and Perilous Intersections, featuring Gedric Twoblades, a character concept inspired by this great art by Jason Chan, which I designed for play in the Forgotten Realms. However, this adventure has a strong Sword and Sorcery vibe to it. I started with a simple premise: in Mulmaster, the sorcerer, Ag-morthon, wants an artifact from a rival Blade…Gedric is to fetch it or the sorcerer will direct to him the crime lord, Jornah Kneebreaker, to whom Gedric owes more than money. A little adventure, I call, “Get Loot!”

I have posted few actual play examples of PI, but it's nice to see that some are making use of it. Sophia, over at die heart, is making use of them for her wonderful Dungeon World solo play.

RULES


This will use straight-up FU, for the most part, with aspect like play similar to Fate (á la “create an advantage” actions to put details into play). Spending FU points can grant rule-bending powers in the form of unopposed beat-the-odds rolls.

FU points are fed through complications that have sufficient bite to them. Complications may be fed off of particulars in relationships, drives, flaws, or any details or descriptors in play that may be negative.

In dueling matches of import, the back-and-forth is handled by establishing an upper hand detail. Touches can only be scored by having it. It also is a detail that grants a bonus die.

The GM gets FU points per scene based on the current Danger Level (at Disadvantaged or higher level) plus maybe an extra point or two to assign to the main baddie. These points may be spent to alter Beat the Odds rolls, as normal, or spent to create some scene complication, spent to get rid of a negative condition applied to an NPC, or add some negative detail.


PERILOUS INTERSECTIONS


PI will guide the action. Five seeds will keep this a short one. Two Big Questions (BQ’s) have answers already, due to how I'm starting this one, but may be altered (treat as unreliable). Other BQ’s could be added if context dictates. That starts this in the Rears Its Ugly Head phase, with a bit more aggression directed particularly at our hero.
What we have so far:

Who? Ag-morthon (made this up for my starting scenario)
What? Wants Farnas Del Unthiley’s magical crystal
Why? (this seems to be my only unanswered question so far)

Our Danger Level starts at the usual place (Advantageous -1).

I also rolled the following seeds (all generated through Rory's Story Cubes): an inferno, digging holes, spyglass, treasure chest, hang from a branch.

GEDRIC TWOBLADES


Concept: Petty thief or hired sword depending…
Descriptors: deceptive, nimble, thievery, selfish
Gear: sinister eye patch, twin sabers, ceremonial dagger
Starting FU Points: 2
Conditions: ▫️angry ▫️scared ▫️tired
▫️trapped ▫️blinded ▫️hungry ▫️dazed ▫️injured ▫️dying

Description: A cloaked vagabond, two sabers dangling at his hip. Long, stringy hair. Eye patch. Just something not quite right…
Relationships: Me, myself, and I! Never had people too close. Wrenching costs too much more than a night, and the slum lords always want a piece of the action. Screw ’em!
Drive: Jewels, women, and luxury (order depending).


REARS ITS UGLY HEAD


Scene 1. The Job


Gedric had a hangover. Had he dreamt it? No! He remembered the sorcerer’s gaunt face. The instructions were plain — sneak into the tower of some Farn? Farn…Farnas Del Unthiley — a member of the ruling Blades of Mulmaster to get some crystal.

Why should I? Gedric asked silently. Then he remembered…the sorcerer promised that he would deliver him to one Jornah Kneebreaker, a man Gedric truly wished never to see again. Not only he owed the man a substantial sum of money, but he also took something from the crime lord’s soon-to-be-wed that couldn’t be given back. That gave urgency to the job.

He needed food to quell the revolution in his belly — or maybe not. Regardless how he started his day, it was time to get to work.

His first priority was to scope out the habitat of this Farnas fellow — discover its defenses and security. Fortunately, Gedric not only had skills in getting inside secure places, but he also found friends in not-so-friendly places — the type of folk who might know such details.

 

Mulmaster


Concept: Dangerous city on the Moonsea
Descriptors: guarded by day, thieved by night, sprawling, shadowed civic labyrinth

He bumbled about trying to find any locksmith who might be bought that would know the layout and security of Farnas’s place1. His search turned up nothing. He did find out, however, that the ruling Blade resided in a keep on the side of mount Mulmaster2, the more secure quarter where the upper class resided. He had also learned that Del Unthiley was away on business, and was not expected back for two more days. The rogue smiled…

Without good knowledge of the place through sources, he decided to case the joint himself.

 

Intersection Event: Spyglass


As he set out up the hill, he couldn’t help but notice two dark clad figures shadowing his movements. Savvy to such maneuverings, Gedric decided to turn things around.

He gave the fellows the slip3, and circumnavigated their position, ducking under the flap of a pottery merchant’s stall along a narrow market, and turned the tail on the stalkers. However, they each noted their missing mark and split up. Both being the same in appearance by his quick observation, Gedric arbitrarily chose the leftmost to tail.

The figure wound through the streets, Gedric keeping close, but not too close. The way led him to a run-down looking inn in the merchant’s quarter. Gedric put the hood of his cloak up and entered after. Taking a seat in a shadowed corner, he spied the figure4.

 

Story Probe

 

  • Is it Zhentarim agents? No, something else…
The man removed his own hood to reveal a woodsman of some sort. He greeted a similarly garbed man with a full black bristling beard. He thought he could make out, “Did you capture the rogue swordsman?”

“No, he gave us the slip…” answered the first.

“The beast lord tolerates no failure,” said the first in an almost growling voice. “Find him, or face the consequences. Malar guide you!”

The first bowed and removed himself. Gedric felt the hairs at the back of his neck stand. He had never before heard of a beast lord. The fact anyone was hunting for him did not bode well.

 

Summary Notes


  • Danger Level goes to ‘At Odds (+0)’
  • Gedric gets an FU point
  • seed produced the pursuers
  • story probe failed
  • ‘Who?’ changed tentatively; this also nullifies ‘What?’

Associated Rolls


1 Does Gedric find a relevant source willing to give security details? No, but… [he learns the location]
2 Does he learn interesting gossip about Farnas’s mansion? Yes, and… [that Farnas is away]
3 Does he turn the pursuers into the prey? Yes, but… [they split up]
4 Does Gedric observe his target surreptitiously? Yes… 



Scene 2. Casing the Joint


Not wanting to waste time, Gedric set out again for the Lord’s Quarter on Mount Mulmaster.

 

Lord’s Quarter


(may be combined with Mulmaster proper)
Concept: Home of the paranoid and corrupt ruling class
Descriptors: vigilantly guarded night and day, formidable walls and gates.

He set back up the path toward the wealthy quarter, choosing a circuitous route to elude any would be followers5. He was furtive, avoiding the sundry street influences, but couldn’t help feeling as though he was being watched. By whom, or from where this gut feeling came, he had no idea.

Next, Gedric set about locating a good spot from which he could observe the manse of Del Unthiley6. He spied a rooftop blind from atop a quiet ruin sitting squat between two other walled establishments. Furthermore, noting the movements of the many patrols about the Lord’s Quarter, they paid the ruin no mind.

He furtively stole across an alley and hopped a low stone wall and made his way up the crumbling building’s facade.

Once in position, he made himself comfortable and gazed out across the road toward the dwelling of Farnas Del Unthiley. He observed some interesting things of note7.

 

Story Probe


  • Does he note a schedule leaving the place unguarded at night? No, something else…
Throughout his watch, he noted that two pairs of guards circled the bailey grounds in opposing directions. He spotted a growth of trees inside the wall on the far side. He noted that the two pairs, when crossing directly in front of the shrubbery would afford anyone twenty five breaths before they might have a chance to put their gaze at the front of the main building. There was entry through a front door, or on the upper level by way of climbing vines and an overlooking terrace. The upper windows were always dark, appearing that servants worked in the main floor, while the upper story was vacant.

He liked his dry lips, having spent much of the night looking out. Coming down from his perch, it was time to get some rest before putting the plan to action the next night on the eve before Del Unthiley’s return.

 

Intersection Event: Hang from Branch


As he dropped to the broken flagstones, another black form dropped from a nearby refuge. A lumbering long-armed form followed stealthily after.

 

Night Beast


Concept: Demonic black gorilla of Malar
Descriptors: cloaked in night, immensely strong, athletic, taloned, vulnerability to the sun
Conditions: ▫️Confused ▫️Dazed ▫️Trapped ▫️Injured ▫️Out of Action

Gedric, lost in his thoughts8, was oblivious of the charging horror at his back and was knocked down with tremendous force. Air blasted from his lungs with a grunt. He struggled to turn on his side and scramble up9. He was too pressed by the black horror looming over him to get on his feet, but had managed to turn and draw his twin sabers.

Gedric frantically worked his blades from his prone position to ward off groping hands10, and managed to buy enough margin to find his feet. The monster before him was hulking. In some primitive simian shape, Gedric had the feeling he faced a savage monster of the deepest jungles of Chult; however, this beast was otherworldly. He could not see the horror under the shadow of the void from whence this thing came.

Backing away11, he tried to find a narrow choke point at an archway that crossed a narrow lane in order to control his movements. The monster came on too swiftly, closing the gap, but opened a gap under its hideously gangly arms as black talons poised to strike. He ripped the unseen flesh open with his offhand blade12 and managed a downward chop with his primary blade as the monster doubled over, finishing it off.

The creature melted into black ichor before his eyes. Though he was alive and prevailed against some demon of the void, Gedric fled in fear and loathing…



 

Summary Notes
  • DL remains ‘At Odds (+0)’
  • seed produced the pursuing night beast
  • story probe failed
  • no BQ’s added or altered

Associated Rolls


5 Does Gedric loose any would-be followers? Yes, but… [is ▪️watched]
6 Does he identify any possible refuge conducive to spying at the target site in question? Yes, and… [the place is overlooked by guards]
7 Does he gain valuable intelligence of the place that may help him? Yes…
8 Does he observe his pursuer? No, and… [is ▪️prone]
9 Does Gedric get to his feet? No, but… [gets his blades ready for defense]
10 Does he keep the night beast at bay? [1 FU point spent to up the odds] Yes, and… [removes ▫️prone]
11 Does Gedric take advantage of a strategically defensible position? No, but… [the thing opens itself up for attack]
12 Does he take advantage of the creature’s reckless opening? Yes, and… [inflicts ▪️injured and ▪️out of action]

Scene 3. The Interrupted Plan in Action


Gedric had a fitful sleep at best. Thoughts of Jornah making good on his promise and namesake gave him a throbbing sensation in the legs. Then, leering shapes in the darkness of which he is only aware from the revolution in his insides cause him to toss and turn. The day wears on gloomily under thick clouds. Hail pelts from the heavens — as good a time to get to work as any, he mused.

Waiting for nightfall, he moved out by circuitous track again. He felt at any moment, some mobster might jump from the shadows to grab him13. His sense of paranoia made him tense and jumpy. He was sure he heard muffled footsteps behind him. Gedric was quickly loosing his customary roguish cool14. With some half-heard grunt, he took off at a dash, panic pushing to near madness.

He rushed through the empty night streets full of mist, shadows, and malice. Whoever his stalker was, he dogged Gedric’s every step.

 

Intersection Event: Digging Holes


Gedric backed into a darker alleyway, huddling in the dark against a cold wall. His breath came in short gasps, and fear gripped his heart like solid ice. Suddenly, from the ground came a great black arm. Another seemed to issue from the stone of the wall against which he braced himself. He tried to scream, but another sinuous arm snaked around his mouth. He was swallowed within the shadow itself.

When he could feel once again, he found himself in a cold lightless place. He felt stone under his feet, and his breath echoed against hardened walls. The sound of approaching steps came, along with a bestial snort.

 

Story Probe


  • Is it the beast lord demanding sacrifice of a surviving son of a dead heroic Ilmater priestess? Yes!
Out of the cold came a hideous deep voice that carried great power and was the embodiment of predatory-inspired fear. Although he could not see, his mind’s eye saw hate-filled monstrous eyes leering hungrily at him.

“You are the bastard son of Shaela Martyrsblood, suffered disciple of Ilmater,” it said. “I know this by the stench of your blood. The veil of unclean ways cannot mask it. You will die tonight during the blood moon…the rite has begun!

Then, the terrible thing was gone. Gedric tried to free himself, but found himself manacled.

 

Summary


  • DL escalates to ‘Disadvantaged (+1)’ — two BQ’s clarified, one BQ answered, plus a setback
  • seed produced the groping demonic things from shadow drawing aged rid into shadow
  • story probe succeeded producing interesting character backstory and impending issue
  • 2 FU points granted due to complications
  • impending issue detail established: the rite has begun!

Associated Rolls


13 Does he maintain stealth? No, and… [he picks up a new tail]
14 Does Gedric outrun his pursuers? No, and… [he is ▪️scared]

 Stay tuned for more...