Roll 2 Dodge: Invictus

Rulyon wrote:Since we were playing the game at the start of the introduction, our characters presumably know more about the runes than simply "these are runes". Could you provide some elaboration, please?

The game of Runes doesn't have anything to do with the magical properties inherent in runes. Runestones, especially the base four elements (water, air, earth, and fire), are so iconic, recognizable, and were extremely common and fairly inexpensive at the time of the game's making that they were used for convenience as playing pieces.

If you really want a working knowledge of the game, I'll explain it, but for now I'll just say that any skills at the game of Runes connects in no way, shape, or form to magical knowledge.

The knowledge your characters have about runestones is as following:

1. They have magical properties, represented (with a few exceptions) by the symbol engraved upon them.
2. They are used to cast spells.
3. There are many different kinds of runes: elemental runes and runes of enchanting are only two types.

I assure you that eventually your characters will acquire a working knowledge of Magic Theory.

Rulyon wrote:
BigKahuna: what are the limitations of available supplies? Is it a "If-you-can-name-it-you-can-acquire-it" deal, or are there restrictions?

There aren't any "No, I'm the GM and I say you can't have potions" type of limitations. Availability of supplies is another things altogether, however.

You're in a convoy with a part-time militia army from a small, neighboring province. They're doing a routine escort job for a religious organization. They prepared for potentially extra hostile territory, but again it's a routine, low-budget escort mission. Supplies are going to be limited, but obtainable.

Basically, just ask for whatever you think you may need. If you don't know what in-game physics will allow (potions and such; which are, by the way, easy to acquire) than make a general request (for example, for health supplies).

Just ask around and scrounge up what you can find.

Spoiler:

Rulyon:
I request some light leather armor I can wear under my robe, a falchion, a dagger, one of the confiscated crossbows, a quiver of bolts, rations, healing supplies, torches, rope, map, bedrolls, medical journals, bandages, thread and needle.

Earnan and Kyric decide to make the best of the situation.

Kyric addresses Captain Feris. "None of us have any ranged weapons, and those crossbows you found..."

7 - "...would doubtless be perfect for your purposes?" he finishes. "I'm sure they would, but we acquired these at great price, and if you don't mind I'd rather hang on to them."

You suspect they'd bring him a tidy profit in whatever military circles he associated with.

"...Well, not to sound too insensitive, but with two men less you have an excess of weapons, and we don't know who we may run into-"

"But not for all for of you," he retorts. "Listen. I'm already breaking about half a dozen laws by giving you basic supplies. The crossbows are now, technically, the property of our beneficiary Lord Kelton. We're stuck in the middle of this godforsaken clearing surrounded by trees. I'm sending you on a fetch and delivery mission."

Earnan steps in. "Oh, really? That's all it is? Well, I guess you won't need us four to carry out such a trivial task..."

Feris glares at you, but finally gives in. "Fine. I don't plan on fighting, so you can take my crossbow," he hands you a small packet of bolts and an infuriatingly normal but serviceable crossbow, "as well as my throwing knives. Some supplies are in the wagon."

"What about some armor? Some leather armor would do - not anything too fancy."

3 - "Do I look like I'm made of money? I just gave you my own personal equipment- even now I'll probably die in some goblin invasion or other. I hope you're happy."

...Okay then. You'd go to the supply wagon.

---

Supplies were sparce- too sparse - especially since you didn't want to endanger the remaining mercenaries by taking all of their healing supplies.

7

However, you did manage to find enough rations to last a couple days, a general map of the area, and some potions. You had almost thought, what with Feris's miserly nature and all, that you were going to be reduced to bandages and home remedies.

AerynPierre:
Request medical supplies and see if anyone has a regular bow, either gifted or bought. Will take a crossbow if its all that available.

You walk up to the soldiers to see if you can acquire any more supplies before you leave. They look calm enough, considering two of their number had been ambushed. In fact, they were... gambling.

Over the scouts' belongings.

"Well, looks like they're coping." Kyric mutters.

One of the men looks up from his dice, smiling guiltily. The injured soldier cries out from his makeshift stretcher next to the floor of the wagon where they're playing.

Earnan breaks the silence. "Feris is sending us out to the town and we need some supplies, weapons in particular." You glance at the scout's bow, lying on the table. "Ranged weapons in particular."

16

"Yeah?" The soldier sneers. "As if we weren't in a tight situation already? I don't see what's in it for us."

"Well, I could tell the Captain that you're gambling over your friend's boots."

The bow and quiver - as well as the soldier's own, once you pressed him - was shoved in your hands.

"We'll need four sets of armor too, maybe some changes of clothes," you continue, trying to capitalize off your success.

"You serious? I'm not taking this armor off 'til I'm home in Glendale. Not after... And we only have enough clothes for us. I'm sure they'll have some in that town we were going to."

These country hicks were the best that the modern military system could churn out? This is pitiful. The entire camp is looking over their shoulders and staying in their wagons, as if assassins were hiding in every tree.

You look at the scout, and... OKAY maybe some of their fear is justified.

Captain Feris rides up. "You're still dawdling here? Get a move on! Daylight's fading. We don't have any spare steeds... well, we're not going anywhere so I suppose we do. Grab four of the packhorses and get going. By-river is... that way," he says, pointing north-east. "You can take the road if you're feeling brave, though I doubt anyone would attack a church courier, or you could go through the woods. It'd take longer, but there's a bluff on either side that should keep you from sight."

Discussion Points:

Items Acquired!

Iron crossbow x1
Steel bolts x9
Throwing knives x5
Oaken short bows x2
Iron-tipped arrows x26

Character Sheets:

I take the crossbow and bolts for myself, then say:

"We're couriers, not woodsmen. None of us have the training to prevent getting lost in the forest. If we get lost we're as good as dead anyway, so we might as well take the road and remain vigilant."

Rulyon:
I take the crossbow and bolts for myself, then say:

"We're couriers, not woodsmen. None of us have the training to prevent getting lost in the forest. If we get lost we're as good as dead anyway, so we might as well take the road and remain vigilant."

You strap the crossbow over your back, and pocket the pouch of bolts.

Taking a look at the road ahead, you notice that the forest appears fairly dense and unforgiving, considering your equipment and experience. Besides, speed is key, and getting lost in the woods would defeat the purpose of your mission, not to mention you'd probably be dead before nightfall.

You voice your thoughts to the others, and Emaldeth agrees with you. Atem and Earnan are still mulling over the situation.

Talkal:
Exchange buckler for second sword.

"What can we expect on the road?"

"Not much is to be hoped. If you're lucky, maybe the odd deer or traveler. Probably not even any travelers - these country types are clannish and tend to stay inside of their hovels. If you're not lucky, a mercenary group of unknown size that may or may not be trying to kill you."

He didn't mince the facts.

"How long will the trip take?"

"On those horses? About three, four hours to be sure."

"Wait- is that good, or bad?"

Feris had already turned away and was berating his men for gambling while on-duty.

You walk over to the more intelligent men who had left their dice before Feris got there.

"Hey, do you think we could make an exchange...? My buckler for one of your swords? It's in great condition, and-"

1

The soldier chuckles. "That piece of scrap metal? No thanks."

Discussion Points:

Items Acquired!

Throwing knives x5
Oaken short bows x2
Iron-tipped arrows x26

Character Sheets:

Flamelasher and Talkal, you need to be splitting up the remaining loot instead of continuing to ask for new stuff. I'm trying to finish this up as fast as possible to get the game started!

AerynPierre:
Takes a short bow and arrows, also a throwing knife was an additional backup.

You strap a quiver of arrows over your back; luckily, the bow fits within the quiver as well. A spare throwing knife to augment your collection... and you're set for whatever any blasted bandits can come up with.

All the same, the woods don't look very promising, especially with horses and a need for speed.

"I agree with our friend, as much as I explored the woods as a lad...as a group we would be better off on the road."

Flamelasher:
Get some light leather armor.

15

Captain Feris waves you off. "I already told you -- we don't have any armor to spare. We're not a traveling armory. You'll have to make do with what you have, or what you can buy."

"But we have hardly any cash!"

He rummages in his pockets for a second, and tosses each of you some coins. "This is all I can spare. Don't spend it all on food and beer..."


Talkal: I'll take then the remaining knives.

"Off we go then! The sooner we depart, the sooner we will arive, and maybe we will get some warm, delicious food. Mmm..."

Pocketing the knives in the folds of your tunic, you rub your hands together to keep off the evening chill.

"We should get going. All this talk of food and beer... Well, there's always our pack rations."

Kyric agrees. "Yes, warm food does sound pleasant. These traveling biscuits are not my idea of a good meal."

---

Clop. Another cloud of dust sprays in your faces. These country roads were killers on the eyes. At least the packhorses seem to be holding up. It's been an hour and a half, and they're practically dragging their hooves in the dirt, jolting you whenever they move over some hole in the road.

So, no changes from since you began.

"How close are we to the village?"

"I'm not sure. I can't make out any landmarks or any recognizable features on this map."

"...turn it around."

"Oh. Looks like another two hours at the rate we're going."

"Great. Just great. The horses will probably be dead by then anyway. I almost think it'd be faster walking."

Snick.

"Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Something from behind us. I didn't see anyone on the road... then again it was probably one of the horses."

Still... better safe than sorry. You look behind you, and into the forest on both sides. Nothing. The blinding light from the setting sun isn't helping much. Everything is casting a harsh glare into your eyes from the reflection -- your equipment, the dusty road, even the trees on the wayside have a bright sheen.

Wait... that's not from the-

"GET DOWN!"

It was too late. For the horses, anyway. In their fear, the packhorses rear and toss those of you who did not dismount onto the ground.

Twang! Twang!

Twang! Twang!

Shielding you from the shots was their undoing. Emaldeth and Earnan's horses collapse, their knees buckling, while the other two flee down the road, one of them hobbling.

The four of you huddle underneath an overhang that lies underneath the side of the road where the shots came from. The shooting stops, and you can hear no sounds from the forest.

What will you do?

Character Sheets:

Take cover behind my fallen horse, pull out my bow and notch an arrow. Scan to see if I spot any hostile movement...

If we are attacked...
Take careful aim and let loose, notching another arrow to repeat if necessary.

If we are not attacked...
Hold the bow and arrow at the ready as I watch carefully around us.

Where is everyone these past couple weeks? Flamelasher? Talkal? Please post actions by this weekend (I may roll a bit earlier) or I'll NPC you this roll.

Sorry guys. Haven't forgotten about you, I've just been sidetracked and have had trouble finding time. Please post Flamelasher, but I will roll as soon as I can.

Spoiler:

Rulyon:
Take cover behind one of the horse corpses and load my crossbow.

14

Rolling out from under the overhang, you crawl behind one of the fallen horses, hoping that the other side of the forest is not watched as well.

AerynPierre:
Take cover behind my fallen horse, pull out my bow and notch an arrow. Scan to see if I spot any hostile movement...

19

Moving with Kyric, you position yourself behind the other horse and string your bow. Steeling yourself for the probable chance you'll loose an arrow, you scan the opposite bank for signs of trouble. Strange... nothing. If this is an ambush, it wasn't planned very well. Or just as well, they don't plan on the targets escaping. How encouraging.

Talkal:
Hide, and if enemies are in sight, throw knives at them.

Taking a knife in each hand, you carefully move another twenty feet and duck under the overhang again. There's no cover in sight besides what you're hiding under - if things don't come to a head soon, this isn't going to end well.

Rulyon:
As I'm loading I shout: [...]

They must be close -- you could hear the shots being fired. Maybe you should try a diplomatic approach?

"We are church messengers and have nothing of value! We do not wish to kill you but are prepared to defend ourselves if necessary. Show yourselves!"

You hold up your crossbow slightly to prove you are armed, and load a bolt inside with exaggerated slowness.

6

You weren't really expecting a response, but a deep, commanding voice echoes from the trees.

"Let us stop with these charades, Oathbreaker. Your feeble attempts at escape were futile. Do you wish to condemn us all to judgment? Come out of there and return to us."

What in Lo-kiri's name is this madness?

"What are you talking about? We are only church messengers. Let us be on our way and we'll keep an eye out for your fugitive."

"Fool! Are you yet so weak that you cannot command your own host? Or has your long sleep clouded your reason?"

Flamelasher:
Try to sneak around towards the source of the arrows. Wearing what I think is a brown uniform and holding a wooden shield, I should be hard to see in the poor lighting of the trees.

Bewildered by the conversation, but nonetheless seeing an opportunity, you crouch down and make your way under the overhang.

14

Traveling a couple hundred feet, you scramble up the bluff and make your way into the woods out of sight. Then, you follow the sound of the man's voice... muffled, but still audible. It seemed that whatever Kyric said angered him, because the voice got louder and louder until the entire forest was echoing with its strength.

9

Looking ahead, you see the bodies of your horses crumpled down on the road... the tip of Earnan's bow sticking up from behind his vantage point... and a glint in the trees. Throwing yourself behind a shrub, you look out to see two men in full armor pointing their crossbows at the road. One of the men was still yelling at Kyric, but the other was looking watchfully around the clearing. You'll have to wait for a better opportunity... For now, you listen carefully.

"Even now I feel the heat of his anger."

His voice was getting shriller with every word.

Come out of there, or there will be a reckoning for you! I command you!

His last word peaked at a frequency so high it burned your ears. The four of you fell to the ground, feeling as if something was trying to get into your head, and then... you gave in.

...it is not him. Not any of them.

How is that possible? His presence I can sense shrouding them.

They are church messengers. They must have been near him at some time.

Or they know something. Even at this point it's too great of a risk to ignore. Interrogate th-

M...aster calls us ba...ck. Anger is... great. Call them.

You gasp and cry out as feeling returns to your bodies. Atem sees the two men fall from the tree, and rushes over to investigate, bow drawn.

They were dead. No signs of struggle, wounds, or anything. What's more, they looked as if they had been dead for days. Hollow, grey corpses.

"Guys, you can come out. They're dead."

---

None of you speak as you examine their bodies. They're dressed in full armor - the same insignia as Captain Feris showed you on the crossbows.

However, you doubt this is a petty noble-church skirmish. Not after what just happened. You notice that only one of the men had a weapon: a normal crossbow; the other bore no arms at all. They both wore peculiar amulets... A red pentagram on a golden circlet.

What will you do? Whatever happens it looks like you'll be walking.

Character Sheets:

Interesting thoughts from both of you. Remember though - with your lack of horses, the decisions you make will use valuable time and have a potentially major impact.

Talkal - please post an action!

Extremely busy until Friday afternoon, I'll try and roll then.