Accursed Land
A solo Ironsworn/Starforged adventure based loosely on Curse of Strahd.
I have a vision for the Curse of Strahd module, one of an alternate setting in which the titular vampire plays the part of a dapper southern gentleman. Imagine Spanish, err, Secomber Moss hanging from magnolia trees flanking a long path up to a plantation house, past fields of tobacco and sugar cultivated by both the living and undead.
Inside the mansion is pure evil: a vampire in a white suit dabbing a drop of spilled blood from his breast, which has dripped from his tooth. “Well, bless your heart,” he says, “Are you lost? Won’t you come inside for a glass of sweet tea?”
As an alternative to Barovia, Barlow incorporates Southern gothic and folk horror elements. The era/time period is flexible but generally has an antebellum feel. Maybe more Over the Garden Wall than Gone with the Wind.
There will be familiar faces and analogs and other new elements. More will be revealed. Let’s meet the cast of characters.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
We begin our story following three characters on a cart rattling through dark and misty woods. They are traveling companions; acquaintances, at best but certainly not friends. One is a spy, a member of the Order of the Blind Eye, a sect of religious watchers dedicated to smashing supernatural evil when it exposes itself on the material plane. Another is a ward of sorts, appearing to be under the care of the Order but in reality just another project of theirs. The last is a hired sword looking for something more, although he too harbors a dark secret.
They are running late for a meeting with other Order members before a massive assault on a werewolf den.
Gabriel “Gaz” Zidarsky
Bannersworn - Order of the Blind Eye
◼You are bound to a clan, faction, or creed. When you Swear an Iron Vow in service to this ideology, reroll any dice. On a hit, mark 1 tick on your bonds legacy track.
◇When you or an ally Sojourn and score a strong hit with a match, you may envision meeting someone of the same ideology. If you Make a Connection with them and score a hit, mark 1 tick on your bonds legacy track. When you Forge a Bond with anyone of your ideology, make the legacy reward one rank higher (1 extra box if already epic).
◇When you make a progress move in direct service to your ideology, you may reroll one challenge die. If you score a strong hit with a match, your reputation grows among those who share your ideology; mark 1 tick on your bonds legacy track.
Assets:
Watcher (custom asset)
◼When you make a move to see things as they truly are, roll +wits. On a strong hit, you gain a glimpse of the truth. Envision what you learn, take +2 momentum, and add +1 when you make moves to interact with what you’ve learned. On a weak hit, you get a bad feeling; take +1 momentum. On a miss, you reveal more than you bargained for. Pay the Price.
◇As above, and if you score a hit to see the truth, your instincts tell you what to do. Take another +1 on your next move. If in a fight, mark progress.
◇When you Compel by confronting a being with the truth, roll +spirit and take +1 momentum on a hit. If they are not an ally or companion, also take +1 spirit on a hit.
Sleuth
◼When you Swear an Iron Vow to solve a murder, disappearance, theft, or other mystery, make the rank of the quest no greater than formidable. Then, when you Gather Information in the course of the investigation, roll three challenge dice and choose two. If any challenge dice match, you must use those values. On a miss with a match, envision what you learn of a deepening conspiracy or betrayal, make the rank of your quest one higher (no greater than epic), and use the new rank when marking future progress.
◇When you make a move to avoid detection as you put a person or place under surveillance, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit.
◇When you Make a Connection with a potential informant, you may (instead of rolling) take an automatic weak hit.
Mink “Mouse” Trammel
Artist
◼When you make a move to craft an artistic work, present an artistic gift or performance,
or leave your artistic mark on an item or location, you may reroll your action die if its value is less than your spirit. On a strong hit, take +1 momentum or +1 spirit.
◇When you Gather Information or Secure an Advantage by studying the aesthetics of a being or culture, add +2.
◇When you create or perform a significant artistic work as a public memorial or tribute, roll +the stat which best represents the work’s nature. On a strong hit, the work will stand the test of time; mark 2 ticks on your bonds legacy track. On a weak hit, its impact is short-lived; mark 1 tick instead of 2. On a miss, the work is ignored, misunderstood, or co-opted, and you must Pay the Price.
Archer
◼You carry 6 ammo. When you Strike or Clash, you may add +1 or +2 and suffer that amount as -ammo. To replenish your ammo by crafting projectiles, roll +wits. On a strong hit, take up to +6 ammo. On a weak hit, take up to +4 ammo and Sacrifice Resources (-1). On a miss, take +1 ammo and Sacrifice Resources (-1).
◇You may Enter the Fray by unleashing a volley of bow shots. If you do, roll +ammo and suffer -1 ammo. On a hit, mark progress.
◇When you load a specialized projectile such as a zip line, flaming arrow, or magnet, suffer -1 ammo. If you then take your shot by making a move, you may preset your action die to 5. On a hit, envision the effects and take +1 momentum.
Seer
Prophecy:_______
◼When you envision experiencing a prophetic dream, you may Ask the Oracle for details using an interpretive oracle such as Action/ Theme or Descriptor/Focus.
If you record the answer, and later face a situation that gives truth to the vision, take an automatic strong hit (one time only) when making a move to act on your foresight. Then, clear the prophecy. Only one prophecy can be active at a time.
◇When you focus or meditate to Gather Information about a place, being, or situation (in person or remotely), roll +spirit and take +1 momentum on a hit.
◇When you or an ally roll a match as you Sojourn in a community or Undertake an Expedition within a site, you may envision gaining sudden and unbidden insight about the location. If you do, take +2 momentum.
Havana “Havoc” Locutius
Soldier (custom asset)
◼When you Endure Harm during combat, you may reroll the action die if the result is lower than your Spirit.
◇When you make any move to protect others by putting yourself in danger, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit
◇When you Take Decisive Action on an objective of Dangerous or greater rank and score a strong hit, mark 1 tick on the Quests Legacies progress track
Armored
◼When you Face Danger, React Under Fire, or Clash against physical attacks or impact, you may put trust in your armor’s strength. If you do, preset your action die to 4. On a strong hit with a match, take +2 momentum as you build confidence, make an impression on your foes, or improve your position.
◇You add an important new piece to your set of armor, or upgrade its materials. As above, but preset your action die to 5 instead of 4.
◇When you must Endure Harm, you may instead let your armor take the hit. If you do, roll your action die. On a 4 or greater, ignore the harm. On a 1-3, ignore the harm but your armor is now broken; you must Repair and spend 5 repair points to bring it back to working condition.
Vestige
Last of The Implacable
◼You are all that remains of a people, culture, or tradition. When you Face Death or Face
Desolation, visions of your heritage give you the strength to carry on. Envision how this manifests, and reroll any dice. On a strong hit with a match, a surprising new aspect of your heritage is revealed; take +2 momentum and mark 2 ticks on your bonds legacy track.
◇When you Secure an Advantage or Compel through a tale, performance, or ceremony, envision what you reveal of your heritage. Then, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit.
◇You carry a physical relic of your heritage. Envision its powers or nature. When you make a move directly aided by the relic and score a miss, you may reroll your action die.
PROLOGUE
The fog encased the covered wagon snugly, a hug from nature that the occupants wished they could pry away from. Although it was daytime, they could have been fooled given how dark the forest was. The wooden wheels rustled and clamored along the dirt path, the lack of road maintenance felt in the bones of the occupants.
At the reins, a pale-skinned young woman with striking auburn hair under a raccoon skin cap whistled a tune to herself, trying to time herself with the rattling of the carriage’s wheels. She glanced over at the violin case on the seat next to her, the longing to play dancing across her eyes.
A short, stout man lay down amidst the crates and other cargo in the wagon's cargo area. His heavy suit of armor clinked ceaselessly as the wagon rocked across the road, and he adjusted the visor on his helmet down to his nose to cover his eyes while he tried to sleep.
At the wagon's rear, an older man sat with his legs dangling across the back, his eyepatch flipped up. He looked at what appeared to be a blank page of thin linen. He stroked his long white beard and flipped his eyepatch back down, folding the paper and putting it back into his pocket.
The old man carefully picked his way across the cart’s cargo, making his way to the front. He gingerly lifted the violin case from the seat and gestured for the reins, making the trade with the woman.
“Shall I play us a tune, Gaz? I think I’ve got one from the sounds of the open road.”
Gaz chuffed, “Open road, Mouse? All I see is fog.”
She ignored him and had already snapped open the case’s lid and lifted it out, pressing it between her cheek and taking the bow out.
“Oh, lighten up. I’ll save my road tune. How about a dirge? Proper mood for it here.”
From behind them, the sounds of their heavily armored friend clambering and sitting up were heard. He spoke, “A dirge? Just whose rites are we giving?”
“Our own!” she chirped, “Everyone dies one day, dontcha know Havoc?”
“Cut that out. You can’t say things like that,” Havoc said, rapping his knuckles on the wagon’s wooden side panel, “We don’t need any more bad luck.”
He stretched his arms, “How much longer do we got, anyway?”
Gaz replied, “We’re likely already exactly where we need to be, about halfway through the Forlorn Forest. Deliver these supplies to the Order of the Blind Eye, and then keep on north to Green Haven.”
Gaz kept the truth from his companions. They would know when it was time.
Mouse played a dirge, the solemn sweetness of the notes held close by the fog.
Havoc laid back down, trying to prop his head on a sack of rice. He drifted off.
SESSION 1
Led through the Mist, by the Milk-Light of Moon
An hour later, Mouse had ceased her playing and instead thought about writing some words to go with the road tune she was developing. She spotted something ahead and squinted her eyes. Her nose scrunched in concentration as if she could pierce through the fog, she said to her companions, “Something ahead, big. Blocking the road. Smells like fire, too.”
Havoc was alert, sitting upright and reaching for a crossbow from next to him, “Stop the cart here. I’ll check it out.”
Gaz pulled the reins back, and the cart came to a stop. The two horses trotted in place nervously as Havoc swung himself out of the back of the wagon, landing with a heavy thud and clank. He secured his scabbard, tucking it into his belt and advanced forward with the crossbow pointed towards the possible danger.
Havoc drew close to the shapes and took a glance back to his companions, realizing that he could scarcely see them. The form of the objects became clear.
“Dead horses. Overturned carts, the goods set on fire. I don’t see any people, though! Seems clear.”
Gaz and Mouse climbed down to join Havoc in investigating, the latter giving the horses a pat on the side of their neck before jogging to catch up.
Gaz was aghast for a moment before he steeled himself. Finally, he spoke, “This was who we were supposed to meet. I’ve got to find the truth.”
Move: Swear an Iron Vow: Find out what happened to the Order of the Blind Eye’s party.
Rank = Dangerous
Roll 1d6+heart w/ Sleuth, Miss with a Match, Reroll 1 dice, still miss with a match. Overcome a significant obstacle before continuing
Editing Note: (Yes, I rolled three 9’s on a d10 in a row)
From the woods, terribly close, a creature howled.
Havoc jumped atop a smoldering wagon and looked towards the direction of the noise, yelling, “It’s an ambush!”
Another howl sounded, this time coming from behind the direction of the group’s covered wagon.
“The horses!” Mouse screamed, “They’re helpless!” She ran back to the wagon.
Another howl, and then another, and another, from all around them. Gaz drew his shortsword, taking a defensive stance in front of the wagon Havoc stood atop.
The howls grew louder and closer.
Move: Enter the Fray
Objective: Survive the Ambush
Rank: Formiddable
Gaz weak hit, Take +2 momentum
Mouse weak hit, Take Control
Havoc weak hit, take +2 momentum
Mouse sprung up onto the driver’s bench of the covered wagon, reaching over the partition and withdrawing a fine bow made of red oak, pulling the bowstring taut and laying a quiver of arrows in the seat, nocking one as quick as she could. Through the fog, she saw a shape running on the embankment towards Gaz and Havoc’s position. She pulled the arrow back and let loose.
Move: Strike +edge, +1 (archer)
Strong Hit, Mark Progress twice (2/10)
The arrow flew true, striking the beast as it leapt in midair, causing it to land with a thud and slide through the mud to the base of Havoc and Gaz’s wagon, where Gaz thrust his shortsword into its neck for good measure.
“Wolves!” Gaz cried, “The pack won’t stop!”
From her position, Mouse could see the shapes of more wolves closing in on her companions. She nocked arrows as fast as she could and let them fly at the shapes as they appeared.
Move: Strike +edge, +2 (archer)
Weak Hit, Mark Progress twice (4/10). You are in a bad spot.
Mouse put down one wolf, and then another. Then, as she reached for another arrow, she knocked the quiver of arrows off of the bench, strowing them about on the ground below the carriage.
“Help!” she cried out, hopping down and landing in the mud.
Havoc looked back towards Mouse, checking to see if a wolf would use her as easy prey. His back was turned, and he oofed as a wolf blindsided him from atop the wagon, causing him to drop his crossbow.
“The armor will hold,” he thought to himself, drawing a dagger from its sheath at his belt.
Move: Clash w/ Armored
Preset action die to 4, add 3 iron. Strong Hit.
Mark Progress twice (6/10). You are in control.
Havoc stab, stab, stabbed, shanking the wolf with a rivalrous ferocity even as the beast’s teeth sought to pierce his armor plates. When the creature stopped moving, Havoc stopped stabbing, tossing him off only to see Gaz dealing with his own problem, a wolf dancing and pacing, looking for an opening.
Gaz made a feint, and then struck towards the wolf.
Move: Clash
Miss
Move: Endure Harm (2 harm, resist)
Weak Hit, Trade 1 momentum for 1 health
Gaz didn’t fool the beast. It lunged, biting Gaz’s arm and holding it. The wolf ripped the sleeve of his coat and punctured his skin, drawing blood and causing Gaz to drop his shortsword. Before he knew it, Havoc was at his side, scooping up the dropped weapon and hacking madly at the beast.
Move: Strike
Weak Hit.
Mark Progress twice (8/10), you are in a bad spot.
Havoc hacked and slashed, and the wolf yelped, letting go of Gaz’s arm and backpedaling off of the road and into the fog. He shoved the sword into Gaz’s good hand and withdrew his own, placing his back to the old man’s and looking unsure of where the attack might come from next. Gaz’s labored breathing was visible in the air.
Mouse worked to gather up all of her arrows, muttering to herself, “Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.”
She could hear the beasts traipsing through the woods all around her. She needed to get back to the wagon’s bench. Though she was terrified, she did her best to steady herself. She climbed up, fighting her fears.
Move: React Under Fire w/ heart
Miss. The situation worsens. Pay the Price.
Move: Endure Stress (2 stress)
Resist. Weak Hit, trade 1 momentum for 1 spirit
She lost her footing and fell back down into the mud, scattering her arrows about all over again. The wolves drew closer.
Havoc could see Mouse’s vulnerable position. He let loose a primal roar, and interposed himself between her and the wolves in the woodline. His gambit worked, and three wolves were on him, inches of steel the only protection that he had.
Move: Clash w/ armored
Set action die to 4, add iron +3.
Strong Hit, Mark Progress twice (10/10), you are in control
Havoc’s sword lashed out wildly, with no consideration of form, stance, or grip. It was no matter, because his wild, ferocious swings slashed and pierced through all of the wolves’ hides, sending them running for the woodline with whimpers and cries.
“No!” Havoc yelled, “They can’t get away!”
He heaved Mouse to her feet and withdrew her bow from the bench’s seat, thrusting it into her hands. He pointed, and said, “Shoot!”
Move: Take Decisive Action
Strong Hit, +1 momentum
Emboldened, Mouse managed to fire off a few arrows, and one even managed to hit a wolf in the hindquarter. The others sprinted off into the fog.
“Fuck!” Havoc yelled, “Has the fog filled your head, girl?”
He slammed his gauntleted fist into the wagon's side, splintering the wood.
“And you, old man,” he pointed at Gaz, “You think a wolf is going to be tricked with a false step? You act like you’ve never been in a fight before!”
“That’s enough!” Gaz yelled, his usually gentle voice now thundering, “There are enough enemies on the outside, we don’t need to be fighting within.”
Havoc picked up his hand and pointed, as if he was going to say something, but instead walked away towards the wreckage of the other party’s caravan. He kicked a box, shattering it open. He continued to break things, while Gaz moved over to Mouse and asked, “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head no and bent to retrieve another arrow, “It’s different, shooting targets. I’ve never been afraid that the targets would kill the horses.”
“Oh these old beasts?” Gaz pet one of them on its side, “They’ve been wartrained. The fear was removed right out of them. See how they didn’t even flinch?”
Mouse frowned, “That doesn’t seem good for them. What about their survival instinct?”
“Survival instincts during a fight are a sign of selfishness,” Havoc cut in while still throwing his tantrum.
Gaz ignored him and continued, “In combat, all that matters is sticking together. I’m sorry we left you alone.”
“It’s okay,” she said, “I just wanted to protect the horses.”
“And you did a good job. Now, let’s see if we can’t figure out what happened here.”
Move: Reach a Milestone (Defeat a significant foe) - Find out what happened to the Order of the Blind Eye’s party (2/10)
Gaz yelled at Havoc, “Will you stop throwing your tantrum? You’re disturbing the scene. I would like to see what happened.”
Havoc ceased his destruction, and wandered over to the treeline, where he leaned against a tree. Mouse retrieved some apples and began to feed the horses.
Gaz began to assess the ruined caravan, panning for clues or hints about where the rest of his order might have gone.
Move: Gather Information w/ Sleuth
Strong Hit, +2 momentum
Gaz surveyed the wreckage of the burned wagon that he and Havoc had used for cover, finding that it had contained provisions for the raiding party now charred to a crisp. He found the source of the fire, a torch that appeared to have been dropped, or perhaps thrown. He couldn’t rule anything out just yet.
There were no casualties here, which seemed important. All the footprints, human and canine, led into the woods where the ambushing wolves had come from.
“Hopefully some of them made it. We’re coming.,” he thought to himself.
He looked through the other wagon that was still standing and found a linen page not unlike the one that he had in his pocket already. The page was wedged under a retaining strap of the wagon’s canvas covering and had clearly been left behind for him. He lifted his eyepatch and gazed at the linen page.
“Gaz,” the note read, “Wolf attack. Head north. Target cave by lake. - M”
“Going to have to tell Mouse that we’re leaving the horses behind. That’s harder than tracking them down,” Gaz thought.
“Well,” Gaz said to his companions, “Grab some provisions, throw them in a sack. We’re going to follow the tracks.”
Mouse pouted, “Why can’t we just turn around and go get help? What about the horses?”
“We can let them free of the wagon, so that they can run from the wolves if they need to. They won’t go far, but there’s no way they’ll make it through the brambles and thorns.”
Havoc heaved himself off of the tree that he was leaning on and made his way to the rear of the wagon wordlessly. Gaz knew that he would have to address what happened sooner or later.
“Tell the horses goodbye. Take some time,” he said gently.
She nodded, and Gaz sauntered to the rear of the wagon to join Havoc in making preparations. Havoc was stuffing things into a large canvas bag, still apparently angry.
“I am not paying you to act like a child,” Gaz said, his voice even and level, “I am paying you to do what you did just then: to fight and win. You protected us, because that’s what soldiers do. So don’t let your focus be clouded by your anger. Remember, I’m just an old man, and she’s just a girl.”
Havoc stopped throwing objects into the bag and held a cooking pot by the handle. He looked over at Gaz, and said, “There was no cohesion. It was sloppy. I’m angry because you almost died. I’m angry because of the mistakes that she made. If you had both died, it would have been my fault.”
Gaz shook his head, “No. That’s not true. Nobody would have been to blame but the wolves. Or fate, maybe.”
“Fate,” Havoc griped, “Pssh. Fate is for people who aren’t in control of their lives. It’s a lie made up to not feel bad about your failures.”
“Havana,” Gaz said, using Havoc’s real name, “You’ve got to let go of what happened.”
“I will never let go,” Havoc said, throwing the pot into the bag and cinching it shut, “I’ll be waiting. And don’t call me Havana.”
Mouse released the horses from their harnesses, and they walked off confusedly. She wiped a tear and began to pack her bag. She gingerly placed her violin at the top of her knapsack and fastened it to her back before retrieving her bow from the wagon’s bench. She fastened the quiver of arrows to her belt.
“You look more like a turtle than a mouse,” Havoc said, pulling the straps of her knapsack tighter, “Carrying your home on your back.”
Mouse only turned around and glared at him, cutting daggers.
“That’s enough,” Gaz said, “We’ve got a trail to follow and we need to be quiet.”
The two fell in line behind him.
Move: Undertake an Expedition
Wolf Cave - Dangerous
Miss - Waylaid by a Crisis or Peril
Gaz kept his gaze to the ground, following the deep footsteps of heavy, armored men dug deep into the soil from the force of their flight from peril. The tracks of man were interrupted intermittently with the three-toed marks of wolves that followed, no doubt nipping at the heels of the other Order members. The tracks led to a small clearing in the woods where tall grass grew, and Gaz was able to see the downtrodden grass. He picked up the pace, and turned to urge his two companions to follow him when a harsh noise, coupled with a sharp pain around his ankle nearly made Gaz howl on his own.
He bit his wrist and looked down to see that he had stepped into a leg-hold trap cutting tight into his skin and drawing blood. This had no doubt been left behind by the Order members as they fled, but the clever wolves had bypassed it, making them brighter than Gaz at the moment.
Move: Endure Harm (-1 health)
“Oh no, Gaz, let me help!” Mouse said, running forward to help, but Gaz held up his hand.
“I’ve got it.” He reached down and pried the leg-hold loose. Thankfully, his leg wasn’t quite broken, but he could feel the pain shooting up his leg. He took a few test steps and winced. It was going to be slow moving from here on out.
“Fuck’s sake, when time is of the essence, of course you’re going to slow us down,” Havoc griped.
Gaz pointed a finger at him and yelled back, “Your shit attitude slows us down more than anything else, boy!”
“Don’t call me boy,” Havoc said, taking a step forward and placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.
Gaz saw the motion, and placed his hand on his own, his lip quivering.
“Stop it, stop it both of you!” Mouse screamed, “Can’t you see that we all need each other if we’re going to make it through this?!”
Gaz looked at her, and then back to Havoc, saying, “She’s right. I’m depending on you, Havana. I apologize for snapping at you. Would you take the lead?”
Havoc gruffed a grunt of affirmation and turned on his heel, moving through the tall grass.
“A fight took place here. More blood spilled. Not sure whose. Try and keep up,” he said, taking point and running forward.
Move: Undertake an Expedition +edge
Miss. Pay the Price: the environment or terrain introduces a new hazard
If Gaz had any protests, Havoc didn’t want to hear them. He outpaced the old man and the young girl, the sounds of his armor clinking and his heavy breathing all he could hear. The fog obscured all but a few feet in front of him, and he soon faced a thick, tangled bramble that slowed his footsteps down. If he didn’t know any better, he would have sworn that the vines were grasping at his feet, trying to find their way above and below his shin guards. He kicked uselessly before taking out his sword and giving a few wacks.
The immediate area around his feet was clear, but he looked up and saw a near-impenetrable wall of thickets. He looked left, and then right, and then behind and felt as though the thickets had him surrounded. He swung his sword against the branches, a few of them fell away but it seemed that more seemed to grow.
Havoc tried to resist the urge to yell; the only sounds that escaped his mouth were timed huffs that corresponded with the swinging of his sword. He hacked, and hacked, and hacked, and then paused to survey his work. He still felt trapped.
Move: Endure Stress (-1 spirit)
Resist. Strong Hit. Shake it off, +1 spirit
Through the thickets, Havoc heard a voice. It was a sweet voice, soft and low, and it was one that he recognized. He swung his sword vertically, clearing a path towards the voice until he had made it through and could see Mouse and Gaz. He had never been more glad to hear her voice. He put his sword away and stepped from behind a tree.
“Shut up, would you?” he half-ordered, “Every creature for miles has better hearing than us and you might as well be ringing the dinner bell.”
Mouse frowned, and, noting the sweat on Havoc’s brow, inquired, “Are you sure you’re going the right way?”
Havoc lifted his shoulders, settling his armor back atop them, “Well of course I am. Try and keep up, won’t ya?”
“Stop,” Mouse said, “Gaz needs a breather, and I want to have a look around.”
Havoc rolled his eyes and said, “Fine, but don’t go far.”
Mouse looked about for signs that others had been through the area, either friend or foe.
Move: Aid an Ally, Secure an Advantage
Weak Hit, ally takes +1 on next move
“A-ha!” Mouse said, pointing at a pile of shit, “Wolfsign. And look, tracks.”
Havoc came over and patted her on the head condescendingly, “Of course the little mousey knows to follow her nose.”
She didn’t let it get to her. Instead, she walked over to Gaz, who had taken a seat on a fallen log. Mouse helped him to his feet.
“Well, Havoc,” she said, “What are you waiting for? Lead the way.”
He withdrew his sword and said, “We’ll find the prey in no time.”
Move: Undertake an Expedition +edge, +1
Strong Hit, Mark Progress
Havoc kept pace, following the wolf tracks right up until he found a dead wolf. It was motionless, and flies buzzed around it, but this didn’t stop him from driving his sword into the beast’s throat.
“You can never be too certain, and these wolves aren’t like others.”
His companions found him a moment later.
“A good sign,” Gaz said, “But still, we should press on. I can keep going. Let’s press.”
Havoc only nodded and took off once again.
Move: Move: Undertake an Expedition +edge
Weak Hit. Mark Progress, but with a cost
Gaz - 1 momentum
Havoc - 1 momentum
Havoc moved at speed, but since he had run across that dead wolf, he elected to keep his companions in sight. He kept turning around to look at them, and he saw that the old man really was losing it. So, against his better judgment, he slowed down. At another convenient place where there was a series of large boulders, he came to a stop.
He was waiting when his companions caught up. He couldn’t resist getting a verbal jab in.
“Gaz, you need to do something about your ankle. Put it in a splint, grab some extra padding and put it in your shoe, take something to get you high and forget the pain, whatever, I don’t care, but everyone will be dead if we don’t hurry up.”
Gaz leaned against a rock and looked at him. Finally, he relented, “Fine, have you got anything for the pain?”
Move: Check Your Gear
Weak Hit, - 2 momentum
“Yar,” said, reaching into a pouch and tossing him a small canvas pouch with some strange leaves in it, saying, “Berserker’s chew. Numb you up real good, maybe you can unclench your asshole while you’re at it.”
Gaz undid the twine holding the pouch shut and withdrew a red leaf, chewing it between his teeth. It was bitter.
“Not enough,” Havoc said, “Take the whole thing.”
Mouse giggled, “Your teeth are turning red.”
Gaz bared his teeth and gave a grrr, showing the red stains before taking another.
Move: Heal +heart
Miss with a Match
Havoc said, “Alright, let’s get going.”
“No,” Gaz said, hopping down from the rock, clearly ignoring his ankle pain, “You’re not the leader. I am.”
Gaz walked up to Havoc and poked his finger into the steel breastplate, “And I’m sick of you talking down to me, boy.”
“Gaz,” Mouse said, looking back and forth between the two, “Stop it.”
“And you,” Gaz said, turning his attention to Mouse, “Little girl that nobody wants. Poor, sad, girl. Cursed and hopeless,”
“Gaz, please,” Mouse said, backing away from the advancing old man, “You’re scaring me.”
Gaz mimicked her before pivoting on his ankle and turning back to face Havoc. He took off running and shoved Havoc hard enough that the man fell from lack of anticipation.
“Something’s not right,” Mouse said to Havoc, “What are the side effects of berserker chew?”
“Well,” Havoc said, picking himself up off the ground, “It seems to be working exactly as intended. More aggression, higher pain tolerance, intense focus.”
“He will leave us behind if we don’t follow!” Mouse yelled, taking off after Gaz.
“Would that be the worst thing?” Havoc said aloud to himself.
Move: Undertake an Expedition +edge
Weak Hit. Mark Progress at a cost
Mouse -1 spirit
Gaz -1 health
“Gaz, slow down!” Mouse cried, but she couldn’t keep up with the old man, who was now out of sight. She slowed down and waited for Havoc.
“We’re going to have to track him,” she said, “I lost him.”
Havoc nodded and pointed at the disturbed brush that Gaz had left behind. He said, “Shouldn’t be hard. Like following a bull through a pottery shop.”
They followed Gaz’s tracks and found him almost an hour later, laid out prone on the ground. Mouse cried out, and Havoc came and kicked the old man lightly with his foot to roll him over.
Gaz groaned as he rolled over, and the blood trickling down his nose matched the stains on his teeth.
“You had me worried sick,” Mouse said hitting him lightly, causing him to groan a bit more.
“Taking notes here,” Havoc said, “No drugs for the old man.”
“Agreed,” Gaz said, rolling over to his feet. He pointed at a tree root, “I think I tripped over that. I don’t remember much else.”
Havoc and Mouse looked at each other and then back to Gaz.
“I apologize,” he said, “For anything that may have happened. But please, can we keep going?”
Mouse said, “Sure. Why don’t I try? You did fine, the tracks are still here. Let’s just all stick together, please.”
Move: Undertake an Expedition +wits
Weak Hit. Mark Progress at a cost.
Mouse -2 momentum
They moved slowly, but they moved together. At first, they were silent. But Mouse simply couldn’t help herself. It began as a hum, and then the words came, almost naturally to her.
“Last night I dreamed of pleasant days gone. This morning I woke to the mists and the fog. Where we are going, I cannot describe. The night sends us rambling, through strange countryside.”
She kept going, and neither of her companions silenced her, the song forming in her head as she went, the trees, brambles, and thickets a strange chamber where her words seemed to echo.
“She’s got talent,” Havoc thought to himself, “But she’s going to get us all killed.”
They arrived at a large cabin, or at least it had been a cabin once. Unfortunately, vines had long overtaken the structure, and the roof over the main room had collapsed from years of neglect. More importantly, the remains of a fire were still smoldering.
“Oh, we missed them by that much!” Mouse said.
“Look about,” Gaz said, “If they stayed here, they may have left a sign for us.”
Gaz waited until both Mouse and Havoc had peeled away before he lifted his eyepatch and scanned the campsite.
Move: Explore a Waypoint +watcher(wits)
Strong Hit. +2 momentum, +1 to interact with what you learn. Mark Progress
“Gaz,” the spectral form of Mortimer appeared before him, “This is desperate. We have crossed over into strange lands, not marked on any map. You know as well as I do there was meant to be a lake and a cave here, and a home for werewolves. We are lost. We will continue to head east. Our numbers are strong, but we lost Jeramo. He wandered off into the fog, and we couldn’t spare the time looking for him.”
Mortimer held up his hand to make an O-shape and put it over his eyepatch. “Look for us in the nearest settlement that you find. Be seeing you.”
His form vanished.
Gaz turned his eyepatch back and thought, “I suppose we’ve arrived, though not at our destination.”
Move: Finish an Expedition
Strong Hit. Mark 2 ticks on Discoveries legacies
Move: Reach a Milestone - Find out What Happened to the Order’s party (6/10)
“East,” Havoc said, “They went that way. The forest slopes downward, and you can hear frogs if you listen. I checked it out. No lake, but a swamp.”
Gaz nodded, and said, “I don’t think that they are in any danger. I haven’t seen any signs of wolves, and they set up a camp here. So perhaps we should do the same.”
Mouse piped up, “Good! I am starving.”
She rubbed her stomach, and then looked back in the direction that they came from before asking, “Gaz, do you think the horses are okay?”
“Undoubtedly,” he lied, “They can outrun the wolves, and they probably made it to the next town. Someone will take care of them. Horses are valuable.”
Mouse appeared to be placated. She took her pack off and placed it down onto the remains of the porch.
“Okay,” she said, “I’ll cook.”
Move: Make Camp
Strong Hit
Gaz +2 health
Havoc +1 spirit, +1 momentum
Mouse +1 spirit, +1 on next Undertake an Expedition
Gaz propped his hurt leg up on the shattered fence near his bedroll, massaging the tissue of his calk where the trap had bitten him. He meditated to himself while Mouse set up a stew over the fire using wood that Havoc had gathered. He was already feeling better, and Mouse’s cooking did wonders for his mood.
Havoc had seconds, and then thirds. He was reaching for fourths when Mouse popped the latches on her violin case, withdrawing her bow and applying rosin. Havoc was secretly delighted.
“Dinner and a show? What a treat,” he thought to himself.
Mouse ran through a few notes to warm up, and then addressed her companions, “Okay, so this is another piece I’ve been working on, back when we were on the road. You have to let me know what you think. Be honest, okay?”
Both the men nodded, and Mouse began to play a melancholy tune. She sang,
“I never dreamed that there’d come a day
When I’d find myself far from your arms
Now that I am, I can hardly stand
Not to be near your sweet southern charms”
She played a steady tune, and started a verse,
“Send me a peach from ol’ Jorja
Down where the Mariana flows
If I could have one bite of Jorja
I would feel right here at home”
She picked it back up, the melancholy becoming more jaunty, diving into another verse,
“I miss the shady old lanes there
Walkin’ with you by my side
Just send me one peach from Jorja
Just so I know you’ll be mine.”
She stopped abruptly.
“Well, that’s all I really have. It’s still coming to me, up in the noggin,” she tapped her head.
Havoc and Gaz both clapped fast.
“It’s good, Mouse,” Gaz said, “Keep at it.”
Havoc confirmed, “Yeah, it’s not bad.”
Mouse, seemingly embarrassed, stood up and walked to the window of the shattered cabin. She said, “I’ve never even been to Jorja, it just fits the rhyming scheme.”
“You’d do well there,” Gaz said, “They have a bardic college.”
Mouse turned around and beamed.
“Well,” Havoc interrupted, standing up with some difficulty, a sign that he had a full stomach, “That was nice, but we’ve got serious business here. I’ll take first watch. You two get some rest.”
He began to put his armor back on, and the other two took their places in their bedroll.
Move: End a Session
Next Session’s focus: Mouse has a vision
+1 momentum
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