II.12: Dying for a Cause

Xemdaresh, Q’barra
Dravago 7, 997 YK

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(3 3) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome

Esthana watched nervously as Vaalyun moved ahead, moving low amid the foliage from tree to tree. A halfling in dirty leathers was standing by a tree on some higher ground up ahead, keeping watch for the cultists who were camped somewhere beyond. As she had once before, Esthana kept an arrow nocked, ready in case Vaalyun was spotted before he reached the scout.

She looked around again. “Khyber’s breath,” she cursed quietly as another scout, a human in a dark cloak, came into view from her left. Vaalyun was keeping trees between him and the halfling, but he would be seen by the other scout in a few moments. Esthana stood up and loosed an arrow.

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(1 2) +2 = 5 Failure!
Turn their move back on them

Vaalyun and Esthana have a pretty bad record of working together. This is not going at all to plan.

The scout ducked under a hanging vine at the last moment, and the arrow stuck in a tree behind him with a solid thunk. The scout looked to Esthana, and shouted “Enemies to the south!” As the halfling scout turned at the sound, Vaalyun stepped out behind him and sunk a dagger into his back.

Anaya laid a hand on Esthana’s shoulder, and she felt the purifying power of the Flame flow into her, filling her with fresh strength. “The Flame is with you,” said the cleric.

Cast a Spell(Bless)(Anaya): 2D6(2 4) +2 = 8 Partial success.
Lose the spell

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(1 3) +2+1 = 7 Partial success.
Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: you can catch the scout, but only by getting much closer to the main camp

Esthana declines: a soldier isn’t going to solo charge a camp full of enemies.

Esthana slung her bow, charging through the thick undergrowth towards the remaining scout. The scout turned and ran down the far slope, and Esthana had to draw her sword and cut through some of the jungle vines and branches to make her way forward. As she crested the ridge, she saw the main group of presumed cultists below, alive with movement and shouting as they grabbed weapons. The cultists had only been here for an hour, and had not set up a proper camp.

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(4 6) +2 = 12 Success!
What here is hidden? What here is useful or valuable to me? Hold 1

First Anaya wants to know if these really are Khyber cultists: they are.

After that, she wants info that might help the party not die rather quickly against this much stronger force. I was not sure what would be useful, so I rolled amongst a few tactical options that might help them here: terrain, creatures, tactical. I rolled “creatures”, which is cool because we have not got to see many monsters yet in this campaign. Time to dig through the monster manual...

From ten yards to the right, Anaya shouted “Demon claw!” Esthana glanced over, to see her checking the body of the slain halfling. The Templar report about cultists in this area had said that they used a demon claw as their sign. So they are the cultists that we seek.

Spend hold(Anaya): Who is in control here?: Show signs of an approaching threat; and Think dangerously, this group is large enough that they intended to masacre a village, so it’s got to be a pretty big group.

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(6 4) +2+1 = 13 Success!
d10=2 damage

Most of the cultists are Rebels from the DungeonWorld monster list: 3HP, 1 armour. Blue sash guy can be a Bandit King for HP/attacks but have the Knight moves.

“There they are!” shouted one of the cultists below them, a halfling wearing a dark blue sash. “Get them, but stay together!” The camp contained at least thirty armed cultists, and there were probably more scouts out of sight.

“We’re dead if they swarm us,” said Esthana, moving towards Anaya. She had her bow out again, and loosed an arrow at the back of the fleeing scout, hitting him in the leg and sending him tumbling down the slope into the camp. Two cultists stepped around him as they began climbing towards the Templars.

“I have an idea,” said Anaya. “Blue sash must be in charge—see if you can take her out.”

Vaalyun had his shortbow out as well, and loosed an arrow at the halfling commander. He hit her in the arm, penetrating her leather armour. She cursed, then shouted, “In Masvirik’s name, kill these wretches!”

Volley(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 2) +1 = 9 Partial success.
d4=4 damage; use up ammunition

Blue sash is at 9/12HP. Our heroes are all full health.

GM move(soft): Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: You have one round before the first group of cultists reach you. You can shoot at the boss, but any mistake and the cultists will get to you before you draw your sword.

Esthana chooses to shoot at the approaching cultists instead.

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(4 5) +2+1 = 12 Success!
d10=2 damage

“For the Cold One!” shouted several cultists as they charged up to the high ground. Others back in the camp had drawn crossbows and were shooting. Esthana was getting most of their attention so far, her plate mail standing out in the jungle. She loosed another arrow, hitting a human cultist in the chest as and knocking her over.

Ducking behind another tree, Esthana drew her sword and unshouldered her shield now. As she dashed to the next tree, several crossbow bolts whizzed past, and one struck her shield firmly. As she reached cover, she saw Vaalyun sheltering behind the next tree.

“So much for stealth,” said Vaalyun, in Elven.

“I hope Nyseris gets here soon,” said Esthana, as she turned to face the cultists behind her.

---

The village was set in a small clearing in the valley, with a tributary river running down through it from the east. The village was similar to those of Nyseris’ own tribe, and so it felt like a homecoming of sorts. The wattle and daub huts of the tribesfolk were scattered around the outside, with the largest huts for the village elders set near the great communal bonfire in the middle. There were a thousand villages like this in the jungle, though few lizardfolk would ever see those beyond their own tribe.

Nyseris was spotted by one of the tribe’s lookouts as they approached. In draconic, the watcher called out “Who emerges? Come forward and state your tribe and business.”

GM move(soft): Show a downside to their class, race, or equipment: the plan relies on a character with Cha 8 to persuade the village to quick action.

Nyseris wants to get to the tribe elders and explain, quickly; the leverage is the information she has about the troop of cultists camped less than a mile away.

Parley(Nyseris): 2D6(1 3) -1 = 3 Failure!
Turn their move back on them

Obviously Nyseris doesn’t lisp in draconic.

“Nyseris, of the Eternal Fire tribe.” Nyseris used draconic amongst other lizardfolk; few had any need to learn Common. “I come with urgent news, of danger to your village. Humankin are come from the south, armed and warlike.”

“Approach, and drop your weapons. Ineius!”—shouting over their shoulder to someone out of sight—“Stranger here!”

Nyseris did as was bid. The lookout was armed with a stout spear and several throwing spears; gesturing with the spear, they got Nyseris to back away from the weapons on the ground, and picked up the bow and spear themselves. With Nyseris’ weapons secure, the lookout seemed less nervous.

“Are there others with you?” they asked. Another lizardfolk, also armed, came into view.

“No—there are humankin camped to the south,” said Nyseris.

The lookout did not even look that way. “You come with us. Teegwul will deal with you.”

They drew attention as they walked towards the centre of the village, as many tribesfolk stopped what they were doing to look curiously at the newcomer. The lizardfolk of this tribe were blue-skinned with green dots; Nyseris’ grey scales marked them clearly as an outsider.

The chieftain was standing by the communal fire, and here Nyseris was presented. “We stopped this outsider at the edge of the village,” said the lookout loudly, so all could hear.

“I am Nyseris, of the Eternal Fire tribe.” Nyseris lowered their head, partly out of respect, partly out of fear.

“We know of the Eternal Fire, and honour the Cold Sun Alliance. What brings you so far from your own lands?” asked the chieftain, suspiciously.

“I travel to seek the source of the humankin that plague our lands. I come from their city on the Adder Bay.” Nyseris talked hurriedly, nervous and urgent. “There is a humankin warparty camped just to the south—I tracked them here, and come to warn you!”

Here’s the really big roll.

Parley(Nyseris): 2D6(1 2) -1 = 2 Failure!
Offer Aid from an Enemy, or Opposition from an Ally: House Tharashk has bought this tribe.

I took a little time to think about that move. I had expected that this tribe would be happy to reward the party’s help, but now it’s more complicated. Past Conflict, Present Intrigue: it fits a major theme for Eberron, that everything is shades of grey, and every organization has its traitors. The lizardfolk are no different.

There were murmurs of concern among the gathered tribesfolk; Nyseris heard someone say “But he said no more would come.”

The chieftain silenced them with a gesture and an angry stare. “We will learn the truth of this. Seenicin, take some warriors and scout to the south. Be wary: I do not trust this one”—gesturing to Nyseris—“so expect a trap.”

---

So the party is outnumbered and in a bad spot, but the lizardfolk are approaching cautiously, not dashing to rescue them. Also, Separate them: Nyseris is a prisoner in the village, not able to help them.

Since the cultists are working to release a godlike being of pure evil, they count as evil themselves for the purpose of Esthana’s Exorcist weapon: indeed, she was gifted the weapon specifically to kill Khyber cultists. Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(3 5) +2+1 = 11 Success!
d10+d6+2=16 damage

That kills five cultists.

Anaya paused and glanced back up the ravine. Still on the high ground, Esthana cut effortlessly through the neck of a cultist, her sword burning brightly with silver fire. Blood sprayed over the next two cultists to jump forward to attack; several more already lay dead at her feet.

Anay turned away—there were shouts of cultists from all around, and they would surely find her in a moment. Ahead of her was a great mound of vegetation, as she had seen from above. Nyseris would never have camped so close to this thing, but the cultist troop had been in a hurry and had overlooked it. Anaya was not a gambler normally, but she had learned to trust her instincts, and a desperate situation required desperate measures.

Anaya gets +1 forward for acting on her Discern Realities.

Cast a Spell(Light)(Anaya): 2D6(1 5) +2+1 = 9 Partial success.
Lose the spell

“Flame, illuminate the darkness!” cried Anaya, holding her shield out in front of her. The shield exploded into silver light, the dazzling flash of blue fire driving away the shade of the jungle.

The mound in front of her erupted upwards, recoiling from the sudden light. Vines and branches and fungi, tangled and rotten, lurched up, flailing around in the unnatural blue light. It stood 12 feet off the ground, its upper limbs standing above the edge of the ravine, and a stench of rotten vegetation rolled outwards; the monstrosity let out a loud groan like creaking wood.

Offer Aid from an Enemy, or Opposition from an Ally: when I rolled a creature to be the “useful” thing for Anaya, I then went to a 5e random encounter generator and took the first jungle monster that I rolled. This one isn’t in the DungeonWorld monster list, so I’ll quickly make a DungeonWorld monster for it here.

Shambling mound: solitary, large. d10+3 damage, 16HP, 1 armour; close, reach, forceful, stealthy, terrifying. Moves: lurk, devour.

It lashes out immediately—Think dangerously—Deal damage: d10+3=13 damage. Damn.

The creature’s limbs lashed out wildly. A group of cultists advancing parallel to the ravine were caught entirely by surprise; Anaya saw a flailing branch break the necks of the first two with a single sweep. Vines grabbed another man, tossing him across the ravine where he crashed into a tree, twenty feet off the ground. Another was grabbed around the neck by a vine, and in a few seconds his neck was crushed and he fell limp.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(3 4) +2+1 = 10 Success!
d10+d6+2=12 damage

Another 4 dead.

“Devourer’s teeth, what is that thing?” shouted Esthana. Anaya looked up, to see the other Templar at the top of the ravine now, cultists swarming around her. The cultists attacked fiercely, but Esthana cut through them effortlessly, smashing one in the face with her shield while she ran another through with her sword. The cultists blows were wild and reckless, and failed to find a gap in the Templar’s armour.

“Get to the other side of the ravine!” shouted Anaya. Cultists were shouting as well, both battle cries and, from behind the main fight, someone was giving orders.

Show signs of an approaching threat: crossbowmen

Volley(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 6) +1 = 11 Success!
d4=4 damage

Four crossbow-armed cultists took up position above the ravine now, preparing to fire at the retreating Templars. One had a bolt already loaded, and took aim at Anaya, but then an arrow shot from behind Anaya hit him in the eye, killing him instantly. Vaalyun is still with us, then.

Defy Danger(INT)(Anaya): 2D6(5 2) +1 = 8 Partial success.
Put yourself in danger

Shambler deals d10+3=4 damage. In total, we have killed 15 cultists so far: half of the main group. Monster move(Shambling mound): Devour

Anaya moved further down, moving closer to the shambler but putting it between her and the crossbow cultists. It recoiled from her, trying to move its body away from the blue fire around her shield; it reared up the side of the ravine, grabbing the nearest crossbowman in its vines. It hauled him into a crushing embrace, forcing his body into the centre of its own mass, devouring the corpse whole.

But it lashed out at Anaya as well, vines reaching down and grabbing her legs before she could jump back. It dragged her up into the air; the jungle swung dizzyingly around her, and the rotten smell of the creature was stifling as it pulled her closer.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Anaya): 2D6(2 2) +1 = 5 Failure!
Put someone in a spot

The silver fire around her shield, due to the earlier Light, doesn’t actually set fire to things; it’s just divine light.

Those crossbows are about to shoot at the now exposed cleric as well: the party didn’t deal with them. Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: deal with the crossbows or the shambler right now.

Summon Living Dragonmark(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 6) +2 = 9 Partial success.
Living shadow, 1HP, all basic moves with +1

He is going for the shambler. Golden opportunity: Deal damage: d6+1=6 damage, -2 armour for Anaya. She is at 13/17 HP.

Hack and Slash(Vaalyun’s shadow): 2D6(4 5) +1 = 10 Success!
d4=2 damage

More vines tried to close in on her, and Anaya struggled to push and cut them away with shield and sword. The two cultists with crossbows, backing away from the shambler, saw their chance to take a shot at her; Anaya felt a jolt of pain as a bolt stuck into her side.

The light from her shield cast sharp, waving shadows all around the creature as she struggled in its grip. The shadow itself seemed to move with an energy of its own; shadowy vines seemed to grapple with the real vines of the tree, and the creature’s attacks slowed as it instead grappled with the shadow around it.

Two cultists head for Vaalyun now that he has revealed his position.

Defend(Esthana): 2D6(1 4) +2+1 = 8 Partial success.
Divert attacks to self

Okay so Deal damage: d6+1=3 damage which is negated by Esthana’s armour of 4.

Defy Danger(INT)(Anaya): 2D6(5 2) +1 = 8 Partial success.
Hard bargain: cut yourself free & take fall damage. Deal damage: d8=3 damage, no armour.

Anaya accepts the damage, and is at 10/17 HP.

As the creature was distracted, Anaya saw that she could cut herself free. With a few strokes of her sword, she cut the vines still holding her—and fell down into the side of the ravine, rolling down into the stream running along the bottom of the ravine, bruised and in pain.

Hey, a smart person could steer the creature using the shadow. Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities

Defy Danger(INT)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 2) +2 = 10 Success!
Deal damage: d10+3=8 damage

The creature still stood over her, flailing at its own shadow. As Anaya lifted her shield, the shadow seemed to move to the other side of the creature, drawing it away and up, out of the ravine—and into the two cultists with crossbows, still reloading at the top. Lashing branches cracked the skull of one of them, and the other was crushed by a vine grasping wildly at shadow.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(1 2) +2+1 = 6 Failure!
Deal damage: d6+2=4, doesn’t get past her armour

Defy Danger(CON)(Anaya): 2D6(2 5) +0 = 7 Partial success.
Show a downside to their class, race, or equipment: climbing out of a ravine while wearing armour and shield is hard

Volley(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 5) +1 = 11 Success!
d4=1 damage; the target falls for an extra d6=6 damage

An arrow whizzed past Anaya’s head; she turned and blocked with her shield as two more struck home, the force jolting her arm. “Archers above!” she shouted; two halflings had climbed trees further down the ravine, and were shooting down at her. Seconds later, an arrow struck the nearer one in the arm, and he lost his grip and fell to the ground hard. Anaya glanced up to see Vaalyun nocking another arrow. Behind him, several cultists were stabbing at Esthana with spears.

Hack and Slash(Vaalyun’s Shadow): 2D6(6 3) +1 = 10 d4=4 damage

The shambler is at 12/16 HP. 18 or so cultists dead, and their cohesion is shattered now.

Hack and Slash(Anaya): 2D6(4 4) +0 = 8 Partial success.
Deals 1 damage (absorbed by armour), takes 2d10 keep highest (3 2) = 3 damage (1 after armour)

There was a sound of leaves and undergrowth shifting from Anaya’s left; she turned to see the blue-sash halfling sliding down. The halfling was stout, wearing a chain shirt and a demon-claw pendant; she found her feet immediately and came at Anaya with a short sword. Anaya parried the first blow; the second got past her but glanced off of her mail.

“Who in Khyber are you?” asked the halfling, as she circled for another strike.

Defy Danger(INT)(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 2) +2 = 8 Partial success.
Worse outcome

d10+3=12 damage. That kills the halfling; if it had been a successful role, I would have given Vaalyun enough control to say that the halfling was crippled rather than dead.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Anaya): 2D6(6 5) +1 = 12 Success!

Suddenly a shadow loomed over them. The halfling looked up, turning her face just in time to meet a branch of the shambler crashing down; it smashed the halfling’s skull with a sickening crunch. Anaya ducked and scrambled away just in time as more vines and branches came down, thrashing around in the ravine.

She clambered up the side of the ravine. There were more arrows flying past now, but not aimed at her. Looking around, she saw that there were lizardfolk at the top of the ravine now. Dead cultists lay everywhere around the ravine, many around Esthana’s feet, others with arrows in their backs; Anaya could see a few more fleeing into the forest. Behind her, she could hear the crunching of bones and groaning of boughs as the shambler devoured the cultist leader’s body.

End of Session(party): Esthana risked herself to defend someone weaker (the lizardfolk villagers), meeting her alignment.

XP:
Anaya: 1 failure; at 10XP. (Ready to level up.)
Esthana: 2 failures, alignment goal; now at 7XP.
Nyseris: 2 failures; at 5XP.
Vaalyun: 0 failures; at 7XP.

The plan that I came up with for the party, for the record, was:

• Vaalyun and Esthana take out a scout on the far side of the cultist camp, so Esthana and Anaya can take up position there.
• Nyseris gets to the village and rouses them to fight the cultists, before the cultists make their attack.
• Vaalyun would then work his way around to the north side and try to take out the scout there, so they could not report that the village was being mobilized for battle.

Obviously, the plan went off the rails completely. But the party rolled well in the fight itself and crushed the cultists.

I had no idea, when I started the session, that there would be a shambler, or what the party would do with it. Vaalyun rolled really well to manipulate it: I kept making him roll hack-and-slash for the shadow that he animated, to give the shambler a chance to destroy it, but he kept making those rolls and the rolls to actually direct it against enemies.

II.11 The Ranger

Newthrone, Q’barra
Dravago 6, 997 YK

When Esthana came down to the hostel’s common room the next morning, the lizardfolk was waiting for her. The common room was fairly quiet, with a few halflings moving from table to table collecting tankards and cleaning the remains of the previous night’s party, and no other guests in sight.

Time for the character sheet.

Nyseris - Ranger. Damage d8, hit points 20.

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
16 +2	15 +1	12 +0	9 +0	13 +1	8 -1

Alignment: Good: Endanger yourself to combat an unnatural threat

Race: Lizardfolk (Cold Sun): When you keep still in natural surroundings, enemies never spot you until you make a movement.

Moves: Command (Snake companion: Ferocity +2, Cunning +2, Instinct +1; stealthy, keen senses), Called Shot, Hunt and Track

Equipment: Hunter’s bow, Spear, Leather armour, Adventuring gear

Scaly skin is probably as good as leather anyway, so let’s say the leather is actually their skin.

We should check what languages the party speaks; it has not really mattered until now:
Vaalyun: Common, Elven
Esthana: Common, Elven
Anaya: Common, Celestial
Nyseris: Draconic, Common.

The lizardfolk was sitting at one of the tables, and seemed better equipped for the wilds than for a city. They wore no clothes, with just a belt and baldric to hold their bow and spear—though Esthana supposed that scaly skin was as tough as leather. Their skin was grey and white, mottled with blue-grey flecks.

Esthana would have just nodded and walked past, but the lizardfolk rose as soon as she appeared and approached her. “May I see you s–sword again?” they asked.

“No, why—let me pass.”

“The silver fire, it was so beautiful. I have never seen its like. I am Nyseris.” The lizardfolk towered over Esthana and blocked her way, although they did not seem threatening.

Esthana frowned, but she was a templar, so spreading the light of the Flame was a duty for her now. She stepped back and drew her sword; the silver fire of the Flame flickered around the blade.

Two CHA 8 characters walk into a bar...

Let’s see how much Nyseris actually knows about the Silver Flame.

Spout Lore(Nyseris): 2D6(4 2) +0 = 6 Failure!
Introduce a new faction or type of creature, Past Conflict, Present Intrigue: The Church of the Silver Flame contains agents working for the Overlords

I had this in mind already. It’s strange that Tassis, the Templar’s Commander of Foreign Lands, doesn’t know that there is a whole civilisation of lizardfolk out in the jungle here that worships the Flame. But perhaps he, or a predecessor, did know and the knowledge has been suppressed, to hinder the Flame’s work.

Nyseris’ mouth hung open in awe. They reached out to touch the blade; Esthana would have stopped them, but they were too fast. But the Flame did not burn them, and Nyseris simply said, “It is wonderful. I have never s–seen the fire on a weapon before.”

“I am Esthana, a Templar of the Flame,” said Esthana. “The Flame is the source of peace and light in Eberron: it shields us all from the darkness that lies beneath.”

“I know s–so little of humans,” said Nyseris. “I have never heard of humans carrying the orn ixen before.”

Discern Realities(Esthana): 2D6(4 5) +1 = 10 Success!
What here is useful or valuable to me? Who’s really in control here? What here is not what it appears to be?

Control: Right now, Nyseris seems to be in the palm of your hand.
For the others, let’s answer in the text.

Esthana considered for a moment. Nyseris was clearly a tracker, and useful in a fight, and they would know the jungles outside of Newthrone well. Perhaps they would help us.

“Join us for breakfast, and I will introduce you to Lady Anaya—she is a cleric of the Flame.”

Nyseris followed Esthana to the private room that Vaalyun had arranged for them. Anaya and Vaalyun were already seated and eating. Esthana introduced Nyseris to them, though Nyseris was entirely interested in Anaya.

“Ah yes–s,” Nyseris said, “the one whose hand burns with the silver fire. Honoured to meet you.”

“With respect, Templar,” Vaalyun cut in, “we have important matters to discuss. In private.”

“Anaya, you said that some of the lizardfolk of Q’barra follow the Dragon Below?” asked Esthana.

“So the Commander’s report said.” Anaya looked to Esthana.

Spend hold(Esthana): What here is not what it appears to be?

“Nyseris touched my sword, and was not burned. They are certainly not part of that.”

Spout Lore(Nyseris): 2D6(4 3) +0 = 7 Partial success.
Vague information

“Khyber?” asked Nyseris, an expression of anger forming on their face. “My tribe is gul siksta; we do not worship that one.”

“What do your people know of Khyber?” Anaya asked.

“Only what is said in the Tale of Beginning.” Nyseris retold the legend by rote, as if they had heard it many times. “In the emptiness, the three Great Dragons danced. Siberys placed stars-s as she went, lighting the sky; behind her, Khyber ate the stars greedily. Finally, Siberys turned to face her s–sister; for thousands of years, the two fought, until Khyber dealt the killing blow. Filled with triumph and anger, Khyber turned on Eberron, but she refused the fight, and for a thousand years more they fought, Khyber striking and Eberron dodging aside from every blow. Eventually, Khyber tired, and Eberron surrounded her, so she could do no more harm. The dragons slept, Khyber below, Eberron between, and the body of Siberys circling above. And thus–s was the world formed.”

Esthana’s mind turned back to the prison cell in Thaliost, where the light of the Ring of Siberys had made the night less dark for her.

“The Silver Flame has shown us a vision of Khyber stirring; somewhere in Q’barra, some group tries to awaken this ancient evil.” Anaya said.

“That mus–st not be,” said Nyseris and, while their Common was distorted coming from a lizardfolk, Esthana sensed the determination in their voice. “We will aid you in this, if we can.”

---

Count Zuokas’ estate was a few miles outside of Newthrone. Parts of the jungle close to the city had been cleared to make way for agriculture, and the Count’s estate was in this area. The manor house itself was three storeys high, the lowest storey made of fine marble with the upper floors made of wood. It was a fine building designed to show the owner’s wealth; Vaalyun guessed that the Count owned many of the surrounding plantations.

Blur the lines between magic and technology: arcane powered pumps would be very Eberron.

He and Nyseris were at the edge of a copse of trees on a hill, overlooking the field in front of the manor. The sky was clear and the afternoon air was warm and humid, though no doubt less so than in the jungle itself—Vaalyun, used to the cities of the Five Nations, found it stifling, but Nyseris was untroubled by it. A few metres away from them, an arcane screw turned without pause, lifting water from an acquifer into an irrigation channel.

They had been watching the manor for hours, and had seen some comings and goings but little to excite interest. A covered wagon had pulled up an hour ago, but had not been unloaded yet.

“Do the lizardfolk trade much with the human settlements?” asked Vaalyun. He was still sceptical about letting Nyseris join the group, but he saw the value in another perspective on the local politics.

“No,” Nyseris replied, without taking their eyes from the manor house. “The humans promised thirty years ago to leave our lands be; but s–still small groups come and take dragonshards–s or loot ruins from time to time.”

“Adventurers hoping to get lucky and get rich; there’s no stopping them.”

“You think they act against the wishes of their chiefs?”

“Yes and no,” said Vaalyun. “They act without permission, but kings are happy enough to reap the benefits of their work all the same.”

Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities: Nyseris’ animal companion has keen senses.

“Quiet.” Nyseris dropped down lower; despite their great size, they almost vanished in the foliage when they wanted to. Vaalyun shrank back as well.

Two humans, armed with crossbows, were walking down the edge of the field, quite close to where the elf and lizardfolk hid.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(2 1) +1 = 4 Failure!
Put someone in a spot

“I thought I saw something over here,” said one of them, a bald man in his fourties. “Who goes there? Svaust gethrisjic mobi?”

Vaalyun could not move while they were looking at his hiding place, but knew they would see him if they approached. He began to channel the power of his Dragonmark, reaching out to the shadow behind the man.

Dragonmark(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 4) +2 = 11 Success!

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 6) +1 = 13 Success!

“Hey, what was that,” said the second patrolman; Vaalyun could not see him clearly. The bald man turned to see. Vaalyun had stretched his shadow strangely out of shape, but let it snap back into place quickly—just enough to distract them for a moment, long enough to sneak away behind a tree. The constant churning of the arcane screw nearby masked the sound as he shifted through the foliage.

Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities: Nyseris’ animal companion has stealthy.

Suddenly, a fox ran rushing past Vaalyun and burst out from the foliage in front of the two patrolmen. They started, then one slapped the other on the back. “Come on, it’s just some trees. Let’s get on with this.” They walked off, continuing on their patrol.

Vaalyun breathed a sigh of relief, and moved back into position at the edge of the treeline once they had departed. Nyseris emerged as well; he had not been able to see them hiding.

Discern Realities(Nyseris): 2D6(4 2) +1 = 7 Partial success.
What happened here recently?

“A patrol,” said Nyseris. They then said something soothing, in their own language, to the snake wrapped around their left arm.

“Did they startle your snake?” Vaalyun found it disconcerting that the lizardfolk kept the snake about their person most of the time.

“No; I told Asumre to startle that fox, to distract from your clums–sy attempt to hide.”

“Ah. I am more used to dark alleys than forest.” Vaalyun considered that he could get used to the snake, if it was capable of that.

“This is no forest, vaecaesin,” said Nyseris dismissively. “We have been here for hours, but this is the first time we s–saw a patrol. What is different?”

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 3) 4 = +0 Failure!
Introduce a new faction or type of creature: Blackscale lizardfolk tracker is following the party

Initially I was going to just make the group that they are tracking be larger & more formidable, but then I had the idea of following up on the move last session where we found that Anaya was wanted by the Blackscales. I rolled a d2 (I’m making all the actual rolls in Roll20), 1 = danger ahead, 2 = danger behind. I got a 2.

They were right. Vaalyun saw that there was activity down at the manor now: some humans and dwarves were getting into the covered wagon, and more humans and halflings were forming up around the wagon. The troop was readying to leave.

“They are going to head out somewhere,” said Vaalyun. “We should follow them. You keep an eye on them, I’ll go get the others.”

---

Defy Danger(CON)(Anaya): 2D6(4 3) +0 = 7 Partial success.
Hard bargain

Anaya had to shed equipment.

The jungle north of Newthrone was ancient, little changed in thousands of years, and full of life and noise. Esthana was glad that the foliage overhead shielded them from the sun, but the air was hot and humid, and her plate mail was stifling. She had experienced worse in her army days, though; Anaya, on the other hand, was having a hard time, and Esthana offered to carry her shield to make things easier for her.

They had crossed into the jungle less than a mile from the manor. At the jungle’s edge, the troop that they were following had halted briefly while everyone disembarked from the wagon; the wagon could not pass through the jungle, so it had turned back to the manor. The troop then headed into the jungle, and the party had followed.

Hunt and Track(Nyseris): 2D6(4 5) +1+2 = 12 Success!
Gain a useful bit of information about your quarry

+2 for her companion, who specialises in hunting.

Nyseris and Vaalyun led the way, staying a little way ahead of the two Templars. They did not try to follow the troop too closely, as they did not want to risk being seen. Nyseris was easily able to follow their trail; every so often, they would stop and let their snake down to investigate some footprint or to slip through some disturbed foliage, and soon they would find the right trail.

“At the jungle’s edge, I was close enough to see that they took many weapons from the wagon,” Nyseris said at one point when the Templars caught up with the elf and lizardfolk.

“A warparty then?” said Esthana.

“The weapons were spears and s–shields—wooden, jungle-made. Not normal for humans,” said Nyseris. “Something is–s not right here.”

Anaya looked to Vaalyun, then said “We keep after them. Where they go, or what they do, may reveal their purpose here.”

The troop kept moving for a few more hours, then—Nyseris informed them—made camp. Nyseris found a gulch where the party could camp for the night, not too far from the clearing where the Count’s troop were resting.

Vaalyun had bought bedrolls and provisions from the Dragon’s Bounty before they left Newthrone, as they had expected to be out of the city for at least a few days while they investigated the Count. It was after dusk as they set up camp, and the jungle around them was dark; there was no lessening of the noise of the jungle around them, but the sounds changed, as day creatures retired and night creatures began to emerge.

Manage Provisions(Esthana): 2D6(1 6) +1 = 8 Partial success.
Normal camp, rations consumed

The jungle is not safe, so the party now makes the Perilous Wild’s version of the Make Camp move, to see if anything happens at night.

Make Camp(party): 2D6(5 6) +0 = 11 Success!
Heal; The night passes without incident.

Esthana was glad to take off some armour and sit by the fire awhile as the air cooled. Nyseris sat opposite her, lost in thought; Esthana supposed that the lizardfolk must have been travelling alone for a while.

“Tell us about your people, Nyseris,” she asked.

“The lizardfolk have always lived here,” said Nyseris. “The dragons gave us their blessing eons ago; this land is ours. My tribe is many days north-east of here, but there are many tribes throughout this land.”

“Are the tribes friendly; do they have a common ruler?”

“Many of the tribes are part of the gul siksta group; we seek to protect the jungle. There is no one ruler, but the... wise ones of the tribes talk if there is need—usually when the Blackscales threaten us–s.”

“Rival tribes?” asked Vaalyun.

“Yes. Our ancient enemies, Blackscales reject the harmony of the gul siksta.” There was some sadness, or resignation, as Nyseris said this. “They are strongest to the east, towards Haka’torvhak.”

“Why did you leave your tribe?” asked Anaya.

“More humankin come, searching deeper into the jungle than ever. We have los–st some of our lands already, and will lose more if the humans keep coming.” Nyseris turned her head in the direction where the Count’s troop was camped. “Whatever they are doing here, they bring only danger and death to us. I seek a way to stop the humankin harrying our lands.”

---

Make a Perilous Journey(party):

Scout Ahead(Nyseris): 2D6(3 3) +1+2 = 9 Partial success.
You get the drop on whatever lies ahead

Navigate(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 6) +2 = 14 Success!
You avoid dangers and distractions and make good time

On the next day, Nyseris scouted ahead, while Vaalyun led the two Templars through the jungle, following the markers that Nyseris left them.

Esthana was glad that they had the lizardfolk to do their scouting. Vaalyun was fit enough and stealthy when he wanted to be, and certainly faster than she or Anaya could be in armour, but he was unused to the jungle. They would have probably blundered into the troop’s scouts more than once without Nyseris’ guidance.

The troop made some attempt to conceal their passage, but they were a large group and easy for a skilled tracker like Nyseris to follow. The troop did have their own scouts, keeping a watch around the main group, and those were the main danger; but Nyseris was at home in the jungle, and could move faster through the undergrowth, or hide there easily.

In the early afternoon, the troop stopped. Nyseris rejoined the group.

Discern Realities(Nyseris): 2D6(4 3) +1 = 8 Partial success.
What is about to happen here?

“There is a gul siksta village ahead,” Nyseris said anxiously. “The humankin have camped far enough away not to be s–spotted, but they have scouts watching the village. Humankin here with weapons—they must plan to attack the village.”

“Why?” asked Anaya. “What would the village have that they want?”

Investigate(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 4) +2 = 7 Partial success.
Vague indication

I had this village raid in mind when I came up with the Cult’s first on-screen move here. Having Nyseris in the party has completely changed the party’s involvement in it, though: I imagined that the party would have a hard choice deciding whether to intervene, but with Nyseris here, it seems likely that they will aid the lizardfolk.

I rolled to see if Nyseris wants to warn the village, and the result was Yes.

“Perhaps it is not anything in the village; perhaps the motive is political,” said Vaalyun calmly. “The peace between Q’barra and the lizardfolk could be broken by such an attack. Do they aim to start a war?”

“I mus–st warn them,” said Nyseris, their agitation growing.

Esthana nodded. “Yes, they must be warned; we are too few to stop these humans—cultists, if that is what they are—alone anyway. But if they are watching the village, they will surely either attack or run as soon as they see the villagers roused.”

Okay, let’s cut it there before the big battle. The troop of Cultists number around 40, I think, and we will want a more powerful enemy or two amongst them. So it should be an interesting fight.

End of Session(party): Learning Eberron’s creation myth means that we did learn something important about the world, +1 XP for everyone.

XP:
Anaya: 0 failures; at 9XP.
Esthana: 0 failures; now at 4XP.
Nyseris: 1 failure; at 3XP.
Vaalyun: 2 failures; at 7XP.

II.10: Hostel beyond the Endworld Mountains

Newthrone, Q’barra
Dravago 5, 997 YK

The party is travelling from Starilaskar, in Breland, to Newthrone, in the frontier region of Q’barra. It’s 1,000 miles as the crow flies, if the crow didn’t die in the magical waste of the Mournland that lies in between; so to get there, the party had to go south and then east, taking over 1,500 miles. That certainly triggers a move:

Undertake a Perilous Journey(party):

Navigate(Vaalyun): 2D6(3 6) +2 = 11 Success!
You make good time

I’m saying that the party does not need a scout as, although it is a long way, they are using established transit systems.

It takes 1 day to get to Korranberg (costing another 300gp) by lightning rail; 3 days from there to get to Newthrone by airship (3000gp, but paid for them by House Phiarlan due to an earlier move by Vaalyun). I rolled a d6-1 for the days to wait for a ship, and rolled a 1, so they got one immediately. Lucky.

I made adventure fronts for Q’barra as well. I decided not to include all the details in the write-up here, as it could spoil what is to come; but here are the names & types of the fronts:

• Our new friends from House Tharashk, human/orc mercenaries from the Shadow Marches. The closest thing to a mercenary House in the DungeonWorld rules is a Thieves Guild (Ambitious Organization).
• The Cult of the Dragon Below in Q’barra. It’s another Cult (Ambitious Organization).
• The blackscale lizardfolk. Their leader, Rhashaak, is a Chosen One (Arcane Enemies).

Of all the ways to arrive at Newthrone, airship was certainly the most stylish. After passing over Kraken Bay and the plains of Valenar on the first two days, dawn of the third day had found them over the coast of eastern Valenar, the Endworld Mountains to their north and The Dragonreach, that great expanse of ocean, to the south. By mid-morning they were over the jungles of Q’barra.

They had been fortunate, on arriving at Korranberg, to find an airship ready to depart that afternoon for Q’barra. Only House Lyrander, a half-elven dragonmarked House, could operate an airship, and the monopoly that gave them meant that the prices were high, but Vaalyun had arranged for his House to pay the fare.

Anaya and Vaalyun were at the front of the ship, looking out over the jungle and Adder Bay, as Newthorne came into sight.

Spout Lore(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 13 Success!
Useful information

Vaalyun is an elf but knows about the history of this human civilisation, it seems. Also Show the Devastation of the Last War.

“Newthrone is the capital of Q’barra, but it only rules the human and halfling settlements,” said Vaalyun. “East of the Adder river, the jungle rules itself. Lizardfolk control most of it.

“Newthorne and Adderport are the only large human settlements east of the river; they are frontier towns, swelled by refugees from the Last War.”

“Are they recent settlements?” asked Anaya.

“Yes. They were established by refugees from the Last War—people fleeing beyond the mountains to escape the conflict—and grew quickly as a result. Only ten years ago did King Sebastes call himself King, and his realm a nation.”

As they drew close to the city, they could see that the city was largely wooden houses and docks. It was a small city compared to those that Anaya had seen in the Five Nations. The only tall tower was the airship tower towards which they were heading; it seemed to be a recent addition, contrasting with the older stone keep that, Anaya supposed, must be the seat of government here.

The sailors—if that was the correct term—threw out the docking lines, and the ship was soon secured to the airship tower. Looking back down the ship, past the great ring of turbulent air that encircled it—the trapped air elemental that kept the ship aloft—Anaya saw Esthana walking forwards to join them. She had been talking to the helmsman, a fellow half-elf, as she had for much of the journey.

“Do we know where we are going?” asked Esthana when she reached them.

Spout Lore(Anaya): 2D6(4 3) +1 = 8 Partial success.
Vague information

“The Flame is not much followed outside of the Nations,” said Anaya. “There may not be a church here.”

“Then we should look for the House Ghallanda hostel,” said Vaalyun. “They will accommodate us, and I should be able to learn the local news there.”

The gangplank was laid, and the trio left the ship and descended the airship tower. The entrance at the bottom of the tower was guarded by three well-armed orcs. Anaya noticed the golden dragonne painted on their shields.

Show signs of an approaching threat

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 5) +0 = 6 Failure!
Front: Attack someone directly: Think offscreen: House Tharashk is pushing into the jungle.

“House Tharashk mercenaries,” said Vaalyun, once they were past the guards and on to the bustling street. “Hired by Lyrandar to protect the airship tower. They must also have an establishment here in town.”

Spout Lore(Vaalyun): 2D6(2 5) +2 = 9 Partial success.
Vague information

“Are we going to have a problem with them?” Esthana asked the question that Anaya was thinking.

Vaalyun shook his head uncertainly. “House Tharashk are a merger of a number of Marcher clans. Unless this group happens to be from the same clan as Haganur, there is no reason for them to trouble us in particular.”

---

By Hospitality Sustained(Vaalyun): When you enter a settlement, you can always find a place to feed yourself and rest

When I first read the Dragonmarked class (from the Eberron supplement), I did not realise how bard-like it would be. But Vaalyun has all the social moves.

The hostel was part of a large halfling enclave in the city, they found. While most of the city’s housing was wood, the House Ghallanda enclave consisted of small brick houses, some of them brightly painted in a variety of colours—though yellow seemed most common. While they had seen more humans on the streets in the rest of the city, here halflings outnumbered them, and the streets were busy with townsfolk and traders going to and fro.

At the centre of the enclave was a small public square, with larger buildings around it. There was a temple here, the statue of a young halfling under its front portico marking it as a temple to Ollandra. Next to it was the hostel, a large brick inn; outside were hung two signs, the painted sign of the hound and grapes of House Ghallanda, and below it a sign reading “The Dragon’s Bounty” depicted a halfling sitting atop a pile of treasure.

Anaya usually stayed at a town’s Silver Flame church when it had one, but she had stayed in Ghallanda hostels before in her travels. This one was larger than she had seen before: the entrance was a large hall with a long wooden bar being tended by several halflings; beyond it, doors stood open into an internal courtyard. Vaalyun removed his cloak, showing his green jacket with the red hydras’ heads.

“Greetings, sir!” The greeting was friendly, but the innkeeper looked at trio curiously.

“Good afternoon. I am Vaalyun d’Phiarlan.” Vaalyun showed a ring to the innkeeper. “I hope that you can provide us with accommodation during our stay.”

“Of course; we always welcome officials of the Houses. I am Bertram d’Ghallanda.” The halfling and elf shook hands; the floor behind the bar was raised, so the halfling could look the elf in the eye. Anaya would guess that he was in his eighties, a good age for a halfling; he had a number of tatoos of hounds and dragons on his arms.

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(1 2) +2 = 5 Failure!
Front(Blackscale lizardfolk): Learn forbidden knowledge

Anaya is a cleric of the Flame, so she can manipulate it. Perhaps, if those seeking to free themselves from the Flame’s bonds could control her, she would aid their escape? Someone is now after Anaya.

This is where using DungeonWorld to drive things makes it interesting. I had no intention of having anyone abduct a party member before; but Anaya failed a roll, and I had to come up with a GM move that gave form to a threat against the party.

Anaya looked around. The tavern was peaceful and busy. The patrons appeared to be a mix of locals, mostly halflings, and travellers. The travellers could be from all over Khorvaire; she saw foreign elves, probably from Valenar, dwarves, and even a couple of lizardfolk.

“Is there a Church of the Silver Flame in the city?” asked Anaya.

“No milady. We see a friar here occasionally, but why follow a flame when Lady Olladra watches over us? Is that why you are here, to set up a church?” The innkeeper looked wary at the mention of the Church.

Anaya had no time for Olladra, the goddess of gamblers and hedonists. “No. I am a Templar cleric; we travel with Vaalyun for now.”

The innkeeper seemed startled for a moment, but tried to cover it by turning back to Vaalyun. Vaalyun continued, “I would like to celebrate my arrival—it is my House’s way. Can you direct me to the best artists and entertainers in town?”

“Are you starting a Phiarlan presence here?” asked Bertram. “My house would like to know your plans.”

Anaya saw a flash of annoyance cross Vaalyun’s expression, but then it was friendly again. “I mean to hire the best to perform in your inn this evening. Make it known about town that a scion of House Phiarlan will be organising a night of fine performances.”

Vaalyun leaned closer, speaking quietly so that only Bertram and the group could hear. “And, if I ever do decide to set up here, I think I’ll do so on this side of town. I prefer the hound to the dragonne.”

“Ah yes.” Bertram responded in the same conspiratorial tone. “House Tharashk has had a presence here for decades, but they stepped up their operations here when the dragonshards were discovered.”

“Dragonshards?”

“Yes, Eberron dragonshards can be found in the jungles to the east. We provide the provisions for their expeditions.” The innkeeper beamed.

Soon it was settled between Vaalyun and Bertram; Vaalyun would pay for the night’s entertainments, and Bertram would make it known throughout the city and make sure he had the staff to provide for the crowd.

As they walked away from the bar, Anaya asked “Was it wise to draw so much attention?”

“I do my best work in plain sight,” said Vaalyun. “My House laying on entertainments draws attention, but no suspicion—except from the other Houses, perhaps. Hopefully I draw the attention away from you,” he said, looking at Anaya’s tabard pointedly. “And why trek across town, when the town will come to me?”

---

There were fewer rolls than you might have been expecting in that previous section because Vaalyun is invoking one of the DungeonWorld special moves, Carouse. He has an upgraded version of it that he took at the last level, because I anticipated that the party would be looking for a lead here. Vaalyun spends 300 gold to have a good chance of the best result.

Life of the Party(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 2) +2+2 = 11 Success!
You befriend a useful NPC. You gain useful information. You are not entangled, ensorcelled, or tricked.

Esthana has Cha 8, so she will not be much use here.

That evening, the Dragon’s Bounty was packed. Vaalyun had hired the best minstrels in town, and they played from a balcony while the patrons mingled in the courtyard below. And there were several conjurers, including one that sat on the roof of the tavern creating patterns of dancing lights that rushed and swooped over the crowd like a flock of birds.

Vaalyun had urged the two Templars to split up and mingle, to learn what they could. Esthana, who had spent the last year serving as a glorified town guard, was out of her depth here and soon turned to propping up the bar; but Anaya had been the daughter of a minor noble in Aundair, and had been brought up to handle society events such as these.

Vaalyun could be seen, with a glass of wine in hand, talking to nobles and travellers and merchants; talking of entertainments and parties that he had organised in the Five Nations to some, and of the politics of the Five to others. Halfling servers ran back and forth, below eye level, with trays of drinks, and you had to be careful when moving around to avoid running into one.

Parley(Anaya): 2D6(2 2) +1 = 5 Failure!
Show a downside to their class, race, or equipment: People in Newthorne don’t like the Church of the Silver Flame’s talk.

Anaya herself spoke to several minor nobles, but the topic of most interest to her was of little interest them. She would turn the topic to religion and they would turn from it just as fast. Anaya was patient however and continued to work the crowd.

Introduce a new faction or type of creature: Even more espionage.

She had just finished talking to a merchant, when she was approached by an elf in fine robes. “The Shadow and the Flame. You are an odd travelling party.”

Anaya turned to the newcomer, confused. “I serve the Flame. What shadow?”

The elf drew close, speaking confidentially now. “House Phiarlan has called its agents shadows for thousands of years. They carry the Mark of Shadow, you see.” His robes were blue and subtly embroidered with silver thread; formal but not ostentatious dress, Anaya thought. His age was hard to judge: Anaya would guess over two hundred, though he looked like he was in good health and might live hundreds more.

Anaya already knew that Vaalyun was a spy, though she had not known his title. “And who are you, sir?”

“Taleisin Neritoris, royal advisor. It is an honour to meet you, Templar.” He bowed his head, and Anaya returned the gesture. He continued, “What brings you to our fair city?”

“I travel, spread the word of the Flame, and seek out evils that lurk in the dark, to bring the light in their place.”

“It seems that it is you that brings the Shadow.” Taleisin smiled. “What do you think lurks in Q’barra?”

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(6 2) +2 = 10 Success!
What here is not what it appears to be? What is about to happen? What here is useful or valuable to me?

Answers: he isn’t simply a royal advisor, or even an elf; he knows something and is willing to tell it; ask and receive.

Anaya knew nobles, and a little about the royal court, and this individual did not seem like he was acting merely in his official capacity: an advisor would have played down the suggestion of hidden dangers, or sought more information. It seemed to her that he might know something, and might be working out whether he should tell her.

“The Flame gave me a vision of a dragon stirring in the darkness. I find myself here, looking for cults that might be working in the shadows to undermine the work of the Flame. But, my apologies,” she said, a little louder to talk over some revellers nearby, “such things can take thousands of years, and I do not wish to spoil your evening.”

“And perhaps our actions this evening will change the outcome, thousands of years hence,” said Taliesin wistfully, swirling his drink and not even looking at her. “The lady that built this tavern claimed that she read a prophecy that told her to build in this exact location. Perhaps it exists only so that we can have this conversation?”

“Do you know of any Cults of the Dragon Below in the city?” Anaya had had enough circling the point; clearly this person knew something. She was even questioning whether he was really an elf now; his manner and way of speaking was strange.

Taliesin looked at her now. “Interesting, that you pursue that thread.” He seemed to collect his thoughts. “Count Zuokas used to dabble with the dragon cults; he is silent publically on the matter now, but in private he gathers followers. His coat of arms is three lizards and a dragon on a field of green, with the motto ‘Strength and perseverance’.

“It grows late, and I should be going. The Flame guide you, Templar.” Before Anaya could ask any more questions, he bowed his head again and departed, vanishing in the crowd.

That could be both the useful NPC and the information, but they did not really befriend him—at least, he gave them no way to contact him—so they get a friend as well. In fact, since I wanted to add another PC, I’ll give them their extra PC here.

Who should it be? I have some ideas but none that stands out, so let’s roll for it. My criteria are: not a class that we have, or anything like a bard that overlaps with Vaalyun; and something that can be bound to the party’s purpose.

• A Gatekeeper druid.
• Other druid.
• Lizardfolk ranger.
• Other ranger.
• Halfling thief.
• A wizard.
• Artificer.
• A warforged.

I am giving more chance to druid or ranger, as I see those as balancing the party best; while giving some chance of seeing some other classes and some Eberron-specific things.

Of course I rolled a 3, the lizardfolk ranger. That was my wildcard: something that ties in closely to the story here, but requires me to customize a class a little and takes some effort to introduce. I’m making things hard for myself, but it fits with the aim to Give everyone personhood.

Anaya moved back towards the front of the inn, hoping to catch another glimpse of Taliesin. Instead, walking through into the main room of the tavern, she found a commotion under way. A small space had formed in the crowd around a half-orc and a lizardfolk, who were in an argument over something.

“Duke Ven should never have treated with your kind.” The half-orc sneered; on her arm was a tattoo of a dragonne, the symbol of House Tharashk, Anaya noticed.

“Neverthelesss, we are permitted here. Let me be,” the lizardfolk retorted; their Common was slurred but easily understood.

The bar had a few armed halfling bouncers, but the half-orc and lizardfolk were both over 6 feet tall and armed. Esthana had left the bar and was moving towards them.

“If no-one else will remove this troglodyte, then I will,” said the half-orc. Spines on the lizardfolk’s neck bristled in anger.

Defy Danger(CHA)(Esthana): 2D6(4 3) -1 = 6 Failure!
Put someone in a spot

Who knows how genders work in a sentient lizard society. I’ll refer to the lizardfolk as “they”.

“Stop that,” said Esthana, pushing through into the space around the pair. “Separate or leave.”

Defy Danger(DEX)(Nyseris): 2D6(1 1) +1 = 3 Failure!
Deal damage: d6=4 damage Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities: Anaya can heal the injury

And Show a downside to their class, race, or equipment, bow and spear is a bad weapon combo in a bar brawl.

The half-orc drew her scimitar and slashed at the lizard, catching them completely off-guard and cutting a gash into their arm. The lizardfolk reached for a spear on their back, but they were too close to the half-orc to use it well.

Defy Danger(CON)(Esthana): 2D6(1 2) +0 = 3 Failure!
Turn Their Move Back On Them

Drawing a weapon in a bar fight may result in a larger & more serious bar fight. We learned something today: don’t get Esthana drunk. Out of nowhere, we’re in a big fight.

Esthana drew her sword, but had clearly had a little too much to drink and was not quick enough to get between the combatants. Anaya was pushing through the crowd to get to her, now; she saw five more humans and half-orcs drawing weapons also.

Hack and Slash(Nyseris): 2D6(5 4) +2 = 11 Success!
d8=7 damage

That’s two of the mercs down.

The half-orc lunged at the lizardfolk again, but this time they were ready and easily side-stepped. They grabbed the half-orc, lifting her up in the air, and then threw her into one of her companions; both collapsed in a tangle on the floor.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(1 4) +2 = 7 Partial success.
Deals d10+2=6 damage, Put someone in a spot

Several more mercenaries moved towards the lizardfolk with weapons drawn, but Esthana blocked the way. The first slashed at her, but she sidestepped the blow, cutting at his arm, easily cutting through the leather bracer and injuring the assailant; he dropped his sword. But a half-orc grabbed her sword arm, while a human woman clad in chainmail moved close, wielding a dagger threateningly.

Defend(Nyseris): 2D6(6 2) +0 = 8 Partial success.
Halve damage to target

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(2 4) +2 = 8 Partial success.
Gets free, takes the hit: d6=4 damage, but halved.

There was a table between the lizardfolk and Esthana, abandoned by its occupants as they moved away from the fight. Anaya saw the lizardfolk turn and see Esthana in trouble; they grabbed the table and, with a show of strength, threw it towards the woman with the dagger, causing her to back up. She slashed at Esthana but the dagger scraped harmlessly off of her plate mail. Esthana used the moment to twist free of the half-orc’s grip.

Parley(Anaya): 2D6(2 1) +2 = 5 Failure!
Monster move(Bandit): Demand Tribute

No peaceful resolution available here.

“Give us the lizard, or die beside it.” It was an orc that spoke, apparently the commander of this squad of mercenaries; he was tall, wielding a long-bladed knife and wearing a good suit of leather armour, with the symbol of House Tharashk embossed on his metal bracers.

“They came here freely, as did you,” said Anaya. “They will leave the same way.” The bouncers had apparently decided that this fight was out of their league.

“Get them,” said the orc. He and his three remaining mercenaries spread out to encircle the group; Esthana kicked over another table to obstruct their approach.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(4 3) +2 = 9 Partial success.
Deal d10+2=9 damage; takes b2d10 (1, 4) + 1 = 5 damage, -3 for armour

Esthana is at 24/26 HP; Nyseris is at 17/20 HP. The orc commander is at 4/12 HP.

The orc commander and the human woman circled around to approach Esthana. She had clearly been trying to disarm before, but the fight was clearly serious now and she was no longer holding back; with a quick stroke, she cut down into the woman’s leg, sending her to the floor bleeding. The orc struck quickly too, though, finding a gap under her left pauldron and drawing blood. Before he could get back out of reach, Esthana turned and made a swift cut into his side, the sword easily slicing through his leathers.

Hack and Slash(Nyseris): 2D6(6 6) +2 = 14 Success!
d8=6 damage

The other human and half-orc tried to close in on the lizardfolk, but now that there was enough space to use it, the lizardfolk showed their skill with that spear. One stab through the shoulder disarmed the human; the half-orc grabbed the spear, but the lizard used it to pull them in close and delivered a powerful punch to the face, sending the mercenary sprawling on the floor unconcious.

Anaya wants the fight to stop; the orc commander wants to get away alive.

Parley(Anaya): 2D6(6 5) +1 = 12 Success!

The commander was the only one still standing, and he had a hand held to his side to staunch some serious bleeding. “Sheathe your weapons, and you can go without further bloodshed,” said Anaya, seeing that the balance was with them now. “And I can heal those with serious injuries.” The orc frowned grimly, but after a moment he sheathed his knife and nodded.

Esthana turned, sword still in hand, silver flames still flickering along the blade. The lizardfolk, seeing the sword clearly for the first time, suddenly dropped their spear and exclaimed something in their own language, seemingly in shock.

Cast a Spell(Cure Moderate Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(1 5) +2 = 8 Partial success.
-1 forward; 8 healed

Most of the mercenaries were not seriously injured; Esthana sheathed her sword and helped up the half-orc that the lizardfolk had knocked to the ground. Anaya knelt down and drew on the power of the Flame to heal the mercenary that Esthana had put down, the silver fire from her hand closing the cut in the woman’s leg. As she turned to rise after doing so, Anaya found the lizardfolk leaning over her, apparently watching closely and excitedly.

Cast a Spell(Cure Moderate Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(4 1) +2-1 = 6 Failure!
Show signs of an approaching threat

“Do you want healing also?” Anaya asked the orc commander.

“No. Do not think that you can undo what is done, Templar. You have not heard the last of this.” The commander gestured to the other mercenaries, and they followed him out of the hostel.

And that can be the end of the scene. We can handle the fallout on the next day, in the next session. I’ll save the character sheet for Nyseris until next time as well.

End of Session(party): Vaalyun meets his alignment goal, as he used his House’s reputation to get things moving here; +1 XP. No other end-of-session XP to award.

XP:
Anaya: 4 failures; at 8XP.
Esthana: 2 failures; now at 3XP.
Nyseris: 1 failure; at 1XP.
Vaalyun: 1 failure, alignment goal; at 4XP.

Anaya rolled quite badly, so is not far from levelling up again.

Make Camp(party): Heal