II.16: Demon's Pawn

near Newthrone, Q’barra
Dravago 9, 997 YK

See What They Find: Common, Themed, Danger (creature: high priest) I discarded a couple of rolls there that didn’t fit with the session so far; this one follows nicely from previous moves.

They emerged into a larger cavern, perhaps fifty yards across. A cluster of Khyber dragonshards, the largest perhaps four feet long, protruded from the rock wall opposite their entrance, and purple light emanating from the crystals was the main light in the cavern. The floor of the cavern sloped gently down in front of them to the centre of the cavern, and Anaya’s eyes were drawn to three large creatures at its centre. Thin strands of green light surrounded them, like a cage keeping them in place.

Spout Lore(Anaya): 2D6(6 5) +1 = 12 Success!
Useful information

Two of the creatures were like giant toads, brown and bulbous, and when standing hunched on their hind legs they were over six feet tall. Anaya recognised them as hezrou, powerful demons of Khyber with both great strength and unnatural abilities. Behind them stood another demon, ten feet tall and long-limbed, its taut flesh pierced in many places by sharp spines, and its arms ending in foot-long claws. The tall demon screeched, and Anaya’s heart seemed to skip a beat as she realised it was a flesh render, one of the deadliest of Khyber’s children.

Under the Khyber shards, there was a dais of sorts carved into the rock. A woman standing on the dais, clad in a long robe bearing a large purple symbol of a demon claw, pointed at them.

“Kill them,” the priestess shouted. The cage of light dissolved, releasing the creatures as they turned towards the intruders.

Hezrou: group, large, d8+5 damage, 10 HP, 1 armour. Forceful, armour counts as 4 against non-divine damage, poisonous stench.
Flesh render: reskinned DungeonWorld Barbed devil, with an extra ability: armour counts as 4 against non-divine damage.

Cast a spell(Bless)(Anaya): 2D6(2 3) +2 = 7 Partial success.
Lose the spell

Magic weapon(Nyseris): 2D6(2 2) +1+1 = 6 Failure!
Monster move(Priestess): Shield of faith

Put someone in a spot

Anaya touched her hand on Nyseris’ shoulder, saying “The Flame gives you strength” as she drew on the Flame’s blessing and bestowed it on the ranger. Nyseris hissed “Ibafarshan valignatic!” as they levelled their spear at the approaching creatures.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(6 4) +2 = 12 Success!

The two hezrou charged up the slope towards them, roaring their hatred. Esthana had her bow in hand, and took a shot at the priestess; the arrow flew true, but a shimmering shield of purple light appeared in the air and blocked the arrow. Then Esthana had to drop her bow and roll out of the way as the first hezrou rushed at her, its bulky, muscular form crashing into the rock where she had been standing. The cavern shook at the impact.

Nyseris met the charge of the other hezrou head on. The ranger’s spear stabbed into the creature’s thick hide, but it did not slow its charge, hitting the ranger and slamming them against the cave wall.

Hack and Slash(Nyseris): 2D6(1 5) +2+1-1 = 8 Partial success.
Deal 3 damage, negated by abilities; takes 9 damage, 8 after armour

Defy Danger(CON)(Anaya): 2D6(5 2) +0 = 7 Partial success.
Deals d6=1 damage, negated by the creature’s resistance

Anaya was right beside Nyseris and the creature. An overpowering strench rolled off of the creature, making Anaya sick to her stomach instantly. She took one slash at the creature with her short sword, which did not even cut its hide, and then had to back away, only just managing to stay on her feet.

Defy Danger(CON)(Esthana): 2D6(3 5) +2 = 10 Success!

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(5 2) +2 = 9 Success!
Deals d10+d6=3 damage; Separate them

Esthana’s weapon negates 2 armour and, because of the its silver fire, it negates the magical resistance of these creatures. She might be the only one that can really harm these creatures. But only 3 damage!

Staggering back, Anaya saw Esthana, her sword burning with silver fire, close with the other hezrou. She ducked under one swing of its mighty, clawed paw, and stabbed the creature in the shoulder. The silver fire flared and the creature roared in pain from the blow. But then it swung with its other paw, and Esthana was forced to back up from its powerful blows.

Defy Danger(CON)(Nyseris): 2D6(1 3) +0 = 4 Failure!
Put someone in a spot

This is an example of how difficulty is controlled in DungeonWorld . You do not worry about encounter balance, and just throttle back the GM moves when the party seems in deep trouble. If this was a deathtrap dungeon sort of campaign, we would probably have killed Nyseris there; but Be a fan of the characters, I’m giving Nyseris a chance to recover.

Volley(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 2) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Deals 5 damage, 1 after resistance; Put someone in a spot

Meanwhile, the flesh render is moving in on: Random Esthana.

A cry from Nyseris brought her attention back to the ranger. Pinned to the cavern wall, Nyseris was struggling helplessly, being crushed by the powerful demon. Anaya looked on helplessly, but then she saw Vaalyun move out from behind the creature and fire his wand at its back. The creature started in pain, seared by the magic missile, and dropped Nyseris as it turned around to face the elf.

Esthana is going to try to keep two of the demons occupied, alone.

Defend(Esthana): 2D6(4 5) +2 = 11 Success!
Hold 3

Beyond, the flesh render had advanced as well and moved behind Esthana. Anaya saw the Templar back up towards the wall of the cavern and take a stand against the two creatures towering over her: the flesh render on her right, swinging its long clawed arms threateningly, while the hezrou before her beat its chest with its powerful arms and roared, the sound echoing through the caves.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(6 2) +2 = 10 Success!
Deals d10+d6=7 damage

10 total damage, that kills it.

The flesh render moved in, slashing fiercely, but Esthana ducked one blow and then blocked the second with her shield; from the other side of the cavern, Anaya could hear the scraping of claws on metal. The hezrou charged while her back was turned, but Esthana ducked low and thust with her sword, impaling the demon. There was a flash of brilliant silver light and fire surrounded the Templar and the creature; it roared in pain as it was consumed, and its burned husk fell to the ground. Esthana completed a turn and was up and ready to meet the render’s next attack.

The priestess is going to intervene too. Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: Anaya can help Vaalyun or Nyseris or go for the priestess right now. Once again, I think Anaya’s answer is written into the character: she goes to help the injured person.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(3 5) +1 = 9 Partial success.
Worse outcome: close enough to it to get in its foul smell

Cast a spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(6 3) +2 = 11 Success!
Heals d8+4=6 damage

Nyseris is at 13/20 HP. That’s enough to probably survive one hit from these enemies.

The other hezrou charged at Vaalyun, snorting with rage. As Vaalyun rolled away from the first charge, Anaya could now move to help Nyseris, who had fallen when the hezrou moved away and was struggling to stand. She hurried over and laid a hand on the ranger, pouring more of the Silver Flame’s purifying light into them.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Anaya): 2D6(5 4) +1 = 10 Success!

Defy Danger(DEX)(Nyseris): 2D6(2 2) +2+1 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome: loses her spear

Anaya looked up just in time to see the priestess raising her hands to point at them. “Move!” Anaya shouted, pushing Nyseris one way while she rolled the other way. A blast of black and purple fire hit the spot where they had been standing; Anaya felt the heat of it on her face as she stood. As it cleared, she could see Nyseris again, unburned and staggering to their feet.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 11 Success!

Esthana is tying up the most powerful enemy, at least.

Defy Danger(CON)(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 1) +0 = 5 Failure!
Deal damage: d8+5 = 9 damage, 8 after armour
Put someone in a spot: he takes damage again if no-one helps him out

Probably Anaya is the one to charge in to save him; he and Nyseris do not have a bond yet.

Hack and Slash(Aided)(Anaya): 2D6(4 5) +0+1 = 10 Success!
Deals d6=2 damage, none after resistance

Aid(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 3) +1 = 10 Success!
Aid given

They both turned towards a triumphant roar from the centre of the cavern, and saw that the remaining hezrou had caught Vaalyun; it grasped him with both of its forearms and was beginning to crush him. Anaya drew her sword again and charged, crying “For the Flame!”

The creature turned at her charge, and took one arm from Vaalyun to swat at the cleric. Anaya managed to dodge its stroke, and slashed at its arm with her sword; this time it did cut the skin, but the creature seemed unaffected by the injury. With his free arm, Vaalyun pulled his dagger from under his jacked and stabbed the creature’s paw; distracted, it released him, and he fell to the ground, vomiting and gasping for breath.

Cast a spell(Magic weapon)(Nyseris): 2D6(1 1) +1+1 = 4 Failure!

Wow, Nyseris just cannot cast that spell - 3 attempts, 3 failures. I keep trying because that would enable them to bypass the creature’s resistance to normal weapons; without it, only Esthana is really any good here. Considering that Nyseris has Anaya’s Bless active on them, it really has not helped.

I made a soft move last time, so it should really be a hard move this time. Put someone in a spot: priestess casts hold... lizard?

“Madv duxirv!” cried the priestess above, and dark streams of energy passed over Anaya. She glanced over her shoulder to see Nyseris entangled in glowing green threads. Esthana was still engaged with the flesh render, and a loud screech of pain reverberated in the cavern as the Templar landed a blow on it.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(5 5) +2 = 12 Success!
Deal damage: d10+d6=10 damage

Defy Danger(CON)(Anaya): 2D6(6 6) +0 = 12 Success!

Summon Living Dragonmark(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 1) +2 = 4 Failure!
Random Use up their resources

The stench of the hezrou was near overpowering, but Anaya kept herself together this time. It swung a heavy arm at her, but she gave ground and managed to stay on her feet, using her shield to take the worst of the hits that she could not dodge. Behind the hezrou, she saw Vaalyun stagger to his feet, turn away from the battle and run to the cave entrance.

Defy Danger(WIS)(Nyseris): 2D6(6 3) +1 = 10 Success!

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(1 6) +2 = 9 Partial success.
Worse outcome: you can get close, but take a hit to do it; Deal damage: d10+3 = 8 damage, 3 piercing

Spend hold(Esthana): Deal level damage to the attacker: 4 damage
Spend hold(Esthana): Halve damage to 4; reduced 1 more by armour.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(1 3) +2 = 6 Failure!
Deal damage: d10+3 = 13 damage, messy

Spend hold(Esthana): Deal level damage to the attacker: 4 damage

Esthana chooses to take the hit and use her hold instead to deal more damage to the creature.

Anaya could see, across the cavern, that the flesh render was still slashing at Esthana. The creature had burnt gashes in its arms and torso already from Esthana’s sword. Moving in again, the Templar ducked under a stroke by the creature, cutting at its long arm and causing it to screech in pain again. Past its guard, Esthana moved in close, but the creature brought its other clawed arm down in a powerful stroke, cleaving into the Templar’s shoulder. There was a sound of rending metal and Esthana cried out in pain; but she still managed to drive her sword into the demon’s body. There was a screech of pain, and the fiend thrashed wildly as silver flames engulfed it; its burning form fell to the ground, with Esthana standing over it.

Esthana is at 10/26 HP; Anaya is 16/17 HP; Vaalyun has fled with 7/17 HP; Nyseris broke out of the Hold Person and has 13/20 HP.

Hack and Slash(Anaya): 2D6(6 6) +0 = 12 Success!
Deals 6 damage, 2 after its resistance

The hezrou is at 7/10HP.

Anaya had been giving ground, but the hezrou had now driven her nearly to the cavern wall. Seeing that it had her trapped, it moved closed and swung at her with both its arms. Anaya pushed off of the wall behind her, ducking under the creature’s left arm and cutting at the creature’s chest as she moved. There was a satisfying roar of pain, and she turned to face the creature again.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(6 3) +2 = 11 Success!
Deals d10+d6=10 damage

The creature turned, roaring, and advanced slowly. It struck again, but Anaya backed out of range of its grasp. Then from the left, sword blazing, Esthana charged in; timing her charge so the hezrou’s arm was to the side, she lunged forward, driving her sword into the demon’s heart. The hezrou let out a final sigh, and the Flame consumed it.

Anaya looked around for the others first. Nyseris was on the dais under the Khyber crystals; the priestess was down. Vaalyun was walking down towards the Templars from the entrance. Both were limping with their injuries. Anaya herself was uninjured; she wiped her sword clean, sheathed it, and turned to Esthana.

“Take my sword,” said Esthana. Esthana was standing sideways to her, sword-arm closest to Anaya, and with her helmet on Anaya could not see her expression, but her voice sounded strained.

She took the sword. “Are you injured?”

“Wipe it for me; I cannot.” Anaya gasped as the Templar turned to face her; Esthana’s shield was gone, her paldron was shredded, and her shield arm hung limply.

I’m seriously considering having Esthana’s whole arm be beyond saving. Messy hits are meant to cause gruesome injuries: “ripping people and things apart” as the rulebook says. Let’s let the dice decide.

Defy Danger(CON)(Esthana): 2D6(2 2) +2 = 6 Failure!
Reveal an unwelcome truth

Ouch.

Anaya wiped the sword and handed it back to her companion, and moved around to inspect the damage. At the back, where the flesh render had struck, it was even worse; the back of Esthana’s plate was torn open and a deep wound ran down nearly a foot from her shoulder. Bones were exposed in places; she had several fractured ribs, and her collar bone was broken. But the shoulder joint itself was torn to pieces, and bleeding profusely.

Cast a spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(1 3) +2 = 6 Failure!
Deal damage: d10=3 damage

Esthana is at 7/27 HP.

“Tira help us,” said Anaya, overcome with anxiety for her friend. “Esthana, this is beyond my skill to heal. We have to get you out of that armour and bandage it, quickly.” But, as she spoke, Esthana swayed, and fell to her knees, putting her one good arm out to break her fall as Anaya supported her other side. Vaalyun was beside them now, and moved to help Anaya unbuckle the plate mail.

Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: It takes more than Cure Light Wounds to fix a crushed shoulder.

They heard laughter from the dais. “There are more demons where those came from,” said a female voice. “More than there are stars in the sky. Even the Flame’s best are no match for them—aah, enough.” Anaya looked over as Nyseris jabbed the priestess, now bound, with her spear.

“Let me free, and I will try to heal your friend. It may not be as gentle as the Flame’s healing, but she will never use that arm again without it.”

They had Esthana’s breastplate and helmet off now; the fighter’s face was covered in blood and sweat, and her gambeson was soaked with the same. Anaya glanced uncertainly at the priestess; to summon such creatures, and the other powers that she had used, showed that she was a cleric of some power; she might be able to heal even an injury this grave. But to allow someone who wielded the power of Khyber so dangerously to go free—Anaya would not have contemplated it under any other circumstances.

Esthana made a deal with the Flame, her life for the Khyber cult. The decision is written into her backstory.

“No,” said Esthana, shaking her head and gritting her teeth with the pain. “Anaya, we came here to end this; I came here to end it. The Flame spared me for this.”

Anaya hesitated a moment longer, then nodded sadly. She got up and walked towards the dais; climbed up to it; stood over the priestess, now lying face down, Nyseris’ spear pressed into the priestess’ back, pointed at the center of the demon claw symbol on the robe.

“By the authority vested in me as a Templar of the Silver Flame,” Anaya said, drawing her sword, “for the crime of drawing on the power of Khyber, of—”

“A power beyond your imagining!” screamed the priestess.

“—calling forth demons from Khyber, and violence—” Anaya had her sword drawn now.

“You will all be consumed in the breath of the Dragon Below!”

“— against the followers of the Flame, I sentence you to death.” With both hands on her sword, she drove the point downwards into the prisoner’s back; the priestess let out a short cry, and was silenced.

Anaya walked back down to Esthana. Vaalyun had cut away some the torn up part of her gambeson around the wound—Esthana herself was lying on her front now while he worked—and was pressing a bandage to the wound. He looked grimly at Anaya, and held back the bandage for a moment. There was more gambeson left than flesh holding the arm in place.

“Esthana, this is beyond bandaging,” Anaya said sorrowfully. “And the wound is likely infected, given the foulness of those creatures.”

“Then do what must be done.”

---

Vaalyun followed Nyseris down the passage leading away from the Khyber dragonshard shrine. He tried to keep his thoughts focused on dangers ahead, not on the fight that had just passed or its grim aftermath: they had left Anaya working on Esthana. The passage, like the others down here, was only dimly illuminated in blue light shining from the next room ahead of them.

They emerged into a small room, once a cave but mined larger by the cultists. A painting of a dark-skinned dragon hung on the wall, illuminated in the purple light of a Khyber shard lantern hanging just above it; before this shrine, a robed man knelt in prayer. To one side was a desk with some old books and several bottles of good quality wine, and a fine crystal drinking vessel.

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 6) +1 = 11 Success!
What here is useful or valuable to me? What here is hidden? Hold 1

“Count Zuokas I presume?” Vaalyun stood beside Nyseris, hoping that he would not need the lizardfolk’s fighting skill now. He wanted answers.

“I always knew that it would come to this.” The Count’s had a stentorian voice; he did not turn to face them. “Everything is a struggle between the light and the dark, the above and the below.”

“Why did you choose to serve the Dragon Below?”

“Because Khyber wins in the end. Every legend agrees on that.”

“You kept up appearances, I see; the main floor of your manor was presentable enough. You kept the cult out of sight.”

“So few can see the inevitable coming. Paying fake homage to a King, I pay my real homage here, to the Dragon.”

“Was it you that uncovered the caves here, and the dragonshards?”

“No; my father, when the manor was built, found them. He was interested; but it was I that realised its true worth.” The Count’s voice was commanding, and spoke with total certainty; the absolute certainty of a madman, Vaalyun thought.

“What of the lizardfolk?”, Vaalyun asked. “Why incite a war between them?”

The Count turned at that, and got to his feet. He was a tall man in his fourties, with dark hair and a proud bearing. He looked a little surprised when he saw Nyseris, and Vaalyun in his fine jacket—perhaps not the zealous warrior that he expected—but continued to talk.

“They stand in our way.”

“Because they protect the dragonshards?”

“Dragonshards?” The Count looked at Vaalyun, confused. But he continued. “The lizardfolk serve Masvirik.” He doesn’t know what he is doing, thought Vaalyun.

Spend hold(Vaalyun): Who is really in control here?

Vaalyun realises that the Count is not the one in control; he doesn’t even know about the sacred dragonshards. Reveal an unwelcome truth

Investigate(Aided)(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 2) +2+1 = 10 Success!
Useful information

Aid(Nyseris): 2D6(6 4) +0 = 10 Success!
Aid

“The Blackscales–s serve Masvirik,” said Nyseris.

“And you wanted to take their place,” said Vaalyun.

“The Overlords don’t need us,” said the Count. “Their demons will destroy all of civilisation. Only those that can serve them will be spared.”

“So it was politics; the Blackscales stand beside the Overlord now, so you tried to arrange for a war to weaken them, so you could step into their place.” Vaalyun smiled wryly; he was used to the politics of the Five Nations, but the plots of cults were not so different it seemed.

The Count was getting rattled now; he took a step forward, gesturing as he spoke. “My followers would have been spared—they could have served Masvirik himself! I tried to save them!”

“How did you expect to do that? How would your mere fifty men have fared crossing the jungle of Q’barra while a war raged?”

“The, I—Khyber would guide us.” Zuokas’ eyes glanced down; that made him think.

“The Blackscale spears were a strange detail,” Vaalyun lied. “Who suggested that? Your men struggled to use weapons that they had not been trained with.” Explain your plan, Count—was it your plan?

“It—it had to look like the Blackscales, or they might have tracked it back to us. Elisea said—How do you know about the spears?”

Elisea. We let her go, Vaalyun thought. Mockery’s blade! “The Templars killed your men, scattered them in the jungle. The lizardfolk were warned of the trap. Did none of them make it back here? Or did Elisea conceal their failure from you.”

“She would not—I am a noble, and my servants do what I command.”

“How long had she been in your service?”

“Since my father’s day; she is a loyal servant.”

“She told us where you were without hesitation.”

The Count was flustered now. “She said—There was no place for us unless the Blackscales were removed.”

“She never intended that you would reach Masvirik.” Vaalyun turned away. “Deal with him as you like,” he said to Nyseris. “He is just a pawn; we have learned all that we can from him.”

“No, wait!” Vaalyun heard a thud behind him as Nyseris moved into action, silencing the Count’s cry. Vaalyun kept walking; his House would prefer that there was no blood on his hands. His business was simply information.

Behind him there was one sharp cry of pain, and then silence.

Loot: d10+d4=5 is a minor magical trinket. Let’s resolve that another time.

Cast a spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(5 5) +2 = 12 Success!
Heals 8 damage (on Esthana)

So Esthana doesn’t bleed out.

End of Session(party): We killed a notable creature, +1 XP for all; Nyseris, Anaya, Esthana all met their alignment goals

I am learning a little about using DungeonWorld . Having three demons and the priestess, all with abilities that blocked attackers getting close to them and let them resistant to damage, made this fight too slow. I’ll avoid that next time. If Nyseris had got that magic weapon spell off, it would have made the fight much smoother.

If Esthana had a player, there would have been some hard choices for them in this session. Esthana could have used her Defend hold to reduce the strength of that big hit, instead of damaging the creature, and would have avoided a grievous injury; but the party was struggling to make any progress and the hezrou might have killed Anaya before Esthana got free. The priestess’ offer would have been tempting for a player, too; Esthana had a chance to bleed out after the fight was over, due to some terrible rolls.

XP:
Anaya: 3 failures, alignment goal; level up; at 0XP.
Esthana: 2 failures, alignment goal; level up; now at 7XP.
Nyseris: 4 failures, alignment goal; level up; at 1XP.
Vaalyun: 3 failure; at 6XP.

Level Up(Anaya): +1 Wis; Random Penitent: take +d4 damage on a hit to gain +1 forward to spellcasting

Level Up(Esthana): +1 Dex; Random Multiclass dabbler(Paladin): Charge!: when you lead others in the charge, they take +1 forward

Level Up(Nyseris): +1 Con; Random Familiar Prey: Spout Lore about monsters using Wis

I can say a little more about the GM side of the game. The heroes already disrupted the Khyber Cultists front; now they have eliminated it. It is replaced by a new front for Elisea, whose true nature is not yet known in the story. The idea that Count Zuokas might be a pawn, with someone else pulling the strings, was suggested by some ideas in the setting (plus the idea that every faction in Eberron has an inner cabal subverting it, which is part of my Past conflict, present intrigue).

Originally this was built in to the front, but I changed my mind and let it be determined randomly. When I was rolling random enemies in the manor (when I rolled a Danger), one of the options was a traitor/manipulator, and that’s what I got in the study. Anaya only rolled a partial success to read that situation; on a full success, the Templars would have been able to ask more questions and would very likely have seen through Elisea’s surprisingly calm sellout of her master.

Thus ends book 2 of the campaign; I will post a fresh summary, glossary and character sheets before the next gameplay episode.

II.15: Khyber Cultist Lair

near Newthrone, Q’barra
Dravago 9, 997 YK

See What They Find: Random Common, Discovery(stairs), Danger(trap: ensnaring, slashing) Let’s say that the trap is on the stairs.

The party wants the study, on this floor, first. See What They Find: Random Unique, Themed, Discovery(entrance to another dungeon), Danger(creature, scavenging)

Spout Lore(Anaya): 2D6(6 6) +1 = 13 Success!
Good information

After passing through a connecting passage, the next room that they entered was the Count’s study. Anaya let Nyseris lead the way, the lizardfolk’s bulky form almost filling the doorway as they entered.

Anaya’s respect for the ranger had grown greatly since she learned that the lizardfolk also worshipped the Flame, after a fashion. And Nyseris in particular now had the power to channel the Flame itself, as Anaya herself could. In her training, Anaya had been told that those with a latent ability to draw on the Flame could have that power manifest after being touched by the Flame, and it seemed that Anaya’s healing had brought out that talent in the ranger.

The study would have seemed a large room, if they had not just come from the ballroom. Wood-panelled like much of the manor, the study had several large bookcases full of leather-bound books. Behind a heavy wooden desk, a woman stood watching them enter. She looked around fourty, and wore a long navy blue dress—smart but not ostentatious.

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(5 2) +2 = 9 Partial success.
What here is useful or valuable to me?

Answer: she may know where the Count is, and how to reach him.

“We mean you no harm. Where is the Count?” asked Anaya as she entered.

“Below,” the woman replied. “He spends more time in the temple than in the manor itself.”

“There is a temple below the manor? Who are you? How do we get to it?”

“I am Elisea, the Count’s steward.” The woman answered calmly, seemingly happy with their assurances of safety. “The manor was built on the site of an old place of worship to Khyber. There is a passage behind that bookshelf”—pointing—“that leads to it directly.”

“We will put an end to this demon worship,” said Anaya firmly.

Dragonmark(Concealment)(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 5) +2 = 8 Partial success.
It won’t last very long

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 6) +1 = 8 Partial success.
What here is useful or valuable to me?

Vaalyun covertly pockets some loot, d6+d4=8 is a valuable art artefact: small platinum statuette worth 2d6x100 = 1200 gold.

After a brief search, Esthana found the latch that allowed the bookshelf to be moved aside. It slid sideways to reveal a narrow stairway leading down, with stone steps and stone walls once it got below the first floor. There was a light at the bottom.

Let’s update our Perilous Wilds dungeon information: Dungeon: Count Zuokas’ manor & below
Size: medium?
Foundation: Random natural caves
Function: Random Themes: Grand manor house(exhausted), demon cult, Random growth/expansion

And onwards. See What They Find: Common, Discovery (bones/remains)

Spout Lore(Anaya): 2D6(3 2) +1 = 6 Failure!
Think offscreen Monster move(Summon something)

Nyseris led the way down. At the bottom, the stairway opened up into a cave, lit by a hanging lamp, though the unnatural blue light from the lamp gave the otherwise natural cave an eerie feeling. In one corner, there were two individual iron cages, each containing bones.

“Khyber dragonshard lanterns,” Anaya said; she had seen one once before, though they were rare because of the light that they cast was unsettling. “Perhaps whoever found these caves found some Khyber shard fragments here also.”

See What They Find: Common, Danger (creatures, acolytes, returning)

They kept moving, following a tunnel that sloped down and then opened up into another cave. Water dripped from cracks in the rock and ran in rivulets down the floor of the tunnel, and the atmosphere was cool and damp here, but the floor was free of dirt and stones. The party moved warily; Esthana and Nyseris kept their bows out with arrows nocked, and Vaalyun kept turning to look behind them, and then ahead again. Anaya was mostly concerned with keeping her footing on the damp stone. Another dull blue light shone in from the further cave.

They emerged into the lower cave, which had a low, uneven ceiling and wooden props in many places supporting the roof. A few seconds after they entered, they heard a shout from off to their left—“Stop them!”—and four robed figures charged wildly into the room, pointing wands. Bows twanged on either side of Anaya, and two of their attackers fell to the floor immediately.

Volley(Nyseris): 2D6(6 3) +2 = 11 Success!
d8=2 damage

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(5 4) +2 = 11 Success!
d10=5 damage

A, Random Warforged, cultist tries to take out a support beam.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Anaya): 2D6(3 5) +1 = 9 Partial success.
Deal damage: 2d4 =6 damage, 4 after armour

The largest of the cloaked figures halted their charge, and as they raised their gaze to the ceiling, Anaya saw the wood and metal face of a warforged below the cloak. She saw them point their wand and fire an arcane bolt towards one of the supports near her. Anaya dived to block it, and felt the jarring impact and a burning sensation along her arm as the missile struck her shield instead.

Volley(Nyseris): 2D6(2 1) +2 = 5 Failure!
Random Point to a looming threat Monster move(Offer eternal reward for mortal deeds)

Anaya saw Nyseris loose another arrow, catching the other cultist in the hip but failing to bring them down. The cultist fired wildly, and the magic missile richocheted off a wall, shaking the room. As if in response, there was an echoing roar from somewhere deeper in the caves. The cultist yelled “Death awaits those who do not follow—”. He stopped abruptly, and fell to the cave floor, revealing Vaalyun standing behind him, bloodstained dagger in hand.

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(2 4) +2 = 8 Partial success.
Take what you can get. d10-d6=2 damage

Acolytes do not get HP in DungeonWorld ; I take that to mean that any injury or attack is enough to subdue them.

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(3 4) +2 = 9 Partial success.
What happened here recently?

Vaalyun finds Random a gem worth 100gp.

Show signs of an approaching threat

The warforged cultist prepared to take another shot, but Esthana put an arrow into their chest, and they dropped to the ground. The attackers were all down, but another roar echoed through the cave, unnatural and terrifying.

Anaya shouldered her shield, working the muscles in her arm and wincing in pain. “They seemed desperate. Perhaps they were just meant to slow us down. They summoned hell hounds before; I fear they may have summoned something worse.”

“Are you alright?” asked Nyseris.

Cast a spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(5 3) +2 = 10 Success!
Heals d8+4=9

Anaya is back at full, 17 HP. Nyseris is the only one with significant injuries, at 15 / 20 HP.

Anaya reached for the Silver Flame pendant around her neck with her injured arm. She felt the power of the Flame flow through her, purifying her injuries, and the glow of silver light around her brightened the cavern for a moment; then the light faded back to the sinister blue from the lantern above. The pain in her arm, and from bruises from the fight with the hell hounds, was gone. “The Flame gives me strength. We must go on.”

See What They Find: Common, Discovery (magic item: Random : eternal wand) We just had a group armed with wands, so let’s Make a move that follows: skip that room and just have the wand be one of theirs.

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(3 2) +1 = 6 Failure!
Random Turn their move back on them: Fictional positioning matters. Three of the four party members seen distracted right now.

Defy Danger(WIS)(Esthana): 2D6(5 6) +1 = 12 Success!

“This looks valuable,” said Vaalyun. Anaya started to turn to him, but Esthana yelled “Look out!” Anaya saw movement in the opening behind Nyseris. The lizardfolk turned at the warning and there was a sharp twang of a crossbow being fired; a bolt whistled past Anaya’s sword arm.

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(5 6) +2 = 13 Success!
3 damage

Defy Danger(DEX)(Nyseris): 2D6(1 4) +2 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome: startled, too busy ducking shots to draw an arrow.

Hack and Slash(Anaya): 2D6(3 1) +0 = 4 Failure!
Deal damage: d6=3 damage, 1 after armour

Another bolt whistled past Nyseris as the ranger ducked behind a wooden prop. Esthana loosed an arrow, hitting a human figure in the darkness; there was a yell of pain and a clatter as something fell to the ground.

Anaya saw the two other shooters now, a woman and a halfling man, both reloading. She charged forward, but not fast enough: the halfling fired another shot at point blank range, the point of which punched through her shield and pierced her arm, before blocking her swordstroke with the butt of the crossbow.

Volley(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 4) +1 = 10 Success!
2d4=5 damage

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(3 2) +2 = 7 Partial success.
Use up ammunition: d10=7 damage

An arcane bolt flashed from the left and hit the crossbow-woman, throwing her against the cave wall; her blasted body fell to the floor. Anaya struggled for a moment more with the halfling; she twisted to the right to expose him to her friends, and he suddenly went limp, an arrow in his back.

The third man lay bleeding on the ground, grimacing in pain but reaching for his dropped crossbow; then Nyseris stepped forward and stabbed him with their spear. Anaya saw Esthana nocking another arrow, and Vaalyun holding one of the wands taken from the fallen cultists.

See What They Find: Common, Themed, Discovery (potions), Danger (trap, magical)

Show signs of an approaching threat

They advanced down the tunnel that the cultists had come from. This tunnel was slightly higher than the cave that they had just come from, and drier. It had been mined out to a larger size at some point in the past, though Nyseris still could not quite stand straight here. They heard another roar, not so far away now, and this time it was answered by a different sound, an unnatural screeching, echoing through the tunnel.

The passage shortly opened out into a small chamber with a few palette beds, and an alchemists’ workbench which a few tools and vials upon it. As Nyseris crossed the threshold, a rune appeared in the air. Anaya instinctively flinched but, instead of an explosion, the rune instead unravelled into strands of dark energy that settled on the ranger as they stood beneath it.

“What was–s that,” said Nyseris. “I feel weakened.”

Use up their resources: Nyseris is Weak

Spout Lore(Anaya): 2D6(1 5) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Not-immediately-useful information

“A symbol of Dolurrh,” said Anaya. “It saps life force. There should be no long-term harm, but it is beyond my ability to heal. Whoever cast this is a more powerful cleric than I.”

“Desperate defenders, and now this. They are trying to slow us down, to buy time for their masters to prepare themselves.” Esthana looked grimly determined, and Anaya felt the same: there was no turning back. They must finish what they had started.

Retrospectively, I am inserting a chapter break here, as on review of the whole session this is a good break point (and so there was no end-of-session move here). Next time we will see the conclusion of clearing the cultist base.

II.14: Red and Silver Fire

near Newthrone, Q’barra
Dravago 9, 997 YK

I forgot to update the party’s bonds at the end of last session. I’ll put the new ones in italic.

Anaya’s bonds:
Lady Esthana is a fellow Templar of the Flame.
Lady Esthana works for the Flame against a great evil; I aid her holy purpose.
Though not Purified, Vaalyun is a resourceful ally.

Esthana’s bonds:
Lady Anaya is a fellow Templar of the Flame.
Vaalyun rescued me when I was unjustly imprisoned.
Vaalyun is a liability in a fight, but needs my protection.
Nyseris is a faithful follower of the Flame.

Vaalyun’s bonds:
Esthana saved my life.
Lady Anaya unhesitatingly put herself in danger to rescue my companion; I am in her debt.

Nyseris’ bonds:
Lady Anaya is a cleric of the my deity; I trust her implicitly.
Esthana is a brave warrior that I am proud to fight alongside.

Make Camp(party): Heal

They are out of the jungle now, no need for encounter checks.

I’m going to start marking randomly-chosen moves, monster types and so on with Random , rather than writing about it out every time: I am finding that I do this a lot now in this game, and it is making the write-ups a bit verbose. I will only write them out when I think the not-chosen options are particularly interesting.

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 5) +1 = 7 Partial success.
What should I be on the lookout for?

The sun had just dipped below the horizon, and the lights in Count Zuokas’ manor were starting to assert themselves in the dwindling light. There was a fresh southerly wind, cool and still fresh with the salt scent of the sea; it was a pleasant change from their days in the jungle, particularly for the two armoured Templars. Vaalyun supposed that it was not a welcome change to Nyseris, but he did not speak of it.

They had been watching the manor for half an hour, and the only movement in the grounds was that of half-grown corn blowing in the breeze. Vaalyun did now notice someone in the house open a window on an upper floor, peer out, and close it again.

“There is movement on the upper floor—a watcher, probably,” Vaalyun said.

Anaya looked at him with concern, but he looked away. He had not felt like talking today, and had deflected a few attempts by Anaya and Esthana to start a conversation. The shameful display at the camp last night, where he had panicked and left his companions to fend for themselves against the displacer beasts, weighed heavily on him; he was glad that there was little chance of his House ever hearing of the display. While he was no warrior, he had prided himself on his ability to keep his nerve in dangerous situations, but last night he had been quite out of his depth.

Nyseris took God Amidst the Wastes at level-up, making them a spellcaster now. Lay the ground for the ranger now having Flame-driven magical abilities.

Nyseris had talked enough for both of them. The lizardfolk had been healed by Anaya after the fight yesterday, and was awed by the experience of being healed by the Flame. When the party had rested at the edge of the jungle this morning, to check on their injuries, Nyseris talked on about how they had never felt the Flame so strongly before, and that even now they felt connected to it as never before. Though encouraging at first, even Anaya had tired of talking about it after a while.

“Should we go around the other side?” Anaya asked. “There is no way of knowing what kind of guards Zuokas keeps, but our argument is with the Count himself, not his guards; the fewer that we have to deal with, the better.”

“I imagine that the other side is watched too.” Vaalyun felt like leaving it at that, but their goal was before them; after a few seconds, he added, “Perhaps I can get us closer without being seen.”

Vaalyun had always been strongest with his Dragonmark in manipulating shadow as shadow. But his House training had encompassed more subtle uses, manipulating light to create illusions and camouflage. In the twilight, it should not be too hard to mask their appearance.

Vaalyun got his second domain with his Mark of Shadow at the level-up at the end of last session.

Dragonmark(Concealment)(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 5) +2+1 = 13 Success!

The elf drew on his Dragonmark, the flow of magical energy through the birthmark feeling like a crawling itch on his skin. The wind would help, he thought, as there was no need to try to mask their movement; he simply bent light from the adjacent section of the cornfield and projected it above to cover their entry point. From this side, they could see the corn as if it was standing in the air, but from the house it would cover their movement.

“That should keep us from being visible from the manor,” he said.

“Does everyone in your House have this power?” asked Esthana.

“Only some in the bloodline are born with a Mark. But copying the magic of the Marks is how many magical devices were invented. The Twelve could make a wand that would do this better than I. Those without Marks can use our powers through such devices.”

“And, of course, the Twelve never share that knowledge.”

“‘Information is key,’” said Vaalyun. “The Houses that make up the Twelve guard their secrets.”

---

Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities: Esthana can literally bend bars.

Discern Realities(Esthana): 2D6(3 2) +1 = 6 Failure!
Random Show a downside to their class, race, or equipment

Esthana kept her bow in hand, arrow nocked, as they approached the manor; Nyseris, in front of her, had their bow ready also. They had seen no-one outside the house, and no further activity inside yet, but they expected trouble at any moment.

The lowest floor of the manor was stonework, and the upper floors were wooden; the windows on the ground floor were small and barred. Nyseris had said that the front side of the building, which they had observed a week ago, had a broad stone staircase up to an entrance; but they were at the back of the manor house, and there was no way up here.

“I can probably yank these bars out,” said Esthana, “but I won’t fit through the window in plate, and Nyseris would not fit at all.”

“There is a servant’s entrance further along,” said Vaalyun; they had seen the iron-bound door as they approached. “If you get me in, I can probably open it from the inside.”

Bend Bars, Lift Gates(Esthana): 2D6(1 3) +1 = 5 Failure!
Random Turn Their Move Back On Them

Has it ever gone well when Esthana and Vaalyun cooperate? Time to reuse an existing threat. Deal Damage: 2d6 = 7 damage, no armour.

Esthana picked a window where the bars looked a little rusty, and kicked. As her heavy boot hit home, an arcane rune flashed in front of the window and there was an explosion as lightning burst from the rune. She was flung backwards several feet and landed sprawled in the dirt, bruised and shaken. As the rune dissipated, the bars were still in place, if a little bent out of shape.

Volley(Nyseris): 2D6(6 3) +2 = 11 Success!
4 damage

From the ground, Esthana saw a window open on the upper floor, and a man leaned out and pointed a wand down at them. Nyseris loosed before he could fire, catching him square in the chest; his body slumped, hanging in the open casement. Anaya stepped up and helped Esthana to her feet.

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(2 3) +1 = 6 Failure!
Show signs of an approaching threat

Nyseris has an adventuring gear pack, 5 uses; they can grab some rope and a grappling hook from that.

“If that window was warded, they probably all are,” said Vaalyun. He looked to Nyseris. “Can you get us up there?”

The twilight quiet was broken by a howl from the other side of the building now, followed by some muffled shouts. Nyseris nodded; they unslung their pack and took out a rope and grappling hook.

More howls, now clearly from more than one creature. Nyseris remained focused, though, and after whirling the grappling hook overhead twice, tossed it up to the window above, hooking onto the edge on the first try—or, at least, into the body hanging over the edge. The howling was now coming from the end of the building; something about the sound sent a chill down Esthana’s spine.

“You first,” said Nyseris to Vaalyun, “it may not hold my weight. Secure it firmly at the top.”

Defy Danger(STR)(Nyseris): 2D6(6 4) +2 = 12 Success!
You get it

Unnatural threats meet Nyseris’ alignment goal. Portray a fantastic world Introduce a new faction or type of creature Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities

As Vaalyun began climbing the rope, Esthana saw the hounds round the corner of the building. It was hard to tell at first, but as they drew closer it was apparent that they were no mere dogs; there were three of the furless creatures racing towards them in the twilight, fire flickering around their mouths, eyes, and bodies.

Discern Realities(Nyseris): 2D6(1 1) +1 = 3 Failure!
Use a threat from an existing faction or type of creature: there are cultists following the hell hounds

Volley(Nyseris): 2D6(2 5) +2 = 9 Partial success.
Deal d8=4 damage, 3 after armour; Put someone in a spot

Defy Danger(DEX)(Nyseris): 2D6(4 5) +2 = 11 Success!

“Hell hounds–s!” shouted Nyseris. “These abominations must die!” The lizardfolk loosed an arrow, hitting the leading hound, but it barely stumbled. The hound leapt for their throat, and Nyseris had throw aside the bow and roll to the side to dodge the attack.

Volley(Anaya): 2D6(1 1) +1 = 3 Failure!
Use up their resources

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(2 2) +2 = 6 Failure!
Deal damage: d8=5 damage, 1 after armour

Okay, this is going terribly.

Defy Danger(CON)(Vaalyun): 2D6(3 6) +0 = 9 Partial success.
Hard bargain: Use up their resources: drop his pack and bow

Esthana drew her own bow, loosing an arrow at the hound bounding towards her; the creature was too fast though, and the arrow sailed over it. As she swapped her bow for sword and shield, the creature slowed down in front of her, took a deep breath and breathed out a gout of flame. She turned her head away, and her helmet and plate mail deflected most of it, but flames licked at the joints in her armour.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(6 4) +2 = 12 Success!
Deal d10+d6=8 damage, 2 piercing

Closing in before it could gather its breath again, Esthana struck at it, the silver fire trailing from her sword contrasting with the red flames flickering around the creature. It sidestepped the first stroke, but she reversed the blow and sunk her sword into its side, causing a harsh shriek of pain from the creature. Up close, she could feel the heat emanating from the creature, and smell the sulphurous odour of its breath.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Anaya): 2D6(4 5) +1 = 10 Success!
Deal d6=6 damage, 5 after armour

Anaya had been knocked down by the third hellhound’s charge, and had lost her shield. As the creature stood over her and gathered breath, she managed to roll out from under it, slashing at its belly with her sword and rolling to her feet.

Cast a spell(Magic Weapon)(Nyseris): 2D6(3 1) +1 = 5 Failure!
Random Turn their move back on them; Deal damage: 2d6=12

Beyond the hellhound that she was fighting, Esthana saw that Nyseris was circling the first hound, trying to run the beast through with a spear. But the beast breathed fire, causing Nyseris to jump back towards the building behind her. Before Esthana could yell a warning, another warding rune flickered and there was another explosion of lightning; Nyseris was flung to the ground, badly injured.

Defend(Esthana): 2D6(4 2) +2 = 8 Partial success.
Hold 1

Hell hound Deal damage: d8=1 to Nyseris, negated by armour
Spend hold(Esthana): Deal level damage to the target=4, 3 after armour

Golden opportunity, no-one is dealing with the cultists behind. Deal damage: d6+1=3 damage, 2 after armour

Hack and Slash(Nyseris): 2D6(6 4) +2 = 12 Success!
Deals d8=1 damage, negated by armour

Hell hounds are at 1, 5, 4 HP. Nyseris is at 6/20, Esthana and Anaya are just down 1 each.

The hell hound facing Esthana was limping badly, so she circled around, moving to help Nyseris. She came up behind the other hound as it slashed at Nyseris with its claws, and her sword cut into its side; like the creature’s eyes and mouth, the wound leaked fire.

Nyseris stood up, noticably limping, and immediately took a crossbow bolt in the side; Esthana glanced to the corner of the building, and saw that two humans with crossbows had followed the hounds, and were reloading for another volley. Nyseris let out a hiss of rage, and stabbed at the hell hound again, but the blow failed to penetrate its thick hide.

It proved a sufficient distraction, however. Esthana stepped alongside the creature, and struck downward with her sword, cutting through the creature’s neck. There was a gout of flame from the creature’s neck, and it fell to the ground.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(6 4) +2 = 12 Success!
9 damage, 2 piercing

That’s enough to kill those two; both were injured.

Esthana spun once more to face the hound that had attacked her, just as it charged again. She pointed her sword forward and felt the jarring impact as it impaled the charging beast. Its jaws stopped only a foot from her face, and she jammed her shield in front of her just as it breathed out its last fiery breath. She and the creature were engulfed in an explosion of red and silver flames. It lasted only a few seconds and, as the flames cleared, it was the Templar that was still standing, and the creature lay dead at her feet.

Hack and Slash(Anaya): 2D6(1 6) +0 = 7 Partial success.
Deal damage: d6=2; Put someone in a spot

Volley(Nyseris): 2D6(1 3) +2 = 6 Failure!
Deal damage: 2 damage, 1 after armour

Golden opportunity, no-one is dealing with the crossbow cultists. Deal damage: d6+1=5 damage, 1 after armour. Nyseris is at 2/20 HP.

Nyseris, limping and bleeding from multiple wounds, yelled a battle cry in Draconic and threw a spear at the remaining hellhound, but the throw went wide. The cry was cut short when another crossbow bolt caught them in the chest.

Esthana ran over to Anaya, who was still trying to land another blow on the last hound and getting singed for her efforts. Esthana drove her sword into the creature’s back; it let out flames and one last unnatural howl as it expired.

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(5 3) +2 = 10 Success!
Deal d10+d6=5 damage, 2 piercing

Golden opportunity again, still no-one dealing with those crossbow cultists; Deal damage (to Anaya) d6+1=4 damage, 3 after armour.

Volley(Esthana): 2D6(2 5) +2 = 9 Partial success.
Deal damage: d10=7 damage; use up ammunition

The sharp twang of crossbows sounded again, and Anaya was hit in the side, a bolt forcing its way between the rings of her mail. Esthana snatched up her bow, and in a couple of quick shots took out both of the cultists firing at the party.

There was a moment of quiet, as Esthana and Anaya caught their breath. The sea breeze began to disperse the sulphorous smell. Anaya looked as singed as Esthana felt, but they were both in reasonable fighting shape.

Cast a spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Nyseris): 2D6(3 6) +1 = 10 Success!
Heal d8=3 wounds

Nyseris is at 5/20 HP, Anaya is at 13/17.

Not so Nyseris. There was a howl of rage and Esthana turned to see the ranger fallen to their knees, obviously in pain. Then, suddenly, a slight aura of silver fire surrounded Nyseris. The ranger rose to their feet, bow in hand once more.

“Come on,” said Vaalyun from above, his voice low but urgent. Esthana looked up to see that he had made it in through the open window. “The rope is secure now.”

Cast a Spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 13 Success!
Heals d8+4=10 HP

“How did you do that?” said Anaya, walking to Nyseris. She laid a hand on the ranger, and they were surrounded with silver fire again, wounds closing at the Flame’s touch.

“I do not know,” said Nyseris. “But I feel the Flame within me now, as you do. Come, we must deal with the source of these abominations.”

---

Marching Order(party): Nyseris, Vaalyun, Esthana, Anaya

I had trouble with making the last dungeon that the party explored, so this time I will use the Perilous Wilds’ rules for generating much of the content randomly. I have not used these before, so we will see how it goes. We have some pre-established fiction to work in: it’s a cultist base, and a grand manor house.

Dungeon: Count Zuokas’ manor.
Size: Medium.
Foundation: Manor house built over something, to be determined, linked to Khyber. Themes: Grand manor house, TBD, TBD. Unique areas: Count’s bedroom, grand ballroom, dining room, study.

So it begins. See What They Find: Random Common, Discovery(pit/shaft/chasm)

Vaalyun waited for Esthana to climb and then, while they waited for the others, he looked around the room. It was a dusty bedroom; almost bare apart from the old bed frame. There was a laundry chute in one corner; Vaalyun walked over to it and pushed it open, peering down. Dust and cobwebs. “This room has not been used in years,” he remarked to Anaya, as Esthana helped her through the casement.

The door to the next room stood open; this room looked like it had been a fine bedroom at one point, but now it contained five bunk beds. An open chest contained common clothes, and there were several swords leaned against one of the beds.

See What They Find: Random Common, Discovery(signs of battle), Danger(trap)

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 4) +1 = 9 Partial success.
What should I be on the lookout for?

Discern Realities(Esthana): 2D6(3 3) +1 = 7 Partial success.
What here is hidden?

Treasure d6=4 (small gem worth 80gp.)

“This looks like a dormitory. Perhaps this is where the cultists that went into the jungle were quartered,” said Esthana.

“Perhaps.” There was a door opposite the windows, probably leading to the main passage on this floor, but Vaalyun was interested in the door opposite where they came in. The handle was dusty, and there was something odd about the lock case that the handle was attached to. “The mechanism on this door is suspicious, and it has not been used in some time. It might be trapped.”

“Let’s try the other door.” Esthana bent down to the chest and turned over the clothes there, and after a moment lifted up an emerald.

“At least we’ll be able to buy the cleric some new armour,” said Vaalyun. Anaya’s chain had taken a lot of damage during the displacer beast fight.

See What They Find: Random Common, Discovery(broken door)

Nyseris was with them now; Vaalyun let the ranger go first. The other door led into a wood-pannelled passage runing the length of the house on this floor. The doorway opposite had had its door removed, and beyond they could see another empty barrack room.

“There seems not to be much up here. We should get down to the lower level,” said Anaya. ”If the Count is here, we do not want him getting away.”

See What They Find: Random Common, Themed, Discovery(carvings)

Slightly further along the passageway, the passage opened up on one side to overlook the entrance hall below, with a large staircase leading down. Whereas the upper floor had been lit only by the light from the windows, the hall was lit by a floating chandelier of everbright lights—a rather expensive decoration. Nyseris and Vaalyun started down the stairs, looking out for movement, but so far the manor seemed deserted.

“Perhaps we have killed all of the Count’s followers,” said Nyseris.

Vaalyun stopped part-way down the stairs to look at a crest of arms carved into a wood panel above the stairs, depicting three lizards and a dragon. Anaya joined him, and read the motto underneath: “‘Strength and perseverence’—just as Taliesin said.”

See What They Find: Random Unique, Themed, Discovery(weapons/armor), Danger(trap, alarm)

The hall floor was covered in a fine but aged woven rug, and there were large wooden doors leading out to the front of the building. As Nyseris crossed the hall, a loud clear chime sounded.

“An announcing bell—doubling as an alarm,” said Vaalyun.

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(5 1) +2 = 8 Partial success.
What here is useful or valuable to me?

“They know where we are now,” said Anaya. “The front door is closed though.” She checked the doors and looked out of one of the front windows. “Locked, and I see no activity outside. I do not think that anyone has fled.”

Nyseris had turned left, and pushed open the large double doors there. They opened into a large ballroom, with another floating chandelier above. Paintings, presumably of the Count’s ancestors, hung high on the panelled walls; a sword hung over a disused fireplace, and a few old suits of armour stood along the walls.

See What They Find: Random Common, Themed, Discovery(minor magic item), Danger(creature = Random servants, making plans)
Random I rolled the first servant as a very rare race, and picked duergar.

As Nyseris opened the next door, they heard gasps and a voice in the room said “We mean no harm. Leave us alone, please!” Vaalyun saw that the room beyond was smaller, with chairs and small tables. A human and a dwarf, both in smart servants’ attire, were standing near the windows with their hands raised.

Esthana stepped past him into the room. “We will not harm you—our business is with the Count. Who are you?”

The dwarf—as Vaalyun entered the room, he saw that it was a grey-skinned duergar woman—said “I am Unwula, the Count’s butler. We know nothing of his business, or his... associates.” She shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the cultists.

The other, a man, said “And I am Berend, the chief cook. We heard the explosions and were, well... deciding whether to flee.”

Discern Realities(Esthana): 2D6(6 3) +1 = 10 Success!
What here is not what it appears to be? 2xWhat here is useful or valuable to me?

Answers: they are what they say. If they go back to town saying that you murdered their master, that would be bad. Find the magic item (scroll of Random Contact Spirits).

“Count Zuokas sent armed men into the jungle, to slaughter a village of lizardfolk,” said Anaya, sheathing her sword and addressing the servants as the others checked the room. The servants looked at Nyseris nervously. “We are here to see that he pays for that crime.”

“The Count went to his study this afternoon,” said Unwala. “It is the other side of the main hall.”

Vaalyun went to the window and looked out; it was dark outside now, and in the clear night sky the Ring of Siberys could be seen clearly.

“Look at this,” said Esthana. From a bureau in one corner of the room, she withdrew a scroll-case. Anaya went over to inspect it. “It looks like a summoning spell of some sort,” the cleric said.

See What They Find: Random Common, Discovery(weapons/armour), Danger(creature, dying)

Nyseris led the way back to the hall, and they crossed into a sitting room on the front side of the house. Vaalyun was second through the door, and the first thing that he saw was a body in the middle of the room in a pool of blood. Around the body were scorch marks, and there was still a scent of sulphur in the air.

Vaalyun moved around the room while Anaya checked the man. It was richly furnished, like the other rooms on this floor, with another suit of armour standing in one corner. The silk drapes hanging by the windows looked expensive, if old. The scorch marks and smell told a more recent story, however: this was where the hellhounds had been summoned.

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(2 1) +2 = 5 Failure!
Deal damage: d6=2 damage, 0 after armour

“Die!” croaked a voice, and Vaalyun spun to see a flash of steel as the fallen man tried to stab Anaya as she leant over him. The dagger failed to cut through her chain mail, though, and Anaya jumped back. The man tried to stir, but instead coughed up some blood and stopped moving. This time he was really dead.

After a couple of hurried breaths, Anaya shook herself. “It looks like they summoned the hounds here; the beasts killed this cultist before the summoner could get control of them.”

They are about to exhaust the “grand manor house” theme for the dungeon. Let’s end the session there, mainly because I think I will switch to writing from Anaya’s perspective for the dungeon beneath the manor.

End of Session(party): Nyseris met her alignment goal, braving danger to counter an unnatural threat (hell hounds)

Bond changes:
Anaya:
Nyseris wields the Silver Flame; I will learn more of her power.

Esthana:
Nyseris, like me, serves the Flame; we have a common purpose.
Resolved: Nyseris is a faithful follower of the Flame.

XP:
Anaya: 2 failures; at 6XP.
Esthana: 3 failures, one bond resolved; now at 13XP.
Nyseris: 3 failures, alignment goal; at 4XP.
Vaalyun: 1 failure; at 2XP.