Fledgling Days: Death
Session Zero Part 3
Joza’s eyes snap open, and she’s immediately aware of the suffocating weight of sand pressing against her chest. She gasps, coughing violently as she claws her way to the surface, the taste of dirt and dust filling her mouth. The night sky above is nearly pitch black, the slivers of the moons offering only the faintest light. As she pulls herself free from the shallow grave, her body aches with a strange sensation—wounds that should be there, but aren’t. The pain she expects is absent, replaced by a slow, almost unnatural warmth as her body knits itself back together. Confusion grips her, but it’s quickly overtaken by a surge of raw, unfiltered rage.
Memories of the fight flash through her mind—fleeting images of clashing weapons, blood, and the symbol of the Bandit King seared into her consciousness. But beyond that, everything was a blur. Her hand instinctively searched the ground beside her, fingers closing around the hilt of her Axe. The familiar weight steadied her, but the fury burning in her veins demanded action. She notices a faint glow—a flicker of firelight behind a nearby dune. Driven by rage more than reason, Joza pulls herself to her feet and begins to move, the sand still clinging to her skin as she advances toward the light.
This week we dive straight into things. If you remember we rolled a pretty abysmal 5 on our Seasons Change. We will come back to the rolls that got us here for now let's get back to the narrative.As the night wears on and the firelight grows closer, we return to the steady rhythm of life in Aethercliffe, where the weight of tradition and duty hangs in the air like the desert heat.
Joza’s life is a blend of discipline and duty, shaped by her unwavering commitment to Aethercliffe. She begins her days early, leading the village’s defenders through rigorous morning drills on the outskirts. The sharp sound of wooden practice swords clashing echoes in the cool morning air as she corrects a stance here, a grip there. But today was different, she had to also correct attitudes the Tafai and Karnok families were beginning to let their bad blood show.
“Noren!” She barked at her younger cousin. “He has yielded!” There was a moment of hesitation before he let the Tafai boy up.
Joza frowned, very unlike him she mused but would be sure to bring it up later. He was not her duty in this moment.
Her presence was more than just a symbol of authority; it’s a reassurance to the villagers that someone is always watching, always ready to protect. By midday, Joza’s patrols take her through the bustling marketplace, where she scans the faces of traders and villagers alike, her eyes always searching for signs of trouble. The villagers nod respectfully as she passes, aware that her vigilance keeps them safe. In the afternoons, she’s in the council chambers, her voice steady and commanding as she discusses the village’s defenses with the elders. As evening falls, Joza prepares for the night’s patrol, her mind distracted with the fear of sleep and the night terrors that come with it.
But while Joza’s routine is one of discipline and duty, elsewhere in Aethercliffe, Zaj’s days follow a different rhythm, one marked by quiet contemplation and ancient mysteries.
Zaj’s routine in the pyre house has become more than just a ritual. Today, as they feed the flames and care for the Mastiff Bats, their mind is preoccupied with the strange omens that have been appearing in the firelight—fleeting visions of war, death, and something darker on the horizon. These thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of Nia, a trusted friend from the Jyvin family. Nia's expression is grave as she shares what she’s learned.
“Zaj, the omens you’ve seen... they’re not isolated. I’ve heard similar tales from the southern traders and even from some of our own. Something is on the horizon…”
The weight of Nia’s words settles on Zaj. The confirmation of their suspicions sends a chill down their spine.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the village, the marketplace bustles with life, and Rad moves through it with the ease of someone who knows its every corner.
Rad moves through the marketplace with his usual charm, but today, his ears are tuned to the unease of the merchants. There’s something different in the air—whispers and rumors that make even the most seasoned traders uneasy. With a few well-placed questions and some clever maneuvering, Rad manages to draw out the information he’s been seeking.
One of the merchants, after a long silence, finally reveals what he knows.
“The Bandit King… they call him Qadir. His crest is a eft coiled around a broken shield . They say he’s ruthless, that he leaves no survivors. And he’s closer than we thought.”
Rad nods, committing every detail to memory. The name, the crest—these are pieces of the puzzle that will help them understand their enemy. But as he gathers this information, Rad knows that the real challenge lies in convincing the others to take the threat seriously.
The rhythm of life in Aethercliffe is steady, yet beneath its surface, there’s a tension that permeates the air. The village, a place where ancient traditions meet the harsh realities of the desert, hums with the activity of its people. The marketplace, the heart of the village, is alive with the sounds of bartering and the scent of spices carried on the dry wind. Villagers go about their tasks with purpose, each contributing to the fragile unity that holds Aethercliffe together. Yet, as the sun rises and sets, and the days blend into one another, there’s an unspoken awareness that something is coming—something that could change everything.
Well Hello and welcome to session 1 of the Aethercliffe Stonetop Spin-off. I decided to lean as hard as I could into one of our core Principles Begin With The Fiction. Hope it wasn't jarring, drop a comment with your thoughts.
Now let's talk about the setup a bit here. Stonetop, Normally encourages you to take some time to show the day to day life of your characters and to showcase life in the steading. I enjoy a slow burn but something particular caught my fancy.
A sentence from one of the first scene starters from the amazing folks over at Dungeon World discord. The sentence you ask?
You awake coughing dust and sand into the mausoleum proper, what killed you?
I know killing a player at the outset tends to be a no,no. But it's a solo game and I wanted to really set the tone early, danger is very real here.
I rolled a D6 and rolled a 4. 1-2 Zaj 3-4 Joza 5-6 RadWhich felt the most appropriate as she is our Sandscarred. From here we worked backwards, giving our other characters opportunities during their day to day to gain some information about the upcoming threats.
Zaj rolls Get Answers seeking information about the Omens in the Pyre house. With a 🎲 6+4=10, having Nia confirm the omens with her own rumors. Rad rolls Manipulate as he tries to pry information from the merchants in the Market. With a 🎲 5+5=10, gaining the Bandit Kings Name Qadir!A bit of time has passed, maybe three days to a week since they received this information.
Now I want to jump to some Steading and Family things. If you remember our current Unity stat is -1. So Internal conflict is currently amiss. As such I wanted to try to Strengthen Unity before the Community of Aethercliffe comes together to discuss the threats laid before them.
We roll 2d6 +Unity and we rolled 🎲 2+3(-1)=4 On a 6-, Unity is further strained, and a new conflict arises.Yep this isn't going to be great. Our Unity is now a -2!
The Karnok Family is a family of warriors and defenders. Regardless they will seek to Muster the Warriors seeking to prepare for any threat inside or out.
We roll 2d6 +Defense and we rolled 🎲 6+1(+2)=9 On a 7-9, the warriors answer the call, but morale is shaky—choose one: suffer a loss of resources, strain Unity, or face dissent among the ranks.Things are not looking good but we have a bit of good news. While our Unity is strained, I don’t think we should strain it further, and resources are precious. We have a total of 0 for our current Resources. So we will have some Dissent In The Ranks. This may even give the traitor an opportunity to stir things up further.
Let's see how it plays out.
Emergency Meeting Among the Elders
The emergency meeting in the Oru1 Fanin2 chamber begins on a tense note. The air is thick with unresolved conflicts, and the attempt to bring unity at the outset falters spectacularly.
Rakra3 Zarin of the Tafai family tries to emphasize the need for solidarity, but his words fall on deaf ears. Instead of rallying the village, the old feud between the Tafai and Karnok families flares up, with accusations and sharp words flying across the room.
Rakra Zarin of the Tafai fanin is the first to speak, his voice measured but laced with tension.
“There have been... disturbing signs. Reports from the outskirts tell of increased sightings of the Bandit King’s symbol. It’s clear that his influence is growing closer, and the situation is escalating.”
“I don’t trust your family’s intentions, Zarin,” Fakra4 Kord of the Karnok family spits, his voice laced with anger. “You talk of unity, but where were your warriors when our caravans were attacked?”
Zarin’s response is cold, “And where were yours when we defended the oasis last winter?” The room grows quiet as the weight of his words settles over those gathered. Hazra5 Zianna of the Afan trakra6 of the Tafai fanin nods in agreement.
“The real threat is the division within our own walls. The fean7 between our fanins weakens us, and now we’re vulnerable. This talk of the Bandit King is all well and good, but the zetra8 among us is the greater danger!”Kord deflected.
At the mention of the zetra, a murmur ripples through the room. Though no names are spoken, the suspicion hangs in the air, casting a shadow over the meeting. Joza shifts uncomfortably, aware of the tension that has been simmering for weeks.
Rakra Zarin’s eyes narrow at Kord’s insinuation.
“You would have us tear each other apart on mere suspicion? We have no proof, only vague reports and whispers. The Bandit King is a real, tangible threat, and we cannot afford to be distracted by baseless accusations.”
Kord’s face flushes with anger.
“Baseless? My fanin has already lost more than one caravan to so-called ‘miscommunications.’ Someone is feeding information to the Bandit King, and if we don’t address it now, we’ll be fighting on two fronts—one against him and one within our own walls!”
As the argument intensifies, voices rise, and the room becomes a cauldron of conflicting opinions and flaring tempers. The fean between the Tafai and Karnok fanins boils to the surface, old grudges fueling the fire. Zetra⁷ are flung, not the kind to tear flesh but the kind that cut deep, laced with years of resentment. Joza watches as the meeting unravels, her frustration mounting as she realizes how deeply the village’s divisions have taken root.
Despite Hazra Zianna’s attempts to restore order, the meeting drags on, the initial purpose—discussing the growing threat of the Bandit King—almost lost in the cacophony of accusations and denials. It’s only when Rakra Jown⁶ of the Jyvin fanin speaks up that the room begins to quiet. His voice, calm but firm, cuts through the noise.
“Enough. We cannot afford this discord. We have received disturbing reports from the southern zannra9. Maran10⁸ and travelers alike are speaking of strange, unexplainable events. Zpirak11 that move of their own accord, caravans vanishing without a trace, and most concerning, a creeping ruhra12⁰ that seems to follow these occurrences.”
The room falls into a tense silence as the ankans13 and rakra digest this new information. The creeping ruhra is something new, something that has no immediate explanation. The reports describe a wasting illness that saps the strength of those it touches, leaving them weak and disoriented. It spreads through the camp like zanra, but there’s no clear source—no sign of poison, no visible wounds. Some say it’s the zannra itself, turning against them. Others whisper that it’s the work of an unseen force, something that can’t be fought with swords or spears.
Rakra Zarin nods, regaining his composure. “We must prepare for all possibilities. Fykta14 Joza, I expect you to lead a patrol tonight, further beyond our normal routes. The Bandit King’s presence grows nearer, and we need to be vigilant. Keep an eye out for anything unusual—whether it’s the Bandit King, this so-called zetra, or... something else.”
Joza steps forward, her earlier outburst from the Karnok meeting still fresh in her mind, but she speaks with the confidence of someone who knows what needs to be done. “I’ll see it done. We can’t let our guard down, not now.”
As the meeting concludes, the tensions remain palpable. The murmurs continue even as the ankans and rakra disperse, with the members of the Tafai and Karnok fanins still quietly arguing as they leave the chamber. The rift between them, once a simmering undercurrent, now threatens to widen into a chasm.
I want to stick to our Principles to Begin and End With The Fiction. That said we'll do our outro here. If you haven't already please take the time to check out
and his current Proper Villains Game. He is a constant inspiration. Please don't hesitate to drop a comment with your questions, concerns, theories, thoughts, or suggestions. I absolutely love hearing how others might do things.There Are some amazing new faces on the Stack please check out
. A newer member of the community.If you don’t know long time creator
has also joined the stack recently. Don’t hesitate to go show him some love as he brings his insights to our little slice of inter webs.If you havent had the pleasure of reading
please do. His storytelling is phenomenal.Also
has a new game out, not my sort of game to play but a concept I know others would be enamored with, if you don't know the Lone Toad you are missing out.Lastly I would like to give a shout to
and . Thog is newer from what I can see but he has a bunch of thoughts on solo, Ttrpgs and also has actual plays to enjoy as well. is the writer for PWM and is in process of creating a setting inspired by ’s Kal-Arath setting . I’m looking forward to see how far he deviates from Castle’s original design. Since I’ve been hacking away at this game system I thought it appropriate to highlight designers this week.Alright before we wrap things up let's talk about the setup for this patrol. We know that we will face Dissent In The Ranks. Our party will have a short opportunity to prepare here. As we are utilizing Fast Fantasy I will be using Rad’s Cunning to kick things off. He will us his cunning…
To reveal a previous plot.
If you remember this is something he can do and he will take Zaj along. He will reach out to Jyrak Veyr and Nera of the Jehvra and Yvin Fanin’s respectively. Each sending agents of theirs along. Veyr having to call a favor in from the Tafai family.
A note on Family dynamics. I think due to the nature of PBTA games requiring names for all NPCs. And the nature of the village being families with tight ties. I do think I will have to write up a more detailed post specifically for those connections. That said the Tafai and Jyvin Clans (I think this will help with differentiating branches from main Families) while not defined by their fighters do have them amongst their ranks.We will go over who is sent on this patrol next week. Rad’s Plot to consult with these family heads is only part one of his scheme we will determine why these agents specifically in the narrative. That’ll wrap it up and lead us straight into Session 1. Thank you as always for reading the Bone Brew. Enjoy the rest of the story.
Later that evening, the atmosphere in the public house is heavy with the weight of the day’s events. Rad, Zaj, and Joza sit together, their drinks untouched as they mull over the information they’ve gathered.
“The Bandit King,” Rad says, breaking the silence. “His name is Qadir. His crest is an Eft Coiled About A Broken Shield . The merchants are terrified—he’s closer than we thought.”
He leans in slightly, his voice low as he glances around the room. “So, it’s not just the Bandit King we have to worry about now. A zetra, a creeping ruhra, and zpirak that move on their own? Things just keep getting better.”
Zaj nods thoughtfully, their fingers tracing the rim of their cup. “The omens have been troubling. I’ve sensed something stirring, something that feels... wrong. Nia told me the omens in the pyre house aren’t just our imaginations. They’re warnings—of war, of death. The spirits are restless. But the zetra, that is a danger we cannot afford to ignore.”
Joza, her jaw set in frustration, looks between them. “They’re too focused on old grudges to see the real danger. The Bandit King isn’t waiting for us to get our act together. And if this ruhra is real, we’ll have even bigger problems. But I’m going out there tonight. I won’t wait for this threat to come to our doorstep.”
Rad smirks, lifting his drink. “And you’re not going alone. I can’t let you have all the fun, now can I?”
Zaj offers a rare smile, though their eyes are serious. “If something is out there, it’s better that we face it together. We need to be prepared for whatever we might find.”
They raised their glasses but not in toast but a quiet assent. Each of them knew the other well, and their clans better. It was going to be a long night.
The desert wind howled around her as Joza pushed herself up from the sand, her memory still hazy. She remembered setting out with Zaj and Rad. Each of their Fanin sending a representative. Marik of the Thofyr Tafai traka, Talia of the Jehvra Jyvin traka, and sent by the Karnok fanin, Davi, Yara, Eran and Thon. She remembered Davi’s face and the flash of anger when he saw Marik. The click of Talia’s Tongue and the already exhausted look in Zaj’s eye.
Yet she couldn’t remember how she ended up buried, but the fury that burned within her offered no room for fear. She knew only that she had to find Zaj and Rad,and to finish what they started. She edged closer to the dune crest gripping her axe tightly. She quieted the storm in her veins, and let it roll like distant thunder in her lungs. She readied herself for the worse.
Oru- Community, Circle
Fanin- Family, clan.
Rakra- Head, leader of a family or group.
Fakra- Honorific for warriors or those who defend the community
Hazra- Honorific for those who have established a household or have significant social influence
Trakra- Branch, a subdivision of a larger family or clan
Fean- Feud, ongoing conflict, often between families
Zetra- Traitor, someone who betrays trust, loyalty or Curses, harmful words or spells meant to cause distress.
Zannra- Sand, also used metaphorically to mean something spreading uncontrollably
Maran- Merchants, traders who deal in goods
Zpirak- Spirits, unseen forces or entities often believed to influence the world.
Ruhra- Sickness, illness or plague that spreads through a community.
Ankans-Elders, respected leaders
Fykta- Honorific for warriors or those who defend the community
This is a great start. I think starting and ending with the fiction really helps get the reader into the world.
Thank you so much for the shoutout!