Eat, Drink, and LVL-UP!
L.o.S-Se#0007
Well, hello, hello, hello.🙋🏾♂️👋🏾 My fellow Inkmasters! I think I like that one best. Inkmasters assuming those of you who read/listen are players, DM's, worldbuilders, and writers in your own right.
Thank Grog… it's Game Day!
Welcome to another installment of Ink n Bones: Lament of Severance. As always glad to have you back for the ride. Please smash that Subscribe button if you aren't already an Inkmaster for your next Exceptional Yes!
Biggest help you could offer this small endeavor of ours is to Give us a Share!
If you missed last week's session you can read or listen. But let's recap last week.
Previously….
Jilna, and Kal fought their way out of the dream they'd been pulled into by Rhova the Seer of the Ravens Sumner. Their battle with the Flayer was not one they came away from unscathed. Kal took damage from being marked. As such as we are headed back to the real world, we are going to have to ask whether Kal comes back with mental or physical scars or both. We can come back to that after we level up during our set-up. Let’s do this!
Lvl-1
We gained a level which is always exciting! What does this mean exactly for us? Well, we get to increase our skills, or train in a new one. We gain our prime class ability at Lvl-1 as well. Class abilities follow some of the same tropes as tradition DnD, but because we are using Mythic and I have been enjoying exploring several systems as of late. Namely ICRPG, that said we will be moving away from Tango (although we are keeping the die step at the core of its rules) and be utilizing ICRPG by Runehammer games to flesh out our characters at Lvl-1.
Before we dive into the nitty gritty of all this, I would like to stress that I am hacking together several systems to make the game that I enjoy playing most. I will not be using the ICRPG system wholesale (although it is tempting and in time, I may end up doing so.) This is because at the core of Ink n Bones my Inkmasters is Homebrew. This is hopefully encouragement to try things out. That you do not have to follow any set of strict rules, that as a soloist you can scrap what you are working on and continue to play your game without issue. Keep this in mind as we move forward because there are some things that may not translate and that we may make up on the fly as we move forward.
Kal
Normally I would say ladies first, but Kal has a lot we need to talk about. Firstly, there are no ‘Druids’ in ICRPG, hell there are no druids in Mythic for that matter or Tango. But we digress,(thinking back might not have been the best decision), Kalzusiss the Orc of the Elav people does not have an equivalent Class/type in ICRPG. But there are a few that stick out the Hunter, the priest, and the Echo. While technically from different settings we will use these as a base to build our Template for the Druid Type following the ICRPG format. Druids are known for being able to change shape, speak with animals/nature, and harness elemental energy.
DRUID» A vessel of nature’s wrath and might
STARTING ABILITY (Choose 1)
ALTERED FORM: Change your shape into that of a monster, your rank or lower.
COMMUNE: Your disposition towards animals/plants is always Favorable (+2 RS)
CHANNEL: When you cast elemental Magics you may add a d4 to the roll from any near source.
These I think are good starting abilities and stay in line with the ICRPG format. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Now I could choose, or I could roll for this. But we will need to determine two other things. What Magic we get access to, and what skills will we be increasing? We currently only have access to two of them. As we are a Druid, we get Magic for free at Lvl-1, and that is either going to be the Scholar or Arts skill, and we already have access to the scholar skill, so it makes sense to boost our Scholarly ability instead of training another skill or upping our athletics.
SKILLS
Athletics|d6
Scholar|d4»d6
Speaking of Magic. When we first started out, we asked what kind of Magic, if any, Kal had access to, and rolled War. Now that we are using ICRPG I’ll be using the Spell burn mechanic to run spells in our game. But we are sticking to the idea of free form magic and will be using Abenteuerspiel! A! for short, as a supplement for our Magic. First, we will go back and roll the on our homemade Spheres then we will use A! to determine our first ritual/spell.
Sphere: d12|1» Alteration
Ritual: 2d6|6,5» Spawn beast | Destroy Idol (ac)
Sometimes the dice are your friend they like you and are more than happy to Assist in telling your story lol!
Welp that makes it a bit clear for us as to what ability we are going to use. It is fair to say from an optimization standpoint that Commune is a solid choice.
COMMUNE: Your disposition towards animals/plants is always Favorable (+2 RS)
Spawn Beast is such a solid ritual to grab. Alteration is going to determine how we go about describing and the boundaries of our spell. You might be wondering does this mean we only get this one spell. Technically yes, and no. We also gain access to its opposite which will be much more difficult for us to cast. But Spawn Beast gives way to Destroy Idol. I’m just using the antonym of the words given to let us know what two freeform rituals we have starting out. As we progress through the story and level further, we will go into how we will specialize in these things more heavily.
Atliss
Some of you may be wondering if our companion will be levelling with us and the answer is unfortunately no as Atliss was not a part of the dream instance.
This does conclude our Leveling of Kal however and we are looking thusly.
Kalzussis
Lvl-1 Druid
Ability: Commune Your disposition towards animals/plants is always Favorable (+2 RS)
Skills: Athletics-d6 | Scholar-d6 (Alteration)
Ritual: Spawn Beast | Destroy Idol[ac]
Equipment: Kanabo | Field Medic Kit
With that we can jump to levelling Jil!
Jil
Jilna is supposed to be a Tinker which again there is no direct analog for in our reference material. This is perfectly fine as there are plenty that we can pull from Warp Shell character types within ICRPG. When I think about a Tinker I think of someone who is mechanically inclined, whether they dabble in magic consciously or whether they simply hone their craft to such a degree that what they make is magical; is a moot point. But I think that should be the starting point of for us. Ask whether or not she is or has access to magic. Magic I think is likely I don’t think it is conscious though. Lets go ask our Oracle.
Does Jilna Create Magic Things? Likely(+2)» 2d10+2| 2,6+2» No
Kinda makes me sad. But this leads to another question.
Does Jilna use Magic at all? 2d10|10,1» Yes
Interesting so we will say on an 11+ she studies it like one would science or engineering. On a 10- she can only modify already crafted items like a junkyard mechanic.
2d10| 9,7» Engineer.
Why ask if the magic is studied like that of an engineer or whether it is more like a junkyard mechanics understanding. Namely it helps flavor and guide decision making as we think about what types to pull from to build our ability template for the Tinker. So this as our base we will come back to magic. So put a pin in that and let's look at what types we can pull from. I'm looking at the Scientist, the Navigator and the Mechanic. Since our Tinker studies magic I'm thinking they most likely enchanting weapons and the like since they don't craft it themselves.
TINKER» An astute study of molding the arcane.
STARTING ABILITY (Choose 1)
Appraise: You may Id the the attributes of any item with a Scrunity roll.
Rive: with a Scrunity roll reduce any defense by 1RS
Exalt: +2RS to any non magical item,+1 to any magic item.
🤔 Hmmm I'm hoping that the Scrunity fits this well. But I think these are some solid abilities to make our Tinker. But we will put another pin here and jump back to skills because it has to do with our magic. We normally get to level one of our skills and since we get magic for free wee need to choose whether we are going Arts or Scholar for our Magic skill.
SKILLS
Acrobatics|d4
Fast Talk|d4
Scrutinize|
d4»d6**NEW** Arts|d4
Why Arts? Because I want more variety lol that's why. But as you can see our great amazing Jilna has way more skills than Kal does. This many skills is also determinant of how much vitality she has. I know a little weird. But as we gain skills and level them you can think of it as gaining health. Think of each skill as having five ranks. As you take damage you lose a rank in a skill. When all your skills are reduced to their lowest you are unconscious. The more skills you have the more chances you have a survival so to speak. So Jilna is a bit healthier than Kal is. Now we roll up our Magic Sphere and ritual knowing Arts is our skill for Magic. Spheres then rituals, let's see how it shakes out.
Sphere: d12|8» Telekinesis
Ritual: 2d6|6,5» Hasten Light | Delay heavy (ac)
Well these are some highly interesting rolls. So Jilna is a Tinker with a focus on Telekinetics. Her rituals offer some thoughts on speed and gravity as well oh boy this could be really really interesting for our characters. So that begs the question what is the best ability to choose?
Rive: with a Scrunity roll reduce any defense by 1RS
I think we'll say that Jilna will probably use her ability to enchant things as a debuff of sorts to make her floating weapons hit their mark. But I think we can wrap up Jilna's Lvl up.
Jilna
Lvl-1 Tinker
Ability: Rive-with a Scrunity roll reduce any defense by 1RS
Skills: Acrobatics-d4 | Arts-d4 (Telekinesis) | Scrutinize-d6 | Fast Talk-d4
Ritual: Hasten Light | Delay Heavy[ac]
Equipment:
?Diviner’s Crozier | Trackers Kit
Something we never confirmed was what Jilna's weapon actually was. Whether it real was a spear or not. The current level context at our disposal I think we could easily come up with something as we wrap up our levels.
Maybe it is closer to a measuring device. Maybe something like a thermometer. Or maybe it's like a giant crochet needle for magic lol 🤣 I kind of like that idea. Let's roll. 11+ crochet needle on 10- a thermometer of sorts.
Crochet needle? 2d10» 4,1» Thermometer
Odd but something we can work with as it's like an arcane antenna or dowsing wand. Looking pretty good I think. This will conclude our level up of our characters! That out of the way we can dive into our setup for this week.
Setup
Firstly let's touch on the damage done to Kal. We said these could be mental, emotional and/or physical scars he brings back to the material. Let's consult our Oracle.
Did Kal bring back scars? Very likely(+4)» 2d10+4| 9,6+4» yes
Physical? Likely(+2)»2d10+2| 1,4+2» no
Mental? 2d10| 10,8 » yes
Emotional? Sure thing(+6)»2d10+6| 7,3+6» yes
While didn't come back with anything visibly wrong with him emotionally and mentally he took some heavy blows. So we are going to run to Mythic Magazine #14 to roll on the fulfillment issues chart.
Issue: d100| 69» Pain
I’ll interpret this to mean that Kal has a flaw/phobia around falling asleep now. He will suffer from insomnia due to this from time to time. We’ll say that it's a d8 contested roll he will need to make when he beds down. Rough but I think it'll add some depth to our character as we play. We are here to explore something other than ourselves are we not?
All of this was to induct Kal for Jilna's own selfish reasons. She is a member of the lodge that hasn't been able to make a name for herself and this was her first step in doing so. Inducting a new member was a way of shoring up her lack of completed hunts. Rhova the Raven Slumbers seer did not hesitate nor give warning as to what was about to happen. We could start directly from where we left off but let's assume that the induction went well and that Kal and Jil have been given lodging for the evening. Kal isn't to happy with Jilna. We do have some things to keep in mind.
Threads
Meet the Master of the Hunt
Shape the Iiappa Branch
Investigate Mindsrel and the Howlers in Bosoms Alley
But to start this session off let's roll up a random event to get the imagination fuel going.
Random Event 2d100| 39,75» Bestow Military.
This isn’t as hard or as far a stretch. Easy enough to interpret we will say this is the final stage of the induction. Where we get to talk to the Master of the Hunt. Let's us try to tackle two of our three Threads.
So here is our setup for this week's session. A feast, one held essentially every night after all the hauls are brought in and divvied up for the evening. It is here new inductees are honored and given their standard issue kit. That in mind let's jump into the story.
Eat, Drink and make Legendary
The Ravens Slumber clamored with the cacophony of returned hunters and trackers. Few came in empty handed and those with no haul brought news and opportunity for more coin and glory. The code of the Slumber, Obligation before what you are due. You are obligated to hunt, you’ve no right to return until you fulfill your obligation.
Jilna sat with Rhova in a booth on the second floor over looking the festivities.
“You could have said something.” Jil started.
“Not how it works, pup.” Rhova retorted, she took a swig of her mead. “He was tested as you were. Not my fault you didn't tell him.”
Jilna clicked her tongue and gave Rhova an annoyed look. “Not like Sruxi told me. What was was that about any way?”
“What?”
“The dream, she was there. I was her?”
“You are what you precieved yourself to be. That I can not control.” Rhova said. Her gaze fell on Kal who sat alone amongst the crowd. “Do you know why it's always that monster?”
“The Flayer?”
Rhova nodded, “We are a house of hunters. It is important we understand the difference.”
Jilna found herself leaning in, “The difference?”
“Between the hunter and the hunted,” Rhova took a long sip from tankard and paused in what looked contemplation, “Fear. Is all the difference, respect for the fear we strike into the heart of our prey. To be on the other end of that…to have your fear completely disregarded…” she paused again,”that is a true test of ones character.”
Jilna followed Rhova's gaze to Kal. “It’s only a year he’ll be fine, right?”
The Lodge would have been exciting and a reminder of home if Kalzussis want’t so put off by the last few hours. He sat at a table alone in the middle of the excitement. An aire of gloom clung to him like black pudding.
He normally would have found himself somewhere secluded to be, but he couldn't bare to be alone right now. He went to take a sip of a bone dry tankard for the fourth time, trying to keep his mind off the dream. He'd awoken grabbing at his arms and chest sure he was still wounded. Even when then adrenaline wore off he could feel the phantom pain radiate down his spine.
As if on cue, the room fell quiet as the barkeep slammed his hand-polished mug against the chopped wall behind him. One time for each new member once, and a second time.1 He held his hand high as if to strike a third time.
“Two. Two, souls come to the lodge this day! Two souls seek to take the oath, may they step forward. The Master will see you now.”
Sitting at the table in front of Kal an ebon feathered bird folk stood up. The gentle rattle of bone and wood accompanied every step. Trophies or trinkets it was hard to tell, a stark contrast to the well tailored leather armor that wore. Kal followed them with his eyes still contemplating whether he should just walk out.
“You're getting up?” Jilna asked
He shook his head. He still want’t fond of this. Good new found connection to that halfling woman.
“Get over yourself. You want to meet him or no? Then move your ass.”
Kal shook his head and his eyes immediately found Jilna on the second floor. He clicked his tongue stood and followed the birdfolk.
“This Permanent?” Kal asked
“Of course not, there is a range limit.”
Kal breathed an audible sigh of relief, “I heard that!”
Kal shook his head again, “leave me be half woman.”
He could feel her presence like he could feel the heat in the roo, a constant awareness.
But she stopped thinking at him for the time being. He brought his attention back to the ceremony.
He came down the stairs at near half giant height. One set of arms folded really across his chest the other set shook hands in greeting. The Master of the Hunt, Rayvn Strongcleaver. His carapace was a beautiful iridescent indigo. His large faceted eyes took in everything falling on his new recruits.
Kal could feel him at the corner of his mind the same way he could Jilna. This time not due to any connection but the sheer magnitude of pressure coming from him. He wasn't just a better hunter, no he was a warrior.
“Welcome!”
“… this I know and vow.”
They ended their oath and the Slumber erupted into a roar. A number of veterans and journeymen offered their congratulations. A few were already vying to hear about their trial. Kal did his best to be cordial as he found his way to the Master of the Hunt.
He'd let the birdfolk take that heat. He needed answers, he caught the Master at the foot of the steps.
“Master, I have to talk to you.” He said
Next week…
This is where we will leave it for this week. This one was longer than the last few that we have had. If you prefer this longer format let me know by smashing that sub button, and dropping a comment below.
Something I made no mention of but came up with whole working was that Kal and Jil have a Telepathic bond now. This is due to the induction, part ritual, part test. This was some thing I determined in the fly because I knew that they needed to be bonded as per our previous session rolls. Might have thrown you off 😆
I thought we might get through some more action packed things but I think this is a good place to start up next week. We can jump in right at the pivotal asking point. I would like to get some feed back so there is a poll. This will let us know what we’ll focus on. I think they can be interesting choices what do you think?
Inkyard Fellowship
As always Thank you again for being part of the Inkyard. I like to end things by giving you other people to check out when you need to scratch that itch. I figure since this one was so long why not make this list a bit longer today. None of these are paid just dope people and content.
Our game is fueled by the following.
What I'm currently consuming.
Hopefully you find something you really like and enjoy remember to share, share, share! Thanks again for your support! don't hesitate to drop a comment 👇👇👇👇
D4»2