Rivals and Consequence
Ysdelfer
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This week
Things get messy at the Union hall as the Cult of Rhomox and a number of Lodges come to a head.
«First Session <Previous Session | Next Session> Last session»
Story::002
A bit of an overview of game flow and mechanics. Really quickly for those who need a refresher. After each scene we test our expectations of the next scene. And since our last Scene wasn't exactly something that our characters had any real control over(they were summoned and you don't deny the call) we bumped up our Chaos Factor(CF) to 6.
CF::6
Scene::Interrupt 🎲 scene
Focus::Ambiguous 🎲 even
Meaning::Dispute 🎲 exterior
Originally we were going to head to the hall and get news about the cult.However it looks like The meeting is being disrupted. I am going to presume this is the cult.
Is the cult preaching to the masses? 11 🎲 Yes
Obstructing the union from entering? 12 🎲 Yes
Are there members from the original lodge encounter here? 13 🎲 Yes
Half lodge converted? 16 Yes 5 men d12<? 13 🎲 Yes-move towards a thread [group Revenge.]( rival lodge) Misuse 🎲 emotion
So the interpretation I have of the rolls thus far is the original lodge the cult ran into is present. They are also a lodge that we have run into before. It is asking us to move towards a thread as well. Last time we rolled up the group Revenge we didn't nail down exactly why they are rivals but I guess this is a good time to find out.
Let's roll up some names really quickly I'll say that we know two of them by name specifically.
Rival leader Xhanes
Second in command Llarri
Rather fun names. So Xhanes and Llarri are members of the Old Vyhya lodge.
Did we run them out of business? 14 🎲 yes.
I take this all to mean that they will try to find the opportunity in this. And even better if they can don't how cause problems for Initor Lodge. This might be a tough one.
The sun was setting as we reached the foot of the Karst the Grand hall set upon, the path blocked by a large crowd. The desert heat had long since dissolved into a dull comfortable warmth that could easily lull you to sleep if you weren't careful and yet the throng of Ysdelfers hummed with excitement.
As we approached, it became apparent that a sermon was taking place. The voice of the high priestess of the Cult of Rhomox echoed off the Karst stone with an reverberating hum, captivating the gathered Ysdelfers. She stood on a makeshift stage, her luminous robes billowing in the evening breeze as she swayed with ethereal grace. Two figures at her side and a small throng of her own at her back. I looked at Bo and Ahkom, we knew what battle lines looked like and this felt eerily like one.
“The old waters are sacred and hold great power and knowledge!" she exclaimed, her voice echoed across the crowd. "But your Union dares defile them with your greed!” She pointed a gnarled finger at the crowd. “Only we know the truth, the Rhomox Provides. Behold,” she waved a hand and five members of Vyhya Lodge stepped forward.”You may not heed my words, hear from your brothers!”
As they began to speak Mah'r clicked her tongue and gave Betroode a hand signal. A flash of disgust just barely visible across her face.
“Let's get ourselves away from this pack of mudskins,” Betroode said, “ Bo, Sedrah you know the drill. Ahkom with me,” he stopped and gave me a look then turned back to Mah'r, “You positive you want the runt?”
She simply smiled,”Vauwa, will be fine Roo. Besides you all got to spend so much time with him. It's my turn. Now, go.” She said shooing Betroode away and wrapping her arm around my neck.
I tried to crane my neck to see where the others were going but lost them as Mah'r pulled us into the crowd.
I expected we would have to force our way through. But Mah'r slammed the but of her axe into the sand announcing her arrival. With hushed whispers the crowd slowly parted.
I whispered,”Popular aren't you?”
She nodded,”Our lodge is small but we hold one of the largest ys fields of the Lodges. That offers us a bit of pull and respect.”
I snorted this was far more than respect. It was near reverence. We stopped at the front and the relaxed and jovial leader I'd come to love and respect over the last few months was no longer at my side. Beside me was Initor’s Titan. Her eyes were hard, focused, and she seemed to grow three heads taller. The air about us hummed with power and rage.
“You are in the way, move. Or be moved.” She said flatly
A man from another lodge tried to intervene, “Let's hea…”
The flat of her axe met the front of his face in a swift and thunderous crack. A few of his fellows began to draw weapons when an arrow sunk into the the ground at their feet. The fletching was none other than Sedrah's.
I followed the arrow to the top of the Karst where she and Bo sat keeping watch. I nodded my thanks and gave the bloody nosed Ysdelfer my best death glare. I'm sure it didn't matter because what followed sent shivers down my spine.
“You all have forgotten who we are and what we do!” She roared.As she wheeled around to face the members of Vyhya lodge and the Cult.
“We do not ask for permission for what we have inherited. It is our birthright these sands. I'll be damned if I let some fanatic and a bunch of brackwater Delvers tell me otherwise!” She spat at the ground.
“And you lot have the audacity to show your faces, Xhanes, Llarri,” She turned back to the crowd, “And you! You are worst for heeding these oathbreakers! Or have we forgotten they led four Lodges to their doom! Four! These are the converts these zealots claim, oathbreakers, liars, and kin slayers.” I winced at her final words as I tried to stuff down old memories. The Lodge took me in and didn't ask questions. It'd been two months and not once had anyone cares to ask me why I was wandering the Aamsk. My heart raced at the thought of it.
The crowd was quiet I could see many of our Union brothers and sisters could not meet her gaze or refute her challenge. She stood in silence for a time her eyes daring any to defy her, none did. I could barely meet her gaze. She turned back around and stepped closer gripping her axe tight.
“I say again move, or be moved.”
Alright so we are going to drop out of the narrative here a second and talk about some things. I like to set a scene up and write until I feel like I'm getting somewhere. This sometimes leads me in directions I didn't expect.
Originally the interpretation I had for this rival lodge was it had something to do with Initor Lodge having caused problems for Vyhya. Maybe we put them out of business and there was animosity there or something along those lines. But this is looking like it might shape up to be a personal matter so I'm going to ask a Fate question.
Did Xhanes and Llarri's plans get one of Mah'r's Family killed? Odds:L(+1) 13 🎲 Yes
Though Vauwa is our perspective character all members of Initor Lodge are technically characters we can play and jump in and out of. That said a situation like this normally calls for a roll. Her intention is to intimidate and discredit those who have come forward.
Now lucky for me I created some traits already. Mah'r has a special type as the Leader of the lodge aptly named Leader 😂
Leader: Inspirational figure with a commanding presence, rallying allies and boosting morale.
Ability::Inspiring Aura - Your commanding presence inspires others, granting a +2 bonus to Siel-based Leadership checks.
Loot::Leadership Medallion - Symbol of authority and influence, providing a +1 bonus to Stof-based Leadership checks.
Mah'r qa Tytaan
Wounds::❤️❤️❤️
Siel|mind🔺::8(6)
Stof|body🔻::12(15)
Lifeform::Human +2 Stof, Blessed
Type:: Leader
Abilities::Adaptive Resilience, Inspiring Aura +2 Siel
Loot::Medallion +1 Stof
Equipment C|E:: ◽◽◽◽◽|▪️▫️▫️▫️
And 💥 💥 a quick character sheet for the leader of Initor Lodge. A note about her Lifeform you may notice she has the Blessed trait.
In our setting Giants don't exactly exist but instead all races and lineages have a chance to be blessed with titanism. Mah'r is one of those few blessed individuals. It's still a bit of a mystery but could be something fun to explore later.
That out of the way let's actually get to a roll. We will count this as a Siel based check and say she is using her inspiring Aura here so that's +2 to siel (in our case since siel is a roll under mechanic a plus is actually a minus I know somewhat confusing but you'll get it) And since she has invoked some rather heavy memories for her union brothers and sisters a circumstance bonus of +1 to Siel. So we need to roll above a 5.
Siel:: 1🎲3 = 4
which is a no. I have to be honest this is more of a surprise than I expected. So let's look back at our stats really quick.
Siel|mind🔺::8(6)
Now I originally thought that the critical success and failure would be based on our stats however. Failing on a 5 feels bad.So we fail on a 4 and as this is our first major roll for the game I think I'll take a que from some other games and be a fan of the characters here. We are going to call it a miss with a but modifier so we don't fail miserably and narratively this fits as Mah'r is the Leader of Initor Lodge. She should be able to pull this off to some degree.
So we get some of what we want but not everything. The Cult is unmoved and still has sway. Which is going to be exasperated further.
Xhanes was a Ysol man with scarred snout and left eye. He wore a Cult scarf about his head and he stood there eyeing Mah'r for a long time, his thin fur bristled with anger.So long even his left hand, Llarri the Ironreaver, was left shifting uncomfortably.
Yet, he relented with hands raised he stepped aside and with him the path to the Hall opened.
“The sands memory is long, Tytaan. We served our penance. And what glory can you claim but that of your forefathers, and a forgotten name? Called Blessed, says who?” Xhanes shouted up at us as we passed.
Mah'r's brow furrowed but she pushed on. Refusing to be egged on by Xhanes taunts.
Part of the crowd jeered and discontented murmurs rose. As they moved aside and let us pass, the cult made no move to disperse, and nearly a third of the Ysdelfers stayed behind.
It had been some time ago but our Union never fully recovered from the losses we took on the Hunt for the FrostFin. They said all that remained were the frozen shattered pieces. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The tension in the air was palpable, and it seemed like a storm was brewing. The cult's presence was only fueling the fire, their words already driving a wedge between us Ysdelfers.
As we reached the entrance of the Union hall, I turned back to look at the scene behind us. The cult members and their converts stood defiantly, their eyes filled with zeal. It reminded me of the the many battle lines I'd seen my own tribe in.
Mah'r's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Vauwa, stay close," she warned. “This won't be like any other meeting.”
The Grand Hall::003
Scene::003
We are rolling into the next scene here keeping in mind that the consequences of our last roll are heavily affecting this one. Our CF is going to go up as well.
Try to keep this short and simple.
CF::7
Scene::5 🎲 Expected scene
Focus::27 🎲 Npc action
Meaning:: 10 🎲 58 Bargain needs
Sometimes the dice make what's already in mind that much more concrete. This meeting was about what to do with the Cult. An emergency summons from the Grand Hall. Couple this with the actions of Mah'r and things are not looking in our parties favor.
The Hall was a cacophony of voices as people clamored to be heard and they talked over one another. More than once a few fights broke out even before the meeting started. Mah'r and I stood just on the edge of the hall stage.
She hadn't spoken since we entered but I followed her lead and kept my eyes open. There were Lodges from the far flung reaches of the Aamsk. Even the reclusive Oera Lodge- a Kleurvolle only Lodge and the only Lodge to operate on Lake Oermeer- Lodges whose crest I didn't recognize but were far older than the stitching of my own. The hall was ram packed full of Ysdelfers.
The ring of the Stone gong marked the arrival of Lysander Isolde, our Feysworn Baasheer- Headmaster- he wore thick greaves and pants his chest was bare and scarred his dark dragonfly wings flexing slowly as he stepped onto the stage. A small man but every scar was a tale of his prowess. The hall fell quiet as everyone snapped to attention.
“I need not go through the formalities this evening. We have pressing business.” His golden eyes scanned the hall. “The High Priestess of Rhomox has come knocking with a request to parley.” The hall exploded in murmurs and whispers. Lysander raised a hand, “I your, Baasheer have granted this request. Tonight we do so.”
I turned to look at Mah'r who stood with mixed expression. She was silent unlike the rest of the crowd. The head of Estal Lodge out of Ghost Pass shouted,“What is there to Parley? What can these radicals possibly give us?” Cries of hear, hear rose in agreement.
Lysander took a moment, “Tell me how deep you had to go for your last delve,Keaor? 10 days, 14? The deeper we go the longer it takes to bring things back. We don't have the man power or Ys fields big enough to sustain our markets. Until we can devise a way to shorten our transportation of Ys we can not afford to be caught on the back foot. These ‘radicals' claim another way, you bid me not to consider any alternatives?”
Keaor grumbled but fell silent. The Baasheer continued,”We open the doors to the Cult shortly. If any have any alternative speak now.”
Mah'r nudged me and leaned over and whispered in my ear,“You’re up, Vauwa.”
I stared at her stunned, I barely had time to react when she spoke up, “My rookie has an idea!” She clapped me on the back pushing me forward.
Mah'r is pushing Vauwa into a social fray here. And we are going to invoke Vauwa's Ashen ability Tactical Prowess here.
Tactical Prowess
They possess heightened situational awareness, tactical planning, and precision in combat, making them formidable strategists and guardians.
While this says combat we are going to count this social situation as a conflict. Vauwa is young and new to the Lodge however there is plenty he has been keeping an eye out for. This is going to be a roll to see if we can possibly sway things back in our favor before the Cult enters the meeting. Our Tactical Prowess will give us a +1 to Siel to we must roll above a 6.
Siel:: 2🎲6=8
That is a yes! We will see how this plays out in the fiction.
I stood there silently for a second and thought all that was said and all I heard. The cult wanted us to stop with the delve and somehow had converted several members of Vyhya Lodge already and others were listening to them intently outside. The Baasheer was no fool and had a duty to keep the Ys trade alive. The options that were going to lead to open conflict were many and honestly accepting the parley made sense. We needed to hear what they offered in place of us stopping our delves. I stood tall and began, “Forgive my presumption, Baasheer. But, it would seem our issue of going deeper would not be solved even if we parley. If they can not offer a solution to continue our inheritance then I have one alternative that comes to mind.”
I let more words sit in the air for a bit. I wasn't sure if this was going to work but Mah'r pushed me forward for a reason. Hopefully the next thing I said wasn't going to cause issues,” Initor Lodge has one of the biggest Ys fields. In good faith we can offer 15 parcels to 5 other lodges. If each lodge with Ys holdings our size or larger did the same we could continue our Ys production. All other delves deeper than 5 days will be accompanied by one of the Cult. This alone can allow us to keep an eye on the cult and offer them what they want.”
The Baasheer stood in silence for a long time some of the larger lodges were in an up roar. This was a solution that required people to relinquish claims they'd worked hard for. But it was also one that kept us out of open conflict. Which is what I assumed the Baasheer was after with this parley.
He nodded slowly and clapped his hands silencing the room, “I hear complaints but no alternatives. The young one has foresight. I like that. If no one else can offer anything else then we proceed.”
The doors flung open and the cult filed into the hall, the Converted Vyhya lodge and their fellows followed in tow. The high priestess Dahbia took the stage with Lysander and the parley began.
The Baasheer presented his terms and Dahbia presented hers. Their demands were steep they wanted nearly half of all lodges shut down and all delves put to an immediate halt. That was obviously not going to happen. But the discussions were fierce with multiple breaks to calm tensions and nerves. During one of which Ahkom found me, “You are a bold one young Vauwa. I see why Mah'r took you with her.”
I stood over looking the sands replaying the smile Mah'r gave me, “I’m not certain it was the right call.”
“Betroode, and Myself owe Mah'r more than our lives. We would follow her into the belly of the Rhomox if need be.” He trailed off,“You, on the other hand you… you bring out something in her.”
“Something good I hope.” I said.
“She,feels different but, you are the expert of the soul and wisp. I am but a simple physician. But to offer our Ys fields not something any one of us would have come to. I commend you young Vauwa.” He gave me a traditional Ashen bow and returned inside. Leaving me with my thoughts.
It took nearly till high halo for the parley to come to an end. Yet we came to a final agreement. The Cult would supply 2 barrels per parcel of what they called ember water for every Lodge that took parcel agreements. Totaling In the amount of nearly 50 lodges having to relocate. But it also meant we could finally study this Ember water. We also agreed upon each lodge hosting a Rhomox Liaison. The Liaison would accompany any delves that would take longer than 10 days.
Our lodge stood in the after math of it all staring at one another.
Final roll of the session. This will be a fate question as Mah'r and Initor Lodge caused a bit of turmoil for this parley I want to know if we had to take a heavier hit as retribution and a show of restitution to the Cult. Because I'm sure the members of Vyhya didn't let that slide.
Did we have to give away more than 15 parcels? 10 🎲 8+CF(2)=20 exceptional yes!
Oof 😅😣 that's rough.
I'm going to roll a d20 to see how.much more.18 🎲+15=33
We will call it an even 30 so double what the other lodges had, including the much bigger lodges. Let's play this out in the fiction.
I couldn't help but feel the guilt rip into my gut. The final verdict and terms of the parley ringing in my ear. “Thirty Parcels from Initor Lodge or they walk.” I said out loud.
Sedrah put a hand on my shoulder, “That was Xhanes and Llarri, no doubt about it.”
“I'm sorry, I didn't know…” I started but Mah'r stopped me.
“It wasn't your fault you made the right call. Those two simply played the situation. They might try to revive their lodge they might just be doing it to get under my skin. Doesn't matter, we walked away from this fairly unscathed.”
She gave me that same unreadable smile. Tapped the but of her axe on the sands and motioned for us to begin heading home.
Next week
We will see what the future holds next week. As we continue to learn more about the mysterious world of the Ysdelfers.
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