Sacraments and Request pt.2
L.o.S Se#002
Well hello hello hello.
Thank God it's Game Day!
Welcome to another installment of Ink n Bones: Lament of Severance. As always happy to have you here along for the ride in this solo Campaign. If you aren't a member of the Inkyard smash that sub button for your next exceptional yes. Already a fan and loving what we are doing here please by all means share this with a friend. You may notice there is no audio this week, no excuse save life. Appreciate you working with me, in the market for better audio as we speak.
A quick announcement! If you are interested in supporting me further go check out my game Markitect which I recently designed for the Lone Wolf game jam! It is an effort to increase my own practice as an artist, in a fun and imaginative way. What better way to do so than by injecting a bit of table top into your drawing? Designed to be played solo I have been thinking about refining the game further for group play, if there is interest. Thanks as always for your support. Now back to the action.
Previously…
Last we left our young orc friend Kal he finished talking to the Sanctuary Iiappa. Now something I'm not sure was clear last time around was the fact that Kal was not deemed worthy. Remember that Rongar said if she seemed it so. Based on the rolls we got, Kal was not worthy. The motive of the Iiappa was to agonize vigilance. I interpret this to mean that they are wary and cautious they agonize over giving to people. It is not an easy choice as such they are vigilant about doing so.
This along with the failed roll to persuade, even with the shift of the sacrament, it garnered us a random event that caused us to get the following. Npc negative attract joy.
I thought about this and it made me think of a curse. This child walks in demanding power knowing nothing about the world. That would not be freely given as he has no good intentions for it. They are all selfish as the Iiappa sees it. Well fine I will give you something that you might think a curse. So with that in mind this scarred limb is not something that will be seen as an initial boon to our character Kal. I wanted to make sure I cleared that up and got that thought process out of the way before we move forward. What it's 'appropriate' form will be, that is to yet be seen and we will determine through play.
That out of the way I think it's time we dive into today's game.
The Request
Rongar stepped back and nodded. "That will have to do,for the time being. My thanks once again."
He stood outside the chantry doors of Helm and Itar looking over the now faded graffiti.1 The Acolytes2 carried the stained rags and buckets of water away with muttered words of encouragement. The concern written across their face.
Kal made his way into the courtyard idly following his companion as he pondered the words of the Iiappa.
“By the gods!”
A scream pulled him from his thoughts. The clatter and splash of a ruddy bucket nearly causing him to jump. On the ground one of the grey clad acolytes he’d seen earlier. In his absentmindedness he’d found his way to that same Hall.
“Apologies, friend!” Kal said as he tugged on Atliss tusk with a sharp whistle.
Atliss sat on his haunches and nudged the bucket towards Kal.
The poor kid just scurried back on his ass his eyes wide.3
“He is far gentler than he looks. Let me-”
“Young Elav,” Rongar stood over the shoulder of the Acolyte. “I see you are making friends already.” He gave a smile as he helped the Acolyte up and sent him on his way.
He kneeled took a rag an began to wipe the spill4, handing the other to Kal. They cleaned silently at first. When the rings of iron hit Kal's nose.
And we are going to break the narrative and talk about this footnote here. Because oh man is it kinda of huge. My interpretation of this is that this ruddy dirt water isn't just any old ruddy dirt water. Based on our roll of an Exceptional No and our detail check of Favors Thread. I am going to interpret this result as the following; this is blood! This will get us right into the action and leaves us with questions. Now blood is kind of cliche but we will be consulting the GME as the story develops to turn this trope on it's head.
“I see you’ve noticed.” Rongar5 said matter of fact, his tone was grave. “That request I have of you, I think it’s time we talked.” His voiced dropped to a near whisper.
Rongar paused to wring out his rag. Kal could see it clearly now, this wasn't paint. His stomach knotted at the thought.
“You think the Howler instigates this?” Kal asked.
“He spends his near every waking moment orating outside our gates. It would not surprise me any if that were the case. However, he has never stepped foot past our threshold.” Rongar clicked his tongue in quiet frustration and continued, “I think it may be someone else. Regardless, an outside pair of eyes on this problem would be much appreciated.”
Kalzussis stopped cleaning for a second. He wasn't fond of offering favors freely on the one hand, on the other there was no better time to learn more about this place than when they were already in need of assistance. “What would you do with those responsible?” He asked.
“That is not for me to decide, I am simply The Keeper of the Sanctuary. We strive to be impartial to the ways of others faith.” Rongar said.
“…and if it’s the Howler?” Kal asked pointedly?
Rongar scoffed, “Am I so obvious?”
Kal shrugged, “One can be but so kind, no?”6
Rongars face darkened and the perpetual warmth in his eyes grew hard. “If it be the Howler, I pray only take his voice. For what is a Howler without a voice.” The smile that split his face was unsettled Kal. “Either way, whoever is behind this I would appreciate you bringing them to me, or garnering some semblance of a cease and desist.
Kal nodded, “I’ll see what I can do. I offer no promises, only assistance. In so much that you can also point me in the right direction?”
“ You can find the Howler in Bosoms Alley-” Rongar began.
“No, this,” Kal pulled the scarred limb7 of the Iiappa from his pack,”I was told the Master of the Hunt8 could help me?” Kal said.
Rongar looked at him perplexed.
Kal sighed and thought about what the Iiappa said.
“What about the Ravens Slumber9? Does that mean anything to you?”
“Ah, yes! The Hunters Lodge in Hooves Rest. Not sure what need you would have visiting the lodge. It is…” Rongar trailed off for a second as he thought. “I'm not sure members of your clan would be comfortable within its walls.” His tone was measured as if he were trying to be delicate.
“Can you give me directions? You do that, and you can count us rooted.” Kal said offering a forearm.
Rongar stared at him for a long time before taking his hand. “Bosoms Alley, is a pleasure district and finds itself on the border of Hooves rest. For good reason, fighting men, merchants, and nobles all find their way through Hooves Rest. Take care young Elav the streets of the Alley and the Rest both are unlike the bustling cobbles outside these gates.”
Kal scoffed, “I’ve dealt with my fair share of ruffians.”
Rongar gave him that same hated smile. The first time since their conversation started warmth seeped back into his eyes. “The breeze at your back Young Elav.”
Let's call this the end of this scene and thread! As we met with Rongar and he has give us our charge. But before we do I’m going to roll a quick Disposition Roll to see How we leave things with Rongar.
2d10→[5,9]→ seeks to end encounter
I'm going to call this a neutral ending to things. Kal will get his directions and looks like nothing more.
As this does end with Kal getting what he wants we will be knocking our CF from 6 to 5
Muddy Pleasures
We need to determine where Kal will go first. Hooves Rest or Bosoms Alley. Now, we’ve already determined that Kal is kind of selfish and has a chip on his shoulder. So I'm think he’s not going to the Alley first but let's ask.
Does Kal go to the Alley first? Unlikely CF 5 2d10-2→[9,2]-2→No.
Off to Hooves Rest we Go!
He could smell it on the air well before he saw the wooden walls of the Hooves Rest district. A putrid sweetness, like mead on the tongue the morning after, touched with the rich filth of mud and dirt after the rain. The muddy streets of Hooves rest were no less busy than the main road leading to The Sanctuary. Infact it felt like there were more people crammed into the tight alley like streets than on the main road.
The shouts of men and women alike trading furs and leathers mixed in with the high pitched song of the mid day drunks. Gave the place an odd vibrance, Kal would even count it a haven. As he looked over the people rugged, and scarred many of them not a one looked fazed.10
“Oi!” Someone shouted at Kal from behind him.11
He turned and found himself face to face with a flag? Not a flag no, a spear with flowing ribbon and feather. His eyes followed the shaft of the intricate weapon to it’s owner. The halfling that stood before him had piercing eyes and hair braided tightly, her armour was simple and unassuming. But, ever thing about her screamed she was larger than life.
“How much for the ride?”
The question struck Kal dumb for a second, “…excuse me?”
“You deaf orc? How much for the ride?” She said again motioning toward Atliss who gave a snort.
“Atliss. Is not for sale.” Kal said flatly.
“Plan on putting the bull to work at the Lodge?” Asked the halfling.
“Bull? What are you talking about?”
“Scalehounds, are horrible mounts. Frankly, they are hard to train and normally are bred for hard labour. Obviously you're going to get rid of the thing anyway. Why not let me take it off your hands for you.” She said.
Kal could feel the anger beneath his skin. Atliss was not just any Scalehound.
“I don’t know you, you don’t know me. Let's keep it that way.” He said. He didn't wait for a response and hopped up onto Atliss.
He had to get to Ravens Slumber as it was anyway. No time to be dallying about with the locals. Rongar said it’d be in the very middle of the district hard to miss a massive building made of bones instead of wood.
It rose out of the mud like a macabre fortress. Three stories of bone and naturally hewn stone. Is second story patio sprawled like sickly wings outstretched. Atop it's railings the skulls of unknown beast. The heavy wooden doors stood open, as if a gaping maw waiting to consume him. It didn't help they kept the fangs or tusk of the largest beast hanging above the doors.
Now to find the Master of the Hunt.
This is where we will end this week's session! Thanks again for reading. I would very much like to up my audio quality and will do so in time. I appreciate your patience and continued support. What do you all think is going down? Does it seem like the Howler is the easier person to pin this on?
Things are shaking up in ways I did not expect that is for sure. Can't wait to see where this next Installment goes!
2d100 → [80, 6] → partially average.
Is this a significant npc? CF 6
Are they startled by Atliss? 2d10+2 → [8, 1]+2 → yes
Is this just dirt water? CF 6 2d10-4 → [3 , 9]-4 → no d10→[5] exceptional. Detail check what is it? 2d10→[7,8]→ favors thread.
I would like to look at Rongar's motive. UNE! 2d100→[71,82]→ steal propaganda| suppress zeal
Going to try to persuade here. d6 fsttlk +2 due to our Sacrament v. d6.
d6+2→[1]+2→3 v. d6→[2]
Does Rongar recognize the limb? Unlikely CF 6 2d10-2→[7,5]-2→No d10→[5] exceptional
Does he know who the Master of the Hunt is? Likely CF 6 2d10+2→[5,2]+2→ No
Does he know the Ravens Slumber Very Likey CF 2d10+4→[3,7]+5→ yes d10→[1] exceptional
Description 2d100→[11,35]→ busily festive
2d10-2[2,10]→Disfavors PC→Description 2d100→[40,77]→ strange intense → PC neg