III.20: Jungle Ambush

See Recap for character sheets (as of a few sessions ago)

Let’s catch up with that random event that I missed rolling for in the last session.

Event: Move Towards a Thread(Elisea): d100 (86) = Passion, d100 (26) = The physical

Is Elisea manipulating House Tharashk now? Likely (They are active in the areas that she cares about, and easier to manipulate than the Blackscales).
Fate d100(54)=Yes

Well I’m glad that “Elisea” is being brought back into the action; I’m not sure that the event meaning fits, but it’s probably not going to be relevant anyway. Let’s say that Elisea has now assumed the form of an orc, and insinuated her way into one of Tharashk’s mercenary expeditions; she needs a new tool to manipulate. She is hiding in plain sight now though, which means the party may spot her.

Mythic GME Chaos Rank: 6
Scene setup: d10=6 (Interrupt!)

Event: Ambiguous event: d100 (71)=Trick, d100 (65)=Intrigues
Intrigues suggests Elisea anyway, and given the immediately prior event it ties in nicely. She knows where the party is—since they bumped into that Tharashk commander—so she sets them up for an ambush. Fill the characters’ lives with adventure, Use a threat from an existing faction or type of creature

Interesting; I was expecting a jungle ambush to come from the Blackscales at some point; instead it is from Tharashk.

Jungle north-east of Newthrone, Q’barra
Nymm 11, 997 YK

They spent three nights with the Cold Dragon Tribe. After they had convinced Xeirgoulus to stop turning a blind eye to House Tharashk’s incursions, the chieftain agreed that they must call a meeting of all the western gul siksta allied tribes to explain the threat to them and secure a common agreement to resist Tharashk’s expeditions. Messengers were dispatched to other tribal chiefs, calling for a meeting in a week’s time.

On the third day, the Templars and Nyseris had set out to head to the gathering of the tribes. They were accompanied by a contingent of twelve Cold Dragon Tribe, including Xeirgoulus. The lizardfolk led the way, their warriors moving easily through the thick jungle.

Anaya’s thoughts were turned inward as they set out, thinking ahead to the meeting. It was vital that she persuaded the other chieftains to stand together; no individual tribe could stand against the resources of House Tharashk alone, and it was too easy for Tharashk to target them individually with threats and promises. And yet, while the tradition of the lizardfolk was on her side, an outsider seeking to instruct them in their sacred duties would always risk giving offence.

It was late morning when the party reached a large ravine crossed by a rope bridge. They could hear the large stream cascading down the ravine below them, a stready noise under the sounds of jungle wildlife. The gap in the canopy provided by the ravine exposed the clear blue sky above and the trees and foliage lining the far side of the ravine.

Let’s say we have an Orc Shaman, 12 orcs/humans/half-orcs, two ogres, an Orc Warchief, and Elisea (who will probably stay out of it, fortunately for our heroes).

The lizardfolk mechanically are a group of 12 hirelings (6 HP each, 2 armour, d8 damage), and have loyalty +1, quality +1 with near, far, reach (for spears). Let’s say Anaya & Esthana in the middle, 5 ahead and 7 behind; Nyseris is with the front group.

Scout(Nyseris): 2D6(1 3) +1 = 5 Failure!
Separate them, Deal damage: d6+2=4 damage to front group

Anaya was on the bridge herself, nearly half-way across, when sounds ahead drew her attention. Cries of pain and alarm came from the lizardfolk ahead. As she looked, she heard arrows too, whistling past them on the bridge; a lizardfolk ahead of her was hit by an arrow and slumped, injured, in front of her. Anaya could now see several orcs and humans with bows on the north bank, and the leading lizardfolk that had made it to that side appeared to be engaged in a fight.

Dungeon World follows the simple rule of +1 damage dealt for every extra NPC combatant. There are three lizardfolk on the far side of the bridge already as the ogre & some humans charge in.

Cast a Spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(2 3) +3 = 8 Partial success.
Expose yourself to danger; Deal damage: d6+2=6, 4 damage after armour; heals d8+5=13

There were cries, in Draconic, from behind as well now. “Esthana, help the ones behind!” shouted Anaya, as she unshouldered her shield. The orcs on the north bank were continuing to loose more arrows, but she leaned over the injured lizardfolk in front of her, touching them on the shoulder and calling on the power of the Flame; the silver fire from her hands passed over their wound and the bleeding stopped. While Anaya was focused on that, though, a pain shot through her leg as another arrow found its mark.

Threats(north): north orc archers shooting the bridge; ogre and two humans charge the bridge, aiming to cut the ropes; orc shaman wants to fireball the bridge.

Followers, Do Their Thing(combat)(Anaya): 2D6(5 5) +1 = 11 Success!
Deal d8+2=10 damage; let’s say that they kill one orc, and badly injure the ogre.

And the other two lizardfolk are shooting back at the orcs on the bank.

Followers, Do Their Thing(combat)(Anaya): 2D6(3 3) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Deal damage: d8+1=2; Deal damage: d6+2=3, 1 after armour

NPCs(north): lizardfolk 29/30; Tharashk orcs/humans 10/15, ogre 3/10, shaman 12/12 (all HP totals; I’m just summing the NPC groups’ HPs together).

Looking ahead, Anaya saw that an ogre and two humans had emerged from the trees and were attacking the lizardfolk at the north end of the bridge. The lizardfolk’s spears gave them greater reach, however; one of the humans was run through, and the ogre howled in pain from a well-aimed spear thrust. The two lizardfolk ahead of Anaya had drawn their bows and were exchanging arrows now with the orc archers on the far bank; the whistling of arrows filled the air.

Called Shot(Head)(Nyseris): 2D6(5 6) +2 = 13 Success!
Deal d8=7 damage, stuns them

Nyseris cried out in alarm, and Anaya saw that the ranger was aiming at a new figure to emerge on the far bank: a robed orc carrying a staff. The orc lowered her staff, and a ball of fire began to form at its tip. Nyseris was faster, though—a moment later the orc staggered back, blinded in one eye by the ranger’s arrow.

Let’s see what’s happening on the south side.

Followers, Do Their Thing(combat)(Esthana): 2D6(3 6) +1 = 10 Success!
Deal damage d8+1=9 damage

Charge(Esthana): +1 forward to followers

Followers, Do Their Thing(combat)(Esthana): 2D6(4 4) +1+1 = 10 Success!
Deal damage d8+3=6 damage

NPCs(south): lizardfolk 42/42; orcs/humans 6/21; ogre 10/10; orc commander 16/16.

The party is rolling really well.

Anaya was moving forward now, pushing past the lizardfolk to reach the north bank, but she risked a glance back to the south. Esthana had made it to the far bank, where the lizardfolk were engaged in a fierce fight around the bridgehead against more orcs and humans. Esthana’s sword flamed with silver fire and, inspired by her charge into the fight, the lizardfolk were easily fending off the orcs; but Anaya could see a second ogre on that bank, approaching them.

There was no time to help them, though, Anaya reached the north bank just as the ogre pushed its way between the lizardfolk there. The creature was ten feet tall and wielded a huge club with metal barbs protruding from its head; where the other Tharashk mercenaries were equipped with good swords and armour, the ogre was bare-chested and wore only tattered cloth trousers.

Hack and Slash(Anaya): 2D6(2 5) +0 = 7 Partial success.
Deal damage: d6=5 damage; Monster move(Ogre): Destroy something

NPCs(north): lizardfolk 29/30, orcs/humans 10/15, ogre dead, shaman 5/12.

The ogre swung recklessly at Anaya, and she met the blow with her shield; sparks flew as the barbs scraped across its metal surface. The weight of the blow jolted Anaya and knocked her aside; the ogre pushed past her, and with its next swing smashed one of the wooden posts from which the bridge hung. Anaya moved in behind the creature, though, and drove her sword into its back, stabbing up towards the creature’s heart; the huge creature groaned and collapsed.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Nyseris): 2D6(5 5) +2 = 12 Success!
You get it.

But the damage was done: with its support gone, one of the ropes went slack and the bridge deck collapsed, the wooden boards on the north side tilting down to hang vertically. One lizardfolk fell, their cry fading as they fell into the ravine; Nyseris and the other archer managed to grab the rope on the other side.

Esthana has to Defy Danger to get past the south ogre’s reach to use her short sword. (Anaya did not since it was charging towards her and already engaged by lizardfolk. Dungeon World doesn’t mechanise these tags, I’m just interpreting them as seems best for the situation.)

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(5 3) +2 = 10 Success!
You get in

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(3 2) +2 = 7 Partial success.
Deal damage: d10=5 damage (the orcs aren’t evil, so no bonus for the silver fire); Deal damage: d8+5=9, 6 after armour

NPCs(south): lizardfolk 42/42; orcs/humans 6/21; ogre 5/10; orc commander 16/16.
PC status: Anaya 13/17; Esthana 20/26, Nyseris 21/21 and hanging from a half-fallen rope bridge.

“This way, quickly—there’s a channeller!” Anaya shouted at the lizardfolk standing at the bridgehead; they did not understand her words, but two of them followed her direction.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Anaya): 2D6(3 3) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome: you get there in time to stop the channeller fireballing the bridge, forcing him to fireball you instead.

The edge of the ravine was thick with foliage and uncertain footing, but Anaya pushed forward quickly to where she had seen the orc channeller, slashing at branches and jungle creepers that blocked the way with her sword. Anaya pushed past some creepers and saw the orc, once again standing at the ravine’s edge and pointing her staff towards the bridge. At the tip of her staff the orc had another fireball just formed; as Anaya came into view, the orc turned and released the fireball at this new threat.

Defend(Anaya): 2D6(6 1) +0 = 7 Partial success.
Halve the attack’s effect or damage

Deal damage: d10=6, halved to 3 for Anaya. The lizardfolk following her are killed.

Anaya got her shield up just in time, keeping the flames away from her head, though she could feel the heat blister the skin at her waist as the flames passed under the shield. The lizardfolk behind her cried out in pain.

Hack and Slash(Anaya): 2D6(2 3) +0 = 5 Failure!
Monster move(Elemental power): d10=8 damage

NPCs(north): lizardfolk 11/30, orcs/humans 10/15, ogre dead, shaman 5/12. PC status: Anaya 2/17; Esthana 20/26, Nyseris 21/21 and hanging from a half-fallen rope bridge.

Without hesitating, Anaya closed in on the channeller, swinging her sword. The orc parried with her staff, and with her other hand shot out a bolt of lightning. Pain wracked Anaya’s body as the bolt caught her full in the chest, sending her staggering against a tree for support.

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Followers, Do Their Thing(combat)(Esthana): 2D6(4 3) +1 = 8 Partial success.
Deal damage: d8+4=12; Deal damage: d6+1=2 damage

Hack and Slash(Esthana): 2D6(3 3) +2 = 8 Partial success.
Deal damage: d10=7 damage; Monster move(Ogre): Take something by force

Esthana ducked under the ogre’s first swing and drove her sword into its side, producing a howl of anger from the towering, muscular creature. Around her, the lizardfolk were fighting fiercely; already most of the humans and half-orcs that had charged the bridge were dead or dying, and the lizardfolk had the remaining two half-orcs on the defensive.

Then she saw Xulag advancing through the trees. The Tharashk commander had his long belt-knife drawn, and an angry grimace on his face; the battle was not going as well as he had hoped, Esthana supposed, but he still looked determined.

She had to deal with the ogre first, though. Esthana dodged a backhand blow of its heavy club and struck in with her shortsword, running the creature through. The creature howled in pain and rage, swinging its club for one final hit. Esthana had only a moment to regret the lack of her shield-arm and shield before the blow struck, throwing her to the side and nearly into the ravine. She lost her sword and grabbed at a tree root with her one hand, hanging partly over the edge.

Followers, Do Their Thing(combat)(Esthana): 2D6(6 3) +1 = 10 Success!
Deal d8+3=8 damage

Call for Assistance(Esthana): +1

Defy Danger(STR)(Esthana): 2D6(1 3) +1+1 = 6 Failure!
That’s a bad time to fail a roll. Separate them at least: out of the fight.

Xulag was trying to get to her, but there were five lizardfolk between them and his own mercenaries were all down. The lizardfolk’s spears had greater reach, and he took two spear thrusts that pushed deeply through his leather armour.

One of the lizardfolk ran over to help Esthana. She tried to pull herself up, feeling for a foothold, so that the creature could reach her. But burdened by heavy plate mail, and with only one arm, she could not do it. She slipped and could not keep her grip, falling into the ravine.

NPCs(south): lizardfolk 40/42; orcs/humans dead; ogre dead; orc commander 8/16.

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Followers, Do Their Thing(combat)(Anaya): 2D6(6 5) +1 = 12 Success!
d8+1=6 damage

NPCs(north): lizardfolk 12/30, orcs/humans 6/15, ogre dead, shaman 5/12.

Defy Danger(STR)(Nyseris): 2D6(2 4) +2 = 8 Partial success.
Cost: Use up their resources: drop your bow

Anaya is at 2HP, and is bad in a close fight, so I had her surrender.

Anaya closed her eyes as she knelt on the ground. Flame watch over me. She was pressing one hand to the cut on her leg, to slow the bleeding, but her main concern was the pain: her chest burned with every breath. The lizardfolk that had followed her were dead, killed by the channeller’s fireball. The orc standing over her would not let her call on the Flame for healing, of course; at the first sign of it, she would be killed.

“We have what we came for,” said the channeller; she had been joined by two orcs armed with bows—the survivors of the group on the north side, Anaya supposed. “We will take her and leave this place.”

Anaya did not know how much House Tharashk knew, or suspected; indeed it seemed strange that Tharashk were looking for her at all. Did they have informants amongst the lizardfolk? Or did Xulag really bear so strong a grudge for what had happened in Newthrone? She looked up, her eyes meeting the stare from the orc’s one good eye—Nyseris’ arrow was still lodged in the other. The channeller seemed strangely calm and intent for one with such a wound, and there was something malevolent about the orc’s gaze.

She did not have more time to consider it, for the orc looked up and there was a rustling in the jungle behind Anaya. She turned her head to see Nyseris and two lizardfolk emerge between the trees. Anaya was glad to see that Nyseris had made it off of the damaged bridge unhurt.

“Drop your weapons,” said the channeller. “We have no interesting in you. We will be leaving with the cleric.” She had one hand near to Anaya’s shoulder, and the scorch marks on the ground and trees around them spoke to the power that the channeller commanded; Anaya knew that she would be dead before Nyseris could reach her.

Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: That puts Nyseris in a spot; they have the problem that, if they attack and give the GM any action, I’m using it to deal damage to, and probably kill, Anaya. So their next moves need to be chosen carefully.

Parley(Nyseris): 2D6(4 6) -1 = 9 Partial success.
Proof required

Hey, the -1 Cha character is giving it a go, and doing okay.

“I drop weapons–s for no-one,” said Nyseris. “If you kill her, none of you will leave here alive.”

The orcs beside the channeller shifted uneasily, but the channeller was unmoved. “You threaten us? A few lizards against the power of the elements? It will be your bodies that rot here, not mine.” Anaya turned her head to look at Nyseris, her face a mixture of pain and concern.

I’m using only moves where even a partial success doesn’t provoke the GM to action.

Cast a Spell(Magic Weapon)(Nyseris): 2D6(1 6) +1 = 8 Partial success.
Lose the spell

This could double as a diversion for the animal companion to sneak up as well, since it is stealthy.

Anaya saw Nyseris hold their spear out in front of them with one arm—carefully avoiding making any sudden move to provoke the orcs. The ranger looked upwards and said something in Draconic, and suddenly there was a burst of radiant light as silver flames surrounded the spear.

“Leave her and you are free to go, ghik,” said Nyseris, their eyes flickering in the silver light of the flames.

Is this channeller actually Elisea? Unlikely (Elisea generally works through intermediaries; but it’s possible she misjudged how well the mercenaries would do and exposed herself here. And the NPC has got into an interesting dialogue here, so it could be that it is an important NPC.).
Fate d100(46)=Yes

Well that’s interesting, because Elisea would be afraid of the Flame. I also slightly adjusted the descriptions in this scene to lead into this better.

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(4 6) +3 = 13 Success!
What here is not what it appears to be? The caster is a demon in disguise.
What here is useful or valuable to me? Your bow is on the ground near you.

Discern Realities gives +1 forward for acting on the information obtained. But Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: the cleric casting a spell is going to trigger combat.

The orc archers took a step backwards, and the channeller recoiled in shock as well, clearly afraid of the divine fire. It’s a demon, Anaya realised suddenly: her deep feeling of unease near the channeller, and its fear of the Silver Flame, suddenly made sense. As it was distracted, Anaya drew on the power of the Flame, trying to pierce whatever veil of illusion surrounded the creature. The power flowed easily though her, stronger than she had ever felt before, and the image of the orc in front of her seemed to become transparent, revealing the demon beneath.

Cast a Spell(True Seeing)(Anaya): 2D6(5 6) +3+1 = 15 Success!
That might be the highest roll for the entire campaign. Introduce a new faction or type of creature

Also, Show signs of an approaching threat: the tower in flames sigil of the Lords of Dust.

The creature was feline, like a great tiger with striped fur. But it stood upright, a red cloak wrapped around it bearing dark sigils of strange designs. The wooden staff that the illusory orc had carried was actually a bronze rod topped by a sigil of a tower in flames.

“It’s a rakshasa! Kill it, Nyseris!” Anaya cried, scrambling away and grabbing at her bow that still lay on the ground nearby.

The rakshasa are the arch enemies of the Church of the Silver Flame; there’s no question that Anaya is willing to risk her life and everyone present to kill one.

The Dungeon World codex includes a good template for a rakshasa, but I’ll customise that a bit. It’s relevant to the setting that piercing weapons that are good-enchanted are effective against it: that’s why Silver Flame clerics use bows, and possibly why the lizardfolk favour spears. GM move(soft): Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities: Nyseris has such a weapon in hand right now.

Zakya Rakshasa: d12+2 damage, 12 HP. 4 armour, bypassed by good-enchanted piercing weapons. Tags: stealthy, intelligent, close, near. Moves: Battle with spell and sword; Command basic elemental magic; Conceal its identify and work through agents.

Nyseris already hit it for 7 damage, so that’s reduced to 3 by its armour. So the rakshasa is at 9/12 HP.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Nyseris): 2D6(2 1) +2 = 5 Failure!
Monster move(Zakya Rakshasa): Command basic elemental magic; Deal damage: d12+2=12 damage

Nyseris is at 10/21 HP, and the two lizardfolk followers are dead.

Nyseris hesitated though, not seeing through the illusion as Anaya had, still hoping that the “orc” would simply withdraw. As they saw the “orc” regain its composure and begin casting, Nyseris sprung into action, but the rakshasa lowered its staff and threw a fireball. Nyseris and the two lizardfolk were engulfed in flame, and there were cries of pain from the lizardfolk.

Cast a Spell(Cure Light Wounds)(Anaya): 2D6(6 4) +3 = 13 Success!
Heals d8+5=11

Hack and Slash(Nyseris): 2D6(1 5) +2 = 8 Partial success.
Deals d8+d4 (8 1)=9 damage; Monster move(Zakya Rakshasa): Command basic elemental magic: d12+2=10 damage, 9 after armour

Nyseris is at 1/21 HP! Their weapon bypasses the creature’s armour though, so that is just enough to kill it.

Anaya stood up just as Nyseris charged out of the flames. The lizardfolk was scorched all over, their scaly hide blackened and blistered, but they did not stop: with levelled spear, the spearhead alive with silver fire, they lunged at the rakshasa, driving the spear straight through its chest. Flames burst out around the wound, and the fur of the feline creature began to burn.

The creature dropped its staff, and Anaya saw the illusion fall away. Nyseris and the two startled orcs were wide-eyed as the feline monstrosity was revealed before them; the orcs simply turned and fled. The creature pushed its hand forward, touching Nyseris’ shoulder; an icy frost appeared over the lizardfolk’s scales, and Nyseris let out a strangled cry of pain, releasing the spear and collapsing to the ground.

But the silver flames burning on the creature only grew stronger. It let out a roar, which seemed more of anger and hatred than of pain, and fixed its gaze on Anaya as she stood between the trees facing it. She drew on her own power, taking strength from the silver fire even as it consumed the creature. The creature roared again, and fell to the ground, and slowly the body of the creature was consumed. After a minute, only the charred remains of its head, the fur burned away, and its robes and staff remained.

Anaya ran over to Nyseris. “Are you alright?”

The lizardfolk rolled over, in pain but still concious. “I will live. What was that beast?”

Spout Lore(Anaya): 2D6(4 1) +1 = 6 Failure!
Introduce a new faction or type of creature

Is this when the Blackscales show up? 50:50 (We know they are scrying on Anaya, looking for a chance to grab her).
Fate d100(41)=Yes

“A rakshasa,” said a voice from behind them. Anaya turned, grabbing her bow again, but quickly thought better of it. There were around twenty lizardfolk standing amongst the trees around them, with bows drawn. They were tall, like Nyseris and her tribes, but their scales were jet black, shiny with a greenish tinge to them.

Most of the warriors were unclothed, but the leader wore a bearskin cloak. It was the leader speaking. “A creature from the Age of Demons–s. We are grateful that you killed it for us. So grateful that our leader wis–shes to speak to you.”

The bows aimed at them did not look friendly. These were clearly Blackscale lizardfolk, the sworn enemies of the tribes that followed the Silver Flame. Anaya asked, “And if we refuse?”

“Then you die here. You do not decline an invitation from our leader.”

With Nyseris at 1HP, they are not likely to live through an immediate fight. The party has no choice; perhaps it’s convenient that Esthana and Vaalyun are both separated from them right now.

Anaya sighed and set down her weapons. Nyseris had already lost theirs, and could barely stand anyway.

The leader smiled. “Rhashaak will be pleased to see you.”

Well the session started with Move closer to a thread and we actually resolved it, through “Elisea” (actually the rakshasa) overextending itself. That front is resolved, though it could be replaced if necessary by the rakshasa’s parent organization, The Lords of Dust.

The Blackscales showing up has been a Grim Portent for about 10 chapters at this point, ever since the GM move I made when the party scouted Count Zuokas’ manor for the first time. I had hoped that a plausible situation where they could just grab Anaya would come up.

End of Session(party): Defeated a notable creature, +1 XP to all; all three present met their alignment goals.

Make camp(party): Heal for Esthana, Vaalyun only

XP: Anaya: 2 failures, +1 for session goals, alignment goal met; at 8XP.
Esthana: 1 failure, +1 for session goals, alignment goal met; level up; at 1XP.
Nyseris: 2 failures; +1 for session goals, alignment goal met; at 8XP.
Vaalyun: +1 for session goals; at 2XP.

Level Up(Esthana): +1 Dex; Weapon of the Silver Flame: her sword is now “infused with Good and Law and is recognised as such by all who see it”

This new enhancement to her sword backfills and supports something that we were already beginning to see: the sword establishes her credibility with the lizardfolk, and can now do the same elsewhere. The Silver Flame is a force for good in Eberron and, while not all follow it as a faith or agree with the Church, most would recognise its power.

III.19: Shadowing the Dragonne

Mythic GME Chaos Rank: 5
Scene setup: d10=8 (unchanged)

Newthrone, Q’barra
Nymm 7, 997 YK

The public face of House Tharashk in Newthrone was a broad-fronted townhouse, dark wood timbers contrasting with the white-painted wattle walls between them. Like Count Zuokas’ mansion, the upper floors were wood built over a lower floor of stone, and the steps at the front led up to a large double door.

There were guards out front, of course, but the doors were open at this time of day and Vaalyun was able to walk in without questions. The wood-panelled entrance hall might once have been that of a noble’s townhouse, but the mercenaries had repurposed it into a place of trade, where the townsfolk could come to seek the House’s services. Two merchants talked to a human mercenary, negotiating guards for a trading caravan; a page was talking to a tall orc, discussing bodyguards for his master. Off to one side, a nobleman was having a discreet conversation with a half-orc; Vaalyun thought that she might be an inquisitive, like himself, judging from the dark travelling cloak and the look of close attention that she gave to whatever account the noble was giving.

Through an open door to one side, there was a larger room with more Tharashk mercenaries sitting at tables, dicing and gambling away the morning. A human man at the nearest table saw that another customer had entered, and left his game, coming through to meet Vaalyun.

“You are of House Phiarlan, are you not?” Vaalyun was wearing his formal House robes, decorated with the five-headed hydra symbol of his House.

Defy Danger(CHA)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 2) +2 = 10 Success!
You’re betray no fear or nervousness as you brazenly walk into the lion’s den.

“I am Vaalyun d’Phiarlan. I am establishing a presence for my house in the city.” Vaalyun spoke with authority, and the confidence that came from years of representing his House in places of power.

“I have heard something of this. I am Borurol Torrn.” He gave Vaalyuna a firm handshake. Borurol was wearing leathers and carried a scimitar on his back, and had a pouch of crossbow bolts at his side.

“Naturally, security is a concern for me in this new city. As a member of the Twelve, we respect House Tharashk’s existing presence here, and your reputation as a provider of mercenaries. As such, my first thought was to turn to your House for these services.” Vaalyun kept his tone formal and respectful.

“Of course.” Borurol nodded, seemingly pleased.

“I have no enemies here, but I am new here and I will have a high profile in the city; the unknown can be dangerous. Until I know the city better, I require the services of bodyguards for when I go about the city.”

“That we can provide.” Borurol looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, and added, “If you would be more comfortable, we have human mercenaries, and at least one half-elf, that we could put at your disposal?”

Vaalyun did not care about the race of the guards, but he did not want smart guards. His intention was to give Tharashk every reason to think that he was working with them, while he was working against them; but he did not want guards that would be smart enough to ask questions or pay attention to what he did.

“That does not matter; I want bodyguards that are strong. An appearance of strength is often enough to persuade troublemakers to think twice.”

Borurol smiled and nodded. “Very true. This we can provide.”

Vaalyun would like to be trusted by House Tharashk, so they might bring him in on some of their plans. And he’s offering his House’s services.

Parley(Vaalyun): 2D6(2 2) +2 = 6 Failure!
Present a challenge to one of the characters: Tharashk will take your coin, but they are suspicious of your arrival. They’ll assign guards with orders to keep their eyes open and report on your movements.

“And if there are services that my House can provide in return, please come to me. While I see that your men have their own entertainments”—there was a hint of disdain in Vaalyun’s voice, as he looked past at the mercenaries drinking and gambling in the room beyond—“these are not always the ones that work best when it comes to courting nobles and courtiers. This is where my House excels.”

Borurol’s smile slipped a little, and Vaalyun realised that he had given offense. The mercenary replied, “I doubt that we have any use for your services, but we will remember your offer.”

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Mythic GME Chaos Rank: 6
Scene setup: d10=8 (unchanged)

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 4) +1 = 11 Success!
What here is not what it appears to be?
Who is really in control here?

Vaalyun came away with two bodyguards, employed to protect him during daylight hours as he went about his business in the city.

One of them was a tall, brawny woman, a hired muscle of the sort that he had intended. The other, a half-orc woman, had a watchful look about her that quickly made Vaalyun suspicious. The human usually spoke for them, responding to Vaalyun’s orders, but Vaalyun noticed that the half-orc kept a watchful eye both on her surroundings, and on her new employer. She is here to keep an eye on me, he thought.

Followers, Do Their Thing(Vaalyun): 2D6(3 3) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Information with limitations

Vaalyun returned to the new chapterhouse, briefly conferring with Ryfon to get Imra and Ievos’ latest report—he could not meet them in person now that he had Tharashk bodyguards with him, and he preferred not to do so anyway since it might draw attention to his agents. They reported that a Tharashk expedition had entered the city through the north gate yesterday, with pack mules laden with something—dragonshards, Vaalyun supposed. Imra had approached one mercenary and tried to learn more about where they had come from, but could get nothing more specific than “the jungle”. It seemed unlikely that his agents could get specifics on where an expedition was going except by following it: and Imra and Ievos were urban elves, not skilled in jungle tracking.

In short, his investigation so far was not getting the detailed information that he needed. House Tharashk’s rejection of his offer to assist them with their diplomatic events in the city was frustrating, and forced him to consider more direct action. Nothing could be done in daylight, due to the bodyguards, but Vaalyun’s powers were more effective at night anyway. He needed to get inside the upper floor of Tharashk’s guild house and gain more information about their operation.

---

That night, Vaalyun returned to House Tharashk’s guildhouse. The night was warm, with a fair westerly wind blowing, bringing the hot humid air of the jungle rolling in over the city, smelling of damp earth and exotic plants.

This time, Ievos and Imra were with him, and they were not going to the front entrance. They were all dressed in dark cloaks, and moved openly but inconspicuously through the mostly-empty streets of the city. The House Tharashk guards were only employed for the daytime: another reason that Vaalyun had waited for the night.

The street behind the guildhouse was almost deserted; Vaalyun saw only one person walking ahead of them, further down the street. The street was lit by everbright lamps, and there were lights in the guildhouse itself—mostly on the first and ground floors—and in the surrounding buildings.

Dragonmark(Shadows and Darkness)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 4) +2 = 12 Success!
You control the darkness

As they got close to the building, Vaalyun started to draw on the power of his dragonmark. He felt the familiar burning sensation down his left side, and the shadows around him suddenly seemed sharper in his vision, vibrant with potential. He pulled at the deep shadow in an alley opposite the guildhouse, pulling the darkness over to his side of the street, and enveloped the shards emitting light in two of the streetlamps at the near corner of the building, extinguishing their light.

Vaalyun turned his head slightly, the deep hood keeping his face entirely in shadow, and whispered to Ievos, “Climb to the second floor, and secure the rope there.”

They stopped in the darkness between the two extinguished streetlamps. They could hear some human and orc voices from within the building through an open window on the first floor, talking as they drank and gambled. Imra gave Ievos a boost up, so that he could reach past the stone ground floor, and Ievos drove a dagger into the wattle wall to create a handhold. He began to climb upwards, using his daggers to create handholds as he went.

Followers, Do Their Thing(athletic)(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 3) +1 = 9 Partial success.
You can climb, but draw attention

Once he was above the level where Imra could support his weight, Ievos found the climb harder. One of his feet slipped, and he scrambled a little to find a new footing, his soft boots scraping against one of the wooden pillars. There was a pause in the conversation that they could hear through the open window, and Vaalyun suspected that the noise had attracted someone’s attention.

Dragonmark(Concealment)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 13 Success!

Vaalyun drew on his dragonmark again; this time he concentrated on the open window above him, bending the light of the other streetlamps to create a dazzling reflection in the glass; they would not be able to see clearly to the right, where Ievos was climbing. Meanwhile he and Imra shrunk back further into the shadows below. The mercenaries’ conversation through the window resumed, casual as before.

Give an opportunity that fits a class’ abilities: House Tharashk is about mercenaries: they use guards, not magic, to protect their place.

Ievos finished his climb, reaching a window on the second floor. He quickly worked his dagger in between the window frames and had it open, and moved out of sight of those below. Soon they saw a rope being carefully lowered down to them.

“As we discussed—circle around and create a distraction if we need it,” Vaalyun said, dismissing Imra and then beginning his climb.

Is this the main Tharashk commander’s office? Very Unlikely (It’s a large building, and Vaalyun has no idea what room to target).
Fate d100(99)=Exceptional No!

It’s a barrack room. Good luck with that!

He made it to the second floor and, as he reached the windowsill and looked in, Vaalyun groaned inwardly. The room ran the width of the building on this side, with beds down both walls and the sound of snoring orcs and humans within. There was no light lit in the room, but Vaalyun’s elven eyes could easily make out the sleeping forms of Tharashk’s mercenaries within.

Order Follower(Vaalyun): 2D6(1 3) +1 = 5 Failure!
Put someone in a spot

Vaalyun dropped down next to Ievos; he could see that his agent’s eyes were wide under the hood of the cloak. Vaalyun calmly gestured down the room towards the door, but Ievos shook his head firmly, fear in his eyes. They looked at each other for a moment, then Vaalyun looked down and nodded, gesturing towards the open window.

Ievos climbed back out of the window and down the rope, as Vaalyun held the rope for him. But Ievos was panicked, and his climb down was not as quiet as his climb up. Vaalyun heard a shout from the floor below.

Sorry Ievos, he thought, and let go of the rope; the nimble elf should be able to take a bit of a fall. Knowing that he had only moments, he quickly closed the window and slipped quietly under one of the beds.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 6) +1 = 11 Success!
Silent as a shadow

Some of the mercenaries in the room were roused by the shout. Vaalyun stayed silent and out of sight, and dismissed the shadows that had been obscuring the everbright lanterns outside: he could not afford to leave any sign that might point to his House. The mercenaries in the room were grumbling in Orcish and Common at the disturbance, and asking what was going on; windows were thrown open and shouts were heard, presumably at Ievos who was, hopefully, now fleeing into the night. Vaalyun dared not move, and every breath was an effort as he struggled to stay calm and quiet.

Followers, Do Their Thing(stealthy)(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 5) +1 = 11 Success!
Ievos gets away and is not identified.

After a few minutes, someone came into the room and, in a female voice (human, Vaalyun thought), said “The excitement’s over. Some thief or troublemaker was climbing the wall. I assume they did not get into here?” There were replies in the negative. “They fled into the night. We have reminded the guards to be vigilant.”

With that, the mercenaries retired once more to their beds. After the better part of an hour stuck under a bed and barely moving, Vaalyun was stiff and getting a little tired himself; but he slipped out, crossed the room quietly, and let himself out into the corridor beyond.

Discern Realities(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 3) +1 = 10 Success!
What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
Hold 1

Present riches at a price

Vaalyun stood outside the door for a moment, collecting himself. He was in the lion’s den, so to speak—inside House Tharashk’s guildhouse, with a dozen well-armed mercenaries in the next room. There was no guard posted in the corridor itself; he quietly moved away from the door to the barrack room, and stopped after ten yards or so as he got close to the stairs; voiced drifted up from below, but he could also see the large boots of a guard, possibly an orc, sticking out from around the corner on the landing; he must be seated by the top of the stairs.

Vaalyun turned around, looking the doors in the passage; he reasoned that, whoever was in charge here, they would have their office on the front side of the building, which looked over a more important street and also towards the Keep. There were two doors on this side. The one closest to the barrack room looked like a heavier door and the doorframe was marked by more than one dent: as if heavy boxes had been moved through here more than once. That made it seem like a storeroom, probably for something valuable if it was up here near and not in the basement. Vaalyun moved to the other door.

Is the door locked? 50:50 ().
Fate d100(7)=Exceptional Yes!

Spend hold(Vaalyun): What should I be on the lookout for?

Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: Blast the door open with your magic missile wand and you’ll draw attention. Trigger the ward and you draw attention.

His first thought was to just try the handle, but as he reached for it, there was an itching sensation in his dragonmark. Magically warded, he thought.

Vaalyun already made a good Dex roll for stealth; let’s give him an Int roll this time, for how well he improvises now that his hope of an easy infiltration is foiled.

Defy Danger(INT)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 13 Success!
You get it

He looked at the two doors on the other side. Vaalyun was uneasy about opening more rooms than he really needed to, but with both rooms on this side locked, he had no safe choice here, not even to escape. The door opposite was likely to be the commander’s quarters, and perhaps he had a key that would open the door. That thought gave Vaalyun fresh confidence; knowing that his only safety lay in success, he pressed forward with this new plan without hesitation.

The room was not locked, and he slipped quietly inside. It was dark, but Vaalyun could see clearly enough that the orc in the bed was sleeping. The orc’s armour was laid out on a trunk at the foot of the bed, but Vaalyun moved to the bedside table and grabbed the key that lay there. He glanced only once at the orc, who was snoring loudly, then turned and slipped out into the corridor again.

The key fit the keyhole in the door, and the magical ward flashed briefly as the key was turned. Vaalyun took out the key and let himself quietly into the warded room.

Treasure: d6+d4=6 Useful information.

Well I would have given that regardless, since this is the office of the commander directing the expeditions into the jungle. So I’ll give more useful information than I planned.

The commander’s study was well furnished, though hardly to Vaalyun’s taste. There were expensive-looking hangings bearing the dragonne symbol of House Tharashk on two walls, and a cabinet containing a warrior’s mementos: broken weapons and sigils from fallen foes. There was a solid writing desk and it was this that Vaalyun turned his attention to first, searching for any information about Tharashk’s expeditions into the jungle.

Is there anything to tie this commander to the faith of the Gatekeepers? 50:50 (We know that this contingent of Tharashk is led by some from Clan Torrn, by previous rolls, and they are traditionally of that faith).
Fate d100(41)=Yes

Offer Aid from an Enemy, or Opposition from an Ally

The first drawer contained a small leather-bound book, though Vaalyun did not understand Orcish so could not read the words. The sigil on the cover was of a circle of arcane runes obscured by a tangle of vines. The book contained some maps inside, covering many areas of Khorvaire; the maps of the Shadow Marches were the most detailed, but there was one map of Q’barra with a few sites marked. The book seemed well-used, so he supposed that the information was important to the commander, but the book was old, so Vaalyun wondered if it could truly relate to the House’s current activities. Nonetheless, he took out a sheet of paper and quickly noted down the marked locations.

In another drawer, he found some loose maps of the Q’barra jungle. These were newer maps, and the markings drawn on them were in Common. These seemed to be maps to sites that Tharashk was currently harvesting for dragonshards; the names of nearby lizardfolk tribes were written on the maps. Vaalyun again took down some quick notes of the locations.

Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: Are you going to return the key? There are more rolls ahead if you do.

A quick search of the rest of the desk found nothing else of use to him, so Vaalyun turned his thoughts to making his exit. He had to return the key and reseal the door—so he could not leave via this room. He cracked the door open, checking that the way was clear, then left the study, locking the door behind him.

Defy Danger(DEX)(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 1) +1 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome

Dragonmark(Shadows and Darkness)(Vaalyun): 2D6(6 5) +2 = 13 Success!
You got it

He opened the opposite door again, intending to return the key, but this time he was a little too hasty, and the door creaked as he opened it. Even as he heard the guard down the hall stirring, Vaalyun drew on his dragonmark again, drowning himself in deep shadows. The guard looked around the corner, holding a lantern, as Vaalyun slipped through the door into the commander’s bedroom, the shadow blocking the light from revealing the open door or from spilling into the chamber beyond.

Shutting the door behind him, Vaalyun withdrew the shadow from the passage outside. Hopefully the sleepy guard would write it off as a trick of the light, but he needed to be gone from this place immediately. The orc commander was, fortunately, still asleep. Silently stepping across the room, he replaced the key on the table, moved to the window, and opened it, looking out at the ground below. There was still a good breeze outside, so he could not keep the window open for long; without hesitating, Vaalyun climbed out of the window. Drawing his dagger, he used it as Ievos had done before to make a handhold just below the window and, finding a foothold on the frame of the first floor window below, he was able to close the window above him as he clung to his dagger.

Is Imra waiting for him? Somewhat Likely (That’s a reasonable thing for her to do).
Fate d100(49)=Yes

Defy Danger(STR)(Vaalyun): 2D6(4 2) -1 = 5 Failure!
Show a downside to their class, race, or equipment: noisy, Stunned; also Deal damage: d6=6 damage

Vaalyun only had one dagger, though, and lacked the agility of his agents. He was still enclosed in a ball of darkness, but now it just served to stop him being seen, not to prevent any passerby from seeing that something odd was going on. He looked around frantically, and saw a slender cloaked figure crossing the street towards his location. Host be praised, it’s Imra.

As she approached, Vaalyun realised that there was no way to climb down, and simpy jerked his dagger out and fell to the street below. He landed heavily, feeling the shock of the impact and a sharp pain in his leg. There was no time to waste, however, as he had fallen past the light in the first floor window; even though all anyone there would have seen was a ball of darkness falling, that might still alert them.

Imra was with him in a moment, helping him to his feet, and he found that he had sprained his ankle and needed to lean on her for support. “Go, go!” he urged quietly, as he drew on his dragonmark one more time to cover their flight.

Dragonmark(Concealment)(Vaalyun): 2D6(5 4) +2 = 11 Success!
They don’t see you as you move away

They did hear a window open behind them, and puzzled voices as the mercenaries tried to understand what had happened. But the power of Vaalyun’s mark once again saved them from detection, blending the colour of their cloaks to match the stone pavement slabs, and pulling at the shadows of the buildings to dim the light around them. As the two elves rounded the corner into the next street, the stress and exhaustion of the night’s was catching up to Vaalyun, and Imra had to support him all the way back to the chapterhouse.

End of Session(party): Vaalyun used his House’s reputation, +1 XP

It occurred to me afterwards that I could have used one of those failures to make an offscreen move, rather than failing forward with Vaalyun’s escapade. I could really use a move to advance Elisea’s subplot. But I already made Vaalyun roll stuff for failures there so I won’t tinker with the session as played. I noticed when writing up that I missed a random Mythic event as well; perhaps I’ll carry that forward.

Vaalyun rolled really well to go through all that danger and get out essentially undetected. There was plenty of risk that he would get spotted and need to shoot his way out; he had that wand of magic missile handy...

XP: Anaya: at 4XP.
Esthana: at 9XP.
Nyseris: at 4XP.
Vaalyun: 3 failures, alignment goal met; level up; at 1XP.

Level Up(Vaalyun): +1 Dex; Above the Law: from the Eberron supplement. Briefly, this means he’s much less likely to be arrested by any state for crimes or disorder, as he is an important member of one of the Dragonmarked Houses. It doesn’t protect him against House Tharashk, though.

III.18: Lizardfolk and the Dragonne

Mythic GME Chaos Rank: 2
Scene setup: d10=9 (unmodified)

Undertake a Perilous Journey

Navigate(Anaya): 2D6(4 4) +1 = 9 Partial success.
You encounter a Danger

Jungle east of Newthrone, Q’barra
Nymm 7, 997 YK

After spending three weeks in the human city of Newthrone, Nyseris was glad to be back in their native jungle. Nyseris, Anaya, and Esthana had set out two days after their discussion about the danger of House Tharashk; their goal was to meet with leaders of the lizardfolk tribes in this part of the jungle, and persuade them to resist Tharashk’s incursions.

They left the elf, Vaalyun, behind. Nyseris understood the advantage of persuading the humans’ leaders to stop the incursions into the jungle, but the ranger did not trust Vaalyun and did not believe his assertion that the some of the gul siksta tribes had bargained with the orc prospectors. To Nyseris, that seemed a betrayal of the very purpose of their alliance to protect the jungle.

For summer, the jungle was relatively cool, with a strong breeze blowing in from Adder Bay to the south. The Templars still found it hot, of course, but Nyseris considered it comfortable weather for travelling.

Scout Ahead(Nyseris): 2D6(1 6) +1 = 8 Partial success.
You get the drop on whatever lies ahead

Is it Blackscales looking for Anaya & party Somewhat likely (Based on previous GM moves, it’s an established threat).
Fate d100(61)=No

A random Perilous Wilds’ encouter, then.

It was the afternoon of the second day in the jungle when a jungle cat crossed the path ahead, and Nyseris sensed that something was wrong; the creature was moving south, when it would normally have taken a more easterly path, to avoid the shafts of afternoon sunlight creating blind spots in its vision. Alerted, the ranger now saw that there were slightly fewer birds in the trees above them, and other changes in the fauna that only one that had spent their life in this jungle would consider strange.

“There is s–something ahead ahead of us.” Nyseris had stopped and waited for the two Templars, only twenty feet behind, to catch up. “Something disturbing the wildlife.”

Esthana tightened the straps of her pack, and loosened her sword in its sheathe, eyeing the jungle around them—though not seeing any of the things that Nyseris had noted.

Anaya asked “Should we backtrack and take another path?”

“Stay here—quietly—while I see what lies ahead,” said Nyseris, gesturing to a reasonably well concealed spot behind a tree. The Templars did as was bid, and Nyseris moved forward silently through the undergrowth.

The ranger had gone only ten yards when they saw the first picket moving amidst the trees. There were two lizardfolk, armed with bows, posted on a tree stump on some slightly higher ground, watching the jungle here. They were much smaller than Nyseris, only a little over three feet tall: that meant they were of the Poison Dust tribes.

Lizardfolk(Nyseris): If you are out of sight for even a moment in an area of jungle, you can become hidden.

Investigate(Nyseris): 2D6(6 4) +0 = 10 Success!
You put it all together

Nyseris waited for the scouts to be looking away, and moved off to circle around them, using the lie of the land and the often thick jungle foliage to stay hidden. The presence of not one but two lookouts, and the disturbed jungle creatures, suggested a large camp ahead, but Nyseris wanted to see for themself.

My random encounter was: lizardfolk, hostile, horde, resting/eating. Since Mythic already determined that they are not Blackscales, I went for another hostile grouping that exists in Q’barra.

Sure enough, on getting a little closer and coming from a different angle, Nyseris could now see the edge of the camp through the trees. The smell of multiple campfires drifted in this direction, and many of the small lizardfolk could be seen between the trees. Nyseris turned and headed back.

Nyseris found the Templars in the same spot, sweating under their cloaks to keep their mail from catching the sunlight.

“It is a large camp of Poison Dust lizardfolk—perhaps forty or more. The Poison Dust are servants–s of the Blackscales, the enemies of my tribes,” Nyseris explained. “We must move away.”

Nyseris led them away from the camp, putting a half-mile between them and the Poison Dust. The group stopped beside a small brook to consider their options.

“It is not normal for such a large group to be away from their village, and this close to Newthrone,” said Nyseris.

“Then why are they here?” asked Anaya.

“They might have the same goal as we do—stopping the jungle incursions by humans and orcs.”

“But they would still kill us if they found us, I suppose,” said Anaya.

“You are intruders–s too, of a different kind. If they are searching for outsiders in the jungle, they will find your tracks; we will need to cover them. Let us proceed to Arkent’tar.”

Let’s bend Nyseris’ Hunt and Track for use in covering the party’s tracks, for lack of anything more appropriate.

Hunt and Track(Nyseris): 2D6(3 6) +1 = 10 Success!
They cannot follow you.

---

Mythic GME Chaos Rank: 3
Scene setup: d10=7 (unmodified)

The lizardfolk village that they were heading for, Arkent’tar, was on higher ground astride a ridge in the jungle. To the Templars, it no doubt appeared similar to Xemdaresh, but Nyseris noted that the higher, rockier ground must have been chosen to make it more defensible against attack. There was probably a natural spring hereabouts that had allowed the village to be founded here.

Nyseris led the Templars openly up the slope through the trees, not attempting any concealment from the village’s scouts. Soon enough they were spotted, and two armed lizardfolk moved to bar their approach. Like Nyseris, these lizardfolk were over six foot tall; this tribe had green and red scales with sea-blue tails.

The first of the scouts called to them in Draconic. “Stop, strangers!” The other raised a shrill cry to alert the village beyond.

Nyseris gestured to Anaya and Esthana to stop.

“What brings you to our lands?” asked the first scout.

Parley(Nyseris): 2D6(1 5) -1 = 5 Failure!
Tell them the requirements or consequences and ask: Run or disarm

“We must speak with the leader of your tribe,” said Nyseris, also in Draconic. “We would talk of the outsiders that come to your lands, and of how to stop them stealing the sacred shards.”

“We know you not, and you bring outsiders!” the scout replied. Behind them, several more of the tribe’s warriors were advancing through the trees. “Lay down your weapons!”

Show a downside to their class, race, or equipment: it’s hard to make a flaming sword not look threatening.

Defy Danger(CHA)(Esthana): 2D6(6 5) -1 = 10 Success!
They don’t take it as hostile

“We must put down our weapons,” said Nyseris, in Common, to her companions. Anaya nodded and took out her sword, laying it down on the ground; Esthana hesitated rather longer, then drew out her sword. As she did so, silver fire flickered around the blade as always. This immediately drew the gaze of every lizardfolk present, and Esthana was particularly careful to make no sudden moves, slowly lowering the sword to the ground.

“The silver fire!” said the second scout, and a couple of the other warriors repeated this also, clearly amazed by the weapon.

“Bring them, and their weapons, before the chieftain,” said the first scout.

---

Mythic GME Chaos Rank: 4
Scene setup: d10=4 (Interrupt!)

Event: PC Negative(Anaya): d100 (72) = Arrive, d100 (70) = Extravagance
Let your moves snowball: We said that Tharashk was paying off some of these tribes. Location move(Use a threat from an existing faction): House Tharashk

They were led to the centre of the village. Like most lizardfolk settlements, there was a large communal bonfire at the centre, and this one had just been lit for the evening; around it were the huts of the chieftain and other tribesfolk of importance, larger than those that they passed nearer the village’s edge.

They had an escort of six lizardfolk warriors now. Now that they were near the chieftain’s hut, there was some chatter between the lizardfolk, and then one of them turned to Nyseris.

“The chieftain is busy—you will wait here until they are ready.”

And so they waited. They received many suspicious stares from the tribesfolk, but apart from the guards they were left alone as the lizardfolk carried on their tasks, building up the great fire for the evening and starting to prepare the evening meal. Nyseris wondered what could be so important that the chieftain would not deal with outsiders immediately.

After about fifteen minutes, the door of the chieftain’s hut was finally thrown open, and a tall orc emerged. He was as tall as the lizardfolk but better armed, with finely-tailored leather armour and sigils embossed on his metal bracers. It took only a moment to recognise him: it was the commander of the Tharashk mercenaries that had attacked Nyseris in the Dragon’s Hoard last month.

He did not recognise Nyseris amongst the other lizardfolk, but his eye was drawn to the Templars. He walked over; after him, two humans and a half-orc emerged from the hut and followed him closely. His mercenaries were not so finely equipped, but all carried swords and shields.

Both Templars recognised him also; Esthana tensed at his approach, aware that she was unarmed before an enemy that she had nearly killed once. The orc addressed himself to Anaya, however.

Reveal an unwelcome truth: House Tharashk is potentially alerted to the party’s interesting in their activities.

Is this orc from the Torrn clan? 50:50 (There are two main clans).
Fate d100(12)=Yes

“So we meet again, Templar. I did not expect it to be out in the jungle, of all places. I am Xulag Torrn.”

Behind him, the chieftain of the lizardfolk and two of his guards had emerged also, and were watching the outsiders meet.

Anaya kept her tone of voice neutral; meeting the Tharashk mercenaries was the last thing that they wanted. “Lady Anaya, Templar of the Silver Flame. I hope that your wounds healed well.”

The orc grunted dismissively. “If we were alone, I would kill you for your insolence. What are you doing here?”

Defy Danger(INT)(Anaya): 2D6(4 6) +1 = 11 Success!
You get it

Crisis averted; the orc is suspicious but has no idea that they are there specifically to counter Tharashk.

“There are said to be demon cultists that gather in this jungle. We are seeking them out.”

Another grunt. “The lizardfolk do not tolerate outsiders in their lands, human. You have more immediate problems than cultists.”

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(2 1) +2 = 5 Failure!
Deal damage: d10= 4 damage

He glanced across at Esthana briefly, then looked away; but a moment later, he struck out with his fist. The punch caught her in the chin and sent her sprawling in the dirt. While Esthana lay dazed, he quickly reached for his belt knife.

Parley(Anaya): 2D6(4 4) +1 = 9 Partial success.
Worse outcome: he gets one more attack

“No!” shouted Anaya. “We yielded our weapons peacefully at your request—stop him!”

Defy Danger(DEX)(Esthana): 2D6(4 1) +2 = 7 Partial success.
Worse outcome

Xulag’s knife came down at her throat, but Esthana got her arm, clad in mail, up in time to block the stroke. They struggled for a few seconds—the orc pressing down, Esthana straining to keep the dagger away with her one arm—and then the spears of the lizardfolk around them were pointed at them, forcing the orc to back away.

“I will pay you two hundred gold coin for these two,” said Xulag. “They have caused me trouble in the past, and I wish to see that they do not do so again.”

“He attacked this lizardfolk in Newthrone, and we came to their defence,” said Anaya. “Any argument between us is his creation. He would kill us if he could, as you have seen.”

Parley(Anaya): 2D6(2 6) +1 = 9 Partial success.
Evidence required

“It is true,” said Nyseris (in Draconic). “This orc’s thugs attacked me without provocation, and these humans came to my aid.”

The chieftain signalled their warriors to relax their guard on the orc, but to keep him away from the Templars. “We do not trade in living things, Xulag. Your business here is done—you may leave.” The chieftain spoke in Common, but slowly and with difficulty.

The orc spat on the ground, but turned away; he stalked out of the village, his bodyguards close behind him.

Discern Realities(Anaya): 2D6(3 2) +3 = 8 Partial success.
What here is not what it appears to be?

Time to show those extravagances.

The chieftain stood before them. The other lizardfolk were dressed like Nyseris, with just leather straps to hold their weapons or tools, but the chieftain wore the upper part of a skull of a giant toad over their head to denote their rank. In addition to that, there were adornments not typical of the lizardfolk: a longsword with a handle wrapped in dyed leather straps and embossed with the symbol of the dragonne—House Tharashk’s sigil. And there were several fine silver necklaces hanging around their neck, certainly not manufactured by the lizardfolk. Nyseris exchanged a knowing glance with Anaya, thinking the elf is right, the tribes have bargained with the orcs..

“I am chieftain Xeirgoulus, of the Cold Dragon tribe. What brought you to our lands, outsiders–s.” They addressed themselves mainly to Anaya. Esthana had stood up and had removed her helmet, but still looked a little dazed.

Anaya needs to do something to break the ice here; just starting with asking them to undo the deal that they just did with House T would be a hard sell indeed.

Cast a Spell(Light)(Anaya): 2D6(2 5) +3 = 10 Success!
Got it

“I am Lady Anaya, of the Templars of the Silver Flame.” As she spoke, Anaya lifted her hand and it suddenly burned brightly with the silver fire; there were sharp intakes of breath from the lizardfolk all around, and even the chieftain looked shocked. “We serve the Flame, seeking out and destroying evil and corruption throughout Khorvaire. We come here to prevent a great evil.”

Xeirgoulus turned, looking to their tribe’s wise one—once again wearing Eberron dragonshards around their neck—standing amongst their group. In draconic, they said, “Is this a trick? Do they truly bear the silver fire?” “Yes, it is the true fire,” replied their wise one.

“Come into my home, servant of the Fire,” said Xeirgoulus.

The hut itself was crude, but inside it was simply but comfortably fitted out with furs and wooden furniture. The wise one and a few of the tribe’s warriors joined them, still watching the Templars and Nyseris carefully. Anaya had left the fire surrounding her hand—no doubt to remind those that she was dealing with of her connection to the Flame.

“Speak, then, of what you seek here.”

“Masvirik is stirring,” said Anaya.

“The gul siksta s–stirs?” The chieftain looked at the wise one in other in alarm; the lizardfolk warriors did not seem to understand Common. “Why do you think this?”

Aid(Esthana): 2D6(5 4) +1 = 10 Success!

Parley(Aided)(Anaya): 2D6(5 3) +1+1 = 10 Success!
They believe you

“The Silver Flame showed it to us in a vision. The Blackscales seek to release a dragon that is imprisoned with Masvirik, weakening the bonds of silver fire that bind them.”

“It is true,” added Esthana. “I saw a vision also, of the dragon stirring in the darkness.”

“The Blackscales!” The chieftain was visibly angered, the spines on their back bristling as they now paced back and forth. “And they seek to free their corruptor, Rhashaak!”

“Rhashaak is the black dragon? It is an ally of the lizardfolk?”

“Yes; thousands of years ago, the dragon turned the Blackscales–s against our alliance, leading them to become its servants. Now they serve the one that slithers in the dark: Masvirik!”

“It is the Silver Flame—the silver fire—that binds Masvirik in the darkness, protecting all of Eberron from its evil.”

“Yes, the silver fire protects all from evil.”

“The sacred dragonshards in the jungle, such as those that your chieftain wear—are imbued with the Silver—with the silver fire. They were placed here for a reason; the fire wards the jungle against Masvirik’s release.”

Xeirgoulus had stopped and was looking at Anaya again now.

“If House Tharashk takes too many of the dragonshards, it will weaken the silver fire, until the prison no longer holds. There must be no more trade with House Tharashk, and they must be driven out of the jungle. If you do not, in time Masvirik will return and claim this whole land for its own.”

The chieftain looked stunned. They turned to the wise one, looking for guidance; the wise one said, in Draconic, “The shards are sacred, as I have always said. To trade them away weakens the great fire that watches over us.”

After some seconds, the chieftain turned back to the Templars. “You touch a great power, Templar; I have not heard of your order, but perhaps the gul siksta tribes should know of it. We will cease trade with the orc house; it may cost us now, but a greater evil dwells beneath these jungles that would do more harm than a thousand orcs.”

“The Silver Flame watches over the Cold Dragon tribe,” said Anaya; it was a clumsy phrase, Nyseris thought, like much of what the cleric said of the lizardfolk, but her attempt at diplomacy was not wasted, and Xeirgoulus seemed to appreciate it. “We will rally other tribes, and we seek to disrupt House Tharashk’s operations from Newthrone; hopefully together we can prevent their incursions into your lands.”

Make Camp(party): Heal

End of Session(party): Nyseris resolves her bond with Vaalyun, even though he is not present: she found that he was right. Anaya met her alignment goal, +1 XP.

XP: Anaya: 0 failures, alignment goal; at 4XP.
Esthana: 1 failure; now at 9XP.
Nyseris: 1 failure, 1 bond resolved; at 4XP.
Vaalyun: 0 failures; at 8XP.