Episode 60
Is his father the first execution? Because it’s narratively interesting, I’ll say it’s SL.
(Somewhat Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
“Now, they die!” Yormid shouted, and he raised his axe. “One by one! Bring them forth! That one first!”
“Draw,” Eilwen commanded, and she felt the fibers in her hand, the smoothness of the fletching as she drew the string to her cheek. Light glinted orange and red off armor and weapons from the warriors. The crowd barely stirred, somber, reverent, and docile. Such killings must’ve become commonplace, a part of Eilwen’s mind considered.
Two guards shoved Edyard, Gethyds father, forward, wrists bound with leather bands that cut into his arms. His legs were also hobbled with a rope that he could only move in a slow shuffle. He fell on scraped knees before Yormid.
“Father...” she heard Gethyd whisper.
She’ll also be taking extra shots... she has to declare this first. She’ll suffer -1 supply but can reroll any dice.
Is Yormid’s rank Formidable? I think so. I think even alone he’s Formidable. So I’ll say likely.
(Likely | 4[d10]) No, but...
Wow. That was nice. So, he’s just a Dangerous foe then. Maybe he usually is Formidable but not today due to an injury from a hunt or something...or because Gethyd is helping.
Enter the Fray move + Shadow
5 = 2[d6]+3
17 = 8[d10]+9[d10]
A miss!
“Aim,” Eilwen hissed, and she sighted on Yormid’s chest.
Edyard’s face was proud and defiant and he struggled to stand. He stood up in front of Yormid blocking their shot. He cursed and spat in Yormid’s face.
But from my Shadow Walk ability when ambushing, she can re-roll any dice. I’ll reroll all of them. They have to hit first!
7 = 4[d6]+3
10 = 3[d10]+7[d10]
A weak hit. On a weak hit, prepare to act and either take +2 momentum, or take initiative. We have to take initiative to save his life, but they’re waiting for a clear shot
Yormid cursed and backhanded Edyard, sending him flying onto his back, blood gushing from a shattered nose.
“Fire!” Eilwen said and she let fly.
Now she does the Strike move
7 = 5[d6]+2
18 = 9[d10]+9[d10]
No no no! A miss on double 9s!!Not good. What I wouldn’t give for ten momentum!
On doubles, there’s a narrative twist and something bad in this case and the higher the numbers the worse the twist. The first thing that comes to my mind is that I hit Edyard instead. Hmmm...
Miss Count 3/24
Let me roll up an action / theme to get an idea of how her miss happened, because up until now things were going quite well...
Swear / Desolation
We pause the camera and zoom in on the back of her neck. Sweat glistens in the sunlight from the pores of her skin. Wisps of fine hairs stand out on her neck. And there we see a black and red spider-like creature, its poisonous stinger glints wetly in the shaft of afternoon sunlight (Desolation).
Hmm. Is it a normal size spider?
(50/50 | 4[d10]) No
Ah...hah, so it’s the giant variety eh? Apparently, this thing must’ve been a little nest up in this ruined chapel, in the top of the steeple, and it was biding its time! Fun fun fun.
Rewind and Take 2!
We pause the camera and then go ultra slow-mo: The camera and the angle show Eilwen from the front, bow pulled to her cheek in a three-fingered draw. We zoom closer and catch her slow exhalation. We see her intense concentration, composed and confident, the lithe form of a consummate warrior. Perspiration glistens in the sunlight from the pores of her skin, wisps of her dark hair catch a gentle breeze.
The angle shifts upward, and there at the edges of darkness, we see the barest form of something foul and loathsome, a massive...multi-legged shape drops from the shadows above her....It passes through a wide shaft of sunlight and time slows further as it is is bathed in the golden sunset. We see glittering in the light the black pattern on its red carapace, its poisonous stinger glints wetly, a promise of desolation. (It’s some unholy combination of an ant and spider, maybe -- hence the poisonous stinger instead of in the mandibles)
All this time, it must’ve crept stealthily, descending soundlessly on a web from the tower above her.
Detritus and flecks of charred timber fall slowly with the monstrosity through the shaft of light.
Does this affect Gethyd too?
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
Time slowed. A heartbeat before Eilwen released her bowstring, something large and sleek with multiple hairy legs and multi-faceted eyes slammed into her, throwing off her aim. She caught a glimpse of red and black before detritus and debris fell about her. She uttered an oath as she skidded across the mossy planks and rolled into Gethyd.
Gethyd remained standing but slammed against the wooden frame of the window, knocking out bits of masonry as his arrow careened forth.
Does Gethyd shot hit Yormid? I’ll say unlikely, given that he’s distracted by her rolling into him and the big scary spider that emerged:
(Unlikely | 2[d10]) No
Does he hit a guard?
(50/50 | 4[d10]) No
Does he hit a civilian?
(50/50 | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
Does he kill him/her?
(50/50 | 9[d10]) Yes
His barb buried itself into the back of an old woman, and she collapses forward with a cry, clutching vainly at the point protruding from her chest.
Let’s see what manner of foe Edyard might be. I think it’s SL that he’s Troublesome?
(Somewhat Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
Eilwen’s errant attack gives two harm. We’ll end the attack on Edyard after this harm as if he were a foe that she is trying to slay. So, that’d be 6/10 progress boxes. If the 6 progress boxes beat the two challenge dice, he’s dead. If not, he’s only wounded.
That’s six boxes vs challenge dice:
3 = 1[d10]+2[d10]
Nope that is indeed a killing blow... And we can’t use momentum on progress moves to change this.
Does Yormid have counter snipers set up?
Probably not. I’ll say unlikely.
(Unlikely | 1[d10]) No, and...
In fact, he doesn’t have any archers immediately with him.
What about Halig and his group that fled the clearing last night? Do they show up and try anything? I’m going to say it’s Very Unlikely given something else I rolled about them earlier.
(Very Unlikely | 1[d10]) No, and...
Eilwen’s arrow lanced out of her bow. It moved in slow motion. Yormid’s axe raised to strike Edyard. It glistened in the setting sun, turning it blood red--a portentous omen. But her arrow came first, and it slashed through the air and buried itself up to its fletchings into the side of Edyard’s neck, pinning him to the ground.
He gurgled, clawing at his throat as his life’s blood poured out.
The crowd gasped. Yormid, eyes wide in shock, took two steps back, and his guards raised shields and closed in about him. Then his cruel green eyes narrowed as he scanned the buildings.
Does he see the forms struggling in the tower? 50/50 given that there’s a big hairy insect making a racket there.
(50/50 | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
“There! In the church tower! By the dying breath of the gods, but they’ll feel my wrath!” he swore, and his spittle hung in the air. “Kill them! Kill them all!”
He pointed with his axe, and his guards charged forward. About twenty-five warriors, including Yormid, began to cut their way through the square, shoving, and cleaving the people in front of them in their haste to get through to the tower. As they passed, they left a wake of destruction, of...desolation.
Does the crowd scatter?
(Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
Wow. What a horrible change of events! Quite the kerfuffle!
(Note that it’s been many days from my initial writeup here, and I noticed while editing this prior to posting on RPGSolo that I forgot to apply her Archer ability to spend an extra supply to reroll any of the dice on that Strike. That could have changed things significantly. But since I’ve already written some 40+ pages of content in subsequent episodes based on what happened here, I’ll just run with the double-nines. Bad things happen! Note to self, remember character abilities!)
Is his father the first execution? Because it’s narratively interesting, I’ll say it’s SL.
(Somewhat Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
“Now, they die!” Yormid shouted, and he raised his axe. “One by one! Bring them forth! That one first!”
“Draw,” Eilwen commanded, and she felt the fibers in her hand, the smoothness of the fletching as she drew the string to her cheek. Light glinted orange and red off armor and weapons from the warriors. The crowd barely stirred, somber, reverent, and docile. Such killings must’ve become commonplace, a part of Eilwen’s mind considered.
Two guards shoved Edyard, Gethyds father, forward, wrists bound with leather bands that cut into his arms. His legs were also hobbled with a rope that he could only move in a slow shuffle. He fell on scraped knees before Yormid.
“Father...” she heard Gethyd whisper.
She’ll also be taking extra shots... she has to declare this first. She’ll suffer -1 supply but can reroll any dice.
Is Yormid’s rank Formidable? I think so. I think even alone he’s Formidable. So I’ll say likely.
(Likely | 4[d10]) No, but...
Wow. That was nice. So, he’s just a Dangerous foe then. Maybe he usually is Formidable but not today due to an injury from a hunt or something...or because Gethyd is helping.
Enter the Fray move + Shadow
5 = 2[d6]+3
17 = 8[d10]+9[d10]
A miss!
“Aim,” Eilwen hissed, and she sighted on Yormid’s chest.
Edyard’s face was proud and defiant and he struggled to stand. He stood up in front of Yormid blocking their shot. He cursed and spat in Yormid’s face.
But from my Shadow Walk ability when ambushing, she can re-roll any dice. I’ll reroll all of them. They have to hit first!
7 = 4[d6]+3
10 = 3[d10]+7[d10]
A weak hit. On a weak hit, prepare to act and either take +2 momentum, or take initiative. We have to take initiative to save his life, but they’re waiting for a clear shot
Yormid cursed and backhanded Edyard, sending him flying onto his back, blood gushing from a shattered nose.
“Fire!” Eilwen said and she let fly.
Now she does the Strike move
7 = 5[d6]+2
18 = 9[d10]+9[d10]
No no no! A miss on double 9s!!Not good. What I wouldn’t give for ten momentum!
On doubles, there’s a narrative twist and something bad in this case and the higher the numbers the worse the twist. The first thing that comes to my mind is that I hit Edyard instead. Hmmm...
Miss Count 3/24
Let me roll up an action / theme to get an idea of how her miss happened, because up until now things were going quite well...
Swear / Desolation
We pause the camera and zoom in on the back of her neck. Sweat glistens in the sunlight from the pores of her skin. Wisps of fine hairs stand out on her neck. And there we see a black and red spider-like creature, its poisonous stinger glints wetly in the shaft of afternoon sunlight (Desolation).
Hmm. Is it a normal size spider?
(50/50 | 4[d10]) No
Ah...hah, so it’s the giant variety eh? Apparently, this thing must’ve been a little nest up in this ruined chapel, in the top of the steeple, and it was biding its time! Fun fun fun.
Rewind and Take 2!
We pause the camera and then go ultra slow-mo: The camera and the angle show Eilwen from the front, bow pulled to her cheek in a three-fingered draw. We zoom closer and catch her slow exhalation. We see her intense concentration, composed and confident, the lithe form of a consummate warrior. Perspiration glistens in the sunlight from the pores of her skin, wisps of her dark hair catch a gentle breeze.
The angle shifts upward, and there at the edges of darkness, we see the barest form of something foul and loathsome, a massive...multi-legged shape drops from the shadows above her....It passes through a wide shaft of sunlight and time slows further as it is is bathed in the golden sunset. We see glittering in the light the black pattern on its red carapace, its poisonous stinger glints wetly, a promise of desolation. (It’s some unholy combination of an ant and spider, maybe -- hence the poisonous stinger instead of in the mandibles)
All this time, it must’ve crept stealthily, descending soundlessly on a web from the tower above her.
Detritus and flecks of charred timber fall slowly with the monstrosity through the shaft of light.
Does this affect Gethyd too?
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
Time slowed. A heartbeat before Eilwen released her bowstring, something large and sleek with multiple hairy legs and multi-faceted eyes slammed into her, throwing off her aim. She caught a glimpse of red and black before detritus and debris fell about her. She uttered an oath as she skidded across the mossy planks and rolled into Gethyd.
Gethyd remained standing but slammed against the wooden frame of the window, knocking out bits of masonry as his arrow careened forth.
Does Gethyd shot hit Yormid? I’ll say unlikely, given that he’s distracted by her rolling into him and the big scary spider that emerged:
(Unlikely | 2[d10]) No
Does he hit a guard?
(50/50 | 4[d10]) No
Does he hit a civilian?
(50/50 | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
Does he kill him/her?
(50/50 | 9[d10]) Yes
His barb buried itself into the back of an old woman, and she collapses forward with a cry, clutching vainly at the point protruding from her chest.
Let’s see what manner of foe Edyard might be. I think it’s SL that he’s Troublesome?
(Somewhat Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
Eilwen’s errant attack gives two harm. We’ll end the attack on Edyard after this harm as if he were a foe that she is trying to slay. So, that’d be 6/10 progress boxes. If the 6 progress boxes beat the two challenge dice, he’s dead. If not, he’s only wounded.
That’s six boxes vs challenge dice:
3 = 1[d10]+2[d10]
Nope that is indeed a killing blow... And we can’t use momentum on progress moves to change this.
Does Yormid have counter snipers set up?
Probably not. I’ll say unlikely.
(Unlikely | 1[d10]) No, and...
In fact, he doesn’t have any archers immediately with him.
What about Halig and his group that fled the clearing last night? Do they show up and try anything? I’m going to say it’s Very Unlikely given something else I rolled about them earlier.
(Very Unlikely | 1[d10]) No, and...
Eilwen’s arrow lanced out of her bow. It moved in slow motion. Yormid’s axe raised to strike Edyard. It glistened in the setting sun, turning it blood red--a portentous omen. But her arrow came first, and it slashed through the air and buried itself up to its fletchings into the side of Edyard’s neck, pinning him to the ground.
He gurgled, clawing at his throat as his life’s blood poured out.
The crowd gasped. Yormid, eyes wide in shock, took two steps back, and his guards raised shields and closed in about him. Then his cruel green eyes narrowed as he scanned the buildings.
Does he see the forms struggling in the tower? 50/50 given that there’s a big hairy insect making a racket there.
(50/50 | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
“There! In the church tower! By the dying breath of the gods, but they’ll feel my wrath!” he swore, and his spittle hung in the air. “Kill them! Kill them all!”
He pointed with his axe, and his guards charged forward. About twenty-five warriors, including Yormid, began to cut their way through the square, shoving, and cleaving the people in front of them in their haste to get through to the tower. As they passed, they left a wake of destruction, of...desolation.
Does the crowd scatter?
(Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
Wow. What a horrible change of events! Quite the kerfuffle!
(Note that it’s been many days from my initial writeup here, and I noticed while editing this prior to posting on RPGSolo that I forgot to apply her Archer ability to spend an extra supply to reroll any of the dice on that Strike. That could have changed things significantly. But since I’ve already written some 40+ pages of content in subsequent episodes based on what happened here, I’ll just run with the double-nines. Bad things happen! Note to self, remember character abilities!)
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