Game of Chance

Characters

• Initial GM: User:Nslife
• Chance Davis, Ranger, played by User:Jslife

Background

Global Context

The world as you know it is vast. It includes sprawling deserts, high mountain regions, swamps, and long running plains. You grew up mainly in the northern region of the world called Lorn. This region is mainly high mountains and forest. Thistle (your elderly ranger teacher) was able to teach you how to survive in almost any region on the planet and you have had to rely on this knowledge when travelling through the deserts or at times in the high seas to the west and eastern most boundaries of Lorn.

As far as your sources in the larger cities know, the world doesn’t seem to be in turmoil right now. There are many stories, however, of massive battles involving all manner of demons and strange unknown magic that have been passed down through the centuries, but these are largely thought of as creation myths for Lorn and you definitely have never witnessed anything magical in your journeys so tend to agree. Having an innate interest in the occult and hidden lore (high technology), you have come across signs (in ancient books mainly) that beg explanation and seem to indicate to you that these stories may not be all myth.

Current Situation

You have recently finished accompanying a merchant (Tad) from a small northern village to a another village named Hostroph a couple days ride west of a large eastern city known as Dyrnlost (the trip took about a week and a half). Tad had traded with farmers and forest gatherers in the northern lands and you successfully guided him back to his home village where he lives and makes monthly trips to the larger eastern city of Dyrnlost to trade. Your business with him is over and, as is your custom, you have made your way to the local inn to trade stories and get information about local happenings and gossip from the inn keeper named Tor. After learning that there is nothing new besides the regular bandits on the road, Tor does divulge to you that he has been hassled by some local bandits that have asked for taxes from him for “protection.” Tor is an older retired, proud warrior himself and lets you know that he thinks he can handle them on his own and doesn’t seem too worried about the situation.

You are now sitting (where?) in the tavern, resting and pondering your next move…

Character Creation

The main advice on character creation is to make a character that can fight, but that also has a good intellect. In particular, the character’s intellect will most likely come into play more as the campaign progresses.

250 points total
max 75 disadvantages
max 60 advantages*
max 5 quirks

• Other skills/advantages may be given out throughout the adventure depending on role-playing and the progression of the campaign.

TL4 gear, nothing magical.

What Happened

Rumble at Tor’s Tavern

Chance sat in the back of Tor’s tavern, closest to the huge fireplace. The few townsfolk that were in the tavern weren’t able to make out Chance’s face due to the firelight directly behind him. Tor, the tavern owner, stood polishing mugs at the bar when another townsperson came running in. From Chance’s perspective the townsperson was obviously upset and likely relating a shocking incident to Tor. Tor only nodded and seemed to look a little wearier than he had previously. The shocked townsperson then left.

Chance had a moment to ask the serving wench for information as to what just occurred and was able to glean information about bandits that had been disturbing the townsfolk over the past 10 months or so. Tor had thus far stood up to them, but the bandits were growing ever more determined with their “protection peddling” scheme every week.

Not 15 minutes later who walks into the tavern but four unwholesome looking men (most likely the bandits), obviously not from around these parts. An argument ensued between one of the men and Tor. Chance was able to overhear the man yell at Tor “give me my gold pieces!” and also saw the man open hand slap Tor, causing Tor to look very frightened and upset. The two townsfolk in the tavern then didn’t hesitate when the man speaking with Tor turned around briefly and ordered everyone out of the tavern; leaving only Chance sitting in the back, four mysterious men, and Tor reeling from the unexpected slap to the face (the serving wench presumably sat out the action in the back pantry).

Chance then stood and slowly approached the men while attempting to talk with the leader. This didn’t get far when the leader of the group got upset when Chance wouldn’t introduce himself and then the leader blurted out that he wanted to know Chance’s name before he killed him! Chance was now within tomahawk range of the leader and let fly a tomahawk that was able to hit through the leader’s metal armor into the side of his chest.

At this time Tor jumped (or more accurately rolled) over the bar with longsword in hand! Chance then ran at what looked to be the biggest of the bandits and unsheathed his two broadswords! Chance was able to then effectively slice off the biggest bandit’s right leg and injure the bandit’s left leg at first strike with his dual wielding broadsword attack. The bandit was obviously a hardened fighter though as he struck back (from the ground) at Chance, but missed with his greatsword.

Having fallen one of the bandits, Chance then circled on the remaining three bandits to see Tor also cutting off the leg of the leader bandit (later know as Leonardo) and one of the other bandits fleeing out the tavern entrance. The last remaining standing bandit unceremoniously soiled himself and urine could be seen at the floor under his legs.

Chance and Tor then toasted the successful event and Chance was able to see Tor get a bit of pride back from the successful skirmish. Chance then learned that the last remaining bandit was actually a city kid that had recently joined the bandit group for a better life. Having attempted to talk some sense into the youth, Chance let him go warning the youth to not join up again with bandits. Chance then questioned Leonardo briefly and learned that the main bandit leader was named Drag and that Leonardo’s small bandit group was in charge of this area and only heard from Drag by messengers. Before leaving Leonardo be, Chance impressed upon him that this town and surrounding area were under Chance’s protection from here on out.

The serving wench then saw to the (now crippled) two bandit warriors’ wounds.

I Dream a Dream

Having had a busier day than expected after his long trip escorting Tad, Chance then retired late that night to get some much needed sleep. Yet sleep didn’t come easy.

Chance found himself awake (if awake he was!) in what seemed like an altered universe. He was able to stand, yet there was no floor. The surroundings seemed much like he was in the night’s sky when it was filled with stars. After he had got his bearing, Chance was able to make out what looked like many people that lie sleeping next to floating tables that turned slowly upside-down in a random fashion. Sitting at one of the tables perhaps 80 yards away was a creature Chance had never seen before. The non-human creature seemed to notice Chance, yet paid Chance no heed.

Blocking out some of the starscape loomed what looked like a massive 12-15 foot ghost wolf. The wolf was silvery white and seemed to radiate an aura of awe when Chance looked into its eyes. The wolf met Chances gaze with an indiscernible expression. Chance then attempted to walk toward the tables and found himself saying aloud, “where am I?”, only to hear the sound of his voice echo back to him 3-4 times before it died away. Movement then caught Chance’s attention as the great wolf raised its head and gave a pure and piercing howl! Chance noticed at that moment that the wolf’s eyes seemed to glitter like they were white fire and a pair of stars in the sky itself.

It was at that moment that chance found himself wake up from his bedroll, hearing a wolf howling in the distance. Chance understood he must have been dreaming, yet also understood that what happened was something with meaning and felt strangely at peace and familiar with that “place” he had just been. With nothing better to do, Chance went back to sleep and woke at sunrise.

Tracking Bandits

Chance set out on the trail of the city kid (turned unsuccessful bandit) first thing that morning and soon found that the kids lighter tracks fell in step with another pair of heavier tracks; most likely the bandit that had ran from the skirmish in Tor’s tavern. Having successfully followed the tracks for most of the day, Chance finally reached a grove of trees in which the tracks seemed to meet other older tracks and seemed randomly dispersed in the area from much comings and goings of the bandits. Could this be their hide out?

Chance bided his time till nightfall to get a better look and keep himself out of view from any possible weary bandits. Soon Chance was able to make out what looked like firelight from within the grove. Upon slowly sneaking into place, Chance was able to make out the city kid and the other bandit that had run away sitting around the fire. Chance overheard the larger bandit say that he had luckily met with a messenger the previous evening after running from the battle at the tavern. The man said that he was given directions to Drag’s hideout and would take the younger bandit with him to Drag’s hideout tomorrow morning. Chance then crept back into the shadows and waited to follow the bandits to Drag’s hideout.

Another day of tracking bandits ensued as Chance was able to follow the two bandits as they made their way north by north east to Drag’s hideout. When finally the bandits got close to the location of the hideout, Chance was able to recall this area of Lorn as it was a famous place for gangs of bandits to use. It was legendary as there were typically only three entrances to the place as it was cornered by three high ranging mountains, providing good cover from any unwanted trespassers.

Chance watched the two bandits he had been following throughout the day yell something when they reached a certain point at one of the entrances of the hideout to not be shot and proceeded to identify themselves as bandits from the south eastern counties. A responding yell could barely be made out by Chance and he watched the bandits walk into the hideout.

Chance then circled around the place examining the other locations and after further study, sequestered himself inside a particularly thick stretch of bushes and trees and waited until nightfall to take further action.