As moonlight filters through the clouds, the party sees shadows moving among the trees. Is it a trick of the moonlight, or have they found their quarry?
The group follows the trail down into the valley, Arthas maintaining a fair distance ahead. Rou is the first to spot a glinting light quickly followed by shadows moving among the trees. Realizing they’re hot on the trail, Big Mood suggests that Eight and Rou try sledding down into the valley in order to catch up to Arthas. This leaves Big Mood alone to deal with a massive white wolf that emerges from hiding.
As everyone converges in combat, the wolf proves to be a formidable foe. They start to get the upper hand, but then the sound of heavy footprints is heard in the distance.
Follow Dax @GM_Dax, Kappa @TheKappaChris, Wren @ThornyDryad, and Worrier @WorrierMN
Transcript by CJ Kallevig
Upbeat piano intro ends[00:28]
Relaxing piano music fades in [00:29]
Wren (as Eight): Hello, I am Eight. And you are listening to Roads Uncharted. Previously, in our last leg of our adventure, we met a large cow person at a tavern. We had a lovely conversation, which ultimately was interrupted by a young woman who entered, screaming something about the death of Jerry? We were all very excited to hear that something had happened to Jerry because well, quite frankly, we were looking for Jerry. So, Arthas, being the most ecstatic to discover what had happened to Jerry, rushed out of the tavern.
Followed in short order by our new friend, Big Mood, Best Friend Rou, and myself, Eight. We took to the streets, it was a bit dark and snowing. There appeared to be a large gathering of folks at a farm on the outskirts of town. It seemed that Jerry had been disemboweled, and partially eaten, which was altogether surprising. I believe our new large companion has a delicate constitution, for he seemed a bit taken aback by the gruesome nature of adventuring and what had happened to Jerry.
Rou and Big Mood and Arthas inspected for further clues as to what might have killed Jerry. Ultimately, Arthas rushed off towards the spooky woods on the outskirts of the farm, claiming to have seen something amidst the trees. The rest of us took after him in chase, and we now are within the dark recesses of the silhouetted tree-line where we have heard a long, baleful howl resounding off of the snow-filled skies. What will happen next?
Music shifts to a suspenseful melody [02:36]
Dax: Arthas, you stand at the edge of the forest overlooking this mountain valley. You can see that there are large boulders, there are hilly expanses coated in snow. The snowfall is now getting thicker. The big snowflakes are fluffier, they’re partially obscuring your view. You have just heard this mournful howl. I need every single one of you to give me a Vigilance check, no difficulty.
[dice rolls]
Neil: A Success and a Triumph.
Kappa: That would be two Success and two Advantage for me.
Worrier: Three Successes.
Wren: Three Success and a Triumph.
Dax: So there are two Triumphs.
Kappa: You and your Triumphs.
Wren: Quick! Let us insert something into the scene. Perhaps, oh! Perhaps the clouds part, revealing a full moon and it is suddenly easier to see?
Dax: Wren, if that’s what you would like to use your Triumph for, I, I will say that while the snow continues, some of the clouds do shift. It does allow for some moonlight to shimmer down into the valley and you are able to see a little better. Yes, I will give you that. Arthas, what about you?
Neil: Is there a clear path of, like, I don’t want to say destruction, but footprints? Moved brambles? Plant life that’s been disturbed that I can spot with that?
Dax: If you want to insert that, yeah.
Neil: Sure.
Dax: I mean, we can say that there is a path where you can see where this creature went down into the valley and kind of leads off. After a while, it does come to an end as if the creature realized maybe, perhaps, that it was leaving a trail? But you do see it does lead down into the valley, yes.
Neil: Sick.
Dax: Now, before we get any further. Arthas, are you following that trail of destruction? Or are you going to wait until the rest of your companions arrive? Because I believe they were still lagging behind just a little bit.
Neil: I feel like with as single-minded as I am, I’m going to continue running after it. Because the longer it’s alive, the more opportunities it has to hurt people.
Dax: Alright. Arthas, you’re running down into the valley. Mood, Rou, and Eight. The three of you are just starting to get close to Arthas and then you see him run down the side of this hill. As you come closer, you also see the valley. You can see the clear path of destruction that leads off down into the valley. At least to a point. You see Arthas is charging, following that destructive path. Eight, I believe you had a Barrier spell up.
Wren: I did.
Dax: Okay. What are the three of you doing as you come to a crest at the same time on this, well, the edge of the valley?
Worrier: I’m breathing a little heavy, cardio ain’t what it used to be. But feel like I’m giving a pretty good effort. Keeping a mood out for Arthas, feels like an experienced adventurer comparatively. So just trying to figure out where he went.
Dax: I mean he’s 11-foot tall, and especially with that moonlight that is now shimmering down into the valley, even with this snow, it is very easy to see where he is.
Kappa: I’m also breathing quite hard, but not out of, because I’m tired. I’m feeling very nervous. There’s a cold sweat and because I’m not sure I want to encounter this, whatever this is. But Arthas has run off and we need to protect our friend.
Wren: I will slowly trundle up behind the two of you, as I imagine you’re both kind of waiting on the top, the crest of this hill, before it descends into the valley. I’m not panting, in fact I’m not breathing at all. You just hear the sound of my footsteps slamming into the frozen ground underfoot as I approach. And the light from my lantern illuminating the ground that’s around you all. Giving a swirl of different lighted colors to the snow that’s flurrying around. I approach from behind and looking down, I exclaim,
Wren (as Eight): Oh, look! A valley! And friends, it appears that whatever has killed Jerry has descended into the valley itself. Perhaps, it would be best if we attempted to keep up with Arthas as we have been doing. Though, if he continues along this pace, it would seem that,
Wren: And I look at the two of you.
Wren (as Eight): You both might be tired? In the event that we meet whatever creature has done this, Arthas is fairly easy to spot. Perhaps we should follow briskly but not over-exert ourselves.
Kappa (as Rou): Thank you for the, the vote of confidence there Eight. I’ll be fine. We should hurry, I fear Arthas might, might be a little bit overrun by whatever this is. Big Mood, you, you’re, you’re from the area, correct?
Worrier (as Big Mood): Yeah, just, just a few towns over.
Kappa (as Rou): What do you think the beast is that could have done this? This destruction? Are there wolves in the area?
Worrier (as Big Mood): I mean, there’s wolves pretty much everywhere. Not, not like goofy wolves though. But…
Kappa (as Rou): Okay.
Worrier: Actually, could I check to see if maybe my family told me any stories about creatures like this?
Dax: Hmmm. Why don’t, because you’re specifically asking if your family mentioned something similar in their adventures, why don’t we have you make me a Adventuring Knowledge check? And you can make it at Easy difficulty, so one purple.
[dice rolls]
Worrier: That’s two Advantages and one Failure.
Dax: Okay. So you do what I like to call ‘fail with style’. So why don’t you explain to us what that means in this situation for you?
Worrier: I feel like, I feel like for Mood, he would have a lot of stories that he’s sort of cycling through. He kind of gets so caught up in the stories that maybe there’s some bits and pieces in there that are relevant but it sort of gets a little bit lost in the shuffle.
Dax: Sure. I think that’s good.
Kappa: Is that especially true because we’ve started running and it’s becoming difficult to recall stories and anecdotes while we are trying to catch up to our friend?
Worrier: Yeah, it’s totally that.
Dax: Alright. So I would like if you wouldn’t mind, the three of you, to give me a Perception check at Medium difficulty. So two purple please.
Wren: And y’all also get two Boost die because you’re standing right next to your good buddy Eight.
[dice rolls]
Kappa: Three Success and two Advantage.
Worrier: Six Advantages and one Failure.
Wren: Two Threat. Can maybe the wind blow out my lantern or something?
Dax: If that’s what you want to use the Threat for, that’s fine with me.
Wren: Sure would like that a lot better than suffering Strain.
Dax: Your lantern goes out and unfortunately now the group has to rely solely on moonlight. Which is still slightly obscured by this falling snow. So, Big Mood. You fail with style yet again. You’re following this trail, you’re looking for things. What does this narratively look like for you?
Worrier: Mood is looking around pretty intently. The lantern light going out throws him off, and so he’s getting really fixated on shadows. He’s like,
Worrier (as Big Mood): There, there’s, nope, that’s a tree. Okay, um, there’s a deer over there. Oh, nope, uh, wow. Okay.
Worrier: Like he’s looking for an 11-foot tall Giant-Kin, but he keeps getting it confused with trees.
Dax: I love it. Rou. Out of curiosity, would you be along, like side by side with the other two? Would you be in front? Would you be behind?
Kappa: I’d try very hard to keep moving forward, keeping my eyes peeled for Arthas. Even though I want to be in the back and covering our back, I’m compelled to be moving forward from the front.
Dax: Okay. Because you are, for all intents and purposes, in front of Big Mood and Eight as you are heading down into this valley, your feet trudging through the snow. You are the first one that sees glinting in the moonlight, a quick flash of light, followed very quickly by a shadow moving in the distance.
Kappa (as Rou): Is that Arthas? Arthas!
Kappa: Was the shadow moving away from me or, or laterally, or towards?
Dax: The shadow ahead of you moved off to the left.
Kappa (as Rou): I think Arthas is seeing something. We should press on.
Wren (as Eight): Rou, do you see Arthas?
Kappa (as Rou): No, no, I’m not quite sure. He could be further away than I originally thought, but there was a flash of light and, I think, I think it moved off to the left. Over there.
Kappa: And I’m pointing and squinting.
Kappa (as Rou): It’s… blast. Stupid snow.
Worrier (as Big Mood): Well it’s, it’s a good eye. You’re, you’re an expert tracker and I appreciate you.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh [laughs] thank you Big Mood.
Worrier: Mood like, grabs the wagon wheel off his back. He’s like…is it, is this a, this is a pretty like, into the valley? Like a sleddable descent?
Dax: I mean, there are boulders
Worrier: Sure
Dax: And trees you would have to worry about. But yeah, I mean it’s sleddable.
Worrier: An adventure. He’ll, yeah, he’ll be like,
Worrier (as Big Mood): We could, we could just sled down. Then we’re getting there faster and we’re having a great time.
Wren: I’ve gradually drifted to the back of the group because I’m slow. Ponderously slow. And I approach from behind and I, I stop and I look at the wheel that you’ve got in your hands, Big Mood. And I will visibly furrow my brows and just say,
Wren (as Eight): Are you suggesting we sled on top of a wagon wheel?
Worrier (as Big Mood): Yeah.
Kappa (as Rou): Let’s do it.
Worrier (as Big Mood): Well I mean, it’s just like, like the saying, you know. Friends who sled together,
Wren (as Eight): I’m not familiar with the statement. Friends who sled together do what together?
Worrier (as Big Mood): I don’t know any that rhymes with sled.
Kappa (as Rou): Don’t get dead together, obviously.
Worrier (as Big Mood): Don’t get dead together.
Wren (as Eight): Oh! That would almost be amusing if not for the fact that it will be bad for us all to be dead together.
Worrier (as Big Mood): Yeah, that’s why we gotta sled together.
Kappa (as Rou): Let’s go! Arthas is waiting for us!
Wren (as Eight): Oh! Yes, yes. Of course. Take to sledding!
Kappa (as Rou): Sure. If we can all fit.
Wren (as Eight): I will keep up. I mean, if there isn’t enough room. I do not tire.
Dax: Alright, so [laughs] so Big Mood is setting down this, this wagon wheel. Who actually is going to get on the wagon wheel and use it as a sled? Other than Mood. Rou?
Kappa: Sure. [chuckles]
Dax: Eight, are you going to try or are you actually going to trundle behind?
Wren: That really depends on how big this, this is and whether anyone other than Big Mood actually fits on it.
Worrier: I think I would realize rather quickly that I’m too big for this wagon wheel.
Worrier (as Big Mood): Two of you could fit on it, and it’ll go even faster if I give you a good push. Be my guests.
Wren (as Eight): Your guest, as in participate in the event at your behest.
Worrier (as Big Mood): Yeah. That rhymes too. You’re good at this.
Kappa (as Rou): Sure, sure.
Kappa: So I will step in and try and inch forward so that there’s plenty of room for, for Eight to do the sled style, you know.
Wren (as Eight): Perfect.
Kappa (as Rou): You’ve seen this? Two people on one sled?
Wren (as Eight): Friend Rou, if you would take your seat, I will snuggle in after you.
[Kappa laughs]
Wren (as Eight): I have never been sledding before. This is very exciting!
Wren: And I will like, stand on the end of the wheel awkwardly for a few seconds.
Wren (as Eight): Now what?
Worrier (as Big Mood): Uh, now I give you a push. And you get going.
Worrier: So I grab the back end of the wheel, sort of, football stance, just get a head start, run a few steps, push.
Wren: I would like to point out that I am gripping one of Rou’s shoulders with one hand the instant it starts moving. And I’m just like, clenching, still standing.
Dax: Alright. So Rou, since you are sitting in front, if you could do me a favor and, I have no better suggestion for this, if you think of one that might work better then please offer it. Give me an Athletics check to try and maneuver this sled. You get a Boost because Big Mood gave you a push, but you get a Setback because Eight never sat down. And then go ahead and two purple because there are trees and boulders that you have to maneuver through.
Wren: The good news is that at least the snow is not in your face because of my Barrier spell.
Kappa: Okay, Athletics. Athletics. [dice rolls] One Threat and one Failure.
Dax: Okay. Alright. Real quick, Big Mood, give me a Vigilance check at Medium difficulty, so two purple. And while you are rolling those dice, Rou. Tell me what that Failure and that Threat mean for you and Eight sledding.
Wren: Big Mood, you also get a blue die because of your best friend Eight!
Kappa: So, can I suffer Strain?
Dax: Yeah, you can suffer a Strain for that Threat.
Kappa: Okay. Hmmm.
Dax: How does the Failure turn out for you and Eight?
Kappa: We, not good! Honestly, cool, wonderful, that’s great. It’s almost like this thing drives itself. I don’t need to drive this. One would think that. And yet, the thought doesn’t cross my mind, steering isn’t a thing. I’m just going to magically go left. Gravity and the sled think otherwise. So does that boulder! It launches us, not too far, but enough to separate us from the sled and each other and crashing into the snow.
Dax: I, I absolutely love it. Alright, yeah, so Big Mood, you watch as your two new companions go. At first, they’re going fine down the hill, and then all of a sudden, it’s just, it’s a lot shorter ride than you originally anticipated. What was the result of your Vigilance check?
Worrier: One Advantage.
Dax: Alright. You actually hear it before you see it. The soft crunching of snow, and then suddenly almost out of nowhere, a massive beast leaps for you. Arthas, you are just coming to the end of this rampage, where you can clearly see the path opening up ahead of you. Broken branches, footprints, this viscous liquid, droplets every so often. And then it stops. You don’t see anything.
Neil: Like, abruptly?
Dax: Mhmm.
Neil: I look up.
Dax: You look up to see moonlight and snowflakes falling into your face. You then hear the sound of something crashing into the snow up and behind you. And if you turn and look, you see Eight and Rou splayed out in the snow about halfway up from where you started, in two different directions. And you also see a massive creature leaping at Big Mood. Now, we’re officially in Initiative. Y’all have already rolled for it. The way Initiative is going to work is two PC slots, an NPC slot, and then two PC slots. So who would like to go first?
Music shifts to a tense, haunting tune[19:15]
Neil: I would.
Dax: Okay. So, Arthas has started charging up. That’s one maneuver to move, do you want to spend the additional maneuver on your turn and get closer?
Neil: Yes please.
Dax: Okay. Alright. Who would like to take next -
Worrier: I’ll go. If that’s okay with everybody.
Dax: Sure.
Worrier: I get bowled over by this, this massive beast and I’m on, I’m on my back staring into its eyes with my much more frightened looking eyes. I get, pretty bad indigestion but that’s an internal issue. I, I realize I’m pinned down. I can’t, I can’t reach my trusty hoe. So, I’m gonna slide a hand into my pocket, pull a handful of soil, and toss into the beast’s eyes. Pocket soil!
Dax: Oh my god, you have potting soil in your pocket. Um.. [laughs]
Worrier: Hoping those little white chunky bits get lodged into its retinas.
Dax: Yeah, yeah, sure. Um, why don’t we, hmmmm, how do you feel about a Sleight of Hand check for that?
Worrier: I feel good about that.
Dax: Go ahead and, we’ll say Medium difficulty so two purple.
Worrier: Okay.
Dax: However, you’re going to upgrade that twice, so it’ll be two red instead.
Worrier: Okay. I do not see Sleight of Hand on my sheet.
Dax: Oh sorry, that’s right. Sleight of Hand is actually Skullduggery.
Worrier: Skullduggery. Okay.
Dax: I’m sorry. [laughs]
Worrier: No, that’s okay! I was just like, I’m not looking in the right place. Okay, here goes. [dice rolls] Oh wow! That went way better than I expected it to. That’s one Success and one Advantage.
Dax: Yeah!!! Alright, heck yeah. Alright. So, you reach into your pocket and you toss very awkwardly, this potting soil into this creature's face. Now what you see above you is essentially a white wolf, but its head is much larger than your own. You can see above these massive ice or glass crystals, protruding from its back. The minute that dirt smacks into its face, it lifts its head back and it shakes it and it actually backs off of you and you are now free.
Worrier (as Big Mood): Oh, okay.
Worrier: Uh, I’m gonna. I’m gonna scramble up to my feet and take a few steps back and it’s like a free action or something, and I’ll pull the trusty Andersen hoe off my back and wield it. Non-menacingly, but as best I can do.
Dax: So it’s a maneuver to stand up. If you want to back up, it’s going to be two Strain for the additional maneuver. And I believe you can pull your weapon out for free?
Worrier: Alright. Yeah, I’ll take the Strain.
Dax: This massive wolf takes a minute to try and blink itself free of that dirt and grit. It looks around and it spots you, Big Mood. It lets out this really deep throaty growl, and it starts to echo through the valley, to the point where Rou and Eight, the two of you can hear it as well. It is then going to spend a maneuver to start stalking closer, and that will be it for its turn. Next two PC slots.
Kappa: Sure. I’m, so you said I was currently splayed out in the snow. I’d like to use all my maneuvers to get up, survey the situation, and I don’t know if surveying is an action or an incidental. And then make my way to help out our new friend. I’m, I’m going to try and carry the, the wagon wheel too. In case that is something that is essential to Big Mood’s combat.
Dax: Sure! Yeah. Yeah, so spend a maneuver to stand, and if you’re just going to take the rest of your turn to head up towards it, you can sacrifice your action and use your second for it. That’s perfectly fine. I won’t make you roll a check for that wagon wheel, I feel like it’s not probably too heavy where you would have to struggle for it.
Kappa (as Rou): Come on Eight, there’s something big.
Wren: I push my face out of the snow and I’ve just got like, all this clumps in my mouth.
Wren (as Eight): Rou, I hear something growling. Do, do you hear it? On the wind?
Kappa (as Rou): I can see it!
Wren (as Eight): You see the growl?
Wren: And I turn and look, like over my shoulder.
Wren (as Eight): Oh, wait, no! That is a giant creature!
Wren: And I’ll agree, yes it’s time to go. And I think that’s my turn, right? So I’ll just stand up. How far away is the critter?
Dax: From the two of you, it would have been Medium range, because you were halfway between Big Mood and Arthas when you crashed.
Wren: Great. I would love to let my Barrier down and I would like to look at the creature and I think I want to cast a curse on it?
Dax: Okay.
Wren: And I’d like to do a Doom Curse. Since I am Medium range, base range is Easy. So to extend my range, I’d have to make it at least Medium. And to add the Doom, it’s going to make it plus two purple. So, it’s going to be a formidable check to start. And if there’s any modification you want to make to it because of, like, its difficulty rank or things like that, we’ll go from there.
Dax: Yeah, you’ll have to upgrade that twice.
Wren: Twice, okay. So two reds and two purples. Alright, so I’ll just go ahead and get my good dice out here. I will also suffer two Strain to keep walking with Rou after standing up. I see this creature and I think back to Jerry’s dismembered body and all the blood and all the hysterics and the terrified sheep. I think to myself, I want this creature to…not suffer, but this isn’t a good, good critter. It should be concerned about its well-being, so I think and concentrate on it having a bad day. I’m going to channel that as I roll. [dice rolls] Oh, a single Failure. So, the curse does not take effect and I suffer two Strain in my attempts to channel that energy into a spell. So I think that’s all for me.
Dax: Alright, top of the round. Next PC slot.
Kappa: If it’s okay, I’d like to go in this PC slot? How far away am I from, from Big Mood?
Dax: So you started at Medium, you spent a maneuver to move a range band, so you are now in Short range with the creature and Big Mood.
Kappa: Okay. I’m going to maneuver over to Big Mood.
Kappa (as Rou): Here’s your, here’s your wheel. Make sure you’re protecting yourself, remember this thing eviscerated Jerry, so be on your, be on your toes. Oh my.
Kappa: And for my action, Rou is looking at this thing up and down. I’d like to try and tell if this is a thing that actually destroyed and annihilated Jerry. Are there, are there signs of blood? Any signs of, you know, torn clothing in its teeth or something?
Dax: Go ahead and give me a Perception check, and give it to me at Easy difficulty. I mean, you’re, you’re all pretty close to this creature.
[dice rolls]
Kappa: Two Successes and one Threat.
Dax: This creature is so large and the fact that its mouth is open, you can see drool is dripping over its jaw. You can actually see pieces of fabric caught in its back teeth, because of how big its maw is. You can see a little bit of blood on its white lips. What would you like to use your Threat for?
Kappa: I’m not sure. I’m, I’m just going to default to a Strain.
Dax: Okay. Next PC slot.
Worrier: I’ll go.
Dax: Alright.
Worrier: I visibly well up a little bit, when, when Rou returns the wagon wheel.
Worrier (as Big Mood): You brought my thing back. That’s so nice.
Worrier: I would like to, I want to look at the, the ice or whatever, crystals? Can I tell, the purpose being, can I tell if, you know, these are part of the creature or if this is maybe like a thorn in the paw situation? That these crystals have been irritating the creature? Or something like that?
Dax: Go ahead and give me Survival, and I’ll let you have it at Easy difficulty. You, you’ve heard stories from your family about multiple monsters, so I’ll give it to you at Easy.
[dice rolls]
Worrier: One Success and one Advantage.
Dax: You can definitely tell that these are natural formations on this creature. They are of varying sizes, varying thicknesses. You can either spend that Advantage to regain a Strain or you can use it to add a Boost die to the next PC slot.
Worrier: I’ll add a Boost die to the next PC slot.
Dax: Alright, so that’s your action. Any maneuvers, any free incidentals?
Worrier: Incidentals, I will sort of whisper in an aside to Rou
Worrier (as Big Mood): The crystals are part of the creature.
Worrier: I will kind of slip the handle on the wagon wheel around the forearm, hold it up, and put myself between Rou and this crystal.
Dax: Sure. Yeah, I like that. Yeah. Alright. This creature is slowly stalking towards you, Big Mood. Rou, you now stand just slightly behind this Minotaur. You can see this massive form, even through the snow, hulking forward. You can hear the crunch of the snow as its large feet push down into the ground. It is going to take a lunge at you, Big Mood. And that is going to be…[dice rolls] okay. Big Mood.
This creature lunges at you, and you can feel its forepaws clamp right down onto your shield. It reaches over the shield in one movement and with its open maw, and clamps onto your shoulder. As you feel yourself taking on the weight of this creature, you almost feel like your knees are going to buckle under you from its weight. You can feel the teeth clasping into your shoulder. And you are going to take 15 wounds with that single bite.
Worrier: Wow.
Wren: No wonder Jerry died.
Neil: Yeah, damn.
Dax: Alright. Next PC slot.
Neil: I would like to bonk the wolf.
Wren: I was going to say, Arthas please go. [chuckles]
Dax: Yeah. I was going to say, Arthas, at this point you, because of your, your extra steps last turn, you are within now Short range of this creature. So it wouldn’t be any issue for you to move up into Engaged with it.
Neil: Rad. I would like to attack it.
Dax: Alright. So you’ve already got your, your sword club thing out and you are heading up towards this creature with your maneuver, I’m guessing?
Neil: Yes, and may I also do a Reckless Charge as an incidental?
Dax: Yeah. Yeah, do that.
Neil: So I will add two Success and two Threat to my next combat skill check.
Dax: Go ahead and make your attack, go ahead. It is still technically on top of Big Mood, so I’m going to need you to give it to me at Hard difficulty but you’re going to upgrade it twice. So it’ll be two red and one purple.
Neil: One Success and three Advantage, which turns into one Success, three Advantage, and two Failure.
Dax: Okay. So, one Success, one Advantage then.
Neil: Three Advantage because it adds two Successes and two Threat.
Dax: Oh, so is that three Advantage after the -
Neil: Yeah. Yes.
Dax: The threat is already -
Neil: Yes.
Dax: Okay, okay. Alright, cool, cool. So you have your Success, you have your Threat. So that’s four plus what your greatclub is, four.
Neil: Yes. Damage four.
Dax: And you have your, you have three Advantages so you get to roll me a d100 please for the Critical Injury.
Neil: D100…pop! [dice rolls] Seventy-nine.
Dax: You smash your greatclub, sword, thing into the back of this creature. Crystals shatter upon impact. The creature immediately falls off of Big Mood and tumbles to the ground, leaving its belly exposed as it lies there on the ground on its side. You are able to, with that, make another attack against them as an incidental. So go ahead and, and it says that you’re going to get it at the exact same pool as the original attack, so you know, it’ll be the same difficulty pool. So go ahead and roll me another attack and see if you can do some more damage on this creature.
[dice rolls]
Neil: Four Successes, one Triumph, and a Threat.
Dax: Holy…. how? Four Successes, so that’s four. So that’s eight. Nine, ten, eleven points of damage. Triumph, twelve, plus what do you want to spend the Triumph on? You can upgrade the difficulty of the creature’s next check, you can upgrade the ability of the allied character’s check.
Neil: The next check will get a Boost die.
Dax: Alright, and I believe that’s Eight. Alright. Alright, yeah. You’re able to, alright. So why don’t you describe this second attack for me? You know, you raised your club, you attacked this creature. It fell off Big Mood. What does it look like when you go in for your second attack?
Neil: Just an overhead slam. Like, I’ve got a steel folding chair in hand and I’m trying to beat the life out of this thing.
Dax: Yeah, you do so. All of you hear the whimpering sound of this creature as it gets smacked in the ribs. You can hear cracking under Arthas’s sword club. Eight.
Wren: I will use my maneuver to close that gap, you know, I’m still at Short range. I don’t need to close any gap because I’m just going to start slinging some spells at it I guess. I’ll use my maneuver to stow my lantern. So basically just find a clip on my waist belt and make sure that I don’t just drop it. Then I take the spoon that’s in the hand that I had with the lantern, which I was channeling my Barrier spell through. I level it at the creature on the ground and I will use an incidental action to Scathing Tirade it because I love doing that. So, as this furry crystalline wolf is laying in the snow on the ground, getting bashed by Arthas, I shout into the wind.
Wren (as Eight): Vile creature, you have defiled the sanctity of this village for the very last time! And you will find yourself bleeding out in the snow for what you have done!
Wren: I will make a Coercion check on this critter, which is Average difficulty and I get a Boost on this next check because of Arthas and the fact that this creature is just getting slammed over and over with this sword club. [dice rolls] After everything cancels, that’s two Successes. So it takes one Strain for every success. So, it takes two Strain, and of course if it doesn’t take Strain, that translates directly to wounds. It has a Setback for its next turn because of my Improved Scathing Tirade. So it feels bad about itself or it’s worried about the fact that it’s getting chastised and whomped at the same time. And then with my spoon, I’m going to channel an Attack spell, because it is a cruel nasty thing and I do not care for it.
So, I’m at Easy range, so that’s just, er, I’m at Short Range. That’s Easy difficulty for the spell. I am going to go ahead and cast it using ice as the ability, and the way I’m kind of thinking that this is, Eight has the spoon leveled and they’re not necessarily thinking about using ice. But the spell kind of starts to adapt to the environmental conditions that it’s being cast in. So as I’m holding the spoon out, the energy kind of starts to pool in the reservoir of the implement, and there’s kind of this swirling energy that’s forming in the, the spoon cradle. I think for a moment and I kind of move it to avoid zapping my friend in the back. Do I have to upgrade this because of the critter?
Dax: Yep. Upgrade it twice.
Wren: Upgrade it twice, so my Easy becomes a red and a purple instead of a purple. [dice rolls] I have a Failure, but I have two Advantages. So, I would like to use one of them to recover a Strain, and I would like to use the other one to pass a Boost die to the next PC that activates. So -
Dax: Y’all are just passing the same Boost die.
Wren: Pretty much.
Dax: All… [chuckles]
Wren: So I take the energy in the spoon and I like flick it and that glob of energy just kind of flings off into the air. Like you’re tossing a snowball with really bad aim, it just kind of coalesces into ice and it hits the ground like two feet too far from the creature, and then after it hits, just this burst of ice kind of erupts from the snow for a moment, and makes an envelopment in the area where it slammed into the ground. And then it just kind of instantly vanishes into the snow as well, and I’m like,
Wren (as Eight): Oh! Well, that was interesting. I’ll have to try again harder.
Dax: Alright. Top of the round, next PC slot. Who’s going first?
Worrier: Uh, I’ll, I’ll do it. I stand there, just stunned out of my mind that one arm is just hanging limply to the side. I, I put the shield down and inspired by Arthas’s heroic and mind-boggling combat prowess, I, I wield the hoe and I stride over to the belly. And as though the belly is a fresh plot of dirt, I make a vicious sowing motion with my hoe and attack it with this improvised weapon. For Improvised Weapons, I get an Advantage with Tavern Brawler.
Dax: Alright, yeah. So go ahead and give me your attack. You’re going to have a Boost from Eight, but I’m also going to give you a Boost because the creature is still lying on the ground. So you’re going to get two. It’ll be Medium difficulty, so instead of two purple, it’ll be two red.
[dice rolls]
Worrier: And, that is three Successes and four Advantages.
Dax: Heck yeah! Heck yeah. Alright. You get three Advantages, so you can heal some Strain for all three, you’ve got the option of… you can add a plus one to melee or ranged defense? Until the end of your next turn.
Worrier: I would like to use, with some of those, with two of those Advantages, I’m going to use my Gore ability, to make another attack with my horns.
Dax: Sure, yeah. Let’s do that.
Worrier: So, Mood makes this, this vicious gardening attack. Then, woozy from the intense of combat and loss of blood, he sort of faints a little bit and his horns just stick into the belly.
Dax: [laughs] Yeah. Yeah, give me, give me a Horns Attack. Give me a Brawl.
[dice rolls]
Worrier: Two Successes, four Advantages.
Dax: Alright, roll me a d100 please.
Worrier: Alright. [dice rolls] This was meant to happen. Forty-two.
Dax: Alright. Reroll that, because it would have been knocked prone, and it’s already prone. So I want you to get something good for this.
Worrier: Okay. It wasn’t meant to happen.
Kappa: Double prone!
Worrier: Double prone! [dice rolls] Eighty-two.
Dax: Ooooh, okay. So with this one, it is now considered “At the Brink”. And it is going to suffer Strain every time it makes an action. Big Mood faints and jabs his horns into the body of this creature. Now, I have to ask, Big Mood. Are you stuck there? Or do you imagine that after you jabbed, you kind of like rolled off as you finished fainting?
Worrier: I would have tried to roll off because of the fainting, but I’m stuck there. So it’s sort of like a awkward jerky motion that stops suddenly.
Dax: So this Minotaur is now head-first into this creature. We have one more PC slot before the creature acts. Who would like to take it?
Kappa: I’m a little worried. Wolves are usually pack animals, I would like to spend my turn trying to observe if there’s help on the way.
Dax: Give me a Perception check and give it to me at Medium difficulty.
Kappa: No Boost for this one, right?
Dax: Yeah, because Eight is far, well Eight is Short range. So that you would get one Boost die.
[dice rolls]
Kappa: One Advantage! [chuckles]
Dax: Alright, what do you want to do with that Advantage?
Kappa: What can I do with that Advantage?
Dax: Do you have any Strain to heal? You can take one Strain back. You can add a Boost to the next allied character’s check.
Kappa: I’m pretty worried about my Strain, I’m going to heal a Strain.
Dax: Sounds good. Anything else? With maybe a maneuver or an incidental?
Kappa: Can I take a defensive stance?
Dax: Sure! The creature is going to spend its maneuver to stand. And then it is going to shift and try to move Big Mood out of its body, and it’s going to bolt with a second maneuver. Next PC slot. It is now from Arthas and where Big Mood is kind of passed out, it is Short range. From Rou and Eight, it is, well Rou is actually closer. So Rou is Short range, for Eight it is now Medium range.
Neil: I would like to bolt after it.
Dax: Yeah. You may do so. Alright. So you’re going to use a maneuver to get up into Engaged range with it then?
Neil: Yes please.
Dax: Alright. And I’m going to guess you’re going to attack, so why don’t you describe what this attack is looking like as you’re charging after this creature?
Neil: Probably just trying to get up to the side and sort of side sweep it. Or trying to throw my momentum around a little bit.
Dax: Okay. Go ahead and make your attack. Still Medium difficulty, still got to upgrade it twice, so two red.
[dice rolls]
Neil: Two Threat and a Triumph.
Dax: Okay. So let’s deal that damage first. What do you think the Threat represents in this case?
Neil: I’ll probably take a Setback because I have been running non-stop for, I assume two hours now? I didn’t come into this fight fresh.
Dax: That’s fair. I think that’s, that’s a very good way to go about that. I like that a lot. Alright. So you got a Triumph, so let me just apply the damage to this creature real quick. Alrightie. Eight.
Wren: Fleeing like a cornered animal, uhhh, it’s moved. So I will continue to follow it, and as I’m going, I’m just continuing to shout out to the creature.
Wren (as Eight): You cannot escape! Arthas will simply not allow that to happen! You must accept your fate!
Wren: And I will make another Coercion check at the creature because it’s a jerk. [dice rolls] That’s a complete wash. So nothing happens. And then I would like to suffer two Strain to aim. So like I’m running, I’ve still got the spoon in hand, and it’s swirling with more magic food energy. I’m going to chuck another ice spell at it. [dice rolls] Four Success and an Advantage. So, it is going to be taking three plus four plus my magic wand, which is another three. So, it’s taking ten damage before Soak.
I cast this with the ice quality again, so my Knowledge ranks, I have two ranks in Lore, so it is ensnared for two rounds as I hit it in the back with the lobbed energy this time. With Arthas having basically run up alongside and shifted into the creature, kind of staggering it for a moment. This gout of energy from the spoon just kind of flies through the air like a lobbed snowball. Piffs between the crystals along the ridge of its back and then in an instant, from where the snow hit, new crystals start to form and kind of wrap around its body as it works its way down its legs. Kind of shifting and sticking it in place. So, as it’s Ensnared, it cannot make any maneuvers for two turns. Which means it ain’t going nowhere.
Dax: Yeah. You do so. All of you see this happen. You watch as this wolf is struggling and it is going to let out a throaty howl once again. [wolf howls] Top of the round. Who would like to go?
Wren: I would say let Arthas bash it, but…
Neil: I mean, I don’t want to take up all the spotlight if Rou or Big Mood want to do anything.
Kappa: I very much do not want to fight.
Worrier: I feel like I’m a little slow to recover this round, so…
Wren: We’re all helping. You’re just right there to smash it.
Dax: I didn’t want to assume.
Neil: Okay. I would like to bonk it.
Dax: Yeah, make your attack roll. It is Ensnared, go ahead and give yourself a Boost.
Neil: And I have a penalty, correct?
Dax: Yes, you have the Setback as well.
[dice rolls]
Neil: Black die came up blank. Three Successes, two Advantage.
Dax: Okay. With your two Advantage, do you want to give a Boost die? Do you want to heal some Strain?
Neil: The next check will get a Boost die.
Dax: Alrightie. Yeah, you smash it. Do you wanna use a maneuver? Do you want to use an incidental? Are you going to just kind of hang out and wait and make sure that… you tell me.
Neil: I’m probably going to hang out and wait and see what happens.
Dax: Okay. Alright. Next PC slot.
Wren: I feel like, if no one objects, I might go? And seeing the creature’s not going anywhere and that Arthas is just sitting there whomping on it while it’s stuck in place, I will wheel around and look at both Rou and Big Mood. Who, I think is probably close by to me at this current moment. I did see you get bit, so I just kind of look at you laying half passed out. I’m going to hustle over, drop my spoon, reach into my rucksack, and pull out my medical kit that I have. Basically drop this leather satchel next to you, and start rustling through the contents. I pull out like some bandages, and some salves, and some herbs and spices. Herbs and spices. I am going to put eleven secret herbs and spices in your mouth. I say calmly to you,
Wren (as Eight): My friend, please. Chew on this. It will help calm your nerves. If you do not mind, I will take to easing some of the pain that you are currently experiencing?
Worrier (as Big Mood): That, that sounds great.
Wren (as Eight): Perfect.
Wren: And with that, I basically like, make a splint and I crack your arm and set it. I go about wrapping the wounds and you recover five wounds as I’m doing this work.
Worrier (as Big Mood): These are delicious. Thank you.
Wren (as Eight): They are my mother’s very secret blend. It’s very salty.
Wren: And so, I think that’ll be my turn. Maneuver to pull out the pack, action to heal, and that’ll be, I’ll take an incidental to do Second Wind for myself. And I will recover one Strain as I’m basically taking a moment to get a breather myself as well.
Dax: It is at this time while that wolf is giving its throaty howl, it is entangled by ice. It is standing at the mercy of Arthas. It is bleeding quite heavily, this green viscous fluid. Rou, behind you, you hear the crunching of snow and you, with your good hearing, can tell that there’s more than one set of paws.
Kappa (as Rou): Oh no…
Dax: And that… is where we are going to take our break.
Wren: Fudge.
Dax: Fudge indeed.
Music fades out [50:00]
Dax: Thanks for listening! We hope you’ll join us next time but in the interim, follow us on Twitter @RoadsUncharted.
The “Roads Uncharted” podcast is GMed and produced by Dax who you can find on Twitter @GM_Dax. We use the Genesys RPG System published by Fantasy Flight Games and music licensed by Epidemic Sound.
Arthas, Champion of Offam is played by Neil.
Eight is played by Wren, who also composed the music for our opening theme. Follow them on Twitter @ThornyDryad.
Rou is played by Kappa, and you can follow him on Twitter @TheKappaChris.
Big Mood is played by our guest, Worrier. You can follow him on Twitter @WorrierMN.