"Student Kaylor, please step forward.
As the rest of the students stood to leave the classroom, Kaylor turned. Raising an eyebrow, he approached the front of the clasroom. "Yes, Professor Prenk?"
Professor Prenk, an elderly gentleman, wearing the Unseen Univeristy's wizard robes and hat, handed the young wizard in training a piece of paper. "I have a different final exam for you."
Kaylor glanced at the paper. "These are different kinds of flowers."
"That's correct," said Prenk.
"You want me to identify them?" Kaylor asked.
"No," said the elderly professor. "I want you to bring me 8 of each, from outside."
The young wizard in training nodded. "You mean outside the classroom."
"No," replied the older man in colorful robes, pointing in what seemed like a random direction. "Outside."
Kaylor looked up. "Outside the University?"
Prenk nodded. "In a manner of speaking, but more like outside the city."
Kaylor's eye went wide. "You want me to collect flowers outside the city?"
This time it was the professor who furrowed and eyebrow. "I don't know how that could not be more clear."
"But I'm only a first year student," said Kaylor. "My starting spells are for lab work."
The professor crossed his arms. "Well you should have thought of that before choosing them."
The wizard in training blinked. "You told me to choose spells for lab work because, in your own words, 'we're not experienced enough to venture forth beyond the great walls of the Ankh.'"
"Oh sure, throw that back in my face." The elderly man touched the younger man's shoulder. "You'll be fine. I wouldn't send you if I didn't think you had a chance to perhaps succeed." He glanced out the window. "Now you better hurry. The Forests get dark quickly this time of year."
As Kaylor collected his book to leave the classroom, he heard Prenk again. "Oh yes, one more thing. If you find yourself in danger, especially the most mortal of danger --"
Kaylor looked up, grabbing his notebook and something to write with. "Yes, Professor?"
The wise professor continued his thought. "Be careful."
Welcome back!
Last time, I posted the rules I came up with for my Discworld game. This time, I'm running my first game. I'll be using the 1 Page Location Crafter for Kaylor's journey to collect the flowers, along with the Dark Woods rules found in Mythic Magazine #5. And rather than keeping track of every flower that he finds, I'll just say that Complete means he found them all.
Before we start, I'm adding a couple of rules. Borrowing from my Supers game, if Kaylor succeeds with a Challenge or Clash, he gains a Notch. 3 Notches, and he gains a Plot Token. PT's can then be used to increase the odds of future rolls.
In addition, at the end of the game I'll be rolling to see if Kaylor improves to Level 2. The Difficulty (or Resisted Rank) is the next Level. So for him, it will be 2 or Very Unlikely. However he can use the previously mentioned Plot Tokens to improve his chances.
Now onto the game.
Before leaving for his trip, Kaylor attempts to cast his Danger Sense spell. It's Level 0 with no special modifier; he just has to spend 10 minutes casting it. Which is why he cast it before leaving. But he does have +2 Think for casting it.
(Spell) Does Kaylor successfully cast the spell? (+2 = Very Likely) Yes.
Now Kaylor has +1 to his Defense or Toughness when avoiding an attack.
I'm using the Dark Woods template for my game as it seems to be the best fit. After all, he's still only Level 1 and is hopefully not facing horrors or ancient threats. Again, hopefully.
Rolling for Story Descriptors, I get "The Woods Changed recently, suddenly becoming menacing," and "A disaster struck the woods."
Exiting the city, Kaylor started on the path that led him away from the city, circled to the north, and then returned to the city. After a few minute's walk, he took the forked path that led through the Dark Forest Seeing burnt trees on the outskirts, he remembered stories of a sudden fire that rushed through the forest. Most figured a lightning strike was responsible, though rumors throughout the University spoke of not-so pleasant beings conducting not-so pleasant experiments. The burnt trees made the forest's outskirts look even darker than before.
For the Woods Region Descriptor, I get "Thick with trees," and "Dry and Barren." This sounds like the previous description, if it suffering from fires.
I'm treating this as a small area, so +3 for Progress Points.
For the first 3 Area Elements, I get:
- Encounter: Official, Open.
- Expected, Exit.
- Location: Container, Atmosphere.
(Going back, I realized I accidentally rolled 2d10 instead of 1d10, but since it didn't give him any major advantages, I kept the results. I mean, I know I rolled exit, but he doesn't use it so we're good.)
As Kaylor entered the woods, he saw an actual sign that was also burned.
It read: "Dark Forest Entrance," with an arrow pointing to the side and a smaller note; "Wimps Exit that way."
Under the sign, stood a goblin in bright clothing. "Welcome to the Dark Forest," he said. He pointed to a large round container. "Please place all trash in one of these. And be careful. There was an . . . incident recently."
Hmm, I wonder . . .
(Q) Does the goblin have 0 for Talk? (I'm making him Level 0). (Likely) No. He's -1
I'll treat the conversation as a Clash, with Kaylor's 0 Talk versus the Goblin's -1.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (+1 means Likely) No.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Kaylor asked.
The tiny creature sniffed the air. "Answering questions is above my pay grade. Please move along, or run screaming. your choice, though I do love the running and screaming part."
So much for that idea. Oh well, that area is covered. Onto the next area.
PP increased to +4.
Rolling on the Connector table, I get Same. I'll just treat it as similar burnt trees and maybe some signs, saying "Welcome," or "Litter at your own risk."
Time to roll for the next area:
- Positive: "Active," "Important."
- Location: "Tall," "Mysterious."
- Expected.
(Challenge) Does Kaylor find any flowers? (+2 for Think +1 for Positive = Almost Certain) Yes.
Kaylor gains +1/3 Notch.
Kaylor followed the path, noting how many of the trees rose way up and out of sight. Some even seemed to hum as he passed them. Glancing around, he saw a variety of flowers at the base of the trees. Pulling out a small sack, he collected a few of each of them. This brought him slightly closer to his goal.
PP increased to 5.
For Connector, I get: "Have to cross a stream."
(Q) Is the Difficulty 0? (Very Unlikely) Yes.
Following the path, Kaylor reached a stream. Rocks rose above it, and it seemed possible to leap across, though he wasn't in the best of shape.
(Challenge) Does Kaylor make it across the stream? (0 = 50/50) Yes.
Kaylor gains +1 for 2/3 Notch.
Taking a running jump, Kaylor leaped into the air, easily landing on the other side.
PP increase to 5.
For the nest area, I roll:
- Encounter: "Crude," "Weapon."
- Negative: "Messing," "Warning."
- Negative: "Old," "Familiar."
Eyes exploring the brush, Kaylor searched for more of the flowers. But as he leaned forward to examine the area surrounding a tree, a knife rested against his throat.
"Give me your money," said a rough, scratchy voice, "or I'll turn you into pigs' dinner."
Kaylor knew he didn't have a lot to fight with, especially with a knife pressed against his throat, but he tried to talk down the man. "I don't have any money. I'm just a scout." (Never tell a threat you're a wizard, especially one in training.)
"Too bad," said the bandit.
Just then, the young wizard in training spotted a rock that he could lift. The question is whether he could do it subtly.
Kaylor will try levitate the rock above the bandit's head. While he can't attack with it, he can dismiss the spell and allow gravity to do the rest. I'm giving him though a -1 penalty for attempting to be subtle about it.
The bandit has +1 for his Do, which he's using to injure Kaylor.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (0 = 50/50) Yes.
+1 Notch (3/3) = +1 Plot Token.
Focusing on the rock, Kaylor turned slightly to keep the bandit's attention on him. The rock lifted up into the air, floating above the bandit. Kaylor then ended the spell, and the rock fell, striking the bandit in the head and back. He collapsed onto all fours, with his head spinning.
The bandit suffers a -1 Rank Shift.
(Q) Does Kaylor find a stick he can use in the fight? (50/50) No - Random Event.
(Event) "Character," "Leave."
(Q) Is the bandit the character? (Likely) Yes.
As Kaylor searched for a stick that he could use to defend himself, the bandit got to his feet.
"This ain't over," he cried (yes, cried), running into the brush.
PP increases to +6.
For the next Connector, I get: "Leads directly to another area." Fair enough.
Next Area:
- Object: "Powerful," "Colorful."
- Object: "Reassuring," "Energy."
- Expected, Exit.
Reach an open area, Kaylor noticed several signs sticking around in ground. In different colored writing, they read things like, "Great job!" "You're doing fantastic!" "7 Thumbs Up!"
Another arrow pointed to an opening in the brush with another sign; "Wimp Path and Exit."
Glad to know he was being encouraged, and nervous that he might be walked into a trap, Kaylor glanced at his list. He still had a few more flowers to find, so he continued on.
Connector: Expected.
So pretty much more of the same paths.
PP increase to +7.
Next Area:
- Expected, Complete.
- Expected, Exit.
- Encounter: "Storage," "Stolen."
This sounds pretty straightforward. I'm going to skip the first question and assume Kaylor stumbled onto the Bandit and his camp. The question is, is he alone? The next question is, what's with him? The next question is, actually, those two are fine for now.
(Q) Is the bandit alone? (Unlikely) Yes.
(Q) Did he start the fire? (Likely) No.
(Q) What is the bandit doing? "Surprise." "Danger."
Since I'm not sure who is doing the surprising, I'll make this a Clash with Think vs. Think. Kaylor has +2 while the bandit has -1 (to offset his +1 Do). Also, it'll be an Effect, but the loser will still suffer -1 RS for the surprise.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (+3 means Nearly Certain) Yes.
+1/3 Notch
Reaching a clearing, Kaylor saw a campsight, along with a small open chest of various coins and other goods. Suddenly he his Danger Sense spell kicked in. Freezing in place, he glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw the bandit from before hiding in a bush and preparing to perform a flanking attack.
The bandit lunged, but Kaylor stepped aside, sticking out his foot and causing the man to trip and fall onto his face.
(Q) Does Kaylor see a stick now? (Likely) X-Yes.
I'm ruling that to mean the stick grants him +1 to Damage.
As the bandit slowly got back to his feet, Kaylor searched around. Spotting a large branch, he picked it up and held it in both of his hands.
Standing back up, the bandit threatened him with the small and old knife. "Time to die, scout."
This will be a straightforward melee fight. The bandit normally has +1 Do, but with the -1 RS, he's at 0. Kaylor is also at 0.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (50/50) Yes.
The stick grants Kaylor +1 Dmg versus the bandit's 0 Toughness (+1 but -1 RS). This grants the bandit another -1 RS.
Also, +1 (2/3) Notch.
The bandit lunged forward, driving his knife at his victim, but Kaylor dodged it. Swinging the branch, he caught the bandit in stomach, and the other man grunted and paused for a moment.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (+1 means Likely) No.
The bandit's dmg is currently -1 versus Kaylor's +1 (Danger Sense) so no damage. If he had scored an Exceptional result, he would have scored damage regardless of Kaylor's Defense.
Grabbing some dirt, the bandit threw it into Kaylor's face. The young man brought up his arm, shielding himself from most of it.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (Likely) Yes.
-1 RS brings the bandit to -3.
(Incapacity) Is the bandit incapacitated? (+1 dmg versus +1 Tuff -3 = Nearly Certain) Yes, Random
(Event) "NPC," "Help."
(Q) Is the NPC another bandit? (Likely) No.
(Q) Is it a pet? (Likely) Yes.
(Description) What is it? "Feeble," "Dirty."
As Kaylor smacked the bandit over the head with the branch, he heard a tiny little right squeak behind him. Apparently, the bandit had a pet rat, and now it was prepared to defend his master.
The rat is also a Level 0 character. I'll give him -1 Do for his lack of size but +1 Think for his ability to sneak attack.
For the sneak attack, again I'll make it Think versus Think, with Kaylor's +2 versus the rat's +1. Loser suffers -1 RS.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (+1 = Likely) No.
Kaylor suffers -1 RS.
Kaylor turned to find the rat's location, but it remained hidden. Suddenly, it leaped out of a brush, teeth slicing Kaylor across the arm. He yelped and jumped back.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (50/50) Yes.
The rat suffers -1 RS.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (Likely) Yes.
The rat suffers -2 RS.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Clash? (Very Likely) Yes.
The rat is at -3 RS.
(Incapacity) Is the rat Incapped? (Certain) Yes.
(Q) Was the wound lethal? (Unlikely) No.
Swinging the stick, Kaylor knocked out the rat and stuffed the animal in a sack, along with some food. Then he tied up the unconscious bandit. After resting for a bit, he watched the bandit come to.
As the bandit opened his eyes, he realized he was tied up. Then he noticed Kaylor. "What do you want?"
"Answers," Kaylor said. "Did you set fire to this forest?"
This time, I'm using Talk versus Talk. Both have 0 for their Talk Abilities, though I wonder if the bandit is intimidated?
(Q) Does the bandit suffer -1 RS for being tied up? (Likely) Yes, Random.
(Event) "Goals," "Failure."
(Q) Did the bandit fail his goal? (50/50) X-No.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Talking Clash? (+1 = Likely) No.
(Q) Is the goal to learn what happened to the forest? (50/50; either that or the flowers) Yes.
"Where's my little buddy?" asked the bandit.
"In the bag," Kaylor answered, "along with some food. Now did you cause the fire?"
"Shove it!" The bandit spit at him. "I ain't talking to no scout."
"Fine." Kaylor stood up. "You can talk to the watch then instead."
"Wait!" the bandit cried. "You can't just leave me here!"
"Don't worry," said Kaylor, "someone from the watch will be here soon."
Taking some coins from the chest, Kaylor collected the remaining flowers that he needed and exited the dark forest. Spotting the goblin from before, he handed the little guy the coins. "Please keep the exit closed for now. I'll be sending the watch here soon."
I'll make another Talking Clash, but I'll give Kaylor a +1 because he's using coins he found.
(Clash) Does Kaylor win the Talking Clash? (+1 = Likely) X-Yes.
Noticing the coins in his hand, the goblin's eyes went wide. Standing straight, he saluted. "You can count on me!"
(Q) Does Kaylor encounter anyone or anything while returning home? (Unlikely) Yes.
(Detail) "Stop," "Danger." (I'm a little unsure so I'll roll one more time.) "Communicate."
(Q) Is the threat hostile? (50/50) No.
(Q) Is the threat's Difficulty +1? (50/50) Yes.
I have an idea. I'm going to open the GURPS Discworld RPG book to a random page and see what I find. Then I'll apply it to the event.
"Summoned Thing."
(Ability) Does Kaylor avoid the threat? (+1 -1 = 0 = 50/50) Yes.
Walking on the path back towards town, Kaylor suddenly heard a humming sound in his head. He looked around but didn't see anything anywhere nearby. Maybe he could get some help.
Kaylor will cast Helping Hand, which has a Spell Level of 0.
(Spell) Does Kaylor succeed? (+2 = Very Likely) Yes.
(Q) Does the Helping Hand cooperate? (Very Likely) Yes.
Whispering the words, Kaylor held out his hand. A moment later, he lowered it, but another, spectral hand remained.
"Is there a danger?" Kaylor asked.
The hand pointed straight up.
Suddenly the humming in Kaylor's head became a blaring alarm and he leaped off the road, landing and rolling in the grass. A moment later, something crashed into the path, sending clouds of sand in all directions.
I think I'll use the Creature Crafter to generate this being. Since it's not hostile, I'll just go for appearance.
"Levitating," "Extra Limbs," "Clear."
(Q) Is it intelligent? (Likely) Yes.
The dust settled and a creature floated into view. It had multiple legs that didn't walk on the ground as much as slid across it. From inside its clear body, a single eye rolled into view.
"Oops," a voice vibrated from the body. "I'm terribly sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you."
Kaylor slowly returned to his feet. "I'm fine. What are you?"
"My name is Clarence," it answered. "I was enjoying a wonderful and relaxing summer afternoon back home when *Poof* I ended up here. Tell me, did you happen to summon me?"
"No, sorry," the young wizard in training said. "One of the wizards at the University might have though."
"University, you say?" It touched a foot to what might pass for its temple. "Are we close to this University?"
"Sort of." Kaylor pointed to the tower in the distance, well within the city's walls.
Clarence made a noise that could pass for a grunt. "It seems that need to work on their skill. Well, no matter, these spells usually end quickly. I'll just wait here until it does."
"I'm headed to the University now," Kaylor said. "You can accompany me and we can learn who summoned you."
(Q) Does Clarence take Kaylor on his offer? (50/50) No.
"If it's all the same to you," the creature said, "I don't believe I'm willing to meet the one foolish enough to fail such a spell. I'll wait here."
"Suit yourself." Returning to the city, Kaylor told the nearest guard about the bandit being held prisoner in the forest, along with a chest full of stolen goods. The guard thanked him and hurried to tell members of the watch.
Reaching the University, Kaylor tracked down Professor Prenk. "Here are your flowers." He handed the professor the sack.
Prenk opened the sack and nodded. "Very good, young wizard in training. Suuzy will be quite pleased."
"Suuzy?" Kaylor asked.
Prenk nodded. "My niece. She's getting married next week and wanted and assortment of flowers for the flower girl to carry and throw."
The wizard in training felt his face heat up. "You mean this was all for a wedding, to throw onto the ground?"
"Yes, yes." The professor smiled, completely oblivious to the other's irritation. "Oh and the fact that you're still alive means you pass your final. Good job. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go find her."
The Professor happily hurried off, leaving behind an annoyed student.
Well, that's the end of that adventure. Time to see if Kaylor advances. He's Level 1 and wants to advance to Level 2. This means the Difficulty is Very Unlikely or -2. However, he does have 3 Plot Tokens so he'll use all 3.
(Q) Does Kaylor advance to Level 2? (+1 = Likely) Yes.
Kaylor is now Level 2, with 2 more Ability Points. I'll place them later, as well as choosing his next spells, and then I'll come up with his next adventure.
Until next time, watch out for falling . . . whatever Clarence is!
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