Chapter 9: Hermits Find Themselves With Allies.
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Rolls
Help from others - beginner's luck - (8d6)
(65153224) = 28
Taft gives save advice to Vasil as he clambers onto Shadow's back.
This was against Ob2, doubled to Ob4. This was the last Beginner's Luck test. Failed by 1, but Riding is now open.
Rolls
Speed B4 + 2D help from Shadow + 2D help from Taft - (8d6)
(26231361) = 24
Reroll aces - (2d6, RA)
(43) = 7
Rolls
Stealthy + 2 Help + FoRKs + Persona - (8d6)
(33424136) = 26
Fate - (1d6, RA)
(3) = 3
Call-on - (6d6, RA)
(1446432) = 24
Ob4
Rolls
B3 +1D Rep +2D Help +2D Persona - (8d6)
(45631336) = 31
+1 Fate reroll 6's - (2d6, RA)
(44) = 8
Rolls
Ob4 - (9d6)
(236333165) = 32
Fate to hopefully pass - (2d6, RA)
(43) = 7
Scouting around the Stead Vasil and Shadow grab two scouts. Upon dragging them back to camp, both women are known to the group. Froda, the sister of Bohn; Taft's hunting companion, and Sofia; who once helped a wounded Vasil.
Put bluntly, Taft and Vasil described their intent to remove the Tower's influence from the Stead. They narrowly convince the women to go along with their plan. Approaching the Stead under the cover of a setting sun, the group have plans to extinguish fires, and extinguish lives.
First step towards convincing Vaccar to step outside of the steading.
Ugly Truth - B4 + 1D Help from Taft + 2D Help from Shadow + 1D Help from Vakseli + 1D Help from Summer + 1D Persona
Rolls
Ugly Truth (beginner's luck) 10d6 against ob3(6) - (10d6, RA)
(21442564321) = 34
Forthright (Call-on for Ugly Truth) Reroll failures - (6d6, RA)
(151134) = 15
Rolls
Grandfather's song + Forks + Help - (5d6, RA)
(24455) = 20
Rolls
Will + Advantage + Help - (9d6)
(151261463) = 29
Rolls
Perception (untrained Observation) - (4d6)
(5224) = 13
Vasil is trying to keep the Firetaming subtle.
Rolls
Slight of Hand (beginner's luck) 4d - (4d6)
(6335) = 17
Spending a Fate to Reroll the 6 - (1d6, RA)
(3) = 3
Persuasion B3 FoRKs: Fire Artifice + Artisan Wise + Ridiculous Request Wise + Oratory
Help: Hunting, Persuasion
+ 2 Persona
11d6 against Ob4
Rolls
Persuasion vs Ob4 Will - (11d6, RA)
(553152633552) = 45
They discover that the Steading is lead by a man named Vaccar - a huge iron willed warrior from the West. A survivor of The Tower's spread through Vasil's homelands. Vaccar leads his people as best he can, having been defeated by the Tower's forces.
Assisted by Summer and Vaksii, the group extract information from Froda and Sofia about Vaccar - his motivations, his desires.
Shadow crept into the Steading, where alongside the Longhouse, spoke softly into Vaccar's mind, beckoning him into the nearby forest with promises of rewards.
Ambushed by the great wolf, Vaccar was held to listen to Vasil. Eventually, the two spoke over the campfire, while Shadow and Taft hunted game.
Vasil reached calmly into the campfire, to retrieve some fallen meat, and received a small burn for his troubles.
Together, the group was able to convince Vaccar to shift his alliances - no longer an enemy, but not yet a friend. Promises have been made, and hopes stoked.
The situation is primed: the group has a place to leave the water carriers. They'll need to take care of themselves, but may fit in well with another group of liberated Tower followers.
If Vasil is able to forge Vaccar a weapon capable of fighting spirit and stone, he may buy an ally.
Rolls
Forest-Wise - (7d6)
(3654123) = 24
Fate - (1d6, RA)
(3) = 3
Vasil riding upon Shadow's back, Taft and Summer jogging alongside.
Ob2 riding test. +1Ob for Vasil's burnt hand.
Rolls
3D Riding - 3D Help - (6d6, RA)
(2512362) = 21
"Unbeknownst to the four of them, there is another cohort of the forces of the tower on this side of the river, closing in.
...but not quite yet. We'll come back to that."
Rolls
10D - (10d6, RA)
(53665633316512) = 55
Rolls
9 dice - (9d6)
(323565644) = 38
Ob3 Firetaming.
B4 + Materials Wise + Carpentry + Scavenging (Shadow Help) + Carpentry (Taft Help)
Rolls
8d6 Firetaming - (8d6, RA)
(261442152) = 27
Reroll from Fate - (1d6, RA)
(65) = 11
6D + Working Carefully 1D + 2D from Taft + 1D Help from Shadow (reluctant) + 1D Help from Summer + 1D Knowing the Spirit's Name.
Rolls
11d6 Rituals - (11d6, RA)
(261516246634255) = 58
DEEDS. Reroll successes. - (5d6, RA)
(326142) = 18
Vasil came to the group with a plan - a multi-stage process to summon the spirit Heart of the Wildfire.
Wildfire is a greedy, dangerous spirit, left unchecked, it will consume forest as far as the eye can see.
Vasil's plan was comprehensive, but Taft's was better. "What if we just did it on an island?"
This was much better. No enchanted axes, and water jugs imbued with Taft's frost. Just an island. It so happens that Taft knew of an island nearby.
Vasil rode upon Shadow's back, while Taft and Summer loped alongside. Taft made a bridge of ice to allow Vasil to cross safely. Shadow and Summer swam happily in the water - claiming it a pleasant temperature.
Once on the island, Shadow lead Taft in a spiritual investigation, teaching him the beginnings of a new lupine philosophy, a new path into understanding the world.
Vasil, assisted by everyone began the ritual to summon Heart of the Wildfire; carving its symbol upon a tree, before setting it alight.
The fire was easy, the ritual was not. Still barely-understanding ritual spirit etiquette, Vasil was just, barely able to summon the great conflagration into essence without causing offence.
It spoke its terms:
A larger mark upon the flesh of the one who would wield its power. A limb.
In return, it will teach Vasil to summon flames of a heroic ferocity.
The price is too high, however tempting the prize. A freedom fighter cannot function without his limbs.
A negotiation shall be had.
Rolls
Bargaining G4+3 FoRKs; spend 1 P. - (8d6)
(63315135) = 27
Help from Shadow: Man-wise
Help from Taft: Haggling
Persuasion, Firetaming, 3 Persona
Haggling 11d6
A profoundly bad failure. The spirit wishes to burn Taft. Vasil rejects this offer. Wildfire attempts to consume the four of them.
Rolls
Haggling - (11d6)
(53311226223) = 30
Rolls
NoAT + FoRK - (5d6, RA)
(13325) = 14
Reroll - (1d6, RA)
(5) = 5
Biting Wildfire (3 Savage Attack + 5 FoRK + 1 Help [Vasil] + 2 Persona + 1 Fate) - (11d6, RA)
(342562216316261) = 50
Call-On (Unhesitating Fangs) - (9d6, RA)
(34516464545) = 47
Rolls
Burninating G9 - (9d6, RA)
(542122525) = 28
Ob 4x2 = 8: Will B6 +2D Help from Summer's Fourth Howl +2 Persona +Fate
Rolls
10d6 - (10d6)
(2465451531) = 36
Fate - (1d6, RA)
(2) = 2
Rolls
Die of Fate - (1d6)
(2) = 2
Rolls
Perc + 2 - (7d6)
(1666131) = 24
Fate - (3d6)
(146) = 11
Reroll Aces - (1d6)
(2) = 2
Rolls
Stealthy B3+3 - (6d6)
(614264) = 23
Speed B4 vs Ob3 + 1 for Lame.
Rolls
Hobbling across ice bridge - (4d6)
(3156) = 15
RA - (1d6, RA)
(2) = 2
Forte B4 vs Cold Water Ob3
Rolls
Forte - (4d6, RA)
(22624) = 16
Speed (Stealthy Beginner's Luck) 4 -1 for Tax (3)
1D help from Summer, 1D help from Winter, 1D help from Taft.
6D unskilled.
Rolls
6d6 Stealthy - (6d6, RA)
(664226222) = 32
Rolls
Observation (Scouts) - (6d6)
(153331) = 16
Vasil stood before the great fire spirit, and offered many things. He offered violence in the spirit's name, he offered precious goods, favours. None would sate its appetite.
The attempt at haggling was a disaster, the spirit asking even more - for Vasil to burn "an innocent" a friend or ally.
He rejected its offer outright.
The spirit attacked the group, offended. It desired to see them all burn. The group fought back - Taft sapping the heat from its flames, as Summer called spirits to assist. Shadow called upon its ancestry, using its powerful jaws to crush the spirit, pinning it. Under duress, the Heart of the Wildfire acquiesced, yielding to terms far more favourable to Vasil.
It would still get to possess Vasil's body for a period - something that should happen before the longest day, the solstice.
The group left the island, with Taft creating an ice bridge. Shadow's keen ears noticed humans lying in wait on the far shore - an ambush of the tower's forces, it would turn out. Though Vasil fell into the water, shocked by the cold, the group successfully made their way to shore without alerting the ambush. The wolves made quick work of the scouts.
Sitting around a fire, the group discussed how they should respectfully dispose of the corpses of the slain. Taft sang a song of lament for the fallen. Their bodies would be left to the creatures of the forest, to nourish the soil. The iron of their weapons and armour, Vasil collected in the light of the morning, ready to be melted into something new.
Failure means its possible but the price is really really really high.
Rolls
10D Total - (10d6)
(6124654521) = 36
Ob3. Craftsman-wise B2 + Carpentry, Materials-wise, Ridiculous Request-wise, Tools-wise, Mending, Blacksmith
Help from Taft - Carpentry, from Shadow - Scavenging.
10d6 vs Ob3
Rolls
Find a forge - (10d6)
(2313264565) = 37
RA - (2d6, RA)
(51) = 6
Rolls
Begging B31Help - (4d6)
(3352) = 13
Rolls
Will 5 + 2 - (7d6)
(4464335) = 29
Rolls
Ob1 - (5d6)
(11113) = 7
Rolls
3D6 Yikes! - (3d6)
(432) = 9
His clothing, weapons, traps and tools.
Mending B4. Blacksmith, Weaponsmith, Armourer, Tools-wise, Appraisal (B9)
Dedicated Trait (+1D)
Rolls
Test to repair and maintain all of Taft's gear - (10d6)
(4451412445) = 34
Rolls
B4 Hunt +2 Help +5 FoRK - (11d6)
(43453555563) = 48
The Gang travels back to Flodmynningstead. A conversation is had, in which it is established that spirits cannot eavesdrop without the Wolves' knowledge. Vasil lays his plan before his comrades; create shackles imbued with anti-fire magic, and allow Wildfire to possess him, while bound in chain, sitting in a river.
While it was generally agreed that this plan would work - honouring the terms of the deal, but not the spirit of the bargain, such an action would make Wildfire a powerful, angry enemy.
Vasil suggested a different approach. The wolves and Taft scout ahead, looking for a location. Somewhere near to a major town, city, or outpost of The Tower's forces. Perhaps it's the capitol of the Tower's empire, more likely it's just a large forward base. Find a place with favourable winds, terrain, where Wildfire can take control and sow destruction as it is wont to do. The fallout should wreak havoc on the Tower's base. If it is made from things that do not burn, then at least it will clear the food, shelter and fuel in the lands surrounding this node of their power. The group agreed to this plan.
An argument took place as to if Shadow should join Taft and Summer. Vasil and Summer arguing for Shadow to join the scouting expedition. Taft and Shadow argued for Shadow to stay with Shadow. Ultimately Shadow's commanding presence, as a newly dominant wolf, entering its prime conquered Summer's begging.
Then, it was all action. Vasil hastily worked to maintain Taft's decaying gear. He sharpened weapons, patched clothing, maintained traps and tools. He discovered a long-waiting timebomb: the bow he'd made for Taft many moons ago was rubbish. A conversation needs to be had.
Taft looked for help and goods, to less success. He was unable to find Sophia, and his lack of local guidance left his shopping wanting. Taft is now in debt, his material wealth depleted. With no human resources to his name, he steps lightly when running with the wolves.
Summer and Shadow went hunting, bringing down an enormous Elk. Flodmynningstead eats well this week.
Rolls
B4 Observation+2Help - (6d6)
(415533) = 21