Sundered Lance - Session 2

A series played using Secrets & Shadows. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

Oracle Question: Is moving ahead via a scene change okay? Yes [5] No [4]

Ten minutes later we were outside the Local History Museum. I tried to keep my hand steady as I unlocked the side door, glad that it was shielded from view by a tall hedge. I crossed my fingers and hoped that the alarm code hadn't changed since the last time I'd helped open up several months ago.

Oracle Question: Is it still the same code? Yes [6] No [1]

As I hastily entered the code the alarm stopped its countdown to sounding. Silence fell over the museum like a cloak. From the corner of my eye I noticed Everette pacing and gesturing. He appeared to be whispering something under his breath while moving his hands through a complex series of motions. He did this across the side door, and then turned to ask where the other entrances were.

Striving: [4] [2] +Faerie +Glamour = 8

Partial: Gain a condition, Reveal off-screen badness

The door air around the door seemed to shimmer as in a heat haze; I found that the harder I tried to focus my attention on it the more my mind slid off of it. Everette stood patiently for a moment and the repeated his request more firmly. I looked at him and for a moment I swear I saw some kind of shifting pattern of light around him. I shook my head, first the door and now this; I really hope this isn't the onset of a migraine. Pushing that thought aside I motioned for Everette to follow and began navigating towards the main entrance. 

[Museum gains the condition "partially concealed"] 

Meanwhile... 

As the pair strode back to the car Leigh's face was a mask of cold fury, Jocelyn knew her mentor had an intensity but had never seen them this angry. Leigh opened the rear door and hauled out a black canvas duffle bag. The contents clattered together with ominous intent.

"If the wand isn't enough, then maybe this will do the trick" Leigh muttered grimly as they slammed the car door. Jocelyn shifted nervously and gripped the wand a little tighter.

We stood side by side in front of the large oak doors of the museum. They towered over us and I realised it had never really occurred to me just how prominent they were. Apparently Everette was thinking along the same lines, he turned to me with both hands outstretched.

"Regrettably Oak, like Hawthorn, has never been a close ally of my family. Jon, I will need your assistance to ward this door."

Striving: [6] + [3] +Witch +Magic +Faerie +Glamour = 13

Success: Gain 2 points of Currency (full concealment)

We held hands, Everette chanted softly in a language I couldn't follow, maybe Gaelic? My head began to swim and I felt unsteady. Just as I was certain I was about to fall I felt arms around me. Everette had one arm across my back and one palm pressed against my chest as he led me to a nearby chair. As he gently lowered me into it his face was pale. He seemed drained somehow and yet still deeply concerned for my wellbeing.

"Even our combined working will only last so long. We must gather ourselves and prepare a more lasting solution to our problem."

"Our problem?" I wasn't so far out of it that I didn't catch that. "This is your problem. My problem is you." I rose from the chair, wobbled slightly, and then did my best effort at staggering off in a huff towards the curator's office. That was always much safer ground for me, a place where I'd learned so much and spent so much time.

Oracle Question: Is there a mcguffin in this room? (Unlikely) Yes [5] No [3] [2]

My route took me near a small but prominently placed display case of items for the upcoming exhibition on folk magic. The case contained the handwritten notes of the Victorian collector who founded the museum, along with some items from the exhibition collection; a long wooden spoon carved to resemble a ram, an old leather pouch thought to contain human hair, and a small wax-sealed jar of pickled apples. It's the jar that caught my eye, I'm sure I didn't bump the case but nonetheless the jar trembled as I passed by. Fearing the worst and knowing I had a stash of painkillers in the office I pressed onward.

Oracle Question: Is there a mcguffin in the office? Yes [5] No [4]

The curator's office was filled with the usual clutter of paperwork, an overflow of books from the small museum library, and a few pieces in a state of makeshift conservation. One such item in the process of being attended to was an item from the archives, not normally on open display. It was cloak or cape, it had a very simple design that suggested the understated elegance of a much more expensive garment. The history of fashion isn't my area and I wasn't familiar with this item. To be honest I had no idea the museum archives had anything this old or valuable. 

Oracle Question: Will Everette steal the first mcguffin (apples)? Yes [3] No [5]

As I sat in the armchair which was crammed in between a bookcase overladen with books and a desk overflowing with paperwork, a tumbler of water clutched in my hand. Following a tentative knock the door opened and Everette entered, his hands held out in a gesture of peace. I think he was on the verge of apologising when his eyes landed on the cloak.

Oracle Question: Will Everette attempt to steal the second mcguffin (cloak)? Yes [3] No [6]

He stood transfixed by it for what seemed like several minutes, and then finally cleared his throat and edged his way around the table where the cloak was laid out. He crouched beside the armchair and looked at me intensely as I down a couple of painkillers. Disheveled and tired, I took off my glasses and rubbed my face as I tried to figure this guy out. 

Striving: [4] + [4] +Clever +Observant +Shrewd = 11

Doubles: Offer a hard bargain or an ugly choice. You can have answers but you have to go full Galadriel and get the answers from him. Ask up to 3 questions, then roll - Questions. 

Success: Gain a condition "power surge."

• What’s your character’s beef with the hunters?

• What’s your character hoping to get from me?

I was tired, I was cold, I possibly had a migraine coming on, I was done. I rose from the chair and towered over him. I felt electricity run up my spine as I did so, and as I raised my arms out to my sides I could feel the thrum of power through my fingers. I felt strangely distant, like everything was happening behind a veil. The words that came from my mouth were spoken in my voice but I didn't know them. 

"By the blood of the Graeae I bind you, by the words of the Phorcides I command you. Who were those people and what do you want from me?"

"I... I suspect they are hunters. They must know I am of noble blood and seek to gain personal power from it." He paused, trying to tear himself away from my gaze, but unable to free himself. "I knew you were of the line of Three and that you would be able to aid me in this and... other matters."

Striving: [6] + [1] - 2 = 5

Secret of Hidden Power [1]

Failure: Take something or someone away.

Oracle Question: Does the power surge reveal us to the hunters? Yes [X] No [No] Spend 1 point of Full Concealment for automatic No.

I felt reality snap back, and a jarring sensation as I found myself fully in command of myself. Realising he was free Everette staggered back, a look of horror on his face as he considered what had just happened. He laid a hand on the desk, I thought to steady himself, but then he brought his other hand up and began another series of gestures. This time his hand made sharper, more determined motions and his words were more sibilant somehow. The lights in the room began to dim and his outline become blurred, moreso with each pass of his hands. The lights flickered off, plunging the room into complete darkness, and when they returned Everette was gone. I dashed to the door, still closed, and checked the hallway just in case; no sign of him.

Oracle Question: Does the teleport spell reveal us to the hunters? Yes [X] No [No] Spend 1 point of Full Concealment for automatic No.

Sundered Lance - Session 1

A series played using Secrets & Shadows. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

I'd never actually met Everette Chapman before, a colleague of mine at the Local History Museum had arranged the blind date. We’d both been told to meet at a cafe about 10 minutes walk from the museum.

Was I late? Yes: [1] No: [1] [2] I was late.

Soft Dramatic Move: Reveal Off-Screen Badness.

A couple of blocks away is a parked car. Inside Jolene West and Leigh Hicks discuss their mission; they check their equipment one last time, and walk-through the plan with an emphasis on exit strategies. Jolene is nervous but takes comfort in the sharpened length of iron-braced hawthorn given to her by Leigh.

Was he late? Yes: [5] No: [6] He wasn’t late.

I stumbled through the door of the cafe, my glasses immediately fogging up as I tried to disentangle myself from my hat, scarf and coat. I caught sight of who I could only assume was Everette, a tall and lean man folded neatly into an armchair, watching me intently through his blue-black curls and over the top of a steaming mug of coffee. As the fog cleared sufficiently for me to chart a path I smiled shyly and approached with my hand outstretched to shake.

Smooth (awkward) moves: [4] [3] +Magnetic = [8] Mixed outcome.

Outcome: Bonus on next roll to charm him, and turn move back on character.

He gracefully unfurled himself from the seat, placing his large mug on an end table, and moved to meet me. His hands, still warm from the mug, closed around mine and his wide eyes met mine.

“Jon. So good to finally meet you. Why don’t we sit somewhere a bit more private.”

His entire face lit up when he smiled back at me and I felt myself blush. His soft laughter was like the rustling of Autumn leaves, and for a brief moment it was as if we were lit by the dabbled sunlight of a forest glade. Momentarily taken aback I allowed myself to be gently pulled towards a more secluded corner, back where he’d been sitting.

I sank slowly into the old armchair he carefully steered me towards. With a twinkle in his eye he gestured to the end table between the two chairs; his mug was now joined by a second, this one full of steaming hot chocolate. On a plate between the mugs was a thick slab of coffee and walnut cake, two forks lay side by side on the edge of the plate.

To distract myself from staring at him, and him from hearing my stomach growl, I took off my glasses to wipe on the long sleeve of my thick jumper.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting, I got caught up leaving work. We’ve had some new pieces arrive for a display and to be honest they reminded me of something our mutual friend had mentioned about you. You are from the coast, right?”

I asked distractedly, even though he wasn’t to know I could see him perfectly well I still found myself not wanting to stare. Nonetheless as I asked my question I made sure to meet his gaze and felt a thrill of electricity as I did so.

Ongoing charm: [1] [2] +Magnetic +Hollywood Ugly +1 forward = [6] Fail.

Hard Dramatic Move: Bring in someone sexy with an agenda.

To my dismay the moment was over as quickly as it began. His eyes darted from mine to the front of the cafe as the bell above the door rang twice in quick succession. I leaned round and saw a tall figure in a well-tailored dark green suit. Their shoulder-length white hair hung loose across their broad shoulders. From behind them emerged a short woman whose hair was piled atop her head in a mass of intricate plaits. While her companion waited in the doorway, scanning the crowd impatiently, she weaved among the tables and low couches of the cafe, her hands behind her back.

Does Everette get a chance to react? Yes [6] No [3] Everette can react.

Everette quickly leaned across and took both of my hands in his. I was too shocked to say anything, and merely sat there as he looked intensely into my eyes.

“We need to be discrete, Jon. It’s vital that we’re not seen. I know you don’t fully appreciate it but you can help me with what’s about to happen. Just think unassuming thoughts.”

He winked at me and I felt myself blush once more. Then he began to mutter under his breath, a soft lilting murmur, some kind of poetry maybe? I felt something inside me respond to his words, even though I could barely make out what he was saying. A warmth which started in my chest, expanded to run along my arms and into my hands.

Invisibility spell: [6] [1] +Witch +Magic +Faerie +Glamour = [10] Success.

Outcome: 3 points of Currency.

The warmth seemed to emanate from my hands into his, and as it did so the room suddenly grew darker, the voices of the other patrons around us grew duller. From the corner of my eye I could see that everything beyond our immediate reach was shrouded in a grey mist which lay around the patrons and furniture. Through the mist the figure in green and the short woman were visible as they continued to scour the cafe.

Do they see us sitting there? Yes: [X] No: [X] Spend 1 Currency for No.

As she drew near, however, she paused as if slightly confused and her eyes slid off of us. She carried on searching the room for her quarry. Her companion in the doorway continued to survey the crowd, their fidgeting increasing as they failed to find whoever it was they were looking for. As the woman passed us she turned away enough for me to see what she was holding behind her back; a bundle of sticks as long as her forearm bound by tight iron rings.

I was confused and Everette read this on my face easily. A flicker of concern crossed his face as he saw the woman’s sticks, then he smiled enigmatically and slowly rose from his seat. Since we were holding hands I had to rise to meet him, we stood barely a foot apart from each other and I realised that I barely knew this person and yet in this moment I trusted him implicitly. He led and we slowly began to move, hands clasped tightly, through the crowd, heading for the back of the cafe. Everette gently shushed me when I was about to ask him what was going on, if he knew who these people were.

Does Jocelyn’s wand detect us? Yes: [X] No: [X] Spend 1 Currency for No.

I noticed the woman’s hands twitch sharply, an action that apparently surprised her too, and she took a moment to turn fully while her hands gripped the sticks tighter. Everette held his breath and tensed, and I did so too despite not understanding what was going on. After a moment of the two of us stood intimately close among a crowd of oblivious cafe patrons the woman resumed her search. Everette let out a soft sigh and allowed himself to lean close enough that he could whisper directly into my ear.

“We need to sneak out via the back, there’s an alley we can use to reach the high street. My place isn’t far from there.”

Do I trust him *that* implicitly? [4] [2] -Clever -Plan ahead = [4]

Reveal a secret or shame or weakness.

I froze as he said the words, the exhilarating feeling of his breath on my skin ended abruptly and I felt my feet root to the floor. I wasn’t ready for that. This was far too soon, I barely knew him beyond his name, I didn’t even know where he lived, and now there were people looking for him, people he clearly didn’t want to find him. This was shades of my ex all over again and frankly I was tired, cold, and not in the mood.

Does Everette pick up on this? Yes: [6] No: [4] = He picks up on it.

His eyes flashed to meet mine with a look of concern and panic. I could read him like a book; he was torn between explaining that comment more fully and getting the hell out of the cafe. I wasn’t going to help him out with this, I wanted answers.

Does Everette stay or flee? Stay: [5] Flee: [2] = He stays.

His hands gripped mine tighter, but still gently, as if he was trying to fuse his hands fully into my own. He cautiously stepped forward closing the already narrow gap between us. His eyes remained locked on mine and he raised our hands so that they were pressed between our chests. I could feel his heart fluttering in his chest like a frightened bird in a cage, and I knew he could feel mine racing too.

“I don’t mean quite like that” he demurred. “These people mean to do me harm and I need to get away from them. If you can assist in that endeavour I would be very grateful, even if it’s just helping to maintain the veiling spell until we get outside.”

I still didn’t fully understand the situation, but his willingness to be open combined with being able to feel him tremble slightly against me made up my mind. I nodded to him and began to move slowly but determinedly towards the door to the kitchen. There must be a fire exit or a back door that we could use to escape, we just had to hope that whatever was keeping them from seeing us, this “veiling spell,” held long enough.

Can we make it to the kitchen before the spell expires? Yes: [X] No: [X] Spend 1 Currency for Yes.

We made it. As soon as the door shut behind us we were brought back to reality; in this case it meant the grey mist dropping from the air and dissipating as soon as it hit the tiled floor. We found ourselves confronted by a pair of confused-looking staff members interrupted mid-conversation by the sudden arrival of two men who they hadn’t noticed enter.

Do they cause a scene? Yes: [1] [1] No: [4] They don’t but also…

Soft Dramatic Move: Turn your move back on you.

There was a long moment during which all four of us stared at each other, everyone apparently being caught in the act of doing something wrong. Everette smoothly took charge by striding forward confidently and asking the nearest staff member if this was the right way for the back exit. The startled employee nodded cautiously, shooting a look to their colleague who just shrugged discretely. Doing our best to maintain our composure we walked swiftly out into the alleyway behind the cafe, at which point I realised with some amusement we’d still been holding hands the whole time. The amusement was short-lived however as from within the kitchen we heard raised voices.

“It’s them. We need to get out of here.” Everette fixed me with a piercing intensity. “If not my place then where would you feel comfortable fleeing to?”

Can I think of a suitable place quickly? [1] [1] +Clever +Tactics = [4] Fail, also…

Soft Dramatic Move: Offer a hard bargain or an ugly choice.

All I could think about was how much I really didn’t want to end up at this guy’s place; yes, he was attractive and there was a definitely a lot of chemistry, but I wanted to get to know a guy first for once. In that moment I knew where we had to go.

“Come with me” I said as I took his hand again. “We’re going to the museum.”

The Pilgrimage of Piers the Agreeable

A one-shot played using Pilgrimage of the Sun Guard. This post is published under the CC-BY-SA-4.0 licence.

THE PILGRIM

Name: Piers the Agreeable

Background: Cloistered

Code: To pursue knowledge and gain honour through sacrifice.

Traits: Studious and ascetic.

Cherished item: A tome of knowledge.

Might: 2

Guile: 4

Honour: 6

Time: 6

Q: What does he wish for under the stars?

A: To rest.

THE DEPARTURE

Swordsaint Azor's prophecies: "I see forgiveness, repentance, penance. I see tenderness, a look."

CROSSING THE DESERT

A week into my journey I was crossing the desert with an extended family of nomads. As I slept I was awakened by the sound of rustling and a soft voice cursing. A child was trying to steal my tome of knowledge, but the leather straps that bind it closed were confounding her. Having already studied this book extensively, I knew that her thirst for its knowledge was greater than mine, so I forgave her attempted theft and gifted her the book.

[-1 Time]

During the second week, we passed a lush and beautiful oasis. The nomads and I were to part ways here, this being their destination. We arrived late in the evening and the nomads invited me to rest with them, but I knew that if I accepted their offer my pilgrimage would be over. While they prepared their camp, I took a few supplies for my ongoing journey and slipped away. I regret  the theft of their supplies, consoling myself that the bountiful oasis would compensate their loss.

[-1 Time, -1 Honour]

UNDER THE SHADOWY PINES

In the third week of my journey I had passed from the sterile desert into the fecund forest, the smell of pine and loam filling the misty air. In the mists I saw a shape like that of a man following alongside me and beckoning for me to follow them. I knew that leaving the path could be dangerous, but I had to learn the source of this vision. I followed the figure to a rotting cabin containing a long-dead pilgrim wearing the tattered robes of my order. Though it delayed my journey I toiled to dig a grave and lay my predecessor to rest.

[-2 Time, -1 Might]

In the fifth week of my pilgrimage, as I was nearing the end of my time in the forest, I heard the sound of wooden wheels clattering on the timeworn path. A midwife was passing in her wagon on her way to visit a distant relative. We spent an evening in pleasant conversation, comparing notes on herb lore. She gave me a poultice of herbs I had no knowledge of, which I used to soothe my sore limbs.

[-1 Time, +1 Might]

THE RIVER VALLEY

In the sixth week of my journey I left the pine forest and entered a valley carved by a mighty river which flowed down from the Frost Cliffs. I followed the river as it took me through fertile farmlands. In one such field I saw a vast loom being worked by mysterious weavers. They wore peasant clothes and burlap hoods which concealed their features. They called out to me to stop and share with them a story of my journey, so I obliged in the hopes of learning more of these people and their craft.

[-1 Time -1 Guile]

First Breach: Anger

Acting in anger, I broke my code. The weavers had shared nothing of their purpose and had instead delayed my journey. I spurned them in frustration and turned to leave them to their mysterious labours, caring not for the truth of their art. They called out to me to wait, claiming that while they couldn't reveal the truth of their art they could at least return what I had lost. They unpicked their work and as they did the bodies of the firmament retraced their steps until four weeks had been unwritten.

[+4 Time, +1 Guile]

In the seventh and yet also only the third week I reached a shrine. Night had fallen by the time I reached the iron gate that barred my entrance to the shrine and its surrounding burial site. As I reached for the gate I saw a pair of eyes burning like coals and heard a rumbling growl. I knew from my studies of the occult that spirits could be appeased by offerings of life, so I shed a small amount of my life's blood onto the bars of the gate as I opened them. As I approached the shrine to make my observances, I sensed the guardian feeding on my offering at the gate.

[-1 Time, -1 Might]

ASCENDING THE FROST CLIFFS

In the eighth/fourth week of my journey I began my ascent of the Frost Cliffs.  I saw two paths before me, a gentle but winding path and a steep but direct path. I felt the direct path to be the truer of the two, fearing not the hardship of a more arduous journey. To me the winding path was akin to giving myself over to comforting fantasies, so I spurned that path. However, my chosen path proved to be more the more treacherous for my footsteps called down the very stones of the mountains upon me. It was only by picking up the pace and dodging the falling boulders that I survived.

[-1 Time, -1 Might]

Second Breach: Pride

It was then that I realised my folly; I had allowed my desire to complete my pilgrimage as quickly as possible to cloud my judgement and I broke my code. I survived by relying on my body's instincts and reflexes instead of my intellect. The realisation that my physical limits were not as severe as I had thought filled me with vigour.

[+2 Might]

In the ninth/fifth week of my journey I reached a plateau halfway up the cliffside. Here I found the spring that birthed the great river that had carved out the valley I had passed through earlier. I filled my waterskin from the stream and spent a moment thinking back to my last meal before I left the company of Swordsaint Azor. It was a simple meal of bread and water but it sustained me for the first leg of my journey. As this memory comforted me, I felt myself held in place while time lost its grip on me - it reasserted itself a week earlier.

[-1 Time, +1 Time]

THE ENDLESS STAIRS

In the tenth/fifth week of my journey I found myself at the entrance of a cave that I suspected would lead me to the next plateau. Towards the end of the week, after spending my time feeling my way through the darkness as I slowly ascended, I was confronted by the guardian of the cave. They asked if I was worthy of ascent and I faltered. I feared that my past breaches of my code, acting in anger and pride, would cause the guardian to deny my passage, so I used my cunning to obscure the truth.

[-1 Time, -1 Honour]

Third Breach: Fear

In my fear of forsaking my pilgrimage I allowed my truth to be obscured by metaphor. I downplayed my sins and tried to appear more worthy than I truly was. Perhaps my pilgrimage should have ended here, I would never know.

THE DECLARATION OF DEEDS

In the eleventh/sixth week of my journey I reached the final shrine. Here I was confronted by the final guardian who asked me to recount the story of my pilgrimage.

First I confessed my sins and the lessons they had taught me:

First Breach: Anger

In my anger at my lack of understanding I turned away from a chance to learn from beings who wielded power over the very fabric of creation. I learned that even the humblest of appearances can conceal great knowledge.

Second Breach: Pride

In my ambition to complete my journey I put my life in danger. I allowed my thirst for knowledge to eclipse my honour. If I had died on the path, my sacrifice would have been unworthy. True sacrifice in the pursuit of truth must not be motivated by personal ambition.

Third Breach: Fear

In my fear of being found wanting I withheld the full truth of my journey, presenting instead a sanitised version of events that told only the story I wanted to tell at that moment. True knowledge is untouched by our fears and cannot be made to conform to them.

Then I recounted the deeds that I had wrought:

First Deed: Sharing the Flame of Understanding

Remembering the words of Azor, I forgave the child and shared a rare gift of knowledge with a young mind. By giving a tome to the nomad's daughter I knew that it's wisdom would be kindled in her mind and be passed to a new generation.

Second Deed: A Tapestry of Shadows

Uncertain of my audience's identity and intentions I decided against sharing the truth of my pilgrimage. Instead I spun them a tale of a simple mendicant preacher who was travelling the land spreading the word of the creator. They worked their loom while I spoke, the cloth taking on a darker shade somehow. The weavers shared knowing looks but did not challenge my story.

Third Deed: The Silent Worship

In that shrine at the centre of a graveyard, with the spectral guardian sated by my blood, I spent a full day and night in silent prayer. When I was finished, I calmly stood and retraced my steps. This time the guardian paid me no mind and as I sealed the gates behind me I heard its forlorn howl - it would mourn my passing.

Fourth Deed: And the Rock Cried Out

As I made my way up the Frost Cliffs the very mountain itself sought to rebuke me. As it sent icy boulders to turn me from my path, I trusted in myself to find the true path to safety. My feet carried me from the path of destruction and I was saved.

Fifth Deed: The Silvered Account

I recounted my journey to the guardian, taking great care to present it as an allegory and emphasising how each aspect could be seen as imagery of a greater story. In doing so I presented each of my failings as moral lessons that a listener could learn from.