STQK: EP:13 (Round 1, Fight)
New to the ongoing blog series called STQK "Would you like to know more?"
Disclaimer: Episodes 11-15 will be using an oracle system I am developing for solo players; you can see it in action here. Once I am happy with the way the oracle plays it will be available for the community.
Hello there,
We continue with the next episode in the Dragon Quest SPI System.
(Content Warning: Violence, Death, Traumatic Events)
Scene 11
Minutes after calming down the android zombie and getting ready to walk out the door, IaJee hears a faint bell toll coming from the lab. Its a town crier from the miniature1 town of Neon: Proclaiming their sacred tablet containing the mysterious information1 of their forefathers has been stolen1!
Looking around the room trying to find any clue to quiet the town, the android shouts "hare"! The wizard peering up from his books, says "Why yes, I do have lovely hair." The apprentice interjects and says, "I think he is saying there."
Ysah shakes his head and points to a rabbit2 who seems to be carrying something, squeeze through a hole in the wall. Quickly the adventurers run outside to find this desert fox2 grabbing the rabbit by the neck and scurries off in the distance.
Scene 23
The group was only able to grab a few supplies while running out the door after the desert fox. The senile wizard was left to his books in the lab.
Through some woods and over a sandy hill, they reach a burrow where the fox calls home. Trying everything besides just digging a full pit, it seems like the fox will not budge4 from its hole.
IaJee reaches into his pouch and grabs the meat needed for the hyenas, "Maybe this will work to draw it out."
A trail of meat left in front of the burrow gave the eager fox an opportunity to trade5 the rabbit for the raw meat! As Ysah grabs the rabbit and secures the tablet, he throws the dead animal back towards the hungry fox.
Looking around to gain some sense of direction on where the sleeping city was; Ysah wondered out loud, if there was anything that could help them on their quest?
Stepping over some sand mounds, IaJee blurts out a response, "There is this radical lackey6 that seems to be tired of cleaning up after the hyenas, maybe we can seek his assistance?"
Scene 37
As the group traveled over the sand dunes, they approached what appeared to be a small encampment, 1 mile from the infamous sleeping city. Slowly approaching the main tent within the area something unexpected happened. The adventurers came across a creature handing a scroll of information7 to a dark figure. As fire salamanders surrounded the area, fire engulfed the spot where the frighten7 creature stood; sacrificing7 itself on the dark figure's command.
The android groaning from the heat, causes the salamanders to take notice8 as the dark figure disappears and a battle begins between both parties.
Round 19 Only two salamanders approach the adventurers, as the others scatter out of sight. The android unsure of what to do holds back. Both creatures get into striking distance as IaJee slashes his dagger towards one salamander that tries to bury his head underground to start a fire gaze. Ysah grabs his hand axe and approaches the other salamander chopping at one of its legs. In a quick turn of events the monsters counter strike with their vicious bite, but both wizard and musician block the assault.
Round 210 The salamanders start to get the upper hand as a fire gaze lands a direct hit, causing IaJee's cloak to catch fire. Another salamander quickly tries to slash the android, but misses. Ysah catches the android's attacker off guard and causes a substantial blow with his instrument. After stomping out the fire from his cloak, IaJee steps forward and slashes a tail off, as one salamander tries to retreat.
Round 311 As both sides suffered wounds from the battle it looks like IaJee and Ysah were not finished as a dagger and instrument land hits towards each monster causing enough damage upon contact. With one last ditch effort both salamanders take a bite out of each adventurer causing only minimal damage.
As the battle came to a close, both salamanders turn and run12 towards cover as another heavy enemy13 approaches from the distance. The monsters concerned on who to trust freeze in motion, as the enemy pitch forks both creatures with an evil laugh!
Stay tuned for another episode in the STQK blog series.
Rolls | Tables
1. (4,8/61,53,25) | (Playtest Oracle) Scene/Difficulty and Description Tables↩
2. (30) | (Wayfarer's Deck) The Scorched Expanse↩
3. (7,5) | (Playtest Oracle) Scene/Difficulty↩
4. (6) | (Playtest Oracle) Oracle Roll↩
5. (11) | (Playtest Oracle) Oracle Roll↩
6. (78,53) | (Mythic 2nd Ed) Character Identity Table↩
7. (3,7/55,32,25) | (Playtest Oracle) Scene/Difficulty and Description Tables↩
8. (7) | (Playtest Oracle) Oracle Roll↩
9. Initiative | PCs (9) Monster (2) | Weapon Roll | PC(4) & PC(68) | M(36) & M(11) | Damage | (4) + (1) Monsters | (0) PCS↩
10. Initiative | PCs (4) Monster (6) | Weapon Roll | M(77) & M(30) | PC(83) & PC(40) | Damage | (2) PCS | (8) + (2) Monsters↩
11. Initiative | PCs (8) Monster (7) | Weapon Roll | PC(97) & PC(71) | M(80) & M(76) | Damage | (10) + (11) Monsters | (2) PC & (2) PC↩
12. (8) | (Playtest Oracle) Oracle Roll↩
13. (42,26) | (Playtest Oracle) Description Tables↩