Cerberon 05 - A Dead Ship 1

It didn't take long for their cargo to arrive - apparently they really wanted those polymers - and it was soon stowed aboard. They lifted off at the earliest opportunity and laid in the course they had plotted.

  Undertake an Expedition: "Explore the Dead Ship" 'dangerous'; +Wits +1 sidekick pilot; 5 +3 +1 vs 7 | 3 => strong hit => waypoint, progress now 2/10

As they had already jumped to the dead ship - to hedge their bets, they were rolling back on the assumption that it was a precursor ship now - they were able to get there in just one jump. They were too excited to sleep, so spent their downtime checking and rechecking Janya's gear and the drones that would accompany her piloted by Hayla.

The drones were of an old-fashioned quadcopter pattern - experience had shown that they were less susceptible to hi-tech jamming - and they would send two in with Janya. Of course, they would need an atmosphere to work, so they had a repulsor ball-shaped drone as back-up .

They spent the approach to the ship in the bridge, interrogating the sensors constantly trying to learn as much as they could about the ship. It was cruiser-sized and of a design as strange as its exterior finish - they'd never seen or, even heard of, a mirror finish like the one this ship had.

Images constructed from sensor data

As they approached, the sensors told them that the ship was rotating, very slowly, but it was rotating, which enabled them to get a complete sensor picture of its exterior. As well as the strange exterior, it seemed to have some kind of outrigger on its starboard side - perhaps it was an attached small craft of some kind? There was also a 'hole' on its port side near what they thought was the bottom of the ship. There was no sign of any exterior damage, so they believed that as the hole was door-shaped it must be an open airlock. They hoped they'd soon find out.

Finally, they were close enough for Hayla to maneouvre the Fegen close enough to match its rotation with their airlock close enough to the hole in the ship's side for Janya to EVA to it. She had already 'suited up' and was impatiently waiting for Hayla to finish the delicate task.

Janya in her suit

Janya's suit was an advanced environmental/vacuum suit that had cost them a pretty penny, but they had both agreed that it was worth it and now, on the verge of exploring a dead ship in the depths of space, Janya was very glad that they had.

Finally, Hayla's voice came over the intercom. "In place, Sis - off you go." Janya could see the target hole/doorway only about five metres away and she launched herself towards it, making minor corrections to her trajectory with her attitudinal jets.

  Explore a Waypoint: "Explore the Dead Ship"; +Wits; 4 +3 vs 7 | 7 => miss w. match burn momentum now +2 => strong hit w. opportunity => make a discovery; choose 'Lost or hidden people', mark 2 ticks on discoveries track, mark progress 4/10

Janya reached the hole and floated inside the ship. Her shoulder and head lights showed a cavernous space, that she couldn't see the far side of. She touched down and tried to engage her magnetic boots, but apparently there was no ferrous content in the deck as they had no effect. Her HUD readout confirmed there was no atmosphere inside the ship, as they suspected, so Janya released the repulsor ball drone she had brought. The feed from the drone would allow Hayla to have a VR experience of Janya's trip inside the dead ship.

There was nothing for Janya to get a grip on - unlike every ship that she'd ever been on, there was nothing protruding from the deck, walls or even the ceiling. Everything had the mirror finish like the outside, although here on the inside it was duller that the outside - not quite as reflective.

  "Are you seeing this Sis?" Janya asked, wonder in her voice and anxious to share it with Hayla.
  "I am," Hayla replied, "Can you believe it?" she asked, just as amazed by what they were seeing.
  "If someone had told me about this, I wouldn't, but we're here, so I have to!" Janya responded.
  "That looks like it might be an elevator in front of us," Hayla said, so Janya headed towards the circular wall in front of her.

Area of initial entry

The wall curled away to both sides and on its left front - as Janya looked at it - there was a doorway shaped gap. Floating up to it Janya could see there was another doorway on the other side through which she could see the other side of the ship. Apparently this circle was in the middle of the ship. Reaching it, she let Halya's drone go in first and briefly tapped into its visual feed. Looking they could see that there was a circular shaft going up to another floor. The drone came back out of the shaft and quickly did a circuit round the outside of the shaft. It was on the centre line of the ship as they had suspected. The space narrowed as it stretched away fore and aft, although they were not certain which way was which. The drone found walls that crossed the width of the ship in each direction. The wall closest to what they thought was the front had 3 doorways in it, while the wall in the other direction - toward what they believed were the engines - had only one doorway.

  Undertake an Expedition: "Explore the Dead Ship" 'dangerous'; +Wits; 6 +3 vs 6 | 4 => strong hit => waypoint, progress now 6/10

  "D'you think all the doors on the ship are open, or can we only see open doors?" Janya asked.
  "How can we tell?" answered Hayla. "But given the complete lack of any stuff at all, I wouldn't be surprised if it had suffered a sudden decompression - all the open doors might've been the cause..."

With that suggestion floating in the air, Janya and the drone drifted into the shaft and began to go up, towards the next deck of the ship.

 

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Brunvoldt 19 - Firstmeet

  I'm downgrading the vow "I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort" from formidable to dangerous as I can't see how to fit 8 more milestones into the narrative; so, the current 2/10 progress becomes 4/10

Firstmeet area

  "Have we gained any time on them?" Brunvoldt asked Dag as they set out again, the tracker leading as usual.
  "Definitely," Dag replied. "They spent at least a day at that camp. I reckon we're not more than a day behind them now."
  "That's good news," Brunvoldt repsonded, "Praise Holy Vanth."

The trail continued north into the hills west of Firstmeet. Distantly, to their east, they could make out the fields of Firstmeet, but it was too far to see if anyone was in those fields.

Night would arrive fairly soon, and rather than camp in the wilds and risk an unprotected encounter with the Restless, Brunvoldt decided they would make for Firstmeet and the safety of its walls. Also, once there, they could report what they'd discovered and learn if there had been other incursions by Varou. So they turned east toward Firstmeet which they reached as dusk fell without incident.

  Ask the Oracle: Have the Varou attacked elsewhere? 50/50 <= 50 yes, roll 46

As they entered Firstmeet, they were met by Mayor Torgia - she had officially become the Mayor since Mayor Finnr had taken his Final Journey*.

  * - See Brunvoldt 03 - A Dying Man

  "Sentinel," the Mayor said as she approached. "You've not found our Priestess then?" she asked, seeking to confirm what her eyes told her.
  "Not Gunnhildr, no," replied Brunvoldt, "We found Aric, though." He did not elaborate and Torgia understood what that meant.
  "He was a good man - he will be missed," she said in a sad voice. "A caravan was attacked on the road here from Halfway earlier," she said. "The escort beat them off, but not without loss." She was leading Brunvoldt toward the stables where a bustle of men and animals were.
  "Dag, find yourself a bed and get some rest," he said to the tracker. "We'll be off again early in the morning."
  "Thank-you Sentinel," Dag replied, "I'll see to Scar and do just that." Taking the bison, he left Brunvoldt with Torgia.

One of the men in the group by the stables, dressed in the war-gear and mask of a Charun, seperated from them and approached Brunvoldt and Torgia.

  "Sentinel," he said bowing to Brunvoldt, who half-bowed in return. "Mayor," he said to Torgia nodding to her. "We lost two men - a carter and a Warden. We managed to recover the bodies and they are in the temple being prepared. I'm not sure how many Varou we got - I saw at least two go down, but we could not stay," he reported to them.
  "You did well Charun," praised Brunvoldt. "Getting through was the priority."
  "Thank-you Sentinel," replied the Charun, "That is what I believed and I'm glad to hear that you agree."
  "I'll make sure that the people of the caravan's needs are seen to," said Torgia, taking her leave.
  "Thank-you," called the Charun to her as walked away. "I would like to pray - would you join me?" he asked Brunvoldt.
  "I'd be delighted," said Brunvoldt and they walked to the temple.

Once they had prayed and given heartfelt thanks to Holy Vanth-the-Guide, they retired to Gunnhildr's office and turned to discussing the situation. Brunvoldt had grown up with the man who was currently Charun here - Knud - and they shared an easy friendship that dismissed any formality between them when alone.

  "We agree that the Varou are almost certainly working up to an attack on Firstmeet?" asked Knud.
  "That does seem to be the best scenario for their actions," agreed Brunvoldt. "In fact I don't see what else they could be up to."
  "If it was just raiding, I don't see why they attacked the Giants," argued Knud. "They could've bypassed them and not taken the losses they must have done taking them on."
  "Very true," agreed Brunvoldt once more. "So the question is, when? As we know, they are an impatient, impulsive, race, so definitely sooner rather than later. I'd guess the next couple of days."
  "I agree," Knud stated. "Of course, my men and I will stay here to help the Captain-Warden with the defence and I'll send a rook to Templemount for further aid."
  "There is nothing I'd like more than to fight at your side my friend," began Brunvoldt, "but I am Tasked to find our sister, Gunnhildr, or at the least what has become of her, which I'm sorry to say is more likely," he finished sadly.
  "After all this time?" asked Knud rhetorically. "I don't believe that there is any chance of finding her alive now."

  Reach a Milestone: "I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort", progress now 6/10
  Make a Connection: +Heart; 6 +3 vs. 8 & 6 => strong hit => Knud, 'troublesome', Charun
  Descriptors & Goal for Knud: Flexible, Honourable, Friendly; 'Gain fame and glory'

On that sad, but realistic note, the friends went for their evening meal and afterward Brunvoldt retired, while Knud went to his guard duty.

 

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Cerberon 04 - Landing

Precursor ship

Janya stared at the image constucted by the sensors on her screen. "Oh my!" she quietly gasped. What were the chances of dropping out of the Drift this close to a dead ship? and a precursor one at that? Well, chances be-damned, she wasn't about to share this with anyone but Hayla. Quickly connecting her personal datapad to the ship, she downloaded the dead vessel's location and all the sensor data there was. Once complete, she disconnected the datapad and instructed the ship to ignore the vessel until she or Hayla contradicted the order. Janya was very pleased with herself when the ship
disappeared from the sensors. The E-drive had automatically begun recycling while she had been busy, so she got up and went back to the lounge.

  Janya is too new as a courier to risk delay exploring this find now, but will come back here as soon as she can!

  "I have a confession to make Harrow," Janya said, as she entered the lounge. "I'm just as new at this Courier-thing as you are at being a Datacourier. I should have sworn on my shard to take you to Kalen's Folly and I didn't!" She sat at the table.
  "Let me rectify that now," she continued, "I swear upon this iron shard of an ancestor-ship that I will deliver Harrow to Kalen's Folly."

  Swear an Iron Vow: "I will deliver Harrow to Kalen's Folly", troublesome; +Heart; 2 +2 vs. 1 | 3 => strong hit => +2 momentum now +10
  Reach a Milestone: "I will deliver Harrow to Kalen's Folly", progress now 3/10

  "I should have asked you to do that ..." said Harrow in a downcast voice. "Let's not bother anyone with such a minor detail, hey?" he finished, sharing a laugh with the sisters.

It wasn't long before Harrow retired, saying he'd been travelling for a while and was dead-tired. They let him go and Janya finally had the opportunity to share her discovery with Hayla. Somehow she had the patience to wait a whole five minutes after Harrow had left.

Hayla wanted to investigate the ship right now, saying that it might not be here when - or if - they came back, but eventually gave in to janya's argument that needed more time to investigate properly and it would definitely be better when no-one else was around.

They were still looking at the sensor data, trying to locate a possible entry point - although the distance to the ship meant the data did not have the resolution to identify an airlock - when the ping that announced the E-drive recycling had finished sounded. Leaving Hayla to supervise the jump and then keep the watch, Janya went to her cabin to get some needed shut-eye.

  Undertake an Expedition: 'Travel to Sheraton' troublesome; +Wits +1 Sidekick Pilot; 2 +3 +1 vs 2 | 8 => weak hit => waypoint, progress now 6/10, Suffer Move: -2 momentum now +8
  Space Sighting (Terminus): Planetside settlement

The Edward Fegen jumped back to normal space and Hayla began monitoring the standard sensor sweeps the ship immediately began. "Hmmm," she hummed quietly to herself. They had, as expected, arrived in the Neoma system. Neoma City - a notoriously unco-operative settlement - was on the sole occupied planet (also unoriginally named after the system) and they sent a hail demanding that the Fegen submit to customs inspections. Eventually, Hayla was able to get them to admit that a Heralds' ship was exempt and as they were transiting the system, there was no need for inspection anyway.

She could have just ignored them and jumped as soon as the E-drive had recycled, but they didn't know if, or when, they might need to come back here, so a delay was worth not having a warrant out on them.

  Undertake an Expedition: 'Travel to Sheraton' troublesome; +Wits +1 Sidekick Pilot; 3 +3 +1 vs 5 | 1 => strong hit => waypoint, progress now 9/10
  Finish an Expedition: 'Travel to Sheraton' troublesome; progress 9 vs 4 | 5 => strong hit => 1 tick on Discoveries legacy track
  Reach a Milestone: "I will deliver Harrow to Kalen's Folly", progress now 6/10
  Make a Connection: with Severinus 'Harrow' Jemison; +Heart; 6 +2 vs 6 | 4 => strong hit => connection made, Datacourier, troublesome

Soon enough though, the final jump to the Sheraton system was behind them and they had begun the slog to the planet.

By now Janya and Harrow had returned to the bridge, while Hayla had taken her turn to sleep. Janya and Harrow chatted amiably as they gradually approached the ocean world, Nimbus, and the smoldering red star Sheraton, grew bigger and bigger in the bridge window.

They eventually reached the orbital path given to them by Nimbus-control and prepared their ship to land on the island where Kalen's Folly was. Kalen's Folly was - as settlements in Terminus went - small (its population was only in the hundreds) and so was its spaceport. Added to that fact that on Nimbus, islands moved about floating on the surface of the ocean, it all amounted to a challenging landing. Hayla was up for it, though, and looking forward to the test of her skill. They could have used the command pod to land, but the incessant rainfall and strong winds meant that the added mass of the entire ship made for a more stable and safer trip into the atmosphere.

Hayla had been running simulations for a couple of hours and was entirely confident that her skill would be up to the challenge.

  Secure an Advantage: expertise, +Wits +1 Sidekick Pilot; 6 +3 +1 vs 5 | 9 => strong hit => +2 momentum now +10, +1 on next move
  Set a Course: +Supply +1 Sidekick Pilot +1 SaA; 1 +5 +1 +1 vs 7 | 7 => strong hit w. opportunity, +1 momentum now +10 (max)
  For the opportunity, lacking any inspiration, I'll mark progress on connection with Harrow for the shared experience, progress now 3/10

Hayla was definitely up to the test and made the landing with aplomb, putting the Fegen down exactly in the centre of their landing pad.

  Reach a Milestone: "I will deliver Harrow to Kalen's Folly", progress now 9/10
  Fulfill Your Vow: "I will deliver Harrow to Kalen's Folly", troublesome; progress 9 vs 5 | 7 => strong hit => 1 tick on Quests

Harrow had already packed his gear and, with promises to stay in touch, he was wished 'Safe Passage' by the sisters and he left the ship as the custom inspector came onboard. The inspector was delighted to see the polymers that Hayla had brought and gave her the contact details for a buyer. Hayla took them down and as soon as the inspector had departed, began her own enquiries, suspecting that the details were for whoever had paid off the inspector.

  Resupply: barter +Heart; 4 +2 vs 2 | 4 => strong hit => +2 Supply taken as Cargo now 3; Nimbus' projects were rolled as Agriculture, Hunting, so cargo found is food
  Is there a Heralds' job waiting for them? Ask the Oracle: Unlikely <= 25 yes, roll 86

To her surprise, Hayla found that the inspector had given her the details for the merchant making the best offer, so she accepted it and managed to fill their hold with preserved food harvested from the oceans of Nimbus.

While they waited for the cargo to be delivered, the sisters restored the data to the ship that Janya had deleted and removed her order to ignore the precursor ship. Then they made their plans and plotted a course to return to it, eager to learn what secrets it hid...

 

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Ceberon 03 - To Sheraton

Janya had only just finished making a pot of tea when the starship's doorbell rang. Answering the call revealed that the Datacourier they were expecting was just outside the airlock, with a glowcat on his shoulder. He was a wiry young man with Iron Herald guild tattoos on his face indicating his status as a guild-bonded datacourier. They were also an indication of the man's combat prowess. To be a guild Datacourier meant having the ability to protect the data that they carried. That the full power of the guild would be called down on anyone who harmed a Datacourier, meant nothing when someone was trying to stab you...

Part of the Edward Fegen

  "Thumb," said Hayla to the man after accessing the external comms. He obligingly placed a thumb on the sensor. The indicator light cycled red-orange-green and beeped satisfyingly, so Janya walked through to the airlock and opened it.

  "Welcome aboard Harrow," Janya greeted him, standing to the side and inviting him onboard.
  "Cerberon?" Harrow asked.
  "That's me," Janya replied, shaking the offered hand as he stepped through the 'lock.

Janya showed him through to the lounge and introduced him to Hayla, poured him a cuppa and then showed him the crew quarters where he would bunk for the trip.

As Harrow was situating himself, the cargo arrived and Hayla wheeled off to supervise its loading. Janya went through to the bridge to prepare the Edward Fegen for launch - they wanted to depart as soon as possible as neither had formed a good impression of Gloam Station. Earlier they had both agreed that its best look would be in the aft camera display.

While Janya was going through the pre-flight, Hayla wheeled in followed by Harrow.

  "I told him to join us, so put up the third seat willya?" she said. Janya did and Harrow sat down.
  "So when do we leave?" asked Harrow.
  "As soon as the pre-flights are done," replied Hayla.
  "So when are you going to introduce us?" Janya asked Harrow. He looked genuinely puzzled for a moment, then realisation dawned.
  "Oh sorry!" he said, "You mean Ilsit!" He reached up to his shoulder and took hold of the glowcat that was currently glowing a placid, gentle green. "I forget she's there sometimes. This is my friend Ilsit."
  The sisters both said "Hello Ilsit," gaining a loud purr in response.

The back-and-forth of the pre-flight checks followed until they were finished and the Edward Fegen backed out of the dock. Hayla engaged the main engines and they started the slog to the minimum safe distance necessary to engine the E-drive.

  "Let's go to the lounge and leave Feggie to make the distance, shall we?" said Janya.
  "Let's," replied Hayla, and Harrow got up indicating his agreement.

Back in the lounge the trio got to know each other. Harrow - he preferred it to his given name, Severinus - was also a newcomer to the Iron Heralds. He'd just finished his apprenticeship and was on his first solo run. He was very grateful for the friendly welcome the sisters had given him as he'd been very nervous, and they had put him at ease.

The alarm they'd set for when the distance was reached sounded and they returned to the bridge. Once there, they all buckled in for the first jump on the journey to Sheraton. "After all," as Hayla said to Harrow, "Better safe than sorry."

  Undertake an Expedition: 'Travel to Sheraton' troublesome; +Wits +1 Sidekick Pilot; 4 +3 +1 vs 6 | 7 => strong hit => waypoint, progress now 3/10
  Space Sighting-Terminus: Precursor Vault, form: Vessel

The jump was as good as could be and they entered the Drift sliding along its mysterious Eidolon paths. Confirming everything was a-ok, they adjourned to the lounge again. This time Hayla got out her cards and proceeded to try and fleece Janya and Harrow. Janya was easy - Hayla knew all her tells, but Harrow was better than both of them and won most of the hands.

Janya had given up - she knew when she was beaten - and expecting the jump back to normal space had gone into the bridge so Hayla could carry on playing. They both knew that Hayla was the better pilot, but that didn't mean that Janya wasn't a good pilot and capable of supervising the jump back into normal space. But as they completed the jump into normal space, she saw what was on their sensors...

It was a dead ship floating in space, whose sensor data matched ... a precursor ship? It couldn't be, could it?
 

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Brunvoldt 18 - Following Tracks

The following morning Brunvoldt, Adalbjorg, Chandra and Dagmar (a servant/cart-driver) left Templemount. Dagmar drove the two wheel, four bison cart on which Adalbjorg and Chandra sat. Brunvoldt rode Scar with Magnus running alongside - both of whom seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the chance to run.

  Normally a journey to Halfway-House from Templemount would not need a roll as it's a heavily patrolled safe route. However, as the Varou are infiltrating the region, this time I'm going to
  Set a Course: +Supply +1 Scar (Rover); 3 +5 +1 vs. 10 & 7 => weak hit => arrive, -2 momentum now +8

They reached Halfway without incident, although it took longer than Brunvoldt would have liked. The bison pulling the cart had been mismatched and Dagmar had to stop, sort out the pairings and rehitch them, all of which took time that Brunvoldt resented losing. Gunnhildr had been missing for days, but that didn't mean that they could waste time without consequence.

At Halfway-House they found Dag waiting for them. He seemed eager to set off and was even more so when Brunvoldt explained to him the changed mission that they had been charged with. Brunvoldt sent Dag out to see if any of the tracks of the Hyena pack that had been chased off were still visible. Then he detailed Adalbjorg and Dagmar to stay at Halfway while he, Chandra and Dag went to find any trace of the missing people. They would carry a pair of the Halfway rooks to communicate speedily if needed.

As Dag searched, the others redistributed their supplies, loading Scar as a pack-bison. That done, Brundvoldt, Chandra, Scar and Magnus left Halfway to join Dag, who they found jogging towards them.

  "My lord," Dag began, but Brunvoldt interrupted him.
  "Just a minute Dag," he said, "While our lives are on the line together, I'll have none of this 'lord' nonsense. Call me Brunvoldt, or Sentinel - that goes for you too Chandra. I'm no more of a noble than either of you two." Chandra and Dag shared a glance, but Brunvoldt couldn't fathom its meaning.
  "As you wish," Dag resumed, "The Hyena left a trail that I can still follow even now. You must have scared them mightily as they paid no heed to what was in their way, just bulling their through everything in their way."
  "Then we'll follow it and pray to Vanth-the-Guide for Her blessing on our task," said Brunvoldt as they set off.

Brunvoldt was unsure if following the Hyena pack was the right choice. Logically, any Varou in this area - where they had not previously been - would all be connected. But that made the assumption that Varou were behind Gunnhildr's disappearance - something that had not yet been established. Still, at least to begin with, the Hyenas were paralleling the road to Firstmeet, so they might come across some evidence of what had happened to Gunhildr and her Wardens. Frightened as the animals had been, both Dag and Brunvoldt believed that they would have returned the way they had come. Hopefully the trail and place of disappearance would coincide.

  Undertake an Expedition: 'Follow the Hyenas' trail' troublesome; vigilantly +Wits +1 Scar (Rover); 3 +3 +1 vs. 10 & 3 => weak hit => waypoint, -2 momentum now +6, progress now 3/10

They followed the tracks and while they still paralleled the road, Dag followed in the woods while Brunvoldt, Chandra and the animals were on the road. Before they had gone too far though, Dag came running out of the woods pursued by something crashing through the trees behind him. "Boar!" shouted the tracker. Brunvoldt and Chandra readied themselves, but the boar did not appear, seemingly content with having chased Dag the interloper off of its territory.

They had to wait quite a while for the boar to return to its lair before Dag could resume following the trail. 'Another delay' Brunvoldt thought darkly - but there was nothing else to be done.

  Undertake an Expedition: 'Follow the Hyenas' trail' troublesome; vigilantly +Wits +1 Scar (Rover); 5 +3 +1 vs. 1 & 1 => strong hit w. opportunity => waypoint, progress now 6/10
  For the opportunity, Ask the Oracle: descriptor + focus => 39 & 68 => Exposed Remains
  Also, I'm going to Make a Connection: with Dag, tracker 'troublesome', progress 0/10

Firstmeet area

They had almost reached the point where the woods stopped and the fields of Firstmeet began - they could see the fields just through the trees ahead - when Dag called out, "Sentinel! Over here!" Brunvoldt and the others hurried into the woods to Dag's location.

Dag was standing by the remains of a pair of bison. From the harnesses and tack that were scattered over the area, it was apparent that they had been Gunnhildr's pack animals. They had been consumed where they lay - something that had obviously happened days ago. "Looks like the Hyenas started to eat them while they were atill alive ... I hate those animals ..." Dag said. Brunvoldt turned to Chandra.

  Reach a Milestone: "I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort", progress now 1/10

  "Go to Firstmeet," he instructed. "Tell them the Varou have abducted Gunnhildr and that she and the Wardens are likely dead by now and send rooks to Halfway and Templemount telling them this. If you see no further Varou-sign and believe you can, then join Adalbjorg at Halfway and wait there for further news from us." Chandra nodded and set off at a jog towards Firstmeet.

  "Anything else you can find?" Brunvoldt asked Dag.

  Gather Information: +Wits +1 connection Dag; 6 +3 +1 vs. 7 & 5 => strong hit => discovery, +2 momentum now +8

  After a few moments spent looking around, Dag picked something up - part of a human skull. "Yes, Brunvoldt," he said, willing to use Brunvoldt's name now they were alone. "At least one of them didn't survive the abduction. By the skin on this, it must have been one of the Wardens - I've seen Gunnhildr and her skin is much lighter than this." He held up his gruesome discovery for Brunvoldt to see.

Dag was correct. The skull must have belonged to Aric - one of Gunnhildr's Wardens, a 'large, dark-skinned man' was part of how he'd been described to Brunvoldt. Looking around, Brunvoldt found other parts of the skull. Gathering them, he put them together on the ground, knelt and pressed the blade of his sword against them. The he spoke the prayer, "Take your Final Journey and go to your rest. May Holy Vanth be your Guide onwards." He couldn't allow the Rising of Aric and the prayer, together with his Holy Sword, would prevent that.

  Standing, he asked Dag, "Still a trail you can follow?"
  "Yes," the tracker replied,"They went that way," and pointing westward along the treeline, led the way, bow at the ready. Brunvoldt followed, Magnus at his side, leading Scar, sword in hand.

  Undertake an Expedition: 'Follow the Hyenas' trail' troublesome; vigilantly +Wits +1 Scar (Rover) +1 connection Dag; 2 +3 +1 +1 vs. 8 & 3 => weak hit => waypoint, -2 momentum now +6, progress now 9/10
  Finish an Expedition: 'Follow the Hyenas' trail' troublesome; progress 9 vs. 8 & 5 => strong hit = > 1 tick on Discoveries legacy track
  Reach a Milestone: "I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort", progress now 2/10

They found the end of the Hyenas' trail after another hour or so. This was obviously where the Varou had been encamped, but they were there no longer. "What can you tell?" Brunvoldt asked Dag.

  Gather Information: +Wits +1 Connection Dag; 1 +3 +1 vs. 5 & 3 => weak hit => complication, +1 momentum now +7

  "Well ..." began Dag, reading what he could. "It looks like the Varou split. Most went that way toward the west. But a small group went north into the hills that lie to the west of Firstmeet." He bent over looking closely at some tracks, then took a few steps following them. "Yes, see here," he pointed, "There are bootprints - two sets that go with the smaller group."

  "Then that is who we follow," stated Brunvoldt.

 

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Ceberon 02 - An Expedition to Gloam

  I was originally going to 'Set a Course' to reach Gloam Station, but have decided to
  Undertake an Expedition: 'Travel to Gloam' troublesome; +Wits +1 Sidekick Pilot; 6 +3 +1 vs 3 | 7 => strong hit => waypoint, progress now 3/10
  Space Sighting-Terminus: Dense nebula cloud
  Also, I've made a change to Janya; I'm removing the Sniper asset in exchange for the Expanded Hold asset. I realised that I was merging character concepts - Sniper rightly belongs to a Cybersworn character concept percolating in my mind

The Edward Fegen

They dropped out of the drift into normal space as their Eidolon drive finished its cycle. E-drives, as they're universally known, could only run for a certain amount of time, propelling a starship through the Drift at FTL speeds. When the cycle finished, the ship dropped back into 'normal' space while the E-drive recycled, ready for the next jump.

Janya and Hayla both examined their sensor fields, making sure they were alone before they relaxed their vigilance. All they could see on the sensors was a dense nebula 'ahead' of them. They did two more full sweeps before pushing back from the consoles and heading to the lounge to relax and it was only a couple of hours before the E-drive had recycled and they went back to the bridge to make the second jump.

The calculations had all been made by the computer while the E-drive recycled, so all that was needed was someone to 'press the button'. There was always the chance, however, that something would go wrong, so it was standard operating procedure - at least on a well-run starship - for all the bridge crew to attend the jump.

  Undertake an Expedition: 'Travel to Gloam' troublesome; +Wits +1 Sidekick Pilot; 5 +3 +1 vs 4 | 6 => strong hit => waypoint, progress now 6/10
  Space Sighting-Terminus: Zaurak, Blazing blue star, Planet - Frost, rugged, frozen world—locked in an unending winter.

The jump passed without incident and again they were in the Drift continuing their journey towards Gloam. They should, assuming everything went well, have one more stop near the blazing blue star named Zaurak. An uninhabited planet called Frost orbited it, right on the outer-edge of the Goldilocks zone. They had deliberately dropped from the Drift a long way from the star, not wanting to engage with anyone on their first courier trip - they had to establish a reputation for reliability after all. Again their sensors were clear, so Hayla took the opportunity to grab some sleep while Janya stayed awake on watch.

Soon enough the E-drive was ready and they made - what they hoped - was their last jump.

  Undertake an Expedition: 'Travel to Gloam' troublesome; +Wits +1 Sidekick Pilot; 4 +3 +1 vs 1 | 8 => weak hit => waypoint, progress now 9/10, 2 -1 suffer moves
  Lose Momentum: minor -1 momentum now +4
  Sacrifice Resources: minor -1 Supply now 4

Unfortunately, the vagaries of the Drift dropped them out much further from Gloam Station than they had planned, and it took them quite a while - and a fair bit of fuel - to get close enough for hailing to be worthwhile. It did give them a great chance to observe the station - there being little that actually needed doing once the course had been implemented.

Gloam Station was an 'illegal' - it had been constructed without the permission of any governing body and consequently relied entirely upon itself. No help would come if were to be attacked, for instance. Despite being apparently constucted entirely from scrap, it had significant, intimidating even, defences. Which was not in the least surprising, if even half the rumours about the place were true. It was said that the station made its money through the black market and supplying raiders, as well as buying the raiders' spoils. All-in-all, not a nice place to be.

Nevertheless, they had to dock if Janya were to make her delivery, so when they were eventually close enough for it be worthwhile, they hailed the station and were given a docking assignment.

  Finish an Expedition: 'Travel to Gloam' troublesome; progress 9 vs 6 | 1 => strong hit => 1 tick on Discoveries legacy track
  Reach a Milestone: "I will deliver this datacube to William Nazari", progress now 6/10

Hayla deftly docked the Edward Fegen as Janya prepared to board the station. Haila was staying aboard to guard the ship while Janya, the 'official' Iron Herald, made the actual delivery.

On the station, Janya had to establish her bona fides almost immediately, but smashing the first lowlife that tried to grope her into the deck, dissuaded the others, so she was able to move about unmolested. Finding a bar, she began the time-consuming process of locating William Nazari. In a more civilised place, she could have used the datanet, or asked law enforcement, but not here - so bartenders it was.

  Secure an Advantage: sociability, +Heart; 5 +2 vs 9 | 5 => weak hit => +1 on next move
  Gather Information: +Wits +1 SaA above; 4 +3 +1 vs 1 | 2 => strong hit => +2 momentum now +6

Janya was soon able to identify the district that Nazari frequented the most and made her way there. Her contract included a picture of the contact - how else would they be indentified? - so once in the district she kept her eyes open

  Gather Information: +Wits; 4 +3 vs 2 | 1 => strong hit => +2 momentum now +8

Asking around in that district, which was predominantly engineering facilities, led Janya to a tiny bar, seemingly built in the unwanted space between two workshops. Entering it, she found it to be as much of a dive as the exterior had promised, but luck was with her. At the bar sat the unmistakable figure of William Nazari. Janya took the seat next to and ordered a drink.

  "You William Nazari?" she asked sotto voce.
  "Who's asking?" he said just as quietly - obviously he was expecting someone, even though he had a hunted air about him.
  "Iron Herald," Janya replied cupping her ancestor-ship shard so that only Nazari could see it.
  "Then I am," he said with an air of definity.
  "Thumb," Janya instructed holding her datapad below the level of the bar. Nazari obligingly put his thumb onto the pad's sensor and the indicator light cycled through red, to orange and then green.

Janya let out a breath that she hadn't realised she was holding and put the datapad back in her pocket. Lifting her carrycase into her lap she opened it retrieved the datacube and passed it to Nazari as subtly as she could. Downing her drink, she stood.

  Reach a Milestone: "I will deliver this datacube to William Nazari", progress now 9/10
  Fulfill Your Vow: "I will deliver this datacube to William Nazari" troublesome, progress 9 vs 5 | 8 => strong hit => 1 tick on Quests

Leaving the bar, Janya headed back for the Edward Fegen, where Hayla was supposed to be arranging another courier job, a cargo, or both. Hopefully that would have gone as smoothly as the delivery.

  Resupply: barter, +Heart; 6 +2 vs 10 | 6 => weak hit => +2 supply now 5 cargo 1, demand made

Back aboard, Janya told Hayla all about her trip. Hayla had caught the deck-smashing of the lowlife on the ship's cameras and they had a good laugh watching that back from several angles. Then they got down to business. The Iron Heralds had got a message to the station instructing them to take a Datacourier - an augmented individual who stored data in a secure internal chip - to Kalen's Folly. Luckily, Hayla had got the message before arranging a cargo, so had been able to get some polymers that the latest archive said Kalen's Folly needed. And even better than that, Hayla had secured the polymers before the archive update had been replicated across the station. No law - no insider trading, right?

Both the Datacourier - Severinus 'Harrow' Jemison - and the cargo should be aboard within the hour, so they'd then be able to leave for Sheraton, the star that Kalen's Folly orbited on the planet Nimbus.

 

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Brunvoldt 17 - Gunnhildr?

Brunvoldt spent most of the night helping his colleagues remove and burn the Varou corpses and then washing down the courtyard, cleaning up the results of the fight. After they finished there was time for a couple of hours more sleep, but they left with the dawn, fearing that more Varou might come to avenge their dead. Although he had been directed to find the Varou after situating the masons, he decided it best to return with them to Templemount following the attack.

Fortune was with them, though, for they got back to Templemount by mid-afternoon with no further encounters. Brunvoldt helped with the unloading of the wagons and then went to Lady Sibila's secretary to deliver the Master-Stonemason's report, report the Varou attack and his subsequent decision to return to Templemount. He asked the secretary to inform Lady Sibilia he intended to leave in the morning to find the Varou. Having done that, he went to his quarters. Once there, he drew his sword to discharge his vow and knelt in front of his shrine, speaking the words, "I swear upon the Iron of my Faith and the Iron of this Holy Sword, that I have escorted the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensured their safety."

  Fulfill an Iron Vow: "I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety", progress 9 vs. 7 & 4 => strong hit => troublesome vow 1 tick on quests track

Brunvoldt was pleased to feel the vow's weight removed from him and he murmured, "Holy Vanth concurs," as he rose and sheathed his sword.

After changing his clothing and cleaning up, Brunvoldt went to the Healer's Hall to have his arm treated.

  Heal: +Iron; 2 +2 vs. 10 & 1 => weak hit => +3 Health now 5, -2 momentum now +8

Feeling better for the treatment, Brunvoldt headed to the Temple-Stables. He had decided that given all the travelling he had been doing - and was likely to keep doing - that he should become more comfortable riding. His own dislike of it was immaterial and besides, it was surely due to lack of practice at the skill ... surely?

At the stable, he spoke to the Master and they agreed that Scar - the bison Brunvoldt had ridden to Portwater recently - would be designated for Brunvoldt's use only. The arrangement made, Brunvoldt went to see Scar in his stall and was pleased when the animal gave him a friendly butt of recognition - even though it nearly knocked him off his feet.

  Advance: 3xp to buy Support Vehicle Rover, reskinned as Scar the Riding Bison

Picking up a brush, Brunvoldt began to brush the bison, trying to create a connection between himself and the massive beast and was gratified to see the animal responding. The wound that gave Scar his name was a long scar across his face caused, so one of the grooms told him, by a cave lion when Scar had been a calf on Firstmeet's fields.

When time for the evening meal came, Brunvoldt fed Scar then left for his own meal. He was pleased to see Maghilde with Sven in the Hall and sat with them as he wanted to discuss a couple of things with Maghilde. First he asked about the torch - would it be possible to put some protective bands around it? Maghilde was sure they could; if he brought the torch to the armoury, they'd be pleased to look at it. Secondly, did they have any armour for a bison? something like they had made for Magnus perhaps? There was no metal armour for bison - they were too contrary to wear it, but maybe they could fashion something from leather? perhaps extend the saddle to cover the vitals and hindquarters? Brunvoldt would bring Scar to the armoury for measurements in the morning.

He was still at the dining table talking with Maghilde, Sven and Gunnvor, who had joined them, when a messenger arrived with a summons for Brunvoldt from the Lady Sibila. Excusing himself, Brunvoldt made his way to the Lady's office where he was shown straight into the Lady's presence.

She was sat behind her desk, fingers steepled in front of her face, as was her habit when contemplating something. "Sit Brunvoldt," she said, "and read the rook-slip on the desk." Brunvoldt sat as instructed and retrieved the slip. He noted that the outside had the colour strip indicating low priority, then he turned it over and read it. It was from Eindride, Gunnhildr's acolyte at Firtsmeet asking when Gunnhildr would be leaving Templemount to return to Firstmeet.

Gunnhildr had left days ago and it was only a two day journey to Firstmeet - she was long overdue. Thinking it over, Brunvoldt reached the obvious conclusion - "You suspect the Varou?" he asked.

  "What else?" Lady Sibila asked rhetorically. "Especially after your fight at Halfway-House. You did well there Brunvoldt. Master-Stonemason Herta came to see me and told me what happened - your modesty is all well and good, Sentinel, but I do expect comprehensive reports from you," she reproached him.
  "Yes my Lady," replied Brunvoldt, suitably chastened.
  "So Brunvoldt," the Lady continued, "You will leave in the morning, but not to find the Varou - although you will probably do so - but to find Priestess Gunnhildr and the two Wardens who were escorting her. What do you need for this?"
  "I think a small party would be best my Lady," said Brunvoldt considering. "The tracker, Dag, from Highfall will be waiting at Halfway by now, so I think the Wardens Chandra and Adalbjorg would be sufficient - they impressed me at Halfway."
  "Very well, I will have the arrangements made. Go now and Vanth bless you," she said.

  Another opportunity for Brunvoldt to
  Develop Your Relationship: with Lady Sibila, mark progress per rank => formidable, prog. 4/10

Brunvoldt returned to his quarters and swore a vow, "I swear upon the Iron of my Faith and the Iron of this Holy Sword, that I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort."

  Swear an Iron Vow: "I will determine the fate of Priestess Gunnhildr and her escort", formidable; Devotant 2nd ability +Wits, +1 connection with Lady Sibila; 4 +3 +1 vs. 6 & 2 => strong hit => +2 momentum from strong hit +2 momentum from Devotant 2nd ability now +10 (max)

 

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Brunvoldt 16 - Holding the Door

Standing by the bolted door, looking out through the gap created by its slightly open pair, Brunvoldt struggled to see what was going on in the small courtyard.

Behind him, he could hear the masons and servants bringing in furniture from other rooms and start stacking them as a makeshift barricade. The longer the Varou delayed the better for Brunvoldt and his companions. Then he saw a flash of movement as a shape dashed across the gap. "They're coming!" hissed Brunvoldt. Movement behind him stopped as everyone froze.

  Enter the Fray: obj 'Defeat the Varou' individ. dangerous, group formidable; +Shadow; 4 +1 vs. 7 & 2 => weak hit => take control

Then the door flew open as a Varou appeared, its foot raised having obviously just kicked the door open. Unhesitatingly, Brunvoldt stepped into the space the door had just swept through and chopped at the Varou's leg. It was too quick, though, and managed to fall backwards, pulling its leg out of reach. Brunvoldt ignited his torch and raised it in his left hand. By its light, he saw that there were four Varou, momentarily off-balance as the one Brunvoldt had attacked fell back into the others.

  Strike: +Iron +1 Blademaster +1 Combat Bot (Hound) +2 Firebrand; 3 +2 +1 +1 +2 vs. 8 & 4 => strong hit => take control, mark progress twice now 2/10, -1 Fire now 4
  Strike: +Iron +1 Blademaster +1 Combat Bot (Hound); 3 +2 +1 +1 vs. 8 & 1 => weak hit => bad spot, mark progress twice now 4/10
  Clash: set action die to 5 (Armoured 2nd ability) +Iron +1 Blademaster; 5 +2 +1 vs. 10 & 1 => weak hit => bad spot, mark progress now 5/10, +1 momentum (Combat Bot) now +8, Pay the Price
  Endure Harm: serious -2 Health now 3; roll +Health; 3 +3 vs. 3 & 2 => strong hit => shake it off +1 Health now 4

Seizing the opportunity, Brunvoldt leapt forward and sank his sword into the nearest Varou, Magnus leaping forward to bite another simultaneously. But his sword stuck in the Varou's body and he took a chop from an axe onto his extended arm. His reinforced armour saved Brunvoldt from serious arm though. Finally managing to disengage his sword, Brunvoldt spoke the commination he had used in the Chitter nest, and the fire of his torch flared out and burnt the Varou, allowing him to retake his place inside the doorway. Catching his breath, Brunvoldt saw that two of the Varou were down and unmoving. One that he had hit and another with a spear in its chest - he had not even seen the spear strike.

  Clash: set action die to 5 (Armoured 2nd ability) +Iron +1 Blademaster; 5 +2 +1 vs. 4 & 1 => strong hit => take control, mark progress twice now 7/10, +1 momentum (Combat Bot) now +9
  Strike: +Iron +1 Blademaster +1 Combat Bot (Hound); 3 +2 +1 +1 vs. 5 & 4 => strong hit => in control, mark progress twice now 9/10
  Take Decisive Action: progress 9 vs. 7 & 1 => strong hit => prevail, +1 momentum now +10

The remaining two Varou charged Brunvoldt ignoring their fallen fellows. A spear flew past Brunvoldt's head and struck one of the Varou right through the chest. Magnus, ignored by the enemy darted out and chomped down on the last Varou's leg, distracting it which allowed Brunvoldt to remove its head, releasing a fountain of blood from the neck stump.

No enemies left, Brunvoldt stood panting, trying to catch his breath. "See if there's any more boy," he said to Magnus, and the Vagthund took off searhing the courtyard before climbing the stairs upto the wall's top. He put his paws up on the battlements and barked loudly at something he saw. Brunvoldt wearily began to climb the stairs to learn what Magnus had seen. Below, he could hear the others dragging the Varou bodies away.

Standing beside Magnus, he looked over the wall and could see a small Hyena pack restlessly pacing back and forth. What was it that Dag had said to him all those years ago in Highfall? That was it - "they always have their filthy-cur hyenas with them".

Brunvoldt watched them for a while - they did not seem to have any intention of leaving, just continuing to pace back and forth like a cat watching a mousehole. So Brunvoldt walked round to the walltop above the gate, Magnus at his heels. He was joined there by the Wardens who looked out, saw the Hyenas and muttered curses. Raising his torch, Brunvoldt spoke the commination again and the flames leapt out to burn the Hyenas. Two of them burnt in spectacular balls of fire, while the others, scorched by the flames fled into the night.

  "Praise Vanth!" said Chandra, while Adalbjorg could only nod.
  "Yes indeed, praise Holy Vanth!" echoed Brunvoldt. Leaning his sword against the battlement, he made to snap his fingers to extinguish the torch. It was then that he realised that he had ignited the torch with a thought - he had needed it to be lit and it was, he hadn't snapped his fingers!

Brunvoldt looked at the torch in his hand and willed it to extinguish and it did. "Praise Holy Vanth and Her Divine Power!" he muttered and ignoring the Wardens descended to the courtyard.

  Reach a Milestone: troublesome vow "I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety", progress now 9/10

 

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Cerberon 01 - A Start

Janya 'Cerberon' Slater

Janya looked about her and then passed through the nondescript door/airlock in front of her. Sat behind the desk in the small, cramped office, was, as usual, Mae 'Dancer' Petrov, the representative of Janya's guild - the Iron Heralds.

  "Hey Dancer," said Janya in greeting to the snappily dressed brunette, her gaudy jewelry catching Janya's eye - exactly as it was supposed to.
  "Hey yourself Cerberon," replied Dancer, using Janya's callsign as was usual practice.
  "You said you had a job for me?" asked Janya, collapsing into the chair on the near side of Dancer's desk, shifting the machine pistol on her hip to a more comfortable (and easier to draw) position.
  "Yes I do," confirmed Dancer. "you must be excited to get your first job as a Herald, no?"
  "Oh yes! Absolutely giddy for it!" Janya answered sarcastically, but she couldn't hide the genuiune excitement either in her voice, or eyes, from Dancer who laughed at her effort.
  "Good!" Dancer smiled at Janya. "You have a datacube," she pulled the crystalline cube the size of a fist from a draw and put it on the desk in front of Janya, "and the standard archive updates for the station - being transmitted to the Fegen now - to deliver to a William Nazari on Gloam Station."
  "Urgency?" asked Janya.
  "None recorded," answered Dancer, checking the file on her display screen. "So standard - no messing about!" she gave Janya a mock glare.

Smiling at Dancer's jibe, Janya stored the cube safely in her carrycase and picking it up, stood. Taking out the shard of ancestor-ship that hung on a silver chain around her neck, she held it in her right hand and, as the guild demanded, swore her vow.

  "I swear upon this iron shard of the ancestor-ship that I will deliver this datacube to William Nazari."

  Swear an Iron Vow: "I will deliver this datacube to William Nazari", troublesome; +Heart +1 connection with Dancer; 6 +2 +1 vs. 3 | 3 => strong hit w. match => +2 momentum now +4
  For the match, I'm going to Develop Your Relationship: with Dancer, 'dangerous' progress now 2/10

Saying goodbye to Dancer, Janya exited the office into the marginally breathable atmosphere of Morricone. Putting on her breathing mask, she made her way back to the starport where the command pod of the Fegen was parked.

  There's no need for a roll here, but I have no 'feel' for Felayn's Drop atm, so I'm going to make a roll and let the result guide me
  Set a Course: +Supply; 2 +5 vs 4 | 5 => strong hit => +1 momentum now +5

Janya stared out at the city from the window of the transit carriage, swaying in time with its rocking motion, enjoying the journey back. Felayn's Drop was a friendly, vibrant, growing city with tens of thousands of inhabitants. She knew from the buzz on the streets that terraforming was planned to improve the atmosphere, and the Crimson Legion had recently been hired to defend the settlement - she'd seen some of their troops at the starport after landing. Looking around the carriage, she noted that most of the passengers, like herself, were armed, but when she came back here, she'd have to remember to check whether the Legion changed that by banning weapons. She thought that they would but decided that was 'Tomorrow's problem' as the carriage reached the starport terminal and everyone got off.

Command pod of the Fegen

Soon enough, Janya was at the command pod, got clearance and launched. Arcing up through the atmosphere, Janya tried the comms to see if Hayla was online. She got no reply, so headed onto their agreed course looking for the Fegen. Before long the ship appeared on the pod's sensors, even with their short range, and Janya began manoeuvring the pod to dock with the rest of the ship. She knew the proximity alarms aboard the Fegen would alert Halia to her return. The docking complete, Janya exited the pod and boarded the Fegen's main body.

Hayla was waiting for her as she cleared the 'lock.

Hayla 'Ghost' Slater

  "Hey sis, how'd it go?" she asked. Janya said nothing, just holding up the datacube for Hayla to see.
  "Sweet!" she exclaimed and started doing her victory jig in her wheelchair, singing, "We have got a job! We have got a job!" as she spun her chair round and round.

Janya laughed with her, mightily pleased to see her sister so happy.

  "Well it's a start, isn't it?" Janya said. "We need to get to Gloam, a deep space settlement and deliver the datacube to some William Nazari fellah."
  "Great!" said Hayla. "I know of a drift that heads there, shall we go now?"
  "We get the archive data complete?" asked Janya.
  Hayla checked a console, "Yup all aboard."
  "Then whyever not?" asked Janya rhetorically, so Hayla wheeled into the command pod that was the ship's bridge when attached. She set herself up where the pilot's chair deployed when Hayla's wheelchair wasn't in the pod, and took over from the autopilot.

Janya followed her and took the left of the other two seats in the pod. She clicked the button to retract the third so that, if needed, she could slide her own seat across the pod. Then she put her foot on the console in front of her and said, "Shall we then?" Hayla took the Edward Fegen out of orbit and headed for the distance needed to create a Drift access point.

  Reach a Milestone: "I will deliver this datacube to William Nazari", progress now 3/10

 

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Brunvoldt 15 - Halfway to Varou

Dufthund

The following morning the small party left Templemount in the company of a mounted patrol. The seven in their group were travelling in two four-bison wagons, so they were able to match the pace of the patrol on their bisons. Magnus was running around ranging around the patrol along with the small pack of Dufthund* that was part of the patrol.

* - Dufthund is Danish for scenthound (according to Google); in our world the breed is American Foxhound

It was a beautiful morning holding promises of the summer just arriving and it was pleasant for all to ride in the early sun.

  Set a Course: +Supply; 3 +5 vs 10 & 2 => weak hit => 2 -1 suffer moves, -1 momentum now +7, -1 supply now 4

That was until the lead wagon broke a wheel. It would not take long to fix, but the patrol couldn't wait for them - they had a schedule to keep. Once the wheel had been fixed, the two wagons continued, reaching Halfway by mid-afternoon.

  Reach a Milestone: troublesome vow "I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety", progress now 3/10

They were soon unpacked and as there was still daylight left, Herta and the apprentices began their work measuring out the foundations of the new wall that they would have to construct. Detailing one of the Wardens as sentry and to keep an eye on the masons, Brunvoldt, the other Warden and the servants began a detailed inventory of the supplies that were there and restocked their own as they did so.

  Resupply: +Wits; 4 +3 vs 6 & 5 => strong hit => +2 supply now 5 (max)

As soon as night began to fall, Herta and her apprentices came inside and the gates were closed against the dark. As they ate their evening meal, Herta was pleased to announce that if things progressed tomorrow as well as they had today, they would finish their work by tomorrow's evening, so they could return to Templemount the following morning, a day earlier than planned.

A quiet night passed with Brunvoldt sharing the watches with the Wardens. As he walked the walls, he enjoyed the quiet solitude, finding it refreshing and quite meditative to be so alone and at peace.

  Firebrand: gather fire +Spirit; 3 +5 vs. 9 & 6 => weak hit => +2 fire now 5

The next day passed just as quietly. The masons continued their work while Brunvoldt and the Wardens shared the watches over them and the servants finished the inventory of Halfway. At that evening's meal Herta confirmed her prediction - their work was finished and leaving in the morning would be possible.

They packed everything that evening in preparation to leave the following morning and retired to their beds.

  Ask the Oracle: Does the Warden on duty detect the infiltrators in time to warn the occupants? She's competent so Likely: <= 75 yes, roll 69

  Brunvoldt was woken in the middle of the night by the Warden, Chandra. "Sentinel," she said, "Adalbjorg has seen movement in the treeline, we thought it best to wake you."
  Gathering himself, Brunvoldt replied, "You were right. Wake the servants and send them to me, then go to Adalbjorg and stand with him until I arrive."

Chandra left and Brunvoldt began to don his armor. When the servants arrived they helped and sped the process considerably. Once finished, he told the servants to wake the masons and then all of them were to go to the supply room and bar themseleves in. The supply room had been designed to double as a refuge so they would be safe there. Brunvoldt went to the wall to join the Wardens.

Brunvoldt ascended the stairs that led to the walltop and saw the Wardens crouching behind the crenellations and peering out over the wall.

  "What do you see?" queried Brunvoldt in a low voice.
  "Varou sir," replied Adalbjorg. "Only a couple, I think. They seem to be just watching us - I can't tell whether or not they're going to move against us."
  "What do you think we should do?" Brunvoldt asked. Both Wardens looked at him with puzzled expressions - they had assumed Brunvoldt would tell them. Brunvoldt explained, "Look, you've been trained to defend places like this. I've been trained to fight certainly, but not in what's best in this situation, so I'll defer to your competence. Suggestions then?"
  The Wardens looked at each other, then Chandra spoke up, "Well sir, we could dissuade them by visibly walking the wall, but then we might have to face them on the road tomorrow and we don't know how many they are." She paused and then as Brunvoldt said nothing, she continued, "Or we could lure them in where we have doorways to control how many we face at a time."

It was obvious that neither of the Wardens would say more. There were, apparently, limits to what they felt they could tell an 'officer' to do.

  "Very well," Brunvoldt decided, "We'll try and lure them in - as you say, it would be better for us to fight them where we have some measure of control." He led the Wardens down from the wall to the entrance of the Halfway-House itself. Once there, they bolted one of the pair of doors closed leaving the other slightly ajar. Then he sent both Wardens to gear for war - they were only in patrolling equipment at present. After they were fully geared, Adalbjorg would confirm that all other access points were fully secured, while Chandra told the others what was happening and what was planned. Meanwhile, Brunvoldt would guard the open door.

  All these preparations add up to Brunvoldt getting to
  Reach a Milestone: troublesome vow "I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety", progress now 6/10
  Ask the Oracle: Do the Varou fall for it? They're eager for the meat, so Likely: <= 75 yes, roll 28
  Ask the Oracle: Is there a Hand (4 as Varou have only 3 fingers with their thumb) of Varou? Likely: <= 75 yes, roll 46

Adalbjorg returned and confirmed that the other door was barred (with the bar wedged) and that all the windows were shuttered. Shortly after Chandra returned with the masons and servants in tow.

  "They want to help," she said simply.
  Herta stepped forward, "We will not hide in a hole waiting to die when we can help," she said forcefully.
  "Good for you," replied Brunvoldt. "Bring furniture for a barricade. The Varou will no doubt throw the door wide, and that barricade will funnel them if they get through the door." He turned to Chandra and Adalbjorg.
  "I will stand by the door. When the Varou open it, I'll step into the doorway and hold them. You back me up and if you can, stab past me with your spears. Beware the light of my torch though. It has been blessed by Holy Vanth and may flare brightly - at times as bright as the sun." The Wardens looked doubtfully at the piece of wood in Brunvoldt's left hand, but - wisely - did not say anything.

Brunvoldt looked at the torch too. It did look entirely underwhelming - perhaps he should have some decoration put on it? 'Not now,' he admonished himself and took up his place by the door.

 

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Brunvoldt 14 - Templemount Still

Brunvoldt reached Lady Sibila's office and was shown directly in. Once more, Lady Sibila was staring out of her window, and again she bade Brunvoldt sit, while continued to ask the view a question only she knew.

She stared for a moment longer and then came to her desk and sat on her chair.

  "Sentinel, I summoned you as the Council-of-Masters has decided to enlarge Halfway-House and found a village on the site, and I want you to escort the surveying party."
  Brunvoldt decided to do what his heart told him and so spoke as he believed. "No my Lady, you didn't."
  "What in Vanth's name are you talking about?!" she replied, anger building, unused as she was to being contradicted.
  "Such an engineering project doesn't need an urgent summons," Brunvoldt stated as fact. "Something is nettling you, fracturing your calm, you want to talk it out, but have not found a way to bring it up. Please just tell me my Lady, I would like to help if I can."

  Trying to get Lady Sibila to confide in Brunvoldt is a
  Compel: +Heart; 3 +3 vs. 4 & 3 => strong hit => success, +1 momentum now +3

  Lady Sibila visibly deflated. "You are quite right Brunvoldt. You have changed, haven't you? I remember a young man named Radulf who could never have been so perceptive." She held up her hand to stop the reply that Brunvoldt had started to make.
  "It is this question of the Varou near Firstmeet. I allowed Priestess Gunnhildr to persuade me to not send out patrols. It is against my nature to be so ... passive. I want to do something, not wait for these creatures to do it to us first."
  "I agree my Lady," Brunvoldt said. "Waiting for the Varou is inviting them to assault the village - we should send at least one patrol out to try and locate them, if not harry them. Attacking their hunters would show them that they are encroaching upon owned terriory."

  Another attempt to
  Compel: +Heart; 3 +3 vs. 8 & 5 => weak hit => success w. demand/complication, +1 momentum now +4

  "Very well, Brunvoldt. We shall send a patrol and you will go with it. But first you do need to go to Halfway-House with the surveyors. Get them situated and started on their task and then go and find the Varou."
  "Yes of course my Lady. If I might make a request?" he asked respectfully, glad the Lady had dismissed her anger.
  "Ask," commanded Lady Sibila.
  "I would like Dag, a tracker from Highfall on the patrol - he is highly competent and would be a great asset," Brunvoldt explained.
  "I will send a rook and instruct him to meet you at Halfway," agreed the Lady. "I do not think that you need me to watch over you as swear to your tasks anymore Brunvoldt," she finished with a half-smile. "You have become satisfyingly ... independent. Prepare to leave tomorrow; you may go."

Brunvoldt stood, bowed and left her office.

  This revealing exchange allows Brunvoldt to
  Develop Your Relationship: with Lady Sibila, mark progress per rank => formidable, prog. 3/10

Brunvoldt felt a sense of quiet satisfaction that the Lady now allowed him to swear his tasks unspervised. He agreed with her - he had changed immeasurably and felt all the better for it. Lost in his self-congratulation, Brunvoldt was surprised to find that he had already reached his quarters. He entered, drew his sword and knelt in front of his personal shrine.

  "I swear upon the Iron of my Faith and the Iron of this Holy Sword, that I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety."

  Swear an Iron Vow: "I will escort the stonemasons to Halfway-House and ensure their safety", troublesome; Devotant 2nd ability +Wits, +1 connection with Lady Sibila; 4 +3 +1 vs. 2 & 1 => strong hit => +2 momentum from strong hit +2 momentum from Devotant 2nd ability, now +8

His vow sworn, Brunvoldt went to meet the Master-Stonemason.

  Name for Master-Stonemason: 4.28 Herta, <=50 female, roll 13; descriptors: Reliable, Humble, Cooperative; goal: 'Build a better life'

He eventually found her - Herta was her name - in the stables ensuring that the wagon needed for the journey was fully stocked and ready.

  "Master-Stonemason, I'll be escorting you to Halfway tomorrow. Are you prepared? and how long will we need to be there?"
  "Well met Sentinel," she replied. "We are ready, and as for how long, I think maybe two days? I won't be able to tell properly until we arrive and can make an assessment. I'd hate to give an inaccurate estimate."
  "Who else is coming?" asked Brunvoldt.
  "Two of my apprentices, a pair of Wardens and a couple of servants, so we'll be a small group. To be honest with you, Sentinel, I'm surprised that you're coming, I imagine that there are things more worthy of your notice."
  "Other things, perhaps," Brunvoldt replied, "But all are worthy if in the service of Holy Vanth. Our task is just as worthy as any other - do not demean your work so, Master-Stonemason. I have preparations of my own to make so I will see you on the morrow."

He left Herta to her finalising and spent the rest of the day getting himself and Magnus ready. Luckily, Maghilde would ensure that she was finished with their armour by morning.

 

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Brunvoldt 13 - Templemount

  Spending xp: per the note in Delve, as I'm playing solo and am completely unconcerned with 'balance' the rarity costs 3xp; also spent 2xp on the 2nd ability of Starforged Armoured asset.

  "Holy Vanth concurs," murmured Lady Sibila and Brunvoldt felt the weight of the vow lift from him.
  Brunvoldt stood and sheathed his sword. "My Lady," he said as he nodded to her.
  "Sentinel," she replied, and the meeting obviously concluded, Brunvoldt departed from her office.

At a loose end, Brunvoldt decided to go and see Temple-Armourer Maghilde. He had promised to report on the performance of Magnus' armour after all.

Maghilde was in her workshop as she always seemed to be, instructing Sven, the boy from Highfall who had agreed to be an apprentice here at the Temple-Armoury. Brunvoldt, in no hurry, observed them as he waited for Maghilde to finish. The boy seemed eager to learn, asking intelligent questions, at one point earning a laughing cuff from Maghilde when he ventured a cheeky question. Before long Maghilde finished, and turning away from Sven, saw Brunvoldt for the first time.

  "Sentinel," she said surprised, "I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were there."
  "It's not a problem," Brunvoldt replied, "You were busy teaching and it is worth waiting for that. Hello Sven, are you well?"
  "I am sir, thankyou," Sven answered, "and you?"
  "I am too, Sven. Are you glad that you came to Templemount?"
  "Yes sir," Sven said eagerly, "although I do miss my family," he finished with a note of sadness.
  "That will pass," Brunvoldt reassured him, "and there will be visits, Vanth willing. Now I must talk to your master for a while, so return to your work." Brunvoldt and Maghilde walked out into the sunlight to converse.

  "How is Sven doing?" asked Brunvoldt.
  "Excellently, Sentinel," replied Maghilde. "He is everything I could ask for in an apprentice - eager to learn and not frightened to ask questions. I'm so thankful to you for finding him, it's a real pleasure to teach again."
  "Good," said Brunvoldt, "Keep me informed on his progress please?" Maghilde nodded and Brunvoldt went on. "I came by to let you know that Magnus' armour has been performing well so far - no problems that I've noticed and he seems to be fine with it, don't you boy?" he ruffled Magnus' ears, gaining Magnus' smile in return.
  "If you're staying here for a while, I'd like to inspect it if possible?" asked Maghilde, "I'll send someone to your quarters to collect it."
  "I have no plans to leave at present. But I may need it back on short notice," warned Brunvoldt. "One of my greaves needs repairing as well - it got a bit mangled by a Chitter."
  "I was going to ask for your armour as well Sentinel," Maghilde responded. "We've got some modifications, well, improvements to make to it and a new helmet for you that we call a Sallet. Overall it should have a significant increase in its ability to protect you."
  "That's wonderful Maghilde, and please stop calling me Sentinel and use my name, Brunvoldt. We are friends and friends should use names, shouldn't they?"
  "Yes Brunvoldt," Maghilde confirmed with a smile.

  Narrative justification for the Armoured 2nd ability and an opportunity to
  Develop Your Relationship: with Maghilde, mark progress per rank => troublesome, prog. 6/10

Leaving Maghilde to return to her work, Brunvoldt decided to visit Temple-Houndmaster Gunnvor. They chatted amiably for a while, Gunnvor asking how well Magnus was doing, Brunvoldt replying that the Vagthund was doing everything asked of him - and more, earning him a bone as a reward.

  Going to try to
  Make a Connection: with Gunnvor; +Heart; 1 +3 vs. 9 & 9 => miss w. match =, burn momentum now 2 => strong hit w. opportunity, troublesome, role kennelmaster
  For the opportunity, I'll mark progress on the connection with Gunnvor now 3/10

Brunvoldt left Magnus at the kennels, playing with the other dogs and returned to his quarters. Soon after he arrived servants came and took his and Magnus' armour to the Temple-Armoury.

Deciding to pray, Brunvoldt went to the Shrine-of-the-Faith, the main altar room in the Temple-Citadel. There were other, more private altars in the building, but today Brunvoldt wanted to see people - for some reason he felt the need to connect with others. Once in the Shrine, he sat on a pew near the back, prayed and then just watched people for a while, relaxing and finding peace.

  Firebrand: gather fire +Spirit; 3 +5 vs. 7 & 5 => strong hit => +3 fire now 3

The next day Brunvoldt bumped into Maghilde in the dining hall at breakfast and they sat with Gunnvor and Sven ate together, laughing at Sven's impressions of the journeymen armourers.

Finished with breakfast, Brunvoldt took Magnus for a walk in the town of Templemount. It had been years since he simply walked the streets, enjoying the bustling life of the town.

  Unfortunately, Brunvoldt has no mechanical need of what is an excellent opportunity for a Sojourn

He was returning up the hill to the Temple-Citadel when Lady Sibila's messenger found him. She wanted to see him immediately, so Brunvoldt lengthened his stride and made his way as quickly as he could to her office.

 

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Brunvoldt 12 - Back Home

Back in the Temple-of-Vanth, Ser Taylah and Brunvoldt sequestered themselves in her office. Placing the torch upon Ser Taylah's desk, they both contemplated it.

  The purpose of the torch's enchantment is to introduce a 'rarity' (see Delve rulebook) for the asset Firebrand. I've not used one in a game before and want to try one of them out but, until I spend the xp required for it there will be no mechanical benefit, only narrative impact

After a few moments of silence, they began to discuss the torch and its properties. An involved conversation followed, touching upon magic, doctrine, divine Power and other equally complicated subjects. In the end, though, they came back to their initial conclusion - send it up the chain of command and ask Lady Sibila to decide its fate. Meanwhile, Brunvoldt would keep the torch and most definitely use it when they re-entered the complex under the Lighthouse.

A rook had been dispatched to Lady Sibila as soon as they had come out of the Lighthouse and now another was sent updating her on the plan to go back in to ensure the Chitters were all gone. Her reply arrived the next morning approving their plan but instructing Brunvoldt to return to Templemount as soon he could after that.

The foray into the stronghold beneath the Lighthouse was uneventful. They learnt that there were more Chitters unmet on the first visit, but they had, as Ser Taylah had predicted, been unable to survive without their Queen, so they only encountered corpses. No other entrance to the complex was found, so they believed that the Broken must have originally created the tunnel that the Chitters used. With it being now blocked, the stronghold was secure and might be safely used by the village - although a lot of cleaning to remove the Chitter-stink would be needed.

  Confirming the complex is 'safe' is another
  Reach a Milestone: formidable vow "I will journey to Portwater and investigate the Broken attack through the Lighthouse", progress now 8/10

By the time they returned to the surface it was too late for Brunvoldt to reach Templemount that day, so he set about making preparations to leave the next morning.

Bidding farewell to Ser Taylah, Brunvoldt chose to walk rather than ride Scar as there had been no urgency to Lady Sibila's note - he much preferred to rely on his own feet. The ferry was on the near side of the bay and the rest of his journey back to Templemount was just as trouble-free.

Reaching the Temple-Citadel, Brunvoldt returned Scar to the stables, and checked in with Lady Sibila's secretary who gave him an appointment early the next day.

  Ask the Oracle: Have the Varou attacked anywhere? unlikely, <=25 yes, roll 50
  Have their preparations been seen? 50/50 <= 50 yes, roll 53
  Does Lady Sibila want a patrol dispatched? likely <= 75 yes, roll 91
  Does Lady Sibila keep the torch for study? likely <= 75 yes, roll 99

The next day, Brunvoldt arrived for his appointment. Lady Sibila was still with her previous appointment and so he had to wait. Eventually, her door opened and Brunvoldt was surprised to see Gunnhildr, Priestess-of-Vanth for Firstmeet emerged. Standing he embraced Gunnhildr as she approached.

  "Gunnhildr! How are you?" Brunvoldt asked.
  "Very well, thank-you," replied Gunnhildr. "And you?"

They spoke briefly about the Varou near Firstmeet, the reason Lady Sibila had summoned Gunnhildr to Templemount. There had been no sign of the Varou since they had driven off the Giants, which was a suprise to all. There were no plans to search them out as Gunnhildr felt that if they were encountered then it would increase the likelihood of an attack. Brunvoldt was surprised that Gunnhildr had been able to convince Lady Sibila that this plan was wise, but didn't share that opinion with Gunnhildr. But then, Brunvoldt was summoned to see Lady Sibila and Gunnhildr had to leave and return to Firstmeet.

Entering her office, Brunvoldt found Lady Sibila's back to him. She was staring out of the window that was behind her desk. "Please sit Sentinel," she said and he did, waiting for her to turn her attention upon him.

After a while, Lady Sibila left the window and sat behind her desk. "Tell me what happened at Portwater," she commanded.

So Brunvoldt did, relaying the entire tale, including the wondrous display of Holy Vanth's Power and the strange effects it had imbued into the torch, which he passed to Lady Sibila. When she tried to ignite the torch it would not respond to her. When Brunvoldt tried, it did.

Given the events that led to its creation, Lady Sibila made an Edict-of-the-Faith. She decreed that this torch was a Relic-of-the-Faith and that Holy Vanth had determined that Brunvoldt, Sentinel-of-the-Faith, was its guardian.

Brunvoldt felt honoured to be so entrusted and thanked Lady Sibila for her faith in him. She waved aside his thanks as unnecessary, her edict was merely a statement of the facts - Holy Vanth had chosen Brunvoldt to use the torch and Lady Sibila was not about to contradict Her Divine decision.

  "Well you seem to have completed your mission and fulfilled your vow Sentinel," said the Lady. "Complete it now."

Brunvoldt drew his sword, knelt and grasped its blade in his right hand. "I swear upon the Iron of my Faith and the Iron of this Holy Sword, that I have journeyed to Portwater and investigated the Broken attack through the Lighthouse."

  Fulfill Your Vow: "I will journey to Portwater and investigate the Broken attack through the Lighthouse" - progress 8 vs. 7 & 5 => strong hit => formidable vow 1 box on quest track, Devotant 2nd ability add 2 ticks to bonds track

 

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