Befallen: The Ballad of Luigi Solare part 5
Roll d10 on navigating table = 10
A secret side path, a shortcut to your goal or a safe space to rest and prepare.
The passageway eventually led outside. The open air and the afternoon sun injected new life into Luigi. He stopped and let the light nourish him as he lay down in the meadow, being absorbed by the earth, his body melting and fusing with the grass.
The sound of rushing water jolted him back to the terrace. It bent around, leading to another entrance. Along the way, sprouting in a hollow carved into the side of the terrace, grew a Galena Plant. Its distorted trunk hunched over the stream that fed the step well. Its bulbous fruits and massive pink flowers emitted a foul toxin and dripped foul nectar into the water.
Watching over the plant stood the twisted figure of a Root Warden. Its leafy body rustled in the wind, protected by bark. Arms like sharpened ivy moved swiftly, along with gnarled boughs and vines that sprouted from the creature.
Yan reached for the hilt of her swords, but Luigi stopped her. “Wait,” he said. “That’s it, Yan. The source of the disease. That nasty tree is tainting the well.”
Luigi checked his lantern. “I think we can burn it without fighting that vicious guardian.”
“What?” Yan asked, outraged. “You expect me to snake around like a… like a snake?! You promised me glory, bard, not a coward’s resolution.”
“Coward? I came here to solve a problem. There’s the problem. Here’s the solution.” He raised the lantern.
“I came for combat and glory. You make your music and dance around, but I let my swords do the singing. I do not expect an artist to understand a warrior’s heart. I will do this alone if I have to.”
“So this isn’t about helping Aman-det?”
Yan stared at Luigi. “One thing can be about two things. Many things, even.”
“Fine,” Luigi conceded. “We do it your way. But can you please trust me? The Galena Plant might be our downfall in this. Let’s lure the Warden away from it and then fight. Deal?”
Yan challenge, d10 + 1 = 5
Roll Persuasion, 2d10 = 7, 2
Success!
Now I have to roll on Strong against corruption due to the presence of the Galena Plant.
d10 + 2 (active plot + involving a corrupting power) = 7
I use 1 stamina (3/5)
Roll Strong, 2d10 = 7, 5
Success! Corruption resisted.
Yan considered the proposal. “Agreed.”
Luigi put the lantern down and grabbed his lute. He crept toward the Root Warden and strummed a soothing chord.
I use Calm
-1 stamina (2/5)
Green light pulsed in the Root Warden’s eyes as it looked at Luigi and froze. He carried on with the tender melody. The solo around his neck glowed in harmony, the spirits intensifying the music and guiding the notes.
The Warden shifted forward.
I’ll use music to lure the Root Warden away from the Galena Plant.
Challenge, d10 + 2 (plot + dealing with corruption) = 11
Roll Deft, 3d10 (I called for an advantage here from finding the shortcut, ambushing the Warden, and using Calm) = 8, 5, 2
Fail. I’ll use Fate points to reroll and see if I can get a 10.
6, 4, 2, 10 = -4 Fate (6). Ouch.
Roll on Strong against corruption due to the presence of the Galena Plant.
d10 + 2 = 7
Roll Strong, 1d10 = 2
Fail! However, I’ll spend a corruption die to turn it into a success. My corruption increases anyway, but I won’t get a +1 on the next challenge.
+1 corruption: Verdant Growth (4/9)
The Warden stepped toward him like a bee toward nectar. It followed Luigi with its vines and flower buds mellowed, swirling around.
Luigi backed slowly, music steady, but the galena toxin choked him. A cough racked his body, making him play a dissonant chord. The strident note drove the spirits in the solo wild, unable to help.
The Root Warden tilted its head and snarled.
Luigi’s nails cracked open as small creepers sprouted from his fingers. As he coughed and bent over, the ivies steadied his fingers on the chords and played the song for him, resuming the entrancing. The Warden twitched, then followed him again.
Cherish Our Love, My Petal.
And Luigi felt that love, Strong and Sincere, making him whole, giving him Meaning. Sunlight blessed him and his Garden, strengthening each blade of Grass and Invigorating Their Buds and Leaves. They Rejoiced in Nature and Grew Together—
Yan kicked him in the stomach as they got closer to the cave entrance, away from the Galena Plant. Luigi doubled over and dropped the lute.
She had noticed the leaves and grasses growing from his scalp, tangling in his hair, and the dark green veins running in his neck and face. His entirely black eyes returned to normal.
She nodded. “Glory as one, my friend.”
Luigi breathed heavily, finding his footing. Before he could thank her, Yan flanked the Warden. Her scimitars flashed, carving the creature. It screeched, and its leafy flesh peeled back to reveal a network of bladed vines.
Luigi stringed his bow and took aim.
BATTLE
Root Warden
Fortitude: (6)(6) (that means two phases—when the first bar is depleted, it enters the second phase)
Challenge: 1d10 + 1
I’ll start rolling on Deft to gain 2 defense dice
6 | 7, 5, 3 = +2 defense dice
Rolling on Strike
8 | 9, 9, 9, 5 = 3 damage dealt
6 | 9, 4, 1, 2 = 1 damage dealt, complication
As Yan slashed and dodged, keen to fight a worthy opponent, she slipped as she stepped back, wide open for an attack.
Complication: -2d10 next roll
3 | 9, 10 = 2 damage dealt, +1 Fate (7)
The Root Warden reeled in pain, whipping its limbs and boughs around madly. The plants within its body burst forth as a nest of vines surrounded it, menacing and protective. Its shape grew thornier, sharper. The green light in its eyes sparkled with fury and the promise of violence.
Luigi traded the bow for the lute and started playing Gentian Melody, but Yan snarled at him. “No! We fight honorably.”
Not up for arguing, he chose his bow once again.
ENTER PHASE 2
Rolling on Strike
9 | 10, 8, 4 = 1 damage dealt, +1 Fate (8)
11 | 10, 7, 6 = 1 damage dealt, +1 Fate (9)
9 | 7, 4, 4, 8 = Fail. Root Warden recovers 1 Fortitude (currently 5)
Roll d10 on action table: 10 = noxious pollen, -1d10 next 2 rolls
Luigi missed a couple of arrows, and Yan circled the Warden, dodging its lashing vine tentacles. She counter-attacked, but flowers exploded from the creature, emitting a cloud of noxious pollen.
They braced themselves—eyes watering and lungs burning—to continue the assault.
3 | 4, 2, 2 = 1 damage dealt
10 | 6, 6, 7 = Fail. Root Warden recovers 1 Fortitude (currently 5)
Roll d10 on action table: 3 = the Root Warden deals 2 damage.
I roll 2 defense dice: 6, 6 = no damage taken!
9 | 8, 2, 4, 4 = Fail. Root Warden recovers 1 Fortitude (currently 6)
Roll d10 on action table: 10 = noxious pollen, -1d10 next 2 rolls
10 | 4, 3, 5 = Fail. Root Warden recovers 1 Fortitude (currently 7—I don’t think it should go back to phase 1, so I’ll go over the baseline)
Roll d10 on action table: 3 = the Root Warden deals 2 damage.
I roll 2 defense dice (1 from armor, and I still had 1 from the first Deft roll): 3, 6 = 1 damage taken (3/7)
2 | 10, 7, 7 = 3 damage, +1 Fate (10)
I’ll use 4 Fate (6) to cause +4 damage and kill the Root Warden
COMBAT OVER
The Root Warden whipped and slashed at Yan, while Luigi focused. He pulled his shortbow tight, arms trembling, sweat running down his face, and called on the spirits trapped in the solo. They emerged in a harmonic chorus that imbued the arrow with a destructive symphony. Luigi let go.
The arrow released the spirit melody as it flew toward the Warden. A crescendo that sharpened the arrowhead and increased the projectile speed, voices and instruments in unison growing louder.
It hit the creature and shattered the composition in a thousand notes that trumpeted victory and triumph. They pierced the Root Warden and sent it reeling, tearing out leaves and vines. It shrieked and thrashed as Yan leaped high, roaring, crossing her swords. She landed with a double cut that took the Warden’s head clean off.
His fingers ached, and his breath caught in his throat, but Luigi smiled, falling on a knee. “We did it, duelist.”
Bleeding from several wounds, Yan sheathed her scimitars and helped Luigi up. “That was the most impressive display I’ve seen in a bard.”
“Well, I—”
“You are the only bard I’ve ever met, but that does not make it less impressive.”
Luigi laughed. “Thanks for trusting me. Let’s finish this.”
They walked toward the Galena Plant. Luigi opened his lantern and pressed the flame onto the leaves and branches until they caught, curling and blackening slowly at first, then licking along the stalks. The plant hissed as the fire spread, its twisted fruits writhing.
Luigi stepped back, the fire reflected in his eyes. “We are done here.”
He wasn’t talking only to Yan.
The Verdant Growth screamed in his mind, the once honey-dripping voice now laced with venom. It pleaded, then threatened, then it subsided.
But Luigi still wished to dive into a waterfall and become the moss on a shiny, smooth stone, then be one with nature. The sunset brought with it a slight discomfort, making him long for more daylight.
The Verdant Growth still had its roots in him, but he would fight back.
The quests to reduce the Verdant Growth corruption have us extinguishing the heart of a verdant environment and killing an ecosystem. I will consider this a successful extinguishing and treat it as opposing the corruption.
-2 corruption: Verdant Growth (2/9)
I think I should add the Verdant Growth to Luigi’s knowledge as well.
Luigi's Knowledge: Music, Gentians, Aman-det, Verdant Growth
——
Back in the city, they visited the Temple of Resurrection. Narra and Carian talked and gestured with other undead. The conversation stopped when the duo approached, disheveled, bleeding, and worse for the wear.
Carian frowned at Luigi. “Tough crowd?”
Luigi snorted, then laughed heartily. “I’ve rarely seen this vibrancy in the living, let alone in a rotting skunk like yourself.” He addressed the others. “The infection is over, my friends. And Carian.”
He explained their adventure through the caverns, the cultist and servants lurking within, and finally the dispatching of the Root Warden and the Galena Plant.
“You make Aman-det proud.” Carian said, nodding. He extended his hand. To Yan. “Very well done.”
Yan took his hand. “Gratitude. Though I wouldn’t have done it without the bard. At first, he may seem weak, cowardly, fragile, even spoiled, fussy, pathetic, just a puny little—”
“You honor me, Yan, but I’m really shy, so please get to the point?”
“He is dependable. There are few I’d rather have by my side.”
Carian grinned and slapped Luigi’s shoulder with approval.
“Thank you both very much,” Narra said. “You have spared the city of a catastrophe. This is a small token of our appreciation.”
🗹 Plot completed: Undeadly Sickness
+2 skill points
+new clue toward obsession
+1d6 Resources: 5 (8)
Use Persuasion to ask for more
Narra challenge, d12: 10
-1 stamina (1/5)
Roll Persuasion: 6, 4, 4
Fail
+Reputation with Narra
Luigi stashed his rewards, pulling out Selena’s songbook to organize his satchel. Narra pointed at the cover page. “I remember that name.”
His heart skipped a beat. “Selena Cantante? You knew her?”
“No, just in passing. She stayed here for some time a while back. Haunting voice.”
“Do you remember anything else about her?” He tried not to sound desperate, failing miserably.
“She was reluctant to leave, for some reason. Where was she going…” Luigi leaned forward like a hawk. “Merrowlight! She left for Merrowlight, and didn’t seem too excited about it.”
Luigi controlled his breathing and the surging anxiety tingling in his veins. Merrowlight was a few days north of Aman-det. A fishing town and smuggler’s den flooded by fog and criminals. Why was Selena forced to go there?
He looked at Yan. “What do you say, Yan? Another round with the bard?”
“Thank you, my friend, but my place is here. The dueling tradition has just begun. You will be missed.”
“And I will miss you and Aman-det. I really liked it here. Carian and all.”
Yan held him close, grinding his bones together. “Glory as one, bard.”
“May your verses always rhyme, duelist,” he responded with clenched teeth and Yan let go.
“Well,” Carian said, “I have a transportation to make very close to Merrowlight tomorrow. I could give you a ride.”
“That’s very—”
“For a price, of course.”
“You know, Carian,” Luigi said after a long sigh, “the people that started calling Aman-det the jewel of the desert certainly had not made your acquaintance.”
——
In the fragrant air of the Honeyed Wind, a letter arrived for Ma’ri Walks on Clouds of Sweet Incense. Drinking her tea, she opened it cautiously and removed its contents. It was a music sheet that she did not know how to read. She turned it around.
Scribbled on the back were the lyrics to a song. It spoke of virtue carried in silence, bravery in the shadows, and anonymous courage. It ended with a second chorus weaving together lies, foolishness, and maybe a little decency.
At the bottom, it read, “May your verses always rhyme, muse. —LS.”
She suppressed a smile, crumpled the letter—lightly, practically folding it—and threw it away.
It just happened to miss the garbage crate and fall inside a box of personal belongings.
End of the day
Interacted with the Verdant Growth, roll for corruption
Challenge d6 + 2 (current corruption level) = 5
I use 1 stamina (0/5)
Roll 2d10 (base + stamina, no skills are used) = 3, 4
Fail.
+1 corruption: Verdant Growth (3/9)
+Regrowth Ability
-2 Resources (7) - I used another Resource to recover an extra 2 Fortitude. Default is to recover only +2.
Full stamina
+4 Fortitude (7/7)
I’ll use 2 Skill Points to increase Persuasion, getting an expertise. Now I can roll another die for it.
Still have 1 skill point
Luigi’s skills: Strike, Deft, Persuasion (expertise), Occult, Sneak
Luigi dreamed of rolling fields and virgin lands, warm and endless, blessed by an eternal sun. The earth pulsed below him, whispering a lullaby that caressed his heart.
Just like the roots curling through his ribs.
Notes
That’s it for Luigi in Aman-det, and also for Befallen, for a while.
I still want to do another city—which will be Merrowlight—and conclude Luigi’s storyline. As soon as I created his backstory, I thought of a nice little twist that I want to get to.
I absolutely loved my time with Befallen. It’s my favorite story-focused RPG I’ve played so far. The balance of mechanics and storytelling is perfect for me. I can’t recommend it enough.
I really hope you enjoyed Luigi’s first adventure, and that it makes you want to check out the game.
Thanks for reading! And may your verses always rhyme.
Befallen is available on Itch.io and DriveThruRPG.
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