Tome of the Pyromancer: Darkflame’s Grace Part 5
Alright, let’s continue our journey in Quelann. Aquilia recovered the Darkflame Spine Relic from the Embered Catacombs. That was enough to free her companion wisp from its suffering. The bubblefish, however, wants more active help with its curse, so Aquilia, the bubblefish, and Shadow depart to Under the Four Kingdoms to investigate the Thousand-Eye cult.
I decided to write Plot Nodes with the Plot Unfolding Machine. I’m still not sure how I’ll use them, but here they are:
Game or World Elements
1-2 Darkflame
3-4 Darkflame disciples
5-6 Time of Woe
7-8 SagesPotential Problems
1-2 Cults
3-4 Invader
5-6 Flare upNotable Characters
1-2 Balthazar
3-4 CultistsUseful Findings
1-2 Pyromancy Tomes
3-4 Treasure
5-6 DirectionsPending Questions
1-2 Thousand-EyeInteresting Locations
1-2 Sage location
I’m also using a cool mechanic from Runequest without a gamemaster, a GME for playing Runequest solo, a game I don’t own and have never played. I just have this book for some reason. I think I saw a recommendation somewhere.
But anyway, it’s a great supplement! I’ll write an overview at some point.
The mechanic I’m using is Goal Tracking. I won’t go into it too much, but you assign a clear goal to your character with a set complexity.
Complexity determines how much you progress (Headway) you make toward a goal after a meaningful moment (defined by you). Headway starts at 0%.
Whenever you want, you can make a Headway Check and roll a d100 against the current Headway to conclude the goal. A roll under the percentage is a normal success. A roll under 1/20 is a special success, and under 1/5 a critical. Rolling above the percentage is a failure, and at the top 1/5 a fumble.
It’s cool that a normal success still has a minor setback to the goal, and failure doesn’t mean that the goal is lost. It’s a way to introduce delays and changes without bringing the whole thing to a halt.
So here’s my goal:
Gather information about the Thousand-Eye to help the ashen bubblefish (Easy: +20%).
Headway: 0%
Hex 4
Note: I’m tracking hexes instead of days now.
No foraging.
UD8: 3, no change.
No POI or encounter.
Nighttime
-1 Ration (4).
No encounter.
Rest: -1 Inner Fire Degree (0).
-2 Rations (2) spoiled.
Hex 5
Aquilia’s search during the day proved fruitful. She gathered rations, healing supplies, and several ember flowers before continuing through the ash.
Not long after, she encountered a wandering antiquarian. “I’m a seeker of forgotten things,” he said, keeping a distance from Aquilia and her companions. “I consider myself a scholar, but some call me a fool. At any rate, I’m Griff.”
Like Balthazar, he had come to investigate the Ash Sea. Apparently, the desolate wastes had become quite popular among those with an interest in Quelann’s secrets.
Griff’s wares proved even more interesting. Aquilia purchased a few of his curiosities. He showed interest in her simple, weathered longsword, so she sold it to him.
She inquired about the Thousand-Eye.
“Ah, well,” he shifted uneasily, “you’ve heard the name, then. There’s power in knowledge, lady.”
The ashen bubblefish floated closer, blinking its multitude of eyes. Griff raised the eyebrow they could see between his cloak and headwear. “I see, it’s for someone else. You’re quite remarkable, Aquilia. I trust you won’t misuse what you find.”
Aquilia nodded.
“The truth is, I lost some notes in a site nearby. I was in rather a hurry when I left. If you find them, you’re welcome to read them. I only ask you to please keep them safe and return them to me if we meet again. Here, allow me.”
Griff marked a post on the partial map Aquilia had bought from him and returned it to her. “Kindness from a Darkflame disciple isn’t something I expected. Perhaps to my shame, I admit. I wish you well, Aquilia.”
She shared a ration with the antiquarian before they parted ways. Griff accepted it with gratitude before they went their separate ways.
Foraging: 12, Excellent! 5 Rations (7), 3 Healing Supplies (3), and 3 Ember Flowers (3).
UD8: 4, no change
Encounter: Antiquarian (G).
Reaction: 8, Neutral
Sparks: Ashen, Verify, Ash
Triple-O Dynamics: Respectful
Name: GriffHe’s investigating the Ash Sea, just like Balthazar. Apparently it’s a popular spot.
Does he have goods to sell? Yes, and… he also has rare inventory.
Random rare item (50 sp): Ring of Holding (+3 to inventory). I assume it means +3 to the carry limit. Awesome item. I’m getting it.
I also buy a partial map (10 sp, UD down by 1 = UD6) and a Blazing Dash Beetle Essence just in case (30 sp, cure Cordyceps infection).
I sell Aquilia’s longsword (7 sp).
Total: -83 sp (17).
Does Griff know about the Thousand-Eye? **Yes, but…**He’s wary of sharing too much with Aquilia.
Presence check: 12, success!
Sparks: Collect, Dungeon, EmptyHe lost his notes on a site in Lithuria. He says I can read them if I find it, but asks me to keep it safe to return them to him if they ever meet again.
Does he want to come with me? No, but… He gives me directions to the place. I’ll rule it’s the next POI I find.
I share a Ration (6) with him. Griff thanks me and goes his way.
I really liked the idea of an Antiquarian, so I looked up a few images. Here’s the one from Darkest Dungeon:
I suck at drawing, but I sometimes like making chibi/minimalist versions of stuff. Ever since I saw some Dark Souls art, I thought the artstyle really cool.
It’s deceptively simple, and requires a lot of skill to break something complex down to the essential, a skill I very much am not even close to having.
That’s Griff. Sorry, Griff.
Nighttime
No Ration consumed.
No encounter.
End of Session. +1 XP (2).
Hex 6
An old man caught up to Aquilia, huffing and carrying a hammer. His robes were caked with ash, and his wild white hair framed a face twisted with outrage.
“You!”
Aquilia stopped.
The old man pointed accusingly at her. “You crawled through the Embered Catacombs with no regard for those who tend to it.”
Aquilia simply glanced at the man, confused.
“I spent years repairing these tombs!” he shrieked. “Years! Cleaning the ash from the sarcophagi, mending the seals, keeping the dead in their proper places. And you creeped through it like some filthy grave rat!”
Aquilia was at a loss. The old man’s eyes gleaned with purpose, but he appeared to have lost his mind. Before she could argue, he charged, hammer raised, surprising her. The bubblefish was ready, and pounced at the old man with a powerful tackle. It crashed into his ribs and sent him tumbling to the ground, immobile. His breathing stopped.
Aquilia lowered the Darkflame Spine.
She couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for the mad old man. His anger had come from somewhere understandable, even if his method of expressing it had been less so.
May his peace in darkness be longlasting.
He had dropped quite a few coins when he collapsed. Searching around and in his pockets, Aquilia found a total of sixty silver pieces. She stared at that small fortune, dumbfounded.
Apparently, keeping the dead tidy paid surprisingly well.
No Forage.
UD6: 4, no change
No POI.
Encounter: Crypt Keeper
Reaction: Angered/Hostile
Sparks: Repair, Embered, MessyA crazy old man trying to fix and clean tombs in Lithuria. Angered because I crawled through the Embered Catacombs.
The bubblefish dispatches him with a critical hit.
He drops a whopping 60 sp!
Nighttime
-1 Ration (5).
No encounter.
3 Rations spoiled (2).
Hex 7
No POI or encounter.
Foraging: 2 Rations (4).
UD6: 3, no change.
Nighttime
No Ration consumed or spoiled.
No encounters.
Hex 8
POI: yes. Site mentioned by Griff found.
UD6: 6, no change.
Site Exploration
Area 1
Aquilia found the site marked by Griff on her map.
Its walls had collapsed. She jumped over broken pillars and crouched under toppled statues to enter the place. The stonework had the symbols of the Somber Darkflame.
It was an abandoned temple dedicated to the discipline. One of the many that had been destroyed and sacked.
She stepped through the ruined entrance. Shadow stayed close behind her while the bubblefish drifted through the broken ceiling.
The floor gave way beneath her feet, but Aquilia moved instantly. She quickly jumped over the concealed pit, sending chunks of stone down below.
Aquilia looked at Shadow. He had halted when she jumped, then ran around the pit to reach her.
She moved more cautiously now. Maybe she could find something more than Griff’s notes in the temple.
UD8: 4, no change
Exits: 2
Dishevelled, Sacred
A sacked temple of (d6: 5) the Somber Darkflame.
Is there a Tome here? **Yes, but…**Sparks: Combine, DarkflameIt’s an annotated beginner’s tome. I’ll rule it’s found on UD4.
Room type: Trap/Hazard > DEX based > Falling damage d6
DEX check:13, pass
Aquilia avoids a pitfall.
Area 2
A tall chamber opened before Aquilia. A lone man stood beside a rough wooden stall, surrounded by packs, bottles, and bundles of goods. An ordinary travelling merchant.
“Ah, a customer,” he said, smiling wide. “You’ve come at a fortunate time.”
Aquilia watched him intently. His hand slowly moved beneath his cloak.
“Don’t be shy, traveller. The place has few valuables, but I managed to gather useful trinkets for the weary. Take a closer look.”
His wares looked little more than worthless scraps arranged to look valuable.
Aquilia’s gaze hardened. A thief and a liar, preying on the gullible who happened to stumble on that once sacred place. Her blood boiled.
The man, realizing she had seen through him, reached for his blade, but Aquilia was already moving.
She called upon the Somber Darkflame. Black fire erupted around the Darkflame Spine. It surged violently beyond her control. In her anger, the casting faltered, and the Inner Fire within Aquilia burned hotter. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural, ember-red light.
The rogue froze for a second. That was enough hesitation to punish him.
Aquilia closed the distance and struck before he could draw his weapon. He fell beside his false merchant stall, his deception put to an end.
She left the area with the strange glow still lingering in her eyes.
UD8: 2, down to UD6
Exits: 1
Tall, Open
Room type: NPC > Rogue > Reaction: Death
Sparks: Deceive, MerchantHe pretends to be a trader.
Presence check: 4 + 4, enhanced success! Aquilia notices and gets the initiative.
Enhanced fail on Darkflame weapon cast. +2 Inner Fires (2). There’s no effect yet, but I thought it would be cool to write something.
Rogue killed. 2 healing supplies (7) looted.
Notes
I didn’t end the session here, but that’s enough for this part. The delve continues next time!
Tome of the Pyromancer is available on Itch.