Video episode originally posted Nov 9, 2022
Transcript of Play
A couple of bookkeeping things before we get started. I decided to add a couple more threads to give us more options. I added a thread called “Still looking for love,” because even though Fabum’s relationship with Beigh didn’t work out, she’s still keeping her heart open and looking for that special someone on The Crucible. I also added a thread called “Giants move deeper into the Midnight Jungle,” since it might be interesting to follow up on what happens after the giants leave the sylicates’ area. I also increased the chaos rank to six because, in the last scene, Fabum seemed out of control, and things didn’t go her way. That should have been done at the end of the last scene, but I forgot, so I’ve taken care of it now.
At this point, Fabum feels like she’s going to need some backup, so she decides to head back to headquarters to get help investigating what’s going on with TransTech. That’s the setup for this scene, but as always, before we begin, we roll the chaos die to see if things go as expected.
- Chaos: altered scene
- Story cube: medusa
On her way back to headquarters, she encounters some kind of monster and can’t continue.
- Minion or rival: minion
- Random creature: fuzzy gruen
Fuzzy Gruens are diminutive creatures that live in swamps and stagnant bodies of water across the Local Group. Their adorable, cuddly appearance often lures others into terrain they’re unprepared for. Gruens are sad when their new “playmates” disappear into the dark waters but eagerly wait for new ones to arrive.
Fabum is on her way out of the sylicate village when she spots a fuzzy gruen playing in the river. It’s very cute and distracting, but what does she want to do?
- Event: waste ambush
This is some kind of trap. Can Fabum dectect that this is a trap?
- Survivial check: Two successes
She sees the fuzzy gruen, approaches, and says, “Oh, how cute. A fuzzy gruen!”
Her Dino sense tingles, and she notices what look like vines hanging from the trees, illuminated faintly by bioluminescence. They’re ropes. She stops and calls out, “Who goes there? I know you’ve laid a trap for me!”
Is someone there? Likely.
- Fate: Yes
Is is an NPC on our list? 50/50.
- Fate: Yes
- NPC: Local contact
Her local contact, who hasn’t been fleshed out yet.
- UNE: glum monk
A recluse or hermit who has a dour outlook on the world.
- Species: Human
- Name: Smuy
Fabum calls out, “Who goes there? I see your trap. Come on out.”
They step out of the darkness, wearing a tattered cloak with the hood pulled up. Their face is sour as they mutter, “I can’t believe you saw my trap.”
Fabum sighs. “Smuy, what are you doing? Why did you try to trap me?”
- NPC motivation: blight the elite
Smuy has been living out in the wilds, perhaps as part of a vow of poverty or simply because they don’t have much money. The trap wasn’t meant specifically for Fabum but was intended to capture someone else to steal from.
“I’m sorry, Fabum,” Smuy says. “I didn’t mean for you to fall into my trap. I was just trying to catch someone—anyone. I need to make a little money.”
Fabum shakes her head. “Smuy, if you need help, you only have to ask. I’m happy to share some of my funds with you. You’ve been helpful on my past investigations, and you don’t need to lay traps with fuzzy gruens.”
Smuy glances back at the gruen, their dour expression softening just a little. “I know, isn’t he so cute? Even a old sourpuss like me likes a fuzzy gruen.”
While she’s here, Fabum is going to ask, “Smuy, do you know anything about the TransTech supply train? Something really strange is going on. Do you know anything?”
Does Smuy know anything? 50/50.
- Fate: Exceptional no.
Smuy looks confused. “TransTech? What is that? Some kind of plant? An herb?”
Fabum sighs. “No, Smuy, it’s not. Look, why don’t you take apart your trap? I’ll give you some aembits, and you’ll be set for a while.”
“All right,” Smuy grumbles, reluctantly agreeing.
Fabum: “Good. Now, I need to get back to headquarters. Grab your Gruen, and let’s have a meal before I go.”
Smuy gathers the fuzzy Gruen, and they sit down for a quick meal. Fabum feels she was mostly in control of the situation, so she lowers her chaos rank. Despite Smuy’s incompetence, she’s established a local contact who might be useful in the future.
How far away is headquarters?
- 1d10: 9
She’ll need to find transportation since the train isn’t running. She asks Smuy, “I need to get back to headquarters, Do you know another way to get there?” Likely.
- Fate: Yes
- Story cube: spaceman on the moon
Smuy nods. “Sure, I can take you, but you might not like it.”
Smuy guides Fabum through the thick foliage, bioluminescent sparks lighting their path, until they reach a hidden silo. Inside is an abandoned but functional rocket pod. Smuy explains, “You climb in, set your coordinates, and it’ll launch you back to wherever you need to go.”
Fabum gets in the pod.
Smuy says, “Until next time,” as the pod launches her toward headquarters.
In the sourcebook, for the Saurian Republic, there are a list of city-states.
- City-states: Partum Mechanica
Built into the massive caves that almost hollow out the fabled Iron Mountain, Partum Mechanica extends both inwards and even underground. This city-state is the Republic’s center of technological innovation, where scientists and engineers experiment with aember, finding new uses for it and refining tried-and-true designs. Off-limits to most outsiders, Partum Mechanica is a subject of rumor throughout the Local Group. Some say its scientists have learned how to engineer gravity-generating nanites, to transmute lead into aember, or even to grow aember in their laboratories.
The pod travels to Parta Mechanica, the headquarters of the Saurian Arbitrator’s Guild. This city-state, built into the caves of the Iron Mountain, is a center of technological innovation where scientists experiment with amber. It’s also a secretive place, closed off to most outsiders, which makes it an ideal location for a somewhat secretive organization. They might have sensitive materials, or they might want to maintain neutrality, so they’re a little bit closed off.
As the rocket pod approaches, Fabum attempts to land it.
- Piloting check: A threat, two failures, and a triumph.
The pod crashes along the landing strip, skidding to a halt. Dazed, Fabum emerges to be greeted by her superior, who says, “Excellent work! Good thinking there, Rajasauros!”
Let’s learn about this superior. We’ll assume he’s a saurian.
- Random dinosaur: pampadromaeus
A raptor-style dinosaur with a long neck.
- UNE: inexperienced artisan
In Partum Mechanica, there are craftspeople and laborers, and this dino has worked their way in. They’re not qualified to be Fabum’s superior, but that was the appointment that was made, and this also explains why this person might think crashing a rocket pod was a good idea.
We also triggered a random event while rolling those up.
- Event: NPC action
- NPC: Saurian Arbitrator’s Guild
- Event Meaning: negligence extravagance
Based on these rolls, it seems like the Saurian Arbitrator’s Guild is not in good hands. They are neglecting things and spending money on things they don’t need.
- Name: Priethest
Priethest says, “Ah, you’re just in time! We’re having a grand fete at headquarters. You must come join the party—great wines, grapes, fruit. So many of the arbitrators will be there!”
Fabum says, “That’s great, sir, but I came back because I need help investigating the maglev line through the Midnight Jungle. Something strange is going on with TransTech, and I need backup.”
Priethest waves her off. “Don’t worry about that. Come and join the party!”
Fabum follows Priethest into the headquarters, carved into the side of the mountain. The space features intricate columns, a large plaza with vines strung with lights, chairs to lounge on, and a crowd of mostly Saurians. There’s sound of harp music. It’s an extravagant display of wasted resources, leaving Fabum frustrated.
She uses coercion to press Priethest for assistance.
- Coercion test: Success and a threat
Priethest is amenable, but is not going to do anything right now.
Fabum says, “I need backup for this investigation I’m working on.”
Priethest says, “Absolutely, absolutely. Whatever you need. I get my arbitrators whatever they want. But not today. Today, we party!”
Does anything else interesting happen while she’s at this party?
- Event: take vehicle
While at the gathering, Priethest makes an announcement: “This is what I wanted to announce. I have a surprise for all my arbitrators! A new line of vehicles for you to use—take whichever one you want! Pick it out! We’ve spared no expense.”
What kind of vehicles?
- Story cube: crying
The “vehicles” turn out to be large, saddled pterosaurs with heavy harnesses. The creatures look sad, and that makes Fabum sad.
She approaches one and says softly, “If you’re going to help me, that’s fine. But as soon as we’re done, I’ll get you free.”
This encounter sparks a new thread: “Mismanagement at the Saurian Arbitrator’s Guild.”
This scene ends. It’s 50/50 on the chaos factor. We’ll just roll. It goes down.
We’ll add Priethest to the NPC list, and Fabum has a new steed. We’ll use ‘transport chariot’ stat block from the sourcebook and get it flight to account for the pterosaur.
After the party wraps up, Fabum stays overnight in her quarters within the mountain city. Priethest had promised her backup for the TransTech investigation, so the next morning, she heads to the headquarters office to follow up.
- Chaos die: expected scene
Let’s roll up the new partner character.
- UNE: needy civilian
This is someone who’s just enlisted and needs a lot of help and direction.
Are they also a Saurian? Likely.
- Fate: Yes
- Random dinosaur: Goyocephale
This is a raptor-shaped dinosaur with a hard head and a snout.
Fabum enters the bustling office, where Saurians rush about with paperwork, scrolls, and data pads. The energy is relaxed, a leftover from the festivities the night before. Fabum heads straight to Priethest’s office.
Fabum says, “Yesterday, you said I could get some backup. Another partner to help with the TransTech investigation—is that still the case?”
Priethest says, “Ah, yes, yes! We’ve just had a new recruit join us, and I’ll assign them to your case.”
Fabum grunts. “With all due respect, sir, I need competent help. I won’t be able to solve this problem if I have to babysit.”
Priesthest: “Nonsense, nonsense! This will be great! You’ll have fun!”
Fabum sighs. “Sir, I’m sure sure I’m supposed to have fun. I’m supposed to be investigating.”
Priethest waves her off. “You know what I mean.”
- Name: Doceep
- Male or female: male
He calls out, “Alright, Doceep! Come on in here!”
A young Saurian named Doceep enters, a Goyocephale with a hard head and a snout. Doceep looks formal but uncomfortable, clearly new to the role.
Priethest says, “Alright, Doceep. This is Fabum. She’s a great arbitrator and she’s been with us a while, solving all sorts of disputes. You”ll work with her on her case. She’ll fill you in on the details.”
Fabum is unhappy with this development, but she’ll take all the help she can get.
Fabum: “Priethest, is there any other support you can give me? Anything at all?”
- Charm(?) check: Two successes, two threats
Priethest considers this, then replies, “Absolutely, absolutely! I’ll send more support later if you need it.”
“How much later?” Fabum presses.
“Just later,” Priethest says vaguely. “You’re doing great! Go work the case. Gold star for you!”
Resigned, Fabum leads Doceep out of the office. As they walk, she begins filling them in on the details of the TransTech case. Doceep eagerly takes notes in a notebook, nodding along and appearing ready, though perhaps overly enthusiastic.
Together, they load up on the new pterosaur and prepare to fly back to the Midnight Jungle.
We’ll add Doceep to the NPC list. Chaos will increase back up to five.
Next Episode: Keyforge Ep 3 Key Berries