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Welcome to session 5! Thora has been in the thick of the situation, and now we are caught up to Dorn’s story (who will be coming back!). I decided to give both characters an advancement, which for Boundless is +2 HP and +1 to a Stat (max of 6). I went with Agility for both. Let’s get rolling.
Art by Galen Pejeau
Day 4 Watch 1: Fortune Oracle Roll; Does Skarne wake up?-Very Likely, Good Position due to number of days resting-0 Hits No; Complication-Source-5:5 Broken Gear; Pressure-5:5 Temptation; Cost-5:3 Medicine; Fallout-4:4 Sickened; Presence Test to see if Guard lets Thora take her spot-1 Hit, yes but
Thora wakes up early to try to get Head Priest Skarne out of Saltmill and back to Slengby. There is no time; she must warn the village. As she heads to the manor serving as the jail for Skarne, she sees that the wagon the clergy brought him in has had an axel broken. Please let him be awake or else this will be a much harder task. As Thora approaches the guard, they recognize her. Greeting each other, Thora says she is replacing her for the shift. Skeptical, the guard says she is going to check with Patron Dane Malow, and will be back.
Moving quickly, Thora uses her key the messenger brought her yesterday to get into the manor. Unfortunately, Skarne still has not woken. The journey here, a lack of medicine, and a lack of food has worsened his condition. She gives him the last of her waterskin and splits rations with the clergy who are there. Rallying them, they carry Skarne out the manor and attempt the journey back.
Day 4 Still Watch 1: Journey Setup: Return to Slengby, Short [ ][ ]; Travel Action-Very Likely, Bad Position-0 Hits, Setback-6 Detour add a Box [ ]; Oracle Fortune Roll-Does Thora send a clergy member ahead? Very Likely-2 Hits yes
Even knowing the route, carrying an unconscious Skarne makes the journey slower than Thora likes. She makes little progress and knows this will take longer than anticipated. To warn the village, she sends one of the clergies ahead and helps the other carry the Head Priest.
Day 4 Watch 2: Travel Action Likely Bad Position-0 Hits, Setback-4 Rations; Oracle Fortune Roll-Have the Iron Harriers sent someone after them? Likely-3 Hits Yes; Agility Test to hide-2 Hits Yes
Thora and the remaining clergy are struggling even more. They take a moment to eat, as the priest is still hungry. Hearing the sounds of Iron Harrier bandits approaching, Thora hides Skarne and the other priest; she then uses false footprints to mislead them, before doubling back through a stream.
Dorn
Day 4 Watch 2: Oracle Fortune Roll-Is the mayor mobilizing with the warning from the clergy?-Even as she is cowardly-1 Hit Yes but-Theme 3 6:3 Doom; Action 3-5:3 Consume
Dorn arrives at Slengby, exhausted and still shaking with fear. Upon entering the town, he sees Einar the merchant rallying everyone. Confused, Einar explains everything Dorn has missed while on his ill-fated hunting trip. The attack on Skarne, the messenger mentioning Skarne’s imprisonment, and the pending attack. Now, to make matters worse, Mayor Brannic has fled, doom consuming her thoughts. Smiling at Dorn, Einar also mentions Thora paid his half of the debt owed to him. Attempting to rush to Saltmill, Einar insists he rests instead, ready to help tonight. Dorn collapses into sleep.
Day 4 Watch 3: D6 Pool to represent the Iron Harrier forces. Stronghold Save Action: Good Position due to knowing of attack; Hold Stat-0 Hits, Crisis
Art by Galen Pejeau
Dorn awakes to the battle horns blowing. The Iron Harriers have arrived. He heads to the inner side of the gate, drawing his sword and readying his shield. Despite the town’s readiness, the Harriers break the gate with a battering ram. Dorn raps his sword on his shield and heads in.
Weak Enemy-2 HP 1D damage; Dorn-1D+1=6 💀
Dorn cut downs the first bandit through the gate. Einar attempts to rally the town.
Stronghold Save Action: Morale-2 Hits; Test Iron Harrier D6 Pool-2 hits, shrinks to D4; Standard Enemy-6 HP, 1D+1 Damage
The next enemy charges through the battered gate. Dorn moves in, (1D(2)+1=3, 3 HP) landing a glancing blow. A return strike (1D(6)+1-1=6 Dorn 6 HP) opens a gash on Dorn’s chest. Using his shield, Dorn creates an opening (1D(6)+1=7 💀) and beheads the bandit.
Stronghold Save Action: Morale-1 Hit; Test Iron Harrier D4 Pool-3 hits, shrinks to D3; Dangerous Enemy-13 HP, 1D+2 Damage
Art by Galen Pejeau
Morale in the town is failing. Guards are being pushed back, regular citizens are having to take up arms. Patron Dane Malow herself enters the fray. Her heavy eyes fall on Dorn as he charges her. (1D(5)+1=6, 7 HP) He lands a slash across her chest. (1D(2)+2-1=3 Dorn 3 HP) She returns a blow with her mace, his shield holding but Dorn’s left arm howling with pain. (1D(3)+1=4, 3 HP) Lashing out, his blade cuts her thigh. (1D(6)+1-1=7; Dorn shatters shield to reduce to 1, Dorn 2 HP) Grabbing her mace with both hands, the Patron of the Iron Harriers shatters Dorn’s shield, driving him to his knees. (1D(5)+1-1 for Bad Position=5) Moving in, thinking Dorn defeated, she rises her mace for a final blow. Thinking of Thora and the village, Dorn surges with life, grabbing his blade with both hands and running her though. Dane Malow falls dead.
Test Iron Harrier D3 Pool for Patron’s Death-1 Hit, shrinks to P1; Stronghold Save Action: Morale-1 Hit; Test Iron Harrier D1 Pool-0 Hits
The town comes together: Dorn’s valiant fight against Patron Dane breaking the bandit’s mettle and inspiring the townsfolk. As the guards drive off the last of the bandits, Einar helps Dorn to his feet. The clergy member who Thora sent, as well as the messenger from the day before, grab a free guard, a cart, and set to find Head Priest Skarne and Thora in the wilds, grabbing medicine to bring.
Thora
Day 4 Watch 3: Make Camp Action-Even, Bad Position-0 Hits; Setback-6 Flight; Oracle Fortune Roll-Does the rescue from Slengy arrive in time? Even-1 Hit; Compliation-Source-3:6 Darkness; Pressure-4:3 Dread; Cost-5:3 Medicine; Fallout-1:1 Drenched
Thora attempted to rest for the night along with Skarne and the clergy who stayed with them. Hearing bandits crashing through the dark towards them, Thora hurriedly packed up Skarne and rush through the dark. From the direction of Slengby, the sound of a wagon tearing across the road carries to her ears. Figuring her odds are better with the wagon, Thora takes her chances.
Pulling up short of hitting the group, the wagon comes to a sudden stop. Broken glass fills the air, as the medicine bottle breaks. The guard hops off immediately to run off the bandits, as Thora and the others load the Head Priest to get him home. She lets out a sigh of relief, after the harrowing ordeal.
A lot happened in this one day! Our heroes are almost united, and while the town took a beating, it is still standing! Till next time.
That was a very entertaining battle for the Stronghold - glad they prevailed!