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Playtest Scenario.

Posted by A Malign PresenceFor group 0
Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 147 posts
Mon 3 Dec 2018
at 05:40
  • msg #265

Playtest Scenario

In reply to A Malign Presence (msg # 264):

"Jonathan Frame, that is you isn't it ? My name is Oliver Fitzwilliam and this is Lira and Callum. We have been charged with finding you and your unit, you were the last part of those orders as we found your men at the tower."

Oliver re-sheaths his sword as he talks having cleaned the blade. He makes no threatening moves though he is rather uncomfortable having a pistol pointed at his chest.

"Would you mind lowering your weapon we are no threat to you."

Oliver Fitzwilliam rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Cha check.


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Lira
player, 89 posts
Mon 3 Dec 2018
at 05:57
  • msg #266

Playtest Scenario


Lira looked around Oliver and kept herself side on to the potential shooter and his weapon. She looked around the corridor and tried to work out if the man with the gun had been caught out by these beats like they had or if he was residing here.

Lira rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  Cha check.


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A Malign Presence
GM, 166 posts
Mon 17 Dec 2018
at 20:35
  • msg #267

Playtest Scenario

Frame's breathing is quick and panicked at first, but as he surveys the dead likho at his feet and sees the party lowering their weapons, the hand holding the pistol begins to quaver with palpable exhaustion. As the adrenaline flees him, his shoulders slump in either relaxation or defeat.

"My- my men?" He stammers, lowering the pistol but keeping a firm grip on both his weapons. "Are they alright?" Then, noting the remnants of the Royal Lancers uniform that Oliver still wears, he asks, "Are you from the Lancers? Are you here to arrest me?"
Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 149 posts
Mon 17 Dec 2018
at 22:10
  • msg #268

Playtest Scenario

In reply to A Malign Presence (msg # 267):

Oliver rubs his chin as he looks the man over as he speaks, when he is done Oliver replies "Yes your men are fine and have moved off to the village to replenish their supplies before returning home. I am retired from the lancers or at least I am on leave. We have no intention to arrest you, there was concern for you and your men so we were dispatched to find you. My colleague Callum has a letter for you."

Oliver lets Callum through to deliver the letter.


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Lira
player, 90 posts
Mon 17 Dec 2018
at 22:23
  • msg #269

Playtest Scenario


Lira stayed behind the others as they spoke with the disheveled officer.


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A Malign Presence
GM, 168 posts
Tue 18 Dec 2018
at 06:46
  • msg #270

Playtest Scenario

Seeing his chance, Callum wastes no time in presenting the letter. "A delivery for Jonathan Frame, by order of the Golish Royal Mail," he says in a reflexively perfunctory fashion, pulling out the battered envelope and presenting it to the man presumed to be Frame.

Frame holstered his pistol, but kept a loose grip on his sword as he reached out and tore open the seal of the letter. Glancing around the chamber, Lira can see that Frame doesn't appear to be living here. It's a bare section of tunnel, leading forward about forty feet or so before coming to a door quite like the one they entered. Since they had just walked through a locked door, Frame presumably must have had some legitimate access to the place, but there was no furniture around, let alone a bed or campfire or anything like that.

Frame unfurled the letter. It was fairly long, multiple double-sided pages, but in a large and ornate script...

[OOC: Let me know if you do anything else or just sit there and watch Frame read the letter. He is definitely still keeping his distance but is quite distracted by the letter.]
Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 151 posts
Tue 18 Dec 2018
at 07:02
  • msg #271

Playtest Scenario


OOC: Both characters will just watch and wait.


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A Malign Presence
GM, 169 posts
Thu 20 Dec 2018
at 04:17
  • msg #272

Playtest Scenario

Frame is quickly absorbed in his reading of the letter. He reacts with shock and surprise to early portions of the letter, but begins to weep as he continues reading. By the time he's finished, he has slumped against the wall, sobbing inconsolably, the letter in one hand and his sword in the other.

[OOC: Okay, let me know what you do now.]
Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 152 posts
Thu 20 Dec 2018
at 07:32
  • msg #273

Playtest Scenario


"Lieutenant Frame would you please enlighten us as to what is going on here ?" Oliver doubted the officer had just been pacing the castle killing its inhabitants and given the furnishing he supposed this was not his living quarters.


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Lira
player, 91 posts
Thu 20 Dec 2018
at 07:35
  • msg #274

Playtest Scenario


Lira stayed behind the men and just listened to the exchange. When Lieutenant Frame begins to sob she looks around the men, but does not move or say anything.


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A Malign Presence
GM, 178 posts
Thu 17 Jan 2019
at 00:58
  • msg #275

Playtest Scenario

Frame, apparently too overcome with emotion to muster a meaningful answer, does eventually relent and allow the party to read the letter. Assuming they do so, they see it is dated about six months back, is written in Aven with a florid hand, and says in full:

quote:
My Dearest Brother,

When you first left, I was furious at your perceived abandonment. It took me until my teenage years to realize that your intent was to protect me. Our father's overly-aggressive "pruning" of the family tree put us both in danger as long as you remained at home. With the golden child gone, and our dear brothers deceased, I was our father's only remaining option for an heir. You know full well what his tutelage and attention was like, but you spared me my life, for what it is worth.

It is my shame to admit that I have followed in our father's grim profession. I had little option. And as I'm sure you're aware, with your special dispensation from the Dragon-Eater, that this shared vice of ours has its own allure. I daresay I have excelled at the family craft, at least as much as one can in our nascent field. At the very least, I've been able to learn a portion of our father's grand designs. With this knowledge, it is my sad duty to report that your attempt to outrun your identity was in vain. Whether your intention was to save me or yourself, I'm afraid you have failed, for we are both in danger.

You know our father's temperament as well as I. In retrospect, it was perhaps naive of us to assume he ever intended to truly die, to leave his occult and earthly treasures to an heir. I don't know how we ever underestimated his selfishness. Though, as you are aware, our father has been dead for five years now, he has preserved some semblance of his being through an array of magical devices, secreted throughout old Dunsfort. The details are too complex to go into here, but suffice it to say, our father's harsh training in our youth was not intended to weed out the weak or prepare our minds for rulership, as he claimed. It was instead to prepare our bodies as his vessels. Mine in particular, I suppose, as you so wisely eluded his grasp. I can feel him even now, tugging at the loose threads of my mind.

We don't have much time. I have a plan, but in case it doesn't work, I hope this letter reaches you. They say the old Royal Mail still carries out its duties, even if it takes longer than it used to. His influence is strongest when there is only one vessel - one son. His plan after you left was to let nature take its course, influencing me only when he had to and biding his time like the youngest man in a tontine, waiting to possess the body of the surviving son. But I have studied his arts, and more than one von Roker can cheat death. If I am successful, I will no longer live, but may yet outlive us all. I will be immune from his influence in this state... like a controlled burn through the paternal line, my corrupted blood will be unable to conduct the curse. I'm not sure if that makes any sense, and I'm not sure it will work, but nor is he. And that scares him. And by the saints that's good enough for me.

The ritual circle is drawn, and I must begin. I'm writing this letter to say goodbye, my brother. This black science, this transmutation of the soul, will not leave me recognizable on the other end. Please do not come looking for me, for what remains will not be your Gustaf. If you see the von Roker banner flying from any Golish hills during your patrols with the Rangers, promise you will ride the other way. Whether the colors were hung by me or our father, I guarantee you that a monster resides beneath.

Be safe. Be better than us. Love,
The Late
Gustaf von Roker


After enough time has passed for the letter to be read, Frame manages to find his voice. "My name is not Jonathan Frame. It is Johannes von Roker. I'm from Golinlund. And that thing in the sarcophagus was my brother."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:07, Fri 18 Jan 2019.
Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 158 posts
Fri 18 Jan 2019
at 20:35
  • msg #276

Playtest Scenario


Oliver read the letter and then pasted it to the waiting hands of Lira who looked to be very interested in it contents. A glance to his right he looked at Callium before addressing Johannes von Roker.

"So how can we help you and your family ? Your brother is he "permanently" dealt with ? And your father have you managed to find these vessels his essence still dwells within ?"

Oliver waited for an answer to what he felt were the most pressing issues, the Lieutenant seemed to have delayed what could possibly been a disaster, but they would probably need to to move quickly to end the threat.


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Lira
player, 92 posts
Fri 18 Jan 2019
at 20:45
  • msg #277

Playtest Scenario


Lira read through the letter a couple of times and then traced over the important passages again with her finger as he brain tried to compartmentalize the information and then bring up relevant pieces of knowledge to the situation.

It was hard she was sure there was something continued with in the letter but her brain could not get past von Roker seniors situation and how he may have done it. Finally she asked "Do you have you fathers or brothers notes on the rituals or preparations for their transformations ?"

Lira rolled 7 using 2d6+1.  Wis check.
Lira rolled 6 using 2d6+1.  Int check.
Lira rolled 8 using 2d6+4.  Antiquarian check.

OOC: Not her best rolls.


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A Malign Presence
GM, 182 posts
Mon 21 Jan 2019
at 04:24
  • msg #278

Playtest Scenario

Johannes shakes his head in response to Lira's question. "No, this is the first I'm hearing of this. I assumed he was dead and gone, I did not thing it was possible..."

With a weary sigh, he turns to Oliver. "He is dealt with for as long as that sword is through his heart. As soon as it is removed, however, the monster will be on the hunt again. He is... very dangerous. I know a little magic, but I am not as accomplished a sorcerer as he. But he must sleep in that sarcophagus, and that is when he is vulnerable. So I waited, and took advantage when I could."

"I wasn't previously aware of my father's devices... you know him as Edward Olson, though his true name was Elias von Roker. 'Olson' was an invented family name, one of similar prestige to the von Rokers but without a history of oppression and scandal behind it. He posed as a noble-born refugee from Golinlund, a philanthropist using the vestiges of his family wealth to invest in his new home in his twilight years. I was familiar with his reputation, but kept my distance for fear he would recognize me. I thought perhaps this was a genuine moral transformation in him, but I always doubted that. This letter confirms he was always what I suspected him to be."
Lira
player, 93 posts
Mon 21 Jan 2019
at 05:46
  • msg #279

Playtest Scenario


"Is there a library or study used by your father or brother ? What about possessions your father held dear are they still in the castle, I must admit that I to thought this sort of thing was impossible...."

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Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 159 posts
Mon 21 Jan 2019
at 05:49
  • msg #280

Playtest Scenario


"Perhaps your Brother had already dealt with your father ? Was there smashed items when you arrived at the castle ?" Oliver knew this was very much beyond his areas of knowledge and he suspected Lira was struggling to decipher the situation as well.

Oliver Fitzwilliam rolled 9 using 2d6.  Wis check.
Oliver Fitzwilliam rolled 7 using 2d6.  Int check.


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This message was last edited by the player at 05:53, Mon 21 Jan 2019.
A Malign Presence
GM, 188 posts
Tue 12 Feb 2019
at 03:15
  • msg #281

Playtest Scenario

[OOC: Sorry, just adjudicating the dice rolls... I forgot about Lira's, which weren't great, but not bad. She could hard-confirm that Gustaf von Roker is some kind of deathless; she was taught about these at Rivai but hasn't had an opportunity to study or see one. It's understood that any attempt to prolong one's life through magic results in a deathless. They're considered very dangerous, as their humanity never survives the process. Lira doesn't know much concrete about their abilities, however. She is correct that returning to life after a long period of death, like the senior von Roker is apparently attempting, is unheard of, as is influencing the thoughts or actions of your kin from beyond the grave.

This sort of thing is considered impossible by "responsible" daemonologists, if there is such a thing. Not "I think Johannes is lying" sort of impossible, more like "This is cutting-edge dark magic stuff" sort of impossible.

Between the letter and the fact that Johannes just told that you their father used the alias Edward Olson, Oliver's checks are good enough to remember that Edward Olson was a well-like philanthropist in Dunsfort who died a few years ago (five, according to the letter). He was a minor Golish nobleman who fled to Aventaine with some of his wealth intact; what he didn't use purchasing himself a modest townhouse in Dunsfort, he spent supporting the arts and providing succor to the poor. Oliver never personally met him, but he was well-regarded. Oliver knows he's buried in a small mausoleum in Dunsfort.]

Johannes shakes his head, looking thoughtful. "No, there was nothing like that when I arrived. This place was long abandoned. I don't know all of my family's holdings; no doubt a lot changed since I left and the chaos of the fall. I do know that most of our property is far, far north of here, beyond what is now called The Quakelands. This fort was a minor military outpost the von Rokers had been saddled with. Not a place of prestige for my family."

Lira remembers that the construction of this fortress looked relatively new, within the last century or so. This is a minor and relatively modern military installation near the border, and likely not a stronghold for a vain and power-grasping warlock.

"My brother says," Johannes continues, gesturing toward the letter, "that the devices are secreted throughout Dunsfort. I don't think whatever Elias was planning has much to do with here. This is just where Gustaf was hiding out... before I found him."
Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 164 posts
Tue 12 Feb 2019
at 03:34
  • msg #282

Playtest Scenario

In reply to A Malign Presence (msg # 281):

"So what happens now ? Do you need help, should I inform the authorities ?" The connection between Edward Olson and the elder von Roker and Dunfort would seem to lead them to the town.

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Lira
player, 94 posts
Tue 12 Feb 2019
at 03:35
  • msg #283

Playtest Scenario


Lira again stayed silent only removing her notebook from her sleeve to make a few more lines of script before returning it to her garment again.


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A Malign Presence
GM, 191 posts
Tue 12 Feb 2019
at 06:01
  • msg #284

Playtest Scenario

Johannes seems a bit overwhelmed by Oliver's question. Or at least as overwhelmed as he still had the capacity to be, after reading that letter. "That is a good question. I most dearly need your help, but..."

A pregnant silence hangs in the air as Johannes tries to pin down exactly what he wants, and whether or not there is anything Oliver, Lira and the Golish postman actually can do for him. Just moments ago he had believed himself alone in a private (if magical) quarrel with his estranged brother. But the presence of new allies and the expanding scope of his blood feud took some time to absorb.

"If you can head to Dunsfort and shut down my father's devices, I can stay here and guard the remains of my brother. I... I know he is beyond redemption, but I can at least ensure no one and nothing removes my glass saber from his heart. If I can keep him contained in that sarcophagus, and you can stop whatever Elias von Roker is up to, then maybe the long, bloody history of the von Rokers can finally come to a peaceful end."

The man formerly known as Jonathan Frames sighs heavily, running his fingers through his greasy, scraggly beard. Weeks of hard living on the Golish border have clearly done this young officer no favors, and yet he looks Oliver in the eyes and pleads to remain at his post. Or not quite his post... he did ensorcell and then abandon the men under his command at Littlewater Point, after all. A post of his own choosing, perhaps. "Please, I know I'm asking a lot of a Lancer right now. But can you cover for me? Tell your superiors you found my corpse, or that you couldn't find me at all, or something like that? If I come back I face a discharge at best, a hanging if I'm not careful. When I saw the von Roker banner flying across the border I knew I couldn't abandon my legacy, that I needed to find out what had happened to the brother I left behind. I knew I might discover something loathsome... and I have no regrets. I accept my fate. But surely you recognize there's no going back for me, Oliver?"

[OOC: So you're essentially right that the next phase of the adventure is to rush back to Dunsfort and investigate, but that's assuming you give a shit in the first place. And even then, you need to decide what to do with Johannes. He wants to stay behind and guard his brother's sarcophagus, but that's just what he wants to do. That doesn't necessarily mean it's the best thing to do. Here are some other options:

- Team up with Johannes to kill Gustaf von Roker, once and for all. This is pointedly what he was trying to do before you all showed up... and gave him a letter that explained the reasons for Gustaf becoming a deathless. Maybe he'd still go for it? And with your help actually survive the fight?
- Convince him to come back to Dunsfort and face justice, but come clean about being Johannes von Roker.
- Convince him to come back to Dunsfort and face justice as Jonathan Frame.
- Convince him to come back to Dunsfort incognito so he can help you hunt down the "devices" his father supposedly peppered around Dunsfort.
- Figure things are probably fine unless somebody comes to this remote outpost and pulls the sword out, and convince Johannes not to throw his life away guarding the undead corpse of his vampire brother.

Or... like, any other crazy thing? We're past the initial adventure phase and going into sandbox territory. You might even decide that this von Roker blood feud stuff is Golish foolish that you will have no part in! Up to you.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:10, Tue 12 Feb 2019.
Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 166 posts
Tue 12 Feb 2019
at 06:46
  • msg #285

Playtest Scenario


Oliver looked at those collected around him and then spoke. "I cannot speak for the other but I believe the best route to be successful is if we or I..." He again looks at Lira and Callum. "Go to Dunsfort and try to destroy your fathers devices and then return to help you with your brother. We may find something among your fathers possessions that will help with our second problem."

He lights his pipe before adding. "I cannot lie and say I found your body, but I can say I did not find you at the border fort, my superiors can make of that what they will. Is that agreeable... to all of you ?"


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This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Tue 12 Feb 2019.
Lira
player, 95 posts
Tue 12 Feb 2019
at 08:12
  • msg #286

Playtest Scenario


Lira nods once Oliver is finished "I will go with you." She does not say anymore other to step back from the expanding cloud of smoke from his pipe.


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A Malign Presence
GM, 193 posts
Thu 14 Feb 2019
at 00:07
  • msg #287

Playtest Scenario

The lost von Roker looks palpably relieved by Oliver's suggestion. "That's more than I could possibly ask of you. Thank you. I will hold down the fort - a bit literally I suppose - until you all return. We can deal with what to tell the brass later, but for now I will gladly remain 'missing in action' a bit longer."

[OOC: Let me know if there's anything else you want to do here. There are a couple sections of the dungeon left unexplored: the part where Johannes himself was staying, as well as deeper into the likho-tunnels. If you talk to Johannes about it, he'll explain that the only part of the dungeon he hasn't personally explored yet is deeper into the likho-tunnels. He suspects that these were the personal quarters/labs of Gustaf, and was searching them for some clue as to why his younger brother decided to do this to himself. Now that he has the letter, he doesn't have much motivation to do this anymore; according to Johannes at least, the presence of some many likho is a good indication this tunnel has been abandoned awhile. He was exploring it out of frustration, desperation and boredom more than anything else.

I'll also point out that you have some arcane reagents, a few contracts from daemons, and access to an accomplished daemonologist in Johannes/Frame (at least, one more accomplished in Lira, in the sense that he at least has some active daemonic pacts). He can't, like, ready your contracts and tell you exactly what they do or anything, but if you wanted to take some time (and spend some reagents) to study the pacts, I would probably give you a circumstance bonus from his input. Assuming Lira is willing to ask for his help, of course...]
Oliver Fitzwilliam
player, 167 posts
Thu 14 Feb 2019
at 00:42
  • msg #288

Playtest Scenario


Having ask and had the layout of the castle explained and learning that the laboratory may still be at the end of this passage Oliver suggests that they check it out so as to leave no stone unturned that may help and to clear the fort so that von Roker does not have to fight whatever maybe lurking down there alone. "Will you come with us ?" he asks as he prepares to continue down the tunnel.


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Lira
player, 96 posts
Thu 14 Feb 2019
at 00:43
  • msg #289

Playtest Scenario


Lira was going to ask about the various pacts and so forth that they had collected, but in the end when Oliver suggested continuing on she decided to wait until they had finished the current business.


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