Love the stories Cam and Daryl! I have the same issues with my socks.

Still waiting for Jay, Brett, and Nathan.

  Buzzby leans back on a mushy bag of sprouting taters and lights up his pipe.   At long last a bit of down time and a well earned break.   Puffing on his pipe he looks sadly at his big toe sticking out of his raggedy sock.  "Blasted mutt!  I was just about to swap this one out with my spare!"  Tapping out his pipe Buzzby rolls over to catch some shut eye, but it doesn't take long before he learns he is not able to sleep with this exposed toe looking back at him.   Humrumphing loudly he gets up to go in search of the dog and retrieve his sock.   After exploring a few tunnels he recognizes the futility of his search and comes up with an alternative plan.   " Prahps, Mother 'arkness can mend em for me?  She did seem sweet on me and know 'ow ta treat a  'ero!"

Gathering his things Buzzby heads toward the long passage to Mother Harkness. Buzzby relights his pipe and falls into a steady stride.   A short time later as he nears the cave he hears a strange rhythmic thumping, a staccato tapping, and a low whistling.   Getting closer, his eyes narrow as he begins to recognize the sounds, " Can it be?"  he wonders as he rounds the corner and sees an amazing sight.

Mother Harkness, clad in a sheer dress made of thin veils and wearing high clogs, stands on a table and is tapping out a rhythmic tune to the beat of a piper and drummer near the bar.  Her arms wave spastically, as her feet hammer out the taboo rhythms of the Lobohboh, the forbidden dance!

"Woot!" Buzzby drops his pipe and springs to the table where he begins to spin and tap with savage abandon.   Mother Harkness, pauses only a moment with surprise before changing her steps to accommodate a second dancer.  In a moment the music intensifies and the two dancers are entwined in a spinning, frothing fury of stomps, whoops, Plie's, and Pas de Chevals!   The stomping and groaning growing ever louder as the fury of the dance heightens to its inevitable climax.

Dropping from the table limp and wet with exhaustion the two figures lie gasping and in stupor until the drummer and piper rush over with buckets of cool water and douse the two.   Opening his eyes Buzzby shares a long meaningful look with Mother Harkeness before muttering " We shall never speak of this again!" and rushing back down the tunnel feeling shame, confusion and strangely refreshed.

:-)

I love how you picked up on the fact I mentioned you only had one spare sock!

Downtime Clubs: Boris broods and misbehaves.

Part 1:

After all the trail-side hugs, Boris bellows "Now all of you will let Boris buy you beer!"  Boris assumes everyone will follow and he strides toward the closest tavern.  When he arrives he finally notices that none of the party are around. "Friends!  Where are you?  Boris must drink!"

His broad shoulders slump as he enters the bar. "Why not let Boris make party?  Well Boris will make party alone!"

Part 2:

"Bring Boris Mead! Bring Boris Beer!  Boris buy for all tonight!"

And so began the ruckus night of debauchery.  Much was consumed, many axes were thrown, and in the wake of Boris' revelry many coins were spent.

The next morning Boris woke in a pile of sleeping barmaids and the large sweaty cook.  Luckily he was able to retrieve all of his armor and weapons, but anything else on him of value was gone.

"Why does Boris do this?  Where are Boris' friends?  I must find them."

And with that he slaps the cook's giant ass, stumbles down the stairs to the messy great room, and steps into the bright morning light.

Boris' squinting eyes were drawn back to the tavern.  "Friends are still asleep.
Maybe Boris could have one more beer......"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Wed 06 Mar.

Apologies for the delay. Nathan was swamped with work with the Oscars and all. Now that they are over, I'll ask him to post.

Was Nathan a performer or host at the Oscars?  Stunt man?

+1

Hey friends, sorry for the absence, I honestly have no good excuses. And unfortunately no, my role in the Oscars is much more tame :) I work on their IT team, so during our events season (basically Jan - March) I'm responsible for handling the issuance and scanning of all the attendees' digital tickets for the various events the Academy puts on.

Now, down to business :)

Nute catches Sarah's eyes as she surveys her grandfather's party. Watches as they turn from awe to revered fear as they linger over the sword on Ezra's hip, then to the shining sun across Nute's chest. The emblazoned orb seems to almost glow in the torchlight of the tent. Nute is suddenly acutely aware of the attention from the Lord's entourage, all eyes focused on their holiest symbol, their scrutiny stripping Nute bare.

Anger flashes through Nute in response, flushing his face as he refocuses his gaze on the ground in front of him. Their reverence for him was affecting him more than he would have expected.

Typical highborns! Months ago, I wasn't worth the dirt beneath their boots. Now, they look at me like some reincarnated savior. Unsurprising all it took was finding some dumb armor.

The meeting stretches for what feels like eternity, and when finally dismissed, Nute immediately retreats into the night. The shadows welcome him back into their embrace, coiling around him as he effortlessly climbs up and over the roofs of the city. His old city.

His feet glide silently from building to building, his mind retreating from his newfound responsibility. With instinctual grace, Nute follows the familiar markings that bring him closer to his old life, and the streets that formed him. His almost meditative trance is suddenly interrupted when he hears a stray shingle shift and fall behind him.

Pivoting on his right foot, Nute silently slips behind a chimney. Chancing a glance back, Nute is shocked to discover Kassidy climbing down from a roof. A second shingle shifts as Kassidy dismounts, her feet returning to solid ground. Intrigued and alert, Nute silently slinks closer.

What in the hells is she doing here??

Nute follows above Kassidy as she turns toward a disheveled tavern, a ghost haunting her skies. Nute recognizes the dilapidated building as one he used to frequent, the often too-sparse coin-purses of the patrons his only source of income during his childhood.

Kassidy throws the door open and disappears inside, leaving Nute alone in the cool night once more.

Nute considers returning to that pitiful hovel, intrigued by Kassidy's business inside, when suddenly a muffled scream pierces through Nute's consciousness.

Turning quickly, Nute dashes across two more houses before coming to a rest above a particularly dark alley. Peering down, Nute sees two man forcing a woman against the greasy alley wall. Blood runs down the side of her head, mingling with the cold, uncaring stones before falling silently to the dirt.

Nute catches her frantic eyes as she struggles, white orbs reflecting the moon, shining in defiance and terror. One man has his hands around her mouth, while the second produces a short flash of steel, the fabric of her dress beginning to fall to the naked blade.

Repulsion surges through Nute, and without thinking he leaps from his perch, dagger appearing in his hand with lethal grace. With a rush of wind and rage, Nute lands silently and embeds his dagger into the skull of the man with the sword. Nute feels the man's body go limp as his partner turns, a startled and drunken yell tearing through the air between them.

The stench of fetid beer assaults Nute's nostrils as he twists his dagger free, blood erupting from the dead man's head. Pivoting quickly, he slashes once more, this time finding the second man's throat. A wet gurgle escapes his lips, blood flowing freely down onto disheveled shirt before his body slumps to the ground.

Suddenly free, the woman screams again and falls back, feet tearing rivers through the now blood-soaked dirt. She turns and stares, disbelieving at the new figure before her. Her eyes dart between Nute's obscured face to the blazing sun on his armor, before a faint "Praise Solace!" escapes her lips.

Nute, suddenly aware again of his damnable armor, gazes in amazement as the woman's eyes soften from hard fear to relief as Nute extends his gloved hand.

"It's okay," Nute reassures the woman as he helps her to her feet. "You're safe now."

The woman collapses against Nute, arms wrapping around him as he is unexpectedly pulled into her embrace. "Thank you! Thank you thank you thankyouthankyou...." The woman begins sobbing against Nute, her cool tears mixing with the warm sweat on his neck. Suddenly uncomfortable with the attention, Nute gently guides the woman off of him before slipping quickly up the nearest wall.

Nute glances back down to the woman just as the moonlight catches the sun on his chest, golden hues shining against the unknown dark. She stares up at her savior, amazed, her eyes displaying that same reverence that Sarah had earlier, only this time, instead of fear, he finds her awe tempered with a sort of love, a love and joy for a future that Nute provided her.

Turning and walking above the city again, a smile slips across Nute's face as his heartbeat returns to normal. That woman wasn't scared of him. He had helped her.

Damn the rich bastards in that tent, saving them means saving people just like that woman. People just like him. People who are too poor, too forgotten, or too small to fight back.

His heart much lighter than when his night started, Nute returns to glance through one of the tavern windows to check on Kassidy. He and watches in amusement as her deft hands glide her dagger through her exposed fingers, embedding the lethally sharp blade with precision into the rotting table. The coins from the drunken men around the table jump with every perfectly executed stab.

Heh. Kassidy, the honest thief. Those dumb bastards never stood a chance.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:54, Wed 13 Mar.

That was awesome! The Oscar job sounds pretty cool too.

Excited to see what comes next.

I'll post this weekend. Love all the stories. One thing I wanted to mention is that King's Landing is not really a proper city. It is really like a tent city underground...remember, you are hiding from the aliens underneath King's Port. There are still taverns and a marketplace area and all of your stories can still work, but some of the descriptions may need to be tweaked to fit with the environment.

In reply to ohoh7 (msg # 34):

References to roofs and trees have been modified.  ;)

All of you received some much needed rest…well, some more than others…and King's Landing starts coming to life to start a brand new day. Sometimes it's hard to tell when morning is. There is no sunrise that shines through the windows. There is no slight breeze as the sun warms the cool grass. There are no birds chirping to greet the morning dew. Unfortunately, being underground right now is really no different than what's above; there would still be no sun to greet you, or cool grass, or small-feathered friends. The filth and soot that the invaders have brought to your world have made sure of that.

Ezra wakes up to a smell that is absolutely repugnant and he looks around to find its origin. It doesn't take long. At the foot of his bed is his faithful dog looking at him with a crusty, hole-ridden sock in his mouth. Bennie seems quite content and happy with himself and gives his master a happy gaze that says good morning!

Buzzby turns over in bed and his hand brushes up against something. He pops one eye open and sees a pair of brand-new red socks next to him, with a small note on top. He can't remember the last time his toes felt the warm embrace of new socks. Have I ever even had new socks before? He quickly takes the note and it reads, "For my favorite dancer. MH."

Kassidy wakes to the sound of muffled whimpering beside her, coming from the little girl that has stolen her heart. The girl with the freckled nose and the beautiful brown hair. Kassidy softly strokes Tam's hair and whispers that everything is going to be ok. The young orphan stirs and lazily opens her eyes and immediately smiles. Tam nuzzles into Kasiddy as a shield to ward off the demons in her mind as she tries to drift off to sleep some more.

Boris makes his way to the makeshift tavern that he had left not so many hours ago and there is only a single patron passed out on one of the tables. Boris pours a draft and savors it while thinking about what is next. His axe is also thirsty.

Nute is looking down at a crowd. Everyone is looking at him, as if he was in the middle of a speech. They all seem on the edge of their seats as if his words matter...a crash outside bolts Nute out of his slumber and away from the uncomfortable dream.

At various intervals precisely, five minutes apart, Aden knocks on your door and states that Lord Herrek asks for your presence as he plans to address the denizens of King's Landing. He didn't exhibit any of his usual, awkward stammerings when trying to make small talk. It was all business, so it must be something important. You all make it to the common square just as Lord Herrek is about the address the crowd.

"Now is the time to strike good people. We move at the morrow's first light to take back our lives and our land. For all the able-bodied men and boys, gather your weapons and make yourselves ready." The crowd stirs and their murmurs fill the space. You can hear snippits like "we don't know how to fight!" "we're no match for the invaders!" "isn't that what the heroes are for?"

You know that much of what they say is true. The people that you've shared this life with are not an army, but their numbers will be needed if you have any chance of taking out the Sa Karan forces. Along with the Orcs, Wormleys, and Dwarves alongside, you may just have a chance.

As the crowd continues to stir, Tawny Downs, who Ezra dealt with in a very similar situation, steps forward and says, "We ain't no heroes. We can barely gather fish and fungus without getting' ourselves killed!" His defiance is the spark that fuels the flame of the situation and Lord Herrek isn't able to get his voice heard over the shouting and rabble.

Anyone who uses Persuasion will be at a -4 due to the situation.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:30, Sun 17 Mar.

BTW, you are each starting off with 4 bennies. You all got an extra benny for the amazing Interludes.

Feeling the shift in the crowd, Ezra steps forward.

"People of King's Landing." Ezra intones, with a voice that is used to the lectern.

"I know it seems an impossible task. It is easy to wish for others to take up your burdens." Ezra says, his eyes lock with Tawny Downs.

"But I know each of you to be stalwart of heart and strong of will. Look at what you've already accomplished. You survived the initial strike of our invaders, you found one another and built a new home. You have taken the best shot that the perfidious spiders could throw at you and came out stronger. It was not heroes that did this for you. You did this for yourselves and each other." As he speaks, it almost seems as if a ray of light is slowly illuminating the old man. His voice grows more firm and reaches the furthest nooks of the cave.

"But now ... we must not slacken. I tell you, the invader is vulnerable. They are spread thin and they bit off more than they can chew. With our allies, we can take back what they took and push them from our world. A new dawn is on the horizon, we but need the will to take it."

Persuasion roll time:
I have a d6 persuasion. My character sheet says I have a +4 charisma (+2 from sun priest, I don't know where the other +2 is coming from though), -4 because of the situation. Give me a straight d6.

17:25, Today: Ezra rolled 2,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max ((2,4)).

I'll burn a benny and see if I can do better:

17:26, Today: Ezra rolled 5,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max ((5,5)).


So that's a 5. A success but not a great success.

Let's see if anyone else wants to support you and give you boost!

No ones going to help me?!?!?

In reply to Ezra (msg # 40):

I've been scraping through the rules in my little spare time trying to find how helping works. I'm down, just now sure mechanically how that works.

This is from memory, but I believe you declare you are helping and how you are helping, and then roll the dice. Each success and raise adds +2 to my best roll iirc (not 100% sure about the +2).

At the GM's discretion, you can even roll a different skill to help. So Kassidy could do something like try to intimidate one of the naysayers in the crowd to make them look foolish and bolster my argument.

I also saw this and thought of you Paul:

https://www.reddit.com/r/tumbl...h/this_theory_works/

Hah, love the reddit post Daryl!

You can read all about the Support feature on page 106 of the Adventure Edition rulebook.

In reply to ohoh7 (msg # 43):

Thanks for the reference.

Kassidy notes the murmurring in the crowd, scanning the mothers and children that stood clinging to children, parents or partners alike. She tightened her grip on Tam's hand, while drawing one of her blades with the other.

"All of you who claim to love this life, who have responsibilities to other lives... what can you call yourselves but cowards if you do not dare to protect it?" One particular man in the front row wears an expression of confusion on his face, so Kassidy responds to his glare with a growl and a nose wrinkle. "Is this your only reply to an old man who shows more courage than half of you together?"

Not sure if I'm rolling my persuasion (which is nothing) or if I can use intimidation instead. If intimidation works, here's my roll:
14:35, Today: Kassidy rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max. – 3

If I'm doing anything wrong, please correct me. I feel like playing just board games for the last umpteenth years has sucked all of my RPG knowledge completely away.

Hi Cam,

I'm fairly sure you should also get your wild die with that roll. So you'd roll another d6 and take the highest of the two rolls.

Edit: Finally re-found my Savage World Rulebook and read the support section Paul lists above. It's a +1 for success and a +2 for a raise with a +4 max (if multiple supporters).
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Mon 08 Apr.

That's correct Daryl. Cam you get a Wild Die.

Also, don't forget each of you have 4 Bennies to reroll if you want.

Seeing the murmering crowd and Pappy stepping up for one of his inspiring speeches, Buzzby steps behind Ezra to give him a hand.   Striking a noble pose, Buzzby begins to hum The Ballade of Borquille and the Five Spiders, a sad but beautifully patriotic dirge.  Unfortunately, he no sooner begins than he is wracked by a spasm of coughing which leaves him red and wheezy and forces him to sit down.

4:38, Today: Buzzby rolled 1,2 using 1d4,1d6, rerolling max ((1,2)).

Buzzby spits and stands again trying to resume his humming but it quickly cut down by another series of wet coughs.


11:06, Today: Buzzby rolled 2,1 using 1d4,1d6 ((2,1))