Glendal Lorg in the City, Scene 4

Hail and well met!  We are here again to find out what happens next to Glendal Lorg, the Elven Thief, in an Urban Adventure using Scarlet Heroes from Sine Nomine Publishing.

Go here for previous Scenes.

Threat Level = 1
Heat = 0
Victory Points:  Glendal 3, Them 0
Clues I have = 3
Glendal's current hit points; 8 of 8.

* * * * *

Scene 4:  Action:  "Guide the Target or another important Actor out of the foe's reach for at least a temporary period.  Roll a die; on an odd result, face a Fight to protect them as well as the check."

Glendal Lorg dipped the rag in the soapy water and used it to scrub the blood and filth from his armor and clothing.  He knew he didn't wear the finest available, but he was glad of the chance to look a little nicer.  An Elf had a certain level of propriety, after all.

"Many thanks, Cleric," he said to Fargle Nex the Polygamist from the Accursed Island.  "I am indebted to you."

"Nay, my friend," Fargle replied, "it is I who am in your debt.  You seem to have a propensity for showing up when I need you most.  Healing your wounds, incurred on my behalf, is the least I can do.  While I still can," he added.

Glendal let a smile grace his features.  "A propensity, eh?  It is not without cause I am known as the Visionary from the Phantom Cabal.  But that is really just an epithet; I have no special skills beyond those any Elf Thief of my humble abilities would have.  Although I am better than most."

Fargle clapped him on his shoulder, recently healed.  "Then I need to make the acquaintance of more Elf Thieves, apparently," he laughed.  "But I do wonder, as much as your help is appreciated...what are you doing here?"

Glendal chuckled.  "Our fates seem to be intertwined in ways I cannot explain.  I overheard about a potential theft, designed by my old, er, colleague Dassadal Ul the Vainglorious Coachman from the Primordial Road.  To thwart any plan of his is always a distinct pleasure of mine, but when it was connected to you, I knew that my involvement was more than wanted, it was absolutely required."

"But how did I become connected to it?" Fargle asked.

"Not you, but your...bride?  Fiancé?  Love of your life?"  Glendal shrugged.  "The intricacies of this city's Human schemes leaves me cold.  Nevertheless, her name came up and here I am."

"Ah, yes, she is my love," Fargle said, "whom you know by proxy, I suppose, in that your help at the Fort of the Unholy Mound led to me finding her cure."  He straightened and stepped to an inner doorway.  "But you must meet her, of course.  My dear," he called, "come here, please, to meet a friend."

Moments later, there appeared in the doorway one of the most Human visions of loveliness Glendal had ever seen.  She was not young but neither was she old, was dressed in obviously fine garments, and there floated about her the scent of expensive perfumes.  Dark eyes, dark hair, and the look she lavished on Fargle spoke of rapaciousness:  quite clearly she was his as much as he was hers.  Glendal felt the slightest tinge of envy, but mentally waved it away; he was still very young for an Elf, and there was time enough for love, later.  For now, for him anyway, there were plenty of Elf dancing girls eager for his bulging...coin purse.  And there was much more coin to be won in this world by brave adventurers.

Fargle moved to stand beside her and gestured to the Elf.  "This is Glendal, the, um, adventurer who helped me obtain the necessary ingredients to restore you to health.  Glendal, this is my now and future wife, Immuth Nex.

She made a curtsy and her voice came out in a breathy "Hello."

Fargle continued, "Raglia has...ah, my mistake, I'm still adjusting to calling her by her married name.  Immuth has weathered quite the ordeal.  I now believe her illness was caused by none other than Boon Kal the Cannibal Myrmidon from the Living Beach!"

"You mean that old priest who was just here?" Glendal asked.  "The one opposed to your public marriage?  Just what does he have against you or it, anyway?  Why should he care?"

Fargle made a slashing motion with his free hand.  "The old cretin is trapped in a past of his own making.  He had the chance in his youth to marry and, for reasons I know not, did not.  And he has ever since led the crusade that no priest of any god in Sorcerer Crest should marry."  Fargle was warming to his oration, his voice rising.  Glendal recalled how the cleric seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve.  "What he doesn't know is that many priests here have wed, only not publicly.  That's why he's trying to stop us, because not only are we going to publicly announce it, but I've decided to recant my clerical vows as well.  Nothing we do will affect his petty crusade, and yet he has twice tried to thwart us!"

The Elf put his chin in his palm and thought.  None of this particularly involved him, beyond what he had done himself.  And yet, at the same time, the temptation to poke at Boon Kal, and by extension Dassadal Ul, was very strong.  That fact that Glendal actually quite liked Fargle only made his decision to help easier.

"Am I correct in my understanding," he asked, "that only after this 'marriage statue' is presented in public are you considered married?  That if that is prevented from happening, you're not?"

Fargle nodded.

"Then the obvious next step," Glendal continued, "is to remove the statue, and likely the both of you, from this place to somewhere safer.  Clearly Dassadal Ul and Boon Kal know where you live.  T'would be folly to simply leave it here for them to steal.  Which," he added, "is their plan.  Since I was unable to ascertain how it would be stolen, the we must steal it away from them first!  But where...."

"I know just the place," Fargle ventured.  "It's our secret tryst meeting place, just outside the city.  No one knows about it but us.  I can lead you there."

Glendal stopped him.  "No, you must lead our enemies away.  I will conduct the lady and the statuette to safety.  You can join her there after giving them a winding chase."

* * * * *

It was the simplest matter for the experienced Thief to guide the girl through the backways and byways of Sorcerer Crest, to throw off any potential pursuers.  For her benefit, he tried to keep to the less-rough parts of town, but for his own peace of mind, he forced a path through areas no one of her station should ever know about.  With the statuette secreted in a knapsack over his shoulder, they made their way slowly but surely to the hidden love nest.  He smiled ruefully over the trouble being taken regarding the statue, a plain little thing, wooden, inlaid with pewter, more symbolic than worth any money.

As they approached the door, Immuth smiled and said, "This is a place of fond memories for me.  Fargle and I have met here often, but I haven't been in since before our private wedding.  It is strange to be here now."

They entered, the light from the street flooding the room.  Glendal noted the furnishings were very opulent but sparse, with another small room through a door directly across.  There was no one in sight.  He moved out of the way and Immuth lit a candle.

No sooner had the door closed behind her than a figure appeared in the small room's doorway.  It was human-sized and -shaped, but something about it's movements was distinctly artificial.  Glendal spun at the sound, sword slinging out, and moved in front of Immuth.  He laid the knapsack on a chair.

Immuth put her hand on his shoulder.  "It's alright, Glendal.  This is Minxia, Fargle's personal Porcelain Construct.  She helped him through some long, cold dark nights when I wasn't around."

Glendal grimaced as understanding came.  Minxia was a golem, an artificial being, but by all appearances was a beautiful young maiden.  She had a subtle enchantment that gave her fired porcelain shell the texture and softness of living flesh.  Beyond the obvious, she was given enough intelligence to perform her duties, not mindlessly but with care.  Yet her movements to the Elf's practiced eye were stilted and jerky.

Minxia spoke, in a soft, ringing, hollow sort of voice.  "Hello, Raglia Bazh.  Welcome.  Who is your friend?"

Raglia, now Immuth, laughed slightly.  "I'm not Raglia anymore, Minxia.  Now you must address me as Immuth Nex.  And this is...."

But before she could finish, Minxia's demeanor changed.  Her visage hardened and she took on a combative stance, legs widely spaced.  "I'm sorry, Immuth, only Raglia Bazh and my master Fargle Nex are allowed in here.  I must ask you to leave."

Immuth paused, nonplussed.  "Why, Minxia, I told you, I was Raglia before, but now that I am married to Fargle, I'm...."

Minxia interrupted again.  "You will leave now, or I will make you leave."

Immuth stepped back quickly, sheltering behind the Thief.  "I-- I don't understand.  I've been here many times."

"She only recognizes Raglia, and to her, you no longer are Raglia," Glendal said.  "I'm not sure what Fargle...."

With a sudden move that belied her inhuman-ness, Minxia rushed at Raglia/Immuth.  Glendal, interceding, swung his blade but her adroitness caused him to miss.  The kick he offered her connected, causing porcelain from her smooth stomach to chip away.  Minxia clawed at him, scrabbling on his armor to no effect, before the Elf smashed her head in with his off-hand dagger.

The lifeless automaton sank to the ground, a syrupy fluid leaking from her broken face.  Glendal felt an uncomfortableness he rarely felt in a fight, but then he realized he had never fought either a girl or a machine before.

Immuth had no such misgivings.  "Good," she whispered.  "I never really liked how Fargle had one of these...things.  But clerics of Cernunnos often have two or even three."

Glendal simply shook his head.  Humans, he thought.

* * * * *

I spent 1 Clue to pick the Action category.  Action:  "Guide the Target or another important Actor out of the foe's reach for at least a temporary period.  Roll a die; on an odd result, face a Fight to protect them as well as the check."

I rolled a d6 = 5, odd, face a Fight.

I rolled on the Potential Foes table, d8 = 8, d10 = 5; "Inhuman Thing."  Hmmm.

I determined that Glendal would move the wife and the statuette to a safe place, but in doing so, somehow interacts with a hostile Servitor Construct from the Bestiary section of Scarlet Heroes.  The default setting for Scarlet Heroes is decidedly "Asian-esque" and to be frank, it's not really my jam.  (This is not a knock on the stunning detail in the book by Kevin Crawford, I just don't care for it.)  However, it does have some interesting and unique things (creatures, spells, magic items, etc) that are worth looking at more closely.  One of those is the Servitor Construct, specifically in this case the "Man of Clay and Jade" and the "Porcelain Servitor," each a type of golem with limited intelligence.  Especially important for my situation was that it was an "inhuman thing" with no more than 2 HD!

The check would be whether or not Fargle would allow Glendal to move both the girl and the statuette.  For the check, the Target number was 9.  I rolled 2d8 = I rolled 2d8 + 1 (CHA) = 7 + 8 + 1 = 16.  I succeed on the check.  This earns me 1 VP.

The Servitor Construct had 2 HD, AC 7.  My first attack missed, but the Fray d6 did 1 hit.  The golem attacked but missed; I attacked, missed, and the Fray die finished it off.  Love that Fray die!

I rolled 1d10 vs the total number of Investigations + Action Scene (4) = 3, so the enemy gains 1 VP.

We moved to a safe location.  Where?  I rolled on the Urban Location chart => elite, d20 = 11 = "Hidden love nest."  Of course.  With Fargle, what else could it be?

I needed to know just who exactly Fargle's love interest is.  Yes, her name is Raglia Bazh the Scribe from the Fallen Castle; aka, Immuth Nex.  I rolled on the Quick NPC Creation tables: Age:  "Seasoned by age and experience, yet in their prime."  Family Situation:  "Divorced or widowed, with children to support."  Source of Influence:  "Uncommon wealth for one of their position."  Engaging Attitude or Temper:  "Lustful, rapacious for suitable companionship."  Most Powerful Motivation:  "Elevation in their current role through favor or success."  Most Notable Appearance Trait:  "Hazed by an aura of perfumes or work-smells."

Three d100 rolls to flesh her out a bit more resulted in:  Memorable Trait:  "Laconic speaker."  Ruling Temperament:  "Compassionate."  Immediate Desires:  "Having a man."

I continue to be amazed at how random dice rolls can just seem to coalesce and come together to create a unified story picture!

How far away is this place?  2d8 = 5 = "Within a day's ride."

I win the Scene, 1 VP for winning, 1 VP for it being an Action Scene.

Current status:

Threat Level = 1
Heat = 0
Victory Points:  Glendal 5, Them 1
Clues I have = 2
Glendal's current hit points; 8 of 8.

What will Glendal do next?  Tune in soon and we'll find out together!

Thanks for reading!

Glendal Lorg in the City, Scene 3

Hi.  It's been a while, hasn't it?  I finally got tired of not knowing what Glendal was going to do, and how he was going to stymie Dassadal's dirty plan to steal the wedding statuette.  Believe it or not, it gnawed on me all these years.  But I didn't feel up to the task to take it on.  I felt absolutely blocked up, mentally.

Finally, something changed.  Let's find out, together, what happens next!

As a reminder, I'm playing a solo Urban Adventure using the Scarlet Heroes rules from Sine Nomine Publishing.

Threat Level = 1

Heat = 0

Victory Points:  Glendal 2, Them 0

Clues I have = 2

Glendal's current hit points: 4 of 6.

One of the first things I did, upon returning to the game and having had a fresh read-through of the rules, was to level Glendal up to a Level 2 Thief.  Previously, I had been perfectly happy to stay at first level as that's where a lot of fun is, and quite frankly I simply forgot to level him up when I began the Urban Adventure.  Here are his stats:

STR 16 +2

DEX 16 +2

CON 16 +2

INT 11 +0

WIS 14 +1

CHA 15 +1

Leather Armor AC 7 + DEX = AC 5.  Attack Bonus +2.  Primary Trait:  Adventuring Thief +4.  Other Traits:  Elven Senses +1; Former Fighter past life +1; Keen Danger Sense +1; Streetwise Info Gatherer +2.  Nothing else really changed, except he has a metric ton of loot from his dungeon crawl.  Yes, his stats are...impressive.  I'm here to have fun, not play some unsalvageable character that dies in his first outing.

* * * * *

Scene 3:  Investigation:  "Trick an Actor into revealing a Clue. Roll a die; on an odd result you face a Fight whether or not you succeed on the check."

It seemed to Glendal Lorg that the obvious next step would be for him to go to Fargle Nex's abode and find out directly from the Cleric of Cernunnos what was going on.  Time appeared to be of the essence, since so much of his movements had already been either anticipated or reported on.  As much as the Elf would have liked to spend an hour or two holed up with a lithe Elf dancing girl to assuage his hurts, he did not think he had the time to spare.

A quick visit to the local Cernunnos shrine, and a gold piece in the palm of the attendant, got him Nex's home location.  Interestingly, it was in a part of town closer to the districts of "ill repute" than might be expected of a ranking priest.  Then again, thought the Thief, considering Cernunnos was the god of virility, maybe it made perfect sense.  Although if what Glendal knew of Fargle's love for his apparent-bride was true, the Priest might have a more difficult time remaining a polygamous Cleric of the cult.  He might have a hard time, the Elf smirked to himself, then he scowled.  Human humor was insinuating itself into his mind.  Very distasteful.

The cautious Thief stood in the shadows across the street from the home.  His keen danger sense warned him not to go bursting in, and his wariness was rewarded.  Shortly after he arrived, a second group made its way through the street:  three Human toughs and a finely-dressed one-legged older man who limped with a wooden leg, who was obviously a priest of some sort.  The shadows made it so that Glendal did not recognize the heraldic device on the man's tabard.

The group knocked and the door was opened by Fargle himself.  After a brief welcome, the men entered and the door closed.  Immediately, Glendal slipped across the street to listen at the door.  Unfortunately it was a stout wooden one and resisted his attempts to eavesdrop.  So instead, he did what came naturally now that the situation had changed:  he opened it and stepped inside.

To say his sudden appearance was unexpected was an understatement.  He took in the scene:  Fargle was demonstrably upset, in the act of gesticulating feverishly; the new priest was looking dour; and the three toughs were caught completely unawares and reacted by drawing protectively about the older man.

The tableau froze as everyone turned to look at the newcomer.  Glendal instantly sized up the toughs as capable men (one more so than the others), and pigeon-holed the new priest:  uncommonly old, even for one of his position; someone who obviously loved public acclaim, based on his finery; yet, a miserable old sourpuss.  A closer look at his regalia showed him to be a Priest of the goddess of war, Morrigan.  What in the world was he doing at Fargle Nex's home?

Glendal hazarded a guess but Fargle spoke first.  "Why, Glendal, my friend, what do you here?"

The new priest scowled first at Glendal, then at Fargle.  "What is the meaning of this intrusion?  Nex, is this some sort of trick?  An ambush?"

Fargle hastened to calm the man.  "Nothing of the sort, Boon Kal.  I am as much surprised as are you.  Allow me to make introductions.  This is Glendal Lorg, a friend who helped me much in a recent endeavor.  Glendal, this is...."

"I know who Boon Kal is," Glendal bluffed, having only just now heard the name.  He hurried on with his guess.  "I was sent here by Dassadal.  Dassadal Ul the Vainglorious Coachman from the Primordial Road, to be more specific.  He told me I'd find you here."

The sudden light of recognition in Boon Kal's eyes told Glendal everything he needed to know:  Boon Kal and Dassadal Ul were in on the intended theft together.  Perhaps Boon Kal hired Dassadal, perhaps it was more mutual; the details were unimportant at the moment.  But as suddenly as the light appeared in his eyes, it was smothered just as quickly as suspicion arose.

"Dassadal Ul?" the war priest said.  "Never heard of him.  Kunstanticus," he gestured to the taller of the thugs, "remove this insect."

With a ringing song, Glendal's sword flew from its scabbard.  There was little room in the entryway area and almost at once he was surrounded.  The dried blood from his earlier fights still crusted his clothing and he knew this might be more challenging than he wanted.  But now was too late to stop.  He tried his usually good move of feinting and stabbing at the leader, who surprised him by slapping it away and just as quickly stabbed back at him.  With luck, it deflected off his leather armor.  A quick jab with his off-hand knife took the first of the thugs down.  In that moment of distraction, the tough named Kunstanticus, who was truly a brute of a fellow, zinged in for a well-placed blow.  Glendal disemboweled the second thug, clenched his arm around the wound, and gave all of his attention to Kunstanticus.  Glendal had hoped that seeing his two compatriots die at his blade would make the brute think better of things, but he was too eager to impress his priestly employer, and so Glendal struck him down with one last mighty move.

As the bodyguard fell to the floor, gurgling in his lifeblood, Glendal breathed a sigh of relief.  For all of his bravado, he was very nearly on his last legs.  With as steady a hand as possible, he pointed his sword at Boon Kal.

The aged priest completely ignored him.  Instead, he addressed himself to Fargle.  "Don't be a fool, Nex," he whined.  "Call off this ridiculous wedding before word gets out, before it's too late."

Fargle seemed calmer now.  "I won't do it, Boon.  You don't know the truth of it all.  I'm renouncing my clerical vows for her sake and that's all there is to it."

Boon Kal was unfazed.  "You'll ruin us all, Nex," he said.  "The Priestly class isn't normally allowed these sorts of things.  I myself would have married long ago but it's just not proper!  It can't be done!"

"That's your own fault, Boon," Fargle argued.  "You had the same choice then as I do now.  You could have been happy all your life with the woman you loved, instead of fighting useless wars and losing your leg."

Boon bristled at the criticism.  "You go too far, Nex," he warned.  "You don't know what I owe to the goddess Morrigan.  Call it off, or I'll call it off for you, and you won't like the way I do it!"

Boon Kal suddenly seemed to become aware of the sword pointed at him.  "Oh put that thing away, fool," he spat.  "I'm no threat to you, that's what those imbeciles were for.  It's obvious the temple needs to up its hiring standards."  He peered more closely at Glendal.  "I don't know how you connected Dassadal Ul to me, Elf, but you'll never be able to prove it.  Now stand aside."  He moved to the door, then stopped and said over his shoulder, "Nex, I'll have some acolytes attend to this mess.  But heed my warning," then closed the door behind him.

Fargle Nex let out a deep sigh of relief, then looked at Glendal.  "My friend, you have the most unusual talent of turning up exactly when I need you."  He smiled, then grimaced when he saw the blood dripping from the Elf's armor.  "Come, step inside my home and let's get you fixed up.  I am still a Cleric with many talents."

* * * * *

Fargle Nex's first appearance in these missives is here.

* * * * *

The Investigation scene d10 roll = 7 "Trick an Actor into revealing a Clue. Roll a die; on an odd result you face a Fight whether or not you succeed on the check."

I rolled a d10 = 3; an odd result, meaning Fight.

I rolled for the "potential foe" and got "Priest of War."  The fight difficulty ended up equaling 2 Thugs + 1 Brute.  The Bute was a 3 HD foe, the Thugs were all 1 HD.  I judged that the Brute was the Priest's bodyguard and that the Priest himself wouldn't fight.

The location was an elite location, "Exclusive Tea House."  This seemed appropriate for a couple of high mucky-mucks.  Naturally, I completely forgot this when I wrote the fiction above.  Sorry.

The Priest was created with the Quick NPC Creation page.  Age:  "Uncommonly old for one of their current position."  Family Situation:  "Unmarriageable or estranged from their family."  Source of Influence:  "The love and admiration of those who know them."  An Engaging Attitude or Temper:  "Miserable, despairing at some personal blight."  Most Powerful Motivation:  "Payment of a debt so great that coin may not be enough."  Most Notable Appearance Trait:  "Missing a limb or eye to accident or battle-wound."

A couple of Oracle questions answered that he is missing a leg.  He is human.  And his name, from the wonderful as always Wampus Country name generator, is:  Boon Kal, the Cannibal Myrmidon from the Living Beach!

The "Trick" from the challenge was, I decided, to get him to admit his part in the scheme to steal the idol.  The "Trick an Actor into revealing a Clue" Challenge = Target Number = 9.  I rolled 2d8 + 1 (CHA) + 2 (Streetwise Information Gatherer) = 13.  I succeed on the Check.

The fight with the Brute and Thugs was a bit of a nail-biter.  Glendal's Fray die took care of the Thugs, one each per round, but the Brute, being 3HD, was immune to it.  Glendal, tired after his exertions 10 years ago, er, in the last scene, missed his attack, took a hit (that did no damage), did one point of damage, took 2 hits (bringing him down to 2 remaining!), and finally, and luckily, did 3 hits worth, killing the Brute.  It could very easily have gone the other way.  The Brute rolled a d10 for damage, and I was very lucky he rolled a 1 first and a 7 second.  A 10 would have ended Glendal.

I asked the Oracle if Boon Kal would back down from his part in the plan, judging it Very Unlikely; d20 = 4 = No.  I similarly surmised that he would not report the swordplay to the authorities, so as not to embarrass himself, or raise suspicions about his involvement.  The Heat will not increase = 0.  (Plus, they were socially acceptable victims.)

I then asked the Oracle if Fargle Nex would offer to heal Glendal's wounds, as a way of saying thank you for the help in exposing his nemesis.  I judged it Likely d20 = 16 = Yes.

Glendal Lorg is now at 8 of 8 hit points.

Winning the Fight and the Challenge means I win the Scene.

Victory Points:  Glendal 3, Them 0.  Clues:  3.  Heat = 0.  I rolled 1d10 vs the total number of Investigations + Action Scene (3) = 7, so the enemy does not receive a VP.

Tune in next time as I finally continue the adventures of Glendal Lorg, Elf Thief.  Really.  I really do plan to continue.

Thanks for reading.