The trio begin to ascend the strange otherworldly tower [really a spaceship] to get to the core of the madness attacking Yewforth and digging in the long-lost graves of the dead.
An Almost Immediate Retcon: Faruin's "Level"
When I was working on creating Faruin, I thought it would be fun to have a more novice character who relatively rapidly grows [stuff tends to be cheaper at the lower values] and eventually catches up. However, this leads to a balance problem and a tempo problem.
The balance problem is this gives her a relative skill difference in combat of -4 to Barston and -3 to Derron. Combat is not everything in this game and a different sort of adventure it might be fun having a junior wanderer. This particular Advent(ure), though, is pretty heavy in combat. Either I can balance them around her or around them. I have been hitting for the middle but still it involves too much "KEEP HER ALIVE!" for my tastes.
The tempo problem is semi-related, in that we still have no idea if Faruin will be mainstay or just here for a couple more adventures. This means that keeping her in the background effectively turns her into a mascot and that is icky.
There is also a Doug cannot read problem in that I picked "Novice" thinking it was a tier down from B & D's starting point. I had the plan of giving her a bump up after Yewsforth. Only Novice is two tiers down (Civilian > Novice > Competent > Veteran > Expert > Master > Champion) and B & D are at least in the Expert range and probably the Master range. In that if I made Faruin a Master she would likely just be matching them overall (characters in play exceed those just created, by the nature of how you can balance out the points).
In this light, I will retcon my decision to make her a Novice and immediately upgrade her to Veteran. This makes her a standard starting character. This is more in line with my imagination without completely sidelining her.
This gives her +3 points to spend on stats and more special skills (Two more 2nd ranks, two more 1st rank). Changes to her will include:
- +1 to Skill (7 now, instead of 6)
- +1 to Stamina (10 now, instead of 8)
- +1 to Magic (3 now, instead of 2)
- Magic-Priestly will become 2nd-rank (total of 5 Devotion)
- The other 2nd-Rank will be Benedictions. All total, this will give her four Benedictions to use: Benediction of Dying (recipient uses Initial Luck to resist Death), Fate of the Blessed (she can re-roll once per day), Alacrity Blessing (once per day, recipient may act first), and Holy Battle (once per day, may swap their armor/weapon roll with opponent's). These should make her a fairly interesting battle priest.
- This now gives her three more 1st-Rank since Magic-Priestly bumped out of that category.
- I'll upgrade her Sneaking to 2 (1st-Rank from Racial Bonus, +1)
- I will give her Second Sight (she can sense magic, basically)
- Awareness is always good, so that will be the last.
I resisted the temptation of upping her armor, though she will likely do that herself once they get to a stopping spot and she can spend some experience points.
On with the Advent(ure)...
This is going to be the bottom floor of several floors of spaceship seen, in practical terms, as a pointcrawl of highlights. Thematically, we'll say there are 25 floors. Each day we will climb 1d6+4. Once we hit 25+, we will be in the boss fight. In time keeping terms, starting at midnight, each session will represent an hour.
There are potential other fights, puzzles, and such happening but those will be "off screen." Advent 2025 is a highlight reel of sorts.
First Hour: 5+4=9.
- 009 - 2d4+2 Goblins (hostile, will fight until 2 or killed)
- 088 - Gnome (indifferent, working on treehouse)
What I like is something to establish the immediate sci-fantasy elements of this. In AFF terms, a "goblin" is a 5/5 creature [short sword, light armor]. Instead of goblins, let's say these are worker bots. Around 4'-tall. Humanoid. Various tools that we'll count as the equivalent of small claws. The "light armor" is their natural metal plating, but we'll say "Medium". There are {2 + 3 + 2 =} 7 of them.
| Worker's Tools | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Robotic Skin | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
There is also a "gnome" which can be an engineering bot. It will have the Stellar Adventure equivalent to a blow torch and will avoid combat itself. If it is attacked, it will summon three protector bots and we will cross that bridge when we get to it.
Two sets of ladders, something much like a spiral staircase, and (in one hair-raising moment) a floating disc later, the heroes into a chamber where sparks are flying and a high-pitched shrill language drown out most other sounds.
In front of them is a sight they cannot quite place. Two blue arms, metallic, hang from the ceiling. One arm shoots out a steady blue flame while the other has a heavy clamp that is moving things around. Then there are a number of small, humanoid creatures in some type of armor of the same blue color. A voice comes from somewhere between the two arms. The sounds are created between the voice shouting something and the smaller creatures shouting something back in a shriller, faster tone.
The smaller creatures are wielding various implements that look like either small weapons or complex tools.
All told, these oddities are working on...well, something. Large bays on the floor have open tops and the arms and the creatures are entering the boxes, pulling out materials, and working on them.
Barston is reminded of watching groups of people in Humb preparing a fancy meal. A chef barking orders as sous-chefs run about carrying out the tasks.
As the three try to figure out this strange scene, one of the smaller creatures has apparently spotted the heroes and turns and lets out a series of noises in their general direction. Then another repeats the same. The amulet in Derron's robes pings back a few times but this does not seem satisfactory. Soon, all seven of the creatures are facing and barking things.
Barston raises his arms in a sign of confusion and placation. He does not wish to forgive so easily creatures that have decided that murder and robbery to be an easy task, but he is too confused to consider these to be immediate targets.
We'll call this a...just a Skill check. He rolls a 7. 7+7 = 14. He does not really calm the situation.
Despite trying to indicate that they are not attacking, Barston has either committed a gaffe or simply failed to convince the others. Soon enough, all the creatures have various implements in their hand and are advancing.
Let's roll 7d6 and figure out who is targeting whom from the robot standpoint:
- Barston: 3
- Derron: 2
- Faruin: 2
A fairly even split.
Combat vs Worker Bots: BEGIN!
- ROUND ONE
- B vs WB1, WB2, WB3: 5+12 [17] vs 4+5 [9], 7+5 [12], 9+5 [14]. B does double damage. Mace hits for 6+1=7 (4 Stamina) and times two that destroys the first worker bot even if the bot hits full armor.
- D vs WB4, WB5: 7+11 [18] vs 6+5+1 [12], 11+5+1 [17]. D also does 6+1=7 (4 stamina times two). Again, another is destroyed.
- F vs WB6, WB7: [she's at -2 for the armor] 11-2+9 [18] vs 9+1+5 [15], 5+1+5 [11]. She does not get a Powerful Blow but does 4 (3 stamina) and it blocks 3 (1). It takes 2 stamina, 3 remain.
Two are destroyed which results in the other worker bots fleeing back...
Looks like I will need to create some new creatures...let's see: Are these new creatures? (50/50) → 38. Yes. Ok, yes.
Guard Bots need to be an actual threat. Gargoyles have 9/10 with heavier armor. These can be interesting foes. Instead of claws, though, we'll give them blasters. Two attacks per round. In this case, I think I'll just have one show up to establish the danger.
| Guard Pistol (16 shots) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Improved Robotic Skin | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7+ | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
A high pitched, repetitive noise starts coming from the speakers...
We'll check World Lore vs 15:
- Barston: 8+7 = 15.
- Derron: 9+8 = 17.
- Faruin 10+7 = 17.
All three relatively recognize it as a sound of alarm, even if they do not understand the specifics.
...and all three heroes start keeping watch on the entrances to this room. They know something is happening, even if they do not know fully what the danger might be.
From a side door, a larger version of the blue creatures walks through. this one having a spikier head (or whatever armor they are wearing) and strange wings on its back. In its four-fingered hand is a device that looks like someone stripped the bow portion of a crossbow out and then dipped it in silver. It is raising it to fire.
Derron leaps across the room towards it with Barston right behind. Faruin gives a blessing to Barston's back.
Derron has Lightning Strike. This means he can hit before the laser blast goes off. Barston will one burst of Alacrity after this round of combat.
- Derron and Barston vs Guardbot (2 attacks): 5+1+12 [18] and 10+1+11 [21] vs GB's 11+9 [20] vs B → D and Critical vs D. Lightning strike does not give special bonus to Criticals...so Derron sort of just...side steps the crit, I guess.
- Barston takes 3 (4 Stamina) and blocks 2 (0) with his Breast Plate and 2 (0) with his shield. Takes all 4.
- Derron will not get hit nor land a hit while dodging the blast.
14 shots remain.
Barston feels a burning sensation in his shield arm as a blue bolt of light leaps from the un-crossbow and strikes him. Derron pulls sidewise and avoids getting struck himself.
"Careful, this thing is shooting us with some sort of magic!," Barston shouts.
Faruin, in the back, gets her sword up and starts attacking the source of the sound.
- ROUND TWO
- B vs GBa: 6+12 [18] (shouldn't have added +1 last time, but it didn't matter) vs 8+9 [17]. Does 4+1=5 (3 stamina) vs 5 (3 stamina). Does not penetrate the armor.
- D vs GBb: Critical! vs 10+9. Derron's crit is 12. That has to be good, right? It IS...it crushes the head of the creature and destroys it.
- F vs Engineer Bot. We'll make Engineer bot a 6/12. In three rounds, another guard will show up. She gets 7+9 [16] vs 5+6 [11]. Does 5+1=6 (4 stamina) to it. Does it have "armor" (Likely) → 08. Exceptional Yes. We'll so another HEAVY situation, as above. It blocks all but 1 point. Even using Holy Battle will only get her 1 stamina so she'll hold it.
Barston's mace bounces off the thick armor of the creature they are fighting but then Derron punches straight through the skull of the thing. Sparks fly out and it drops.
Behind them, Faruin is hacking at a round device between the arms where the sounds are coming from. Her sword bounces off nearly as badly as Barston's mace, leaving only a thin cut into it.
"Help! Break it!"
Barston and Derron leap up to try and help her silence thing.
- Barston attacks for 7+12+2 [21]. Derron for 5+11+2 [18]. Faruin for 11+9+2 [22]. The engineer bot gets 7+6 [13] vs {B | D | F} → D. All three score a powerful blow. B hits for 5+1 (3*2st). D for 5+1 (3*2st). F for 5+1 (4*2st). It blocks 6 (3 stam) from Barston, 6 (3 stam) from Derron. It blocks 5 (3 stam) from Faruin. All told then, it takes 3+3+5 = 11. With her initial 1 stam damage, this helps destroy it.
Is there other alarms going off? (50/50) → 100. I don't think that counts as a Random Event (otherwise 99 and 100 would be side by side, even if the percentile dice shows 0 and 00. So Exceptional No. The ship is advanced but sort of a collection of parts. Exceptional in this case means the worker bots are now without the control of the engineer and it will not occur to them to get help. They simply await orders.
After the three hack at the box, the whole system including the pair of arms goes limp. And then silent.
They do not hear any further alarms going off deeper into the ship.
Faruin begins a quick prayer and soon plants grow out of the strange metal of the ship itself. They continue to grow until fruit appear. She plucks a few of them and passes them around and the three make a hasty meal in the silence of the room.
Barston gets +2 Stam back. Faruin is back to full.
As they get up to leave, Barston picks up the strange weapon the taller creature was using, and places it in his pack.
Can Barston use it? (50/50) → 50. Yes. Just.
Barston's new laser pistol only has twelve shots left. BUT in principle it is similar enough to a crossbow I'll say he can use it -2 [so at SKILL]. If he Fumbles or it gets broken, he won't be able to fix it. It'll also run down over some time. It's mostly just for this next couple of sessions, really.
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