Let’s Play Amarath (Dragonbane)! The Chaos Rebellion Part 2
Alright, let’s do the initial scene of how our characters meet and the party is formed. Fenris and Luna ambush the two marauders and Chaos champion harassing a void elf who suddenly stepped out of a portal.
The narrative is going to be in normal paragraphs like this one.
Mechanics and commentary will be in boxes like this.
Scene 1
I’m starting with a location roll just for dressing. Using Just One Dragon: Hidden, Waterfall Maybe it’s an enemy base or something like that. I might flesh it out later.
The wind blew in Marauder Hills. The roar of the waterfall just ahead of them drowned out almost all sound, but not the impossible vortex of a portal opening.
The fissure split the air, and the light of stars and a Chaos-streaked sky spilled from it. Soon after, a void elf stumbled into reality, as if stepping from a door. The two marauders and the Chaos champion Luna and Fenris had been following descended upon the lone portal traveler.
As Luna nocked an arrow and took aim, Fenris stalked his prey, sword at the ready.
I’m starting this combat in narrative rather than fully playing it out, at least for now. Luna shoots at a marauder. Luna, d20 Bows check (14): 1, Dragon! Fantastic start. I’m rolling on Alone in Deepfall Breach’s Dragon Effect table: d6: 5 = Unexpected beneficial effect Spark table: Infiltrate, Blocked, Leader
The arrow flew true and punched the marauder in the back of the neck. As he toppled forward, the Chaos champion stopped, caught by surprise, dropping his guard.
I’m interpreting as the champion opening himself for a Find Weak Spot attack (ignores defense). Luna, Bows (14): 8, success d10+d4 damage: 5 Chaos champion’s HP: 23
At the same time, Fenris approached the other marauder, crouched against the tall grass.
Fenris, Sneaking (12, Bane): 14, fail
In his hurry to get a jump on the enemies, Fenris rushed with a heavy step. His short sword slid through the sheath with a sharp noise, making the marauder turn to face him.
Opposed rolls: Fenris, Swords (14): 2 Marauder, Evade (10): 20, Demon!
The wolfkin feinted a slash and moved under the marauder’s guard. Fenris snarled, bringing his sword upward with fury. The smell of blood filled his nostrils. The strike decapitated the enemy and sent his head tumbling away.
Note: After dying, marauders get back up with 1 HP once. I’m skipping that here due to the Dragon/Demon rolls. Does the champion flee (unlikely)? Oracle (PUM): Yes!
As the first marauder tumbled with an arrow in the head, the Chaos champion turned and drew his sword. He stared at the snarling visage of a huge wolfkin beheading his other companion. Between that and an archer, the void elf wasn’t worth it. He turned and bolted away.
Luna tries to pin him down with a difficult shot to the calf. Bows (14, Bane): 16, fail Fenris is close to the champion, so as soon as he runs, Fenris tries to catch up and trip him. Opposed rolls: Fenris, Agility (14): 8 Champion, Evade (12): 13 Now Fenris attacks his legs: Fenris, Swords (14): 12, success 2d8 + d4: 15! - 6 (Chaos champion’s armor rating from his warped plate) = 9 damage dealt Chaos champion’s HP: 14
Fenris rushed toward the fleeing enemy and stabbed at his leg, biting deep into the hamstring and making him stumble. Standing over the Chaos champion, Fenris raised his sword. “You can die slowly or quickly. It’s your choice.”
Does the champion surrender? Oracle: No. Fenris, Persuasion (10): 15, fail
The man smiled bitterly, showing yellowed jagged teeth. “Do what you must, rebel scum. You will get nothing from me.”
“Your loyalty is misplaced. Is this madness really worth it? When Amarath is finally reduced to cosmic dust, what then? You are all fucking idiots.”
The champion laughed, slowly at first, then harder until it became a maniacal noise. “Every drop of blood feeds the Crucible!”
Fenris glanced at Luna, and that was enough of an opening for the Chaos champion to rise and tackle him away, gaining space to attack.
Chaos champion, Swords (16): 11 Fenris, Parry (Swords, 14): 1, Dragon! That gives him a chance to counter. Fenris, _Sword_ (14): 19, miss Is Astra recovered? Yes
The enemy lunged, but the years of war had honed Fenris’s instinct. He gracefully dodged to the side, countering with a stab that went wide.
A strange language came from behind him, and a sudden shift in the air bristled his fur. He sniffed the scent of magic at the same time someone shouted, “Move!” Again, Fenris’s instinct commanded him to backstep as something scalding hot and crackling flew by him.
Astra cast Fireball toward the enemy (WP 13/15). Elementalism (14): 11, hit 2d6 damage: 7 - 6: 1 damage dealt Chaos champion’s HP: 13 Luna will try to find a weak spot and ignore his heavy defense (requires an attack with a Bane): Bows (14, Bane): 6, hit! d10 + d4: 4 damage dealt Chaos champion’s HP: 9
A fireball hit the champion square in the chest. Fenris raised his arm to cover his face and backed away. He looked at Astra, breathing heavy, clearly still recovering, but ready to pull his weight.
The enemy tapped his arms to put out the sparks. Luna took advantage of the moment to put another arrow in him. It pierced the champion’s arm, making him flinch.
Ok, it’s time to start proper combat. Initiative: Luna > Champion > Fenris > Astra Luna misses a weak spot hit. The champion attacks Fenris and hits. He’s going to parry: Fenris, Swords (14): 1, Dragon! Counter. Swords (14): 13, hit. 2 damage dealt. Astra casts another Fireball (WP 11/15). Elementalism (14): 1, Dragon! Ok, this is nuts. Double damage for the spell. 4d6: 6 total damage dealt. Chaos champion’s HP: 1 Initiative: Champion > Astra > Fenris > Luna Champion, Swords (16): 19, miss! Changing Initiative between Astra and Fenris. Fenris attacks. Swords (14): 19, miss Damn it. I’m pushing the roll, leaving Fenris Angry (Bane on INT-based checks: Swords (14): 8, hit 2d8 + d4 damage: 13 - 6 = 7 damage dealt. Using Souldrinker (WP 9/11) to absorb the champion’s soul.
An arrow missed its mark. The champion wasn’t going down so easily. He grunted and slashed at Fenris’s throat, but the wolfkin parried the attack with a strike of his own, drawing more of the enemy blood.
Another fireball hit the champion, turning his face into a melting horror. With a last effort, he stabbed at Fenris again, but lacked strength. Fenris finished him with a swift cut through the chest, then raised his face and howled to the sky.
Pale light spilled from the corpse like tentacles, flying into Fenris and vanishing into him. Astra stared, not completely stranger to the cosmic champion’s ability.
Luna shivered. No matter how many times she witnessed it, consuming a soul would always disturb her.
Post battle As per the Influence mechanic, I’m ruling the Rebels gain **+3 Influence (13)** and Razhan Doom and the Chaos marauders lose **\-3 Influence (17)**. I’m rolling d6 intensity to determine the loot: 4, average. Is it x1 common treasure per enemy? No. x2 common treasure total. I’m using the Amarath table. d100 common treasure: 99 = Chaos-marked chainmail (4 AR, Bane on Evasion, Sneaking) 64 = Golden bracelet d6 intensity (to determine value): 6, huge It’s a flawless bracelet worth 3d6 gold = 13.
As Fenris looted the bodies, Luna approached the haggard void elf and spoke in his language. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” he replied. “A voistalker, huh? Haven’t seen one for a while. I’m Astra.”
“Luna, and that’s Fenris the Starcaller. How’s the Queen been doing?”
“Worried. Desperate. I’m a planeshifter. I was investigating ruins searching for something that could help her.”
Fenris walked toward them, stashing a bracelet in his bag. “Common tongue, if you would.”
“Thanks to both of you,” Astra said. “I’ll be on my way. Good luck on your pointless conflict.”
“No conflict in Amarath is pointless, Astra,” Luna said. “It’s all connected. We’re part of the whole, like butterflies and hurricanes. You think that the triumph of Chaos in Marauder Hills doesn’t affect you? How many void ships have the elves lost so far? And that’s without any particular interest in your kin. After conquering other places, you think they’ll simply stop at your borders? You will rot in here forever. Eliandre should know that by now.”
Astra pursed his lips. “It’s Star Queen Eliandre, you insolent.” He rubbed his chin, considering Luna’s words.
Fenris grunted. “Feel free to keep hopping from ruin to ruin searching for the perfect boon, elf. How has it been going? At some point, you’re gonna have to join the fray. That magic would bolster our ranks, and we can help each other. Their victories are losses to all of us.”
“How would that work?” Astra asked. “Weakening the marauders won’t bring us closer to home.”
“No, but it will clear the way for you,” Fenris replied. “No more harassment and thefts. The roads become safer, we gain territory and supplies.”
Luna smiled. “Besides, the Rebellion is a good ally to have. I’m sure Star Queen Eliandre would not reject the help from a large force. She hasn’t been doing much by herself.”
The traces of the portal faded behind Astra. “And the Rebellion would aid us? You speak for them?”
“No, I speak for myself. I’ll help, at the very least. But I assure you that our leader will appreciate your support. And she is not ungrateful.”
Astra sighed, looking at the voidwalker and the wolfkin. Maybe they were right. Pride hadn’t taken the void elves very far. “It’s just… I’m not used to having company.”
Fenris showed his sharp teeth. “There are worse things in life, planeshifter. You will live. From having company, I mean. Not overpromising here.”
The void elf finally nodded. “Very well. But my duty remains to my people. Shall we go to your leader?”
“That can wait,” Luna answered, and pointed to the entrance by the waterfall. “Let’s see what we can find over there.”
Notes
And that’s it for this session. Very fun intro scene to play. I’m not sure if I’ll keep posting fights blow by blow, roll by roll. I think most people skip or skim those, right? I’d love to hear your opinion about that.
Fenris is equipping that newly found chainmail and giving his cosmic studded leather to Astra, who’s not wearing any armor. He’s also taking the Chaos champion’s warped plate for the Rebellion.
I’m using the suggestion in Deepfall Breach to give characters 5 improvement marks per session. However, as this scene was short, I’m giving 3 each.
Fenris: Bushcraft and Evasion increased by 1. Luna: Evasion, Bows, and Bushcraft increased by 1. Astra: no improvements!
Thanks for reading, and until next time.
Materials used:
Amarath | Dragonbane | Triple-O | Unfolding Machines | Just One Dragon
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