A Collection of Short Session Recaps

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What follows is a resurrection of a blog post I wrote a year and a half ago.

It has been awhile since my last Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker session report.  We have had a horrific time getting together to play. Life schedules can be such a hyrda.

After OnusBone’s comments on my Dungeon World Kickstarter announcement, I feel like I should continue writing the session reports.

Wedding Day Redux

Unfortunately most of this is lost.

Tackling the Tower

This session felt different.  Joe, the game master, came with a set of puzzles/trap rooms that we were going to have to navigate to the basement of the tower.  There were several rooms with physical challenges and numerous ability and skill tests.

So many that poor Margaret, still recovering from her Midi wound managed to advance both Speed and Power both to B5 – Margaret made some ridiculously lucky checks to avoid catastrophe.

The session worked rather well…the consequences for failure were rather obvious (i.e. don’t fall, don’t drown, etc.)  And here is where I note something, that I think, is interesting; But more on that later.

We’re Going to Need Another Researcher

We spent the first few hours regaining some of our traction from a long interlude. With such a long hiatus, it was somewhat natural.  Unfortunately, trying to restart a campaign in a library doing research is not quite starting en media res.

We didn’t learn much through the tower library – I believe we learned about the burial place of our grandfather.  However, while others were researching, Margaret did work at instructing her niece and nephew in Butchery – using Beginner’s Luck to work at opening Child-Rearing.

Through Astrology, Margaret did divine the location the Redguard’s portion of the map; We were going go back to where Julia was originally captured.  The family decided it was time to return to the capital.

First Casting

Margaret survived her first casting of Flame Breath with only a whimper. Alas the details have long since been forgotten.

Observations

Contrast the consequences of a failed physical test vs. a failed “mental” test.  We intrinsically understand what a failed physical test means…you fall, you get hurt, etc.  We are able to map our player understandings to the character’s world.  However, what does a non-physical failure look like?  We don’t learn something, we stop, we get caught, etc.

In the case of climbing, the consequence wasn’t “You can’t climb it” the consequence was “You fall”.  As I see it there are three outcomes of a climb test: “You climb it”, “You are stuck somewhere” and “You fall”.

Compare that to the failed “Research” test.  As a player, I was at the end of my patience concerning information.  We were in a freaking old library of the characters’ grandfather who was a guardian of that which we were trying to learn about.  And we learned nothing.  So when Peter and Anna, Peter’s wife, failed their research test we got a big fat “You learn nothing.”  Then what was the point of the test? Why did Anna get to mark a test for her Research?

If I were at the helm, choosing the consequence for failed research I would have started with “Okay if you fail the test, you’ll learn how to find the portal, but you won’t like the price.”  Then with the failed research, I would’ve had them stumble upon a passage that said “To reveal the portal to the next generation of guardians, the first born of the new generation must be sacrificed.”  Or some such ominous thing.  After all, every single characters’ belief is tied to protecting their family. The stakes are high so keep them elevated.

Without consequences of failure in the “mental” arena, test mongering becomes standard. In fact, I fired off a string of successive Astrology tests out of frustration and desperation, knowing that the consequences for failing an OB10 test was ”And I mark a Challenging Test.”  In fact, without Astrology, we would be completely lost…but it is an unreliable means of advancing the story.

An astute reader of the Sorcery section will notice that tests already have backed in complications.  Especially when attempting a First Reading.

So, in an attempt change my micro-culture I’m going work hard to demand a consequence before I roll for a test. I ask that players in my games, be they Burning Wheel or otherwise, do the same.  I think this method of positing two outcomes before determining one is good practice as well as helpful in getting the creative elements going.  We build our narratives not only on the paths we take, but by those we’ve considered taking.

Burning Wheel or Dungeon World

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An astute reader of this blog will have seen my transition from Burning Wheel to Dungeon World. It is also possible that they would infer my love affair with Burning Wheel is over. But  I assure you that it is not.

What follows is a modified response to an RPGGeek users question:

I have a question, since you seem well versed in both systems: what do you think now of Burning Wheel after having read and played Dungeon World (or for that matter any Apocalypse World hack)?

Picking the System to Run

If I had to pick the game, either Dungeon World or Burning Wheel I would ask one question: How many sessions will this game really last?

If I know there will be 20 sessions or more for a campaign, I would instantly pick Burning Wheel. If I knew there would be less than 5, I would pick Dungeon World.

For me, Dungeon World is an immediately accessible system in which I can get going fast. It has what I would consider a standard shelf life for campaign play – the advancements are traditional; though you can construct  narratively rewarding advancements (i.e. Compendium Classes that offer character variation based on what happened in the fiction.)

Contrast this with Burning Wheel which has a pretty hefty initial investment. But I look and see such fantastic options for campaign play – advancing my character requires advancing my understanding of the rules. It rewards pushing yourself as a player and your character.

To use an analogy,

Dungeon World is Neil Gaiman’s “Graveyard Book”; I find it easy to read, extremely accessible, and altogether enjoyable. I would also have a hard time subsisting on only this.

Burning Wheel is John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” or Dante’s “Inferno”; I find those hard to read but in the reading not only does my reading skill improve, but my understanding of the literary world and references increase as well.

Diving Deeper

Dungeon World, for me, is so very easy to pick up and run with. The Move structure of “fiction -> mechanics -> fiction” is such an amazing refinement on what many of us have internalized.

At Origins last year I ran three distinctly different adventures off the cuff for three distinctly different groups. And each 4 hour session was spectacular for me and the other players.

I have found the loose rules structure extremely liberating in regards to the fiction; Letting the events at the table – both in the fiction and in the questions I ask the players – form much of the game.

Burning Wheel for me is very rewarding game to read and digest. It is a finely crafted system with numerous parts moving in harmony. It rewards both character and player for long-term engagement with the system.

The sweet spot for Burning Wheel is that it provides numerous mechanisms for focusing the game on things extremely close to the characters (Relationships, Beliefs, and Instincts to name a few). The scope of Burning Wheel can feel so much more intimate.

I haven’t run Burning Wheel since running Dungeon World, but that is not because I don’t want to. I have entered a cycle of minimal time for commitment. So Dungeon World’s quick startup time is a boon.

I would highly recommend, if you can find a copy, picking up the Adventure Burner. It is Burning Wheel Headquarters break down of the nuances of Burning Wheel and helps to convey how they think about games.

And while you are at it, I would consider getting a copy of Torchbearer. It is Burning Wheel Headquarter’s love letter to the earlier versions of D&D. It uses the Mouseguard and Burning Wheel engine for a dungeon crawl game.

I am a huge fan of Torchbearer’s conditions. Instead of the wounds of Burning Wheel, which rightly condition a player to say “Am I willing to fight for this?”, conditions are an easier pill for the player to swallow. But conditions are a potential death spiral just as injuries in Burning  Wheel.

Another experiment I would strongly consider, though haven’t done myself, is to take the lessons you’ve internalized from Dungeon World and apply them to the hub of Burning Wheel (the first 70 or so pages).

Also make sure to check out my blog posts for Burning Wheel and Dungeon World for comparing and contrasting.

Fade into Fey – Session 2

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Following on our initial session, Svell, Kent, and Gingersnap were welcomed house guests of the Baron of Deep Forest.

What’s so Good about this Morning?

The session opens with Kent waking with Lady Sarah at his side; She is full of regret, and while she is dressing, Kent slips out.

Meanwhile Gingersnap is puttering around the kitchen heavily salts the morning wine, but draws the attention of one of the hunting mastiffs. A chaotic chase ensues, leading to a study.

As the mastiff is chasing Gingersnap, Kent engages in conversation with Sir Allen Smythe, who had recently had his tea spilled on his shirt by a marauding mastiff. It turns out Sir Allen is Lady Sarah’s father.

And with that revelation, Gingersnap, having been chased into a study, successfully escapes, leaving the mastiff to tear apart the room.

Lady Sarah comes down the stairs…somber…Sir Allen seeks to comfort her. Kent adjourns to the dining room. Sitting at the table with Lady Katherine of Deep Forest. Kent makes small talk with Lady Katherine…and both drink the salty wine.

I Demand Satisfaction

A roar erupts from the hall, “I’ll kill him!”

The door bursts open, and Sir Allen orders everyone out – save Lady Katherine and Kent. He then explains that his daughter’s honor had been sullied and he demanded satisfaction – a duel at sunset.

Kent is hesitant to accept the duel, confident he could easily out duel Sir Allen. Fortunately, Lord Arthos, late to the morning meal, enters and insists that Kent be detained until something can be decided.

I Will Aid Him with Fire

Kent was shackled and confined to the tower. Svell and Gingersnap decided they would try to rescue him. Ultimately they were able to get the guards to abandon their post.

So Svell went to work at unlocking Kent from the chamber above. Not to be too useless, Gingersnap opted to get one of the torches and help aid in “taking care of the door.” Needless to say things went terribly sour from there.

Kent was free but the tower had caught on fire. The household evacuated and bucket brigades were started, but it looked like the tower was going to be lost.

Svell thought, looked at some guttering, the well in the courtyard, and hatched a plan. However, as he was trying to construct a water pump and chute, his gloves had come undone and sunk into the well.

Needing them to complete the task, he dove after them…and while he was down there he noted that there was an underwater passage in the well. Not wanting to be distracted he surfaced.

During this time, Kent was attempting to coordinate the villagers.

I Wish for a Storm

As the village is scrambling to put out the tower fire, Kent realizes that he won’t be able to be the hero of this situation. So turning to Gingersnap, he mutters, “I wish for a storm!”

Below is the move for Gingersnap’s the wish:

When you grant a mortal’s wish, spend 1 Boon and roll +Wis. *On a 10+, you may choose up to 3. *On a 7-9, you may choose up to 2.

  • The wish seems to give them what they want.
  • The wish gives them what they need.
  • You may choose whether the wish later brings them misfortune or not.
  • You choose whether the wish has an immediate unpleasant side effects or not.

Gingersnap got an 8, and chose no later misfortune for Kent and gives them what they need.

Having already established the coming war between fairy and mortal, it was easy.

From the fairy forest, sorrowful winds pick up, driving rain and gusts towards the village. Drenching the burning tower as thunder claps… vengeance…all so very fast…lightning strikes…Lady Sarah is struck…then the tower…exploding timbers…others struck…the rage passes.

Sir Allen and Kent scramble to Lady Sarah’s aid, dragging her to shelter in the Deep Forest manor.

We Can Maker Her Stronger

Lady Sarah’s breath had stopped, but a quick thinking Svell jury-rigged a breathing apparatus for her – a manual ventilator with a hand cranking wheel. Her father, Sir Allen, asked if she could hear him.

Svell again jury-rigged something up, and Sir Allen began speaking to her. Though she did not respond.

Kent, now more than a little angry at how his wish was fulfilled, grabbed Gingersnap and made a hasty egress.

And the Bait was Raspberry Pie

Gingersnap went looking for some snacks, and found a raspberry pie. Which turned out to be a trap by a village witch. She unloaded a few portents about the coming war but ultimately let Gingersnap abscond with a piece of pie.

Back at the Homestead

Without discussion and collaboration, the characters ended back up at Svell’s house to plan their next course of action.

Todo

  • I need to come up with a list of campaign questions to use for rewarding XP
  • I need to work on the Fronts for this campaign; Things escalated and I have an idea of what might be happening.

Torchbearer: An Inaugural Run

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GM: Jeremy
Players: Mark, Aidan, Ellie

For those following along at home, Torchbearer is available in PDF form at RPGNow or Torchbearer in hardback form via the Burning Wheel Store.

Character Creation

Since this was our first run of things, I told the players that they could choose from Dwarf adventurer, Halfling burglar, and Human warrior. We ended up with one of each.

I handed each of the players a character sheet and worked through character creation with them. It was a rather quick affair to get their skills, nature, and traits.

Then came the point where they started choosing gear. It was fantastic to hear them fret about what to bring.

I helped guide them through it, though I may have encouraged them to bring more food and water than was perhaps necessary.

The Characters

  • Jimmy Cooks – A halfling burglar, played by Aidan
  • Daukree – A dwarf adventurer, played by Mark
  • Autumn Kinder – A human warrior, played by Ellie

The Adventure

They were on their way to Gymnasium of Kaus to find the Font of Life – a relic with healing powers. The party had learned of the lost gymnasium through the help of Jimmy Cooks’ parents.

They had traveled from the remote village of Waldheim through the foothills and into a small vale that had been overrun with vegetation.

Adventure Phase 1

  • Check 1: Sneaking (vs. 5D) up to the vegetation choked entrance. Failure Twist – Two figures hidden behind the rock pile have seen them. One of them is heard leaving.
  • Check 2: Hunting (vs. 6D) – Autumn quickly burst over the barricade, with a heart of battle giving blind chase after the creatures creatures; It is a versus test against Nature 4+1D+1D for slipper scales. Failure Twist – one guard gets away and the other guard draws them into a Kill conflict; in hindsight this should’ve been either a Drive Off or Capture conflict.
  • Check 3: Kill Conflict – Things go remarkably well as the party dispatches the Ichtha-Gog without losing a point of disposition.
  • Check 4: Scouting (Ob 2) for a good campsite; Ellie’s attentiveness was waning so we agreed that we would move to a Camp phase. I assigned an Ob 2 for finding a suitable campsight. Success

Camp Phase 1

  • Camp Event: Lucky break; They found a trail (+2D to next Pathfinder or Scout)
  • Check 1: Armorer (Ob 1) to repair a helmet. Success
  • Check 2: Hunter (Ob 1) to track down a rabbit for the meal; Jimmy helped the effort by explaining how to use salt to lure a rabbit (“Needs a little Salt-wise” for the win!). Success
  • Check 3: Survivalist (Ob 1) to fashion up some torches. Success
  • Instinct: “Always cook a meal at camp” was triggered and everyone enjoyed a fine bowl of rabbit stew. Hungry and Thirsty was alleviated.

Ellie opts to stay at camp. Jimmy and Daukree adventure onward!

Adventure Phase 2

  • Check 1: Scouting (Ob 2) out the newly discovered trail. Jimmy tests, Daukree helps via Mountain-wise; Failure Condition – Jimmy, being the hungry hungry halfling, gains the Hungry & Thirsty condition.
  • Check 2: Sneaking (vs. 5D) into the Dormitory. Failure Twist unbeknownest to them, they’ve been spotted.
  • Check 3: Heading up the stairs they enter into a Drive Off Conflict with the giant spider; The party wants to chase the spider out of the room and the spider wants to ensnare them. Success Compromise – they manage to drive the spider out of the tower and into the room immedately below.
  • Check 4: Scavenging (Ob 2) for any loot in the tower; Success They find a Jug of Wine.

At this point, I needed to wrap things up. So I suggested that they camp; The Camp phase leaves a cleaner starting point. Since I was pressuring them to camp I didn’t ask how they were securing the room (and possibly call for a test).

Camp Phase 2

  • Check 1: Armorer (Ob 1) to repair Jimmy’s helmet. Success The helmet is repaired.
  • Check 2: Cartographer (Ob 2) to map the explored locations. Success They have a useful map.

Observations and Oversights

  • During the second camp phase that Mark’s character should only have been able to spend one of the two checks. Not a big deal and frankly two player parties need a few lucky breaks.
  • I believe I’m reading this correctly, that the Hungry & Condition can be alleviated either by eating OR drinking. Which means I likely encouraged the PCs to take more rations than needed.
  • Instead of holding the twist in my pocket, I should’ve narrated their advance and draw them into a Capture conflict with the spider.
  • I love how armor is implemented in Torchbearer. I especially like how very useful a helmet is. Please wear a helmet.
  • The implementation of Traits in Torchbearer is fantastic, a more actionable and engaging implementation than Burning Wheel’s counterparts.
  • The abstract conflict system is fantastic for drawing everyone in. Our table’s challenge, as with the other scripted actions of Burning Wheel, was remembering to narrate what was happening.

Todo

  • In the camp phase, if someone succeeds on a Hunting check to get one portion of food, does that provide a +1D to Cooking. Or is that the rations?
  • If a creature doesn’t have an instinct related to “being alert”, should I use their Nature raw? Or should I use Beginner’s Luck.
  • In hindsight the first Kill conflict should’ve either been Capture or Drive Off.
  • I’m not entirely certain what skill should be used for creating torches.
  • There was a bit of player dissonance on how to use the Loner trait to your detriment while still receiving help.

Why the Fantasy Genre

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I have a rather extensive RPG collection. And I’ve read most of them. But it is Burning Wheel (et al), Vornheim, Lamentations of the Flame Princess, and Dungeon World that I keep turning to.

My collection runs the gamut of genres and topics, but there is something about games in the fantasy genre that keep drawing me in.

Burning Wheel (et. al) is heavy on procedure and is so very nuanced. I feel as though the author(s) are doing their best to have a very detailed and exhaustive conversation with me. They manage to speak up to me, instead of down. And they are always challenging me as a GM, player, reader, etc.

Dungeon World simply asks you to ask questions…lots of them…targeted and biased, working to solicit narrative movement from your players.

Vornheim is an distillation concentration of the most inceptive reduction sauce ever. So much is accomplished in so few pages…and it sticks with me. Not the details, but the essence.

Lamentations of the Flame Princess is both comfortable and so very different. As if there is an alternate dimension in which I have played the game from its beginning and it resonates across time and space.

There are certainly others outside the bounds of Fantasy, but I have found it is the “common vocabulary” of Fantasy (thank you Gary and Dave) that makes Fantasy the perfect genre to create these fantastic works that acknowledge their foundation but say “Hey, watch this!”

Fade into Fey – Session 1

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Lead Up Questions

Before the game started I had no clue what I was going to run. As the players were kicking around playbook options, I was listening as best I could. Goading players into choosing something – anything.

Eventually the table settled on:

  • Kent – the human Dashing Adventurer
  • Gingersnap – the fairy Fae
  • Svell – the gnome Artificer

And I began bombarding them with questions, but what really took was Kent’s player mentioning that he had a map in his starting gear. As it turns out Kent had only recently stolen the map to write a love letter on the back. The love letter was only partially written, and as of yet was not addressed to anyone.

Kent had stolen the map earlier that evening as he and Gingersnap were at the Unseelie-style ball hosted by Lord Arthos. Immediately my mind went to Houses of the Blooded, and I got to thinking that I should read Houses of the Blooded: Wilderness that I bought at GenCon.

Gingersnap simply enjoys traveling with Kent; Life is rarely boring when he both makes mischief and seeks adventure.

Svell was at Lord Arthos’ house on invitation from Alvin, the 60 year old pot boy; Something needed fixing. Alvin acts like he owns Svell.

Actual Play

In the Ballroom

  • Gingersnap is waiting to spring his prank – dumping pigs blood on Lord Arthos’ head
  • The ball was at the sloppy stage…as people were hanging on each other
  • Kent was working to seduce Lady Sarah, the niece of Lord Arthos, asking her to go outside with him
  • Svell spent much of the ball adjusting the trim and fixtures of the ballroom
  • She agreed to go outside with him if he promised not to take advantage of her
  • Lord Arthos announces that he will be leading an expedition to clear more of the Great Forest
  • Gingersnap unleased the pigs blood spilling and splashing on Lord Arthos and Lady Arthos

Blood is Spilled

  • In a drunken rage, Lord Arthos looks for someone to blame…but no one is immediately obvious
  • Kent and Lady Sarah leave for the stone garden
  • Gingersnap was noticed by everyone except Lord and Lady Arthos
  • Gingersnap quickly fled through the servants door
  • In the kitchen Gingersnap was almost spotted by Betsy, one of the kitchen maids
  • Gingersnap quickly used his illusion magic to appear to be a cat messing with the cherry pie
  • The kitchen maids began bickering over the pie and Gingersnap fled outside…looking for Kent
  • Svell looks around and finds that Gingersnap left the ball room through a servants door
  • Following, Svell sees that the kitchen staff is bickering.
  • Svell heads outside
  • Gingersnap, flying about, gets Svell’s attention by dropping a piece of the cherry pie on his head
  • Gingersnap flies over the manor’s roof and sees some odd shadows in the moonlight…ignoring them he approaches Kent
  • Meanwhile, Svell successfully activiates his jump boots launching onto the roof
  • Gingersnap approaches Kent, tongue tied with Lady Sarah, and waits for a moment “Good, now that your mouth is free you should have some pie”
  • They note the shadows and see that someone is going into the third dormer on the roof
  • Gingersnap flies up and sees some elves breaking into the nursery.

Rumble in the Romper Room

  • Svell launches himself to the ledge of the third floor dormer’s open window
  • Kent, looking around spies a rope and rigging that had been used earlier that day to help install a large desk on the third floor (Custom move from the Dashing Hero)
  • With a flick of the wrist, Kent is on the rooftop and the kidnapping elves were none the wiser.
  • Svell attempts to stop the elf egress, but manages to get slammed into the corner
  • Quickly activating his boots one last time, he blasts his assailant into the corner
  • Meanwhile…

No I’ve Got the Baby

  • Kent attempts to cut the baby loose from the bandoleer that was wrapped around one of the elves
  • Kent’s rapier falls to the ground bent and mangled (he rolled an 8 so had to choose between this or the baby sliding down the roof and dangling from the edge)
  • Lord Arthos declares his indebtedness to Kent
  • Lord Arthos invites Kent and Svell to stay at the manor that evening as honored guests

People

  • Lord Arthos, Baron of Deep Forest
  • Lady Katherine Arthos, Baronness of Deep Forest
  • Lady Sarah of house Arthos, niece of Lord Arthos
  • Betsy, kitchen maid at Deep Forest manor
  • Alvin, 60 year old pot boy of Deep Forest manor

What We Learned

  • People are luckier closer to the Great Forest
  • Freshly harvested mistletoe retains magical properties
  • Around 100 years ago, it was common place for humans to have a house gnome
  • The humans have access to ample amounts of lumber
  • Fairy magic is the only magic in the realm
  • Humans are mundane
  • The cities at the heart of the human “empire” are hungry…food doesn’t grow there as easily
  • The wealthy inhabitants of Deep Forest have stone gardens with large obelisks

Possible Fronts

  • The Arthos Family (Baron Arthos, Baroness Katherine Arthos, Sarah Arthos [niece])
  • The Elf Baby Burglars

Outstanding Questions

  • What happens when a fey sheds another fey’s blood?
  • What is the map on the other side of the love letter?
  • On whose behalf were the elves acting?
  • What resides in these empty gnome villages?
  • What do the elves need with the baron’s baby?

Evil Wizards in a Cave by Johnstone Metzger

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RK2 Evil Wizards in a Cave by Johnstone Metzger has the tagline “A short adventure module for Dungeon World and Labyrinth Lord“. It provides interesting hooks to a short adventure as well as a regional sandbox to keep the adventures going.

This review is based on an advance copy of the PDF that I requested from Johnstone Metzger.

Minor Spoilers Ahead

I’m trying to keep this adventure review from delving into the adventure contents.
There is a very early move that I quote which may provide more information than you want to know. It ain’t much but some people will do anything to avoid spoilers.

Starting Hooks

I appreciate that Johnstone Metzger gives attention to the adventure hooks. In total, he provides five hooks. Two hooks are about rumors. Three hooks are about being hired for jobs.

Each of the 3 job related hooks describe the employer, and ask you to roll some dice to determine the status of your employment. Below is an example of one of those hooks:

If you were sent by the Church of Law to aid the Tellurine Monastery, roll 2d6+WIS.

  • On a 10+, they have sent a relic-finder with you.
    This is a magical, single-chain thurible that will indicate whether or not a powerful arcane object is located within two miles of the direction you are facing, when you suspend it in front of you with one hand.
    It pulls forward gently if it senses another magical item, but does not indicate its type or nature.
    It must be returned to the church after the helmet is returned to the monastery.
  • On a 7+, the church has also offered you a reward of 500 coins to solve the monastery’s problems.
  • On a miss, this mission is your last chance to atone for your crimes and transgressions.
    If you do not retrieve the helmet, you will be excommunicated permanently.

For those of you coming from Labyrinth Lord, this could be a new structure for a starting hook. For those of you coming from Dungeon World, this is the rather familiar “Love Letter” format seen in the various Apocalypse World Engine games.

I am a particular fan of this opening hook, as both the 10+ and 6- key things up for further adventures.

A Monk’s Life

The Tellurine Monastery is a  , a potential home base for the region. Brief details about its history, industry (beer and cheese), and their current need. We then have fuller details of the monastic fortress and its layout.

Included are maps of the surrounding region, the Tullerine Monastery, and the caves below. And as with any location in an RPG supplement there are a few things going.

I particularly like that each many of the rooms have a paragraph description with an important word or small phrase bolded for ease of scanability.

Provided within a Monk’s Life are a few dual stat characters. These characters each have a rich background, tactics, a Dungeon World stat block, and a Labrynth Lord stat block.

In my opinion, some of the Dungeon World stat blocks are a bit lacking; There could’ve been a few more interesting moves. But compensating for that are the more generic tactics listed beforehand; Afterall this is a dual system adventure. These provide enough to more than easily make a custom GM move on the fly.

Thieving Wizards

As called out in the above move, the church’s helmet is missing;
And the thieving wizards have nefarious plans for it.

The adventure calls out a timeline, but leaves the timing up to the GM to implement. Here I wish Johnstone Metzger would stretch a bit more and give a Dungeon World style breakdown of the danger of letting the timeline slip. Its adequate what is given, but I would have loved to see his take on the danger.

The thieving wizards are given similar treatment as the characters in a Monk’s Life section; background, tactics, Dungeon World stat block, and Labrynth Lord stat blocks.

Following the above details is a brief section on the thieving wizards hideout and corresponding map.

And then comes what I consider to be one of my favorite parts of the adventure.

The Dubious Experiments!

Not to go into too many details, but these thieving wizards haven’t been idle.
There are a handful of monsters, with non-standard backgrounds, each with their own stat blocks.

To the Sandbox

The starting hooks, monk’s life, and thieving wizards sections provide enough for the skeleton for the adventure; A rich sandbox is the backdrop for this adventure. Below are a few interesting, though not too “spoiley” locations in the sandbox.

0105

There is a famous cave located in the hills here, known primarily for the weird stalactites that seem to have faces in them, and the healing waters that drip from them.

0602

There is a cemetery here that belongs to the Palace Plantation.
There is a 1 in 6 chance that a grave contains a gold ring or other small piece of jewellery, worth no more than a dozen coins.

0801

There is an ancient bridge next to the river here, but it is so old that even if it wasn’t broken and crumbling, it would still not span the river, because the river has moved since it was built. The two worn ends both sit on the same side of the river now.

0205

A young man is out taking a walk through the hills the first time the PCs travel through here. His name is Petar Magnusson, and he is a student from Nornfell University. He chanced to see the striking red striations in the hills here, and noticed that there are also holes in the ground about big enough for a person to crawl into. Since his is studying alchemy, geology, and stonecrafting specifically, he is very curious about the strange colouring and would like to know more.

Some of the hexes are significantly more detailed, providing a rough outline for a possible side-trek or further development to the region.

Attribution

As is customary with Johnstone Metzger’s work, he provides a fantastic enumeration of the attribution of art (all public domain), maps (created by Johnstone himself), and game licenses (Creative Commons for Dungeon World and the Labrynth Lord Trademark License 1.2).

All of the font’s are available under the SIL Open Font License.

And best of all, Johnstone Metzger release the text of this adventure under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license.

To Buy or Not to Buy

Buy this adventure if you enjoy a human(oid) centric adventure involving some mystery and social interactions; Or if you enjoy a sandbox adventure. Also consider buying this if you are interested in seeing how you might bridge your other written adventures from one system to another.

Don’t buy it if you want a dungeon crawl. While there are caves and dungeons these are not exhaustive but instead small areas for exploration. Don’t buy if you are looking for high flying fantastic adventure with loads of monsters and piles of treasure.