Burning Warhammer: The Captain and the Witch (Session 4)

In Carroburg 📖, Kasmiir is looking to learn Aura Reading and Captain James van Shaw considers how to learn more about the fate of Femke, his sister.

In the previous session, Kasmiir and Captain James van Shaw arrived at the city of Carroburg.

Beliefs, Instincts, and Traits

Conversation with Lilith

We start on the 18^th of Sigmarzeit. James van Shaw and Kasmiir are talking with Lilith, a shop proprietor and someone that can instruct Kasmiir in the art of Aura Reading.

While Kasmiir talks with Lilith, James is leafing through the ledger. Lilith’s red and gray streaked hair has a prismatic effect. Lilith knows Lizbeth. Kasmiir circled up Lizbeth in our first session.

“I want to learn how to read the auras of relics such as these,” Kasmiir says as they pull the shark tooth relic out of their voluminous cloak. I think after the next session, we should have a trait vote. I believe Kasmiir should gain the character trait Voluminous Cloak.

Lilith’s eyes widen just a bit. “Ah, I see,” she says as she goes about making some tea, “Here have some tea.”

Kasmiir and James hold the tea, but each refuse to drink.

“In exchange I could teach you spirit binding,” offers Kasmiir.

Lilith responds, “Why bind spirits when you can summon things? Now that I think about it, I do have a few things you could do for me. There’s dealing with the customers of this shop, so I can get on with other more important things. Or perhaps you could pick-up some shipments from the docks. Or, well, there’s this little transcription project. How’s your Old Imperial Script?”

James, hearing an offer on the table, closes the book. He’s convinced its a ledger, but has some Dwarven script; Maybe Dwarven proper names.

“I don’t know Old Imperial,” says Kasmiir.

“Perfect,” quips Lilith.

As Kasmiir starts to accept all of those as payment, James interrupts, “Kasmiir, why don’t you help with the shop in exchange for the instruction.”

Kasmiir and Lilith accept those terms.

James, eager to get some coins, says, “Well, with that deal made, I might be of service—if you have silver to pay. I know about shipments and getting things around in a city.”

While scratching her chin Lilith responds, “I suppose that could work. In two days time, there’s a shipment coming down from Bögenhafen. There’s three medium sized boxes to pickup; you’ll need a cart. They’ll be coming on the Sigmar’s Light. Your contact is Jurgen, he’ll hook you up.”

“Sounds like we have a deal,” says James.

“And while I’m tending the shop, I can transcribe the book,” interjects Kasmiir as James just shakes his head.

“Perfect. Well, I have errands I need to run, and with you watching my shop, why don’t I keep that tooth as collateral?” asks Lilith.

“No, we’ll keep it close by,” says Kasmiir as they eye the tea that they’ve ignored.

“Suit yourself, keep an eye on the shop and tomorrow I’ll start the instruction.”

Observation

We had a rather long exchange, but much of is was trying to get our footing.

We didn’t make any tests in this conversation. It felt a bit like we were trying to get our bearings.

Personally, I would’ve loved to have thrown a few dice. I think one useful thing for all players is to extend some patience regarding role-playing scenes, but for those on the sidelines to also ask for clarification; what’s at stake in this scene? What are you driving at?

In a way, those not actively role-playing can look on as a curious director. Help nudge the story forward. I know that sometimes speaking in funny voices and issuing witty repartee is a lot of fun, but only if everyone’s engaged.

In Burning Wheel Gold 📖, I think it’s a good idea to help refocus on the character’s beliefs and instincts.

Law-wise: Establish Confidentiality

With Kasmiir at the shop, James heads into the city.

Task

Law-wise

Intent

To establish that the lawyer and the defendant have a right to privacy.

Consequences

There is privacy, but not for all cases.

Obstacle

Ob 2

Dice

3D Law-wise

+1D Field of Related Knowledge (FoRK 📖) Rule of Law

Result

Failure

Observation

It’s interesting using Law-wise for jurisprudence. Given that James van Shaw skirts around the edges of the law, it’s been useful establishing some of the administrative aspects of law in the Empire.

What I love about this is that I, the player, can shape the law in the game. And Phil can likewise shape the law either by fiat, or by establishing the obstacle for test that I’m soliciting.

Circles: Find Someone with Access to Femke

With Kasmiir working Lilith’s shop, James takes to the streets of Carroburg to find someone that can get him some time alone with Femke.

Task

Circles

Intent

James wants to find someone that can give him access to communicate with Femke

Consequences

Will encounter the guard captain from Session 3.

Obstacle

Ob 3

Dice

2D Circles attribute

+1D FoRK Law-wise

+1D FoRK Guard-wise

+1D FoRK City-wise

+2D Persona

Result

Success!

James circles up Kersten Becker. Kersten works at the jail as an administrator; she oversees the women prisoners.

Law-wise: Establish that Siblings are Not Liable

Task

Law-wise

Intent

Establish that The Empire 📖 does not hold siblings liable for the crimes nor accusations against a person.

Consequences

Siblings can be held liable by association.

Obstacle

Ob 2

Dice

3D Law-wise

FoRK +1D Rule of Law

Result

Success!

Observation

Imagine if James had failed his Law-wise test? What would that say about this world? That it got a lot more grim.

Given that Carroburg has an export of “government” and has a high wealth rating (according to the book’s Phil referenced), we felt that jeopardy by association would be unlikely. After all, a wealthy baron wouldn’t want their good for nothing brother to drag them into the legal tar pit.

Again, I love BWG’s Wises subsystem.

Spirit Binding: Help with Transcription

Task

Spirit Binding (Help)

Intent

To ask the spirits for help transcribing the book.

Consequences

Will need to test Corruption.

Obstacle

Base Ob 1

Dice

5D Spirit Binding

Result

4 successes

No retribution

Observation

Kasmiir continues to make routine Spirit Binding tests; It’s not causing any problems, but Kasmiir’s not gaining any tests for advancement.

Write: Transcription

Kasmiir sets about the days work of transcribing this old ancient and all together wicked book.

Task

Write

Intent

Accurately transcribe this sketchy book.

Consequences

Unknown

Obstacle

Ob 2

Dice

2D Write

+1D Help from bound shop spirit

+1D Persona

Result

Success

Observation

I’m loathe to think of the consequences of a failed Write test when your source material is a vile magic tome.

Spirit Bind: Help with Persuasion

While Kasmiir is tending Lilith’s shop, a few random people drop in:

• “Tell Lilith that my cough is better”
• “The rash is gone, please thank Lilith”

Kasmiir loses track of time, and kept the store open just a bit later. Three drunk and richly dressed young men make some noise and stumble into the shop. They start pulling things down, and saying they can keep things.

Kasmiir’s wants to convince them to put the things down so she can inventory them. Before that, Kasmiir seeks the help of a shop spirit.

Task

Spirit Binding (Help)

Intent

To have a shop spirit (Strength 1) help persuade the drunk hooligans to put down merchandise and leave

Consequences

Corruption

Obstacle

Ob 1 for Strength 1 helping spirit

+2 Ob for binding during the analogue to a duel of wits

Dice

5D Spirit binding

Result

With the help of a Fate point, an incredible 6 successes.

No retribution.

Observation

I think we need to establish the Spirit Binding idioms; Does it involve incantations, dancing, whispers, runes, or chants.

Persuasion: Convince Hooligans to Put Down Goods

The shop dims and creaks and Kasmiir from within their deep hooded cowl says, “Please put the merchandise on the counter so I can inventory it.”

Task

Persuasion

Intent

Convince the rich drunk hooligans to put down the goods and leave

Consequences

They're going to take the goods, or draw down their noble power at a later date

Obstacle

Ob 3 (normally Ob 4, but they're drunk)

Dice

3D Persuasion

+1D Help from the Spirit

Result

7 freaking successes! The first 4 dice were all sixes, so Kasmiir spent the Fate point to explode them all.

Observation

I think that perhaps Command would have been a better task. The narration of the help felt more creepy.

Burning Wheel Gold advancement relies on opportunities to help. In this case Kasmiir has access to spirit helpers. This gives them one of the two advancement benefits; they can get help “out of thin air” which lets them tweak the type of test for advancement.

I suspect a solo spirit binder would work quite well.

Persuasion: Convince Kersten

Having spent the day circling up Kersten, James waits until Kersten left her work. And approaches her.

After a bit of small talk, Kersten explains that several lawyers have been approaching Femke; she’s accused of several high crimes, one being theft from the Grand Duke Leopold. Phil gives a bit of exposition, but yikes to the stakes!

James says he is curious to see if he would represent Femke. James also nudges Kersten, saying “What do you care about people stealing from the Duke. He’s rich, we’re poor, why should we care about him and his wealth?”

James asks, “So, if I swing by tomorrow, will you let me talk to Femke alone?”

Task

Persuasion

Intent

Convince Kersten to give unfettered access to Femke

Consequences

She'll agree in the moment, but later think twice about it

Obstacle

Ob 4

Dice

5D Persuasion

+1D FoRK Guard-wise

+1D FoRK Law-wise

+1D FoRK Soothing Platitudes

Result

Success!

Kersten responds, “Yeah, come by tomorrow and I can get you a few moments. But just know, representatives of the Grand Duke have showed up.”

“Fair enough, you can be close by and come in if agents arrive.”

Observation

I was really hoping we’d have a quick Duel of Wits 📖; but Phil didn’t have anyting. I think in the moment, we could’ve paused and figured out some stakes.

In hindsight Kersten could’ve had a great statement of purpose: “I want you to buzz off and leave me alone.”

Inconspicuous: Avoid the Guards

We frame the closing scene: It’s the 19^th of Sigmarzeit and James walks into the jail to talk with Femke. But he’s nervous, this is not a place he wants to be. He deliberately tries to be inconspicuous.

Task

Inconspicuous

Intent

Avoid drawing attention from the other guards; Namely James is a nervous wreck

Consequences

The guards

Obstacle

Ob 1

Dice

4D Inconspicuous

+1D FoRK Guard-wise

Result

Success

Observation

I’m wondering if a more appropriate test would’ve been a Steel Test 📖?

The way I was thinking about this is, James was deliberately trying to be inconspicuous. He could’ve just walked in and no one would’ve thought otherwise. However, because of his instinct Always know where the exits are and Paranoid character trait, he was trying to be even less noticed.

Conversation with Femke

Kersten leads James to the holding cell for women. Inside is Femke and a sleeping woman.

Kersten says, “Hey Femke, I got another person here wanting to be your lawyer.”

James clarifies, “I’m not wanting to be. I want to know if I want to be.”

Femke responds, “Him, my lawyer? Sure. I’ll see if I want him to be my lawyer.”

James enters the cell, and they start talking. Kersten, still outside the cell, closes and locks James in with Femke. Right here, James should’ve made a Steel test. I don’t think I would’ve had him Run Screaming, but I think Swooning would’ve been especially dramatic.

“Tell me about the ledger?” asks James.

“They have it, that’s why I’m here. If they figure it out, I’m doomed.”

James says, “No, they don’t have it. I know where it’s at. It’s secure. What did you do that got you here?”

Femke pauses, looks at the woman sleeping in the cell and says, “Bertie—Bertie—Bertie—Bertie—Bertie—Okay, she’s out. I may have taken some things from the Grand Duke Leopold. And some fucking dwarf ratted me out; or someone who knows me.”

“So the book, should I destroy it?” asks James.

“Maybe, but I’d lose a lot of contacts. Besides, it’s encrypted.” replies Femke.

“What’s the cipher?” asks James.

“It’s pretty complicated, can you remember it?” Femke asks.

“Yeah, remember those games I used to play?”

“You mean the ones I thought you?” responds Femke.

“I think you’re misremembering, any scratch it on the dirt,” James whispers.

Femke scratches the cipher in the dirt, and James commits it to memory. Eidetic Memory for the win!

“When’s the trial?” asks James.

“I don’t know,” says Femke, “But they’re bumping it up.”

“What other things might they have?” asks James.

“Probably the rat that’s ratting me out.”

James asks, “Tell me about Jens?”

“Jens? From Marienburg 📖Marienburg?” says Femke, “Why do you care? He sometimes visits me.”

“I just saw his name in a ledger downstream, and was wondering if he’s mixed up in this. He wanted me to deliver some letters to you. But I left them in my room. I didn’t know if they’d be incriminating.”

“Jens is most definitely not involved,” says Femke, “He just visits sometimes and its really none of your business.”

“Alright. Do you have a lawyer? If not, I could represent you. Or be your second if you already have one.”

“You? Ha! A lawyer,” says Femke.

“Hey, I have some trial experience. I just want to make sure you’re alright.”

“I’ve got money, and can get a lawyer,” replies Femke, “but you can be my second.”

“Last question, do you know this guy?” asks James as he begins describing the guard captain that previously had the book.

“Yeah, that’s fucking Captain van Huus. He’s a fucking nightmare. He’s a criminal with a badge. I hate that fucker,” says Femke.

“Has he murdered people?” asks James.

“Definitely. And cut out people’s tongues and other nasty stuff.”

“So, what if I could frame him?” asks James.

“You frame him? I mean he deserves anything and everything.”

“Fair enough. My time is just about up. Be well sister.”

James calls for Kristen, and she comes and lets James out. James, in a bit of hurry, heads out into the streets. He finds an ally and pukes.

Conclusion

As I’ve said before, after every session of Burning Wheel Gold, I’m eager to play again.

One thing I’ve noticed is that it may be useful to spend a bit of time at the beginning of the session to work out, as a group, how to frame the first scene.

I’m pleased that I went with this incarnation of Captain James van Shaw instead of the more grim Captain James van Shaw.

I suspect in the next session or two, James will be advancing a few skills and attributes; Perhaps Law-wise and perhaps Circles.