Orphan Squadron - Only War RPG experience- Against the Savages #2 - Suppleme

 In a 41 grim and dark millennia… there’s only war.

An eternal war that gives rise to legends, heroes… and villains

This… is not one of such

Orphan Squadron (inspired by Orphan Battalion back from Civil War of 1861 - 1865)

The regiment hails from [REDACTED] Traitor world. Upon it’s foundation the planet was an arena for a bloody coup d’etas. The regiment lead by still loyal officers took part in defending the planetary government while suffering heavy losses.

The regiment has a reputation of black ship and is always under suspicion. The superiors tend to treat the regiment as something akin to penal legion, which means they are a cannon fodder to be thrown to the battlefronts where situation is the most dire. Because of that, the Orphan Squadron has been seen as bad omen, and the battlefront is soon to be lost. 

Due to losing the source of reinforcement via Traitorous acts, the new recruits are either from the annihilated regiments, people who were assigned K.I.A. Status due to bureaucratic mistake or officers who are not wished to be seen anymore.

As the saying goes: “An average life expectancy of Imperial guardsman at the frontline is 15 hours. An average life expectancy in the orphan squadron is… the time that is needed to write down your name in the regiment rooster.” In the eyes of the Emperor the guardsmen believe to be already dead, so they might as well have fun and take as many enemies of the Imperium to Hel as possible, more often than not using unorthodox methods and guerilla tactics when commissar is not looking. Using trip trap explosives and land mines proved quite useful against green tide, with eldars the best tactic so far was to pretend to be a drooling idiot who believes every word out of their mouth while the sneakiest soldier in the squad plant a demolition charge in their pants, and one on their ship for a good measure.

Army paint scheme of the flak armor: Olive, except for one pauldron (shoulder pad) that is kept partially in colour scheme of the previous regiment and black on the other part (Veteran guardsmen paint both all of their pauldrons black)

Weapon preferences: sniper rifles, longlas, lasguns (modified using optical sights or laser pointers), autocannons, mortars, artillery of other regiments bribed with a pack of smokes or two) Anything that will help the regiment to stay alive and far away from swords, claws, teeth and spikes of the enemy. The flamers are given to the most fanatical or those with Krieg guardsmen mentality syndrome mentality

Orphan Squadron - Only War RPG experience- Against the Savages #1

Finally, I came around to try something that caught my eye long time ago but the mechanics and the world frightened me.

Now, not to sound as amateur, most of my knowledge about Warhammer comes from video games (Dawn of War and Mark of Chaos specifically) and the stories depicted in ‘All guardsmen party’ and the articles on 1d4chan.

Not to mention, I’m a strong believer in the old Warhammer where Noise Marines are playing Heavy Metall and space biker dwarves were a thing.

Anyway, I skimmed through the core rulebook, created a bunch of grunt level guardsmen from penal regiment (Grimdark, bay-bay!) and sent them to die for an Emperor’s absolution against the most common foe of humanity - Orks.

Now, we all know that landing on the world that infested by pig-nosed is quite tricky. Orcs may not be the most accurate marksman, but they are sure as heck enthusiastic. 

So not long after entering the atmosphere, the transport bird lost one engine already. The gunners tried to assemble the heavy weapons inside the hold, all the while being strapped to their seats and sergeants tried to reason with the commissar about what to do in a fustercluck such as that.

Then the squadron heard the inner comm waking up with crackles.

‘Attention, this is your Captain speaking. You may be relieved to hear that we will be landing shortly. You may also be frustrated to hear that we also lost the second engine, so we will have to resort to crash landing.’ Then the squad heard him inhaling and snorting really hard. ‘So I’d suggest our passengers to strap on in. Cause the stigh is about to get real. For the emperoooooor!’

The landing was abrupt, rough and scary accompanied by non-stop chat between the commissar and high as Slaanesh pilot via intercom!

‘No! Nooo!’

‘Yes! Yeees!’

‘Please don’t!’

‘Please do!!’

‘Stoooooop!’

‘Too late’

After that the world became a maelstrom of racket, but it was also a world of pain for those who insisted on waiting for combat not being strapped and on their twos. So basically the commissar, com-officer and a chaplain. The grunts were more than happy with that turn of events.

Even without the evaluation the status of the bird was a total FUBAR. Through the holes, the squad could see that one of the engines was still on fire. And then there was this unsettling buzzing that was getting louder with each passing second. 

Even the chirping of the pilot couldn’t muffle it. 

‘We have arrived to our destination - guard’s supply depo number 64. If you want to adjust your chronos, it is 8048 now.

The weather is sunny with a chance of raining limbs and the temperature is 23 degrees Celsius.

We wish you a pleasant day and we hope you kill as many pigs to make even Big Daddy-E smile. On behalf of all our crew, thank you for choosing our company as your airline today.’

But you know what was even worse, besides counting broken ribs? Noticing that you find yourself in the middle of the combat with the line of the guardsmen trying to hold the green and snorting tide behind sandbags the moment cargo doors dropped down. While stealthy approaching orcs were coming from the rear. Not like screaming ’Waaaaagh!’ And shooting everywhere made it harder to notice them. At least not for just arrived and not too focused on an immediate combat squadron of losers.

The situation was getting close to SNAFU real fast. 

The orders were given. The closest thing that the squad had for engineer was to fix the birds engine before it would blow to Emperor come, while part of the squad was to cover him. As for the rest, they were preparing to do what they were trained to do - hold the bloody line.

So no fess, there they were, a newly reinstated squad of penal guardsmen in their maiden skirmish against the pig-nosed that somehow sneaked behind the line of longfangs guardsmen regiment. And it was their job to deal with the sudden greenskin’s splinter forces.

All this while tech-specialist were busy trying to repair the transport shuttle that became a time bomb ready to blow up any minute now

The first few seconds of the combat were actually pretty okay considering how dire the situation was. Armed with pattern M36-lasguns sergeant and the field medic were doing pretty good against the gobli… I mean wretches and their shepherds the Runtheads.

Couldn’t be said the same about the closest thing squad had for a sniper. His lasgun kept jamming and he himself kept missing.

The guy assured the sergeant that he is better with a slug than with this “beam-firing piece of crap”.

And then the heavy gunners finally assembled their heavy slugger and autocannon.

Now that kind of weapon may be considered not the most accurate but who cares about accuracy when you can have an orc full of holes or blow half of his body clean-off. There was nothing left of wretches upon the impact with autocannon slug. Not even a red mist. 

So yeah, midgets and their herders were dealt with really fast and the squad started to fill good about themselves. 

Then came along the main forces

Well not exactly main forces per se… But nine (p)orcs armed with machetes size of a 10 year old is a considerable threat for a squad of thieves and misfits. Not to mention the pigs were smart enough to move from cover to cover. So unorcish.

The squad shown their appreciation for unorthodox tactics from the enemy by dropping barrage of lasers and rain of bullets on them. But the snot-nosed kept coming. And they were definitely of tougher material. But hey! At least the squad lives long enough for backup to arrive. The techies finally dealt with the engine and someone else finally figured out how to unbuckle their seat belts. 

By the time when reinforcements arrived, (p)orcs had nowhere to hide.

The sergeant had a right idea: “If the enemy hides behind cover and you can’t hit him, then f**k his cover” Soon all that metal debree, rabble and a few buildings had more holes in them than the green skin themselves. The squad was hoping that none of the buildings was that of importance to the guard. 

Well, that was the sergeant who worried, but than again, it’s his job. The rest of the squad couldn’t care less. 

One of the fighters even brought the scoped slug rifle that our sniper was only happy to use and show the squad some proper shooting. He singled one the meatiest of the pigs, aiming in the head, hold the breath and pulled the trigger.

Only to graze the green swine.

The sergeant would have none of that.

‘You call that shooting?!’ He roared and pull the trigger on his lasgun and scorching the (p)orcs leg to cinders. Without aiming. Out of impact range of the rifle. Turning away from the target and lookin sniper dead in the eyes. ‘That’s how you frakking shoot!’

Maybe this small demonstration inspired the rest of the squad, or maybe the big guns were doing their part, but the ambushes were dealt with swiftly. The sounds of battle died soon enough on all fronts and as for the shuttle, it was secured and left empty. All of the forces were on their feet to die and fight if necessary. Or should it be the other way around?

Introductions were made. The commissar and the local highest ranking officer of Longfangs regiment changed pleasantries. 

He sure looked enthusiastic about the reinforcements. But it soon faded along with the smile when he realized when the squadron was not part of cardians, nore the catchans, nore irondians, nor from any other more or less famous regiments. What supply depot 64 and longfangs got was a regiment of grunts from the penal legion ‘Orphan Squadron’. The dumbest of the unluckiest.

San Brujera Confidential - Old Hex Blues #2

The second session is where I really started to use the Masterbook system but also implementing other materials, like the rules on clues from Noirlandia, which let you figure out a location using a suit of card blindly taken from deck of poker cards and a type of clue, sepending on the card value.

- 2 - 

[Ms. Denu Intimidation roll: Confidence 10 + 2d10 (4+2 = 6 (-5 modifier) + intimidation with Magic Performance (+2) + higher social status +2 = 9 vs. Nash Willpower roll (active defense): Confidence 9 + 2d10 (5+6 = 11) (+1 modifier) = 10. Nash wins]

I took the cigarette from the pack and lit it with the globe of fire the dame was holding.

[Indulge Complication C2: Quirk (Dependency) - Cigaretes. It won't be a Noir without a chainsmoking character]

‘Anybody ever tell you that you’re a cute little trick when trying to be intimidating?’ I puffed the question in her face.

‘Anybody ever tell you that you’re a funny guy?’

‘Twice a month’

‘But did they ever tell you that you may laugh yourself all the way into the grave?’

‘No. I never stay for breakfast’

‘Good. That make me first. Now, if you don’t want me to make good on that promise you better start talking.’

[Nash Trick roll: Intelligence 10 + 2d10 (10+6 = 16) (+5 modifier) = 15 vs Ms. Denu Willpower roll (active defense) 12 + 2d10 (6+3 = 9) (+0 modifier) = 12. Nash wins. 3 successes – Ms. Denu is stymied]

‘I didn’t hear the question’

‘Where is it?’

‘Where’s what?’

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Is the item that Ms. Denu after had something to do with Nash past as a ‘Watch’? Somewhat likely chance on d100 = 36 - Yes]

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Is this ‘memento’ is in Nash’s possession? 50/50 chance on d100 = 57 - No]

‘You know what’

I gave one and good long look at my boiling kettle for a visitor. Both heels and legs I’ve already seen, so I went further. All the way up to the wide brim sunhat under which a mane of silver hair was hiding. I tried not to gaze too much at the virtues that were covered by the dress. Lord knows it was hard.

Still couldn’t recognize her. But I had an idea what she represents.

There was something odd about this stick-up. The broad acted like she was in the right and had a blessing of all the gods to mug a poor gumshoe.

‘Maybe you could jog my memory a bit?’

[Resolving a Random Event – What is an object that Ms. Denu desperately wants that is from Nash’s past? d100 / d100: 95 / 30 = ‘Punished Possessions’ = Not enough information]

[Using Noirlandia rulebook – taking a card from the deck of Locations and Leads: 8 of Clubs – Skid Row Location and Cop or Deputy lead]

‘Sure. Prinston Bay. Ring any bells? Oh, by that look on your face it does?’

“Prinston Bay” A name I didn’t hear for a long time. And I wished it stayed that way.

[Nash’s Deduction roll 12 + 2d10 (6+3 = 9 / +0 modifier) = 12 vs DN d100: 56% = DN 8. Success]

Slowly it was starting to make sense.

I took one long whiff Long enough to make a dame to blow her fuse of.

‘Well?!’

‘It ain’t here’

‘What?’

‘I don’t have it.’

‘And you think I’ll believe that?’

‘We are in a free country Ms. Denu, you may believe whatever you want. Doesn’t mean you find it here.’

‘Where then?’

‘Not here, like I said.’

‘But you know where to look.’

[Nash’s Con roll 10 + 2d10 (7+1) = 8 (-1 modifier) = 9 vs. Ms. Denu Willpower 12 [active defense] + 2d10 (4+1) = 5 (-6 modifier) Nash wins. 3 Successes. Beatrix is stymied]

‘I may’

‘Then, talk!’

‘So that you could burn me to the crisp when I have nothing else to spill? I don’t think so.’

‘I can always visit your friends’

‘But you decided to visit my friends first. Do you even know where to look them?’

She just stared at me. The dancing flame colored her eyes silver.

‘Uh-huh, thought so. You come to me, thinking you can push your weight around, throw a few cheap parlor tricks and I’ll spill the beans? Sorry. That doesn’t work this way. Otherwise I wouldn’t stay long in this line of work.’

‘Or rich, to think of it…’

She gave my office another glance.

‘How much do you charge?’

‘I thought you’re not interested in hiring a detective’

‘Humor me’

‘Twenty bucks a day plus expanses’

‘I can give you much more than that if you… why are you laughing?’

‘First threats and now you try to buy me. Honestly darling, you need to work on your bargaining spiel. But sure! I’ll listen. If nothing else, I’m gonna’ have a laugh at your expanse. And turn off the heater will you? You’re just embarrassing yourself at this point.’

The flame disappeared as fast as it appeared in her hand.

‘There’s a hundred in it for you if you tell me where you hid it.’

‘Well at least you know how to pique my interest’

‘Two hundred if you bring it to me’

I set behind the table, if nothing else to give myself an image of business-like.

‘Well, alright. Maybe you know how to conduct business. Let me check something real quick…’

I bent over the table to open a drawer and take out a gun

[Nash’s Intimidation roll 10 + 2d10 (5+5 = 10) (+0 modifier) / re-roll: 1 life point spent (9+5 = 14) (+3 modifier) vs Denu’s (active defense) Willpower roll 12 + 2d10 (4+1 = 5 (-6 modifier) = 6. Nash wins. 3 Successes. Ms Denu untrained.]

‘It’s true that I don’t use magic and I’d lie if I said that I know anything about it.’

I point the thirty-eight at my guest.

‘But this fella’ here is loaded with silver bullets. I wouldn’t how a witch of your caliber would react to silver, but I bet it wouldn’t matter when 9 grams of hot soft metal will find its way into your stomach’

‘You make a big mistake’

She snarls but her eyes are locked on the “snubby”

‘Mistake was made when you tried to treat my office as your personal Sabbath. You wish to know where it is? Try hell. And if you don’t start moving in the next three seconds I send you there myself. Courtesy of snub thirty-eight caliber express.’

‘You are an ugly piece of work, Nash’

‘One’

‘Don’t think you got rid of me just yet’

‘Two’

‘Fine! You made your point. Live with the consequences of your choices. If you manage to live that long anyway’

‘Leave the broom. You didn’t have your work-out today. Take the stairs it will work miracles for your cardio. Three!’

I was half the way cocking the revolver when she slammed the door behind her. Almost shattering the windows too.

I took another look at the drawer to snatch a few things. A glass, a bottle of hooch and a box of slugs. I poured myself a glass and loaded the gun.

I may not be a Lancelot but it’s still too early today for me to put a fear of God into a dame with a loaded gun. Not too early to drink though… And I needed one.

I was hoping to have a slow and uneventful day today. Guess I could throw those hopes out the window now.

So now I also had to make a few calls… 

San Brujera Confidential - Old Hex Blues #1

 - 1 -

I knew the lady was trouble the moment she knocked at the window of my office. Mainly because my office was on the fifth floor.

‘Your elevator is out of order’ She answered the question that I was about to ask, sitting gracefully on a levitating broom like a horse. But the rules of courtesy conducted me to conjure some snappy comeback.

‘And I bet the stairs were too much for your legs.’ And what legs those were. Starting somewhere around where fibers ended and continued all the way down her dress.

‘So, are you going to let me in or we’ll continue to trade pleasantries and gazes?’

My guts and hair standing on the back of my neck told me to say ‘no’, close the window shut and board it. My empty wallet though had more valid arguments.

‘Come on in, Veronica Lake. Make yourself at home.’

I step aside to let the broomcade to gracefully float inside.

‘Cute. But you’re way off the target, detective. [roll 2d10 on Witch’s names and Surnames: 6 / 3] My name is Beatrix. Beatrix Denu.’

[Roll Mind 8 + 2d10 (5+10 = 15 (+4 mod) // 12 vs d100 DN: 001% - Extremely Hard = 18. Fail]

‘A pleasure.’ I said courteously. And that was a genuine courtesy, that you usually treat strangers with. And it may have been wise to treat a woman who can teach me how to croak with a snap of her fingers, with respect. “I am…

‘No need to introduce yourself, Mr. Nash. I know what you are’ With the same grace she jumped of her sorghum steed.

I shrugged.

‘Anyone would if they opened a newspaper once or twice… Or stopped by my office door.’ “Elliot Nash. Private Investigation. Confidential Agent.” Was written on the glass of my door. Coughed out some dough on it too, I gotta’ tell ya’. Who would know that in the city where every granny can conjure a salamander to heat up her teapot it would be such an ordeal to find a guy who would paint a few letters. You’d also think that hiring a guy in a Mandrake’s suit who could fireball the letters in my door would cost more than a guy in overalls with a tin can of paint.

But laws of market proved me otherwise.

‘Gotta’ say though, I was surprised when I heard the stories about you. And I didn’t believe them first. But now, when I had a look at your place, I can see it’s true. You really don’t use magic’ She turned on her heels looking me right in the eyes. She had this glint in the corner of her pupil, the one that reminded me of a little girl in the zoo seeing a penguin for the first time and a selfish wish to possess a funny bird.

[Played on Character’s Complication C1 – Bigotry: Don’t use magic]    

 ‘Just like the newspapers said’ Another shrug, not without pride and with nothing to hide.

‘You don’t believe in it?’

‘Oh, I certainly do’ The lady being one of a reasons I do. ‘I just don’t use it.’

‘And why is that Mr. Nash?’

‘Personal reasons’

‘Which are?’

‘Personal’ I tried to be polite and genuine. Lord knows I tried, but I couldn’t hide the steel completely under all those gentleman manners. And Ms. Denu caught on quick. That’s why she didn’t continue that line of questing, but the way she slightly pouts it was obvious she was not satisfied with the answer.

I didn’t care.

Besides, like any woman I knew she was fast to change the subject.

‘You are something else, Mr. Nash’

‘That’s what the people keep telling me. But there is still no discount’

[Roll on Event focus 53 / 26: Adversity the Physical]

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Is Ms. Denu targeted by adversity? 50/50 chance on d100 = 68 - No]

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Does Ms. Denu want to hire Nash to target the ‘Adversity’? 50/50 chance on d100 = 99 – Extreme No]

[The answer – Nash is the target of Adversity!]

[Oracle question Chaos Factor 5: Does Ms. Denu want a “memento” from Nash’s past? Somewhat likely chance on d100 = 03 – Extreme yes!]

‘I am not here to hire you, Mr. Nash. I’ve come here to collect.’ Something about the way she said that made me take a step back. Behind the sanctuary of my desk.

‘Should have brought scythe instead of broom, if that’s the case’

‘Oh no, Mr. Nash. Don’t get me wrong, you are cute, in your own way, but I’ve come for what is rightfully mine, but if you keep standing in my way...

A quick motion of a wrist and a fire appeared in her open palm ‘I might “take” you as well...’

San Brujera Confidentails #1 - On orcs and guys in fedoras

 Now it may look like, I only play my games that include 20-sided die. 

It's... partially true.

It's just so that d&d covers most of what I'm looking in my solo games, but it doesn't mean that I don't try to experiment...

The other day I was rolling a character that could be usable with 3.5 and to give myself a breather from 5e detective set (yeah, yeah, this again... bear with me, will ya'?). Decided to use the standard roll-for-stats method and I got a whooping stats array of two 17, two 15 and one 12.

That made me thinking… that with stats like this I should probably play as something unique, hence I decided to play as an full-blood orc, who is both charismatic, intelligent and wise and still enough to hit like a truck…

I imagined him to be a bodyguard or a bouncer who mostly uses unarmed methods of fighting, while being of a fighter class.

The character creation was a breeze, but I hit a roadblock since I had no idea where to put such a character. A sophisticated orc is not something would fit in generic fantasy. I was thinking about Arcanum like setting where cleaned-up nicely orc wouldn’t be that of a big surprise. But I already have an Arcanum-like game using 5e, don’t need another one, but with different system.

During this stage I realised that I don't actually want anything generic, it didn't help that I imagined my orc wearing a shirt, and pants with suspenders. A classic get-up that usually synonymous to 20’s and 30’s.That's when I remembered that I have just a setting for this...

Lon ago I did want to play a game of classic noir, the moment I got my hands on Bloodshadows d6, a supplement for WEG d6 system that is inspired by the small cult classic gem ‘Cast a Deadly Spell’. As for me, back when I got the book I didn’t know about the movie but I was a fan of Glen Cook’s books about Garrett P.I. Sure thoses are not exactly noir books, since the setting is pure fantasy with hard-boiled narrative, but it had the atmosphere of noir. Even with no guns and trenchcoats.

And I did try to GM an adventure for a group that was noir fantasy setting for 5e. A city of San Brujera.

I was trying to launch a solo game in this setting using d6 or dnd, but here’s a problem… those systems are not the systems I would use for a proper noir detective. A high stake action adventure that would involve gang wars or heist? Definitely. But not a procedural, even the one with fisticuffs and possible gunfights.

Sure, I did a detective gameplay using 5e and Scarlet Heroes, but I had quite a zany setting for that to work... 

Okay, okay, not zanny, I'll admit, just plain anime. But I digress...

Luckily I had quite a deal a few years back, when I bought the original Bloodshadows book for Masterbook and the Masterbook itself. And I don’t know why, but the system, being that of a thing from 90’s really clicked with me.

And since I try to use one solo system per game I’ll use Mythic since it also uses d10 for rolls. And besides, writing down threads fill like writing down notes in detective notebook.

TL:DR; Okay, starting my noir solo investigation game using Masterbook and Bloodshadows. Wish me luck.

BESM 5e Solo, Part 7 - Scarlet Hero, Urban Adventure, Part 6 - And the game is on...

Now, before rolling on this scene, I found out a small rule that I didn’t figure was existing, when I was quite far in the story. The antagonist, as it turns out, also have a chance to move his plot forward, which means, he has to roll d10 after each scene and if he rolls equals or less than the overall amount of scenes that happened during adventure, he gets one extra Victory point.

Scene 1 vs d10 = 2

Scene 2 vs d10 = 10

Scene 3 vs d10 = 3 (+1 Point)

Scene 4 was a Conflict scene, which denies the Antagonist his right to roll

Scene 5 (which is technically Scene 4 now) vs d10 = 5

+ extra roll for the following Scene, because otherwise, I would forget.
Scene 6 (which is now Scene 5) vs d10 = 5 (+1 Point)

This is also an episode where I start to use techniques for solo gaming that are more in line with 5e game structure

[Roll for Urban Adventure Investigation Scenes: 1 - Hunt up an actor whom you have reason to suspect can give you a clue]

[Clue: 2 Heat: 0

Victory Points: 5

Antagonist Points: 1 + 2 points for pushing the plot forward]

Shan opened the door leading to the backyard, mercilessly. The kitchen staff yelled at him something about kicking the doors, but the gang boss didn’t care. He showed what he thought about the rules of the staff by slamming the door behind, again without remorse.

All his body language, his mood could tell anyone that he wanted to be alone. That’s the reason why he was now on the backyard. Well… that and he wanted to have a smoke.

The brand he was smoking was a crappy one, but there was some enjoyment in inhaling something that disgusting. In a way, it balanced the crap inside, granting some balance, the tranquility of soul and peace of a mind.

That’s exactly what Shan needed at the moment, witch a stick of dried leaves wrapped in thin paper he started to pat his jacket. If only he could find those damn’ matches.

[Harold’s Stealth roll d20+2 vs Shan’s Perception = 17 vs 12]

That’s when fire appeared. A small flickering bonfire, smelling of gasoline, popped close enough to give the gang leader a scare

The flame came from the lighter. The lighter that was not Shan’s and held by the stranger.

Or was he a stranger?

‘You?!’ Shan knew this guy, even though he saw that grey hair and the scar across the face only once. But those were exactly the features that made him remember the person standing right now. And besides, they’ve met not so long ago.

[Roll on General Oracle - Did the gang told Shan about Harold? Likely: roll with Advantage d20/d20 = 9/19 – Oh, heck yeh they told, alright…]

‘Thought you might want some light’ As amusing as Harold tried to sound, his eyes betrayed him. His gaze was that of a cold blue steel…

‘What are you doing here?’

[Harold’s Intimidation roll d20+0 vs Shan’s Insight = 15 + 0 vs 12]

‘I did promise to find responsible for your sister’s condition, didn’t I? Well, that I just did’ Harold spoke calmly, but the tension in his voice… Shan didn’t feel like uttering even a single syllable.         

‘A tall thin guy in black. Yeah, I know, nothing even remotely close to what you were hunting whole day. But you knew that well enough, didn’t you?’

‘The hell you’re talking about?’ Shan spit the cigarette out without lighting it up. ‘It was a red haired bastard!’

‘That bastard’s name is Ardet Kleid. I bet that guy in black promised you that Thana will get better once you find this pulhe who is responsible.

‘He told me that once I find the red haired, Thana would get better’

‘Really? Did he sic’ you like a bloodhound on this wild goose chase before or after you let him in the club?’

This little remark from Harold made Shan lose all his cool.

[Roll on General Oracle – Does Shan know the ‘Gaunt” man in black? = Yes, but… He is not a friend, he introduced himself as a client who wanted to see Thana as a ‘fixer’

Under which recommendations did Shan let the ‘Gaunt’ inside?

Roll on General Oracle - Does Shan owns ‘Gaunt’ his life? – No, but…

Roll on General Oracle - Did ‘Gaunt’ introduced himself as a friend of Shan’s savior? = 16 – Yes

Roll on General Oracle – Was it a ‘blooddebt’? Likely: roll with advantage d20/d20 – 18/19 – Yes and oh, so much, Yes!]

‘I had no choice! I’m… I’m indebted to them.’

‘Them? Who are “them”?‘

‘Those who saved my life. It’s a long story. The point is I owed them a big one and they’ve come to collect through the agent.’

‘Uh-huh… And he…’

‘All he wanted is to speak with my sister, I thought no harm could be done. That’s what she does for the living. She… fixes the problems’

‘So the club is a decoy.’

‘No, the club does function to entertain the public. But she has to cover her spends somehow. Look! That guy sounded legit. He knew about my sister, her job he had the passwords and…’

‘He knew her true name as well’

‘What?!’ That came as a real shock to him. He genially didn’t know. All this time and he didn't have even a speck of suspicion.  

‘But you didn’t have to know it. All you had to do is to let him in and then believe that your sister losing her name was a fault of a certain red haired bastard who slept with her last night. And you believed him, because no harm could have been done by someone who saved your life before. I want his name, Shan. He should have told you THAT MUCH at least!’

[Roll on General Oracle – Does Shan knows Gaunt’s name? – Likely, roll with Advantage: d20/d20 = 7/7 - No, but… ]

‘He… he didn’t tell me. All he told me, that he was from… our mutual friend’

‘Your “savior”, I presume’

‘Yes’

"Great!" Thought Harold to himself "You people expect me to find this one guy on a goddamn’ asteroid and yet you can’t give me anything worth of the lead."

[Roll on General Oracle – Does Shan know where to find the guy? 16 - Yes]

‘But I think, I know where to look for him’

Finally! Something that Harold wanted to hear...

BESM 5e Solo, Part 6 - Scarlet Hero, Urban Adventure, Part 5 - A fistful of fillers

 After all the excitement in the previous scenes, my character need a break and a moment to catch his breath, thus I called for a short rest. But that doesn't mean that I woudn't describe that short rest.

Interlude – Short rest.

[Clue: 1 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 4
Antagonist Points: 0]

“Her schedule?” He was surprised. Surprised enough to forget about lighting the cigarette.

“Yeah, from what I heard from the staff back in the teashop, your crush wasn’t keen on staying for breakfast with my brother. So the question is, where the heck she could be at that time of day?” That kind of question honestly made me go deep into thinking. Not Bai Lei though who finally lit his smoke…

Roll to identify ‘Xia’; d8 = 7, d6 = 6, d10 = 2 – Social Club Leader.

‘Club!’

‘Sorry?’ Now it was my turn to forget about lightning up the cigarette.

‘She has a club on this rock. She might have gone there after… dealing with your brother.’

‘”Has”? You mean she actually owns the club?’

‘Yes. You didn’t know?’

‘Look, I haven’t known about her existence until today.’

‘But… I thought… Tell me, what do you know of her exactly?’

Less than anyone on this rock it seems.

‘I know she’s a sorcerers and she sometimes go by the name Xia’

‘Xia?! Is that what she called herself?’

‘That’s what she called herself in front of my brother.’

Roll on the Etnicity: d20 = 10 – Human Etnicity;

Roll on the tribe: d20 = 14 – Ik’hadi

Roll on Ik’hadi’s name: 2d20 = 2; 10

‘Her name is Thana. Thana Aswari’

‘Aswari? That’s Ik’hadi’s name’

‘Yes, why?’

‘But her brother is En’ma’

‘Step-brother. Aswari clan welcomed Shan as their own kin. All thanks to the blood oath their fathers once sealed’

Just like me

‘That sounds all too familiar’

‘What?’

‘Nothing. Nevermind.’

But that did explain something though. Ardet said that he met Xia or Thana in the club. No doubts now about which club that was…

Still…

‘And where is this club exactly?’

[Short rest: 1d10 + Con= 3+1 = 4;
Harold’s Health/Stamina: 1/6 ]

[Clue: 1 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 4
Antagonist Points: +1 for taking a short rest]

Scene 5 

[Roll or Choose on Urban Adventure Investigation Scene d10: 2 – Infiltrate a location where the activity related to Clue on a check failure, face a Fight]

[Clue: 1 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 4
Antagonist Points: 1]

‘So is that the one?’ I asked looking at the door painted red.

‘Yeah, that’s the one. See that crescent moon under the sun? Her own crest.’

‘Where? Oh, yeah, I see it.’ Like he said a crescent of the moon under the sun. Almost like the molten star was happy to see me. Moon and sun, huh? I wonder…

‘So, we just knock, or…’

‘I’d rather not. You do the honors’

It may have seemed strange that he would let me a complete stranger to make a first move, but knowing that he was the reason for the club’s owner condition, no wonder he’sd be uncomfortable with doing all the talking. Heck! I bet he does not want to be anywhere near the club, being ashamed, guilty and all that…

Shrugging I grabbed the door hammer and knocked a few times, Loud enough for people on the other side to hear and get annoyed with me.

The door opened soon enough by a cute creature that had to duck in order to go outside. And when he rose up I had no other choice but to loo up. “Tall as a mountain” was not just a figure of speech with this guy.

‘Can I help you?’

I didn’t manage to think of appropriate answer, but I didn’t have to anyway, since his gaze was upon my companion

‘Oh, hey there, Mansur’

I tried not to act all surprised too much. Name, or should I say, birthname is one of the most guarded secrets and sacred mystery of any Mrakor. Of course, he would use a stage name on public!

‘Hey there, big guy. How are things here?’

‘Grimm. Everyone is on edge after hearing what happened to the boss. We are still debating whether we should close the club for tonight.’

‘Yeh, about that… We are actually looking for someone. Who might shed light on your boss’ condition’

This peaked little man’s interest. He turned his had to me

[Roll Harold’s Persuasion w/advantage (Bai Lei’s help) 1d20/1d20 = 7/ 14 versus 10]  

‘A tall guy, but not as pretty as you. Snow for hair and wearing black. I heard he is also charming as death’

My description made him go deep into thought.  

[Roll om General Oracle - “Did the guy see the ‘visitor’?” Likely d20 = No, but…

But d6 = 1 – a twist to relation between people in situation]

I had to determine who is the twist related to, thus I made a list of main Actors involved in the Investigation and rolled a die.

[ Who is a twist related to? 1d6-1

1.       Bai/Mansur

2.       Thana/Xia

3.       Gaunt

4.       Shan

5.       Ardet ]

‘No, no one I can think of. But, maybe… Shan knows’

Wait, what?

‘Shan?’

‘Yeah, Shan. The boss’ brother. Well, step-brother, anyway… He was the one guarding the door this morning’

That would explain why Shan was up to beat about his sister condition. But why he was all in favor of hunting Ardet and not pinning his morning visitor to the wall?

Unless…

‘I kind of have a difficult time imagining someone like Shan guarding the door like a dog. Even if it’s his sister’s place’

‘Then, obviously, you don’t know him well enough. Shan loves his step-sister. To the point of obsession, really. You wouldn’t believe the thing he’s done for her in the past’

Yet another man in love with that mysterious sorceress. Honestly, the more I hear about her the more she terrifies me. What kind of woman can inspire this kind of zeal and worship in other people?!

‘You wouldn’t happen to know where I can find Shan at this hour, by chance?’ 

[Roll on General Oracle – “Does the big guy know where to find Shan?” d20 = 16 = Yes]

‘You mean if he wasn’t hunting the one responsible for the boss’ condition? I guess he would be hanging with his gang in the bar…’

‘And where THAT would be?’

[Clue: 2 Heat: 0
Victory Points: 5
Antagonist Points: 1]