Estimated reading time: 20 minutes
Session played at: 2021-12-23
Published at: 2022-01-09
I used Tricube Tales, Tricube Tales Solo Rules and Tales of the Goblin Horde Twist tableI have my own setting, but will use the Twist table there.
Hey, psst…character stats and plots can be found in Session 0 - Adventure Setup.
Introduction 🔗
Everyone in the military is assigned a comrade when they start training. This atomic unit exists so that no warrior faces foul creatures by themselves. Comrades stay in the same unit until they die.
Ūmtar and Iax are comrades and their exploration squad consists of 5 pairs of soldiers.
Their tribe is located at the outskirts of mapped territory and they are tasked with venturing deeper into the vast cave systems of the Underlands.
Some music for y'all.
Open in Spotify if you prefer.
Scene 1 🔗
Scene setup 🔗
A of ♥️: Scene changes ⇾ ⇾ Positive for you
Scene Challenge: 2 of ♣️ ⇾ Easy Agile Challenge
Wilderness regionTricube Tales Solo Rules page 4: Forest ⇾ Bioluminescent fungal forest
I like the idea that tall mushrooms fill the role of trees, mosses and lichen are like shrubs in the depths.
📜 Side note 🔗
In this first session I`ll focus more on getting acquainted with Tricube Tales' ruleset. In the next session I'll put more emphasis on scene setups.
As the squad travels, they reach a gorge with a rapid river at its base. There used to be a rope bridge to get across, however it seems to have collapsed, most likely a large mushroom fell onto it.
They scout the area and find a narrow cliffside. Even though it takes quite a detour, it seems passable at least.
The cliffs there are overgrown with vine-like roots, giving them something to grab onto while climbing across above the storming water.
Scene Challenge 🔗
Easy Agile Challenge (4)
Ūmtar
, ⇾ Exceptional success
Iax
, , ⇾ Exceptional succes
Challenge success! 🎉
Due to both exceptional successes, they can even harvest some of the larger roots which could be used as a rope / single use perk.
As they arrive back at the bridge, but now at the other side, they find supplies with which they could be able to repair the bridge.
Is there btw any danger on this side of the gorge? 🔗
Unlikely: Yes, but
OK, after some thinking I decide that it is not an external danger, but there's an inner conflict between squad members.
Seeing all the available tools, the squad is divided whether to spend time here and try to fix the bridge so it becomes usable again or they should just keep moving, minimizing time spent on things that aren't their objectives. Ūmtar is also divided, on the fence about what to do.
Due to the indecisiveness of Ūmtar, I'll invoke the Quirk: Zeal to fit the narrative betterI know I won't get more Karma
since I'm already maxed at 3
But invoking the Quirk makes
narrative sense to me..
Standard Crafty Challenge (5+1)
Ūmtar
, ⇾ Exceptional success!!
ŌMG🤯
#WOW #SUCHTRIUMPH #VERYSUCCESS
Conquering the relentless zeal, Ūmtar joins the debate and advocates that fixing the bridge is also important for the good of their tribe.
They make the preparations and start the repairs.
Standard Brawny Challenge (5)
Ūmtar
, , ⇾ Failure ⇾ 😭
I spend a Karma to influence the narrative and also use up the one time use Perk: Rope.
It will still be a Failure tho, but:
Despite their best efforts, it turns out that skilled warriors are better at fighting than (re-)building structures.
They could get the bridge up to a certain extent, but just barely. The bridge is usable, but still a bit rickety and unstable.
The squad decides that there is no point in spending more time here. Hopefully others from their tribe will notice the damage (and the attemps at repair) and get someone better suited for the job. #FAILFORWARD #GOODENOUGH
Scene 2 🔗
Scene setup 🔗
Scene Challenge: 5 of ♣️ ⇾ Easy Brawny Challenge (4) ⇾ A cave-in
As they venture from spacious caves into narrow tunnel systems, a cave-in blocks their path. Standing next to the rubble and looking up, they gaze upon faint traces of the blinding Sun's light from the surface. Look, another exit!
- says a gnome. That exit does not seem to be too too far away at first glance. Looks like they managed to get pretty close to the surface.
Leader
Ūmtar, quit the daydreaming!
Get yourself a mallet or a pickaxe and join the others. I want this rubble cleaned up as soon as possible.
Once it is removed, you can scout the shaft above.
Scene Challenge 🔗
Easy Brawny Challenge (4)
Ūmtar
, , ⇾ Success
Challenge success! 🎉
The squad manages to clear the rubble with ease and Ūmtar prepares for the climb.
Is it a hard challenge to make the climb to the top? 🔗
Maybe: Yes, and
Complex Question Table: Destruction
Yes it is, and additionally, it could further collapse at any time.
Well, things aren't looking great, the challenge is a Hard Challenge (6) with a +1 difficulty due to the fact that it could further cave-in any time.
Ūmtar relies-1 Karma on Perk: Keen ears, decreasing the challenge back to 6.
Hard Brawny Challenge (6)
Ūmtar
, , ⇾ Failure
Despite all best efforts, the rocks were loose and gave in at an unexpected moment.
Umtar looses 1 Resolve from falling.
Scene 3 🔗
Scene setup 🔗
Scene Challenge: 6 of ♦️ ⇾ Standard Brawny Challenge (5)
Complex Question Table: Conflict
Yass! It must be a combat scene! 🔥⚔️🤘
The vibrations caused by the rubble seem to have attracted a group of Fungusfolk to the area.
Warrior
The creeps are coming. Is there someone who knows how to talk to them?
Very Unlikely: No
There is silence…until Ūmtar breaks it.
Ūmtar
I know something that they'll understand very well.
Axe in hand, raised highKill them!!
Combat 🔗
Amidst the heat of battle, Ūmtar and Iax face a grop of Mushroom folk. A brute, eager to smash flesh and two smaller annoying ones armed with spears and nets.
Enemy stats 🔗
I am using the Hack-and-Slash rules on Tricube Tales p39.
Fungusfolk Trapper
Rank 1 Weak
Ranged attack
1 Effort
Fungusfolk Brute
Rank 1 Brawny Boss
Melee attack
2 EffortDue to being Boss monster
Trappers
Ūmtar defends
Standard Agile (5)
, ⇾ Success
The trappers try to ensnare Ūmtar, but manages to avoid their nets.
Brute
Ūmtar defends
Hard Brawny (6)
, , ⇾ Failure, -1 Resolve
Slightly disoriented by the previous dodge, Ūmtar faces the Brute and takes the hit in the guts.
Ūmtar
Attacks Brute
Hard Brawny (6)
, , ⇾ Failure
Would have been the perfect opportunity to strike, but still catching breath after the impact.
The axe cuts through nothing, but air.
Iax
Aims at Brute
Standard Agile (5)
, , ⇾ Failure
Iax takes aim, draws the bow then lets the arrow loose. Despite all efforts it flies past the target, but impales another Fungusfolk in the background#FAILFORWARD.
Brute
Ūmtar defends
Hard Brawny (6)
, , ⇾ Success
Ūmtar effortlessly blocks with the axe.I won't fail for it twice you stinking piece of shite!
Trappers
Iax defends
Standard Agile (5)
, , ⇾ Success
The trappers turn their gaze to Iax, throwing a volley of spears. None hits.#CANTTOUCHTHIS
Iax
We aren't getting anywhere! Let's switch targets!
Ūmtar
Not until I get a slice of it!
Iax
You idiot…
Ūmtar
Attacks Brute
Hard Brawny
, , ⇾ Success, Brute -1 Effort
Fueled by rage, Ūmtar strikes, slashing deep into the Brute's arm, which barely hangs afterwards.
Iax
Aims at Brute
Standard Agile (5)
, , ⇾ Failure
Iax aims, but does not shoot. Unable to get a clear shot.Damn you Ūmtar! You keep getting in the way!
You got your piece, right?
Now you better get lost and deal with those bastards instead.
Brute
Ūmtar defends
Hard Brawny (6)
, , ⇾ Success
The Brute strikes desperately, Ūmtar avoids it with confidence.
Trappers
Iax defends
Standard Agile (5)
, , ⇾ Success
Iax easily predicts the Trappers' move. They are no match.
Ūmtar
Attacks Trappers
Easy Brawny (4)
, , ⇾ FailureAt least not a critical! 😅
Ūmtar slides across the slippery cave floor to get in range with the smaller Fungusfolks…
But they scatter like flies.
Iax
Aims at Brute
Standard Agile (5)
, , ⇾ Success, Brute -1 Effort
Now with Ūmtar out of the way, Iax can finally concentrate.
The arrow whistles and flies through the Brute's head.
It staggers for a second, then collapses into a leaking pile of fungal mush.
Upon seeing this, the Trappers split and attack both of them.
Is there a chance that the Trappers ran out of throwing spears?
Maybe: No
Trapper 1
Ūmtar defends
Standard Agile (5)
, ⇾ Failure, -1 Resolve
The sudden split of the trappers took Ūmtar by surprise.
Iax notices Ūmtar fall to the ground, unconscious and bleeding.
Ūmtar gets the Affliction: Wounded Leg
Trapper 2
Iax defends
Standard Agile (5)
, , ⇾ Failure, -1 Resolve
Distracted by Ūmtar's collapse, Iax gets hit by a spear too.
Iax
Aims at Trappers
Standard Agile (5)
, , ⇾ 2✕Success, -2 Effort
Iax tears out the spearhead that lodged into armor and flesh.You shittin' me? I won't go down as easily as that moron!
Knocks not one, but two arrows. Aims and releases them.
The arrows cut through air and decimate the spongy internals of the Trappers.
Gore covers the whole field.
End of Session 1 🔗
Session played at: 2021-12-23
Published at: 2022-01-09
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