KALAT

A Tale of Ale 1

The main things that I’m using for this are the Scarlet Heroes rules for HD as HP and Fray Dice, inspired by Maia’s Solo Room and her solo Dolmenwood games. Everything else, I will be keeping RAW, as closely as possible. A lot of tables in Dolmenwood, so there’s minimal use for Mythic rules, I think — but we’ll just have to see.

Mabel Malksmilk wonders into Prigwort, looking for work, and adventure.

S1 Everett the Brewmaster

(Date: 20 Grimvold 1623)
(Chaos Factor: 5)
(1106: Prigwort and the Swinney Tower) 

? Scene Test
-> Expected Scene

? Vibes
d: 7 of Hearts -> The Romantic
=> Beautiful grassy area. 

? Weather
-> Freezing Rain (VW)

? Random Encounter
-> 1 Brewmaster (House Wakelyke, Female Adult, Well-dressed, Worn boots, Curious) overseeing the transport of a giant vat of liquid to Town Hall.

Mabel hoists her pack closer to her, walking through the Turret Gate. Peaks and valleys of the town of Prigwort. Ale permeates the scents and senses — of Mabel and, clearly, of those around her. It seems like not a one of the people are sober.

A cart drags upon the road, and several townsfolk greet the woman bearing it.

? Does she greet me, ask me for help? 
-> Exceptional Yes -> Separate/Portal

“You there, girl!” She calls to Mabel. “Come hither, and help me drag this thing to the Town Hall! Mead for the mayor!”

Mabel grins. The lady looks friendly enough — she decides to go, and jogs over to grab hold of one side of the cart. “Of course miss, happy to help. I’m Mabel.”

“Everett, of house Wakelyke. Pleasure!” She responds, in a gregarious manner.

“Say, Miss Everett, what’s the best inn around here to find work, for an adventurer such as myself?”

? Does Everett want her to find work at a tavern or inn?
-> Yes

“Young woman, I’m glad you asked. Head over to Raptappen’s Quadrant. Aspith, the proprieter, would be more than happy to help you search for lodgings and for work.” Everett, with an effortless heave, drags the cart.

Mabel grins, and thanks her.

S2 Town Hall Entrance

(Date: 20 Grimvold 1623)
(Chaos Factor: 4)
(1106: Prigwort and the Swinney Tower) 

? Scene Test
d: 1 -> Altered Scene -> Remove A Character -> Protecting/Careless

The pair arrive at the town hall doors. The building is large, elaborate with turrets and all manner of accoutrement. Just what is to be expected of a town hall.

Everett asks a couple nearby guards a question. “Where is your Captain?” She speaks with urgency.

The guardsmen bear red tabards, each with different insignia, as well as a pint of ale.

? Do the guardsmen know where the Captain is?
-> No

“Sorry, my lord, it is unknown to us.” The guardsmen look unaware, caught unawares.

“Mabel,” Everett turns, “We shall go in and deliver the ale anyway. Come on, help me out.”

Mabel and Everett hoist the massive vat of ale off the cart, while the guards come to assist. Its liquid sloshes slightly, liquid slightly leveling over the rim. The other guard licks it off the wooden barrel. Mabel spots him, but says nothing — just giving him a grin.

Blushing, the guardsmen let the ladies go in the hall, opening the doors for them.

The main hall is wide, bedecked with heraldic tapestries along the hallways. As they walk through, Everett speaks. “We’ll lift this thing down the stairs, into the cellars, alright? It’ll be a quite precarious matter, so lift with your legs, and keep stable, Mable. Are you with me?”

Mabel nods. “Yes maam.”

“Good.”

S3 Descent Into the Cellars

(Date: 20 Grimvold 1623)
(Chaos Factor: 3)
(1106: Prigwort and the Swinney Tower) 

? Scene Test
-> Expected Scene

@ Lift the vat down into the cellar. 
d: STR [3]+1 <= 4 -> S

With proper technique, the two lift the massive barrel down into the cellar.

? Is something in the cellar?
-> Exceptional Yes -> Carefully/Boring -> Professional/Intense

Grunting and heaving from the two, as they lift. Then, a voice from within the chamber—“My ladies, please! Allow me to assist—”

Grey fur, proper vest and suit, a loyal disposition—a grimalkin.

? Is the man friendly?
-> No -> Betray/Enemy

“Lawrence, there you are. To my surprise, the only one here to help.” Everett nods him over, to take their place in the strenuous physical labor. “Mabel, this is the house caretaker, Lawrence.”

? Has he been in the family long?
-> Yes

The grimalkin walks over, closer to the two.

? Does Mabel notice his ill-intent?
-> No

? Does Everett?
-> Yes

The orange suited cat’s eyes glaze over as he walks nearer, and nearer. Greyer and mustier the air turns, as stillness comes upon the little critters watching — mice, spider, and ant alike all race away from the sudden, violent, hungry cat, who prawls now to his new prey.

With hunger, what was known as “Lawrence” turns into something more sinister—not in physical form, but in a real manner still. Two sharp daggers unsheath, with a frightening quickness. Mabel barely spots the cat’s furling paws, and screams; “Everett! Watch out—”

Already unsheathed, rapid knocking of the sword pommel to the cats wrists as a dagger flies free. Deep, guttural growl from the cat, its eyes now gleaming red, malice and murder in its spirit. “Lawrence is on sabbatical, ladies. Come now, and let me taste your blood.”

Mabel draws her own steel. It’s on.

Reflections

HAD to cut it off there, we're going on a family trip soon!

I've had a couple false starts with Dolmenwood — do not get me wrong, I've absolutely adored reading through its material, researching other people soloing this system, and even watching Man Alone's video on it:

Dolmenwood: Why it Makes Your Other Games into Glorified Doorstops! (Also - Does it Solo?)

But even still, was a little scared of the 7-8 PDFs I had open. I had to have all the Dolmenwood PDFs open, maps, campaign, player, monsters, the Vox Profunda oracle (included this because it's cool), and Mythic of course. Maybe that's all part of the fun LMAO it does feel slightly cool, it'd be cooler to have the actual books at hand I think. Or maybe not, that too sounds like a hassle. I'm partly liking it though, it's sweet to see the stuff other people have made.

That concludes most of my thoughts into the preparation of this system. I'll further make up my mind in the next session, where combat is to begin with this grimalkin in the cellar of Town Hall. I like Mythic — I was not at all expecting this scene to occur, as weird or off tempo my prose and writing might seem. I was expecting to get this side quest done, get a small reward and +REP from it, then off to the tavern to pick up a quest. That all might still happen — but I suspect it might unfold a little differently once this cat (hopefully) has been dispatched of. Thanks for reading!