Gangs of Cenobia - the revolution comes!

[Enlil]

This is a game I've been running for some a couple of months.

Cenobia is a city on the edge of the Turtle Sea, built long ago by the mysterious Triumvirate, three powerful member of an invading race, the Mirakim (a race of long lived, insane mage-kings). A thousand years later, Mirakim still rule over the benighted descendents of the original inhabitants. But change may be in the air - revolution is in the air.

The characters started as the lieutenant and cohort of a larger gang called the Hounds of Charon. They are:
Laertes, the leader and general tough guy
Peasant Born, Conscript, -> Smuggler, Fence, Bandit
Instincts
Always keep my back to a wall
Always use inconspicuous in public
Weapon in hand at first sign of trouble
Beliefs
When the game is up, cut your losses
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Every man has his price

Thaumus, poisoner and assassin
Born City, Criminal, -> Bandit, Poisoner, Desperate Killer
Instincts
If I’m being followed or watched, draw my knife in secret
No one is able to handle poisons other than myself
Always clean my knife after the kill has been made
Beliefs
I have complete faith with the cook, I owe him at least that
Never ever directly interface with a client
Nobody is not worth killing

Athanathios, dissolute noble and sorcerous thief
Born Noble, Arcane Devotee, -> Courtier, -> Dilletante, Cat burgler
Instincts
Cast the Fear when surprised
When things get tough, run and observe
Always leave a calling card
Beliefs
I’m smarter than everyone, so I can steal from them
Life is so boring, there must be something I can do
Those Mirakim are insane


Anyway, people have risen and rank and met many people. A series of horrible murders have taken place across the city. Laertes advanced in rank to a major captain in the gang. A captain of the city guard and a Mirakim, Athanasia (confusing as hell - it is the feminine of a PCs name! Should really change it to Anastatia) has had a lot of contact with them, some of it friendly. A troublesome investigator, Icarus, has helped them and caused them trouble. Two conspiracies appeared to be brewing - the Triumvirate, apparently responsible for the murders, and the Revolutionary Council, who wanted to overthrow and perhaps kill the Mirakim rulers of the city.

Anyway, that led into tonights session . . .

[Judd]

Did you all make the setting together?

How did you come to that?

[Enlil]

The game started in the evening, when Thaumus found a small clay theatre mask on his pillow. An assassination-wise roll revealed that it was a symbol from Clymenestra indicating that she was coming for him. He had earlier got another assassin killed, and said bad things about Clymenestra, so it was really not unexpected.

The next day, Athanatios learned from his family of a noble function he had to attend - the official start of a campaign into a neighboring kingdom (Geryon), intended to give a younger son of the king an heir. Everyone additionally learns that a different neighboring kingdom (Titos) has erupted into revolution, with the populace trying to kill the Mirakim rulers.

At the function Athanatios saw pretty much all of the Mirakim in the city - about 7. I had him make an ob 6 perception check to notice something subtle but important. With two persona artha and a big helping of luck, he made it! This pushed his Perception to a 6! He eventually realized (about a day later) that one of the Mirakim, Vendrex the Redhanded, the mercenary leader brought in to fight the campaign, was in fact his grandfather, who had disappeared 10 years ago after some kind of disaster in his sorcerous lab.

The next day, at the daily meeting of the PCs at their gang headquarters, Icarus the investigator, who has helped them and caused them trouble, and is their contact with the Triumvirate (probably), who is currently employing them to gather esoteric ingredients. He checked on their progress and agreed to help Thaumus with Clymenestra.

That evening, Thaumus went to meet an old witch that he had found with a circles test. She told him of three evil men who created or found a dark god who ruled the area until a hero from the south, Endiku, beat him back into the darkness.

When he returned to the house, Clymenestra struck. A knife thunked into the door jam. Thaumus ducked inside and poisoned his knife. The then played a game of cat and mouse (Stealth advances and withdrawals) in the dark city streets. Clymenestra threw 5 or 6 daggers at him, but all either missed or deflected off his leather armor. Finally, she miscalculated and they advanced to melee range. Her short sword was slightly longer, and for most of the fight she had him at lunging. He tried to avoid until he could get inside, but it didn't really work. Armor rolls, as usual, were insanely good. Finally, after several exchanges, one of Clymenetra's blows finally went home, causing a Midi wound and sufficient hesitation that he was at her mercy. She moved in for a lock when a flock of crows attacked her. (Earlier, three eyed crows were noticed by Thaumus watching him. The city seems infested. They are associated with the Triumvirate and their sleeping god). A black panther later went past as Thaumus fled the scene.

As he was patched up, flashes of light were seen from the citadel. A coup was occurring! Athanatios flew around as a falcon and checked in with his friend, a prince and watching the royal guards being defeated except some who escaped. He also saw three Mirakim he believes to be the members of the Triumvirate. Laertes stopped the area he protected from being looted.

That was how the game closed. A fun night, though looking back it seems like the players didn't do as much as I thought. I think the new situation should be much more condusive to player initiative, though, with as many as three different factions struggling to control the city.

Christian

[Enlil]

The game itself came up when a lot of the players in an earlier game had to bail for the time being. We had done charcter burning and one session.

The remaining three players still wanted to try BW, so we decided to try a different game until maybe the others could play again. It was generally agreed that we may as well use a different part of the same gameworld as the last. I think it was my brother, Athanatios's player, who suggested that the game take place on the eve of a revolution 100 years earlier that split off about half of the Mirakim kingdoms into a new nation. No one had a problem with that, so I suggested a city that would be on the border of the two areas in the other games time - so which side won was not foreordained. Kevin, who plays Laertes, liked the idea of a thieves game. A high level mercernary game was also suggested, but more people ended up liking the thieves idea.

So they decided their gang would be the Hounds of Charon. I made up most of the rest of the city detail, which started out as a simple map (Kevin loves having maps) and has mainly been fleshed out in play.

Christian

[Enlil]

We played our game tonight, and it was great!

It started with Athanatios turning to a falcon and flying out to the house of Scylla, an ancient but spry alchemist who he knew had Killiro Venom, which the Triumvirate was searching for through their agent Icarus. She had additionally been involved in the incident in which Athanatios's grandfather had disappeared. She explained that they had been attempting to tap the power of the sleeping deity, but whatever went wrong happened when she wasn't there.

The tower where the experiments took place (which was Athanatios's players idea) was thereafter sealed. He pleaded with her to come and help him enter the tower - she disagreed, thinking that the tower was too dangerous, and opening it would only aid the Triumvirate. Athanatios engaged her in a duel of wits, which he won, persuading her to give him some purified essence of water (the Ulitmate Solvent or Alkahest) to melt through the roof or floor, which were not as warded as the rest. She however, refused to leave her house.

Thaumus went to search for the body of Clymenestra, the assassin who had almost killed him last session. He found a lot of blood, some raven feathers, a little bit of a mask and bits of leather. No body, though.

Laertes spent the morning talking to a contact he had rolled circles for last session, finding the name and rough location of Scylla. Now knowing the location of the Killiro Venom, he was disheartened to learn that the gates were closed and the guards required papers to let anyone in or out.

At the daily meeting, Athanatios requested that Laertes, as boss, buy him plated leather armor. Laertes also decided to buy himself leather armor. Since they couldn't get out of the city, they tabled the finding Scylla. Athanatios warned them not to try to get the venom, but they were determined.

Laertes watched a brawl between some of the foreign red-cloaks and the locals - he chose not to interfere.

Next day at the meeting, Icarus showed up. Finding that a lack of papers is holding the gang back, he gives Laertes papers allowing him to enter and leave.

Laertes and Thaumus travelled to Scylla's with Castor and Pollux (two thugs-in-training), and a leg breaker Laertes picked up from a lackey of his. The place was a stone building with a stoutly built door with a sliding peephole. A charcol pile and a chicken enclosure were in the yard. They first offer to buy the venom, and (being warned by Athanatios) demands the insane price of three talents of gold (an Ob 8 resources test!) Even though Laertes now has 6 dice of resources, this was still far too much. So they tried to intimidate her, telling her that more powerful people wanted it, and if she didn't give it to them, she would probably be killed for it. Even with three persona spent, Laertes failed miserably. She laughed and said then she would have to strengthen her defenses. They decided to send the thugs to kill the chickens while they lay in wait on either side of the door. She reopened the peephole and fired a crossbow bolt, critically wounding Castor. They fled back to the city to find medical help. By the time the gang's doctors treated him, he had a traumatic wound (bleeding out from severe). So Laertes is another thug short (the hounds have taken pretty heavy losses over the course of the game).

The same day, the cryers announced that Prince Phaeton had been captured trying to flee the city, and was being held, with other traitors, at Fort Phobitor.

The next day, at the daily meeting, Icarus shows up. When he hears what happened, he offers to let his employers deal with it. Laertes agrees.

After Icarus leaves, Laertes orders Athanatios thrown in closet, to prevent him from warning Scylla. After arguing (and almost triggering a duel of wits), Athanatios wins the speed test and casts the Fear. The thugs in the room run and hide - Laertes shrugs it off and smacks Athanatios, dealing a Superficial wound. Athanatios tried to run, but lost his speed test again and got locked one die. He faiedl to flee a third time, and was incapacitated by locking (got a challenging check in Power in the process, though). They stripped him of his weapons, tied him up to prevent him from casting spells, locked him in the closet, and put furniture in front of it for good measure.


That night, upon returning home, Thaumus discovered saw a light in his mentor (The Cook's) attic window. The cook was obviously waiting for someone. He asks Thaumus to deliver a message to an embroiderer in the Guild district. He blew his stealth roll (0 sucesses), but is not caught.

Meanwhile, Laertes left his base when he learned that red-cloaks were going to cut off the hand of an urchin under his control. He defused the situation by buying them a drink and bribing them (an Ob 3 test). With 6 dice, he only rolled 2 sucesses, and took the gift of kindness to save the boys hand and took a point of tax.

Athanatios tried like hell to escape. He tried persuading the guard to loosen his bonds. He tried to lie that the ruling prince would be mad if he was kept there. He tried to intimidate the guard with threats (he doesn't even have intimidate - the player was getting a little worked up). He tried to break through the door by bashing it. Finally, he just sat and tried to work his way out of the bonds. Hours later, he finally succeeded (ob 3 with a Agility of 4 - pretty decent). Basicly, he used a tiny amount of his Alkahest to burn a hole in the floor. And the floor below it. And the floor of the cellar, ending in a three foot crater of fused dirt. He took the time to write a mild insult on the wall, and turning into a falcon, left for Scyllas.

He was too late, though. The place was already a wreck. He found the remains of Scylla scattered over a largish area. He took her crossbow, and searching the house, found a fireglobe, some reagents, and a recipe book. With a heavy heart, he returned to the city.

The next day, Athanatios again cas Falcon-skin and flew around Phoetor, looking for Prince Phaeton. He didn't find the prince, but did see some barred cells on the seaward wall of the fort containing some of the princes supportersl prisoners.

Thaumus was cooking breakfest at The Chef's tavern, when a file of 5 Red Cloaks bursts in. Their Sergent called for them to surrender, while two Red Cloaks with crossbows took aim at Thaumus and the Chef. The Sergent said that they already have the embroiderer, and that the Chef is under arrest for treason. Thaumus was wanted for questioning. Thaumus began getting worked up. The Chef said raised his hands and said he would go quietly, but Thaumus, feeling he owed the old man, decided to act. He threw a pot of soup at one crossbowman, badly scalding him. He received the first deeds point of the game on the spot. As The Chef ran for it, the other guard shot the crossbow at Thaumus. A Superb hit! Using his last persona, he took a complication, overbalanced and was pinned under the soup pot. The soldiers kicked him into submission and carted him off to Phobetor.

And that closed the session. I felt a lot better about it this time - the characters were a lot more involved in the goings on. And the final scene with Thaumus was just awesome - Thaumus's player tends towards being a little passive in such scenes, and he really stepped on up this time. I was worried for a bit about whether the party would get back together after the bit with throwing Athanatios into the closet, but things seem to be working back toward reconciliation (both the closet and Thaumus's were utterly unexpected). So, all in all a good session.

Christian

[Skinnyghost]

Story is all well and good, but tell us of the mechanics! how was this a Burning Wheel game and not a dungeons and dragons game, for example.

[Sentack]

I'll tell ya the mechanics of the night, people were blowing die rolls left and right last night.

While it wasn't always a complete wash, at times we had some good rolls but last night, it really was a bad night in the roll department. Athanatios made repeated rolls using quite a bit of Artha I seem to recall and ended up with not enough successes several times. (When he was locked up in the closet) While I also, playing Thaumas botched at least one good roll (Luckly it didn't appear to have any ill effects, or did it?) And the person who played Laertes had like 8 dice at one point and failed I think it was a 5 success roll. he only got 2. the failure wasn't unexpected, but only 2 successes and no 6's was somewhat unexpected. He wasn't too happy about that. But then later he did manage to get some good rolls for what he needed.

I don't remember all the rolls mind you or exactly how it all went, it did turn out to be a fun session but it's been a very odd game. Since we're all playing lowlife gang members, at least two of us aren't overly convinced to be hyper active in what seems like a big global event occuring. While one, Athanatios as it turns out, seems very compelled to do something about it. And we as players know he's right, it's just our characters are such low lifes, we've played them as somewhat disinterested in the major plot events, although more and more Christian has be ratcheting up the involvement I think.

Now as I've mentioned before, I've been playing Thaumas, and I must admit last night ended with a pretty cool note, and one even I didn't expect to have come up. But it did let me seriously play out one of his beliefs and hey, the Deed point was just iceing on the cake. Over all it's a good game, although I'm wondering how many more sessions we have. We might be starting up a new BW game soon, but will the other players show?

Tony

[ChrisG]

It's hard to tell from the description, but it sounds like Athanatios was making too many tests when he was in the closet. It sounds like his intent was "convince this guard to let me go". One Persuasion test with Falsehood and/or Intimidate FoRKed in to cover the various verbal tricks he had up his sleeve might've been enough. A DoW, even, if the test was important enough.

Is it possible that you guys are setting Obstacles too high? An Ob8 Resources test is for buying a small cargo ship--is the poison that expensive? It may well be, but I thought I'd ask.

One observation is that failing tests doesn't have to make the game less fun. My understanding is that failing a test doesn't have to be a block--it can merely introduce a complication. Using the closet as an example again, you could distill Athanatios' player's intent to "convince this guard to help me escape... so I can warn Scylla in time". So a failed test could mean that the guard lets him out, but it takes a long time to convince him (time complication). Or he insists on going with Athanatios to get a bribe before letting him go (resources complication).

One more observation: the part where Icarus, who I think is an NPC, gives them papers set off warning bells for me. I once ran a game where the characters had to rely on NPCs to get papers to move around. It was frustrating for the players to wait on the NPCs. If Laertes can make a Circles test to find Scylla, how about another Circles test to find someone who can forge papers. Anything to let the players move the game along at their own pace.

Okay, I made a lot of assumptions in these questions, and I hope this doesn't come off as a dis. The game sounds fun, I dig the characters and story so far--I don't mean to be critical, just trying to learn from your experiences and figure out why, after all the cool stuff you described, you're not sure if all the players will keep showing up. Because I sure as hell would.

It's hard to tell what really happened at the table from an Actual Play account, so if I'm way, way off base, just let me know and I'll be quiet.

[Enlil]

The price on the poison was intended to be ludicrous - she was just giving a price too high to reasonably pay (since she had been warned by Athanatios not to sell the stuff). The 'real' price was more like ob4, maybe ob5 tops. She just didn't want to tip them off that she didn't intend to sell it.

The thing with Icarus I feel kind of dumb about - the players were asking what other effects the recent coup had on the city, and I said "Well, I guess the gates are closed unless you have business outside the city . . ." A few minutes later, Laertes realized that kept them from doing anything about Scylla. I though D'oh!

The could have tried to find a fence - neither I nor anyone else thought of it, though. I had Icarus give them papers to get around the problem I never intended to create.

I agree I might have given too many tests in the closet, though only the persuasion test really helped him - his Falsehood didn't get any advancement checks, and he doesn't ever normally try to intimidate people. I should have probably provided some kind of negative for the Power check, but didn't think of it 'til just now.

I certainly didn't take it as a dis - it is always good to get more perspectives.

Christian

[ChrisG]

:lol: Icarus' papers made me chuckle. I think we've all been there as GMs.

However, it does bring up something that you may have thought about. One of the cool things about BW for me is how much opportunity there is for players to author stuff, by coming up with cool ideas before starting a campaign or asking for tests during play. Next time they ask you something like what the effects of the coup are, throw it back at them, "what do you guys think would be a cool effect?". Hash it out, and move on. That way you won't end up with locked gates that stymie the players, you'll end up with something cool that they're interested in dealing with, like "now everyone hates the aristocrats" or "prices went up on weapons", etc. Or if they want to skulk around the city, forge documents, etc then "the gates are locked unless you have papers".

The super expensive Resources test is interesting. I've only done one game, and only one Resources test, so it never occurred to me to jack up the Ob to reflect the unwillingness of an NPC to sell something. What would you have done if, through a combo of help, Artha, etc, they'd made it? ;)

p.s. Although there's something hinky about the idea, it's kinda cool to imagine Scylla saying "I didn't want to sell, but they made me an offer I couldn't refuse". Instantly changes the personality of the NPC, in an unexpected way.

[ChrisG]

/bump

I was hoping one of the Elders would comment on setting a high Ob for a Resources test, to indicate that the seller is unwilling to sell an object that normally would rate a lower Ob.

[Enlil]

Players have given some suggestions into the effects of the coup - which I gladly accepted. I didn't think to ask them in the way you were talking about. It sounds cool. I might have slight problems with one of the players, who is not into explicit player input, but I'll try to remember to give it a shot.

As for the high Ob, how else would you represent someone asking for an absurd sum? The players were aware that it was an absurd sum (if I didn't mention it before). If they had somehow managed to haggle her down, spend artha, gather helping dice and succeed in the test, then, um . . . she probably would have delayed some, giving Athanatios a chance to convince her not to sell it even at such an amazing price. She probably would have sold it, though.

Christian

[ChrisG]

Regarding the Resources Ob, I'm not saying it's wrong, it's just a cool idea and I wanted to get feedback from people who grok the system better than me.

[Enlil]

Sorry if I sounded a little snippy there, it wasn't intended. I mainly meant to just clarify my position, and that the players knew that the price was outrageous.

Anyway, to go on to something else I'm interested in peoples opinion on, I've started forcing characters to make decisions when they would rather go one way then the other. Particularly in life or death, split second stuff. Like when Thaumus and the Chef were confronted by arresting red cloaks, I eventually said "Look, you can basicly let it go, or cause a distraction to let the Chef get away". I worry a little that doing this causes players to overlook other solutions, but I find it really keeps the momentum going.

Christian

[Enlil]

OK, played tonight. Not as good a game as the last couple. There is some stress over the whole being put in the closet last session, though oddly in play it mainly came out with Laertes, who seemed to think that burning a whole through the floor to escape was a huge betrayal (either as a player or character). Athanasios's player was mad both ways, but was willing to work with him for the time being - Laertes seemed to try to work with Athanasios as little as possible.

The day opened with the daily meeting, I think. It was late, because Laertes was out attending to business, and Athanaios went in and drank Laertes wine. Eventually Laertes was informed and came back. Athanasios said he was upset because Scylla had died, but they now both had someone to rescue in Phobetor. We had to step back here, because the end of last session was fuzzy. Eventually we decided that it wasn't utterly unreasonable that Athanasios had heard of Thaumus's capture, and assumed he would be carted off to Phobetor, but was just telling a half truth when he implied he new it.

Laertes was reasonably cool on the idea of rescuing Thaumus, but they agreed to talk about it the next day.

Athanasios used circles to find Prince Andar Xir, who was missing. I think it was a 4 or 5 difficulty, depending on how quickly he wanted to find him. With a bonus die from reputation and a bonus die as a named character, he made it.

He then went off to study Endiku, using a pass to the Royal Library he had gotten in an earlier session. It was from the imprisoned Prince Phaeton, so I rolled a DoF to see if the librarian would notice or care, but they didn't. He succeeded and learned Endiku came from the south, killed the old dynasty, and his children ruled but were overthrown. Part of the book was destroyed, so he could not get any details of what happened in relation to Urshanabi. His Research went up to a three with that roll.

Laertes meanwhile found Icarus. He asked what Icarus could do about Thaumus. Icarus said he would look into it, and asked that Thaumus find a certain type of petal, and a very fast pickpocket. Thaumus agreed, and Icarus left.

Thaumus awoke to meet a bunch of prisoners, all sharing a large cell. He was taken away for interrogation, and was questioned about the Revolutionary Council. Since he knew next to nothing about them, he actually learned more than they did. Most importantly, that the Chef was involved with them.

In the dark of night, Thaumus awoke to a terrible stench of death. There was a figure watching him from outside the cell. It left after a few moments.

In the morning, Athanasios blew a stealth roll and was found by some cloaked men who led him to Athanasia. He found out the prisoners were to be moved in a week to a mining town, and how to contact the loyalists.

Laertes spent his time tracking down an old contact, a fence who actually had the petals he needed. It was an ob4 test, and being taxed and without help, he decided to hold off on buying it.

He also started tracking down the swift pickpocket. A little later, an orphan found him and led him to the Chef, who told him that he could aid in Thaumus's rescue. Laertes agreed in theory, so the Chef gave him 3 doses of poison and told him that about demonstrations taking place in the near future.

Daily meeting. More talk about rescuing Thaumus, which Laertes is cool on again.

Thaumus is interrogated some more.

Athanatios gos to a bar, is led off in a blindfold, and eventually meets Andar Xir. They talk, and Athanatios is told of the demonstrations.

Laertes talks to Icarus, who tells him he might be able to get Thaumus out after they are done torturing him. Laertes tells him who has the petals.

Laertes was told of an ambush by the hated vipers. Several of his men had been taken captive, mirroring an earlier incident somewhat. He goes to the Boss, Pontus, who tells him to deal with it, but not to start a gang war.

Laertes gathered his remaining Lieutenants, and goes off to break some heads. He splits his forces for a pincer movement. He fights but finds an enemy with a club is a big challenge to advance on with a knife. He takes a light wound (made the steel test fine!), but he and the three guys with him drive away his enemies. They retreat into a house to avoid thrown rubbish. They leave when the rest of the Hounds arrive. Laertes gets thumped again and knocked down, preventing him from hurting Giles, the mastermind behind the scheme. Eventually, they get the prisoners out of stocks and escape, giving a little better than the took. The injuries are pretty light - all lights and midis.

I might be missing a day, but the next day was the coronation, with Athanasios attended. He found his grandfather, Vendrex, apparently remembered his former life, and that his father had thrown in with the coup.

Eventually leaving to meet Laertes, he walked through angry crowds. Laertes and Athanasios met, and agreed to try to save Thaumus and the prince. Just as they were hiring a smuggler to take them to the sea gate of Phobetor after dusk, riots broke out. They blew the roll, but took some tax and bought the smugglers services anyway.

Thus ended the session. Not as much happened as I expected or hoped. Next session should be a doozy, though.

Christian