A Short Stay in Niv Lova, pt 3
Olmak's journey continues
Olmak followed the soldiers until they camped for the night. He kept them in view while trying to stay out of sight. He didn’t have a fire and slept on a bedroll on the ground after having a can of cold, congealed soup. (-1 food, 5 left)
Night encounter: 2d6 = 3 → scavenger
Rookie, regular, or veteran? d6, higher means more experienced. d6 = 3, regular.
2d6 + PRE = 7 → Neutral
Olmak woke to boots stepping over dirt nearby. He sat up, reaching for his sawed off. “Who’s there?” He asked.
The figure paused, a vague shape in the darkness. “Just a scav named Sasha, looking for a place to lay my head.”
“The zone provides,” Olmak said, setting the sawed off down.
Trait: d66 = 45 → Moody
Goal: d66 = Protect Friendship
“If you say so,” Sasha responded, rolling out her own bed roll. “You’re a believer, then?”
“Yes. I hope that doesn’t bother you.”
Sasha shrugged. “In my experience, the zone doesn’t provide anything. You have to take it.”
“Perhaps it’s a matter of perspective.”
“Sounds to me like you haven’t been out here that long,” she replied, lying down.
It was quiet for a few moments, before Sasha spoke up.
“Have you seen another scavenger out here, recently? Named Ivan?”
“No, I haven’t. You’re looking for him?”
“He’s a friend of mine. Was supposed to meet up nearby but he didn’t show. Now I’m looking.”
“I hope you find him,” Olmak said.
“The zone provides, right?”
In the morning, she was gone.
Olmak saw the soldiers camped in the distance. He followed from a distance, trying to stay out of sight as best he could.
2d6 + FIN(2) = 13
He managed to follow at a distance without them noticing he was tailing them.
Weather: 2 → Partly cloudy
Following soldiers so I’m not going to roll Navigate to see if Olmak is lost. He’s also not going to forage.
The clouds had mostly moved on, revealing a pale yellow sun, making it easy to track the soldiers.
POI → No
Encounter → Yes
d66 = 53 → Crazed wanderer
Reaction: 2d6 = 4 → Hostile
Olmak watched a man emerge from behind a rusted out vehicle, screaming and charging at the soldiers.
Gunshots rang out in the cold, crisp air and the wanderer dropped.
The soldiers checked the body and moved on.
Olmak followed. As he passed the body, he knelt down and closed the mans eyes, whispering a prayer to the zone.
At night, he watched them make camp, consuming a can of beans. (3 left)
Do they have a fire? No, but they’re making quite a bit of noise.
They were rowdy, laughing and joking, perhaps happy with the remnant they’d acquired.
Night encounter: d6 = 4, No.
Two of them went to sleep while the 3rd kept watch.
Olmak crept up towards their camp.
2d6 + FIN(2) = 9 → Success.
He managed to get close without the one on watch noticing. He saw the remnant close to the leader, asleep. He wouldn’t be able to grab it without notice.
He pulled his knife. If he could get close enough…
2d6 + FIN(2) = 7 → Failure. Spend Fortune Point.
Reroll = 5 → Failure
As he got close, his boot crushed some gravel, making a noise and alerting the soldier on watch.
The soldier stood, pulling a flashlight.
Olmak charged and attacked with his knife.
If he’d succeeded with his FIN roll, I would’ve said he slit the soldier's throat. I’m still saying he has a surprise round and the soldier is ‘unaware’.
Melee Attack: 2d6 + MUS(1) = 4 → Failure.
The soldier dodged back, out of the way. “What the fuck!? Hey, get up!” He called to his comrades, drawing his handgun.
Initiative: d6 + FIN vs 4 = 8. Olmak goes first.
Olmak dropped the knife, pulling his sawed off and fired.
Ranged Attack: 2d6 + FIN vs 8 = 5 → Miss.
The gun went off, buckshot going past the soldier into the darkness.
The soldier on watch fires.
Defend: 2d6 + FIN(2) vs 8 = 5. Fail.
damage: d6 = 1
The soldier aimed and fired, the bullet grazing Olmak’s cheek as he jerked his head to the side.
The other soldiers roused themselves, grabbing their guns and getting up.
Olmak had one chance. He dove for the remnant, one hand slamming the top of it, and concentrating as hard as he could.
Olmak attempts to activate the remnant. This is a 2d6 + MIN roll, but since he has the skill Mad, he gets to roll with advantage (3d6, keep highest 2)
3d6kh2 + 0 = 2,3,5 = 8 → Success!
Electricity burst out of the box, surging across the ground and leaping up the soldier’s bodies, frying them.
2d6 DMG = 6
The soldiers all have d6/a HP, so 3, 6, and 5. They also have 1 armor but I’m going to say that armor doesn’t help you from getting electrified. All soldiers are toast.
The soldiers collapsed, the smell of burning skin fragrant and nearly making Olmak vomit.
He slowly stood, his body shaking, looking at the smoke rising off the bodies. “The zone provides,” he whispered to himself, over and over. He leaned to the side and threw up until he felt like there was nothing in his stomach anymore. He saw blood in his eyes and realized his head was still bleeding. He wrapped a bandage around his head as best he could to make it stop.
Then, he looted the bodies. The light armor was toast, unfortunately, but he packed the handguns. After checking the ammo, he found a total of 28 rounds. He couldn’t believe his luck. They also each had a frag grenade and a total of 10 food and 8 bandages between the three of them. He’d have to see just how much of it all he could carry. He dragged the burned bodies away from the camp a ways before returning and settling down to get a few hours sleep before morning.
Name: Olmak
Stats: MUScle +1, FINesse +2, VIGor +2, MINd +0, PREsence -1
Background: MISTAKE → Was accused of a crime he didn’t commit and sent here.
Goal: UNCOVER → The zone is a manifestation of the Divine. The essence of this divinity must be found at the Center.
HP: 5/5
Gear: Backpack,
1: Bedroll
2: bandages (9)
3: Sawed-off
4: 3 frag grenades
5: handgun d6
6: police baton
7: Cookpot
8: large Remnant “The Electrifier”
9: Food (10)
10: 4 rounds of buckshot, 28 rounds 9mm, 2 matches, 2 scrap
11: poor SMG
Skills: Mad - roll to activate Remnants with advantage
In the morning, he couldn’t take everything, so he took his knife, some of the Food(4) and two of the handguns, packed them into one of the soldier’s bags, and shoved it into a hollow tree. If he ever came back this way and needed it, it’d be there.
He turned North, where he believed the Center of Niv Lova was, where he would find the source of the divinity of the zone. He felt calm. As much as killing those soldiers was difficult, it was clear he’d done what he was supposed to, what the zone wanted him to do. It was all part of the Path. The Path that would lead him to the center.
Weather d6 = 3 → Cloudy
Clouds covered the sky but at least it wasn’t raining or snowing. He shouldered his pack, now quite heavy and pressed on.
POI → No
Encounter → No
It was a quiet, calm day. He passed dying trees, barren plains and scrublands without seeing hide nor hair of another person. He appreciated the peace and quiet, trying to get the vision of the smoking corpses out of his head. On the way, he looked for scrap.
Scavenge: d6 = 1 → Nothing
Unfortunately. he found nothing.
He camped for the night and made a fire (-1 match, 1 left), heating up a can of stew and enjoying it, nice and hot. (-1 Food, 9 left)
Night encounter w/disadvantage: 2d6kl1 = 1 → Yes
2d6 = 6 → Soldiers
d6 = 4
Reaction: 2d6 + PRE(-1) = 5 → Angered/Hostile
Range: 5 → Far
A noise woke Olmak.
It took him a moment to place it.
He sat up, carefully and quietly.
Off in the distance, he heard people talking and saw four flashlights scanning the area.
Based on their formation and the way they moved across the ground, he figured them for soldiers. They may have found their dead comrades and be searching for the killer.
It would be better not to be found.
Olmak grabbed his things and crawled to a furrow in the land, trying to hide and hoping they’d pass by.
2d6 + FIN(2) = 11 → Success.
Olmak slowed his breathing and prayed as the minutes ticked by.
An hour or so later, he heard nothing and poked his head up.
The soldiers were gone and the darkness was turning gray as dawn approached.
Olmak gathered himself together before heading North.
Navigate: d6 = 5 → Not lost
Scavenge: 4 → 3 scrap (5)
He found a burned-out car and managed to bust open the trunk. Inside he found a few metal pieces and tools that could be handy.
POI: 6 → Yes
Encounter: No
d66 = 11 → Roll twice and combine.
d66 + d66 = 46 + 22 → Military Outpost/Checkpoint + Abandoned Urban Area
AUA Size: d6 = 6 → Large: large town with 2d6 buildings to loot.
2d6 = 8 buildings.
d66 per building = Hotel(4 stories), Park, Sewage Treatment Plant, Apartment building(2 stories), Warehouse, Duplex, Prison, Self-storage
Why is the Outpost here? Action(d66) + Theme(d66) => Stop Value
I can’t think of anything for Stop Value so I switch the numbers for Action and Theme and get “Understand Technology”.
Over a hill, Olmak saw a town in the distance, most of the buildings looking like they’d escaped the destruction of the Incident.
As he approached, he noticed one tall building, a hotel. He also noticed a military jeep parked on the road next to it, and a couple figures milling about.
He stayed out of sight, using buildings and debris as cover, to get closer and observe. He wanted to scope out the area without getting noticed.
2d6 + FIN(2) = 8 → Success
After a few hours of canvassing the town and observing the soldiers, it was clear the hotel had been set up as a military outpost and that soldiers were methodically clearing out the various still-standing structures in town, including a warehouse, Sewage Treatment Plant, apartment building and self-storage garage. He also noticed a couple soldiers standing guard outside the prison, and what looked like bodies inside, he could see through the tall chain link fence surrounding the prison courtyard. The bodies had military fatigues and weapons, definitely soldiers. Why hadn’t they been recovered?
He found a burned-out hovel to stay in for the night on the edge of the town, confident the soldiers had already cleared this area and wouldn’t return. He ate a can of peas (8 food left) and wondered. Probably, he should just keep heading North, leaving this place behind, but the mystery enticed him. There must be something strange going on here. Mysteries within the zone fascinated him. If the Path had brought him here, it may have done so for a reason.
He went to sleep, unsure what he would do in the morning.
Night encounter: d6 = 1 → Yes
2d6 = 10 → skulk
Reaction: 2d6 + PRE(-1) = 1 → KILL
Range: d6 = 6 → Far
A blood-curdling scream woke Olmak up. His blood ran cold and goosebumps ran across his flesh.
It was from a distance, outside the town, but another scream told him it was coming this way. Perhaps whatever it was could smell him or sense him.
He stood in the corner of the one-room shack, facing the doorway, sawed off loaded and handgun stuck in his pants.
Initiative: I’m going to say since Olmak is prepared, he gets to go first. He’s going to try to shoot the mutant as it comes through the doorway. Unfortunately, Skulks are invisible until they attack, forcing you to roll +MIN to be able to attack and defend without a disadvantage.
2d6 + MIN(0) = 8 → Success
Olmak fires his shotgun as the skulk enters.
2d6 + FIN(2) = 8 → Success. d6 = 3 dmg.
Skulk takes 2 (tough hide = 1 Armor). HP = 10/12 (I rolled double 6’s for its health.
Olmak defends. 2d6 + FIN(2) = 7 → Failure
Skulk slashes, d6 = 2. Olmak HP = 3/5
He saw movement in the doorway and fired.
The creature screamed, revealing itself as it closed in, a pale sickly creature, tall with long limbs and claws. It swung at Olmak scratching him across the chest, before it retreated, becoming invisible once more.
Olmak staggered to the side, trying to pinpoint its location.
New round. I’ll roll Initiative now. d6 + FIN(2) vs 4 = 7 → Olmak goes first.
2d6 + MIN(0) = 6 → Failure. Olmak will have to attack and defend at disadvantage.
Attack: 3d6kl2 + FIN(2) = 11 → Hit! d6 = 1 dmg. Skulk’s hide shrugs it off.
Defend: 3d6kl2 + FIN(2) = 10 → Success! Olmak dodges the Skulks blow.
Olmak fired again at where he thought the creature was and heard a grunt. He’d hit but the creature seemed unaffected. It came at him, revealing its pale face at the last moment.
Olmak ducked to the side, dodging its clawed hand.
New round. Roll 2d6 + MIN(0) = 6 → Failure.
Olmak draws his handgun and fires.
Attack: 3d6kl2 + FIN(2) = 7 → Miss
Defend: 3d6kl2 + FIN(2) = 2 → Critical Failure! Skulk does double damage. 2d6 = 4 dmg. Olmak: -1/5.
2d6 + VIG(2) -1(current HP) vs 8 = 8 → Success. Olmak doesn’t have to roll on the Wounds table.
Olmak dropped the sawed off and drew the handgun, circling around in the small space, firing at where he thought the mutant was, missing and hitting the wall.
The mutant screeched in his ear and he realized he’d let it get close. It sank its claws into his stomach.
He staggered away, hand to his guts, blood pouring out. But he gritted his teeth. This would not be the end for him.
New round. 2d6 + MIN(0) = 3 → Failure.
Feeling that time is running out, Olmak drops to the remnant and attempts to activate it.
3d6kh2 + MIN(0) = 9 → Success. The Electrifier activates, sending electricity across the ground and hitting the skulk.
2d6 = 9 dmg, armor-piercing. HP = 1/12.
Olmak defends. 3d6kl2 + FIN(2) = 8 → Success.
The remnant cannot be activated again for d6(4) hours.
Olmak growled dropping to the ground and placing a hand on the black cube he’d left in the center of the space, closing his eyes and concentrating.
Electricity burst out of it, spreading across the ground, flashing up the walls, and consuming the invisible figure of the skulk, who let out a inhuman piercing cry of pain.
The electricity cut out and smoke rose from the creature’s invisible body, it cried out and charged.
New round:
2d6 + MIN(0) = 9 → Success!
Attack: 2d6 + FIN(2) = 13! d6 = 6! Explodes! d6 = 2.
8 damage! HP = -7/12. Skulk dies!
Olmak fired the handgun into the creature’s chest and side stepped it as it collapsed to the ground, its burned flesh revealed.
Olmak took a shuddering breath, one hand still holding his stomach, feeling blood coming out. He couldn’t move, couldn’t think, could barely breath.
Then, boots running across pavement.
Oh, no…
Light in his eyes. “Drop your weapon, now! Do it now!”
Loud voices.
Olmak dropped the handgun.
Light illuminated the skulk’s corpse.
“Holy shit,” one of the soldiers whispered.
Olmak staggered and fell, darkness overtaking him.
What a chapter! I really thought that was going to be the end of Olmak but just goes to show you never know. Combining POIs worked out really well and I was happy with all the results from random tables/Oracles.
If you’d like to dive into Niv Lova, you can check out the Playtest Document. If you’d like, you can join my discord to provide feedback, thoughts and comments on any and all things PWM, including Niv Lova. Otherwise, you can always comment here or message me through Substack.
So far this year, I’ve kept to a post weekly, which I’m very happy with. I’ve gotten past the worst of my huge workload and am feeling more able to keep up with things. I’m not promising weekly posts but I’ll just keep doing what I can. I know everybody prefers consistency and routine expectations, and perhaps I’ll get to a point where I can post the same day every week, but for now, I’m just going to let myself be flexible.
Thanks to Andrew Wylde, BuddhaRandom, and Eric, for being paid subscribers. A reminder paid subscribers will receive the final version of Niv Lova, free of charge, when it’s available.
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Excellent chapter for Olmak! I’m really excited to give Niv Lova a shot - just gotta find the bandwidth.