PWM: Sanguine Dust, Chapter 6
The fight for Tranquility
Shen and Kwan sat on cots in the jury-rigged clinic as Jackie looked them over, taking their vitals.
Althus stood, watching them, arms crossed. “We figured you for dead,” he said.
“Still alive,” Shen said. “Barely.”
“What happened?”
“Tern is not what you think, not what anyone of us thought,” Shen replied, shaking his head. “We fought him, had him pinned down and unarmed. Then…” Shen’s voice faded, remembering.
“What?” Althus asked.
“Fire,” Kwan spoke up. “From his hands.”
“Tern’s a Paragon,” Shen said. “Hurled flames at us. We tried to get out, but they captured us, tortured us. They’re doing experiments, same as they were on Lotan. We managed to get away but they’ll be looking for us.” He looked at Althus. “We need to stop him.”
Make a Connection
When you search out a new relationship…roll heart
1d6 + 1(heart) = 7 vs (2,2)
Strong hit with a match - You create a connection, give them a role and a rank. Whenever your connection aids you on a move closely associated with their role, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit.
Notes: I give Althus the role, “Leader” and the rank, “Dangerous”.
Althus clenched his hands into fists. “He’s a terrible leader but this…this is worse than we feared.”
“We need a distraction,” Shen said. “Pull his soldiers out of his headquarters, leave him defenseless and then we hit him. With enough people, we can take him down.”
“Come with me,” Althus said.
Shen and Kwan followed the rebel leader out of the clinic despite Jackie’s protests that they needed rest.
Althus led them to a small room in the corner of the warehouse, with a folding table in the center, a map laid out over it. A few of Althus’ generals stood within, consulting the map and talking. It stopped when Althus arrived with Shen and Kwan.
Althus showed the map. It was filled with notes and lines, circles in red, details handwritten.
“You’ve been planning this for awhile,” Shen said.
“We weren’t going to let the fate of Tranquility rest on one lone outsider’s attempt at an assassination,” Althus said, smirking. “No offense.”
“None taken,” Shen said. “Though it nearly worked, it was foolish." He made eye contact with Althus. “Tell us the plan. We’re here to help.”
Althus pointed at a spot on the map circled in red. “First, we hit the infirmary. Not as heavily guarded as it should be, Tern doesn’t know how strong we really are. We are prepared to hit it strong and fast. As soon as we do, we get reinforcements. Many of those in there are not sick, just snatched up as an excuse because they were affiliated with our cause.” He moved his finger across the map to another destination in red. “At the same time, we hit the media and communications center. This is where Tern blasts his propaganda. We take it and start blasting the truth.”
“He won’t like that,” Shen said. “He’ll retaliate.”
“We act like we’re holding out there,” Althus said, moving his finger to the third circled spot on the map. “But really, we leave just a few, barricaded up to put up a fight, a distraction. While his guards are gone, we hit him here, at his headquarters. Enough people and his fire powers won’t save him.”
“And you have enough people for this?” Shen said. “You’re sure?”
“We have enough,” Althus said. “I was just waiting another day or so to see if you were alive.” He smiled. “Thankfully, you are.”
“I’ll be with the group that hits the infirmary,” Kwan said, volunteering. “I got to know some people in there. I’d like to make sure they’re okay.”
“And you, Coyote?” Althus asked.
“I’ll join you in taking the comms center,” Shen said. “Let me go scout it out while you get your people into position.”
Secure an Advantage
When you assess a situation…with expertise, focus or observation, roll wits.
1d6 + 2(wits) = 7 vs (5,2)
Strong hit - On a strong hit, take both:
+2 momentum
+1 on next move (not a progress move)
Notes: Current momentum = +3. +1 on next move.
Shen hung out in an alley, peeking around the corner at the open square in front of the communications center. It looked like an average office building with many windows, a couple stories tall. He noted the number of guards, the pattern of people entering and exiting, and any areas with weak security.
Althus led a band of mis-matched, ragged fighters behind him, into the alley to meet Shen.
Shen drew both of his pistols, clicking off the safeties. “After you,” he said to Althus.
Althus nodded, gestured to his soldiers and then forward. He put the rifle to his shoulder and led the way into the square.
Shen and the rest followed.
Battle
When you fight a battle and it happens in a blue, envision your objective and roll. If you primarily…fight at range, using your speed and the environment to your advantage, roll edge.
1d6 + 3(edge) +1(SaA) = 8 vs (7,4)
Strong hit - You achieve your objective unconditionally. Take +2 momentum.
Notes: Current momentum = +5. I also check off progress for my “Overthrow Tern” vow. I considered escaping Tern’s grasp to be the first progress, so current progress = 6/10
They swarmed the front, coming out of the alley in a rush.
Gunfire erupted between guards and rebels but the guards were surprised, making them slow. Quickly, the guards were overwhelmed. They tried to retreat and the rebels followed.
Shen and the rebels moved through the building room by room, forcing guards to surrender and shooting those who fought back.
It was rough and bloody work.
Shen took a moment to reload, the last few guards holding out in a room at the end of the hall. Shen peeked and fired, taking out one who’d been leaning into the hall to fire.
The other two tossed down their weapons and threw themselves on the floor, surrendering.
Shen and Althus stood in the control room as rebels shut down the current feeds.
Althus commanded his people, leaving only a few behind to barricade the doors and broadcast the data Shen had given him about Lotan. “Kelstar, your squad stays here. Retreat as needed. Escape if necessary. There’s no reason to lose lives for this, understood?”
Kelstar saluted and headed off to begin barricading.
Shen, Althus, and the rest of the rebels left quickly, hustling through the streets, meeting up with those from the infirmary, circling around the settlement to come at the headquarters.
It was a formidable-looking building, taller than any nearby structures, the architecture all hard lines and angles, dark and grim metals.
Althus, Shen and Crash huddled nearby.
"Scouts report Tern sent a large number of troops to the Communications Center," Althus said.
"No time like the present," Shen said, ensuring his guns were loaded.
Battle
When you fight a battle and it happens in a blue, envision your objective and roll. If you primarily…fight at range, using your speed and the environment to your advantage, roll edge.
1d6 + 3(edge) = 7 vs (5,3)
Strong hit - You achieve your objective unconditionally. Take +2 momentum.
Notes: Current momentum = +7. Progress on “Overthrow Tern” = 9/10
The fight was a strenuous one. Tern still had many guards within.
The rebels exchanged gunfire down tight, narrow corridors. They worked their way methodically through the large structure, fighting pockets of security.It was brutal and bloody but Tern simply didn’t have enough soldiers.
“We did it,” Shen said, standing with Althus in Tern’s office, the last of his soldiers having surrendered.
Fulfill Your Vow
When you reach the end of your quest, roll the challenge dice and compare to your progress.
Progress = 9 vs (1,9)
Weak hit - Your vow is fulfilled but you realize there is more to be done or you realize the truth of your quest. If you swear an iron vow to make things right, take the full reward, otherwise, take 1 rank reward lower.
Notes: If I decided to take a lower reward, it would be nothing as my vow was only “Troublesome”. I decided there is more to be done and I’ll need to swear another iron vow. This at least allows me to take the reward of 1 tick on my quests legacy track.
Althus went to Tern’s desk, swiping everything off of it with the back of his hand. “The bastard got away.” He leaned against the desk, shaking his head. “He didn’t even fight, he just ran. I do not trust that he’s gone for good. He will return.”
Shen walked over. “No, he won’t,” Shen said, pulling his sleeve up to reveal his iron arm band. “I vow on the iron of old that I will find him and kill him.”
Swear an Iron Vow
When you swear upon iron to complete a quest, write your vow (“Find ex-overseer Tern and kill him”) and give it a rank (“Formidable”). Then, roll heart. If you swear this vow to a connection, add +1. If you share a bond, add +2.
1d6 + 1(heart) +1(connection) = 5 vs (2,8)
Weak hit - You are determined but begin your quest with more questions than answers. Take +1 momentum and envision what you do to find a path forward.
Notes: Current momentum = +8
Althus looked pleased. “He went into FTL but you should be able to follow.”
Ships entering FTL generate and expel energy in such a way as to leave a resonating signature for hours. Ship computers can generally use that energy to calculate a similar jump pattern.
“I can follow him, jump to jump,” Shen said, nodding. “I just don’t know his final destination.” He clasped hands with Althus. “No time to waste,” Shen said.
“At least rest and resupply before you go,” Althus said. “Tranquility owes you a great debt, Ironsworn Coyote. We won’t forget it.”
Forge a Bond
When your relationship to a connection is ready to evolve, roll the challenge dice and compare to your progress.
Progress = 6 vs (9,2)
Weak hit - On a weak hit, you now share a bond but they ask something of you first, if you fulfill their request or vow to see it down, you receive the full reward.
Notes: I decide Althus’ request is that I leave Kwan behind to assist with rebuilding the settlement.
“I ask that you not take Crash with you,” Althus said. “We could use his help here. He knows Lotan well and can help us with acquiring Immir for the cure.”
“Of course. This is one task I must do alone. I will return when the deed is done,” Shen said, leaving Althus in the overseer’s office.
Shen found Kwan speaking with rebels, helping organize medical aid for those wounded.
Notes: I previously attempted to Forge a Bond with Kwan aka Crash, but got a weak hit, meaning I had to fulfill his request first. That request was to save the citizens of Tranquility. With that completed, we are now bonded. That means I get +2 when he helps me with his role of '“hunter” and he gets a new role. I roll randomly for it and get “mystic”. If he helps me as a mystic, I get +1 on the move.
“I’m leaving,” Shen said, clapping Kwan on the back. “I’m going after Tern.”
“I can come with you,” Kwan said.
Shen shook his head. “No, not this time. They need you here.”
Kwan looked around, his eyes narrowed, before looking back. “You sure?”
Shen shook his hand. “I’ll be fine on my own. It’s what I’m used to, anyways.”
Why am I so often alone?
“You stay,” Shen said. “You help them with the Immir on Lotan, help the sick, do some good here.”
“Very well, Coyote,” Kwan said, giving a nod of respect. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too, Crash.”
Sojourn
When you spend time recovering within a community, roll heart.
1d6 + 1(heart) +2(bond) = 9 vs (6,8)
Strong hit - This is a safe refuge. You may choose two recover moves and assume an automatic strong hit for each. You can take an individual move more than once.
Notes: Since Althus is the leader of this community, I used his bond to give me +2 on this move. I choose to Heal and Resupply. Heal takes me from 0 to +3 health and resupply takes me to +5 supply.
Shen got checked over by Jackie in an actual medical facility. She wrapped his wounds and told him how to take care of himself for the next few days and that he’d still be in pain for awhile.
“You nearly died,” Jackie said. “You don’t just get over that, understood?”
He thanked her and promised he’d follow her instructions. When he got back to the Nomad Drifter, laborers finished up loading supplies.
Crash was there, waiting.
They clasped hands.
“Kill him and come back,” Crash said, pulling him in for a hug and a pat on the back.
“I will,” Shen said, returning the hug.
As they released, Crash kept a hold of Shen’s hand for a moment. “The second part of that is the most important, you hear me?” He looked into Shen’s eyes. “Come back.”
“I will,” Shen repeated. “Make sure this place is still standing when I do.”
Crash let go and nodded.
Shen headed into the Drifter.
The Drifter undocked from Tranquility, the viewscreen showing the vastness of space and the many, many stars.
The ship was quiet, a low hum the only noise, save for an occasional mechanical chunk and thump from various locations.
Still alive. Still alone.
Shen used the computer to identify the signature of Tern’s ship and calculated where it had jumped to.
“Time to go.”
His first steps on the Nomad Drifter were hesitant, as the door shut behind him, cutting off the yells from those trying to follow him. The ship was so quiet, like a library…or a tomb. Flashes of the dying woman made him shudder. He was alone on her ship. Not hers anymore. She was gone. He heard banging on the hull. He had to move quickly. He ran through the ship to the bridge, pushing himself into the captain’s chair that felt a little too big for him. The console came to life in front of him, showing him statuses of the ship and controls to use it.
“Shit, shit, shit,” he whispered. He didn’t know how to pilot this thing. He’d played a simulator often enough when he’d scrambled or begged enough for an extra coin or two, but this was the real deal. Beeping came over the speakers, an alert flashing on the screen, someone was trying to open up communications with him. He ignored it. His fingers flashed along the controls and he managed to initiate the undocking sequence.
“Time to go.”
End of Session Notes
This was a good example of how you can “zoom out” of a story. I wasn’t really interested in a long drawn out, rising-rebellion-type story, so I went with a few quick battle rolls to see how the rebels fared. I rolled well and I was actually happy to get a weak hit on my fulfilling my vow, because I’d already had the idea that Tern would escape, and I would chase after him.
Next week will be a bit of a break. I’m going to write up a “Table of Contents” post that I can keep pinned on the site to help new subscribers and readers navigate the substack. This will be a post I will keep updated as I go.
You can consider this the end of the first arc. The second arc will begin next week, with a similar length. After that, I’ll move on to a new game, as yet to be determined.
Again, thanks for reading, subscribing and sharing.
Please hit me up in the comments with any questions or thoughts.
Next Chapter → Chapter 7: Chasing the Overseer