Kal-Arath Solo Actual Play Ep 5

 Kal-Arath Solo Actual Play Ep 5

Last episode, Ithela insisted on attempting to destroy the green heart of the monastery once again, only for it to lead to her demise.  Dumai feels no regret at all leaving the mad woman to her fate.  He did however, get a small idol of a white bison that, according to Ithela, indicates which direction he can go to find the white bison he is hunting.  So, let’s get on that hunt!

Weather Spring: Unexpected frost  -1 foraging

Lost: No

Forage: N/A

POI: Nothing

Encounter: Yes 2d6=3 Desperate thieves. Reaction: Neutral

Dumai walks through the frost covered grasses, occasionally glancing at the glowing bison idol to make sure he is still traveling in the correct direction.  A small copse of stunted trees lies ahead and there in the clearing sit 3 men over a campfire.  Dumai decides to steer clear of the men and they watch warily as he walks some distance away from their camp.  After Ithela, Dumai doesn’t want any more distractions.  

At this point I’m going to check every hex to see if I’m getting closer to the bison’s location.  I’ll roll 2d6 and that will be how far away the bison is. 4 Hexes!  

Camp for the night

-1 ration 3 left

Night Encounter: No

Weather Heavy Rain -2 getting lost and -1 foraging

Lost: Yes!

Forage: 1 Scarcity

POI: None

Encounter: Yes.  Champion Pit fighter and entourage of 2d6=6 admirers. Reaction: Friendly

Dumai wanders in the heavy rain, soon losing his bearings.  He has the bison to tell him the general direction, but he has no idea where he is.  He comes across an entourage camping on the lee side of a cliff face.  Their fire is warm and inviting, and they ask if he would like to share it for the night.  Dumai is wary, but decides it is better than being cold and alone.  The man leading the camp is a pit fighter only known as Fal.  He stubbornly argues with his group of admirers about who the greatest pit fighter ever known was.  Dumai wasn’t familiar with any of the names mentioned.  The conversation turns to some forbidden text and Dumai is quick to turn in for the night.  He has had enough of forbidden monasteries and mystical treasures.  He offers them 2s for a share of their rations and after eating he goes to sleep.

-2 s 198 remaining 3 rations remaining

Night Encounter: yes Nomads.  Reaction: 12 Actively Helpful.

Dumai hears a commotion as 5 nomads wander into the darkened camp. Leading their pack animals.  They ask to share the camp and offer Dumai help finding his way the following day.

Weather Spring: Partly Cloudy +1 Getting Lost

Lost: No, help from nomads

Forage: Yes Rare bounty 5 Rations + Thun Spore (regain Fate point)

POI: Yes Hidden Shrine

Encounter: no

Places Oracle: 44 Opulent

Hexes until bison 3

Dumai thanks the nomads for their help and feels much better walking in a purposeful direction toward his hunting grounds.  He finds some small game to fell and restocks his rations with their dressed meat.  Nearing the evening, he finds a small stone shrine nestled in the nook of a grassy knoll.  Several silver coins lay as an offering as well as a Thun Spore.  Dumai would never steal from the gods, so he leaves 10s and takes the Thun as a boon from them.  It will come in handy during his hunt. 

-10s 188 left

-1 ration 7 left

Night Encounter: yes. Black Legion Reaction: Friendly

Dumai makes camp near the shrine and is surprised by 3 members of the Black Legion stopping by to make their offerings to the shrine as well.  They share the fire with Dumai and discuss the goings on in the area.  One of the legionnaires speaks of his love in a nearby village, forbidden to be with him due to his involvement with the Black Legion.  Dumai murmurs his condolences.

Weather Spring: Storm -2 getting lost No foraging

Getting Lost: Yes

Foraging: N/A

POI: None

Encounter: Yes Merchant Caravan 4d6 people=20 Reaction: Actively Helpful

Hexes until bison 2

A sudden downpour of rain, hail, and raging winds forces Dumai into a narrow ravine to shelter from the storm.  There, he finds a huge merchant caravan doing the same.  He offers to trade with them, his 6 Mor blossoms for a nice iron rimmed wooden shield.  They kindly offer him an average horse as well, since the Mor blossoms were worth so much more than the shield. 

-1 ration 6 left

+average horse, shield

-6 mor blossoms

Night encounter: No

Weather: Unexpected Frost -1 foraging

Lost: No

Foraging: No

POI: No

Encounter: Yes. Giant Snake.  Reaction: Angered/Hostile

Since it stormed, I made no progress yesterday, but with the horse, I’m down to 1 hex.

Dumai trotted through the grass on his new friend, Loral.  Apparently, he was travelling a bit too carelessly and a giant snake reared from its hidden location in the grass ahead!

Giant Snake: 15 HP, bite d6+poison Morale 8

Dumai has his heart on only one hunt, and is not interested in fighting this serpent!  

Oracle, can Dumai ride past the snake Unlikely: No

No matter how Dumai steers the horse, the snake always seems to be able to get in his path. It looks like this will have to end in violence.  Dumai rides a bit away and dismounts, trying to keep Loral away from danger.  He nocks and arrow, draws, and looses, all in one smooth motion. 

Dumai attack snake 2d6+2+1=8 Hit.  D6+1 damage=2  Snake HP 13

Oracle, can the snake reach Dumai this round?  No, and.  I’ll use this opportunity to use a table from the “Rolls of Engagement” supplement by @Whiskey, Blood, and Dust.

2d6=9 Obscuring Event: Blowing dirt or grass reduces visibility for the snake.

The arrow thuds into the hide of the snake, and it thrashes around so much that the dirt and grass in the area is stirred to the point that it can’t pinpoint where Dumai is.

Dumai attack snake 2d6+2+1=11 Hit.  D6+1 damage=2 Snake HP 11

Dumai moves back away from the snake.

Oracle,  can the snake reach Dumai this round Unlikely: No, but. I’m going to take that to mean that the snake has gotten it’s bearings and has decided to go for Loral.

Oracle, does Loral run? No!

Snake attacks Loral.  No stats for horses, so I’ll just give him a plus 2 AGI.

2d6+2 dodge=8 Pass

The snake decides to go for easier prey and slithers towards Loral.  Loral is brave at heart and rears at the snake, striking out with her forehooves. The blows do not land, but it deters the snake from getting a bite on the horse.   Loral’s eyes begin to roll wildly as the snake coils for another strike!

Dumai attack 2d6+2+1= 8 Hit. D6+1=6.  Snake HP 5

Snake morale save= 10 vs 8.  The snake decides to retreat and live to eat an easier meal.

Dumai quickly sends another arrow down range to the coiled snake, and it thuds into the snake flesh.  The snake recoils once again, then begins to slither away.  Dumai has had enough of fighting these cursed snakes, and decides he wants snake soup tonight.  He mounts onto Loral and fires another arrow at the retreating snake.

Dumai attack 2d6+2+1=8 Hit. D6+1=3.  Snake HP 2

Oracle, is the snake able to escape? No, and.  Oh bummer for snake, he isn’t looking too hot.  Dumai will get advantage on his next damage roll.

Dumai attack 2d6+2+1=12 Hit.  D6+1=5 Dead.

The last few arrows strike home, and the snake lies unmoving in the grass.   Dumai cautiously approaches and severs the head of the snake after several blows with his hatchet.  He then proceeds to carve up the meat for some additional rations.  

How many rations from the snake meat? D6=6!  Wow

Oracle, can he save any of the skin to use for tanning? Yes, but.  He is only able to save it if he stays here a few days for immediate tanning.  He’s too close to the bison to do that, so we’ll just leave it. 

Camp

-1 ration 11 left

Night Encounter: no.

Weather: Lightly Cloudy

Lost: No

Forage: No

POI: No 

Encounter: No  (except since it is good weather we have caught up with the bison herd)

As Dumai crests the rolling hill of the grassy meadow, ahead and below him is the silently munching herd of bison.  There in the center, standing head and shoulders taller than the rest of the herd is the White Bison of Corruption.  The small idol in the hunter’s hands has grown white hot, and he drops it into the grass.  Loral gives a gentle whinny, and the white bison lifts its head from the grass, staring in their direction!  It lets out a mighty bellow, and the herd begins to stampede directly toward them!

That’s going to be the end of this episode!   The next session will be the conclusion of this actual play, for good or ill.  Will Dumai be able to fell this mighty beast?  Or will he and Loral be trampled like Mufasa!?  Be sure to check in next week and find out!