Mausritter Solo Actual Play Mousey Wizard Ep 5

 

Last session, Aloe, Anise, and Daisy came upon a pixie who became suddenly violent at the sight of Anise’s magic tablet.  He did not survive the encounter, but the sudden violence and death had an impact on Anise.  Up until now, all of her violent encounters had ended in the opponent being knocked unconscious rather than killed.  We’ll see how that affects her in the future.  Anise and Aloe had just left the ghost beech tree and were on their way to the Tower of Magnolia to see the wizard Gwendoline about learning more about the spell tablets. From [5] to [14]

Bold text: mechanics
Italics text: Roleplaying
Plain text: Out of character explanation

Materials: Mausritter Core Book, OPSE, Bernpyle #3 and #8,  Oak Mill Institute by MatthewSteakHam, Knave 2e, Ironsworn Oracles, Hanson Expansion, Burrows Chronicles

Set the Scene

Scene Complication d6= 2 An obstacle blocks your way
Landmark d20=Meandering brook
Weather 2d6= 6 Bitter Cold.

After their encounter at the beech tree, it is now noon and the sleet has stopped.  In its place it is a bitter cold.  Anise pulls her winter cloak around her tightly and walks in silence.  Aloe walks by her side, shivering.  Neither has spoken a word since burying the pixie.  Aloe finally breaks the silence, “Are you ok?” Anise startles at the sudden sound of his voice.  She nods affirmatively, but he can tell it isn’t true.  “Do you want to talk about what happened?”

Anise is carrying the unknown tablet in her hands that she had taken from the pixie, tracing the runes unconsciously.  “Not really.  I’ll be ok, it is just…a lot.  I’ve never seen someone killed before. Even with the rats…this is…different.” Aloe places a hand on her shoulder for a moment, then hugs himself from the cold. 

As they progress, a meandering brook becomes apparent in front of them.  They glance in both directions to see if there is a path around it, but it appears they will have to ford the small stream to get to their destination.

Oracle is there a place to cross where they won’t have to submerge in the water – Even 2d6= 3,5 Yes
Oracle  Detail Focus: 3 Clubs.  Large Physical

The mice walk downstream a little way and note a log spanning the brook.  Aloe tests that it is secure, then begins to walk across it.

DEX Save d20= 10 vs 9 fail.  Failure move d6=2.  Put someone in a spot.

Aloe begins to walk carefully along the log, but the recent cold has frozen the splashing water on the wood and created slick spots.  He slips on the ice and is holding on to the log to keep from falling into the freezing water!  Anise immediately mounts the log and tries to pull him back up to his feet.

STR Save d20= 4 vs 6 Save. 

Anise grabs his paws and heaves him back onto the surface of the log.  “Whew…that would have been a chilly swim!”  he quips.  They both nervously chuckle and that helps to lighten the gloom that had been pervasive.  They carefully cross the remainder of the way and now stand on the opposite bank. They can see the magnolia tree rising leafless in the distance.  But the crossing took precious time, and the sun will be setting soon.  They decide to make a camp for the evening and proceed in the morning to the tower.

STR Save for Aloe from the cold d20=  2 vs 9 Save.
Anise has a heavy cloak, so doesn’t need a save.

Pacing Move d6= 1 Foreshadow Trouble
If we recall when the mice were flying to the beech tree, they saw the cat lord, Balthazar stalking about.  That means he is still in the vicinity of these hexes.

As the mice are gathering some tinder and sticks to make their fire, they hear a horrifying screech from nearby.  They drop their tinder and hurry to a nearby bush to hide within.  It was just in time, because a few moments later the black, sleek form of Balthazar saunters causally by their hiding place.  In his jaws, the limp form of a small bird dangles.  Anise places her paw on Aloe’s arm, and he covers his mouth with his other paw.  The cat seems oblivious to their presence, intent on his prize.  They decide that camping near the cat’s hunting grounds is unwise.  So, once he disappears into the trees, they scamper from their hiding spot and decide to press onward through the evening.  The light begins to fade as the sun sets.  They decide to forgo lighting a torch to prevent drawing attention to themselves.

OPSE Encounter d6=5 An obstacle blocks the way
Detail Focus= 8 Clubs Complex Physical.

A deadfall of a tree spans the forest ground in front of them. They can climb over it, but it will take precious time.  They both begin to search for the easiest path and find a place where the bark is rough and offers easy handholds.  They scamper over the tree, but it takes most of the evening watch.  By the time they scaled the far side and were safe on the ground, night had well and truly fallen. After some discussion, they decided they must make camp here, otherwise they risk getting lost or eaten in the dark.  They find a nice hollow afforded by the dead trunk and make a cozy camp.  They eat a portion of their rations and settle in for sleep.

Mark one usage on both mice’s rations
20XP for each mouse for their overcoming of obstacles
Aloe at 215XP
Anise at 555XP
They will level up at 1000

Weather 2d6= 2 Snow Storm.  Darn

Anise and Aloe awaken the next morning to find a snowstorm has arrived in full force.   The entrance to their small hollow is completely blocked by a snow drift.   They are able to use Aloe’s file to cut and scrape dry, rotten wood from inside the trunk and use it for their fire, but unfortunately, it creates a large amount of smoke.

Besides the entrance, does the smoke trail off deeper into the trunk through a hidden passageway?  Oracle Unlikely 2d6= 2,2  No

Aloe knocks away snow from the entrance the best he can to allow for more ventilation, and he and Anise decide to hunker down until the weather clears.

This gives Anise time to study this newly acquired tablet.  
WIL save to identify the spell d20: 6 vs 10 Save.  Since I got my first spell from the Hansen Expansion spell list, I’ll take one this time from the core spell list.
Spell 2d8=13 Grease: Cover [DICE] x6” area in slippery, flammable grease.  Creatures in the area must make DEX save or fall prone.

Anise will need 2 more days of study in order to cast the spell without additional Miscast chances.

Anise and Aloe spend the day chatting over her newly discovered spell abilities, but she decides not to cast it in this confined area, for fear of catching the place on fire.   They decide to rest for the rest of the day and try again the following morning.

Mark another usage on rations
Roll for usage on his file d6=2  No usage

Next Morning
Weather 2d6=8 Bitter Cold

Oracle Likely Can they dig out of the snow blocking the entrance? 2d6= 2,2 No

Anise and Aloe awaken to another brutally cold day.  They spend the entire morning watch trying to dig out the snow from the entrance to their hollow, but it is no use.  The snow is too frozen.

Anise STR save against exhaustion d20= 9 vs6 fail.  Exhausted condition
Aloe STR save against exhaustion d20=  2 vs 9 Save.

Anise lays down, too exhausted to even spend time studying her Grease tablet.  Meanwhile, Aloe decides to build a second fire near the entrance to weaken the snowbank. 

Does the warmth attract any insects burrowed nearby?  D6=3,3 No

After the afternoon watch begins, they once again attempt to dig their way out.

After much struggle, they finally break out of the banked snow and see the gray light of the winter’s day.  They push on through the afternoon until the sun begins to set.

Aloe STR save against cold d20=19 vs 9 Fail.  Exhausted condition

OPSE Encounter d6=5 An obstacle blocks the way

The sun is on the horizon, futilely battling the cold and finally giving up for the evening.  Anise and Aloe have trudged through the cold, and the blacksmith especially has begun to feel the effects.  He finally sits down suddenly and states he cannot go any further.  Anise looks around for tinder for a fire, but the snow is covering everything and it is just a blanket of white.  She nods to herself and pulls the Grease tablet from her pouch.  She holds it in her hand and speaks the rune while tracing it with her fingers.   A small puddle of grease appears on the snow.  She takes Aloe’s flint and steel and sends a spark into the puddle.  It alights in a blue flame!  Unfortunately, the snow melts almost immediately and the flames are dowsed by the water.

Undeterred, Aloe wraps her cloak around Aloe’s shoulders and shivers in the bitter air.  She helps him to his feet, and they press forward, desperate to make it to the Tower of Magnolia before nightfall.

Grease d6=2 No usage or miscast.  

Finally, the huge beech tree housing the Tower of Magnolia rises before them.  The tree is a lightning blasted trunk, long dead.  But the mouse wizard, Gwendoline White has established herself here within.  They limp in the creeping darkness toward a large root that has been carved into steps leading to a set of double doors inset into the trunk of the tree.  When they begin to climb, Aloe notes that the steps do not appear to be carved after all.  It looks like they were grown from the root.  Very peculiar.  They knock on the doors, and they open almost immediately to a lightly lit anteroom.   A spiraling staircase rises up the middle of the hollowed-out trunk, with several landings above.  In the anteroom itself, a large hearth burns brightly with a welcoming fire. 
Several youths of mouse, vole, rats, and even a few frogs are gathered in small groups drinking warm drinks and talking lightly.  A rotund mouse of middle years waddles up to them with a welcoming smile, “Welcome to the Tower of Magnolia!  I am [90] Reepicheep, Keeper of the Tower.  My, you both look the worst for wear.  Please take a seat near the fire and I’ll get you a warm cup of broth.”

Reepicheep – d6=3 Male
Appearance, Quirk, Wants d20=6,18,9  Pockets full of seeds, Hates being outdoors, Wants Protection

Reepicheep’s pockets are overflowing with seeds as he moves over to a large cauldron over the flame.  He serves up two bowls of broth and brings them back to the young mice. “My, I do not envy you two for having to travel in this dreadful cold.” The last bit was a mumble as he stuffed a seed in his mouth. He swallows, “Are you here to learn about magic as students?  Or are you just stopping by our esteemed inn, [12,4] Broken Fox?”

Anise takes a sip of the warm broth and lets the delicious heat slide down her throat.  “I have found a stone tablet that I believe belongs to the wizard.  It was found in Stumpsville nearby.   But I am interested in learning more about magic!”   
Aloe chimes in, “I don’t reckon you have blacksmith magic here, do you?”  He chuckles at his own joke.

Reepicheep chuckles as well, then says, “No, no smithy magic.  However, we do have a talented smith here who teaches classes to those less magically inclined.  Her name is Millie.  And you, young lady, I’m afraid Gwendoline has retired for the night, but I can set you up with a couple of rooms and you can meet with her in the morning.  Will that be ok?” Anise nods.  “Good, good.  Now, until you are enrolled as students, I must ask if you are able to pay for the rooms?  They are 5p each night, or there are public bedrolls here in the common room that only cost 1p.  The meal is free for tonight.”  He beams his smile and crams another seed into his cheeks.

Aloe reaches into his pouch and digs out 10p.  “Here’s for a room for me and Anise.  I’m Aloe.” And he shakes hands with the keeper.  They are shown to the rooms and for the first time in several days, they get a good night’s sleep.

Their conditions are cleared with the long rest. That’s going to be it for this session, I hope you enjoyed it!   They have finally arrived at the tower, and we’ll be able to progress with a different thread in the story!  See you next time!

Not enough time has passed to warrant further faction development, so we’ll skip that for this session!