rogue & slayer rpg

7/25/2019 Rogue & Slayer rpg

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ROGUE & SLAYER

By Tiridates

Rogue and Slayer (R&S) is a rules-lite game of sword and

sorcery adventure for 3-4 people. The rules inscribed here

are Narrative, meaning that the description and feel of the

game is much more important than the actual mechanics.

This game does not seek to detail every rule or action;

rather it provides a focus for collaborative story telling

between friends.

In a time before the great glaciers covered the

world there was an age now forgotten. For here a

lotus soaked vision of ancient earth could befound resplendent with strange cultures, exotic

gods and cruel sorcery. A thin veneer of

civilisation masks a savage and barbaric age of

tyranny and bloodshed. And it is here that our

heroes ply their trade, savage slayers, daring

rogues and cunning thieves all eager for

adventure and riches.

LET US BEGIN

Before we start, our game will require some six sided dice

and two sets of tokens.

For each player a Blue Action Dice. This dice can be

the difference between life and death - treat it

well.

Three Red Danger Dice to be cast against our

heroes. Each player can hold his own set or they

can be shared amongst our heroes.

A stack of Red Danger tokens, accrued by our

heroes during their adventures

A pile of Yellow tokens signifying Coin hard earned

and highly prized.

Now choose one among you to be the Scribe. They will be

the narrator of our tale, presenting the world to the other

players and playing the parts of the other characters that

our Heroes interact with. The role of the Scribe will be

detailed later but for now let us focus on the remaining

players, for they will be our heroes.

CREATE YOUR HERO

Creating an interesting and colourful hero is the first step

towards playing in a dramatic and exciting game. Paint him

or her with broad colourful strokes, leaving the subtle

details to be filled in during play. Name your hero, write a

couple of notes about them if you like, and youre done

Each hero is defined by his Role and Style. These determine

his Traits and Talents as well as his initial Drives. To get

started one player selects a preferred Style. The next player

then chooses one of the two remaining Styles, leaving the

last unclaimed style for player three. The third player then

gets first choice of Roles, followed by player two, and then

player one.

For larger groups or a more freeform choice allow players

to select whichever Style and Role they wish. The only

caveat to this is that no two players can have identical

characters. So whereas its ok to have a Savage Slayer and a

Savage Rogue in the same group, having two Daring Slayers

should be discouraged.


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TRAITS

Each character has three Traits that represent their natural

physical and mental qualities. When you perform a task

with a relevant trait you add its value to your dice roll. Each

Trait starts at 0 but may be raised by your choice of Style

and Role. During the game traits can be improved to a

maximum of +3.

STEELSteadfast and strong your hero counts on

brute force and tenacity to get things done

DARINGDecisive and agile your hero depends on

his prowess and bravado to win through.

GUILEAstute and perceptive your hero relies on

quick thinking and cunning to accomplish his goals

TALENTS

Each hero is a capable individual with certain unique skills

and abilities. These are his Talents and each hero begins the

game with two. Starting Talents are determined by your

choice of Style and Role. Although each Talent is associated

with one style approach in practice they can be used with

any Trait. Whenever you use your Talent your blue Action

Dice total can never be lower than a 5.

DRIVES

Crom Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to

HELL with you!

You may be a hero but you still harbour the same self-

serving ambitions and questionable virtues of lesser men.These Drives are your characters desires and motivations.

There will be many opportunities to act upon your Drives

but one must be wary for the ambitions of men are often

petty and cruel.

Each hero begins the game with 3 Drives. Choose one each

from your Style and Role. Your third Drive can be something

of your own choosing or determined by the Scribe. During

your adventure anytime you achieve one of your Drives you

earn a Coin. Each Drive can only be completed once in any

given adventure.

SETTING THE SCENE

The Scribe starts the game by describing an opening

sequence. Start with a basic sketch - the characters are on

the rooftops at night, carousing in a favourite tavern, or

moving through a crowded bazaar. Bring the scene to life.

What does the place look and sound like? How busy or

quiet is it?

Next the Scribe creates a Threat. A threat is anything that

presents a challenge to the heroes, from a monstrous

Crimson Ape to a raging fire to a seductive enemy agent.

These Threats need to be defeated before our heroes can

finish the scene. Each scene can have several possible

threats and more can be added by the Scribe as the scene

progresses.

Once the scene has been set and the threats revealed, ask

the players. What do you do?

SPOTLIGHT

The hero who first steps up to tackle the threat is now in

the spotlight. During this time we zoom in on them as they

describe how they will deal the threat. Other things may be

happening in the background, but the focus is on the hero.

Remain in the spotlight by narrating more actions. Your

turn ends and the spotlight cuts to another player when the

threat is overcome, you elect to Pass or you are Defeated!

Your time in the spotlight is measured in segments called

Exchanges. Each Exchange consists of a player narrating

how he will deal with a threat and rolling the dice to see

how successful he has been. An Exchange has no fixed

duration; during Action scenes they may last only last a few

seconds while during an election campaign may comprise

months of canvassing and making speeches

DRAMATIC OPENING

Start your sessions so that something exciting happens right

from the start. All that truly matters is that your opening

scene is dramatic enough to get everyone on the edge of

their seat and feeling fully engaged

Its a crimson dusk on the first night of the Festival of

Laments, and the streets are more crowded than usual.

Wine and song dull the dying heat of the day as masked

celebrants dance around you. Suddenly the crowd partsand Hargun, feared enforcer of the Thieves Clan, locks eyes

with you. He clearly has not forgotten the last time you met

and the debts still owed. At his signal, a dozen cutthroats

swarm out of the crowd and surround you.


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THE EXCHANGE

When its your time in the spotlight be bold! Use colourful

narrative to describe your actions. Never just sneak over

and kill the guard. Instead slink through the shadows up

behind the lone guardsman and with an iron grip, wrench

his neck until the snap of bone and tendon can be heard.

Then lower the lifeless body to the cold stone floor and

melt back into the shadows.

Say how you deal with a Threat and choose a Trait. The trait

should be based on your approach and the actions you

described. You cant creep through a dark room using Steel

and you cant smash open a locked door using Guile

Use STEEL to accomplish feats of strength and

endurance. Wrestle a bear, stare down a thug take

by force, stand your ground, resist temptation or

shrug of influence.

Use DARING to perform feats of athletic prowess

and agility dodge an arrow impress draw attention

to yourself leap across roof-tops or jump out of

burning buildings.

Use GUILE to observe carefully solve problems

outwit others, negotiate a deal Sneak into places

hes not welcome conceal yourself evade scrutiny

or suspicion

ROLL THE DICE

Once you have finished your narration, its time to roll the

dice. Pick up your Action Dice and at least one red Danger

Dice. Narrate more details by adding more Danger dice

(max 3). The more dice you roll the more hits you can

achieve, but the greater the risk of being defeated andremoved from the scene before its done.

Roll your Action Dice and add your Trait for a final

result between 1 and 6 (the result can never be

lower than a 1 or higher than a 6.)

Roll your Danger Dice and compare against your

Action Dice result

For every red dice that is lower you score a Hit

For every red dice that is equal to or higher youscore a Miss

What Happens on a HIT?

Each Hit you score takes you one step closer to defeating

the Threat. If you score 3 hits to a threat during your time

in the spotlight you gain an advantage. This gives a +1 to

your Action dice against this threat.

Chased across the rooftops of night caressed Shadizar, our

hero rolls his third hit. He narrates reaching into his belt and

scattering a handful of caltrops behind him. Although this

action doesnt help him directly escape it should slow his

pursuers giving him +1 to his next Action Dice.

Regardless of how well you do your description is true. This

allows our heros a certain narrative freedom when

describing their actions and how they deal with threats. But

it does come with two stipulations. You cannot contradict a

previously established element of the scene and you cant

narrate victory before you've accumulated the required

number of hits

If you pass you can give your Advantage (+1) to the

next hero who attacks the same threat.

If you do six Hits to a Threat during your turn in

the spotlight, it is defeated! Narrate your victory

If you elect to pass or you are Defeated before you

score six hits the threat remains and any Hits you

scored are lost.

What happens on a MISS?

On a Miss the hero takes a Danger token and the Scribe

gets to make a move - a response to the heros actions.

They may escalate a situation or give the hero a tough

choice to make there are no mechanical implications to

these moves but they help form part of the back and forthnarrative that makes up an exciting exchange.

No matter what move you make, always follow up with

What do you do?

Example Miss Results

Theyre circling around you, trying to cut off your

escape!

He charges with his shield, pushing you back

towards the edge!

The things tentacles coil around you, dragging you

under the water!


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COMPLICATIONS

Complications are used to describe a heros current

condition or situation. A hero takes a Complication by

rolling three Miss Results during his time in the spotlight or

by accumulating six Danger tokens and being Defeated!

Each Complication gives a -1 penalty to a heros Action Dice

whenever it would affect what he is trying to do. A

Complication will typically last until the end of the scene

though more permanent Complications are possible.

Complications can be anything that hinders or impedes a

hero. They also neednt always be physical states!

Distracted, Angry and Scared are just as valid as bruised,

bloody and broken. Complications can also be situational

such as a temple having a sturdy lock or a mountain pass

being blocked by a landslide. No matter what you call them

Complications are always negative.

Sample Complications

At a Loss for Words

Confused

Scared

Poisoned

Exhausted

Bad First Impression

Humiliated

Mauled

Stunned

Cornered

Restrained

Outnumbered

Lost

Bloodied

Easy Mark

Shaken

Doubted

Tougher Than He Looks

Nothing to lose

Suspicious

Distracted

Spotted

DANGER TOKENS

Red Danger tokens are a heros story immunity. As long as

he has less than six he can play an active part in the Scene.

During their time in the spotlight for each Miss result thehero takes a red Danger token. The more Danger tokens

you have the greater the risk to your hero.Accumulate six

tokens and you are Defeated!

At the beginning of each adventure every hero

starts with zero Danger tokens.

At the end of every scene you clear 3 Danger

tokens from your stack

Reviving or rescuing a hero who has beenDefeated is treated as a Threat

DEFEATED!

You would rather fall beneath the blades of your enemies

than submit. So be it proud slayer! When a hero is defeated

he has failed at whatever task he was trying to accomplish

and plays no further part in the scene. But never fear your

hero can be revived and back in action soon only with a

lasting Complication to remind him of his defeat.

During your turn in the spotlight if things are going badly

and you have amassed a pile of Danger tokens you have the

option to concede. Your hero surrenders and plays no

further part in the scene. Temporary defeat means that

you'll be back in action soon enough and unlike being

Defeated! you have some say in your fate rather than one

imposed by the scribe

TURN END

Your turn ends when you overcome the threat, pass or you

are Defeated! The spotlight then moves to another hero.

Once everyone has had their time in the spotlight the

Scribe can escalate any threats that still remain. Turns

continue until all the threats have been dealt with and the

scene ends


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SCRIBE

As the Scribe you are responsible for telling our story. Adaunting task but the following should give you some idea

on how to run a Sword and Sorcery adventure. Keep in

mind the daring exploits our heroes undertake should be

fast and furious - full of action, drama, sorcery and

swordplay. Above all it is about telling a good story and

having fun.

Its your job to paint a picture of the world. The better your

descriptions, the more creative your players will be. More

than this, a vivid description brings the game to life, Ask

questions constantly, and build on the answers. Have any

of you faced a Witch before? Where? What happened?

Keep them guessing. Build a sense of danger and

excitement into every scene and keep the players on the

edge of their seat as to what might transpire next. When

everyone looks to you to see what happens make a move

that demands a response. When you escalate a situation

always end with What do you do?

Fail forward - It is possible the characters will fail but this

should never simply lead the characters into a dead end.

Instead it should make their lives more complicated by

forcing them to pursue a second, more dangerous route

towards getting what they want.

Push hard, but be fair Killing your heroes means the end of

the game When the characters do not stop them in time,

let events unfold describe the consequences of their

successes or failures Let Nameless NPCs die Push people off

cliffs, cut ropes, kill hostages, carry people away.

Keep the adventure moving at a brisk pace. If a scene does

not drive the story forward, just narrate it and move on Try

to make sure that every scene advances the story in some

meaningful way, and when the time comes start looking for

a way to tie the remaining plot threads together into somekind of big finale

DRIVES

Subotai: A good thief could get in there, steal the princess,and be off before she's missed

Valeria: Good thieves could do that, but not vengeful ones.

To a hero each Drive represents a chance to earn Coin. To

the scribe drives present opportunities to challenge each

hero. Put them in situations that force them to make a

tough choice. Do they refuse the reward of coin by not

fulfilling their Drive or do they take the Coin and deal with

the consequences?

Encourage the heroes to come up with their own Drives.

During their adventures potential new Drives will present

themselves. Certain Drives are event driven and short term.

For example the Drive Avenge my father by slaying Etor the

Glib is a short term Drive and only achievable once. Once

Etor is slain the Drive is removed.

Lastly a Scribe can use Adventure Drives. These are a list of

Drives created especially for a given adventure. Assign each

hero a Drive or allow them to choose. These Drives can be

relatively straight forward or for more cut throat play the

Drives may be conflicting, designed to put heroes at odds

with the Adventure Drives other heroes have selected.

COIN

So what of the riches promised for risking life and limb?

During their adventures heroes can earn Coin. Regrettably

they have little to do with gold and gems; although they do

form a currency which can be traded in to improve your

hero. Earn Coin by completing adventures and achieving

Drives. Once you have amassed six Coin trade them in for

an advancement.

For more cutthroat games a hero can earn Coin by saving

another hero from a dire fate (though its the rescuedheros choice on whether to reward them with Coin) or by

tricking or betraying another hero and taking one of their

coins (if they have any). At the end of the adventure the

hero with the greatest number of coins is declared the

winner

Increase STEEL (max +3)

Increase DARING (max +3)

Increase GUILE (max +3)

Learn a new Talent (max 3)


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SCENE TYPES

Each adventure is made up of a number of linked scenes.

Action scenes are for fighting, Interludes are for recovering,

and Suspense scenes are for figuring out (and inventing)

what is going on. While combat and action are a big part of

a Sword and Sorcery adventure, dont make every scene a

physical encounter. Allow room for investigation,

interaction, and exploration. Challenge your players with

opportunities for roleplaying and narration.

With every new scene establish its purpose as clearly as you

can. A good scene revolves around resolving a specific

conflict or achieving a specific goal. Keep the scene moving

let things continue so long as the players are all invested

and enjoying themselves. As soon as the momentum starts

to flag, move on. Its always better forscenes to end quickly

rather than drag on for too long.

ACTION SCENES

Whether frantic rooftop chases, daring rescues or brutal

duels to the death Action scenes make up a large part of

every sword and sorcery adventure. Action is the key in any

adventure and it is the Scribes job to set up interesting

conflicts and dangerous situations with real consequences

for failing. Imagine your hero trying to reach the heroine

before the rope breaks and she falls to her doom.

By their very nature Action scenes should be fast and

dangerous. During fast paced Action Scenes the Scribe can

flip the spotlight between heroes at suitably dramatic

moments, cutting to another exciting time within the scene.

Whenever possible, try to make one player's turn flow into

the next, by shifting a threat onto them or offering an

opportunity.

No scene should happen in an empty, colourless space andthis is especially true for Action scenes. Set each Action

scene in a location ripe for colourful narration, daring

manoeuvres and tricky situations. Mix in bustling crowds,

snake infested pits and crumbling temples to provide

interesting complications and added Danger.

CREATING ADVANTAGES

If a hero has time to prepare before confronting a Threat hecan gain an Advantage. Preparing an ambush or escape

route, fortifying a position, revealing an adversarys

weakness or arming yourself with garlic and crucifix before

confronting a vampire are all situations where a short term

benefit may be rewarded. This can be an automatic bonus

given by the Scribe or a Threat representing the planning

and provision required before gaining an Advantage.

Advantage grants a +1 bonus to a heros Action Dice where

his previous preparation would help. Such short term

advantages will usually only last against a single threat.

Longer term advantages require an Investigation scene

Scene Name: Combat

Combat in Rogue and Slayer is narrative driven which

means things like weapon type and initiative is

unimportant. Combat should be cinematic and visceral so

encourage your heroes to narrate daring swordplay and

savage fury.

Action: Sooner or later blades are drawn and blood is shed.

When you hack and slash lethal moves (decapitations, kill

shots, stakes through the heart, etc.) should be saved until

after the threat has been Defeated!

Success: The victor is entitled to any dramatic killing blow

(or other kind of scene resolution) they wish to inflict upon

their helpless victim.

Use STEEL to hack and slash, cleave through

shields inflict grievous wounds push them back

overwhelm and hurl axes

Use DARING to perform acrobatic stunts and bold

manoeuvres, deflect an arrow, duel a masterswordsman, fire a bow, parry and dodge.

Uses GUILE to ambush or strike suddenly with

concealed blades, outmanoeuvre feint and exploit

weakness.

(-1) Complications can have many results beyond mere

wounds. Swords are knocked over cliffs. Shields are

shattered. A cascade of blows drives a warrior to the

ground fatigue loss of position surrounded cornered


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CHARACTER SCENES

Between action scenes our heroes need a chance to rest

and regroup. These interludes allow the Scribe tosummarize what has happened so far and for the heroes to

ask questions and introduce new characters, locations or

plot points to the adventure. The Scribe can use these

elements to form the basis of the next scene and any future

threats. Character scenes are also the time for heroes to

ask questions of each other.

When you do an Interlude scene:

Include your hero, plus another or a Scribe

character. Say where you are (or ask for ideas) and

whats happening when the scene starts.

Roleplay! Reveal your relationship with the other

characters. Introduce a clue, plot point, or possible

future threat. Ask questions (in character)

Reset your Danger to 0 and remove any conditions

Scene Name: Social Interaction

When you Engage and interact with others, extract a

promise, discover a hidden truth or negotiate a deal to your

benefit. If a scene consists of nothing but conversation,

they should be laden with veiled threats, undercurrents of

hostility or other elements to add tension

Success The target is re receptive to a bargain, or inclined

to grant you a favour. Asking him to do something

unreasonable or dangerous will require threats or leverage.

Use STEEL to threaten, Coerce, show yourenot to

be messed with, resist temptation, or refuse to

become a liability,

Use DARING to negotiate, persuade, impress, talk

your way in, make a convincing case or gain

someones trust Use GUILE to manipulate, outwit deceive, spot a

weakness to exploit, discern a person's intentions

or conceal your own

(-1) They need some concrete assurance of your promise,

right now. You misjudge someone you reveal something

unintended or you are deceived. You get put in a bad

position, you make an enemy or they refuse

INVESTIGATION SCENES

After the action and interludes, there will be questions

unanswered. Stuff like, Who was the mysterious figure?and What was stolen during the attack? and What does

the captive warrior reveal about the plans of her master?

These questions become the focus of an Investigation

scene. The scribe will frame each question with a brief

description before the scene starts and each question is

treated as a threat that needs to be overcome. When a

question is defeated, its answered definitively by the

Scribe or the hero who defeated it. Each threat that is

Defeated brings them one step closer to their goal.

Use STEEL to intimidate coerce kick in doors and

extract confessions

Use DARING to charm and gain someones trust,

talk your way in and trade gossip.

USE GUILE to gain access to places, shadow

suspects, overhear secrets, draw conclusions and

conduct research

(-1) You are deceived; the information comes at a price.

Interested parties become aware of your inquiries.

Investigation scenes can also encompass long term

planning and research. Similar to the Create Advantage

bonus this equates to a +1 bonus for the entire scene for

each hero involved. For example, when planning the theft

of a priceless treasure the Scribe lays out three questions to

be answered. After these are successfully Defeated our

heroes embark on their heist armed with a permanent

Advantage due to their extensive preparations

INVESTIGATION SCENE EXAMPLES

A plague ravages the city. What is causing it and can it becured? Finding the cause gives you a +1 to finding a cure.

Failing to locate the cause of the outbreak does not stop

you from finding a cure and theres always the complication

of becoming infected

A brutal murder needs to be investigated. What was the

motive and who is the murderer? Deception or missing

evidence makes clues and facts surrounding the mystery

hard to uncover; advantages represent revelations about

the crime that make it easier to solve, but alone do not

reveal everything going on>


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THREATS

A threat is anything that presents a challenge to the heroes.

The most obvious Threats are those that can be defeatedby beating them to a bloody pulp but Threats dont have to

be all about hacking and slashing your way through hordes

of minions. Solving a puzzle, seducing an enemy, fleeing a

collapsing temple and other non-combat situations all work

great as threats

Indeed any objective, situation, or conflict can be written

up as a Threat. From disabling a complex trap to

negotiating peace between warring kingdoms, the nature

of the challenge is irrelevant. What is important is that the

outcome is important enough to focus on.

When it comes to adding Threats to a scene think about

what the character is trying to accomplish. If our heros

need to escape the crumbling temple before it collapses

then this is the Threat the fact that they are being

pursued by its ghoulish denizens is irrelevant though they

may be incorporated into the ongoing narrative or utilised

by the Scribe

No matter the Threat they all follow the same rules. Score

three Hits to gain an advantage against a Threat and score

six Hits to Defeat it.

THREAT ESCALATION

The threats you face won't just stand around and wait for

you they will fight back! Threats take action as a result of

what the players do (or fail to do) Once each hero has had

his time in the spotlight the turn ends and any remaining

threat will take action - flames will grow higher, ships will

sink farther and plans will unfold. /more

TIMED THREATS

Can the characters make it out of the temple before the

whole ziggurat collapses? Assign a countdown timer to a

threat to give the scene a sense of drama. At the end of

each turn, reduce the countdown. When it reaches 0, the

threat achieves its goal and everyone who has not defeated

the threat is Taken Out! This should give the players an

incentive to resolve the scene quickly.

THREAT EXAMPLES

Burning Building: During the night, unknown villains set fireto the tavern where the heroes are sleeping. They wake to

the smell of smoke as fire quickly engulfs the building. This

threat seeks to trap those inside and harm those who try to

put out the flames. How do they escape? Leap from the

window or brave the flames to exit through the front door?

And what if someone needs to be rescued?

(-1) Collapsing Roof Timbers, Raging Inferno

Chase: Pursue a suspect through a busy market jumping

over obstacles and dodging through the crowds. Cut back

and forth between each hero to mimic a frantic movie

chase scene. Our heroes could spot a shortcut, travel the

rooftops or push through the throng before finally

apprehending their quarry. Only to find they have been

lured into a trap

(-1) lose sight of the suspect, fall behind, exhausted

Cross the Desert: A perilous journey indeed! The wide

deserts of the South are scorching hot and lifeless. Our

heroes have to contend with relentless heat, poisonous

insects and desert raiders.

(-1) Lost, Dehydrated, Sandstorm,

Infiltrate the temple: Within lies the treasure you seek!

Stealth and Guile are the keys to defeating this threat as

Danger results in the alarm being raised. Heroes may Back

away and remain unseen, but without what they want or

run the risk of being identified or exposed. Once they have

their prize they still have to exit the temple. Defeated

heroes have been Trapped or Caught.

(-1) Spotted, Intruders! Cornered,

Wary of Strangers: Earn the trust of the village eldersbefore receiving help or much needed information. This

Threat requires roleplaying to overcome the villagers initial

distrust. Defeated heroes are mistrusted or asked to leave.

(-1)

Bad First Impression, Mistrusted,


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ADVERSARIES

Adversaries are the human (and inhuman) threats that our

heros will meet in their adventures. They come in twovarieties; minions and named characters. As with any

threat, score six hits and they are defeated

Guards, cut throats, ghouls, thugs in a tavern; these are the

nameless characters with little or no impact on the course

of events. Groups of minions are dealt with as a single

threat and once defeated are either all dead or running in

abject terror.

Named characters are unique important enough to have

names, talents and their own distinct persona. Many

adversaries possess skills and abilities that make them

particularly dangerous in certain situations. Each will have a

list of moves the Scribe can use based on their talents.

These adversaries will drive many of your plots and

adventures. If our heroes want to thwart them or beat

them to some goal, they have to act, and act decisively.

Hulking Brute

The leader of a gang of violent thugs looking for easy prey

Drive: To be feared and respected

> Inflict Brutality

> Demand tribute

> Sheer Brute Strength

Revenant Slayer

Highly trained in the murderous arts

Drive: Fulfil the Contract

> Trained Killer

> Hunt you down

> Strike without warning

Sorcerer Priest

A powerful practitioner of black magic and leader of a

diabolical cult

Drive: to seek forbidden power

> Bind and torture with cruel sorcery

> Call upon fanatical worshippers

> Offer someone his or her darkest desire

Fierce Beast

Highly aggressive and capable of ripping a man to shreds

Drive: To stalk and kill its prey

> Ambush the unwary

> Tear through flesh> Predatory Cunning

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

What follows is a sample adventure that illustrates one way

you might prepare your own adventures. The adventure isset over five scenes that you can use, rearrange or ignore.

Our would be heroes come to be in possession of an map

showing the location of the Idol of Dhru, an ancient

treasure rumoured to be made of solid gold! Our adventure

begins in the bustling caravan city of Bulak.

Who wants the map? News of the map has drawn the

attention of other interested parties who will do anything

to get the map. This key aspect to the adventure has been

left intentionally vague for the Scribe to decide. Whoever

they are they have enough henchmen to make a direct

confrontation dangerous. The heroes only option is to

decipher the map and beat them to its secret location!

Scene Name: Escape the Bulak market

Location:the crowded streets of Bulak. Tall stone and mud-

brick buildings surround the busy central market; stalls and

tents, dens and emporiums run off in all directions along

winding, narrow streets.

Action: The heroes have just acquired a map to the Idol.

Unfortunately, someone else wants the map and they have

arrived in force to take it. While the characters could fight

them, it might be easier to flee. Do the characters escape?

Danger: Escape the Hired Thugs. The characters are

captured; the map is lost.

Scene Name: Translating the Map

Location:A dark paga den or back room, somewhere in the

city. The smell of strong coffee and exotic spices permeates

the room.

Action:The heroes have the map but must now translate it,

puzzling out the Ancient glyphs and markings. Do they

translate the map?

Danger: Decipher the Map. The map is damaged or

incomplete; the heroes misread the map; they cannot read

the map and must get help from an expert in ancient

languages.


10/12

Having successfully deciphered the map our heroes

discover the Idol lies within an ancient temple located high

in the Kezankian Mountains. The journey to the temple canbe narrated by the Scribe or can be its own series of

threats. The Kezankian Mountains are treacherous and

within their twisting canyons dwell savage bands of hill men

who tolerate no intruders

Scene Name: Ruined Temple Complex

Location: Fashioned into the side of a mountain. Grand

statues of sinister looking gods line the walls. Dust covers

everything. The tunnel leads deeper into the mountain

down twisting passages.

Action: Our heroes must penetrate to the heart of the

temple, but the map warned of nefarious traps and terrible

guardians. Can they make it past the traps to the

Catacombs below?

Danger:Reach the Catacombs. Nefarious traps are tripped,

crumbling floors and dead ends all conspire to stop our

heroes.

Narrative systems often struggle to emulate traditional

dungeon crawls. It is important to note that traversing the

temple and its catacombs are treated as any other Threat.

The Scribe can use any Miss result to trigger traps or

impede progress. Let the heroes actions inspire an

appropriate trap: an attempt to sneak down a corridor

could trigger poison darts for example. Deadly and more

complex traps should be treated as their own Threat.

Scene Name: Haunted Catacombs

Location: Dusty stone corridors lined with niches of

damaged sarcophagi and ancient sepulchres finally give

way to a long antechamber adorned with broken columns.The sense of being watched lingers with every step.

Action:Further into the temple the heroes realise why the

local tribes avoid the temple. The restless remnants of long

dead priests rise up to slay the living. Can our heroes make

it through the haunted catacombs?

Danger: Find your way through the Catacombs and Defeat

the Temple Remnants. The Scribe is free to decide on what

haunts the catacombs, be they incorporeal spectres who

form from nothing or emaciated cadavers who crawl from

the shadows. Whatever the Threat try and instil a sense oftrepidation and dread as they battle these undead horrors.

Scene Name: The Inner Sanctum

Location:You enter a great empty sanctum lit from aboveby great braziers. The walls are decorated with sprawling

religious frescoes, now faded and damaged. The middle of

the sanctum is dominated by a great stone plinth and upon

it the Idol of Dhru! Unfortunately you are not alone.

Action:The characters enter the chamber only to find that

their adversary and his minions are here too! Do they

defeat them and escape with the Idol?

Danger: Seize the Idol. Although this could be played as a

straight up combat encounter try to make it about who can

get to the idol first and more importantly keep possession

of it. Though in true pulp fashion as soon as the idol is

removed from the plinth the temple begins to collapse and

a new timed threat comes in to play- Escape the Temple!

COMING SOON! Shadizar the Wicked, city of a thousand

pleasures and a thousand more!


11/12

Choose a Style

This is how your hero gets things done. The Savage style relies on force and tenacity, the Daring on boldactions and those who favour Cunning on stealth and subtlety

Each Style gives a Trait bonus. Mark this on your character sheet

Each Style gives a Talent

Each Style list three possible Drives. Choose one

Savage (+1 Steel)Whether born to the slums or raised in the barbaric north youve had to fight your whole life. You rely on

brute force and tenacity to get things done

Talent: When you resist pain, coercion, exhaustion or stand your ground

when you settle matters with unwarranted or excessive force

when you refusal to yield causes others to suffer

when someone wrongs you, you dont let it go.Ever

Daring (+1 Daring)

Life is an endless adventure for those who live by their wits. You trust in your reflexes and charm to win

through

Talent: When you react to sudden danger or perform acrobatic feats of agility and skill.

when you make a dramatic entrance or escape

when you put yourself in harms way to aid another

when you risk everything on a roll of the dice

Cunning (+1 Guile)

Secrecy, lies, and a penetrating gaze: these are the tools of your trade. You count on quick thinking and

subtle manipulation to get what you want

Talent: When you assess a dangerous situation or discern someones motives

when you escape from a dangerous situation

when you outwit someone more powerful

when you uncover a compromising secret


12/12

Choose a Role

This is what your hero is good at. The Slayer excels in combat, the Rogue in dealing with people and the

Thief in stealing anything thats not nailed down.

Each Role gives a Trait bonus. Mark this on your character sheet.

Each Role gives a Talent

Each Role lists a further three Drives. Choose one.

Slayer (+1 Steel)

Watch what you say to me. This is not for cleaning my nails.

You are a warrior highly trained in the red arts. Shadizar is no place for the weak, and skill with a blade is

often the difference between life and death (or worse).

Talent: Slayers Art: When you intimidate, threaten or inflict brutality

when you dispatch a powerful foe in bloody fashion

when you complete a dangerous job or desperate rescue

when you seize by force; be it loot or loyalty.

Rogue (+1 Daring)

To risk it all and lose is unfortunate, but to have never played at all is the greatest tragedy.

You are a streetwise criminal blessed with a charmed life. With a deceptive word and a clever ploy you

prey upon the greedy and the foolish, taking their coin, their trust and their secrets

Talent: Roguish Charm: When you manipulate, deceive or charm others

when you avoid conflict or defuse a tense situation

when you betray someones trust to get what you want

when you make an enemy of someone powerful

Thief (+1 Guile)

Some call me the greatest thief in Ar. And who am I to argue?

You are skilled in the arts of larceny and guile. No lock can stop you, no trap can catch you and no riches

are beyond your reach

Talent: Thief: When you use stealth to steal, avoid detection or pursuit

when you pull of a daring heist when you endanger others for the sake of riches

when you pass yourself of as someone or something youre not

rogue & slayer rpg

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