In The Aristrax Marches – Ep23
Previously in the Aristrax Marches, the Ravens of Gadun hunted down and destroyed a gnawling force near Fey Wall.
Turn 37
No Town Events were rolled. The Upkeep was at 2 Gold Marks, and Bolga reduced his recovery time by 1 Turn. Bolga visited the town healer, and Omac Recruited a follower successfully.
I rolled between the unused Origins, and I resolved that the new Follower would be a Fey-blooded. I asked ChatGPT to provide me with some character, and I was not disappointed.
After the battle with the ratmen, the warband made their way back to Fey Wall and entered the familiar doors of The Dancing Nymph inn. As they walked in, the air was thick with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and the smell of good food.
Bolga made his way over to the healer’s corner and settled in for some much-needed rest and recovery. The healer tended to his wounds with gentle care, cleaning and dressing them before applying a soothing balm. Within a few days, Bolga was back on his feet, his strength restored.
Meanwhile, Omac had a different task at hand. He was determined to recruit a new follower to join their ranks and help them in their next adventure. He made a public announcement in the inn, declaring that he was in need of a new warrior to join their band.
The announcement caught the attention of a fey-blooded outsider woman who had been passing through Fey Wall. She had been looking for an opportunity to prove her worth in battle and Omac‘s call was just what she had been waiting for.
She introduced herself as Rina and Omac was impressed by her confidence and determination. They spoke at length about their previous battles and Omac explained what they were looking for in a new member of the warband. Rina proved herself to be a skilled warrior, and Omac knew that she would be a valuable addition to their team.
And so, Rina joined The Ravens of Gadun, taking up arms alongside Omac, Caldas, Temir, Bolga, and Myrick. They spent a few more days in The Dancing Nymph, strategizing their next move and getting to know their new member before setting off on their next adventure together.
I equipped Rina with a Partial Armour, a Fine Self Bow and (Bolga’s) Quick Dagger (Light Weapon).
For adventuring we’ll continue to hunt the Gnawling Horde threat. This time, they’ve been located in Langecliffe, they’re passing through, and trying to establish a larger presence in the region.
We have to Travel to Langecliff, but we’re stopped due to Miserable Weather and have to Camp. No News Events were rolled.
The warband had been traveling for several days, determined to find and eliminate the gnawling horde forces that threatened the region. However, they were hindered by the miserable weather, with heavy rain and strong winds making travel difficult. As they trudged along the muddy path, Omac Gadun called a halt to their march.
“We can’t continue like this,” Omac declared, his voice barely audible over the sound of the rain. “The weather is too severe, and we won’t reach Langecliffe before nightfall.”
“What should we do then?” Bolga asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“We’ll have to make camp here and wait for the storm to pass,” Omac replied. “We’ll continue our pursuit in the morning.”
The group quickly set about setting up their camp. Myrick lit a fire while Rina helped Caldas with the tent. Bolga and Omac took watch, scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger.
“I hate this weather,” Myrick grumbled, huddled close to the fire. “My boots are soaked through, and my clothes are damp.”
“We’re all in the same boat,” Rina replied, crouching next to him. “But at least we’re out of the rain.”
Bolga, on watch, suddenly stiffened. “There’s something out there,” he hissed, drawing his sword. “Get ready for trouble.”
The rest of the warband sprang to action, weapons at the ready. But the noise that Bolga had heard turned out to be nothing more than a stray animal, and they were able to relax again.
“This is going to be a long night,” Omac muttered, settling in for his watch.
As the night wore on, the rain eventually began to ease off. The warband huddled close to the fire, sharing stories and jokes to keep their spirits up.
“I heard that there’s a dragon lurking in the nearby mountains,” Caldas said, his eyes shining in the flickering light of the fire.
“I don’t believe it,” Myrick scoffed. “We’ve been through those mountains before, and there was nothing but rocks and snow.”
“Well, I heard it from a reliable source,” Caldas insisted. “A farmer in the last village we passed through told me.”
“I hope you’re right,” Rina said, a hint of excitement in her voice. “I’ve always wanted to see a dragon.”
As the night wore on, the warband settled in for some much-needed rest. They knew that they had a tough journey ahead of them, but they were ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Turn 38
No Camp Events were rolled. The Upkeep was at 3 Gold Marks, so I decided that we should just eat one of our Rations. Caldas failed his Forage for Herbs attempt, but Bolga was successful in Hunting Expedition and returned with 4 Rations!.
As the warband woke up and broke camp, they quickly noticed that the weather had improved significantly. The sun was shining, and the birds were chirping, a welcome change from the previous day’s rain and gloom. Omac, the leader of the Ravens of Gadun, gathered the group together to discuss their plans for the day.
“All right, everyone,” Omac said, “since we didn’t reach Langecliffe yesterday, we’ll have to try again today. But before we set off, we should make the most of our time here. Caldas, why don’t you go foraging? Maybe you’ll have better luck today.”
Caldas nodded in agreement, shouldered his backpack and set off in search of edible plants and berries. Bolga, on the other hand, decided to go hunting. He took his bow and arrows and disappeared into the nearby woods, promising to return with fresh game.
As Caldas returned empty-handed, he joined Omac and Rina, who were preparing the campsite for their return.
“Well, that was a waste of time,” Caldas grumbled. “I didn’t find anything. This land is barren.”
“It’s not barren, you just have to know where to look,” Rina said with a smile. “Maybe I can teach you some tricks later.”
As they were talking, Bolga returned to the campsite with a large deer slung over his shoulders. “Look what I got!” he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
“Great job, Bolga,” Omac said, patting him on the back. “We’ll have plenty of meat for tonight’s dinner. And with any luck, we’ll make it to Langecliffe before nightfall.”
The warband spent the rest of the day preparing the deer for dinner, gathering firewood, and resting up for the journey ahead. As they sat around the campfire, they chatted and joked, enjoying each other’s company.
“Hey, Bolga,” Myrick said, “how did you manage to take down such a big deer with just one shot?”
“It’s all about technique,” Bolga replied with a grin. “And a little bit of luck, of course.”
“Well, I hope you can teach me that technique,” Myrick said with a chuckle. “I could use some pointers.”
The rest of the evening passed in a similar fashion, with the warband enjoying their meal and each other’s company. As they settled down to sleep, they knew that they would have to set off early in the morning if they hoped to catch up with the gnawling horde forces.
Our Travel this time was Uneventful so we set up for battle.
We’re facing 6 Curse Bound led by a Scheming Heretic, who’s motivation is that they’re a regular member of the group so I deem that it’s a Gnawling Shaman. Used ChatGPT for some backstory here as well.
The battle takes place Near a Farmhouse and we have to Secure the Area.
The enemy fights with an Unknown Enemy Marker due to the Passing through threat roll.
The warband set off from their campsite, with Omac leading the way. The journey was uneventful, with only the occasional gust of wind disturbing their progress. The scenery was bland, with fields of grain and fruit orchards stretching out in every direction. The only sign of life was the occasional farmhouse, and even those were few and far between.
As they approached the location where the gnawlings were sighted, the group grew more cautious, their weapons at the ready. Myrick crept ahead, scouting the area for any signs of danger. After a few minutes, he returned, reporting that he had spotted six gnawlings and a ratman shaman near a farmhouse.
Omac gathered the group together and whispered, “Alright, team, we need to take these gnawlings down. Let’s show them what we’re made of.”
Bolga nodded and said, “I’ll take care of the shaman. You guys handle the gnawlings.”
Caldas added, “I’ll try to keep their attention away from Bolga so he can focus on the shaman.”
Rina chimed in, “And I’ll use my bow to take down any gnawlings that get too close to us.”
Myrick grinned and said, “And I’ll do what I do best, flank and attack from behind.”
With their plan set, the warband advanced towards the gnawlings, ready to engage in battle.
Combat
We failed to seize Initiative
As the warband approached the enemy, they failed to take them by surprise and were spotted. The two opposing forces closed in on each other, preparing for the imminent clash. The warband, in a strategic move, divided themselves into two groups, with Omac, Bolga, and Caldas forming one, and Temir, Myrick, and Rina forming the other. The ratmen were also split into three groups, with two of them positioned on one edge, a single ratman accompanied by Skrizzik in the center, and an unspecified number on the opposite edge.
ROUND 1
Skrizzik, the shrewd and cunning ratman shaman, attempted to cast a charm spell on Caldas, but the halfling resisted it with all his might. Meanwhile, Temir, Myrick, and Rina tried to take down the central group of ratmen by firing arrows from their bows. Unfortunately, their aim was off, and the ratmen quickly found cover behind the farmhouse posts and tables, avoiding the rain of arrows.
As Bolga swiftly dispatched one of the ratmen with his blade, Caldas tried his luck with his sling, but the projectile missed its target. The remaining ratman lunged towards Bolga, but the Duskling’s deft movements allowed him to deliver a wound to the ratman.
ROUND 2
As the warband fought, their attention was drawn to the presence of gnawlings on the battlefield, and they noticed five of them approaching the centre where Skrizzik and the other ratman stood. Skrizzik, seeing an opportunity, attempted to charm Caldas once again, and this time he succeeded, causing the Halfling to turn on his own leader. Omac fought defensively, but Caldas’ skills with the sword were superior, and he landed two blows, bringing Omac down.
The rest of the warband, Myrick, Rina, and Temir, continued their ranged assault on the ratmen but to no avail, and Rina’s arrows ran out. The ratman closest to the warband, seething with anger at the loss of his comrade, charged forward, ready to engage in battle.
Bolga’s eyes widen as he spots Skrizzik controlling Caldas and decides to take him down. He charges towards the shaman, deftly avoiding the ratmen and trees blocking his path. With two powerful swings of his cleaver, Skrizzik lies lifeless on the ground.
ROUND 3
As Bolga turns to face his next challenge, he finds himself surrounded by five gnawlings. Bolga fights ferociously, killing two and wounding two more, but struggles to keep them at bay.
Meanwhile, Rina defends herself against a charging ratman at the farmhouse fence, but the creature’s strikes find their mark, and Rina falls to the ground. Temir swiftly intervenes, taking the ratman by surprise with his Heartseeker magic sword, and dispatches him with ease.
With their leader and three of their own down, one ratman retreats while the other charges towards Bolga, inching closer with every passing moment. The battle is nearing its end.
Bolga, valiantly, made a bold move to attack one of the three remaining ratmen. With his weapon at the ready, he struck the ratman with a deadly blow, which took him down in a single strike. However, the other two ratmen were not so easily defeated, and they responded with a fierce counterattack. Despite Bolga’s best efforts to fend off their attacks, one of the ratmen managed to land a powerful hit that left him unable to fight.
ROUND 4
Caldas, determined to help his comrade, charged towards the remaining enemies, but found himself blocked by the determined gnawlings. In the face of this unexpected resistance, he was unable to press forward.
Suddenly, one of the last two ratmen turned and ran away in fear, leaving his companion to face the warband alone. The remaining ratman, undeterred, stood his ground and continued the fight, his beady eyes darting back and forth as he searched for a weakness in his enemies.
Caldas stands alone against the last remaining ratman, his slender sword held high with unyielding determination. The warband members, Temir and Myrick, are still some distance away, unable to intervene. Caldas moves with fluid grace, his sword dancing through the air as he lands precise thrusts on the ratman’s body. The ratman tries to retaliate, but Caldas is too swift and nimble, and dodges the attacks effortlessly. With a final thrust, Caldas plunges his sword into the ratman’s chest, bringing him down with a screech of pain. The battlefield falls silent, save for the heavy breathing of the warband members, and the rustle of leaves in the wind. The warband has emerged victorious, though the price of
ROUND 5
their triumph has been high.
Resolution
We rolled 4 Adventure Points earned for being Victorious against an Enemy Threat . Also 1 Adventure Point more for Defeating a Unique Foe. 6 Adventure Points were spent directly on reducing the Gnawling Threat by 1, going down to 2.
On the injury rolls, Omac is dead. I have no other Story Points or Silvertree Leaf the result has to stand, and downed by his own companion, that sucks. Bolga and Rina despite suffering a Gruesome injury were both only Knocked Out.
Caldas, Bolga, Myrick and Temir earned 2 XP each.
Our Loot roll was a Fine Longbow, and the Unusual Find was two Battered Weapons, a damaged War Spear and a damaged Bastard Sword.
Finally, News Events that Fey Wall is in need of supplies were rolled.
The warband looked around at the aftermath of the battle, taking in the sight of the defeated ratmen and their fallen comrades. The survivors quickly set to work, tending to the wounded and searching the battlefield for any useful loot. But as they worked, their thoughts lingered on their fallen leader, Omac Gadun.
Bolga and Rina had been fortunate, having only been knocked unconscious during the fight, but Omac’s wounds were too severe. The Beard had fought bravely until the very end, but in the end, it was Caldas’ betrayal that proved to be his undoing.
The warband was stunned and heartbroken. Omac had been a strong and wise leader, and his loss would be felt deeply by all of them. Myrick and Temir tried to comfort their comrades, but their words fell on deaf ears. The warband was grieving, and there was little that could be done to ease their pain.
As for Caldas, the halfling felt a heavy weight on his conscience. He had acted under Skrizzik’s spell, but that was no excuse for what he had done. He felt ashamed and guilty for his actions, and he knew that he would carry that burden with him for the rest of his life.
The warband was conflicted in their feelings towards Caldas. Some were angry and wanted to seek vengeance, while others were more forgiving and saw that Caldas had been under the influence of the shaman. In the end, the warband agreed that Caldas would have to earn their trust back. It wouldn’t be easy, but with time and effort, he could redeem himself in their eyes.
As for Caldas himself, he knew that he had a long road ahead of him. He would have to work hard to regain the trust of his comrades, and he would have to live with the guilt of what he had done. But he was determined to make amends and prove himself worthy of their respect once again.With the death of Omac Gadun, the Ravens of Gadun were left without a leader. The warband was devastated by the loss of their leader, but they knew they could not stay and mourn forever. They gathered their belongings, tended to their wounds, and set out to continue their mission.
The warband was filled with mixed emotions about their fallen leader. They were angry at Caldas for his role in Omac’s death, but they also knew that Skrizzik had been the one controlling him. Some members felt that Caldas should be punished, while others believed that he was a victim of Skrizzik’s manipulation.
As they journeyed on, the warband became more focused and determined. They knew that they had to continue on and finish their mission, in honor of Omac’s memory. They also knew that they needed a new leader to guide them.
After much discussion, the warband decided to appoint Bolga as their new leader. Bolga was a skilled fighter and a trusted member of the group. While some members had reservations about his leadership style, they ultimately agreed that he was the best candidate to lead them forward.
The warband continued on, but with a new sense of purpose. They knew that they had to be more careful and strategic without their former leader, but they were also determined to succeed in their mission. They kept the name Ravens of Gadun, in honor of their fallen leader, but they added a new symbol to their banner: a black raven in flight, symbolizing their determination to continue on despite the loss they had suffered.
As for Caldas, he was wracked with guilt over what had happened. He knew that he had caused the death of his friend and leader, and he struggled to come to terms with his role in the tragedy. The warband was divided on what to do with him, but in the end, they decided to let him stay with the group, with the understanding that he would have to work hard to earn their trust back. Caldas accepted this, knowing that he would have to live with the weight of his actions for the rest of his life.
After the Ravens of Gadun had gathered their spoils from the battlefield and tended to their wounded, they set out towards the town of Langecliffe to rest and recover. As they made their way, word reached them of a nearby settlement called Fey Wall that was in dire need of supplies.
Bolga, the Butcher, looked to his companions and they all nodded in agreement. They knew the importance of helping those in need, especially in these troubled times. They discussed their plans and decided that after they rested in Langecliffe, they would make their way to Fey Wall and offer their assistance.
Despite their weariness from the recent battle, the Ravens of Gadun felt a renewed sense of purpose. They were determined to aid Fey Wall and make a difference in the lives of the people there. As they continued on their journey, they couldn’t help but wonder what challenges they might face along the way, but they knew that they were prepared for whatever lay ahead.
Session Summary
I did not see that coming. When I first read the scheming heretic’s abilities I didn’t pay the required attention, and the worst possible result came to be.
I lost my avatar, and leader. I was frustrated, and did not know if I should continue the campaign. It felt to me as if a core component of the warband was missing and that without it they’d never be the same. Also it felt to me that Caldas would be so striken with guilt that he’d leave to atone for his actions and maybe take the fight elsewhere. I seriously cannot fathom how they could go on in this turn of events. On the other hand, from a ‘playing the game’ perspective this was not in my Victory & Defeat conditions, and it wouldn’t feel right to abandon the game after so much trouble, because of a condition that I hadn’t accounted for.
Therefore I decided to ask the AI what would happen next, and it provided me with the plausible narrative above, so I’ll stick with it. The Ravens of Gadun will go on, with Bolga as their leader, Caldas in the sidelines carrying the guilt, and they’ll continue their fight, and aim to free the Aristrax Marches from the Gnawling Horde threat.
I just have some concerns if Bolga will go after the Duskling tribes with the same passion that Omac would have done, or if he’ll have to avoid it altogther. But that’s a question for another day.
Now back to the AI of ChatGPT. That’s a huge topic altogether. As a solo player I find that it’s a great tool. I wouldn’t have it take the decisions, but feeding it narrative to drive immersion, makes solo gaming so much more fun! I’ve taken the time to populate all my entries in my Rolescape with descriptions generated by ChatGPT according to my feedback, which made the whole world come to life. From locations and npcs, to deities, calendar and flora and fauna of the Aristrax Marches. You can find them all in the link provided.
Overall I’m having lots of fun with Five Leagues from the Borderlands now that combat and campaign results can be narrated by someone else (thank you AI) with minimal effort.
Solo, Pen, Paper and Dice 
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