Dark fantasy
Wyrmrest Hold
The sun has not fully risen in nine years, and the crops have learned to grow without it.
The threat — an army of the drowned walking out of the marsh.
Factions
The Ravenmarked
Led by Mirela Graves
Wants to hold the river crossings until spring.
“Say less.”
The Grey Abbey
Led by Aldric Thorne
Wants to keep the dead in their graves at any cost.
“Light the way.”
The Gilded Concord
Led by Bram Kell
Wants to rekindle a fire that should stay out.
“Paid in full.”
Places
- 1Cinderfall. A rook-infested place where every window has a candle. The maps all disagree about where it is. Held by the Gilded Concord.
- 2The Ashen Reach. A fog-drowned place where nothing is what it seems. Its founder is still alive, somehow. Held by the Grey Abbey.
- 3The Sunken King's Road. A bell-haunted place where the locals watch the horizon. A festival is held here that nobody remembers starting. Held by the Grey Abbey.
- 4Blackwater Ford. A moss-eaten place where the old ways still hold. It has burned twice and been rebuilt both times. Held by the Grey Abbey.
Characters
Hale AshbyQuest giver
A ferryman who takes no coin
“If you're here to pray, you're too late.”
Wants to be forgiven; drinks to forget.
SecretHas already decided to betray Ilka Rooke
Garrick Blackwood
A witch-finder losing their nerve
“My lord pays well. My lord also hangs well.”
Wants a quiet life, finally; can't refuse a dare.
SecretHas been passing notes to the Grey Abbey
Ilka Rooke
A mercenary paid to forget
“The bells rang for you before you arrived.”
Wants to get out of this place; trusts too easily.
SecretStole from Garrick Blackwood years ago
Ysolde Morrow
A cellarer who keeps the keys
“Sit. Eat. Then lie to me.”
Wants to win, just once; talks when they should listen.
SecretIs not who their papers say
Rhea Dunmore
The last herbalist in the valley
“You're far from any road worth walking.”
Wants to protect someone who doesn't know; gambles with other people's lives.
SecretWrote the letter that started all this
Quest — Burn the Saint's finger-bone
Hale Ashby, a ferryman who takes no coin, needs someone to burn the Saint's finger-bone before the next full moon.
- Find out who last had the Saint's finger-bone — the trail starts in Cinderfall.
- Earn the help of the Gilded Concord, who want to rekindle a fire that should stay out.
- Outwit an army of the drowned walking out of the marsh.
- Burn the Saint's finger-bone before the Grey Abbey can use it — or keep it, and become what they are.
Twist
It turns out the relic is a key, and something on the other side is waiting.Reward
A place at the hearth, for goodItems
Edda's oathbound crown
LegendaryIt is never quite where you left it.
Calls for help, though nobody knows who answers.
Maren's ash-wrapped lantern
RareNobody remembers who made it. Everyone remembers what it did.
Points toward whoever you are thinking of.
Wynn's cold-iron tome
CommonIt hums when the Saint's finger-bone is near.
Lets you see what was here an hour ago.
Sela's thrice-blessed bell
CommonThere are three of them. This is the only real one.
Shields you from one blow, then needs a night to recover.
Dialogue
Garrick Blackwood
“My lord pays well. My lord also hangs well. You're not the first to ask.”
1. Tell me what you know. I can pay.
“Coin talks. Fine — but you didn't hear it from me.” “Someone close to Hale has been talking.”
- Pay double for the rest. → Learns Garrick's secret: has been passing notes to the Grey Abbey
- That's enough. Thank you. → Next lead unlocked
2. I'm here about the Saint's finger-bone.
“Everyone's here about that.” “Meet me where the Ashen Reach gets quiet. Come alone.”
- I'll be there. → Trust +1 — becomes an ally against the Grey Abbey
- Why should I trust you?Lore 17 → Success: Learns the twist early. Failure: They walk.
3. Threaten them.
“...All right. All right! Put it away.” “Fine. Aldric Thorne has it. Now get out.”
- Leave quietly. → Gets the lead, but the Grey Abbey is warned
- Make sure they keep quiet. → A fight breaks out