Feyroam - The Dark Forest Chapter 2
The guard captain Tawnie and the scout Auden approach Utha as she finishes her morning tea. Tawnie speaks first “Utha, the patrol is ready to move to the lake on your command. Auden has pointed out signs of a large number of Marshogs, more than he’s ever seen gathered in one place before. Utha, I think we should consider a tactical retreat. We can bring in a full complement of Guardians and flush out these Marshogs. I failed you yesterday and you were nearly killed. If anything happened to you…” Tawnie trails off.
“Tawnie, I’m fine and can handle myself against a Marshog. I share your concerns but I believe whatever is happening is evil and must be stopped. I fear a delay in stopping this will give it time to grow. We can’t let that happen, Guardian, even if it places the whole patrol in danger. Auden, scout ahead. Tawnie, let’s move out. There is no time to waste!”
The patrol moves off of the trail and deeper into the wilds of the forest. The signs of darkness quickly become apparent. Decay prevails. Leaves are black, tree trucks are rotten, and the very ground feels spongy, like a freshly dug grave.
The trees begin to thin and the patrol starts to see glimpses of the lake. The water looks putrid and smells of rot. The once beautiful scene Utha knew and loved has been transformed into something twisted.
Utha places her hands on the edge of the lake, channeling all her magical ability in an attempt to determine where the decay is spreading from.
Action 2D4 with Soul
Highest Roll - 2 Partial Failure
Going to One Page Solo Engine to help me determine what happens. I get to reveal an unwelcome truth. I think I know what happens here…
With her hand placed on the bank of the lake, Utha concentrates more than she ever has in her life. She reaches out with all the magic she possesses and feels… Another Fey? Utha is confused. Why would she be feeling the magical presence of a Fey? This magic is evil, it's foul, and it stands against everything the Fey believe in.
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| The lake has dark energy. Photo by Samuel Ferrara on Unsplash |
She looked deeper and deeper for answers. But she feels powerful arms on her shoulder, shaking her. It’s Tawnie. “Utha! Utha! We need you now. The Marshogs are pouring out of the forest and we will soon be surrounded.
Coming too, Utha still can’t believe what is happening. A Fey working with or possessing Marshogs! Unheard of! Diabolical! Unnatural!
“And yet, it is happening,” a voice booms over the lake. A Fey voice Utha instantly understands. “I meant to keep my involvement secret, but your Mystic has sensed my presence. That means I will need to kill you all instead of just driving you off. A pity, don’t you think?”
Tawnie immediately pulls his sword, as do the rest of the Guardians. Auden readies an arrow and the other mystics get into defensive stances. But the Marshogs continue to stream out of the tree line. There seem to be over a hundred of them. They outnumber the patrol over 10 to 1. Utha can sense that even strong Tawnie knows this isn’t a fight that can be won.
Among the throng of Marshogs walks a lone figure in a dark red cloak. It is smaller than the Marshogs and walks with more finesse than they do. Utha immediately knows this is the Fey working to cause evil upon this land.
Stepping forward, the unknown Fey says “My name is Aldora. Do you know of me? Do they still speak of me at the Fey court or the schools of magic?”
Does Utha know who Aldora is? Yes, she does. Who is this Aldora? He was an accomplished mystic at the Fey court Utha knows. He comes from a long line of Fey nobility but was cast out of the school of magic due to his desire to break through the planes of existence in his quest to contact the ‘other world’.
“I know of you Aldora. Your magical studies were not appreciated at the court and now I understand why. What you’ve done here is evil, cruel, and destructive,” Utha says. “You must stop now and give yourself to our custody before the evil you started here continues to expand. In the name of Feyroam I command it.”
I don’t think Utha can convince Aldora to stand down but she may at least rattle him. Let’s see how she does.
Action 1D4 with Being
Highest Roll - 2 Partial Failure
What does Aldora do? According to One Page Solo Engine, he will offer her a choice. Very evil.
Aldora breaks into a deep and evil laugh. “Oh dear Utha, how old are you? 12? 13 hundred years? I have seen over an epoch of seasons. Do you think I would give up so easily? The training in the schools of magic must have gone downhill significantly since I was escorted out of the court. Now lay down your arms before my friends kill you all. If you come quietly I will let you live. I am, and always will be, a Fey of honour.”
Tawnie stiffens at these comments from Aldora. Utha knows he won’t stand down and is honour bound to defend the patrol with his life. He will die here, even if it gives Utha and her mystics a few minutes to escape.
Utha puts a hand on Tawnie’s shoulder, “We must not fight them, we will not win. There may be another way. If Aldora is a Fey of honour as he says he is, he must accept a direct challenge.”
“No Utha! He is ancient and his power is as old as the roots in the ground. You’ll be killed for sure and I can’t let that happen!”
Utha sighs. “Tawnie, there is no other way. If we fight, we die. If we run, we will be captured. It is this or lay down our arms. No, I must do this.”
Stepping forward Utha slams her staff into the ground. “I, Utha of the Mystic School of Feyroam, challenge you Aldora, traitor to the Fey and our land, to magical combat. If you are a Fey of honour, as you state, you must accept and allow no interference in this combat. Denial of my request means you fear my power. Now Aldora, will you accept?”
Let’s see if this works on Aldora.
Action 1D4 with Being
Highest Roll - 1 Failure
Aldora doesn’t accept the Utha’s challange
Aldora throws his head back and make another evil laugh. “No Utha, your challenge is not accepted. I am a Fey of honour but I don’t trust anyone from the Feyroam anymore. Now lay down your staff and your arms or you will be killed.”
Knowing she doesn’t have much time or many options Utha flashes a few quick hunting-signs Auden taught her, to the patrol behind her. She signs Be Ready - Defend Me.
“Fine Aldora, be without honour,” Utha says. Aldora smirks and opens his mouth to reply, but before he can say anything Utha blasts him with all the mystical power she can muster.
Aldora will be a 2D4 HP enemy, much stronger than the typical enemy. He has 6 HP.
Utha Attack 2d4 with Soul - Highest roll = 4 - 2 damage. Aldora HP now 4.
Utha’s blast of Fey magic catches Aldora off-guard. The traitorous Fey doesn’t expect the attack and he goes flying backward into the pack of Marshogs. He eventually stands up and shouts “What are you waiting for? Attack!” The Marshogs surge forward in a flurry of spears, arrows, and axes. The Fey patrol forms a semi-circle around Utha, planning to defend her to the death.
Aldora prepares a spell of his own and launches it at Utha.
Aldora Attack 2d4 - Highest roll = 2, no effect
Utha, prepared for this, deftly blocks the spell and readies another wave of magical force at Aldora.
Utha Attack 2d4 with Soul - Highest roll = 4 - 2 damage. Aldora HP now 2.
Fey magic courses through the lakeside. Greens coils of energy burst from the ground and strike Aldora hard in the chest. He again goes flying backward. The Marshogs see the exchange and back off from attacking the patrol. They aren’t stupid and won’t be driven into a losing fight.
In a rage, Aldora closes his eyes and forms a sphere of dark energy. He yells in anger as he launches it at Utha.
Aldora Attack 2d4 - Highest roll = 3, 1 damage to Utha. Utha HP now 3
The sphere blasts into Utha’s magical defenses pushing her back a few steps. Blood leaks from her ears as the exertions from the combat strain her senses. The Marshogs, seeing a successful blow against Utha prepare to advance again.
Utha kneels down and picks up a handful of dirt, connecting to the damaged and sad nature of this forest. She prays for whatever strength it has left to guide her.
Utha Attack 2d4 with Soul - Highest roll = 2 - no damage.
But there is so little strength in the forest, it cannot help her in this fight. Aldora immediately follows up with another blast of dark magic.
Aldora Attack 2d4 - Highest roll = 3, 1 damage to Utha. Utha HP now 2
Again Utha withstands the attack but is pushed back. The Marshogs surge into the patrol and fighting erupts along the lakeside. Knowing this has to end soon, Utha summons every power she has inside of herself for a final blow.
Utha Attack 2d4 with Soul - Highest roll = 4 - 2 damage. Aldora 0 HP
Glowing green with natural Fey energy, Aldora screeches in pain. He withers and explodes into dust. The Marshogs flee as soon as they see what became of their leader and the patrol chases them off into the forest.
Victory, Utha thinks as she collapses in exhaustion. As she lies down on the sand, she sees a small flower appearing. Nature will recover. She closes her eyes and sleeps.
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| Nature can return. Photo by Running Ghost on Unsplash |
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Wow, that’s the end of the Feyroam two-shot. I love the setting and the Caltrop-based rules make it easy to jump into it. I recommend you give it a download and play a few adventures through the Feyroam.
Thanks, everyone again for reading. What did you think of Feyroam? I love highlighting smaller creators along with the more well-known names. So let me know if you have anyone else for me to check out.
Let me know if you liked Feyroam if you know of any other micro-indie games I should play.
- Croaker
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