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>>2501286
You dread the though of spending the night in this abominable forest, doubtless filled with unspeakable horrors of nature if the sick pallor of the grass and plants nearby give you any indication.

“Sir!” reports Reynauld with a salute and a stiff nod at the carriage. “I see we’ve some of our supplies pinned underneath the wreck, but with the three of us working together, we shall likely only recover some before the night forces us to move onward.”
Dismas concurs with a flick of his chin, “Aye, I’d make your choice carefully Boss. Bandages we’ll need if we meet some foe, but torches will certainly help fight this gloom. There’s also a few cases of Holy Water around, which might help if we find we might need the blessing of the Lord I suppose?”

>Salvage the Bandages

>Salvage the Torches

>Salvage the Holy Water

(2/2)

>>2501287
>Bandages
STAUNCH THE WOUND

>>2501287
>Salvage the Torches
The light, the promise of safety.

As time ebbs, terrible vistas of emptiness reveal themselves.

>>2501287
>Salvage the Bandages

Survival is better.

>>2501332
>>2501289
Called. Going in.

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“Let’s grab the bandages. I don’t much fancy our chances of getting out of this damnable forest without getting into a fight or two and bleeding out here of all places is out of the question.”

Accepting your command without hesitation, your comrades begin to haul off wreckage and excavate the pack of bandages pinned underneath. Though it
takes you the better part of an hour, the three of you manage to salvage the pack, which is promptly stowed away for safekeeping. Looking up at the moon, you note with displeasure the progress it has already made in the night sky and set your feet.

>(2 Bandages gained!)

Marching through the woods, your men follow you, and soon amid the flagging light of a dying torch, slow progress is made traversing the corrupted soil. Weaving in and out of trees riddled with cobwebs and grisly remainders of consumed prey, you feel a slight unease eat at you and your comrades.

>(Slight stress gained!)

Gritting your teeth, you continue forwards until you hear the spiteful muttering of another human being and the three of you stop in your tracks. Peering ahead through the black woods, three pairs of eyes spy a filthy, fur-wearing man with two wicked looking knives in each hand.

“I swear I heard something out here…not out of my mind…can’t mistake a crash like that for a falling tree…”

As he slinks behind a tree that obstructs your vision, slowly you draw your rapier and pistol, the quiet sounds of rustling behind you telling you that your companions are beginning to do the same.

Bandit! There’s a bloody bandit, in YOUR land! Gripping your weapons increasingly tighter, a furious expression appears on your face as the indignity begins to eat at you.

Was your predecessor so inept that he allowed common highwaymen and brigands roam his lands?!

Creeping forwards slowly after dropping your nearly-dead torches, the three of you advance to the last known position of the bandit, fully intent on slaying the criminal for his trespass. Without warning, however, he stumbles out from a tree nearby and his eyes go wide as his muttering stops immediately as four pairs of eyes blink in surprise.

>Roll for surprise! Taking the best of 3 rolls (D20s because I want this to be sufficiently painful to be DD)

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>2501365
Dispatch this thug in brutal fashion, that all may hear of your arrival!

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2501365
BO 3 yeah? Crits?

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>2501365
Obligatory reminder that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer.

Is the roll only best of 3 because we still have torchlight?

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>>2501368
>>2501393
Witnessed!

>>2501383
Yeah. Welcome to the bone zone.

>>2501393
Generally doing BO3s because that's the fairest way to do things I think? I'm really not dedicated enough to implement a complex dice system for this but I might amend things later.

Reacting faster than the brigand, you manage to step forward and thrust the point of your rapier in through the man’s guard before he can even blink. With a flourish, you bury the razor-sharp point into his chest with two hands, then extricating the blade by flicking your wrist and pulling back. As the Brigand realizes his injury, one of his hands unconsciously races to cover the wound as it begins to bleed heavily.

Sagging backwards in shock, the Brigand raises a knife to defend himself as he spots Dismas leaping forwards but fails to dodge the coming blow as the thief slashes his chest from shoulder to sternum with his own shortsword. Taking his final gasp, the Brigand drops his weapons and clutches his stomach before collapsing backwards into a growing puddle of his own lifeblood.

Reynauld merely sighs, lowering his longsword back to his side, clearly hoping for an opportunity to prove his valor once more in combat. Patting him on the shoulder, you wordlessly reassure him that he will have more chances to show his prowess in the future. Stepping carefully over the blood, Dismas kicks the body over with a tentative toe before rummaging through his pockets for loot.

In no time at all, he returns with a sack filled with gold and some strange stone and metal ornaments. Holding one up to your face, you blink in confusion as it seems to be nothing more than an ancient crest that presents the same coat of arms as your family.

“Now why would he be carrying something like this?” you state to your comrades. “Gold I understand, but I would have never guessed that Brigands could be collectors of antiques and heirlooms.”

Dismas looks at Reynauld for a moment, before they both turn to you and shrug their shoulders. Pocketing the things anyway, you decide to keep them, for no other reason than to hold onto the bloody loot of the day.

Proceeding onward, you find a leather tent propped up along with a makeshift firepit along with several other signs of recent habitation.

Reynauld points with a gauntleted finger. “Perhaps the tent still contains some valuables.”

Dismas elbows him hard enough to make the Knight wince, drawing a little chuckle from you.

“What, you think I’m sending you to check it out Reynauld?” you say with a widening smile.

For his part, the Knight remains stoic and refuses to acknowledge your implication, “I don’t get your meaning, sir.”

Bah, for his faults you can’t find yourself to continue bullying the man. Reynauld means well, and he’s as determined a Knight as you’ve seen to be a Crusader of the Light, but still, it seems that he has little self-control when it comes to coin.

>Who will check out the tent?

>You

>Dismas

>Reynauld

>>2501481
>Dismas
Leave nothing unchecked, there is much to be found in forgotten places.

>>2501481
>Dismas

Reynault already have that greed trait? Hospital it is

>>2501481
>Dismas
You know, if Reynauld got this kind of characterization in the game itself, I'd almost feel bad about dismissing him at the first available instance.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>2501485
>>2501524
>>2501532
“Dismas. Check it out, will you?” you state with finality, noting Reynaulds silent, ashamed expression at your side.

Nodding, the reformed highwayman ducks inside the tent and disappears for a moment.

(Checking the Tent)

[Loot]
Dismas comes back with another sack of heirlooms, enough so that it seems to weigh him down as he steps back and brings the burlap to bear.
“Fond of these, aren’t they?” he chuckles with a smile.

“Bugger it, we’ll haul them to town,” you say as you heft the bag over your shoulder and continue to walk, “Shouldn’t be too far now.”
A
t that, the three of you continue walking in silence, hefting the supplies on your backs without the ability to see due to the lack of torches.
Eventually, you and your compatriots make it to the edge of the forest, where the trees eventually thin out enough to make out the Estate you will soon inhabit.

Wrinkling up your face in disgust, you analyze the shoddy buildings, the misshapen zoning and construction that makes the town look more like a malignant growth on some beast’s skin rather than a habitable location place for mankind.

“Damn place looks like it’s on the edge of death,” you spit out, nearly awestruck at the neglect visited upon the ancient Estate, “I’ve seen better slums than this!”

An ear-shattering BANG erupts from out of view, and a blurringly fast projectile strikes a nearby tree, splintering parts off it and forcing you to cover your face with your hands.

“Bastard!” you yell as the three of you drop your sacks on the ground and draw weapons.

With seemingly thunderous footsteps, a massive, scarred man wearing an executioner’s hood breaks from the trees wielding a bloody whip. Holding a shit-eating grin on his face, you stare at his ugly mug long enough to raise your pistol at his head until another shot from the dark rips through the air and kills your aim as you duck down.
“Can’t see him, boss!” shouts Dismas, who has hidden behind a tree and is scanning the area with his raised pistol.

“I won’t be able to do anything until they get closer, sir.” Reynauld announces as he, too, slams his back against the warped bark of a tree.

Diving behind cover of your own, you wait patiently as you think of something to do. But you don’t have to wait long, as you hear the same thundering footsteps marching towards your position. Peeking quickly, you catch the enormous form of the Brigand charging forward with his whip.
“
Close enough for you, Reynauld?!” you yell as you raise your rapier and step out of cover alongside your allies.

>Roll 3d20 (Taking best of three again)

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>2501866
We torchless run now, boys.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>2501866
Terrors may indeed stalk these shadows, but yonder – a glint of gold."

>>2501866

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>2501866
excellent writing

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This looks promising. I hope you don't be a bitch and abandon this quest you've put on yourself, QM. Hope we get Dismas and Reynauld brotherly SoL stuff while they're in the Hamlet when not on missions. Or we play as Reynauld or Dismas when either is on a mission, and then get stuff with the two of them when the other returns to the Hamlet.

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>>2501286
>DD quest

Here we go boys

>>2501481
>Generally doing BO3s because that's the fairest way to do things I think?

While it's the usual system, just be aware you need a pretty high DC for a reasonable chance of failure. If I remember the math right, the 50/50 success/failure break even point for d20 BO3 is about DC 18.

>>2502024
>you need a pretty high DC for a reasonable chance of failure
That's what I was thinking.

Then it occurred to me that OP might be using this to simulate the light meter and its influence on how favorably combat is likely to go for you - as the light level drops, we might start taking average-of- and even worst-of-three for combat outcomes, reflecting the decreased surprise rate, and increased stress and crits taken.

Of course, this proved not to be the case, but might perhaps still be a thought for later.

Will finish this up soon but eating dinner first.

>>2502024
>>2502106
Yeah this is probably better than what I had in mind, I'll attempt to figure out a better rolling system with light/stress that will be truer to the game without having to be an autistic rollfest.

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>>2502255
How about for every two or three scene/room changes you decrease the light by one step? It would allow the presence of light to be important without adding on the potential annoyance of having to light a torch EVERY .08 seconds.

>>2502255
Gnawing hunger sets in, turning the body against itself, weakening the mind…

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As the Brigand reaches back to launch his whip, you interrupt him by dashing forwards like a stinging hornet and unleashing a flurry of bloody slashes that add to the latticework of scar tissue on his chest. Reynauld charges from your side like an armored rhino, bringing his longsword to bear over his head and delivering a crushing strike that splits the large Brigand’s skull in twain, showering the area with blood and grey matter.

Suddenly the air seems to come alive with energy, and the three of you hit the deck like stones as a furious blast of pellets tear through the air, many of them burying themselves in the nearby trees or flying off into the distance. Jumping up to his feet, Dismas narrows his eyes and quickly takes aim at a nearby grouping of trees.
Quietly waiting, he fires off a round from his pistol, lighting up a shadowy figure hiding between the trees, sparking the man into motion.
“Found the bastard!”

Bracing your pistol against your arm, you crouch and pull the trigger, watching with satisfaction as the bullet cracks through the air and splatters your assailant’s brains into mush.
Spitting at your feet, you silently load another shot in your pistol before taking another deep breath as you survey the battlefield. These Brigands may have been fierce in their own right, but they’d clearly been out of practice fighting determined enemies for real. In the future, you might find that your enemies will refuse to go down so easily.

Looting the bodies again, Dismas finds that you might have to decide between more gold, or another sack of heirlooms. You’ll have to drag whatever you’re deciding all the way to the Estate, which blessedly is within view.

“Can’t go wrong with Gold, eh?” asks Dismas who begins carefully counting golden coins from the pockets and sacks looted from the dead brigands.
For his part, Reynauld flicks about some old heirlooms and shrugs his shoulders, content to take the opposing position out of necessity for his condition. “The Brigands were carrying them for a reason, maybe if we bring them to town we'll find out why..”

>Take the Gold

>Take the Heirlooms

(Just decided this fight without issue since it is the Old Road section and I've decided not to implement the dice system yet)

>>2502950
Ornaments neatly ordered, lovingly admired.

>>2502950
>Take the Heirlooms
Gotta upgrade that stage coach so we can hurry up and replace Reynauld I mean uh

>>2502972
>Take the Heirlooms

>>2502950
>>Take the Heirlooms
They're ours, after all.

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You decide to just haul out the heirlooms instead of the gold.

“Reynauld has a point, the Brigands were carrying this stuff for a reason. We’ll figure it all out when we get to town.”

Dismas shrugs his shoulders as he lays down the gold onto the bloodied corpse of the giant Brigand, whistling as he hefts another sack of heirlooms.

“Feels like a waste of good money, but it’s your call Boss,” he says as the three of you continue walking through the forest to the Estate with wary eyes keeping watch, mindful of the possibility of further encounters, “But the first round better be on you when we get there.”

Waving your hand in dismissal, the next hour passes without any further incident, and soon you and your companions finally make it to the Estate. Again, your eyes narrow as you look with prejudice upon the disgusting, malformed excuse for a town sitting in front of you.

A pale, starving man dressed in a sorry excuse for a servant’s uniform hurries to greet the three of you as you approach the town limits. Bowing profusely, the man wordlessly raises his hand and a group of lesser servants, in even worse shape, rush forward and take your bags from you.

“We have been expecting you, new Master.” The head servant, if your guess is correct, introduces himself with a calm, almost serene expression. “I am Silas, head servant of this Estate and the interim Steward after the passing of my old master. The servants of this Estate pray that we will be of use to you in the future.”

Looking Silas in the eyes, you attempt to find any signs of treachery or other fragments of malice, but to your slight relief you see nothing but a tired, older man in need of a real leader.

“You’ve nothing to fear, Silas. I’ve come to reclaim this blasted hole for my family, and on their name, I swear that I will turn this place around or die trying.”

Fidgeting absently, Silas gives you a wry smile and chuckles, “A bold claim, master. Though really, you wouldn’t have to try very hard to do better than my old master, but that’s another thing entirely.”
“Ah, but forgive me,” Silas says as he begins walking off into town, beckoning the three of you to follow him which you do after a short pause, “You must be exhausted from your march through the forest, an unfortunately common occurrence around these parts, I must say.”

Leading you into an empty tavern, Silas seats the three of you at a battered wooden table with equally worn chairs before rapping his knuckles on a wall three times. After a short moment, a gruff-looking man wearing an apron appears from behind a nearby door, seemingly grumbling to himself for some reason.

(1/2)

>>2503123

Meeting his eyes, Silas communicates something to him silently, and the Innkeeper, if that is what he is, hurries back inside. “Bertrand will take care of you for now, I must return home to ensure that the lesser servants have done their jobs correctly.” Bowing quickly, the servant walks outside and vanishes as the doors of the establishment close once more.

Dismas whistles before giving you a sly smile, “Least you won’t be managing this damned place alone, eh Boss?”

Removing his helmet, Reynauld rubs his eyes before replying curtly, “Not much to manage, from what I could gather. Did you notice anybody else in town as we walked in?”

You lean back as far as you can in the weathered chair and frown, “No. That supposed to mean something in particular, Reynauld? It isn’t particularly early in the day, so I wasn’t exactly expecting a bloody welcoming party for us.”

“S’not that Sir,” Reynauld says as he slowly pulls off his gauntlets, “I get the feeling that the townspeople aren’t even around. Like they were expecting bandits instead of and fled for their lives a while ago. Every shop I saw on the way here was boarded up and closed.”

Blinking in disbelief, you scoff, “What, so we’ll need to get the word out that this damn place is under new management?”

Reynauld nods, “Aye, sir. I’m afraid the people will need convincing that there’s someone actually in charge, a reason to live in town and all.”

Dismas smacks the table with a closed fist and laughs, “So that’s what those heirlooms are for! They’re like marks of authority! The more you can get, the more the people believe you’ve got a claim to the Estate. The Brigands have been trying to collect them so they can convince the townspeople that they’ve got the right to take over after the Old Man died.”

Chuckling, you ask, “So, we stockpile the heirlooms, get the word out that the rightful owner is back in town and repopulate the place, then what?”

Your two comrades remain silent, and it suddenly brings you back to the thoughts you had during the long carriage ride here. What do are you aiming to do first? (Will dictate the location of the first mission)

>Restore the roads, that should bring in a steady inflow of money and supplies from the outside world

>Explore those shadowy rumors about the areas around the Estate first, specifically places like the Ruins or the old Sewer system (Specify which if you vote this)

>Check out the old port, if you can get ships to come and trade again, it should be just as profitable as getting the road working and be easier to maintain

(2/2)

>>2503130

Gaining a steady flow of funds and supplies will be key to helping the Estate get back on it's feet.

>Restore the Roads.

>>2503130
>Restore the roads, that should bring in a steady inflow of money and supplies from the outside world
All will find their way to us now that the road is clear.

>>2503130
>>Restore the roads
The old road will take you to hell, but in that gaping abyss we will find our redemption.

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Will we be carrying supplies by cart in dungeons, like pic related?
Also QM, would you be okay with me posting Darkest Dungeon meme pics and stuff like that if it would give you ideas for the quest in the future?

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By that, I mean things like this

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Also this

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>going into the Weald

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>>2503130
>Restore the roads, that should bring in a steady inflow of money and supplies from the outside world

Post the graphs

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>>2503508

“First thing tomorrow, we’ll check out the road. If there’s any chance of this place coming back to life, it lies with trade and without a working port, we’ll need the roads clear.”

Dismas nods, “Sounds good, we’ll be able to get some actual supplies and better equipment if trade is restored. And the town could really, really use the money.”

Frowning, Reynauld speaks up with a furrowed brow, “Aye, it’s a good plan. But I’m worried about those rumors of shadowy beasts and demons in the area, there must be some truth to the stories if we’ve heard about them constantly on the road here.”

You scoff and wave him off, “Bah, old wives’ tales. Don’t believe everything you hear, Reynauld. I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of those incidents anyway.”
“There are more accursed places elsewhere, and there aren’t proven instances of monsters roving around murdering people there either, you know.”

Pouting, Reynauld crosses his arms and gives you an irritated look. “I wouldn’t have signed on with you if I didn’t believe in them, sir. I took an oath as a crusader to slay those who live in the darkness, and sure enough, this land looks vile and corrupted enough to shelter such creatures.”

Sighing, you put a hand on his shoulder and smile. “Look, Reynauld. Even if we don’t find any monsters, I’m sure killing bandits and brigands still counts for something right? Men who live doing dark deeds are little more than monsters themselves, if I remember correctly in the scripture.”

The Knight doesn’t change his frown, but slowly his face relaxes and a ghost of a smile appears after a few tense moments. “They are fair game, indeed. Very well, sir. I shall then only pray we find many of them to slay.”

“You won’t need to pray, I’m afraid.”

Entering the tavern once more, Silas bows his graying head to you before placing a hand-written list before you. Scooping up the paper, you quickly scan the numbers and calculations and discover that Silas has managed to tally and take inventory of all of your possessions in minutes.

Looking up in shock, any questions die on your lips as the neutral gaze of Silas meets your own.

“My old master was rather…demanding. I fear that none of your requests will prove nearly as challenging as his.” The silence following his words speaks for itself and you don’t bother asking him to clarify.

“In any case, I feel that I would be remiss not to mention our other guests.”

You blink quickly, “Other guests?”

Silas nods, “Indeed. They arrived a few hours earlier, I’ve invited them here to meet you and discuss your business.”

“What kind of business do you mean exactly, Silas?”

(1/2)

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>>2504000

Grinning slowly, the servant merely pulls up two more chairs to the table and bows quickly before muttering about another task to be seen to and vanishing out the door again.

“Mysterious bloke that one,” Dismas says with a smile, “But I won’t hold it against him. I was the same before I joined you, eh?”

You shake your head slowly, “Different situation, D. You were a stray dog when I met you, Silas acts like he’s a bloody assistant to a mad scientist from some novel.”

“Who’s to say you won’t end up being one?” asks Dismas who alternates between a smile and a pained wince as you good-naturedly elbow him in the ribs.

Bollocks! You’ll turn this damned town into a fountain of industry. All it needs is a real leader and a real goal, something to fight for.

Glancing over at the bar, you see a collection of unmarked liquor lined up. Following your gaze, Dismas chuckles as he figures out what you’re thinking of doing. “You sure you want to get smashed tonight, boss? We’ve got work to do tomorrow.”

>Indulge. It’s probably not that strong, and anyway, you’ve worked through hard liquor before.

>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.

(2/2)

>>2503395
I plan on doing things a little different from the game, yeah. Some things just don't translate at all to text so some liberties seem fine to take. Memes and etc. are fine. I'm not exactly doing this full-time or anything (evidenced by my atrocious post times)

Also I'll be posting more tomorrow hopefully. Work and all that.

>>2504002

>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.

Business before pleasure. Clear mind before horrors.

>>2504002
>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.

We can drink when We got a proper excuse to do so.

>>2504002
>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.
Save the liquor for when we are in greater need of it.

>Some things just don't translate at all to text so some liberties seem fine to take.
This is true, but that doesn't stop me from trying to internally narrate each update in Wayne June's voice.

>>2504157
Can't blame you, the man is a godlike narrator.

>>2504002
>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.

>>2504002
>>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.
Gnawing uncertainty - the birthplace of dread.

>>2504002
>>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.

We can celebrate later.

>>2504002
>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.

Diggin the quest OP. I like how the narrative is more character focused, like what you'd imagine is going on behind all the crunch. I'd advise against trying to emulate the game too closely or make this quest too mechanically heavy else it'll become a pale imitation of the actual game.

>>2504002
>Abstain. Dismas is right, you’ve got work to do.

My apologies. Work-related delays. An update is coming soon however.

Also my IP changing all the time is common enough for me to just grab a damn trip.

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Bah, you decide going on patrol with a hangover might not be the smartest idea, whatever the reason.

Sitting back quietly in your chair instead, the three of you sit in silence for a few more minutes until suddenly the tavernkeeper and a young boy, probably the man’s son enter from what you assume is the kitchen door holding platters of admittedly delicious smelling meat and vegetables. With the food sitting in front of you, Reynauld decides to hold an impromptu prayer before the meal and everyone, even the tavernkeeper and his son go along with it to be courteous to the pious knight, who blesses the food and gives thanks to the Lord for the nourishment. Looking expectantly at the dish, your eyes trace over the shape of the brown, herbed meat surrounded by vegetables and other additions in front of you.

A bird of some sort?

Bertrand the tavernkeeper, if that is in fact his real name, notices you glancing over the meal and beams proudly. “The Shrieker Special, they call it. Prime ravens, caught in the Weald. Prepared especially for you, sir.”

You offer your hand to the man, and the two of you share a firm handshake.

“We appreciate it, Bertrand. When we finally fix this town up, I’ll see if I can’t put in a word for this place.”

As you and your companions begin to enjoy eat, a knock at the door directs everyone’s attention to the entrance and you wholeheartedly expect the slim figure of Silas to appear. Instead, two shadowy figures approach as the light reveals them as two peculiarly dressed women, the first armored with her face framed by a cloth hood and both mace and bible at her side, the second dressed as an old-fashioned plague doctor.

Seating themselves on the empty chairs opposite you, they bow slightly before introducing themselves.

“It is an honor to meet you, sir,” the armored woman states as she offers her hand and the two of you exchange handshakes, “Darcy, and my companion here is Doctor Belet.”

Pseudonyms without surnames. A smile beams itself across your face as you silently wonder if anybody uses their real names in this godforsaken land. You aren’t going to hold it against them, however, you aren’t even sure if Reynauld and Dismas are actually the names of your own friends. Better not to ask in these parts, you suppose.

“Miss Darcy, Doctor, to what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?” you ask as your companions continue picking apart their own meals with hunger-induced ferocity in the background.

The Plague Doctor answers next with a whimsical, almost fairy-like voice that is so at odds with her grim appearance that you consciously have to stop the shock from showing on your face. “We were hoping to enter your service. Darcy and I have our own reasons for doing so, but the two of us traveled out here together in the hopes of joining your fight.”

“Both of you made it out here to help me make this hellish place great again? I didn’t know there were so many willing to help a nobleman down on his luck.”

(1/2)

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>>2507146
Belet smiles, or you assume she does based on the little chuckle she lets out under her breath. “News of you and this place has spread far, sir. I believe that many others will soon come to answer your call. Enough to prosecute a war against your foes, perhaps..”

“Regardless, we ask as one. Would you accept us into your service?” she says with a firm yet unmistakably feminine voice that again belies her grisly, masked visage.

You nod and laugh, “Of course I’ll accept you two into my service! I’m not exactly in a position to refuse any help at this moment, you know. Report here tomorrow morning and ready yourselves, we’ll be doing patrols along the road in the Weald and I have every reason to believe that we will encounter resistance.”

Bowing, Belet and Darcy mutter their thanks before turning to leave through the exit. As you look at your half-finished meal, you think that perhaps ought to ask more about them if only to know about who you’ll be working with tomorrow. But maybe they value their privacy, especially since they know next to nothing about you after all, anyways a few desperate fights should let a natural bond develop. You’re friends with Dismas and Reynauld after all, and by all rights the three of you should be at each other’s throats most of the time.

>Ask them if they would like to stay and talk

>Let them walk off, you’ll probably learn more about them later anyway.

(2/2)

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>>2507156
>Ask them if they would like to stay and talk

>>2507156
>Ask them if they would like to stay and talk
A moment of respite, a chance to steel oneself against upcoming horrors.

>>2507212
>>2507227
Called

>>2507156
>>Ask them if they would like to stay and talk

It never hurts to ask and it would be rude to not start things off on the right off. Also see if we can offer them to eat with us as well.

"Even the fiercest beast will lay down what it has not eaten, steal their food."

Let's not use up all the lines just yet, eh?

>>2507387
We can always reuse them.

massive update coming jesus christ

“Why don’t you stay and talk for a moment? Even you can recognize there isn’t much to do if you head off besides sleep for tomorrow anyways, not that there’s anything wrong with that if that’s what you prefer.”

Darcy and Belet turn and glance at you, before exchanging their own looks at each other. Shrugging her shoulders, Darcy returns to her seat alongside the good Doctor and meets your eyes. “You speak sense for a nobleman, but I suppose I’d expect nothing less from a man trying to pull this land back from the brink.”

Poking a piece of meat with your fork, you narrow your eyebrows at the two and ask, “Not hungry or thirsty? I can get Bertrand to fix something up for two of you, you know.”

Waving you off, Darcy smiles, “Appreciated, but we had dinner not too long ago. Anyways, what did you want to talk about? I’m sure a man of your caliber has plenty of topics to choose from.”

Sipping from a glass of water, you decide to just ask a few questions that’ve been burning in your mind for the last minute. “What’s your story? You and the Doc here. No offense, but the two of you don’t exactly look like regular townsfolk. You’re asking me for something to talk about but I’m the one wondering why a nun and a plague doctor are walking around together.”

Rubbing the back of her head with a grin, Darcy shrugs, “Oh, we’re nothing special I suppose. I’m a Vestal on a mission and Belet is an apothecary without a lice- “ Darcy grunts as Belet’s hand retracts in an arc after tapping her head. “Yeesh, fine. Disbarred by her medical superiors for practicing experimental medicine on live subjects.”

Blinking constantly, you note Dismas and Reynauld similarly surprised by the sudden burst of life from the Ex-Doctor.

You start to get the feeling that Belet is boiling behind her mask as she furiously digs through her jacket and leather straps before plopping a solid glass vial. “It would have worked! If they wouldn’t have fucking expelled me I could have saved so many lives I’d be in a history book! ”Slamming her gloved fist on the table, Belet seems to be animated by a mixture of passion and frustration as she continues rambling. “What does it matter that a few test subjects died in the process? It’s not like they weren’t dying for a great cause! A few lives for thousands more saved, hell if I’d run out of subjects I’d have tried the goddamn stuff myself and left it to another to finish!” Darcy stands up and gives her a tight hug as she begins to settle down in a morose and unquestionably touchy state.

You slowly pick up the vial of glass and examine it as the green liquid within sloshes back and forth. “This stuff doesn’t exactly look like it’ll save lives, to be honest with you.”

Belet finally seems to recover and brushes Darcy off of her, who promptly sits back down at her side with a worried expression.

(1)

>>2508848
“It won’t.” Picking up the vial and displaying it in front of everyone, the Plague Doctor uncorks the concoction and for a moment a foul, acrid smell pours forth that nearly ruins your appetite. Replacing the seal, Belet places the container back onto the table and stares you in the eyes. “I had my research taken after being expelled, so I’ve gone back to using some of the core components of my disease-curing elixir as a weapon. As it is now, this kind of stuff will burn through plate armor in seconds and it does things to flesh you wouldn’t even believe.”

The sudden outburst explains enough for you to get a grasp on Belet’s mindset and you lean back in your chair with a grin. “So, did you come here for the pay or the chance to test your formulas on live subjects without any pesky bureaucrats to get in the way?”

With a wry expression, at least that’s what you can pick up in her tone, Belet nods and clicks her tongue. “Got it in one, nob. I’m trying to get back to where I was with my research, but that takes money and experimenting on live subjects.”

Chuckling, you flash a smile as she grabs the vial and stows it somewhere, “Well, I’m not really opposed to any of that. Just try and limit your experiments to enemies and willing participants and we ought to get along perfectly fine.”

Turning to Darcy, you offer an upright palm, giving her the opportunity to tell her own tale. The nun looks slightly sheepish for a moment, but soon rallies and begins explaining. “I am a Vestal, trained and destined to bring the light of God to the darkest corners of the world. With mace and scripture in hand, I look for like-minded individuals to smite the unholy and protect the innocent." Rubbing the back of her head with a dumb grin, Darcy looks embarrassed before forcing herself to go on. “I’m not exactly the most interesting individual out there. I mean, I know a few jokes here and there and how bashing a lecherous bandit’s head feels but I’m not very good at…err…talking.

Putting his fork down, Reynauld chirps up with his meal finally finished, “Smiting the unholy, protecting the innocent? Always good to words hear, but especially so from a real believer.”

Darcy, with a shocked expression, figures out his deal after a tentative second and offers her hand. “Must be God’s will, putting two righteous nails like us in this damnable coffin-to-be!”

As the two stand up straight and near each other, Darcy wraps her hands around the knight and then leaps forward into him. “And I know the perfect way to celebrate this occasion, Crusader. God Bless you!” Applying sufficient pressure to make him stumble backwards, a red pallor shows on the face of your friend who seems to want to pry the woman’s arms off but after a few moments decides to return the embrace.

“God Bless you too, woman.”

(2)

>>2508854
Moving your eyes from the heart-warming display, mindful to keep your own cold for tomorrow’s bloody work, you turn to Belet and tilt your head. “So how did the two of you meet again? You haven’t really elucidated on your initial meeting.”

The Good Ex-Doctor lets out a genuine fit of laughter before quickly recovering enough to speak, “Oh that’s sort of a funny story. The two of us were travelling along with some pilgrims; I for convenience and Darcy her strong sense of duty. A bandit group ambushed us in the woods, and without any previous interaction we found ourselves fighting off those dastards in record time.”
“After we finished, the two of us had a long argument about the ethics of me using my concoctions on living people from a secular and religious perspective as we performed medical assistance on the wounded.”

Frowning you gesture with your hand for her to continue, “And? What happened after that?”

Darcy pops her head off of Reynauld’s chestplate and chirps in, “We didn’t really come up with anything, actually. Belet established that using her acid is better than dealing with losing a fight and I just said that cracking a villain’s headcase is better than letting said villain be evil. It wasn’t a particularly productive conversation, really.”

Sighing slowly, you return to your meal as your various companions quickly busy themselves in their own chatter. Dismas and Belet appear to be discussing the efficacy difference between bleeding a man to death and burning him alive with acid, while Reynauld has finally managed to separate himself from Darcy and attempt to look less flustered than he is by talking about scripture in shaky words. Finishing your food, you decide to get to bed early for tomorrow’s work. You’ve certainly enjoyed the company of your friends, if that is what you can call them now, but as leader of the expedition you’ll have to use your head just a little more than them. Reaching the door, your exit is immediately noticed by the remaining four and they all turn and smile at you in honest gratitude.

“Night, boss. We’ll kill it tomorrow, don’t you worry!”

“Do not trouble yourself tonight, sir. I doubt a party of thrice our size could pose a threat to us now.”

“Have a good one, friend. May the Lord watch over us tonight and tomorrow, for we do just work here.”

“I’m more worried for the bandits. They’ll wish they stayed in bed tomorrow!”

After your customary warning not to stay up too late, you exit the tavern and find Silas waiting patiently with a slim white horse saddled up next to his own black donkey. Gesturing for you to ride, you hop on to no protest from the beast, and Silas turns his ride around and leads the two of you higher and higher up the Estate. Nearing the edge of the land and approaching the cliff retreat, you look solemnly at the broken house that marks the Old Man’s personal manor. Shattered and burnt, the miserable structure seems to keep a haunted watch upon the entire hamlet.

(3)

>>2508858
A pox upon that son-of-a-whore’s soul, you mumble as Silas helps you off and guides you into the dark interior of a wooden two-story, a veritable mansion in this decrepit neighborhood. Leaving to the top, which reveals a surprisingly well-furnished bedroom complete with change of clothes, Silas bids you good night and within a few minutes of taking care of business you hit the bed like a rock. It has been a good day, and tomorrow seems bright.

You have a devoted team, a real, noble cause, and the resources and plan to turn this sinking ship around. But then why do you feel so nervous all of a sudden? What’s making your hands tremble and sleep so elusive?
As you close your eyes when weariness finally overcomes your strained nerves, you finally discover the answer as darkness begins to overtake you.

Those radiant smiles you saw tonight. That cheerful banter, these displays of friendship. How long will they last in the face of war?

You’ll fight to keep that hope alive, just as hard as you will fight for your own life or the cause you’ve chosen. These warriors have cast their lot in with you, adding their embers to your fire. No matter what, you cannot let it go out.

Together, you are the flame.
-------------------
You sip the bitter black coffee in your mug with measured indifference, eventually laying the ceramic down on the wooden table. Rubbing your eyes, you look at the old maps of the Weald again and again until the image seems to burn itself into your mind.

Silas offers to pour some more coffee for you, but your hand comes up to hold him off and he puts the polished pitcher down and instead offers a little advice, “You are aware that these maps may not contain the relevant information you are looking for, master?”

Laying down your quill, you leave it in the inkwell before leaning back and checking the markings again. “I am Silas, but I did learn in military school that to study outdated information is better than studying no information at all. If the trees have moved themselves, then it is my duty to plan around them so that we can adapt in the field.”

The servant looks curiously at your scribbling, soon finding them interesting as he puts one of his bony fingers up to the parchment and traces it. “I would say that you’ve planned enough, master, and that perhaps it is your duty now to stop losing your mind on old pieces of paper.”

Grinning you cock your head high, “That a professional opinion, Silas?” The servant nods and hands you the most dreaded document in his mighty arsenal of paperwork. Blinking furiously, you struggle to keep up with the rows and rows of numbers before giving up and simply returning the document to sender.

(4)

>>2508868
“Can you just give me the rundown on this stuff, Silas? I’ve been trained as an officer not a quartermaster!”

Nodding, the servant takes a moment to choose his words before continuing. “Essentially, for your opening expedition I’ve adjusted supply rationing enough that you will be able to bring as many supplies as you can carry. However, you must recognize that failure here is simply not an option, because if we cannot reestablish the road then our supplies will dwindle and vanish within a few days. The pivotal decision you must make now is to determine the length of patrol, the more bandits you slay the longer the roads should remain clear.”

Raising your eyebrows, you ask, “What supply rationing?”

Silas merely maintains his disciplined grimace, “The staff and I, and the remaining citizens of this hamlet have agreed to take lighter rations in order for this expedition to go smoothly.”

“You’re mad! This is why I’ve seen more walking skeletons around pretending to be people in town?!”

Nodding his head, the servant doesn’t show any outward signs of emotion but you can recognize easily when a man has staked all of his cards on the same bet, never mind his sunken gut or taut skin.
Bah! Worrying is for old men, and you’ve years ahead of you to earn your white stripes. Whistling, you force that fear out of your heart and clench your fists. The time for decision is now, goddamn your nerves.

>Short patrol: 3 battles (Roads open for one full week)

>Middling patrol: 6 battles (Roads open for two full weeks)

>Long patrol: 9 battles (Roads open for a full month)

(I've spent entirely too long writing this fucking text block of an update. By the next one I'll have finalized the kind of combat and supply system (which you won't need to worry about because as the first expedition this won't involve supplies) we'll be using for the rest of the quest. Don't expect this to update extremely quickly outside of the battles which I will attempt to speed up due to the already time-consuming nature of the source material)

(I will attempt to get a twitter and etc for this in a bit. For now, actual work will keep me away for a bit.)

Also leave your questions so I can attempt to answer them best I can when I can.

(5)

>>2508878
>>Middling patrol: 6 battles (Roads open for two full weeks)

>>2508878
>Middling patrol: 6 battles (Roads open for two full weeks)

>>2508878
>>Long patrol: 9 battles (Roads open for a full month)
Are all patrol lengths within the same week? Is short patrol the minimum for the town to not die if successful, or is it an intermediary to move onto a longer one?

>By the next one I'll have finalized the kind of combat and supply system (which you won't need to worry about because as the first expedition this won't involve supplies)
Does this mean we won't see the benefits of using the supplies, like full heals and camp skills?

>(I will attempt to get a twitter and etc for this in a bit. For now, actual work will keep me away for a bit.)
When's the next update?

>>2508878
>>Middling patrol: 6 battles (Roads open for two full weeks)

Let's hope our little group will hold out.

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>>2508854
>getting Reynauld that holy waifu
It's gonna be so bad when she gets savaged by shrooms

>>2509206
We need to do our best to not let this happen lads.

>>2508878
>Middling patrol: 6 battles (Roads open for two full weeks)
All will find their way to us, now that the road is clear.

>>2508878

>Middle Patrol: 6 battles.

We can't risk a long patrol without supplies.

Will attempt to answer questions later tonight.

Best estimate for update will be on sunday unfortunately.

>>2508878
>Middling patrol: 6 battles (Roads open for two full weeks)

Wanted to go for a long patrol. Keeping the roads open and the hamlet supplied is serious business... then I remembered this is Darkest Dungeon Quest and we only have the starter party.

>>2508878
>>Short patrol: 3 battles (Roads open for one full week)

It's better to go short patrol, because it allows us to get more heroes/supplies from the road before going on another patrol. Much safer if we go from short to middling to long rather than going longshot from the start.

Called for middling patrol!

We return, and will attempt to burn through six combats!

>>2508911
“How about a middling patrol?”

Pointing out a path that crosses between the road through the Weald several times, Silas brings his hand to his chin and thinks for a few moments before nodding and giving you a satisfied smile. “A good choice, master. You’ll undoubtedly encounter a good number of foes to slay, enough to keep them off the roads for long enough to rejuvenate the town without over-extending.”

However, just as quickly, his smile dies and a cautious frown replaces it as he puts a hand on your shoulder. “But the Weald holds many surprises, master. Be careful inside those dark woods, lest they swallow you and your compatriots. Lord knows they have consumed enough good men already.”

Patting him on the shoulder, you try to reassure him with a determined grin. “You don’t need to worry about me, Silas. Hell, if you want to pray for anybody when we leave, pray for the poor bastards we’re going to eviscerate out in those woods!”

Forcing a smile on his face, Silas bows though whether from respect or the expectation that you won’t back it back, you can’t really tell.

Stepping outside your new house and into the street, you lay your eyes on your assembled party. Dismas, silently fidgeting with his bandana, his weathered flintlock and blade strapped sturdily to his lithe frame. Belet, carefully examining some of her concoctions in her pouches and adjusting her facemask with dark, gloved fingers. Reynauld and Darcy, the knight kneeling on the ground as the Vestal recites some lines of scripture in a vibrant, melodic voice. Cracking your knuckles, you whistle loud enough to get everyone’s’ attention and blink as your warriors all immediately turn to face you.

“Time to get to work, ladies and gentlemen.”
--------------------------------------------------------
Hefting your pack of supplies, you continue marching, torch in hand through the Weald in the middle of the formation, flanked by Reynauld and Dismas. With map in hand, you navigate forwards amid quiet cursing of the corrupted forest every few seconds.

“Hold.” Putting your fist up, you signal to stop moving and the party stops in its tracks.

You stare at the map again, and mentally attempt to cross-examine the path you’ve taken with the one highlighted on the parchment. After a minute of contemplation, you decide that you’re traveling a road relatively close to your destination. If you’ve done your prep work correctly, you’ll be encountering resistance within minutes.

A hand reaches from behind you and pulls lightly on your shoulder, pulling your attention away from the paper and to the interloper. Dismas, his bandana adjusted to show only his gaunt, alert eyes, whispers quietly to you as the rest of the group takes a break. “Brother. I’ve a question.”

“Yes, Dismas?”

He glances at the map and then looks back up at you, “You figured out what you’re going to be doing when we finally meet those bandits?”

(1/2)

>>2516615

You furrow your eyebrows and look at him confusedly, “What do you mean? I’ll jump in and help you cut them to pieces with the rest of you.”

Dismas frowns and looks behind his shoulder into the woods quickly, before snapping back to you. “There’s the rub, brother. Fighting in this damn place is going to get hectic quick, especially since we’ll have to drop our torches to draw weapons. If you leap in, we might get things done quicker but things might be a little harder to control, yeah?”

Whistling quietly as you think about the situation, you nod slowly. “So, what do you suggest, Dis? That I sit back and try to manage the four of you?”
“Aye, it’ll make things hurt less I suppose. That can’t hurt but it’s your call, yeah?”

>Manage the battle from afar

>Lead your warriors to victory in person

(Also, roll 1d100 for the surprise roll)

Disregard that roll prompt above.

First roll 1d100 taking the first result for scouting. (DC. 75+)

The surprise roll will be 1d100 bo3. (DC. 70+ but increases by 5 every two fights to simulate lower light levels. In addition, the DC fail (25 or lower also increases every two fights by five to add to monster surprise on you.)

The explanation is that realistically the party will be continually fighting at maximum light (There's no reason not to if survival is your goal) and the more fights you get, the higher the DC will be for surprise to simulate the reduction of light due to less torches.

Campfires will apply in middle-long patrols, and you can burn them before any encounter if you have a fight scouted beforehand. Middling patrols get one campfire, long patrols get two.

Campfires I'm working on, but until we use one I'll explain then I suppose.

>>2516626
>>Manage the battle from afar
>>Lead your warriors to victory in person
Is it possible to do both? Focus on managing the group, and provide support from afar? I'd love to see the Heir battle in person, but the team might require more training before they'll work together well without intervention. How does the Heir fight?

>>2516693
Are we rolling now?

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>2516693
>>2516821
Battling from afar, while managing is good, but if not that then
>>Manage the battle from afar

>>2516821 >>2516843
You can contribute with your pistol and shout to buff, but that'll be the extent of your ability to fight.

Yeah, on the move and triggering scout check first (will detail room if success) then a surprise check once you get into combat.

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>2516922
Is that if we >>Lead your warriors to victory in person, or if we do both? What's the difference in ability?

>>2516929
You go in, you won't be able to control your team specifically (like controlling stuns) but you can add essentially function like another Dismas.

Staying back, you can control specific things like stuns or who to target, in addition to attacking or buffing someones damage once every two rounds.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>2516962
Alright, my vote is
>Manage the battle from afar
Rollan d100 just in case

>>2516988
>>2516843
>>2516821

Alright, called for leading from afar!

Scouting fails, (first roll was 44) no biggie.

Writing as and as soon as that update drops will need three 1d100s for surprise!

>>2516962
So if we tried both we'd get half of both, or is it one or the other?

>>2516693
>Manage the battle from afar
Seems best to command for now.

>>2517027
Is it possible to have more than 4 party members in the future, or have auxiliary members?

>>2517045
Probably one or the other, I don't even know how I'd make a hybrid but I will keep the idea in mind for the future. Maybe make it an upgrade or something,

Four seems good at the moment, but yeah I was thinking about either making the number larger or recruiting mooks. The scale in this quest seems to be a little different because I'm (understandably) somewhat hesitant murdering the class characters.

“I think I’ll direct you guys from the back, probably get things done better that way. We don’t have a damn field hospital out here, after all, and I’m not thinking about leaving until we clear this road.”

Dismas nods, perhaps smiling, as he turns around and rejoins the group, leaving you to gather your papers and stow them inside your pack.

Taking the lead, you shift on your lead foot and light another torch with one hand and gesture with your fingers ahead with the other. “We’re on the right path, let’s get moving.”

Coming across a stretch of Weald that looks as if it’s suffered some recent use, you carefully squat down and examine what looks like a definite footprint made in the blackish soil. “Bastards are close now. Thought I’d find their camp a few minutes back, but the map is old and they’ve probably adjusted to a better spot ahead. Keep your eyes open.”

Creeping slower across the forest, a painful silence is maintained amongst your group as the five of you adjust your movements to reduce any potential noise that would attract the attention of your foes. This is made excruciatingly more difficult by the sheer amount of equipment and supplies laden in your packs, but without any other option, footsteps are made slower and bushes avoided of possible.

Ahead, you suddenly hear the gruff voice of what you can only assume are brigands, and your signal to stop is made superfluous as everyone instantly freezes and crouches.

“We’re not alone anymore in these woods, it looks like. I heard some boys didn’t make it back to camp last night, cut to pieces. We ought to keep a better watch and lay off the beer.”

A rustle and a thrown bottle smashes somewhere in the distance.

“Bah, probably got caught by some cultists or something. Fools probably had it coming if they got caught by those madmen, they’re more liable to scream nonsense at you than charge anyway if you’re dressed as one of us. Wonder why that is though?”

A chuckle. “Maybe they just like men who can put up a fight eh? Different than those sheep sitting in the town or running about like headless chickens. Couldn’t trust none of those frog-headed cunts to put up a fight if you threatened their family, them.”

Glancing at your party, you slowly, surely crawl ahead until the glare of a fire is made out in the distance. Staring at the shadows, a definite count of angles of entry is made and you silently curse after a few moments.

You’re not dealing with any amateurs, these brigands have their little camp defended well, you won’t be able to surprise them without a real effort.

>Roll 1d100 best of three

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>2517133
lets go

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>2517133

Will need one more roll to continue (Can't get worse right?)

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>2517133

Works for me.

Barely avoiding surprised by the enemy since they needed 25 or less.

Writing now.

Tilting your head to your companions, you signal to move forwards into the camp. Carefully, cautiously, your party specifically avoids the open sight lines surrounding the campsite, sticking to the sparse growths nearly forming bushes and around trees to try and find a good spot to get inside.

Unfortunately, a single misstep from somebody behind you alerts a sentry, who quickly shouts for his comrades to rouse themselves and prepare for combat. Without the element of surprise, your comrades charge forwards through the bushes and into the open. Following them, you find yourself behind your team who face another of those massive whip-armed brigands, another knifeman and a musket-wielding fusilier who is already hurriedly rushing back behind a tree on the opposite side.

“Who be ye, unlucky travelers?” laughs the knifeman, twirling his razor-sharp blades between his practiced hands. “I prefer to know about the people I slay, you know. Saves me from having to guess what you have in your pockets, too.”

You step clear of your party and spit at the dirt-covered bandit, “The new owners of this land, filth. We’ve come in person to let you know that we have a strict policy against squatters.

”Ohoh!” roars the cutthroat, guffawing enough to bend him forwards before he takes a moment to recover amid the tense standoff. “So, the old man left this place to someone after all. Well, I think it might be our time to do our good deed for the day.”

“Yeah?” you ask spitefully, “What’s that?”

The brigand twirls his knives once more, before posing them near his throat and mimicking a throat being sliced open while grinning at you. “Saving you from yourself. Only madmen think that this place can be saved, and you sound right mad to me.”

>Combat! (Turn orders numbered in parenthesis)

Facing: Brigand Bloodletter (7) – Brigand Cutthroat (5)- Brigand Fusilier (2)

Formation: Reynauld (6) – Dismas (3) – Belet (1) – Darcy (4)

Turn 1: Designate your targets and call the shots. Stuns don’t miss but retain their penalty mechanic. Assume all heroes have their complete skillset.

Offensive rolls are 1d100 bo3 (with crits being applied on 90+ rolls) The Fusilier applies a -7 penalty to hits against him because of his dodge so be aware of that.

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>2519511
never played the game, all I can do is give a roll

Yeah I kind of feel like using a system close to the game is mistake because it’s definitely something you’d be just play the game for instead. Legitimately I’m considering just doing dice pool or something less gamey.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>2519511
Belet stunbomb the back two
Darcy stun the big guy.
Reynauld smite the big guy
Dismas open a vein on the big guy.

Alrighty hold on as soon as works over I’ll try and amend this shit. I kind of figured I’d run into this problem at some point.

>>2519586
>>2519594
Dice pools and general directions work better in quests. You can take a look at the other quests to see how they manage combat.

>>2519594
best thing imo would be regular old dice with a lot of passive mechanics, i.e. light meter and the various personal effects from the game.

Yeah, I don't really have the time to work something out at the moment and we'll need to get this moving as fast as possible so I think I'll stick to the conditions detailed in my previous posts for this expedition at least.

Treating the next three rolls as legit, but addendum here.

>>2519588
Frame it like this post, but roll 4d100 bo3 for attacks. If using a stun, the roll for that character is disregarded. I will handle the opposition on my end.
Ex: Values of the 4d100 correspond like here = (Belet, Dismas, Darcy, Reynauld)

Rolled 39, 54, 53, 71 = 217 (4d100)

>>2520740
We could do something like Black Company Quest, Warlord Quest, Demesne Quest, or Banisher Quest. They have interesting dice systems. Black Company Quest and Warlord Quest have ones orientated for combat.

>>2519588
+1, I haven't gotten to look back at the wiki yet.

>>2520763
Yeah, maybe. I have some in mind, it's just I've never tried working them into DD. The problem is that the game is so structured around your party using t rigid combat system that it's made it difficult to wrap my head around.

>>2520763
I'll try taking a look when I have some free time for sure.

>>2519689
>>2520807
Organize it into stances and targeting? Instead of having each skill named, we could have them focus on defense or offense. Perhaps we could have a command skill for the Heir that automates it for us, or an automation option.
>>2520808
Great.

Need two more rolls if anyone's around.

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>2521280

>>2521283
In the 4d100 format and specifying actions, sorry anon.

Rolled 18, 79, 89, 100 = 286 (4d100)

>>2520763

Rolled 98, 34, 32, 70 = 234 (4d100)

>>2521280

>>2520807
I would think that building up all the characterization for the characters only to have everyone get chain heart attacks and die or be dismissed because fuck klepto seem counter to each other. In this case, it's probably for the best to run a combat mechanic that's different from, and less lethal than, the original game - particularly since the player character is on the front lines as well here and presumably runs a real risk of dying if the party wipes.

Rolled 30, 33, 81, 86 = 230 (4d100)

>>2521280
By specifying actions do you mean using moves from the game itself?
If so,
>Reynauld uses Zealous Accusation
>Dismas uses Pistol Shot on the Fusilier
>Belet stuns fusilier
>Darcy uses stun grenade on the bloodletter

>>2521371
Forgot actions.

Belet: Blinding Gas on the Cutthroat and Fusilier
Dismas: Duelist's Advance on the Fusilier
Darcy: Dazzling Light on the Bloodletter
Reynauld: Stunning Blow on the Bloodletter if he resisted Darcy's stun, else Smite the Bloodletter

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>2520763
>>2521371
>>2521373
Belet: Stuns Cutthroat and Fusilier
Darcy: Stuns Bloodletter
Dismas: Roll 1-3 between Open Vein on BL (1), Duelist Advance on BL (2), and Pistol shot on Fusilier (3)
Reynauld: Smite on Bloodletter

Keeping your eyes level, you notice Belet slowly shift her gloved fingers to her side out of the corner of your eye, clearly readying an attack from afar. Grinning madly, you give the knifeman a look of pure hate as you suddenly turn and retreat backwards, making sure to slap Belet on the shoulder as you retreat.

“Hit ‘em, Doc!”

Breaking the tense standoff, the Plague Doctor reaches back and throws a flash of some indescribable liquid that explodes and erupts in a thunderous flash that blinds and deafens the knifeman and his comrade in the woods behind him, sending them to their knees in agony. Following her lead, Dismas brings his sword to bear and dashes into the big Bloodletter’s guard, surprising the behemoth of a man and making him stumble backwards. Once inside, the Highwayman drags steel against the scarred flesh around his opponent’s wrist and opening an artery in a bloody spray before stepping backwards in a flash.

Roaring in anger and bleeding freely, the Bloodletter readies his whip to dispense some painful retribution before a sudden beam of light strikes his eyes and forces his hands to his face, shielding his eyes.
“The Light judges you, villain!” shouts Darcy as she flips through her Bible with disciplined motions, before stepping to the side to avoid Reynauld charging forth an armored rhino who seems to be simultaneously quoting incoherent scripture and savagely screaming his defiance. Swinging his two-handed sword with all his might, the Crusader buries his blade in the Bloodletter’s chest, driving the massive brigand stumbling backwards and making him swing ineffectually at the air with his trunk-like fists.

A good start, you think as you glance at your foes, bleeding and rubbing their eyes.

The Bloodletter, visibly sagging with the sheer weight of his wounds, raises his whip and readies himself after wiping his eyes once more. His compatriots, too, begin to recover their battered senses and fill their hands with knives and gun.

But three yet live, and in your eyes, three too many.

Turn 2:

Facing: Brigand Bloodletter (7) – Brigand Cutthroat (5)- Brigand Fusilier (2)

Formation: Reynauld (6) – Dismas (3) – Belet (1) – Darcy (4)

You can choose to fire your pistol (1d100) at any target or shout to buff one of your party members and increase their chance to hit by 10. Otherwise, repeat the rolls and dictate your choices same as last turn!

(Remember that they are harder to stun now, since you've stunned them last turn.)

Rolled 31, 49, 76, 57 = 213 (4d100)

>>2522479
Belet: Disorienting Blast on the Fusilier, hoping to stun and drag him to the front.
Dismas: Duelist's Advance on the Fusilier.
Darcy: Judgement on the Bloodletter.
Reynauld: Smite on the Bloodletter if he's still alive, else Stunning Blow on the Fusilier if he's within range and no longer stun resistant, else Smite on whichever valid target has taken the most damage.

Rolled 1, 11, 15, 89 = 116 (4d100)

>>2522490
supporting actions

Need one more set, if anyone's up for it.

Rolled 7, 18, 44, 35 = 104 (4d100)

>>2522758

Rolled 35, 52, 39, 7 = 133 (4d100)

>>2522490
+1

“Alright, let’s maintain the advantage!” you command with the voice you’d practiced in the academy, “Belet, hit that rifleman!” The Plague Doctor turns around and gives you a brief nod of her ghastly mask before plucking another flask from her satchel. Continuing to bark orders, a cursory glance tells you that only a few more moments of shouting remains as the brigands gather together again to advance forward and assault your party.

“Dismas,” you call as you slide forward and grip his shoulder, eliciting nothing but a rattling of his sword as he twirls it about in one hand, “Jump that rifleman when you have the chance, he’s nothing but trouble I know it.”

“You can trust me, brother. I’ll be on him before you can blink.”

Moving to the religious, steel-skinned duo standing side-by-side, you lean in behind them and whisper, “Darcy, if you’ve got any ranged ability hit that rifleman. Reynauld, put that fat bastard in the ground for good, yeah?”

Both of them hardly blink, focused as they on their opponents, chanting some unknown lines of scripture with scary fervor. The only indication you get that they’ve even heard you is a slight dip of the head when you nearly poke them in the shoulders to get a sign of attention. As long as they’ll follow orders, doesn’t much matter what they’re thinking of in battle.

Returning to the standoff, both parties seem to be daring the other to make the first move, weapons and reflexes laid at their respective sides with ruthless detail. You see the rifleman in the distance twitch, his finger attempting to pull the trigger, but Belet is faster and manages to lob her flash at him with enough speed to send a deafening explosion his way before anybody can blink.

Unfortunately, it seems the man may simply be too deafened or blinded to be affected any further, because he doesn’t hesitate to fire his weapon with deadly accuracy, unleashing a torrent of shot at your team. Though it pelts all four of your comrades, no extreme wounds seem to appear, mostly bruises and cuts on open skin or from underneath clothes. It seems that the brigand is not firing a weapon befitting of his own skill, and he seems to cringe behind his bandanna before immediately beginning the arduous process of reloading.

That is, until Dismas sprints in, his sword flashing at the ready to strike the rifleman as he crosses the distance in an astonishing few moments of pure athleticism. Unfortunately, his gamble fails as the rifleman evades his strike and the brigand’s comrades force him back to your lines with their angry footsteps.
A sudden flash of lightning cuts through the air like a knife however, striking the unlucky rifleman and leaving him singed and sagging against a tree in sheer agony. The sonorous notes of a prayer song ring clearly by your ears from the zealous Vestal, who is fully engrossed in her recitation of lines from the holy book.

(1/2)

>>2524222

Roaring in hatred at your attack on his friend, the brigand cutthroat brings his knives high and leaps at forwards, scoring a scathing, bleeding gash on Dismas who promptly returns the favor by slashing back and marking the chest of the bandit with contempt.

Simultaneously, Reynauld makes his presence known by holding his sword up high above his head as he interjects himself between everyone else and the bleeding Bloodletter. Reaching back, he brings the blade down onto the massive man’s head like a falling star, splitting the Brigand’s skull and spreading bloody gore all over the corrupted ground, soon to be drenched in another, fuller puddle of crimson liqueur as the Brigand collapses like an enormous boulder and stops moving.

One down, two more to go.

The Fusilier looks hurt, though clearly not out. His friend, however, seems to still be filled with the coursing adrenaline brought by battle and refuses to surrender. You will end the two of them soon and continue onward past this foolishness. Your mission demands it.

>Turn 3
Facing: Brigand Cutthroat (5)- Brigand Fusilier (2)

Formation: Reynauld (6) – Dismas (3) – Belet (1) – Darcy (4)

(2/2)

Press forwards! The enemy falters!

>>2524225
Correction!

Formation*: Dismas (Riposte) (Bleeding) (3) - Reynauld (6) – Belet (1) – Darcy (4)

Feel free to target and roll once more, gonna need them. Bandages are also auto-supplied by this first expedition so that bleed will be fixed before Dismas takes any damage from it.

>>2524225
Belet: Disorienting Blast on the Fusilier again, now that he's no longer stun resistant, to stun and clear the Bloodletter's corpse. If you haven't got any rules for corpses, and Blinding Gas can still hit both enemies' current ranks, use that instead.
Dismas: Point Blank Shot on whichever the valid target is. It's probably suboptimal, but I just want Dismas to blow someone the fuck up.
Darcy: Dazzling Light on the Cutthroat if he isn't stunned from Belet, else Divine Comfort on the entire party.
Reynauld: Zealous Accusation if both enemies are still alive, else Stunning Blow on the remaining target. (The intention with the stun is to delay one more turn for Darcy and Belet to heal before Reynauld deals the finisher. If you're less strict about out-of-combat healing, Smite for the kill instead.)

Press this advantage! Give them no quarter!

I feel like using combat skills directly from the game might be off-putting to anyone who hasn't actually played the game. Perhaps we ought to generalize the skills into looser combat orders, or at least translate them into terms understandable to people who are unfamiliar?

Rolled 2, 7, 51, 54 = 114 (4d100)

>>2524592
Naturally this time I forget the rolls.

Gonna need at least two more rolls here to get going, if anyone's still around.

Definitely deciding on another system after this, because this is going to take way too long and as >>2524592 observed it's not particularly hospitable if you don't remember or check on how the game works.

Rolled 62, 18, 43, 50 = 173 (4d100)

>>2524592
+1

Slow day, it looks.Should I archive this thread or nah by the way?

>>2526084
Your choice. How much further before we finish the experimental fight?

>>2526091
Not far, Fusilier's half dead and the Cutthroat won't survive a round or two of focus fire.

Uh...still need one more roll.

Maybe running sporadically throughout the weekday is not a good idea?

Rolled 32, 3, 50, 92 = 177 (4d100)

>>2526447

>>2526455
Works for me.

The fight continues, and Belet immediately flings another of the same flask as before at the fusilier but this time, the explosion manages to detonate close enough to the hardened veteran to clearly overload his senses yet again. Lurching forwards with his head close to the ground, the rifleman stumbles forwards and nearly knocks over his knife-wielding comrade, who leaps clear and shouts a warning to his deafened friend.

At the front, Dismas smiles wickedly as he fiddles with his pistol before dashing up to the dazed rifleman and slamming the trigger, producing an inordinately loud explosion of gunpowder that lights up the surrounding forest and drapes him in smoke. That smile dies immediately when the smoke clears as the rifleman brigand continues to pace, stumble, and pace back and forth with his weapon cradled in his hands.

Launching himself at your party, the Cutthroat dips in between his rifle-wielding comrade and attempts to slip one of his knives in-between the ribs of your friendly highwayman but thankfully needs to cross some distance before reaching Dismas. In response Darcy raises her mace in one hand, the weapon beginning to glow painfully, radiantly until the surrounding woods are lit up with the flash of a miniature sun. As a beam of pure light strikes the charging brigand, he merely covers his eyes with an arm and rushes long through the entire duration. Swinging blindly, he misses Dismas cleanly, the bandit sending his knife in what seems like a completely different direction from the ducking, dodging, even swaying highwayman.

“Halt!” roars Reynauld, his voice seemingly amplified with an echo that stretches his words out as if spoken by divinity, “Your wickedness be judged!” Holding out a written decree, no doubt pulled from some storage on his body, the wording begins to glow and shine with the same light that Darcy emanated not moments earlier. Burning with radiance, lasers of light explode outwards from the decree and nail both of your foes, forcing screams from them as their flesh begins to burn under the heat. Withering under heat once more, the rifleman drops his gun before letting out a gut-wrenching scream and falling to the ground in a heap. The Cutthroat recovers somehow, dragging himself backwards and out of the continuous, boilingly-hot streams of light while twirling his daggers in his hands enough to remind everyone, least not of all himself, that this fight is not yet over.

That being said, he’s on his last legs, you can see it yourself. Now you just need to tip him over and end this.

>Turn 4

Facing: Brigand Cutthroat (5)

Formation: Reynauld (6) – Dismas (3) – Belet (1) – Darcy (4)

>Continue the onslaught! Destroy. Them. All.

>>2526447
>Uh...still need one more roll.
You can roll, and then roll between the votes.
>Maybe running sporadically throughout the weekday is not a good idea?
The bigger issue is running consistently, and informing your players of when you're running.

>>2527901
Have the Heir enter the fight, then everyone does their own thing and auto-attacks? There's not much the Brigand Cutthroat can do at this point.

Rolled 39, 72, 35, 36 = 182 (4d100)

>>2527901

Rolled 65, 83, 61, 15 = 224 (4d100)

>>2527901
Belet: Disorienting Blast on the Cutthroat if the Fusilier left a corpse, else Noxious Blast.
Dismas: Open Vein on the Cutthroat.
Darcy: Divine Comfort on entire party.
Reynauld: Battle Heal on Dismas.

Force of habit dictates we heal at the end of a fight whenever possible, even though there's no logical reason Darcy wouldn't be able to just spam heals when there's no enemies around.

If the Cutthroat doesn't die to the combined DoTs, we still have one turn to finish him before reinforcements arrive(?). Lack of crits on the Cutthroat's end permitting, we should be able to outheal any damage he deals with our combined 3 heal skills. If this eventuality does happen, you can probably automate the last turn.

>>2527959
Yeah, you're right. Problem is I just update whenever I can instead of actually committing to a time and that's definitely an issue I need to go handle. And I could just roll if I need one, yeah.


Staggering around like a drunken man, the Brigand knows his time to visit the underworld is nigh, and he attempts to force himself forwards in a homicidal frenzy, intent on taking at least one of you with him. Belet isn’t having any of it however and splashes him in the face with yet anothercontainer of explosive reactant that stops him in his tracks like a brick wall. Swinging wildly at the air, you can’t help but admire the man’s tenacity as he keeps rushing forward though this time in a different direction. Dismas walks up slowly and quickly tears open an artery on one of the poor bastard’s arms with a surgically placed cut, forcing out a torrent of blood to rush from the wound. Darcy looks onwards with hard, merciless eyes as she blinks quickly and recites a few quick words from her Bible that envelops your party in a soothing light that seems to repair the wounds suffered during the fight.

Unwilling to watch a man bleed to death in front of you, and being somewhat tired of this whole affair, you raise your pistol and blast a hole in the Cutthroat’s head, punching out a solid chunk of flesh and bone through the wound and sending him straight to Hell.

Besides a sharp, amused whistle from Dismas, nobody says anything for a few awkward moments. It makes sense after a quick analysis of your companions, killing fellow human beings, morally corrupt and despicable as they are, isn't something to be particularly proud about. And though you've no proof, you have a growing suspicion that each member of your party has seen death enough times to not be inordinately upset by it anymore.

“I think we’ve wasted enough time here. Search the camp and let’s keep moving, there’ll be plenty more brigands out here in these woods.”

Nodding wordlessly, nobody bothering to comment on your sudden, lethal intervention, the five of you begin tearing apart the already messy campsite with reckless abandon, overturning pots and pans, clothes and other miscellaneous goods for any potential treasure. A few minutes of continuous looting nets you some more antiques, heirlooms, and other markers that seem to function as currency for the bandits. Kicking over some tents, you decide to leave the remains of the site to nature, corrupted though it might be. Stashing the loot in your packs, you and the party continue walking through the Weald on patrol, eyes alert for any signs of bandits.

(1/2)

>>2531202

Looking up, trying to find any sign of the sun in the pitch-black cover of to try and figure how much time you have left in the day. Failing to see any speck of natural light in this hellish place, you grimace and continue watching the brush ahead and maintain your cautious gait. Maybe once this is all over, you’ll personally lead a mission to burn this place to the ground. Because if you’ve learned anything in your short time traversing this unnatural woodland, it is that the popular thought that nature can take care of itself is an insidious, malicious falsity.

Thread 1 End
----


I'm impressed ya'll have stuck with me this far if you're reading this. I have a pretty busy schedule most days and thus I can't really update as fast or reliably as other QMs might. That being said, I'm always down to improve and have made a twitter that will tweet every single time I update any further threads so you can get a notice when you should come back.

Leave your recommendations or thoughts below, I'll read them for sure.

Again, God Bless and don't forget that the next DLC for DD is being worked on so another few dozen hours of your time is probably going to be burned in the oven of crushed hopes in the future.

Twitter (That you should probably check out if you want to be notified whenever quest updates) : https://twitter.com/Cyrus_YoungerQM

Next thread will probably go up on Monday.