Wildendrem 2: Tears of the Beast
"This is the best sort of DM PC," said the thief.
I was taken aback a little by this, as I had never thought of Cluster Fumm as my PC. He was a tool to transition the party from my weird west marches into the Arthurian soup of The Valley of Flowers. It was time for Cluster to go.
If you play in my Friday Knight game, stop reading. This also has spoilers for Wildendrem: Valley of Flowers.
Quest of the Weeping Beast
The party had followed Sir Amis, a cursed and leaky knight, into the woods to kill a monster. He had moved off before them, so they had some catching up to do. Cluster had gained a map of Gnolune for the party, and they set off into the forest. At around midday on their journey, they heard yells and arguing coming from up ahead. Upon investigation, they found Knights of the Golden Promise shaking down a few 'simple' travellers. Unfortunately, a poor hide in shadows roll led to a small chase from one of the Knights. They party of lvl 1 scumbags took up arms against the knight.
AC 17 in OSE at lvl 1 is almost impossible. They went almost three rounds with no hits. Two of the party were taken down, but not killed (i don't like death at zero HP, but I also don't like death saves), before they came up with a plan. The drow called in a favour, screaming out to all the spiders in the forest to aid them. A few good die of fate rolls... and the tiny creatures descended on the knights. Both knights. They took one down and then rush to the other to see that the simple travellers were in fact agents of some organisation and were now wailing on the downed knight.
These agents were smuggling a noble back to Brobdin Castle. The noble said cheers and told them to hit up the Firetender when they got a chance.
The party moved onto the Giants Fingers. They camped with Sir Amis, drank and broke bread with him. Then spent 5 nights searching the forest for The Weeping Beast. Sir Amis gave them his side of the story but never the true story. Cluster didn't know the truth, so said nothing.
“Let there be an end to tears, let eyes undimmèd see. Yet if I must be put to sword, please shed a tear for me.”
On the morning of the sixth day, the Weeping Beast burst through the forest, wailing, crying, and nashing at the party. Though his tears confused them, they still slew the beast. Annihilating him within two rounds. Amis dies, they loot him, and when asked about Beast, one player removes its teeth. They leave it there to rot. The book states, "those who killed the beast gain a point of fleeting renown, but within d6 days, they will receive a summons from the Ignoble Court, that they might answer for this act." I say they've not treated this beast well, and in 3 days they will be summoned.
Coming to Brobdin Castle
They headed for the castle. In their minds, they expect to be treated like special guests by the royalty at the castle. But as this is no ordinary castle, they are mistaken. The guards have heard of The Nameless (the party's title) and of their swift and brutal handling of the Knights. However, the guards cast some doubt on Cluster. Saying that gaining access to the castle is difficult for some, but impossible for others, looking at Cluster. The party does not like this.
Told to meet the castellan on Tenpenny Hill, they marched up the hill, taking in the scenery. Even seeing some noble folk through the windows of the castle. Which, by the way, is fucking excellent. Having this fake castle, which has people pretending to be at windows on higher levels, is so good. The party is hooked on the Riverkeepers, but doesn't know that the Riverkeepers exist yet. The reveal of the inside of the castle is going to be a tasty morsel of tabletop action. Fuck. This group in particular will love that shit.
Right, so they meet with the castellan and he tells them that the FIretender is indisposed, seeding a quest to free him later down the track. He also tells them to high tale to Verinwine Vale and meet Elzia Tevayn at the Ten Thorn Tavern cause she'll have some work for them. The team is all for it. But Cluster fucking loses it. Tells the party that all these people are beneath them and they need to work for him so that he can become a Silvered Noble. He says that the party wouldn't be noble, probably couldn't be. But he would be, and they would benefit from it. He says they need two hours to get what they need and meet him, and then he's going with or without them.
The party found some of that Deepshine Umbral. Sold it to a merchant, but asked for a taste. So, I rolled on that table. Most of them just got drunk, but one rolled a four and got that "Ponder the deep mysteries for d4 rounds (referee may reveal one hidden truth about the PC’s current circumstances)." So, I told em straight. The Silvered Nobles are cunts... in much more flowery language.
When they got out of their stupor, they walked down the hill to Cluster.
They said they don't want to work for him if he wants to be a Silvered Noble. Cluster couldn't bring himself to change his goal. So... he parted ways. Thanking them, but warning that the next time they meet, they may be on the other end of his sword. He turned and walked off into the night.
The players fucking loved that shit. They had connected with Cluster, but as they learned more about the world, they figured out he did not share their values. They felt sad and betrayed by him and hoped to meet him again. So, I have added him to some of the random encounter tables. He will be a rival party leader.
Next session, they head for the tavern.