Be like Crow

 i have finally got around to playing be like a crow which i was surprised by how well i actually got on with, i had brought it and say that it was a journalling game and though i didn't think it would be my thing it was. check it out here  https://www.criticalkit.co.uk/products/be-like-a-crow-rulebook-physical-copy-1

here is the transcript of my game over 4 half hour sessions enjoy.

In a village known as Yewhshade is a great yew tree, home to many creatures both of the sky and the ground, nested among the boughs  sa young fledgling raven name Rorshach who sits preening himself and casually glances about at the people scrambling about their daily lives
his thoughts are isturbed when he hears the call of some one speaking to him in his own tongue,
"young one i can see you there, come hither and hear my offer as i have a treat for you if you do and more as i have need of a favour" Rorshach looks at the frail old man in something that looks more like the bark of a tree with bits of moss than a cloak men normally can be seen walking about, but true to his word in his hand is the fatty part of a piece of pork, belly grumbling Rorshach lys down and alights on his out streched hand and starts to eat the offered fat.
the old man strokes he ravens breast and still speaking in the ravens tongue says
"I have need of you to take this and fly northward to the great forest and find a young street urchin and deliver it to his hands as he has great need of it n the near future i am sure"

with this he takes out a little leather necklace that has been fahsioned into a harness suitable for a raven and attaches it to Rorhsach, who is still eating the offered fat. he then lsides in a small disc of Green Draconite and whispers "do you understand my friend, north to the great forest and give this to a young Lad in the forest".
Rorshach not knowing how to communicate his understanding nods and goes to take flight leaping off the hand and into the sky.
Day one
as he flies north Rorshach see another bird flying in a similar direction and guesses their paths will meet and soon enough they do as the other bird gets closer it is unmistakably a Jackdaw
"hey there" he calls
"what a great day for a flight hey i thought with the haze this morning it was going to be glum but i stopped and said Dawson you are being silly get out there and see whats about because you never know could be the day for an adventure"
"well is it?" Rorshach responds
"well i've not come across anything yet but i saw you and thought i may come and see where you off to and if you want some company?"
"I have been given a job by a strange man north of here but you can join me for a spell if you wish?"
while still in the air Dawson rolls over Rorhsach excitedly and then falls in next to him with great vigor.
Day 2
still flying north the pair fly over the landscape when some thing catches Rorshach's eye
"what's that there Dawson?" he asks Dawon who is still inately hcatting to himself
"well my sister from the second hatching aftermine said that none of the Jackdaws near us could hold a candle to this mysterious fella well i, Sorry What did you say?"
"What is that down there?"
"Looks like one  of them holes in the earth the people go in and come out with shiny rocks? could nd one better than yours if we are carefull?"
"you said you wanted adventure lets go and have a look shall we?" they land near the opening near a sign that says in words Bombards Mine, out side is a Dwarf who has been turned to stone in their closed fist is a small black object tha thas been wedged in though it looks like it would come out with a little bit of ingenuity (queen of spades). Rorschach hops on to the stone hand and has a look at the object held within,
"Dawson bring me a small stick and i'll see if i can fetch this object out" Dawson hops about till he finds a stick and brings it up to the hand offering it for use.
with a little bit of fiddling hte stick slides between the obect and the stone hand and acts a lever to help lift it out hte two birds drop to the floor and look at the object,
Dawson is the first to speak
"looks interesting you should take it with you it could help if you can work out what it is".
"not a bad idea my friend, not a bad idea" rorschach says tucking the stoney item in the harness next to the draconite.

the pair hop around the mine looking for any other treasures that may have been left by the mines or the area around it when they stumble acros another Fledgling Raven, Rorschach approaches and ies to offer a greeting,
"Hello what are you up to we've just landed and we have found an interesting stone, do you want to come and see?" the other raven looks at Rorschach then at the Jack daw behind and says
"no, No i need to be off" and takes to the sky.
Rorschach not feeling anything odd about this exchange watches them go then continues ing around the area. behind a stone there is part of a kill that is not that old robably a fox or something has had a rabbit or hare look Dawson i have found something to eat, let's share shall we ore we continue?" Dawson looks at the carrion and then at Rorschach
"really you think i'm going to eat that?  no thank you feel free but i'm off, Good winds to you" and he takes off into the sky heading south om where we came.
Day  Three
Rorschach after eating the scraps of meat that were left decides ot continue his journey north and tries to take off, with one push of his wings he is airbourne and heading north into some ominous looking clouds that darken the sky the closer he gets to it with a loud peel of thunder the storm is joined and Rorshach is buffeted this way and that with the wind but decides ot push on regardless pulling a muscle in his wing forcing him to slow down and take it a bit easier, doing so sees him out the other side of the storm and into more peaceful skies.
Day Five
as he flies he see's another jack daw in the distance flying east caying something in it's claws Rorshach  turns to come along side the new bird in the Sky.

Hey lovely day now that the storm has gone is it not"
"yeah suppose it is hwat can i do for you Raven? i'm trying to someone to trade this Powderd unicorn horn with would you be interested or is it not your sort of thing?"
"Curious more than anything, what are you looking ot trade? i only have this od Dropping shaped item would that be of interest to you"
"No not really i'm looking for somehting abit more you know special or unusual?"
"that's all i have to trade the other object that i carry is from a Druid to a boy in the forest n-n-north of here (he has a scan of the horizon.) but i seem to have been mistaken it was north east so i'll be heading east now"
"i mean i could trade the horn for that item and deliver it in your place if you want?"
"No that's Quite alright i'll make the drop off Good Winds to you" and with that he takes off at a quicker pace to try and lose hte jack daw in case it is following him.
Day Six
The change in direction brings with it the unfortunate luck of lying back into the storm that he had just left behind him luckily he spots a small copse by the river bank that is over grown so will offer him some shelter he swoops in to land and finds a small space out of the rain and decides to wait out the storm having pushed himself to hard last time. preens his feathers and rubs his shoulder a bit allowing it time to heal.
Day  7
the storm rages on and though he is under over a olt of lightning hits one of the trees and sends branches flying in all directions, he manages to dive out of the way just in time with just a bit of swelling by his tail feathers for the trouble, he pushes on through the rain looking for somewhere to shelter and spots a over turned boat with  small murder of crows looking out taking shelter, Rorsharch approaches and calls to the crows "hey can i shelter under there with you and wait this storm out?" the Crows mutter amongst themselves then call out
"yes we need some help, the oldest among us is not very well and the storm is making it worse could you please come and have a look at him?"
Approaching the boat carefully Rorshach can see that there is a Crow lying in the middle protected from the xtremes of the storm but laying there no the least an old crow at that.
Rorschach takes a careful look over the venerable crow then tries to make him comfortable but even that is too much fo rthe old crow and he exhales for the last time. looking around he sees the crows watching him silently?
"it was his time and though he flies on in the horizonless sky now we still greive his loss" and Rorshach bends his head low as a mark of respect to the old one, he then makes a perch on a bench within the boat and Rests
Day 8
during the early hours of the morning as the storm is starting to abate a fledgling Crow crashes in through the make shift entrance of the boat shelter and lays on the floor panting, Rorshach hops down to take a look at him he is in a bad way but with a gentle touch and some support he catches his breath and takes a drink
"thank you" he manages to get out
"that was one of the worst storms i've tried to fly through"
"why would you risk that?" Rorshach questions sensing there must've been some dire reason for this fellow fledgling to do some thing that insane.
"i've been tasked that is all the crows in my murder have been sent out to look for the legendary phoenix feather of Simurgh aswe need to drop it in to the volcano to appease Morrigan as she is angry and is going to unleash the fire to purge then Fertilise the lands around, all i know is that it is somewhere in this part of the world"
"rest up here and i will go and look for it for you"
"that would be appreciated if you could all i know is it is in an alley in partof a city where the air is thick with the smell of it's denizens and the alcohol they drink."
"im bound to the forest but can swing by that way after and have a look for you"
the crow now lays down it's head and starts to sleep, Rorshach goes to take of immediately and in his haste crashes into the side of the boatstunned but otherwise ok he hops outside and trie to take off again and ends up injuring himself on a low hanging branch that is above him so he decides to go and look for somewhere better to take of and does to get his wing caught in a patch of brambles , pulling himself free he decides he needs to keep trying as more than one person is counting on him. this time he sucseeds in taking off and is back in the sky.
Day 9
flying away from the river and the Crow Rorshach spots something on the ground but decides to leave it be as he has more important things to do than dilly dally with every shiny Bauble he comes across.
Day 10
ahead there seems to be a conspiracy of ravens flying in a pattern that looks like an elaborate dance in the sky Rorshach realises that this is a healing ritual like his mother used ot tell him about. he makes his way over and tries to join in with the dance to assist in bringing the cleansing forces to bear quicker. and it works, positive energy floods the area with a warming embrace that heals each soul it touches. one of the Ravens aprroaches and says
"well done youngling that was some impressive flying please take this as a token of our thanks?" he holds out a claw with an arrowhead gripped wthin
"thank you but i think you will have a greater need for it than me". and flies off.
Day 11
Rorshach continues east he is consumed by a shadow looking up he see's a great eagle (compared to him he it is great indeed) flying east as well.
"youngling" he calls out
"come fly with me you can hold onto my tail feathers and i will speed your flight east, all i ask for is a moment of your time?"
"and what do you intend me to do with this moment? i  have nothing i can give you?"
"i just want the company my young have flown the nest and i find my self alone with no-one for company any more it is some what lonesome"
"i can spare a moment as long as it is east we travel"
with that Rorshach manuvers himself behind the eagle and take a hold of her tail feathers once he has done so she takes off at a great speed flying over the swamp and plains below at a dizzying pace covering twice what Rorshach can in a day of flight.
"it's something isn't it? the great forest my home? are you looking to roost here or just passing through?"
"it is impressive" Rorshach says finally letting go of her tail and managing to keep pace with the eagle.
"no i had a nest in Yewshade,  i'm heading for the forest on an errand for a wiseman making a delivery then i am to return"
"well should things change there are plenty of places a young raven could roost and keep an old eagle company hey good flying to you" and she heads off in a north easterly direction leaving Rorshach on his own.
Day 12
as Rorshach makes his way over the forest trying to locate where this urchin is he becomes aware of an irrate gull flying towards him squaking incessantly a small fight breaks out and the Gull hurts Rorshach. fumbling in the melee Rorshach snatches out the stone he found when with Dawson and threw it at the Gull unbeknownst to him it was a dropping of Ibong Adama and when it hits the gull it immediatly tuns it into stone and it then falls to the ground and shatters into uncountable pieces.
and Rorshach flies on  looking for somewhere there could be a group of people hiding hoping that it is where the urchin is that he is looking for.
a thin trail of smoke in the distance shows that there is a possible house or place people are living.
Day 13
as Rorshach approaches where the camp is there is a large Congregation of magpies in the canopy above a camp Rorshach lands in a tree and calls out to a nearby magpie "hey there, what's going on here i see there is alot of you gathered here may i ask why?"
"shhh there are people down there we are watching to see if any of the pretty baubles they have will be droped for us to collect?"
"there may be some soon" says rorsach as he sits next to a magpie i need to deliver this stone to a manling fledgling? any ideas where one could be?" the magpie twitches and says.
"they all look the same to me i can't tell them apart"
with that the magpies take to their wings and fly in to the sky with a call.
"it is time for the preening come with us and join in?" and it takes off following the others up into the air above, Rorshach watches then takes to the sky after them, the birds twirling and dancing about in the air in a chaotic but some how choreographed way around him getting closer and closer till an old bird above calls out all of the new comers fly to the centre with me and follow, Rorshach buffeted along follows the group magpies dart in and out around him they fly in what feels like a figure 8 pattern several times. the aches and pains of the last few days seem to have disappeared as if the "preening" was a healing ritual as well as an induction of sorts. as the group disperses the old bird calls out to those in formation with him you are now part of the congregation and are free to come and go as you will, there will always be a perch in the nesting tree for you".
Rorshach cofused by being inducted into the magpies extended family can all but nod before heading down to the camp to find out if there is a youngling there  landing on top of a lean too he looks around to see if he can find his target, spotting a young lad sat next to several rough looking men laughing with them Rorshach is sure this is the boy he was sent for and hops over to him avoiding the bustle of the men in the camp
"urchin"
he calls out
"urchin"
the boy looks up and see's the raven comeing towards him and gets up and approaches
"what do you want?" he asks
"near future need" Rorshach  says and fishes out the Draconite and drops it to the floor. the boy stoops down to pick it up and looks at it long and hard and says.
"yes i had a stone like this when i was  younger and i lost it, Where did you find it?" Rorshach looks at him blinks and says "give to urchin man said". the boy puts some scraps down for him which he gobbles up quickly before hopping of out of the camp.
Day 14
hopping through the forest Rorshach comes across a well dressed man looking worse for wear at the side of the road he is beaten up and looking hurt in his hands he has a pouch, he takes out a leaf places it in his mouth and starts to chew, closing his eyes as he does looking slightly at ease, the sound of a twig snapping when Rorshach hops to it causes him to look around in alarm.
"is-is anyone there i c-can hear you, you know show yourself"
not being one to cautious Rorshach hops on to the road looking at the man
"help" he says questioning the man
the man looks back and says
"are you hurt? you are free to take some of these lreaves to eat they will help you feel better if you are hurt"
"it is a sprig of sanjeevani said to numb the pain and promote healing, at least that's what my physician tells me, it might help you".
Rorshach approaches and grabs a small sprig of the precious leaf and tucks it into the pouch looks at the man and says
"help you?" the man says
"well it would not do for the courtiers to see the duke of Eimgar talking to a raven in the woods but we must play the cards we are dealt, if you could watch over me while i rest making sure nothing comes along this way i'll be greatful"
looking at the dishevelled man Rorshach hops on to a nearby branch and says to the man
"rest" still chewing he lays in the undergrowth to sleep allowing the herb to work some of it's enchantments on him. 4 hours pass when there is movement on the path ahead 3 figures approach shambling as they come Rorshach puffs out his ruff and tries to scare those that approach and though the noise he makes is loud, it falls on dead ears as these creatures look like the dead have risen.
his ward not stiring Rorshach realises he will have to try to lead them off away from him. Rorshach flies at them pecking as he goes felling one of these creatures before he is overwhelmed and killed.

i felt the need to have a random encounter when the duke was sleeping and it came and bite me in the ass quite literally i seem to end up putting my characters in thes games in hard life threatening situations. oh well i enjoyed it and will probably have another go at being like a crow 

Fudge.

Cairn Solo

 

(As stated in the last post, the D666 game, I wanted to use the demonic dungeon I had created as a dungeon to play in, and here it is. I'm using the Cairn system as I want to try it out. I have created a character for this game and have shared it below. As you can see, I have only filled out the basics, as my intention is to flesh out the rest as I go through the Dungeon ).

The Cairn Character Sheet

I come to, I don't fully understand how long I was out or when the torture stopped, mind you, tracking time in this place is not the easiest thing to do at all. I remember leaving home to head into the forest to get some firewood, and the next thing was hanging upside down in this darkened room, being jabbed in the side, not hard enough to really damage me, but enough to command my attention and not be able to focus on anyone or anything else. One of the first things I notice is the heat, it is hot like the inside of a forge, I can feel the perspiration dropping off of me, next is the smell, it is a mix of hot bodies and brimstone. There is scant light, and I can't see very well.

again i am brought to wakefullness by a jab in the side, i see a bit more clearly now in this gloom and make out a humanoid shape but it is slim with a grotesque smile and deeply sunken eyes though i soon work out when i see its ribs that there is no skin or muscles and this is in fact s a skeleton that is moving ( roll a will save at the sight of a skeleton as this is not something Gringle would have come across n his day to day life and get a 4 Cairn is a roll under the stat game and seeing as my will is 12 i pass) 

"What is going on?" I call out, 

"Where am I?"

my calls are met with the silence of the dead that seem to be overseeing me, i'm still hung upside down by the feet i soon pass out again, i come to with yet another jab in the side i don't know how long i was out for but can feel my throat is parched and dry i'm still sweating though as i hang there drift into uncosciosness again. When I come to there is the smiling face of a small warty monster looking at me. It starts to talk in a thick gutural language which I struggle to discern, but the more I listen, the more I start to understand some of the words it is saying to me, though I can still hear its tongue, understanding somehow washes over me.

"Am xe wyy haf'jy miv zupy za wyzzdy ul? hi, zmuw uw bfwz zmy wzirz oar haf parzid, hafr wfooyrulq sy sudd ygzritz wa pftm eiul hafr edyiw oar pyrth vorv wtryipw ao eiul sudd ky iw vydutuafw iw weutyv suly uw za haf ul zmy zmutc ao sulzyr?"

"Ah, I see you've had time to settle in? Ha, this is just the start for you mortal, your suffering we will extract so much pain, your pleas for mercy and screams of pain will be as delicious as spiced wine is to you in the thick of winter?" 

Though I am filled with Dread I manage to utter a few words in a raspy voice.

"Water, please. Water"

SMACK!!!

The sting left on my cheek is evidence of the slap just administered (doing 1hp of damage)

"pathetic", it says as it walks away from the room.

"You're not going to get any mercy, friend", a raspy voice calls out from the gloom 

"Where are we? What is this place?" 

(I am going to set the pressure point of this adventure following the Barrow Delver solo rules, so the pressure point starts at 10, and I will ask the oracle does this other voice understand where they are? roll of 19, which is more than 6 from the pressure point, so this is an extreme no with a consequence.

"i wish i could help you but im'm afraid i am none the wiser" he breaks 0ut into a coughing fit a dry raspy coug which he doesn't seem to be able to stop and catch his breath, the skeleton approaches him and i hear a wet sound as he is stabbed and the relaxed death rattle as he takes his last Exhalation the skeleton now finhsed steps into the centre of the room and resumes it's vigil over me the solitary occupant, i try to get a feel of what it is that is holding me in place. 

(rolled a strength check to see if Gringle could pull himself up by his core alone to feel what is holding him in place, and as this is a roll under system, a 7 on a strength check is sufficient)

It seems that I am held by the ankles by manacles, and as luck would have it, there is a lock mechanism. If I could find something to help me pick the lock, I could free myself. 

(i asked the Oracle's gringle held in place by manacles, and this time I rolled an 8, which is yes but, so there are manacles, however, there is something else, though we are unaware as of yet) 

i hang there in the darkness unsure whether i am awake or slumber the dryness in my throat intensifies nd it become s painful to swallow, it also becomes hard to make a coherent thought as my senses rebel to the orientation i find my self in. (i rolled a will check to see if this torture is starting to get to Gringle so i needed to rol under 12 and got a 19 so a fail. i impose a -1D4 on Gringle rolling a 2). 

"YOU UTTER FOOL, WHY DID YOU KILL HIM? YOU KNOW WE NEED THE SOULS INTACT TO HARVEST THE PAIN TO SATISFY OUR LORD".

The warty demon returns berating the skeleton, who just stands there gazing in the demons direction he says some strange words and the room is filled with a brilliant light and the skeleton explodes in to hundreds of boney splinters that fly in every which way i feel some strike me (D4 damage doing 1), i try to hold back a whimper or other noise but am unsucsessful nd the glowing eyes turn to me in the dark.

"Bet that hurt, don't worry, I'll leave them in for a while till a new guard can be found or made to watch over you".

D666 Dungeon

     Back in October, I attended FantasyCon at my local library. It was a great way to see some Fantasy Authors, try my hand at a thing called LARP with Wyvern tales, Clifton Road Games ran Colostle, which is now on my list of games to play. It was there that I came across Critical Kit, having done some research on solo RPG's. Like a crow was on my list, so I went and had a look at it there picked up a copy, and then came across this.

being in to heavy metal and the game Reign in hell by Snarling Badger Studios, this appealed to me, and Tim, the guy who created it, saw me browsing and came over and spoke with me about the game and the concept (to be fair, there wasn't much sales speech needed as I was looking at picking it up), I brought it and fan girled slightly got him to sign the copies of the games. and it has sat on my shelf since. Once I finished the soul snatcher as a palette cleanser i thought I'd get it down off the shelf and have a go. I could use it for my Cabal in Reign in Hell or as a starter for a solo adventure (no spoilers lol). 

So the game uses only D6 and has you roll up a demon type, and there are 6 different options. You then take turns rolling up locations, finding souls and resources and torturing them. Once you hit 25 tortured souls, you get promoted to a Full Demon.

So here is Shakraat, an Aerial Demon, who starts the game with x2 feathers.

.

Afred Kubin - Der Sturm

Turn 1

Shakraat starts in a medium-sized room manifested by his desire to rule a part of the hellish landscape and discovers some lost souls (2D6), which he captures.

Reputation 10, Tortured souls: 0

Turn 2

He leaves the room for a Crossroads in which a hostile Feathered Serpent awaits, which he kills, gaining Prestige and some components from the carcass to create devices of torture (+2 reputation and x2 Feathers and x1 Bile). He thinks inwardly, summoning a desk in the previous room to start torturing a soul condemned to write the autobiography of the great lord of hell from inception to the current day (A sign as it is written in the rules). 

Reputation 12, Tortured souls: 1

Turn 3

Turning right, he comes to a T-Junction with a hell Knight blocking his path. Shakraat engages the hell Knight, killing it quickly in the end with its own weapon ( Gaining +2 reputation, +1 fire, +2 metal and a flaming sword +2 Bonus). 

Reputation 14, Tortured souls: 1

Turn 4
Turning right, he comes across a small room with lost souls waiting for him (2D6). Shakraat captures them, sneering, takes control. forcing two of them to start to torture the other two with sound torture musical instruments that cause pain to the listener, never-ending, ever-changing sounds, the two administoring the torture now corrupted and under my control.

Reputation 14, Tortured souls: 3

Turn 5
Shakraat leaves the room where the nightmarish cacophony starts behind him and makes his way across the junction and heads to the other end of the corridor, a door forming as he approaches, enters a medium-sized room, and looks around, noting that it is empty, then steps forward beneath his feet, a spiked pit opens up. Luckily, he notices and dodges out of the way just in time.

Reputation 15, Tortured souls: 3.

Turn 6

crossing the room and leaving by a door that formed on the other side, Shakraat comes across a crossroad, eight lost souls mill about in it andare easily caught to be tortured later.

Reputation 15, Tortured souls: 3.

Turn 7

returning to the cross-road, he discovered leaving the first room he found, he discoveres a small room directly opposite where he came out, inside he finds a skeleton, it's dispatched easily. Gathering the materials, he moves on. (+1 metal, +2 rocks, +1 reputation).
Reputation 16, Tortured souls: 3

Turn 8

undecided which way he wants to go, Shakraat heads back across the room with the spike trap and discovers a corridor leading off the cross- road with some scraps of armour and weapons in it (3 metal) 

Reputation 16, Tortured souls: 3

Turn 9

Flitting like an undecided mephit in a torture room. Shakraat returns to the east side of this dungeon,  he is manifesting. He finds a medium-sized room with sharp monster teeth in it (6 sharp). He creates a spike torture for Two Souls.

Reputation 16, Tortured souls: 5

Turn 10

Pressing on through the tortured screams of these new devices at work, he comes across a t junction with more Lost souls in it (10 having rolled 3D6 2,5,3).
Reputation 16, Tortured souls: 5

Turn 11

Heading to the other side, Shakraat can feel the frustration building as there are not enough souls being tormented. Another T-Junction is discovered with sharp monster teeth in it (5 in it)

Reputation 16, Tortured souls: 5

Turn 12

Again, another room found with nought but souls in it (Medium room with 2d6 souls in it 3)

Reputation 16, Tortured souls: 5

Turn 13

At a t-junction, at last, something to kill and sate these feelings of anger, a hostile fallen angel stands in the path. Shakraat calls out in infernal beseeching the lord of hell (making a deal with the devil -5 reputation to add +5 to the roll) i kill it  (gaining 2 chains, 2 fire, 2 feathers).
Reputation 12, Tortured souls: 5

Turn 14

A Corridor stands before Shakraat, a death clown in it. It is killed quickly (gaining +2 rope, +1 cloth).

Reputation 12, Tortured souls: 5

Turn 15

A corridor with a fish blade awaits on the other side of the dungeon. Shakraat kills it  (gaining +1 Dagger, 2 Bile and 1 reputation). His desire to torture is met as he starts to torture 2 more souls by biographing the dark lord (2 more souls to a Sign)  

Reputation 13, Tortured souls: 7

Turn 16

Seeing as his mind can't pick a direction and head that way Shakraat  again on the other side of the dungeon explores a Corridor with a torngarsuk in it  killing it and getting some resources to be able to torture a soul hanging by their feet from a gallow (1 wood and 1 rope and 2 reputation),  

Reputation 15, Tortured souls: 8

Turn 17

Following his pattern he flits to the other side again to explore a Corridor with souls in it ( 3d6 lost souls 12 rolls of 5,4,3)

Reputation 15, Tortured souls: 8

Turn 18

a room at last though it Small. A fish blade within waiting to be killed (+1 Dagger, 2 Bile and  1 reputation). start to torture 1 more soul with writing (a Sign)

Reputation 17, Tortured souls: 9

Turn 19

Another Small room with a Mara in it though it is slain quickly before it can utter a word (+1 Reputation) a soul is suspended on a Judas Cradle (Eternal wedgie in the Rules)

Reputation 18, Tortured souls: 10

Turn 20

Shakraat explores a small side corridor, finding a wooden door leaning to against the side wall (5 wood). A soul is added to the gallows

Reputation 18, Tortured souls: 11

Turn 21

Shakraat stumbles into an empty medium-sized room.

Reputation 18, Tortured souls: 11

Turn 22
 The corridor with the leaning door leads to a small room I discovered before with shackles on the wall (5 Chain)
Reputation 18, Tortured souls: 11

Turn 23

A small corridor with a Gorgon in it is discovered. I kill it (2 bile and 2 reputation), Shakraat mixes the gorgon bile with that of the winged serpent, making a pungent, nauseating miasma. Putting this to use in a medium room, three souls now stand in a room with this foul mist (a stink bomb)

Reputation 20, Tortured souls: 14

Turn 24

A small room awaits at the end of a corridor. Shakraat arrogantly walks in, failing to notice the trap on the floor, falling into a spike pit  (-1 reputation)

Reputation 19, Tortured souls: 14

Turn 25

Shakraat storms off to the otherside of the Dungeon to a new Corridor with a Giant Stink bug. Killing it while trying to hold his breath, even this thing is an assault on the senses (3 Bile and 2 reputation). Shakraat adds a soul to the stinking room using the stink Bug entrails, making the smell near unbearable (another soul in the stink bomb room), and creates a room with a constant ticking sound that repeats at different rates to never settle the soul, into consistency to drive souls insane, 4 souls are given to this endeavour

Reputation 21, Tortured souls: 19

Turn 26
a medium room follows the last, with 11  Lost souls in it, which, in his bloodlust, Shakraat finds boring and unappealing 
Reputation 21, Tortured souls: 19

Turn 27

A Crossroads is found with a Gargoyle within, killing it and to gain (+2 rep 2 Rocks and 2 wood), Four lost souls are shackled within two of the smaller rooms within the dungeon and  2 more are added to the caltrop torture.

Reputation 23, Tortured souls: 25

With a tolling of the great bell of hell echoes round the rooms of his Dungeon, Shakratt rushes to meet the Dark Lord, kneeling in submission, his voice both grating and seductive, calls out to Shakratt

"You have done well for an insect. I can feel the despair of these souls you torture. I may have use for your skills in the Aeons Ahead, but for now, know you have impressed me" he steps forward and places his hand on Shakraat's feathery head. Seering light flows into him, and Shakraat seems to grow in size and power.

This was the end of my play session with this game. Small, Simple and fun, there are a few tweaks I could see to expand, but I can't quite put my finger on what, but give it a go as it is an easy pick up and play game.  

The images I have used in this come from 

The Critical Kit Shop https://www.criticalkit.co.uk/products/d666-solo-rpg

Dungeon scrawl for the map https://app.dungeonscrawl.com/
and Der sturm By Afred Kubin

Dungeon of the soul Snatcher

We follow the spirit to a tomb just outside the village of Westmarch. I notice that the tomb is really old; the slightest gust of wind could cause it to crumble. The windows are shattered, and the door that remains is ramshackle at best. The spirit continues into it i go to follow when I feel a hand on my shoulder, and the familiar voice of Gargax follows.

"This is as far as I can go, I'm sorry my friend that brush with death has filled me with fear, I couldn't even aid you against the Husk in the cemetery even after though you brought me a sword for protection again I'm sorry I shall await your return at the coldfeet inn" before I can try to respond he turns and walks away shoulders hanging somewhat slumped compared to his normal stature I looks as if thos fear shames him. I press on into the tomb, determined to end this Curse.

Room 1

The room is filled with shattered pots and antique embalming tools and fluids; the smell of Death hangs in the air in a thick miasma, as if you could move through it. In the corners of the room, furthest from the door, are two husks. Sneaking is not an option here, and there will be no retreat. I must fight them. I start to cast a flame, but am spotted.

The fight begins

                Initiative.      Hp

Braak.           13.            16.

Husk1.          11.              9, 0

Husk 2.         11.              9, 0

Round 1

I grip my quarterstaff, infusing it with the power of nature with my spell shillelagh and charge the first of the two husks and swing my quarterstaff (I roll 18+5 for AC23, a hit. Doing 8+3 11pts of damage), the Husk falls. I channelled all my Rage, worry and frustration over the past few days into that strike, and it couldn't stand against it. The second Husk swings (I rolled a 9+3 for a 12, which misses), the momentum from my attack carries me out of the Husk's reach as it tries to claw at me ineffectually.

Round 2

(Rolled a 9+5 AC14 which is a hit for 6+3 9 damage) I instinctively swing my quarterstaff around as I turn, connecting with the Husk flooring it and putting it to rest. I have a quick look around, but there is nothing useful here.

Room 2

As i enter this room i feel a small vibration which grows in intensity getting more violent, looking around it see (perception 17) cracks start to form in the celing above and lots of rocks fall to the floor, I manage to dive out of the way into an alcove that has the dead interred there (Dex save DC13 i Rolled a 17+3  20 total so I make it and take no damage) after the ceiling is take stock and look around i notice a a small crack of stone that shows a secret door (roll of a 12+5 perception).

Secret room 1

Inside this room is a single sarcophogus, lid broken and the occupant rotted away a sense of calm comes over me and i feel the touch of a spirit (religion check DC15 16 Rolled +3 so 19 passes) positive energy fills me the energy removes negative effects and heals 1hd worth of damage (i asked an oracle if the rejuvenating effects of the room soothe the tenderness and as im at full HP whether the healing imbues temporary hit dice the answer is yes so i gain 7 temporary hit points).

Room three

This is a small hexagonal room that seems to have been used as a store for the necessary implements to entomb the dead, giving funerary rites before funeraryaid to rest, though two husks wait for me and in the confines of this room, they are ready for me.

                  Initiative.      Hit points 

Braak.             18.                 23, 21, 19

Husk 1.           11.                   9, 4, 0

Husk 2.           11.                   9, 0

Round 1 

Again I go for the magical essence of my staff and go in for the offence (I rolled a 7+5 to hit for 4 damage) they try to claw me (rolling with advantage as Braak is flanked 1st Husk rolls 5+3 and a 17+3  so AC20 is a hit Doing 1D4+1 2. The second Husk rolls 17+3 and 16+3 AC20 another hit doing 1D4+1 for 2 damage).

Round 2

I swing at the 1st Husk (Roll a Natural 20+3 for a critical, doing 4+4+3 11pts of damage). Killing it for my troubles, the second Husk's claws rake the place where I stood (roll 8+3 AC11 is a miss)

Round 3

I lash out again (roll 9+5 for AC14, which is a hit for 6+3 damage). I swing and knock it off balance, striking its head on the embalming table, killing it.

The dust settles, and I look around and find nothing of use in any pots that are about.

Room 4

This room is small and square. It looks like it has the wealthiest and most prestigious in the Westmarches ' long history interred here. The few stone coffins are decorated with silver filigree and surrounded by pots of gold and gifts for the afterlife. The Husk that just stood around animates and comes at me.

                       Initiative.   Hp

Cursed husk.          18.      22, 17, 8, 0 

Braak.                      6.      19

Round 1

In its rage, the Husk swings wildly (I rolled a 9+3=12, so a miss). The words of power erupt from me grantingmagic to imbue my staffing I swing (I rolled 14+3, so a hit doing 5 Damage)

Round 2

It lashes out again (I roll a 3+3 AC6, so a miss). I come in again to strike (again 14+3 AC17, so a hit, doing 9pts of damage).

Round 3

It rakes it's out stretched hands at me (rolls a 15+3, so 18 is a hit 5pts of necrotic damage. I roll a wisdom save 2+5 for 7, the save is DC11, so I fail). Braak is now frightened. shakily Braak takes up a defensive stance as this one scares him a bit. He swings (with disadvantage, getting 16+3 to hit and 20+3 and does 9pts of damage). killing the husk. 

With the fighter over i look around, finding (2d6 Gold coins) 6gp

Room 5

This hallway seems to connect the prep chamber with the rest of the tomb. There is a crack in the floor 5ft across that has decayed with time (Dc10 Athletics check. I rolled a 9+2 success). I ready myself and take a running jump and clear the gap, landing safely on the otherside.

Room 6

I open the door and make my way into the room when I'm hit by a blindingly bright flash and a concussion boom (dex save DC14 rolled a 13+3, so a pass). I manage to sidestep and somehow avoid the ward that is glowing on the floor. Obviously there to catch out unwanted visitors, this seems to be an office of sorts two book shelves and a desk are in the room on the desk is a chest (Investigation rolled 2+1 for a 3 to check it over for traps I don't believe there is any) it is closed i open it and inside is a pouch with with 85gp and two potions of healing, I look over the book case just a cursory look nothing too in depth (perception DC16 rolled a 12+5 rolled a 17) i spot a tome that seems out of place "A Fools Rise" by Bibnar Nabbner amongst the tomes on embalming and funery rites, I go to remove it and "Click" the book case comes away from the wall revealing a secret door.

Secret Room 2

In this room, it is a small corridor-like affair with a shrine and a small bench, obviously for Blessings and quiet contemplation before a ceremony. Upon the shrine is a potion of healing. I pocket this and leave a token 3gp there and say a prayer to the great spirit. There is another door out of this room, so I take it.

Room 8

I enter this room, though it is more like a chapel, its walls still bearing the remnants of century-old frescoes, the pews are untouched, and the ceiling seems to have survived years of neglect. There is a pile of corpses at the altar (perception roll 20+5). I can see 4 husk among them.

They haven't seemed to notice me. I drop into a crouch and prepare my move forward (stealth roll 17+3, so a 20). I cast produce flame and hurl it at the group of them (attack roll of 18+5 to throw the orb, hitting Husk 3 for 2 damage)

                Initiative.         Hp

Braak.          14.              19, 14, 11,18, 16, 12, 7, 13.

Husk 1.          9.                9, 1, 0.

Husk 2.          9.                9, 4, 0.

Husk 3.          9.                9. 7, 0.

Husk 4.          9.                9, 4, 0

Round 1

As they start to rise i release another ball of fire towards them (roll to hit of 2+5=7, so a miss). They run at me and engage one at a time. The pew acts as a funnel, so I have them bottlenecked for now, so I'm in control (Husk 1 20+3 to hit, so a critical doing 4pts necrotic damage). I feel back as I'm hit harder by the Husk than I expected. Negative energy radiates from where I was struck. I feel a coldness creep up my arm.

Round 2

I cast shillelagh, I swing again (5+5 to hit AC10 is a miss), but miss i step back into the room. With the shrine, the one I came from previously, my confidence I had gained ebbs away, with my back to the way out i have a means of escape if needed. As one approaches and attacks (Rolls a 15+3, so AC18 is a hit for 3 pts of damage), the others follow behind it.

Round 3

I call out to the spirits of nature to aid me (Healing word roll 1d4+3, I get 7pts back). The spirits strengthen me, and as the healing power flows through me i attack (roll 8+5 for AC12, so a hit dealing  5+3, for 8 damage). The Husk staggers back if it had emotions; I'm sure my fury would've surprised it. It tries to claw back at me (5+3 AC8 is a miss).

Round 4

(7+5 for AC12 a hit for  5+3 8 pts of damage)

Killing it. Husk 1 falls to the ground, and another one steps in to take its place and attacks (9+3 AC12, so a miss)

Round 5

(17+5 AC22 to hit for 5 damage) This Husk weathers my blow bit keeps coming (18+3 AC21 to hit for 2pts of damage)

Round 6

(Roll to hit of 15+5 AC20 doing 7pts of damage killing it) 

Side note: as there are 2 bodies on the floor, I'm going to impose disadvantage on attacks made by creatures in that square and advantage on attacks made against them moving forward, as the floor is now uneven and has more give.

Another one fills the entrance and steps in, lunging toward me (5+3 for AC8 and 15+3 AC18 with disadvantage, this is a miss) but misses due to the bodies impeding it.

Round  7

(8+3 AC11, 5+3 AC8 with advantage, this is a hit for 7+3 10Damage) I add another Husk to the pile on the floor before this one has even tried to hit me. The 4th Husk leaps over and tries to hit me (11+3 for AC14 and 17+3 for AC20 l, 14 is enough to hit me, doing 3+1 4pts of damage). I feel the impact is harder than any I have taken so far. If these creatures had sentience i would worry it was trying to push me back to counter the disadvantage (I rolled on an oracle to see if the leaping Husk would unbalance me, it came back as no, it wouldn't)

Round 8

(16+3 AC19 and a 1+3 AC4 is a hit with advantage doing 6pts of damage)  it attack (11+3 AC14 and 14+3 AC17 with disadvantage it's a hit for 5pts of damage).

Round 9

I quickly drink a healing potion (in the appendix of this adventure, it states that this is a bonus action, it heals 6 points of damage 2,+2+2 I'm granting the husk advantage to hit, but with the disadvantage it already has it'll have a flat roll) i swing the quater staff (17+5 AC22 a hit doing 9pts of damage). All goes quiet, I have a quick look around and find 45gp on a counter to the side of the room. I return to the bookcase in the secret room and pull it closed, leaning the husks to be a bit of a blockade to create a safe space to rest for a moment. And I take a short rest, regaining 2 hit points.

Final room

I enter into the room at the side of the chapel, the sight I'm met with is strange, like most (humanoid) races,s it has two arms and two legs, a head, but with a featureless face. Its skin Writhes and convulses strangely (Perception 12+5 for 17). A face appears on the shoulder and pushes out before receding and leaving the skin smooth. It dawns on me that this is the fiend I have been looking for. The Soul Snatcher, as it glares back, the mouth opens to speak, layered under the hissing like voice, I hear screams "ahhhh a fresh soul mine, MINE, MINE", and it rushes towards me, hands out stretched.

(Before beginning combat, I need to look back at the number of casualties I wrote down during the Prologue. For each day it has taken me to complete this dungeon, I'm going to roll 1d4 and add that number to the number that I wrote down. This sum is the additional hit points the Soul Snatcher will begin combat with. 12 casualties 2,2,4 on the dice, so it will have 38 health).

                    Initiative.     HP

Braak.                19.         16, 4, 2, 11, 9, 2, 0, 2, 2

Soul Snatcher.   14.          38, 32, 24, 20, 15, 4, 0

Round 1

I activate my staff in have now done this so many times it's like second nature to me at this point.

(Roll 17+5 for AC22 for a hit doing 3+3 6 damage) It lashes out at me (rolls a 6+5 for AC11, so it's a miss)

Round 2

I follow my attacks with another (roll 13+5 for AC18 so a hit doing 5+3 8 damage) it swings with me a the blow shakes me to the core (roll 20+3 for AC23 a critical doing 12 damage) i feel the very essence of my life force being sucked out of me ad into the soul snatcher (I need to make a DC 14 con save or lose the damage taken in hit points this will last till I take a long rest when i will get them all back, i Roll a 6 so i'm now on a a max of 4 hit points) 

Round 3

(I drink a potion that takes me back to 4 hp) I swing the Quarterstaff at the Soul Snatcher (roll 14+5 for AC19, which is a hit for 4 damage). I swing at it in my weakened state, and it attacks again (rolls 19+5, so AC24, this is a hit for 2 damage I roll a 12+1 Con save of 13, which is a fail, so I'm now on 2hp).

Round 4

I let the beast within out, assuming the form of a wolf and attack (roll 16+4 AC20, which hits going 3+2 5 Damage). I bite it and try to let the instinct of the wolf guide me, but I'm unable to cause it to trip. So it keeps its feet, it attacks me (rolling 7+5 so AC12, which hits my now lower AC1,2 doing 1+1 2 damage. 13+1 14con, which fails, so 2 more damage siphoned off)

Round 5

I go for a bite (rolling 11+4 so AC15, so I miss), it swipes (rolls a natural 1, so misses)

Round 6

I try to bite the Soul snatcher again (rolled 2+4 AC6, so a miss), it swipes at me (it rolls 3+5 AC8, which will miss)

Round 7 

I growl in frustration at not being able to hit it (rolls 10+4 AC14 a miss), it attacks (it rolls 19+5 AC24, which hits, doing 6+1 7pts of damage I make the CON save on a roll of 15+1).

Round 8 

I leap and try to bite it (3+7, which is a miss), it hits back (10+5 AC15, which hits, doing 2pts of damage again. I pass the CON save on the roll of a17+1, so an 18). The damage takes me out of the wolf form. I am now on my knees in front of it.

Round 9

I swing at the Soul Snatcher two-handed (roll a 16+5 AC21 for 8+3 11 Damage), it kicks out at me (rolls 11+5 AC16, which hits, doing 2pts. I will be honest i lost track of all the dice I was rolling. I was getting a little excited, so I stopped, took a calming breath and restarted. I rolled a 20 on the Con save, so a 21, no loss of HP i have to use a HD to bring my HP up from zero)

 

Round 10

I need to finish this. If I don't, then my soul will be consumed by the soul snatcher I swing, trying to hit it (I pray to the god of dice to bless my roll 11+5 AC16 is a hit, doing 9pts of damage)

It falls to the floor and starts convulsing uncontrollably. The body starts to rise, its head thrown back, and its mouth agape. The souls it was consuming started to gush out of it like a geyser. All the souls swirl around me and start to fly out of the room behind me, as they escape the soul snatcher, its body withers and dessicates till there is but a husk of what it was.

I search the room and find  115 gp, 250 sp, and 374 cp. As I go to leave i see a shard of a glass-like substance, i pick it up and look at it, shaped like a dagger made out of a deep purple glass-like material 

I pick it up and take it with me; it may prove useful in my further adventures, but for now, my main concern is returning to the coldfeet in and resting as I am bruised and battered.

Epilouge

With the Soul Snatcher gone, the village of Westmarch is no longer in danger of its souls being captured. As I return to the village with proof of my victory, I'm met with applause and gratitude. The business owners open their doors to me, offering reduced prices, the priest is allowed to ascend into the afterlife, and those who recently lost loved ones can sleep better at night. I have saved Westmarch with the help of a Few new friends and, as a result, reached the conclusion of this adventure a few days pass before your travelling party decides to hit the road once more. Your destination is Kelon, and only time will tell what your future holds.

This is the end of the 5e Soul Snatcher adventure. It was a fun experience, but for now I'm going to let Braak have a little time to relax and recuperate, and though I have used Night Cafe to help bring him to life i will try to use alternate art/pictures for posts going forward instead of AI