Xena: Warrior Princess FT. Bivius RPG (Part 2)

After having had fun creating my Bivius versions of Xena, Gabrielle, and Callisto (check part 1 here), it's time to get them into action and start playing!  I'm using Bivius: Tunnels & Dragons, ÜNE (Universal NPC Emulator for helping me create NPCs), a d12 (for Bivius), a d100 (for ÜNE), and the GameMaster's Apprentice base deck (for generating random ideas).

I'll be using a d12 for rolling my results. As per Bivius rules, the number of sides for the die is irrelevant, as long as it's used in a binary fashion. In other words: An even number = A/Yes, an odd number = B/No

I'm also using a map of Xena's adventures in Greece, google maps, and a Herb and Spice online name generator (I didn't know that was a thing, until I realized I had specifically googled it to use it in this game).

Is all of this necessary? Besides Bivius' rules, and a binary something (i.e. a die, a coin, a stick, a rock, etc), no. It's all just extra fluff I'm using to complement my game.

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SANDBOX MODE
Urban sandbox

• Initial location: Stagira
• (Terrain) Farmlands
• (Settlement) Town
• A <agricultural> - B <important festivity> = A
• A <rich> - B <special taboo> = A

Our adventure begins in Stagira, an important agricultural center that supplies fresh crops to all neighboring towns. Because of this, its inhabitants are wealthier than the local average, and the marketplace is frequented by trading caravans and merchants.

PROCEDURE:

•     A <tavern> - B <marketplace> = B
•     A <fugitive> - B <drunk> = B
•     Is there a threat? = Yes
•     A <crime> low level - B <sidequest> low level = A

Xena and Gabrielle are visiting the marketplace after their recent visit to Amphipolis, Xena’s hometown. The warrior princess wants to get Argo some fresh apples to reward her for her hard work.

(Do they visit the stands together? No)

X: All right, Gabrielle. I’ll go to the fruit vendor to buy some apples for Argo. This town is safe, so you shouldn’t have any troubles. Just make sure not to take any free samples. Sometimes it’s just rotten food they couldn’t sell on time.

G: Don’t worry, Xena! I know how to handle myself in a marketplace like this. In fact, I’m really good at getting discounts!

X: Whatever you say. Just be careful, alright? I’ll be back as soon as I can.

As Gabrielle stays behind, she decides to go and check on some cooking utensils. You can never have too many iron pans when traveling along the warrior princess.

(Does she encounter the threat right away? Yes)

While inspecting an interesting find, Gabrielle is suddenly pushed aside by a hairy arm. She staggers for a second to find her balance, and then she turns around to have a look at the perpetrator.

Drunk man <thief (low)>

G: Hey!

D: Shhh… Act as if you’ve seen nothing... *Hic*

The noticeably drunk man, whose appearance is quite disheveled, snatches a bunch of random items from the stall right in front of him and hides them under his shirt.

RULE #5 High VS. Low
    A <Gabrielle, charisma (high)> VS. B <Drunk man, thief (low)>

Round 1

•     A <Gabrielle stops the man from stealing by talking>
•     B <The man pushes her again, causing her to trip and fall>
•     B.R.O. = A (No need to check any further)

G: Wait a minute! That is theft! Are you out of your mind? Do you seriously think you can get away with such behavior? A decent person never steals! Besides…

The man stops his action, feeling disconcerted by the numerous words the petite blonde is throwing at him.

D: Shhhh!!! *Hic* Woman, you’re annoying!

G: Excuse me! You think I’m annoying?! Just because I caught you stealing, you think you can insult me? Also, I must add you pushed me aside with your hairy arm for no good reason, and I almost fell to…

D: By Zeus, woman! Fine, it’s fine! *Hic* Here. I stopped, I stopped! Now, will you *Hic*... will you please be quiet!

(Does anyone notice what’s happening? No)

The man puts all the items he took back in their place. He gives Gabrielle an exasperated look, and burps.

D: I’d be cursed! You’re more annoying than the guards! *Hic*

G: Ha! And also more effective. But seriously, why are you stealing?

(Does Xena come back? Yes)

The man looks at the blonde in confusion or plain drunken stupor, and just before he can answer, he feels a strong hand on his shoulder.

X: She’s got a point. Why are you stealing?

(Does he know Xena? No)

The man turns around slowly, and his eyes widen upon seeing Xena’s armor and sword.

D: N...no! *Hic* Of course, not! I was just…

G: Oh, please! Now you’re trying to change the story.

(Does Xena scare the man off? Yes)

X: Shoo!

Xena releases the man, and he flees the scene immediately. Our two heroines watch as he vanishes from sight.

X: Well, that was interesting. Are you okay?

G: Yes, just an old drunkard trying to steal. Fortunately, I was around to stop him!

X: That’s good. Maybe we should talk to the town’s mayor to see if he hires you as a guard.

G: Very funny! Now, did you get the apples?

X: Yup! The best price I’ve found in miles.

PROCEDURE:

•     A <inn> - B <tavern> = A
•     A <hitman> - B <commoner> = B
•     Is there a threat? = Yes
•     A <sidequest 1> low level - B <sidequest 2> low level = B

SIDEQUEST:

•     A <Xena> - B <Gabrielle> = A
•     A <career> - B <background> = A
•     A <urban location> - B <wilderness location> = A
•     A <encounter> - B <detail> = B
•     A <danger (low level)> - B <danger (low level)>

sidequest 1:

•     Xena
•     Bounty-hunter (low)
•     A <temple> - B <merchants guildhouse> = B
•     A <back alley mugging> - B <inaccurate map> = B
•     A <crime (low level)> - B <intrigue (low level)> = B

sidequest 2:

•     Gabrielle
•     Villager (low)
•     A <cultivated farmland> - B <light forest> = B
•     A <natives from Potidaea> - B <plenty of one kind of animal> = B
•     A <lost (low level)> - B <infestation (low level)> = B

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After visiting other stands in the marketplace, and bringing the apples to Argo, our heroines decide to settle down for the night. They go to the Blue Goblet, Stagira’s only inn, and rent a room. Once their belongings are in place, they decide to go downstairs, to the inn’s dining hall and order some food and drinks.

Commoner: Shani, apprentice herbalist (low)
(ÜNE) Meek, passionate, undermine prosperity

As they enjoy their evening meal, a timid young man approaches their table.

S: Ex… excuse me…

(Does he look familiar? Yes)

Xena glances at the guy while placing her food on her plate. Gabrielle looks at him too, thinking he looks somewhat familiar.

X: Yes?

S: Hi… Umm…

He turns to sheepishly look at the blonde.

S: Do… do you happen to be Gabrielle of Potidaea?

As Gabrielle is about to answer, Xena clears her throat to signal she’ll be doing the talking instead. The guy looks at her immediately.

(Does he know Gabrielle? Yes)

X: Who wants to know?

S: I… my name is Shani. I’m Maude’s son from…

Gabrielle’s eyes spark in recognition.

G: Shani! By the gods! I knew I’ve seen you somewhere!

Gabrielle stands up and greets Shani, who seems relieved to have found her.

G: What are you doing here? I thought you had gone to Parnassus, to pursue your studies!

S: It’s… sort of a long story. But, I’ve apprenticed to an herbalist. Finally!

X: So an herbalist’s apprentice, huh?

G: Shani, this is Xena, I’m sure you’ve heard of her.

S: I have, yes...

The warrior princess smirks and extends her hand to greet the guy. Then, in one fluid motion, she invites him to the table.

X: This is an odd place to find one of your profession unless you plan on buying spices.

G: Xena!

S: It’s ok. I sort of am doing that… or was.

G: Why? What happened?

S: You see… there’s a very specific type of herb you can only find here in this region, the Orange Spring Barberry...

X: Oh, no! Don’t tell me you’re one of those pickled Barberry enthusiasts!

G: Xena!

S: Ha! I know why you ask that! But, no. I’m not one of them. However, I’m interested in knowing what has happened to this herb. It used to be widely available, despite only growing during the Spring season… but now… it’s nowhere to be found!

X: So, you’re worried because of a plant?

G: Xena, please! This is serious.

X: Whatever you say…

G: Shani, continue…

S: Right… So, the Orange Spring Barberry has pretty much disappeared from the herb and spice markets, and this is what has brought me here. If I manage to find the cause or origin of the issue, I’ll be able to obtain my full title as an herbalist!

X: Then why don’t you do it? It sounds simple enough…

S: Well… it’s because I’m not that good at it. You see, I can use herbs expertly, but I’ve never had an eye for them.

X: And yet you decided to pursue a profession that requires you to differentiate a sprout of poisonous Cipigella from an Iposhil’s flower or an Abyss Curry leaf?

S: You know about Abyss Curry leaves?

X: I have many skills…

G: By the gods, Xena! Don’t mock him. Now, Shani, how can we be of help?

S: Well, now that you mention it, that was precisely what I wanted to ask you. I know you’ve always had a good eye to find pesky buggers… Remember the rabbit infestation back in old Kieran’s farm?

G: How could I forget about it! The entire village spent almost a moon eating rabbit stew afterward.

S: Yes! And it was all thanks to that clever trap you set!

X: You know about traps?

G: Hey! Just because I’m not a warrior princess doesn’t mean I don’t know how to catch a rabbit or two!

S: Ha! It was more like 25, but that’s another story. The thing here is, I suspect something similar is going on, but instead of affecting the farmlands, it’s affecting the Orange Spring Barberry crops.

X: And where do they grow, exactly?

S: It’s not far away from here. I believe Orange Spring Barberry grows in the Akanthos forest, to the northwest, just outside Stratoniki.

X: You believe...?

S: Well, I’ve read of it… in a couple of relatively-old-manuscripts anyhow… but, some spice traders have confirmed it, though!

G: Alright! We’ll help you! We’ll find whatever it is that's affecting the crops and put an end to it!

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X: We will?

G: Yeah! Come on, Xena! It’s for the greater good!

X: Have you ever eaten pickled Barberry pie?

G: Uh, no… why?

X: Because if you had, you’d understand the real greater good is letting that orange thing disappear from history…

After finishing the conversation, and sharing more details on how to proceed, Xena and Gabrielle bid farewell to Shani for the night and retired to the room they had rented earlier.

The next morning, our heroines packed their belongings once again, and proceeded to take leave to start their quest:

IN SEARCH OF THE ORANGE SPRING BARBERRY!

Quest procedure:

•     To find and exterminate the cause of the Orange Spring Barberry’s disappearance.
•     Plenty of one kind of animal
•     Infestation (low level)
•     Quest giver: Shani
•     Reward: Unknown
•     Location: Akanthos forest (light forest)
•     Detail 1: The forest is to the northwest
•     Detail 2: The forest is outside Stratoniki

To be continued...

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What I've liked the most about this game so far is the fact that the resulting adventure is as silly as those from Xena's first seasons. I'm thinking that the next entry will focus on exploring wilderness sandbox mode because it requires Xena and Gabrielle to leave Stagira. I've got my hexmap ready, although right now it looks a little bit sad because it only has one town... and that's it.