After being given their first quest (a sidequest), Xena and Gabrielle continue their adventure. This second game session has several combat moments against enemies and traps alike. I've also used the wilderness exploration rules from Bivius, as well as a bit of inspiration from a free hexploration tool called The Hexmancer!
I've followed my heroines' progress using hexpaper (you can find it if you search for organic chemistry paper on Amazon), a micron pen (again, easily found on Amazon), and hex map icons for inspiration (you can google those).
I hope you enjoy this second entry!
Urban sandbox
Previously on Xena:
Gabrielle stops a drunken man from stealing at Stagira’s marketplace. Then, she and Xena go to the Blue Goblet inn, where they meet Shani, an old acquaintance of Gabrielle who’s decided to become an herbalist. He gives our heroines a quest that requires them to go to the Akanthos forest in search of the cause of the disappearance of the Orange Spring Barberry, a plant sought after its special properties by herb and spice merchants alike.
*HEXMAP DIRECTION: 1 = northwest, 2 = northeast, 3 = east, 4 = southeast, 5 = southwest, 6 = west (can be chosen if there’s a clue or idea, or it can be rolled at random using 1d6).
DAY 1.1:
Our heroines start their journey towards Akanthos forest. Despite Stagira being what many consider a small town, once in the countryside, it becomes evident that most of its economic power comes from the cultivated farmlands that surround it.
(Does she find them inspiring? No)
As the day progresses, they move on without any occurrences.
DAY 1.2:
They set camp under the stars. The weather is calm, and the wind blows gently over the fields of grain. The night passes by uneventful.
The next morning they have a quick breakfast made out of nut bread and dried meat. Then, after packing things up again, they decide to continue towards the Northeast.
DAY 2.1:
As the journey goes on, the cultivated farmlands end and our heroines find themselves in the plains. The lands on the horizon have no distinctive features, except for miles upon miles of greenery and grass.
DAY 2.2:
As they keep on walking through the plains, Xena seems to notice something and suddenly orders Argo to fall back.
The warrior princess unsheathes her sword carefully and starts walking towards the menace.
RULE #5 High VS. Low
A <Xena, warrior (high)> VS. B <Bandits (low)>
Round 1
As Xena is about to ambush the bandits, one of them seems to take notice of her presence, and without thinking about it twice, warns the rest of the group. This thwarts Xena’s plans, who now has to face them all single-handedly.
Round 2
Despite the odds, the warrior princess takes them all by surprise, attacking them with her chakram instead of her sword. As the rounded weapon flies, it hits most of the bandits in the head causing them to fall unconscious. Only a pair manage to escape unscathed, and as soon as the chaos ends, they decide to flee. Xena chooses not to follow them and instead starts immobilizing the remaining thugs, using their own belts and clothing as binds.
A few minutes later, and having seen the fight from a distance, Gabrielle approaches with Argo close behind.
(Did Xena find anything interesting? No)
(Does she recognize any patterns or symbols in their armor? No)
DAY 3.1:
After traveling all night, only stopping to sleep once or twice for a couple of minutes at a time, our heroines enter a patch of land, with a few trees scattered around. As they move on, they start noticing that there is a light forest ahead of them. Although tired, they decide to push forward. At least the cover of the trees may offer them some protection.
(Do they find the bandit’s camp right away? No)
(Is the trap around? Yes)
RULE #5 High VS. Low
A <Xena, warrior (high)> VS. B <hidden trapdoor (low)>
Round 1
Before she can finish her sentence, a fake floor trap activates underneath the warrior princess, who falls into a dark hole. Gabrielle takes a few seconds to notice.
Round 2
After seeing her friend banish, Gabrielle hurries and tries to help. Fortunately, the trap falls into a small pit, so Xena’s life is not in danger, although the fall gave her some small cuts and bruises.
Gabrielle gives one end of her staff to Xena so she may hold on to it. Then, using all of her strength, and Xena’s own help, she manages to get her out of the pit.
Before sending Argo away, Xena and Gabrielle take their adventure kits with them, and a couple of apples they had left from Stagira and other dried rations for them to eat. Then, after the horse is gone, they clean their tracks and start searching around for an adequate tree they can climb to. Xena makes sure to help Gabrielle get to the higher branches, and there, several feet above the ground, they set a small camp, Amazon style.
DAY 3.2:
They wake up early the next day, feeling refreshed and much better now that they’ve had time to rest.
(Does someone approach the trap? Yes)
Not long after packing their adventure kits back, Xena notices movement near the base of their tree. Then, she points out to Gabrielle that there’s a man, walking around the trap.
(Does it look like one of the bandits from the previous day? Yes)
RULE #5 High VS. Low
A <Xena, warrior (high)> VS. B <bandit (low)>
Round 1
Using her incredibly fast reflexes, Xena jumps down from the tree, making sure to land on the unsuspecting bandit. The man, who’s in shock, has no time to react before Xena turns him around and applies pressure points to his neck.
(Are the bandits followers of Callisto? Yes)
Upon hearing that name, Xena quickly applies the pressure points a second time, releasing the man from his suffering. Nonetheless, she puts her boot on the man’s neck to avoid having him escape.
(Is Callisto in the bandit’s camp? No)
Xena starts applying more force, almost strangling the man. Fortunately, Gabrielle (who had carefully climbed down from the tree), steps in before it’s too late.
Xena realizes her mistake and releases the pressure. The man breathes again.
Xena looks around suspiciously, but she seems to notice nothing out of the ordinary. The man seems to be telling the truth.
With a piercing blue gaze, Xena forces the truth out of the man.
Xena has a sudden realization, which changes her mood dramatically.
Xena and Gabrielle gather their things, and following the lead of the bandit, they start walking through a set of hidden trails that lead them to the other side of the forest, where they meet Argo. Xena decides that their best option right now is to get to Stratoniki so they may warn the local authorities of a possible attack on either their town or on Stagira.
On their journey, they learn that the bandit’s name is Ion and that he comes from Tripolis. He used to be a jeweler back in his home city, but due to some poor economic choices he made, he was forced to leave. He joined the Black Fist bandits in hopes of gaining enough riches to help him pay his old debts. However, their former leader sold the group to Callisto’s men, forcing him and the rest of his group to hand in all treasures or wealth they may have gained thus far. In a strange way, his encounter with Xena and Gabrielle meant for him a new opportunity to get his life restarted.
ION:
STATS
DATA
EQUIPMENT
* The HEXMAP DIRECTION tool is an addition I'm making to Bivius' hexploration system. I got this idea from the Hexmancer system and from the Hoplomachus: The Lost Cities board game, to determine the direction of the characters' movement. That way, if there's no specific route to follow, it may seem characters have a mini-AI of their own in terms of moving around the map.
NOTE: I noticed that this second part feels more serious in comparison to the first one. Again, another detail I've liked of Bivius as a system, for it allows flexibility and variety.
I must admit that, besides the incident with the trap, the overall results were relieving. Playing those scenes in which failure became a 50/50 chance was intense. I now understand why Sandbox mode uses low-level threats, instead of high-level ones. In normal mode, Xena would be toast by now!
This adventure added an unexpected new character to the story, Ion the bandit. Because I already have a main, sidekick, and nemesis, he's going to be an alt.
I think I'll have time to play a bit more next weekend, so expect Part 4 by the end of this upcoming week.
Cheers!
I've followed my heroines' progress using hexpaper (you can find it if you search for organic chemistry paper on Amazon), a micron pen (again, easily found on Amazon), and hex map icons for inspiration (you can google those).
I hope you enjoy this second entry!
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OUTDOORS MODEUrban sandbox
- Initial location: Stagira
- (Terrain) Farmlands/plain
- (Settlement) Town
- (Detail 1) Agricultural
- (Detail 2) Rich
Previously on Xena:
Gabrielle stops a drunken man from stealing at Stagira’s marketplace. Then, she and Xena go to the Blue Goblet inn, where they meet Shani, an old acquaintance of Gabrielle who’s decided to become an herbalist. He gives our heroines a quest that requires them to go to the Akanthos forest in search of the cause of the disappearance of the Orange Spring Barberry, a plant sought after its special properties by herb and spice merchants alike.
*HEXMAP DIRECTION: 1 = northwest, 2 = northeast, 3 = east, 4 = southeast, 5 = southwest, 6 = west (can be chosen if there’s a clue or idea, or it can be rolled at random using 1d6).
DAY 1.1:
- Direction: 1
- A <farmland/plain> - B <cultivated farmland> = B
- Is there a threat? No
Our heroines start their journey towards Akanthos forest. Despite Stagira being what many consider a small town, once in the countryside, it becomes evident that most of its economic power comes from the cultivated farmlands that surround it.
G: Don’t you find sights like these inspiring, Xena?
X: What do you mean?
G: Well, the farms, the grain silos, the animals…
(Does she find them inspiring? No)
X: No, not really. They don’t provide good cover from ambushes or skirmishes.
G: Why should there be any ambushes or skirmishes around here?
X: Why wouldn’t they? Rich lands like these are like the Elysian fields for many warlords.
G: Ugh, now that’s a thought that makes me shiver.
X: As it should. Even though things seem peaceful now, I don’t think they’ll remain as such forever. Each day there are more and more rumors of conquering armies moving from the East, and from the South. All they care about is wealth and power...
G: ...
X: Sorry for ruining your fantasy…
G: No, it’s okay. I understand what you mean. It’s a tough world we’re living in right now… but… that’s why I try to look at the good things in life, the little things.
X: Which is what makes you special. Now, let’s keep on moving. If we hasten our pace, we may progress a bit more before the sun sets.
As the day progresses, they move on without any occurrences.
DAY 1.2:
- Direction: 1
- A <farmland/plain> - B <cultivated farmland> = B
- Is there a threat? No
They set camp under the stars. The weather is calm, and the wind blows gently over the fields of grain. The night passes by uneventful.
The next morning they have a quick breakfast made out of nut bread and dried meat. Then, after packing things up again, they decide to continue towards the Northeast.
DAY 2.1:
- Direction: 1
- A <farmland/plain> - B <cultivated farmland> = A
- Is there a threat? No
- Is there a settlement or detail? No
As the journey goes on, the cultivated farmlands end and our heroines find themselves in the plains. The lands on the horizon have no distinctive features, except for miles upon miles of greenery and grass.
G: Xena, what you said yesterday, about the skirmishes and attacks… did you use to do that, back when you had your army?
X: ...
G: ...
X: Yes… I did…
G: Oh... I’m… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked…
X: It’s fine… I cannot undo the past. Those were dark times…
G: That’s why you don’t like it here… because you know exactly what may happen if someone were to…
X: Yes. Exactly. I’ve seen it before, and it’s not pretty. We better continue. I’m hoping we can find somewhere more strategic along the way. These grasslands are calm… maybe too calm for my own liking.
DAY 2.2:
- Direction: 6
- A <farmland/plain> - B <light forest> = A
- Is there a threat? Yes
- Is there a settlement or detail? No
- A <enemy> low level - B <trap> low level = A
- Is it a weakened enemy? No
- A <rank 0> - B <rank 1> = B
- A <bandit rank 1> - B <enhanced rank 0> = A
- Threat direction: 1
As they keep on walking through the plains, Xena seems to notice something and suddenly orders Argo to fall back.
G: What happened?
X: Shh... Stay low. It seems we have company, just a few miles ahead.
G: Where?
X: There… you see them? To the Northwest...
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G: Yes… they look like…
X: Road bandits… stay back. I’ll face them.
The warrior princess unsheathes her sword carefully and starts walking towards the menace.
G: Pssst...Xena!
X: What?
G: Be careful!
X: I will…
RULE #5 High VS. Low
A <Xena, warrior (high)> VS. B <Bandits (low)>
Round 1
- A <Xena jumps through the air while performing her distinctive battle cry, taking the bandits by surprise>
- B <One of the bandits sees Xena approaching, and warns the others about her presence>
- B.R.O. = B
As Xena is about to ambush the bandits, one of them seems to take notice of her presence, and without thinking about it twice, warns the rest of the group. This thwarts Xena’s plans, who now has to face them all single-handedly.
Round 2
- A <Xena takes out her chakram and throws it towards the bandits. As it flies through the air, it knocks almost all of them unconscious. The remaining bandits flee.>
- B <The bandits attack all at once, overwhelming Xena’s attempt. Despite her best efforts, she’s disarmed and knocked unconscious. Xena’s been captured by the bandits.>
- B.R.O. = A (Success!)
Despite the odds, the warrior princess takes them all by surprise, attacking them with her chakram instead of her sword. As the rounded weapon flies, it hits most of the bandits in the head causing them to fall unconscious. Only a pair manage to escape unscathed, and as soon as the chaos ends, they decide to flee. Xena chooses not to follow them and instead starts immobilizing the remaining thugs, using their own belts and clothing as binds.
A few minutes later, and having seen the fight from a distance, Gabrielle approaches with Argo close behind.
G: By the gods, Xena! That was incredible!
X: Thanks, Gabrielle. Although, It was a close call. One of them saw me before I could make my first move.
G: Wow, who would’ve expected a group of bandits right here in the middle of nowhere!
X: You see now why I’m not friends with these lands? At least when there’s constant trouble around, you know you can always find guards or help in case you need it.
G: But you defeated them!
X: Yes, but what if I hadn’t? Besides, some of them escaped. If there was a group as numerous as this one out here, it must be because they have a hideout somewhere near.
G: So, what are we going to do?
X: For now, we need to leave this location. There’s a high chance the rest will be back, and it’s probable they’ll even bring reinforcements. These were small fries, but by their numbers, I’d say they’re part of a scouting patrol or similar.
G: Did you find anything interesting among their possessions?
(Did Xena find anything interesting? No)
X: No, I didn’t. Only cheap weapons and armor.
(Does she recognize any patterns or symbols in their armor? No)
G: So, they were just bandits.
X: Yes, but all bandits follow a leader, and I’m sure they have one. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be as organized as they seemed to be.
G: Well, in that case, let’s go. I don’t want to be around when their friends come back. Besides, the sun will set soon.
X: Yes, and that worries me!
DAY 3.1:
- Direction: 1
- A <farmland/plain> - B <light forest> = B
- Is there a threat? Yes
- Is there a settlement or detail? Yes
- A <settlement> - B <detail> = A
- A <bandit’s camp> - B <bandit’s outpost> = A
- A <enemy> low level - B <trap> low level = B
- A <fake floor trap> - B <hidden arrow trap> = A
After traveling all night, only stopping to sleep once or twice for a couple of minutes at a time, our heroines enter a patch of land, with a few trees scattered around. As they move on, they start noticing that there is a light forest ahead of them. Although tired, they decide to push forward. At least the cover of the trees may offer them some protection.
(Do they find the bandit’s camp right away? No)
X: It was about time to find some trees!
G: Yes. Strangely enough, I think I like these trees better than the farmlands.
X: That’s a good sign, but let’s not jump into conclusions just yet. These may not be entirely safe.
G: You mean it because of the bandits?
X: Yes. Despite the distance we traveled last night, it’s still not that far away to be...
(Is the trap around? Yes)
RULE #5 High VS. Low
A <Xena, warrior (high)> VS. B <hidden trapdoor (low)>
Round 1
- A <Xena notices there are weird patterns all over the forest’s floor, indicating human presence. She does so just in time to spot a fake floor trap she would’ve activated had they continued walking over what seemed to be just a pile of fallen leaves on the way.>
- B <Xena fails to see the fake floor trap, thus activating it.>
- B.R.O. = B
Before she can finish her sentence, a fake floor trap activates underneath the warrior princess, who falls into a dark hole. Gabrielle takes a few seconds to notice.
Round 2
- A <The trap falls into a small pit. With a little bit of effort and Gabrielle’s help, Xena manages to exit the pit with just a couple of small cuts and bruises.>
- B <The trap falls into a dark tunnel. Gabrielle must find a way of rescuing Xena. Xena cannot be played until she’s found>
- B.R.O. = A
After seeing her friend banish, Gabrielle hurries and tries to help. Fortunately, the trap falls into a small pit, so Xena’s life is not in danger, although the fall gave her some small cuts and bruises.
G: XENA! By the gods, Xena! Are you okay?
X: Ugh… I’m… I think I’m fine…
G: Thank goodness! Here, let me help you…
Gabrielle gives one end of her staff to Xena so she may hold on to it. Then, using all of her strength, and Xena’s own help, she manages to get her out of the pit.
X: Thanks, Gabrielle.
G: Are you sure you’re okay?
X: Yes, I’m sure. I’ve suffered worse falls than this one…
G: Please, Xena. We shouldn’t continue if you’re hurt!
X: Good point. And yet, whoever put this trap here mustn’t have had any friendly intentions. It’s too big to be meant just for animals. We should keep moving…
G: Where to? This may be one out of many more surprises.
X: Well, I’ll send Argo to border the forest, and meet us on the other side. That way, she’ll be one less reason for us to worry about. It doesn’t seem this place’s too big anyway, so if there are any more traps, we should be able to notice them.
G: But, what if there are enemies? What if this forest is where the bandits from yesterday live?
X: In that case, let’s be the ones to take them by surprise. We may even find something useful.
G: No, Xena. You’re hurt, and as you’ve said before, yesterday’s group might’ve been a small patrol after all. Here, we may even be facing their leader!
X: Ugh, fine. We’ll find somewhere to rest. It shouldn’t be too difficult if we climb atop one of the trees. Then, we may go after their trail tomorrow.
Before sending Argo away, Xena and Gabrielle take their adventure kits with them, and a couple of apples they had left from Stagira and other dried rations for them to eat. Then, after the horse is gone, they clean their tracks and start searching around for an adequate tree they can climb to. Xena makes sure to help Gabrielle get to the higher branches, and there, several feet above the ground, they set a small camp, Amazon style.
DAY 3.2:
- Direction: None
- Light forest
- Is there a threat? Yes
- Is there a settlement or detail? Yes
- Bandit’s camp (nearby)
- Bandit, low level
They wake up early the next day, feeling refreshed and much better now that they’ve had time to rest.
(Does someone approach the trap? Yes)
Not long after packing their adventure kits back, Xena notices movement near the base of their tree. Then, she points out to Gabrielle that there’s a man, walking around the trap.
X: Look, it seems we have company…
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(Does it look like one of the bandits from the previous day? Yes)
G: He seems to be wearing similar clothes to those of yesterday’s bandits.
X: Yes, and not only that. Look closely, on his helmet…
G: It looks… indented?
X: A marking left by my chakram. It is one of the bandits from yesterday.
G: Do you think they escaped?
X: That, or a group went back to rescue them.
G: What should we do, then? We were lucky they didn’t find us on our way here!
X: It’s easy. We need to find out who they are and what are their intentions. You don’t linger in packs near a town unless you plan on raiding it. And this… all of this smells like trouble waiting to happen.
RULE #5 High VS. Low
A <Xena, warrior (high)> VS. B <bandit (low)>
Round 1
- A <Xena jumps off the tree, landing right on top of the bandit. Then, in a swift motion, she turns the bandit around and applies pressure points to his neck, cutting the blood flow to his brain to interrogate him.>
- B <A rustling noise warns the bandit that he may have company, which sends him running away towards the bandit’s camp.>
- B.R.O. = A
Using her incredibly fast reflexes, Xena jumps down from the tree, making sure to land on the unsuspecting bandit. The man, who’s in shock, has no time to react before Xena turns him around and applies pressure points to his neck.
X: I’ve just cut the blood flow to your brain. You have 30 seconds to talk before you die.
B: Hnghh… I’ll… I’ll talk… I’ll talk...
X: Good. Tell me then, who are you bandits, and what do you want in these lands?
B: Hnghh….
X: Twenty seconds…
(Are the bandits followers of Callisto? Yes)
B: Bl… black fist ban… bandits… Se...sent by… Ca...Callisto…
X: It can’t be!
B: Please… spare me… We… we were just fo… following orders…
Upon hearing that name, Xena quickly applies the pressure points a second time, releasing the man from his suffering. Nonetheless, she puts her boot on the man’s neck to avoid having him escape.
X: Where is she? Where’s Callisto?
(Is Callisto in the bandit’s camp? No)
B: She’s not here… if that’s what you’re asking…
X: Then, where?
B: I don’t know!
X: Where?!
Xena starts applying more force, almost strangling the man. Fortunately, Gabrielle (who had carefully climbed down from the tree), steps in before it’s too late.
G: Xena, stop! You’re killing him!
Xena realizes her mistake and releases the pressure. The man breathes again.
X: Very well… I will need your cooperation if you want to stay alive.
B: Okay… I’ll… I’ll cooperate…
X: Does your group have an encampment in this forest?
B: Yes… it’s not far away from here…
X: So, it was you who set up the trap?
B: Yes… as a… as a warning…
X: Are there any more traps around?
B: No… that… that was the only one…
Xena looks around suspiciously, but she seems to notice nothing out of the ordinary. The man seems to be telling the truth.
X: How many bandits are there in the camp?
B: We’re at least four… four dozens…
X: A big group, huh? Any leaders?
B: N… no…
With a piercing blue gaze, Xena forces the truth out of the man.
X: I ask you again. Are there any leaders?
B: Well… may… maybe… yes… yes, there is one…
X: What’s his name?
B: Her… it’s her name… she’s called Rhiannon…
G: Rhiannon? That’s not a Greek name...
X: It's not Roman either. She must be from far in the North.
B: Yes… she… she is.
X: Is she? What else do you know?
B: All I know is that… that Callisto... h… hired her specifically to… take over these lands…
G: So that’s why there were so many bandits, yesterday.
X: Yes. Also, as we saw on our way here, these are good lands, unguarded. Perfect for harvesting and…
G: And what?
Xena has a sudden realization, which changes her mood dramatically.
X: And feeding an army, in plain sight!
B: Please… please… just… just kill me… If Rhiannon finds out I told you… I...
G: We won’t kill you. Right, Xena?
X: …
G: Xena!
X: Right… we won’t. At least not yet…
B: Will… will you… set me free, then?
X: No. We won’t do that either. You’re coming with us, and that’s your only option.
Xena and Gabrielle gather their things, and following the lead of the bandit, they start walking through a set of hidden trails that lead them to the other side of the forest, where they meet Argo. Xena decides that their best option right now is to get to Stratoniki so they may warn the local authorities of a possible attack on either their town or on Stagira.
On their journey, they learn that the bandit’s name is Ion and that he comes from Tripolis. He used to be a jeweler back in his home city, but due to some poor economic choices he made, he was forced to leave. He joined the Black Fist bandits in hopes of gaining enough riches to help him pay his old debts. However, their former leader sold the group to Callisto’s men, forcing him and the rest of his group to hand in all treasures or wealth they may have gained thus far. In a strange way, his encounter with Xena and Gabrielle meant for him a new opportunity to get his life restarted.
ION:
STATS
- Rank: 1
- Kinship: Human (low)
- Class: Commoner (low)
- Career: Jeweler (high)
- Background: Black fist bandit (low)
- Advantage: Dexterity (high)
DATA
- Gender: Male
- Age: Adult
- Personality: Introverted
- Objective: Wealth
- Disadvantage: Black fist bandit
- Languages: Common
- Literacy: No
- Commitment: Pay a big debt
EQUIPMENT
- Weapons: Dagger, throwing knife.
- Armor: Leather armor
- Basic equipment: Waterskin, jeweler’s tools, leather pouch
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 |
| The map, so far. I've added a few more details than those generated during the adventure to "see" where things are going. I kept asking the B.R.O. if the forest with the bandit's camp was Akanthos forest, and it answered NO, over and over again. That's why you find no mention of it anywhere in this gameplay session. As I explored the hexmap after the game session was over, I found the forest to be further away, to the northwest. There's still a long way to go before even reaching Stratoniki, and even a bit more before getting to Akanthos! |
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NOTE: I noticed that this second part feels more serious in comparison to the first one. Again, another detail I've liked of Bivius as a system, for it allows flexibility and variety.
I must admit that, besides the incident with the trap, the overall results were relieving. Playing those scenes in which failure became a 50/50 chance was intense. I now understand why Sandbox mode uses low-level threats, instead of high-level ones. In normal mode, Xena would be toast by now!
This adventure added an unexpected new character to the story, Ion the bandit. Because I already have a main, sidekick, and nemesis, he's going to be an alt.
I think I'll have time to play a bit more next weekend, so expect Part 4 by the end of this upcoming week.
Cheers!
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