Example of Play (9e)

Players and Characters

Curtis, playing as Tai Yang the Burning Palm:

Attributes: Bravado, Expertise, Finesse
Traits: Burning Palm [2], Spiritually Aware [2]
Background: Bearer of the Crimson Sash [+4]
            Temple upbringing [+4]
            Transcendent spirit journey [+4]

Class: Copper, Avenger
Powers: Deflect Arrows, Escalade, Sway in the Breeze
Weapons: Mantis Style (Light), Rhino Style (Heavy)

Gear: Book of the Sun (6)
      candles (3)
      Crimson Sash (8)
      flute (1)
      spirit incense (6)
      waterskin (1)

Hugh, playing as Saint Marcus:

Attributes: Cunning, Expertise, Wisdom
Traits: Avatar of the Divine [3], Elven Heritage [1]
Background: Man of the people [+3]
            Amateur alchemist [+4]
            Religious scholar [+5]

Class: Quicksilver, Shaman
Powers: Blessing, Chant, Inspiration
Weapons: Longbow (Swift), Shortsword (Light)

Gear: Bag of salt (1)
      holy symbol (3)
      oracle grimoire (8)
      pocket lantern (7)
      signet ring (6)

Phoebe, playing as Darksong the Owlbear:

Attributes: Brutality, Presence, Tenacity
Traits: Massive [2], Retractable claws [2]
Background: Apex predator [+3]
            Guardian of the Ancient Forest [+4]
            Wild animal [+5]

Class: Iron, Brawler
Powers: Charge, C'mere You, Hold the Line
Weapons: Claws (Heavy)

Gear: Ancient Forest totem (8)
      armored saddle (7)
      saddlebags (3)
      thick fur coat (3)
      warpaint (1)
      writing slate (3)

Sigourney, playing as Keira Spidereye:

Attributes: Brutality, Resolve, Tenacity
Traits: Flexibility [1], Spidersight [2], Uncanny Grip [1]
Background: Arcane experiment [+3]
            Drifter [+3]
            Former thief [+3]
            Rebellious student [+3]

Class: Sulfur, Warlock
Powers: Channel, Combustion, Turmoil
Weapons: Arcane Bolt (Accurate)

Gear: Crowbar (3)
      lockpicks (5)
      pocket lantern (7)
      rope (5)
      thief's cloak (5)

Example

DM: The party has arrived at the port town of Murktrest, on the edge of the Snailwretch Marshes. The citizens seem a little on edge due to Darksong's presence, but the rest of you walking by her helps put them a little at ease.

Phoebe: Darksong takes the writing slate hanging off her neck and draws a happy face on it.

DM: That improves matters.

Hugh: I'm going to see if anyone around here knows anything about the undead dragon that wrecked Southwall, using my status as a man of the people. Ask some questions, listen in on rumours. I get... 14. Good enough?

DM: What are the rest of you doing while he does this?

Sigourney: Well, we found that scroll in the ancient library, the one with the thief's mark. Keira's going to find the local underworld and ask questions too.

DM: How's she going to do that?

Sigourney: Good point... I guess she'll find the most sordid-looking tavern in the town and then use her Spidersight to search for clues.

Curtis: Is there a sun temple in town?

DM: What do you think?

Curtis: Not this far south... I suppose Tai Yang will stick with Darksong.

Phoebe: Climb aboard. While the Saint talks with the people, I'm going to ask the local critters. Rolling apex predator to sniff them out, and wild animal to talk with them... 10 and 22.

DM: All right, then. As the others poll the residents of the town, two-legged or otherwise, Keira arrives at a tavern called the Centaur's Casque, which seems to be as seedy a dive as she's likely to find.

Sigourney: I take a seat in a dark corner, keep my cloak up covering my face, and let my eye crawl out of my head to go take a look around.

DM: Your spider-legged eyeball skitters off the table and up the wall, keeping to the shadows as you let it wander from table to table. Saint Marcus finds an imperial soldier at the local smithy, fresh from Blacktower, who mentions that his garrison has been told that the undead dragon attacked the Six Pillars eight nights ago.

Hugh: That can't be right, that's in the opposite direction to where we've been following. It can't have doubled back that fast.

DM: That's what he's heard. Darksong and Tai Yang have managed to meet with the galvahound of Murktrest, an aging dog named Lancer.

Curtis: The whatnow?

Phoebe: The local chief of all the domesticated animals. Darksong spoke to one back in Southwall, before the dragon attack, when you were off meditating. I'm going to ask Lancer if he's heard anything about the dragon.

DM: He says he's heard a lot about different dragons, which one would you like to know about?