Chasing the Sunset is a West Marches-style exploration game using Fellowship 2nd Edition‘s Horizon rules.
The fellowship: Dryden of Conwall the Collector/Hunter, Averiela the Elf/Elven Elite, Lucia the Brave the Heir/Halfling Sheriff, Edna Crusher-Harcourt the Ogre/Knight
Last time, the Fellowship broke a pirate curse and finally approached the destination of their long journey: The Forgotten Lands.
Lucia is Queen Errant of the Forgotten Lands, which border Averiela’s Elven homeland. The Elven lands are even more secret and forgotten than the Forgotten Lands. The Forgotten Lands have an aura to make travelers forget them as soon as they leave. Their memories aren’t completely erased. If they are asked specifically about their visit, they can remember, but the Forgotten Lands just don’t come to mind otherwise. People from the Forgetten Lands carry talismans that remind them of home. Lucia’s Symbol Of Royalty is one such talisman, but she has others, just in case. Artisans don’t advertise these talismans, but visitors who are in the know can request one. It’s like ordering from the secret menu at a restaurant. Edna is excited to go shopping and buy new jewelry!
The Forgotten Lands are a semi-tropical island. Much of it is forested, but not so dense that it would be called a jungle. The port town is small enough that one can see both edges of town from the dock. As the Luna Penumbra sails into the bay, Lucia raises the queen’s flag on the mast. Several boats hurriedly launch to escort her in, while all other ships get out of the way. Lucia’s arrival is an unexpected surprise. People come out of their homes and crowd the docks as the word spreads. Someone sets off fireworks. The Mayor rushes to greet Lucia, still fastening the last buttons on her formal attire.
Pontia, she/her, human Mayor
Pontia: Welcome your majesty. This is an unexpected delight. Surely your destination is the castle and the Regent, your brother. Since it’s a full day’s journey, let me humbly request that you and your companions stay at my home tonight. I’ll send a messenger to alert the regent of your arrival. Have you returned to assume the throne?
Lucia: In my travels with Dryden, I met Averiela, and have returned her to assist her in calling a Conclave of the Elves. While I’m here, I’ll visit my subjects and learn of their doings.
Lucia does not mention the Dragon’s egg, nor does she confirm staying permanently as Queen.
Lucia Yes, My Liege: When you give an order to someone of your people, they do it, no questions asked
Lucia makes sure the messenger to the castle says exactly what she wants: The Queen is here to help Averiela on her quest and will travel to the Bastion Of Memory to visit her brother.
GM note: Lucia and Dryden grew up in this location, so their players did most of the work describing it. I love to see players share responsibility for world-building, and something we build together will be more creative and interesting than something I make alone. Also, I get to sit back, listen to everyone else, and when there’s a pause, say, “The capital of the Forgotten Lands is the Bastion Of Memory” and sound like a genius.
The Fellowship agrees to spend the night at the Mayor’s house.
Averiela: I’ve been waiting 300 years for this. I can wait another day.
Edna: Dryden, you always have a story for every invention. I want to see the sites of some of your stories.
Dryden: Your last encounter with the Unicorns didn’t go well, but we can visit them on the way tomorrow. Here at the port, people used to race across the bay. I figured that flying was faster than rowing, and made an early version of my Flying Disk. I sat on a box and and flew past all the boats.
Edna: Jumping is fastest! I’ll beat your time!
Edna gets a running start and leaps across the bay! She’s aiming for the fishing village that Dryden pointed out as the end point of the race.
Edna Uncontrollable Strength: uncontrolled actions cause collateral damage
Edna comes down on–and through–the dock!
Forgotten Lands increases Response Level to 3 in response to collateral damage
Forgotten Lands gains Sheriff: a Threat will attempt to arrest a member of the Fellowship
- Pulmero, he/him human fisherman
- Squeeze In There: The Little Guy can run and hide at any time.
- Right Where They Need To Be: The Little Guy can damage this stat to be
somewhere that is very bad for their enemies right now.
- Group of Spear Fishers, various humans
- Use the Pointy Bit: The Poker’s attacks are Piercing.
- Big Shield: When an ally would be damaged while the Poker is near them,
damage this stat instead.
The fishers of the village assume the worst.
Pulmero: They’re attacking the queen!
Edna: Where? Let me at them! No one will get between me and Lucia!
Edna turns to see what the Spear Fishers are rushing towards and doesn’t see anyone. That’s because they’re rushing at her, and she just turned her back on them!
Edna damages Wisdom
Dryden saw a plume of dust and debris from across the bay, so he knows something is happening, but can’t see exactly what.
Dryden: I’ll race you across!
Averiela rolls her eyes, and starts running across the surface of the bay
Averiela Perfect Grace: You can walk or run along any surface, including sheer cliffs, ceilings, lava, or drops of rain falling from the sky
Dryden also runs into the bay, but splashes through the shallow water. That seems very slow, but once he’s in up to his waist, dolphins appear to carry him. The dolphins remember him from before his travels and are happy that he’s returned.
Dryden Queen of the Wild: You are the leader of all beasts, and they cannot help but serve you. Every beast you meet is a Companion to you until you leave their territory, even if you hold no Bonds with them.
Edna doesn’t want to hurt Lucia’s citizens, and their spears can actually hurt her, so she runs. She ducks around and jumps over the huts in the village, putting obstacles between her and her pursuers, then continuing along the shore.
Dryden notices that Lucia has been left behind, so he turns the dolphins around. He summons a manta ray for Lucia to ride and they set off across the bay. Averiela is almost across, and sees Edna fleeing from people who aren’t even trained fighters. Exasperated, she runs into the crowd from behind, subtlely slowing them down by getting in their way or putting them off-balance
Averiela Keep Them Busy 6-
Averiela picks up a child who stumbles, but he’s not a child. He’s Pulmero!
Spear Fishers: The Ogre has an accomplice! She’s captured our leader!
Averiela Get Away 10+ avoid harm, avoid notice
Averiela throws Pulmero into the crowd of Spear Fishers and leaps after him. She lands on a spear (they’re all out of position to avoid hurting Pulmero) then jumps onto a rock formation and slides down the other side into the forest.
Lucia approaches the chase on her manta ray. The Spear Fishers see her and run into the water.
Pulmero: Protect the Queen!
Lucia: Thank you for your valiant defense of my royal person. Stop before anyone gets hurt.
The villagers stand down, and Edna tries to look non-threatening.
Lucia: This tempestuous, spontaneous lady has protected me on my journey and comes here as my friend. In no way is she a threat to my or this land.
Edna: I managed to threaten the docks.
Edna pays for the damage she’s caused.
Edna spends 1 Precious item
When you give something Precious to someone, immediately Forge a Bond with them if they accept it.
Edna forges a Bond with Pulmero: “Pulmero needs to keep an eye on Edna”
Pulmero won’t attack Edna, because Lucia forbids it, but he’s still suspicious, so he insists on coming along ot make sure she doesn’t cause trouble. Everyone returns to the port for a banquet at Portia’s house. The building has no bedroom big enough for Edna, but she’s prepared for that because it happens often. Ol’ Jardiner and Viktor unpack and set up a pavilion for Edna.
Portia throws a lavish banquet and invites many people from the port town. Many dishes involve fish caught right here in the bay. Averiela’s favorite dish is chicken that’s been flattened and seasoned iwth thyme, sage, and cheese. As the plates are passed around, Edna takes a few servings from each. She’s happy to try new things, and needs a lot more food than the smaller guests. Pulmero judges her for not recognizing the best portions of fish and just scooping whatever on to her plate.
An archivist from the town’s library is very interested in tales from the outside world.
Dryden: We found a winning lottery ticket in secret Dwarven tunnels. We helped a city in chaos by descending through labyrinth and defeating fierce robots. While fighting their champion, I leaped from a roof to dodge a blow, only pulling out my Flying Disk while I was already falling!
Edna: Wow, I didn’t see any of this. I guess it was before we met.
Dryden: Edna, tell us about how we met
Edna: Oh, um. At first I couldn’t see Lucia, but I felt goodwill on the strange battlefield. There were these evil fairies, and some kind of fiery cave. So, yeah.
Edna’s not good at telling stories. The archivist is very interested in Averiela’s quest, which is important enough to bring the queen back form her adventures on the mainland.
Averiela: Let me tell you a story of a land far away, an age long before now. People thought they could rule the land, sea, and air. They bent the sea to their will, and mounted beasts of the air to touch the clouds and whisper to the stars. Their crops prospered, yielding more berries and larger flowers. They could even shape the clouds. In their arrogance, they sought to reign over all the creatures, instead of communing with them. Lizards rebelled and wouldn’t listen. The birds flew away, and the sea became furious. Their crops mutated, and they lost control. They left their homes and journeyed alone, because no one would help them, looking for a place to start anew.
Archivist: Fascinating. A wonderful tale. But I need just one verifiable fact. Do you have a name, a date, or a place that I could research?
Averiela: Look into the origins of the gerialious star plant.
Archivist: Wonderful. Yes, there’s that botanist I could consult….
The banquet is a success. Everyone is full and well-rested.
Recover: When in a place of safety, restore all stats and all gear
The next day, the Fellowship sets out for the Bastion Of Memory, the royal castle. Averiela encourages the Fellowship to take a slight detour, because she wants to visit the Unicorns. The Unicorns live on an island in the middle of a large lake. Dryden wades into the water and calls out. The Ancient One, a giant turtle and friend of Dryden appears and allows the Fellowship to ride across the lake on his shell.
The last time the Fellowship met the Unicorns, a portal unexpectedly closed, separating the Unicorns and the Fellowship. The Unicorns think tha Dryden closed the portal intentionally, snubbing the Unicorns’ invitation to pass through. Dryden paws the ground and dances to smooth over the misunderstanding.
Dryden Overcome 6-
Dryden’s not as fluent as he thought. he’s insulted the Unicorns further!
Forgotten Lands increases Response Level to 4 in response to insulting someone in charge
Forgotten Lands gains Bad Weather: rain and fog limit visibility
Dryden: I remember you teaching these hands to heal. I recognize I’ve commited a serious offense, but Unicorns heal, so let’s heal our relationship.
Dryden Talk Sense (appeal to emotions, +Wis) 7-9 owe a favor
The Unicorns will allow the Fellowship to stay until Averiela does what she came to do.
Averiela and White Sands need to find a particular Unicorn: a young foal. The foal and Averiela touch foreheads and Averiela cries, a gutteral, painful cry. The other Unicorns cry, and the sound silences the other sounds of the forest. Theodora, Queen of the Unicorns, has died. Averiela and Queen Theodora were bonded. The foal is Queen Theodora’s child. As White Sands cries, Dryden catches some Unicorn Tears in a vial. Surely they have powerful magic. Edna sits down next to Averiela and puts a giant hand on her back. After a while, Averiela walks across the lake by herself instead of riding back with the others. She seems heavier now, and her feet sink into the water.
The rest of the journey to the Bastion of Memory is uneventful. The gates are open, and the people have prepared a celebration. The lookout can’t see the Fellowship until they are quite close because of the fog. Dryden seems a bit distracted and slips away into the woods.
Dryden: I’ll catch up.
Edna: Weird. I get distracted too, but by delightful items in a marketplace, not a dark forest.
Lucia waves and greets citizens as they walk through the crowd to the central keep. Markus stands at the top of the steps. He’s Lucia’s younger brother, 20 years old, and he’s Regent while Lucia is away adventuring. Everyone expects Lucia to come back and take the throne at some point. Maybe now! Markus would like to go adventuring too. Beside him is Claudia (she/her 28 years old) his vizier and his girlfriend, although Lucia hasn’t heard that they are dating. Markus bow to Lucia. Lucia nods. They run and embrace each other!
Claudia: I worry that your long-awaited return is signaled by this ill omen.
Oh, Claudia is one of those people. Careful to be polite, but with knives just below the surface.
Lucia: The fog is unfortunate, but we won’t let a little rain destroy our happiness!
NO END OF SESSION MOVE