The Cons of GD - Ep 1

In a bid to explore the Grand Duchy solo, and to learn the wonders of solo TTRPGs, I will begin an attempt at journaling these experiments.

I will be using Knave 2E, different oracles starting with Emerging Paths and Creation Myths (for character background)

Our story will revolve around three men. Vienas, Finn and Rist. they grew up together in a small village in a thick forest made up of mostly druidic types, hunter gatherers and a baker who was known throughout the region.

Vienas idolised his uncle Hap. Hap was strong, and funny, and popular. He was the best hunter in the village. His uncle was better than Vienas' father in every way. Vienas hated his father ever since they were attacked on the road back into town and his father couldn't protect him. Leaving him with a facial scar that turns peoples faces away. Although idolising his uncle, Vienas does not mind cooking and cleaning and doing the things usually left for the non hunters.

Finn is the quiet one. Doesn’t like to speak. Doesn’t like to be the centre of attention. Is good with his hands and is happy with the simple things. Was adopted by the other two because he was a loner. They are his only friends. Finn is very pious and faithful to his mothers gods, visiting them quite often. He wears a trinket or two in their honour and will speak of them if given a chance. He dreams of owning his own hut deeper into the forest to just craft and live.

Rist loves food. Loves finding food in the forest. Loves roast meat that he didn’t have to make. Does not want to learn how to make food. Wants others to make it for him. Rist has always been jealous of Yomas. Yomas ended up with the girl Rist wanted and he ended up the bakers apprentice when they were young. Yomas seems to be the bane of his existence. Rist fears the sea and large bodies of water. He never learned to swim.

The group has always been together. Referred to by the village as "the boys" for most of their lives. On the way to a market with some of the villages produce, they were found at the scene of a crime and taken to the dungeon of the nearby low duke. In prison they kept claiming their innocence and were attacked and mistreated by the prison warden "Green Marlon".

Out of nowhere an Eldermans right hand man named Kristas showed up and paid their bail on the condition that they work for him to pay it off. Kristas explained as they travelled to his hamlet that they would be working as his Eldermans conmen. They would do his dirty work that his serving men couldn't and wouldn't do. They would be given a hut to live in but the Elderman could never concern himself with them directly. Kristas would be their point person. They would get paid. And they could build their hut into what ever they want and need as long as they stayed away from public eye as they paid off their debt. The Elderman would hope they would stay on after that, but that would be up to them.

The boys thought about this and concluded out loud to each other that this could be revolutionary for their lives. They could build whatever they wanted. As they travelled further, Kristas explained that they would be travelling for almost a week, so in the next town they would need to outfit themselves for such a trip and from now they were conmen. Outside of the law as long as they act with the Eldermans ends in mind.

After travelling south for a few days they made a stop over in a village during which time the conmen were able to sneak out and steal some supplies. It came strangely natural to them, and also the town was very trusting. The next morning they left town with a few weapons and some supplies. A few more days later and they found themselves in a district known for its three hamlets around a famous rock. Kristas met a kid under a large oak tree, gave him some coins and directed the conmen to follow him into a forest to find their hut. He would come find them in three days. They were free to do whatever they wanted until then.

After a few hours of following this largely silent child carrying a heavy bag they found themselves in a little opening in the forest. There was a hut, a well, a fire place and what looked like a mini orchard. The child handed them the bag in his hands, suggested that they can hunt further into the forest. That people avoid this place but be careful. And off he walked back into the forest.

The conmen were home, for now.