TLAS2 Chapter 19 A Night at the Opera

With the crew’s hideout compromised, and what looks like every enemy they ever made closing in on all sides, the Web faces one final, desperate battle for survival.

Links

Transcript: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OWKVtw4rmVtwCY1E2mNcxnsXTlclRguqEf2zuMQfFtg/edit?usp=sharing

All music is royalty-free, and courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/

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Blades in the Dark: https://www.evilhat.com/home/blades-in-the-dark/

Alone in the Dark: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/282013/Alone-in-the-Dark-Solo-Rules-for-Blades-in-the-Dark

Solo Oracles: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J_GVM_dVe3YMYAQaP-KIqOC91vFk56y9HOPKMybY_sk/edit?usp=sharing

Faction clocks: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KWuAPc4iv7hElXLepV0XTqVP9IRAdNsdqwD1wSDyAys/edit?usp=sharing

Ironsworn: Starforged: https://www.ironswornrpg.com/product-ironsworn-starforged

Mechanics

 

After the result of each Action roll, change the Chaos factor based on the game state and ask a Simple Question of the Mythic Deck. 

 

After the Mythic roll, make an NPC Tactics roll for each faction

 

Character List

• 1. Tortemus
• 2. Vampires
• 3. Wade
• 4. Unseen goons
• 5. Sergeant Jablonski
• 6. Bluecoat flatfoots
• 7. Inquisitor Fonseca
• 8. Enlightenment strike team
• 9. Mina, Barbican, Cadmus
• 10. The Web

 

Thread List

• 11. Infernal Powder
• 12. The building’s collapsing
• 13. Escape route
• 14. Inter-faction conflict
• 15. Civil war
• 16. Intrigue

 

PCs

• 1. Spider
• 2. Valerian
• 3. Tatters
• 4. Sallow
• 5. Crater
• 6. Trace

 

Factions

• 1. Unseen: Starting Aggression 5
• 2. Undying: Starting Aggression 2
• 3. Bluecoats: Starting Aggression 4
• 4. Seekers: Starting Aggression 6
• 5. Mina: Starting Aggression 4

 

Progress Clocks

• 1. Unseen 0/8, Aggression 6
• 2. Undying 0/8 Aggression 2
• 3. Bluecoats 0/8 Aggression 4
• 4. Seekers 0/8 Aggression 6
• 5. Mina 0/8 Aggression 4
• 5. Escape 0/8

NPC Tactics

 

NPC opponents have an Aggression rating of 1 to 6, with most starting on 4.

 

To find an opponent's tactic for the round, roll 2D6 of the same colour and one of a different colour. If the single die comes up a 1, 2 or 3, continue the same tactic from the previous round. On a 4 or 5, total the two same-coloured dice and add Aggression, then pick from the Tactic table. If it shows a 6, roll it again and pick an action from the Twist table.

 

As they take or inflict wounds, gain or lose the advantage in a fight, NPC opponents' Aggression will raise or lower. Experienced fighters will change only a small amount, while green, frightened or vengeful opponents will change more. Each time someone in the fight (either PC or NPC) suffers a setback, there should be a chance for Aggression to change. If the NPCs are nervous or demoralised, Aggression will drop when they suffer a setback and rise when a PC does. If they are angry or undisciplined, Aggression will rise when they suffer a setback and drop when a PC does.

 

If you don't want to bother with Aggression, roll 3D6 for a tactic. If you want a more straightforward fight, without unexpected moves, drop the Twist die.

 

NPC Tactic table

3. Panic - flee without caution, open self up to opportunistic attack
4. Surrender - throw down weapons and submit to opponent
5. Disengage - attempt to divert opponent's attention away from self
6. Retreat - move towards cover or out of range
7. Guard - defend only, no attack
8. Probe - attack cautiously, testing opponent's defenses
9. Wear down - draw the fight out and try to tire the opponent
10. Stand-off - wait for opponent to make the next move
11. Balance - attack and defend evenly, no particular strategy
12. Feint - try to trick opponent into defending against the wrong move
13. Reverse - rapidly switch from aggressive to defensive fighting to off-balance opponent
14. Taunt - try to anger or dismay opponent into making a mistake
15. Press - keep opponent on the defensive and hope their skill is inferior
16. Strike - try to penetrate opponent's defence with a fast attack
17. Charge - attack with ferocity, risking injury to wound opponent
18. Frenzy - attack wildly, risking death to wound opponent

 

Twist Table

1. Re-enforce - Call for help from allies/bystanders
2. Change - weapon/objective/ground
3. Disadvantage opponent - throw a burning candelabra, maneuver into uneven terrain, cut a curtain so that it falls over their head
4. Advantage self - take the higher ground, move so that they are not facing the sun, draw/pick up a second weapon
5. Bargain - try to persuade opponent to surrender/back out of combat/change sides
6. Trick - try to convince opponent they are about to suffer a setback or gain a false advantage

MYTHIC Q: Do the vampires take damage from the roof impact? (50/50) Yes (a vampire is killed, 1 tick), Event

EVENT: NPC Action (Vampires) Release Suffering (an Inquisitor is killed: 1 tick)

 

ACTION: Crater Wreck (Desperate, Standard): Shoot out the support strut to collapse the circle where the Unseen are standing. 2d: 5,1: Success with Consequence, 1XP

 

• 1. Unseen 2/8
• 2. Undying 1/8
• 3. Bluecoats 0/8
• 4. Seekers 1/8
• 5. Mina: 0/8
• 6. Escape 0/8

 

CONSEQUENCE: Take 2 Stress (ignoring the rubble raining down)

 

CHAOS FACTOR 6

MYTHIC Q: Does this take the Unseen out of action for now? (Likely) Yes, Event

EVENT: PC Negative (Tatters)

ACTION/ SUBJECT: Release Dreams (Setarra fighting for control)

 

FACTION ROLLS

• 1. Unseen: Aggression (+1) 6: Balance
• 2. Undying: Aggression 2: Retreat
• 3. Bluecoats: Aggression 4: Probe
• 4. Seekers: Aggression 6: Charge
• 5. Mina: Aggression 4: Feint 

 

ACTION: Trace Hunt (Desperate, Standard): Snipe at the leader of the Enlightenment strike team, Spider Assist (foresight). 3d: 2,3,6 Success, 1XP

 

• 1. Unseen 2/8
• 2. Undying 1/8
• 3. Bluecoats 0/8
• 4. Seekers ⅜
• 5. Mina 0/8
• 6. Escape 0/8

 

CHAOS FACTOR 5

MYTHIC Q: Does the leader fall? (50/50) Yes

 

FACTION ROLLS

• 1. Unseen: Aggression 6: Balance
• 2. Undying: Aggression 2: 6: Retreat
• 3. Bluecoats: Aggression 4: Bargain
• 4. Seekers: Aggression (+1) 7: Taunt
• 5. Mina: Aggression 4: Feint

 

ACTION: Spider Sway (Desperate, Limited): persuade Seekers that the incident at Kropp’s was an accident, and Heart of Snow’s fault, and anyway, Kropp’s gone, Push, Valerian Assist, 3d: 5,2,3: Success with Consequence, 1XP

 

CONSEQUENCE: Mark Clock, A new obstacle or threat appears

 

Danger Clock: Building Collapsing 2/6

 

COMPLEX Q: nature of new obstacle/ threat? Agree Power (Setarra takes over)

 

• 1. Unseen 2/8
• 2. Undying 1/8
• 3. Bluecoats 0/8
• 4. Seekers 4/8
• 5. Mina 0/8
• 6. Escape 0/8
• 7. Setarra: 0/8

 

CHAOS FACTOR 6

MYTHIC Q: Does Setarra attack a foe? (50/50) No (Crater)

 

FACTION ROLLS

• 1. Unseen: Aggression 6: Balance
• 2. Undying: Aggression 2: 6: Retreat
• 3. Bluecoats: Aggression 4: Twist: Change 
• 4. Seekers: Aggression (-1) 6: Taunt
• 5. Mina: Aggression 4: Feint
• 5. Setarra: Aggression 4: Balance

ACTION: Sallow Tinker (Desperate, Limited) Open the trapdoor beneath Setarra to free Crater 3d: 1,1,2: Failure 1XP

 

CONSEQUENCE: Lose something important, Take 2 Stress

 

• 1. Unseen 2/8
• 2. Undying 1/8
• 3. Bluecoats 0/8
• 4. Seekers 4/8
• 5. Mina 0/8
• 6. Escape 0/8
• 7. Setarra: 0/8

 

CHAOS FACTOR 7

MYTHIC Q: Is one of the team lost? (Likely) Yes

Who? Trace

 

FACTION ROLLS

• 1. Unseen: Aggression 6: Reverse
• 2. Undying: Aggression 2: 6: Twist: Trick
• 3. Bluecoats: Aggression 4: Press 
• 4. Seekers: Aggression (-1) 6: Taunt
• 5. Mina: Aggression 4: Guard
• 5. Setarra: Aggression 4: Wear Down

 

COMPLEX Q: Nature of the vampire trick? Defy Defense (send back gas bombs to  Bluecoats)

 

ACTION ROLL: Valerian Sway (Desperate, Standard) to get the Unseen to shoot at the Seekers (Rook’s Gambit, 2 Stress, Sallow Assist) 4d: 2,3,5,5: Success with Consequence 1 XP

 

CONSEQUENCE: A new obstacle or threat appears, Mark Clock Segments 

 

Danger Clock: Building Collapsing 4/6

 

COMPLEX Q: Nature of Threat/ Obstacle: Support Tool (Bluecoat tank)

 

• 1. Unseen 2/8
• 2. Undying 1/8
• 3. Bluecoats 0/8
• 4. Seekers 7/8
• 5. Mina 0/8
• 6. Escape 0/8
• 7. Setarra: 0/8

 

CHAOS FACTOR 8

MYTHIC Q: Do the Blues fire on the demon? (Unlikely) Yes

 

• 1. Unseen 2/8
• 2. Undying 1/8
• 3. Bluecoats 0/8
• 4. Seekers 6/8
• 5. Mina 0/8
• 6. Escape 0/8
• 7. Setarra: 1/8

 

FACTION ROLLS

• 1. Unseen: Aggression 6: Reverse
• 2. Undying: Aggression 2: Standoff
• 3. Bluecoats: Aggression 4: Twist: Disadvantage opponent
• 4. Seekers: Aggression (+1) 7: Strike
• 5. Mina: Aggression 4: Twist: Trick
• 5. Setarra: Aggression 4: Wear Down

 

ACTION: Crater Skirmish (Desperate, Standard) beat the crap out of Fonseca (Push, Spider Assist) 5d: 1,3,2,2,6 Success 1XP 

 

• 1. Unseen 2/8
• 2. Undying 1/8
• 3. Bluecoats 2/8
• 4. Seekers 8/8
• 5. Mina 0/8
• 6. Escape 2/8
• 7. Setarra: 3/8

 

CHAOS FACTOR 7

MYTHIC Q: Do the vampires attack the demon? (50/50) Exceptional No (they aid it)

 

FACTION ROLLS

• 1. Unseen: Aggression 6: Press
• 2. Undying: Aggression 2: Reverse
• 3. Bluecoats: Aggression 4: Guard
• 4. Seekers: Aggression 
• 5. Mina: Aggression 4: Twist: Trick
• 5. Setarra: Aggression 4: Wear Down

 

SIMPLE Q: Is there a similarity between the Oil mindscape and the polace she is now trapped? (Unlikely) No

 

ACTION: Tatters Attune (Desperate, Standard) to free herself from the demon’s influence (Push) 3d: 5,3,4 (Success with Consequence) 

 

CONSEQUENCE: Harm