Somebody's Watching Me: Solo Play

Somebody's Watching Me: Solo Play

     Continuing my previous Solo campaign, I thought I would try something different this time. In session two an unseen assailant/ambusher of the party had escaped and the party had not yet determined whether or not to pursue.  I decided it would be fun to develop this individual. From the previous encounter I had rolled up a Beast Handler, but it was just the barebones information.  I finished rolling him up as if he were a full-blown character; and thus, Jorven Master of Beasts came to be. I wanted to see what happened to him as he fled the encounter with the party, so using the anniversary edition of F.O.R.G.E. with a big helping of Old School Essentials, and some other resources this is how things are going for Jorven thus far... 

     Jorven cursed his luck, that damned crossbowman (what was his name again? Not that it mattered he was surely dead now) had spooked the ravens, and attacked too early, ruining his perfectly planned ambush.  That's what he would tell her...yes that's exactly what happened, an incompetent minion had ruined things...Moving quickly through the brush, he muttered to himself as a thornbush tore his well-tailored trousers. "Drat, I'll have to get new clothes now, this is such a disaster!".  When he had realized the Cacklers were going to be defeated, he had bolted, better to live to fight another day right?!... 

     After all he was Jorven Master of Beasts! He willingly served The Baboon Witch! He didn't know if the party of rebels was pursuing him or not. He couldn't dawdle and risk checking. He knew he was more than a match for any one of them, but if the group hit him all at once? Well, he wouldn't think about that. The Corpse Cacklers hadn't performed, as well as, he had hoped, but he had more back in the kennels, along with other surprises. He hoped Mistress wouldn't be too disappointed, he did have the rebel's numbers and descriptions. He would get out of this mess and hit them again at a time and place of her choosing.  

    Moving quickly through the woods of Ravenwold, Jorven came upon a stream, pausing to slack his thirst, he couldn't help but notice his reflection in the water. What a handsome fellow he was, no wonder he was favored by Mistress.  Unfortunately, his trek through this damnable forest had mussed up his carefully groomed hair. He would have to rectify that after this was over with, he had standards to live up to after all. He had to look his best for her especially. Hearing a noise, he quickly got back up and headed off into the forest, still not sure if he was being followed, he tried to use the stream to break up his trail. The rebels had an elf in the group, some elves were skilled trackers, or so he had heard. Couldn't risk them catching him. He had to report back to Mistress.

     Meanwhile...high above in an ancient oak, keen avian-like eyes watched him. The human was clumsy in the forest, not moving in tune with his surroundings, the man moved against the flow of the wilderness, he didn't belong here.  Curious, why was the man here? Alone? She followed him from the treetops, stealthily moving through the branches, comfortable in the heights, heights that the man would have no doubt found frightening.

    After fast traveling for some time, Jorven realized he had somehow gotten turned around...He wasn't sure which direction to go in this old forest. This is all that damned crossbowman's fault..whatever his name had been... Jorven selected a direction that seemed right, then headed off. He knew he was near the Borderlands, but with the thick growth and large old oak trees he was struggling to get his bearings.

     He came to a clearing, and found what seemed to be an old trail, mossy and overgrown, but yes this had been a real path at some point. His luck was no doubt turning around.  It had been some time since he had strategically withdrawn from his ambush of the rebels, and there was no sign of being followed. So he decided to follow the old trail.  Which direction though? He was still turned around so he picked one at random, Jorven knew his luck was turning around. 

     Eyes watched from the treetops above. The human was following the old trail, this part of the Ravenwold had once been more settled, nature had long ago reestablished its dominance here, as was the proper way of things. Curious, the human was headed towards the old ruins? what purpose did he have at that foul place? Had the man taken the other route he would have soon been out of the Ravenwold? What was he up too? She would follow from a distance and see. 

To be continued...