game report: Dogs in the Vineyard
Recently ralphmelton ran a game of Dogs in the
Vineyard. For those unfamiliar with it, here's the opening paragraph from
the Wikipedia
article:
The game is set in "a West that never quite was" - loosely based on the Mormon State of Deseret in pre-statehood Utah. Players are "God's Watchdogs" (Dogs), who travel from town to town delivering mail, helping out the community and enforcing the judgments of the True Faith of the King of Life. This may involve anything from delivering new interpretations to the town's Steward to executing heretics. Dogs have absolute authority within the Faith, but not within the laws of the Territorial Authority, and so their actions can lead to conflict with the government in the East.
Four of us played this time; two of us (plus the GM) had played once before. I chronicled that game here, so it seemed natural for me to try to record this one too. This will be long.
Characters
Earnest Worthington came from the east, having heard the rumors about how the streets were paved with gold and silver. He just wanted to get rich. Once out west and faced with reality (silver comes from underground and you have to work for it?), he was aimless for a while before being taken in by a local family. From them he learned the faith (earnestly, one might say) and eventually converted. He is older than average for Dogs.
Strong history. Traits include: my pen is my sword (2d10), the law guides the people (2d6), I shoot when I must (3d4).
Initiation stake: "I hope I feel like I belong."
The master calls Earnest into his office. Word has come from Silver Falls: John Saunders (head of the family that took Earnest in) is very ill and would like to see you before it's too late. (raise)
E: They'd be happier with their own kin. (raise)
Master: They've taken you in as kin, son; don't you think they know what they're doing? Go!
Earnest travels to the family. He arrives to find not a sick man but a funeral.
E: feels very out of place.
Lisa: Please come with us. We both cared so much for you; won't you be one of the pallbearers to support him the way he supported you? (twist that knife :-) )
E: I'm not really even a believer; I'm not from here.
Editor's note: One thing the players found difficult was that for some of the initiation stakes, like this one, the player wanted to lose, but we wanted to play honestly given the dice we had. Similarly, there are times when (as a player) you want to take the blow, because that's how character growth happens, but you also want to play characters plausibly. I don't have any great insights on this problem yet.
* * *
Zachariah Eliezer Kane grew up in the faith and was neither enthusiastic for it nor rebellious against it. It's just what you do, he figures. He wasn't a bad kid, really; there were always perfectly valid reasons that he ended up in scuffles with other kids, like the time the kid next door insulted his mother. You can't go around insultin' people's mommas, y'know? So of course he had to deck the kid. His childhood was filled with that sort of thing until, finally, his parents sent him off to the Dogs to be their challenge for a while (err, for them to teach him).
Well-balanced, will 8 (highest starting stat in the game). Traits include: it's easier to punch than talk (2d6), can improvise weapons and defense (2d8), reluctant to really harm (1d4), family above all (2d6).
Initiation stake: "I hope I learned to hold my temper."
Elder Bartholomew calls Zachariah into his office. I've been hearing dismaying things about your family background; your education coming here was poor -- derilect.
Z: Are you saying my momma didn't teach me right?
B: I'm sure she did the best she could with the available material.
Z: Look, elder, this is the way the King of Life made me.
Because Bartholomew is out of dice Zachariah wins the conflict (not what Zachariah's player wanted). The new trait (initiation always produces a trait) is "I am still trying to control my temper".
Editor's note: The game mechanic calls for a raise and a response, and then the other character gets to raise (and the first responds), and so on. Each of these actions, in addition to consuming dice, calls for narrative. In practice, though, we were often finding that the responses fed into the next raise, which is why my notes sometimes just handwave past a place where you might have expected dialogue. It makes for less-forced storytelling, but sloppier notes. :-)
* * *
Emily Brown is a fixer, a handyman (unusual for a girl), and a maker of things. Her father is a gunsmith and she spent a lot of time learning from him. The Dogs are a lot more open to the idea of competent women than the general society is, so Emily was happy to join up.
Strong history. Traits include work with my hands (2d10), I'll use a gun if my hammer isn't handy (1d8), I'm a dog (2d8), gussy up for the party (1d6).
Initiation stake: "I hope I improved on my father's gun."
(This event occurred before entering training with the Dogs.)
Emily is in the workshop while her father is away. She has some ideas for improvements and is working on a gun by herself. When her father returns she shows her handiwork to him.
E: Welcome back. Here's the gun you asked me to make.
Dad: Why didn't you do what you were told?
E: I've made improvements. Look --
Dad: You've done no testing here; this is just tomfoolery.
E: Look, I traded Mister Jenkins for this special part, which makes all the difference.
* * *
Carrie (Caroline) Alden is an orphan. She was raised in the orphanage, where she became a responsible worker early on. She feels a strong bond with everyone there, and it's assumed that someday she will take over running the place.
Strong community. Heart 6. Traits include: I am compassionate and good at talking to folks (2d8), I know first aid and can lay on hands (2d6), I believe the weak should be protected. Equipment includes an excellent first-aid kit and an excellent (antique) book of life.
Initiation stake: "I hope I can learn to shoot a gun."
(Aside: I use the notation "*" when the "opponent" is the world or something similarly nebulous.)
Carrie is on the firing range with her instructor.
C: shoots down-range.
*: the bullet ricochets and flies back past her, grazing her shoulder.
C: applies first aid, then grits teeth and takes another shot
*: misfire; there's a small powder explosion and the bullet is jammed in the gun.
New trait: guns are never the answer.
Editor's meta-comment: character-generation sure does take a long time. It's a rich process, but by definition sequentially solitary, which at the beginning of a session can leave people itching to get involved.
Adventure
As with my write-up of the previous game, this is going to be more notes than fully-formed narrative. Fortunately, most of the action is covered in dialogue and conflicts.
The Dogs arrive for a routine circuit visit to Tower Creek, a farming town built around (you guessed it) a notable creek. The group is met by Steward Jeremiah, who introduces his first wife, Bethiah. Where's Sister Edie, he asks her. Tending the chickens; I'll call her. (She steps out.) In response to some quizzical looks, Jeremiah explains that he has been blessed by the king of life with two wives. More chit-chat happens.
Jer: I'd be obliged if you could give Sister Edie a blessing while you're here. You see, she's been barren.
Carrie: The king of life gives children when ready, but we will bless her. How long have you been married?
Bethiah (walking back in): 14 years for J and me, and we have two fine sons who are out in the fields working.
Emily Brown (henceforth EB), fidgetting: Got anything that needs fixing?
B: Come take a look at the well with me; it's been acting up. (They leave.)
* * *
At the well it's obvious that nothing's really wrong.
B: Sister Emily, could I prevail on you to talk with Jeremiah about Edie? She's just not right for this house.
EB: (oh, boy...) Well, I think the well really does need fixing.
(Relationship added right now: B is EB's cousin.)
EB: When did you meet Edie?
B: She lives in town. I guess she's nice enough... (the insincerity was pretty obvious)
EB: C'mon, you can be open with kin.
B: J and I were happy. We don't need her.
EB: He does have the right to marry another, doesn't he?
B: The bishop did approve, but he shouldn't have -- J should have been content with me.
EB: I'll see what I can do; I think I brought the right tools.
B: Thank you; the well is flowing smoothly now.
* * *
Back at the house...
Earnest (henceforth EW): How long ago did you marry Edie?
J: Two years come spring.
EW: It reflects well on your stewardship.
Z: Is it dire yet? Less than two years without a child isn't unusual.
J: I came to Edie once and she was crying, saying if only she had a son...
Z: My momma waited three years before she had me; try to urge patience.
J: She'd like the blessing.
Z: Yes, of course. We can ask for a blessing, but we can't control the king of life.
EW: How old are your sons?
J: Amos is 13 and Hezikiah is 11.
C: Are the ladies getting along? There's an adjustment period with any marriage, more with a second.
J: I thought they were; maybe I'm wrong.
C: Mind if I talk with Edie?
* * *
Carrie walks out back to the chicken coop.
Edie: Oh, hi! I didn't know anyone was here.
C: (introduction)
Edie: I'm so glad you're here. My husband keeps worrying and fretting, hoping you'll show up. I know that our marriage was properly solemnized by Sister Willaminna, but he wants us to be married by Dogs to make sure everything's official.
C: How long have you been married?
Edie: Brother Cyrus and I are married three months.
(Players: !!! :-) )
C: Does J know about your second husband?
Edie: We barely see each other these days. I live in J's house, of course, but Cy and I see each other as much as possible.
C: A woman is permitted but one husbnad, so says the book of life.
Edie: Sister W explained it to me. She said it's ok.
C: (swallows hard) Who is Sister W?
Edie: I think she used to be a Dog. She lives here, makes her herbs and teas. I thought the king of life struck me barren because I was being unfaithful, but Sister W helped me figure out that if I married him too, I wouldn't be being unfaithful and the king of life would lift the curse.
C: Are Cy and Sister W kin?
Edie: she might be Cy's aunt or cousin?
C: Does Cy have other wives?
Edie: No.
C: We're going to need to talk more. Only a Dog or a pastor can marry you.
(GM: Time to roll dice.)
Stake: Does Edie think she is legally married?
C: Only a Dog or a pastor can marry you.
Edie: I love both my husbands very much, even if J doesn't have time for me. I'm happy with both of them.
C: In the book of life it says a woman shall cleave to her husband -- one, singular.
Edie: Sister W said I had to marry Cy or I'd stay barren.
C: Will you let me help you?
Edie: If you really want to help me, help Sister W help me have my baby! (trait: need child)
* * *
Jeremiah, Earnest, and Zachariah are still talking in the house when there is an urgent knock at the door. J opens the door to a sobbing woman who is on the edge of breaking down.
J: Sister Avagail, what's wrong?
A: My poor baby! The doctor said I was doing just fine yesterday and now he's gone!
Z: Gone?!
J: (comforts ineffectively)
A: You're Dogs! Will you name my baby so he can get into heaven?
Z: Of course. What happened?
A: I felt it jump yesterday, and today -- dead!
Z: You poor dear! Have you seen the doctor yet?
(Editor's note: there had been some confusion here; the GM somehow made it clear she was talking about a miscarriage, not a still womb. I didn't note how that happened, though.)
A: It won't help -- this is sorcery!
EW: Who's your husband?
A: Brother Jacob.
Z: Please, sit. We'll fetch your husband. (To J: Can we fetch Brother Jacob? His wife is in distress. He needs to be here. J: will send someone.)
EW: Sorcery?
A: (looking around and seeming to realize her surroundings for the first time) Oh no, not in this house! I have to leave here!
Z: Ok, we'll go outside.
As they walk outside Carrie and Emily return. The Dogs beg leave from Jer to escort Avagail home.
(At her house:)
A: Quick, you have sacred earth -- bless the door so her influence can't get in!
C: Whose?
A: In the placenta there was a clear letter "B" -- her mark!
EW: Where is the child?
A: In the crib Jacob made. (sob)
EW and C go to the crib. EB closes the shutters and performs a ritual of warding. C sprinkles sacred earth over the crib and chants prayers. C and EW clearly see the "B".
Z: Who is "B"?
A: It's Sister... the steward's wife. Don't say the sorceror's name; it gives her power.
Z: Why would she want to harm you?
A: Because she's evil.
Z: That's a stong charge. Why do you say so?
A: She killed my baby!
Z: Why you?
A: I never did anything to her -- she's so proud of being the Steward's wife; why does she need to pick on me?
EW: Has she done other evil acts?
A: (blubber) (interpreted as "no")
Brother Jacob arrives. He looks shocked, flabberghasted, and broken. The Dogs make way so he can comfort his wife, and they exchange helpless glances.
EB (to Dogs): My cousin is not a witch.
* * *
The Dogs withdraw. There is a quick huddle -- where can we go to talk? Is there a church? Someone says we're welocme at Jer's house. Right, someone else says -- to the church, then.
The church is not otherwise occupied, so the Dogs are able to meet privately. They share the various information they've gathered. Z suggests they could beat the truth out of Sister W.
Need to talk to: Bethiah, Sister W, Cyrus. Decide: women will go to Bethiah, men to Cyrus.
* * *
Brother Cyrus is the deputy sheriff, so he's pretty easy to find at the town center. EW and Z greet him and request a private meeting. He invites them into his office.
Cy: I'm happy to help the Dogs. What's wrong with Sister A?
EW: Her baby was stillborn. What a tragedy. (Cy expresses regret.) How long have you been deputy?
Cy: 8 years.
Z: You must know the doings in town pretty well, then.
Cy: Well, I don't like to pry, but yeah. A and Jacob are fine folks.
EW: Are you married? Kids?
Cy: Is this about Edie and me? I'm not sure about Sister W, and I want you to marry us right.
EW: Isn't Edie already married?
Cy: She said it didn't count -- so little time with him.
EW: Who did your wedding? (Sister W.) And the steward's wedding to her? (A Dog.)
Z: You don't trust Sister W; why'd you use her?
Cy: Edie wanted it so badly.
Z: You're an upstanding member of the community; you must know your scripture. Were you tricked?
Cy: I'm not much for book-learning. Edie said it was ok.
EW: You shouldn't be asking us for marriage but for forgiveness. Did you know her before a few months ago?
Cy: No...
Z: We could anul...
(GM: time to roll dice. Here we will see a two-on-one conflict. Order of raises is determined by dice each round, not necessarily by precise narrative flow. Note that Cy has to respond to twice as many raises as the Dogs do.)
Stake: Persuade Cyrus that marriage to Edie is out of the question.
Z: We can't marry you.
EW: The law and the book of life say a woman shall cleave to a man, not men.
Cy: The king of life wouldn't make us happy if we weren't meant to be together.
EW: Why do you believe that taking another's wife is the will of the king of life? The book is clear; you ignored it for your own lustful purposes.
Cy: (shoves Dogs toward door)
Z: Look, I don't want to hurt you, but I can't let you attack the Dogs! (esc to fight; punching is easier than talking) (slams table into Cy and uses a foot to trip him)
Cy gives. Z is indignant -- how could an officer of the law act this way? He pounds his fist on Cy's table a few more times.
Cy: Get out! You've destroyed my marriage; now leave me alone.
(Z has fallout from the fight in the form of a short-term trait: embarrassed he lost control 1d4. Cy is injured but will heal without medical attention.)
* * *
Meanwhile, Emily and Carrie return to Jeremiah's house to speak with Bethiah.
EB: J, may we speak with B alone?
J: Certainly. Is something wrong?
EB: Maybe.
J: If you must. (Withdraws.)
EB to B: There are some frightening things going on in this town. Sister W unlawfully married Edie and Cyrus.
B: What did I tell you?! She doesn't belong in this house.
EB: I'm trying to help; don't be upset with me.
B: I'm not mad at you; it's that trumpet!
EB: It's being resolved, but I'm still worried. I hope you can shed some light.
B: What else has she done?
C: (notes garbled; sorry)
B: One husband is quite enough for me.
EB: What else have you seen amiss?
B: I'm a decent woman; I don't go looking for touble.
EB: The devil works in mysterious ways.
C: Do you know Sister W?
B: Who? Oh, I think she has a shop?
C: What kind?
B: Notions? I've never been there.
C: Do you know anything else about her?
B: No.
C: I won't beat around the bush. You've been accused of sorcery. Do any women have cause to dislike you?
B: I'll swear on your holy book that I'm no sorceror! (She does so on C's excellent book with no ill effects.)
C: I believe you. Do you know who might be a sorceror?
B: I had no idea we had such problems.
EW: (hugs her and cries)
J, bursting in: I heard what you said about Edie. I went to see her and she's not here. I think she went to Sister W's shop.
(Aside: One of the players was going to have to leave before much longer, so that last comment was the GM accelerating things so we could come to a good stopping point.)
* * *
EB and C rush to Sister W's shop, meeting EW and Z en route and telling them to come along. (EB to Z: you look angry...)
The group arrives at the shop, which is closed. Someone knocks; there is no answer. EB says she might be able to pick the lock; Z says we better make sure they can't run out the back door and goes around the building just in case. C follows.
EB manages to pick the lock and hears faint chanting coming from the back of the building. EW rounds everyone up.
(C: Z, calm down. Talk first. Z grits teeth and replies, I'll try.)
The Dogs walk into a darkened room. Sister Willaminna (SW) and Edie are sitting in a circle, ringed with candles, chanting. The room is ringed with curtains bearing mystical symbols.
SW: May the king of life grant that Edie may have the fertility we have stolen.
EW: Stop this unholy ceremony at once! You are under arrest by the authority of the Dogs.
C: This is an abomination to the king of life.
EB: You would take life to give it?
Z: How - dare - you!
SW turns, hisses: Begone! You are not welcome here.
(No formal declaration was needed for the fight; it was pretty clear that it was time to roll dice and what the stakes were.)
Z: Stop now in the name of the king of life. You have three seconds before I get angry.
EB: You've taken a life to give a life. This is an abomination!
EW: You are under arrest. Cease now and submit.
SW: (Eyes are glowing, mouth looks distorted, bellows) I took care of this girl when no one else did; don't you dare speak to me thus! Spirits, drive from me this pestilence! (esc physical) (waves arm, and flames from candles shoot toward Dogs)
C: (flings sacred earth at SW.)
Edie: (esc physical) (claws and scratches at C) He's mine! Mine, I tell you!
(Thus ends round one.)
EW: Sorcerors shall not prosper. Submit to the king of life and lay down your demonic influence.
SW: Burn, you uncharitable wretches! (flames flash out)
Edie: (claw and bite C)
Z: I have two fists and two targets; what could be more obvious? (punches both)
EB: I'm a Dog and I command you to stop! (no violence)
(Looking at the dice it was obvious that SW would be giving very soon, so we jumped to that.)
All of the Dogs took fallout and all ended up injured. We didn't work through all the details there.
Properly speaking, the Dogs should have handed out judgements to resolve the story. The players didn't have time at this session.
The game is set in "a West that never quite was" - loosely based on the Mormon State of Deseret in pre-statehood Utah. Players are "God's Watchdogs" (Dogs), who travel from town to town delivering mail, helping out the community and enforcing the judgments of the True Faith of the King of Life. This may involve anything from delivering new interpretations to the town's Steward to executing heretics. Dogs have absolute authority within the Faith, but not within the laws of the Territorial Authority, and so their actions can lead to conflict with the government in the East.
Four of us played this time; two of us (plus the GM) had played once before. I chronicled that game here, so it seemed natural for me to try to record this one too. This will be long.
Characters
Earnest Worthington came from the east, having heard the rumors about how the streets were paved with gold and silver. He just wanted to get rich. Once out west and faced with reality (silver comes from underground and you have to work for it?), he was aimless for a while before being taken in by a local family. From them he learned the faith (earnestly, one might say) and eventually converted. He is older than average for Dogs.
Strong history. Traits include: my pen is my sword (2d10), the law guides the people (2d6), I shoot when I must (3d4).
Initiation stake: "I hope I feel like I belong."
The master calls Earnest into his office. Word has come from Silver Falls: John Saunders (head of the family that took Earnest in) is very ill and would like to see you before it's too late. (raise)
- Earnest: I'm not part of that family; why do they want me? (dodge)
E: They'd be happier with their own kin. (raise)
- (reverse the blow; see next raise)
Master: They've taken you in as kin, son; don't you think they know what they're doing? Go!
- (takes the blow; there will be fallout)
Earnest travels to the family. He arrives to find not a sick man but a funeral.
E: feels very out of place.
- Lisa (John's wife) opens her arms for a hug and is crestfallen (notes ambiguous here) (reverse blow)
Lisa: Please come with us. We both cared so much for you; won't you be one of the pallbearers to support him the way he supported you? (twist that knife :-) )
- E: Surely there's someone else; I'm not a Saunders. (dodge; E has one die left.)
E: I'm not really even a believer; I'm not from here.
- Lisa embraces him. It doesn't matter what you were; you're a Sunders now. (reverse)
Editor's note: One thing the players found difficult was that for some of the initiation stakes, like this one, the player wanted to lose, but we wanted to play honestly given the dice we had. Similarly, there are times when (as a player) you want to take the blow, because that's how character growth happens, but you also want to play characters plausibly. I don't have any great insights on this problem yet.
* * *
Zachariah Eliezer Kane grew up in the faith and was neither enthusiastic for it nor rebellious against it. It's just what you do, he figures. He wasn't a bad kid, really; there were always perfectly valid reasons that he ended up in scuffles with other kids, like the time the kid next door insulted his mother. You can't go around insultin' people's mommas, y'know? So of course he had to deck the kid. His childhood was filled with that sort of thing until, finally, his parents sent him off to the Dogs to be their challenge for a while (err, for them to teach him).
Well-balanced, will 8 (highest starting stat in the game). Traits include: it's easier to punch than talk (2d6), can improvise weapons and defense (2d8), reluctant to really harm (1d4), family above all (2d6).
Initiation stake: "I hope I learned to hold my temper."
Elder Bartholomew calls Zachariah into his office. I've been hearing dismaying things about your family background; your education coming here was poor -- derilect.
- (reverse; see below)
Z: Are you saying my momma didn't teach me right?
- (block; see below)
B: I'm sure she did the best she could with the available material.
- Oof. (take the blow)
Z: Look, elder, this is the way the King of Life made me.
- No, not completely. You must learn to control your temper. (out of dice)
Because Bartholomew is out of dice Zachariah wins the conflict (not what Zachariah's player wanted). The new trait (initiation always produces a trait) is "I am still trying to control my temper".
Editor's note: The game mechanic calls for a raise and a response, and then the other character gets to raise (and the first responds), and so on. Each of these actions, in addition to consuming dice, calls for narrative. In practice, though, we were often finding that the responses fed into the next raise, which is why my notes sometimes just handwave past a place where you might have expected dialogue. It makes for less-forced storytelling, but sloppier notes. :-)
* * *
Emily Brown is a fixer, a handyman (unusual for a girl), and a maker of things. Her father is a gunsmith and she spent a lot of time learning from him. The Dogs are a lot more open to the idea of competent women than the general society is, so Emily was happy to join up.
Strong history. Traits include work with my hands (2d10), I'll use a gun if my hammer isn't handy (1d8), I'm a dog (2d8), gussy up for the party (1d6).
Initiation stake: "I hope I improved on my father's gun."
(This event occurred before entering training with the Dogs.)
Emily is in the workshop while her father is away. She has some ideas for improvements and is working on a gun by herself. When her father returns she shows her handiwork to him.
E: Welcome back. Here's the gun you asked me to make.
- Dad: this doesn't look a thing like what I taught you! (reverse)
Dad: Why didn't you do what you were told?
- E: I did it for your honor, to make you look good. (dodge)
E: I've made improvements. Look --
- Dad: I guess you have a point, but what matters is if it's known and trusted to shoot straight. (block)
Dad: You've done no testing here; this is just tomfoolery.
- E: You improved on grandpa's techniques too. (block)
E: Look, I traded Mister Jenkins for this special part, which makes all the difference.
- Dad: well, I suppose it's ok (out of dice)
* * *
Carrie (Caroline) Alden is an orphan. She was raised in the orphanage, where she became a responsible worker early on. She feels a strong bond with everyone there, and it's assumed that someday she will take over running the place.
Strong community. Heart 6. Traits include: I am compassionate and good at talking to folks (2d8), I know first aid and can lay on hands (2d6), I believe the weak should be protected. Equipment includes an excellent first-aid kit and an excellent (antique) book of life.
Initiation stake: "I hope I can learn to shoot a gun."
(Aside: I use the notation "*" when the "opponent" is the world or something similarly nebulous.)
Carrie is on the firing range with her instructor.
C: shoots down-range.
- (reverse)
*: the bullet ricochets and flies back past her, grazing her shoulder.
- (take blow) (instructor dives for cover)
C: applies first aid, then grits teeth and takes another shot
- (reverse)
*: misfire; there's a small powder explosion and the bullet is jammed in the gun.
- C: give
New trait: guns are never the answer.
Editor's meta-comment: character-generation sure does take a long time. It's a rich process, but by definition sequentially solitary, which at the beginning of a session can leave people itching to get involved.
Adventure
As with my write-up of the previous game, this is going to be more notes than fully-formed narrative. Fortunately, most of the action is covered in dialogue and conflicts.
The Dogs arrive for a routine circuit visit to Tower Creek, a farming town built around (you guessed it) a notable creek. The group is met by Steward Jeremiah, who introduces his first wife, Bethiah. Where's Sister Edie, he asks her. Tending the chickens; I'll call her. (She steps out.) In response to some quizzical looks, Jeremiah explains that he has been blessed by the king of life with two wives. More chit-chat happens.
Jer: I'd be obliged if you could give Sister Edie a blessing while you're here. You see, she's been barren.
Carrie: The king of life gives children when ready, but we will bless her. How long have you been married?
Bethiah (walking back in): 14 years for J and me, and we have two fine sons who are out in the fields working.
Emily Brown (henceforth EB), fidgetting: Got anything that needs fixing?
B: Come take a look at the well with me; it's been acting up. (They leave.)
* * *
At the well it's obvious that nothing's really wrong.
B: Sister Emily, could I prevail on you to talk with Jeremiah about Edie? She's just not right for this house.
EB: (oh, boy...) Well, I think the well really does need fixing.
(Relationship added right now: B is EB's cousin.)
EB: When did you meet Edie?
B: She lives in town. I guess she's nice enough... (the insincerity was pretty obvious)
EB: C'mon, you can be open with kin.
B: J and I were happy. We don't need her.
EB: He does have the right to marry another, doesn't he?
B: The bishop did approve, but he shouldn't have -- J should have been content with me.
EB: I'll see what I can do; I think I brought the right tools.
B: Thank you; the well is flowing smoothly now.
* * *
Back at the house...
Earnest (henceforth EW): How long ago did you marry Edie?
J: Two years come spring.
EW: It reflects well on your stewardship.
Z: Is it dire yet? Less than two years without a child isn't unusual.
J: I came to Edie once and she was crying, saying if only she had a son...
Z: My momma waited three years before she had me; try to urge patience.
J: She'd like the blessing.
Z: Yes, of course. We can ask for a blessing, but we can't control the king of life.
EW: How old are your sons?
J: Amos is 13 and Hezikiah is 11.
C: Are the ladies getting along? There's an adjustment period with any marriage, more with a second.
J: I thought they were; maybe I'm wrong.
C: Mind if I talk with Edie?
* * *
Carrie walks out back to the chicken coop.
Edie: Oh, hi! I didn't know anyone was here.
C: (introduction)
Edie: I'm so glad you're here. My husband keeps worrying and fretting, hoping you'll show up. I know that our marriage was properly solemnized by Sister Willaminna, but he wants us to be married by Dogs to make sure everything's official.
C: How long have you been married?
Edie: Brother Cyrus and I are married three months.
(Players: !!! :-) )
C: Does J know about your second husband?
Edie: We barely see each other these days. I live in J's house, of course, but Cy and I see each other as much as possible.
C: A woman is permitted but one husbnad, so says the book of life.
Edie: Sister W explained it to me. She said it's ok.
C: (swallows hard) Who is Sister W?
Edie: I think she used to be a Dog. She lives here, makes her herbs and teas. I thought the king of life struck me barren because I was being unfaithful, but Sister W helped me figure out that if I married him too, I wouldn't be being unfaithful and the king of life would lift the curse.
C: Are Cy and Sister W kin?
Edie: she might be Cy's aunt or cousin?
C: Does Cy have other wives?
Edie: No.
C: We're going to need to talk more. Only a Dog or a pastor can marry you.
(GM: Time to roll dice.)
Stake: Does Edie think she is legally married?
C: Only a Dog or a pastor can marry you.
- Edie: You must be mistaken. (block)
Edie: I love both my husbands very much, even if J doesn't have time for me. I'm happy with both of them.
- C: flicks Dogs coat as a gesture of authority (take blow)
C: In the book of life it says a woman shall cleave to her husband -- one, singular.
- Edie: (looks shaken) (take blow)
Edie: Sister W said I had to marry Cy or I'd stay barren.
- C: My dear, that is not the answer. I will help you. I can understand, and I'm here to help you. (block)
C: Will you let me help you?
- Edie: (block; see below)
Edie: If you really want to help me, help Sister W help me have my baby! (trait: need child)
- C: I can't promise but I will try (give)
* * *
Jeremiah, Earnest, and Zachariah are still talking in the house when there is an urgent knock at the door. J opens the door to a sobbing woman who is on the edge of breaking down.
J: Sister Avagail, what's wrong?
A: My poor baby! The doctor said I was doing just fine yesterday and now he's gone!
Z: Gone?!
J: (comforts ineffectively)
A: You're Dogs! Will you name my baby so he can get into heaven?
Z: Of course. What happened?
A: I felt it jump yesterday, and today -- dead!
Z: You poor dear! Have you seen the doctor yet?
(Editor's note: there had been some confusion here; the GM somehow made it clear she was talking about a miscarriage, not a still womb. I didn't note how that happened, though.)
A: It won't help -- this is sorcery!
EW: Who's your husband?
A: Brother Jacob.
Z: Please, sit. We'll fetch your husband. (To J: Can we fetch Brother Jacob? His wife is in distress. He needs to be here. J: will send someone.)
EW: Sorcery?
A: (looking around and seeming to realize her surroundings for the first time) Oh no, not in this house! I have to leave here!
Z: Ok, we'll go outside.
As they walk outside Carrie and Emily return. The Dogs beg leave from Jer to escort Avagail home.
(At her house:)
A: Quick, you have sacred earth -- bless the door so her influence can't get in!
C: Whose?
A: In the placenta there was a clear letter "B" -- her mark!
EW: Where is the child?
A: In the crib Jacob made. (sob)
EW and C go to the crib. EB closes the shutters and performs a ritual of warding. C sprinkles sacred earth over the crib and chants prayers. C and EW clearly see the "B".
Z: Who is "B"?
A: It's Sister... the steward's wife. Don't say the sorceror's name; it gives her power.
Z: Why would she want to harm you?
A: Because she's evil.
Z: That's a stong charge. Why do you say so?
A: She killed my baby!
Z: Why you?
A: I never did anything to her -- she's so proud of being the Steward's wife; why does she need to pick on me?
EW: Has she done other evil acts?
A: (blubber) (interpreted as "no")
Brother Jacob arrives. He looks shocked, flabberghasted, and broken. The Dogs make way so he can comfort his wife, and they exchange helpless glances.
EB (to Dogs): My cousin is not a witch.
* * *
The Dogs withdraw. There is a quick huddle -- where can we go to talk? Is there a church? Someone says we're welocme at Jer's house. Right, someone else says -- to the church, then.
The church is not otherwise occupied, so the Dogs are able to meet privately. They share the various information they've gathered. Z suggests they could beat the truth out of Sister W.
Need to talk to: Bethiah, Sister W, Cyrus. Decide: women will go to Bethiah, men to Cyrus.
* * *
Brother Cyrus is the deputy sheriff, so he's pretty easy to find at the town center. EW and Z greet him and request a private meeting. He invites them into his office.
Cy: I'm happy to help the Dogs. What's wrong with Sister A?
EW: Her baby was stillborn. What a tragedy. (Cy expresses regret.) How long have you been deputy?
Cy: 8 years.
Z: You must know the doings in town pretty well, then.
Cy: Well, I don't like to pry, but yeah. A and Jacob are fine folks.
EW: Are you married? Kids?
Cy: Is this about Edie and me? I'm not sure about Sister W, and I want you to marry us right.
EW: Isn't Edie already married?
Cy: She said it didn't count -- so little time with him.
EW: Who did your wedding? (Sister W.) And the steward's wedding to her? (A Dog.)
Z: You don't trust Sister W; why'd you use her?
Cy: Edie wanted it so badly.
Z: You're an upstanding member of the community; you must know your scripture. Were you tricked?
Cy: I'm not much for book-learning. Edie said it was ok.
EW: You shouldn't be asking us for marriage but for forgiveness. Did you know her before a few months ago?
Cy: No...
Z: We could anul...
(GM: time to roll dice. Here we will see a two-on-one conflict. Order of raises is determined by dice each round, not necessarily by precise narrative flow. Note that Cy has to respond to twice as many raises as the Dogs do.)
Stake: Persuade Cyrus that marriage to Edie is out of the question.
Z: We can't marry you.
- Cy: It's my Edie! (block)
EW: The law and the book of life say a woman shall cleave to a man, not men.
- (looks sucker-punched) (take blow)
Cy: The king of life wouldn't make us happy if we weren't meant to be together.
- EW: The king of life doesn't demand happiness. (block)
- Z: (take blow) (Z's dice suck)
EW: Why do you believe that taking another's wife is the will of the king of life? The book is clear; you ignored it for your own lustful purposes.
- Cy: (escalates to physical) Her supposed husband wouldn't give her the time of day -- bug off! (block)
Cy: (shoves Dogs toward door)
- EW: (avoids escalation) You're bound by the law, sheriff. (block)
- Z: (esc.) picks up small table and uses it to block Cy's push. (block)
Z: Look, I don't want to hurt you, but I can't let you attack the Dogs! (esc to fight; punching is easier than talking) (slams table into Cy and uses a foot to trip him)
- Cy: (falls to ground) (take blow)
Cy gives. Z is indignant -- how could an officer of the law act this way? He pounds his fist on Cy's table a few more times.
Cy: Get out! You've destroyed my marriage; now leave me alone.
(Z has fallout from the fight in the form of a short-term trait: embarrassed he lost control 1d4. Cy is injured but will heal without medical attention.)
* * *
Meanwhile, Emily and Carrie return to Jeremiah's house to speak with Bethiah.
EB: J, may we speak with B alone?
J: Certainly. Is something wrong?
EB: Maybe.
J: If you must. (Withdraws.)
EB to B: There are some frightening things going on in this town. Sister W unlawfully married Edie and Cyrus.
B: What did I tell you?! She doesn't belong in this house.
EB: I'm trying to help; don't be upset with me.
B: I'm not mad at you; it's that trumpet!
EB: It's being resolved, but I'm still worried. I hope you can shed some light.
B: What else has she done?
C: (notes garbled; sorry)
B: One husband is quite enough for me.
EB: What else have you seen amiss?
B: I'm a decent woman; I don't go looking for touble.
EB: The devil works in mysterious ways.
C: Do you know Sister W?
B: Who? Oh, I think she has a shop?
C: What kind?
B: Notions? I've never been there.
C: Do you know anything else about her?
B: No.
C: I won't beat around the bush. You've been accused of sorcery. Do any women have cause to dislike you?
B: I'll swear on your holy book that I'm no sorceror! (She does so on C's excellent book with no ill effects.)
C: I believe you. Do you know who might be a sorceror?
B: I had no idea we had such problems.
EW: (hugs her and cries)
J, bursting in: I heard what you said about Edie. I went to see her and she's not here. I think she went to Sister W's shop.
(Aside: One of the players was going to have to leave before much longer, so that last comment was the GM accelerating things so we could come to a good stopping point.)
* * *
EB and C rush to Sister W's shop, meeting EW and Z en route and telling them to come along. (EB to Z: you look angry...)
The group arrives at the shop, which is closed. Someone knocks; there is no answer. EB says she might be able to pick the lock; Z says we better make sure they can't run out the back door and goes around the building just in case. C follows.
EB manages to pick the lock and hears faint chanting coming from the back of the building. EW rounds everyone up.
(C: Z, calm down. Talk first. Z grits teeth and replies, I'll try.)
The Dogs walk into a darkened room. Sister Willaminna (SW) and Edie are sitting in a circle, ringed with candles, chanting. The room is ringed with curtains bearing mystical symbols.
SW: May the king of life grant that Edie may have the fertility we have stolen.
EW: Stop this unholy ceremony at once! You are under arrest by the authority of the Dogs.
C: This is an abomination to the king of life.
EB: You would take life to give it?
Z: How - dare - you!
SW turns, hisses: Begone! You are not welcome here.
(No formal declaration was needed for the fight; it was pretty clear that it was time to roll dice and what the stakes were.)
Z: Stop now in the name of the king of life. You have three seconds before I get angry.
- SW: (take blow)
- Edie: (take blow)
EB: You've taken a life to give a life. This is an abomination!
- SW: I took care of this girl... (block; see below)
- Edie: (take blow)
EW: You are under arrest. Cease now and submit.
- Edie: You come here to tear me and both my husbands apart! (take blow)
- SW: (glowers) (block)
SW: (Eyes are glowing, mouth looks distorted, bellows) I took care of this girl when no one else did; don't you dare speak to me thus! Spirits, drive from me this pestilence! (esc physical) (waves arm, and flames from candles shoot toward Dogs)
- Z: (esc physical) (grabs curtain to fling at flames (take blow)
- C, EB, EW: (take blow)
C: (flings sacred earth at SW.)
- SW: (take blow)
Edie: (esc physical) (claws and scratches at C) He's mine! Mine, I tell you!
- C: (block)
(Thus ends round one.)
EW: Sorcerors shall not prosper. Submit to the king of life and lay down your demonic influence.
- SW: Demons are just misunderestood. (block)
- Edie: Damn, I really am consorting with demons... (take blow)
SW: Burn, you uncharitable wretches! (flames flash out)
- EW: (commands flames to stop) (dodge)
- EB, Z: (dodge)
- C: (take blow)
Edie: (claw and bite C)
- C: (take blow)
Z: I have two fists and two targets; what could be more obvious? (punches both)
- Edie: (block)
- SW: (take blow)
EB: I'm a Dog and I command you to stop! (no violence)
- SW: paralyzed for a moment (take blow)
- Edie: (collapses, sobbing) (give - no dice)
(Looking at the dice it was obvious that SW would be giving very soon, so we jumped to that.)
All of the Dogs took fallout and all ended up injured. We didn't work through all the details there.
Properly speaking, the Dogs should have handed out judgements to resolve the story. The players didn't have time at this session.