Casting Shadows

The seventh day of #RPGaDay2026 gives us the prompt Mercy. The daily filter is Friday’s seemingly vanishing ‘loving and giving’ which we might think of as being truly charitable. We are closer to the end of this week’s use of ‘Intellect’ as a modifier on responses. Again, we take another step or two into Vagabonds of Dyfed’s approach to making the foundations of the hobby more accessible to a different set of players.

There are a few more things we can explore with VoD in terms of character creation and setting development. These are connections, Infamy & Glory, reputation, high-level play, and allies. Let’s look at NPC hirelings and allies tomorrow in sympathetic resonance with Saturday’s filter. We will see what happens on Sunday when Sunday happens.

So for our Merciful character, let’s produce the patron of this particular party and take the notion of mercy to mean that all of the vile or otherwise dangerous characters assembled can expect to benefit from their sacrifices here and trust that they will walk away with cleaner records than they walked in with in recognition of those services – not as payment, but in legitimate cleaning of the slate and real opportunity to start their lives again. While they may be acting out of greed, they will be treated with humanity.

If we do not lead the way to a better way and do so by personal example than we do not lead, we merely sink.

Alright, the system typically ends character progression at level 6 and outside of campaign play, that is mathematically appropriate if challenge is desired. Even in most campaigns, such an end point is perhaps enough. Some, however, require more, and are looking to achieve different ends. In those cases, progression is marked in the development of other things than vigor and martial ability (though those do not stagnate or wane). Such characters have reputations which smooth or roughen their paths, are steeped in a balance of Infamy and Glory, have connections throughout the lands they have travelled, and they have gathered together a retinue of followers and allies to help them further their goals.

So, imagine in this circle around the fire, under the deep black of the night sky with its searing scar of red said to be the spilled blood of heavenly hosts, sits a person among but yet apart. Not one of them, but one above them. Plain of dress and armament, but still obviously better dressed, armed, and armored, and served by a retinue within the retinue. While few know many within the circle, all know the founder of their feast at its center and did so long before being brought into it. This is no longer a person trying to survive day to day, or even year to year. This is a person set on establishing something upon the land. Someone set on clearing it of dangers, connecting it to the thriving civilizations farther from its frontier, and building a legacy of community and family. Their will, wit, and strength of arms have been tested and tested again. Now it is the force of folk they draw to themselves who will be tested. They will be tested, not in war against the weak, not to build the glory of another, but to undo great evil – both within and without.

Each member of the circle, each figure moving outside of its flickering light – all have been drawn here under a new banner and sworn or paid to serve a new goal. This festive night with its stories, its food, and its companionship just a hint of the rewards success will bring, and a reminder of what is at stake should the company fail. This is the last look at the world as it has been known to those gathered and the first look at the chasm between them and the future. A chasm that fills each with fear and demands of any who pass a great leap of faith. What songs will be sung of each of them if they carve this cancerous ruin off the flesh of the world to reclaim and cleanse its lost treasures? What honors will be paid to those who fall? What bright roads will open before those who do not?

There are easier jobs than this, but in the firelight, buoyed by stories and the finding of one’s place in the patronage of the would-be lord who sits among them, are there better ones?

Tomorrow is Saturday, August 8th and our prompt is Resolve in conjunction with the weekly filter of ‘Intellect’ and the daily filter of ‘working hard for a living.’

See you tomorrow!