''So-Called Heroes''
Adventure for Travelers of Tryphosa, Cooperative Mode
Concept by William Miller
Written by Rob Seib, Updated 2022 Nov 8
The townsfolk think you are heroes that saved them from disaster, but you have no idea why!
Starting Town: Genmer
[[Continue->What Heroes?]]
The sky is turning hues of orange and pink as you and your friends trudge eagerly up the path. Tired and hungry, you know the next town is just over this ridge - you see the thin streams of chimney smoke. Finally, time for some rest! You make your way to the centre of town where you can get a hot meal and warm bed. You notice people chattering excitedly, some pointing, others smiling and waving. This seems odd — you've never been here before.
You see a neighbourhood inn up ahead and increase your gait. People seem to be crowding around you more, trying to get your attention, but you're determined to keep on. As the sun dips behind the mountains, the inn begins to look even more inviting. You see warm firelight through the glass windows and people bustling about inside. The sign out front reads "The Hearth" and shows a painting of frothy ale in a wooden mug. The crowds are now pushing and shoving around you. It seems the closer you get, the thicker this sea of admirers becomes.
A break in the crowd, now is your chance! But, a horse and carriage bursts out and blocks your way. A a short, roundish man emerges from the carriage, saying, "There you are, there you are! The Heroes of Genmer! After saving us before, you have returned once more to our humble village!"
Heroes? You haven’t saved this or any other village. Are they mistaking you for someone else? Before you can respond, you are whisked away into The Hearth where they fill you with Shepherds pie, beer and entertainment until your eyelids fall shut and you drift off to dreamland.
After a long and restful sleep, you wake and enjoy the constant admiration of the people, who are coming and going from the inn to get your autographs. Some have brought you gifts!
''!! Each Character gains 1 Item card from the top of the deck.''
That morning, you enjoy entertaining dance and theatre. Each story depicts how these heroes - who look just like you - saved the village from the wrath of the nearby volcano. After being mostly dormant for years, the volcano suddenly became volatile. Ash, soot, and magma flows began destroying buildings and air quality. The heroes came along and promised to rescue the town; then they headed for the volcano and the eruptions stopped. But they never returned. You must learn more.
''!! Choose to talk to [[villagers->Villagers]], [[mayor->Mayor]], or [[town guard->Town Guard]].''You ask around. Everyone wants your autograph but most are too shy to talk to you. One little girl asks you to adopt her, but her mother quickly snatches her away. Clearly not getting anywhere, you must choose to talk to someone else.
''!! Choose to talk to [[mayor->Mayor]] or [[town guard->Town Guard]].''You visit the mayor's office and recognize him as the small, roundish man who greeted you last night. He has rosey cheeks and an unusually tall hat.
"Ah yes! I was overjoyed to hear you had returned to us! We thought you went to Brenton after solving our little problem."
He natters on about other town problems but it all seems quite uninteresting.
''!! Travel to Brenton, then [[continue here->Brenton]].''You head to the town’s front gate. Although roughly hewn, Genmer's gate is impressive, spanning the width of the canyon that leads to the volcano. You ask around. Most guards remain silent, except one bright-eyed fellow who offers you tea.
"You clearly aren't the heroes, but I like ye all the same!" he says. "Tell ya wot, you should head on over to Brenton! That's where I believe those heroes have gone that which all these folks think ye be! Just be sure you have a mighty fine Agility!"
You find this slightly confusing, but at least you know where to go next.
''!! Travel to Brenton, then [[continue here->Brenton]].''The contrast could not be more stark. While in Genmer you were treated as celebrities, here you receive scowls, mocking and even spit. Before you can make it too far, a mob forms and begins throwing rotting tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables at you!
''!! Each character must roll Agility to escape the mob. Each time one of you fails a roll, receive 1 damage (and gain Tenacity as usual).
!! Once you have 4 or more Quest Points, [[continue here->Now it's Personal]].''This is now impacting your reputation. Without any more clues, you must return to Genmer and see if they know more about the false heroes.
''!! Travel to Genmer, then [[continue here->Genmer]].''As you arrive back in Genmer, you are no longer greeted by smiling faces and excitement. Instead, the people look angry and disappointed to see you, and many ignore you altogether. When you reach town square, the mayor is waiting for you.
"How dare you come back here! You so-called heroes didn't fix the volcano at all! So we sent our guards out there to check it out and discovered a new problem: powerful man-eating lizards!"
You try to explain again that you are not the same folks. The mayor seems hesitant but agrees to listen to you if you solve their new problem. How you solve this problem, is up to you!
''!! Travel to the Volcano, then [[continue here->Volcano]].''
No sooner do you arrive at the base of the Volcano, than a pack of giant, scaly lizards emerge from a cave.
''!! Locate "Snapper Dragon" in the Creature deck.''
The lizards head straight for you! How will your respond?
''!! Choose [[capture the lizards->Capture]], [[fight the lizards->Fight]] or [[befriend the lizards->Befriend]].''''!! Each character rolls Strength to wrestle the lizards. If even 1 of you fails your roll, [[continue here->Fight]], but if you succeeded all rolls, you bind them in ropes and [[continue here->Solved]].''''!! Fight a number of Snapper Dragons equal to the number of Characters in your party. If all Characters get knocked out, you lose the game. Otherwise,having destroyed the lizards, you feel a strong sense of strength and determination.
!! Each Character gains 1 level-up!
[[!! Continue->Solved]]''You notice the lizards, while clearly powerful, are not aggressive-looking. They approach you in more of a curious fashion than a menacing one.
''!! All characters roll Charisma. If even one succeeds, [[continue here->Befriended]]. Otherwise, try something else: choose [[capture the lizards->Capture]] or [[fight the lizards->Fight]].''The lizards stop and seem surprised and pleased. They explain, "We are the guardians of the Volcano, and are tasked with keeping it docile to protect the surrounding lands. You smell much different than the others who look like you. Since they began killing us, we have been unable to do our job. From this day forward, we will consider you our friends."
''!! Take the Snapper Dragon creature card into your party as an Ally. It joins you in any future combat, until it gets knocked out. Then, [[continue here->Solved]].''Having solved Genmer's problem, you earn the people's trust. They now believe your story and inform you that their scouts have located the false heroes' hideout within the vicinity of the Volcano.
''!! Once you have 12 or more Quest Points, travel to the camp just west of
the Volcano past some mountains, then [[continue here->Final]].''Night is falling as you arrive. Some spectators from nearby towns have followed you to see what will happen. You approach what appears to be an abandoned camp with blown-open crates, ripped tents and charred remains of wood and bone scattered about. Just beyond, tall grass waves back and forth in a field. You scrounge the area and find little of interest, so you build a fire to fight the coming darkness. Not a moment later, a few dark figures emerge from the tall grass. You are stunned at what you see!
It is like looking into a mirror, but more real. Rubbing your eyes and blinking a few times does not make the image disappear. The people before you look identical to yourself in every feature, from the lines in their faces to the clothes on their back. They approach menacingly with the obvious intent to kill - you must defend yourselves!
''!! Enter combat against the false heroes. They are exact clones of your characters including attacks, abilities, equipable items and attributes. However, they don't use combat response phase, pre-combat abilities, tenacity, allies or mounts. (Use face-down creature cards to represent the enemies).
!! If all Characters get knocked out, you lose the game. Otherwise, [[continue here->Choice]].''
You have bested the false heroes! They are now on the ground before you, injured and begging for their lives.
''!! Choose [[have mercy->Mercy]] or [[have no mercy->No Mercy]].''You take their weapons and armour and tell them to leave and never return. They run off without a word.
The people of Genmer clap with gladness and bards begin to play music for you. Even a few folks from Brenton show up with baskets of rotting tomatoes, disappointed they don't get to throw them at anyone.
Here ends your adventure, and if you were not true heroes before, you have become them today. Still you wonder, will you ever see these strange copies of yourself again?
''You Win!''You swiftly put an end to the false heroes and the spectators from Genmer cheer! Even a few folks from Brenton show up with baskets of rotting tomatoes, disappointed they don't get to throw them at anyone.
You have rid the world of these so-called-heroes and cleared your name. But you have inadvertently gained another reputation: terrifying exactors of violent vengeance.
Here ends your adventure. You have done away with the false heroes. But you can't help but wonder if you have in the process become the very same?
''You Win!''