Heretic!
A man has been accused of bringing plague to the city and has been condemned to die in the ever burning flame to lift the curse. But what if he is innocent, will the holy fire be polluted by forbidden human sacrifice?
Playing the game
The players choose which character to play, someone must play the Professor and ideally Brother Ekkles. The others can be flexible according to the number of players.
The player taking on the role of the Professor must choose whether they are innocent or not. If they are they should draw a picture of a dove on a piece of paper, otherwise they draw a malign single eye. For online play they can type the answer into a document with a link that will be shared with the other players at the end of the game.
Play can be facilitated with one player taking on the role of other characters otherwise the game is GM-less with each character framing a scene according to the scene requirements. Ideally they should set up the scene to create a test of the characters involved and to try and force them to reveal something of themselves.
The Professor narrates the first scene. After this players should go as they feel inspired.
Scenario end conditions
If the Professor is guilty and is not burned then the forces of chaos and disease win.
If the Professor is innocent and is burned then the forces of chaos win a major victory as a holy site has also been desecrated.
If the Professor is guilty and is burned then the priests have won a victory over the evil forces and the plague’s hold is broken.
These conditions should be reflected in character epilogues if the player’s choose to narrate one.
Characters
Do not start with any preconceived notion of what the character is like. Let yourself be guided by the answers to the questions.
Professor Sintauzung
Questions
- In the core of your being you know whether you have truly done the work of Shallya or Nergal; who do you really serve?
- The torture of your trial has left wounds on your mind and body? How do those wounds manifest?
- Why do you fear Brother Ekkles?
- Which priest have you done a great favour for in the past?
Brother Ekkles
Questions
- Why do you have reason to believe the Professor is innocent?
- Why were you chosen for this task?
- What secret are you hiding from the other priests?
Wolflord Heine
Questions
How were you wounded in the battle to turn back the Chaos Excursion? What relic of the wolf do you carry? Who have you lost to the plague?
Gatekeeper Dieter
Questions
What rule of your priesthood have you broken? Who in your party has the eye of the raven upon them? How have you benefited from the plague?
Carter Johann
Questions
Who has paid you to transport the group? What offer would accept to betray them? Which priest do you quietly admire and why?
Scenes
Introductions
Each player, except the Professor’s player (who will have the first scene) narrates a brief description of their character and what they are doing between the end of the trial and the start of the journey. You should reflect the thoughts about your character that you have developed while answering the questions.
After you have narrated your scene the other players may choose to ask any clarifying questions they have. Try and keep these questions to just things that clarify your understanding of the character’s appearance and activities. Other questions should be reserved for the roleplaying scenes!
Here are some ideas of things the characters may be doing:
- Praying for guidance or protection
- Preparing weapons or equipment
- Buying supplies
- Reflecting on what they have learnt at the trial
- Encountering the effects of the plague
- Bidding friends or lovers goodbye
- Instructing their apprentices on what to do in their absence
- Drinking alone or with companions
Departure
Tone: Anger
After the trial the guardians set off for the sacred flame to enact the punishment that has been ordered. The victims of the plague are still dying in the city and those still living appear on the streets to vent their fury at the person that is guilty of creating such misfortune.
Scene ideas
- A mob threatens to lynch the heretic themselves. Order must be restored.
- Students of the professor try to bribe the priests to release him
- A beautiful coaching tavern offers a good start to the journey but arguments ring out.
- Someone tries to pass something to the professor, it may be a message or it may be poison. Are they an ally or an enemy?
The Forest
Tone: Threatening
The trail to the shrine goes through the dark of the woods. In the chaos of the plague banditry has become rife. In the distance inhuman horns can be heard. Are the creatures of chaos drawn to one of their own?
Scene ideas
- A forester’s cottage is on fire, arrow-filled bodies are scattered outside
- A ragged and suspicious band of travellers are camped by the path. They have come from the direction the party must travel in. Do they have helpful news?
- A corpse is hanging from a tree. The reason is unclear.
- A mysterious trading post offers supplies and seems unaffected by the troubles around it.
The Caves
Tone: Doubt
The flame burns bright and true below the ground. The way is dark and treacherous and the eyes of the gods are present here. Memories and dreams seem much closer and realer here. Whispers offer wisdom and madness in equal measure.
Scene ideas
The cart cannot travel further, how must the prisoner now be transported?
- A holy icon invokes visions of the past
- The way ahead is dark and narrow, only faith can find the right path.
- A cleft in the rock seems to descend into the underworld itself.
The Execution
Each priest must attach a shackle and chain to the heretic before manoeuvring him into the holy fire. Each must decide to do their duty and condemn the heretic.
The truth is then revealed.
Epilogues
Each player may narrate the fate of their character after this moment (except the Professor if they have been burned). The epilogue may occur immediately afterwards or much later in the characters life. It should be brief but also allows the player to resolve any hanging threads they wish to. An epilogue cannot say anything about other characters, just what has happened to the character featured.
