I finally have a break in my weekly online Swords & Wizardry game. I think the current adventure should take at least 2 more sessions to complete. So I am not working on the next one this week. Instead, I took some time to re-read the Knave rules that I previously reviewed. Then I rolled up a random character and used Lonely Knave solo rules to run a short session. The Lonely Knave rules are familiar, they use the same mechanic that most other solo systems use, closed questions with a range of outcomes from “No and” through “Yes and”. So something I am familiar with. They are a little on the light side, weighing in at only 2 pages. I prefer a few more options. I found myself running with whatever narrative sprang into my head.
Drogo The Lonely Knave
Down on his luck yet again (some might say he is cursed), Drogo is on the road headed for the next town he stumbles across. He has no coins and only 2 days of rations.
Does he find a settlement? Yes. The signpost at the edge of the village says Heyfalls. Drogo enters the village and goes about looking for work. There is a help wanted board outside the village hall but there is nothing on it. He looks up and sees the sun is starting to set. He does not have the coin to pay for lodging so he keeps looking for someone who is hiring. Outside the Bloody Dagger Tavern, he sees what looks like a thief robbing a young merchant.
Is this a set-up (unlikely)? Shake-Up. The merchant indignantly refuses to give up his purse, as Drogo approaches to help, the merchant yells out for help saying he is being attacked by thieves. The thieve stabs the merchant in the stomach and grabs at his coin purse. It spills open and gold coins fall to the cobblestones. Both Drogo and the thief drop to their knees to pick up the coins. It is at this moment that the village militia arrives.
The merchant is not dead but is confused and he names both of them as attackers. The militia place Drogo and the thief in adjoining jail cells. While waiting in the cell, Drogo learns that the thief goes by the name Knuckles. A member of the town guard feeds them in the morning and tells them they are going to hang - the young merchant died. Drogo asks Knuckles why he does not tell the truth about Drogo’s innocence and Knuckles replies with a laugh that he does not want to die alone.
The Reeve listens to Drogo’s pleading of what happened and tells him he will give him one chance to go free. Meanwhile, they haul off Knuckles and hang him. The Reeve tells Drogo he is next to be hanged or he can help the village by taking care of the threat posed by a nearby cave inhabited by goblins. Recently the goblins have been harassing the village. Given the options, Drogo immediately agrees.
Three members of the town guard escort Drogo a few miles outside of town to an ominous open cave mouth in the side of a hill. The guards hand Drogo his gear and point him toward the cave while they stay a safe distance away. Drogo slides down a slight incline and approaches the dark cave mouth. He cannot see far into the dark cave. He looks back and sees the town guard wave their spears at him with menace. SIghing, Drogo lights a torch and quietly steps into the cave.
Are there Goblin guards in the entrance cave? Yes, but. Drogo sees four goblins leaning against the wall in the cave mouth. Incredibly all four of them are asleep. GIving a silent prayer of thanks to the gods, Drogo sneaks up and stabs one of the goblins right in the chest. The goblin lets out a gurgling noise and dies.
Are the other Goblins awakened? Likely. Yes. The other three goblins awake and crawl to their feet grabbing up rusty short swords. But Drogo has caught them unaware and presses forward attempting to stab another goblin before he can stand. Drogo manages to miss! The three remaining goblins all attack Drogo, but he parried two blows with his sword and keeps one goblin and bay with his torch. Then Drogo leaps forward stabbing and killing one of the goblins. Drogo yells at the goblins hoping to cow them into surrendering. But the two goblins are not scared and spit and curse at him. One comes in low and stabs Drogo in the thigh just below his armor, the second comes high and slashes Drogo in the throat. Drogo’s life-blood sprays across the goblin in front of him. He tries to turn but everything goes black and he collapses dead.
Outside the cave, the guards watch as Drogo enters the cave. They see the bobbing torchlight as it moves into darkness. There is the sound of steel on steel and some cursing and screaming. Then there are several seconds of silence. An object is flung out of the cave mouth and they hear hooting and laughing. Drogo’s head bounces once and then rolls a few feet out of the cave.
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