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rename and move my solo campaign

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Title: Strata: C-I. Shadows of the Past
Description: A solo Cypher System campaign by bss.
Footer: Numenera, the Cypher System, No Thank You, Evil!, Invisible Sun, and their respective logos are
trademarks of Monte Cook Games, LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. All Monte Cook Games
characters and character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof, are trademarks of Monte
Cook Games, LLC. Content derived from Monte Cook Games publications is © 2013-2022 Monte Cook
Games, LLC. <a href="/cypher/fan-use-policy">Full Disclaimer</a>.
# Shadows of the Past
> I started by rolling for my two cyphers, disguise module and heat attack.
Cyne crawls through the muddy ditch, rain beating on his cloak and furthering the miserable conditions he finds himself
in, attempting to evade the local guard searching for him. His previous attempts to slip into the library in plain sight
having failed, his next plan was to attempt a night infiltration, where he now finds himself ducking from alley to
alley, hiding in ditches, and the like, until he can no longer hear the guards. He must give them every sense that what
they saw was just an errant townsperson, or perhaps a figment of their imagination, before he can continue.
> The guard is decent but not amazing, I figure, so let's call them level 3, but it's dark and rainy, and Cyne is
> trained in sneaking, so eased two steps...
>
> 1d20 = 2; **failure**
>
> welp
The guard, three of them in the immediate area, find Cyne, who pulls himself out of the muck while he is surrounded,
raising his arms slightly, in a somewhat insincere surrender. *What is my move here?* he wonders. *There's always
lying...*
"Just on my way home," Cyne somewhat awkwardly sputters, definitely not prepared with a practiced lie.
> D3 Intellect task, hindered one: 1d20 = 11; **failure**
The guards are not buying it, and begin to close in. *I don't need to kill them,* Cyne thinks, drawing his greatsword
from overhead, attempting to get the jump on them. *But I do need to get out of here.*
> D3 Speed task for initiative: 1d20 = 16; **success**
>
> D3 Might to hit a guard, one level of effort, also using Charge Weapon: 1d20 = 5; **failure**; 3-1 Might, 2-1
> Intellect cost (current levels: Might 13, Speed 10, Intellect 12)
>
> geez
Cyne strikes first, rushing in for the attack, but slightly misses, unable to make contact. His enchanted blade hums
with energy, but strikes nothing but air.
> Three attacks from the guards, going to take things one at a time. D3 Speed defense, with one level of training.
>
> 1d20 = 6; **success**, 1d20 = 14; **success**; 1d20 = 14; **success**
>
> let's just roll right into another attack, trying to get something going here. Cyne attacks again, same as last time
>
> D3 Might to hit a guard, one level of effort, also using Charge Weapon: 1d20 = 1; **fumble**; 3-1 Might, 2-1
> Intellect cost (current levels: Might 11, Speed 10, Intellect 11)
>
> you've got to be kidding me
Cyne and the guards trade ineffective blows, Cyne deftly dodging, and the guard focused on by Cyne deftly side-stepping
his blow. Misfortune seems to beget misfortune, as another guard spots the melee in the process, joining in and adding
to the list of attackers.
> Attacks from the now four guards. 11, 20, 2, and 19.
>
> New stats after the damage: Might 8, Speed 10, Intellect 11
Continuing to dodge blows, Cyne gives the second attacking guard a quick slip, causing him to lose his balance and fall
face-first into the mud and muck of the alley. *A bit of luck, finally,* thinks Cyne. And then, just as suddenly, a
guard finally makes contact, striking Cyne. The last guard also misses.
> D3 Might to hit the prone guard, one level of effort, also eased a step as the guard is prone, also using Charge
> Weapon: 1d20 = 11; **success**; 3-1 Might, 2-1 Intellect cost (current levels: Might 6, Speed 10, Intellect 10)
>
> Guard takes 9 damage and is incapacitated in one blow.
Cyne finally strikes, landing a strong blow on the guard who slipped, dropping him. *This is stretching me further than
I hoped it would...* thinks Cyne, as he prepares to dodge another batch of attacks.
> D3 Speed eased one from training: 19, 19, 6
Two guards slip on the muck, not falling, but losing their focus for a moment. Their defenses aren't lowered, but they
may have a harder time striking Cyne for a moment, letting him focus on the remaining guard.
> D3 Might to hit the unslipped guard, also using Charge
> Weapon: 1d20 = 9; **success**; 2-1 Intellect cost (current levels: Might 6, Speed 10, Intellect 9)
>
> Guard takes 9 damage and is incapacitated in one blow.
Another guard taken care of, Cyne prepares for the next batch of attacks, though the guards' off-balance attacks are
especially awkward and ineffective...
> D3 Speed eased one from training, and one from the guards being off-balance: 12, 11
...and dodged easily. *This is getting to be a distraction,* thinks Cyne, still intending to get into the library
tonight. *One more.*
> D3 Might to hit one of the two remaining guards, also using Charge
> Weapon: 1d20 = 1; **fumble**; 2-1 Intellect cost (current levels: Might 6, Speed 10, Intellect 8)
>
> "you've got to be kidding me" x2
However, his attempt to take out a remaining guard and make a quick getaway backfires completely, as Cyne loses his
balance and falls straight on his face in the muck. The stench of mud and waste is momentarily overwhelming, and his
defenses are completely lowered for a moment, allowing the guards a perfect opportunity to strike.
Knowing this may be the end of his adventure if he's captured here and now, Cyne strains himself to dodge as best as he
can from the ground, as the guards rain blows.
> D3 Speed eased one from training, hindered one from being prone, and with one level of effort: 1 **fumble** again!?
> does my dice rolling bot need looking at?
>
> 5 damage from the hit, and -3 Speed from the effort: current levels: Might 1, Speed 7, Intellect 8
>
> D3 Speed eased one from training, hindered one from being prone, and with one level of effort: 3 **failure** oh boy...
>
> Might 0, Speed 2, Intellect 8
>
> That brings me to **Impaired** and without much room to spare. (Effort costs 1 extra per level, minor/major effects
> lost, and bonus damage is reduced to 1)
*urk --- The guard's not letting up!* Cyne's options are limited, still on his back, fighting against the weight of the
mud seeping into his clothes. He has no choice but to be conservative, and hope for a bit of luck; he picks himself up,
to prepare for the next round of blows, and does his best to prepare.
> D3 Speed defense roll, eased one from training: 7 **success**, 10 **success**.
*Okay, breathe. This isn't over yet.*
> 1d6+1 first heal: 7, thank god. new levels: Might 7, Speed 2, Intellect 8, back to **Hale**. I figure this way I can
> take two hits and still stay out of Impaired state.
Cyne takes a moment to catch his breath, and feeling just a bit smug despite his circumstances, quips, "any chance we
can just call this a draw?" The guards, however, are not interested in the offer.
> D3 Speed defense roll, eased one from training: 8 **success**, 17 **success**.
"Okay then, fine. I guess we'll continue doing things this way."
> D3 Might to hit one of the two remaining guards, also using Charge Weapon: 1d20 = 10; **success**; 9 points of damage
> so another guard drops; 2-1 Intellect cost (current levels: Might 7, Speed 2, Intellect 7)
Definitely feeling more than a bit lucky, Cyne steps forward and --- *finally*, he thinks --- connects with his
enchanted greatsword, causing another guard to crumple to the ground, incapacitated. The numbers are finally in his
favor, but he still has one guard to worry about.
> D3 Speed defense roll, eased one from training: 19 **success with minor effect**. Perfect, glad I healed, too, so I
> get soemthing to take advantage of --- a window of opportunity!
The remaining guard swings wildly at Cyne, missing and losing his footing. This is Cyne's opportunity to put distance
between himself and the one remaining guard again, and he quickly takes off. He is winded, reeling from multiple blows
from the guards, and perhaps even weighed down by the mud he collected on his clothes --- he can't rely on extra effort
at this point, drawing instead on whatever natural ability he has left.
> D3 Speed task to flee and lose the remaining guard: 19 **success with minor effect**. yesssss
Cyne gets away, quickly losing the remaining guard chasing him, and even finding a discrete, covered corner in the alley
to gather himself in. He takes some time to ensure he has lost the last guard, and tends to his wounds --- wraps,
mostly, he is not exactly a field medic.
> 1d6+1 second heal: 2. well I guess that offsets the amazing first roll, which I definitely needed. Might 7, Speed 4,
> Intellect 8.
Having collected himself, Cyne turns his attention to infiltrating the library. The Grand Library of Berna is known for
its collection of works related to lost civilizations, and it is little more than a hunch that brought Cyne there, but
the best lead he has at the moment. Pulling his hood back up over his head, both to shield himself from the rain and to
dodge any remaining bits of attention, he approaches the library.
The battle with the guards certainly took a toll on him, and as he approaches, he goes over his plan one last time. He
has one shot at this, he figures, after some pushy talking during the day, if he can't get in and out tonight, he'll
likely have heightened the security and scrutiny over the archives for a while. He needs to navigate a series of walls
and peaks to get into an area of the library that is less protected, and then use his knowledge of the wards inside to
get back down to the archives without causing any issues. Accomplishing that should net him four, five hours to check
his item against some records.
> Difficulty 4 Speed task to jump multiple walls, scale walls, and so on, to enter the library, eased by one with a
> level of Effort: 1d20 = 1; **fumble**.
>
> what the hell
>
> I think I can treat the fumble as an extra d6 of damage as he falls somewhere in the process before getting in. 1d6 =
> 1. -3 Speed expended, -1 Might damage, putting Cyne at Might 6, Speed 1, Intellect 8
The plan fails spectacularly, and Cyne quickly finds himself injured further and with no choice but to slink back into
the shadows, dejected. His ankle sprained and with no more time to rest, he must rest and regroup while coming up with a
new plan.
Cyne checks his pack again, specifically a piece of parchment found among his things in storage before he left Dirge. It
bears a strange and elaborate crest, suggesting a notoriety of some sort, but the style is unusual and flared, and not
the sort of art Cyne is familiar with.
> todo: two recovery rolls, come up with a plan B to get this information
>
> resting (sleeping in an alley): Difficulty 2 Intellect, eased 1 by training: 17; **success**
>
> 2#1d6+1 heals: 3, 5. healing up to Might 6, Speed 4, Intellect 13.
Easily enough, Cyne finds a dry alley to hunker down in for the night, and has a moderately restful night. As he sleeps,
he dreams of purple crystal cities illuminated by aurorae, a common albeit unexplained dream. He wakes, and begins his
search anew for a way into the library. Considering the direct approach --- or approaches --- did not yield anything,
his next shot is to see if he can find his way through the labyrinth of tunnels underneath Berna, but not in the
condition he is in this day.

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Title: Cyne Valbrook
Description: The subject of the Cyne Cycle in bss's Cypher System solo campaign Strata.
Footer: Numenera, the Cypher System, No Thank You, Evil!, Invisible Sun, and their respective logos are
trademarks of Monte Cook Games, LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. All Monte Cook Games
characters and character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof, are trademarks of Monte
Cook Games, LLC. Content derived from Monte Cook Games publications is © 2013-2022 Monte Cook
Games, LLC. <a href="/cypher/fan-use-policy">Full Disclaimer</a>.
# Cyne Valbrook
Cyne Valbrook is an intelligent and exiled spellsword [warrior flavored with magic] who wields an enchanted weapon. Once
the ward of the headmaster of prominent military college in the city of Dirge, his interest in the arcane and eventual
melding of forbidden disciplines led to his expulsion. Since that time, he has struck out on his own.
## Cypher System Stat Block
* **Might: 15, Speed: 10, Intellect: 13**
* **Effort: 1, Might Edge: 1, Intellect Edge: 1**
* **Cypher Use:** 2 cyphers at a time.
* **Abilities**
* **Blessing of the Gods --- Sky (2 Intellect points):** You or a creature you touch can fly short distances for ten
minutes. You must land at the end of your movement, or otherwise fall. Action.
* **Blessing of the Gods --- Sun (2 Intellect points):** You cause one creature or object within short range to
catch fire, inflicting 1 point of ambient damage each round until the fire is extinguished (requiring an action).
Action.
* **Charge Weapon (2+ Intellect points):** As part of making an attack with your enchanted weapon, you charge it
with magical power, inflicting 2 additional points of energy damage. If you make more than one attack on your
turn, you choose whether to spend the cost for this ability before you make each attack. Enabler.
* **Passives**
* **Self-Reliant:** +2 to your Might Pool.
* **Smart:** +2 to your Intellect Pool.
* **Enchanted Weapon (1 Intellect point):** You attune yourself to a physical weapon. You know exactly where it
is if it is within a short distance of you, and you know its general direction and distance if farther away.
Other focus abilities require you to be wielding this weapon. Only can be attuned to one weapon at a time,
Action to initiate, ten minutes to complete. Enabler.
* **Innate Power:** When spending points to activate your focus abilities, you can spend points from your Might
Pool instead of your Intellect Pool. Enabler.
* **Combat Prowess:** +1 damage to melee weapon attacks.
* **Improved Edge:** Increase Intellect Edge stat from 0 to 1.
* **Trained Without Armor:** Trained in Speed defense tasks when not wearing armor.
* **Loner:** You gain no benefit when you get help with a task from another character who is trained or
specialized in the task.
* **Skills**
* **Trained** in Speed defense tasks when not wearing armor.
* **Trained** in knowledge of magic and the arcane.
* **Trained** in all actions that involve remembering or memorizing things you experience directly.
* **Trained** in all tasks involving sneaking.
* **Trained** in all tasks involving foraging, hunting, and finding safe places to rest or hide.
* **Practiced** with light, medium, and heavy weapons.
* **Hindered** in any task involving social interaction, due to having been on your own for so long.
* **Attacks**
* **Attuned Greatsword:** Might task, 7 points of damage.
### Arcs
* **Mysterious Background**
* Beginning the Search --- searching for information on his lineage, since his headmaster was shocked and appalled
by his interest in the arcane.
### Equipment
* **Weapons:** Greatsword [attuned], broadsword, five daggers.
* **Cyphers:** scroll of disguise [disguise module], heat attack powder
* **Clothing:** Explorer's outfit, including sturdy red shirt, often obscured by a cloak.
* **Gear:** Adventuring pack (50' rope, three days' rations, three spikes, small hammer, extra set of warm clothes, boots, three
torches), backpack, healing kit, 20 torches, tent, waterskin, ink, ink pen, lantern, 10 flasks of oil
* **Coin:** 77 gp, 4 sp, 8 cp

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Title: Strata
Description: A solo Cypher System campaign by bss.
Footer: Numenera, the Cypher System, No Thank You, Evil!, Invisible Sun, and their respective logos are
trademarks of Monte Cook Games, LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. All Monte Cook Games
characters and character names, and the distinctive likenesses thereof, are trademarks of Monte
Cook Games, LLC. Content derived from Monte Cook Games publications is © 2013-2022 Monte Cook
Games, LLC. <a href="/cypher/fan-use-policy">Full Disclaimer</a>.
# Strata
A solo Cypher System game by bss, set in the fantasy world of [Etravar](/etravar).
## Characters
* [Cyne Valbrook](cyne) is an intelligent and exiled spellsword [warrior flavored with magic] who wields an enchanted
weapon.
## Cycles
### Cyne Cycle
I started this as a writing challenge for myself, so it's a bit more "properly" written with narration and the like, but
I quickly got too busy to keep up with it in this format, so I put it down for now. Maybe I'll return to it at some
later point.
#### Session Logs/Chapters
Some style notes, my plan is to alternate between two voices and formats.
Normally-formatted text, such as this paragraph, is written in present tense, as if I was narrating GM or player
thoughts live in the course of play. Since I'm both, at the same time, there will probably be no meaningful distinction
between these two roles in the narration. Present tense just feels more natural to me for this right now, but maybe
that'll shift over time.
> Inset text, such as this, will be more about system decisions, dice rolls, asides and commentary, and so on.
> Probably far less structured here.
As such, the chapters will probably be a mix of session log and narrative prose.
* [I. Shadows of the Past](chapter-01)