Fabula Ultima – Beyond the Waves: Traces of the Past 1
Session 1 of my solo Fabula Ultima campaign.
Scene 1
Session begins!
Player generates the First Scene.
Player seeks for an Adventure Element.
Mythic answers "Traditional."
Page: 1
Section: 3
Player seeks for another Adventure Element.
Mythic answers "Medicine."
Page: 94
Section: 4
Player seeks for another Adventure Element.
Mythic answers "Disappearance."
Page: 57
Section: 5
---
Player seeks to Discover Meaning:
"What is the vibe of Grandma's house?"
Table: Domicile Descriptors
Mythic answers "Less" and "Faded."
---
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Does GRANDMA has Friendly attitude towards Izumi?"
Odds: 50/50
Mythic answers "No."
GRANDMA has "Neutral" Attitude.
GRANDMA is in "Envious" Mood.GRANDMA'S HOUSE – DAY
A small, barren room comes into view. The only furnishings are a dusty low table and an ornate antique clock resting atop it—its hands frozen in place.
Seated around the table are Eirin, Izumi, and Yana—along with an elderly woman, her sage-green hair tied in a bun, and her face tinged with annoyance.
GRANDMA
Hmm... it's not every day I get visited by my estranged granddaughter. Did your father send you?IZUMI
No, Grandma, we came here on our own. S-sorry for not visiting, Yana and I have been busy with—GRANDMA
Yes, yes, I know—busy with that school of yours. Must've been really fun swishing those flashy magic around, with people cheering and clapping for you—ugh.YANA
Yeah, it's really fun! You should join us for the upcoming game. I'll be playing!
Grandma rolls her eyes, ignoring Yana as if she's not there.
GRANDMA
And who is this girl you brought here with you?IZUMI
Oh, this is Eirin. She's... a friend from school.GRANDMA
Huh, did my little Izumi finally make another friend for herself? I can't say I'm not surprised.EIRIN
(bows) It's a pleasure to meet you.GRANDMA
Anyway, what brings you here today? I doubt it's just to visit little old me.
IZUMI chooses the "Friendly" Tone.
Rude / Friendly / Wildcard
GRANDMA reacts Negatively with the "Disagreement" Reaction.IZUMI
Ahem—so, we have a new project, and we decided to conduct some research on—GRANDMA
Is this another one of your antics with that rat again...?IZUMI
N-no! Of course not! No fire rat this time, I promise.GRANDMA
(sighs) Then what is it this time?
IZUMI chooses the "Wildcard" Tone and passes to EIRIN with the "Questioning" Tone.
Humorous / Aggressive / Wildcard
GRANDMA reacts Somewhat Negatively with the "Neutral" Reaction.IZUMI
It's—EIRIN
Have you ever seen a titan centipede here?
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Has GRANDMA seen a titan centipede?"
Odds: Very Unlikely
Mythic answers "No."GRANDMA
Uhh... no?EIRIN
But Izumi said you were around decades ago, back when the titan centipedes weren't... extinct.GRANDMA
Well, that doesn't mean I get to see them with my own eyes, dear. Though I did get to taste them.EIRIN
Taste...?GRANDMA
Yup. They make for really good cough medicine—and wine. Especially wine. People back then went crazy for it.
IZUMI chooses the "Questioning" Tone.
Questioning / Surprised / Worried
GRANDMA reacts Somewhat Positively with the "Questioning" Reaction.IZUMI
Do you at least know where they used to find the titan centipedes?GRANDMA
Hmm... by the mountainside, they said—the one past the Forbidden Forest. But you're not planning on going there, right?IZUMI
Is... something the matter?GRANDMA
Haven't you heard? There've been many disappearances in that forest lately.IZUMI
R-really? Why?GRANDMA
Monsters. Demons. Who knows? Most people nowadays don't really respect nature anymore and just go looking for trouble. So don't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong, you hear me?EIRIN & YANA
.....IZUMI
O-okay, we won't..GRANDMA
Good. Now, can you girls go home? I want to take a nap.
Player adds "Grandma" to the Characters List.
- Grandma (1)
Player adds "Travel to the mountainside by the Forbidden Forest" to the Threads List.
- Travel to the mountainside by the Forbidden Forest (1)Scene 2
Player tests the Expected Scene.
Chaos Factor: 5
Mythic declares it's an Altered Scene
Chaos Factor: 5 => 4
Player seeks for an Adventure Element.
Mythic answers "Kappa."
Page: 43
Section: 3
---
Player seeks to Discover Meaning:
"What is the vibe of the Forbidden Forest?"
Table: Forest Descriptors
Mythic answers "Warm" and "Boulder."
---
EIRIN is in "Suspicious" Mood.
YANA is in "Happy" Mood.FORBIDDEN FOREST – DAY
Dappled sunlight shines on the forest floor as the trio walks along the path, lined with moss-covered rocks and the sound of running water nearby.
YANA
(humming) What a warm and beautiful day to stretch our legs! Right Izumi?IZUMI
(whispering) Shh! You're too loud. Remember, we're not supposed to be here.YANA
Come on, it's not like anybody gonna hear us around here. Besides, you really need to relax in nature a bit! Being at school all day has made you kinda dull, you know?IZUMI
I know that... but—EIRIN
Wait!IZUMI
Huh?! W-w-what is it?!EIRIN
I sense an odd presence nearby...YANA
Ooh ooh! Where?EIRIN
There! Behind that rock! Show yourself!
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Is there only one kappa"
IZUMI spends Fabula Points to Alter the Story and declares the answer as "Yes."
FP: 3 => 2
---
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Does the KAPPA have Neutral attitude towards Izumi?"
Odds: 50/50
Mythic answers "No."
KAPPA has "Unfriendly" Attitude.
KAPPA is in "Nitpicking" Mood.
A small creature peeks out from behind the rock before slowly emerging to reveal itself. Its appearance resembles a turtle, but it stands on two legs and has an odd dish-like depression on the top of their head, filled with water.
KAPPA
Humans... loud, noisy humans.EIRIN
What... is that? It's life force feels familiar to me, yet also not.IZUMI
Oh, It's a kappa! They're creatures of the river. Never knew they were here in the Forbidden Forest.EIRIN
This creature can live in such small body of waters? Unbelievable...YANA
Now it all make sense. Alright everyone, prepare for batt—IZUMI
Yana, no!YANA
What? Don't these things drown people? No wonder people are disappearing here.IZUMI
Not all of them are malicious! This one doesn't seem to show any hostile intention.YANA
But what if he have some evil friends lurking around waiting to ambush us?!IZUMI
Don't worry, adult kappa is usually a solitary creature. Just let me talk to him, okay? Maybe he can help us out.KAPPA
.....
IZUMI chooses the "Friendly" Tone.
Friendly / Charming / Wildcard
KAPPA reacts Negatively with the "Disagreement" Reaction.IZUMI
Hello Mr. Kappa, sorry for our noises earlier.KAPPA
(grunts) Humans... too loud... leave... now.IZUMI
I-It's okay, we were just passing through. We're actually heading to the mountainside.KAPPA
No! Humans... must... leave.
IZUMI chooses the "Surprised" Tone.
Surprised / Humorous / Rude
KAPPA reacts Positively with the "Surprised" Reaction.IZUMI
This... is odd.YANA
If we need to resort to force then I'm ready.IZUMI
No no, it sounds like—like he's warning us.KAPPA
!IZUMI
Umm... Mr. Kappa, do you know anything of the recent disappearances here?KAPPA
Humans know? Yet humans come?
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Does the KAPPA tell anything?"
Odds: Likely
Mythic answers "No."KAPPA
Foolish! Foolish humans! Leave! Now!YANA
(whispering) Okay, this isn't really going anywhere. I promise I can make it quick.IZUMI
No, wait! I have an idea...KAPPA
?IZUMI
Mr. Kappa, I challenge you... to a sumo wrestling!EIRIN
What—what is happening?IZUMI
If you win, then we will leave. But if I win, you will let us pass. Is that alright?KAPPA
Challenge... accepted!YANA
Izumi! When I said "resorting to force" this is not what I meant!IZUMI
It's okay, Yana. This is normal kappa behaviour. They're quite honourable when it comes to challenges.YANA
But you can't even beat a rat without spraining an ankle!IZUMI
Just... trust me, okay? I have a plan.
The forest falls silent as Izumi and the kappa lock eyes. The kappa crouches low, flexing his webbed hands, while Yana watches cautiously, her grip tightening on her staff. Eirin's eyes dart between the two, confusion flickering in her gaze.
IZUMI performs a Check to "trick the KAPPA into bowing."
{DEX + WLP} vs 10
{d6(1) + d10(9)} = 10 vs 10
It's a success!IZUMI
Let's have a fair match.
Izumi dips her head in an exaggeratedly deep bow. The kappa, recognising the courtesy, hastily returns the gesture—but he bends too far, accidentally spilling the water from the bowl atop his head.
KAPPA
A-ah... m-my water...IZUMI
Here I come!KAPPA
!!!
Izumi lunges at the kappa,delivering what should've been a feeble shove—yet somehow, the creature flails and topples over, sprawling on the ground.
IZUMI
I won!YANA
I-I can't believe it... Eirin are you seeing this?!EIRIN
Yes, but I haven't been able to comprehend anything.KAPPA
I... lost...IZUMI
Sorry Mr. Kappa, but you know the rules.KAPPA
(nods) Goodbye... humans...
With one last worried glance, the kappa slips away, vanishing between the rustling bushes.
IZUMI
.....YANA
Okay, Izumi, where did you learn strength magic?IZUMI
What? It's not magic! I just tricked the kappa into spilling the water from his head bowl, which weakens them.YANA
Huh, where did you even learn this from?IZUMI
Um, books.YANA
Ah, no wonder I didn't know about it.
The sisters share a small chuckle as Eirin watches them, still puzzled by the whole thing.
EIRIN
Shall... we continue our journey now?
Player adds "Kappa" to the Characters List.
- Grandma (1)
- Kappa (1)
Player adds "Travel to the mountainside by the Forbidden Forest" to the Threads List.
- Travel to the mountainside by the Forbidden Forest (2)Scene 3
Player tests the Expected Scene.
Chaos Factor: 4
Mythic declares it's a Crisis Scene with the Crisis Event "Adventure Element."
Chaos Factor: 4 => 5
Crisis Progress Point: 0 => 1
Player seeks for an Adventure Element.
Mythic answers "Mist."
Page: 48
Section: 6FORBIDDEN FOREST – EVENING
Everything seems ordinary—until the mist comes. It shrouds the forest, leaving the three girls staggering through it, disoriented.
IZUMI
Wait—haven't we... been here before?EIRIN
I'm not sure... Are you certain we heading in the right direction?IZUMI
It's hard to tell with the weather right now.YANA
Yeah what's up with all these mist? The weather was fine just a moment ago.IZUMI
Hmm... maybe we should go back to where we met the kappa, and wait for the mist to disperse before continuing.EIRIN
Land navigation is much more troublesome than I thought...
Time passes as the sun dips near the horizon, turning the sky red, yet the three of them remain wandering in the mist, exhausted.
YANA
Haven't we walked for far too long?! Did we missed the spot?IZUMI
M-maybe? Wait—no! This is the same place that we started from!EIRIN
What?! Are you telling me we've been walking around in circles?IZUMI
I-I don't know! T-this is really weird!YANA
And why is this damn mist still not-
Suddenly, a whimpering drifts from within the mist.
???
Help... help....IZUMI
D-did you all hear that?!EIRIN
I did! It sounds like cries for help.YANA
Maybe its the disappeared people! Quick! We gotta help them!IZUMI
W-wait! Yana!
Yana rushes towards the voice, Izumi close behind. But Eirin hesitates, her face darkening with unease—as if sensing something wrong.
???
Help... help me....YANA
Where are you?!
A patch of tall grass rustles in response.
???
Here... here... help me... please...YANA
Hold on! I'm-EIRIN
Watch out!YANA
!!!
EIRIN performs a Check to "save YANA."
{DEX + MIG} vs 10
{d8(6) + d10(7)} = 13 vs 10
It's a success!In a blur of motion, something lashes out at Yana from the grass—but Eirin yanks her aside just in time.
Emerging from the grass is a small humanoid creature, its body made from a bundle of dry grass and twigs, held together by coils akin to glowing blue hair.
EIRIN
That's no human!YANA
What the—what is that?!???
(giggling) So close... so close...IZUMI
N-no way, a thatchling?!
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Are there three thatchlings?"
Odds: 50/50
Mythic answers "No. There are four instead."
THATCHLINGS is in "Ironic" Mood.Several of the creatures emerge from within the mist, shambling towards them. Their voices rise in unison.
THATCHLINGS
Foolish... foolish livings... have you came... to die...?EIRIN
There are a lot more of them! What should we do with these creatures Izumi?IZUMI
Umm... we should—we should...YANA
We should fight! Everyone, prepare for battle!
Conflict scene begins!
EIRIN, IZUMI (and BIBU), and YANA
vs
THATCHLING 1, THATCHLING 2, THATCHLING 3, and THATCHLING 4
ROUND 1
IZUMI's turn.
IZUMI uses "Study" on THATCHLING
{INS + INS} + 2 vs Open
{d10(5) + d10(6)} + 2 = 13 vs Open
It's a Detailed success!
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Is the THATCHLING Vulnerable to fire?"
Odds: Very Likely
Mythic answers "Yes."
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Is the THATCHLING Vulnerable to air?"
Odds: Likely
Mythic answers "No. The THATCHLING is Vulnerable to ice instead."YANA
Izumi! I know that you know something about these creatures, tell me!IZUMI
They are lost souls who were prevented from reincarnation due to-YANA
Not about that! I meant what's their weakness?!IZUMI
Oh! Uhh... their bodies are made of vegetation so they're quite flammable.YANA
Tch, of course... but freezing their plants body should work too right?IZUMI
L-likely.
THATHCLING 1's turn.
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Does the THATCHLING open with Thatchling's Curse?"
Odds: 50/50
Mythic answers "Yes."
THATCHLING 1 uses "Thatchling's Curse" on IZUMI.
{INS + WLP} vs 10
{d8(2) + d8(7)} = 9 vs 10
MP: 55 => 45
It's a failure!Mutters and whispers echo in the air as Izumi claps her hands over her ears.
IZUMI
Whatever you do, don't listen to their whispers! It's a curse!YANA
Not planning to—cursed or not, but thanks for the heads up!
YANA's turn.
YANA uses "Glacies" on THATCHLING 1, THATCHLING 2, and THATCHLING 3.
{INS + WLP} + 2 vs 10
{d8(3) + d10(5)} + 2 = 10 vs 10
MP: 65 => 35
It's a success!
THATCHLING 1, THATCHLING 2, and THATCHLING 3 suffers 40 ice damage.
{HR(5) + 15} * 2 (VU) = 20 * 2 = 40
HP: 50 => 10 (Crisis!)Yana raises her staff, levelling it at the thatchlings. With a swift incantation, magical energy swirls around its tip before erupting in a frigid burst. The spell strikes three of the creatures, their thatched bodies rimed with crackling frost.
YANA
Damn it! They're still standing? I'm really out of practice.EIRIN
That... magic is much more powerful than I expected—for a human I meant.YANA
Oh princess, you're really in for a surprise then~
THATCHLING 2's turn.
THATCHLING 2 uses "Frond" on EIRIN.
{DEX + INS} vs 10
{d8(2) + d8(2)} = 4 vs 10
It's a failure!
---
EIRIN'S turn.
EIRIN uses "Unarmed Strikes" on THATCHLING 2.
{DEX + MIG} + 2 vs 9
{d8(7) + d10(1)} + 2 = 10 vs 9
It's a success!
THATCHLING 2 suffers 17 physical damage.
{HR(7) + 10} = 17
HP: 10 => 0
THATCHLING 2 is defeated!One of thatchling strikes at Eirin, but she effortlessly sidesteps it before delivering a strike of her own, shattering its frost-encrusted form in a single hit
EIRIN
These creatures are more sluggish and brittle than they appear to be.YANA
Ahem—for the record, I'm the one who made them brittle.IZUMI
H-hey, some of them are still coming at us!
THATCHLING 3's turn.
THATCHLING 3 uses "Thatchling's Curse" on YANA.
{INS + WLP} vs 10
{d8(5) + d8(4)} = 9 vs 10
MP: 55 => 45
It's a failure!
---
THATCHLING 4's turn.
THATCHLING 4 uses "Frond" on EIRIN.
{DEX + INS} vs 10
{d8(4) + d8(5)} = 9 vs 10
It's a failure!The thatchlings try to catch Yana and Eirin off guard, but they manage to react in the nick of time.
YANA
Phew, that was close. Now, time to end this!
ROUND 2
YANA's turn.
YANA uses "Glacies" on THATCHLING 1, THATCHLING 3, and THATCHLING 4.
{INS + WLP} + 2 vs 10
{d8(7) + d10(1)} + 2 = 10 vs 10
MP: 35 => 5
It's a success!
THATCHLING 1, THATCHLING 3, and THATHCLING 4 suffers 44 ice damage.
{HR(7) + 15} * 2 (VU) = 22 * 2 = 44
HP: 10 => 0
HP: 50 => 6
THATCHLING 1 is defeated!
THATCHLING 3 is defeated!
---
THATCHLING 4's turn.
THATCHLING 4 uses "Thatchling's Curse" on IZUMI.
{INS + WLP} vs 10
{d8(1) + d8(2)} = 3 vs 10
MP: 55 => 45
It's a failure!
---
EIRIN'S turn.
EIRIN uses "Unarmed Strikes" on THATCHLING 4.
{DEX + MIG} + 2 vs 9
{d8(8) + d10(9)} + 2 = 19 vs 9
It's a success!
THATCHLING 4 suffers 19 physical damage.
{HR(9) + 10} = 19
HP: 6 => 0
THATCHLING 4 is defeated!
Conflict scene ends.Together, Yana and Eirin make quick work of the remaining thatchlings, though Yana is left panting and drained from the fight.
EIRIN
And that's the last of them.YANA
What's the deal with these monsters anyway? They came out of nowhere!IZUMI
I... have a bad feeling about this. Maybe we should head home for now and rethink this through...
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Has the mist dispersed?"
Odds: Unlikely
Mythic answers "No."EIRIN
But... the mist is still here.IZUMI
O-oh no... and the sun is setting soon.YANA
Damn it! Let's—let's just run and hope we get out of here!IZUMI
N-no, that would be too dangerous! I think we should set up a camp here and rest for the night.EIRIN
I second that.YANA
(sighs) Fine... let's just... rest.
Player adds "Forbidden Forest" and "Thatchling" to the Characters List.
- Grandma (1)
- Kappa (1)
- Forbidden Forest (1)
- Thatchling (1)
Player adds "Find a way out of the mysterious mist" to the Threads List.
- Travel to the mountainside by the Forbidden Forest (2)
- Find a way out of the mysterious mist (1)Scene 4
Player tests the Expected Scene.
Chaos Factor: 5
Mythic declares it's a Crisis Scene with the Crisis Event "Adventure Element."
Chaos Factor: 5 => 6
Crisis Progress Point: 1 => 2
Player seeks for an Adventure Element.
Mythic answers "Lantern."
Page: 14
Section: 3
---
YANA uses "Inventory" to produce "Elixir" on YANA.
IP: 6 => 3
YANA recovers 50 MP.
MP: 5 => 55
---
EIRIN is in "Strict" Mood.
YANA is in "Charming" Mood.FORBIDDEN FOREST – NIGHT
A crude campfire flickers in a clearing of the now dark forest. Eirin and Yana lounge near the flames, while Izumi wrestles with a tangle of fabric to the side.
YANA
...And that's how I saved the game and secured victory for my team.EIRIN
Oh.YANA
So, yeah, compared to what I usually faced, those thatchlings feels like a breeze—like, are they even trying?EIRIN
Mhm.YANA
If it didn't end so soon, I would be able to show you some of my other—IZUMI
Yana! Would you mind helping me with the tent? Please.YANA
Come on... let us chat for a little bit more.IZUMI
I'm sure Eirin has heard enough for now. Can't you save it for tomorrow?YANA
Fineee.
Several minutes pass, yet instead of a tent, a chaotic tangle of poles and fabric lies before them.
IZUMI
I don't think that part is supposed to go there...YANA
I know—I know. I'm just... experimenting.EIRIN
You two, I don't meant to interrupt but... there's something approaching us.IZUMI
What?! Where?!YANA
(groans) Where's my staff...EIRIN
There. That light.
Player seeks to Discover Meaning:
"What is the appearance of the lantern carrier?"
Table: Character Appearance
Mythic answers "Limbs" and "Feminine."A pale light hovers in the mist, drawing closer, until a lantern emerges—swaying in the grip of a hunched, cloaked figure in white with thin, bony limbs.
YANA
What is it this time?IZUMI
That's... just a lantern... and...EIRIN
A human?
The figure raises its head, revealing an old lady with a wrinkled face and grey hair.
Player asks a Fate Question:
"Does the LANTERN LADY has Neutral Attitude?"
Odds: Likely
Mythic answers "Yes."
LANTERN LADY has "Neutral" Attitude.
LANTERN LADY is in "Arrogant" Mood.LANTERN LADY
Are you lost, little ones?IZUMI
Uhh... hello?LANTERN LADY
I can see that you're struggling.EIRIN
Who are you?LANTERN LADY
Follow my lantern, and I shall show you the way.YANA
Can this old woman even hear us?
EIRIN chooses the "Rude" Tone.
Humorous / Rude / Friendly
LANTERN LADY reacts Positively with the "Surprised" Reaction.EIRIN
You have not answered my question. Who are you?LANTERN LADY
I am the shrine keeper.EIRIN
That still doesn't fully answer my question. What's a shrine keeper?LANTERN LADY
Oh my, are the youths today really this clueless? Have you not come here for the shrine in the first place?
EIRIN chooses the "Wildcard" Tone and passes to YANA with "Rude" Tone.
Surprised / Questioning / Wildcard
LANTERN LADY reacts Somewhat Negatively with the "Rude" Reaction.YANA
Great, another one of these old-timers. You and Grandma must've gotten along.LANTERN LADY
I couldn't care less of your grandmother, you city folks are all of the same lot—ignorant.YANA
At least we didn't talk in cryptic and refuse to answer simple questions.LANTERN LADY
If answers are that you seek, then long has I offered it. Follow my lantern, and I shall show you the way.EIRIN
.....YANA
(whispering) We're not following this probably crazy old lady, right?IZUMI
Umm... she does seem rather suspicious—EIRIN
We should follow her.YANA & IZUMI
Why?!EIRIN
I sensed a rather... peculiar aura from her. Maybe she can help us out from the mist.YANA
How reliable is this "magical sense" of yours again, princess?EIRIN
I don't know. But are you two confident we can accomplish it by ourselves?YANA
.....IZUMI
I-I'll pack the tent...
Player adds "Lantern Lady" to the Characters List.
- Grandma (1)
- Kappa (1)
- Forbidden Forest (1)
- Thatchling (1)
- Lantern Lady (1)
Player adds "Find a way out of the mysterious mist" to the Threads List.
- Travel to the mountainside by the Forbidden Forest (2)
- Find a way out of the mysterious mist (2)
---
Session ends.
FP Spent: 1
EIRIN receives 5 XP!
XP: 0 => 5
IZUMI receives 5 XP!
XP: 0 => 5
YANA receives 5 XP!
XP: 0 => 5You can navigate through the actual-play here:
