Eternal Contenders is a RPG with a twist that’s part of DrivethruRPG’s New Year, New Game sale. What’s the twist? This is a roleplaying game you play without a GM.
No GM? Is that crazy talk? Eternal Contenders’ author Joe Price raises an interesting point when he asks is the era of the GM over?. If you want a look inside the game then Geek Native published a teaser back in 2012.
Joe has stepped up to the mark again for us and to coincide with the sale has kindly written a short sample quest for the game. The images come from the main game.
What lies below, secrets of the vermin-kin.
Example quest
If a Warrior has at least 5 Renown, she can instigate a Quest. Here’s a sample quest the Forces of Adversity can draw on in your game of Eternal Contenders. It’s written for the world of Oblim, but could easily be tweaked for other fantasy settings. I’ve statted up 4 Stages so you can use as many as are appropriate for your party.
All across the city of Oblim jewel thefts are on the increase. Some call it an epidemic. It seems no-one is safe – even the amythest eyes from the Wyrm’s head have been taken, leading an enraged Ricco Vincente to offer a significant bounty for the thief’s head. Your contacts in the Pentagle are cetain it’s the work of the Vermin-kin as they have been conspicously absent from the usal street fracas. There must be a small fortune in gems hidden in their filthy sewer lair. It’s not going to be easy but you’re sure a small group of veteran Warriors could pull off a raid.
Recruit Scene (page 78). Can you get a party together?
Stage One Encounter
You approach the sewer grille on Hogg Way. It smells as bad as the Shamble Pit, but looks like it can easily be forced open. You halt as you become aware of a low chittering and scampering sound. Bursting from the sewers, the piles of refuse and even some of the nearby building come scores and scores of black-furred rats. Their eyes glint and their yellow teeth are needle sharp. Defend yourselves!
Threat: Ravenous Rat swarm
Manouevre: 5
Power: 2
Guard: 2
Stamina: 5
If victorious: As you tend to the many bites, your attention turns to one of the rodent corpses. It looks like this rat was disembowelled in the melee but what is that gleaming among his entrails? It seems some of these rats had swallowed gemstones – what level of control do the Vermin Kin have? Gain Booty (page 86).
Stage Two Encounter
Progress is slow through the fetid sewer, you are not sure if you’re going in circles. It’s almost a relief to see a lantern light up ahead. As you try to conceal your own torch a gruff voice rings out “Who goes there friend?” Half a dozen figures emerge from the darkness, the scarlet bandanas and straight edged razors immediately identify them as member of the Cutthroats. Glancing back you see another three figures encricling you. “Outsiders eh. This is Pentangle business, our business – Cutthroat business. We’ll deal with the Vermin our way. Hand over your gold and I’ll let you leave with only a small scar.” A silver tooth flashes in the darkness. You ready your weapons…
Threat: Cutthroats
Manouevre: 4
Power: 4
Guard: 4
Stamina: 4
If victorious: It looks like the Cutthroats must have already found one of the Vermin-Kin’s stashes, a stroke of good luck for you! Even better – on the leader you find a crudely scrawled sewer map, this will vastly improve your chance of locating the lair of the Vermin Kin.
Stage Three Encounter
Following twists and turns with the help of the map you are able to locate a hidden passageway. Squeezing through you discover this tunnel connects the sewers of old Oblim with a huge natural cave network. In a dim light up ahead you can make out several stooped humanoid figures. Creeping closer you see they are indeed Vermin Kin, making offerings to some sort of priestly figure. There’s a lot, at least ten. You’ll have to rush them before they spot you to stand any chance. The priest bolts as soon as you break cover.
Threat: Vermin Kin Pack
Manouevre: 6
Power: 3
Guard: 7
Stamina: 4
If victorious: There’s a good deal of wealth here, even the eyes from Vincente’s Tavern. Maybe it’s best to turn back now. But you get the niggling feeling there’s something more – why did the priest laugh when you struck him down? What secrets are they hiding down here?
Stage Four Encounter
Venturing deeper, the cavern opens up into a vast space. Strange carvings of alien beings adorn the walls and stalagmites. Shimmering up ahead are what look like beams of blue light. Yet they remind you of prison bars for some reason. You see another Vermin priest, he seems to be tinkering with some arcane bejewled scales. As you move forward, the blood from the slain Vermin Kin runs down a narrow channel toward the priest. He cackles triumphantly and the scales shift gradually. Everything seems to slow down, there is a blinding flash as the beams glow and disappear – revealing a hulking form behind them. This monstrosity, this seven-headed rat demon moves menacingly towards you. One of the heads breathes on the priest who erupts in boils, pustules and weeping sores. The priest screeches in delighted ecstasy as you prepare for the fight of your life…
Threat: Demon Rat-King
Manouevre: 5
Power: 8
Guard: 7
Stamina: 4
If victorious: You can scarcely believe it, the monster lies dead, already beginning to decompose and dissipate. A great victory indeed, your wealth and legend will grow. You look round at your companions, you’ve been through so much, but soon the time will come when you face one another in the arena…
