Lady Blackbird.pdf

tales from the wild blue yonder: chapter i

Lady

is on the run from an arranged marriage to Count Carlowe.

She hired a smuggler skyship, he Owl , to take her from her

palace on the Imperial world of Ilysium to the far reaches of the

Remnants, so she could be with her once secret lover, the pirate

king Uriah Flint.

writing, layout & art

John Harper

however —Just before reaching the halfway point of Haven,

he Owl was pursued and captured by the Imperial cruiser

Hand of Sorrow , under charges of lying a false lag.

influences

Clinton R. Nixon, James V. West, Luke

Crane, Vincent Baker, Jonathan Walton, Judd

Karlman, Jason Morningstar, Fred Hicks, Rob

Donoghue, Leonard Balsera, Ben Lehman,

Mark Causey, Brandon Amancio, Claudio

Cipolla, Mike Riverso, Joss Whedon, George

Lucas, Hayao Miyazaki, Reiko Kodama

even now Lady Blackbird, her bodyguard, and the crew of

he Owl are detained in the brig, while the commander of the

cruiser, Captain Hollas, runs the smuggler ship’s registry over

the wireless. It’s only a matter of time before they discover the

outstanding warrants and learn that he Owl is owned by

none other than the infamous outcast Cyrus Vance.

playtesters

Adam Chevrier, Shannon East, Naydanka

Huamani, Sage LaTorra, Paul Riddle

how will lady blackbird and the others escape

the hand of sorrow?

contact

oneseven@gmail.com

what dangers lie in their path?

will they be able to find the secret lair of the

pirate king? if they do, will uriah flint accept

lady blackbird as his bride? by the time they get

there, will she want him to?

his document is licensed under a Creative Commons

Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 3.0 license.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

version 03.14.10

Blackbird

• The Wild Blue •

Shattered worlds circling a dimming star

the remnants

nightport

olympia

haven

ilysium

Adrift in the Blue

he worlds of the Wild Blue loat in a sky of breathable gases

circling a small, cold star. Scholars believe that the star is made from

pure Essence—the strange energy that sorcerers channel for their magic.

his “solar system” is much smaller than you might think—it takes about

six weeks to cross from one side to the other on a standard sky ship. Most

of the worlds of the Empire are so closely positioned that it takes only a

day or two to travel from one to another.

The Lower Depths

he heavier gases form a dense layer of fog below the “sky” of the Wild

Blue. his fog is corrosive —people need to wear gas-masks to breathe

and most airship hulls will start to corrode after a single exposure.

Pirates and other criminals sometimes use the lower depths to evade

Imperial patrols and launch raids from hiding. Unfortunately, the depths

are home to sky squid and other monstrous things....

Ilysium

he capitol world of the Empire, home to the great noble houses.

Ilysium is rich and decadent, attended by servants, slaves, and the elite

bodyguards of the nobility.

Olympia

he staging world of the Imperial Sky Fleet. From here, expeditions are

launched into the colonial expanse and all across the Wild Blue. Olympia

is also home to the inest brewers and distillers in the Empire.

Haven

he most prominent of the Free Worlds. Here, in the sprawling city hubs,

the Trade Union tries to impose some order on the bickering clans and

factions of the Free Peoples. Slavery is outlawed here, so many ex-slaves

make Haven their home.

Nightport

Unlike other worlds, Nightport does not rotate, which means one face is

always in darkness. It is on this side that pirates and smugglers have built

a hidden port city in which to carry out their nefarious dealings. his

hive of scum and villainy is a dangerous place, but almost anything may

be bought or sold there, including secrets.

The Remnants

A swirling maelstrom of spinning world-shards. he Remnants are

almost impossible to navigate, even for the best airship pilots. It’s said

that the pirate king, Uriah Flint, keeps his secret fortress somewhere

deep within the Remnants and only those who know the secret of

the true course can ever reach it.

Names

Male: Abel, Artemis, August, Eli, Giovanni, Ivan, Jack, Jeferson, Jonas,

Leo, Logan, Malachi, Mario, Micah, Nahum, Noah, Orlence, Oscar,

Samuel, Silas, Victor, Vlad, Wester

Female: Alice, Ardent, Ashlyn, Caess, Clare, Elena, Eveline, Fiona,

Grace, Hannah, Hazel, Hester, Isabel, Krista, Jezebel, Leah, Lucile,

Lydia, Seraphina, Sonya, Sophie, Veronica, Violet

Surnames: Bell, Bowen, Canter, Carson, Cross, Harwood, Hollas,

Hunter, Kalra, Keel, Moreau, Morgan, Porter, Pickett, Quinn, Sidhu,

Soto, Torrez, Vakharia, Walker, Winter, Wright

Noble Houses: Ash, Blackbird, Firely, Mooncloud, Nightsong, Snow,

Twilight, Whitethorn.

Natasha Syri • L a d y B L a c k B i r d

TRAITS

Imperial Noble

Etiquette, Dance, Educated, History, Science, Wealth, Connections,

House Blackbird

Master Sorcerer

Spellcaster, Channeling, Stormblood, Wind, Lightning, [Fly],

[Blast], [Sense]

Athletic

Run, Fencing, Rapier, Duels, Shooting, [Pistol], [Acrobatics]

Charm

Charisma, Presence, Command, Nobles, Servants, [Soldiers]

Cunning

Deception, Misdirection, Disguise, Codes, [Sneak], [Hide]

Key of the Paragon

As a noble, you’re a cut above the common man. Hit your key

when you demonstrate your superiority or when your noble traits

overcome a problem. Buyoff: Disown your noble heritage.

Key of the Mission

You must escape the Empire and rendezvous with your once secret

lover, the Pirate King Uriah Flint, whom you haven’t seen in six

years. Hit your key when you take action to complete the mission.

Buyoff: Give up on your mission.

Key of the Impostor

You are in disguise, passing yourself of as commoner. Hit your key

when you perform well enough to fool someone with your disguise.

Buyoff: Reveal your true identity to someone you fooled.

Secret of Stormblood

As long as you can speak, you can channel magical power and do

Sorcery. You have the Master Sorcerer trait and the Stormblood tag.

Secret of Inner Focus

Once per session, you can re-roll a failure when doing Sorcery.

Tags in [brackets] are qualities you don’t have yet. You can buy them with

advances. See the Rules Summary below, under Keys.

injured

dead

tired

angry

lost

hunted

trapped

• rules summary •

Rolling the Dice

When you try to overcome an obstacle, you roll dice. Start with one die.

Add a die if you have a trait that can help you. If that trait has any tags

that apply, add another die for each tag. Finally, add any number of dice

from your personal pool of dice (your pool starts with 7 dice).

Roll all the dice you’ve gathered. Each die that shows 4 or higher is a hit.

You need hits equal to the diiculty level (usually 3) to pass the obstacle.

levels: 2 easy—3 difficult—4 challenging—5 extreme

If you pass, discard all the dice you rolled (including any pool dice you

used). Don’t worry, you can get your pool dice back.

If you don’t pass , you don’t yet achieve your goal. But, you get to keep

the pool dice you rolled and add another die to your pool. he GM will

escalate the situation in some way and you might be able to try again.

Keys

When you hit a Key, you can do one of two things:

Take an

❖

If you go into danger because of your key, you get 2 XP or 2 pool dice

(or 1 XP and 1 pool die). When you have accumulated 5 XP, you earn an

advance . You can spend an advance on one of the following:

Add a new

❖ Tr a i t (based on something you learned during play or

on some past experience that has come to light)

Add a

❖ tag to an existing trait

Add a new

❖ Key (you can never have the same key twice)

Learn a

❖ Secret (if you have the means to)

You can hold on to advances if you want, and spend them at any time,

even in the middle of a battle!

Each key also has a buyof . If the buyof condition occurs, you have the

option of removing the Key and earning two advances.

Refresh

You can refresh your pool back to 7 dice by having a refreshment scene

with another character. You may also remove a condition or regain the

use of a Secret, depending on the details of the scene. A refreshment

scene is a good time to ask questions (in character) so the other player

can show of aspects of his or her PC—“Why did you choose this

life?”—“What do you think of the Lady?”—“Why did you take this

job?” etc. Refreshment scenes can be lashbacks, too.

Conditions

When events warrant or especially when you fail a roll, the GM may

impose a condition on your character: Injured , Dead , Tired , Angry ,

Lost , Hunted , or Tr a p p e d . When you take a condition, mark its box

and say how it comes about. [Note: he “dead” condition just means

“presumed dead” unless you say otherwise.]

Helping

If your character is in a position to help another character, you can give them

a die from your pool. Say what your character does to help. If the roll

fails, you get your pool die back. If it succeeds, your die is lost.

An Imperial noble, in disguise, escaping an arranged marriage so she can be with her lover

❖ experience point (XP)

Add a die to your pool (up to a max of 10)

• Naomi Bishop •

Former pit-ighter and bodyguard to Lady Blackbird

TRAITS

Pit-Fighter

Combat Tested, Brutal, Living Weapon, Fast, Hard, [Strong],

[Bone-breaking], [Scary Look]

Bodyguard

Awareness, hreats, Defend, Disarm, Restrain, Carry, Delay,

[Security], [First Aid]

Ex-Slave

Sneak, Hide, Run, Tough, Endure, Scrounge, Nobles, [Hatred],

[Iron Will]

Keen

Insightful, Aware, Coiled, Liars, Traps, [Danger], [Sense

Motives]

Key of the Guardian

You are Lady Blackbird’s loyal defender. Hit your key when you

make a decision inluenced by Lady Blackbird or protect her from

harm. Buyoff: Sever your relationship with the Lady.

Key of Vengeance

he Empire enslaved you and made you kill for sport. You will have

your revenge on them and watch their cities burn. Hit your key

when you strike a blow against the Empire (especially by killing an

Imperial). Buyoff: Forgive them for what they did to you.

Key of the Warrior

You crave the crash and roar of battle, the tougher the better. Hit

your key when you do battle with worthy or superior foes.

Buyoff: Pass up an opportunity for a good ight.

Secret of Destruction

You can break things with your bare hands as if you were swinging

a sledgehammer. It’s scary.

Secret of the Bodyguard

Once per session, you can re-roll a failure when protecting someone.

Tags in [brackets] are qualities you don’t have yet. You can buy them with

advances. See the Rules Summary below, under Keys.

injured

dead

tired

angry

lost

hunted

trapped

• rules summary •

Rolling the Dice

When you try to overcome an obstacle, you roll dice. Start with one die.

Add a die if you have a trait that can help you. If that trait has any tags

that apply, add another die for each tag. Finally, add any number of dice

from your personal pool of dice (your pool starts with 7 dice).

Roll all the dice you’ve gathered. Each die that shows 4 or higher is a hit.

You need hits equal to the diiculty level (usually 3) to pass the obstacle.

levels: 2 easy—3 difficult—4 challenging—5 extreme

If you pass, discard all the dice you rolled (including any pool dice you

used). Don’t worry, you can get your pool dice back.

If you don’t pass , you don’t yet achieve your goal. But, you get to keep

the pool dice you rolled and add another die to your pool. he GM will

escalate the situation in some way and you might be able to try again.

Keys

When you hit a Key, you can do one of two things:

Take an

❖

If you go into danger because of your key, you get 2 XP or 2 pool dice

(or 1 XP and 1 pool die). When you have accumulated 5 XP, you earn an

advance . You can spend an advance on one of the following:

Add a new

❖ Tr a i t (based on something you learned during play or

on some past experience that has come to light)

Add a

❖ tag to an existing trait

Add a new

❖ Key (you can never have the same key twice)

Learn a

❖ Secret (if you have the means to)

You can hold on to advances if you want, and spend them at any time,

even in the middle of a battle!

Each key also has a buyof . If the buyof condition occurs, you have the

option of removing the Key and earning two advances.

Refresh

You can refresh your pool back to 7 dice by having a refreshment scene

with another character. You may also remove a condition or regain the

use of a Secret, depending on the details of the scene. A refreshment

scene is a good time to ask questions (in character) so the other player

can show of aspects of his or her PC—“Why did you choose this

life?”—“What do you think of the Lady?”—“Why did you take this

job?” etc. Refreshment scenes can be lashbacks, too.

Conditions

When events warrant or especially when you fail a roll, the GM may

impose a condition on your character: Injured , Dead , Tired , Angry ,

Lost , Hunted , or Tr a p p e d . When you take a condition, mark its box

and say how it comes about. [Note: he “dead” condition just means

“presumed dead” unless you say otherwise.]

Helping

If your character is in a position to help another character, you can give them

a die from your pool. Say what your character does to help. If the roll

fails, you get your pool die back. If it succeeds, your die is lost.

❖ experience point (XP)

Add a die to your pool (up to a max of 10)

• Cyrus Vance •

An ex-Imperial soldier turned smuggler and soldier-of-fortune, Captain of The Owl

TRAITS

Ex-Imperial Soldier

Tactics, Command, Soldiers, Rank, Connections, Maps, Imperial

War Ships

Smuggler

Haggle, Deception, Sneak, Hide, Camoulage, Forgery, Pilot,

Navigation, [Repair], [Gunnery]

Survivor

Tough, Run, Scrounge, Endure, Creepy Stare, Intimidate, [Medic]

Warrior

Battle-Hardened, Shooting, Two-Gun Style, Pistol, Fencing, Sword,

[Brawl], [Hail of Lead]

Key of the Commander

You are accustomed to giving orders and having them obeyed. Hit

your trait when you come up with a plan and give orders to make it

happen. Buyoff: Acknowledge someone else as the leader.

Key of Hidden Longing

You are completely enthralled by Lady Blackbird, but you don’t

want her to know it. Hit your key when you make a decision based

on this secret afection or when you somehow show it indirectly.

Buyoff: Give up on your secret desire or make it public.

Key of the Outcast

You got exiled from the Empire. Hit your key when your outcast

status causes you trouble or is important in a scene.

Buyoff: Regain your former standing or join a new group.

Secret of Leadership

Once per session, you can give someone else a chance to re-roll a failed

roll, by giving them orders, advice, or setting a good example.

Secret of Warpblood

Once per session, you can teleport yourself or someone you’re

touching.

Tags in [brackets] are qualities you don’t have yet. You can buy them with

advances. See the Rules Summary below, under Keys.

injured

dead

tired

angry

lost

hunted

trapped

• rules summary •

Rolling the Dice

When you try to overcome an obstacle, you roll dice. Start with one die.

Add a die if you have a trait that can help you. If that trait has any tags

that apply, add another die for each tag. Finally, add any number of dice

from your personal pool of dice (your pool starts with 7 dice).

Roll all the dice you’ve gathered. Each die that shows 4 or higher is a hit.

You need hits equal to the diiculty level (usually 3) to pass the obstacle.

levels: 2 easy—3 difficult—4 challenging—5 extreme

If you pass, discard all the dice you rolled (including any pool dice you

used). Don’t worry, you can get your pool dice back.

If you don’t pass , you don’t yet achieve your goal. But, you get to keep

the pool dice you rolled and add another die to your pool. he GM will

escalate the situation in some way and you might be able to try again.

Keys

When you hit a Key, you can do one of two things:

Take an

❖

If you go into danger because of your key, you get 2 XP or 2 pool dice

(or 1 XP and 1 pool die). When you have accumulated 5 XP, you earn an

advance . You can spend an advance on one of the following:

Add a new

❖ Tr a i t (based on something you learned during play or

on some past experience that has come to light)

Add a

❖ tag to an existing trait

Add a new

❖ Key (you can never have the same key twice)

Learn a

❖ Secret (if you have the means to)

You can hold on to advances if you want, and spend them at any time,

even in the middle of a battle!

Each key also has a buyof . If the buyof condition occurs, you have the

option of removing the Key and earning two advances.

Refresh

You can refresh your pool back to 7 dice by having a refreshment scene

with another character. You may also remove a condition or regain the

use of a Secret, depending on the details of the scene. A refreshment

scene is a good time to ask questions (in character) so the other player

can show of aspects of his or her PC—“Why did you choose this

life?”—“What do you think of the Lady?”—“Why did you take this

job?” etc. Refreshment scenes can be lashbacks, too.

Conditions

When events warrant or especially when you fail a roll, the GM may

impose a condition on your character: Injured , Dead , Tired , Angry ,

Lost , Hunted , or Tr a p p e d . When you take a condition, mark its box

and say how it comes about. [Note: he “dead” condition just means

“presumed dead” unless you say otherwise.]

Helping

If your character is in a position to help another character, you can give them

a die from your pool. Say what your character does to help. If the roll

fails, you get your pool die back. If it succeeds, your die is lost.

❖ experience point (XP)

Add a die to your pool (up to a max of 10)

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