Oathbound: Trials of Caernlun (Part One)

My time with Eric Dill's Arthurian Inspired RPG

Recently,

Eric Dill

was kind enough to pass along his WIP rules for Oathbound: Trials of Caernlun. I came across Eric’s Substack, and I thought that Oathbound looked like it could be a lot of fun. I am quite new to solo RPG’s, though it is rapidly becoming an addiction for me.

I feel I should give a little background on Eric’s setting, and what exactly Oathbound is all about. The game is set in the “Chainlands”, and serves as an introductory step into a larger project (hope to see it soon!) I’ll let Eric’s description of Oathbound speak for itself:

‘The trials are a series of four tests set out by the Archmage known only as the Eagle. The knight who manages to complete the four trials, has proven themselves worthy of taking up the mythical sword, Selcharia, and becoming the oathbound champion of the legendary fortress of Caernlun.’

It’s short, it’s sweet, it’s suitably Arthurian, what’s not to love? In this post, I’m going to give you a taste of my time with the game, with some narrative spice to brighten up the dice rolling and HP tracking. I want to emphasize here that Eric is still working on this, and I am not playing the final product. Without further ado, let us begin the story of Uthbert of Sjaelland, and his descent into the trial chambers…

Uthbert Arrives at the Gates

Uthbert’s steel shod boots crunched in the frost as he dismounted. The mighty old fortress of Caernlun stood before him. Equipped with his long sword, passed down to him by his father, Uthbert stepped up to the old castle gate. It was very quiet, no birds sang in the nearby trees. With a deep breath, the young knight pushed open the door:

Entrance Hall: A Treasure Chest

The hall was empty except for a rusty old chest in the corner. Uthbert looked around seeking threats, but found none. He decided to try getting the strange chest open. Uthbert was never much for fine details, so he elected to simply try kicking the lock off with his armoured boots.

2D6+VALOUR VS DR8 [1+3 = 4 < 8. Fail

Unfortunately, the lock proved too robust for Uthbert’s battering to loosen it. With a huff and a frown, the knight moved on.

Room 2: Cruciform Chamber

Uthbert stepped into the next room, finding a chamber laid out in the shape of a cross. The walls were decorated with tattered old banners and tapestries, each depicting some forgotten glory. As he took his first few steps into the room, Uthbert felt something give under his foot, a trap! A spear came flying out of the wall to his left.

2D6+COURSING VS DR8 [6+1= 7 < 8. Fail

Damage roll 1D6: 3 - AR2 = 1

Uthbert’s HP: 15

The damage was light, but Uthbert cursed himself for his carelessness. With a slight wince, he moved on to the next chamber.

Room 3: The Trial of the Hunter

Uthbert took in a sharp breath as he arrived at a huge courtyard covered with dense foliage and trees. An enclosed forest lay before him, hidden from outside eyes by the labyrinthine walls of Caernlun. On the wall nearby, words suddenly became visible, glowing with an inner light. Uthbert knew at once that this was a message from the Arch mage. ‘Seek the Blood Stag sir knight, and corner it if ye be worthy. This forest may confound your wits, but the huntsman’s skills will be your ally.’ This was to be the first of Uthbert’s true trials, the trial of the hunter. He forged ahead into the trees.

2D6 + COURSING VS DR8. Three attempts with increasing difficulty per failure.

7 + 1 = 8 >= 8. Success

The forest appeared somehow bigger inside than it had from the entrance. Uthbert spent some time stumbling from tree to tree, tripping over vines and brambles which seemed to have set their will against his. At last he caught a faint red glow in his peripheral vision. A pool lay in a nearby clearing, by a which a huge white stag was resting. Its eyes glowed with a pale red light, with no visible pupils. The creature did not appear hostile, so Uthbert crept forward with care. The stag watched him approach, before rising suddenly to its feet. Uthbert jumped back, his hand on the hilt of his sword. The stag inclined its head, and an amulet which had been hanging there slipped soundlessly to the ground. The amulet shone with the light that reflects from the moon. Uthbert bent down gently to pick it up. The stag watched, a pensive look in its eyes. Hanging the amulet around his neck, Uthbert looked up to see that the ethereal creature had vanished, but that everything else appeared clearer. The path through the forest now seemed easy to discern.

Permanent +1 to COURSING

Treasure Table Roll: The Valourous Brew [+2 VALOUR for one combat]

Room 4: The Trial of Prudence

Uthbert managed to find his way out of the forest, which seemed almost to part before him after his meeting with the blood stag. He came before an old wooden door, which led back into the castle proper. It opened at his gentle push, revealing a hexagonal chamber. In the center of the room stood a plinth, adorned with beautiful relief carvings. They depicted a knight, traversing a corridor in which all manner of mechanical dangers lurked. Spear traps, pitfalls, and murder holes to name but a few. The knight in the carving passed all with ease, holding a peculiar box in his left hand.

Uthbert saw at once that the box in the carving was real, and stood on the plinth. The far wall began to glow, and words once again manifested themselves upon the stone.

‘The puzzle box can impart gifts to ye, knight, if you can but divine its secrets. Reach its hidden heart, and Caernlun will open itself to you.’

Uthbert sighed. He had always hated puzzles as a child. The trial demanded that he succeed however, so he would try.

2D6 + PRUDENCE VS DR8. Three attempts with increasing difficulty per failure.

6 + 2 = 8 >= 8. Success.

When the box opened, Uthbert was more surprised than elated. It seemed to him that he had been fiddling with the damned thing for hours, and had entered a trance of sorts. The sides of the box swiveled and revolved into one another, revealing a brilliant gem at the heart. Uthbert removed the gem, and placed it in a leather bag hanging from his waist. As he left the room, heaving a sigh of relief, he didn’t notice the dart trap which remained inert as he passed.

Automatic success against traps from now on.

Room 5: The Manticore’s Corridor

Uthbert had almost become complacent as he left his second trial chamber. He was halfway through the Archmage’s challenge, and had encountered little real opposition. Looking down the corridor, Uthbert realized he had simply been lucky. The corridor ahead of him was blocked by a terrible beast, lion like in appearance, but with a man’s head, and a hissing snake for a tail. Uthbert drew his sword and assumed the fool’s guard…

And that is all for now..

If you read up to this point, thanks! It means a lot. I feel bad cutting things off at the first real fight of the game, but the Manticore proved to be a tough opponent. The fight ran long and is on the dramatic side, and this post would have ended up far too long if I had included it. I will be back soon with the next part of Uthbert’s adventure, where the dice rolling will begin in earnest. Check out Eric's Substack to see what else he has going on (all good stuff)

Until then o7.