[ MöRKBETH | act three ] Birnam Wood

The land weeps under the blight of the tyrant Mörkbeth.

Assault the grim fortress of Dunsinane, kill the monster, and free the land of the Scottish plague.

Glen Birnam by John Everett Millais, 1890

Make it through Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill

• Tall close deciduous trees
• Anaemic scrub and gravel floor
• Owl-calls, day and night

Navigating the wood is managed abstractly — tally progress that the group makes. Once it reaches 6+, the group encounter Banquo revenant and can pass beyond him to the castle itself.

CHOOSE ONE —

• the player with the highest Presence rolls XD6K1, where X is their Presence
• each player rolls 1D6 and the group keeps the lowest roll overall

Look up the kept dice on the appropriate table below. Succeeding at the encounter adds D6 progress. Failing or fleeing the encounter adds 1 progress.

Encounter tables created using Necropraxis’ Hazard System.

PROGRESS 0–3

1. As many zombies as there are players stand facing the castle. They all wear soldiers’ uniform, none of which match.
2. Hunger pangs — eat now or lose D4 hp (ignores armour).
3. Sunset — Choose to push on (become infected until you sleep) or lose half your progress.
4. The trees shift in their places, even as you watch. Roll D6, replacing current progress with this score.
5. Lost soldier with Anglish livery. Presence check DR6 answers any one question about what’s in the castle.
6. Lost soldier with Scottish livery. Answers any one question about what’s in the castle or gives random weapon and armour.

PROGRESS 4–5

1. Mounted zombies, as many as there are players. They charge the player with most Toughness (+2DR to defend) and ride off downhill.
2. Thirst pangs — drink now or lose D6 hp (ignores armour).
3. Sunset — choose to push on (become infected until you sleep) or lose half your progress.
4. The trees shift in their places, even as you watch. Roll D6, replacing current progress with this score.
5. Lost soldier with Welkim livery. Answers and one question about what’s in the castle.
6. Echo of Fleance, son of the revenant. Gives one random sacred scroll.

PROGRESS 6+

• Banquo, revenant (roll reaction with 1D12). 12hp, morale 11, ribbon flesh –D4, glaive D8