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A Familiar Problem

Environments Designed by Neon Anima • Art by TheGemmyRaven
Tier
1
Type
Exploration
Difficulty
11
Impulses
Compete with and obstruct the PCs take resources for the familiars' master

Environment overview

Two Witch's familiars Frank and Berta have been sent forth to seek magical items, potion ingredients, and arcane knowledge. They require the PC's assistance to beat their rivals Quark and Roland

Potential adversaries

Bear Dire Wolf Giant Rat Glass snake Sylvan Soldier Young Dryad

Features

Passives

passive
  • A Noble Quest

    Frank and Berta aren't alone in their mission, their rivals Quark the Raven and Roland the Rat are trying to beat them.

    The quest requires finding 3 of Mirrin's lost items, represented by 3 Quest counters on this environment. The PCs must complete a Progress Countdown (6) to locate each item or location. Meanwhile Quark and Roland use a Consequence Countdown (4).

    As the PCs actively pursue each Quest token, tick the Countdowns as follows:

    • Critical Success: Progress down 3, Consequence up 1.

    • Success with Hope: Progress down 2, Consequence 0.

    • Success with Fear: Progress down 1, Consequence down 1.

    • Failure with Hope: Progress 0, Consequence down 2.

    • Failure with Fear: Progress up 1, Consequence down 3.

    Questions
    • What is the goal of this quest?
    • What will happen if the Witch or the Rivals complete it?
    • Why is neither witch able to complete the quest themselves?

Actions

action
  • Obstruction!
    Fear 1

    Spend a Fear to have Quark and Roland set up a distraction or obstruction. Choose from the following, or create your own.

    • Summon a Dire Wolf or Sylvan Soldier for each PC and immediately spotlight one.

    • PCs must each succeed on a Reaction Roll of their choice or mark 2 Stress.

    • Tick the Progress Countdown up by 2.

    Questions
    • How does this give Quark and Roland an edge?

Reactions

reaction
  • Qwest?

    When the either of the Countdowns complete, remove a Quest Counter from A Familiar Problem and reset the Countdowns.

    If the Progress Countdown completed, give the PCs a Quest token, one of the 3 Mirrin's Lost Belongings, and each PC gains 2 Hope.
    If the Consequence Countdown completed, you gain a Quest token and 1d4+1 Fear.

    Questions
    • How do the characters feel about this development?
  • Complete!

    When the final Quest counter is removed from A Familiar Problem, progress on to The Witch's Resolution environment.

About this environment

Made for the Bard & Raven homebrew challenge, October 26th 2026.

A Familiar Problem

Tier 1 Exploration

Two Witch's familiars Frank and Berta have been sent forth to seek magical items, potion ingredients, and arcane knowledge. They require the PC's assistance to beat their rivals Quark and Roland

Impulses: Compete with and obstruct the PCs, take resources for the familiars' master

Difficulty: 11

Potential Adversaries: Bear, Dire Wolf, Giant Rat, Glass snake, Sylvan Soldier, Young Dryad

Features

A Noble Quest - Passive: Frank and Berta aren't alone in their mission, their rivals Quark the Raven and Roland the Rat are trying to beat them.

The quest requires finding 3 of Mirrin's lost items, represented by 3 Quest counters on this environment. The PCs must complete a Progress Countdown (6) to locate each item or location. Meanwhile Quark and Roland use a Consequence Countdown (4).

As the PCs actively pursue each Quest token, tick the Countdowns as follows:

  • Critical Success: Progress down 3, Consequence up 1.

  • Success with Hope: Progress down 2, Consequence 0.

  • Success with Fear: Progress down 1, Consequence down 1.

  • Failure with Hope: Progress 0, Consequence down 2.

  • Failure with Fear: Progress up 1, Consequence down 3.

  • What is the goal of this quest?
  • What will happen if the Witch or the Rivals complete it?
  • Why is neither witch able to complete the quest themselves?
Obstruction! - Action: Spend a Fear to have Quark and Roland set up a distraction or obstruction. Choose from the following, or create your own.

  • Summon a Dire Wolf or Sylvan Soldier for each PC and immediately spotlight one.

  • PCs must each succeed on a Reaction Roll of their choice or mark 2 Stress.

  • Tick the Progress Countdown up by 2.

  • How does this give Quark and Roland an edge?
Qwest? - Reaction: When the either of the Countdowns complete, remove a Quest Counter from A Familiar Problem and reset the Countdowns.

If the Progress Countdown completed, give the PCs a Quest token, one of the 3 Mirrin's Lost Belongings, and each PC gains 2 Hope.
If the Consequence Countdown completed, you gain a Quest token and 1d4+1 Fear.

  • How do the characters feel about this development?
Complete! - Reaction: When the final Quest counter is removed from A Familiar Problem, progress on to The Witch's Resolution environment.

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