Buffy Slay Day!

Apparently, today is Buffy’s 21st anniversary and has been dubbed “Buffy Slay Day,” so I'm taking a quick break for a monster hunting one shot using Untold, Fate Accelerated with Atomic Robo Modes, Awesome Adventures Consequences and Apocalypse World Engine style resolution. I had considered buying Monster of the Week, but I think Fate will handle it fine. I must say, I'm disappointed the Story Cube app doesn't support Untold.

Dangerous Dilemma

Location: University

Threat: Shape shifting minion

Action: Gifting

Subject: Professor

In the dim hallway of Linneus Hall, a shadowy figure searches the rooms. Its body slips between a variety of guises while it looks for an easy target. The one constant: a metal rod about two feet in length.

As it spies light beneath a door, it settles on an average appearance. Average height, medium build, dark hair and eyes. Something seen but easily forgotten. He tucks the length of metal behind his back and enters the room.

Random name generator says: Léan Styles

Léan Styles

High Concept: Overworked Student

Trouble: Playing With Power

Aspect: Knowledge is Mastery

Aspect: Paid in Blood

Aspect: Just a Military Family

+3 Mode: Student (Athletics, Contacts, Investigate, Lore, Rapport)

+1 Mode: Military (Athletics, Drive, Fight, Notice, Shoot)

+2 Mode: Esoterist (Deceive, Empathy, Investigate, Lore, Will)

Léan walks in shortly after the other student, dropping a couple of books as the door tries to close on her.

Léan rolls Notice against the shape shifter's -4 (!!) difficulty. Result, +2 and adds Something Isn’t Right Aspect to the shape shifter with two free Invokes.

When she leans down to scoop up her books, Léan sees the metallic cylinder protruding from the other student’s belt. She places her stack of material on a nearby desk as the professor looks up, startled by the commotion.

“Yes?” he asks, looking from one student to the other.

The other student stops and looks at Léan and the professor. He seems hesitant and uncertain.

Léan puts on a smile as she approaches the other student, one hand tapping the small of her back.

“I wanted to see if there was anything I could help you with,” she replies, narrowing her eyes at the intruder. “And I think this student is in the wrong room.”

Léan rolls Provoke against the shape shifter's -1 and uses one free Invoke. Result, +3 and adds a Moderate consequence: Caught! with one free Invoke.

The student swallows nervously and takes one last look at the professor. One hand absently checks the metal club at his back, then he turns to leave. Not a single word as he walks by.

The Plot Thickens

Marionette linked to the professor

“What a strange man,” Professor Edwards mutters, stacking his papers nearly on his desk.

Léan nods and turns back to the professor. His light, graying hair unkempt from working hours after class.

“Anything I can help with?” she asks.

“Hm? Oh. No. Nothing too important, really. Just some botanical papers that I thought useful.”

Léan rolls Empathy against difficulty 0. Result +2.

“Seems important, seeing how you're still here at, what, almost ten?”

“Important? Not to me. Maybe to Williams, not me.”

“The engineering professor? What's his interest in plants?”

“Ah, that's the interesting part. He asked me to look over these poisonous plants to find potential cures. Seemed worthwhile.”

Léan eyed the documents then looks back at the door. “I forgot. I have a couple things to take care of tonight. See you tomorrow?”

Professor Edwards waves without watching Léan depart, still engrossed with straightening the stack of papers.

An Heroic Undertaking

Location: Franklin Hall

Threat: Shape shifting minion

Entering the darkened halls of Franklin, a familiar shape detached from a doorway and walks toward Léan, a metal club catches a small amount of light.

“Professor Williams doesn't want to be bothered,” he says in a strangely musical voice. “Just turn around, and I won't have to hurt you.”

Léan Compels Knowledge is Mastery for one Fate point.

Léan shakes her head and shrugs, “Professor Edwards is researching poisons and antidotes for an engineering professor. I need to know why.”

“I tried,” he says in mock resignation.

Léan rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's +3. Result +6 and adds Off Balance Boost.

The minion swings with his metal club, but Léan ducks then kicks his knee.

Léan rolls Fight against the shape shifter's +3. Result, +6 with the Off Balance Boost and inflicts a Broken Nose Moderate Consequence.

Léan takes advantage of her opponent’s balance and presses. Her fist hand sharply into his face with a middle snap as his nose breaks.

Léan rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's +0. Result, +1.

Her assailant winces and swings wide with his club. Léan leans back, the metal baton inches from her face.

Léan rolls Fight against the shape shifter's +1. Result, -1.

She responds and throws a hook toward his head. He ducks under the attack and swings the baton at her chest.

Léan rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's +3. Result +3.

Léan sees the attack coming and blocks the strike, driving her forearm against his wrist.

Léan rolls Fight against the shape shifter's -1. Result, 0 and inflicts the Bruised Head Minor Consequence.

She grabs hold of his wrist and pulls him into a head butt, causing his eyes to tear amidst the pain of his nose and knot forming on his head.

Léan rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's +0. Result +3 and adds the Blinded Boost.

He snarls and rips his arm free. Forgoing his weapon, he attempts to wrestle Léan to the ground. She sidesteps and catches the side of his head with her elbow.

Léan rolls Fight against the shape shifter's +3. Result, +4 and adds the Unconscious third Consequence.

Her opponent, distracted and blinded by the elbow across his eye, is open for a counter. Léan brings a hammer fist down on the back of his head, knocking him to the ground.

The Truth Revealed

Professor Edwards walks into the hallway, looking at Léan and the unconscious body on the floor.

“Fantastic work,” he says approvingly. “I was worried I'd have to do that myself.”

“Professor, what the hell is going on?”

“Isn't it obvious?” he asks. “Summonings and poisoning!”

“Obviously…”

The Final Showdown

Location: Engineering Class, Franklin Hall

Threats: Professor Williams and shape shifting minion.

The lecture hall is empty except for two figures down at the front of the room. Professor Williams, balding and blue eyed alongside what looks like a duplicate of the man lying in the hall. They turn when Léan and Professor Edwards enter.

“You might need this,” Edwards says, handing a highly polished knife to Léan.

“What? Why?”

Professor Williams’ shape seems to mold like clay, revealing scaly, mottled gray green skin and sharp needle like teeth. His hands end in vicious claws.

“Ok,” Léan says, snatching the knife from Edwards.

Léan rolls Athletics against Williams’ +0. Result, +3 and adds the Tripped Boost to Williams.

Edwards rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's +2. Result, +2.

The scaled thing that was Professor Williams rushes up the steps and dives at Léan. She sidesteps and kicks out at the creature, knocking it to the floor. The other shape shifter charges Professor Edwards, but he grabs his attacker’s arm.

Léan rolls Fight against Williams’ +3. Result, +3 after spending one Fate point.

Edwards rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's +2. Result +2.

Léan stabs down at Williams, but he rolls and grabs a hold of her wrist. Edwards and the shape shifters continue wrestling, neither getting the upper hand.

Léan rolls Athletics against Williams’ -1. Result, 0.

Edwards rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's +0. Result, +2.

Léan struggles against Williams and pries her hand free. Edwards pulls his shape shifter toward him and frees himself from the grapple.

Léan rolls Fight against Williams’ +6. Result, +3. Williams adds Tripped to Léan with a free Invoke.

Edwards rolls Fight against the shape shifter's -1. Result +0.

Léan isn't as skilled in hand to hand combat. In her attempt to stab at Williams, he kicks at her chest. The force of the kick knocks her back against the floor. Edwards is more successful and stabs into the shape shifter's chest, inflicting a mild wound.

Léan rolls Athletics against Williams’ +6. Result, +4.

Edwards rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's +0. Result +2.

Léan, on the floor, barely has the opportunity to roll away from Williams’ attack. His talons dig deep scrapes into her leg. Edwards is having better luck and easily defends the swings his opponent makes toward his body.

Léan rolls Fight against Williams’ +3. Result, +5 after spending a Fate point and adds Slashed Arm Minor Consequence.

Edwards rolls Fight against the shape shifter's -1. Result +1 and adds a second Consequence: Stomach Wound.

Léan rolls into a crouch after being raked by the talons and slashes out, cutting a wound along his arm. Edwards thrusts his knife into the shape shifter's abdomen, inflicting a heavy wound.

Léan rolls Athletics against Williams’ +3. Result, +4.

Edwards rolls Athletics against the shape shifter's -1. Result, +3 and adds Blood Loss Boost.

Confidence floods Léan. As her attacker gets to his feet and swipes sharp talons at her face, she ducks and gets back to her feet. The weary shape shifter makes a feeble attempt at punching Edwards; he removes the knife and steps back, black blood oozing from the gaping wound.

Léan rolls Fight against Williams’ +1. Result, +0.

Edwards rolls Fight against the shape shifter's +1. Result, +2 and adds the final Consequence.

Léan slices at Williams with the silver dagger. The professor barely steps back in time to avoid the attack. The other shape shifter is not as fortunate, Edwards’ knife finding his throat and slashing it open.

Léan rolls Athletics against Williams’ +4. Result, +4.

Edwards rolls Fight against Williams’ +1. Result, +3 and adds a second Consequence: Knife in the Back.

Léan rolls Fight against Williams’ +1. Result, +2 after spending a third Fate point and adds the final Consequence: Stabbed in the Chest.

Williams steps forward and reaches for Léan’s neck, grabbing her throat. Edwards interferes, knifing Williams in the kidney. Williams growls and turns to glare angrily at Edwards. Léan seizes the opportunity to stab him in the chest. Williams turns his glare on Léan as he collapses.

“So, you wanted to help me?”