Pilgrims of the Wasteland story

## Overview:

Pilgrims of the Wasteland is a standalone story that introduces the world and the core game mechanics. It is a dark tale about a *vagrus*who ends up initiating a desperate plan in the hopes of saving his crew. This takes them along a dangerous path through the forsaken continent’s wastelands while being both pursued by an eldritch threat and slowly usurped by a cruel black knight. Estimated playtime is 7-10 hours (depending on playstyle).

Although Vagrus is an open-world game, do note that the standalone story ‘Pilgrims of the Wasteland’ is initially a more linear experience, with less branching in the overall story, albeit full of choices and consequences within the events themselves. It introduces the world, characters, game mechanics, and concepts one by one, eventually opening up more in its second half.

## Introduction:

The Pilgrims of the Wastelands begins as you, a Vagrus, leader of the traveling caravan, known as a 'comitatus', are resting at your camp. An old man called Agos offers to tell you a tale of another comitatus that he once travelled with. The comitatus had fallen on hard times, and their Vagrus clutched at one last change: purchasing scapmetal in the remote town of Scapheap, and selling it far to the east and south.

In this story you take on the role of this comitatus as you approach Scrapheap, the village at the food of the ever-fuming mountains of the ancient Dwarven kingdom. A town of scavengers, debris and junk is piled into veritable hills upon which the rickety homes of the decrepit inhabitants stand precariously.

Upon arriving at Scrapheap, you track down an old acquaintance called Narbo, in the hopes that he will sell you scrap metal at a discount. He can be found in the *Wraith's Stash*, a notorious watering hole, tucked away in the backstreets of the village.

Narbo will agree to sell you the scapmetal at a discount on the condition you deliver a package for him to Avernum, a town on the way to Deven, where you eventually hope to sell this newly acquired inventory.

You are now free to explore the village of Scapheap

## Exploring Scrapheap:

Unfortunately you are unable to visit the Heap King, and any attempts to do so will be blocked by his guards. However, you have the option of visiting Scrounger's Lane.

Here you are presented with the option of exploring the market or attempting to recall the location of a shop hidden in an alley which used to peddle Dwarven curiosities.

Explore the market:

* Unfortunately there is nothing to purchase and there is a risk (role vs 63) that you will be pickpocketed by a cutpurse.

Try to recall the location of the shop selling Dwarven curiosities:

* (Role vs 90) - if successful you will be able to purchase a Dwarven Compass - which will increase the movement range of your comitatus (It is highly recommended to purchase this)

After this you will collect the scrap metal and supplies and move out of Scrapheap and begin the journey to Avernum.

## Journey to Avernum:

After a long days march, your comitatus settles down to rest in a wide ravine, when you begin to hear a muffled noise you do not recognise.

Your Cargo is being eaten by a Jhakra, a wasteland scavenger that hunts in packs. Here your companions Morwen and Javek step into defend you as Jhakra attack. After driving off the beasts you will have the option to harvest those you have slain to make up for the supplies the creatures raided.

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+2   Ivory

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+90  Supplies

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+5   Hides

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## Event: The Last Pilgrimage

After several days of traveling your scouts report in terror that they have spotted the Last Pilgrimage approaching. A group of spectral horrors, known to eradicate travellers in a matter of minutes, and no-one as ever survived meeting them up close.

Choosing to flee will cost you 4 Movement, whilst hiding will cost 1 Moral and 1 Movement. Regardless of your choice you manage to evade the spectres and continue on your journey to Avernum.

## Event: The Voiceless Lake

The next point of the journey takes you to the lava filled "Voiceless Lake", where your comitatus will attempt to cross. (Roll vs 72)

A failure will result in a number of your comitatus dying and Moral dropping by 2. Success, however, increase your Moral by 1

## The Inquisition

After crossing the lake your scouts report a battle between an unknown faction and a group of undead. You cannot escape the undead and will be forced into battle alongside the last survivors.

After defeating the enemy you are able to meet the man in the black armour, Sedarias, a knight of the Order of the Black Sun. He explains he was drawn here chasing enemies of the empire, but instead were surrounded by Undead.

As he must now report to his superiors in Avernum, he will forcibly join your comitatus.

## Event: The Last Pilgrimage (Again)

As you continue a storm approaches and you hear chanting on the wind, the Last Pilgrimage has returned. However, for an inexplicable reason they suddenly turn left, and head away from your comitatus. Sedarias views this as a clear indication that Serogrod is with him, protecting him and the comitatus.

## Avernum

As you approach Avernum, Sedarias will depart, but leave you with a proposition. He will reveal that the enemies he was hunting were Abolitionists, and that the only way he could have been set up was someone with authority must have betrayed him. He doesn't leave you much choice but to help him uncover who this was.

He will leave you his holy symbol and his sword, though forbidding you from selling them at the market.