This is a list of actions taken by your apprentice. If you find an action suspicious, check its box. At the end of the exercise determine whether you trust your apprentice or not and roll a d100 to find out what happens.Taking on an apprentice can be a life-changing event. Some masters gain new knowledge, personal fulfillment, and a meaningful relationship. Others get sealed in a tree.
This is a list of actions taken by your apprentice. If you find an action suspicious, check its box. At the end of the exercise determine whether you trust your apprentice or not and roll a d100 to find out what happens.
You are approached by a young person who wishes to become your apprentice.
Almost immediately, she impresses you with her skill and knowledge.
She is undeniably attractive.
She is eager to help with even unpleasant tasks in your routine.
Her enthusiasm makes you feel a little guilty tasking her with difficult chores.
She shows talent and progresses quickly through basic lessons.
She asks questions about your abilities and techniques that just about anyone could have heard about through stories.
She follows those questions with insightful follow-ups that demonstrate a keen understanding of the subject.
Her line of questioning begins to flirt with forbidden/privileged information without actually crossing the line.
She reacts with apology and surprise when you turn the conversation away from dangerous topics.
She becomes an undeniable asset to your work.
You sneer at the thought of doing things that were so much more difficult before you took on your apprentice.
You find her diligently studying an advanced technique you did not personally teach her.
She reacts with surprise when she discovers you were watching.
She reacts with disappointment when you insist she keep to your prescribed syllabus.
She risks her life to protect something precious to you.
She is seriously wounded in the process.
She apologizes profusely for what almost happened.
You spend long weeks nursing her back to health.
In that time it becomes clear her dreams and ambitions are quite close to your own.
What attracted you to her initially is underscored by her passion and dedication to ideas you hold sacred.
She thanks you for your care with tearful earnestness.
She has the most captivating eyes you have ever seen.
She resumes her studies with commendable diligence to make up for lost time.
You notice a change in her demeanor. She has difficulty focusing on certain tasks and has trouble meeting your eyes.
After an emotional and difficult day of training, you confront her about her behavior.
She tries to object and becomes flustered.
She confesses she has fallen in love with you.
You cannot deny that some part of you returns these feelings.
Life returns to a better sort of normal, and you are able to share secrets with an easy trust.
Both of you reach new levels of understanding as masters of your craft and as people.
You feel comfortable sharing forbidden knowledge that you would not trust another soul with.
She takes in the information with solemn dedication.
She plans a romantic outing in the forest.
You arrive to find a picnic set up under a tree—a very large tree.
There is a note that reads, “I will join you soon, my love. Please sit and enjoy yourself while you wait for me.”
The basket is unopened and calls to you ominously.
The day is gentle and sweet, the ideal conditions for passion.
You hear soft footsteps from the other side of the tree.
Add the number of boxes you checked and multiply by five. That number is your Suspicion. Decide in this moment if you trust your apprentice. Roll a d100 and determine what happens based on your trust or distrust.
Trust |
Distrust |
Rolled under your Suspicion You missed key red flags that bards will name as they sing of your folly years from now. If it’s any consolation, you are unlikely to hear those songs from inside this tree. Rolled over your Suspicion Your apprentice has always been worthy of your love and trust. The basket contains a ring that she will use to pledge her love to you. |
Rolled under your Suspicion You cleverly thwart an attempt to imprison you. You also managed to obscure key truths throughout your apprentice’s training, making her mostly harmless—at least to you. Rolled over your Suspicion Your apprentice has always been worthy of your love and trust. Unfortunately, on this day you betray her out of fear. Something beautiful is forever lost to you. |