"Redemption at Rackthorn" is the twenty-ninth mission of The Home Front.
Sam guides you back to Castle Rackthorn but your victory feast is interrupted by a familiar face.
ACTIVITIES: Pick up Rubbish, Scrub and Polish, Dust
Cast[]
Plot[]
Return to Rackthorn[]
You weren't meant to have saved Castle Rackthorn, but Janine was terrifyingly efficient. Sam thinks he's managed to fix the story though, so grab your cleaning gear and do a bit of a dance to warm up and return to Castle Rackthorn!
Collapse[]
You're celebrating your victory in the Great Hall of Castle Rackthorn, when suddenly Doref the Warlock appears. He'd teleported away in the nick of time and has returned for revenge. He causes the roof of the hall to collapse and sets the table on fire, before spiriting away the king. Thankfully, Janine interrupts with a plan and you put out the fire. She has counter-strategies to help you through! Better clean up that rubble first though - look around your room and pick up anything that shouldn't be on the floor.
Natural One[]
You rush into the courtyard and see Doref chanting. A gigantic troll rises up from the moat. While Sam says you need to distract it, Janine points out that you can use the drawbridge as a bludgeon. You see the windlass to raise the drawbridge, but it's all gummed up. You'll need to get it sparkling clean to make it work. Grab your enchanted sponge and scrub down anything that needs it. You start to lower the drawbridge and Sam rolls a natural one for the troll's save. It's knocked out by the drawbridge. It will take time for Doref to recharge his teleportation and levitation spells, so you'll need to keep scrubbing so you can lower the portcullis.
Disarm the Traps[]
Doref is on the battlements with the King, so you check for traps before you head up the staircase. Natural Twenty! You'll need to dust to disarm the traps. Try dusting bookshelves or the back of a cupboard. You edge up the stairs and reach the battlements, but you'll need to keep dusting to disarm the last few traps.
Belief[]
Sam says that he and Maxine have come up with a way to bring the castle down that even Janine can't outfox! Doref casts a spell and summons a mighty red dragon. You draw your sword, which is your cue to get a mop or broom ready, and face it down. The dragon starts to breathe flame, and you'll need to move quickly to keep out of the way. Might as well sweep or mop the floor while you're at it. The dragon has high HP, but Janine wants a persuasion roll to ask the warlock why he's doing this. Doref explains that the king used to humiliate, belittle and ignore him. Janine chooses to sympathise with this. You tell the warlock he has proven his superior power, but to prove his worth, he must take the path the king would not. This reaches the warlock and he agrees, and vanishes, taking the dragon with him. Sam is overcome with emotion realising that Janine's entire strategy relied on her believing in Sam, and his faith in people. Sam needs to take a moment, so keep sweeping or mopping.
All Battles Can Be Won[]
Janine explains that Sam needs a little more time, and thanks you for participating in this training exercise. The villain has been pushed towards redemption. No matter how dark the hour, no challenge is impossible, and all battles can be won.
Transcript[]
SAM YAO: Hello folks, Sam again. Quick recap for anyone who missed the last workout. Basically, I’ve been running a bit of a Demons and Darkness campaign on the air, helping people clean up their uh, well, wherever they’re locked down while we’re waiting out the zombie super horde that’s swarming the area. Which uh, no news on that yet, but here’s hoping for tomorrow. Anyway, you listeners are being the hero, only instead of rolling dice, you’re doing chores to overcome challenges.
You’re meant to be at the bit of the story where you see a castle fall to a mysterious spider horde and later on you discover the evil warlock Doref was behind it when he joins the even eviler Kit and Ameline. And you were supposed to be like, cleaning out the bath when the water elemental attacked and stuff. Only Janine made some, um, surprise improvements to the story in our last workout. Basically, Doref’s dead and the castle’s safe, which is sort of the reverse of what we want.
But not for long, because I’ve spent two days straight working out a way to fix the story, and I’ve got it. So grab your inventory. That’s a mop or broom, scrubbing brush, duster, and any other cleaning gear you’ve got lying around. If you want to dance around to warm up, you can do that, too. And get ready for demons, darkness, and daring, because when the break ends, we’re getting this adventure back on a track.
[SAM alternates between a dramatic Game Master voice for narration, different voices for characters, and his own voice for asides and cleaning instructions]
SAM YAO: So let’s set the scene. You’re in the feasting hall of Castle Rackthorn, sitting at a long wooden table covered in dishes of steaming meat and pies. [crowd laughs and chatters, lively music plays] The hall is packed with nobles celebrating your defeat of the spider horde. King Sigmund sits at the head of the table, a wiry man with a bushy beard, chewing on a chicken leg. Suddenly, in a flash, Doref the warlock appears behind him.
But how? Didn’t Janine collapse a cave on Doref? Aha! She did, but see, he teleported away, and that’s a legit spell. Warlocks can do that. “Fools! You think you’ve beaten me? I’ve only just begun!” Doref cries, dark robes swirling as he thrusts out a hand, conjuring a bolt of magic. He blasts one of the stone pillars decorating the hall. The pillar collapses into rubble, blocking the door. Another blast sets the table on fire. Then Doref grabs the king and levitates, flying out through the window! With flames spreading fast and the door blocked -
[notification chime]
[sighs] Sorry. Uh, getting a message from Janine on ROFFLEnet. She says, “Overturn the table. The stone floor will smother the fire. Then move the debris blocking the door to pursue the warlock.” [sighs] Uh, yeah, okay. That, um, that makes sense. So um, so you tip over the table, snuffing out the fire, but you still need to clean up the debris from that smashed pillar. That means looking around your floor for anything that shouldn’t be there. Bags, books, shoes, anything, and get that debris all picked up and put away where it belongs.
The rest of Janine’s message says, “Mr. Yao, I foresaw your attempt to usurp my solution to the war game, and am ready to offer counterstrategies. As you know, I’ve been hoping to improve your tactical acumen. Testing your challenges to my solution ought to be a fine exercise.” I… [sighs] Janine, it’s not a war game, it’s… okay, Sam, deep breath. You’re the Game Master, you can deal with this. You just need to be, uh… a little creative.
For this bit, I was gonna say you need to move the debris really fast because the castle’s burning down, only I guess it isn’t anymore, so just keep clearing your floors during the break and I’ll be right back with uh… Doref’s next dastardly plan. I hope.
[SAM alternates between a dramatic Game Master voice for narration, different voices for characters, and his own voice for asides and cleaning instructions]
SAM YAO: Right. Okay, everyone. Janine’s still messaging me through ROFFLEnet. She’s busy with urgent repairs, but she’s keeping one ear on the broadcast. So, you rush out of the feasting hall into the castle courtyard. Great stone walls loom around you. Atop one, you see the warlock. He’s standing with his hands thrust upward, chanting.
In front of you is the castle’s arching gate, the portcullis open. Past that is a moat with the castle’s drawbridge raised above it. Suddenly, dead ahead, a gigantic troll rises from the moat. [water drips, troll growls] Skin the color of slate, covered in patches of lichen, the troll is wielding an enormous iron club. It wants to smash the castle to bits. You have to distract the troll until the castle evacuates. Get ready -
[notification chime]
[sighs] Hold on. Janine says, “If the troll is approaching from ahead, it will pass under the raised drawbridge. We can use the bridge as a blunt instrument. And I remind you, Mr. Yao, that the rules of the game mandate dice rolls for certain actions.”
Right. Um, yeah. To your left, you see a windlass, an iron wheel connected to chains that raise and lower the bridge, but it’s all gummed up with rust and grime. If you want it to work, you’ll need to get it shining. And the same goes for anything else that needs a good scrub and polish: windows, counters, the kitchen sink. Grab yourself an enchanted sponge and get to work.
Up on the battlement, you can see the king bound and gagged, tied up beside the warlock. Storm clouds fill the sky and Doref’s long hair is flailing in the wind. That windlass might be clean enough to crank. You heave up and the drawbridge reluctantly starts to lower with a rusty groan. [metal chain clanks] You’d better keep scrubbing, get rid of the last bits of gunk. All right, Janine, you want dice rolls? Let’s do a constitution save for the troll!
[dice clatter]
Oh, that’s a one. I rolled a one! So the lowering bridge hits the troll and knocks it clean out. The troll collapses in the moat. [notification chime] Janine says, “It will take some time for Doref to recharge his teleport and levitation spells. I recommend closing the gate so he cannot escape.” Right. There’s a lever by the portcullis which lowers it. But ah, guess what? It’s also covered in grime. You’ll have to keep on scrubbing during the break to clean and work it.
I was gonna have you defeat the troll by scrubbing off its lichen once the castle fell. I guess that doesn’t really make sense, saying it out loud. Oh! I should have just said the drawbridge was broken, shouldn’t I? Me against Janine… this really isn’t fair.
[SAM alternates between a dramatic Game Master voice for narration, different voices for characters, and his own voice for asides and cleaning instructions]
SAM YAO: Okay, so you’re in the castle courtyard and the portcullis is closed. There’s a stairway nearby leading up to the battlement where Doref is holding the king. Doref is ranting at the king. He hasn’t seen you coming. You charge up the stairs and -
[notification chime]
[sighs] Janine says, “Mr. Yao, we check for traps.” That’s… [sighs] Okay, you’ve got a pretty high wisdom score, so checking for traps. [dice clatter] And it’s a 20. Of course it is. Fine, yes, there are traps all over the stairs, which would have forced you to dance about fighting goblins and you know, sweeping the floor. But instead you can… ah! Yeah, dust to disarm the traps. That means anywhere around the house that needs a careful dusting, like bookshelves or the back of a cupboard. Get that duster out and go to town.
Janine says, “Also, Mr. Yao, I believe your warlock voice needs work.“ What? [sighs] "It is imperative to give listeners the psychological tools to commit to the scenario. You must fully embody its tenets.” What…? You… Okay. All right, fine! As you inch up the stairs, you hear Doref ranting at the king. [clears throat] Okay. “Nobody will save you, my liege! This castle will fall before your eyes and your final sight will be I, Doref the Magnificent, blinding in my splendor!”
I do think that note improved my performance, actually. Anyway, you reach the battlement. Doref and the king are a few meters ahead. And yes, Janine, before you check, there are more traps between you and them, which let’s just assume you see, because these dice are on your side. So listeners, keep dusting away during the music break. I’ll be right back once those traps are disarmed.
[SAM alternates between a dramatic Game Master voice for narration, different voices for characters, and his own voice for asides and cleaning instructions]
SAM YAO: All right, Janine. All right. I didn’t want to have to do this, but you’ve left me no choice. I’ve just checked with Maxine, and we’ve got a way to bring this castle down that even you can’t outfox. Listeners, you’re almost within striking distance of Doref when he turns to face you.
“Fool! I heard you coming a mile off. Did you think I’ve no more tricks up my sleeve? Let fire flame from the sky!” Suddenly there’s a terrifying roar from above. With thunderous wing beats, a mighty red dragon zooms down from the clouds, its scales glistening in the rain. The dragon hovers over the battlement, eyes glowing purple. It’s under the warlock’s control!
You draw your sword, and listeners, this is your cue to get a mop or broom ready. The dragon opens its mouth and a lance of flaming breath shoots at you. All you can do is dance out of the way, dodging across the battlement. And while you’re dancing about with a broom, might as well give that floor a good sweep. Make sure you cover every inch of it. Or a mop, if you prefer.
Meanwhile, Doref gloats, “You can’t possibly beat my dragon! Soon this castle will be slack, and all you can do is dance away, retreat!” And he’s right. Yeah, two and a half thousand health points on that dragon, Janine. 25 armor. There’s absolutely no way you can -
[notification chime]
Oh. Janine says, “We roll for persuasion"? Okay. You’ve got pretty high charisma, too, I guess. Janine says, “As we dodge, we ask the warlock why. Why does he hate the king? And we keep asking until he answers. [dice clatter] Ooh, wow, that’s a pretty good roll. Okay. Doref says, um… "For years I served in this drunken idiot’s court. He belittled me, humiliated me, discarded my advice. I, a wizard with magic in my veins! My thoughts and words were nothing compared to the power of his crown.”
Janine says, “We choose to sympathize with the warlock.” Okay. [dice clatter] The warlock looks away as if ignoring you, but as you dodge flames, you catch his eyes softening. The king, bound at Doref’s feet, is watching with red-faced rage. He doesn’t understand why you aren’t trying to kill the warlock!
Janine says, “Mr. Yao, you are a master of empathy. You would never create a character beyond forgiveness, or-or pass up a window for redemption. We tell the warlock he has proven his superior power, but to prove his worth, he must take the path his liege would not. There is no honor in killing a helpless wretch, no matter how big his crown.”
That is a very good point. [brief pause, dice clatter] And you know what? Y-Yeah, let’s just say the argument is so clear, the dice roll doesn’t matter. Doref hears your words and looks at you in surprise. He says, “Of all the things I expected from you, hero, understanding was not one of them.”
He glances down at the king, and the fire drains from him. “You were never worthy of your power, sire, but perhaps, like this one, I can be worthy of mine.” And in a flash, Doref and the dragon are gone. Sunbeams pierce the parting clouds, and the king stares at you, eyes wide with gratitude and -
Aw, I’m sorry, everyone. It’s just uh… Janine. She based her whole strategy on… she believed in me. She believed that I’d believe in people. She based her whole plan on that. Aww. I’m just gonna take a minute, put some music on. You all keep sweeping, or mopping, or rest if you’re tired. I’ll be right back.
JANINE DE LUCA: Greetings, listeners. De Luca here. My apologies for Mr. Yao. He requires a few minutes to collect himself. Having finished my work, I have taken over. My thanks to you all for assisting with this supplementary training exercise. Needless to say, I am pleased with the results. Not only has the castle been saved, but the only human casualty from my run-through has been reversed. Thanks to Mr. Yao’s empathetic tendencies, the villain has not been slain, he has been pushed toward redemption.
I must admit, this exercise was inspired in part by a desire to boost morale. These are dark days, and while I’m hardly about to join Dr. Myers’s game nights, I recognize the influence of diversions. I trust you’ve all taken the right lessons to mind from your victory at Castle Rackthorn. No matter how dark the hour, no matter how desperate the siege, no challenge is impossible. All battles can be won. And if the wind is fair and you have the right allies to hand - allies with the heart of Mr. Yao, perhaps - then with tenacity and work, happy endings can be earned.
Codex[]
Letter[]
ATTENTION: Runner Five
Janine de Luca
To: Runner Five
Runner Five,
I will keep this message brief as I am aware you have already received quite a lot of correspondence from Abel Township over the past few weeks, but I do hope this finds you well.
This may be slightly unorthodox, but if you are amenable, I would like to make a supply pickup request. Our latest information indicates that you are currently sheltering near the games store “Bloodbath and Beyond”. If the opportunity presents itself, and only if it’s safe to do so, I would like to request that you collect a set of Demons and Darkness dice. Mr Yao appears to have an unfortunate habit of misplacing his twenty-sided die, and I suspect he may appreciate having a spare set. I believe green is his favourite colour.
Thank you.
Regards,
Janine De Luca, Abel Township.
Supplies[]
The following supplies can be found in this mission.
(List may be incomplete.)
Baseball Bat
Board game
Cricket bat
First Aid Kit
Flashlight
Football
Laptop
Mobile Phone
Overcoat
Pain Meds
Shirt
Trainers
Underwear
Whisky
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