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 Based on Italian tradition, folklore, history, landscapes, fiction, and pop culture, Brancalonia is a Campaign Setting
for the 5th Edition of the most famous role-playing game ever.

Brancalonia is a game by Acheron Games.

Brancalonia and Spaghetti Fantasy are registered trademarks. All rights reserved.

Credits layout and graphic design: Matteo

project management: Samuel Marolla Ceresa and Federica Scirea
creative direction: Mauro Longo adventure: Andrea Macchi and Max
direction of international version: Castellani
Mauro Longo design and rules development:
editing: Masa Facchini Andrea Macchi and Max Castellani by Epic
maps and sheets: Moreno Paissan and Fabio Party Games
Porfidia english edition translation: Alex
cover: Katerina Ladon Valenti and Max Castellani
art: Andrea Balluchi, Katerina Ladon, Andrea english editing and proofreading:
Macchi, Alessandro Amoruso and Moreno Paissan John Marron

Brancalonia, the ENnie Award winning Spaghetti Fantasy setting for the 5th Edition of the most famous
role-playing game of all time, is back with a brand-new campaign featuring the Italian satirical community
Feudalesimo e Libertà (Feudalism and Freedom)!

This primer you are reading, Stall Wars, is the free introduction to the first official Brancalonia game campaign,
The Empire Whacks Back, created by an heroic alliance of Acheron Games, Epic Party Games, and Feudalesimo e
Libertà.

You can find this file, the character sheets, and any other Brancalonia downloads, in Italian and English on our
Kickstarter page and on the game’s official page at www.acheron.it

Brancalonia – Stall Wars contains:

• An introductory description of the Kingdom of Brancalonia, reprinted from the 2020 Quickstart.
• A brief presentation of the Empire of Feudalesimo e Libertà.
• A complete map of the northern part of the Kingdom
• The introductory job, Stall Wars, which serves to launch the campaign, with new monsters, NPCs, and dive games

You can find Brancalonia adventures, the companion book, and other useful documents at www.acheron.it and
https://bit.ly/BrancaloniaQuickstartKit

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Stall Wars

Index
Brancalonia well explained....................3
Knaves, Bounties, Bands and Jobs................................... 4

Welcome to Brancalonia...................................................8

Enter the Empire.................................................................. 10

What you will find in the campaign The Empire

Whacks Back..............................................................................12

Freezing Nights and Empty Saddlebags.....................13

Moves and Whacks ...............................................................16

Slaps and Poppycock............................................................20

Stall Wars....................................................................... 22
Scene 1...................................................................................... 27

Scene 2.......................................................................................35

☞Appendix A...................................................................36

☞Appendix B..................................................................40

This primer is updated to the final version of the core ruleset and to match
the Brancalonia - Setting Book.

Even if you don't have the Brancalonia Setting Book, thanks to the basic rules
of the SRD and this primer, you can get a good glimpse of Brancalonia and
of what the definitive campaign will be like.
 Stall Wars

Brancalonia
Well Explained
If you have never played Brancalonia
before, please read here!

C
Welcome (back?) to Brancalonia, a land full of pitfalls and money-making opportunities, in the most in-
credible and roguish Italian role-playing game you have ever participated in!

Create your own band of Knaves, enlist in a free company, get yourself some well-paid jobs, and deliver a
fist-and-knife buffet to those who have it coming!

Once you have collected a tidy sum and somewhat climbed the ranks of your company, you’ll be ready to
try your luck in one last job that could enable you to go out in a blaze of glory...

After all, what could possibly go wrong?

Brancalonia is the Spaghetti Fantasy campaign setting for the 5th Edition of the most famous role-playing
game of all time.
A “back-to-front” version of Medieval Italy, this fantastic, fairy-tale influenced, roguish world quotes,
collects and mixes contributions from contemporary and classic Italian fiction, pop culture, and collective
imagery:
☞ Traditional Italian folklore and fairy tales, from Le Pia- ☞ Our period movies, such as For Love and Gold (or The
cevoli Notti (The Pleasant Nights) by Straparola to the Incredible Army of Brancaleone) and The Profession of
eighteenth-century Lo Cunto de li Cunti (The Tale of Arms; and international blockbusters with Medieval and
Tales); from Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio to the most popu- Renaissance settings, like Ladyhawke, The Princess Bride,
lar collections of folk tales of the Bel Paese. and Flesh + Blood.

☞ The chivalrous and courteous tradition, from medieval ☞ Twentieth-century Italian fantasy masterpieces by writers
“cantari” (minstrel ballads) to Renaissance epics. such as Pederiali, Eco, Buzzati, and Calvino.

C
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 Stall Wars
Knaves, Bounties, Bands,
and Jobs
In Brancalonia, all playing characters are Knaves, i.e. members
of a Band of mercenaries, rogues, and similar rascals, engaged
in questionable Jobs across the various domains of what is
left of an ancient kingdom now in ruins.
The Knaves
The world you live in is one of breathtaking adventure, he-
roic feats, and legendary deeds.
Here, knights in shining armor lead fearless armies against
terrifying enemies; skilled treasure-hunters, ready for anything,
explore the forgotten basements of long-lost empires, juggling
lethal traps and nameless monsters; cunning, mischievous
heroines use their charm to deceive princes and merchants
and steal treasures worthy of a royal ransom in one night!
But you’re not one of them... you are the ones who step in
when things go wrong: lazy swindlers, scoundrels of the lowest
order, listless dabblers and greedy knaves.
The mean, the seedy, the ugly ones.
That’s you, in short.
You’re the dregs of the adventure world, the cannon fodder
of all battles, the scum that emerges when you scrape the
bottom of the barrel, the dirty dozen that is pulled out of
prison only for desperate missions.
Do you find this unfair? You’re not so stupid, then... it is
unfair. But let’s face it: fate has better things to do than bother
playing clean with the likes of you ...
Enough talking, scapegallows... it’s time to get busy!
Bounties
With all the rogues, losers and bootlickers like you out and
about, the Kingdom could fill ten thousand galleys, and
even wage war on the Soldan, out there in the Overseas. But
lo and behold, you’re still roaming the towns and country-
side, making trouble wherever you go, and no-one seems
capable of putting an end to this scourge.
This rabble, this throng of gallows birds, of which you are
such worthy exponents, is also identified in its entirety as the
Brotherhood: the network of Bands and Knaves on whose
heads a bounty – large or small – was placed at some time
by one of the Kingdom’s fief lords.
Whatever the prize, selling a Brother to guards and bounty
hunters is universally considered an unparalleled infamy, and
no honorable brother would ever do it. Of course, dishono-
-4-
rable rats are never hard to come by; even so, a Brother who
hands another one over to the Guards is easily offering them
a chance to collect two bounties... if you see what I mean!
In short, Knaves don’t normally collect each other’s Bounties,
but these are known to be highly coveted by Hunters, and
Guards, at least when the game is worth the candle.
The Bounties of Knaves and other characters in the game
represent not only their value in money but also their repu-
tation within the Band and among the various Bands around
the Kingdom.
Rules for Bounties are explained in detail in the Brancalonia
Setting Book.
The Company
Rampaging freely up and down the Kingdom, acting on
their own initiative or selling themselves to the highest bid-
der, the bands of Brancalonia are framed as companies of
fortune in the pay of some avid general, petty nobleman, or
vile local lord.
The band which the Players’ Knaves belong to can be many
things: a battered army heading for the Overseas to wage war;
a traveling caravan of rovers or mountebanks; a guiscard lodge
in search of a lost portent of the Draconian Age; a medley
of robbers who prey on wayfarers; a contingent of deserters
who fled the war to seek refuge; a well-organized mercenary
company; the crew of a pirate ship; a bunch of treasure hunters;
a gaggle of criminals in disarray; a brotherhood of pious friars
on the trail of some ancient relic; a squad of escaped convicts;
a guild of bounty hunters, reprobates, beggars or swindlers;
a horde of pagans at the gates of the city; and anything else
that comes to mind.
In any case, ordinary people consider affiliated Knaves dan-
gerous, annoying and ready for anything. Ideally, it’s advisable
to steer clear... failing that, it’s best to befriend them.
In addition to carrying out their odd Jobs, Knaves help
manage their own company together with their leader, accor-
ding to rules of Rollick (passive time).. The choices made at
this stage improve the conditions by which the missions will
then take place, and missions accomplished will improve the
Band’s status.
The rules for managing the Band, Notoriety and Dens are
explained in detail in the Brancalonia Setting Book.

The Band
In Brancalonia, the party of the Players’ Knaves called the
Band.
A Band is a close-knit, tried and tested handful of Knaves
who can be sent on a mission and relied upon to perform
together without murdering one another a few steps down the
road. The players' Band is only one component of a company,
which can count a couple, a dozen or even a few hundred.
Climbing up the ranks of the company and becoming its
leader is one way for a Knave to advance in the game.
You will start off as third-rate scoundrels in a vile, dangerous
world, clawing your way up through dirt and blood; eventually,
if you prove yourself up to it, you will rise to the rank of
leader of your Band and shake the thrones of kings and lords.
Are you ready? Um, right: you were born ready...
The Brancalonian Job
Companies (and consequently Bands) are often hired by
villagers, merchants, nobles, and warlords, for all sorts of
odd jobs: generally illicit, dangerous tasks that nobody else
wants.
And that's on a good day...
On a bad day, there are curses, demons, witchcraft, mon-
sters, and double-dealings behind the jobs.
There’s got to be a catch if people resort to Knaves, right?
Bands and companies also ensure a smooth exchange of
players and characters, casual play, one-off sessions and
progress in rank and level.
“Life is like a bowl of soup in a dive:
you never know what your going to get."
- Sor Foresto de'Gonzi, tavernkeeper -
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Stall Wars
The Condottiero and the
atmosphere in Brancalonia
The Condottiero is the Game Master of Brancalonia. He
is responsible for conducting game sessions and for tel-
ling what happens during the adventures. As the com-
pany leader, he offers Jobs to be carried out by the Band.
More than anyone, the Condottiero contributes to main-
taining the correct atmosphere around the game table by
mediating between the demands, inclinations, and desires
of other players.
In fact, Brancalonia lends itself to many different approaches:
• You can focus on military campaigns and missions with a
tragicomic, bitter, raw or sarcastic tone: in this case, the
company – probably a mercenary army that sells itself to
the best patron around in the War of the Thousand Years
– will be striving to get rich and live long enough to enjoy
its accumulated treasures.
• You can focus on folklore creatures, monster hunts, and
fable-like stories. In this case, the atmosphere will be that
of the traditional fairy tale, with adventurous expeditions,
treasure hunts, magical enterprises, or even with typically
rural-gothic themes.
• You can focus on picaresque, rowdy and highly ironic
situations, rich in pop quotes.
• You can descend into a darker world, all intrigues, political
plots, murders, and decadence, or even venture into
grimdark, low fantasy and grand-guignolesque scenarios.
• You can take to sea with corsairs and creatures of the
abyss, sailing the Sea of Sapphire,
​​ the Charybdeans or
the Murky Sea, to plunder and be plundered by pirates
infesting such waters.
• You can experience more chivalrous stories of brigandage,
resistance, dynastic intrigues, and lofty ideals. What if
an heir to the Kingdom’s throne were hiding among the
thieves?
• You can indulge in the surreal and the fantastic, delving
into the more supernatural and fantastical aspects of the
setting, or imparting some magical realism typical of so
many twentieth-century Italian authors.
Within the Campaign Setting Book, all these ingredients
have been dosed to our personal taste: in your games, you,
the players, will decide which to use and which to leave out.
The important thing is that the Condottiero and the Knaves
always agree on what is about to happen in your Brancalonia!
 Stall Wars

Welcome to Brancalonia
The adventures of Brancalonia Knaves take place in what its inhabitants refer to as
simply "the Kingdom; after all, what the Chancellor of the Emperor of Altomagna
stated is true: "the so-called Kingdom" doesn’t really exist!
The territories of the Brancalonia Peninsula and neighboring islands are but a mi-
nor possession of the Empire of Altomagna, ceded to Queen Menalda of Catozza
as a vassalic benefit a hundred years ago and never recovered, even after the dynastic “The so-called Kingdom
line of the Catozzi was broken by intrigues, plots, and a dozen suitors. is merely a geographic
The Bounty mentioned by Pomponius was for the head of Buemondo the Fat expression!”
from Aurocastro, who – from the bottom of the “bad boot” peninsula – had set up
a confederation of bandits, lords, and brigands. These villains raged from Piccadora - Clemens Pomponius,
to Falcamonte, assaulting each and every imperial army and refusing to pay taxes, Chancellor of Altomagna -
tithes, and levies.

In exchange for the head of Buemondo, said to weigh eighty
pounds, Menalda was given the regency of the Kingdom on
behalf of the Emperor. A century has gone by: the entire
peninsula has eluded Altomagna’s control – and no-one is
keen to reclaim it, until now!
With the Iron Crown of Menalda gone missing and the succes-
sion’s heraldry undecided, the Kingdom is now split into over a
dozen independent regions; in turn, these are fragmented into
local potentates, fiefdoms, counties, villages, marches, duchies,
baronies, alliances, knighthoods, municipalities, and commer-
cial leagues; not to mention the uncertainty of the domains’
boundaries, and surrounding no-man’s-lands...
Given the wide variety of themes and tones that can be used
when playing Brancalonia, each of these regions can be the scene
of odd jobs and situations with a highly specific atmosphere.
Here is a quick overview.
Quinotaria, or of Ancestral Ruins, Sea
Monsters, and Gorgons
Legend has it that Quinotaria is the place where, centuries
ago, a mythical beast called Quinotaur crawled out of the
waters and mated with the wife of the distant King Clodion
of Overmountain, of whom the current rulers of Quinotaria
are thought to be the remote descendants.
The coast and valleys of this region are dotted with ancient
ruins of unknown origin, similar to the cyclopean ones found
further south along the boot. The most disturbing rumors about
these lands regard the dracians, a deformed and amphibian-like
people said to live along the coast; the gorgons, unnatural beings
descended from the Quinotaur; and the Signs, abominable
bodily deformations reputedly marring some of the inhabitants
and giving them unspeakable powers. Although not the capital,
the most important city in the region is Lungariva, ruled by
very wealthy merchants.
Falcamonte, or of Knights, Gobbolini, and
Brigands
The lands of Falcamonte are harsh and wild, with occasional
glimpses of rich and fertile views. The capital of the region
is Tauringa, where the royal seat was repeatedly placed; con-
sequently, the city and its surroundings teem with landed
gentry and town nobility of all sorts, old knighthoods gone
to seed, brave cadets full of ideals, swordsmen in search of
recruitment, very wealthy winemakers, scheming courtiers,
and decadent aristocratic families. Every forest and no-
man's-land is infested with robbers and bandits, thieves and
marauders, keen to return to the poor (including themsel-
ves) what was purloined by barons and princes of the blood.
Last but not least, the gobbolini, a veritable plague of this
region, lurk in gorges and caves at the foot of the mountains,
attacking and insulting anyone who passes within their range.
Galaverna, or of Merchants, Mountebanks
and guiscards
While Falcamonte is home to ancient and impoverished ari-
stocracy, the neighboring Galaverna is the land of merchants,
moneylenders, entrepreneurs and companies of fortune.
Everything has a price, honor is non-existent, and profit and
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Stall Wars
interest reign throughout the villages and countryside. Many
gold coins flow around these parts, and parochial rivalries
abound. The Greats of Galaverna eye one other grimly from
the battlements of their respective towers, while their skilled and
greedy mercenary armies sell themselves to the highest bidder,
changing sides as others change their underwear. This area is
also renowned for its many workshops, factories, and craftsmen;
for its alchemy, pyrotechnics, and watchmaking; and for the
affected ways
​​ of its ladies. Here, companies of mountebanks,
musicians, and conmen draw crowds in the squares and cour-
tyards, and wizards, charlatans, charmers, healers, and Guiscards
earn their living as theater actors and operetta sorcerers, or as
genuine experts of arcane arts.
Vortigana, or of Sequins, Sailing Ships, and
Stabbings
Probably the largest region in the Kingdom, Vortigana is
entirely the domain of the powerful merchant city of Vorti-
ga, so called because of the whirlpools (vortici) and currents
that stir its waters. Ruled by a lugubrious council of weal-
thy tycoons, Vortiga is also famous for its masks, intrigues,
and Carnival. The’s city long fingers reach across an ample
stretch of the Murky Sea as far as Sidonia, including the
islands of Callista and Tasinnanta. This merchant opulence,
whence thousands of gold coins pour yearly into the Grand
Council’s coffers, is countered by the constant siege of pi-
rates and corsairs along the routes of its sailing ships; the
rivalry of barbarians and Tergesta refugees; the presence of
thieves and murderers, of gifted and beggars along its stre-
ets; the infestation of bandits, pagans, heretics, benandantes
(good walkers), and supersticians in its vast hinterland. The
mainland domains are also a point of passage favored by
fugitive gangs, marauders, deserters, spies, troublemakers
and disbanded armies from Altomagna, as well as the home-
land of choice of many mysterious and extraordinary beings,
such as sylvans, fanes, morgants, and magical creatures from
the north.
Pianaverna, or of Mists, Witches, and Pagans
Pianaverna extends south of Vortigana, Falcamonte, and
Galaverna, and is formally ruled by the Greats of the latter.
This is a foggy and depopulated land, traversed by the largest
river in the Kingdom, the Fossa (Pit), and by all its tributa-
ries. Swampy, mephitic, haunted by wretches, bandits, and
fugitives, Pianaverna is scattered with tiny hamlets as well
as a few villages of a certain importance, all infested with
scores of mercenary companies and small armies of fortune.
This is also the seat of old legends, forbidden sorcery, and
very ancient creatures: here, horrid hags and monsters of the
rivers, fugitives and wanted men, malebranches and bavali-
sks have their hiding places. Part of the region is occupied,
a no-man's-land home to one of the largest confederations
of pagan tribes in the Kingdom. The area is frequented by
hermits, monks, itinerant priests, preachers, and miraculists,
seeking to bring the Light of the Saints among the heathens
inhabiting these parts.
 Stall Wars
Enter the Empire
If you don't know anything about
Feudalesimo e Libertà, please read here!
Hail Cohort!
If you are reading these lines, it means you have thus far
lived in sin, ignoring the decrees of the Emperor, or perhaps
that you need reminding of your convictions lest you incur
public shame or even worse forms of torture.
Feudalesimo e Libertà - aka ‘Feudalism and Freedom’, FEL
- is the Italian (satirical?) political party of The Emperor, the
one and only direct descendant of Charlemagne – heir to the
Aquisgrana throne – whose divine right it is to rule over all
European lands, and hold power over an Empire on which the
sun never sets. Today, however, European populations have
been swindled by the ridiculous theatrics of demo(n)cracies,
have traded the stability of serfdom for the free market,
subtracted luxuries and wealth from noble families to extend
false rights to the plebeian masses, the likes of voting and
assembly, and worst of all, they have neglected the Ghibelline
faith, prefering to follow the bland, weak party of the Pope-
following Guelphs. On this stage of degeneration of human
progress, whose peak was only reached during the golden era
of the Middle Ages, FEL rises as the only solution, aiming to
re-establish the sole financial system that will return Europe
to the splendor of times gone by, one too harshly judged by
history!
Feudalism and Freedom is an online community born
in Italy, initially as a humorous Facebook page, which now
counts over 700k followers and fans. FEL suggests a bizarre
return to the past, offering feudal solutions to contemporary
problems that modern society is having a hard time solving.
The economy, jobs, development, healthcare, education, and
justice system; FEL has created a full political program to
address it all.
Here are some examples:
Coin: why stressfully ponder over investments and
speculation, inflation and stimuli, when all could be solved
by returning to the gold standard? FEL suggests the abolition
of money, no more than a waste of paper, and a return to
the use of gold coins, the only medium which guarantees
economic stability. Said minting would only be available,
of course, to noble individuals, the only people worthy of
- 10 -
holding a handful. The plebeian masses will have to concern
themselves solely with their own survival. Systems such
as trade, markets, and tithes will be enough to ensure the
necessary exchanges of food and tools.
Labor is in dire need of reform. Too much unemployment,
too many people lazing about, clogging the streets and
lengthening lines at the DMV. FEL proposes making
unemployment a crime, making work compulsory for
everyone (excluding the nobility, of course). Every pleb,
should they want to fill their belly, will have to invest their
efforts into de-stoning, plowing, and sowing fields, toiling
from dawn to dusk (a little less in winter, a little more in
summer), to ensure the land assigned to them bears good
fruit. Tasks will also need reforming, abandoning all positions
that require the use of electronic abacuses or motorized
contraptions, to reinstate positions such as chamberlain,
inquisitor, corpse carrier, page, ditch-digger, human step for
carriages, horse messenger, butcher, the Duke’s personal soup
blower, and leech-breeder, among others.
FEL has spared nothing on healthcare in these years,
providing solutions that finally agree with all those who
complain that modern medicine is made up mostly of
charlatans. By rejecting 300 years of heresy and medical
terrorism – which have lead human life to become tedious, as
it is too long and healthy – FEL proposes a radical overhaul
of the medical profession. Perfect knowledge of medical
flora and the Bible will be compulsory requirements for
those wanting to practice the trade, as flowers, shrubs, and
animal derivates will be the basis for all common medication.
Purulent boils will be medicated with applications of bovine
urine, sore throats with nettle infusions, dry skin with
compresses of lard and carob oil, the habit of listening to
loud music in the street with a wooden stick to the side,
and pant hem curls with ankle amputation. In the remote
eventuality of the cures not having the desired effect, there
will always prayers to Our Lord, a viable solution for the
likes of the Black Death or other pestilences, aided by forced
isolation, lazarus pits, and leper bells.
 Stall Wars

FEL’s political program expands far beyond the above, but

it is easier to sample the Emperor’s resolve within Brancalonia
itself. Foreign policy in particular, as too many lands have been
left to their own insufficient devices, far from the Imperial
throne, and which require the steady hand of the Emperor to
soothe restless spirits.
Join us then, and fill the ranks of the invincible landsknecht
army, which has now reached the Sinister Boot.
The Empire is about to whack back: which end of the stick
do you choose?

- 11 -
 Stall Wars

What you will find

in the campaign The
Empire Whacks Back
The Empire Whacks Back is the first official game campaign Playing Stall Wars and The Empire Whacks Back
for Brancalonia – The Spaghetti Fantasy RPG without any other manual

This new, standalone expansion (you don’t need other This booklet and the entire The Empire Whacks Back
Brancalonia publications to play this one) is a hardcover campaign have been designed to be played and used without
handbook of around 180 richly illustrated full-color pages, needing any other official Brancalonia material or manuals,
with maps, characters, antagonists, monsters, and other images though you will still need to be familiar with the 5e rules.
evocative of the Bounty Kingdom.
If your wish is simply to whack some things in support of
The book will feature: the Emperor, or against Him, you will be able to do so by
simply following all the information included in this booklet
• A description of the northern regions of the Kingdom and the final campaign book.
and their Free Cities, with secrets, menaces, curiosities,
places of interest, rumors, game hooks, and new ideas for If, instead, you’d like to find out more about the setting and
your gaming sessions. secrets of Brancalonia’s Spaghetti Fantasy, all books can be
• A general presentation on the Altomannic Empire, its found on the www.acheron.it website, in stores across Italy,
rulers, secrets, and armies. on Amazon, and most online stores.
• A complete map of the northern part of the Kingdom
• A new, original, war-themed campaign, consisting of 10
linked adventures.
• New Backgrounds, new Dive Games, new Grandluxuries,
new Equipment, new Spells, and new Magical Junk for all
Knaves.
• 20+ new monsters and antagonists typical of Italian
history, tradition, and folklore

- 12 -

Freezing nights and
empty saddlebags Rules and variants to be used in Brancalonia
Shoddy Equipment
In Brancalonia, everyday objects come at the normal cost, as
per common price lists. However, Knaves are generally short
of money, and poor-quality equipment is all they can afford;
Shoddy items and services are badly crafted and offered by
crooks and scoundrels. They have an unreliable appearance,
uninviting taste or ambiguous smell, and they always look
ready to fall apart on first use. indeed, poor equipment costs
way less than standard-quality gear (usually a tenth of the price).
Objects and Tools
When using shoddy objects or tools, you always run into
inconveniences. From time to time, and depending on the
item being used and on the situation, the Condottiero can
choose which effects to apply; also, if any check involving
poor equipment fails by 5 or more, the object will break.
Weapons
When you attack with a shoddy weapon, if the d20 roll is a
1, the weapon comes apart. All your subsequent attacks are
made with disadvantage. This effect lasts until you use an
action to fix the weapon.
Armor
Shoddy armors fall apart, literally. Whenever an enemy hits
you and the d20 roll is a 20, a piece of armor flies away and
the base Armor Class provided by the shoddy armor decre-
ase by 2. If you hold a shield, it will be the first to fly out of
hand. The effect lasts until you retrieve the lost pieces and
use an action to fix them.
Horses, mounts e animals
When making a check with shoddy mounts, if the d20 roll
is a 1, the animal will get crippled and will no longer be able
to proceed, for 24 hours. A shoddy mount also has a 10 ft
lower speed than a typical animal of the same type.
- 13 -
Stall Wars
Shoddy Magic
Magical components are expensive and rare. That's why
those in the Kingdom capable of casting spells and miracles
usually employ a poor version of actual magic. This often
leads to accidents and weird effects, which have affected the
reputation of magic, accused of unpredictability and oddity,
as well as quackery, the prerogative of beggars, operetta wi-
zards, and country superstitious.
The effects of shoddy components and materials affect the
spells' appearance, but not on their practical functioning.
For example, a familiar summoned with poor-components
may have a funny or grotesque appearance; a fireball could
smell of rotten eggs.
All the rest
For all the things that are not listed above, shoddiness ma-
nifests itself in countless different ways, and it's hard if not
impossible to create an effect for every situation. When a
character uses a shoddy-whatever, the Condottiero can use
one of the following effects accordingly to the situation and
the object involved:
Small incident. A funny inconvenience with no
consequences.
Difficulty increase. If a check must be made, its DC will
increase or decrease unfavorably.
Malfunctioning. Shoddiness leads to an unexpected
malfunctioning.
Damaged. After being used, the item becomes damaged
and needs to be repaired before it can be used again.
Not working. Not working. If the item is consumable or
has a limited number of uses (for example: vials of acid, flasks
of holy water, or a healing potion), roll 1d6: on a roll of 4
or higher the item functions normally, otherwise the item
reveals itself as a bad imitation and it's useless or wasted.
Annoying inconvenient. An unfortunate inconvenience,
such as a quiver leaking 1d4 ammunitions carried during
travel, or as having the rations soaked and inedible due to a
water infiltration in the boat while crossing the river.
 Stall Wars

Counterfeit Equipment
The Kingdom is well-known for its counterfeit goods: forged documents and fake
coins are almost more popular than real ones, bogus relics and works of art have
entirely dedicated retail and wholesale markets, the capital of Alazia itself, Porto
Patacca, takes the name from the rip-offs served to naive travelers (pataccas), and
any object or service that appears in the game can be counterfeit.
The counterfeit equipment has 3 key features:

• It always seems very convenient: in fact, a counterfeit item generally costs the
50% less than the corresponding object, according to the official price lists. To
any doubtful question of buyers, the sellers often try to justify themselves by
saying that it has been regularly stolen or it's "second-hand" (which is the same
thing). But that's hardly ever true: it's simply counterfeit!

• It looks like common equipment: counterfeit equipment does not cause any
malus to social reactions like poor-equipment.

• It works like shoddy equipment: apart from the aforementioned malus to

social reactions, counterfeit equipment shares the same issues and causes the
same disadvantages as the shoddy version of the same items.

Rest
Among the many game variations used in Brancalonia, the Gritty Realism variant
for Rests is essential. In Brancalonia, the Short Rest lasts 8 hours, and the Long
Rest 7 days.

Currency and Costs

There are many currencies, ancient coins, chicken feed and items of exchange
circulating up and down the Kingdom’s cart tracks. Those wishing to avoid any
hassle should always use the monetary system in the official rules: gold, silver and
copper coins with fixed purchase values and price lists. Call them with the name
of the metal they’re made of, and you’ll be fine. Keep in mind that no one in the
Kingdom has the faintest idea what platinum is: as for electrum, they wouldn’t
even know how to pronounce it. Brancalonia replaces electrum with iron, which
has the same value.
In general, the least-valuable coins are made of copper and are only good for buying
eggs at the market. These are generically known as quatrins, coppers, or piccioli (in
Zagara, for example).
10 quatrins (CP) are worth 1 silver coin (SP). The most important and common
exchanges are made in silver coins, and each region of the Kingdom has its own
mintage. In the Kingdom of the Two Scyllas they are called taralles; florins, triskeles
and sequins in Torrigiana, Quinotaria and Vortigana respectively. Marks is the name
they go by in Spoletaria, sesterces in Alazia, bissones in Galaverna and Pianaverna, and
lire in Falcamonte.
Whatever their name, the weight and value of these coins is roughly the same.
As we were saying, the electrum is replaced by the iron piece (IP). 5 silver coins
correspond to 1 iron hunk. If you find this strange, you obviously haven’t seen the
coins: silver and gold ones are small and thin, while iron ones are as large as medals;
given their considerable weight, hunks are also called petechins.
Finally, we have gold coinage, commonly called aureos or big pieces (GP). Some cities
mint sequins and florins of gold, others use weights and units from the old Draco-
nian Empire or other minting. Again, 1 gold piece is roughly worth 10 silver coins.

Are you totally confused? Not to worry: so is everyone in the Kingdom!

- 15 -
 Stall Wars

Moves and
Whacks
Introduction to Brawling Rules

With his worn and crumpled clothes and a freshly-swollen face, he could not
wait to spend some of the considerable swag that he and his men had just earned,
sacking the haunted sanctuary atop Colle Ramino. Drain a couple of mugs, taste the
seafood specialties of the renowned inn overlooking the lagoon, and finally have a
peaceful sleep on a proper bed – these were the thoughts of the Wandering Knight
of the Short Breath Band, the first to cross the shabby wind-doors of the Lobster
Inn. Unfortunately, even before the alluring aroma of grilled fish ever reached
his longing nostrils, a fir-wood stool – missing one leg – whistled across the room.

It hit him hard. He wasn’t yet back on his feet when his Knaves stepped over him,
drooling, delivering slaps and punches, screaming and shouting, brandishing mugs
as swords and hoisting trays as shields.

Without a second thought, the Knight leaped onto a rickety table, whispering a
prayer through clenched teeth to Santa Flammetta from Fioraccia, and lunged
into the void ...

With bewildered glances, those beneath him realized too late that they would not
see the end of that scuffle.

Brancalonia has specific mechanics for the management and resolution of non-
lethal fights called Brawls.

Said Brawls are carefully thought out to act as boisterous and amusing intervals.
They can be used to start an adventure, animate slower moments, enliven a Job
with unusual challenges, or simply as a fun alternative to ease the stressful pace of
the deadly fights that can put the Band to the test.

The rules for Brawl in this chapter are a temporary and simplified version of the
final mechanics in the Setting Book. They are explained here as a demo, although
perfectly playable in their own way.

- 16 -
 Stall Wars

How to Brawl
Being non-lethal disputes by definition, Brancalonian Brawls are regulated by
simple rules that replace the typical cycle of combat.
A Brawl basically works like combat, but introduces significant differences re-
garding the actions you can take at each turn, and how Hit Points, Damage and
Movement are calculated.

Note: During a Brawl, you cannot use class privileges such as Class Spells, Extra
Attacks, etc., but you are allowed to take advantage of passive Features such as Unar-
mored Defense, Sense of Danger, etc.
B
To the brawl,
with honor

Movement. On their turn during the Brawl, brawlers can move an unspecified The culture, the rules of honor
distance: this enables them to move as much or as little as they like within the between scoundrels and rogues,
Brawl’s environment. and even the legislation in force in
If the movement of your brawler is 0, he or she cannot move. the various domains of the Kingdom
establish scrupulous practices for
Damage. Beatings, Moves, and Props deal Whacks and, in some cases, Tavern Brawls.
Conditions (see Whacks Levels and Conditions below). Conditions inflicted or
suffered during a Brawl last until the start of the character's next turn. In case of “Neither for copper nor hunger,
critical hit, the number of Whacks inflicted is doubled. let the blades hit in anger.”

Racial Powers A Brawl is a non-lethal fight, and

Each Brancalonian race has a specific Brawl Racial Power: must remain so. If blood were spil-
led or death brought to the street
Morgant: a morgant can use an Epic Prop with a bonus action. or into a tavern, the bloody fight
Human: a human has an additional Move Slot. would immediately escalate from
Gifted: The gifted can choose 1 Move also from the Magic Moves list when mere “breach of the peace” (which
selecting Moves at first level. nobody really cares about), and
Marionette: a marionette can use as a Prop one of its limbs as a bonus action: this branded as murder or attempted
will not break during use. murder, and Bounties on the heads
Sylvan: a Sylvan is immune to effects suffered at the first two Whack levels. of Knaves held accountable would
rise dramatically. A Brawl is a Brawl,
Whack levels and conditions and there must never be any killing.
During a Brawl, Damage from Beatings, Moves and Props deal 1 or more Whacks. For this reason, participants must
Whacks are measured in 6 levels (see table on the next page). never use their weapons or, more
If an already-Whacked creature suffers another Whack, its current level of generally, strike to kill.
Whacks increases by the amount specified in the effect's description.
“As taught by good ole manners,
Conditions. losers pay damages to
Some Moves and hits with Epic Props inflict additional conditions. Conditions shabby taverns.”
imposed by Moves and Props follow the normal rules of Conditions. All effects
last until the end of the next turn. As also provided by the law, Brawl
rules sanction the convention by
which, at the end of a Brawl, anyone
Brawl Table found unconscious inside the inn (or
1 Bruised -1 CA similar establishment) or within ten
2 Beaten -1 CA steps of it, may be stripped of their
3 Injured -1 CA possessions by the landlord, entit-
led to compensation for damages
4 Damaged -1 CA
caused during the Brawl.
5 Crushed -1 CA
6 Unconscious Flat Out

- 18 -

Beatings
Beatings are the regular attacks that each character (or PC)
can make as an action during a Brawl.
Each player character is competent in Beatings (attack roll:
Strength bonus + proficiency bonus).
Each time a Beating hits, it deals a Whack.
Moves
Moves can have various effects, some of which provide an
attack roll based on a specific Ability (indicated in brackets).
Each character is competent in every Move he knows. A
character can only use a limited number of Moves before
resting (Short Rest).
Every time your character uses a Move, he or she expends
a Move Slot.
Pre-generated character sheets are complete with assigned
Moves and Moves Slots.
When you finish a Short Rest, you recover all Moves Slots
expended during Brawls, and any Whacks suffered.
Stage Props
You can also inflict Beatings by using anything you can get
hold of within the environment in which the Brawl takes
place. All objects that can be wielded during the Brawl are
called Stage Props (or Props) and are divided into Common
Props and Epic Props.
Common Props
(bottles, pots, cutlery, dishes, candelabra, torches, flasks, stools,
pokers...)
Collecting a Common Prop requires a bonus action (each
character can use a bonus action during the Brawl).
You can use a Common Prop to attack, as a bonus action,
or for improvised defense (AC +2), as a reaction.
After use, a Common Prop will be destroyed or useless.
Epic Props
(tables, barrels, decorative armors, chests, trunks, chandeliers,
characters ...)
Collecting an Epic Prop requires an action.
You can use an Epic Prop to attack, as an action, or for improvised
defense (AC +5), as a reaction.
After use, an Epic Prop will be destroyed or useless.
When using an Epic Prop, you can choose to inflict one of
the following effects:
• 2 Whacks
• 1 Whack and the target is stunned
• 1 Whack to two different targets
• The target is Paralyzed
- 19 -
Stall Wars
Stray Dangers
Stray Dangers are additional effects that the Condottiero
can decide to include during the Brawl. All Brawlers (PCs
and NPCs) must achieve a successful saving throw against
the Stray Danger in progress or suffer the consequences de-
scribed in the Stay Danger description.
Examples of Stray Dangers that can be used in the Brawl
during the Job included in this starter set:
• Rain of Stools: Each Brawler must succeed in a
Constitution saving throw (DC 11), or be stunned.
• House of the Flying Punches: Each Brawler must succeed
in a Strength saving throw (DC 12), or suffer a Whack.
• River of Beer: Each Brawler must succeed in a Dexterity
saving throw (DC 13), or become Prone.
Opponents
Drunk yokels looking for trouble, vicious bands of wran-
glers, bandits waiting for the right fool to toughen their
knuckles on, tipsy guards on leave looking for a fist-fight.
The Kingdom’s Taverns always overflow with the worst thu-
gs and brawlers, and while some of them will drop like flies
under the Knaves’ storm of slaps, others will hold their own
and give them a hard time.
Opponents in a Brawl are divided into two categories, Hea-
vy-Hitters and Mob.
The Heavy-Hitter is a single powerful individual, usually at
the head of a large bunch of brawlers.
The Mob, on the other hand, is a group of individuals who
act separately but share the same Whacks levels (Conditions
are applied individually).
“Lions in the evening, asses in the morning"
- Very famous saying used by the venture captains,
inspectioning their weakling troops -
 Stall Wars

Slaps
and Poppycock
Introduction to Dive Games

From north to south, the whole Kingdom is strewn with –
and, for the most part, blighted by – taverns, inns, hostels,
wine shops and hovels of various (and mostly dubious)
worth. In game terms, they are collectively called Dives,
which is indicative of their level of refinement...
Between jobs with the Band, the best things to restore a
Knave’s body and soul are a bowl of slop and a little wine,
the buzz of auctioneers and singers, a nap by a warm fire-
place, a little company for the night.
However, what really make a self-respecting Bounty
Brothers’ Den are its games and pastimes: their assortment
of competitions, large and small, to make a bit of money,
drive out boredom, and have a laugh or two at the expense
of dorks and drunkards.
Two of the most popular are the card game Minchiate, or
Poppycock; and Barrel Beating, which, with a little luck,
can help an honest Knave fill his purse with jingling coins!
Each participating character places on the table the same
jointly-agreed bet, then the game starts.
1. Each participating character chooses 2 abilities,
representing his or her approach to the game, with which
to perform an ability check.
Here are some examples:
• Investigation (INT): make an accurate calculation of
the probabilities by monitoring the results of the cards;
• Insight (WIS): unveil opponents' bluffs;
• Deception (CHA): bluff;
• Sleight of hand (DEX): attempt at cheating [failure
causes the betting plate to increase by an additional
amount at the expense of the cheat, unless he or she
leaves the game].

You will find other dive games described in the Brancalonia
Setting Book and in The Empire Whacks Back.
Poppycock (card game – gambling)
The Poppycock (aka Minchiate) card deck was born in Torri-
giana, home to some of the most experienced and prestigious
card players in the whole Kingdom. Poppycock is, in fact,
a deck of cards used for various games, though it owes its
popularity to the one it is named after..
The recipe for the perfect Brancalonian gambling experience
requires a number of ingredients: luck, a quick hand, intui-
tion, acumen, a sharp eye, but also... some skilled cheating!
Indeed, in Poppycock – designed for rabble of the most sordid
kind – cheating is an essential and regulated part of the game,
providing the cheater is smart enough not to be discovered: if
caught, the gambler must fill the “Cover” (betting plate, table
stake) with an additional fee or leave the table.
2. Ability checks: at the Poppycock table, each ability check
DC is equal to 10, + 1 for each player (including the one
doing the checks).
3. Each successful ability check results in an increase in each
player's Win Roll, as follows:
0 successes = 1d6; 1 successes = 1d8; 2 successes = 1d10.
4. The Win Roll balances the Knave’s skill at the table and
the Saints' will.
5. The player who scores the highest result on his or her Win
Roll wins the game and takes the money..
In the event of a tie, the winners share the plate.. or, more
often than not, start a Brawl!

How to play:
For a quick game of Poppycock in a Brancalonian session, the
Condottiero and players can follow the rules below, simulating
about one hour of play at the dive table:

- 20 -

The Knave's Gambit
"The Awesome Amusement of the Knave's Gambit” is a new
playful activity that's garnering rave reviews throughout
the Kingdom. In this skillful mixture of strategy and slaps,
two players face off as condottieri (leaders) of their two
bands of carved pawns placed on a chessboard, in a game
where a thunderous slap is going to mark every failure.
How to Play
Two players sit at a narrow table with a chessboard on
which they place two rows of pawns of different colors and
shapes. Players challenge each other using the special moves
mentioned in “Step 2 - Move”. The DC of the moves equals
10 + the opponent’s Intelligence and Wisdom modifiers,
minus the opponent’s number of whacks suffered. On a
failed check, the player who made the move takes a slap they
can’t dodge (under penalty of disqualification and loss of
dignity), thus taking a whack (see page 18).
In addition, each player gets a Gambit Die, initially starting
from a d8. For each failed ability check, the Gambit Die will
decrease by one category; for each successful ability check,
the Gambit Die will increase by one category, as shown
below.
d4 - d6 - d8 - d10 - d12
Phase 1 - Stealing the white
In the first phase, players have to try and catch the White,
that is a white pawn placed in the center of the board, which
will determine who starts playing first. Both players roll for
initiative. If a character is proficient with Sleight of Hand,
they can add their proficiency bonus to the initiative roll.
Phase 2 - Move
In this phase, players attempt to increase the value of their
Gambit Die. To do this, starting with the player who stole
the White, they can make one of the following moves:
Discovery Attack
The player tries a quick and well-calculated move by
making an Intelligence (Investigation) check. On a success,
the player gains advantage on their next move.
Granny's Gambit
The player attempts a bluff by making a Charisma (Decep-
tion) check. On a success, the opponent has disadvantage in
their next move.
Knave's Fork
Pretending to be caught by a sudden hunger, the character
attempts to throw a fork at their opponent and must make
a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. On a success, both
players take a whack.
- 21 -
Stall Wars
Knight's Wrestling
One of the most challenging moves in the game, the player
attempts to knock the opponent to the ground while they’re
seated at the table by making a Strength (Athletics) check.
On a success, the opponent has disadvantage in their next
move, and both players take a whack.
Zagarian Defense
The player, pretending to make a mistake with their move,
tries to replace some pieces on the chessboard by taking
advantage of the violent momentum of the opponent
slapping them. With a successful Charisma (Deception)
check, the opponent’s Gambit Die decreases by 1 category,
but the player suffers a whack as if they failed.
King's Sacrifice
The player tries to get one of their essential pieces eaten
in order to break the opponent’s play by making a Wisdom
(Insight) check. On a success, the opponent’s Gambit Die
decreases by 2 categories, and the player’s die decreases by 1
category.
Slapmate!
The player can try the slapmate in an attempt to close
the game. The player rolls their Gambit Die and adds their
Intelligence and Wisdom modifiers to the roll. If the result is
equal to or greater than the DC of the opponent’s moves, the
player wins the game; see Phase 3 - End of the Game.
Phase 3 - End of the Game
If one of the players takes a slapmate or 6 whacks, they
lose the game, and the opponent is proclaimed Master of
Gambit.
Predictable moves. Given the strategic nature of the game,
repeating the same move twice in a row is predictable and
therefore is done at a disadvantage.
"A Monte!". Often, players can’t stand losing a game and
may decide to end a match prematurely, with an unregula-
ted slap. In this case, a player can choose, at any time, to try
and hit the opponent with a beating, shouting “a monte!”
and starting a Brawl. In this case all whacks accumulated du-
ring the Knave’s Gambit will be counted as suffered whacks
at the beginning of the Brawl.
 Stall Wars

Stall Wars
An introductory job set in Galaverna for a band of 3-4 rookie Knaves
(1st level), written by Max Castellani, Mauro Longo, and Andrea
Macchi

A long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away…

It is a time of civil war in the north of the Bounty Kingdom. Rebel cities and local Dukes have refused
to pay their fees and tithes and have won their first victories, military and diplomatic, against the Alto-
mannic Empire. The Emperor has gathered vassals, knights, and landsknechts to descend upon the Pagan
Plain and remind the locals of their place, in a forceful display of pigheadedness. Following the army,
along with diplomats and commanders, is the Imperial daughter, Princess Beatrice Faconda Anguillelia
of Acquisgrana, also known as Lelia, whom the Emperor intends to wed to a local northern noble to
redefine terms of peace and alliance. Should these attempts at peacekeeping fail, the inevitable result is,
of course, all-out WAR throughout the Kingdom.

The Princess, however, has been missing for the past few days, rumored to have been kidnapped by
scruffy looking cow herders, rival nobility, Altomannian mercenaries, or others. The fate of the Bounty
Kingdom is at stake, Imperial and rebel armies are gathering in every corner of the kingdom, Bands
and Companies are joining both sides, waiting for the spark that will set off the first strike, rumors are
spreading through every den and dive in the north.

Everyone, however, agrees on one thing: whoever finds Lelia first will hold the most sought-after
treasure in the entire Empire!

Introduction for the Knaves Names and References

It is becoming harder not to notice the war approaching, even for Knaves the When a creature’s name appears in
likes of you… Landsknechts and imperial spies are in every dive east of Tauringa, bold type (creature), its stats can
every city in the North is ready to burst, and every square of every place forgotten be found in Appendix A and B or in
by the Ternal Father is signing up all possible bands and gangs: from the most the Brancalonia manuals. However,
well-equipped dragoons to the throngs of bums which overpopulate the Kingdom. when a creature’s name appears in
The main cities, the ones awaiting Imperial delegations, have seen constant raids bold type with an asterisk (crea-
and punishments removing all smaller dens and bands. All petty thieves, knaves, ture*), its statistics can be found
and pickpockets have been kicked out of the city walls or summarily sent to the in the official SRD-OGL V5.1.
stocks, to prove the efficiency of the consuls, priors, and city aristocrats of the
Empire.
Chased out of every place, far from any member of your previous band, too far
gone and lost, you find yourselves in Abbiate Lardo, a small hamlet on the Fossa,
far from the main courts and municipalities, and you are wondering what to do
with your miserable life, when all of a sudden...

- 22 -

Hooks for the band
Below are examples of hooks providing suggestions on
how this incredible opportunity for loot made its way into
the Knave’s hands. The Condottiero is free to change them
as needed, or find others that best fit their Band of Knaves.
Knave one
This is the simplest and most straightforward hook for a
band of Knaves, hence the name. The band has simply
heard the rumor that Princess Lelia has been kidnapped
and the Knaves have started daydreaming about the
significant reward awaiting those who return her to the
Emperor or the Dukes of Tarantasia. Keeping away from
the raids currently plaguing the larger settlements, and
wandering aimlessly in search of the imperial damsel, they
find themselves in Abbiate Lardo during the Fair of Saint
Beaton and, noticing some suspicious activity, decide to
continue the search from here.
The corpse awakens
Along one of the roads connecting Galaverna and Piana-
verna, is an old hamlet in ruins and devoid of life. At the
center of the hamlet, the Band notices a hastily built gallows
upon which a number of rogues have been hanged, pro-
bably one of the exemplary executions carried out of late to
clear the fields of thieves and brigands. One of the dangling
corpses, however, jerks to life and starts calling towards the
Band, only to then start praying. If the Knaves interact
with the poor soul, they will find out he is Father Tornator
Dalì, a Castellanian-sounding miraculist who seems to have
vanquished death, even though his looks and stench might
suggest the opposite. Perhaps he is one of those mysterious
Paraghouls, Knaves so skilled they can even trick Death?
Dalì, from his noose, will tell the characters that they are
the first ones to pay him any attention, as everyone until
now either ignored him or pelted him with a few rocks
and cutting words. The man of faith tells them he has seen
knights and saboteurs, ration carts, traders, men of the
cloth, and several serious soldiers wearing foreign uniforms,
perhaps Altomannian landsknechts, all headed for Abbiate
Lardo, probably for the annual Fair of St Beaton. Not only
that: traveling with them were infamous felons, acrobats,
cooks, gendarmes, gangs of badly-equipped bandits, jackra-
bid felons, and all sorts of circus freaks.
Father Dalì promises to reveal a very important rumor,
should the Knaves help him out of the noose. If the cha-
racters do so, the paraghoul will tell them all about the va-
rious conversations he has overheard from the aforemen-
tioned passers-by, according to whom a certain Imperial
daughter has been kidnapped a few days prior in the proxi-
mity of Abbiate Lardo, probably by cocky mercenaries of
Altomannic origins. A large reward awaits whoever finds
her, and that is why the small army is headed for the Fair.
- 23 -
Stall Wars
The last redeyed
When the Emperor gathered his troops to descend upon Ga-
laverna to teach the municipalities a lesson, he also hired a host
of mercenary spears, pikes and swords, endless legions of infan-
try, landsknechts and knights, all primed for battle. Beside them,
however, also marched the skewers – the preferred weapon of
the nasty jackrabids population, who ran to join the promised
violence. And so, teams of felons and cut-throats have joined the
Imperial armies. To the cry of “Rabbits! On your Spits!”, these
harelings have already made a name for themselves in minor mi-
litary maneuvers, as well as the more sordid sorties in the rural
areas of the valley.
During their aimless wanderings, the Knaves have encountered
the last survivors of a pack of fleeing Jackrabids, chased by a mob
of furious peasants set on exacting revenge upon the harelings
for the way they have been treated. After saving the rogues from
their pursuers – in exchange for a substantial amount of coins –
the Knaves have also found out about the princess’ kidnapping,
probably at the hands of Galaverna bandits and ne’er-do-wells.
An even larger sum awaits whoever finds her again, and that is
the reason why the last skewer-walkers have decided to rise to the
occasion, and follow her trail to Abbiate Lardo.
A few hopes
There are a significant number of Dukes, Vice-Princes, Ar-
ch-Marquis, Proto-Abbots, and Briganza Baronets who have
still not chosen sides in the coming conflict. Some of them
lean toward joining the side of the Emperor, and want to
ensure the best seats in the New Feudal Order which will
be enforced in the north. Others, on the other hand, are
tending towards the newborn Blowhard League and intend
to fight for their own freedom beside Tarantasia (and imme-
diately after, against it).
Whatever the relevant noble’s faction may be, the Knaves
are rotting in the cages of one of these minor vassals, who
decides to take them down from public shaming to offer
them the cumbersome task of retrieving the missing prin-
cess, or at least discovering information about her current
location.
The vassal promises to return all of the band’s belongings
and erase their rap sheets, as well as promising a succulent
reward as an extra bonus, should the Knaves return with
accurate information or, even better, the young damsel in
the flesh, so the noble may sell her back to his superior.
According to the information he has gathered, the prin-
cess has been kidnapped by a band of minor Knaves of the
Brotherhood – just like our main characters – hiding in the
vicinity of Abbiate Lardo.
 Stall Wars
Background for the
Condottiero
WARNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS SE-
CRETS AND PLOT TWISTS FOR THIS AD-
VENTURE AND THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN TO
COME. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
The princess was never kidnapped; she escaped herself
from the Imperial Camp. The Emperor had been planning
to hand her over in marriage to the Lord of Tarantasia, but
the princess did not accept orders or impositions. She is
a free spirit and has no intention of being used as a peace
offering, given to a slimy aristocrat, or being treated as a
bargaining tool.
With no other way to leave the camp, she spotted a roving
seller ready to leave the landsknecht area, a man also brim-
ming with secrets and uncommon resources. She tricked
her escort and fled the open pavilions, hiding in the back
of his food-cart, the Mozzarella in Carrozza (mozzarella in
a carriage). The imperial army and the various sections are
accompanied by an uncountable number of entertainers,
thugs, performers, low-level felons, spirit smugglers, and
other service providers. Food is one of said services, and ro-
ving food carts abound – usually nicknamed ‘greasers’ by the
landsknechts – which offer a type of food only slightly better
than the army gruel provided by the canteens.
The one that the fleeing princess chose was no common
food seller, but rather a forlorn curdlemancer from Voltur-
nia, Tonino Scannafagiuolo, who due to his boar-ish origins
and looks, is commonly known as “Ventresca”. Ventresca
- 26 -
and Lelia immediately reached an agreement: to leave the
Imperial camp together and find a den somewhere north
of Abbiate Lardo, where they can hide from the Empire’s
envoys and bounty hunters, and spend the time planning
the details of a Big Heist that Lelia has in mind.
Escaping her father was not enough: the princess wants to
go all in by stealing the chests holding her dowry and the
troops’ payroll, and then flee to Gibralcanda where no one
will ever find her, and spend the rest of her life free from
troubles, thoughts, and her father’s control.
To escape, Lelia has hidden herself in a secret compart-
ment in the food-cart and waited while Ventresca left the
camp, on the pretext of reaching Abbiate Lardo and joining
the Fair of Saint Beaton.
In order not to arouse suspicion, the food cart has there-
fore really traveled to Abbiate Lardo, and there, to keep up
the façade, Ventresca has to actually participate in the Fair,
waiting for a better time to get further away.
Lelia has now cut her hair, dyed it brown, and has soiled
herself with grease and frying oil, disguising herself as “Bru-
nello”, Ventresca’s young male assistant. Only her piercing
blue eyes could give away her newly curdlemancer-applied
identity.
 Stall Wars

Scene 1 – In Search of Lelia

When the adventure begins, or right after the hook for
the Band has been accepted if you choose to play it out, the
Knaves will find themselves directly in the heart of Abbiate
Lardo, in the middle of the celebrations of the Fair of Saint
Beaton. No one is looking for them, no one really cares,
unless they actively bother someone or catch the attention
of someone in particular – the entire town, however, is
brimming with envoys of the Emperor, braves, rogues,
guards, mercenaries, all in search of Lelia.

Using a map of the Fair, the players can choose which

stalls to visit, who to ask for information, and where and
how to start investigating the princess’ disappearance. Most
of the stallholders and peasants attending the fair have no
clue about the whole thing, and do not take kindly to being
threatened by Knaves such as the characters.

Also, spreading the news that the Emperor’s daughter has

disappeared can cause a rising tide of rumors, chaos, and
general confusion that might lead to:

• alerting the fugitive and Ventresca themselves, who will

increase their efforts to cover their tracks;

• cause the characters’ arrest at the hands of local

Queen’s Guards and Imperial soldiers, for false alarm
and disturbance of the peace in the presence of the
Altomannic army;

• draw the attention of all the other characters currently

on the princess’ trail, who will take advantage of the first
opportunity to extort information from the Band and
remove them from the competition.

Discretion and a low profile should be the operating words

during the search. If the band, however, starts asking about
Brunello, Ventresca’s assistant hired in Abbiate Lardo, no
one will have heard of him and no one knows who he is. At
most, someone will have noticed a young man with piercing
blue eyes, reeking of grease and wine, wandering through
the various stalls.

Along with clues, bets, and attractions, the Fair is also a

chance to buy common Brancalonian goods and services,
including counterfeits, concoctions, and magic junk, all
obviously in its shoddy version.
 Stall Wars
The Fair of Saint Beaton
Below is a description of the various locations and clues
that can be found at the Fair.
1 – The Phantasm Menace. The Caterwauling Shack is a
large carriage set up as a haunted mansion, which for a mere
pittance will cause a shiver to run down the spine of even
the bravest Knave. The carriage is actually, truly haunted by
a phantasm, Berenice, cursed to be tied to this one location.
She is the one who activates the various mechanisms in the
Shack, or causes the various effects of the attraction, and the
reason for the Shack’s success in the region. The specter is
neither cruel nor hostile, and willingly cooperates with the
owner of the Shack – Dart Mallet, with his reddish skin and
visible horns sprouting out of his head, who uses his true
nature as further advertisement for the Shack. Dart and Be-
renice are in love and have been running the Shack for years.
By wagering 1 to 3 silver coins, you can test your mettle
inside the Caterwauling Shack, facing unknown threats and
forewarned dangers that Dart Mallet passionately narrates
to whomever walks close to his carriage. Any Knave who
chooses to enter will be faced with a series of improbably
and decidedly non-scary “special effects”, such as badly di-
sguised mannequins, colored mists, narrow passages, and
stuffed animals springing out very, very slowly. The whole
set-up feels like a disappointment until the last room, when
suddenly the entire carriage starts shaking and the spectral
visage of a woman appears through the walls.
Berenice uses her Terrifying Glare on the Knave. On a
failed save, the Knave will be thrown out of the Phantasm
Menace, still paralyzed by terror. On the other hand, on
a successful save, Berenice is impressed, and she offers the
band the opportunity to have a chat.
Clues: if the Knaves are able to befriend Berenice or her
beloved agent, or either is made to talk somehow, they can
discover that a suspicious-looking young man hid inside
the Shack that very morning to avoid being chased by two
- 28 -
men with peculiar accents. Unlike the latter, who fled very
quickly, the young man withstood the phantasmal manife-
station. Berenice has no idea who the man may have been,
but she is sure of one thing: beneath the disguise, the young
man is in fact a woman. Mallet did not see the young man
hide, but he did catch a whiff of frying fat and stewed cab-
bage after he left. He did, however, recognize the two men:
landsknechts, just like the ones camping with the Imperial
envoys (4).
2 - Mozzarella in Carrozza. This food-cart belongs to
Tonino Scannafagiuolo, known as “Ventresca”, famous in
many parts of the Kingdom for his frequent stops for sausa-
ge buns, tripe cauldrons for high prices, a thousand and one
delights, and his incredibly fresh Volturnian buffalo mozza-
rellas. This is the cart that Lelia used to escape the Imperial
camp, though she is currently elsewhere.
Clues: When directly questioned about the circumstances,
Ventresca denies any connection with the facts, but a discer-
ning Knave may discover that he is lying with a successful
DC 17 Wisdom (Insight) check.
For other topics, such as questions about: Lelia’s location at
that time, if he was the kidnapper, who were the kidnappers,
etc., the forlorn curdlemancer does not lie by replying in the
negative – after all, he kidnapped no one, and he has literally
no idea where Lelia is right now.
If he is questioned about his assistant “Brunello”, he will
reveal that he has tasked him with preparing the tripe caul-
dron for the Imperial dinner (4) and that he should be run-
ning errands around the Fair, looking for tubers and herbs
to add a bit of flavor to the dish. He might even admit that,
that same morning, he and Brunello took part in the Beatin-
gs as a distraction (3): Brunello had never taken part in any
Fair before, and he was excited to finally try out some local
fun. This is also all true.
If the characters suspect that he might be involved in the
princess’ disappearance, persist with their line of questio-
ning, or try forcing answers out of him, Ventresca will finish
cooking a Medullian with the magic formula “Cooked or
raw, the fire all saw!” and flees, as the creature attacks the
Band and any soldiers who might arrive, creating chaos at
the Fair.

3 – Saint Beaton and the Beast. The Fair of Saint Beaton
owes its name to the showdown between an ancient creature
that many years ago was chased out by the formidable “Bloody
John”, the Knight of Beatings, who was made patron saint
of the town by a hard of hearing preacher under the name
“Saint Beaton” or “Saint Bloody John”.
The beast in question was an “Adder”, some sort of snake,
bigat, or catsnake who grew too large due to some Befanic
curse, and the showdown is recreated annually at the Fair (see
p. 30, ‘Beatings of Saint Beaton’).
In the arena set up for the celebratory brawl is a young page
keeping watch over a book with a thick, heavy cover of Adder
skin (actually some river mouse-beaver) in which, every year,
the participants in the Beatings of Saint Beaton can list their
name after joining the brawl. Many have chosen to leave a
mark of their passage, many with horrible handwriting, even
more with just an “x”, at times followed by a period, colon,
or semi-colon. Consulting the Tome of Saint Beaton is reser-
ved for those who take part in the celebration of the sainted
knight, glorifying his name with their knuckles in the arena.
Clues: If the Knaves participate in the Beatings of Saint
Beaton and after that try to look for clues about the prin-
cess's presence by consulting the list of names in the tome,
with a successful DC 11 Intelligence (Investigation) check,
they can find two names that arouse instant curiosity: “Syr
Capocollo and Brunello”. If the characters ask the pageboy
holding the heavy volume about those names, he says he
doesn't remember, but also that 10 coppers (10 cp) might
stimulate his memory. If paid or convinced with a successful
DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check or DC 10 Charisma
(Intimidation) check, the pageboy tells them of a well-placed
man and a young boy with piercing blue eyes, who have defe-
ated all participants in the arena in a few minutes, during the
inaugural Beating. According to the pageboy, Syr Capocollo
and Brunello looked like a couple of good friends - maybe
lovers? - and after the brawl, they went to the Pork-o-drome,
to bet or perhaps participate in the Porkraces.
4 - Imperial Envoy Pavilion. This area of the Fair is taken
up by a recruitment center for the Imperial army, gathering
Knaves and farm thugs to become cannon fodder for the
auxiliary troops.
To draw attention, the Altomagne representatives have also
set up a shooting range using a few of their ordinance boom-
sticks, sure to make a hit thanks to their use of the powerful
and mysterious black powder.
At this moment, with the princess gone, recruiting officer
Conrad Schwanzstucher has also been warned of the events
and has set his subordinates on the case, scouring the Fair for
clues about Lelia’s whereabouts.
Behind the encampment is a large cauldron, in which the
“buseccone” is bubbling away: a stew of tripe, guts, offal and
sweetbreads, beans, tubers, and onions, in preparation for
the troops’ mealtime.
- 29 -
Stall Wars
If the Knaves want to, the can attempt to fire a few boomstick
shots (3 ranged weapon attack rolls, DC: 12, 15, and 18, no
prize other than a friendly pat on the back), or even sign up
as auxiliary Imperial troops.
In the latter case, they will receive a hearty portion of busec-
cone and a flask of wine, an Army Conduct Certificate (in
Altomannian, an incredibly bad deal for those who sign up),
and the order to show up the following morning at the tent
outside of town to receive their first pay and orders. That is
when the lashings, the stocks, and the hard labor will begin
– though this last part is not revealed to volunteer recruits.
Whether they sign up or not, the Knaves can still receive
a menial task from Imperial Envoy Schwanzstucker, who is
always on the lookout for willing saboteurs to create chaos and
confusion among the municipality pike detachment (5), who
are keeping watch over them in the most bothersome of ways.
Conrad Schwanzstucker (LN human landsknecht doppel-
soldner), is accompanied by 5 landsknecht and 5 felons.
Clues: Lelia keeps herself away from this group of Altoman-
nians. However, if the Knaves join the Imperials, or manage
to get close to them, with a successful DC 13 Wisdom (Per-
ception) check, they can hear the herald opening up to some
villagers, in a rather stentorian vulgar, revealing that he cate-
gorically rejects the idea that the mercenaries on the empire's
payroll could be those who kidnapped Lelia.
Other than the fact that he – he claims – would have heard
about it, no Band leader or landsknecht commander would
have so foolishly and openly provoked the ire of the Emperor.
Further, if asked, the gathered landsknechts and felons can
reveal that the buseccone has been prepared by Master Ventre-
sca and Brunello, his assistant. That morning, Schwanzstucker
sent two spies after Brunello to figure out the reason behind
his frequent disappearances, but the two returned just a little
worse for wear claiming that the boy was clean and had only
wanted to take part in the Fair’s offerings.
Finally, the officer or his subordinates can confirm that the
Mozzarella in Carrozza was indeed present in the Imperial
camp before the princess was kidnapped. That was the reason
for the Altomannians choosing Ventresca as an additional cook,
buseccone bubbling behind their tents: he has been vetted as
a reliable supplier for the Imperial troops. Brunello, on the
other hand, was not yet employed by Ventresca, but rather
was brought on board as assistant once in Abbiate Lardo.
5 - City Piketeer Stall. Mere steps away from the Alto-
mannian recruitment pavilion is a detachment of municipal
pikemen, who keep watch over all Imperial troops (who have
been allowed to recruit) and the proceedings of the Fair, ensu-
ring the minimal amount of chaos.
Abbiate Lardo is formally under the control of the Dukes of
Tarantasia, and it is to the latter that the pikemen and their
commanding officer, Viscount Maximus E. Fort, are loyal.
The Duke and the Emperor are allies, the former a devout
vassal of the other, but Princess Lelia - who was supposed to
 Stall Wars

Beatings of Saint Beaton

Several times a day, usually morning, afternoon, and evening, the arena at the center of the clearing in which the
Fair is set up, sees an all-out celebratory brawl featuring two factions; on one side, haphazardly put together knight
costumes, made of clay and straw, on the other a collective and equally haphazard Adder costume. The two sides fight
each other in an amateur version of a Brawl (see Brawl on page 18). The Brawl of the Beatings of Saint Beaton uses
the following changes:
Props. Players can only collect the props provided in the arena.
Costume. To participate, players must wear the appropriate costumes.

Costume of the Knights. Each knight must wear armor made of pots and pans that grants an AC equal to 16 (no
Dexterity bonus). Additionally, while wearing this armor, any attack roll is made with disadvantage, due to the pot
used as a helmet, that makes it nearly impossible to see.

Knights' common props

Knight's broom. When the character makes a beating with the broom, they inflict an additional whack.
Tower Tray. When the character is hit by an attack with spicy oil (see below), they can use their reaction to avoid it.

Adder Costume. Adder's robes grant an AC equal to 15.

Adder's epic props:

Spicy Oil Bellows. The spicy oil bellows can be used to inflict the stunned condition on two targets.
Foggy Dragoon. When the character is hit by an attack, they can use their reaction to activate the Flour Snow stray danger
on the Knights.

seal the alliance through marriage - has been kidnapped and
tensions are rising.
If the Knaves want to, they can sign up as auxiliaries in the
municipal militia. They will receive an Amnesty Certificate for
all of their Misdeeds (a document entirely to their disadvan-
tage, with subtle clauses specifically designed to screw them
over) and the order to show up the following morning at the
tent outside of town to receive their first pay and orders. That
is when the lashings, the stocks, and the hard labor will begin
– though this last part is not revealed to volunteer recruits.
Whether they sign up or not, the Knaves can still receive a
task from the Viscount, who is looking to hire spies to discover
what the Altomannians are up to in their tents.
Viscount Maximus E. Fort (LN human noble*) is accom-
panied by a veteran* and 6 city piketeers.
Clues: Lelia keeps her sensible distance from these soldiers.
If the Knaves sign up, however, or if they carry out the
task or somehow gain the trust of the Viscount, the officer
may open up to them and reveal that it was definitely not
anyone from the Free Cities who kidnapped the princess.
No municipal soldier or contractor would ever dare to go
against the Dukes of Galaverna so foolishly, abducting his
beloved wife-to-be and ruining the once-in-a-dynasty deal
with the Emperor. The Viscount also believes it very strange
indeed that the Imperial army has chosen the Mozzarella in
Carrozza as their food-cart, whose prices are the highest of
the entire Fair. They would have spent much less had they
asked for the Adder Pinch Store (9) or the local butcher,
Culatello (6).

- 30 -

6 - The Nettle Gang. Qualche settimana fa, una banda
di canaglie incallite che avA few weeks ago, a company of
irredeemable Knaves whose den was in the Nettle District
of Tarantasia was kicked out of the city during the guard
actions designed to secure and clean up the area for the
Imperial visit.
With their contacts and a second den in Abbiate Lardo,
the gang has now settled in town and has started swaying
events to their advantage, kicking out in turn the local ‘bad
folks’ and rising as new representatives of the Brotherhood
in the area. At this moment, with the Fair currently running,
the Knaves spend their day loitering on half-broken benches
and watching those taking part in the Poppycocks (see page
20), all washed down with generous gulps of wine.
Given the common association with the Brotherhood,
members of the Nettle Gang are fairly welcoming to the
newcomer Knaves, as long as they don’t perform too many
Misdeeds on their turf and they pay their respects to the
local leader, Francis Culatello, butcher and greaser.
If this has not been the case, the company will remind
the Knaves of the meaning of honor and territory with a
generous walloping, in the form of a Brawl.
Culatello might also ask the Knaves to free Lando, one of
his men caught by the Royal Bounty Hunters (7) before he
reveals too much.
The Nettle Gang includes Francis Culatello (NE pantegan
cutthroat), 2 criminals*, and 5 bandits*.
Clues: Lelia keeps her sensible distance from these
criminals, but Knaves can still find a clue here too; if they
confide in the company, beat them at the Poppycock, or
somehow gain the trust of Culatello, the leader will open
up and reveal that it was definitely not anyone from the
Brothers who kidnapped the princess. The Uncles and
the Mammasantissima would never have authorized the
kidnapping of such a high-profile individual, especially not
with all the soldiers and mercenaries around. Also, Culatello
is frustrated by the Imperial choice of food provider, which
went to Ventresca instead of himself; he has set spies on
him, and can therefore reveal that “Syr Capocollo” from the
Beatings of Saint Beaton was indeed him, along with his
barely known assistant, Brunello.
7 - The Royal Bounty Stall. Bobo Fetch (see Appendix A,
page 36), a Royal Bounty Hunter at the head of a handful
of Agents, is wandering through the Fair in search of the
princess. The Royal Bounty has also received news of the
disappearance and has sent their most capable hunter to
the area, both to retrieve Lelia and to avoid a diplomatic
disaster. Bobo is aware of the Nettle Company and of the
Band’s presence at the Fair, but doesn’t care about such small
fry.
Bobo Fetch (CN human  royal bounty hunter) travels
accompanied by 2  royal bounty agents  and 3  queen's
guards.
Clues: Bobo has a task for the band if the latter prove
- 31 -
Stall Wars
themselves capable or reliable in some way. He buys their
cooperation with the promise of erasing their Misdeeds,
but once the task is complete he will simply invite them to
join the City Piketeers (5) to actually obtain an Amnesty
Certificate.
The task is incredibly simple: a low-level most wanted
by the name of Lando has been caught by the Agents, and
Bobo suspects he might know the princess’ location, but the
captive does not want to spill the beans and keeps giving out
false information. Bobo has caught on to Lando’s games,
and will ask the Knaves to pretend to free him, hoping he’ll
reveal the truth to them in return.
If he is freed, Lando will return to Culatello’s company
(6), who will be thankful to the Band, but there is no
further information to be obtained beyond that already in
possession of the company’s leader.
8 - Knave’s Gambit Tournament. This area of the Fair
offers a number of small tables, each carved with what looks
like a big chessboard, on which tokens of two different colors
are moved from square to square by the reddened hands of
the two “Knaves” sat at the table, in a mixture of sleight and
slap of hand (see Knave's Gambit on page 21)
9 - Adder Pinch Store. The Adder Pinch Store is another
food-cart recently arrived in Abbiate Lardo for the Fair,
famous for its freshly fried dough filled with cheese and
vegetables, and its lovely owner. Technically a grocery stall,
the name is due to the owner Rossavera’s (sylvan innkeeper
LN) tendency to give extremely annoying pinches to most
of its clientele, leaving a mark on anyone who passes by
her stall. Rossavera is also famous and well-regarded for
her loose tongue, her collection of dirty jokes, and various
imprecations and blasphemies.
Clues: If asked directly, Rossavera might reveal that she
pinched Brunello a few hours prior, when the young man
had sat at one of her stools for some wine and chef ’s special.
Rossavera has pinched many people in her life, and she can
tell the difference between the skin of a man and that of a
woman. Also, this particular pinch left a strange tincture
on her hands, as if Ventresca’s assistant used some sort of
coloring on himself...
10 - Pork-o-drome. One of the events of the Fair of
Saint Beaton is the Porkraces, where the fastest hogs of the
Kingdom are greased up and set to race along a track, ridden
by precarious jockeys.
Serious bets are made on the race, and participating is
incredibly difficult: so much interest goes into wagering on
the hogs, which are notoriously difficult creatures to raise.
The current champion is the ruthless Sebulbo (marionette
cutthroat CE), whose means always ensure the end.
Clues: By winning the Porkraces, or dealing diplomatically
with the many characters attending the race - especially
Coscarello, or Farmer Arturo - it is possible for the Knaves
 Stall Wars

to learn that, that very morning, a big man with a southern
accent (Ventresca) and his assistant came to the Pork-o-
drome to buy pigs. The owner of the Mozzarella in Carrozza
(2) needed the raw material for the Buseccone to be prepared
at the Imperial Envoy Pavillion (4). However, the racing-
pork owners are very jealous of their animals, and they sent
the two away, cursing and threatening them. This doesn't
really seem to have anything to do with the disappearance of
Lelia, but the two had a shady, conspiratorial vibe...

The Porkraces
If one or more Knaves manage to get a racing-pork (see “How to participate in the porkrace”), they can register as jockeys
for the competition at the Pork-o-drome stall.
The race consists of a series of trials with which each rider-and-greasy-pig can earn Race Dice. Once at the finish line, all the
participants roll the Race Dice gained together with their pig's Speed Die. The order of arrival is then determined by the result
of the rolls, starting with the jockey that obtained the highest result, crossing the finish line first, and winning the Porkrace.
The victorious racer and their pig win a St. Beaton fair commemorative medal and a gold pig worth 5 Big Pieces (gp).

- 32 -
 Stall Wars

phase 1 - Greasy, set, go!

All jockeys have to take positions lined up by the starting line, ready to launch
into the Porkraces. Each participant rolls for initiative. The first three in the ini- How to participate in
tiative order gain a d4 Race Die. the Race

phase 2 - Bend of the Shack Although there is no maximum num-

As soon as the pigs pass in front of the Shack, they start fidgeting, and maneu- ber of participants in the race, it goes
vering them gets pretty tricky. Each participant must make a Wisdom (Animal without saying, due to space condi-
Handling) check; the DC depends on each pig's Maneuverability score. With a tions, that more than a dozen pigs
successful check, a jockey gets a d6 Race Die, while if the check fails, they get a d4 could hardly compete on the track
Race Die. If the Animal Handling check fails by 5 or more, the jockey does not without creating serious mayhem
get any Race Die, and also risks falling off the greasy pork and must succeed on a during Saint Beaton's fair. When the
Dexterity saving throw; the DC depends on each pig's Grease score. characters arrive, 7 participants are
Whenever a rider falls off the pork, they're out of the race and immediately lose already hanging out near the race
the game. starting line. There's still room for
a couple of contestants before the
phase 3 - Adder Pinch Store next race, and if the characters want
The race track passes next to the Serpentone's Pizzicotteria, where one of its to join, they can do it by choosing one
famous piñatas is hanging above the track. As the pigs pass, the piñata blows up of the following options:
into a cloud of confetti and streamers. Each participant must succeed on a Dex-
terity saving throw; the DC depends on each pig's Maneuverability score. With - Farmer Arturo, one of the partici-
a successful check, a jockey gets a d6 Race Die, while if the check fails, they get pants in the competition, has got
a d4 Race Die. If the Dexterity saving throw fails by 5 or more, the jockey does two pigs: the Brave - with whom he
not get any Race Die, and also risks falling off the greasy pork and must succeed intends to compete - and Sluggy (use
on a Dexterity saving throw; the DC depends on each pig's Grease score. Bacon "Cookloose" stats), which can
be borrowed for just two silver pieces
phase 4 - Mozzarella in Carrozza per race by anyone who ain't got no
Passing by this carriage, the food's smell is so disturbing that it makes the pigs steed but still wants to experience
go wild. Each participant must succeed on a Strength (Athletics) check; the DC the thrill of the Porckraces.
depends on each pig's Maneuverability score. With a successful check, a jockey
gets a d6 Race Die, while if the check fails, they get a d4 Race Die. If the Athle- - If the characters appear to be
tics check fails by 5 or more, the jockey does not get any Race Die, and also risks looking for a racing-pork, a funfellow
falling off the greasy pork and must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw; the named Coscarello (hob, see Macaro-
DC depends on each pig's Grease score. nicon) approaches them, offering the
chance of a lifetime! Coscarello has
got some special acorns with which
he could transform half of the Kna-
ves into racing-porks, allowing the
other half to ride them during the
Porkrace. In exchange for this magic
trick, Coscarello asks the characters
for nothing in advance but to make
an effort to entertain him… and half
the prize in case one of them gets to
the finish line first, winning the race.

- 33 -
 Stall Wars

phase 5 - Finish Line

The participants must roll all the accumulated Race Dice together with the Spe-
Note: Knaves who are turned into ed Die of their racing-pork to determine the jockeys' order of arrival.
pigs use the statistics of one of the
racing-porks of the table (except Jockey Racing-Pork Maneuverability Speed Grease
Blue Sob “The Noble”), of the
Dominic (ban-
player's choice. However, what is Stiletto, “the
dit captain* 15 d10 12
Quarter Milt”
revealed only after the spell has human CG)
been cast is that, from that moment Farmer Arturo
Bae, “the
on, the transmuted Knaves become (commoner*
Brave”
13 d8 14
common pigs, losing self-consciou- human NG)
sness, and the companions designa- Mequìn
ted as jockeys will have to make all (innkeeper Lighty, “the
10 d6 11
nonexistent Rookie”
the checks during the race. At the LE)
end of the run, the pigs return to
Faust (duelist
their humanoid form and have no malebranche
Furious "El
14 d8 9
recollection whatsoever of what Bandolero"
CN)
happened after eating the extrava- Gavin (scout* Bacon "Co-
gantic acorn. 8 d4 8
gifted NG) okloose"
Little Trick
Spirit "Wild
(pagan sylvan 11 d6 10
Hog"
CG)
Sebulbo (cut- Blue Sob "the
special* d6 special*
throat CE) Noble"

The Secret of Sebulbo

Sebulbo is arrogant and a braggart, making fun of the other participants and
showing off for its one-after-another victories since it arrived at the fair. As it
does so, it speaks to a crowd of fans who gather around it, waiting for the next
race and hanging off its woody words. The marionette never loses sight of its own
racing-pork, covered with medals, doing all it can to define the pig as the best of
them all, theatrically showing it to the audience. "Blue Sob is the fastest, the stron-
gest, the noblest pig ever seen in the whole Kingdom - Sebulbo and "the Noble "
win every race, guaranteed!".
With a successful DC 18 Intelligence (Arcana) check, DC 20 Intelligence (In-
vestigation), or DC 19 Wisdom (Perception) check, a character may notice that
Sebulbo, the puppet riding Blue Sob called "the Noble", reigning champion of
the Porkraces of the Saint Beaton fair, is nothing more than an inanimate wooden
puppet, probably moved by some ventriloquist spell or sorcery of some sort. The
truth is that Sebulbo, which is none other than the anagram of Blue Sob, is the
actual name of the talking pig puppeteer who controls the jockey-puppet with its
extravagantic powers.
Special *: Sebulbo always finishes the race with 3d6 Race Dice as if it succeeded
on all checks.

- 34 -

Scene 2 – A Bad Feeling
Brunello has disappeared for a few hours now, but if the
Knaves have gathered all clues from around the Fair, they
should have figured out that Ventresca is the cat to put in
the bag.
If that is not the case, around dinner time, or once Bobo
Fetch realizes at the end of the day what the Knaves have
not, the curdlemancer’s plan to muddy the waters and cover
his tracks is ready to spring.
Scannafagiuolo has been spending all day, with Brunel-
lo’s help, concocting the recipe for a horrifying Medullian
tasked with destroying the Fair and chasing out the Imperial
and municipal troops and the bounty hunters. The broiling
buseccone is none other than the breeding pot for this hor-
rendous curdlemantic mixture, which the Norcitan has re-
cently stolen from a Befana called Donna Bonfarda.
The buseccone has been ready for hours, and can be acti-
vated at any time by speaking the closing formula of the
cooking process: “Cooked or raw, the fire all saw!”, at which
point the cauldron will explode in a conflagration of offal,
guts, and assorted chunks, taking the shape of a Medullian
ready to destroy everything in its sight.
It is time to fight for the sake of the Fair and well… everyo-
ne’s own life!
The Medullian will draw the attention of all piketeers,
landsknechts, and bounty hunters, as the Fair degenerates
into chaos. Most people present will try fleeing, and the
Knaves risk being trampled by the scared masses.
Any creature that moves anywhere in the fair area during
the first 3 rounds after the marrowbone was summoned
must make a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check. If the check
fails by 5 or more, the creature falls prone and takes 1d4
bludgeoning damage while being trampled by the crowd.
There is also an additional complication for the Knaves,
and for around half of the Imperial troops present: whoever
has tasted the gruel from the cauldron, before the rise of the
Medullian, is now experiencing an awful collateral effect.
As soon as Ventresca speaks his magic words, and the cau-
ldron disgorges its disgusting mass, so does everyone who
tasted even a sip, and they must all succeed on a DC 15
Constitution saving throw, or gain a level of exhaustion.
The effect does not have any lasting or eldritch consequen-
ces – it is just really, really gross.
- 35 -
Stall Wars
Conclusion
Once the Medullian is defeated, as Abbiate Lardo descends
into chaos, the surviving Knaves can easily figure out that
Ventresca has swiftly left the scene and the town, with or
without his cart depending on whether he has been disco-
vered or not.
Following his tracks at dusk and for the first part of the ni-
ght, through forested areas and along country trails is not
a problem at this time for the Band, who will eventually
either catch up with or be right behind him when he meets
up with Lelia in the appointed location; the princess is still
disguised as Brunello.
If the Band has followed Brunello’s trail, most of what has
actually transpired will have been gathered by now; if not,
Lelia and Ventresca are ready to spill the beans: the two are
allies, the princess was not kidnapped, but rather chose to
escape, while the food-cart and the curdlemancy enchant-
ment of the Buseccone were crucial elements of the escape
plan.
“It is not my intention to trick the likes of you, as you
found me all the way up here, nor will I hide what I’m
planning to do, but if you think you can take me back
down there and hand me over to your Band leader or my
father, you have another thing coming. I will scream for
the entire journey, I will say you were the ones who kid-
napped me, I will see you hanging, one way or another…”
The princess will not listen to any explanation or argu-
ment, but if the Knaves are looking for a compromise or
have a good idea to solve the situation, the princess is ready
to hand one over on a silver platter: Lelia has escaped so
that she would not be used as a bargaining tool for her
father, but she is privy to a secret that could make everyone
stinking rich and allow both the Band and herself to make
it to Gibralcanda or Costantinaples, overhaul their life,
and spend the rest of it among opulence and excess. She
knows the exact location of the chests containing the mo-
ney for the soldiers’ and mercenaries’ pay, along with her
dowry… The treasure is well, more than they can imagine.
If the Knaves agree to follow her instructions, they will be
able to achieve the Big Heist of their lives in a few months,
and trick in one fell swoop the Empire, the Dukes, and all
the mercenaries, Bands, and Gangs of the Kingdom.
After all, what could possibly go wrong?
 Stall Wars

Appendix A
Extras/NPCs

Berenice
The appearance of this spirit is that of a middle-aged lady
tending to old age, her hair long and white, fluctuating like
waves in the air. She is very capable of appearing wrathful
and scary, and knows how to operate contraptions and tricks
in the Caterwauling Shack, but when she’s not playing the
part of the vengeful spirit, she is a docile, warm lady, wise
and measured. Her relationship with her manager is the best
thing that has happened in her un-life

Character Traits - Berenice loves philosophy and hates

anyone with a closed mind.
Ideal - Trust. Berenice looks at life with singular positivity
and imagination and has an unshakable trust in others. (Good)
Bond - Berenice is in love with Dart Mallet, and she would
do anything for him.
Flaw - Berenice never has the opportunity to talk to people,
and when she finds someone who stops and listens to her, she
can easily get lost in the conversation for hours.

Berenice is a magnitude 2 confined, and possesses the Teleki-

netic Control and Terrifying Gaze unique powers. Unlike a
typical confined, Berenice's alignment is neutral good, and
she does not possess the long-awaited peace weakness.

- 36 -
 Stall Wars

Dart Mallet
The Malebranche manager Dart Mallet has long since fled Hell, after completing his Great Refusal. His appearance is still
that of an infernal creature: red skin, scarring over body and face, horns. Instead of covering up his traits, Mallet has opted to
make use of them in his role as barker and manager of the Shack, catching the attention of passers-by with his colorful talk
and looks. He is sincerely fond of Berenice, whom he found in an actual shack she used to haunt - the place where she died a
violent death. Given that her specter is tied to the place, he decided to take down part of it to make it into a roving attraction,
and Berenice is now “tied” to their carriage, free to see the world.

Character Traits - Dart often speaks in Macaronic, and acts as an illustrious and famous person.
Ideal - Self-determination. Dart thinks it is sacrosanct to do what's right for the show, even when it might not be conve-
nient, fair, or legitimate to others. (Chaotic)
Bond - Dart is in love with Berenice, and he would do anything for her.
Flaw - Dart is always wary of priests, friars, and exorcists.

Dart Mallet actions

Medium humanoid (malebranche), chaotic neutral Multiattack. Dart Mallet makes two melee attacks.
Armor Class 16 Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: 5 to hit, reach 5
Hit Points 44 (8d8 + 8) ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage,
Speed 40 ft. or 7 (1d8 + 3) bludgeoning damage if wielded with
two hands.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Reactions
12 (+3) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 9 (-1) 17 (+3) Slapstick (3/day). When Dart Mallet is attacked
by a creature, he can use his reaction to distract
Saving Throws Dex +5, Cha +5 the opponent, which must succeed on a Wisdom
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +3, Deception +5, saving throw against Dart Mallet spell save DC or
Performance +7, Persuasion +5 be charmed until its next turn and lose its current
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9 attack.
Languages Racket, Bedamn, Macaronic,
Vernacular
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Unarmored Defense. While Dart Mallet is wearing

no armor and not wielding a shield, his AC equals
10 + his Dexterity modifier + his Charisma modifier.

Spellcasting. Dart Mallet is a 3rd-level spellcaster.

His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save
DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). He has the
following bard spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): mage hand, prestidigitation

1st level (4 slots): bane, feather fall, thunderwave
2nd level (2 slots): hold person, suggestion 

Hellfeet. Dart Mallet base walking speed is 40 feet.

Hellvoice (1/day). Dart Mallet can cast the charm

person spell. Charisma is his spellcasting ability for
this spell.

- 37 -
 Stall Wars

Ventresca Ventresca
Ventresca’s story is a long and complicated one. Sylvan and
Medium humanoid (sylvan), chaotic good
norcitan on his mother’s side, Pentonino Scannafagiuolo was
born and raised in Volturnia, working from a very young age Armor Class 12
in grocery stores, inns, and pizzerias belonging to his various Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft.
relatives. Gifted with uncommon abilities and insight, young
Tonino eventually caught the attention of some southern cur-
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
dlemancers, who taught him the first secrets and basic recipes 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 17 (+3)
of the occult science. After the first couple of years, however,
Tonino refused to formally join the cult and the worship of Saving Throws Wis +4, Int +5
the Pasta Mater Tenebrarum, throwing his own mentor into Skills Arcana +5, Deception +5, History +5,
a cauldron and fleeing the Kingdom of Two Scyllas. Perception +4, Performance +5, Persuasion +5,
Armed with his food-cart and adopting a new nickname Survival +4
to avoid unwanted attention, Ventresca now roams the nor- Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Racket, Draconian, Bedamn,
thern regions of the Kingdom, and even beyond the Crown
Vernacular
Mountains, selling his specialties and personal inventions in
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
main squares and cities. He still knows several curdlemancy
recipes and his cart, the Mozzarella in Carrozza, is filled with Raised in the Forest. Ventresca can attempt
secrets and hidden compartments, even though he has long to hide even when he is only lightly obscured by
set aside learning the secrets of occult cooking and pastrycraft, foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, mist, and other
simply seeking a good life through his regular cooking… sure, natural phenomena.
maybe with “a pinch of this or that secret ingredient” where
Curdlehead. Ventresca has advantage on saving
needed, but careful never to draw any unwanted attention.
throws against being charmed. 
Ventresca is a well-built man, large and rounded out, with
long, bushy sideburns and a vague boarish look to him that Spellcasting. Ventresca is a 6th-level spellcaster.
betray his norcitan origins. Meeting Lelia has changed his ways His spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save
and has finally shown him a goal for his aimless wandering: DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). He has the
making a whole load of money to open a luxury restaurant following wizard spells prepared:
in Costantinaples would be the greatest reward for a talent
such as his! Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, mage hand,
prestidigitation*, ray of frost*
1st level (4 slots): purify food and drink*, quality
Character Traits - Ventresca often speaks in Racket and
stamp (see Macaronicon at pag. 51), unseen servant 
uses derisive terms or mockery towards the settle-ones, such 2nd level (3 slots): alter self, heat metal*, magic
as "Paisàn". mouth, scorching ray
Ideal - Common Sense. Ventresca thinks there are as many 3rd level (2 slots): insurance (see Macaronicon
norms and truths as there are human heads, and it is impos- at page 50), major image, poorman's feast * (see
sible to consider them all: the important thing is to follow Macaronicon page 50) 
common sense. (Chaotic)
Bond - Ventresca's cucchiarella, his inseparable tool and *The spell counts as a wizard spell for Ventrasca.
weapon.
Flaw - Ventresca accepts no complaints whatsoever from actions
anyone about what he cooks. Cucchiarella. Melee Weapon Attack: + 5 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning
damage. 

- 38 -
 Stall Wars

Rossavera
The keeper at the Adder Pinch Gropery Store in Abbiate Lardo is a young and resourceful countrywoman, who does not
“know her place” and is ready to defend her family’s business at any cost, along with her own freedom and lifestyle. Those who
have tried patronizing her or treating her with no respect have found out that Rossavera is capable of tapping into the power of
fury on command, and everyone in town agrees that “Red” would even yell at the Emperor should he ever dare to sit at her bar.

Character Traits - Presumption is Rossavera's main characteristic, and she never misses an opportunity to boast about the
quality of her cuisine.
Ideal - Glory. Rossavera always tries to cover herself with glory and admiration.
Bond - The elderly hermit who welcomed her when she was nothing but a lonely runaway, and taught her the Magna Favella technique.
Flaw - Rossavera likes to be annoying and pinch everybody's cheeks.

Bobo “Fetch” and the Royal Bounty Agents

The Vortigian bounty hunter Bobo di Jango is an old fox and has long been one of the key players among the Royal Bounty
- hence the nickname Fetch. Now in his fifties, he is particularly skilled with a crossbow and with extracting information
from prisoners, convincing them to reveal what they know with what he calls his “bad manners”. Slender, tall, darkened and
hardened by a life in the sun, he prefers open spaces and horse rides across the Kingdom to prisons, offices, and barracks.

Character Traits - Bobo Fetch always sleeps with one eye open.
Ideal - Power. With blades as in life, the toughest wins.
Bond - Bobo Fetch always carries with him the faded bounty of someone he's been chasing for long years, a certain “Angelica”.
Flaw - Bobo Fetch has no respect for anyone who hasn't proven themself a good fighter.

Conrad Schwanzstucker
Conrad Schwanzstucker von Fraublucher is a promising Altomannian career officer, who has risen to fame through various
Imperial maneuvers in recent years. He is truly knowledgeable in the art of war and skilled on the battlefield, as well as highly
respected by his subordinates. The main issue is that he absolutely loathes the southern provinces, the Kingdom, and all of this
riffraff living south of the Crown Mountains, and can’t wait to have them all hanged to head back to the north, to more civilized
lands. He is tall and well built, always serious, and with a voice that demands respect and attention.

Character Traits - Conrad gets nostalgic and nervous whenever he's away from the Altomannic lands.
Ideal - The Laws of the Emperor. The laws of the Emperor are the only laws we should all respect.
Bond - His faithful hunting dog, Weimarotto.
Flaw - Conrad doesn't like anything south of the Crown Mountains.

Viscount Maximus E. Fort

The heir of a noble dynasty of Galaverna, the Viscount is an inept promoted to a
commanding role purely based on his family influence. He’s short, stocky, loves
wine and good food a little too much, and knows nothing about the art of war
or military leadership. He is also entirely devoid of a sense of humor, and never
understands when his subordinates make fun of his name, or why everyone
calls him Discount, failing one of the sounds in his proper title. The hearty
laughs that soldiers have at his expense are just inscrutable to him.

Character Traits - Viscount Maximus E. Fort always tries to

look his best and dresses in the latest fashions.
Ideal - Nobility. "Blood ain't wine".
Bond - The Count's dream is to be considered
a great hero.
Flaw - Maximus' passion for comfort leaves
no room for anything else.

- 39 -
 Stall Wars

Appendix B
Enemies

Buseccone
This horrifying curdlemantic preparation, cooked up
by Ventresca and Brunello, is none other than a local
Galavernian variant of the Medullian recipe - a horrifying
and destructive dish of colossal size, and one of the most
terrible secrets of occult cooking created in honor of the Pasta
Mater. It is a being made of guts, tripe, brains, sweetbreads,
innards, and other animal parts mixed together, constantly
decomposing and cooking, with the addition of tubers,
onions, and herbs for a better flavor.
A dish of the poor, rural tradition, Ventresca’s Buseccone
becomes in this adventure a ten foot tall monster oozing sauce
and chunks of meat, with the sole goal of destroying everything
around it, spreading chaos and fear in town and hurting as
many people as possible in order to distract everyone currently
on the tracks of Lelia and Scannafagiuolo.

medullian Death Burst. When the medullian dies, it

Huge undead, neutral evil explodes in a burst of sticky entrails, and each
creature within 20 feet of it must make a DC
Armor Class 12 (natural armor) 11 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save a
Hit Points 126 (11d12+55) creature takes 21 (6d6) poison damage and
Speed 40 ft. is poisoned until the start of its next turn. On
a successful save, the creature takes half as
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA much damage and isn't poisoned.
20 (+5) 7 (-2) 21 (+5) 3 (-4) 10 (+0) 4 (-3)
actions
Damage Immunities poison Multiattack. The medullian makes two slam
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, attacks.
frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, restrained, Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: + 8 to hit, reach 10
unconscious  ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) bludgeoning
Senses passive Perception 10, darkvision 120 ft. damage. 
Languages understands Vernacular but can’t Rain of Entrails (Recharge 5-6). The medullian
speak  throws five pieces of rotting flesh, each of which
Challange 8 (3,900 XP) can hit a targetthe medullian can see  within 120
ft. of it. A target must make a DC 16 Dexterity
Charge. If the medullian moves at least 10 feet
saving throw, taking 3 (1d6) bludgeoning
straight toward a target and then hits it with a
damage and 3 (1d6) poison damage on a failed
slam attack on the same turn, the target takes an
save, or half as much damage on a successful
extra 11 (2d10) bludgeoning damage. If the target
one.
is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength
saving throw or be pushed up to 20 feet away and
knocked prone.
Deathly Stench. Any creature that starts its turn
within 30 feet of the medullian must succeed on
a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or take 3 (1d6)
poison damage and be poisoned until the start of
the creature's next turn.

- 40 -

Felon
This category includes the
countless mobs of uncategori-
zable and ungovernable lowli-
fes and cutthroats that follow
the Imperial army. Their tasks
usually include “taking care of ”
the fallen among the enemies of
the Empire, joining the landsk-
nechts in the more demanding
missions, and when needed,
acting as saboteurs, vanguards,
spies, infiltrators, and replace-
ments for the regular ranks.
If there were such as role as “the
worst of the war”, felons would be
the undoubted winners of the title.
Felon
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 13 (studded leather)
Hit Points 11 (2d8 + 2)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS
14 (+2) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
Skills Stealth +3
Senses passive Perception 10
Languages Vernacular, Altomannic
Challange 1/4 (50 XP)
Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the felon deals an
extra 3 (1d6) damages when it hits a target with a
weapon attack and has advantage on the attack
roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally
of the felon that isn’t incapacitated and the felon
doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
actions
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage.
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to
hit. range 80/320 ft, one target. Hit: 5 (1d8 + 1)
piercing damage.
Stall Wars
Landsknecht
The core of the Imperial army is made
up by platoons and companies of
landsknechts, mercenary soldiers
in the employment of Altomannic
princes and vassals, from every corner
of the Empire. The landsknechts
are soldiers by trade, capable and
well-trained, skilled at complex
maneuvers, gratuitous cruelty,
and incredible discipline, all
skills usually missing from
the Kingdom’s troops. The
landsknechts are usually also
well equipped, well fed, and
well-armed. Their officers and
veterans, and the most valorous
among them, are usually
employed as Doppelsoldners
(double-payed), meaning
they are paid better and tasked with
even more complex missions, such as the use of
massive two-handed swords and even firearms, prototypes of
which are starting to make their appearance throughout the
Empire.
Landsknecht
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 14 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.
CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 14 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 10 (+0)
Skills Athletics +4, Intimidation +2
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Vernacular, Altomannic
Challange 1/2 (100 XP)
Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra die of
its damage when the landsknecht hits with it
(included in the attack).
actions
Multiattack. The landsknecht makes two melee
attacks.
Halberd. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10
ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach
5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage.
- 41 -
 Stall Wars

Landsknecht Innkeeper
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Doppelsoldner
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment Armor Class 12 (leather)
Hit Points 32 (5d8 + 10)
Armor Class 17 (half plate) Speed 30 ft.
Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18)
Speed 30 ft. STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 13 (+1) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
16 (+3) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) Skills Intimidation +3, Persuasion +3
Senses passive Perception 10
Saving Throws Str +5, Cos +5 Languages Vernacular, Altomannic
Skills Athletics +5, Intimidation +3 Challenge 1/2 (50 XP)
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Vernacular, Altomannic Tireless. On each of its turns, the innkeeper can
Challange 3 (700 XP) use a bonus action to take the Dash action.

Brute. A melee weapon deals one extra die of actions

its damage when the landsknecht hits with it
(included in the attack).
Doppelsoldner. The landsknecht has advantage
on saving throws against being charmed or
frightened.
Multiattack. The innkeeper makes two attacks
with its cleaver.
Mannaia. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to
hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5
(1d6 + 2) slashing damage.

actions
Multiattack. The landsknecht makes two melee
attacks.
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack:+5 to hit,
reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (3d6 + 3) slashing
damage.
Boomstick. Ranged Weapon Attack : +4 to hit,
reach 60/180 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d12 + 2)
piercing damage.
reactions
Parry. The landsknecht adds 2 to its AC against
one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the
landsknecht must see the attacker and be wielding
a melee weapon.
Innkeeper
The real unifiers of the Kingdom’s communities, capable
of dealing equally with Queen’s Guards, soldiers, Knaves,
and most-wanted, of tending to the locations which are at
the center of the social life of town and villages - the Dives -
tavernkeepers, innspeople, bartenders, and pizzamakers are a
staple of every city and countryside location throughout the
Sinister Boot, and in every Knave’s adventure and job.
These individuals are used to taking care of brawlers,
drunkards, bandits, guards, and agents of the Royal Bounty,
all while running a complex business. They should never be
underestimated, nor should anyone try leaving a dive without
first settling the bill or making amends for broken property.
 Stall Wars

City Piketeer
Despite the large number of Queen’s Guards, mercenaries,
knights, bravi, and soldiers of venture, the regular armies of the
Free Cities of the North feature mostly infantry. These fighters,
usually pike and crossbow wielders, are recruited among
volunteers from each town and fortified city, divided into
quarters or districts, and funded by the guilds of the arts and
trades, municipal treasuries, and spontaneous donations from
local families and magnates. They are, essentially, city guards
made up of organized citizens, coming together to defend their
cities.
What they lack in training and discipline they make up for in
attachment, loyalty to the cause, and sacrifice, all elements that
are lacking in mercenaries, venturers, and landsknechts.
Among the ranks of the piketeers it is not uncommon to see
women, the young, and the elderly, ready to fight for their city
or town, and the safety of their families.

City Piketeer
Medium humanoid (any race), any alignment
Armor Class 15 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

14 (+2) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)

Skills Athletics +4, Perception +2

Senses passive Perception 12
Languages Vernacular, Altomannic
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Pike Master. While the city piketeer is wielding

a pike, other creatures provoke an opportunity
attack from it when they enter its reach.
actions
Multiattack. The city piketeer makes two melee
attacks.
Pike. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.

- 43 -
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Concordant Domain of the Outlands, Sigil, Lady of Pain, Book of Exalted Deeds,
Book of Vile Darkness, beholder, gauth, carrion crawler, tanar’ri, baatezu, displacer
beast, githyanki, githzerai, mind flayer, illithid, umber hulk, yuan ti. 
All of the rest of the SRD5 is Open Game Content as described in Section 1(d)
of the License. 
The terms of the Open Gaming License Version 1.0a are as follows: 
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a 
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright
2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc (“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved. 
1. Definitions: (a)”Contributors” means the copyright and/or trademark owners
who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)”Derivative Material” means
copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into
other computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension,
upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing
work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) “Distribute” means to reproduce,
license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute;
(d)”Open Game Content” means the game mechanic and includes the methods,
procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the
Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional
content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means
any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under
copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) “Product Identity”
means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including
trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements,
dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses,
formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or
audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments,
personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations,
environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects,
logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark
clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which
specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) “Trademark” means the logos,
names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself
or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License
by the Contributor (g) “Use”, “Used” or “Using” means to use, Distribute, copy,
edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open
Game Content. (h) “You”  on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
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2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a
notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in
terms of this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content
that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License except as
Open Game Content distributed using this License. 
acceptance of the terms of this License. 
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the
Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty free, non exclusive license
with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content. 
5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original
material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your
original creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by
this License. 
6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE
portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE
of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and
You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder’s name to the
COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.
7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as
an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent
Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not
to indicate compatibility or co adaptability with any Trademark or Registered
Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except
as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such
Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open
Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product
Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall
retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity. 
8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate
which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content. 
9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated
versions of this License. You may use any authorized version of this License to copy,
modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any
version of this License. 
10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy
of the Open Game Content You Distribute. 
11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game
Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission
from the Contributor to do so. 
12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of
this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute,
judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game
Material so affected. 
13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply
with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming
aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License. 
Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision
shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable. 
COPYRIGHT NOTICE Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards
of the Coast, LLC. 
System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors
Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James
Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based
 Discover all Brancalonia products
on our store www.acheron.it

If you want to know how the feud

the Knaves of the Kingdom and Th b et w ee n
e Emperor
will end, visit the Kickstarter page
project: Brancalonia - The E o f o ur new
mpire Whacks Back !

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A LIA TI O
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e Empero

May the Fork

be with you!
Brancalonia, the ENnie Award winning Spaghetti Fantasy setting for
the 5th Edition of the most famous role-playing game of all time, is back
with a brand-new campaign featuring the Italian satirical community
Feudalesimo e Libertà (Feudalism and Freedom)!

C
Brancalonia – Stall Wars contains:
• An introductory description of the Kingdom of Kingdom.
Brancalonia, reprinted from the 2020 Quickstart. • The introductory job, Stall Wars, which serves to
• A brief presentation of the Empire of Feudalesimo launch the campaign, with new monsters, NPCs,
e Libertà. and dive games.
• A complete map of the northern part of the

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esim e Lib
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D A L I A I U R A FA

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