WILLOWISP has created or altered these beings to assist or conduct covert operations. These beings include HTPMDs (also known as Highly Trained Pyrenean Mountain Dogs), Androids, and Enhanced Humans. They can often act on their own accord and may or may not be aware of their experimental enhanced nature. If they are aware, their opinions on the matter may differ from being to being. Enhanced traits can vary from mild to advanced.

Most players should start off the game with at least a WispNavi communication device, but it is not necessary (especially if the role, rank, and scenario chosen for the character doesn't allow for such). A WispNavi is a small tablet-like device that runs on W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. operating systems. It can connect to internet sometimes, but one of its primary functions is communicating with other agents. The device can also access WILLOWISP databases. Unfortunately, within Albitrunca, signal bandwith is limited due to the fact that this facility is often used to help train Introductory Interns. The organization attempts to discourage cheating when Junior Sprouts are carrying out their Final Assignments. It is also suspected that prisoners are kept in this base and WILLOWISP wants to prevent them from having access to the outside world.  

Mechanic

Whenever a player attempts to send an outbound communication, that player must roll a d12. On their first time attempting, anything above a 1 will successfully receive signal (rolling a 1 will fail). On the second attempt, anything above 2 will successfully receive signal (rolling a 1 or 2 will fail). This continues until the eighth attempt, at which anything above 8 will be a success, but anything 8 or below will fail. This rule will remain true with that player's WispNavi for the remainder of the game. A player can only attempt communication when it is their turn. It is considered a Bonus Action (in addition to movement and combat). If an attempt is made but fails, the chances will still decrease next time an attempt is made. REMEMBER TO FACTOR IN YOUR INTELLIGENCE MODIFIER when performing a WispNavi skillcheck.  

Example

Kay attempts to reach Ezekiel for the first time in the game.

Kay rolls a 1.

The outbound attempt fails.

On Kay's next turn, she attempts to message Ezekiel again.

Kay rolls a 2.

The outbound attempt still fails. This is the second attempt, which means the rolled number must be higher than 2 to succeed.

This ruleset only applies to the WispNavi of the person attempting to make outbound communication. The person on the receiving end of the message will not have any of their allotments eliminated due to the actions of others, even if it is a two-way call and not a one-way message. If this device is not chosen to start with, it can be found in the maze left behind on a guard or even looted from a downed guard after defeating them. To limit the abuse of having too many WispNavis, not all guards carry them. AND, if a guard does have one, it may be password protected or locked and set to self-destruct if maliciously tampered with. WispNavis can be used to attempt hacking or reaching outside information such as maps as well (especially if the party has no Designated Base Op). In this case, the rules still apply because this is still considered an attempt to send an outbound signal.

Smaller, more portable weapon.  

Mechanic

Contains six blasts at a time. Player can choose how many to fire per turn. Deals -1 damage to target when hit. Each individual blast takes a player 2 turns from the time it is fired out of the chamber to recharge.  

Example

Kay fires all six shots on her turn.

Enemies and players have their turns.

Kay has no more rounds left. The blaster is empty, but she may perform another action.

Enemies and players have their turns.

Kay's blaster has regained all its blasts. She can now use it again.

An extendable melee staff with the ability to shock on impact.  

Mechanic

Contains 2 shocks at a time. Players can choose how many times to swing per turn (maximum 5). Each individual shock takes a player 1 turn from the time it is delivered by the staff to recharge. A shocking impact deals -2 damage when hit, while the blunt force of the uncharged weapon deals -1 damage when hit.  

Example

Lin swings at an enemy four times in one turn.

Three hits make impact.

The first two deliver shock damage, the last one does not.

Enemy takes a total of -5 damage.

All other players and enemies have a turn.

On Lin's next turn, the shock charges are instantly back.

Lin swings five times at two different enemies.

The first two impacts deliver shock damage, while the last three only deliver blunt damage.

REMEMBER TO FACTOR IN YOUR STRENGTH MODIFIER when performing a melee weapon skillcheck.  

The lighting within Albitrunca is rather dim. Every room is illuminated with slim bulbs that line the top edges of certian walls, each hued the color of the maze path. All walls are a cool-to-the-touch, matte, silvery black metal, while the doors are made of bright, heavy steel. The floor sounds to be made of some sort of coated tile that makes a tapping sound as your feet hit it. You must move slowly and deliberately if you are trying to be stealthily quiet. As you inhale, the air is fresher than you'd expect it to be so far underground. It doesn't feel stuffy or musty at all. It's quite clean and clinical. The temperature in most places is on the cooler side, but not at all freezing. The long, dim corridors can give off an eerie and, at times, claustrophobic feeling as you walk along. Every distant sound would leave the average person on edge, scanning their surroundings in paranoia and hoping that something spooky isn't lying in wait just around the corner...

Whenever a player arrives at a door, they must solve a puzzle to get through. These puzzles were supposedly put in place to test interns, though it is also speculated that the organization is trying to make sure only intelligent lifeforms have the freedom to pass through, keeping things like mindless drone robots out of restricted areas. Many also think that some of the prisoners believed to be stored here were Erased and therefore rendered unable to easily solve the puzzles.
  GMs can decide where to strategically place doors within the maze, or dice can be rolled to randomize the selection. The players or GM may choose to add more doors for a puzzle-heavy game, or less doors for a more action-based game. Some of the puzzles are solvable using your player's inherent abilites with skillchecks (pick a lock, kick down the door, etc.), while others require out-of-character reasoning (word scramble, math problem, etc.). Some require a separate GM to officiate, while others can be played on their own if you are running through the game without a GM.
  Each of the puzzle types are sorted out into four groups: three sets of 20 and one set of 2. If you would like to randomize puzzles, roll a d20 When approaching a locked door and select your chosen puzzle from the lists below. The final group (with 2 choices) is intended for situations with higher stakes, such as the final door. Flip a coin to decide between these two choices. Please note that they are best run with GM guidance. These Bonus Challenge puzzles are by no means necessary for the final door. It is completely appropriate to use one of the other puzzles for it if you so choose.   When introducing a door, it is not advised to convey its number and title to the players. This is outside information. The titles are a special shoutout to EnigMarch, as each of the puzzles were inspired by prompts given for the challenge in 2022 and 2024. The quote box exists to give you an idea of how to present the door to the players, but it is unnecessary to read it word for word.

There are various types of Human guards. They can all have different ages, personalities, and abilities. They are allowed to wield weaponry and may also be accompanied by an HTPMD.   Lackadaisical Humans can be very bored or even get sleepy, leaning against the wall and not caring too much about their duties.   Devoted Humans can be very invested in their jobs and pay attention to every detail. They want to help and are glad when something exciting happens and they can capture a bad guy (or intercept an Agent on a Test Mission).   If the Human is average, they will have a +2 strength modifier and have a +2 consittution modifier. They will roll a d4 to navigate through the maze.   If the Human is Enhanced, they wil have a +3 strength modifier and have a +3 consittution modifier. They will roll a d6 to navigate through the maze.  

There are TWO different types of Androids; automatons that look exactly like normal Humans and automatons that look like a mechanical construct. Out of these two types, there are three subtypes; Androids who know they are androids, androids who believe themselves to be Humans, and androids without an integrated personality (Mindless Drones).
  All Androids will have a +4 strength modifier and have a +4 consittution modifier. They will roll a d8 to navigate through the maze.   They may also be equipped with weapons, or constructed with built-in combat devices. In addition, they are allowed to be accompanied by an HTPMD. Androids who are not Mindless Drones may be susceptible to charisma. Mindless drones will not be affected by such tactics.

HTPMDs are giant dogs who often grow to be larger than a Human when standing on two legs. They are also very intelligent. There are two main personality types; Fully Trained and Not-Yet Trained. Fully Trained HTPMDs will be more resistant to distractions as they are heavily devoted to their duties. The Not-Yet Trained HTPMDs will be absentminded and likely to abandon their job. They are playful dogs who want to eat food and have fun!   All HTPMDs will have a +3 strength modifier and have a +3 consittution modifier. They will roll a d8 to navigate through the maze.   They may also be accompanied by Android or Human handlers. You can allow the HTPMD to have a translator collar if you so choose. Regardless, they are ultimately still domesticated canines who will likely understand Human speech even if they are unable to respond in the language.

These guards will not be directly seen in the maze, but have several tools at their disposal to impede and destroy their targets.   CAMERAS are being observed by Base Ops. If a player is seen on a Camera, the Base Op Guard may alert troops in the maze to redirect to that area.   TURRETS are being controlled by Base Ops. If a player falls into its line of sight, the Base Op Guard may fire a shot at them. Turrets will have a +1 strength modifier and have a +1 consittution modifier. They will roll a d4 to attempt to hit their target in the maze.   DOORS can be opened, closed, and placed in the middle of a path by the Base Op Guard (see Environment and Hinderances).

These NPCs can be found in the maze. Depending upon who the players are, they may be for or against their cause. These prisoners can be Humans, Androids, or Enhanced.

The default entrance is located at P26 of the Blue Level, but some backstories require players to start in locations other than the entrance. In this case, you will enter the maze by being randomly rolled into one of the starting positions, or choosing one, depending on your party and its explanation. If the party members all start in different places, the players or the GM can determine where exactly they each begin and why.   If there is a Designated Base Op and the story allows, the party as a whole can discuss a brief plan before splitting up and entering the maze so that they will not need to utilize any WispNavi channels before starting.   If the party starts in different locations, they may or may not be aware of each other's presence in the maze, so a briefing is not necessary. Either way, the narrative story should be established before beginning.   The GM (or players) may also choose to add enemies and doors to the map in designated locations prior to starting. Use a die to randomize this if uncertain where to place them. More can be added later, so it is not necessary to fill the entire map with obstacles at this time.  

Depedning upon the characters, species, ranks, roles, and stories chosen, each player will use a certain die to navigate through the maze.    

Average Human: d4

Enhanced: d6

Android: d8

HTPMD: d8

  REMEMBER TO FACTOR IN YOUR STRENGTH MODIFIER when performing movement skillchecks. If a player would like to stop short of their full roll, they may. But they may NOT exceed the distance capacity of the roll until their next turn.     On each turn, a player has the ability to MOVE through the maze, ATTACK an enemy or obstacle if wanted or necessary, AND perform one BONUS ACTION which involves things such as attempting contact on a WispNavi or injesting a VEx Pill. It is not necessary for a player to do all three, but this is what is allowed on each turn.     Designated Base Ops will not move through the maze. On their turn, from the comfort of their chair, they have the ability OBSERVE a section of the environment of their choice, CONTROL something within Albitrunca, and perform one BONUS ACTION which involves things such as attempting contact on a WispNavi or hacking a door etc. It is not necessary for a Base Op to do all three, but this is what is allowed on each turn.  

Each player will roll a d4 to attack. Based on their statblock, there may be positive or negative modifiers in place for Dexterity and Strength, the main two skillsets to check when in combat. Depending on what the player is attempting, either or both can be taken into consideration; namely Dexterity when determining if a hit is successful and Strength when determining how much damage is dealt out. When using a weapon, the weapons rules are also factored in.   All players begin with a total of 20 hitpoints. When being fought, each player must factor in their Constitution modifier. Add or subtract it from the total of damage dealt to the player for a final result.   Designated Base Ops will not directly perform physical combat. They cannot lose health or deal damage unless operating through devices in the Albitrunca environment such as Turrets or Drones.

Depending on the assigned directive, the goal may not be to get to the center of the maze or even to escape it. If your assigned task was to retrieve something from a particular area in Albitrunca, the GM (or players if there is no GM) may decide to end the game once the item is reached. It is also possible for the GM or players to deem it necessary to make it back out of the maze again with the collected goods. This all depends on the desired level of difficulty and length of session.   Depending on the style of gameplay desired by the participants, it is possible to allow or forbid player death along with mission failure as a whole. The DM ultimately decides the fate of the players and tries to ensure that everyone is having lots of fun. It is important to gauge the enjoyment of all participants and to establish what can and cannot happen before beginning the session.