The Last Supper Before the Storm

A short story written by Matt Gardner with PlotWeaver: Cards of Creation, a storytelling game made by Mod Hob Cooperative.

This story uses a Frame Tale Plot Pattern, written in 15-minute timed acts with all story cards drawn at random. For more information, visit www.plotweavergame.com

Act 1: Outer Frame Introduction

(Story Element Cards: The Connector, The Villain, Dining Room, and Action)

The dining room glows with amber warmth. A long wooden table stretches from wall to wall, set with mismatched plates, half-drunk wine, and the remnants of a feast too good to waste. Candles flicker in old brass holders while a fireplace crackles, just loud enough to drown out the distant hum of the city beyond.

At the table sit six people, battle-scarred, tired to the bone, but still breathing.

At the head of the table stands Riya, known across the region as a gifted connector of people. No one knows much about her past, only that she has a talent for pulling the impossible into orbit, even getting bitter rivals to fight for the same cause.

Tonight is no different.

Across from her sits Lucien Vane, a man who once nearly brought down the Resistance with nothing but a smile, a poisoned promise, and a knife hidden behind his back. In every outpost in the region, he’s seen as a villain, a traitor. But tonight he’s unusually quiet, hands shackled, face bruised.

The others trade looks of suspicion, anger, and disbelief.

“Why the hell is he here?” growls Sorin, still nursing a grudge and a bandaged side.

Riya lifts her glass, calm but fierce. “Because the next mission might get us killed. And to survive, we need to know what he knows.” She points to Lucien; she knows he isn’t just a prisoner, but a piece of the puzzle. “He did what he did for a reason, and I think it’s time he told you the truth.”

Lucien leans back in his chair, eyes gleaming. “You really think a story will change how they see me?”

Riya doesn’t blink. “No. But it might change how they survive.”