The kids had another get together where they had decided to face off on the tougher goblins that had first chased them out, hoping their two hirelings would even out the battle. It was another rout and they ran away. They HAD run across an adventuring party earlier that was down on their luck and they hoped to go back and entice THOSE three to come with them. And they did!
But it was the goblin guards with the Ogre backup and the group had to face off against the single ogre and prevail.
I will also say that after watching Corg almost die and William almost die, they took it more serious. Going so far to agreeing amongst themselves to pay the hired fighter more for the work he does.
Write up follows:
Charlotte snuck down the corridor with care, sticking to the dark patches while her three companions waited back up the passage. At the corner, she peered around to the right and looked into the dimly lit chamber. It was a goblin guard post and there were 6 of the greenskins there. Two were positioned near a trio of barrels, chatting quietly, three others were near a large table, and a sixth was by a fire pit where a haunch of deer meat was cooking slowly. It seemed there were at least two other passages out of here across the chamber.
Satisfied, Charlotte returned and let the group know what they saw. At this point, William organized the group into action. Charlotte and Loq were to take up the back of the party, with bow and sling at the ready. William and Corg were to be in the front, and at his call, we would fire and charge in as one.
The first part went off, but after that it went pear shaped quickly. The goblins were very ready for us and three of them raced towards us, spears out. Two of the goblins dumped the table over and drew themselves behind under cover to hurl spears.
Arrows and sling stones went wild, hitting nothing. And then the goblins crashed into out two fighters. And Corg was stabbed in the shoulder for 6 hp, dropping him to two. Loq withdrew one of his precious elixirs in order to bring Corg back up, while the two fighters swung again and again at the goblins. Getting nowhere.
And then William took a shot to the body, bleeding almost to death. Followed by another spear slash, this one laying his left cheek open from ear to nose, and dropping him to 0. Followed by Corg getting stabbed in the gut this time, the fighter going to -1.
Loq gave Charlotte an elixir to administer to William (bringing him to 2!) and he used his 2nd to last one to stabilize Corg (back at 1!). It was time to leave…again. Charlotte hurled the torch into the closest goblin’s face and then bodily dragged William back and away while Loq did the same for Corg.
The goblins chose to cast derisive comments at our fleeing forms, laughing at us as we ran away from this same group a goblins…a 2nd time now.
Once outside the cave we travelled upslope until we made it to the tree line and finally relaxed. Loq used his LAST elixir to bring Corg to 3 hp while the party bandaged up what hurts we had. We were chased out again. Not acceptable. It was perhaps quarter to 11 and we were not going to call it quits. We needed help.
The group came up with the idea to go back and find that party that had been assaulted by the mountain lion and was spending the day out here to eventually find their missing companion, Larson. Perhaps they would come back with us?
So we set out (wounded, but game) to head half way back to the keep and find the group. Luck was with us as they were still at their encampment. The leader, a burly fighter named Jakes, heard our tale and agreed to help us to “fight this room full of goblins and no place further” for a full share of the treasures found IF we were then to come with him and his two companion (a wizard named Sparks, and a cleric named Darrel) to find their missing thief friend (eaten by a mountain lion??) named Larson.
We agreed to the terms. Darrel used some of his elixirs (and we paid him for it) to heal our two fighters and then we began the long trek BACK to the Caves of Chaos. We filled our three new companions in on what we’ve done so far and how we hoped to do better this time.
Sparks and Charlotte would start with bow fire, and then the three main fighters would run in and if possible, two fighters on 1 goblin. Loq and Darrel would act as support fighters with their war hammers and be close enough to use elixirs should the situation call for it. Everyone agreed it was a good plan and we proceeded down the cave entrance and then the passage in question.
We listened, Sparks able to speak goblins, the wizard informing us that 4 of them were sitting at the table now and eating, laughing about chasing us off earlier, and should they offer any of the food they have to Kronk? Kronk sounded like a leader type but not one the goblins were interested in dealing with.
Not wanting to push our luck or wait any longer, we gathered in position and made ready. The two bow users fired, hitting the closest goblin who was perched on the water barrels and he fell back, screaming and dead. The rest of us moved into position and the battle lines were drawn. The closest goblin was hit hard; his head and left should cloven from his body, while Loq and William took on the next one, hacking him to bits. Three goblins down.
Jakes hit the table with all his might and shoved it backwards against the wall, trapping the two goblins there. Leaving just one. Darrel and Loq ran towards him, warhammers flailing in an effort to keep him at bay.
Of the two goblins pinned, one of them shoved the table back getting a bit of breathing room, while the other was kicking the back wall and hoisting a bag, screaming “Kronk! Kronk! We need you!”
And from behind the thick stone, we heard a deep voice answer, “What?!”
Another warhammer flew, this one missing the single goblin, while Corg and William engaged the one that had pushed the table. Charlotte and Sparks held their arrows until the back of the cave slid up and out stepped a 700 lb, 9 and ½ foot tall, green and brown skinned monstrous Ogre! It was wearing the flayed skin and fur of a brown bear like a shirt, and it held two large branches like clubs, clapping them together.
The lone goblin tossed the Ogre the bag and then pointed at the party. “Help!” it yelled. The Ogre, Kronk, weighed the bag with one hand, tossed it behind him into his lair, and nodded. His club smashed the table aside as he strode further into the room.
Charlotte fired, her arrow hitting the ogre in the forehead! And he plucked the arrow free and snapped it with two fingers. Sparks was waving his hands in mystic passes and readying a spell while Darren and Loq finally finished off their goblin with a pair of blows. The clerics retreated behind Jakes and William while Corg wasted the lone goblin on his side. This left Kronk the Ogre and 1 goblin cowering behind the upset table.
As the Ogre drew up to the party Sparks’ spell finished and he sent an arcane bolt 3’ long blasting straight from the ether before him to splatter into Kronk’s chest. The Ogre staggered back, the eldritch bolt would have killed a strong man. It only seemed to anger the ogre.
And then he was amongst the group.
The party swung and hacked and chopped but the Ogre was made of tougher stuff than the goblin, their blows turned aside or even just ignored. As for Kronk, he battered his club on Jakes, dimpling the fighter’s shield, denting his armor, and causing his head to ring. A nasty pair of bashing drove the fighter to his knees and the group was stunned to see Jakes barely getting back to his feet.
Arrows flew, swords slashed, and Kronk grew weaker and weaker until at long last, the ogre fell over dead. As for the final goblin, the party shot him as he turned to run, the greenskin going down with a squeal and gurgling rattle.
We listened for anyone who might have heard the fight and was coming to investigate, but we seemed to have lucked out. Charlotte and the two clerics went into the Ogre’s lair and looked around while William and the rest of the group stripped the goblins and ogre of anything important, and made ready to leave. Jakes was incredulous at the fact that there was an OGRE there, a bit more than goblin we had mentioned. We did admit that we did not know of the ogre until this moment and was just as surprised as he.
As for treasures, there were tons. The ogre’s lair was filled with bags or various coins, cheeses, brandy. We also took every spear there was to sell; knowing the smith @ the Keep would give us a gold piece for each. There were also arrows, some scrolls, and even a potion. Deciding we have pressed our luck long enough, we bagged up everything, and between the seven of us, managed to get every bit of treasure out.
We left the caves and began our walk back. Jacks suggested we go to the Keep to sell what we can and divide up the goods before going back with him and his group to the woods to find Larson’s lost body and deal with the mountain lion. The group agreed. It was a longer than normal walk back and the party was chatting back and forth about their new found riches and what they were hoping to do with it (horses and valet were mentioned but cooler heads prevailed and said we should not be so quick to spend what we have).
As we were passing the Greenscale River a flat bottomed fishing skiff (boat) with 6 people were on it and called out to ask how we were doing. We replied well and were then asked if we had come from the Caves. We said yes and then were asked if we had gotten any treasure. Some of us said yes and showed the bags but we were getting a bit worried at the questions. Then they finally asked who we were so they can meet us in town and toast to our success. William said his name and then cursed himself for making a terrible blunder…right about the same time that Charlotte gave up hers.
We went faster, leaving the fishing people behind, and the two friends felt they made a terrible mistake and would be on their guard tonight.
At the Keep we went to the Rusty Nail inn and settled down at a table near the back. A few of us went off to sell the spears to the smith while we sold off the cask of beer and the keg of brandy to the innkeep for a tidy profit. We then went through the hundreds of coins and realized we had over 800 gold pieces, 300 silver, and the same roughly in copper. It was crazy! We divided up the loot, each person getting over 100 gold crowns and other coins as well.
It was now 4:30 and once more ready, we were going to head off back with Jakes and his group to hunt down their missing man Larson and take care of the mountain lion once and for all.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Meet 74, Adv 4, 2/7/15
This was a big LARPing night. Every so often I like to do town adventure stuff. The world isn't a vacuum and the group's actions will have repercussions in it. However, it also helps to adopt a less combative time around the table and that was this night. Those not in the limelight I gave important people to play for me and let them take a stance adversely (in some way) to those adventuring.
We had a terrific time. And with others running the NPC show, sometimes they take the party and game in directions I didn't originally plan.
Write up follows:
Towards the end of breakfast we split up into 2 groups: Tranis, Curufin, Erd, and Encrinus were going to talk to the Sheriff about the evacuation while Flimflam and Marcus were going to meet with Lord Gelus Keyser. Geld was going to stay behind as he…she wasn’t feeling well.
So Flimflam and Marcus came to Lord Keyser’s manor house where they were looking for an audience. They besides seeing the Lord, they had the pleasure of sitting with Vicar Sans, 2nd in command with the Temple of Zeus, Steiner Whoreson, visiting priest of Apollo, and Mathias Stabler of the Northern Stables.
They spoke at length about what had gone on and learned that the Stablers really wanted the undead threat taken care of and the road to be kept open – since it represents the best and strongest possible incentive of trade this town has seen with the northwestern section of the kingdom in 20 years. The Temple of Zeus was a bit more concerned as they have been bankrolling the militia for Heatherfield and the men who have died from these undead need to be replaced and that takes time and coin.
It was here that the party let Lord Keyser know that they needed skilled men to help in the caverns below – and this was not going to be with local talent and militia men. But real mercenary types. Specifically, we wanted to go to the bandits that were currently waiting in Dairymeade and convince them to come back and help us in exchange for a full pardon.
It did not go over easily. There was much discussion before it was hesitantly agreed to. However, Castus and his men (and women!) would have to perform and then after the dwarven Hades priest was taken care of, they would be pardoned. However, the exile from Heatherfield would still stand. There was also the undercurrent that if they happened to die in the dungeon, that would be ok. Flimflam did not reply to this. The priest of Zeus also did NOT like the priest of Apollo – who was going to be joining the group on their adventure.
It was also mentioned that there was the search for a magic item to use against wights…and we had heard of a rich family who supposedly had possession of a sword of some renown called the Daystar of Zeus – owned by the Carayn Mechanthouse. Something we would follow up on.
As for Tranis and company, they spoke with the Sheriff’s men, learning that the evacuation of the 5 surrounding (4, the Thanach Estate was already emptied) homesteads was taking place. Which left it open for the group to go to the check out the Griffanus Estate and see if they could find some sign of where they might be or what might have happened.
As they approached the Estate they noted that the air was still, a haze was in the air, and there was nothing…nothing in the area. No one. It just felt…wrong. They did not want to use the gate, so they climbed over the wall…and also felt uncomfortable. Everything was bothering them, their senses were excited, it was just…ill feeling.
There was no birds. Not a blast of wind. Even distant voices and sounds were muted and faint. The party picked their way carefully towards the house, and each noise they made stood out. The door was partially ajar (3 inches), a wraparound porch 4’ deep was 2 steps up. The windows were unshuttered but the party could not see anything directly inside.
No one wanted to step on the porch so they used a pole to force it open. The hinges were rusty and squealed, but we were able to see inside. Lots of dust, more than we would expect. Curufin gave the front door a check for anything odd, seeing nothing. Everything inside just seemed older, more worn, threadbare.
No one wanted to go in. At all. Erd made the attempt, but hesitated at the door, sword out and NOT going in. The decision was made next to encircle the place, looking in windows for anything. They found nothing else. Back at the front they talked and had the idea of leading a sheep (or something like that) in and the see what happened. Encrinus knew a local shepherd family and we followed the Halfling to go purchase a sheep.
They purchased one with a twisted leg for a fraction of a price and came back to the Griffanus home. The sheep grew quiet once on the property and we led it up to the front door. From here we coaxed it to step inside a few paces where it suddenly grew still and quiescent. Erd couldn’t do it, he turned away, feeling terrible. Tranis used the flat of his sword to spur the sheep into the house. It went in, standing there unmoving just inside the front door. Slowly groaning and standing there. The group asked Curufin to give the sheep a nudge. He did so, using his pole – giving it a poke.
And the sheep fell over and died.
We were stunned, looking at the dead sheep.
Erd wrote on the porch in chalk, “warning, do not enter,” and then the group left, returning to the Mane and Tail Tavern in Heatherfield.
We all met up together with Flimflam and Marcus where we shared what we learned and they did the same.
We wanted some people to stay behind and talk to Liscinia, as well as people to go to the Carayn Merchanthouse and try to borrow the sword if they have it. The others in the group would be going to Dairymeade to convince the bandits to come back. Tranis, Steiner, and Encrinus were staying – Flim, Marcus, Erd, Geld, and Curufin were tripping to Dairymeade.
The set off just after lunch and travelled all day, evening, and most of the night, arriving at the village just past the midnight hour. The gate guard informed the party that indeed the bandit group were here (not identified as bandits of course) and at the Laughing Cow Inn. They have been spending money like crazy as well as eating tons of cheese.
We went to the inn and made our way to the bandit leader, Castus Woodwalker and shared a beer and laugh with him. We then went with them to a quiet corner and talked about why we were here. Long and short of it? They didn’t like the deal. There was talk or just going to Gul or Argosility, or Sarscaty and just blending in and never being seen again. They felt that that might be a deadly thing. However, we did talk for a while and convinced them that we needed their help and ultimately, it would be good for them and us.
Castus agreed to helping out – but not all of his men would be going into the “dungeon”, the archers and lesser fighters would be waiting outside to support and watch for Castus and his people to get out. And they get a share of the treasure, and first 4 choices of anything “interesting” found. We agreed and after settling the deal with a handshake, went to turn in, knowing we would be leaving after we awoke tomorrow.
Meanwhile Tranis and his group went to talk to the Carayn family to see if the sword was available for “borrow”. The Carayn family are an old and noble family with landholdings and business interests everywhere. They have tons of money so cannot be bought. Devout followers of Zeus, they cannot be swayed either. The family has been here for 7 generations. The Patriarch Julian has a number of children and grandchild, however his eldest son, Roscoe, is next in line. The two of them have a loving relationship, but it is no mystery that the Patriarch was in failing health and would be dying soon.
They kept the party waiting for a bit until they met with them. We tried to explain why we were there but the Carayn’s didn’t understand. Tranis tried to explain about the demon monkeys but all they got from it was that they would not be upstaged and would get demon gorillas for their party next time. We then tried to explain faster but it was dwarf and necromancer and “McCallister! Get this pipe out of here it’s affecting my father’s emphysema”.
We eventually got around to the silvered sword and the Carayn’s were cagey as to its existence. It took some back and forth and got to the point that it’s a legacy. Everyone had heard of the story of the dead vampire some generations back – but the Carayn family hasn’t had anything like that except for money recently. That then led to possibly getting something in town named for the Carayn family. The group made it his business to let the Carayn’s valet, guardsmen, and help learn about the “undead horde” and that they would need the Daystar of Zeus. Just enough to cause some dissent as they left.
We then left to sit with Lord Keyser to ask about getting his help in this matter. Lord Gelus Kayser was loathe to help but agreed to having the name of the marketplace renamed the Carayn Marketplace. However, while drawing up the contract, he made it very verbose and purposely misspelled the Carayn name to Carrion, his scribe laughing as they did it.
They then returned to the Carayn family where Julian Carayn was pleased to hear about this (Roscoe not so much, threatening to burn the pages at one point). His scribes went to read the contract but they either missed or ignored the section where it was misspelled in regards to the family name. It was only when Julian himself gave it a look over that he noted the mistake. He corrected it quietly, silently pissed at Lord Keyser and his own scribes. Roscoe went to get the sword.
The deal was done, sword in Tranis’ hand (he felt it was a “good” fit to his hand) and we left, heading back to the tavern for now and then going to go talk to Liscinia about wooing her back into helping us.
Ok – all caught up! We are on tomorrow the 21st, so see you all then.
Reminder, write ups can be found @ http://vanadorn.blogspot.com/
We had a terrific time. And with others running the NPC show, sometimes they take the party and game in directions I didn't originally plan.
Write up follows:
Towards the end of breakfast we split up into 2 groups: Tranis, Curufin, Erd, and Encrinus were going to talk to the Sheriff about the evacuation while Flimflam and Marcus were going to meet with Lord Gelus Keyser. Geld was going to stay behind as he…she wasn’t feeling well.
So Flimflam and Marcus came to Lord Keyser’s manor house where they were looking for an audience. They besides seeing the Lord, they had the pleasure of sitting with Vicar Sans, 2nd in command with the Temple of Zeus, Steiner Whoreson, visiting priest of Apollo, and Mathias Stabler of the Northern Stables.
They spoke at length about what had gone on and learned that the Stablers really wanted the undead threat taken care of and the road to be kept open – since it represents the best and strongest possible incentive of trade this town has seen with the northwestern section of the kingdom in 20 years. The Temple of Zeus was a bit more concerned as they have been bankrolling the militia for Heatherfield and the men who have died from these undead need to be replaced and that takes time and coin.
It was here that the party let Lord Keyser know that they needed skilled men to help in the caverns below – and this was not going to be with local talent and militia men. But real mercenary types. Specifically, we wanted to go to the bandits that were currently waiting in Dairymeade and convince them to come back and help us in exchange for a full pardon.
It did not go over easily. There was much discussion before it was hesitantly agreed to. However, Castus and his men (and women!) would have to perform and then after the dwarven Hades priest was taken care of, they would be pardoned. However, the exile from Heatherfield would still stand. There was also the undercurrent that if they happened to die in the dungeon, that would be ok. Flimflam did not reply to this. The priest of Zeus also did NOT like the priest of Apollo – who was going to be joining the group on their adventure.
It was also mentioned that there was the search for a magic item to use against wights…and we had heard of a rich family who supposedly had possession of a sword of some renown called the Daystar of Zeus – owned by the Carayn Mechanthouse. Something we would follow up on.
As for Tranis and company, they spoke with the Sheriff’s men, learning that the evacuation of the 5 surrounding (4, the Thanach Estate was already emptied) homesteads was taking place. Which left it open for the group to go to the check out the Griffanus Estate and see if they could find some sign of where they might be or what might have happened.
As they approached the Estate they noted that the air was still, a haze was in the air, and there was nothing…nothing in the area. No one. It just felt…wrong. They did not want to use the gate, so they climbed over the wall…and also felt uncomfortable. Everything was bothering them, their senses were excited, it was just…ill feeling.
There was no birds. Not a blast of wind. Even distant voices and sounds were muted and faint. The party picked their way carefully towards the house, and each noise they made stood out. The door was partially ajar (3 inches), a wraparound porch 4’ deep was 2 steps up. The windows were unshuttered but the party could not see anything directly inside.
No one wanted to step on the porch so they used a pole to force it open. The hinges were rusty and squealed, but we were able to see inside. Lots of dust, more than we would expect. Curufin gave the front door a check for anything odd, seeing nothing. Everything inside just seemed older, more worn, threadbare.
No one wanted to go in. At all. Erd made the attempt, but hesitated at the door, sword out and NOT going in. The decision was made next to encircle the place, looking in windows for anything. They found nothing else. Back at the front they talked and had the idea of leading a sheep (or something like that) in and the see what happened. Encrinus knew a local shepherd family and we followed the Halfling to go purchase a sheep.
They purchased one with a twisted leg for a fraction of a price and came back to the Griffanus home. The sheep grew quiet once on the property and we led it up to the front door. From here we coaxed it to step inside a few paces where it suddenly grew still and quiescent. Erd couldn’t do it, he turned away, feeling terrible. Tranis used the flat of his sword to spur the sheep into the house. It went in, standing there unmoving just inside the front door. Slowly groaning and standing there. The group asked Curufin to give the sheep a nudge. He did so, using his pole – giving it a poke.
And the sheep fell over and died.
We were stunned, looking at the dead sheep.
Erd wrote on the porch in chalk, “warning, do not enter,” and then the group left, returning to the Mane and Tail Tavern in Heatherfield.
We all met up together with Flimflam and Marcus where we shared what we learned and they did the same.
We wanted some people to stay behind and talk to Liscinia, as well as people to go to the Carayn Merchanthouse and try to borrow the sword if they have it. The others in the group would be going to Dairymeade to convince the bandits to come back. Tranis, Steiner, and Encrinus were staying – Flim, Marcus, Erd, Geld, and Curufin were tripping to Dairymeade.
The set off just after lunch and travelled all day, evening, and most of the night, arriving at the village just past the midnight hour. The gate guard informed the party that indeed the bandit group were here (not identified as bandits of course) and at the Laughing Cow Inn. They have been spending money like crazy as well as eating tons of cheese.
We went to the inn and made our way to the bandit leader, Castus Woodwalker and shared a beer and laugh with him. We then went with them to a quiet corner and talked about why we were here. Long and short of it? They didn’t like the deal. There was talk or just going to Gul or Argosility, or Sarscaty and just blending in and never being seen again. They felt that that might be a deadly thing. However, we did talk for a while and convinced them that we needed their help and ultimately, it would be good for them and us.
Castus agreed to helping out – but not all of his men would be going into the “dungeon”, the archers and lesser fighters would be waiting outside to support and watch for Castus and his people to get out. And they get a share of the treasure, and first 4 choices of anything “interesting” found. We agreed and after settling the deal with a handshake, went to turn in, knowing we would be leaving after we awoke tomorrow.
Meanwhile Tranis and his group went to talk to the Carayn family to see if the sword was available for “borrow”. The Carayn family are an old and noble family with landholdings and business interests everywhere. They have tons of money so cannot be bought. Devout followers of Zeus, they cannot be swayed either. The family has been here for 7 generations. The Patriarch Julian has a number of children and grandchild, however his eldest son, Roscoe, is next in line. The two of them have a loving relationship, but it is no mystery that the Patriarch was in failing health and would be dying soon.
They kept the party waiting for a bit until they met with them. We tried to explain why we were there but the Carayn’s didn’t understand. Tranis tried to explain about the demon monkeys but all they got from it was that they would not be upstaged and would get demon gorillas for their party next time. We then tried to explain faster but it was dwarf and necromancer and “McCallister! Get this pipe out of here it’s affecting my father’s emphysema”.
We eventually got around to the silvered sword and the Carayn’s were cagey as to its existence. It took some back and forth and got to the point that it’s a legacy. Everyone had heard of the story of the dead vampire some generations back – but the Carayn family hasn’t had anything like that except for money recently. That then led to possibly getting something in town named for the Carayn family. The group made it his business to let the Carayn’s valet, guardsmen, and help learn about the “undead horde” and that they would need the Daystar of Zeus. Just enough to cause some dissent as they left.
We then left to sit with Lord Keyser to ask about getting his help in this matter. Lord Gelus Kayser was loathe to help but agreed to having the name of the marketplace renamed the Carayn Marketplace. However, while drawing up the contract, he made it very verbose and purposely misspelled the Carayn name to Carrion, his scribe laughing as they did it.
They then returned to the Carayn family where Julian Carayn was pleased to hear about this (Roscoe not so much, threatening to burn the pages at one point). His scribes went to read the contract but they either missed or ignored the section where it was misspelled in regards to the family name. It was only when Julian himself gave it a look over that he noted the mistake. He corrected it quietly, silently pissed at Lord Keyser and his own scribes. Roscoe went to get the sword.
The deal was done, sword in Tranis’ hand (he felt it was a “good” fit to his hand) and we left, heading back to the tavern for now and then going to go talk to Liscinia about wooing her back into helping us.
Ok – all caught up! We are on tomorrow the 21st, so see you all then.
Reminder, write ups can be found @ http://vanadorn.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Meet 73, Adv 4, 1/24/15
New characters once again.
We introduced 2 of the 3 new characters into the group this night and it did not go well. There is a wide range of player types at the table from the serious to the not-so and from the role player to the laid back - and it sort of clashed at this meeting.
We had some time after wards to discuss this as friends (over the next full week and countless emails) and seem to have resolved it, but we'll have to see how the new party gels over the next couple of sessions before I declare the issue resolved.
Write up follows:
The survivors crept their way off the Griffanus Estate, pausing near the actual house briefly. It was dark, no dogs, no smoke from the chimney, no…nothing. It was eerie, unsettling, and utterly spooky. No one dared to enter the house; instead we continued to bring our wounded and hurt to the gate off the property and to Crastori and Oona Thanach.
We spoke with the Thanach at length, getting them to understand that staying here might not be a good idea. In fact, it would be better to abandon the home now. So we had them gather up all their dogs, belongings, and field hands and follow the rest of the party to the town. Once there, many of the field hands went off to family (extended) while the Thanach family followed the group to the Temple of Demeter.
Some of the dogs would be taken in, as well as the children and Selene; the others would have to find other lodgings for now. In addition, this would only be for a week or so and then the temple would have to help the Thanach find someplace else to get shelter.
This then led to what happened to Pawn – and the group regaled the High Priestess with the halfling’s loss and the terror we had to face and fight under the Griffanus home. The only bit of succor we were given was that the higher order undead we might have faced that we destroyed, were most likely not going to be easily replaced. It seemed to be a small comfort to us and as a party we were feeling very outside of our element.
We had lost friends and comrades and had nothing to show for it except being even less capable for a return visit. And the dwarf? Still unseen and most likely more than ready for us.
We needed help. That’s the truth of it.
The High Priest informed us that the Halfling Echinus was hanging out today waiting to talk to Pawn as well as us – and had met up with two elves who had come with the interest in joining the party. Elves? Two of them? And looking for us? Our suspicion meter started pinging. We did not want to deal with this as of now, so snuck out to talk to the Sheriff.
We regaled the local constabulary about what we had seen and what was most likely against us. He was interest in clearing out the estates nearest the Griffanus, as well as finding his missing men. He would be working on clearing them out tomorrow (as well as going to talk to the Lord with the group) but said that he wanted to know that the group was going to stay on this matter and get it resolved. We promised we would try (nothing more) and left him for now, returning to the Temple to meet with the three new possible recruits waiting there.
It did not go well.
There was Curufin a wood elven thief from Woodhelven who did not seem to have most regard for the group. There was a mutilated high elven warrior who has been living with the barbarian tribes in the Beastly Hills named Erd who was questioning the leadership fortitude. And there was Encrinus the Halfling, slinger and confident to the point of pushy – already assuming he was a part of the party and was handling the introductions between the party and the two possible recruits.
It sort of drifted off center when there was talk of a provisional charter where the three potential newbies would act on the party’s behalf to “clear the estates” and maybe check out the Griffanus house. Things were tense and we managed to shelf the idea for now until the next day.
As for our plan? We need everyone to spend some time at the Hospice to heal up. We had to handle the loss of the hirelings as well as our own people. And we needed help – so hiring more locals might be the way to go – but it was more radical if we go back to Dairymeade and present it to the bandits and Master Freebard that we had sent there a week ago. Shortly speaking – come back and help us.
We introduced 2 of the 3 new characters into the group this night and it did not go well. There is a wide range of player types at the table from the serious to the not-so and from the role player to the laid back - and it sort of clashed at this meeting.
We had some time after wards to discuss this as friends (over the next full week and countless emails) and seem to have resolved it, but we'll have to see how the new party gels over the next couple of sessions before I declare the issue resolved.
Write up follows:
The survivors crept their way off the Griffanus Estate, pausing near the actual house briefly. It was dark, no dogs, no smoke from the chimney, no…nothing. It was eerie, unsettling, and utterly spooky. No one dared to enter the house; instead we continued to bring our wounded and hurt to the gate off the property and to Crastori and Oona Thanach.
We spoke with the Thanach at length, getting them to understand that staying here might not be a good idea. In fact, it would be better to abandon the home now. So we had them gather up all their dogs, belongings, and field hands and follow the rest of the party to the town. Once there, many of the field hands went off to family (extended) while the Thanach family followed the group to the Temple of Demeter.
Some of the dogs would be taken in, as well as the children and Selene; the others would have to find other lodgings for now. In addition, this would only be for a week or so and then the temple would have to help the Thanach find someplace else to get shelter.
This then led to what happened to Pawn – and the group regaled the High Priestess with the halfling’s loss and the terror we had to face and fight under the Griffanus home. The only bit of succor we were given was that the higher order undead we might have faced that we destroyed, were most likely not going to be easily replaced. It seemed to be a small comfort to us and as a party we were feeling very outside of our element.
We had lost friends and comrades and had nothing to show for it except being even less capable for a return visit. And the dwarf? Still unseen and most likely more than ready for us.
We needed help. That’s the truth of it.
The High Priest informed us that the Halfling Echinus was hanging out today waiting to talk to Pawn as well as us – and had met up with two elves who had come with the interest in joining the party. Elves? Two of them? And looking for us? Our suspicion meter started pinging. We did not want to deal with this as of now, so snuck out to talk to the Sheriff.
We regaled the local constabulary about what we had seen and what was most likely against us. He was interest in clearing out the estates nearest the Griffanus, as well as finding his missing men. He would be working on clearing them out tomorrow (as well as going to talk to the Lord with the group) but said that he wanted to know that the group was going to stay on this matter and get it resolved. We promised we would try (nothing more) and left him for now, returning to the Temple to meet with the three new possible recruits waiting there.
It did not go well.
There was Curufin a wood elven thief from Woodhelven who did not seem to have most regard for the group. There was a mutilated high elven warrior who has been living with the barbarian tribes in the Beastly Hills named Erd who was questioning the leadership fortitude. And there was Encrinus the Halfling, slinger and confident to the point of pushy – already assuming he was a part of the party and was handling the introductions between the party and the two possible recruits.
It sort of drifted off center when there was talk of a provisional charter where the three potential newbies would act on the party’s behalf to “clear the estates” and maybe check out the Griffanus house. Things were tense and we managed to shelf the idea for now until the next day.
As for our plan? We need everyone to spend some time at the Hospice to heal up. We had to handle the loss of the hirelings as well as our own people. And we needed help – so hiring more locals might be the way to go – but it was more radical if we go back to Dairymeade and present it to the bandits and Master Freebard that we had sent there a week ago. Shortly speaking – come back and help us.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Meet 3, Adv B2, 1/25/15 - Youth Group
My daughter and her friend had a get together after weeks of trying (and this one almost didn't happen). It was a shorter meeting (3 to 5:30) but they picked up right where they left off and played. It was obvious that both of them had read some of the B/X book as they had a keener grip on the rules, as well as possible enemies they were going to meet.
When it was over they wanted to know when they can have another meeting and if possible, would I let them have a marathon sleep over session. Some other time kids.
Write up follows:
The party made the decision to keep exploring onward, but did not want to risk losing the 20 spears they had found. Carrying them further in was not an option, so the group decided to take them out of the cave, and hide them in the brush and leaves there; this way if they were attacked or forced to run, they can still somehow get the weapons before returning to the Keep.
Upon completion, they talked about going to check out one of the corridors near the entrance first but instead opted to go back to the room they had just cleared and continue to the stairs there. It was here that Charlotte went first, inching her way up with care and checked for any traps that might be found – seeing none. At the top of the stairs, there was a landing of stone and then another flight of stairs went up and to the right. She motioned back and William, Loq, and Corg joined her up the steps before the entire party continued along their way.
The top of the 2nd flight showed a corridor that went on for 20’ before stopping at an iron banded door. There was some writing over the door that upon closing the group was able to read as: “Come in – We’d Like to Have You For Dinner”. It did not inspire the group with confidence. Neither did the pair of skulls hanging from spikes over the door’s lintel.
After some discussion, the party wanted to open the portal and see what was beyond. William volunteered to open the door, Corg standing in front of the fighter, his own shield and sword at the ready. Charlotte held the torch high and everyone agreed that if it seemed too much, they were going to bolt and run.
They counted to three and William turned the knob and hit the door with his shoulder. And it didn’t move. Barred from the other side. It did make a lot of noise and the group heard goblin voices within call out in their own language. Charlotte tried to answer they were friends but the foes on the other side didn’t seem to understand. Instead they slid the bar aside on their end and opened the door.
It was a large chamber, poorly lit, and housed maybe almost 20 goblinoid creatures. Signs of their habitation were everywhere (piles of clothes, food, other stinky mounds of god knows what). But these goblins were larger than the ones they had met earlier. Taller, beefier, they had shocks of orangey hair on the top of their head and under their armpits and from their shoulders. The smell was stronger, and they just looked dangerous.
The group wanted to leave. And now. William whipped out a flask of oil and smashed it to the ground just inside the door, sending the hobgoblins back a step…allowing Charlotte the chance to light it. The whoosh of flame sent everyone back, and gave the important time needed for the party to run back down the steps and away. William and Corg with their platemail fell behind, emerging from the cave last. The party grabbed the hidden spears and began the long walk back to the Keep.
At the gates they made their way and then to the bazaar where a weapon merchant was willing to buy the spears. There was some back and forth haggling but they settled on 1 gold piece each. We then went through all the funds we had earned and gave everyone one fourth – each member getting 5 gold, 5 silver, and 30 copper pieces. Loq and Corg wanted to know when the group was going back, everyone deciding on 2 days. We bid them a farewell and went off to tavern to relax, get a space in the common room, and discuss what would be next.
Charlotte worked on making fire arrows over the remainder of this day and the next, while William frequented the bar, bazaar, and shops – spending copper and silver in hopes of learning anything new. His persistence paid off when he learned that some mage had lost a magic wand somewhere in the environs of the Caves and was willing to pay 200 gold crowns for its return.
So it was the next morning after breakfast we met up with Loq and Corg, paying them for their service to come, and then we set off.
It was over halfway back to the caves of Chaos that we came upon a group of four men by the side of the road, scratched up and tired. They said they had been pursued during the night by a crazed mountain lion that followed them from a woodcutter’s cottage throughout everywhere they tried to sleep that night. They had even lost one of their members, a thief named Larson. We wished them well and said that if they wanted to meet up in the future and join forces, the party would be interested.
The rest of the walk involved the group talking about the strangeness of the mountain lion associated with the same strangeness of the vulture they had seen earlier. William guessed that the evil rituals in the area might be affecting the animals – slowly making them crazier and less able to be approached.
We came back to the ravine and the caves, seeing little changed if anything. We snuck back to the original cave we had already explored a few times, lit a torch, and entered with care. The only thing that was obviously different was the abundance of spider webs along the forward and left choice passages. Not trusting them, Charlotte opted to burn the left corridor free of webs first – the line of fire dancing away, dropping smaller crispy spider bodies everywhere.
She then turned to the forward passage to do the same, but her torch and fire startled a large spider the size of a small dog out of the webs above her, that fell to the ground and startled her, allowing it get close enough where it tried to bite her. She scrambled back, just avoiding its fangs as it made the attempt to bite. She swung her torch and hit the spider. Full on solid hit, knocked it to the ground, and set its hairy back on fire.
The spider made to run away back down the corridor when William’s sword arced out, splitting its abdomen wide open and severed two of its legs. Green ichor splattered all over the fighter as the spider rolled over dead. Loq supplied him with a towel where he wiped most of the thick portions off his face. The group then wanted to head off to the right and go back to the goblins that had originally chased the first two friends out of the cave 3 or 4 days ago.
When it was over they wanted to know when they can have another meeting and if possible, would I let them have a marathon sleep over session. Some other time kids.
Write up follows:
The party made the decision to keep exploring onward, but did not want to risk losing the 20 spears they had found. Carrying them further in was not an option, so the group decided to take them out of the cave, and hide them in the brush and leaves there; this way if they were attacked or forced to run, they can still somehow get the weapons before returning to the Keep.
Upon completion, they talked about going to check out one of the corridors near the entrance first but instead opted to go back to the room they had just cleared and continue to the stairs there. It was here that Charlotte went first, inching her way up with care and checked for any traps that might be found – seeing none. At the top of the stairs, there was a landing of stone and then another flight of stairs went up and to the right. She motioned back and William, Loq, and Corg joined her up the steps before the entire party continued along their way.
The top of the 2nd flight showed a corridor that went on for 20’ before stopping at an iron banded door. There was some writing over the door that upon closing the group was able to read as: “Come in – We’d Like to Have You For Dinner”. It did not inspire the group with confidence. Neither did the pair of skulls hanging from spikes over the door’s lintel.
After some discussion, the party wanted to open the portal and see what was beyond. William volunteered to open the door, Corg standing in front of the fighter, his own shield and sword at the ready. Charlotte held the torch high and everyone agreed that if it seemed too much, they were going to bolt and run.
They counted to three and William turned the knob and hit the door with his shoulder. And it didn’t move. Barred from the other side. It did make a lot of noise and the group heard goblin voices within call out in their own language. Charlotte tried to answer they were friends but the foes on the other side didn’t seem to understand. Instead they slid the bar aside on their end and opened the door.
It was a large chamber, poorly lit, and housed maybe almost 20 goblinoid creatures. Signs of their habitation were everywhere (piles of clothes, food, other stinky mounds of god knows what). But these goblins were larger than the ones they had met earlier. Taller, beefier, they had shocks of orangey hair on the top of their head and under their armpits and from their shoulders. The smell was stronger, and they just looked dangerous.
The group wanted to leave. And now. William whipped out a flask of oil and smashed it to the ground just inside the door, sending the hobgoblins back a step…allowing Charlotte the chance to light it. The whoosh of flame sent everyone back, and gave the important time needed for the party to run back down the steps and away. William and Corg with their platemail fell behind, emerging from the cave last. The party grabbed the hidden spears and began the long walk back to the Keep.
At the gates they made their way and then to the bazaar where a weapon merchant was willing to buy the spears. There was some back and forth haggling but they settled on 1 gold piece each. We then went through all the funds we had earned and gave everyone one fourth – each member getting 5 gold, 5 silver, and 30 copper pieces. Loq and Corg wanted to know when the group was going back, everyone deciding on 2 days. We bid them a farewell and went off to tavern to relax, get a space in the common room, and discuss what would be next.
Charlotte worked on making fire arrows over the remainder of this day and the next, while William frequented the bar, bazaar, and shops – spending copper and silver in hopes of learning anything new. His persistence paid off when he learned that some mage had lost a magic wand somewhere in the environs of the Caves and was willing to pay 200 gold crowns for its return.
So it was the next morning after breakfast we met up with Loq and Corg, paying them for their service to come, and then we set off.
It was over halfway back to the caves of Chaos that we came upon a group of four men by the side of the road, scratched up and tired. They said they had been pursued during the night by a crazed mountain lion that followed them from a woodcutter’s cottage throughout everywhere they tried to sleep that night. They had even lost one of their members, a thief named Larson. We wished them well and said that if they wanted to meet up in the future and join forces, the party would be interested.
The rest of the walk involved the group talking about the strangeness of the mountain lion associated with the same strangeness of the vulture they had seen earlier. William guessed that the evil rituals in the area might be affecting the animals – slowly making them crazier and less able to be approached.
We came back to the ravine and the caves, seeing little changed if anything. We snuck back to the original cave we had already explored a few times, lit a torch, and entered with care. The only thing that was obviously different was the abundance of spider webs along the forward and left choice passages. Not trusting them, Charlotte opted to burn the left corridor free of webs first – the line of fire dancing away, dropping smaller crispy spider bodies everywhere.
She then turned to the forward passage to do the same, but her torch and fire startled a large spider the size of a small dog out of the webs above her, that fell to the ground and startled her, allowing it get close enough where it tried to bite her. She scrambled back, just avoiding its fangs as it made the attempt to bite. She swung her torch and hit the spider. Full on solid hit, knocked it to the ground, and set its hairy back on fire.
The spider made to run away back down the corridor when William’s sword arced out, splitting its abdomen wide open and severed two of its legs. Green ichor splattered all over the fighter as the spider rolled over dead. Loq supplied him with a towel where he wiped most of the thick portions off his face. The group then wanted to head off to the right and go back to the goblins that had originally chased the first two friends out of the cave 3 or 4 days ago.
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