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Author Topic: My D&D campaign  (Read 93778 times)
Alex
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« Reply #90 on: March 05, 2018, 05:02:02 PM »

The deck was swept clean by the sailors and eventually Erik's mutilated body was lowered and thrown unceremoniously to the tender care of the briney deeps. The party retired to as private as place as you can find on a living ship to discuss obliquely recent events.

Over the next few days, the party noticed it was now the officers turn to be terse. The crew was much smaller than it had been at any point while the party had been on board. They certainly did not seem as if they had anything to fear from them. Afterall, having seem the results of one mutiny they were unlikely to see a second attempt any time soon. The party could not quite figure out what was wrong. The ship spent the next three days and nights heading north east.

Of course at any point during this time the party was free to go speak to Riggle and they'd have found out exactly what was going on. It took them three days to figure that one out. They got told that "The giant squids come here to mate. The whales come here to hunt the squids and Precious comes here to hunt the whales."

When they asked what Precious actually was they got a simple answer, "Big."

Then Riggle sighed and explained a bit more. Precious was a pet of Captain Bludreich's that had gotten too powerful for her to control, but every so often she would go out and try to recapture him. It normally ends up with a lot of dead crewmen and a damaged ship. Just do your best not to get eaten.

The prisoners were brought up from below and Capt Bludreich appeared on the deck dressed for the first time in the parties experience in sensible (although still very stylish) clothes. Mr Gibbons rammed a harpoon through three of the prisoners at the same time. The bodies then had ropes tied to their feet and were thrown overboard to put a trail of blood in the water, while the lookouts kept an eye of for any signs of a pod of whales. Eventually one was sighted and Riggle steered the vessel alongside them, the dead bodies still trailing along behind them. Other mutineers were killed and tied to the prow of the longboats like some obscene figurehead.

One of the whales breached the surface. At first it looked like the gentle giant had leapt out of the water, then they saw the much larger creature with its teeth sunk into the whales belly. It was a shark, but much much larger than any shark the party had ever seen before. The bodies plunged back into the water soaking those watching on deck. Gibbons ordered the longboats into the water, pointidly handing a harpoon to each of the party. They too climbed into one of the boats.

At this point anyone making any approrpriate shark movie quotes was secretly going to get extra experience points. Alas the closest I got was Kristi saying "I am having Moby Dick flashbacks".

The three boats closed in on the shark as the Blood Raven sought to herd the monsterous creature back to the longboats. With its toothy maw open the lead boat started throwing their harpoons. Several managed to penetrate Precious's hide, forcing the shark to drag the boat along behind her. Angelique hoped to wear Precious down and bring her back under her control. Precious however had other plans. She dived under the first boat, then lunged upwards crushing her tormentor to so much matchwood as the steel trap like jaws closed dooming the crew on board to a short but terrifying death.

Shocked, but with few other options the other two boats rowed forward to attack Precious next. The shark turned to seek the open sea and escape (I was rolling on a chart to see what actions Precious took). Again the Blood Raven took up a position alongside the shark (which was slightly larger than the ship itself). Both the ship and the shark tried sideswiping each other, with the armoured hull of the Raven coming off mostly undamaged. Riggle applied full power to the engines and surged ahead, then dropped an anchor and spun the wheel as hard as he could putting the Blood Raven directly in the path of the charging Meglodon. At full speed Precious's weight crashed into the side of the of the ship. Even the reinforced hull could not take that damage and the side of the ship caved in. The Blood Raven was holed on the waterline and the sheer force of the crash caused it to list over heavily. From the boat they could see poor Riggle holding on for dear life to the ships wheel while the rest of the crew were catapulted over the side and into the water.

To be concluded.
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Alex
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« Reply #91 on: March 06, 2018, 04:08:57 PM »

The crew on the longboat was ordered to row behind the stricken ship and see if Riggle could be resuced. He was hanging onto his ship, over the stern. He managed to drop down onto the rudder then slide down into the water and then make it to the boat. Several of the officers were swimming towards the boat, although they couldn't see Angelique. They decided to get the hell out of there and set a course to the north hoping to sight land before too long.

With Colesta making holy food for everyone, they kept on rowing for four more days until land was sighted. To the north east and west seperate strips of land could be seen.

Perhaps for a few moments the fate of continents hungs in the balance. Who knows? The party decided the north west shore looked the more inviting. As they closed with the shore they could see a few cities, picked one to aim close too and beached the boat perhaps an hours walk from the city proper. They headed towards its gates and found a company of spearmen at the gate. Once they found out they didn't have to pay taxes everyone decided to go inside. Enquiries were made and they discovered they were in the land of Impultir, somewhere much closer to the front lines with Thay than they wanted to be.

The party made their way to an inn, and using their depleted funds secured a room for the night.
« Last Edit: April 08, 2018, 11:07:55 AM by Dark Alex » Logged

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Alex
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« Reply #92 on: March 08, 2018, 03:29:53 PM »

So assuming we get to start the game back up where do things go next.

Well the general consensus amongst st the players is that they want to head back to their original destination in the west, where they were heading before they got press ganged. Which is handy as the stuff I have worked out in advance all happens there, and I'd hate to go to all the bother of changing the location.

They have the free will to go anywhere they want in the world. It's just where ever they do go the same stuff will happen. The glorious illusion that is free will.

When they get there, they are going to find a city under a dark prophesy, a castle with a sad tale behind it, potentially some evil allies, and of course there is always the Masks calling to them. Oh, and the combined armies of Thay and Mulhorand will be at their heels.

And lets not forget about the cult of assassins on their trail...
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Alex
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« Reply #93 on: March 20, 2018, 10:23:55 AM »

Thinking about doing a rule where any time anyone wants to take a healing potion they need to have an alcoholic drink in real life.
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Alex
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« Reply #94 on: April 05, 2018, 03:34:35 PM »

Should be having a game this weekend. Looking forward to getting back into it. :)
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« Reply #95 on: April 08, 2018, 07:20:01 PM »

Part Seventeen Of The Ballad Of The Band Of The Icky Hand.

Tonights adventure was actually taken from the first proper set of RPG rules I ever bought (Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay).

Well our adventure tonight started with the party going to sleep after hanging up their sea water soaked clothes. I had them all make listen checks which everyone failed except for Zolis, he awoke to the sound of someone stealthily creeping through his room. First he asked who was there, and was answered with a surprised yelp, although he could see nothing in his benighted roon. To pierce the darkness he cast a Light spell and saw a dark clad figure heading towards his window. Leaping out of bed he charged the figure grappling with him while yelling for help. Dammas slept soundly through this, but Val and Colesta both were rudely awakened by the rucus. They gathered up their weapons and ran to find out what was happening. The thief managed to break free of Zolis's hold, but the wizard called on his control of the primal forces of magic and sent a gout of flame to engulf him. Screaming as his clothes caught fire he fell to the floor. Zolis threw his bedding over the figure to put out the flames as he surrendered rather than face his wrath.

Quote
Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.

He was dragged out into the hallway as Val and Colesta arrived. The thief begged for his life and the party decided to search him. Strangely enough he had exactly the same money as Val and Colesta used to have combined. Val also found a piece of paper with a fig leaf motif on it and a list of dates with words beside them. The innkeeper came up the stairs to find out what all the noise was. He said he'd take the man downstairs and call the watch. He suggested the party went back to their rooms while he dealt with the matter further while Colesta healed the man up a bit then the party decided to chat a bit. Zolis took this advice but the other two went downstairs after getting dressed. By this time the watch were ready to leave with their prisoner. Val told the watch they'd discovered the man with their money, as the innkeeper sadly shook his head. "Oh, if he had stolen goods then we will have to take it into custody as evidence for his trial!"

They then found out that they'd have to wait for his trial before they could get their money back. A receipt was written and stamped, but the party had the sinking feeling they'd never see the money again. They handed over 500 gold, managing to keep the rest as the watchmen left while big smiles on their faces.

After they had left the innkeeper said "I told you to stay upstairs. The watch around here is barely any better than the criminals. If ye find yeselfs short of money now, go to the town square. There is a big old oak tree there. People needing jobs done often advertise there."

The group really does not have a good track record when it comes to dealing with law enforcement. You'd think they'd have learned by now, especially given they are wanted criminals. They might have been missing from the world for a few months while they were on The Blood Raven, but with that kind of bounty on their heads attracting attention isn't something they want to go doing.

They went back up the stairs feeling slightly disheartened and finacially lighter than when they came down. It took them all a while to get back to sleep, and this time thye made sure they locked their windows.

In the morning the party had a discussion. Val and Zolis argued for immediently continuing west, while Colesta thought they should at least check out the tree to see if they could replenish their funds a bit. Eventually Colesta won out and the group decided to take a look. A number of jobs were pinned to the tree, most of them for mercenary companies hiring, or people trying to find each other. One however wanted professional fighters to undertake something legal but with some danger.

Danger afterall is their middle name.

Asking around they found the way to the house mentioned in the advertisement. It was a large well appointed place and they were led into see a Councillor Oldenhaller. He wanted some men to go retrieve an item he had purchased that was being brought into the cuty for him by one of the local gangs, the Schatzenheimer's. They had failed to deliver and he wanted them to go into an area known as a den of thieves, the Asylum where the Schatzenheimer's made their lair along with a number of other gangs. He wasn't sure exactly what the item looked like, but it was sure to have some magical powers. The group may have to be persuasive to find out exactly what it was though. The item was also said to be cursed, but he was willing to provide an enchanted box that would protect the bearers from any malign influences for 6 hours. He'd have a man guide them to the enterance to the Asylum starting at darkfall. They were offered 500 gold each and managed to persuade Oldenhaller to give them 100 gold up front, however they were also told they would have to remain at his house as he wasn't going to give away money to a bunch of strangers and let them wander off. As they wanted to pick up some clean clothes, it was agreed the group would return in an hour and receive their advance then.

When they got back, they were led down to the kitchen and fed well and remained in the mansion until it was time for them to go to work.

To be continued.
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Alex
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« Reply #96 on: April 09, 2018, 04:19:37 PM »

Guided by one of Oldenhellar's servants led the party through the city deeps, over the bridge through the centre and into the less desirable parts of the region. Shadows lengthened as the night fell, covering the streets in a cloak of darkness.

He took them down an abandoned alleyway, and pulled open a worm eaten hatch, with stone steps leading down into the stygian under city. "Continue along this passageway", he hissed. "You'll come to a door, beyond it is The Asylum."

He gave them a password to get through the first door and then disappeared into the night.

Colesta and Zolis debated which one of them should provide some magical illumination as they set off for their next adventure, eventually reaching the aforementioned door. A sign on it read "Obey the laws of Asylum. Knock and wait."

Val felt a little suspicious and searched the area, discovering that right in front of the door was a pit trap.

Right under her feet as it happened.

She guessed that the trap was in some way connected to the door handle, so the party decided to try knocking on the door. After about twenty minutes they felt a bit awkward about still waiting for an answer and decided to try the handle.

It was a round knob, with two ways to turn it. With a fifty fifty chance of getting it right Val found herself plunging down 12 feet into a hole as the trap opened beneath her.

Quite why she didn't try using her trap disarming skills I do not know.

After rescuing her from the pit the group eventually managed to get the door open and entered the den of thieves.

I am not laughing though. Once in a game where me, Garry and a guy called Pete were playing we spent an entire session just trying to cross over a pit in a corridor. It all went badly wrong.

Anyway, the first room they entered was a scene of destruction. A smashed table and several broken chairs lay strewn around, not to mention many blood stains. Their were no signs of any combatents though. From a slot in one wall protruded an iron lever which Val worked out disarmed the pit trap outside. The room itself was of a rough construction. Stone walls hacked out of the living earth with no finesse or polish. The only light the group could see was their own. One door led southwards out of the room and with weapons drawn the party ventured further inside.

To be continued.
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Alex
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« Reply #97 on: April 10, 2018, 10:02:47 AM »

Following the southward corridor the next room they found themselves in was even more a scene of destruction than the previous one. Half a dozen bodies lay dead on the floor from stab or crossbow bolt wounds. Two of the bodies bore a fig leaf pendant, much like the image on the scrap of paper taken from the thief. The other four bodies each had a card laid on top of them bearing the words 'Congratulations, you have just met the Valantina Anti-Personnel Crew'. The thought that there might have been a falling out amongst thieves began to occur to the group. This room was quite considerably larger than the previous one.

Oddly enough no one searched the bodies or room for valuables. True, there were none of find as the survivors had taken everything of value, but still it is unusual behaviour for adventurers not to look around. A door was set in the southern wall, while another exit in the west wall was covered by a hanging curtain. Checking the southern path first off all. It took them via a short corridor to a room with a richly dressed corpse, missing an arm and with three weeping sores on his face.

Zolis scanned for traces of anything magical in the area but other than picking up that something powerful had been there recently he could get no more information. With no other exits from this room however the party headed back to the curtained exit. This led to another large room that held more wrecked furniture and dead bodies. Yet another archway let south to what appeared to be a storeroom and more dead bodies... and one not quite dead man who loosed off his crossbow at what he thought were his enemies coming to finish the job. Between his wounds, the bad lighting and the clutter in the room the shot went wild. The party managed to reassure him they were not in fact Valintina thugs and healed him up. They heard that the boss of the Schatzemheimers had gotten a hold of some fancy cursed item and the Valantina's fearing it had attacked, wiping out the Schatzenheimers.

To be continued.
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Alex
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« Reply #98 on: April 13, 2018, 06:03:56 PM »

Ok, so I have lost count of the number of times I have written out the rest of the adventure and then something goes wrong and I've loast everything I've done.

So here is a shortened summary cos I am f**ked off writting all this over and over again.

Party finds Valantina's gang and uses password to infiltrate through their territory. The boss of the Valantina's has been assassinated and they follow a trail of blood into a secret passage where they battle a horde of rats, and although badly wounded manage to break through the rat invasion and flee into some old mines.

There, they discover the body of the assassin along with the Valantina's bosses head and the artifact they were trying to find.

It turns out to be a mask made from a gold like material. Zolis tries to destroy it, but succeeds only in destroying the box they were given to put it in. He then tries putting the mask on and it falls off him telling him he is not powerful enough to wear it.

And that is where the session ended.
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Alex
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« Reply #99 on: May 04, 2018, 08:54:00 AM »

In the void something stirred. It had lain quintessant for many long millennia, although it did not reckon time as living creatures did. It had risen many times before and each time a champion of light had risen too and stopped it. This time it would be different. The gods had grown weak, the mortal races had foolishly forgotten the old stories. They would pay for their forgetfulness.

Its first tendrils reached out, towards the universe of light and heat, seeking to snuff it out like a candle. Its effects would be minor to start with, but noticeable. Then they would quickly grow until its dark embrace took everything into it and extinguished life and light for all time.

Cautiously it probed the mind of mortals, finding them receptive and malleable, just like before. This pleased the thing in the void. It took control of its first servants. They were feeble things whose lifeforce would soon be broken, but they would do to start with.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2018, 01:57:38 PM by Dark Alex » Logged

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Alex
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« Reply #100 on: May 15, 2018, 03:17:28 PM »

The campaign should be kicking off again on Sunday. After the party finishes off the current adventure it takes them onto a new chapter where horror steps much more to the fore for a bit. Darkness is rising and hero will fall, but which one?

This all comes from an adventure I've wanted to run for several years since I read it in a magazine, although I have expanded it a bit and I am very much looking forward to it.
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Alex
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« Reply #101 on: May 20, 2018, 06:04:58 PM »

Part Eighteen Of The Ballad Of The Band Of The Icky Hand.

The night started with the party standing beside a mine cart, with a dead body in it and a horde of rats advancing on them. They decided to dump the body out of the cart, climb in and head off down the rails. It started off down the rails, gathering speed as the tunnel sloped downwards. The rails led around a corner and into a large cavern. The party had no time to take in the view though as a set if buffers were rapidly coming up. Some leapt clear, others braced themselves but other than a few minor brusies they escaped unharmed.

Picking themselves up the party noticed to the north there was a bunch of men hiding behind an improvised barricade, while to the south a couple of figures in robes stood guard over a narrow exit. Colesta identified the symbols the men had on their robes as belonging to Talona, the goddess of poison and disease. They figured the men to the north were a safer bet to talk to. Although the nervous looking men refused to let them in the barricade, but a deal was struck that they would help the party fight their way through the attackers.

Although the party had to attack first.

Dammas immediently charged off towards the cultists (Garry couldn't make the game and my rule is, if I play your character then I treat you as if your intellect score is 5). He came under fire from a couple of heavy crossbows, taking some damage, but his rapier slashed through the throat of the first man leaving a mirthless red smile just below his mouth and he fell dead to the ground. Return fire from the party took out the second guard, but the rest of their allies had been alerted by the sounds of combat. Three more cultists came running up. Dammas was the only person who could fight them up close and personal. As he downed one of his opponents he yelled back to the group "Dur... I fink we are in trubble!"

Colesta came running over to see what was wrong. She could see an albino figure standing in the distance. Before him stood an odd looking creature. Around six feet tall, it stood like a man but no man had talons on his hands like this... thing, nor a mouth full of jagged teeth that took up half its head. Colesta's years of religious instructions kicked in and she immediently identified the creature as a demon. In the scale of such creatures it was no more than a foot soldier specialised in assassination in the armies of the Abyssal planes, but it would be a challange for the entire party to take out. The albino figure ordered the demon (a Babeu) to kill the party and made to run away.

As they looked on the creature simply vanished from sight, reappearing behind Zolis with the intent of taking him out before he could use his magic against it. Colesta feeling that summoning such creatures was an affront to the gods immediently set off in pursuit of the fleeing mage. The rest of the party finished off the rest of the cultists and turned their attention to the demon. Dammas, his rapier flashing in the firelight managed to get nearly ripped in twain when he was caught by both its powerful claws. Staggering under its assault, he managed to stay on his feet barely, but he was hurting badly and not likely to survive much more of the monsters attention.

Val and Zolis did there best, but found their attacks were simply shrugged off by the creature with no effect. Dammas sank his blade into the thick neck of the monster, gagging on the smell of decay eminating from it, but the wound simply healed up as soon as he withdrew his blade. Then he noticed something else. His previously shining blade was now pitted and corroded. Some foul substance coating the beast was destroying his rapier! He pulled out his dagger, hoping to send the creature back to the Abyss before it destroyed his weapons. A second blow from his rapier proved that this would be easier said than done as the blade snapped leaving him with a useless hilt. He had more luck with his dagger managing to score a telling blow somewhere more vital, but the dagger two begain to suffer from whatever noxious substance covered this demon. Val drew her magical rapier and tried attacking from behind but she could not land a blow on it. Soon Dammas's other weapon was ruined, leaving him weaponless. Not thinking to grab something from a defeated opponent he shouted "This creature is beyond our blades, we must flee!" and ran down the narrow passage to where Colesta having caught the albino was battling with spells and weapons against each other. Behind them was the sea and a couple of rowboats.

Back at the Babeu, Zolis summoned Burning Hands. The creature was wreathed in fire and a mocking voice like needles in his brain sounded in his head "Fire? I was born in this!" The gangsters finally came out from behind the barricades and joined in the battle, unleashing a hail of deadly heavy crossbow bolts which would have been death to any normal creature. The bolts simply bounced off the creature, or the injuries instantly healed up. Val was getting worried by the constant stream of "Oh crap!"'s coming from Zolis and decided to follow Dammas's example making a run for the sea. Using her acrobatic skills she dodged out of the way of the swinging claws, leaving the gangsters and the demon to settle things together.

Still battling the albino, Colesta was close to being sick at his appearance. All manner of insects crawlled over him, seemingly welcome to find homes on his body. He summoned the power of chaos at his command, sending a bubble of pure chaos up around him which should have tore Colesta to pieces, but she managed to resist somehow and although weakened was far from dead. Screaming with rage the albino swung his staff at her, hitting her a solid blow across her head. Colesta shook the stars swimming across her vision and swung her mace, breaking some of the albinos ribs. Dammas started pushing one of the boats into the water screaming at everyone to run. Val ran over and tried to stab the albino, but missed and instead gave Colesta a nasty gash. Her second blow was more accurately aimed though and together Val, Colesta and Zolis managed to beat him down leaving him dead and bleeding on the shingle. As the demon finished tearing appart the crossbowmen the party escaped in the row boat, and made their way back to the city.

Of course they left a whole bunch of magic items behind, but what are you going to do?
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Alex
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« Reply #102 on: June 02, 2018, 06:00:57 PM »

So I've managed to get plenty of stuff, leading into a published adventure I've wanted to run for a long time and another visit into horror terrortory  Twirling for the party. I've also came up with a reasonable way to get them magic items. Some of these items are tailored towards the group, some not so much. I added a bunch of randomly generated magic items for the group too that are useful... for varying interpratations of useful anyway.

Mind you the party did row off, leaving an artifact level item behind in the last adventure so who knows what they will do with this stuff.
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« Reply #103 on: June 03, 2018, 05:51:08 PM »

Part Nineteen Of The Ballad Of The Band Of The Icky Hand.

So we left our erstwhile heroes rowing a boat out of what was basically a giant sewer pipe and back into the dockyard of Hlammach. Climbing onto one of the jetties and heading into the city, they attracted many a curious glance at their burned and bloodied appearance. They returned to their roach motel to collect Aileen and Sillas. Bran was however missing.

It was decided to relocate to a somewhat more upmarket inn and discuss their options. The sun was rising and the party still hadn't decided wither or not to deliver their cargo to the councillor. Finding a slightly more upmarket place to crash they slept all through the rest of the day and long into the night. The following morning found them heading out into the street, a well dressed rider on horseback came up to them demanding to know if they were the companions of Cadmus. Explaining to them that they were, but Cadmus was now dead he told them that they'd have to do and dumped two large saddle bags on the ground, handed over a letter and rode off claiming his job was done and he was glad to be rid of it.

Zolis read the letter while Val snuck a peak in one of the bags. It was from Aleric (the cleric back in Teziir who was living beneath the temple of Lathander). It said he was worried he had sent them on this mission underprepared and had made them a collection of magic items to assist them. Figuring they should investigate this further in private the group retired to a secluded area of the inn they had just left.

One slight problem was that Aleric had sent gifts for everyone who had been in the party when he had met them.

For Zolis there was a wand of magic missiles and a ring of protection. Val got a light crossbow that could overcome damage resistance in good creatures, a cloak and boots of elvenkind, and a suit of leather shadow armour and Sillas got a magical longsword, shield and suit of plate armour.

A greatsword and a suit of armour were included for the long absent Zagan, while for Cadmus there was a heavy mace that would cause additional lightning damage to anyone hit by it, a ring of evasion (allowing the wearer to dodge things like fireballs) and a wand of cure light wounds. Colesta could make use of her predecessor gear, but no one could get much use out of the stuff for Zagan. It also turned out the bags the items came in were magical (bags of holding).

It was eventually decided to flee the city (although it was suggested handing their cash advance back to the councillor) and the group left the inn. Outside was sitting Bran on a magnificent black coach, only marred by having had some coats of arms ripped off the doors. Smiling and cradling his Boomstick, Bran told them to get in as it might be a good idea to be somewhere not here quickly. The subject of where to go next was raised and the possibility of heading back to Teziir.

At which point the more long term members of the party started staring into their drinks and blushing. The matter of the 20,000 gold piece bounty on their heads was mentioned. The party admitted to theft, prison escapes and explained that the murder parts were a misunderstanding. They were all confused by the slave trading accusation and neglected to mention the whole "Poorly tipping whores" part.

The group got a couple of streets away when they realised Aileen wasn't in the coach with them. Bran was told to turn around and head back to the inn, much to his incredulity. The party left a message for Aileen should she return with the barmaid and then fled the city.

The group headed into the countryside, examining the coach while Bran drove at breakneck speed all through the day and night. He sped straight past a coaching inn which surprised those inside. They tried yelling at Bran to stop, but he evidently couldn't hear them over the noise of the coach. Val ended up climbing out the window and onto the front seat. Bran appeared to have falled asleep while driving, however when she lightly tapped him on the shoulder his body tipped over to the side and fell off the coach before being ran over by the back wheels. Struggling with the reins, Bran managed to bring the coach to a halt. Zolis got out the coach, saw the body behind them and ran over to see if he was still alive. He was unmoving and not breathing, his legs were twisted around 360 degrees and his body only held in one piece by the skin, his bones having been crushed.

Nevertheless, Zolis tried pouring a healing potion down his throat.

Yeah, maybe a Raise Dead spell might have been a better idea. The fluid spilled out of his mouth. Colesta confirmed he was dead using her medical skills and had been for several hours. Lacking any digging tools the group found stones to make a grave for the old man. Afterwards they headed back to the inn they'd passed but it was locked up and secured for the night so everyone returned to the carriage for the night.

To be continued...
« Last Edit: June 04, 2018, 07:45:09 AM by Dark Alex » Logged

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« Reply #104 on: June 04, 2018, 02:42:35 PM »

Bran was a character designed only to have a quick cameo. I had decided it was time for him to reach his original fate, and have a heart attack while driving the wagon at high speed. However, I also thought he was a fun character and when he ended up having an argument with Zolis, I decided to keep him around a little bit longer. However, on a whim I decided it was now time for the Grim Reaper to catch up with him. Aileen's disappearance... well that is something different entirely and is going to come back to haunt the players in the future in a way that is guaranteed to bring paranoia and madness amongst any party members, but that is for the future. If you want a clue about this then all I will say is through a mirror darkly.

Having forgotten about his curse from the faries from waaaay back, Zolis prepared to make camp in the forest for the night, blissfully oblivious of the bird poop running down the back of his robe.

Just wait until he goes to have breakfast...

The group despite having only the most rudimentary animal management skills managed to get the steeds harnessed up. On the second try they even got the mounts facing the right way. On the second attempt.

It was midday before everything was organised enough for them to head off again. The group came up with a plan to get to the next port, take a ship to a port near Teziir and then find a way to sneak into the city to get back to Aleric.

This would have derailed everything I had written out for the party based on what they'd said they wanted to do previously, so I decided to bring the next encounter forward a bit, and if the players went with that then all was fine, and if not... well I'd just have to write a load of new stuff).

After some travelling the coach was pulled to a halt. Up ahead they could see a Dwarf merchant caravan under attack from a bunch of men in black armour, their shields bearing the crest of Bane and the Zhentarim (Bane is the god of Tyranny and the Zhentarim are an organisation that follow him. They are seeking to control trade throughout northern Faerun. The group has tangled with them before when they liberated a nameless township from the control of Zhentish mercs) They leapt out of their carriage and ran to assist. The Dwarfs would have easily won the day if it had not been for the presence of a spell caster whose fireballs were taking a heavy toll on the defenders. The group decided to aid the Dwarfs, most of whom were wearing a uniform of heavy banded mail armour, but were led by an individual wearing what looked like plate armour but carved from stone. He was duelling a man wielding a pair of unusual looking daggers, almost L shaped with the sharp edge of the blade on the inside of the curve. A strange black fire burned along his blade and he was able to unearingly strike at weak points in the heavily armoured Dwarf leaving him nearly dead, but the defenders mighty war axe wrought a bloody harvest and left him dead and in multiple pieces. Zolis attempted to engage the rival wizard, but found he had cast some spell around him that blocked his spells. However seeing his bodyguard fall the mage decided discression was the better part of valour and casting a spell decided to fly away.

This meant he had to move outside of his protective zone and with a grin Zolis sent a lightning bolt straight to the flying wizard, frying him. The man fell to the ground a crispy corpse. Seeing both their leader and second in command dead the remaining men fled to the forests. A hail of crossbow bolts from the Dwarves felled a few more of them but others managed to escape. Many of the defenders were heavily wounded and they decided not to pursue them.

Colesta set to helping heal the most badly wounded, while the Dwarf in stone armour came over in introduced himself as Thorin. He thanked the group for their assistance and warned them that the Zhents would not take kindly to one of their platoons being destroyed and would no doubt seek revenge. Having lost many of his guards, he offered the group a share of the caravans profits in return for them joining them and helping ensure the merchants arrived safely.

The group were offered a 3% share in the caravan as payment, and attempted to negotiate with the lead merchant, a fat Dwarf called Bombur and after some intense haggling ended up signing on with a 3% share in the caravan each.

At this point the group realised the Dwarfs were all named after the ones from The Hobbit and got a random bonus of 371 xps.
Both sides took to looting the dead bodies, Thorin making sure he got the items from the sergeant (who was a member of a prestige class called a Black Flame Zealot), in order to sell his magic items to provide compensation for the families of the dead guards. Zolis headed straight for the deceased wizard leaving him pretty much a naked body lying on the ground. The weapons and armour were looted from the dead Zhentarim, while the Dwarves took care of their dead and the caravan headed onwards.

The group spent the next four days travelling with the caravan peacefully enough, Zolis and Colesta busing themselves identifying all the magic items they had collected, when during a stop for food they came under a sudden attack. Only Val was watching out and saw an orange fireball hurtling towards them. Before she could cry out a warning it had landed in the middle of them. A Zhentarim Sky mage mounted on an evil looking Manticore was flying high above and firing down on them. The party and Dwarves returned fire effectively enough to drive him off, but they knew now that the Zhents were out for their blood!

As the Manticore bore its wounded rider off, we drew a close to the nights adventures.

« Last Edit: June 05, 2018, 01:44:06 PM by Dark Alex » Logged

But do you understand That none of this will matter Nothing can take your pain away
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