Friday, December 22, 2023

Gygax & Greyhawk Session #5 - Nearing the End

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Ranzel of the Wood (Human Ranger 1)
Solcha (Elf Fighter 1 / Magic User 1)
Skeff Hawkridge (Half Elf Druid 1 / Thief 1) 
Goro (Half Orc Cleric 1 / Fighter 1)
Balthus (Human Fighter 1)  

Date/Time
Planting 3 - sunrise to Planting 4 - midday 


The party delves deeper, passing a branch to their right (which they later learn leads to the other entrance). They reach a point where light can be seen ahead, and a side passage leads to an old but recently repaired door. The light is daylight, as the tunnel opens onto a tailings heap overlooking the grass, forest and lake of the middle valley. To the left a stairway spirals up from below, leading to another recently repaired door. The party climbs to the door, Ranzel noting orc tracks and other tracks of dogs or wolves. They hear nothing at the door, and return inside the mine to the second door. They throw this open, revealing 4 orcs and the remains of an old dwarven forge. Combat ensues and orcs die. Skeff picks the lock on an old dwarven chest, and the party recovers bottles of wine, brandy, and a clerical scroll. 

Finding nothing else of interest, they party retraces their steps, taking the second branch back into the lower valley. To do so they must pass through a bat-filled cave, which they traverse with no problem thanks to Skeff's skill with critters.  They loop around the upper end of the side-valley they are in and follow the valley wall down to where they see the river cascading over the cliff and into the swamp at the base of the mountain. It getting late, they camp for the night before proceeding to an opening in the valley wall spied the evening before. Another dwarven cut passage, this one more permanent than the mines. It leads to a pair of smashed statues flanking an arched doorway, which itself leads to a spiral staircase and a similar statue-flanked arch several hundred feet below. Another passage leads out into the swamp at the base of the mountain, and a small guardroom is noted to the left. It is filled with starving rats who are placated with scraps of food and Skeff's sweat-talk so the party can search the area. They find little of interest, but the rats get restless and attack. They kill a few, then Skeff calms them again and the party moves on. 

The swamp is a morass of pools, scrubby weeds and quicksand. A hard path leads into the mess. It comes to a fork next to a pool. As the party turns towards  the left, a giant frog leaps out of the pool and attacks. It is soon dead and the party moves on. Coming to another branch, they go left again. But find themselves headed back towards the upper valley. So they about face and head back the other way ... 

GAINS
32gp
1pp
Gold Whetstone [25gp] 
Cleric Scroll - 3/Neutralize Poison [300xp] 

KILLS/VICTORIES
4 Orcs
5 Rats
1 Giant Frog

LOSSES
none

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Gygax & Greyhawk Session #4 - Skeletons in the Closet

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Ranzel of the Wood (Human Ranger 1)
Solcha (Elf Fighter 1 / Magic User 1)
Skeff Hawkridge (Half Elf Druid 1 / Thief 1) 
Goro (Half Orc Cleric 1 / Fighter 1)
Balthus (Human Fighter 1)  

Date/Time
Planting 3 - sunrise to Planting 3 - mid afternoon


At the barrow, Ranzel searches for tracks, finding nothing but more rabbit prints in the mud. A tunnel is found that lends into the barrow; lined with great slabs of stone. A smaller tunnel (1' square) squeezes between the stones and into the dirt of the barrow. The druids racoon is sent to investigate, and returns to say there is nothing but man-objects inside. Following the main tunnel, the party reaches a stone slab which Solcha determine is actually a door. When touched, it release a flash of flame, but is afterwards easy to swing open on its hinge. Inside is a large stone sarcophagus with the lid removed, two small ceramic jars and a scattering of other broken jars. The jars contain mostly charred bone and ash;  cremation remains. The sarcophagus is empty, but the bottom is false. When lifted out of the way, a vertical shaft through the damp earth is uncovered. And an unseen presence rise up to meet them, pelting the party with shards of broken ceramic. Goro flees in terror, the the rest of the party wisely follows their cleric rather than face the undead without him. 

After some time, Goro regains his courage and all return to the barrow. They face and defeat the invisible terror, then drop down the shaft to investigate. Only a single human skull, sitting atop a magnificent ruby, is found. Up in the main chamber, Solcha searches the end facing the rest of the barrow, and finds one slab is a secret door. It too flashes with flame when touched, but is then opened into a very narrow tunnel dug in the dirt. It leads to a small circular chamber with a large stone, atop which sits a large chunk of amber. Hanging from the ceiling are skeletons, hung by leather cords nailed to their breastbones. When they show no sign of animation, the party removes them all and smashes their skulls, then dropping the rest into the pit in the first barrow chamber. They carefully recover the amber, then crawl back out the tunnel. Only to be met by the skeletons that have climbed out of the pit. Goro calls on the favor of Heironeous, and the undead flee back into the pit. The party then traps them below by replacing the stone slab before leaving the barrow. 

Back in daylight, they opt to backtrack up and across the valley, to where the needleman had told them orcs inhabited an old mine. They find two mine entrances, but also the skeletal remains of a great mammoth. The cage is covered in webs, which the party burns, revealing a human skeleton trapped under the beast. Balthus crawls inside the rib cage to investigate, and two large spiders descend upon him from above. In a short fight, both are killed. The party loots the skeleton, and then respectfully burry the remains in the soft turf.  

Turning now to the mine, they enter the first decrepit tunnel. After about a half hour, they come to a bend in the tunnel, beyond which it has partly collapsed. In the open passage there is a strange, glistening stone. Which moves! Missile fire ensues, and whatever it was is soon no more. Moving past it's remains, the party delves deeper into the mine ... 

GAINS
Ivory Box [300gp]
3 Gold Earrings [3x5gp]
Silver Bangle [15gp]
Pendant [100gp]
Ruby [500gp]
Amber [500gp]
Belt Buckle [40gp]
Horse carving [200gp]

KILLS/VICTORIES
1 Poltergeist 
7 Skeletons
2 Large Spiders
1 Grey Ooze


LOSSES
none

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Gygax & Greyhawk Session #3 - Creatures Great and Small

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Ranzel of the Wood (Human Ranger 1)
Solcha (Elf Fighter 1 / Magic User 1)
Skeff Hawkridge (Half Elf Druid 1 / Thief 1) 
Goro (Half Orc Cleric 1 / Fighter 1) 

Date/Time
Planting 2 - sunrise to Planting 3 - sunrise


Leaving the haunted island behind, the party heads instead for a set of stairs carved out a gully on the eastern edge of the valley. These appear to lead to another short tower on the ridgeline above the valley. The stairs show their age, but are solidly built; seemingly for a people of shorter stature. They lead to a side tunnel, which itself leads onto a  flagstone courtyard perched on the side of the mountain and overlooking the plains, river and shinning island in the lake. A short tower sits to their left, and a line of crows peer down at them curiously from the upper works.  Skeff casts speak with animals to talk to the creatures.  The lead crow tells him nothing lives here but the crows, and they wish no one to enter the tower. Skeff convinces the birds to allow the party to enter and search the first floor, promising to not climb to the second where the crows nest. 

Beating down the door, the party enters a dust shrouded room; obviously no foot steps have fallen here in many years. The room itself contains little of interest, except a dwarf skeleton and a hidden alcove along one wall. Ranzel uses his septum  to move the wooden panel that hides the alcove, which opens a pit trap in the floor. In the alcove is a box with a tapestry (showing stylized view of the plain and river) and a silver mirror (likely a utilitarian signally device rather than a lady's jeweled treasure). In the pit is the skeleton of a dwarf. In addition to a small bag of gold, he has a set of curious lock picks of a style that Skeff does not recognize. Using the mirror, the party examines the top floor, finding it does indeed consist mainly of crows and nests. Including one crow much larger than the others. Checking the one other door in the room; they find it leads to stairs heading up. And honoring their deal with the crows, they choose to not take them, and instead leave the tower and descend the ridge via a second tunnel/stair/gully.  

This one leads to the pine forest on the other side of the weedy lake. Ranzel notes strange humanoid footprints on the path; foot shaped, but with strange protrusions.  Taking a path leading west towards the river, they encounter a gaunt humanoid figure bristling with pine needles. It attacks, firing needles at the party, who return the favor with missile weapons. After a few hits, the figure turns and runs. Skeff chases it, and finally runs it to ground in a small grove. The creature, in broken Common, asks only to be left alone and that the party not continue on towards the river. The party agrees, and instead heads south through the forest towards a wall the creature tells them about. 

The wall is an old fortification of dwarven construction, blocking the narrow passage between the valley wall and a rocky knoll. A narrow gate pieces the centre, a portcullis hanging above it. Ranzel and Skeff climb over the wall, while Goro and Solcha pass thorough the gate. The portcullis crashes down after Solcha passes, leaving Goro trapped on the north side. He is attacked by a strange, tentacled tree creature. The half-orc's compatriots rush to his aid, and all four are soon caught in the monsters tentacles. Goro, using his mighty strength, bodily heaves the thing against the wall, crushing it to death.  Searching nearby, they find a broken sword. The hilt is of carved ivory, and in it's hollow core is a potion of speed.   

Beyond the wall is an open grassland. The party heads south towards an old barrow Ranzel spotted from the top of the wall. As they approach it, a band of six rabbit like creatures (each with a single long horn on it's head) come around the mound. They watch the party approach, and then charge. In short order, the six are dead and headed for the evening stew pot. The hour growing late, the party retreats back in the direction of the wall and away from the barrow, setting up camp for the night. Night passes without incident, and in the light mist of the morning they head once more towards the barrow ... 

GAINS
Silver Mirror [25gp]
Tapestry [300gp]
Ivory sword hilt [125gp]
15gp
6 al-mi'raj horns [6x 5gp]
potion of speed

KILLS/VICTORIES
1 kampfult
6 al-mi'raj

LOSSES
none

Thursday, November 30, 2023

The Grim Halls (TM) - Session Summaries 17-20

 



SESSION #17

August 23, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 3)

Thunk II (Thief 4)

Chonko (Fighter 1)

[Polemore (NM)]

Carmack (MU1) NPC


Encounters:     6 Bugbears

                        25 Zombies

                        Green Slime 

                        


Treasure:     800sp

                    400gp

                               

XP:                  1080

 

Notable Moments:  All those zombies!!!

                                Thunk II and Polemore die to zombies; but the thief's insurance policy pays off!

                                Chonko pledges himself to the church of ????; 10% tithe for free Raise Dead when                                 needed. 

                                Shifty and the green slime mace

                                Shifty dies and spends all his gold on Raise Dead

                                Chonko +1 level (successful carousing) 


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SESSION #18

September 6 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 3)

Thunk II (Thief 4)

Chonko (Fighter 2)

Carmack (MU1) NPC


Encounters:     Black Widow Spider

                        2 Troglodyte Zombies

                        3 ghouls

                        4 carrion crawlers

                        2 Wights

                        7 Lizard Men


Treasure:     Gems (100gp, 500gp, 5000gp)

                    5000sp

                    Short Sword +1

                               

XP:                  6575

 

Notable Moments:  More Talk, less kill

                                Talking past the spider

                                Feeding the ghouls

                                Grumli paralyzed by crawler; saved by entangle

                                Thunk suck and blow for treasure 

                                Gift magic sword to lizard mem

                                Carmack learns a spell

                                Grumli +1 level

                                Thunk II +1 level

                                Chonko +1 level


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SESSION #19

September 13 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 4)

Thunk II (Thief 5)

Chonko (Fighter 3)

Vatheck (Cleric 2)

Carmack (MU1) NPC


Encounters:     2 Rock Living Statues

                        1 +1 Lava ooze

                        Zelorna & Bhazed Magic User allies

                        2 gargoyles

                        Golzora the Efreeti


Treasure:     None

                               

XP:                350

 

Notable Moments:  Carmack dies to lave ooze

                                Distracting the 2nd lava ooze

                                Shifty the new human fighter

                                Allied with Zelorna and Bhazed

                                Golzora fight ... paused until next time. 



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SESSION #20

November 28 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling Fighter 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 4)

Thunk II (Thief 5)

Chonko (Fighter 3)

Vatheck (Cleric 2)

Carmack (MU1) NPC



Encounters:        Golzora the Efreeti

                           Azbeztazeous the Fire Salamander 

                            3 Gargoyles

                            The lost puppy lava ooze (again) 


Treasure:     3x1000gp fire opals

                    19000sp

                    7000gp

                    Gems (3x500gp, 4x250gp, 2x1000gp, 4x750gp, 3x100gp)

                    Ring of Memory

                    Scroll of three clerical spells

                    Wand of Magic Detection 

                                                   

XP:               21800

 

Notable Moments:  Two round efreeti smackdown

                                Thunk and the acrobatic toe-spiking; and falling into lava. 

                                Shifty's multiple trips to the pool; and always coming out human

                                Gargoyle entanglement

 

                                

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Gygax & Greyhawk Session #2 - Foul Dealings

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Ranzel of the Wood (Human Ranger 1)
Solcha (Elf Fighter 1 / Magic User 1)
Skeff Hawkridge (Half Elf Druid 1 / Thief 1) 
Gorro (Half Orc Cleric 1 / Fighter 1) 

Date/Time
Planting 1 - late morning to Planting 2 - sunrise 


The party follows the directions given by the creature in the stem pool to a rough path climbing up the scree and boulders of the mountainside, leading to a snow caped ridge above. Halfway up they encounter a low tunnel bored thorough the snow. This tunnel continues to climb and reaches a fork; to the left it climbs steeper and into an open space. To the right a short stub tunnel ends and turns straight up to a dead end. Taking the left tunnel, they emerge into a symmetrical ice cave 40' across which is bathed in a faint blue glow. The glow emanates from a pool in the centre, on the other side of which squats a creature reminiscent of the one in the steam pool; about 4' tall, winged and gargoyle-ish. But in this case with angular features and blue/white skin. The party ties to negotiate, probing to learn why there is such enmity between the steam and ice creatures, and ask to see the egg it guards. The creature makes references to serving it's master, similar to that spoken by the steam creature. It also makes a pointed remark about a cleric of Heironeous being in league with the "Lord of Lies",  which Gorro recognizes as a reference to the arch-devil Baalzebul.

In the end, negotiation fails and combat ends in the defeat of the ice mephit. An icy dive into the pool of clear water recovers a glowing blue egg and a handful of blue gem shards. The egg becomes active as it warms, and there is thought of encasing it in snow to keep it inert. It is instead left to hatch, an a baby remorhaz emerges and attacks. Realizing it's carapace is almost impossible to break through, the party teams up to push it into the pool of water and then flee back down the tunnel. Retracing their steps back to the geyser, they find the steam mephit gone and a note scratched on black slate: "The Lord of Flies thanks you for your service". 

Frustrated and annoyed. the party heads down the edge of the lake until they are looking over another cliff and into the next lower valley, a mix of forest, swamp and lake. In the lake is an island with a small watchtower. Likewise, another watchtower stands on a high ridge to the left. They pass the thundering waterfalls that drop over the cliff and follow a path along the valley wall and through a narrow gully leading into the valley below. They head for the island in the lake, but the sight of a ghostly figure walking the battlements force Ranzel and Solcha to flee. The others retreat as well, and camp it set up for the night in the defensible gully. 

Next morning, a light rain falls and a second attempt is made at the tower. This time all four flee in terror from the ghostly figure, runing back to their campsite ...

GAINS
chips of blue quartz [110gp]

KILLS/VICTORIES
1 ice mephit

LOSSES
none

Monday, November 13, 2023

Gygax & Greyhawk Session #1 - On a Wing and a Mountainside

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
Ranzel of the Wood (Human Ranger 1)
Solcha (Elf Fighter 1 / Magic User 1)
Skeff Hawkridge (Half Elf Druid 1 / Thief 1) 
Gorro (Half Orc Cleric 1 / Fighter 1) 

Date/Time
Planting 1; Early to late morning 



Four adventurers, traveling separately along the uplands of Tenh in the shadow of the Griff Mountains, are snatched just past sunrise by rocs and deposited in their nest high on a mountain peak. Below them a valley splits the side of the mountain, with a chain of lakes, valleys, wood and bog. A small river flows down the valley and meanders across the surrounding uplands, ending in a small lake on the edge of an escarpment. On an island in the lake something glitters, and from the high vantage point of the roc's nest, the river and lake look like a serpents body and head stretched over the land.

Joining forces, the adventurers gather loot from the nest (including a crumpled copper sheet with a cryptic note about the Serpents Eye and the island in the lake) and make their way to a ledge far below. A series of further ledges lead toward the first snow and ice covered valley. Along the way a strange humanoid creature of stone tumbles down the slope to waylay them, but is summarily dispatched on the narrow path where fighting is only possible in single file.

The first valley is filled with ice and snow. Ranzel notes tracks of a great cat, which they wisely avoid. The party crosses the lake ice and descends the cliff face next to a frigid waterfall, and into the next mist filled valley. Crossing an ice bridge over the river, they explore an empty side-valley before making there way towards an erupting geyser hidden in the next arm of the valley. There they encounter a winged humanoid creature with grey features lounging in the steaming pool below the geyser.  It first tries to entice them into the pool. After banter, the party instead agrees, in return for information on the valley, to compete a quest on the snittering creature's behalf. They are to kill his rival on the other side of the valley, a task the creature has been given by his (undisclosed) master. 

Following the creature's directions, the party re-crosses the ice bridge and heads down the opposite side of the valley and alongside the lake. A rockslide narrows the path, and suddenly a rock slab tips and drops Ranzel and Skeffs dog Hobo into the freezing lake. A foul undead creature rises out of the water and attacks. It is quickly dispatched and the shivering duo recovered from the waters ...

GAINS
50gp
Jeweled helmet [600gp]
Silver dagger [20gp]
Gold armbands [3 x 30gp] 
Vial of holy water
Potion of healing [200xp]

KILLS/VICTORIES
1 Vilstrak
1 Lacedon

LOSSES
none

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Pulp Cthulhu - The Two Headed Serpent (Mu Part #2 & Finale)

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Zeke Broda (Grease Monkey / Mechanic Spy)
Ivy Guinness (Outsider / Nurse) 
Oz the All Knowing (Mystic / Entertainer)
Nigel Thorne, VC, DSC (Thrill Seeker / Explorer)


The team rides Oz's tamed lloigor down off the plateau into the swamp. The path weaves between hills of festering mud and pools of thick, foul-smelling liquid. Twisted forms can be seen writhing just below the surface. Thanks to their steads however, nothing bothers them as they make their way towards the volcano. About half way across the morass, they encounter debris from one of the flying spheres. Based on Zeke's assessment, it appears the sphere had been smashed straight down into the ground and shattered. They hear a hissing groan nearby, and find a badly injured serpent person lying in the mud. He begs them to pull him out before the swamp creatures eat him alive. The team does so, and then question him. The serpent person is one of Rose Meadham's followers, and he tells the team she has reached the Citadel and should now be starting the process to summon Mu back to Earth and then invoke the doomsday device to destroy humanity. He also points out the battle underway on the lower slopes of the volcano, where the elder things and lloigor have tried to stop Rose's forces from getting into the Citadel. The team asks him about the transport sphere, and the serpent person described how they work and that they need to be filled with a special oxygenated liquid before flying. Ivy meanwhile tries to apply medical aid, but her knowledge of serpent person physiology is poor and instead their captive dies. 

The team pushes on, and at the edge of the swamp encounter the remains of battle. Three dead elder things, scorched by flame pistols, lie beside the broken remains of two serpent people. One of the serpents’ bodies has been so badly crushed that it is little more than a red smear. A fourth elder thing has survived,  barely conscious, floating in a pool  and being nibbled at by creatures that look like human eyes with the legs of spiders. The team approaches and Oz tires to communicate with the strange barrel-like creature. He seems to have no success, but the thing pushes a strange metal deices towards Oz. He picks it up, and now finds himself in telepathic commination with the Elder Thing.  It tells them of the battle to stop the serpent people, and how the Citadel draws its power from the body of the god Ghatanothoa who lives inside the volcano. The team is also warned not to stay too long outside the Citadel, as the power of the god will eventually turn them to stone. Though it also warns that the Citadel itself is partly out of phase with Mu, so they may have to wait some time to gain entry once they reach the top of the volcano. Once more, Ivy tries to help the creature, but once more her knowledge of alien physiology lets her down and the creature dies.

While in communication with the elder thing, Oz also learned it had summoned help in the form of a shoggoth from the nearby battle. They now it it approaching with a piping cry of “Tekeli-li! Tekeli-li!". Not wanted to take their chances with the protoplasmic monster, Zeke leads them in a wide detour out of the way and towards the volcano. As they get closer, they see more scenes of fighting, which they avoid and instead head up the slope towards the huge egg-shaped metallic citadel. It is perched over the mouth of the volcano on struts, one of which has already been damaged in the fighting. The team approaches one strut and waits for the Citadel to phase back into solid form. When it does, Oz tires to lead his lloigor through the strange metal door; but the creatures cannot pass. So he releases them to the battle, and the team pushes through the weird liquid metal door on foot.

On the other side they found a corridor of metal construction, slopping up towards the interior of the Citadel. Nigel notes damage along the walls of the narrow passage, and guesses it comes from the transport spheres zooming through. So they follow the trail deeper into the structure, noting that the structure becomes more organic and less metallic as they proceed. They also start to see signs of life; weird stunted and deformed serpent folk, and odd hairless and mutated rodents that sequel like humans. These flee from the team and the advance continues without delay. They eventually some to a point where the trail splits; the transport spheres seems to go one way, and a trail of serpent person footprints goes in another. They decide to follow the footprints, surmising it will lead to Rose and her goons. But they make note of the location of the transport spheres as they expect to need a quick exit before the day is over. 

The trail leads to a grand, circular structure, some 200 feet in diameter. Alcoves around the edge are filled with colorful, ophidian statues that writhe constantly. The walls coil up to a domed roof hundreds of feet high, with a glowing green ball of energy at its apex. A great snake-like form rises in the center, with an alter at the top. Around the room itself is a thick layer of shed snakeskin and debris. Zeke and Oz quickly check the alter, but then the team all converge on the only exit; a catwalk/gangway that leads steeply down. However, before they can reach this exit, a black amorphous form emerges from the debris on the floor; a formless spawn that now moves to block their passage. Zeke shoves a stick of dynamite at the thing, which unfortunately catches the rest of the team in the blast. But Oz then finishes it off with a laser staff.  

With the way now free, the team slowly makes their way down the gangway. They come to the entrance of another round room, this one surrounded by a strange mesh of fine wire and fleshy tentacles. In the center of the room is a giant holographic projection of Yig. Four armed serpent people stand guard around the perimeter, while seated at one side are Rose Meadham and two other serpent people. The two are connected to the wall via tentacles to their heads and seems to be controlling something. As the team enters, they hear a voice: "T-30 and counting. Mu return sequence activated". Knowing it was now or never if they wished to save the Earth, the team springs into action. They try to focus on Rose, but another formless spawn drops out of the ceiling to confront them. Oz wrestles with Rose for control of the creature, but even with the added power of the Crown, the control passes back and forth. In the meantime, the serpent person guards open a hail of deadly fire on the team, and Ivy is soon dropped unconscious. Nigel makes the fateful decision to activate the haftorang device he's been carrying since Calcutta, accepting the team may have to sacrifice themselves to save the world. But then with the successful application of more fire power and a bag of grenades, the team finally kills Rose and the remaining serpent people. 

With the countdown nearing an end, Zek rushes to the tentacle panel, and attaches the writhing flesh to his head. And finds himself in contact with the AI controlling the Citadel. In a blaze of nonsense logic, Zeke convinces the intelligence that humans and serpent people need to live in peace and harmony, and the AI is unable to process the fact that this monkey-person was as smart as it's serpent person masters. And so it goes insane, stops the Mu countdown, and begins a new countdown; 5 minutes to self destruction of the Citadel. 

Now with two dooms counting down, the team flees from the control room and rushes back towards the transport spheres. They find them in a strange fleshy workshop, where orifices are oozing out new structural material for the Citadel as well as new transport spheres. Some successful first aid brings Ivy back to consciousness, and the team jumps into individual spheres to escape. Unfortunately, Nigel is unable to properly interface with the mental control mechanism of his sphere. With gallant aplomb, the war hero waves the others on, then sits down with his pipe and pocket edition of Kipling to await his fate. 

The rest of the team, with a final salute to Nigel, rush out of the nearby airlocks just as the citadel begins to rumble and explode. They jet across the swamp towards the gate, which is starting to waver and fade. But all three spheres plunge in, and within moments the three survivors find themselves floating above Serpent Island, back on the green and pleasant earth ...

And here ends the campaign. 

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Pulp Cthulhu - The Two Headed Serpent (Brazil Part#2 / Mu Part #1)

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Zeke Broda (Grease Monkey / Mechanic)
Ivy Guinness (Outsider / Nurse) 
Oz the All Knowing (Mystic / Entertainer)
Nigel Thorne, VC, DSC (Thrill Seeker / Explorer)


Reaching open ocean, the team is perturbed by three things. First, a rising storm. Second, the absence of anyone with nautical skill. Third, Nigel's inability to navigate due to the thick storm clouds and lack of a reliable compass. So the night is spent on the tossing waves, half the team too seasick to function, until dawn finds the skies clear, sea calm, and boat in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. After some time, Ivy sees smoke on the horizon, so the they steam towards it and set off flares. The horizon soon resolves into ships, and Nigel through his binoculars identifies them as US Navy warships. 

A ships boat approaches and takes them in tow once Zeke identifies himself as a former Navy man in need of help. Reaching the flagship USS Salt Lake City, the team is brought aboard under the careful eye of armed sailors, and brought to the bridge to meet with the captain. Once given their names, Captain Martín Watt  turns sharply to Zeke and announces "Lieutenant Commander Broda, welcome aboard. As per  Executive Order 33-12, Task Force 11 is ready, willing and able to provide whatever assistance you require to complete your mission." Retiring to the captain cabin, Zeke fills  him in on what is happening, and the team gets to to business with plans. Captain Watt does caution them that any direct armed involvement by he and his men could be problematic from an international relations perspective, invading sovereign nations and all, but he has orders to  do whatever  the Lt Cdr deems necessary. 

Having reviewed the charts of Snake Island, the team decides to land on the cliffs below the lighthouse with the help of some sailors and a lot of rope work. And since they will be doing this in daylight, a second Navy boat will cruise the opposite side of the island to drawn attention away from the landing. In addition to a few extra weapons and ammo, the team takes the Haftorang Device and a fistful of flares which they will use to communicate with the fleet should any further help be required once they are on land. 

The plan goes into action. As the team's boat approaches the rocky reefs that surround the island, they hear scattered gunshots on the far side, indicating their decoy was in place. At this point, Ivy notices a massive shape moving through the waves towards them; a giant sea serpent! Oz brings this creature under control with the Cobra Crown, sending it to attack the Caduceus ship The Ascelepius on the far side of the island. 

The sailors bring the boat in and start securing ropes up the steep slope. Suddenly, bolts of fire leap out of the scaggy brush above them, and in the ensuing firefight one sailor is cut down and Zeke burst into flames from the strange weaponry. But good shooting by the team take out the ambushing serpent people, and the landing proceeds. The first thing they note are snakes. Everywhere. The island is crawling with golden vipers, and Oz has to use the Crown and continually switch control from snake to snake to keep them from poisoning his companions,. 

Climbing the cliff, Ivy notes there had been others lying in wait for them as well, so it seems their decoy ship was a success. Peering up at the lighthouse, the sharp eyed nurse also notes activity there. About 10 serpent people, plus Joshua Meadham and Dr. Gonzales. Dr. Gonzales seems to be preparing a party of serpent people to come their way, so Zeke leads them in a wide loop to the south to approach the lighthouse from a different direction. There they see a handful of serpent men and Meadham clustered near what seems to be a hole in the ground. Fearing Meadham is up to no good, Nigel takes an aimed shot to disrupt any sorcery thing their former employer might be performing; they assume it is he that is controlling all the snakes on the island. Meadham is hit, but he then pulls out of sight behind a building as the serpent men open fire with their flame pistols. As the team engages, Zeke rushes forward towards the cover of the lighthouse to keep an eye on Meadham. Whom he sees transform into a huge, dragon-like creature, which shuffles over the the 'hole' and slides in. The remaining serpent people follow their leader into the 'hole', as does the now returning Dr. Gonzales and his men. And if that wasn't enough, the team now observes a series of round glass spheres containing other serpent people come whizzing in from the north end of the island, and these likewise drop into the 'hole'!

The rest of the team, having run across the open fire-swept field, join Zeke and they so over the to 'hole'. It is in fact a grey swirling vortex about 10 yards across. While some of the team thinks the best course of action is to just dump in the Haftorang Device and hope the ensuing explosion seals the gate, Zeke convinces them the only way to proceed is to go through the gate and destroy the citadel of Mu itself. So one after they other, they all jump into the mists ... 

The passage through is a kaleidoscope of flashing lights and images that sears everyone brain. Ivy, however, senses a pattern and notes the passing images are showing a narrative. The images tell the tale of the serpent people of Mu, and the fighting between the three factions of Yig, Tsathoggua and Ghatanathoa for control of the Citadel of Mu. And how the followers of Tsathoggua won, and were preparing to use the power of the Citadel to create a doomsday device that would destroy all life on earth. However, to prevent their own death in such a doom, a race of winged barrel-like aliens dwelling on the earth tore Mu out of the world using alien science. In doing so, they also trapped themselves and the other residents of Mu (a dragon like race) in a separate reality. These two races have since guarded the Citadel to prevent the serpent people from returning and harnessing its' power. 

Emerging on the other side, the team find themselves on a blasted plateau, where rages a fearsome battle of seven great dragon-like creatures like those Ivy saw in her vison. Scattered around were bodies of serpent people, torn to pieces, as well as the body of Dr, Gonzales. Oz used the Crown to gain control of three of the beasts (which he learned were called lloigor), for once the creatures had finished with the one the team assumed was the transformed Meadham, they turned on these latest human intruders. Oz's controlled lloigor defeated the others leaving the team in command of the blood-drenched battlefield. 

Now looking around, they see the sky is a great swirling mass of dense gray fog, with strange strands reaching down like writhing tentacles. The peak of a mighty volcano is seen across a swamp filled valley. Atop the volcano is a strange, spired structure that glints like steel and glass, while flashes of light and fire cut through the surrounding fog from around the base of the volcano.  The team also observes a line of the flying glass spheres racing over the swamp at high speed, just about the alight at the Citadel itself.  And so they prepare to mount the tamed lloigor and make their own way towards the mighty Citadel of Mu. 

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Pulp Cthulhu - The Two Headed Serpent (Calcutta Part#3 / Brazil Part#1)

 DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Zeke Broda (Grease Monkey / Mechanic)
Ivy Guinness (Outsider / Nurse) 
Oz the All Knowing (Mystic / Entertainer)
Nigel Thorne, VC, DSC (Thrill Seeker / Explorer)


Zeke and Ivy work frantically to pull their unconscious colleagues from the wrecked car. Luckily the approaching police officers are still caught in the crowd, but the truck from the fort is not so impeded. The two finally pull Oz and Nigel out, along with some choice items of their gear, then toss a grenade in the wreckage to destroy anything incriminating. Dragging the comatose two, Ivy and Zeke head up the stairs and inside the Victoria Monument. Pausing for a moment to let Oz and Nigel recover, they then all run out the back door, looking for somewhere to hide  or a vehicle to use in their escape. Finding nothing, and with the truck full of soldiers almost on top of them, Zeke whips out the Cobra Crown and convinces Oz to put it on in the hope that it will give the mystic some sort of power to help them. Immediately, the cobras on the crown animate, and drill their tails into Oz's skull. Oz now feels the power to control snakes and other reptilian creatures, as well as the ability to summon nearby snakes. Which he starts to do just as the army truck pulls up and  disgorges soldiers from the back. 

Confronted by a young Lt. Williams intent on taking them into custody, Nigel manages to use a mix of fast talk and impressive war stories to convince the officer they are some sort of special operatives. While the lieutenant won't let them go, he agrees to take them to his own commanding officer  instead of just locking them up. His men load the teams gear in the truck, wave off the now arriving police and, and then load everyone aboard to head back to Fort William. As they drive, Oz orders the cobras he has attracted to attack their captors. The venomous snakes kill half the soldiers, while the others jump out of the back and and quickly left behind.  Zeke crawls on to of the truck cab, and as another cobra kills the driver, slides into the driver seat and takes control of the vehicle. Slamming on the brakes, he pushes Lt. Williams out of the cab, and Nigel slips into the drivers seat. And gets them to the airport quickly, stealthy and without raising any further alarm.  They make it to their plane, and as they board notice another plane with a Caduceus crest on the side, taxiing for take-off. Assuming the is Joshua Meadham, they initially plan to quickly follow him into the air and try shooting him down with their small arms.  But in the end decide to just rely on Nigel's piloting skill and outfly him, figuring they are headed to Brazil and the gate to Mu as well. 

Two weeks of flying from one airport to another finally lands them in Santos, the port of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hiring an out of the way hanger, they get the plane out of sight. Questioning the airport personnel, they learn no one matching the description of Rose or Joshua Meadham have landed recently. Nigel figures his marathon flying has gained them a half day at most, so the team hires a truck to bring them down to the docks where they hope to find a boat to take them to the Ilha de Queimada Grande aka Snake Island. Once there, they find it impossible to hire a boat. No one will take them on the water, and certainly no one will take them to Snake Island. They also note a small steamer nearby flying a Caduceus pennant. Zeke uses his contacts and makes a phone call to the local US Navy attaché, learning that a US Navy task force is stationed offshore but the attaché doesn't know why. There was some thought of requesting a boat from the Navy, but in the end they decide just stealing one would be their best bet. 

While they wait, a young boy approaches with a folded piece of paper. Nigel takes the paper and unfolds it, revealing a crude drawing a a serpent eye. Which to their horror, then blinks at them! The young boy, looking at the paper with them, suddenly gasps and they see his shadow start to to wrap itself around him in a constricting embrace. Before they can do anything to help, the boy is dead. And Oz feels his shadow start to grasp his body. After a few panicked moments, the team hauls Oz into cover where he cast no shadow, thereby saving him from death. 

Fearful now of going out in the sunlight, the team watches helplessly as a group of vehicles approaches the Caduceus ship, loading men and supplies. After this, the ship raises steam and heads out the harbour.  Shortly after, as darkness had fallen, the team slips out onto the docks and steal a boat to make their way under cover of darkness across the waters to Snake Island. 

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Pulp Cthulhu - The Two Headed Serpent (Calcutta Part#2)

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Zeke Broda (Grease Monkey / Mechanic)
Ivy Guinness (Outsider / Nurse) 
Oz the All Knowing (Mystic / Entertainer)
Nigel Thorne, VC, DSC (Thrill Seeker / Explorer)



The team finishes their tea and discuss next steps. They decide to head to the museum, hoping to find more clues before checking out the shrine of Masa Devi by the Adi Ganga canal. At the museum they bluff their way into the office of the curator, Nathanial Blyth. They quickly learn Blyth is tired of talking about the Cobra Crown as the museum doesn't have it and has no information on the artifact The assistant curator, Vatsala Kumtekar, who posted the newspaper notice has not been back to work for days, obviously too embarrassed to show himself at work.  Blyth does let slip that, among everyone else who have been asking, a pair that sound like Meadham and Canning were at the museum the day before Kumtekar disappeared. And the team thus assumes Kumtekar is dead and there is little more to learn on this path of inquiry. 

Back to their hired car, the team gets Narayan to bring them deep into the slums to the shrine of Mansa Devi. They arrive in a little square in front of a garish but somewhat rundown shrine. At the top of the steps leading inside stands a large statue of a woman wearing a snake crown. They also encounter a scene of chaos, with injured and dead scattered in the square and more still stumbling out of the shrine. Ivy examines one of the fallen and sees they all suffer hemorrhaging from eyes, ears and mouth, and that is is not a natural injury. The team fires a few rounds into the air to clear the mass of humanity blocking their way, and push into the shrine to investigate. But are stopped by an old woman who is the shire keeper. They learn one of the temple adherents, a man named Kiran Kapoor, broke into just an hour before, forced his way into the lower shire and stole the crown of Mansa Devi! It was he that caused such death and destruction, but how or why the woman could not say. 

As they pondered this new mystery, the team hears a commotion outside. The old woman translates for them; the people are saying Kiran Kapoor has returned!  Everyone rushes outside, and the team sees a small man approaching, stumbling as in a daze. The crowd parts fearfully for him. He reaches the step, and raising a hand in greeting whispered "she stole my face" before disintegrating into a pile of dust! This causes more panic and pandemonium, and the crowd quickly disperses. Oz reaches out  to the dusty remains to use his clairvoyance power. In his minds eye, he sees Kiran talking to an unknown woman about the shrine and the crown. The woman then reaches out to him  and Oz senses the man's life force being pulled from him, leaving just an empty shell. And the woman now wears the visage of Kiran Kapoor. Oz finally senses the empty shell of the man wander back to the shrine. 

Stymied once more and out of leads, the team decides to head for the Victoria Monument where they'd agreed to meet Tyranissh, hoping the serpent woman would be there and give them some idea of what to do next. As they drive up towards the open common and the monument, they encounter a huge crowd, who are cheering for someone standing atop the monument dome. The figure is proclaiming the glory and the might of Mansa Devi, punctured with a display of magic and illusions. Sharp-eyed Ivy recognizes the figure as Kiran Kapoor. She also notes two cars at opposite ends of the crowd. One contains a pair of Rose Meadham's goons, while the other is occupied by Joshua Meadham and Canning! 

Sensing trouble, they pool all their cash and buy Narayan's car, sending the poor man home and out of danger. At this point, Kiran pulls out what looks to be the Cobra Crown and moves to place it on his head. As he does, the man changes into the form of Tyranissh. Moving fast, Nigel fires a shot at her wrist, causing the serpent woman to drop the Crown to the ground below. Zeke and Ivy start to push through the crowd, but are slowed by the mass of people. Nigel, dropping his BAR, jumps behind the wheel of the car. Joined by Oz, he drives wildly through the crowd, throwing bodies left and right in an attempt the reach the Crown before Tyrannish. Meanwhile, Canning has also starting pushing through the crowd, having as much easier time of it than Ivy and Zeke. The Inner Night goons instead copy Nigel and drive their car through the crowd as well. 

Tyrannish climbs gecko-like down the building and reach the crown first.  But Canning arrives almost as quickly, lashing out a serpent-like tongue and entangling/paralyzing the serpent woman. With the Crown almost in his hands, Canning is cut down by automatic fire from Nigel and laser staff bolts from Oz. This frees Tyrannish, and she now turns her wrath on the team. Ivy, having snatched the fallen Crown, jumps in then car. But Tyrannish calls down a fist of force that smashes the car and flips it over. She slams down again on the vehicle, trapping both Oz and Nigel and knocking them unconscious. At this point, the Inner Night goons arrive and wrench the Crown from Ivy's hands. Who lets them take it, as she has cleverly swapped it with the fake crown while tumbled in the back seat. The goons retreat, and Ivy crawls out of the smashed wreckage with the real Crown. But as Tyrannish prepares a final fatal blow on the team, Zeke unloads a drum of Tommy Gun fire into her and the dispersing crowd. The serpent woman (and a few bystanders) go down in a hail of .45 bullets. Looking around, they see Meadham directing his driver the pull away from the scene, and hear the sound of police whistles and diesel engines as a truck full of Indian soldiers pulls out of  Fort William and heads across the common towards the monument...

Sunday, August 20, 2023

The Grim Halls (TM) - Session Summaries 1-16


SESSION #1 

August 25, 2021

 

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Drogo (Fighter 1)

Tessa (Cleric 1)

Myrl (Elf 1)

Shifty (Halfling 1)

Grumli (Dwarf 1)

Foxbur (Halfling 1)

 

Encounters:     Ghoul

                        Zombie

                        4 Beetlemen

                        Bull Shark

                        Kiel and Rufus

 

Treasure:          9gp

                        500sp

                        Gem (50gp)

                        4 Gold Rings (40gp each)

                        Giant Conch (50gp)

                        10 Quarrels +1

 

XP:                  429

 

Notable Moments:      Tessa’s immediate death

                                    Abysmal parenting skills with Kiel and Rufus

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SESSION #2

September 8, 2021


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Myrl (Elf 1)

Shifty (Halfling 1)

Grumli (Dwarf 1)

Deathhalt (Cleric 1)

Forberg (Fighter 1)


 

Encounters:     Kobolds

 

Treasure:         415sp

                        48gp

                        5 gems (3x 10gp, 2x 2000gp) 

 

XP:                  2268

 

Notable Moments:      Hell-bent for leather Myrl; and his death by kobold. 

                                    Clearing out the kobolds and steeling their rat wagon. 


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SESSION #3

April 13th, 2022


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Grumli (Dwarf 1)

Deathhalt (Cleric 1)

Forberg (Fighter 1)

Drogo (Fighter 1) 


 

Encounters:     Fire Beetles (twice) 

                        Zombies

                        Crystal Statue

                        Ghoul

                        Kiel & Rufus (again) 

 

Treasure:         Helm of Reading

                        3x Fire Beetle light stalks 

                        Potion of Healing

                        300sp

                        20gp

 

XP:                  140

 

Notable Moments:      Drogo and the yellow mould

                                    Drogo and the rust statue 

                                    Talking to the bones



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SESSION #4

November 20th, 2022


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Grumli (Dwarf 1)

Deathhalt (Cleric 1)

Forberg (Fighter 1)

Shifty (Halfling 1) 

Dirk the Deadly (Fighter 1)


 

Encounters:     Zombies

                        Bruno the Dungeon Chicken

                        Fire Beetles

                        Ghoul

 

Treasure:         Gem (100gp)

                        Dagger +1

                        Scroll - Protection from Lycanthropes 

                        Potion of Growth

                        Jewelry (900gp, 1100gp, 1200gp, 1200gp) 

 

XP:                  4740

 

Notable Moments:      Deathhalt dies to a dungeon chicken

                                    Forberg dies to a ghoul

                                    Rufus is now more powerful (?)



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SESSION #5

March 12, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Grumli (Dwarf 2)

Shifty (Halfling 2) 

Drogo (Fighter 1)

Forburr (Halfling 1) 

Babyface (Dwarf 1)

[Nex (Fighter 1)]

[Nix (NM)]

Hans (Elf 1)


 

Encounters:     Giant Locusts

                        Beetlemen & Fire Beetles 

                        Giant Centipedes

                        More Beetlemen

 

Treasure:         25 Golden Beetles (10gp each)

                        300sp

                        60gp

                        Gem (50gp)

                        Silver Bangle (70gp)

                        2 Candlesticks (2x 60gp)

                        Jesters Hat (70gp)

 

XP:                  1016

 

Notable Moments:      Shifty's usurious lending practices

                                    All of Terry's dead characters 

                                    Drogo the Beetleslayer 

                                    Halfling pile to replace the statue head; and the reluctant participant (Foxburr)                                         gets the boon!    


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SESSION #6

March 29, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Grumli (Dwarf 2)

Shifty (Halfling 2) 

Drogo (Fighter 1)

Forburr (Halfling 1) 

Hans (Elf 1)

[Firon (Elf 1)]

[Brinder (Elf 1)]

 

Encounters:      Kobolds

                         Arakis the Spider

                        4 Lizard Men 


Treasure:         Jewelry (600gp, 900gp)

                        Gold Beetle Helmet (370gp)

 

XP:                  1990

 

Notable Moments:  Elf hirelings charging after kobolds

                                Negotiation with the spider Arakis

                                Spiking rope in shaft / Arakis chews it off

                                Plans to impersonate beetlemen


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SESSION #7

April 20, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Grumli (Dwarf 2)

Shifty (Halfling 2) 

Drogo (Fighter 1)

[Balg (Dwarf 1)]

Forburr (Halfling 1) 

Hans (Elf 1)

[Brinder (Elf 1)]

Deathault II (Cleric 1)

 

Encounters:     2 Ghouls

                        1 Beetle-shell golem

                        1 Gargoyle    


Treasure:         none

                        

XP:                  50

 

Notable Moments:  Spazz the door opening kobold

                                Trying to lure beetles with noise and light -1 NPC

                                Beetleshell golem fight -1 NPC (death by friendly fire) 

                                Han's the towering inferno -1 PC

                                Teleporting Deathault II and unsuccessful escape from the beetle temple -1PC


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SESSION #8

April 26, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Grumli (Dwarf 2)

Shifty (Halfling 2) 

Thunk (Thief 1)

[Baln (Fighter 1)]

Thunk II (Thief 1) 

 

Encounters:     6 Fire Beetles

                        Flame Shadow

                        Crystal Statue

                        NPC Party


Treasure: 900gp

                gems (100gp, 1000gp)

                Slate of Identification 

                        

                        

XP:                  2100

 

Notable Moments:  Charge of the fire beetles; death of Thunk the Thief 

                                Flipping coppers onto strange black pillar; they disappear!

                                Baln abandons party when Thunk dies

                                Purchased 2x rumors

                                Successful carousing - Shifty and Thunk II


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SESSION #9

May 3, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Grumli (Dwarf 2)

Shifty (Halfling 3)

Drogo Beetleslayer (Fighter 1)  

Thunk II (Thief 2) 

 

Encounters:     3 Zombies

                        5 Ghouls

                        1 Ghoul

                        1 black Widow Spider 


Treasure:     96gp

                    14 ep

                    49cp

                    4000ep

                    Crown (4000gp)

                               

XP:                  6364

 

Notable Moments:  Near total party kills to ghouls

                                That damn goblet and coffin

                                The ghouls gore

                                Death of Grumli and Drogo to the spider in the last encounter of the night 

                                Grumli's return to life and Shifty's crippling loan 


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SESSION #10

May 10, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Grumli (Dwarf 2)

Shifty (Halfling 3)

Thunk II (Thief 2) 

Vathek (Cleric 1)

[Carmak (Magic User 1)]

[Grub (Fighter 1)]

[Cadwell (Fighter 1)]

 

Encounters:     3 Fire Beetles

                        10 Skeletons

                        3 Zombies

                        4 Skeletons

                        1 Ghoul

                        8 Pit Vipers

                        5 Barrowmen


Treasure:     Goblet (1800gp)

                    Grave jewels (400gp)

                    3000sp

                    100gp

                    Chainmail +5

                               

XP:                  3065

 

Notable Moments:  The mighty warrior Grub (prompted to full retainer status)

                                The ineffectual Carmak

                                Remembered to look up for ghouls

                                Death of Cadwell testing the goblet (poison)

                                Fire bombing the vipers

                                Ture concern for hireling survival by Vathek


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SESSION #11

June 1, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 2)

Thunk II (Thief 3) 

[Wardor (NM)]

[Kronen (NM)]


 

Encounters:     3 Bugbears

                        3 Zombies

                        7 Barrowmen

                        1 Carrion Crawler 


Treasure:     4000ep

                    54cp, 33sp

                    Polearm +2

                               

XP:                  2290

 

Notable Moments:  Hireling deaths: Kronen to bugbears, Wardor to barrowmen

                                Still can't move that damned coffin lid

                                Weaponizing the wood/iron transformation pool

                                Grumli's two new near death experiences (carrion crawler and barrowmen)

                                Grumli and Thunk II go deeper in debt to Shifty

                                Actually left the dungeon and returned (needed to buy healing potions) 


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SESSION #12

June 7, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 3)

Thunk II (Thief 4)

Dirk the Deadly (Fighter 1) 

Chonko (Fighter 1)


 

Encounters:     3 Zombies

                        NPC Party "The Brutes"


Treasure:     25gp

                    9cp

                    Hand Axe +3

                    Ointment of Blessing

                               

XP:                  404

 

Notable Moments:  Failing to open that damn coffin lid. Again

                                Bakstab by "The Brutes". Dirk the Deadly dies. 

                                Capture the thief Xylorn; shows secret door to other half of level

                                Fun with bodies and teleporters

                                Shifty's amazing dice rolling vs "The Brutes"




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SESSION #13

July 5, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 3)

Thunk II (Thief 4)

Chonko (Fighter 1)

Vathek (Cleric 1)

[Carmak (Magic User 1)]

[Grub (Fighter 1)]


 

Encounters:     1 Ghoul

                        1 Ghoul

                        Grey Ooze

                        Black Widow Spider


Treasure:     500gp

                    Scroll of Illumination

                    Silk Robe (250gp)

                               

XP:                  850

 

Notable Moments:  Chonko & Grumli the door opening duo

                                Finally getting into the last of the burial cells and that damn coffin

                                Grumli sketching tomb drawings in the architects tomb 

                                The natural "20" grey ooze hit on Vathek

                                Barrowman negotiations

                                Thunk II carousing: and loosing the slate of identification

 

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SESSION #14

July 12, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 3)

Chonko (Fighter 1)

[Polemore (NM)]

[Rothcox (NM)]


 

Encounters:     4 zombies

                        gelatinous cube

                        7 Troglodytes (fighting the barrowmen) 


Treasure:     12gp, 17sp

                    1200sp

                    Staff of Dispelling

                               

XP:                  364

 

Notable Moments:  Chonko sharing healing potions with a lowly hireling

                                Mixing the magic pools

                                Gelatinous cube, crisp and burn

                                Shifty the new magic man

                                Now friends with the barrowmen

                                Rothcox dies a gelatinous death 


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SESSION #15

July 19, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 3)

Thunk II (Thief 4)

Vathek (Cleric 1)

[Grub (Fighter 1)]


Encounters:     1 Beetleman

                        The  Mighty Al-Akesh 

                        Rust Monster


Treasure:     10x rings (50gp each)

                    Crown (1800gp)

                    Scepter (1200gp)

                    Chalice (800gp)

                    Gem (10gp)

                    Short sword +1

                    Staff of Paralyzation 

                               

XP:                  5826

 

Notable Moments:  Grumli loosing gained ability score through greed for more

                                Out thinking the false Al-Akesk trap

                                Shifty's shifting allegiance

                                Talking to the Barrowmen again

                                Death of Grub to Al-Akesh


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SESSION #16

August 2, 2023


DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Shifty (Halfling 4)

Grumli (Dwarf 3)

Thunk II (Thief 4)

Chonko (Fighter 1)

[Polemore (NM)]


Encounters:     2 Wights

                        Crypt Guardian

                        4 skeletons

                        Mini-Elementel

                        Pit Vipers


Treasure:     2 circlets (150gp each)

                    Sword +1, +3 vs Giants

                    3000gp

                    Gems (2x10gp, 3x50gp, 500gp)

                    Scented Oils (75gp)

                               

XP:                  4515

 

Notable Moments:  Kial and Rufus, the little shits

                                More coffin cooked vipers

                                Chonko mugged and robbed while carousing