Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
D&D 5e Into The (Keep on the) Borderlands (B1&2) #032 Monster Mash.
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 8543367" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>The Unexpected in the Caves of Chaos.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Session #028: All Gnolls Must Die!</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>PCs (in alphabetical order)</strong></p><p><strong>Krago of the Mountains </strong>(Pete) Male Mountain Dwarf Ranger (Folk Hero) Level 4.</p><p><strong>Lappoy the Unexpected </strong>(Rob) Male High Elf Wizard (Sage) Level 4.</p><p><strong>Mohag the Wanderer</strong> (Pete) Male Human Barbarian (Outlander) Level 4.</p><p><strong>Sho-Rembo</strong> (Dave) Female Stout Halfling Druid (Hermit) Level 4.</p><p><strong>Sir Glen</strong> (Dave) Male Human Paladin of Lathander (Noble) Level 4.</p><p><strong>Sosspan </strong>(Dave) Male Dragonborn Wizard (Spy) Level 4.</p><p><strong>Trebbelos</strong> (Pete) Male Tiefling Sorcerer (Charlatan) Level 4.</p><p></p><p><strong>Sidekick (played mostly by the DM).</strong></p><p><strong>Scrubs</strong> Male Human Sidekick Expert (Soldier) Level 3.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dead PCs, NPCs & Sidekicks (in alphabetical order)</strong></p><p><strong>Afton Barr</strong> (Dave) Male Half-Elf Bard (Entertainer) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Corbis</strong> Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 2.</p><p><strong>Estra Zo </strong>(Pete) Female Wood Gnome Rogue (Urchin) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Farned of the Leaf Lord </strong>(Dave) Male Wild Elf Cleric of Rillifane Rallithil (Acolyte) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Tassit </strong>(Dave) Female Human Monk (Hermit) Level 1.</p><p><strong>The Mystical One</strong> (Pete) Female Human Warlock (Outlander) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Tribbits</strong> Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 2.</p><p><strong>Wormwood</strong> Male Human Guard.</p><p><strong>Yor</strong> (Pete) Male Dragonborn Fighter (Folk Hero) Level 2.</p><p></p><p><strong>QUESTS (and stuff to do).*</strong> </p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find Zelligar and Rogahn's former base, explore it and steal its treasures.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find Tolpuddle, the 'mad druid' or 'mad hermit' of the Whispering Woods, he may know where Z&R's base is (see #1 above), also say 'hi' from his brother Bumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Tell Darvon, Priest of Oghma, about the Unexpected's adventures. ONGOING.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Track down and kill/capture the former bandit leader- Dee Dee Raven (see Mebros, Captain of the Watch). </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Help the water sprites of the Goblinwater River, for Bumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Clear a bunch of spiders out of the Spiderwood, for Bumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Stop the undead attacks in the Whispering Woods, for Bumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Clear the Caves of Chaos for the Castellan of the Keep on the Borderlands, reward 2,500gp plus. IN PROGRESS.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find the rest of the Fortune's Five adventuring party- Bullywugs?</li> </ol><p>*I've been asked to put this here because the players keep forgetting some of this stuff, also they have lots of quests on the go right now.</p><p></p><p>Note, we now read this list at the start of each new session, that's what it's like to get old- your memory just stops working.</p><p></p><p><strong>Note, you can click on the pictures here to make them bigger (if you didn't know this already).</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Day 43: Being the 13th Day of Kythorn, in the year 1493 by Dale Reckoning, known as the Year of the Purple Dragons, about 10 AM.</strong></p><p></p><p>It's as simple as this- the Unexpected have moved into their new cave home, sorted out the logistics, showed the guardsmen the ropes and... skedaddled, sharpish- directly across the ravine and to the gnoll cave.</p><p></p><p>The gnolls have attacked the Unexpected twice now, they are therefore the next on their to kill list.</p><p></p><p>But let me just add in advance, in my last gnoll attack on the PCs I spent over half the gnolls in my account, basically 50% of the gnoll lair were slaughtered. But the PCs are 4th level now, and this module/scenario is only designed for level 1-3 play, so- I've put the dead gnolls back.</p><p></p><p>And added a few other things, remember I said that the bodies of the fallen gnolls had gone in the last session, well... here they all are.</p><p></p><p>A better explanation to follow.</p><p></p><p>The following attack however is very well co-ordinated, by which I mean the PCs had picked their spells, cast their light spells (for those that have trouble seeing in the dark, note Sho-Rembo is making use of a Darkvision spell) and buffs, and...</p><p></p><p>They're really on it.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151721[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Krago and the new Darkvision equipped Sho-Rembo take a look inside the lair, and roll well enough to sneak in for a peek, and straight back out again. Note the other PCs are only on the map so that they can see what's going on (and that's all the map I have to play with), they start the attack a little further back.</strong></p><p></p><p>To remind you- all the bad guys are hit points heavy, and there are a bunch of them here, including the gaggle of gnoll witherlings (skeletal gnolls) that Krago spots.</p><p></p><p>But the Unexpected are not in the least bit deterred.</p><p></p><p>Here we go...</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos gets to the cavern opening and fires a Shatter spell into the densest collection of enemies he can spy.</p><p></p><p>Then Mohag rushes in, raging already, and savages the nearest gnoll, while Sho-Rembo fires a blast of Faerie Fire into the far chamber, and then in the same instant becomes Sho-B-Bear.</p><p></p><p>The halfling druid then expends an inspiration point to savage a gnoll, nice!</p><p></p><p>Lappoy drops another Shatter spell into the mix, and a pair of witherlings explode.</p><p></p><p>Krago smashes one of the wounded gnolls in the entrance cavern down, and then gets to work on another, and as soon as he's finished Sir Glen rushes in (shouting unhelpful things about the Morning Lord) and then cutting the second gnoll down.</p><p></p><p>He's made his point.</p><p></p><p>Sosspan hits the gnolls with a third Shatter spell (isn't that enough?) and the witherlings are decimated.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151722[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>After the surprise round.</strong></p><p></p><p>That said, only seconds later the adventurers watch forlornly as a barking yelping gnoll high tails it deeper into the lair, screaming in its foul-tongue, it seems the secret is soon out.</p><p></p><p>Mohag however rushes into the second cavern chamber and buries his greataxe (twice) into the nearest gnoll (reckless and frenzy). A gnoll witherling races over and bites the barbarian.</p><p></p><p>Sho-B-Bear savages the gnoll she has cornered, and then she too wanders forward.</p><p></p><p>The artillery move forward, Lappoy blasting a witherling with a Fire Bolt, Krago charges forward and finishes it off.</p><p></p><p>This is a massacre.</p><p></p><p>Sir Glen jogs forward and slices a gnoll, Sosspan ends it with a Fire Bolt.</p><p></p><p>You'll note the players are pulling their punches now, they figure their through this encounter already.</p><p></p><p>And they're right.</p><p></p><p>Mohag smashes another gnoll down- there's now only one gnoll witherling left in the fight, oh- and the one badly wounded gnoll that fled the scene earlier.</p><p></p><p>Sho-B-Bear tears the last witherling in two, and then she stalks off- deeper into the lair.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151723[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Sho-B-Bear smells gnolls.</strong></p><p></p><p>It turns into a full on charge, the Unexpected rush towards the enemy- Sir Glen fires up his Sacred Weapon and adds a bit of Divine Favour to his attacks.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos uses an inspiration point, after a double move dash, to fire another Shatter spell into the approaching gnolls and witherlings.</p><p></p><p>The same gnoll that delivered the news of the Unexpected's arrival, after being caught in Trebbelos' Shatter spell, then dashes off again to spread the word further into the lair.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151724[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Charge!</strong></p><p></p><p>But suddenly gnoll witherlings clog the passage ahead, and make it hard for our heroes (who am I kidding) to progress.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy moves forward and launches... yet another Shatter spell, and in an instant all four witherlings are turned to shattered bone and dust.</p><p></p><p>I did say massacre didn't I- earlier on?</p><p></p><p>Krago rushes forward and smashes down another two witherlings, he's a horde breaker alright.</p><p></p><p>A second later and a very irate gnoll rushes around a corner and stabs the fat dwarf with its spear.</p><p></p><p>Sir Glen steps in to help Krago, cuts the new gnoll attacker, but in the same instant spots that there's another passage here, and the sound of... yet more gnolls coming from this direction.</p><p></p><p>Gnolls come rushing...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151725[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>It's getting busy.</strong></p><p></p><p>Trebbelos fires yet another Shatter spell into the densest bunch of gnolls, that's his third of these, four gnolls are made to suffer.</p><p></p><p>The raging Mohag cuts a gnoll down, Sho-B-Bear rips into another- Lappoy fires a trio of Magic Missiles into the same gnoll but the brute somehow stays in the fight.</p><p></p><p>Scrubs, finally, shoots the gnoll dead.</p><p></p><p>But again- it's busy.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151726[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>And more gnolls either on the way, or else firing into the throng.</strong></p><p></p><p>Sir Glen slices a gnoll, the gnoll spears him right back- and that's the end of his Divine Favour.</p><p></p><p>Sosspan scurries forward and unleashes a Thunderwave, more gnolls suffer.</p><p></p><p>Mohag slices another gnoll down, although it takes an inspiration point for the barbarian to land a hit.</p><p></p><p>But then, another gnoll witherling comes loping down the passage, the undead gnoll is heralded by an unearthly scream.</p><p></p><p>Horse-Eater, the gnoll chief (Pack Lord) has just sacrificed his son- Crumb-Biter, he was the armoured gnoll that lead the attack (with Wheezer) on the Unexpected back in session #26. He was also the only survivor.</p><p></p><p>Crumb-Biter is reborn, all praise to Yeenoghu, as a (max hit point) maw demon, and here he/it comes.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151727[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Crumb-Biter reborn!</strong></p><p></p><p>Lappoy strides forward and launches his last Shatter spell into the mix, and using his Sculpt Spell to shape the blast around his comrades- he then rolls 3d8 for sixteen damage, and lots of the gnolls fail their saves.</p><p></p><p>It's a bloody mess.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151728[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Mohag is in his element.</strong></p><p></p><p>Mohag's element is murder.</p><p></p><p>Krago smashes a pair of the badly wounded gnolls down.</p><p></p><p>Scrubs shoots another gnoll dead, the artillery are ideally situated at the top of the stairs and firing down into the gnolls.</p><p></p><p>Sir Glen cuts a gnoll, Sosspan hits another with a Fire Bolt, Trebbelos finishes it off with a trio of Magic Missiles.</p><p></p><p>A reckless Mohag smashes another gnoll down, but then gets clubbed by a witherling.</p><p></p><p>The maw demon rushes into melee, snarling and spitting fury, and right to Sir Glen's side; but the paladin keeps it at bay.</p><p></p><p>Mohag gets speared twice more in double-quick time.</p><p></p><p>Sho-B-Bear tears another gnoll in half.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy fires a trio of Magic Missiles into the maw demon.</p><p></p><p>Krago thumps a gnoll with his black mace.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151729[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>But there are plenty more gnolls on the way- including Horse-Eater (the Pack Lord) and his (max hit points) wives, oh and his other heavily armoured heir- Badfilth.</strong></p><p></p><p>Sir Glen Divine Smites the maw demon (for 19 damage, one short of his best hit).</p><p></p><p>There is whooping.</p><p></p><p>I cannot stand whooping, it's so unbecoming, particularly when being vocalised by a fifty-something year old fat bloke.</p><p></p><p>Moments later Sosspan rushes forward, and ignoring the front and centre fracas, fires yet another Shatter spell into gnoll command on its way down the corridor, and then rolls really high damage, and I fail all but one of my saves.</p><p></p><p>Massacre.</p><p></p><p>Mohag keeps raging (and reckless, and frenzied) and cuts the maw demon down, the fiend didn't even land a hit, and survived for maybe two turns. The barbarian however is still taking hits, and latterly a Crit- from a spear thrown by one of Horse-Eater's hareem.</p><p></p><p>Mohag is well beyond bloodied.</p><p></p><p>Moments later and Sho-B-Bear is gone, Sho-Rembo skips in and delivers a second level Cure Wounds to the flailing Mohag, and then with an inspiration point steps on forward and delivers a Thunderwave, and then rolls one short of max damage.</p><p></p><p>My gnolls are hurting real bad.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151730[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Look how few of the Unexpected have even taken hits.</strong></p><p></p><p>The PCs are going through the gears very quickly, and expending all ordinance.</p><p></p><p>A gibbering apoplectic Horse-Eater gets close enough to start issuing orders- Rampage, and a gnoll bites Mohag. The pack lord then opens up with his longbow while ordering his warriors (and hareem) to feed on the foe.</p><p></p><p>Mohag gets shot by the gnoll chief, and its another Crit on the barbarian.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy dodges into the front line, unleashes his own Thunderwave (his last spell) which kills another two of the badly wounded gnolls, and blasts a bunch more of them away from the fracas. An inspiration point later and the High Magicker is back behind the front line.</p><p></p><p>Krago smashes down another gnoll, and the last but one witherling- en route to the command group. He's got big balls the lad.</p><p></p><p>Scrubs shoots a gnoll- a Crit, nice.</p><p></p><p>Sir Glen rushes to Krago's side and cuts a different gnoll, trying to get through to Horse-Eater.</p><p></p><p>Sosspan strides forward and unleashes the last of his Shatter spells.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151731[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Massacre.</strong></p><p></p><p>Although seconds later Lappoy gets shot, there's a loan gnoll sniper up the northern passage that needs taking care of.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos, following Lappoy's lead, rushes to the front line, lets loose with his Burning Hands, and then employs his Tempestuous Magic to swirl and fly back behind the tanks.</p><p></p><p>Even I am happy to admit that the players are really working hard to make this one stick- lots of clever play, and they're relentless, we're only around thirteen or fourteen turns into the fight here, and the rolling fracas has almost run its course. All the way through the lair, I'm going to hate doing the maths afterwards, when I discover how many gnolls and witherlings etc. these bastards have taken down.</p><p></p><p>Mohag makes it to the front line and starts hacking gnolls.</p><p></p><p>Badfilth, Horse-Eater's heir, stabs Krago real good with his spear, the dwarf ranger is suddenly way beyond bloodied.</p><p></p><p>Sho-Rembo mooches forward and summons a Moonbeam into the densest crowd of gnolls- this is going to hurt.</p><p></p><p>Horse-Eater suffers the Moonbeam's radiant burn, barks orders and then takes a few steps back from his warriors, and then a little further back after both his longbow shots are high wide and handsome.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy hits the northen gnoll sniper with a Fire Bolt and then dodges into cover, Scrubs follows suit- only the expert tags the sniper with his crossbow. The gnoll archer is now badly wounded, and has no targets.</p><p></p><p>Sir Glen cuts a gnoll.</p><p></p><p>Sosspan steps out into the corridor, spies the gnoll sniper and fires three Magic Missiles into it, it survives- on one hit point. The dragonborn wizard scurries back into cover.</p><p></p><p>The sniper moves closer to the PCs, gets a shot off at Scrubs- a miss, and then scurries back a way.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos fires off his last spell- another trio of Magic Missiles, yet another gnoll falls, while a second is left critically wounded.</p><p></p><p>The Moonbeam sizzles another gnoll, it's down to one hit point too.</p><p></p><p>Mohag smashes yet another gnoll down.</p><p></p><p>Badfilth radiant sizzles too, but holds his ground and stabs Krago again, the ranger is down to six or seven hit points, but not for long- Sho-Rembo steps up with a Cure Wounds (and rolls max healing).</p><p></p><p>Horse-Eater Incites Rampage again- Badfilth bites Krago, and then the pack lord fires two more arrows in to the melee- Mohag gets shot once, but shrugs it off. Horse-Eater retreats rapidly.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151732[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>We're almost done here. See Horse-Eater bottom right. There's also a gnoll sniper up the northern passage, beyond Scubs.</strong></p><p></p><p>Lappoy steps back into the passage, spots the gnoll sniper and Fire Bolt's it dead.</p><p></p><p>Krago takes down the last three gnolls in the attack all by himself- black mace (max damage) accounts for the first, off-hand magical dagger (max damage) for the second. Then horde-breaker with his black mace again (two off max damage) and that's three.</p><p></p><p>Easy ain't it.</p><p></p><p>Pete (playing Krago) was unbearable right up until the end of the session (and then for another week or so after).</p><p></p><p>The dwarf ranger charges after Horse-Eater.</p><p></p><p>The last gnoll standing.</p><p></p><p>So, we're chasing Horse-Eater.</p><p></p><p>Sosspan fires three more Magic Missiles into Horse-Eater's rear, the pack lord is now officially bloodied.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos hits the gnoll chief with a Ray of Frost, and now the platemail wearing bastard is even slower.</p><p></p><p>Mohag catches up with the fleeing Horse-Eater (but he's out of actions) also the barbarian is no longer raging and is exhausted.</p><p></p><p>Horse-Eater however isn't done, the pack lord- having spilled his bow during his retreat, grabs out his glaive and ducks Mohag's wild swing as he steps into his chambers. Then he turns and skewers the barbarian twice in quick succession, using his glaive's reach.</p><p></p><p>Mohag is suddenly down to three hit points.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151733[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Horse-Eater's last stand?</strong></p><p></p><p>Krago gets close enough to throw his magical dagger into Horse-Eater's thigh, but the snarling gnoll is still in action.</p><p></p><p>Sir Glen steps into the doorway and cuts Horse-Eater with a Divine Smite, the gnoll pack lord is critically wounded and seemingly with nowhere to run.</p><p></p><p>I make this clear to the PCs.</p><p></p><p>But they're not looking for Horse-Eater to surrender.</p><p></p><p>Mohag swigs down a potion of healing.</p><p></p><p>Horse-Eater skewers Sir Glen with its glaive, and then rolls minimum damage, the paladin survives, and continues to prattle on about the Morning Lord.</p><p></p><p>Just for info the pack lord is on eight hit points, so... to the end.</p><p></p><p>Which should be very soon.</p><p></p><p>But here's the thing, Horse-Eater is standing in the doorway, Sir Glen is stood before the beast, Mohag behind the paladin, and the rest of the artillery are trying to spot a gap to shoot at the gnoll through. Oh, and none of them have got anything other than cantrips left.</p><p></p><p>So, remarkably, it goes all the way around to Sir Glen again.</p><p></p><p>The paladin cuts Horse-Eater down, and the victory is his, and don't we get to know about it.</p><p></p><p>That was... I don't have the words.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]151734[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>So, here's the total RIP- 16 gnoll witherlings, 24 gnolls (five with max hit points, one of these in plate- Badfilth), a maw demon (max hit points) & Horse-Eater (max hit points, platemail etc.) pack lord.</strong></p><p></p><p>They just didn't stop for a second, nor did they need to.</p><p></p><p>[Gnolls, gnolls and more gnolls- all dead 3750 XP]</p><p></p><p>The gnolls, of course, have treasure, but more of this next time- because there's another secret to find here, and that changes everything...</p><p></p><p>You'll see.</p><p></p><p>The pot is up to £122.</p><p></p><p>Stay safe and well you lovely people.</p><p></p><p>Toodles for a bit.</p><p></p><p>Cheers the Unexpected and goonalan.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 8543367, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]The Unexpected in the Caves of Chaos.[/B][/CENTER] [B]Session #028: All Gnolls Must Die! PCs (in alphabetical order) Krago of the Mountains [/B](Pete) Male Mountain Dwarf Ranger (Folk Hero) Level 4. [B]Lappoy the Unexpected [/B](Rob) Male High Elf Wizard (Sage) Level 4. [B]Mohag the Wanderer[/B] (Pete) Male Human Barbarian (Outlander) Level 4. [B]Sho-Rembo[/B] (Dave) Female Stout Halfling Druid (Hermit) Level 4. [B]Sir Glen[/B] (Dave) Male Human Paladin of Lathander (Noble) Level 4. [B]Sosspan [/B](Dave) Male Dragonborn Wizard (Spy) Level 4. [B]Trebbelos[/B] (Pete) Male Tiefling Sorcerer (Charlatan) Level 4. [B]Sidekick (played mostly by the DM). Scrubs[/B] Male Human Sidekick Expert (Soldier) Level 3. [B]Dead PCs, NPCs & Sidekicks (in alphabetical order) Afton Barr[/B] (Dave) Male Half-Elf Bard (Entertainer) Level 1. [B]Corbis[/B] Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 2. [B]Estra Zo [/B](Pete) Female Wood Gnome Rogue (Urchin) Level 1. [B]Farned of the Leaf Lord [/B](Dave) Male Wild Elf Cleric of Rillifane Rallithil (Acolyte) Level 1. [B]Tassit [/B](Dave) Female Human Monk (Hermit) Level 1. [B]The Mystical One[/B] (Pete) Female Human Warlock (Outlander) Level 1. [B]Tribbits[/B] Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 2. [B]Wormwood[/B] Male Human Guard. [B]Yor[/B] (Pete) Male Dragonborn Fighter (Folk Hero) Level 2. [B]QUESTS (and stuff to do).*[/B] [LIST=1] [*]Find Zelligar and Rogahn's former base, explore it and steal its treasures. [*]Find Tolpuddle, the 'mad druid' or 'mad hermit' of the Whispering Woods, he may know where Z&R's base is (see #1 above), also say 'hi' from his brother Bumble. [*]Tell Darvon, Priest of Oghma, about the Unexpected's adventures. ONGOING. [*]Track down and kill/capture the former bandit leader- Dee Dee Raven (see Mebros, Captain of the Watch). [*]Help the water sprites of the Goblinwater River, for Bumble. [*]Clear a bunch of spiders out of the Spiderwood, for Bumble. [*]Stop the undead attacks in the Whispering Woods, for Bumble. [*]Clear the Caves of Chaos for the Castellan of the Keep on the Borderlands, reward 2,500gp plus. IN PROGRESS. [*]Find the rest of the Fortune's Five adventuring party- Bullywugs? [/LIST] *I've been asked to put this here because the players keep forgetting some of this stuff, also they have lots of quests on the go right now. Note, we now read this list at the start of each new session, that's what it's like to get old- your memory just stops working. [B]Note, you can click on the pictures here to make them bigger (if you didn't know this already). Day 43: Being the 13th Day of Kythorn, in the year 1493 by Dale Reckoning, known as the Year of the Purple Dragons, about 10 AM.[/B] It's as simple as this- the Unexpected have moved into their new cave home, sorted out the logistics, showed the guardsmen the ropes and... skedaddled, sharpish- directly across the ravine and to the gnoll cave. The gnolls have attacked the Unexpected twice now, they are therefore the next on their to kill list. But let me just add in advance, in my last gnoll attack on the PCs I spent over half the gnolls in my account, basically 50% of the gnoll lair were slaughtered. But the PCs are 4th level now, and this module/scenario is only designed for level 1-3 play, so- I've put the dead gnolls back. And added a few other things, remember I said that the bodies of the fallen gnolls had gone in the last session, well... here they all are. A better explanation to follow. The following attack however is very well co-ordinated, by which I mean the PCs had picked their spells, cast their light spells (for those that have trouble seeing in the dark, note Sho-Rembo is making use of a Darkvision spell) and buffs, and... They're really on it. [ATTACH type="full"]151721[/ATTACH] [B]Krago and the new Darkvision equipped Sho-Rembo take a look inside the lair, and roll well enough to sneak in for a peek, and straight back out again. Note the other PCs are only on the map so that they can see what's going on (and that's all the map I have to play with), they start the attack a little further back.[/B] To remind you- all the bad guys are hit points heavy, and there are a bunch of them here, including the gaggle of gnoll witherlings (skeletal gnolls) that Krago spots. But the Unexpected are not in the least bit deterred. Here we go... Trebbelos gets to the cavern opening and fires a Shatter spell into the densest collection of enemies he can spy. Then Mohag rushes in, raging already, and savages the nearest gnoll, while Sho-Rembo fires a blast of Faerie Fire into the far chamber, and then in the same instant becomes Sho-B-Bear. The halfling druid then expends an inspiration point to savage a gnoll, nice! Lappoy drops another Shatter spell into the mix, and a pair of witherlings explode. Krago smashes one of the wounded gnolls in the entrance cavern down, and then gets to work on another, and as soon as he's finished Sir Glen rushes in (shouting unhelpful things about the Morning Lord) and then cutting the second gnoll down. He's made his point. Sosspan hits the gnolls with a third Shatter spell (isn't that enough?) and the witherlings are decimated. [ATTACH type="full"]151722[/ATTACH] [B]After the surprise round.[/B] That said, only seconds later the adventurers watch forlornly as a barking yelping gnoll high tails it deeper into the lair, screaming in its foul-tongue, it seems the secret is soon out. Mohag however rushes into the second cavern chamber and buries his greataxe (twice) into the nearest gnoll (reckless and frenzy). A gnoll witherling races over and bites the barbarian. Sho-B-Bear savages the gnoll she has cornered, and then she too wanders forward. The artillery move forward, Lappoy blasting a witherling with a Fire Bolt, Krago charges forward and finishes it off. This is a massacre. Sir Glen jogs forward and slices a gnoll, Sosspan ends it with a Fire Bolt. You'll note the players are pulling their punches now, they figure their through this encounter already. And they're right. Mohag smashes another gnoll down- there's now only one gnoll witherling left in the fight, oh- and the one badly wounded gnoll that fled the scene earlier. Sho-B-Bear tears the last witherling in two, and then she stalks off- deeper into the lair. [ATTACH type="full"]151723[/ATTACH] [B]Sho-B-Bear smells gnolls.[/B] It turns into a full on charge, the Unexpected rush towards the enemy- Sir Glen fires up his Sacred Weapon and adds a bit of Divine Favour to his attacks. Trebbelos uses an inspiration point, after a double move dash, to fire another Shatter spell into the approaching gnolls and witherlings. The same gnoll that delivered the news of the Unexpected's arrival, after being caught in Trebbelos' Shatter spell, then dashes off again to spread the word further into the lair. [ATTACH type="full"]151724[/ATTACH] [B]Charge![/B] But suddenly gnoll witherlings clog the passage ahead, and make it hard for our heroes (who am I kidding) to progress. Lappoy moves forward and launches... yet another Shatter spell, and in an instant all four witherlings are turned to shattered bone and dust. I did say massacre didn't I- earlier on? Krago rushes forward and smashes down another two witherlings, he's a horde breaker alright. A second later and a very irate gnoll rushes around a corner and stabs the fat dwarf with its spear. Sir Glen steps in to help Krago, cuts the new gnoll attacker, but in the same instant spots that there's another passage here, and the sound of... yet more gnolls coming from this direction. Gnolls come rushing... [ATTACH type="full"]151725[/ATTACH] [B]It's getting busy.[/B] Trebbelos fires yet another Shatter spell into the densest bunch of gnolls, that's his third of these, four gnolls are made to suffer. The raging Mohag cuts a gnoll down, Sho-B-Bear rips into another- Lappoy fires a trio of Magic Missiles into the same gnoll but the brute somehow stays in the fight. Scrubs, finally, shoots the gnoll dead. But again- it's busy. [ATTACH type="full"]151726[/ATTACH] [B]And more gnolls either on the way, or else firing into the throng.[/B] Sir Glen slices a gnoll, the gnoll spears him right back- and that's the end of his Divine Favour. Sosspan scurries forward and unleashes a Thunderwave, more gnolls suffer. Mohag slices another gnoll down, although it takes an inspiration point for the barbarian to land a hit. But then, another gnoll witherling comes loping down the passage, the undead gnoll is heralded by an unearthly scream. Horse-Eater, the gnoll chief (Pack Lord) has just sacrificed his son- Crumb-Biter, he was the armoured gnoll that lead the attack (with Wheezer) on the Unexpected back in session #26. He was also the only survivor. Crumb-Biter is reborn, all praise to Yeenoghu, as a (max hit point) maw demon, and here he/it comes. [ATTACH type="full"]151727[/ATTACH] [B]Crumb-Biter reborn![/B] Lappoy strides forward and launches his last Shatter spell into the mix, and using his Sculpt Spell to shape the blast around his comrades- he then rolls 3d8 for sixteen damage, and lots of the gnolls fail their saves. It's a bloody mess. [ATTACH type="full"]151728[/ATTACH] [B]Mohag is in his element.[/B] Mohag's element is murder. Krago smashes a pair of the badly wounded gnolls down. Scrubs shoots another gnoll dead, the artillery are ideally situated at the top of the stairs and firing down into the gnolls. Sir Glen cuts a gnoll, Sosspan hits another with a Fire Bolt, Trebbelos finishes it off with a trio of Magic Missiles. A reckless Mohag smashes another gnoll down, but then gets clubbed by a witherling. The maw demon rushes into melee, snarling and spitting fury, and right to Sir Glen's side; but the paladin keeps it at bay. Mohag gets speared twice more in double-quick time. Sho-B-Bear tears another gnoll in half. Lappoy fires a trio of Magic Missiles into the maw demon. Krago thumps a gnoll with his black mace. [ATTACH type="full"]151729[/ATTACH] [B]But there are plenty more gnolls on the way- including Horse-Eater (the Pack Lord) and his (max hit points) wives, oh and his other heavily armoured heir- Badfilth.[/B] Sir Glen Divine Smites the maw demon (for 19 damage, one short of his best hit). There is whooping. I cannot stand whooping, it's so unbecoming, particularly when being vocalised by a fifty-something year old fat bloke. Moments later Sosspan rushes forward, and ignoring the front and centre fracas, fires yet another Shatter spell into gnoll command on its way down the corridor, and then rolls really high damage, and I fail all but one of my saves. Massacre. Mohag keeps raging (and reckless, and frenzied) and cuts the maw demon down, the fiend didn't even land a hit, and survived for maybe two turns. The barbarian however is still taking hits, and latterly a Crit- from a spear thrown by one of Horse-Eater's hareem. Mohag is well beyond bloodied. Moments later and Sho-B-Bear is gone, Sho-Rembo skips in and delivers a second level Cure Wounds to the flailing Mohag, and then with an inspiration point steps on forward and delivers a Thunderwave, and then rolls one short of max damage. My gnolls are hurting real bad. [ATTACH type="full"]151730[/ATTACH] [B]Look how few of the Unexpected have even taken hits.[/B] The PCs are going through the gears very quickly, and expending all ordinance. A gibbering apoplectic Horse-Eater gets close enough to start issuing orders- Rampage, and a gnoll bites Mohag. The pack lord then opens up with his longbow while ordering his warriors (and hareem) to feed on the foe. Mohag gets shot by the gnoll chief, and its another Crit on the barbarian. Lappoy dodges into the front line, unleashes his own Thunderwave (his last spell) which kills another two of the badly wounded gnolls, and blasts a bunch more of them away from the fracas. An inspiration point later and the High Magicker is back behind the front line. Krago smashes down another gnoll, and the last but one witherling- en route to the command group. He's got big balls the lad. Scrubs shoots a gnoll- a Crit, nice. Sir Glen rushes to Krago's side and cuts a different gnoll, trying to get through to Horse-Eater. Sosspan strides forward and unleashes the last of his Shatter spells. [ATTACH type="full"]151731[/ATTACH] [B]Massacre.[/B] Although seconds later Lappoy gets shot, there's a loan gnoll sniper up the northern passage that needs taking care of. Trebbelos, following Lappoy's lead, rushes to the front line, lets loose with his Burning Hands, and then employs his Tempestuous Magic to swirl and fly back behind the tanks. Even I am happy to admit that the players are really working hard to make this one stick- lots of clever play, and they're relentless, we're only around thirteen or fourteen turns into the fight here, and the rolling fracas has almost run its course. All the way through the lair, I'm going to hate doing the maths afterwards, when I discover how many gnolls and witherlings etc. these bastards have taken down. Mohag makes it to the front line and starts hacking gnolls. Badfilth, Horse-Eater's heir, stabs Krago real good with his spear, the dwarf ranger is suddenly way beyond bloodied. Sho-Rembo mooches forward and summons a Moonbeam into the densest crowd of gnolls- this is going to hurt. Horse-Eater suffers the Moonbeam's radiant burn, barks orders and then takes a few steps back from his warriors, and then a little further back after both his longbow shots are high wide and handsome. Lappoy hits the northen gnoll sniper with a Fire Bolt and then dodges into cover, Scrubs follows suit- only the expert tags the sniper with his crossbow. The gnoll archer is now badly wounded, and has no targets. Sir Glen cuts a gnoll. Sosspan steps out into the corridor, spies the gnoll sniper and fires three Magic Missiles into it, it survives- on one hit point. The dragonborn wizard scurries back into cover. The sniper moves closer to the PCs, gets a shot off at Scrubs- a miss, and then scurries back a way. Trebbelos fires off his last spell- another trio of Magic Missiles, yet another gnoll falls, while a second is left critically wounded. The Moonbeam sizzles another gnoll, it's down to one hit point too. Mohag smashes yet another gnoll down. Badfilth radiant sizzles too, but holds his ground and stabs Krago again, the ranger is down to six or seven hit points, but not for long- Sho-Rembo steps up with a Cure Wounds (and rolls max healing). Horse-Eater Incites Rampage again- Badfilth bites Krago, and then the pack lord fires two more arrows in to the melee- Mohag gets shot once, but shrugs it off. Horse-Eater retreats rapidly. [ATTACH type="full"]151732[/ATTACH] [B]We're almost done here. See Horse-Eater bottom right. There's also a gnoll sniper up the northern passage, beyond Scubs.[/B] Lappoy steps back into the passage, spots the gnoll sniper and Fire Bolt's it dead. Krago takes down the last three gnolls in the attack all by himself- black mace (max damage) accounts for the first, off-hand magical dagger (max damage) for the second. Then horde-breaker with his black mace again (two off max damage) and that's three. Easy ain't it. Pete (playing Krago) was unbearable right up until the end of the session (and then for another week or so after). The dwarf ranger charges after Horse-Eater. The last gnoll standing. So, we're chasing Horse-Eater. Sosspan fires three more Magic Missiles into Horse-Eater's rear, the pack lord is now officially bloodied. Trebbelos hits the gnoll chief with a Ray of Frost, and now the platemail wearing bastard is even slower. Mohag catches up with the fleeing Horse-Eater (but he's out of actions) also the barbarian is no longer raging and is exhausted. Horse-Eater however isn't done, the pack lord- having spilled his bow during his retreat, grabs out his glaive and ducks Mohag's wild swing as he steps into his chambers. Then he turns and skewers the barbarian twice in quick succession, using his glaive's reach. Mohag is suddenly down to three hit points. [ATTACH type="full"]151733[/ATTACH] [B]Horse-Eater's last stand?[/B] Krago gets close enough to throw his magical dagger into Horse-Eater's thigh, but the snarling gnoll is still in action. Sir Glen steps into the doorway and cuts Horse-Eater with a Divine Smite, the gnoll pack lord is critically wounded and seemingly with nowhere to run. I make this clear to the PCs. But they're not looking for Horse-Eater to surrender. Mohag swigs down a potion of healing. Horse-Eater skewers Sir Glen with its glaive, and then rolls minimum damage, the paladin survives, and continues to prattle on about the Morning Lord. Just for info the pack lord is on eight hit points, so... to the end. Which should be very soon. But here's the thing, Horse-Eater is standing in the doorway, Sir Glen is stood before the beast, Mohag behind the paladin, and the rest of the artillery are trying to spot a gap to shoot at the gnoll through. Oh, and none of them have got anything other than cantrips left. So, remarkably, it goes all the way around to Sir Glen again. The paladin cuts Horse-Eater down, and the victory is his, and don't we get to know about it. That was... I don't have the words. [ATTACH type="full"]151734[/ATTACH] [B]So, here's the total RIP- 16 gnoll witherlings, 24 gnolls (five with max hit points, one of these in plate- Badfilth), a maw demon (max hit points) & Horse-Eater (max hit points, platemail etc.) pack lord.[/B] They just didn't stop for a second, nor did they need to. [Gnolls, gnolls and more gnolls- all dead 3750 XP] The gnolls, of course, have treasure, but more of this next time- because there's another secret to find here, and that changes everything... You'll see. The pot is up to £122. Stay safe and well you lovely people. Toodles for a bit. Cheers the Unexpected and goonalan. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
D&D 5e Into The (Keep on the) Borderlands (B1&2) #032 Monster Mash.
Top