Let's Play #2 Goodman Games DCC53
Sellswords of Punjar (Level 1)
Session 3.
Encounter #10 The Slave Pens of Punjar
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The adventurers climb down in to area 2-1, location C.
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And so the adventurers, now fully rested and re-equipped, head down the ladder and in to the huge cavern below. To their right the river flows, they’re on a rocky ledge which leads east to a larger, open, area.
Clearly the suspended cage they spied earlier- down the pit, is part of some sort of elaborate trap, or else a transportation device, perhaps both. Pulleys and cables lead down to a great capstan far to the east. The entire area is illuminated by torchlight- the great windlass is probably used to draw the cable-car like device in.
Also ahead, on a beach, are a number of what look to be cells (labelled A to D on the map), some of which seem to be inhabited- what is this place?
Last, but by no means least, the adventurers spot a large creature by the windlass, a shaggy black-haired beast, a great ape. Fortunately the creature seems to be chained to the cavern wall.
The adventurers move forward, pressed hard against the wall, trying to stay out of sight.
There are people in the cages down on the beach- two ladies dressed in fine clothes, an aged male in robes and two gap-toothed beggars; the inhabitants spot the adventurers, begin to gesture and call over. Riardon looks stern and attempts to ‘shush’ them, but the two beggars are having none of it- the pair begin caterwauling, making a terrible racket.
This in turn agitates the great ape; the beast screeches and howls, flails and pulls on its restraining chain.
The adventurers desperately attempt to shush the drunken beggars, but too late.
A trio of armoured hobgoblins saunter in to the chamber through a cave opening, hidden from the adventurer's sight, the beggars in the cages scream and point.
The guys attack, their cover blown.
The Bad Guys... 300 XP Level 1 Encounter.
Hobgoblin Slavers Level 1 Skirmisher x3
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Riardon is first in to the action, the eladrin’s bow sings and two arrows fly- the first two hobgoblins are struck, the pair scream in alarm and instantly back-pedal, unslinging their bows from their backs.
Moments later two arrows fly back at Riardon, one grazes the eladrin’s right arm, the other heads well wide. The third hobgoblin rushes over to the capstan and the great ape, moments later the chain around the beast falls away.
The Bad Guys... 450 XP Level 1 Encounter.
Hobgoblin Slavers Level 1 Skirmisher x3
Great Ape Level 3 Brute
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"Cock!" Kathra neatly summarises events.
The great beast rushes forward- towards the adventurers, it covers the intervening distance in seconds- slamming both fists down at Riardon- the eladrin scuttles back just in time.
Kathra dodges in front of Riardon- roars her anger and smashes her warhammer in to the great ape; she pushes the creature back with her Tide of Iron.
Erais’ fires off a radiant Lance of Faith which singes the ape, Tira’s Witchfire however fails to manifest.
Riardon scurries back a little further and then fires two more arrows at the ferocious beast, the first misses its target, the second thunks in to the creature’s left orb, shatters it- the beast roars its disapproval.
Riardon with a critical hit for 27 points of damage leaving the Great Ape on 5 hit points only.
The hobgoblins scream and shout, the ape is almost finished, even they can see that- the trio back-pedal further, to the cavern entrance, ready themselves once more and then fire their bows, this time at Kathra.
All three miss.
As does the great ape.
Erais mutters a short prayer and fire suddenly engulfs the ape, it staggers once, and then sinks to its knees- finally flops forward, still smouldering- dead.
Kathra grips her warhammer, looks up- spies the hobgoblins and charges, smashing in to the first goblinoid, bloodying the archer.
At the same moment a burst of blazing stars shoot forth from Tira’s wand, the hobgoblin Kathra is menacing is cut down dead, a second is left scalded and swatting at its singed skin.
Riardon strides forward, bow at the ready, he takes aim- and fires, the second hobgoblin falls, clutching at its throat and the arrow lodged there.
Riardon strides on, takes aim again, and fires again- his second arrow thumps in to the last remaining hobgoblin, protruding from its right thigh. Staggering, and dragging its leg, the wailing goblinoid rushes back the way it came, it disappears entirely in to the shadows of the cave.
The hobgoblin heads through area 2-2 and in to 2-5 on the map above, the portcullis is up.
Erais chases after the hobgoblin survivor, skids around the corner and spies down the rocky passage- there’s a set of stairs leading down in to a well lit chamber, visible beyond a sturdy set of open wooden doors. Through the doors, amidst campfires and sprawling bedrolls, are a dozen-or-so creatures, goblins and more hobgoblins- a barracks.
Erais screams for his fellows, moments later Kathra and Tira sprint around the corner to join him, Riardon is still coming on behind- ahead the goblinoids grab for their weapons and jump to their feet- battle is about to be joined again.
The creatures are situated in the Great Slaver Hall, area 2-5A on the map above.
The Bad Guys... 1150 XP Level 6 Encounter.
Hobgoblin Slavers Level 1 Skirmisher x7
Great Ape Level 3 Brute
Goblin Archers Level 1 Minion x6
Gorliss the Goat, Dragonborn Warlord Level 3 Soldier
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Alas, for the adventurers, the goblins are not alone- their leader is present- Gorliss the Goat a Dragonborn Warlord, in addition joining the fracas are four more Hobgoblin Slavers and six Goblin Archers (Minions), and remember there are still only four PCs in action.
Riardon appears at last, settles himself- takes aim, and fires- the hobgoblin Erais was chasing takes an arrow to the back, it has to cling on to the rocky cavern wall to save itself from falling. A goblin archer, just rising, is hit by the eladrin’s second arrow, it slumps back down dead.
The players breath again, thank god- some of their enemies are Minions.
Gorliss the Dragonborn grabs up his greatsword and then screaming all the way charges in to Kathra, two of the hobgoblins follow after- the dwarf is cut twice, although both only minor wounds.
The three remaining hobgoblins grab out their bows- settle themselves, and fire.
At Kathra again.
Two out of three of the arrows hit home, the dwarf staggers- bloodied.
The Sunlord moves a little closer to the Kathra, sends out a trio of radiant beams, his Divine Glow, Gorliss is singed, as is another of the hobgoblins attacking the dwarf. Erais mutters a short prayer and Kathra’s wounds mostly heal over.
Four of the five goblin archers grab out their bows and fire in to the mix- again their target is Kathra, the dwarf takes one very minor wound.
The last goblin- a brave soul seemingly, grabs out its short sword and charges the dwarf- Kathra, keeps the creature at bay.
Tira Curses the closest enemy, and then with the wand she took from the fat tiefling Zeb’oltha she conjures again her Blazing Starfall- two of the goblins are burnt to death, while one of the hobgoblins and Gorliss suffer minor burns.
Remember Zeb’s wand allows an already used Encounter Power to be used again.
Tira tries again, concentrating her efforts on the wild-looking Dragonborn (after an Action Point), she sends out her Eldritch Blast- Gorliss is too quick, and the magic misses its target.
Riardon fires another Twin Strike- his first arrow kills dead one of the hobgoblins menacing Kathra, his second slams in to Gorliss- the dragonborn staggers, bloodied at last.
Actually Gorliss is down to 10 hit points from 56 hit points.
The dragonborn screams its fury and then unleashes its Bastion of Defence- smashing in to Kathra, who is bloodied once more. Gorliss’ goblinoid allies in the chamber answer their leaders call- they find fresh energy to take the fight to the adventurers. A moment later many of Gorliss’ wounds heal over as he mutters Inspiring Words.
Gorliss’ Bastion of Defence, a Daily power, grants all allies in 5 squares +1 To Hit until the end of the encounter and 7 temporary hit points each.
The goblin archers drop their bows and draw out short swords- they rush to attack, two slash at Kathra- to no effect, while a second pair charge Erais- the Sunlord is cut twice although luckily only scratches.
Erais steps quickly back out of the fracas, unleashes a Sacred Flame- but again Gorliss is too quick, and then prays some more- Kathra’s wounds, once again, heal over.
That's all of Erais' healing spent.
The three remaining goblins get in to the action- two attack Kathra, the dwarf takes yet another minor wound, the last menaces Erais but the Sunlord keeps the creature at bay.
Tira points with her magic wand- Gorliss suddenly drops his sword and tries desperately to rub his eyes to clear his sight, grimacing the dragonborn sinks to his knees and then flops down dead fatally affected by the tiefling’s Eyebite power. Tira suddenly disappears in a puff of smoke- her Misty Step, she’s back at the rear of the adventurers- as far away from harm as she can get.
Riardon unleashes another Twin Strike, alas both arrows sail well wide of their targets.
The hobgoblins continue to battle on- two on Kathra, she takes another minor wound; and two on Erais, but he manages to keep the pair at bay, again.
The Sunlord backs away further, getting clear of his attackers- his Sacred Flame, with additional fire from his Power of Amaunator, engulfs one of the hobgoblins- the creature however looks unconcerned.
Kathra slashes hard but fails to connect, the dwarf calls on her Second Wind and gets her breath back- just in time as a pair of goblins dart in and cut at her.
Tira’s Eyebite comes again- causing another of the hobgoblins to stagger and shake its head, the creature is left bloodied and unable to see Tira anymore.
Riardon unleashes another volley, two more arrows- two more misses.
The hobgoblins attack and Kathra is struck once again- the dwarf swats back but misses her attacker. Erais is however on hand- a burst of Sacred Flame destroys one of the hobgoblins facing off against the female dwarf.
It’s not enough, the adventurers need to start making their mark, Kathra cries out as the same pair of goblins dodge in and stab her again.
One of the goblins pays the price instantly; the creature gouges at its eyes and then slumps down dead- Tira’s Eyebite comes again.
Riardon fires again- one of the hobgoblins facing Erais drops down dead, the other clutches at a fresh wound- the eladrin is back on target it seems.
There are only two hobgoblins and two goblins left in the fight- Kathra and Erais defend successfully against their attackers, both then lash out, the hobgoblin facing Kathra is cut down, the one facing Erais is bloodied.
That’s enough, the last two goblins shuffle back a little way, and then turn and run- back in to the chamber from which they emerged- screaming all the while.
Tira’s Eldritch Blast leaves the last hobgoblin bruised and burnt- not long left for this world.
The goblin archers flee through the chamber in which they were camped and then hard right and out of sight.
There’s a brief moment when nothing happens- the lone battered hobgoblin looks left, then right- he has no friends here- and so cuts and runs- Kathra smashes her warhammer in to the fleeing humanoid’s back- dead.
Riardon leads the way, the adventurers- without a second thought hustle after the two escaping goblins, they reach the exit of the Great Hall (area 2-5A on the map) and turn in to yet another, open, chamber (area 2-6).
A wooden walkway spans two rocky ledges, below is another beach with a wooden ladder leading down to it, and another waterway which seems to head further underground.
On the wooden walkway, hidden in the shadows is Drazen the drow, a rogue and a slaver. Down on the beach below are a pair of muscled gnolls- Wrix and Reiko, The pair are carrying treasure chests to a large row boat; and standing by the row boat- directing operations, is Vermouth the eladrin wizard, the head of the slavers.
Needless to say the fleeing goblin archers scream and shout, and alert the slavers to the adventurer’s presence.
And so two encounters become three; god bless Goodman Games.
The Bad Guys... 1700 XP Level 9 Encounter.
Hobgoblin Slavers Level 1 Skirmisher x7
Great Ape Level 3 Brute
Goblin Archers Level 1 Minion x6
Gorliss the Goat, Dragonborn Warlord Level 3 Soldier
Reiko & Wrix, Gnoll Overseers Level 2 Brute x2
Drazen, Drow Thief Level 3 Lurker
Vermouth, Eladrin Mage Level 3 Controller
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The drow scurries back a little way, out of sight, unseen by the adventurers as of yet.
Riardon’s not sure who is on the beach, although he can see some figures down there, he can also see the two goblins yelling and pointing back at him- his arrows fly. Moments later both goblins tumble off the wooden walkway and on to the sand below.
Vermouth, the eladrin mage screams at the gnolls, the pair drop what they’re doing and rush for the ladder.
Erais moves a little forward- looks down to see what’s happening, the Sunlord takes a moment to get his Second Wind. Meantime Kathra bundles on forward, on to the walkway, moments later the dwarf has to duck as a Force Bolt fired by Vermouth passes just over her head and smashes in to the cavern wall sending splinters of rock flying.
The first gnoll makes it up the ladder, draws out a whip, and flails at Kathra- the dwarf is much too quick. The second gnoll follows up, and is slammed with Kathra’s warhammer as it approaches.
Tira Curses the nearest gnoll and then hits it with an Eldritch Blast- the humanoid seems unconcerned, that is until Riardon’s second shot finds the spot- the creature staggers, almost falls, bloodied.
Vermouth suddenly appears atop the wooden walkway, behind the gnolls- the mage fires a second Force Bolt which slams in to Kathra, who somehow manages avoid being flung on to the beach, she Stands Her Ground.
Erais’ Lance of Faith burns the second gnoll- both creatures are now bruised and battered.
Kathra attempts to end one of the creatures but over-reaches herself and instead is hit by the second gnoll's maul- she’s now also bloodied.
Tira’s follow up Eldritch Blast is way off target.
Suddenly a small dark elf darts in to sight and fires a hand crossbow, Kathra is taken completely by surprise, the dwarf staggers- almost drops. The drow scurries back out of sight again.
Kathra is down to two hit points.
Riardon reacts, another pair of arrows fly over Kathra’s head- moments later both gnolls topple sideways off the wooden walkway- excellent shooting.
Kathra eyes Vermouth- the way is clear to the eladrin mage, a moment later a Force Blast erupts in the adventurer’s midst- Kathra drops unconscious, while Erais and Tira are bruised but not yet bloodied.
Vermouth screams at the guys to ‘clear out’, actually his language is a little more descriptive, and florid.
Erais unleashes his Cascade of Light- the effect is underwhelming, Vermouth seems less than impressed.
Erais’ Daily does 8 radiant damage- that’s about the least he could roll.
Tira launches her Eldritch Blast- again the eladrin mage survives with only very minor burns.
Drazen, the drow dodges back in to sight- PING! Tira clutches at the spot, the tiefling staggers bloodied.
Riardon has had enough, the eladrin strides a little forward- fires once, twice, three times (with an Action Point in there)- two of his three arrows hit, Vermouth tumbles off the ledge- dead.
Which just leaves the drow.
Erais rushes forward, the Sunlord grabs out his mace and smashes it in to Drazen, alas the ‘smash’ is more a glancing blow. Tira however makes up for this, her Eldritch Blast catches the drow full force- the inhabitant of the underdark is left only just conscious.
Kathra meanwhile coughs up a slick of blood- having failed her first death save.
Tira’s Eldritch Blast was a critical hit for 22 points of damage.
The adventurers close in on the drow, Drazen looks around him- there’s nowhere to hide, and then leaps down to the beach- or at least that is his intention.
Whenever a bad guy uses a skill like athletics I roll a D20, just to give me an idea of how successful they are- it’s only ten feet down to the beach and, oh I rolled a ‘1’, so I roll the dice again for damage- a D10, that’s a ‘10’.
Drazen trips as he leaps- plunges head first towards the beach, nothing to break his fall, except his neck.
The drow is dead.
Erais is quickly to the fallen Kathra, a moment later the dwarf is stable, the encounter- at last, is over.
1700 XP Level 9 Encounter.
Hobgoblin Slavers Level 1 Skirmisher x7
Great Ape Level 3 Brute
Goblin Archers Level 1 Minion x6
Gorliss the Goat, Dragonborn Warlord Level 3 Soldier
Reiko & Wrix, Gnoll Overseers Level 2 Brute x2
Drazen, Drow Thief Level 3 Lurker
Vermouth, Eladrin Mage Level 3 Controller
Comment: That was very obviously titanic, and the players absolutely loved it... just a little bit more each time- Goodman Games scenarios are so easy to run this way, I love them. I guess I should try for more like this in future adventures, or at least when it feels right. This was a Level 9 encounter, that's pretty awesome- PCs Level +7, and but for maybe two rounds of attrition (when the PCs and the bad guys were not connecting) then it was a roller-coaster ride.
After a short rest the adventurers are down on to the beach, having secured the area as best they can, the treasure chests are hauled up, the dead slavers et al thoroughly searched and all findings deposited in the now bloody Great Hall.
The guys then back track to the slave cages on the first beach, spring three of the inhabitants- two beautiful young women, one of noble status, and the old guy- who turns out to be something of a sage. The beggars that alerted the slavers earlier are left to think about their actions.
The ex-slaves, captured from the streets of Fallcrest, tell what little they know- a sad tale about beggars working for the slavers, alas no new information is forthcoming regarding the Beggar King. In fact the Beggar King seems to be entirely absent, none of the rescued citizens of Fallcrest have even seen or heard him...
A mystery.
The citizens are sent up, guided by Kathra back out of the Beggar King's lair.
The adventurers note a strange, partially collapsed tunnel- back in the passage that lead to the Great Hall, they head back to take a look. The passageway was clearly once sealed, with an ornate... seal. Darkness beyond and a set of shallow stairs leading up- the passage is particularly cramped- the guys figure they’ll come back here later.
