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The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #138 Into the Mere of the Dead Men Part 3.
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 9079847" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="font-size: 26px">Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh</span></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 22px">Session #118: FIRESKULLS!</span></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).</span></strong></p><p><strong>Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong>Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong>New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong>Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1</strong></p><p><strong>Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">DEAD PCs</span></strong></p><p><strong><s>Nicholai Barbaros Kostyiev/Nicky (played by George) Male Dhampir Cleric of Twilight Lvl 8 </s>RIP</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">NPCs</span></strong></p><p><strong><s>Inverna Nightbreeze (played by George) Female Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 8 (Sidekick) </s>RETIRED</strong></p><p><strong><s>Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 </s>RIP*</strong></p><p><strong><s>Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard </s>RETIRED</strong></p><p><strong>Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 (When we remember)</strong></p><p><strong>*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">Servants/Familiars</span></strong></p><p><strong>Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks</strong></p><p><strong>Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 18px">The Dark Squad’s to-do list-</span></strong></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">An extraordinary meeting of the Saltmarsh Town Council, the Dark Squad are going to get hired to end the smuggling menace (see below), scheduled for 10th Flamerule.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">The smuggler's ship will be turning up sometime between the 14th and 17th of Flamerule, the Dark Squad (and particularly Ram) are keen to meet the vessel, particularly Ram- why, because as the rogue said- “I'm getting a boat.”</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer from Lowhill), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Nightshade is in the Deep Dreadwood- except she's not there anymore, but a big red dragon is?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Blackedge and the Goblin Stair?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall, the Witch's Tor is in the Drowned Forest, in the Mere of the Dead Men.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. Location unknown. SEE 2. ABOVE.</li> </ol><p>This is session 117, and strap in because it’s mainly all fighting…</p><p></p><p>This is session 118, and strap in because it’s mainly all fighting…</p><p></p><p>Where have I read that before?</p><p></p><p>This was also a very short session due to new job work schedule tomfoolery, but we got there.</p><p></p><p>Oh, and one of the players said this to me before the session started-</p><p></p><p>Make the voice as childish and silly as you can muster.</p><p></p><p>“I was telling my mates about you… About what a terrible GM you are, and that we’ve had enough XP to level up (to 9th) for about five sessions now. My mate said that you must be really mean, and a bad person… and I don’t like you anymore.”</p><p></p><p>Actually, what Bear said was a much more cogent, intelligent, and well-mannered version of the above, but hey- I write this, so- I shape reality.</p><p></p><p>Bloody gamers from the video-game generation, what do they want next- Save Points?</p><p></p><p>The players have had enough XP to level up since session #109, yeah- nine sessions gone, they just have not been able to get an Extended Rest in, that’s all. That’s not my fault.</p><p></p><p>I love the sound of their carping at the start of the session, it sounds like… victory.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291176[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>“We are the SWARM! We are LEGION! Shiver me TIMBERS! You are BANJAXED!”</strong></p><p></p><p>Make that last word- BANJAXED, sound a lot like a Dalek screaming “EXTERMINATE!” in your face and you are getting there.</p><p></p><p>That was last time.</p><p></p><p>And the start of this time…</p><p></p><p>But after the initial tirade the Dalek-voiced Rambles Swarm is just in Ram’s head, the rest of the PCs are cut out of the conversation, and Ram is happy to oblige Mr The Swarm.</p><p></p><p>The chat is this…</p><p></p><p>“Let’s do a deal, we are the same… after all?”</p><p></p><p>At least that’s the Rambles Swarm’s opening gambit.</p><p></p><p>The deal takes maybe 10 minutes in game to work out- between Ram and Rambles, none of the rogue’s comrades get to ask or enquire.</p><p></p><p>Ram will be joining the swarm.</p><p></p><p>Sorry, The Swarm!</p><p></p><p>But only after he completes his tasks within the tomb- the Rambles Swarm patiently explains that in order to summon him fully to this place Ram, and his comrades, have to destroy the four undead minotaur guardians present here within 24 hours- from first to last.</p><p></p><p>Funny that, that’s what Bonnie told, I mean- sold, the PCs.</p><p></p><p>Ram smiles as he imparts the above knowledge (about the guardians) to his colleagues.</p><p></p><p>Newt goes apoplectic.</p><p></p><p>Early in the session, even for him.</p><p></p><p>“We wasted our money on that…”</p><p></p><p>“Belphegor I plead with you GREAT LORD- rain down hellfire on Bonnie Bowspirit!”</p><p></p><p>“I told you Vinnie, I told you…”</p><p></p><p>And on it goes.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, a deal is done- the Rambles Swarm (and his other rat swarm friends) disappear back into the walls.</p><p></p><p>Ram further explains- the Rambles Swarm will not be bothering them again, at least until the end- at which point the rogue further explains, he shall be joining with Rambles Shambles Bowspirit.</p><p></p><p>Vinnie is aghast, and grumbles for a good long while about… well, lots of things and yet nothing much.</p><p></p><p>Newt is overjoyed to hear that Ram has ‘in-effect’ sold his soul to a creature of terror, the tabaxi is made-up for the rogue, he has at last graduated.</p><p></p><p>Therein lies the argument.</p><p></p><p>Vinnie and Newt, now both entirely ignoring Ram, have at each other for a short while. But we’ve been here before- many, many times before.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291177[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Then rest.</strong></p><p></p><p>It’s 4.46 PM and the Dark Squad have just completed their fourth short rest, that’s the last one that the DM is allowing.</p><p></p><p>The PCs have until 8.30 AM tomorrow to find and destroy the last undead skeletal Minotaur guardian.</p><p></p><p>So, plenty of time.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291178[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Remember the trap-filled corridor, here it is again.</strong></p><p></p><p>I got rid of all of the blue squares and circles.</p><p></p><p>I did it because I thought there would be a very good chance that the PCs would forget about a few of the traps.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291179[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>FTW, and they weren’t even looking, so… serves them right.</strong></p><p></p><p>Ram wanders into a series of flashing spectral blades- a ceiling to floor shadowy scythe, and a pair of rotary saws that thrust back and forth from opposite walls to meet in the middle of the passage.</p><p></p><p>Less remarkably Ram somehow manages to leap, tumble and dive through the trap completely unharmed.</p><p></p><p>Point of fact it’s only Daktari that gets sliced up again by the blades, the rest of the fellows make it through (mostly thanks to Inspiration Points- three got spent here timing their runs through the blades).</p><p></p><p>There’s an empty passage ahead, and so Ram is sent to scout, the rogue notes that there’s something (an object- a lure, he thinks) further down the end of the passage, however there are also a pair of stout wooden doors heading to the north.</p><p></p><p>After a brief check over- unlocked and untrapped, he’s in…</p><p></p><p>Only, there’s a shiver in the air and, Ram is suddenly somewhere else- a teleport?</p><p></p><p>There’s a door open before Ram, he is still holding the door open, beyond the portal a set of stairs heading down into darkness, and at the base of the stairs are four more compass rose like metal devices, built into the stone of the passage floor. And within each metal compass rose is a skull, all four of them ancient and etched in runes.</p><p></p><p>All four skulls turn in their sockets to stare at Ram, the rogue is convinced one or two of them are smiling, and then -BLINK- and they’re gone.</p><p></p><p>“Oh, F… Fireskulls!”</p><p></p><p>Fireskulls because, well- Ram couldn’t remember their proper name.</p><p></p><p>Flameskulls.</p><p></p><p>Four of ‘em.</p><p></p><p>The PCs are alerted, although… not early enough.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291180[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>That’s Newt just to the rear of Ram, the tabaxi heard the call and dashed to the front of the queue, he’s getting brave atm.</strong></p><p></p><p>Note, to the south of Ram and Newt is another pair of doors, opening one of these- or else passing through this first set of doors automatically teleports a PC to the doors (and stairs) to the north.</p><p></p><p>The rest of the PCs are still huddled together, you will note, at the end of the trapped corridor.</p><p></p><p>I ask Ben to roll me a 4-sided dice in the VTT, my advice- “don’t roll a ‘4’”.</p><p></p><p>He rolls a ‘4’.</p><p></p><p>But we’ll get to that…</p><p></p><p>Meantime Ram dashes forward to check the way ahead, no sign of the Flameskulls- yet.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291181[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The rogue also notes that there’s a Minotaur guardian style statue in the alcove ahead, the undead terror depicted here is easily twice the size of the other guardians that the PCs have fought previously.</strong></p><p></p><p>That’s not good.</p><p></p><p>And just to make clear atm-</p><p></p><p>Vinnie is on his last Moonboar, he’s almost out of spells and is a good way through his healing potions et al.</p><p></p><p>Daktari is broken- no rages, no healing HD left, disadvantage on his Dex saves (after falling in one too many traps), he’s nearly bloodied and is getting low on healing potions et al.</p><p></p><p>Fellowyn, like Dak, is also broken (actually, more broken)- no spells, no healing HD, no other healing at all, and beyond bloodied already- he’s down to using his crossbow the Master of Blade and Song. My arse.</p><p></p><p>Newt is doing okay, although he’s got through a lot of his healing (and healing HD). He’s on a short rest for his spells, so… hope is a tabaxi called Newt.</p><p></p><p>Ram has started in on his resources and used a healing HD or two but… save for the disadvantage on his Dex saves (see Dak above) then he’s doing okay. Obviously, the Dex thing isn’t great for him.</p><p></p><p>But, back to that ‘4’.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291182[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>A Flameskull comes whizzing down the corridor to the north of the remainder of the Squad, and…</strong></p><p></p><p>FIREBALL!</p><p></p><p>There’s a lot of noise around the VTT.</p><p></p><p>I’m not an expert but I think I can hear screaming- Newt must have put his Tiny Hut up.</p><p></p><p>The Supreme Being- Ubmo, is destroyed- but that’s not a concern, he’ll be back in a bit.</p><p></p><p>More remarkably Fellowyn survives the blast, he’s down to 2 HP though, also Daktari is looking a little lily-livered.</p><p></p><p>Then, I get Ram to roll a three-sided dice, my advice to him- don’t roll a ‘3’.</p><p></p><p>He rolls…</p><p></p><p>‘3’.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291183[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>A second Flameskull suddenly blinks into existence at the end of the corridor ahead of the remainder of the Squad and…</strong></p><p></p><p>Can you guess?</p><p></p><p>Comes whizzing forward, swathed in flame and screaming, and unleashes a FIREBALL!</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291184[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>It seems everyone has a Newt’s Tiny Hut of their own.</strong></p><p></p><p>There’s a lot of screaming/shouting/babble.</p><p></p><p>Moments later Daktari fails his first Death Save.</p><p></p><p>So, that’s nice.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile…</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291185[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The third Flameskull zooms out of the dark and drops a Fireball on Ram.</strong></p><p></p><p>The rogue, with disadvantage on his Dex Saves, makes the check and SUCCESS!</p><p></p><p>Ram Evades all damage.</p><p></p><p>Look at the picture above again- Ram Evades the fiery blast (Fireball) entirely.</p><p></p><p>How the…</p><p></p><p>Answers on a postcard please.</p><p></p><p>But that’s not enough rough justice, the rogue dashes in and with Deadend his undead killing rapier almost ends the Flameskull with one hit, and follow up Crit with off-hand.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291186[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Which is when the final Flameskull turns up and slams another Fireball into the rogue.</strong></p><p></p><p>The second Fireball proves much harder to Evade, particularly if you roll a '2' and '3' on your save..</p><p></p><p>Note, Newt meantime is Eldritch Blasting the Flameskull to the south of his position, back through the teleporting doorway.</p><p></p><p>The fightback has begun.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291187[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>This is an odd image; a lot has happened in a very short time to get us to this picture.</strong></p><p></p><p>First up, the Moonboar uses an Inspiration Point to heal Fellowyn, and then launches himself at the Flameskull here (which has already been blasted twice by Newt). He Crits with his maul and destroys the fiery undead terror.</p><p></p><p>Fellowyn crawls over to Daktari, and in his words- “I feed a potion of healing to the meaty hirsute fellow…”.</p><p></p><p>But Fellowyn doesn’t have any potions of his own, and so he’s having to rifle the big barbarian’s pack to find a healing draught, however Daktari has ten potions in his pack- four of them healing, and so…</p><p></p><p>Fellowyn rolls a ten-sided dice and… it’s a potion of greater healing.</p><p></p><p>Just to say, in game- and for whatever reason- mostly momentum, there was a lot of tension in this one.</p><p></p><p>Daktari awakes, struggles to his feet and staggers away- to hide, while digging into his pack for more healing.</p><p></p><p>Note, the Flameskull to the north of Fellowyn’s position has retreated to buff, but the PCs don’t know this, and they’re also not sure whether the thing can fire multiple Fireballs.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291188[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Back at the front of the pack and Ram and Newt are a deadly combination, the rogue ends the first Flameskull here, while Newt keeps blasting the second- keeping it entertained.</strong></p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291189[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Here’s the bigger picture. Daktari has moved from south to north through the teleporting door.</strong></p><p></p><p>Ram meantime is getting hit, a lot, by Magic Missiles- both of the Flameskulls are now using Blur & Shield spells.</p><p></p><p>And the PCs keep on missing.</p><p></p><p>But not for long.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291190[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Ram ends the Flameskull to the north, there’s just one left- back to the south.</strong></p><p></p><p>Daktari skids to a halt, just in time to see Ram end the undead terror.</p><p></p><p>And just in time to hear Fellowyn screaming…</p><p></p><p>Daktari grins like a chimp at Ram and Newt, and then dashes back the way he came.</p><p></p><p>He looks knackered, but he’s not giving up.</p><p></p><p>The barbarian arrives just in time-</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291191[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The last (Blurred & Shielded) Flameskull is hemmed by a wall of steel, this after the undead terror blasts Ubmo to pieces again.</strong></p><p></p><p>The final Flameskull doesn’t survive long.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad are completely shot.</p><p></p><p>They can’t go on.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]291192[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>It’s time for a long rest.</strong></p><p></p><p>When they wake up (should they survive the night- we’ll see) they will all be 9th level, Ram & Dak’s disadvantage on Dex Saves will be gone, and… they will have exactly three hours to destroy the final Minotaur skeleton guardian.</p><p></p><p>Then Ram can meet Rambles, proper- and join The Swarm.</p><p></p><p>And also acquire another Symbol of Ub.</p><p></p><p>And get some new info, and questions (possibly) answered.</p><p></p><p>That’s a good point, and this is addressed to the PCs, what questions do you have for Rambles Shambles Bowspirit, he might know some part of this mystery, according to Bonnie he’s been working on it for a while (over a century).</p><p></p><p>Stay safe and well you lovely people.</p><p></p><p>Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 9079847, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B][SIZE=7]Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh[/SIZE][/B][/CENTER] [B] [SIZE=6]Session #118: FIRESKULLS![/SIZE] [SIZE=5]Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).[/SIZE] Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8 Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 8 New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8 Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1 Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8 [SIZE=5]DEAD PCs[/SIZE] [S]Nicholai Barbaros Kostyiev/Nicky (played by George) Male Dhampir Cleric of Twilight Lvl 8 [/S]RIP [SIZE=5]NPCs[/SIZE] [S]Inverna Nightbreeze (played by George) Female Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 8 (Sidekick) [/S]RETIRED [S]Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 [/S]RIP* [S]Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard [/S]RETIRED Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 (When we remember) *Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors. [SIZE=5]Servants/Familiars[/SIZE] Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar [SIZE=5]The Dark Squad’s to-do list-[/SIZE][/B] [LIST=1] [*]An extraordinary meeting of the Saltmarsh Town Council, the Dark Squad are going to get hired to end the smuggling menace (see below), scheduled for 10th Flamerule. [*]The smuggler's ship will be turning up sometime between the 14th and 17th of Flamerule, the Dark Squad (and particularly Ram) are keen to meet the vessel, particularly Ram- why, because as the rogue said- “I'm getting a boat.” [*]Find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer from Lowhill), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary). [*]Nightshade is in the Deep Dreadwood- except she's not there anymore, but a big red dragon is? [*]Blackedge and the Goblin Stair? [*]To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall, the Witch's Tor is in the Drowned Forest, in the Mere of the Dead Men. [*]To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. Location unknown. SEE 2. ABOVE. [/LIST] This is session 117, and strap in because it’s mainly all fighting… This is session 118, and strap in because it’s mainly all fighting… Where have I read that before? This was also a very short session due to new job work schedule tomfoolery, but we got there. Oh, and one of the players said this to me before the session started- Make the voice as childish and silly as you can muster. “I was telling my mates about you… About what a terrible GM you are, and that we’ve had enough XP to level up (to 9th) for about five sessions now. My mate said that you must be really mean, and a bad person… and I don’t like you anymore.” Actually, what Bear said was a much more cogent, intelligent, and well-mannered version of the above, but hey- I write this, so- I shape reality. Bloody gamers from the video-game generation, what do they want next- Save Points? The players have had enough XP to level up since session #109, yeah- nine sessions gone, they just have not been able to get an Extended Rest in, that’s all. That’s not my fault. I love the sound of their carping at the start of the session, it sounds like… victory. [ATTACH type="full"]291176[/ATTACH] [B]“We are the SWARM! We are LEGION! Shiver me TIMBERS! You are BANJAXED!”[/B] Make that last word- BANJAXED, sound a lot like a Dalek screaming “EXTERMINATE!” in your face and you are getting there. That was last time. And the start of this time… But after the initial tirade the Dalek-voiced Rambles Swarm is just in Ram’s head, the rest of the PCs are cut out of the conversation, and Ram is happy to oblige Mr The Swarm. The chat is this… “Let’s do a deal, we are the same… after all?” At least that’s the Rambles Swarm’s opening gambit. The deal takes maybe 10 minutes in game to work out- between Ram and Rambles, none of the rogue’s comrades get to ask or enquire. Ram will be joining the swarm. Sorry, The Swarm! But only after he completes his tasks within the tomb- the Rambles Swarm patiently explains that in order to summon him fully to this place Ram, and his comrades, have to destroy the four undead minotaur guardians present here within 24 hours- from first to last. Funny that, that’s what Bonnie told, I mean- sold, the PCs. Ram smiles as he imparts the above knowledge (about the guardians) to his colleagues. Newt goes apoplectic. Early in the session, even for him. “We wasted our money on that…” “Belphegor I plead with you GREAT LORD- rain down hellfire on Bonnie Bowspirit!” “I told you Vinnie, I told you…” And on it goes. Anyway, a deal is done- the Rambles Swarm (and his other rat swarm friends) disappear back into the walls. Ram further explains- the Rambles Swarm will not be bothering them again, at least until the end- at which point the rogue further explains, he shall be joining with Rambles Shambles Bowspirit. Vinnie is aghast, and grumbles for a good long while about… well, lots of things and yet nothing much. Newt is overjoyed to hear that Ram has ‘in-effect’ sold his soul to a creature of terror, the tabaxi is made-up for the rogue, he has at last graduated. Therein lies the argument. Vinnie and Newt, now both entirely ignoring Ram, have at each other for a short while. But we’ve been here before- many, many times before. [ATTACH type="full"]291177[/ATTACH] [B]Then rest.[/B] It’s 4.46 PM and the Dark Squad have just completed their fourth short rest, that’s the last one that the DM is allowing. The PCs have until 8.30 AM tomorrow to find and destroy the last undead skeletal Minotaur guardian. So, plenty of time. [ATTACH type="full"]291178[/ATTACH] [B]Remember the trap-filled corridor, here it is again.[/B] I got rid of all of the blue squares and circles. I did it because I thought there would be a very good chance that the PCs would forget about a few of the traps. [ATTACH type="full"]291179[/ATTACH] [B]FTW, and they weren’t even looking, so… serves them right.[/B] Ram wanders into a series of flashing spectral blades- a ceiling to floor shadowy scythe, and a pair of rotary saws that thrust back and forth from opposite walls to meet in the middle of the passage. Less remarkably Ram somehow manages to leap, tumble and dive through the trap completely unharmed. Point of fact it’s only Daktari that gets sliced up again by the blades, the rest of the fellows make it through (mostly thanks to Inspiration Points- three got spent here timing their runs through the blades). There’s an empty passage ahead, and so Ram is sent to scout, the rogue notes that there’s something (an object- a lure, he thinks) further down the end of the passage, however there are also a pair of stout wooden doors heading to the north. After a brief check over- unlocked and untrapped, he’s in… Only, there’s a shiver in the air and, Ram is suddenly somewhere else- a teleport? There’s a door open before Ram, he is still holding the door open, beyond the portal a set of stairs heading down into darkness, and at the base of the stairs are four more compass rose like metal devices, built into the stone of the passage floor. And within each metal compass rose is a skull, all four of them ancient and etched in runes. All four skulls turn in their sockets to stare at Ram, the rogue is convinced one or two of them are smiling, and then -BLINK- and they’re gone. “Oh, F… Fireskulls!” Fireskulls because, well- Ram couldn’t remember their proper name. Flameskulls. Four of ‘em. The PCs are alerted, although… not early enough. [ATTACH type="full"]291180[/ATTACH] [B]That’s Newt just to the rear of Ram, the tabaxi heard the call and dashed to the front of the queue, he’s getting brave atm.[/B] Note, to the south of Ram and Newt is another pair of doors, opening one of these- or else passing through this first set of doors automatically teleports a PC to the doors (and stairs) to the north. The rest of the PCs are still huddled together, you will note, at the end of the trapped corridor. I ask Ben to roll me a 4-sided dice in the VTT, my advice- “don’t roll a ‘4’”. He rolls a ‘4’. But we’ll get to that… Meantime Ram dashes forward to check the way ahead, no sign of the Flameskulls- yet. [ATTACH type="full"]291181[/ATTACH] [B]The rogue also notes that there’s a Minotaur guardian style statue in the alcove ahead, the undead terror depicted here is easily twice the size of the other guardians that the PCs have fought previously.[/B] That’s not good. And just to make clear atm- Vinnie is on his last Moonboar, he’s almost out of spells and is a good way through his healing potions et al. Daktari is broken- no rages, no healing HD left, disadvantage on his Dex saves (after falling in one too many traps), he’s nearly bloodied and is getting low on healing potions et al. Fellowyn, like Dak, is also broken (actually, more broken)- no spells, no healing HD, no other healing at all, and beyond bloodied already- he’s down to using his crossbow the Master of Blade and Song. My arse. Newt is doing okay, although he’s got through a lot of his healing (and healing HD). He’s on a short rest for his spells, so… hope is a tabaxi called Newt. Ram has started in on his resources and used a healing HD or two but… save for the disadvantage on his Dex saves (see Dak above) then he’s doing okay. Obviously, the Dex thing isn’t great for him. But, back to that ‘4’. [ATTACH type="full"]291182[/ATTACH] [B]A Flameskull comes whizzing down the corridor to the north of the remainder of the Squad, and…[/B] FIREBALL! There’s a lot of noise around the VTT. I’m not an expert but I think I can hear screaming- Newt must have put his Tiny Hut up. The Supreme Being- Ubmo, is destroyed- but that’s not a concern, he’ll be back in a bit. More remarkably Fellowyn survives the blast, he’s down to 2 HP though, also Daktari is looking a little lily-livered. Then, I get Ram to roll a three-sided dice, my advice to him- don’t roll a ‘3’. He rolls… ‘3’. [ATTACH type="full"]291183[/ATTACH] [B]A second Flameskull suddenly blinks into existence at the end of the corridor ahead of the remainder of the Squad and…[/B] Can you guess? Comes whizzing forward, swathed in flame and screaming, and unleashes a FIREBALL! [ATTACH type="full"]291184[/ATTACH] [B]It seems everyone has a Newt’s Tiny Hut of their own.[/B] There’s a lot of screaming/shouting/babble. Moments later Daktari fails his first Death Save. So, that’s nice. Meanwhile… [ATTACH type="full"]291185[/ATTACH] [B]The third Flameskull zooms out of the dark and drops a Fireball on Ram.[/B] The rogue, with disadvantage on his Dex Saves, makes the check and SUCCESS! Ram Evades all damage. Look at the picture above again- Ram Evades the fiery blast (Fireball) entirely. How the… Answers on a postcard please. But that’s not enough rough justice, the rogue dashes in and with Deadend his undead killing rapier almost ends the Flameskull with one hit, and follow up Crit with off-hand. [ATTACH type="full"]291186[/ATTACH] [B]Which is when the final Flameskull turns up and slams another Fireball into the rogue.[/B] The second Fireball proves much harder to Evade, particularly if you roll a '2' and '3' on your save.. Note, Newt meantime is Eldritch Blasting the Flameskull to the south of his position, back through the teleporting doorway. The fightback has begun. [ATTACH type="full"]291187[/ATTACH] [B]This is an odd image; a lot has happened in a very short time to get us to this picture.[/B] First up, the Moonboar uses an Inspiration Point to heal Fellowyn, and then launches himself at the Flameskull here (which has already been blasted twice by Newt). He Crits with his maul and destroys the fiery undead terror. Fellowyn crawls over to Daktari, and in his words- “I feed a potion of healing to the meaty hirsute fellow…”. But Fellowyn doesn’t have any potions of his own, and so he’s having to rifle the big barbarian’s pack to find a healing draught, however Daktari has ten potions in his pack- four of them healing, and so… Fellowyn rolls a ten-sided dice and… it’s a potion of greater healing. Just to say, in game- and for whatever reason- mostly momentum, there was a lot of tension in this one. Daktari awakes, struggles to his feet and staggers away- to hide, while digging into his pack for more healing. Note, the Flameskull to the north of Fellowyn’s position has retreated to buff, but the PCs don’t know this, and they’re also not sure whether the thing can fire multiple Fireballs. [ATTACH type="full"]291188[/ATTACH] [B]Back at the front of the pack and Ram and Newt are a deadly combination, the rogue ends the first Flameskull here, while Newt keeps blasting the second- keeping it entertained.[/B] [ATTACH type="full"]291189[/ATTACH] [B]Here’s the bigger picture. Daktari has moved from south to north through the teleporting door.[/B] Ram meantime is getting hit, a lot, by Magic Missiles- both of the Flameskulls are now using Blur & Shield spells. And the PCs keep on missing. But not for long. [ATTACH type="full"]291190[/ATTACH] [B]Ram ends the Flameskull to the north, there’s just one left- back to the south.[/B] Daktari skids to a halt, just in time to see Ram end the undead terror. And just in time to hear Fellowyn screaming… Daktari grins like a chimp at Ram and Newt, and then dashes back the way he came. He looks knackered, but he’s not giving up. The barbarian arrives just in time- [ATTACH type="full"]291191[/ATTACH] [B]The last (Blurred & Shielded) Flameskull is hemmed by a wall of steel, this after the undead terror blasts Ubmo to pieces again.[/B] The final Flameskull doesn’t survive long. The Dark Squad are completely shot. They can’t go on. [ATTACH type="full"]291192[/ATTACH] [B]It’s time for a long rest.[/B] When they wake up (should they survive the night- we’ll see) they will all be 9th level, Ram & Dak’s disadvantage on Dex Saves will be gone, and… they will have exactly three hours to destroy the final Minotaur skeleton guardian. Then Ram can meet Rambles, proper- and join The Swarm. And also acquire another Symbol of Ub. And get some new info, and questions (possibly) answered. That’s a good point, and this is addressed to the PCs, what questions do you have for Rambles Shambles Bowspirit, he might know some part of this mystery, according to Bonnie he’s been working on it for a while (over a century). Stay safe and well you lovely people. Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan. [/QUOTE]
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The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #138 Into the Mere of the Dead Men Part 3.
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