Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)

[diaglo]

what to do with a POW

Darian and Richter applied water to the evil woman's face. They pulled the gag out. She stirred and began to laugh.

"What are you doing here?" Richter started. "And do you worship Moander?"

The woman refused to answer. Darian pried her mouth open to see if she had a tongue. She was just crazy. She began to cackle louder. Fiddle struck her with the back of his gloved hand. She went limp and quiet again. Fiddle stuffed the gag back into her mouth. Fiddle was afraid the woman was attempting to warn the nearby rooms.

Alia and Erin had discovered some interesting but strange items. An iron torch with three black cones; a black scepter with violet gems; a small black sphere; and a black metal tube. They also gathered the weapons, coins, and armor. Another medallion, which Darian quickly placed with the others, was also found.

"I'll take her and these objects back with me to Peldan's Helm," Richter offered. "Maybe Eliar, Jadaele, Sabine, or Abercrombie might know their meaning. Or get her to talk."

The others checked their readiness. None of those remaining were injured. And the spellcasters still had most of their spells. Fiddle wondered if they had enough firepower for what lie ahead. No one knew what lie ahead. All they knew about was the Dragon and now a band of gnolls with human priests. Fiddle wished Vlad were here to replace Richter. But he did agree someone needed to question the priestess.

"Caution would be the better part of valor," Fiddle said aloud, but more to himself. "Yet, surprise is our ally. They don't know we have returned. They will know when someone comes to replace these guards."

(insert Fortune Cookie saying here) Erin added.

 

[diaglo]

Update after this Sunday.

Alia, Fiddle, Darian, Erin and maybe Vlad. Richter can't make it. so he has taken the prisoner and items back to Peldan's Helm. and the new guy won't be there either.

Now that we are underground, we will need to check out what's behind doors #1 & 2. or maybe backtrack and come down the other stairway. still have to be careful of all the trouble killing the guards may have caused.

and Olgar (the DM) just got his Chainmail order in. so new minis may abound.

 

[diaglo]

When the dead don't rest

"Now that Richter's gone," Alia said, "what do we do now?"

"Why explore, of course." Vlad replied as he came down the stairs and into the room.

Fiddle and the others were glad to see the warrior. Perhaps, a strong arm would be needed in the struggle ahead. Erin was already bending his ear to the task. Fiddle took his cue and listened at the other door. Nothing. So Erin opened Door #1. A trail of debris was hastily pushed aside inside the room. It led to another door. Erin, Fiddle, Vlad, and Alia crept forward. Darian noisily brought up the rear.

Erin opened the new door and entered a larger room. Fiddle and the others followed. A high chittering laugh caught the party’s attention. Two armed gnolls guarded a stairway to the West. They turned to face the party.

Alia sang out. A mass of grease swept one gnoll off its feet. Darian braced his shield to meet the other gnoll. Vlad prepared to fire his bow. Erin mumbled his words of magic, his shield of force now complimented the cover of magic armor he still wore from before. Fiddle raced forward and threw his dagger into the neck of the prone gnoll. It stopped struggling. The other gnoll attempted to cross the grease slick. It fell. Vlad fired an arrow over its head as it fell. And Darian switched tactics. He surged forward and struck the creature with his mace.

Something groaned to the South. Alia turned to see what it was. Erin moved to the South. He saw a horrible sight, a creature long past death. It was a corpse, but yet it was still very much alive. And it also reeked of the grave. Erin moved closer. He struck out with his palm. The creature tried to bite him.

“Ah priest, a little help.” Erin called out.

Fiddle moved forward on the gnoll. He struck it with his sword. Vlad moved further West into the room. He saw two more doors. He trained his bow on them just in case. Darian saw that Fiddle had things in hand and heard Erin’s call to battle the undead. He brought his holy symbol forward and moved to present it to the creature. It cowered and fled. Erin struck the corpse a glancing blow as it ran. The gnoll threw away its weapon and tried to show submission to the hin.

“I’ve got him,” Alia said to Fiddle. She began to sing a song of inspiration.

Erin followed the undead creature. When his glowing ioun stone picked out 3 more similar creatures he stepped back. Fiddle left the gnoll and headed to Erin’s side. Vlad continued to watch the doors. He moved closer to Alia and the gnoll. Darian moved forward to Erin’s side. He again presented his holy symbol. These 3 undead were not as strong as the first or the might of Lathander was greater this time. All three crumpled to the ground, dead once again.

Alia turned her song from one of inspiration to one of calming. The gnoll was mesmerized. Erin closed on the last creature. Fiddle did also. Vlad grabbed the gnoll’s weapons and moved to the South. Darian held his holy symbol forward. The creature defended itself. But couldn’t penetrate the monk’s magic.

Alia bound the gnoll. Erin struck the undead creature. The creature tried for an easier target. He bit Fiddle. Vlad charged forward and stabbed with his rapier. And Fiddle jabbed with his sword. Darian stood by with his symbol. Erin ended the creature’s state of unrest.

 

[diaglo]

Spoon Wa aka Black Adder

The party searched the bodies and room. Darian cured Fiddle's wound. Fiddle found a brazier. He lit the coals. He tossed pieces of the ghouls, gnoll, and ghast on the fire. They also found some torture devices and 3 open cells. In a fourth locked cell a skeleton hung from chains. Fiddle and Vlad both tried but failed to unlock the door. With nothing else to do the party regrouped.

"So lets see what's behind the other doors," Vlad said. He listened at one door and Fiddle at the other.

"All clear here." Fiddle said.

Vlad motioned at his door. Fiddle stood ready. Vlad opened the door. And Fiddle tumbled inside. The rest of the party bunch together.

"Hello, I'm saved." the human inside called. Fiddle stayed his sword.

"Who are you?" Erin asked. "And why are you here?"

"I'm Spugnoir," the man replied. "I'm here collecting spell components for my master Norister the Mage of Ashabenford. Do you have any food and water?"

They handed the poor man some of their rations. He devoured them. In between bites he answered some questions. He also gave Alia a potion for the rescue and offered to accompany them further once he had rested. Fiddle showed off his Dragon glove. Spugnoir had some magic of his own that the party hoped would prove useful. The other room proved to be another store room. Some rusted tools and moldy supplies were the only items. That left only one unexplored door.

The party with Spugnoir and the bound gnoll made their way back to the original room. What's behind door #2?

Some bones. Several skeletons lay scattered about the room. Erin entered to start searching. The skeletons animated. Vlad ran past the monk and covered his side. A skeleton took a wild swing at him. Darian presented his holy symbol. Pooffff. The skeletons all collapsed.

"Let us rest," Alia said. "I've used up all of my magic for the day. Tomorrow I'll see about opening the cell."

Everyone agreed. They could use a rest. Spugnoir more than anyone. So they climbed back up the stairs. They set up camp in the Dragon's Lair. Fiddle thought to quiet the gnoll for the evening. Unfortunately, he didn't know his own strength or the condition of the gnoll. The hilt of his dagger struck the gnoll senseless and lifeless.

"Oops," Fiddle turned red with embarrassment.

Darian said last rites for the corpse.

 

[diaglo]

Spike the door and the punch

The party selected watches. Fiddle paid Spugnoir a visit. As the mage bent down to place his things aside, his pouch fell into Fiddle's hands. Fiddle tucked it away to examine later. The others were likewise getting settled. Alia had first watch. She woke Vlad for the second.

Vlad's boot struck Fiddle's side. "Huh?" Fiddle moaned. "It's not my turn yet."

"Gnollls," Vlad screamed as he moved passed. The sound of battle made Fiddle and Erin open their eyes.

Vlad was engaged with two gnolls. The larger one had a longsword in one hand and shortsword in the other. Fiddle recognized the technique. His companion had a battle axe. Another gnoll was moving by the stairway. Alia was in the Southwest corner about 20 ft from the melee. She was still sleeping. Fiddle was 10ft due West of the fight. Spugnoir slept soundly in the Northwest corner. Erin was across from Fiddle on the North wall. Darian was sleeping in his armor in the Northeast corner. Vlad was bleeding from several wounds already. One more and he would surely fall.

Fiddle crawled, rose, and sprinted from the room. He stood in the doorway drawing his weapons. Vlad ran to Spugnoir's side. Darian and Alia stirred. Erin mumbled a quick spell. His force shield appeared. The ranger gnoll and his companion engaged the monk. The other gnoll attacked Alia.

Fiddle ran back into the room. One of the gnolls made a serious mistake. He exposed his back to Fiddle. Fiddle plunged his sword in deep. The gnoll fell. Vlad threw a dagger at the ranger gnoll. Darian closed with the ranger gnoll. Alia stood and stabbed her attacker. Erin swung wild. He was still pretty groggy. Alia's gnoll struck a glancing blow. The ranger gnoll turned his attention on Darian. One, two quick strikes.

"Filthy humans," he growled. "My pack and I will carve you up for dinner."

Fiddle tumbled past the guard of the packmate. He missed the hin. Fiddle buried his sword into its kidneys. It went down.

"Hiya," Fiddle said to Alia as he turned to the last combatant.

Vlad downed a potion. Darian swung his mace. Alia moved around the battle and brought out her whip. It lashed the gnoll across the legs, but did little else. Erin struck the gnoll in the chest. The ranger gnoll continued to battle on. One, two. Darian fell.

Fiddle moved into position. Thrust. He scored a hit, but this fellow was made of sterner stuff. Vlad stepped up. He stabbed in with his rapier. Another red mark scarred the gnolls ribs. Alia lashed out with her whip again. The gnoll fell. Erin quickly bound the creature.

Fiddle prepared to aid Darian. But Darian was standing again. Not hearty, but definitely alive. Spugnoir continued to sleep.

 

[diaglo]

A pact with the Pack

Vlad set about spiking the door to the stairs. And Fiddle attacked the other door.

"Uh, guys," Darian interrupted as he pointed to the huge gaping hole in the Southeast corner. "Well, I guess that means we only have one place to watch now."

Darian took off his armor. The others settled back into the routine. Vlad finished out his watch. He woke Erin, who woke Fiddle, who woke Darian. Darian greeted the Sunrise in a very foul mood. Everyone went back to rest. What wounds were left Alia handled.

The gnoll regained consciousness. Erin released the strap around its muzzle.

"Who are you?" Erin asked. "And why do you seek to harm us?"

"I am Gerrick," the gnoll replied. "And I am Chief of my pack. The humans ordered us to find out what was happening."

"You take orders from the humans?" Vlad interjected. "How is that?"

"We are mercenaries," Chief Gerrick answered. "We are strong warriors. Many weak people desire our prowess."

"Strong warriors?" Darian laughed.

"I took you down," Chief Gerrick retorted. He looked at Vlad also. Darian went quiet.

Fiddle strode forward. "We are kindred spirits," he said. "So I will offer you a deal." Fiddle made sure to display his Dragon glove.

Chief Gerrick seemed very impressed. "Deal?" he asked.

"I will pay you 100 gold talents for your services," Fiddle continued.

"It's your money," Alia remarked. "But I still won't trust him."

"Easy come, easy go," Fiddle winked. No one caught it.

Erin negotiated the rest of the pact. Half up front and half when the human priests were dead. Chief Gerrick would lead them. He would then depart with the remainder of his pack. But he needed his armor & swords back plus some form of healing. Darian obliged. Fiddle pulled 50 gold talents out of his pack. Erin undid the ropes.

"Are we going somewhere?" Spugnoir looked up from his spellbook.

 

[diaglo]

Seven against two

First things first. The party went back to the locked cell. Vlad and Fiddle had no better luck opening today. Alia sang her shrill song. The cell door shattered. Nothing worth noting inside. Darian said rites over the human remains. Erin coated himself in magic.

Fiddle quaffed his potion. He vanished from sight. Well almost. His glowing coin seemed to light an area just ahead of the party. Gerrick was true to his word. He led the party back to the stair room. Although this time he opened an undiscovered door. Followed quickly by another one. From there the party moved southeastwardly until they came to a fork. They could go East or South.

"My pack is that way," Gerrick said. "The priests are this way."

"Lead on," Erin said.

They went South and entered a large room. Another passage split to the West. There were 3 doors in the South.

"Where to now?" Erin asked.

Fiddle strolled out once again visible from the passage to the West. Gerrick moved to the Southeast. The door opened into another long passage.

"Douse your light," Gerrick instructed. "They will see us coming."

The party reluctantly agreed. They readied their weapons. Fiddle had his bow. They felt along the wall and touched each other. They passed a passage going East and further down one going West. A bright light was visible at the end of the tunnel. They went down a small flight of stairs. Gerrick rounded the corner.

"Geynor, I have brought you some visitors," Gerrick called out.

Alia was the first to react. She came around the corner and sang out a simple familiar tune. One of the occupants was coated in grease. He flailed about dropping his weapon and shield. Darian closed on the other priest striking him with his mace. Vlad darted forward to the greasy priest, a strange reptilian humanoid with a cruel toothy expression. Erin mumbled a spell and moved to Darian's side. His force shield was active. Gerrick charged the reptile.

"Kill the priest," Gerrick called out.

"Traitor," Geynor Ton yelled. "How is this possible?" He reached for his weapon.

The other priest called on his Dark Master. He was quickly engulfed in a fog. Spugnoir came round the corner, looked at the fog and stood back.

"I guess a fireball is out of the question," Spugnoir said.

"I think he is there," Fiddle thought. He aimed and fired his bow.

"Yellp," a voice growled. "I knew I shouldn't trust you."

"Oops, sorry, I've still got your 50 talents," Fiddle tried to appease the gnoll. He then quickly slung his bow and drew his steel.

Alia moved into the action. She stabbed at a figure in front of her. It was Geynor. Darian swung again. The Evil priest fell. Erin moved near the other figure. He caught air. Vlad stabbed into the mist. Gerrick ran. He was lost in the mist. A foul stench assailed the party. Alia and Fiddle began to retch. The reptile ran for the exit out of the fog and into Fiddle and Spugnoir. Fiddle stabbed out as he went by. And Spugnoir scratched it with his dagger. He then fired a volley of magic bolts from his fingers into the reptile's back.

"He's getting away," Fiddle closed on the creature and stabbed it again. His strength was failing him. He barely left a mark.

Alia continued to retch. Darian heard Fiddle and ran his way. He exited the fog and ran passed the reptilian priest. The creature clawed at him. Erin sealed the hall with Darian. Vlad stabbed from behind. They had him blocked. The reptile charged Darian. It bounced off the Shield of Lathander. Spugnoir stood by waiting for an opening. Fiddle plunged his dagger into the reptile. Another one bites the dust.

 

[diaglo]

Disturbing the dead...

Like all good adventurers the party quickly searched the bodies. The spoils included a couple potions, some nice armor, fine weapons, and a couple holy symbols. Darian pocketed the symbols to destroy later. Alia checked for magic, a pack registered and the potions. A scroll was found inside the pack. Some form of divine spells. A journal and some coins were also discovered inside the pack. Odd ramblings and a few unknown names. A mention of the Dragon. A some new leader, Erlend.

They had to wait a few minutes for the fog to clear before they could check the room. A strange black and green veined block rested beside a pulley system. The lift went down into a vast pit. A bone chilling numbness crept into the party's being the closer they got to the pit. In the distance a clang of metal was heard.

"Lets try the other passages," Darian offered.

The party agreed. The first passage they came to when they started to backtrack led West. It had a slight bend, but eventual spilled into a musty room. Many alcoves lined the walls. Sarcophagi were stored in this crypt. A very uneasy, almost unholy filling permeated the chamber. Four corpses lumbered out of the dark. They looked very much like the ones the party had encountered the day before.

Darian presented his holy symbol. The dark of the chamber seemed to flicker, but soon returned. Erin swept forward and planted his hand into the chest of one of the creatures. Alia and Vlad moved to Erin's side. They took turns stabbing the creature. The other three creatures closed ranks. They bit and clawed at Erin, Vlad, and Darian. But did little harm. Fiddle threw his dagger. The injured creature collapsed.

Darian called on Lathander's might again. He thrust his symbol forward and higher. The three remaining creatures crumpled.

"I'm never gonna get this goo out of my robes," Erin said as he flicked slime off his hands.

"Allow me," Alia said as she sang a tune. The monk was soon very clean.

The party poked around. They found one small tunnel leading South and a false stone door which had a passage leading North. Both were hand carved and very small. Fiddle size.

"Lets try South," Fiddle said.

 

[diaglo]

Dungeoncrawling or walking

Right, right, right, scribble, scribble, scribble. Fiddle methodically marked each tunnel with chalk as he led the party into and around the tunnels. Everyone else had to crawl or bend. Darian, Alia, and Spugnoir stayed behind to consecrate the crypt or just to avoid crawling. Some time later into the mapping and discovery, Darian and Alia caught up. Spugnoir didn't join them. Good thing. As eventually the party found another black and green veined block. This one was larger and had an altar. The uneasy feeling was strong about the place. Fiddle led everyone out of the room. Right, right, right, scribble, scribble, scribble. Number 9...Number 9...Number 9...the party had doubled back on their route. Fiddle took the direct route back to the crypt chamber. Spugnoir was still waiting.

"Anything?" Spugnoir asked. He had collected some dust from the undead remains.

"Nothing noteworthy," Fiddle remarked.

So they went North, thru the secret panel, along a passage, and up rungs carved into the wall. A false lid opened easy enough. Fiddle tumbled into the room. The torture chamber.

"Where to next?" Darian asked.

"Lets see if we can find where Gerrick ran off to," Erin replied. "We lost him in the fog. I bet he went back to his pack."

"I saw him," Spugnoir said. "He ran passed me."

"D'oh," Alia quipped. "I bet he's gone then."

The party returned to the stair room and the secret doors, only to find the passage beyond blocked by a portcullis. So they climbed back down into the crypt room and back the other way. When they got to the room with 3 doors they tried the other two. Other than a grating sound and some fun with lights not much else proved useful. They scoured the Chief's room again. Some strange dark liquid and finely powdered plant. Fiddle inhaled the powder.

ACCCccchhhoooo.

And drank the dark liquid. It was okay, but would probably have been better tasting warmed. Now it was just bitter. The aroma was nice. Fiddle pulled out some of his earlier findings from his pack. Some dark greasy beans and a cloak. The party prepared for the worst. They stumbled back to the passage they had passed earlier. It was a dead end. But not really. The stone blocking the way didn't make sense. So they went to the pack lair instead. Nothing. well almost nothing. 3 more doors. Again the doors proved to be false or misleading. But the party still spent time messing with them. A few more cloaks and various odds and ends were left by the previous inhabitants. One divine scroll was found. A stone shaping spell gave Darian an idea. The passage or the one pit. The party voted for the passage. Darian used the scroll. He shaped a doorway.

 

[diaglo]

a doodle doo

Erin and Fiddle took point. Vlad, Darian, Alia, and Spugnoir followed. The passage beyond had not been disturbed for many years. The dust was heavy. They came to a door. Erin opened and entered quietly. Fiddle again checked for tracks. He tasted fresher air. A door stood ajar to the left and the passage stretched beyond sight ahead. The dust had strange scratch marks. The party opened the door further and entered the corridor. They moved along quietly. The passage opened into a chamber.

CLuuuucckkkk, ccllluuuckkk, cluuckk

Two large, compared to Fiddle, reptilian turkey looking creatures stood inside the room. They guarded their nests.

"What are those?" Darian asked. He cast a quick spell. Lathander's Mace swept forward.

"Cockatrice," Erin replied. "Run for your lives."

Erin moved back to the door. Alia quickly followed. Spugnoir stepped forward.

Goodness Graces, Great Balls of Fire.

BBBBoooooMMMMm

The birds moved forward. Both were badly cooked. One pecked at Vlad and the other at Fiddle. Neither connected. Vlad stabbed his opponent. And Fiddle finished his bird. Lathander's Mace splatted Vlad's bird.

The party came back.

"Phew," Alia said. "That was close."

Spugnoir plucked feathers from the dead birds. He tickled Erin's chin with one.

"They are harmless once they are dead," the mage said.

"But what...

cccclllLLLuuuCKkkkkk

At the back of the chamber another uninjured bird nested. Darian, the Mace, Erin, Alia, and Spugnoir laid into the bird. It pecked at Darian. Vlad and Fiddle took a stab at it. Darian finished it. Fiddle rolled around in the nests. Digging and scraping for any valuables. More cloak scraps.

A door to the East led to an old bedchamber. A skeleton in dark robes on the floor. A quick search uncovered a silver spidery brooch. Fiddle estimated its value at 50 talents or more, but Darian tucked it into the items to be destroyed pouch. Fiddle found a slim bone too. He waved it around. It looked like a wand, maybe. He aimed it at the ceiling....