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: 8427680" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>The Unexpected In The Borderlands.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Session #005: To Be Unexpected.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>PCs (in alphabetical order)</strong></p><p><strong>Afton Barr</strong> (played Dave) Male Half-Elf Bard (Entertainer) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Lappoy the Unexpected </strong>(played by Rob) Male High Elf Wizard (Sage) Level 2.</p><p><s><strong>Tassit </strong>(played by Dave) Female Human Monk (Hermit) Level 1</s> <strong>RIP</strong></p><p><strong>The Mystical One</strong> (played by Pete) Female Human Warlock (Outlander) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Trebbelos</strong> (played by Pete) Male Tiefling Sorcerer (Charlatan) Level 1.</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 6: Being the 6th Day of Mirtul, in the year 1493 by Dale Reckoning, known as the Year of the Purple Dragons, about 11-ish.</strong></p><p></p><p>The Unexpected are trying to get in a short rest in, they're situated just a little way in to the kobold tribe's lair...</p><p></p><p>That doesn't happen.</p><p></p><p>At least not yet.</p><p></p><p>Only twenty or so minutes in and a bunch of non-combatant kobolds come hollering for their freedom down the hallway- the lame, the old & sick, and the kids.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145279[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Bloody hell, just leave us alone.</strong></p><p></p><p>There follows a brief chat- remarkably restrained, Lappoy & The Mystical One can both speak Draconic, although the former scares the what-not out of the kobolds by using her telepathy.</p><p></p><p>The rag-tag collection of kobolds are questioned by the pair, although the pitiful creatures don't know much, after all, they're the lame, the old & sick, and the kids. They do however know that a tribe of orcs live close to their lair- in one of the caves a little way above, and that's definitely worth knowing.</p><p></p><p>And so after leaving all of their valuable possessions- a handful of silver coins, the kobold gaggle are allowed to flee the lair, this after at least two players confirm with the DM that there's genuinely no XP to be gained by slaughtering this crowd.</p><p></p><p>[Kobold non-combatants allowed to flee the area 100 XP]</p><p></p><p>But here's the thing, some other inhabitants of the ravine spot the less than silent kobolds fleeing their former abode, a little later on this gang decide to check out what's happening over here.</p><p></p><p>Note, I rolled a 1d10- on a '1', something bad happens.</p><p></p><p>I rolled a '1'.</p><p></p><p>But we'll get to that.</p><p></p><p>Just to make clear, a good thing doesn't happen if I roll a '10', there's no balance/reciprocity.</p><p></p><p>So, eventually, a short rest is taken, although at the end of it all Afton Barr, the bard, is still all but broken (and he's without spells or indeed anything useful). Then the Unexpected head on down the eastern passage- to see what they can see, and as cautious as they can be.</p><p></p><p>They're still very much on edge.</p><p></p><p>Particularly the aforementioned Afton.</p><p></p><p>Into the hastily abandoned common chamber of the kobold tribe...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145280[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Afton figures he may as well have something to eat, even a condemned man gets a last supper. The bard also wonders about his life choices so far, how did end up being the front line for a bunch of half-crazed wizards?</strong></p><p></p><p>The place is searched, or else ransacked, the eagle-eyed bard- Afton, spots a swatch of silk, still in good condition- obviously stolen from a merchant's wagon.</p><p></p><p>Treasure!</p><p></p><p>Then onwards...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145281[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Nada.</strong></p><p></p><p>Next, a locked storeroom is discovered, and then swiftly unlocked- the key was on the kobold chief (Tonka, from memory) the Unexpected murderised earlier.</p><p></p><p>Note this operation took ten minutes or so to play out around the VTT, so nervous were the four adventurers...</p><p></p><p>There is however absolutely nothing of value in the storeroom, although Trebbelos makes his companions aware that the salted meats stored here are... human.</p><p></p><p>Then onwards some more, and again- very cautiously, to the hastily abandoned chambers of the aforementioned kobold chief, Tonka... and treasure, surely.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145282[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Now this is more like it...</strong></p><p></p><p>Eventually, the PCs take their time, three significant things are discovered- a battered and burnt suit of half-plate armour, heavy but it should still be worth a gold or twenty (it belonged to Farned, Priest of the Leaf Lord). A blanket with some money (just over 50gp) and a key cleverly sown into the hem, discovered by The Mystical One- she's thorough.</p><p></p><p>And lastly, a sturdy chest- and the key found above fits, and there's more coin within.</p><p></p><p>The PCs are semi-rich (in comparison) and keep in mind all PCs start with basic equipment and 1d20cp, 1d12sp, 1d10ep & 1d8gp each.</p><p></p><p>There follows a thirty minute (real time) debate, entitled- What's Next?</p><p></p><p>The consensus is the following, and in this order-</p><p></p><p>Go back to the entrance to the kobold caverns and check out the other passage- from which the rats came earlier.</p><p></p><p>Rest, take an extended rest- three of the four PCs here have enough XP to level up. Levelling up is a priority, and besides almost all of the PCs are either injured or low on spells.</p><p></p><p>All PCs are agreed on this (sorta, see below).</p><p></p><p>The rest of the debate, well that's a little more contentious/fractious.</p><p></p><p>In summary-</p><p></p><p>Lappoy (played by Rob), wishes to go on to further glory, he's all for attacking the ogre in its cave- there's only one of it, and four of the Unexpected.</p><p></p><p>A little later, when we get to the fractious, Lappoy insists (he's putting his foot down) that the Unexpected go on- and he's in charge.</p><p></p><p>But...</p><p></p><p>Afton Barr (played by Dave) is all for returning to the Keep on the Borderlands, and while there- selling the treasures that they have found here, and with the money hiring a few mercenaries, and buying a few potions of healing. Then, heading back here for the Ogre etc.</p><p></p><p>The Mystical One & Trebbelos (both played by Pete) are both in favour of exploring the cave's hereabouts, and then attacking whichever one appears to be the least well defended.</p><p></p><p>Afton's words of wisdom are falling on deaf ears.</p><p></p><p>A little while later and the bard is left in no doubt, Trebbelos offers the following- “If you are going, go... but don't bother coming back. We will make our mark here before we depart!”</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos, the tiefling sorcerer, is beginning to think that he's a hero...</p><p></p><p>That could prove fatal.</p><p></p><p>Just to say, Dave (playing Afton) is down to one PC again, and he's effectively the front-line- the bard, he's badly wounded- out of inspiration points, has used his Healing HD, and has only cantrips left.</p><p></p><p>Sucks to be him.</p><p></p><p>In the end however the decision is put off, the reason- the Unexpected are ordered by Lappoy (always the voice of reason) to get the first two jobs done- clear the lair, and then take an extended rest here. Then the debate can continue.</p><p></p><p>And so...</p><p></p><p>Back to the cavern entrance, and across the pit- taking every precaution, and then led by Afton Barr, naturally, they shuffle gingerly into a disgusting and foul chamber. Home, surprise surprise, to a pack of giant rats- the fighting starts almost immediately.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145283[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The three wizards (sorta) send the tank (bard) forward. Dave, playing Afton, winces every time he hears his PCs name, it's usually one of the other three PCs ordering him into danger. Actually, it's mostly all three of them ordering him into danger.</strong></p><p></p><p>A larger than normal giant rat races forward and attempts to sink its teeth into Afton, it fails to do so, oddly the beast has a silver chain tangled around its body.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos blasts the attacking rat with a Fire Bolt, the beast seems to be made of sterner stuff, the tielfing therefore immediately retreats.</p><p></p><p>Afton stabs the thing with his rapier, but the other rats are closing in on the bard- who once again (and with only 4 HP to his name) finds himself in the front line. He therefore shares the last of his bardic inspiration for the day with Lappoy, and then pleads for the High Wizard to come and save him.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145284[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Lappoy, here to save the day!</strong></p><p></p><p>Lappoy, of course, obliges- a Thunderwave takes out the big bad rat, and another giant rat- while leaving a third all but crippled.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy, naturally, takes a few steps back- leaving, once again, Afton to take the hits.</p><p></p><p>Several of the giant rats flee- disappearing into a variety of tunnels in the walls, but two of the pack remain, and move swiftly to snap and bite the bard.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145285[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>"Oh... I hate this... I'm a bard- I want to live, I want to learn to play the banjo... I only carry this rapier because it came with the set, Lappoy... save me again!"</strong></p><p></p><p>Seconds later and Afton is down and dying...</p><p></p><p>The Mystical One Eldritch Blasts another of the vermin dead as the bard passes his first Death Save- just to say none of the PCs have any healing (except Afton, when he gets his spells back).</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145286[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Another victory for Lappoy and the Unexpected, and some kind words from the great leader to the brave bard- "Get up Afton, stop acting the giddy goat! I said get up... Oh!"</strong></p><p></p><p>Then Lappoy strides forward and incinerates the last giant rat with a Fire Bolt, and for max damage, the High Wizard orders his comrades to take care of the bard while he extricates the silver chain from the large giant rat's dead body.</p><p></p><p>The silver chain is dotted with well cut citrines- it's very valuable.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy is giggling.</p><p></p><p>Meantime, Trebbelos manages to stabilise Afton.</p><p></p><p>I'm as surprised about this as you are.</p><p></p><p>[A bunch of giant rats 125 XP]</p><p></p><p>But here's the thing, the Unexpected cannot stay here- the cavern is filth-ridden, but there's also the small matter on an unconscious bard and a pit that needs to be traversed.</p><p></p><p>And so...</p><p></p><p>After a 5-10 minute discussion, heated at times.</p><p></p><p>The Mystical One and Trebbelos make the attempt (neither of them are happy about this), while Lappoy with his Mage Hand helpfully makes pointed suggestions as the duo go about their work.</p><p></p><p>He's very helpful- “No, there you fools!”</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145287[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>You can still see Tassit's cold lifeless (and impaled) body in the pit, her soul-less eyes staring into infinity! All very poetic but it was Afton that had to climb down into the pit earlier to get Tassit's things (money).</strong></p><p></p><p>Do you remember I told you that there were some other inhabitants of the Caves of Chaos that spotted the kobolds leaving their lair?</p><p></p><p>Well, they've been watching operations from the mouth of the kobold cavern, that is until now...</p><p></p><p>So, the observers are a bunch of goblins, and when I say a bunch I mean there are six of them, armed with scimitars and bows.</p><p></p><p>But here's the two remarkable things- the first, The Mystical One and Trebbelos manage to get Afton across the pit, and to safety.</p><p></p><p>Second thing- all of the members of the Unexpected manage to spot the goblins before they launch their attack (I rolled a '1' & '3' +6 with advantage for the goblin's collective Stealth check).</p><p></p><p>However, it gets nasty...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145288[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The Mystical One starts screaming- she's just seen the goblin's initiative rolls in the combat tracker.</strong></p><p></p><p>Here's how it goes down- the first goblin scampers in and stabs The Mystical One in the back, and she's bloodied.</p><p></p><p>A second goblin scurries in and repeats the performance, The Mystical One would be down and dying if she hadn't have used her inspiration point to trigger a Healing HD (a house rule- first level PCs only).</p><p></p><p>She lives... still, but only just...</p><p></p><p>Then, you'll like this- a third goblin scurries into sight and shoots The Mystic One in the back, with a Crit, and then rolls max damage on his dice- and now The Mystical One (Meg) is dead.</p><p></p><p>Dead as opposed to unconscious.</p><p></p><p>Pete is sub-happy.</p><p></p><p>Although the laughter more than drowns out his childish caterwauling.</p><p></p><p>Yet another goblin rushes in and shoots Trebbelos, the tiefling sorcerer is on one hit point.</p><p></p><p>I note that I am the only one laughing now, although I think I can hear Rob smirking.</p><p></p><p>So, this is going well.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145289[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Where's The Mystical One? The latest goblin shooter is using the dead warlock as a perch.</strong></p><p></p><p>Trebbelos, as with The Mystical One, triggers a Healing HD surge using his inspiration point.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy, the Unexpected, peers around the corner and unleashes his Burning Hands- incinerating two of the goblins in the cavern entrance passage, and leaving the last barely hanging on to life.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145290[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Where's your money now? Who, if any, will survive?</strong></p><p></p><p>The wizard swiftly retreats into the filthy rat chamber, and orders Trebbelos in a hissed whisper- to do something similar, “Retreat!”</p><p></p><p>The sorcerer fails to Fire Bolt the badly wounded goblin, and then does as he's told- he retreats, scampering off deeper into the abandoned kobold lair.</p><p></p><p>Alas one of the yet to act goblins rushes into the lair, leaps the pit, and heads off straight after Trebbelos.</p><p></p><p>A second goblin follows the same route, while the badly wounded goblin runs back out of the cavern, heading back to its own lair, and screaming...</p><p></p><p>That can't be a good thing, although the PCs, of course, don't know about this... yet.</p><p></p><p>They can however hear it happening.</p><p></p><p>Then yet another uninjured goblin leaps the pit, and... notices that the sprawled Afton Barr is still breathing. The goblin therefore stabs the bard- he's not dead, but now he's only inches from the grave.</p><p></p><p>Just to make clear, when the three goblins went to leap the pit I rolled a 1d6= 1-2 they head east down the stinky passage towards Lappoy, who is hiding- remember; while 3-6 they go after Trebbelos, who is much visible. I made all of the dice rolls out in the open.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos' direction every time.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145291[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Note, Lappoy is staying quiet, just for info the wizard has two inspiration points still to spend.</strong></p><p></p><p>Meanwhile Afton Barr passes another Death Save, 2-2, it's in the balance.</p><p></p><p>But what's this...</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145292[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Lappoy uses an inspiration point to get advantage on a Stealth check- that's a '21' in total, the wizard sneaks out of the lair- after also conjuring a natural '20' to leap the pit.</strong></p><p></p><p>Neither the goblins nor Trebbelos witness the High Master's departure.</p><p></p><p>The quartet seem to be otherwise engaged.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy, perhaps less unexpected than usual, is outta there, he's off and running.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos, after briefly shouting for Lappoy, starts talking at a hundred miles an hour- in the Common tongue, which the goblins sorta understand. He attempts, after stealthily casting Friends, to persuade the approaching goblins, or else the nearest one, that he is a mighty wizard and likely to incinerate them all with a terrible spell.</p><p></p><p>He rolls a '1' and a '3' with his advantage on his check.</p><p></p><p>The goblins are just not buying it...</p><p></p><p>Seconds later and the sorcerer is thwacked into unconsciousness by the two closest goblins, using the flats of the blades.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]145293[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The goblins have a prisoner.</strong></p><p></p><p>Afton makes his final Death Save.</p><p></p><p>He rolls a '3'.</p><p></p><p>The bard is dead.</p><p></p><p>[Goblin wanderers 300 XP]</p><p></p><p>And Lappoy, boy can the Master of Magics run, he doesn't bother stopping at the Fortune's Five camp, they've heard this song before, the wizard arrives all the way back at the Keep on the Borderlands maybe three hours later.</p><p></p><p>Out of breath.</p><p></p><p>Out of friends, for now...</p><p></p><p>But remember, he's about to become rich.</p><p></p><p>Time to put together a new part of adventurers- the Doubly Unexpected?</p><p></p><p>And I made two random encounter rolls during Lappoy's journey back to the Keep, two because the first roll was half-cocked, you know- electronically.</p><p></p><p>I made the second roll because Rob, who plays Lappoy, was just giggling too hard.</p><p></p><p>I swear he was crying for something like twenty minutes.</p><p></p><p>Boy there was a lot of swearing from the other two.</p><p></p><p>It's time for some new adventurers, of course, oh and captured PCs (Trebbelos) count as dead, but their XP is not distributed, captured PCs need to be rescued, or else their XP is 'released' when they get killed.</p><p></p><p>The pot is up to £27.</p><p></p><p>Although I venture there'll be more to add next session.</p><p></p><p>Stay safe and well you lovely people.</p><p></p><p>Toodles for a bit.</p><p></p><p>Cheers from the High Master of Magics and goonalan.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 8427680, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]The Unexpected In The Borderlands.[/B][/CENTER] [B]Session #005: To Be Unexpected. PCs (in alphabetical order) Afton Barr[/B] (played Dave) Male Half-Elf Bard (Entertainer) Level 1. [B]Lappoy the Unexpected [/B](played by Rob) Male High Elf Wizard (Sage) Level 2. [S][B]Tassit [/B](played by Dave) Female Human Monk (Hermit) Level 1[/S] [B]RIP The Mystical One[/B] (played by Pete) Female Human Warlock (Outlander) Level 1. [B]Trebbelos[/B] (played by Pete) Male Tiefling Sorcerer (Charlatan) Level 1. [B]Note, you can click on the pictures here to make them bigger (if you didn't know this already). Day 6: Being the 6th Day of Mirtul, in the year 1493 by Dale Reckoning, known as the Year of the Purple Dragons, about 11-ish.[/B] The Unexpected are trying to get in a short rest in, they're situated just a little way in to the kobold tribe's lair... That doesn't happen. At least not yet. Only twenty or so minutes in and a bunch of non-combatant kobolds come hollering for their freedom down the hallway- the lame, the old & sick, and the kids. [ATTACH type="full" alt="501.jpg"]145279[/ATTACH] [B]Bloody hell, just leave us alone.[/B] There follows a brief chat- remarkably restrained, Lappoy & The Mystical One can both speak Draconic, although the former scares the what-not out of the kobolds by using her telepathy. The rag-tag collection of kobolds are questioned by the pair, although the pitiful creatures don't know much, after all, they're the lame, the old & sick, and the kids. They do however know that a tribe of orcs live close to their lair- in one of the caves a little way above, and that's definitely worth knowing. And so after leaving all of their valuable possessions- a handful of silver coins, the kobold gaggle are allowed to flee the lair, this after at least two players confirm with the DM that there's genuinely no XP to be gained by slaughtering this crowd. [Kobold non-combatants allowed to flee the area 100 XP] But here's the thing, some other inhabitants of the ravine spot the less than silent kobolds fleeing their former abode, a little later on this gang decide to check out what's happening over here. Note, I rolled a 1d10- on a '1', something bad happens. I rolled a '1'. But we'll get to that. Just to make clear, a good thing doesn't happen if I roll a '10', there's no balance/reciprocity. So, eventually, a short rest is taken, although at the end of it all Afton Barr, the bard, is still all but broken (and he's without spells or indeed anything useful). Then the Unexpected head on down the eastern passage- to see what they can see, and as cautious as they can be. They're still very much on edge. Particularly the aforementioned Afton. Into the hastily abandoned common chamber of the kobold tribe... [ATTACH type="full" alt="502.jpg"]145280[/ATTACH] [B]Afton figures he may as well have something to eat, even a condemned man gets a last supper. The bard also wonders about his life choices so far, how did end up being the front line for a bunch of half-crazed wizards?[/B] The place is searched, or else ransacked, the eagle-eyed bard- Afton, spots a swatch of silk, still in good condition- obviously stolen from a merchant's wagon. Treasure! Then onwards... [ATTACH type="full" alt="503.jpg"]145281[/ATTACH] [B]Nada.[/B] Next, a locked storeroom is discovered, and then swiftly unlocked- the key was on the kobold chief (Tonka, from memory) the Unexpected murderised earlier. Note this operation took ten minutes or so to play out around the VTT, so nervous were the four adventurers... There is however absolutely nothing of value in the storeroom, although Trebbelos makes his companions aware that the salted meats stored here are... human. Then onwards some more, and again- very cautiously, to the hastily abandoned chambers of the aforementioned kobold chief, Tonka... and treasure, surely. [ATTACH type="full" alt="504.jpg"]145282[/ATTACH] [B]Now this is more like it...[/B] Eventually, the PCs take their time, three significant things are discovered- a battered and burnt suit of half-plate armour, heavy but it should still be worth a gold or twenty (it belonged to Farned, Priest of the Leaf Lord). A blanket with some money (just over 50gp) and a key cleverly sown into the hem, discovered by The Mystical One- she's thorough. And lastly, a sturdy chest- and the key found above fits, and there's more coin within. The PCs are semi-rich (in comparison) and keep in mind all PCs start with basic equipment and 1d20cp, 1d12sp, 1d10ep & 1d8gp each. There follows a thirty minute (real time) debate, entitled- What's Next? The consensus is the following, and in this order- Go back to the entrance to the kobold caverns and check out the other passage- from which the rats came earlier. Rest, take an extended rest- three of the four PCs here have enough XP to level up. Levelling up is a priority, and besides almost all of the PCs are either injured or low on spells. All PCs are agreed on this (sorta, see below). The rest of the debate, well that's a little more contentious/fractious. In summary- Lappoy (played by Rob), wishes to go on to further glory, he's all for attacking the ogre in its cave- there's only one of it, and four of the Unexpected. A little later, when we get to the fractious, Lappoy insists (he's putting his foot down) that the Unexpected go on- and he's in charge. But... Afton Barr (played by Dave) is all for returning to the Keep on the Borderlands, and while there- selling the treasures that they have found here, and with the money hiring a few mercenaries, and buying a few potions of healing. Then, heading back here for the Ogre etc. The Mystical One & Trebbelos (both played by Pete) are both in favour of exploring the cave's hereabouts, and then attacking whichever one appears to be the least well defended. Afton's words of wisdom are falling on deaf ears. A little while later and the bard is left in no doubt, Trebbelos offers the following- “If you are going, go... but don't bother coming back. We will make our mark here before we depart!” Trebbelos, the tiefling sorcerer, is beginning to think that he's a hero... That could prove fatal. Just to say, Dave (playing Afton) is down to one PC again, and he's effectively the front-line- the bard, he's badly wounded- out of inspiration points, has used his Healing HD, and has only cantrips left. Sucks to be him. In the end however the decision is put off, the reason- the Unexpected are ordered by Lappoy (always the voice of reason) to get the first two jobs done- clear the lair, and then take an extended rest here. Then the debate can continue. And so... Back to the cavern entrance, and across the pit- taking every precaution, and then led by Afton Barr, naturally, they shuffle gingerly into a disgusting and foul chamber. Home, surprise surprise, to a pack of giant rats- the fighting starts almost immediately. [ATTACH type="full" alt="505.jpg"]145283[/ATTACH] [B]The three wizards (sorta) send the tank (bard) forward. Dave, playing Afton, winces every time he hears his PCs name, it's usually one of the other three PCs ordering him into danger. Actually, it's mostly all three of them ordering him into danger.[/B] A larger than normal giant rat races forward and attempts to sink its teeth into Afton, it fails to do so, oddly the beast has a silver chain tangled around its body. Trebbelos blasts the attacking rat with a Fire Bolt, the beast seems to be made of sterner stuff, the tielfing therefore immediately retreats. Afton stabs the thing with his rapier, but the other rats are closing in on the bard- who once again (and with only 4 HP to his name) finds himself in the front line. He therefore shares the last of his bardic inspiration for the day with Lappoy, and then pleads for the High Wizard to come and save him. [ATTACH type="full" alt="506.jpg"]145284[/ATTACH] [B]Lappoy, here to save the day![/B] Lappoy, of course, obliges- a Thunderwave takes out the big bad rat, and another giant rat- while leaving a third all but crippled. Lappoy, naturally, takes a few steps back- leaving, once again, Afton to take the hits. Several of the giant rats flee- disappearing into a variety of tunnels in the walls, but two of the pack remain, and move swiftly to snap and bite the bard. [ATTACH type="full" alt="507.jpg"]145285[/ATTACH] [B]"Oh... I hate this... I'm a bard- I want to live, I want to learn to play the banjo... I only carry this rapier because it came with the set, Lappoy... save me again!"[/B] Seconds later and Afton is down and dying... The Mystical One Eldritch Blasts another of the vermin dead as the bard passes his first Death Save- just to say none of the PCs have any healing (except Afton, when he gets his spells back). [ATTACH type="full" alt="508.jpg"]145286[/ATTACH] [B]Another victory for Lappoy and the Unexpected, and some kind words from the great leader to the brave bard- "Get up Afton, stop acting the giddy goat! I said get up... Oh!"[/B] Then Lappoy strides forward and incinerates the last giant rat with a Fire Bolt, and for max damage, the High Wizard orders his comrades to take care of the bard while he extricates the silver chain from the large giant rat's dead body. The silver chain is dotted with well cut citrines- it's very valuable. Lappoy is giggling. Meantime, Trebbelos manages to stabilise Afton. I'm as surprised about this as you are. [A bunch of giant rats 125 XP] But here's the thing, the Unexpected cannot stay here- the cavern is filth-ridden, but there's also the small matter on an unconscious bard and a pit that needs to be traversed. And so... After a 5-10 minute discussion, heated at times. The Mystical One and Trebbelos make the attempt (neither of them are happy about this), while Lappoy with his Mage Hand helpfully makes pointed suggestions as the duo go about their work. He's very helpful- “No, there you fools!” [ATTACH type="full" alt="509.jpg"]145287[/ATTACH] [B]You can still see Tassit's cold lifeless (and impaled) body in the pit, her soul-less eyes staring into infinity! All very poetic but it was Afton that had to climb down into the pit earlier to get Tassit's things (money).[/B] Do you remember I told you that there were some other inhabitants of the Caves of Chaos that spotted the kobolds leaving their lair? Well, they've been watching operations from the mouth of the kobold cavern, that is until now... So, the observers are a bunch of goblins, and when I say a bunch I mean there are six of them, armed with scimitars and bows. But here's the two remarkable things- the first, The Mystical One and Trebbelos manage to get Afton across the pit, and to safety. Second thing- all of the members of the Unexpected manage to spot the goblins before they launch their attack (I rolled a '1' & '3' +6 with advantage for the goblin's collective Stealth check). However, it gets nasty... [ATTACH type="full" alt="510.jpg"]145288[/ATTACH] [B]The Mystical One starts screaming- she's just seen the goblin's initiative rolls in the combat tracker.[/B] Here's how it goes down- the first goblin scampers in and stabs The Mystical One in the back, and she's bloodied. A second goblin scurries in and repeats the performance, The Mystical One would be down and dying if she hadn't have used her inspiration point to trigger a Healing HD (a house rule- first level PCs only). She lives... still, but only just... Then, you'll like this- a third goblin scurries into sight and shoots The Mystic One in the back, with a Crit, and then rolls max damage on his dice- and now The Mystical One (Meg) is dead. Dead as opposed to unconscious. Pete is sub-happy. Although the laughter more than drowns out his childish caterwauling. Yet another goblin rushes in and shoots Trebbelos, the tiefling sorcerer is on one hit point. I note that I am the only one laughing now, although I think I can hear Rob smirking. So, this is going well. [ATTACH type="full" alt="512.jpg"]145289[/ATTACH] [B]Where's The Mystical One? The latest goblin shooter is using the dead warlock as a perch.[/B] Trebbelos, as with The Mystical One, triggers a Healing HD surge using his inspiration point. Lappoy, the Unexpected, peers around the corner and unleashes his Burning Hands- incinerating two of the goblins in the cavern entrance passage, and leaving the last barely hanging on to life. [ATTACH type="full" alt="513.jpg"]145290[/ATTACH] [B]Where's your money now? Who, if any, will survive?[/B] The wizard swiftly retreats into the filthy rat chamber, and orders Trebbelos in a hissed whisper- to do something similar, “Retreat!” The sorcerer fails to Fire Bolt the badly wounded goblin, and then does as he's told- he retreats, scampering off deeper into the abandoned kobold lair. Alas one of the yet to act goblins rushes into the lair, leaps the pit, and heads off straight after Trebbelos. A second goblin follows the same route, while the badly wounded goblin runs back out of the cavern, heading back to its own lair, and screaming... That can't be a good thing, although the PCs, of course, don't know about this... yet. They can however hear it happening. Then yet another uninjured goblin leaps the pit, and... notices that the sprawled Afton Barr is still breathing. The goblin therefore stabs the bard- he's not dead, but now he's only inches from the grave. Just to make clear, when the three goblins went to leap the pit I rolled a 1d6= 1-2 they head east down the stinky passage towards Lappoy, who is hiding- remember; while 3-6 they go after Trebbelos, who is much visible. I made all of the dice rolls out in the open. Trebbelos' direction every time. [ATTACH type="full" alt="514.jpg"]145291[/ATTACH] [B]Note, Lappoy is staying quiet, just for info the wizard has two inspiration points still to spend.[/B] Meanwhile Afton Barr passes another Death Save, 2-2, it's in the balance. But what's this... [ATTACH type="full" alt="515.jpg"]145292[/ATTACH] [B]Lappoy uses an inspiration point to get advantage on a Stealth check- that's a '21' in total, the wizard sneaks out of the lair- after also conjuring a natural '20' to leap the pit.[/B] Neither the goblins nor Trebbelos witness the High Master's departure. The quartet seem to be otherwise engaged. Lappoy, perhaps less unexpected than usual, is outta there, he's off and running. Trebbelos, after briefly shouting for Lappoy, starts talking at a hundred miles an hour- in the Common tongue, which the goblins sorta understand. He attempts, after stealthily casting Friends, to persuade the approaching goblins, or else the nearest one, that he is a mighty wizard and likely to incinerate them all with a terrible spell. He rolls a '1' and a '3' with his advantage on his check. The goblins are just not buying it... Seconds later and the sorcerer is thwacked into unconsciousness by the two closest goblins, using the flats of the blades. [ATTACH type="full" alt="516.jpg"]145293[/ATTACH] [B]The goblins have a prisoner.[/B] Afton makes his final Death Save. He rolls a '3'. The bard is dead. [Goblin wanderers 300 XP] And Lappoy, boy can the Master of Magics run, he doesn't bother stopping at the Fortune's Five camp, they've heard this song before, the wizard arrives all the way back at the Keep on the Borderlands maybe three hours later. Out of breath. Out of friends, for now... But remember, he's about to become rich. Time to put together a new part of adventurers- the Doubly Unexpected? And I made two random encounter rolls during Lappoy's journey back to the Keep, two because the first roll was half-cocked, you know- electronically. I made the second roll because Rob, who plays Lappoy, was just giggling too hard. I swear he was crying for something like twenty minutes. Boy there was a lot of swearing from the other two. It's time for some new adventurers, of course, oh and captured PCs (Trebbelos) count as dead, but their XP is not distributed, captured PCs need to be rescued, or else their XP is 'released' when they get killed. The pot is up to £27. Although I venture there'll be more to add next session. Stay safe and well you lovely people. Toodles for a bit. Cheers from the High Master of Magics 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