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
The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #134 Are We the Baddies?
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: 8005571" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>WORK IN PROGRESS</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>PCs in Game.</strong></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Scenario #1: The Sunless Citadel.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Sessions 1-11</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Intermission: Downtime in Neverwinter.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Session 12a</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Scenario #2: The Forge of Fury.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Sessions 12b-22</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Scenario #3: Meet the Uthgardt.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Sessions 23-27</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Intermission: Neverwinter Downtime Redux, but Darker.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Sessions 28a-29a</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Scenario #4: The Secrets of Saltmarsh.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center">Sessions 29b-</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong>Adventuring Party: Dark Squad.</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue (Criminal- Smuggler).</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> Dark Squad.</p><p></p><p>[spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Ramshambo escaped a life of terror and servitude when he was bought out of slavery by the infamous dwarven pirate captain Ignatias Rockbeard. Ram, as he is sometimes known, served aboard a variety of vessels for the good captain. First gaining his sea legs and then, after years at the mast, gaining a place amongst Rockbeard’s select crew. Time’s were good, but also bloody and a more than a little terrifying, being a pirate isn’t all shits and giggles as it transpires. Which may have been the reason for Ram’s decision to quit the sea. So, with the blessing of captain Rockbeard, and after promising that he would pay the dwarf back for buying/saving his life, Ram made landfall in Neverwinter. Rockbeard provided him with the name of a friendly face in the city, as it happens- a dwarf called Gundren Rockseeker…</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Sunless Citadel.</p><p><strong>Session #04 Level 2 </strong>The Kobolds are befriended (sorta) and the Goblins are taking a kicking, the Dark Squad's Sunless Citadel adventure is underway- big time.</p><p><strong>Session #07 Level 3 </strong>The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Forge of Fury.</p><p><strong>Session #14 Level 4 </strong>The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black.</p><p><strong>Session #22 Level 5 </strong>More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Secrets of Saltmarsh.</p><p><strong>Session #33a Level 6 </strong>The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done!</p><p><strong>Session #48 Level 7</strong> The Dark Squad on tour of the Saltmarsh region, Big Al Kalhoon's big farm/ranch is liberated from the gnolls. It's anotherDark Squad massacre.</p><p><strong>Session #73 Level 8</strong> The Dark Squad continue their delve beneath Squabblepot, they're finally at the door that will take them to Randall the Black, the first of the Eyes in the Night.</p><p>[/spoiler]</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Vincenzo Delvino (played by Jim/Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid (Anthropologist).</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> Dark Squad.</p><p></p><p>[spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Vincenzo, appears to be a human, and yet if you look real close there’s undoubtedly something animalistic about his form and features. In truth the young would-be explorer is struggling with his identity, and to find a place, a path, or a role for himself in the world. Vince, or else, Vinnie, is devoted to preserving the land, and to ensuring that the ‘civilised’ world- with its strife’s and wars does not despoil the simple beauty that exists all around us. Vinnie has travelled far and wide, mostly working on the great caravan trains for, or with, a variety of merchants- heading north, returning south, only to turn tail and make north again. He has during his journeys seen, heard and tasted enough to know that standing on the edge of the action is not enough. His last job took him to Neverwinter, and eventually into the employ of a dwarf called Gundren Rockseeker…</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Sunless Citadel.</p><p><strong>Session #04 Level 2 </strong>The Kobolds are befriended (sorta) and the Goblins are taking a kicking, the Dark Squad's Sunless Citadel adventure is underway- big time.</p><p><strong>Session #07 Level 3 </strong>The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Forge of Fury.</p><p><strong>Session #14 Level 4 </strong>The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black.</p><p><strong>Session #22 Level 5 </strong>More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Secrets of Saltmarsh.</p><p><strong>Session #33a Level 6 </strong>The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done!</p><p><strong>Session #48 Level 7</strong> The Dark Squad on tour of the Saltmarsh region, Big Al Kalhoon's big farm/ranch is liberated from the gnolls. It's anotherDark Squad massacre.</p><p><strong>Session #73 Level 8</strong> The Dark Squad continue their delve beneath Squabblepot, they're finally at the door that will take them to Randall the Black, the first of the Eyes in the Night.</p><p>[/spoiler]</p><p></p><p><strong>And the new guy-</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>New Tricks or "Newt" (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock (Entertainer).</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> Dark Squad.</p><p></p><p>[spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Always having a way with words, and preferring to perform for his meals rather than work for them Newt easily found his way into the life of an entertainer.</p><p></p><p>He has travelled throughout the Sword Coast (or so he would tell you), seen everything and knows everyone.</p><p></p><p>The acts that came easier to Newt tended toward the more magical, illusions, card tricks, simple attention displacement. However audiences easily bore of such puffery, ever eager to keep their attention Newt was sought out a tired old performer, deep in his cups. After much cajoling this bard taught Newt some magic words for a trick which have never worked for him.</p><p></p><p>They worked for Newt! - after he finished uttering them during his first performance on stage in the Nags Head Tavern - poof - he disappeared in to a fiery portal , transported into a realm of flame. The only distinguishing feature was a huge, burning, unblinking eye.</p><p></p><p>FOOLISH MORTAL! THE SOUL THAT WAS ONCE YOURS NOW BELONGS TO ME!</p><p></p><p>I, BELPHEGOR - TYRANT OF FLAME, SHALL EMPOWER YOU DURING YOUR FLEETING MORTAL EXISTENCE SO THAT YOUR ESSENCE SHALL BE STRONGER IN YOUR ETERNAL SERVICE TO ME.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Sunless Citadel.</p><p><strong>Session #04 Level 2 </strong>Newt joins the Dark Squad, he's in the Sunless Citadel to recover a magical apple- for profit.</p><p><strong>Session #07 Level 3 </strong>The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Forge of Fury.</p><p><strong>Session #14 Level 4 </strong>The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black.</p><p><strong>Session #22 Level 5 </strong>More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Secrets of Saltmarsh.</p><p><strong>Session #33a Level 6 </strong>The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done!</p><p><strong>Session #48 Level 7</strong> The Dark Squad on tour of the Saltmarsh region, Big Al Kalhoon's big farm/ranch is liberated from the gnolls. It's anotherDark Squad massacre.</p><p><strong>Session #73 Level 8</strong> The Dark Squad continue their delve beneath Squabblepot, they're finally at the door that will take them to Randall the Black, the first of the Eyes in the Night.</p><p>[/spoiler]</p><p></p><p><strong>And the other new guy (who's not a new guy)-</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><s>Buggles (played by Stu) Male Wood Elf Fighter/Rogue (Outlander).</s></strong></p><p><s><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> </s>Estranged member of the Dark Squad.</p><p></p><p>[spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]</p><p>I hail originally from a small village in the Neverwinter Wood. My parents were crafters and musicians, and we would regularly journey from the village to Luskan to sell our wares. When I was a child, on one such trip, our caravan was attacked by trolls. My people fought valiantly, but were outnumbered, and it wasn't going well. While the fighting raged, my mother bade me to run off into the woods and hide, and she would find me later. I ran and ran, the trolls chased me for hours. Finally, I collapsed and fell asleep in the moss under an ancient tree. When I awoke, there was no sign of the trolls, but I was freezing and hungry, and I had no supplies aside from my flute, which my father has crafted for me.</p><p></p><p>It was getting dark and I had no idea which way I had come from, so I collected some wood and managed to get a small fire going, played my flute, then fell asleep again hoping my parents would find me.</p><p></p><p>When I awoke in the morning, I found a basket with fruits and fresh bread laid on the moss nearby, which I hungrily ate. Whilst I ate and wondered where it had come from, a lady appeared to me out of the tree. She was a Dryad called Mother Willow, and she saved my life and looked after me for the next few years, along with her friends – Grayam the Gruff and the Sprites, Flit and Wit.</p><p></p><p>Mother Willow told me my parents has been killed by the trolls, but when I had my strength back I ventured back to the road to see for myself. Sure enough, the caravans were all smashed and looted, and there were still trolls there prowling about and searching the last of the supplies, so I crept back to the grove.</p><p></p><p>I was free to come and go as I pleased, and I went back to our village a few times afterwards, but it wasn’t the same without my family and their friends there. They were amazed to see me alive, and listened to my tale of what happened, but I never told them about Mother Willow and my new friends. After a few days, I left again and went back to the grove, but I visited from time to time afterwards.</p><p></p><p>As I got older, I ranged far and wide around the wood, scouting the terrain, learning the ways of the forest, and even slaying some foul beasts. I had learned the two weapon fighting technique favoured by my father, and my trusty bow. There seemed to be a growing sickness in the forest - wolves bears attacking the villagers, swarms of biting insects, and Mother Willow and the others were very concerned about it. They could feel a disturbance in the Feywild which was affecting the forest.</p><p></p><p>Then, a month or so ago a ranger I’d had spoken to once or twice, a bit of a wild man called Karakas, mentioned two things - the Sunless Citadel, I knew where this was and... the Outcast.</p><p></p><p>That was the name my village gave to Belak the Druid, only I didn't make the connection until now.</p><p></p><p>So, I decided to set out alone and went to the Sunless Citadel to see what could be done. I crept most of the way through the caverns, and saw the bodies of many slain goblins and then below - into the Twilight Grove... I realised mighty heroes were just ahead of me, perhaps on the same path...</p><p></p><p>~ The Adventures of Buggles ~</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Sunless Citadel.</p><p><strong>Session #06 Level Ftr 1/Rog 1 </strong>Buggles joins the Dark Squad, he's in the Sunless Citadel to find and kill the Outcast, he's after revenge.</p><p><strong>Session #07 Level Ftr 1/Rog 2 </strong>The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Forge of Fury.</p><p><strong>Session #14 Level Ftr 1/Rog 3 </strong>The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black.</p><p><strong>Session #22 Level Ftr 2/Rog 3 </strong>More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Secrets of Saltmarsh.</p><p><strong>Session #33a Level Ftr 3/Rog 3 </strong>The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done!</p><p>[/spoiler]</p><p></p><p><strong>NPC</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Daktari (played by Jim/Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian (Outlander).</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> Dark Squad.</p><p></p><p>[spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Daktari is sent to pick up the Eyes in the Night = Dark Squad, as part of some ancient Uthgardt prophecy, and to bring the fellows to meet with Old Mare, the tribe's wise woman.</p><p></p><p>Later the cosmopolitan barbarian- 'I haz bath once!' ventures to the Land of the Bad Dead (Uthgardt) Ancestors and wins their hearts- mainly with his ability to stand in the thick of the action and take a lot of hits. Mainly because that saves them from taking hits.</p><p></p><p>"I iz Tank, da?"</p><p></p><p>Oh, Daktari, and all of the other Uthgardt barbarians speak in terrible cod-Russian.</p><p></p><p>"Meenya zaboot Daktari!"</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> Meet the Uthgardt.</p><p><strong>Session #23 Level 5 </strong>The Dark Squad meet with Daktari, worldly-wise barbarian speaker for the Sky Pony tribe. It's fair to say they like the Schlapp drinking barbarian from the off, the tough but beautifully coiffured man mountain accompanies the Dark Squad on their adventure.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Secrets of Saltmarsh.</p><p><strong>Session #33a Level 6 </strong>The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done!</p><p><strong>Session #48 Level 7</strong> The Dark Squad on tour of the Saltmarsh region, Big Al Kalhoon's big farm/ranch is liberated from the gnolls. It's anotherDark Squad massacre.</p><p><strong>Session #73 Level 8</strong> The Dark Squad continue their delve beneath Squabblepot, they're finally at the door that will take them to Randall the Black, the first of the Eyes in the Night.</p><p>[/spoiler]</p><p></p><p><strong><s>Tarbin Tul (played by Goonalan) Male Human Bard.</s></strong></p><p><s><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> Dark Squad.</s> <strong>RETIRED</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>PC turned NPC-</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong><s>Garumn (no longer played by Stu) Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin (Guild Artisan- Jeweller)</s> RIP</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> Dark Squad.</p><p></p><p>[spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Garumn is a peaceable and convivial young dwarf (yeah, you read that right) with a massive greatsword (that’s better). He worked with his father at the forge, then eventually went his own way and trained and was employed as a jeweller, a gem cutter. His work held him in thrall for a time- the best part of a decade, then however Moradin came calling. Hard years of intense training and he was finally, at last- with a glad heart, ready to be unleashed on the world to do right, and right wrongs. The wanderlust bug had also bit him. Garumn has, over the last half-a-dozen-or-so years, worked his way down the Sword Coast to the balmy shores of Neverwinter, and there found employment working for the Rockseeker Mining Consortium. At some point during his employ the affable dwarf manged to worm his way into the thoughts of Gundren Rockseeker, the co-owner of the concern. So, when Gundren contacted him to set up a meeting, well… you’ll see.</p><p></p><p>Stu wrote-</p><p></p><p>"Me roots are in the FrostPeak Mountains but when me da got wind of what was going on down south back when Clan Battlehammer was besieged by Obould and his orc hoard, he joined a force sent south to help out. He fought against the orcs in that war, and settled in Mithral Hall afterwards, joining Clan Battlehammer. I'm named for the Treaty of Garumn's Gorge, signed by Bruenor Battlehammer himself, which ended the war, more or less. Me da always taught me there are better ways than fighting, but that sometimes its the only way. Me da was a blacksmith when he wasn't fighting and I was always hanging around the forges as a lad. Smithing came easy as a dwarf, but soon the gemstones caught me eye. Not for their value, but for their beauty, so I learned that too and now I'm as as good a gem-cutter and setter as anyone around. Soon after I joined the temple but me spell casting wasn't as strong as me sword arm, so instead of becoming a cleric I became a paladin of moradin. Me Da and Ma still live at Mithral Hall, but adventure called me and Moradin seems to approve of me life on the road. I've traveled a bit - over to Mirabar, Adbarr and even to Silvery Moon once. I like meeting different folks and seeing what they been doing with steel and gems. Some of me friends are orcs, which me Da always laughs about cos he spent half his life fighting em, but he was as glad as anyone when Bruenor signed the Treaty, so glad that he named me after it."</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Sunless Citadel.</p><p><strong>Session #04 Level 2 & alas Stu can no-longer play on a Tuesday- Garumn becomes an NPC.</strong></p><p><strong>Session #07 Level 3 </strong>The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong> The Forge of Fury.</p><p><strong>Session #14 Level 4 </strong>The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black.</p><p><strong>Session #22 Level 5 </strong>More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon.</p><p><strong>Session #22 RIP </strong>When (above) I said everything was dead- well, that includes Garumn, the Dwarf was killed by Idalla the Succubus with one smoochalishious kiss, he's been living on borrowed time, now Moradin wants him back.</p><p>[/spoiler]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Adventuring Party: The Twilight Squad.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>NPCs turned PCs-</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Halibert Shambles (played by Bear) Male Human Fighter (Fisher) Lvl 2.</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> The Twilight Squad.</p><p></p><p><strong>Grumpy Slagg (played by Kev) Male Dwarf Monk (Criminal) Lvl 2.</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> The Twilight Squad.</p><p></p><p><strong>Porthole Slagg (played by Jim) Male Dwarf Barbarian (Pirate) Lvl 2.</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> The Twilight Squad.</p><p></p><p><strong>NPC</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Nancy (played by Goonalan) Female Human Cleric of Poseidon & Umberlee (Acolyte) Lvl 2.</strong></p><p><strong>Adventuring Party:</strong> The Twilight Squad.</p><p></p><p><strong>NPC Hireling</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Cuthbert Tetley (played by Goonalan) Male Human Goxhill Militiaman (Guard).</strong></p><p></p><p>[spoiler= The Twilight Squad Big Book of the Dead.]This is, simply put, a list of all of the enemies that have been slaughtered by The Twilight Squad- all of 'em- in all of their adventures, nuff said.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventures:</strong> Secrets of Saltmarsh- The Goxhill Kobolds.</p><p><strong>Session:</strong> 44.</p><p></p><p><strong>CR 0 (10 XP each)</strong></p><p></p><p>Kobold, Non-Combatant x 15</p><p></p><p><strong>CR 1/8 (25 XP each)</strong></p><p></p><p>Kobold x 35</p><p>Rat, Giant x 15</p><p></p><p><strong>CR 1/4 (50 XP each)</strong></p><p></p><p>Kobold, Tough x 3</p><p>Rat, Giant- Diseased x 1</p><p></p><p><strong>CR 1/2 (100 XP each)</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>CR 1 (200 XP each)</strong></p><p></p><p>Kobold, Chief x 1</p><p></p><p>[/spoiler]</p><p></p><p>[spoiler= The Twilight Squad Down & Dying- all adventures.]This is, simply put, a list of the times when the various members of The Twilight Squad have been rendered unconscious, that is reduced to 0 HP and/or below.</p><p></p><p>Why record this you ask you ask- simples, I want to see if the threat is constant (and I'm doing a good job) or else that at lower levels is when D&D 5e is at its most dangerous.</p><p></p><p>Also, I just like the idea of reminding the players/PCs of their lack of immortality, the close calls they've had en route to adventure.</p><p></p><p><strong>Adventure:</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Session :</strong></p><p></p><p>[/spoiler]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 8005571, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]WORK IN PROGRESS[/B][/CENTER] [B]PCs in Game.[/B] [CENTER][B]Scenario #1: The Sunless Citadel.[/B] Sessions 1-11 [B]Intermission: Downtime in Neverwinter.[/B] Session 12a [B]Scenario #2: The Forge of Fury.[/B] Sessions 12b-22 [B]Scenario #3: Meet the Uthgardt.[/B] Sessions 23-27 [B]Intermission: Neverwinter Downtime Redux, but Darker.[/B] Sessions 28a-29a [B]Scenario #4: The Secrets of Saltmarsh.[/B] Sessions 29b- [B]Adventuring Party: Dark Squad.[/B][/CENTER] [B]Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue (Criminal- Smuggler). Adventuring Party:[/B] Dark Squad. [spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Ramshambo escaped a life of terror and servitude when he was bought out of slavery by the infamous dwarven pirate captain Ignatias Rockbeard. Ram, as he is sometimes known, served aboard a variety of vessels for the good captain. First gaining his sea legs and then, after years at the mast, gaining a place amongst Rockbeard’s select crew. Time’s were good, but also bloody and a more than a little terrifying, being a pirate isn’t all shits and giggles as it transpires. Which may have been the reason for Ram’s decision to quit the sea. So, with the blessing of captain Rockbeard, and after promising that he would pay the dwarf back for buying/saving his life, Ram made landfall in Neverwinter. Rockbeard provided him with the name of a friendly face in the city, as it happens- a dwarf called Gundren Rockseeker… [B]Adventure:[/B] The Sunless Citadel. [B]Session #04 Level 2 [/B]The Kobolds are befriended (sorta) and the Goblins are taking a kicking, the Dark Squad's Sunless Citadel adventure is underway- big time. [B]Session #07 Level 3 [/B]The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Forge of Fury. [B]Session #14 Level 4 [/B]The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black. [B]Session #22 Level 5 [/B]More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Secrets of Saltmarsh. [B]Session #33a Level 6 [/B]The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done! [B]Session #48 Level 7[/B] The Dark Squad on tour of the Saltmarsh region, Big Al Kalhoon's big farm/ranch is liberated from the gnolls. It's anotherDark Squad massacre. [B]Session #73 Level 8[/B] The Dark Squad continue their delve beneath Squabblepot, they're finally at the door that will take them to Randall the Black, the first of the Eyes in the Night. [/spoiler] [B]Vincenzo Delvino (played by Jim/Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid (Anthropologist). Adventuring Party:[/B] Dark Squad. [spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Vincenzo, appears to be a human, and yet if you look real close there’s undoubtedly something animalistic about his form and features. In truth the young would-be explorer is struggling with his identity, and to find a place, a path, or a role for himself in the world. Vince, or else, Vinnie, is devoted to preserving the land, and to ensuring that the ‘civilised’ world- with its strife’s and wars does not despoil the simple beauty that exists all around us. Vinnie has travelled far and wide, mostly working on the great caravan trains for, or with, a variety of merchants- heading north, returning south, only to turn tail and make north again. He has during his journeys seen, heard and tasted enough to know that standing on the edge of the action is not enough. His last job took him to Neverwinter, and eventually into the employ of a dwarf called Gundren Rockseeker… [B]Adventure:[/B] The Sunless Citadel. [B]Session #04 Level 2 [/B]The Kobolds are befriended (sorta) and the Goblins are taking a kicking, the Dark Squad's Sunless Citadel adventure is underway- big time. [B]Session #07 Level 3 [/B]The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Forge of Fury. [B]Session #14 Level 4 [/B]The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black. [B]Session #22 Level 5 [/B]More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Secrets of Saltmarsh. [B]Session #33a Level 6 [/B]The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done! [B]Session #48 Level 7[/B] The Dark Squad on tour of the Saltmarsh region, Big Al Kalhoon's big farm/ranch is liberated from the gnolls. It's anotherDark Squad massacre. [B]Session #73 Level 8[/B] The Dark Squad continue their delve beneath Squabblepot, they're finally at the door that will take them to Randall the Black, the first of the Eyes in the Night. [/spoiler] [B]And the new guy- New Tricks or "Newt" (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock (Entertainer). Adventuring Party:[/B] Dark Squad. [spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Always having a way with words, and preferring to perform for his meals rather than work for them Newt easily found his way into the life of an entertainer. He has travelled throughout the Sword Coast (or so he would tell you), seen everything and knows everyone. The acts that came easier to Newt tended toward the more magical, illusions, card tricks, simple attention displacement. However audiences easily bore of such puffery, ever eager to keep their attention Newt was sought out a tired old performer, deep in his cups. After much cajoling this bard taught Newt some magic words for a trick which have never worked for him. They worked for Newt! - after he finished uttering them during his first performance on stage in the Nags Head Tavern - poof - he disappeared in to a fiery portal , transported into a realm of flame. The only distinguishing feature was a huge, burning, unblinking eye. FOOLISH MORTAL! THE SOUL THAT WAS ONCE YOURS NOW BELONGS TO ME! I, BELPHEGOR - TYRANT OF FLAME, SHALL EMPOWER YOU DURING YOUR FLEETING MORTAL EXISTENCE SO THAT YOUR ESSENCE SHALL BE STRONGER IN YOUR ETERNAL SERVICE TO ME. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Sunless Citadel. [B]Session #04 Level 2 [/B]Newt joins the Dark Squad, he's in the Sunless Citadel to recover a magical apple- for profit. [B]Session #07 Level 3 [/B]The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Forge of Fury. [B]Session #14 Level 4 [/B]The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black. [B]Session #22 Level 5 [/B]More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Secrets of Saltmarsh. [B]Session #33a Level 6 [/B]The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done! [B]Session #48 Level 7[/B] The Dark Squad on tour of the Saltmarsh region, Big Al Kalhoon's big farm/ranch is liberated from the gnolls. It's anotherDark Squad massacre. [B]Session #73 Level 8[/B] The Dark Squad continue their delve beneath Squabblepot, they're finally at the door that will take them to Randall the Black, the first of the Eyes in the Night. [/spoiler] [B]And the other new guy (who's not a new guy)- [S]Buggles (played by Stu) Male Wood Elf Fighter/Rogue (Outlander).[/S][/B] [S][B]Adventuring Party:[/B] [/S]Estranged member of the Dark Squad. [spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!] I hail originally from a small village in the Neverwinter Wood. My parents were crafters and musicians, and we would regularly journey from the village to Luskan to sell our wares. When I was a child, on one such trip, our caravan was attacked by trolls. My people fought valiantly, but were outnumbered, and it wasn't going well. While the fighting raged, my mother bade me to run off into the woods and hide, and she would find me later. I ran and ran, the trolls chased me for hours. Finally, I collapsed and fell asleep in the moss under an ancient tree. When I awoke, there was no sign of the trolls, but I was freezing and hungry, and I had no supplies aside from my flute, which my father has crafted for me. It was getting dark and I had no idea which way I had come from, so I collected some wood and managed to get a small fire going, played my flute, then fell asleep again hoping my parents would find me. When I awoke in the morning, I found a basket with fruits and fresh bread laid on the moss nearby, which I hungrily ate. Whilst I ate and wondered where it had come from, a lady appeared to me out of the tree. She was a Dryad called Mother Willow, and she saved my life and looked after me for the next few years, along with her friends – Grayam the Gruff and the Sprites, Flit and Wit. Mother Willow told me my parents has been killed by the trolls, but when I had my strength back I ventured back to the road to see for myself. Sure enough, the caravans were all smashed and looted, and there were still trolls there prowling about and searching the last of the supplies, so I crept back to the grove. I was free to come and go as I pleased, and I went back to our village a few times afterwards, but it wasn’t the same without my family and their friends there. They were amazed to see me alive, and listened to my tale of what happened, but I never told them about Mother Willow and my new friends. After a few days, I left again and went back to the grove, but I visited from time to time afterwards. As I got older, I ranged far and wide around the wood, scouting the terrain, learning the ways of the forest, and even slaying some foul beasts. I had learned the two weapon fighting technique favoured by my father, and my trusty bow. There seemed to be a growing sickness in the forest - wolves bears attacking the villagers, swarms of biting insects, and Mother Willow and the others were very concerned about it. They could feel a disturbance in the Feywild which was affecting the forest. Then, a month or so ago a ranger I’d had spoken to once or twice, a bit of a wild man called Karakas, mentioned two things - the Sunless Citadel, I knew where this was and... the Outcast. That was the name my village gave to Belak the Druid, only I didn't make the connection until now. So, I decided to set out alone and went to the Sunless Citadel to see what could be done. I crept most of the way through the caverns, and saw the bodies of many slain goblins and then below - into the Twilight Grove... I realised mighty heroes were just ahead of me, perhaps on the same path... ~ The Adventures of Buggles ~ [B]Adventure:[/B] The Sunless Citadel. [B]Session #06 Level Ftr 1/Rog 1 [/B]Buggles joins the Dark Squad, he's in the Sunless Citadel to find and kill the Outcast, he's after revenge. [B]Session #07 Level Ftr 1/Rog 2 [/B]The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Forge of Fury. [B]Session #14 Level Ftr 1/Rog 3 [/B]The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black. [B]Session #22 Level Ftr 2/Rog 3 [/B]More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Secrets of Saltmarsh. [B]Session #33a Level Ftr 3/Rog 3 [/B]The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done! [/spoiler] [B]NPC Daktari (played by Jim/Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian (Outlander). Adventuring Party:[/B] Dark Squad. [spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Daktari is sent to pick up the Eyes in the Night = Dark Squad, as part of some ancient Uthgardt prophecy, and to bring the fellows to meet with Old Mare, the tribe's wise woman. Later the cosmopolitan barbarian- 'I haz bath once!' ventures to the Land of the Bad Dead (Uthgardt) Ancestors and wins their hearts- mainly with his ability to stand in the thick of the action and take a lot of hits. Mainly because that saves them from taking hits. "I iz Tank, da?" Oh, Daktari, and all of the other Uthgardt barbarians speak in terrible cod-Russian. "Meenya zaboot Daktari!" [B]Adventure:[/B] Meet the Uthgardt. [B]Session #23 Level 5 [/B]The Dark Squad meet with Daktari, worldly-wise barbarian speaker for the Sky Pony tribe. It's fair to say they like the Schlapp drinking barbarian from the off, the tough but beautifully coiffured man mountain accompanies the Dark Squad on their adventure. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Secrets of Saltmarsh. [B]Session #33a Level 6 [/B]The ruined temple of Abbathor is cleared of enemies and the ensuing gnoll pack attack defeated, it's time to get bang & Olafsson (dwarven mining enginners) back to Mansitrad Copperlocks (the boss) and Farhill Mine. Job done! [B]Session #48 Level 7[/B] The Dark Squad on tour of the Saltmarsh region, Big Al Kalhoon's big farm/ranch is liberated from the gnolls. It's anotherDark Squad massacre. [B]Session #73 Level 8[/B] The Dark Squad continue their delve beneath Squabblepot, they're finally at the door that will take them to Randall the Black, the first of the Eyes in the Night. [/spoiler] [B][S]Tarbin Tul (played by Goonalan) Male Human Bard.[/S][/B] [S][B]Adventuring Party:[/B] Dark Squad.[/S] [B]RETIRED PC turned NPC- [S]Garumn (no longer played by Stu) Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin (Guild Artisan- Jeweller)[/S] RIP Adventuring Party:[/B] Dark Squad. [spoiler= History- WARNING SPOILERS!]Garumn is a peaceable and convivial young dwarf (yeah, you read that right) with a massive greatsword (that’s better). He worked with his father at the forge, then eventually went his own way and trained and was employed as a jeweller, a gem cutter. His work held him in thrall for a time- the best part of a decade, then however Moradin came calling. Hard years of intense training and he was finally, at last- with a glad heart, ready to be unleashed on the world to do right, and right wrongs. The wanderlust bug had also bit him. Garumn has, over the last half-a-dozen-or-so years, worked his way down the Sword Coast to the balmy shores of Neverwinter, and there found employment working for the Rockseeker Mining Consortium. At some point during his employ the affable dwarf manged to worm his way into the thoughts of Gundren Rockseeker, the co-owner of the concern. So, when Gundren contacted him to set up a meeting, well… you’ll see. Stu wrote- "Me roots are in the FrostPeak Mountains but when me da got wind of what was going on down south back when Clan Battlehammer was besieged by Obould and his orc hoard, he joined a force sent south to help out. He fought against the orcs in that war, and settled in Mithral Hall afterwards, joining Clan Battlehammer. I'm named for the Treaty of Garumn's Gorge, signed by Bruenor Battlehammer himself, which ended the war, more or less. Me da always taught me there are better ways than fighting, but that sometimes its the only way. Me da was a blacksmith when he wasn't fighting and I was always hanging around the forges as a lad. Smithing came easy as a dwarf, but soon the gemstones caught me eye. Not for their value, but for their beauty, so I learned that too and now I'm as as good a gem-cutter and setter as anyone around. Soon after I joined the temple but me spell casting wasn't as strong as me sword arm, so instead of becoming a cleric I became a paladin of moradin. Me Da and Ma still live at Mithral Hall, but adventure called me and Moradin seems to approve of me life on the road. I've traveled a bit - over to Mirabar, Adbarr and even to Silvery Moon once. I like meeting different folks and seeing what they been doing with steel and gems. Some of me friends are orcs, which me Da always laughs about cos he spent half his life fighting em, but he was as glad as anyone when Bruenor signed the Treaty, so glad that he named me after it." [B]Adventure:[/B] The Sunless Citadel. [B]Session #04 Level 2 & alas Stu can no-longer play on a Tuesday- Garumn becomes an NPC. Session #07 Level 3 [/B]The Goblins- above and below, are mostly dead, certainly Durn & Grenl, the Dark Squad have beat their way through to the Twilight Grove, next stop- the climax. [B]Adventure:[/B] The Forge of Fury. [B]Session #14 Level 4 [/B]The Orcs and their various leaders are destroyed, the Dark Squad have entered the Mountain Door and discover the Grand Stair- the way down to the lost forges of Durgeddin the Black. [B]Session #22 Level 5 [/B]More or less everything's dead in the Forge of Fury, Arundil the Ghost is laid to rest and the Dark Squad are on their way below to fight a Black Dragon. [B]Session #22 RIP [/B]When (above) I said everything was dead- well, that includes Garumn, the Dwarf was killed by Idalla the Succubus with one smoochalishious kiss, he's been living on borrowed time, now Moradin wants him back. [/spoiler] [CENTER][B]Adventuring Party: The Twilight Squad.[/B][/CENTER] [B]NPCs turned PCs- Halibert Shambles (played by Bear) Male Human Fighter (Fisher) Lvl 2. Adventuring Party:[/B] The Twilight Squad. [B]Grumpy Slagg (played by Kev) Male Dwarf Monk (Criminal) Lvl 2. Adventuring Party:[/B] The Twilight Squad. [B]Porthole Slagg (played by Jim) Male Dwarf Barbarian (Pirate) Lvl 2. Adventuring Party:[/B] The Twilight Squad. [B]NPC Nancy (played by Goonalan) Female Human Cleric of Poseidon & Umberlee (Acolyte) Lvl 2. Adventuring Party:[/B] The Twilight Squad. [B]NPC Hireling Cuthbert Tetley (played by Goonalan) Male Human Goxhill Militiaman (Guard).[/B] [spoiler= The Twilight Squad Big Book of the Dead.]This is, simply put, a list of all of the enemies that have been slaughtered by The Twilight Squad- all of 'em- in all of their adventures, nuff said. [B]Adventures:[/B] Secrets of Saltmarsh- The Goxhill Kobolds. [B]Session:[/B] 44. [B]CR 0 (10 XP each)[/B] Kobold, Non-Combatant x 15 [B]CR 1/8 (25 XP each)[/B] Kobold x 35 Rat, Giant x 15 [B]CR 1/4 (50 XP each)[/B] Kobold, Tough x 3 Rat, Giant- Diseased x 1 [B]CR 1/2 (100 XP each) CR 1 (200 XP each)[/B] Kobold, Chief x 1 [/spoiler] [spoiler= The Twilight Squad Down & Dying- all adventures.]This is, simply put, a list of the times when the various members of The Twilight Squad have been rendered unconscious, that is reduced to 0 HP and/or below. Why record this you ask you ask- simples, I want to see if the threat is constant (and I'm doing a good job) or else that at lower levels is when D&D 5e is at its most dangerous. Also, I just like the idea of reminding the players/PCs of their lack of immortality, the close calls they've had en route to adventure. [B]Adventure: Session :[/B] [/spoiler] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #134 Are We the Baddies?
Top