OSR Introducing: The Mighty TBDs. A B/X adventure log.

Yes. But I like 0 KO. -1 to -3 bleeding and then dead. You get hit hard enough to go past -3 you're just dead. Ive done variations here and there. -10 or -Con bonus (in 3rd ed plus). -3 seems just right.
That's the 1E AD&D rule with the "optionally as low as -3" part included. :) Yeah, I like it.
 

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The group was down a Halfling but chose to venture out anyways with their new Bard friend who replaced the Elf.

They went back to the Goblin caves and finished off a few stragglers but poor Dimli the Dwarf was KOed they slung him over thier shoulders before declaring "This cave is clean".

chrome session GIF


They found a nice horde of treasure for all their troubles and carted it (and Dimli) back to the Keep.

The couple of days pass as the heal up and spend some gold. The Brothers of Law selling them a couple of healing potions and a scroll of healing.

The Fighter of Neutral alignment decided he wanted to visit the Lizardfolk near the river. They did not seem pleased to see interlopers. They growled and hissed and brandished their weapons without directly attacking. Fighter wanted to charge in and combat them but the others said they weren't harassing us and saw no reason to assault them. He gave over and they instead decided to see out the Hermit living in a nearby ruined tower.

The Hermit saw them coming and ducked inside his home and told them to go away. The Fighter asked if it would be okay to light his home on fire. The others again told him that would not be good as he had done nothing to them. He yelled out at them a cave nearby full of monster and if they would be nice enough to die near the entrance so he can loot thier stuff.

They entered the cave and after a long trek NE they came to some worked stone. Taking the first passage east they found a large room with a throne. The throne had 3 large Rubys embedded in it. Nearby stood 8 skeletons who did not move or attack... until they touched the throne!

The Cleric tries to turn undead but it fails so a melee erurpts! Blows are traded but the heroes win and claim the rubys.

They then try a western passage until to be jumped by zombies! The Cleric is immediately slain and soon Dimli is once again KOed. The thief is almost slain but a quick potion down her throat gets her back up.

Things look dire until the group starts lobbing flasks of burning oil at them. That combined with sword strikes and arrows finally takes them down.... and no treasure.

The group carts the cleric outside and buries her and starts heading back to the Keep. As they pass the Hermit the Fighter decides to try a different tactic and asks the Hermit if he can look inside his dwelling for 100 gold pieces. The Hermit agrees as long as it's just him.

The Fighter enters. See's it's just a ramshackle hermit home and leaves. But not before the HeIrmit hands him wooden cup with a fresh engraving that says "I went into the Hermits home and all I got was this stupid cup."

They got back to the keep. Divided the treasure and went about finding a new Cleric.


---things would be a lot more deadly if i wasn't using -3 death and have a couple of potions/scrolls for sale. I'm not sure I like the flaming oil flasks. On one had possible TPK if they didn't have them (though they could have run I suppose) but 1D8 and splash damage seems pretty good for 2 gold a pop.

Edit: Turns out I was using "Splash" to liberally. It doesn't "splash" onto adjacent squares it just means it soaks the target. So a booboo in their favor. Ill do it right next time.
 
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The Fighter enters. See's it's just a ramshackle hermit home and leaves. But not before the HeIrmit hands him wooden cup with a fresh engraving that says "I went into the Hermits home and all I got was this stupid cup."
Perfect. I hope the fighter's new nemesis continues to show up.

Edit: Turns out I was using "Splash" to liberally. It doesn't "splash" onto adjacent squares it just means it soaks the target. So a booboo in their favor. Ill do it right next time.
Splash damage is fun though.. Maybe give it a %chance to splash for half damage?
 


The Hireling Cleric graduated to a full fledged party member as the old clerics player decided to use her.

The Halfling now done resting rejoined the group.

Party:
Cleric
Halfling
Bard
Fighter
Thief
Wizard
Dwarf Hireling

They head back out to the undead area of the caves near the Keep.

They pass the Hermit who is now sporting a new new vest. Some shiny rhinestone boots. A silver plated spade for his garden and his hermit hut has a fresh coat of paint.

"Special deal today." He says. "Just 75 gold to look in my hut. Could be some cool stuff to see in there!"

They proceed North and eventually find a sloped passage. They use pitons to work their way up. At the top they find 4 cultists waiting for them. Spells are cast and the beefier types all run away in fear while the others get into a fight.

The remaining party keeps it a stalemate until the beefier types get over their fear and run back to turn the tide.

In a side passage that ends up in area with a sacrificial alter. Upon it are several blood covered items.

The Thief grabs on item while the Halfling grabs the other 3. Saving throws! The thief fails and is secret possessed by a demon. The Halfling passes all his saves but decides he will never part with the objects.

The group continues deeper and uncovers a secret door which leads to a richerly adorned room with a well armed and armored cleric is surprised. They attack! And Uh oh the Thief goes all Exorcist and tries to backstab the Cleric but misses!

levitating the exorcist GIF



The Evil Cleric casts Fear on them and again the beefier types run.

Now you would think an NPC with 21 AC facing off against people with +0 to hit and maybe a +2 from Str bonus would have an easy time here. Except I swear to Bahamut if it wasn't a roll of a 19 it was a nat 20.

Also didn't help that When my Evil Cleric hit he would do minimum damage :( 2D8 damage? 2 damage.

Seeing things turning to poo as the beefier types run back he swallows a potion of gaseous form to escape....

so i choose to read the potion in the book. This version of the spell is "you drop all of your gear"

What? For real? Apparently so. So woo! magic plate, magic shield, magic staff! And once they loot his room a ton of gems and coins as well.

Oh the possessed thief? Tried her hardest to kill the cleric but just couldnt land the blow. They end up dogpiling her and tying her up.

They hoof it back to the Keep and visit the lawful temple. They examine the thief and they must either return the objects or destroy them. Thats their best guess.

They also sale all their treasure except for the sacrificial stuff and make level 2! Except eh Wiz who still needs about 500xp. They earned a good 1150 xp each from treasure and monsters.

The next day with a tied up thief they go back to the alter and place the item the thief touched on it. It does nothing. The Wiz picks it up and like the Halfling doesn't wish to part with it (avoids possession though).

Well now what? 2 of the party members dont want to leave the items or destroy them. An argument ensues. Luckily everyone but the Bard is playing Neutral so his objections fall on deaf ears.

They decide to cart the Thief back to be watched by the clerics while they come up with an alternate plan that doesn't involve destroying their precious treasures.

Yas Omg GIF by O&O, Inc


---

As DM I'll find a way to de-possess her via a quest in the undead/cult parts of the cave. Perhaps the naked evil cleric pops back up and killing him fixes it. I'll think of something.
 

The Lawful Clerics where able to induce a spiritual coma in the demon possessing the Thief so she could again aid the group. It will wear off quickly though so the heroes must find a way to remove the possession ASAP.

They also divine that some magic that can help in a nearby ruined Palace (of the Silver Princess). The Heroes set out immediately to the mountains in the north.

Half way there they spy a Cave Bear minding it's business. Can't have that so they attack. It would have killed 3 if not for some quick healing but the bear only kills the Wizard who for reasons decided to get into melee.

2/3rd of the way there they enter a run down town guarded by what look like mercs instead of guards. The men are told to be indoors before sundown as it is the law of the Lady D'mir who resides in the manor.

The women think this quite amusing while the men are happy enough to drink and eat at the tavern before retiring to bed.

donna lynne champlin comedy GIF by Another Period


The girls wander the streets thinking they are safe because "There are no men" but I remind them that women can stab you in the back and steal your pouch just as easy as a dude. They peek into a dark alley and then decide to retire as well to the inn. They meet an Elf who is happy to join the group.

The next day they continue to the mountains and find the ruined the palace and enter it.

The find a branching path and take the eastern route. The soon find a room filled with clear water that occasionally bubbles. Whats causing the bubbles?

The Fighter shoots an arrow into the water which causes 12 large bubbles to surfer and attack! It's an easy fight except for the Dwarf who is paralyzed and almost drowned, but they rescue him before he drowns.

Further on they descend some stairs that just dead What can they do? Bust through the wall of course!

Taking a couple of hours to chip away with a hammer and pitons they get through the not-so-secret door and continue on.

The eventually find a room with paintings of a princess holding a large ruby and a knight in blue armor. They search and search for a secret door but can't find it. They try back into the hallway and do find a secret door.

Behind this secret door is a small room with 4 statues and a book on a bench. The Fighter runs in to get the book but disturbs an acidic ooze! He quickly flees while others rush in. The battle is quick but several weapons are lost to the acid. Luckily they all had backup weapons. And no armor was lost!

Art 8Bit GIF


The book was a story about a princess who meets a blue armored knight and marries him. Her "heart" is hidden in a wooden box somewhere in the castle. Is this the ruby?

They backtrack and take a different passage and find a door. It opens into a closet where sweet moldy air wafts out. It knocks out 2 of the heroes. They ones still awake drag the sleeping ones away and wake them and proceed onward.

Back near the entrance, they try another door and find a storage room that seems a safe place to rest for a moment.
 
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Upon waking in their safe room the group heads back to the entrance of the ruined palace and find a shiny new cleric wanting to join them. She was out seeking her fortune as well. Happy for more healing they head to the west side of the palace.

After a couple of confrontations with Kobolds and a super short battle with a Carrion Crawler they uncover a magic wand (of detect secret doors). Unfortunately, until it can be studied and IDed it's useless.

Going further in the Bard finds a trap that the Thief missed and falls into a pit and gets KOed. They drag him out and the new cleric hits him with a cure spell to get him back on his feet. Further and further....

Down some stairs and into a cavern they find a statue of a woman and her child. Several more kobolds are trying to deface it. Before the party can attack though ANOTHER adventuring party comes from another passage. "Those kobolds and any treasure are ours!" yells one of them.

The Fighter who likes to rush into battles he doesn't need to start rushes them. Its a 3 way battle!

The Elf casts sleep knocking out all the Kobolds and half of the other adventurers.

Fighter wondering if this was a good idea to start something when there was nothing soon regrets it as his head is cleaved from his body. :(

Kill Him Remember The Time GIF


Soon the other party surrenders as they are outnumbered. The oldest cleric (not the new) decides to help these poor guys and decides to take them back to town and help them out for awhile.

After looting Fighters body (new cleric takes that magic armor) the group checks out the statue. There is a hex shape at the base for something to fit inside of... gotta keep that in mind.

They proceed further and find a bathhouse area, where they find another cleric and an assassin also out for glory and decide to join the group.. In one room they find a glowing keyhole and the Halfling sticks a random key they found in it... setting off a trap. A slab from the ceiling falls but he dives out of harms way. Need to find the right key...

In a pool of water they see a large diamond. A couple wade in but are paralyzed by the toxins in the water and almost drown but luckily their friends get them out.

Finding a room full of towels the Halfling declares "I am giving up we never find anything!" as he shakes some of the old towels and out falls a golden key (this really happened it was hilarious). He sheepishly picks it up and they head back to the keyhole in the wall.



Upon inserting it a silver glowing sword appears in the air. He reaches out for it but a phantom soldier appears and attack him with the sword! They can't seem to harm him but after 4 rounds he vanishes. The halfling claims the magic sword!

Past the keyholed wall is a small room with a shiny hex medallion on a pedestal. The thief walks in to see whats up and set off the magic trap. Cackeling laughter fills the room and half the group falls to the ground laughing themselves to death! The other half seeing them wasting away try to drag them out of the area while another runs in and grabs the medallion. The laughter stops and everyone returns to good health after a few minutes.

They take the hex medallion to the statue and insert it. A secret panel opens up and they find a scrolls with a poem written on it. It confirms for them that "Her heart" is a large ruby.

Now to find another way deeper in and up...

----

So current group, all level 2 except the elf:

Elf
Cleric (new)
Halfling
Assassin (old cleric)
Thief
Bard
Cleric (old Fighter)
Dimli the Hireling Dwarf
 
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Delving further in they face several kobolds and even a crazy man with a cleaver. After they subdue him they tell him the front gate is now open and he can leave. He laughs and runs toward the exit exclaiming that they will never find his treasure!

Searching further they find 2 ladies facing off against several Orcs. They help fight them off and the women are glad for the assist and offer to join the group. After seeing one of them try to palm some gold coins, they decline but do escort them to the exit.

Further and further the eventually find a door and open it. Inside is TWO Beholders. Luckily, they are staring off away from the door. They quietly close the door and walk away. (it was actually 2 gas spores that happen to look like Beholders).

At another door the Thief complaining that there is never any traps misses that the door is trapped... the Halfling opens the door and takes a scythe trap to the gut. A couple cures later he's back on his feet. Thank goodness disaster averted...

The halfling and the cleric walk into the room and set off the poison gas trap. Killing them both after failed saves. :(

Tami Stinks GIF by Texas Archive of the Moving Image


In the room the survivors find 2 new trussed up members who were in the back of the room. A new Paladin and Ranger who is happy to be freed from the crazy old man. They also find a bunch of gold and gems! And a magic throwing dagger! The Thief takes the magic dagger and the Elf takes the magic armor and sword the halfling had.

They continue on and find a guard tower protected by lawful spirits. A place to rest if needs be.

They continue on and find a room with statues to the gods and get attacked by another ooze. Knowing not to strike it with weapons they want to keep they pelt it with arrows.

Next time? More of the ground floor....

-----

Yup poison was deadly in the old school and they failed a save at the wrong time. Since traps sort of get 2 saves (activating it roll plus the normal save roll) (plus a thief that can find and disarm) have to be pretty unlucky to fall prey to a poison trap (or any trap).

Current Roster:

Elf
Ranger (was Cleric was Fighter)
Paladin (was Halfling)
Thief
Bard
Cleric
Dimli the Hireling Dwarf

Assassin got a new weekend job and wont be back for awhile

Also none of the original party remain......
 
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The group continues their search of the west side of the palace.

The find a cavern with a gold dust quicksand floor. A statue nearby that seems to turn anything it touches to gold. The decide not to chance the quicksand but do fish out a small sacks worth of gold dust.

Further on they find a room with a statue and bones all over the floor. Once they start poking around the skeletons animate and attack. Though wounded they destroy them. They decide to head back the Lawful spirits tower to rest then continue in the morning.

Skeleton Dance Halloween GIF by Squirrel Monkey


Back to the east side the search some more and find a cavern guarded by 2 giant lizards. The Bard uses animal friendship on one while the other slay the 2nd. The Dwarf find a pit trap the hard way. This becomes a trend.

Deciding to check the east side they find several more pits, even one thats full of oil and sets ablaze. The bard tragically falls into one and dies. Luckily a Druid was nearby to take his place on the team.

The very next room they open has a music room and a magic harp which plays music when simply touched. In the hands of a bard though...... oh well.

In a nearby room they find zombies and slay them and collect some coins and jewels.

In another room this to is filled with sand and 6 legged giant rats! The elf almost dies but they survive and dig through the sand to find some treasure.

Near the end of this area they find a straircase going up to the 2nd level of the palace. Will they find the Heart and save the possessed thief?



Elf
Ranger
Paladin
Thief
Druid (was Bard)
Cleric
Dimli the Hireling Dwarf
 
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Proceeding up the stairs to the 2nd floor.

At the landing they find a 3 headed humanoid. An Ubue. It demands they leave their weapons if it wants to talk to the Chief. They agree and are allowed inside.

The Chief and 9 of his kin demand to know what the strangers want. They tell him they are here to uncover a cure for their ill friend. The Chief says that if they agree to destroy the woman and her cultists that have invaded their home they will let the team pass. The agree and go on their way.

Heading west they find an indoor garden and are attacked by vines. One attaches to the Druid and starts to drain blood. Other vines start firing needles but they bounce off their armor.

See far to many vines the Druid and Elf cast spells that quickly subdue the plants long enough for them to get hacked apart.

For their troubles they find a crystal clear fountain of water that drinking from it once a day replenishes HP.

Across from the garden they find a throne room. While searching it they are attacked by Berserkers who savage the Paladin and Dwarf a bit but are slain.

Using some spells to get them feeling better they carry on through a secret door near the throne room.

Down a hallway and through some they find a bedroom. As the Thief checks out a chest a spirit appears and flies around the room before slamming the door shut and blowing out the torches.

Once they realize they arent under assault they bash the door open and run into some Goblins. After slaughtering them they wonder where the goblins snuck in and go back to the previous hallway and find a secret door.

Inside on a pedestal incased in glass is a wooden box. Isn't that what the Ruby Heart is in? They move in to grab it but Ghosts of the Lady and her Knight (the ones in the stories and statues) appear and assault them. They flee the room knowing they can't handle Ghosts and try to find an alternate way to remove them.

Heading back to the previous area they are jumped by some Hobgoblins. After slaughtering them they head north past a scret door the Hobgoblins entered through.

The head East and check out a few rooms. One large dining area has 9 men torturing a young women tied to the rafters by a rope! They move to free her! The Elf casts Sleep which doesn't work on the men because they are just illusions! It does work however on the evil creature that was casting the illusion. The quickly behead it while it sleeps and find some treasure!

Going back west they find a bed room and begin to search, Under the bed they find a black cat which the Druid quickly makes friends with and discovers the cat is magical and can turn into a Panther for 10 minutes a day.

They also find some more treasure under the bed.

Closer and closer to the secrets of the Palace and the Big Bad.



Elf
Ranger
Paladin
Thief
Druid
Cleric
Dimli the Hireling Dwarf
 

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