My House Rules, The Gaming Poll and Campaign Tale!

[Aluvial]

The Beginning OR What Has Gone on Before Now

I suppose that I really should be getting into the heart of the matter and start the story at Hommlet but that isn’t quite how it started for my group. A few things occurred before they ever reached that sleepy town and those minor events spill into this story and will have lasting repercussions. I promise to make it quick.

They began their careers from all over the Flanness and had all journeyed to the west for Verbobonc to find adventure in the wildlands of the hills and mountains of that frontier area. It was in the small town of Oakhurst that they met and followed Vexander on a quest to uncover some magical devices once owned by his master’s friend Feriblan the Mad. Little did they know that Feriblan’s evil apprentice Vortigern and devilish familiar also longed for the devices. In a race with Vortigern with many struggles, the party battled for the items and emerged victorious (with the help of a small halfling, Lannet). Vortigern was captured and held in the dungeon of the town guard of Fairhill (just west of the Iron Wood). He was to be tried and judged by the constable there but escaped with the help of his familiar the night before his sentencing. Their whereabouts today are unknown…

After the location of the magical staff and bracers, the party followed the whims of Freya’s (goddess of fertility) main cleric in Fairhill and sought out the pelt of a winter wolf for a cloak she was crafting. They journeyed south into the mountains and along the way came across a cursed helm. Admir (chaotically) tried the magical helm and was forever changed (to Lawful). The party succeeded in finding the lair of many winter wolves and in a tough battle managed to slay or incapacitate the evil beasts. To their surprise they discovered that the creatures were intelligent and could speak, yet were totally deprived. Zane Duskwalker was frozen to death by multiple blasts of the creature’s horrible chilling breath and was later brought back to be revived. The party also managed to capture and keep one of the pups. An animal they have with them today…

After a few minor events the party gathered themselves for a journey east to find information sought by Talus at a locale called the Temple of the Elements somewhere near the Gnarley. The party had no knowledge of the true history and thought that they would just humor their new friend’s whims. As the party members were about to depart, they were approached by a local bard of the town and asked to give their name so that they might be remembered for their daring feats. After some debate, they ended up with the Journeymen. Lannet decided to accompany them as he was also (quickly) leaving town and heading their way…

The Journeymen now numbered eight and made their way through the stirge and spider infested Iron Wood. After a (big) fire they attracted the attention of a powerful druid who sought to destroy them for defiling the land he protected. They drove him off in a fierce battle and limped their way to Verbobonc leaving a new enemy in their wake…

Once the great city of Verbobonc was reached Lannet made introductions for Eli to join the thieves’ guild and handled some business he hastily fled from Fairhill because of. Apparently a pair of assassins were after him because of a “minor mistake in Veluna, I swear!” The party decided that they could not get tangled into the affairs of the halfling and let him go his own way to deal with the murderous duo (a blond brother-sister team w/ Dual Strike from the Veluna guild). Also, there was a small disagreement with a group of men wearing ochre colored robes, drinking and acting crude in the tavern. Nothing became of the incident…

After learning of the general history of the area (including the Battle of Emridy Meadows, the loss of Prince Thrommel, the Sacking of the Temple of Elemental Evil, twice, the involvement of Furyondy and Iuz, and the name of the small village near the center of the conflict) the party headed south east towards Hommlet. They would arrive in town a few days later…


((My first session involving RttToEE comes next!))

Aluvial

 

[Aluvial]

Boring Trip OR My gods What Have I Done?

Well as the group slinked off from Verbobonc in the night (to avoid the assassins who had seen them with Lannet) they managed to trade their cart in for a wagon and two horses. This was done legally, although the stable hand probably will wonder what happened the next morning when he sobers up. From here they traveled the road and reached Etterboek, a relatively small hamlet between Verbobonc and their destination, Hommlet.

This is where the party decided that a little rest and a lot of relaxation would be appropriate. Hence, drinking commenced. Attracting the attention of one of the local girls (human, and I quote, “I’ve never been with an elf before.”) with booze, Vex manages a little romance off under the stars in a field of hay. Little does he realize that this girl is not so naïve and will be accompanying the party to Hommlet.

“I has family there!” she proclaimed as the party set off in the (late) morning. With the rest of the party coaxing her to come along (much to Vex’s chagrin) she hops on the wagon in huff, mad at her new man. It isn’t long before she has made up with her new beau, and is chatting away with everybody on board.

((Boy did they give him a hard time about his “girlfriend!” It went on most of the night!!))

At about the lunch hour, the group makes contact with a small caravan heading north led by Ashrem. The gnome and a small entourage of Burne’s Badgers are on their way to Verbobonc to deliver a shipment of earthenware. The party takes a meal with them only to start asking questions about Spugnoir!

((Now I was at a tad of a loss, but in an earlier haste to speed them along I dropped a hint about Spugnoir being and gem merchant of great renown in Hommlet. I had given this tidbit to Zane back in Fairhill at the start of their adventures their when he asked about getting a gem cut. Maybe he takes notes too!!))

Anyway, Ashrem starts to discuss Spugnoir and his daughter Renne. This is where Opie/Admir starts in with his crap, and insinuates that he might do foul things to the girl when he gets into town. Well, I wasn’t about to let it go so I had Ashrem get offended and send one of Burne’s men speeding back to town to warn Elmo of the sicko’s coming his way! Ashrem then hastily departed leaving the party bickering over Admir’s attitude.

I was thinking that I would have to talk to him then but it was when they got into town that things really hit the fan…

When the party arrived, Vex saw his new girl Adawil to her families’ home and the party slowly drove their wagon into town. They had heard about the Inn of the Welcome Wench from the barkeep in Etterboek and took note of shops and temples as they crossed the bridge in the center of town. I described Elmo to them then as he stood on the bridge and watched them pass as well as some of the other “townies.”

Elmo would speak to them very soon.

As they got to the Inn they made as nice as chat is possible with Maridosen about rooms, food, and stables for their two horses and mule. They met Redithidoor, Chatrillion, and Vesta. ((Xaod was passed out in the common room at this point.)) As they started to enjoy the very fine wares the Inn had to offer, Elmo approached.

((I must admit that I was pretty peeved at Opie/Admir at this point. He had almost gotten kicked out of the Inn when he started squabbling with Maridosen, and then with Vesta. So when Elmo approached from the doorway shadows where he had slipped in I played him as not to kind.))

“So travelers, state your business here in Hommlet.”

Admir replies, “What do you care, OLD MAN!”

“I am Elmo, the Captain of the Militia! What happens in Hommlet IS My CARE!”

“Is that so, Captain? How about we settle this RIGHT NOW!”

Elmo draws his weapon. Rufus stands from the doorway of the private room after hearing the commotion with a spell ready…

Vex steps in and starts his own spell…

INITATIVE I call, cringing that all of my prep with this module will be ruined in one night…

Admir rolls a 5. Vex a 14. Elmo a 19.

Elmo sweeps in and grapples Vex’s arm and slams it to the table in a pin while pushing the blade of his battleaxe quickly to Admir’s throat.

The rest of the party remained quiet and Vex gave up his spell. Admir wisely held up his hands…

Elmo declared at this point, “You will surrender your arms and go peacefully from this place on the morrow.”

“I will have my eyes on you… tonight,” he said staring at Admir intently.

The end of the session had Randelar trying to make up for Admir’s nonsense and Elmo basically told him to shove off before he got really mad.

This was the end of the session and almost the end of Opie at my table, but like I said, we are friends so I talked to him about it. He promised to let it go and not to cause a disturbance again. This is when I wrote the little bit under his character description above. I hope that I will be able to edit that post…

Aluvial.

 

[Aluvial]

My Big Army OR Deja Vu (I’ve seen this too)

((This I lifted off of my old posts and edited, shifted, and so on to get the story correct.))

I had quite a bit of role-play in Hommlet at the start of the next game session. Apparently Opie/Admir had gotten a lecture from some of the group between sessions, and he came, and he sat, and he was quiet. I thought he was brooding at first but after a while he seemed to be having fun (with his mouth closed). Very interesting. We’ll see if it holds up.

Anyway, the group met almost the whole cast of (recruitable) characters (Chat, Questin, Xaod, Redith, Maridosen, Elmo, Burne, Vesta, Renne, etc.) In the end they were taking votes about who to take. They practically picked Xaod (who is having weird visions and mutterings) up from his table, even though I had him drink near 8 drinks!

"Here you go pal, let me get you another, we REALLY need your sword here, so are you ready to go, PLEASE!!!"

I had Maridosen keep him under the influence so to keep his wits dull. She had served him up drinks before he even sat down at the table. Despite her efforts, and the fact that they (slightly) challenged his dedication to Heironeous (almost a fight right there) he decided he would go and off he went (with a small cask and two bottles of elvish wine form Celene in his pack).

Some of the group also went by Spugnoir’s shop (He sells potions??!! Not gems??) and met Renee. She let them know that good ‘ol Dad is out again and should be back soon. He probably is at the moathouse on the outskirts of town if they really need him. They buy a few things from her and at the General Store and they head back to the Inn. On the bridge they have another encounter with Elmo who states that he might have been a bit hasty the previous evening. He had come in VERY early to wait for the party, only to be met by Vesta who put in a good word about the boys. He sends his apologies to Admir and wishes the group good travels (anywhere but here he thinks).

So the group starts to pack up and head off. By now it is mid morning. We figured that it would take 8 hours to get there. If they left now they would make it by nightfall. ((Oh goody!!)) Xaod throws up as the wagon passes the keep… and keeps on drinking…

As for them recruiting, who know what these jokers are up to? I guess some of the elves felt sorry for Redithidoor and just couldn't say no to him. Chatrillion was out right away though. The party decided that he looked just too polished.

So they had nine going to the moathouse, plus two familiars (Hummingbird for Admir and Owl for Xaod)
Let’s not forget the winter wolf pup in a cage in the back of the wagon. More on him later… Two horses hitched to the wagon and Vex’s mule (which he rides). You would thin that they were leaving Hommlet for good. And so they thought they would.

“We’ll just check out the moathouse on the way to this Temple of the Elements (they’re still calling it that) and were going to set off into the Gnarley.” ((OK sure.))

So far so good, they don’t know anything. ((That good, right?)) ;-)

So on the way they had a brief encounter with 3 dire badgers (mainly because the Hommlet encounters took two sessions with no combat) and they felt the pain. Especially Randelar who was in the lead (I’ll scout ahead! Chest out and head high) at the time. I had the badgers burrowed in near the road. Now the party was looking for ankhegs that they heard might be around but these things totally surprise them and start rending Randelar to bits.

Charging, rending, flanking, scent! Hoody Hoo!! Welcome to 3E boys!!!

When they finally got to this first encounter (random dire badgers), Xaod was really drunk so I had him draw his sword, stand up on the back of the wagon, proclaim some gibberish about his honor, and fall off!

Mostly arrow fire here from, about everybody. Randelar taking the heat and… BAM he’s down!

Vex manages a sleep, and just like that, one badger left making for the horses. Where are the other fighters you might ask? Well they’re holding back. Remember Scottie/Stoneheart the fighter dwarf? Well he very slowly, very cautiously approaches. By the time he gets ready to do anything the fight is over. Talus the Psi Fighter? He’s trying some psionic crud. That doesn’t work. He’ll decide to fight next time. Randelar? Oh, yeah, he’s on the ground bleeding to death.

I think it’s going to be a long campaign…

So Zane heals Randelar and they set off again. This time Randelar rides in the wagon.

Once they got there I was really geared up to spring the big U on them, not to mention the frog (I really like giant frogs) but they took one look and headed back towards town! 1/2 a mile later they decide to camp.

End of Session

All in all, Opie kept it down and the role-play at the beginning made it a VERY good game.

‘Ol Del is next!

Aluval

 

[Aluvial]

Big Army Takes a Dive or Giant Lizard Blues?

Well the party has made camp and managed to hunt down...((rolling dice)) a deer. So a big fire is made up and the army of nine (well eight, Xaod has been sleeping it off since the badgers), plus five creatures, and don’t forget the wagon (I think they’re going to name the damn thing), has managed to scare everything and everybody off for about a mile.

Except for the two figures lurking in the dark just on opposite sides of the camp…


The first guy is really quiet and kind of glides when he moves. He approaches the camp very quietly and even makes note of the owl flying about. He is careful to be VERY still when it passes over head. Of course, he knows that he won’t be spotted but he might be heard moving through the grass towards the camp… what are they talking about? Staying just outside the ring of light that the fire sheds, the man lies in the grass and watches for a moment…

The second guy moves with a speed and a grace that is deceptive for his size. His cat like agility has kept him free from many a slashing claw (and dagger), and keeps him near silent. His skills at the hunt are his own little secret to keep. Not many look his way when he doesn’t want to be noticed. Yet when he wants to, he can charm even the most hostile of… wait… OK, an owl scouting around. I’ll just tuck myself into this niche and… yep, bird never saw me. Boy, these guys sure are loud…


So the party blissfully unaware that grave danger has followed them and that a little hint both lie right outside of their sight. Until one of them gets up, figuring these to be the friendly bunch he saw in town. I think I'll just invite myself to dinner…

“Who approaches our camp?! State your business here,” a cry comes from a man on the wagon. An elf by the look of him. A few other elves lurk about peering into the darkness trying to see who approaches. One of them has his bow drawn…

“Just me, Del the Trapper here, yep just me.”

“What do YOU want?” ((a little old 2nd Ed. paranoia kicking in here from Scottie/Stoneheart, the dwarven fighter.))

Del replies, “Just the warmth of your fire and a little bit of your company. It looks like you guys have company to spare.”

So Del comes into camp while the shadowy figure lies in wait. He at first guts some squirrels he’s caught and puts on a spit and throws them in the fire. The party has completely surrounded him at this point but mainly to hear what the old coot has to say. He goes on and on and on about creatures in the woods, ankhegs, dire badgers, deer, great cats in the Gnarley, lynxes, a panther he once caught, back to squirrels and rabbits, men in ochre colored robes, lions, tigers, and bears, oh my…

“Wait! Did you say men in ochre colored robes?”

“Uh, yeah, anyway there are giant lizards and snakes and dead men walking about and spiders and”

“WAIT! Did you say dead men walking and men in ochre robes?”

And ‘Ol Crazy Del starts rambling on about what he has seen. Dead men shambling about in the moathouse, and groups of men in ochre colored robes nearby too. The party listens with interest and someone mentions the clerics that they saw in Verbobonc. Hmmm… And they chat a tad bit longer before Del packs up to go.

“Well, thanks for the fire. I’ll be on my way. Got a shack in Hommlet and if I hurry I can get there by morning. Thanks for the company. Oh by the way did I mention the dragon I’ve seen flapping about? No, well you might want to watch out for that too. Haw, Haw, Haw!!” Del laughs with his two tooth smile.

And he leaves, and the party misses both the hint and the death stalking about…

So the rest of the night is uneventful, and the party wakes up and starts back for the moathouse. When they arrive they are pretty cavalier and again make TONS of noise. They tether the horses to the ground and Eli (Halfling thief) starts moving ahead, to search out the drawbridge. Meanwhile, in preparation for the expected undead, Zane (elf cleric of Correllon) casts an Invis to Undead spell on himself and two others (Stoneheart and Randelar I believe). Anyway, Eli the small halfling makes his way up the narrow path that leads to the drawbridge…

And Spot and Listen checks and…

Yes you see it in the water… No you can’t quite make it out.

INITIATIVE please and… WHOOOSH!!!

“EEEEEEeeeeeee,” Eli screams, and THUD, SSSLAPPP!!!

Eli is suddenly sucked towards rows of sharp giant FROG teeth!! BWUH-HA-HA!! (DM not frog)

And the game is on again but really not for long. The party manages to slay the beast before I can even attempt to swallow him. Stoneheart (the meek) actually takes a hack at it with his Dwarven Waraxe and slices the frog wide open. Eli manages a stab with a dagger and the others a few bow shots.

One Dead Frog. ((Randelar, inspired by ‘Ol Del wants to chop off its legs for a meal…))

The unseen shadow looks on…

The Journeymen now gather themselves and free Eli from the tongue. The stage as you know is set. The actors in this play very cautiously approach…

First Eli, who immediately signals the others about the rust spot in the middle of the courtyard and the line rust (splattered?) up the steps on the far side. Is that a curved dagger lying there?? Eli steps very slowly ahead.

Next come Zane and Stoneheart. They have the Invis to Undead still working and Zane is brandishing his Crescent Moon Holy Symbol. They head to the left and move up the west wall to rubble in the NW corner. Zane is leading.

Randelar is next and he moves to the right and checks out the large arrow slit on the angled southern wall. He finds himself to be in a good spot soon.

Next is Xaod. He stands just inside the doorway watching those steps…

Admir and Redithidoor are next. Admir tells Redithidoor to keep his bow ready and to stay close. They follow Zane’s and Stoneheart’s path, hugging the wall and moving to the tower door in the SW corner…

Talus (human Psi War) and Vexander (elf sorcerer/wizard/cleric) stand at the door on the moat side…

Eli realizes that the rust is blood. He calls out to everyone what is up…

Big U stirs… and peers out into the light of the courtyard. Hmmm… what’s this…?

Zane, then Stoneheart work their way down the North wall heading towards the stairs. They are almost there…

Eli has also approached but has hooked towards the East wall…

Xaod moves forward and up the middle almost to the stairs. Clang, clang, clang…

Talus steps just inside the doorway…

*Is that a blue lizard coming out of the doo..?* Zane almost finishes thinking and then,

ZZZZZZAAAAAPPPPPPP!!!!!!! Lightning over Zane and Stoneheart, lined up in a nice little row. Both save and yet take big damage.

INITATIVE I call, and it stacks up like this:

25 Eli
17 Admir
17 Stoneheart
16 Vexander
16 Utreshimon
14 Redithidoor
11 Xaod
10 Talus
7 Randelar
5 Zane

ROUND 1
Eli moves and loads, he is hit by an AoO. 10 HP
Admir moves forward and shoots his bow, hits 2 HP
Stoneheart gets out two potions. (yet can’t drink either, yet)
Vex tries a spellcraft check to identify an illusion. Nope.
DRAGON starts to hover and makes a full attack on Xaod, Ouch!! Xaod has 4 HP left.
Redithidoor runs! In fact he runs for the whole battle and even tries to get away on the wagon!
Xaod counters and hits. 16 HP’s (not bad for a dead man walking)
Talus moves forward. He is very slow, switches weapons.
Randelar in the face of the dust ducks into the arrow slit.
Zane casts a spell and fails Concentration. No healing today!

ROUND 2
Eli shoots and moves further back. Misses
Admir shoots twice and misses
Stoneheart gives potion to Zane (free action) drink a potion of healing and pull another.
Vex wants to use Magic Missile. Sorry can’t see. OK mage armor. Pulls back from door at the entrance.
DRAGON regains breath and uses it on Xaod and Talus. Both save. Xaod dies.
Talus moves forward to strike but misses in the dust.
Randelar readies his bow.
Zane drinks the potion and moves back.

ROUND 3
Eli shoots and hits! 3 HP
Admir tries to run for the stairs and hits dragon’s tail. Makes a Dex DC 17 to stay up and makes the top of the stairs and yells in Draconic (no kidding) “have at you, foul beast!!” Dragon hits with AoO!
Stoneheart drinks a healing potion and pulls yet another… (Told you he was cautious)
Vex holds ends up yelling at Redithidoor who is now turning the wagon around.
DRAGON moves and lands on Admir pinning him to the ground. No damage. Dust will stop in one round. Utreshimon answers in Draconic, “Surrender your arms and you shall live!”
Talus manages to hit. LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY 13 HP
Randelar starts to approach but still has no target.
Zane tries another spell and again fails Concentration.

ROUND 4
Eli loads and shoots his x-bow and hits for 8 HP
Admir is pinned. HA-HA-HA Tries opposed grapple. I repeat, HA-HA-HA
Stoneheart drinks final potion and draws his weapon.
Vexander casts ??? No effect on battle.
DRAGON holds actions and states in common, “SURRENDER YOUR ARMS AND I SHALL LET YOU LIVE!!” The dust cloud dies down.
Talus strikes and hits for 13 more HP
DRAGON Freaks. So I know that this wasn’t quite right but…
DRAGON rakes at Admir with back claws and hits.
DRAGON attacks very irritating man that keeps hitting (Talus) with Bite and Claws. One bite, one claw.
DRAGON uses wing buffet (you should see the claws my mini has on its wings) at Stoneheart and Randelar, both hit!
Randelar misses
Zane casts Bless (+1 to hit)

ROUND 5
Eli hits with x-bow. 2 HP
Admir scrambles away down the stairs
Stoneheart attacks and hits for 7 HP
Vexander casts Magic Missile and hits for 5 HP
DRAGON (slightly out of turn and with 33 HP’s left) Breathes lightning for the very last time. A cone effect on Randelar, Talus, and Stoneheart. Randelar and Stoneheart fail there saves and die! Talus passes somehow (LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY) and some how survives (AGAIN, LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY)
Talus powers up a psionic weapon strike and hit with a critical (LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY) and manages 31 HP of damage (LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY)
Admir spins and shoots two arrows. Both HIT!!! DRAGON GOES DOWN!!!!

Insert cheers of the crowd here…

This of course was the end of the session. They managed to get to call to Redithidoor to stop the wagon and we wrapped up there.

Next time: Dead Journeymen! Does Y’dey really care??? Moathouse exploration??? Who knows what they’ll do?? Nasty Death Stalking Cultist with a Polished Look??

We’ll see…

Aluvial.

 

[Dinkeldog]

This would make a really good addition to the Story Hour forum. If you want, I can move it there for you.

 

[Aluvial]

Bump to show my house rules, (although this hasn't been converted yet....)

Aluvial

 

[Aluvial]

Bump to show my house rules, (although this hasn't been converted yet....)

Aluvial

I've finally converted my house rules to 3.5 I'll post them here when I get a chance...

I thought a few of you might want to use the gaming poll again too...

Aluvial