HalfOrc HalfBiscuit
Adventurer
OK .... I was wrong.
Great fight though. And I love the tower's almost collapse.
The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #133 Fellowyn's First Massacre.
- Thread starter Goonalan
- Start date
Great fight though. And I love the tower's almost collapse.
Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh
Session #107: Bits & Bobs in Saltmarsh.
Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).
Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8
Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 8
New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8
Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1
Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8
DEAD PCs
NPCs
Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 (When we remember)
*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.
Servants/Familiars
Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks
Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar
The Dark Squad’s to-do list-
- The De La Crane Manse is on The Leap, and Anders Solmor would like the Squad to check it out, it's also the ancestral home of the De La Crane family, and the Squad are looking for Antonio De La Crane- see below.
- Bonnie Bowspirit, grand-daughter of Rambles, will show the Squad to the missing halfling killer's tomb, on the 6th of Flamerule- see below.
- The smuggler's ship will be turning up sometime between the 14th and 17th of Flamerule, the Dark Squad (and particularly Ram) are keen to meet the vessel, particularly Ram- why, because as the rogue said- “I'm getting a boat.”
- Find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer from Lowhill), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary).
- Nightshade is in the Deep Dreadwood- except she's not there any more, but a big red dragon is?
- Blackedge and the Goblin Stair?
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall, the Witch's Tor is in the Drowned Forest, in the Mere of the Dead Men.
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. Location unknown. SEE 2. ABOVE.
So, it's a bit of a bumpy ride at the moment, but- unless anything else goes on we should be at it Dark Squad-wise, and in-game this coming Tuesday evening (6th December).
It doesn't help that we are trying to also learn our way around Foundry, which is proving to be a lot more difficult than we first anticipated- it took over two hours to work out how to instal it. We are aiming to play some WFRP 4th edition on Foundry, we spent two hours at this last session, and managed to get maybe two thirds through creating characters. Actually, we've already created characters (online, several weeks ago) it took us two hours to not quite get to the end of filling in the character sheets.
Foundry, and the WFRP rules system, look to be magnificent but the learning curve is soooo very steep, if it wasn't for the players cajoling me on I'd have abandoned it weeks ago. There seems to be only very limited instructions for both the VTT and the game system, what video tutorials exist for the WFRP system on Foundry are old (already) and serve only to guide new users through a previous iteration/incarnation. If you don't know what you are doing- and we don't, then it's hard to work out how to do things there.
Keep in mind, and I want to make this absolutely clear- I'm an old git who is terrified of computers, and the folk who created Foundry and/or the WFRP system for it are, imho, geniuses. So, keep that in mind, I'm very glad they did it- I wish it was easier to fathom for the non-PC literate, but still... incredibly glad they did it all the same.
Does anyone that reads this use Foundry? (either of you?) And understand how to use the WFRP system thereon? It would be fantastic to find someone to ask rather than to have to rely on the good folk on the Foundry/WFRP Discord channel.
Anyone?
But back to the game, keep in mind we are just ticking over here- the rule is we don't do anything too interesting or exciting if not all of the players are in game.
So, it's mostly administration. The Dark Squad, having just long rested, abandon the De La Crane manse and trudge back to Saltmarsh, in town- and after a few false starts, it doesn't help that this is Fellowyn's first visit to the Saltmarsh. Keep in mind the bladesinger is wearing a towelling white bath robe, a pair of y-fronts, a wizard's hat and fluffy slippers. Nothing else.
Fellowyn is mocked and laughed at, a crowd gathers- it further doesn't help that Newt sees this event as an opportunity to spread the word, to entertain the gathered mockers with a song- further tales of the Dark Squad.
It really really doesn't help when Fellowyn tries dancing to Newt's tune.
The resulting skill checks- a '1' followed by a '2', and things fall apart.
Eventually the Squad find their friend Winston (a local halfling 'merchant') and then hire a wagon from him and return to the manse to clear out all of the potentially valuable smuggled goods that were stored in the caves beneath the old ruined house.
This, and their return to Saltmarsh fully laden, takes the rest of the day. At the end of which they are knackered.
Then, it's back at last to the Dark Squad house.
There are not many images for this brief write-up. That's Buggles' old room (bottom left)- now Fellowyn's. That's Mrs Badcrumble (top right) the Dark Squad's cook and cleaning lady- she welcomes the Squad home. Lastly (bottom right) is Anders Solmor, the present owner of the De La Crane manse. The Squad need to report back to Anders, but first things first.
The next morning...
It's the 5th of Flamerule, and the Dark Squad are back to adventuring on the night of the 6th- they will be meeting up with Bonnie Bowspirit, the halfling granddaughter of Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit, who will (for 1500gp) show the Squad how to get into Rambles' tomb. Note, the Squad have learned that the tomb was built by dwarves (possibly Ub- and friends) and is hidden in the same cliffs and hills (Hightop) in which the following are located- the Farhill Mine, the hidden Squabblepot (gnome) settlement- which in turn led down into the lair of Randall the Black (and the entrance to Tao).
Remember, from the to-do list above-
Find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer from Lowhill), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary).
The Dark Squad have only found one of the Symbols of Ub- the maze button given to them way back by the Sky Pony barbarians.
The remaining four Symbols of Ub, previously owned by the members of the Eyes in the Night, are located-
Randal the Black's token was taken by the duergar that captured and tortured him, it's located in an Underdark fortress called Deepbridge, the Dark Squad know where this place is, they've been there before (sort of).
Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit's token was reportedly buried with his remains in his tomb- the Dark Squad are on it.
Antonio De La Crane's token, well... possibly in the well at the De La Crane manse. The Squad are at present of the opinion that Antonio is still alive (more likely- un-alive, as in he's joined the undead) and is laired down the De La Crane well.
Giggles' token- no information.
Sorry, writing it out just so that we're all on the same page, and because we've been on a break.
So, back to the here and then... the 5th of Flamerule sees a flurry of activity; the Squad sell a variety of treasures they snaffled from the manse, then acquire a little more equipment- mainly healing potions, although this is Saltmarsh- there's not a magic shop here, and so only a few such potions are available, and there's no time for Vinnie to manufacture more.
Then, a meeting with Anders Solmor to report back, the Squad tell the dark tale of their time in the De La Crane manse, and then on to the Talos worshippers lightning lighthouse. Anders is... gobsmacked about covers it. There follows lots of chatter, and Anders is focussed in on the smuggling ring that was inhabiting the manse- he wants it smashed/destroyed. To this end Anders decides to call an extraordinary meeting of the Saltmarsh Town Council (scheduled for the 10th Flamerule) in which he proposes to- a) reward the Dark Squad for the good that they have done so far, and b) to commission the Squad to find/attack/destroy the smuggler's ship. Getting rid of the smugglers will, Anders thinks, make Saltmarsh a much better place.
The Dark Squad concur.
Arrangements are made, the Squad need to be back to Saltmarsh by the 10th of Flamerule.
Here's a massive image- click on it to see the full size original (and what an original). Just to say, from left to right, the lighthouse is in The Choke, the De La Crane manse is up on the leap, follow the coast along to Saltmarsh, and on the evening of the 6th the Squad need to be at the indicated spot between Gedge and Lowhill to meet with Bonnie Bowspirit.
Next, well... Newt's magic school is still in business.
Newt manifests Gerald, his bat familiar, and then after further simple (mostly sleight of hand) instruction he asks his faithful pupils to bring a creature (like Gerald) with them to the next class.
The sorcerer's 'special' pupils (it's getting creepy again) stay back after the class (Sabrina, Willow, and I forget the others- Newt has this all written down). He has further specific instruction for his 'special' children.
Long story short, as Bear/Newt explained to this DM, he wants to be the patreon of some or all of his 'special' pupils, in the way that Belphegor (and Humphrey) are to him...
The DM makes it clear to Newt that he's a long way shy of being able to grant magical powers to others yet, however- should he have something good to sell, then, well- his present Masters are always on the look-out for a bargain.
More of this kind of darkness to follow.
Undoubtedly.
Then, with the 5th well and truly done the Dark Squad ready themselves some more for their next adventure, and then set of to meet Bonnie Bowspirit.
Only... well, Ram has been reading, while a lot of the above was going on the rogue has read, cover-to-cover, the diary of the Master (actually name- Sanbalet). Note this guy was the wizard in charge of the on-shore element of the smuggling operation at the De La Crane manse. The interesting information garnered from Sanbalet's diary follows-
- originally the smuggling operation was based in the Mere of the Dead Men, but it was attacked and overrun, no information by what or whom.
- the survivors set up in the De La Crane manse, and were using an old (ruined) lighthouse to signal to their ship.
- the big boss of the smuggling operation is called the Captain, he or she lives in Saltmarsh.
- the Talos worshippers moved into the lighthouse about a year ago, this caused big problems until the Captain did a deal with them.
- Sanbalet thinks about joining the Talos group, they're very powerful.
- the Talos worshippers are waiting for a boat called the Dreadnought.
- the Talos worshippers are also slavers, Sanbalet is glad he didn't try to join them, he's seen enough, he's considering getting out of the smuggling business.
So, the smuggling operation is being run from Saltmarsh, and the Talos mob are slavers- no one is happy with any of this.
Next session, we're just going to be playing D&D, remember that- it's time for the Dark Squad to meet again with Bonnie Bowspirit, and from there... the tomb of Rambles 'Shambles'.
Stay safe and well you lovely people.
Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.
Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh
Session #108: The Shambles in the Shambles Tomb
Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).
Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8
Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 8
New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8
Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1
Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8
DEAD PCs
NPCs
Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 (When we remember)
*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.
Servants/Familiars
Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks
Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar
The Dark Squad’s to-do list-
- Bonnie Bowspirit, grand-daughter of Rambles, will show the Squad to the missing halfling killer's tomb, on the 6th of Flamerule.
- An extraordinary meeting of the Saltmarsh Town Council, the Dark Squad are going to get hired to end the smuggling menace (see below), scheduled for 10th Flamerule.
- The smuggler's ship will be turning up sometime between the 14th and 17th of Flamerule, the Dark Squad (and particularly Ram) are keen to meet the vessel, particularly Ram- why, because as the rogue said- “I'm getting a boat.”
- Find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer from Lowhill), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary).
- Nightshade is in the Deep Dreadwood- except she's not there any more, but a big red dragon is?
- Blackedge and the Goblin Stair?
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall, the Witch's Tor is in the Drowned Forest, in the Mere of the Dead Men.
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. Location unknown. SEE 2. ABOVE.
But as always we begin at the beginning.
It's the 6th of Flamerule, the Dark Squad have made the journey along the coast road to Gedge (I sent a picture of the village but none of the players deigned to screen shot it) and then onwards towards Lowhill (a halfling village) along a rutted dry cart track, as instructed previously by Bonnie Bowspirit.
And sure enough, there they are- Bonnie and her crew (three young male halflings) intercept the Squad and direct them a little way off the beaten track and eventually to another ancient stone circle.
The Dark Squad are not that interested in their surroundings however, they're concentrating their efforts on staying alive, several of them think that this meeting is a set up and they're about to get jumped.
As it turns out, and after a bit of chatter, that's not the case- Bonnie and her co-conspirators are as nervous as the PCs but not about to break their word- keep in mind these four halflings are selling out their village. The money they are about to receive from the Dark Squad (1500gp) will pay for them to take a boat to elsewhere and to start their lives afresh.
So, there's a little back and forth, the counting of the money and then...
The four halflings do a little dance within the stone circle, it's a little shambolic, and several of the PCs are making rolls trying to fathom what's going on here, because this doesn't look like anything serious. It looks, for want of a better phrase- made up.
Then, the dancing stops.
And a little way down the hill a series of steps have seemingly just appeared, the ancient stone stair descends to two equally ancient stone doors.
Welcome to the tomb of Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit.
The Dark Squad are not quite sure what to make of events, soon after they are however happy to hand over the cash.
Bonnie attempts to sell the Squad a few clues as to what awaits them in the tomb.
There's a little back-and-forth as negotiations continue for a little while, Newt is particularly unhappy with events so far- he really wanted this whole thing to be a set up, he wanted to blast a few halflings (and put his cash back in his pocket). Wiser folk do the deal, and Bonnie reveals a few extra details (for another 350gp)-
- The Dark Squad need to find their way into the middle of the tomb.
- The coins and gems in the central tomb are all fakes- don't waste your time on them.
- There's a guardian in the central chamber- a dwarf made of stone.
- A bad spirit haunts the tomb, angry and terrifying, and lastly-
- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit, Bonnie's great-grandaddy, was a real bad bastard- which translates to- 'be careful in there'.
And with that the halflings are gone, back down the hill and as far away as they can get.
One of the doors to the tomb is ajar, and after a series of checks Ram enters silently, sneakily & very carefully.
We're adventuring again, it's been a while.
And so it goes, slow- slow-slow.
It takes nearly twenty minutes (real time) to check out about a hundred or so feet of the circular inner corridor.
Then, apropos absolutely nothing, someone (I think it was Newt) gets clawed in the back, and then moments later Fellowyn suffers the same fate. It becomes obvious that whatever is attacking (and then moving quickly away) is invisible (even after it has attacked), and that there are at least two of them in here.
There's a lot of shouting, a lot of readied actions, and a fair amount of swearing.
Even when Daktari manages to land a hit on one of the invisible foes- blood flies, a hissing noise is briefly heard, and then... the still invisible attackers move off again...
It's getting frustrating.
Obviously, not for me- I'm having a ball.
Eventually Newt, holding a manifested Gerald (his bat familiar) to his head and 'looking' through Gerald's eyes/senses spots the foe. The attackers are hairless, sexless humanoids- feral looking (ghoul-like) and entirely insubstantial. Newt can only make out the outline of the creatures, the warlock's monster knowledge check is an '8', so- he has no idea what they are.
That said, with the help of a little Faerie Fire (from Vinnie), one of the attackers is hunted down and slaughtered- even dead the creature is just an hazy outline. More failed monster knowledge checks follow.
However the attacks don't stop.
Newt, still using Gerald's senses, manages to spot another of the strange humanoids, this nasty chap claws Fellowyn, the old man is left a little flustered, as it turns out the Dark Squad do not possess many spells that allow them to see invisible foes.
Shame that.
It's like the DM has checked out the PCs resources- just cruel.
We move on.
To here- to the north, Fellowyn has just filled the corridor ahead of him with his Web spell, one of the invisible buggers is trapped in there. That's a dead invisible dude lying beside Ram. Last bit- there's something much bigger in the space between Newt & Dak, Vinnie and Ubmo.
How do the Dark Squad learn this?
Well, shadows shift and shape and two almost indistinct great clawed hands lash out at Daktari, with a follow up bite attack. The barbarian is bloodied and beyond in an instant. All three attacks are hits (one of them a Crit) and Dak goes from full (83 HP) to maybe a quarter of that in seconds.
Worse, whatever just hit him has also scrambled his mind, the barbarian is left Stunned- gawping, spitting and shouting out random phrases.
Newt is quickly to the scene with his Gerald-enhanced vision, he spies Dak's attacker, and wishes he hadn't.
It's a ghostly troll like creature swathed in shadow, he tells his friends- which doesn't help things much. His monster knowledge check is something around '3'.
Vinnie quickly transforms into the Moonboar, and then gets his Fire Shield up and running; Newt fails to land a hit with one of his 'big spells' (I forget which- the ghostly troll made his save), and then someone- perhaps it was Ram, lands a hit on the beast. Suddenly the ghostly troll becomes much more visible, although still transparent (as shown above).
Note, several PCs also try to identify this new attacker, more monster knowledge checks- all of them spectacularly low rolls.
The spectral troll claws (with another Crit) Daktari once more- the barbarian drops unconscious.
Note, SPOILER ALERT- five seconds later and Ram & Fellowyn will both get a potion of healing (each) into the barbarian, however the big man is still stunned (Wis DC 15 save), and still stunned ninety minutes later at the end of this session.
The Dark Squad concentrate fire, note Ram steps into the fight- his rapier and scimitar slice, and then he steps away again. Which is why he almost never gets hurt. It's a swashbuckler skill.
See that circle around the troll- that's Newt's Wall of Fire, which makes it hard for those outside to hit the beast but... it's worth it, particularly as Vinnie has also managed to Confuse the spectral enemy- and I (your glorious DM) have managed to roll 'do nothing' on the Confusion table three turns in a row.
The Dark Squad are winning.
Note, the other invisible humanoids seem to have stopped their attacks.
But then the winning stops.
The still confused ghostly troll rolls to move in a random direction on the Confusion table, and off he goes- stepping through the wall just to the left of him.
Bugger!
There's a lot of swearing/shouting- sometimes in combination.
There also follows a brief moment for recriminations, but then Fellowyn starts shouting, and then pointing.
The ghostly troll (still failing its saving throws versus Confusion) is stood only a hundred or so feet away from the now bickering Dark Squad, just a little way around the corner (if a circular corridor can have a corner- it can't).
The Benny Hill theme tune plays as the Dark Squad (in a conga line) rush towards the nasty troll.
They're just arriving on the scene, when...
The ghostly troll (still confused) rolls to 'run' again, and rushes off through the doors highlighted by the circle on the map above.
The Benny Hill theme music continues.
The swearing has reached red hot levels.
And that's your cracker- that's all we did, and keep in mind people that this was a three-and-a-half hour session, with only a couple of five minute breaks. All of the PCs have spent almost all of their Inspiration Points, they've been hard at it in this one.
Although with not much to show from it.
Note- there has been talk (already) about a retreat from the tomb (after this fight is done, perhaps even before) and so I'd just like to pose the following question to the PCs, or rather to the Players-
“How long do you think that the entrance to Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit's tomb is going to remain 'open' if you exit this place?”
Be warned, this is your shot. I asked repeatedly back in Saltmarsh- 'are you ready?'
Oh, and I've ratcheted up the difficulty level a turn or two. You may have noticed.
Stay safe and well you lovely people.
Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.
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Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh
Session #109: The Rat Bastard.
Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).
Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8
Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 8
New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8
Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1
Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8
DEAD PCs
NPCs
Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 (When we remember)
*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.
Servants/Familiars
Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks
Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar
The Dark Squad’s to-do list-
- An extraordinary meeting of the Saltmarsh Town Council, the Dark Squad are going to get hired to end the smuggling menace (see below), scheduled for 10th Flamerule.
- The smuggler's ship will be turning up sometime between the 14th and 17th of Flamerule, the Dark Squad (and particularly Ram) are keen to meet the vessel, particularly Ram- why, because as the rogue said- “I'm getting a boat.”
- Find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer from Lowhill), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary).
- Nightshade is in the Deep Dreadwood- except she's not there any more, but a big red dragon is?
- Blackedge and the Goblin Stair?
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall, the Witch's Tor is in the Drowned Forest, in the Mere of the Dead Men.
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. Location unknown. SEE 2. ABOVE.
We're back.
It's the 6th of Flamerule and the Dark Squad are in the tomb of Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit, they've been shown the way in by Rambles' grand-daughter- Bonnie Bowspirit. The Dark Squad have paid good money to get there way in here (1,850gp, and that's a lot of money for the Dark Squad). Furthermore the PCs have worked out that if they leave the tomb then it will not be here on their return, this is a one-shot deal, Bonnie and her friends seemed to summon the entrance to the dungeon with their little dance (see last session).
Within, well- there's a ghostly troll that took a liking to Daktari, knocking the barbarian onto his backside in just two turns of the fight getting started (although there was one massive Crit hit in there for over 50 damage to the barbarian).
Then... Vinnie (actually the Moonboar) managed to hit the ghostly terror with a Confusion spell, the spectral troll has been gibbering and prevaricating ever since (unable to roll the Wisdom DC 16 save it needs to dispel the magic).
Things took a turn for the better and the Dark Squad scored some good hits, but then the troll ran off, which it's very good at as it runs through walls. But here's the thing- it cannot escape the tomb.
Caught up, good.
Let's get on with it.
Look at the lovely picture, somehow since we've been away Fantasy Grounds Unity has got much better looking. Note, Ram has found the ghostly troll- it's cowering in the corner, trying to 'shush' the rogue staring at it, slightly bewildered. Note, Daktari is at the back of the queue, he's taking a slow wander back to the action- swigging potions of healing as he goes.
He's not well again.
The vultures gather... for my poor spectral troll, note at this point the poor beast has failed to make maybe seven saves in a row, although that's not so hard to believe when you learn that the DC is 16 and it has -1 on it's Wisdom save.
They got me.
The Dark Squad take it in turns to step into melee (or ranged), do their thing, and then step away again. The spectral troll is confused remember, it has no reactions.
It doesn't last.
There is cheering, and that was just short of 6,000 XP worth of bad guy, again keep in mind before the Confusion spell it managed to reduce Daktari from his full (80 or so HP) to zero in just two turns, and also do a chunk of damage (down to bloodied) to Fellowyn. It was a ferocious bastard, but only very briefly.
The Dark Squad (i.e. Newt) erect their Tiny Hut and gather inside to heal and chunter (moan and bicker) about how things are not going so well, so far... in the Shambles tomb.
There follows a brief discussion, about resources and the like, and the fact that this is their one and only shot at this place. Then, after the mithering, it's out of the hut and time to start breaking the various sarcophagi (and the like) open. Looking for... well, mostly treasure.
Oddly there's not much treasure to be found, and this place is starting to remind the Squad of many other places that they have explored previously on their adventures in the Saltmarsh region. There are more skeleton mask wearing dwarven statues here- like in the shrine to Abbathor they investigated right at the start (while rescuing Bang & Olafsson), and also a lot like the area beneath the well at the De La Crane manse on the cliffs.
The search goes on with Ram creeping ahead a way, checking things out and then finding the next door to open, Daktari is called forward every now and then to put his shoulder to the portals that in time have become choked and blocked by debris.
It looks like no-one has been here for a long while.
And keep in mind that the Dark Squad are being very cautious because before the spectral troll hit they were also being hunted through the corridors by some other spectral beings- a group (they thought) of barely visible humanoids.
The creatures, the DM can confirm, have since departed the tomb, but the PCs don't know that.
Into a much larger chamber, and there's another fancy sarcophagi here, and the Dark Squad have been opening and searching these- they really are keen to get their money back. Perhaps more importantly, up the stairs in this chamber are a pair of double doors, which Ram is certain must lead into the central tomb. The place that Bonnie Bowspirit told them that they must go, and also warned them of the illusory treasure there, and the stony guardian.
The sarcophagi here, as it happens, takes a while to open, and yet- all it contains are a pair of cracked and flawed very low value gems.
The Squad are beginning to chafe.
There's something not quite right here.
But onwards, and into the central chamber...
And then, after five to ten minutes of the PCs slowly creeping closer- one square at a time (at times) the observers work out the following-
The treasure here is indeed illusory, and the magic pretty badly done. It wouldn't fool anyone for more than a few seconds.
There are no traps to be found, which was not at all what they were expecting.
The sarcophagi bears the legend-
Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit, the meanest halfling that ever sailed the Sea of Swords.
Although someone, with a chisel- that's intent, has added the following statement in a (chiselled) scrawl-
Rat Bastard!
So, that's nice.
A little while later, after lots of standing around- checking- more chatter- more standing around- more checking, and... the sarcophagi gets opened.
Odd, it's full to the brim with cool clear water.
At which point however the Earth Elemental Myrmidon (with a little extra kick) emerges from the floor of the chamber and rips into... Daktari, he's always in the wrong place at the right time.
Here's Johnny!
Dak is bloodied in an instant.
A mixture of bludgeoning from the rock hammer and fair amount of thunder damage.
As it turns out the wordless elemental guardian hits very hard, but... here's the thing. The Dark Squad hit hard too, and they are legion (at times).
Action shot! Gurn with delight or else claw at your own eyes as you witness Fellowyn's bathrobe flapping wide open as he streaks (this word was chosen carefully) towards the foe.
Keep in mind Fellowyn only ever wears his fluffy slippers, his towelling bathrobe, his budgie-smugglers (y-fronts) and his wizard's hat; and all in white. Well, off white.
The elemental guardian doesn't last long- about three or four turns, and yes- he had the best part of 250 hit points and an AC of around 20. They don't mess around the Dark Squad.
So, job done, but hang on- what the hell, the sarcophagi- the tomb of Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit contains (as stated previously) cool clear water.
But here's the thing, there's no bottom to the sarcophagi, the water seems to go on- and some of the Squad are certain that they can see a light down there.
There follows a good ten to twenty minutes of puzzling, with a few associated (tremendously low) skill checks, although George (playing Fellowyn) is very quick to the solution. Which is finally revealed to all when one of the low-rolling Squad manage to conjure something more than ten on a Skill Check.
There was a mad low-rolling streak here, just prior to this Ram had managed to roll a double '1' with advantage. During the course of the next ten D20 skill check rolls six more of them are '1's.
So, in the end- this is a portal.
Like the portal within a sarcophagi the Dark Squad found beneath the Saltmarsh cemetery, which lead them to some great hall of the Pact of the Wild Flame.
Only it seems they have to swim to the portal.
More chatter follows, most of which is Newt-flavoured, the tabaxi doesn't do water.
If only he could spend an hour and re-equip (attune) his helm of underwater action, alas he cannot because the Cursed Luckstone he is wearing cannot be de-attuned, or at least not through the usual methods, and even when he throws it away it comes back.
Full disclosure, Newt has also come to understand that the Cursed Luckstone has blessed him with disadvantage on all of his saving throws, and so... he's a little bit more cautious than usual atm.
Ram dives in, actually, truth be told- Ram dived in about five seconds after the portal idea came up, he has balls of steel the lad.
The rogue swims down and disappears into the light.
Eventually, some more reluctant than others- although Daktari should be applauded for bombing into the sarcophagi/pool and by so doing soaking his remaining colleagues, anyway- they all go for a brief swim and into the light.
Again, full disclosure, while the sarcophagi exists beyond this space the water is just a short (twenty feet tall) cylinder of liquid- with the entrance at the top into the tomb, and the light at the bottom. Surrounding the cylinder of water? Nothing- or else, inky blackness.
The Dark Squad, all of 'em, and all bone dry- appear gathered in an odd little ante-room, the ten by ten chamber has no ceiling- or at least it appears that way, there's a light however somewhere very far above.
Of more interest however are the larger broken wooden doors that lead into a large barrel ceilinged pillared hall, lit by six smoking braziers. It looks very dwarven.
Ram is sent in.
Seconds later the flickering image of a scurvy (and tasty) looking halfling flickers into life.
Flickers is the word, it quickly becomes apparent that the image is another poorly maintained (or just low-powered) illusion.
Well, immediately obvious to all but one of the members of the Dark Squad- see later.
However, it- or rather Rambles, has a lot to say. Ignore the skeletons in the picture for now, we'll get to them in a minute.
Here goes Rambles-
“Ahoy there, Rambles Bowspirit, Halfling Pirate Captain, Assassin, Expert Thief, and all round nice guy. Welcome to my tomb ya scurvy landlubbers.”
And between each fresh announcement the flickering halfling scoundrel delights in movement- capering, bowing, gesturing, guffawing, hectoring and the like.
“You will, of course- me hearties, be here to relieve me of my hard won treasure, which lies below- and what treasures I have gathered, my hoard is truly amazing.”
“I don't know who you are, but then again- neither do I care, because...”
“You scurvy dogs are mine now- and your treasures shall join my horde.”
“So, without any further ado, here are the rules-”
“RULE ONE: First Bell starts the game.”
“RULE TWO: The Seventh Bell opens the way drown, I mean down.”
“And...”
“RULE THREE: Don't hang around!”
“Any questions?”
At which point the flickering fool taps his foot for a minute, all through Daktari's questions- the barbarian is the only one that hasn't figured out by this point that Rambles is an illusion.
The Sky Pony's comments get more provocative the longer Rambles remains tight-lipped.
Daktari is furious, Jim has a lot of fun with it.
“I am waiting, for answer- you are provoking my ire tremendously. You little-person, sea-gypsy!”
Remember, in cod-Russian. Daktari, you will note, has been reading.
Eventually flickering Rambles goes on-
“No?”
“Then let the fun begin.”
“DONG!”
A ship's bell rings.
And nothing happens.
Which is a little disappointing, the Dark Squad drift about- looking here and there, the consensus is the place is long abandoned and very dwarven.
A very short time later (maybe six or so seconds) a ships's bell rings twice and three skeletons appear, as if from nowhere, the three rickety members of the undead attack the Dark Squad- but, the distraction doesn't last long.
The skeletons are just a nuisance.
The ship's bell keeps on ringing.
It rings twice again.
And then twice again.
And then three times.
And by now the Dark Squad have all the clues they need (or are going to get).
They're looking for something- best guess is the way out, and they have to find it by the seventh bell.
At least that's their best shot at the answer, atm.
The search is on.
A short while later Newt opens a room and releases a zombie from the guard chamber within, although- sorry, there are no pictures of this, then the zombie seems to vanish, or else... well, it's not where it was.
A short while later the zombie reappears, it's crawling on the ceiling and then spewing spider swarms at Newt, that's nice.
The combat is short and to the point- the zombie is blasted by the warlock and then quickly broken by Daktari.
A little while later, and in another side room- Ram is attacked by a spectral dwarf, again- the undead is very similar (the same) to the attackers in the Tomb of Abbathor (back with Bang & Olafsson).
Then it gets all kind of wonky.
The steps down have been found- a variety of PCs have fled down them, they are at the lowest point in the above image. Only the PCs emerge from the stairs down back into the small ante room (at the top of the image). The same chamber from which they first entered this place.
Like in a loop.
Oh, and when the PCs step back into the dwarven hall from the ante-chamber the flickering Rambles turns back on again, and begins his spiel once more.
The DM insists on voicing this.
Every time.
It doesn't get annoying.
Some more skeletons show up, when the ship's bell tolls four times, or at least the first time it tolls four times.
Daktari tries to see how far he can climb in the ante-chamber (he's wearing his Slippers of Spider-Climbing). The answer is- very far.
A skeleton appears at the bottom of the shaft like chamber and starts shooting its bow at the barbarian.
Daktari descends a way and then leaps down and crushes the miscreant, although not without a few bruises to himself.
The fighting goes on, although... fighting? It's not really that, the skeletons are a push-over, sure they manage to land a hit every now and then, but... a scratch. That's all.
The zombie coughing up spiders was a little tougher, but nothing to worry about, the same for the spectral dwarf. Low level threat, that's all- no danger for the Dark Squad they can keep this up for... ever?
But that's where the session ends...
With a handful of skeletons still menacing the Squad and the guys- well, shouting a variety of things, opening doors, scurrying about and... well, let's be generous and say taking in the scenery.
Not just heedlessly (headlessly) running around.
No, not that.
At least don't say that.
That would put a slight damper on our first session back.
It's good to be back.
Stay safe and well you lovely people, that's everyone except the members of the Dark Squad.
Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.
carborundum
Adventurer
Welcome back!
I'm looking forward to finding out how justified the words "rat bastard" are
I'm looking forward to finding out how justified the words "rat bastard" are
HalfOrc HalfBiscuit
Adventurer
This all sounds good fun ... not at all frustrating for the players 
Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh
Session #110: The Bells.
Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).
Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8
Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 8
New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8
Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1
Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8
DEAD PCs
NPCs
Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 (When we remember)
*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.
Servants/Familiars
Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks
Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar
The Dark Squad’s to-do list-
- An extraordinary meeting of the Saltmarsh Town Council, the Dark Squad are going to get hired to end the smuggling menace (see below), scheduled for 10th Flamerule.
- The smuggler's ship will be turning up sometime between the 14th and 17th of Flamerule, the Dark Squad (and particularly Ram) are keen to meet the vessel, particularly Ram- why, because as the rogue said- “I'm getting a boat.”
- Find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer from Lowhill), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary).
- Nightshade is in the Deep Dreadwood- except she's not there any more, but a big red dragon is?
- Blackedge and the Goblin Stair?
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall, the Witch's Tor is in the Drowned Forest, in the Mere of the Dead Men.
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. Location unknown. SEE 2. ABOVE.
This is session 110, and there's a lot of running around, and... I think it's fair to say- a lot of anger and resentment building. Strap in.
The Dark Squad are on the run in the tomb of Rambles Shambles Bowspirit, halfling bastard and ex-member of the Eyes in the Night- a bunch of adventurers from two hundred years past that bear more than a passing resemblance to the afore-titled Dark Squad.
The Squad are after Rambles' button, and his treasure.
And so when a flickering illusionary version of Rambles sets the Dark Squad running last session, well.. they've since been beset by ceiling-crawling zombies, spooky spirits and lots of skeletons, while in pursuit of the exit to this strange (dwarven) dungeon.
Oh, and a ships bell rings the hour every six or so seconds (let's call it every turn), last session we got up to the bell tolling four times. The Dark Squad know (because the flickering Rambles said) that something happens when the bell tolls seven times.
And so on it goes with some very frustrated PCs running hither and yon, searching high and low, and... they eventually find a secret chamber.
This is it.
*It is worth noting that four out of the five PCs have tried to exit down the stairs only to be catapulted back to the beginning- the Dark Squad are at present camped on the lower reaches of this particular learning curve.
Then on sixth bell a bunch more skeletons appear most of them scrambling up the stairs (the only exit the Dark Squad have discovered) and straight at the PCs. Seconds later the seventh bell tolls, the stairs fill with water, do you remember Rambles' line-
“RULE TWO: The Seventh Bell opens the way drown, I mean down.”
Get it?
Therefore the Squad smash their way through the last few skeletal defenders and all of them dive into the water that now fills the stairs.
And for each a light suddenly engulfs them and blammo... they're somewhere else (and as dry as a bone).
The somewhere else continues on the dwarven theme, the place looks to be an old abandoned guardroom, and flickering in the corner is a badly spelled Rambles, who has little to say- he does however sound a little truculent when he's saying it.
Then a ships bell rings.
Just once.
There is swearing from the PCs, or was it the Players, actually it could have been both.
The Dark Squad are on the run again, trying to find the next exit before the bell toll seven.
There are locked doors here, and that slows the PCs down a little- as do the randomly appearing skeletons, oh... and look there's a ghoul.
It briefly gets exciting.
But it's also at this point that the Dark Squad start to work out (a little perhaps) what's going on here.
They're getting shafted, they think, by a dead halfling.
The following sequence of images- all sent during the ghoul fight, perhaps illustrate the Dark Squads mood.
Skeletons and a ghoul.
Skeletons and a ghoul.
Skeletons and a ghoul.
Skeletons and a ghoul.
Victory! The ghoul is dead.
Only it doesn't feel like the Dark Squad are winning.
It feels a lot like the little tinker in the corner of the above images is winning.
Every bad thing is dead, but the Dark Squad are still not happy.
There's just no pleasing some people.
More searching = more skeletons.
Oh look, more skeletons.
Ah-ha a well, the Dark Squad like wells. The way down?
Daktari climbs down the well, and... a flash of blinding light and he appears back in the entrance to this level.
The search goes on.
The bell continues to toll its way to seven.
And then swarms of bats start exiting the well, and suddenly everyone is back in a real big rush, particularly because the bells are still ringing, and they're going much quicker this time through their repertoire (one toll to seven tolls).
Note back up on level it took (from memory) sixteen turns to get from one bell toll to seven.
Newt finds the way drown, I mean- of course- down.
It only took thirteen turns this time to get from the one bell toll to seven bells here.
Some of the Dark Squad are puffing hard.
Then, when the ship's bell tolls seven times the stairs fill up with water and...
The Dark Squad dive in.
A flash of light!
And...
That's the flickering Rambles in the corner- the five foot circle marker on the map.
Rambles is very popular.
He doesn't have much to say, again.
But as soon as he's done- a ship's bell rings.
Just once.
The Dark Squad are in an ancient sewer system, and the stench is terrible, and... well, save for the DM then no-one is particularly happy.
Ram made a speech.
Which is a sure fire indicator that things are not going well.
If I take all the swear words out then it'd be about a quarter of its original length. It's possibly Ram's longest speech to date, with the swear words in.
In precis-
I'm not playing this game, I'm going to find the exit fast- count the bells and then, well- I ain't going down. I'm not doing what that little rat bastard crook told us to do!
Then, well we finished early because some folk were tired (and frustrated/emotional) but then of course nobody wanted to leave Discord- everyone had something to say (not me) and the four players rattled on trying to figure out what to do for the best for the next twenty minutes. Me, listening in, giggling (with the mic off) every now and then.
So, something might be going drown, I mean down, next session.
Stay safe and well you lovely people.
Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.
Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh
Session #111: It's A Trap!
Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).
Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8
Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 8
New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8
Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1
Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8
DEAD PCs
NPCs
Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 (When we remember)
*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.
Servants/Familiars
Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks
Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar
The Dark Squad’s to-do list-
- An extraordinary meeting of the Saltmarsh Town Council, the Dark Squad are going to get hired to end the smuggling menace (see below), scheduled for 10th Flamerule.
- The smuggler's ship will be turning up sometime between the 14th and 17th of Flamerule, the Dark Squad (and particularly Ram) are keen to meet the vessel, particularly Ram- why, because as the rogue said- “I'm getting a boat.”
- Find the other four Symbols of Ub, one was left in Deepbridge (Duergar fortress in the Underdark). The others need to be found, they belonged to- Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit (halfling killer from Lowhill), Antonio De La Crane (posh kid druid alchemist) & Giggles (crazy wood elf). All of these folk lived in the Saltmarsh region, the Dark Squad have found the De La Crane Manse (in the Dreadwood) and the De La Crane Crypt (in Saltmarsh Cemetary).
- Nightshade is in the Deep Dreadwood- except she's not there any more, but a big red dragon is?
- Blackedge and the Goblin Stair?
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame prepare the Witch's Tor for the coming of the starfall, the Witch's Tor is in the Drowned Forest, in the Mere of the Dead Men.
- To join the Pact of the Wild Flame track down the last member of the Pact, a wild elf adventurer called Giggles- and finally put her spirit to rest, and also recover her maze button. Location unknown. SEE 2. ABOVE.
This is session 111, and turn up the volume on the Benny Hill theme tune, we're on the run again...
The Dark Squad descend (once again) into another dungeon area, a sewer this time, and a flickering image of Rambles 'Shambles' Bowspirit pops up, berates them a moment for surviving thus far, and... a ship's bell rings.
And then there are skeletons.
Heads up, from now to the end of this session all of the PCs, (except when they are attacking or being attacked- although even sometimes then) are running full pelt, all of the time. Just burning through bonus actions, and inspiration points, and misty step spells, and... it's full on.
Except for the bit when they're all just standing around- bickering, but that's towards the end.
We'll get to that- promise.
The reason for all of the running around?
There are more enemies here, when the skeletons turn up they bring friends, three waves of the skinny buggers over the course of events on thie level, and with ten or twelve undead in each new gang.
The Dark Squad are taking care of business.
The ships' bell is still counting up to seven tolls.
Remember the Dark Squad have to find the way down in time for the seventh bell, at which point the exit stairs will fill with water and... the Dark Squad dive in, encounter a light, and- ZOOM, they teleport/tumble down the stairs and into the next level of the dungeon.
Easy as that.
It took seventeen turns to get to seven tolls on the first level of the dungeon, fifteen turns on the second, and this one... thirteen turns.
The Dark Squad notice the change and just... well, spread out- by which I mean without any plan they just run hither and yon.
It was such fun to watch.
The first wave of skeletons are dispatched- everyone spread out.
Keep in mind the backdrop to this- the PCs are obviously shouting this to each other, in game, because the players are definitely shouting at/to each other out of game. The topic is- do we go down again? Do we keep doing this?
Ram is very definitely in the 'no' camp, at several points because the bell keeps on ringing faster now, well... at several points he's the only one in the 'no' camp.
Jim, playing both Vinnie (the Moonboar) and Daktari, is very trepidatious with regard to breaking the rules...
Then Newt gets attacked by this guy, who isn't much for small talk.
All of the Dark Squad therefore have to run back to help Newt out, the warlock is a little on the squishy side.
This event improves no-one's mood.
Although, I was fairly sanguine about it all.
Then run away again, and Ram has found the stairs down, which is fortunate because this image was taken in the twelfth turn, and so... moments later the stairs fill with water as the ship's bell tolls seven times.
The way down is open.
Alas the thirteenth turn also sees the arrival of another gang of undead.
And a Carrion Crawler, on the ceiling above the fast running sewer, which scared the bejesus out of the Moonboar.
While the action unfolds (over the next few turns) the following events are on repeat-
Skeletons show up and are smashed down, blown apart, etc.
The bell tolling seven, repeatedly, the same seven bells on every turn.
The Moonboar attempts to talk Ram (and the other members of the Squad) into diving into the water-filled stairs.
Ram argues vehemently against this.
The pair agree to disagree- no-one does anything else much (except see above).
To make absolutely clear- Ram offers no reason for disobeying Shambles' rules, nor does he offer an opinion as to what is going to happen should they not descend- he doesn't know, and he's not prepared to guess.
And yet somehow he says enough to break the spell.
Every turn the grinning DM asks the players in initiative order (note we've been in initiative now since the end of session 109) “What are you doing?”
They are all readying an action (various) but other than that (and the bickering) none of them are moving a muscle.
They're not getting into the water.
Just to note, if you look at the pictures so far you'll note that the PCs are starting to look wounded. Daktari & the Moonboar are both beyond bloodied, Fellowyn has been running around on less than ten hit points for quite a while now. Newt is keeping himself topped up with temporary hit points thanks to one of his gruesome warlock powers (I forget what it's called), even Ram is down 25% of his HP, and that almost never happens.
There's been no time to heal.
Except maybe now.
Okay.
Ready.
The next picture in Discord is this-
What are we looking at here? Hang on, this isn't even the same level of the dungeon! What's going on?
And so, here's what the above image shows.
In the lead is a hasted Fellowyn, screaming with his flapping robe being worn like a cape. Close behind is the triple move every turn Ram. Behind these two by some measure are the puffing, chuffing big lads- the Moonboar and Daktari, and with the usually racy Newt bringing up the rear.
Note, the stairs down to the sewer level the Dark Squad were just exploring are just to the south of Newt in the above map.
So, how the hell did we get here?
Well, let me start off by saying that the entire dungeon is a trap.
The further down you explore the harder it is to get out.
I found maps and populated six levels of this, just in case.
Ram figured it in three, actually he started moaning big style during the second level of the dungeon.
But, let's go back a moment.
Back to seven bells ringing on the sewer level below this one.
What happened next?
Easy, the bells stopped ringing, for a short while.
The Dark Squad continued to stand around- ostensibly doing nothing, being aware- watching out, with associated readied actions, that kind of thing.
But nothing keeps on happening.
And so the bickering begins again.
And the water is still filling the stairs down.
The exit still seems to be available.
But then, the ship's bell starts to ring again.
Six bells.
Five bells.
Four bells.
The PCs have one turn of actions available for each of the above, basically the bells ring (counting down) once per turn.
The Dark Squad however are still doing nothing.
Maybe just a little bit of bickering still.
Although, Ram is developing a new theory.
He articulates it thusly- “Something is going to happen.”
He's not wrong.
Three bells.
And the ringing is accompanied by a grinding noise followed by a hollow WHUMP which is so loud, and resonates so deeply, that the Dark Squad feel it in their feet first, at least one of them (Newt) is knocked over, such is the force.
Insight/Intuition checks follow- because the Dark Squad are now screaming questions at the GM.
Remarkably both the Moonboar and Daktari roll natural 20's, and so, I'm up for telling.
My line was something like-
“Looking around you can see the mortar in the myriad bricks and tiles that hold the stones in place here is being squeezed out of its various crevices. Crushed. The whole dungeon, or at least as far you can see seems to ripple, the stone agitated. It's as if the entire structure has been set free... the brakes are off.”
And moments later-
“The entire dungeon complex is starting to descend- and it's getting quicker, scratch that- you remember the water. The entire dungeon is sinking, and any second now the water is going to come in.”
And when I say the water is going to come in...
“You are going to be either crushed (by the wave) or drowned, if you don't get out.”
“At least that's what you intuit.”
Two bells.
The walls and floors dance and surge, the area is quite definitely descending, and in the same instant being crushed.
"RUN!"
The quote in unattributed because they all kinda screamed/shouted it at once.
The Dark Squad run.
Note, Newt falls over again.
One bell and things are going really badly for the area around the stairs here.
Basically a wall of water surges up from the stairwell, while at the same time the southern 50% of the sewer map collapses (sinks) and, well... ceases to be/exist.
But the Dark Squad are not here to see this.
They can hear it however, as the passages and corridors they were previously exploring are torn apart by the forces that have been unleashed.
It's a roar like the end of the world.
But nothing much to see.
Yet.
But let's just take a moment.
Ram kept on remarking, during the Dark Squad's dungeon sojourn here, how he was surprised that there weren't more, or indeed- any, traps.
Well, now he has found the trap. Good on him, I say!
See the grey/blue wall to the right (east) that's a surging wall of water beyond which all things are in the process of being unmade. Oh, and that's the Moonboar, Dak, Ram and Ubmo- screaming (save for Ubmo- he just keeps making an electronic gurgling sound) as they rush to get away.
Note, it's at this point- scrambling up the stairs that Daktari falls over.
Further note, see the PC tokens up top left- all their inspiration points are spent.
All gone.
But, that's it.
That's pretty much where we got to, we were slightly over time already you see, save to say there was one more round of this.
Although no good pictures to show you.
I think there was a fair amount of panic going on at the time, not conducive to remembering to take screen shots it seems.
And so...
Fellowyn and Ram have made it all the way back to the entrance to the dungeon, which- if you remember, is an odd-looking little chamber- only ten feet square but with a ceiling way up above, possibly hundreds of feet overhead.
Like the bottom of a shaft.
Daktari tried climbing up it earlier, if you remember, he got maybe forty or so feet up before abandoning the sport- mainly because a skeleton appeared and started shooting at him from down below.
Well, if only he had continued on, by which I mean- up.
This would have been a much shorter dungeon.
There seems to be a light up there, at least two hundred feet more up the shaft.
The Dark Squad spotted this when they first arrived here, the kindly DM told them all about it, and Daktari saw it again when he did his bit of climbing.
So, to make a portal we need.
Water.
And a light.
Well, that seems to be how it has worked previously.
The water is coming.
In fact the last action of the session is for the DM to tell Bear that his PC (actually, and Ubmo), that's Newt- of course, will be hit by the full force of the wave first thing at the start of the next session.
So, I'm looking forward to that.
Of course the wave isn't going to stop at Newt, the rest of the PCs are going to have to brace for impact soon after.
Last bit, when I thought of this trap I checked, before springing it on the PCs, to make sure that they all (if they share) have the wherewithal to survive it, a Potion of Climbing is the cheapest one in the book, I think. Water Breathing would be nice too, but- not absolutely necessary because the water is going to give the Dark Squad a hand (maybe) to the portal.
No game this Tuesday coming (7th) and so we'll be trying to get into Foundry some more.
Oh, and you got down to the third level of the dungeon, that's 2d10 bludgeoning damage per level = 6d10 bludgeoning damage when the wave hits.
Brace! Brace! Brace!
Toodles.
Stay safe and well you lovely people.
Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.
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September 17 2024 -
October 1 2024 -
November 12 2024 -
February 18 2025
