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Story Hour
The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #135 Sorry For The (Attempted) Genocide.
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 8032996" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Dark Squad in the Sunless Citadel</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Session #007 New ‘Dangerous’ Tricks.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).</strong></p><p><strong>Buggles (played by Stu, confusing isn’t it) Male Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 1/Rogue Lvl 1</strong></p><p><strong>New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 2 (see below)</strong></p><p><strong>Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 2</strong></p><p><strong>Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 2</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>NPCs</strong></p><p><strong>Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 2</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Left back with the Kobolds</strong></p><p><strong>Erky Timbers Male Gnome Priest of Tymora</strong></p><p></p><p>So, session #7, and here we go again- last we left the Dark Squad they were investigating a fifteen-foot-tall dragon statue with glowing red eyes, this in an otherwise dark and empty chamber- save for the circular red tile positioned ominously before the statue.</p><p></p><p>Investigators discover draconic text on the aforementioned tile, which is translated by Ramshambow- “Let the sorcerous power illuminate my spirit.” Then for quite a while the adventurers take it in turns to try to make sense of the situation- they get it, stand on the tile- say the words, it’s just what happens next? Bane or boon?</p><p></p><p>Newt and Vincenzo chat a while longer, while the roguish pair skulk in the shadows and Garumn guards the door.</p><p></p><p>However, mid-debate Newt and then Buggles spot a flickering shadow moving behind the wings of the dragon statue- and then drifting down towards a painfully unaware Ram. The pair are not sure what they are seeing, and then seconds later- they are, as is Ram- the rogue is screaming, or trying to as the shadow snakes its arm around his neck and squeezes- it strangles.</p><p></p><p>Buggles, scimitars drawn slashes the undead creature horribly (his first two attacks of the session are- ‘20’, a pair of Crits) although the wood elf’s blades seem to have a much-reduced effect on the terror.</p><p></p><p>Ramshambow meantime feels the strength draining from him, heavily wounded and yet he has the nous to stab behind him with his dagger, he scores a hit, but the shadow doesn’t flinch. That is until Newt makes space for himself and fires an eldritch blast into the undead strangler’s back. The force of the magic ripping a gaping hole in the foe, the shadow fades from unlife.</p><p></p><p>[Shadow destroyed 100 XP]</p><p></p><p>The fight is won, although Ramshambow is blowing hard- he gulps down a healing potion, the last the group has in their possession. The only healing they have left- spell, scroll, potion or anything else for that matter, is one mildly poisonous piece of brewbark, so- they’re close to the wire here.</p><p></p><p>But danger is Newt's middle name, or so it seems- the tabaxi is now determined to figure out what the dragon statue does- firstly by clambering all over the thing, including sticking his head in the dragon’s maw, reaching around inside and all about. There’s nothing to be found- at least no mechanical element to the device, Vincenzo is of the opinion, after a ten minute detect magic ritual, that transmutation magic is involved in this transaction.</p><p></p><p>[Preliminary dragon statue investigations 55 XP]</p><p></p><p>Newt bites the bullet, stands on the red tile and with the help of Ram’s coaching (in Draconic) says the words- “Let the sorcerous power illuminate my spirit” and is duly engulfed in spectral flame (although he tried to dive aside- and even spent an inspiration point failing his save twice in a row- DC 12).</p><p></p><p>The tabaxi however, and to his delight, is unharmed- better than unharmed, he’s full of grinning glee and confidence, he grabs his lute out and regales his colleagues with an impromptu cheery song- and earns a few silver pieces from his new giggling (and impressed) friends.</p><p></p><p>Note- Newt now has advantage on all of his charisma-based checks (and for a good long while), he’s preening.</p><p></p><p>Also note when Newt sings, Bear (playing Newt) sings- usually just two lines and always (so far) to the tune of ‘Greensleeves’, there’s a Christmas record in here somewhere- possibly one of those wretched ones that guilt you into buying them.</p><p></p><p>[Activating the statue 100 XP]</p><p></p><p>The next chamber on is cautiously entered and then investigated- a small, ancient and broken library- stone shelves mostly shattered and collapsed- the sodden remains, the mulch of long-lost books. Although with the help of Vincenzo’s detect magic spell several serviceable scrolls are found, also an ancient tome of dragon lore.</p><p></p><p>Then on again, following an extensive series of passages- firstly into a lower corridor filled with two feet of scummy water- which Newt reacts badly to. The tabaxi attempts to make his way through the fifty-foot watery passage without once making contact with the wet. Newt is not at all fond of water. Alas the cat man’s avoidance technique is also a little shoddy- culminating in Newt doing a sprawling, sliding forward roll through the last ten feet of the muck and sop. He emerges dripping and yowling (very unhappy)- and then stalks off ahead of the party to get away from the laughing eyes of his companions.</p><p></p><p>And the giggling players on the VTT.</p><p></p><p>[Newt makes us laugh 20 XP]</p><p></p><p><strong>Note it would have been nice to have some pictures to show you here- particularly the fight with the shadow, maybe the library chamber, or the passages traversed- but no, no screen shots from the players, what's a DM to do- except remind them.</strong></p><p></p><p>The rest of the Dark Squad move forward quickly to catch up with the now dry (prestidigitation) but still scowling tabaxi, there are two doors at the end of the corridor- the first however has a superb lock, which Ram simply cannot fathom.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]123547[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Ram's '1' streak continues. Oh look- here they all are!</strong></p><p></p><p>Note Ramshambow, in the last three or so sessions, has been really rolling high (see previous write ups) but this session his dice are mostly broken- of his first ten rolls, four of them are a ‘1’.</p><p></p><p>The second door in the corridor however is unlocked, and there are voices beyond it- goblin voices. Ram grins a while and then pats the door like a long-lost friend- he’s happy now, and then signals his comrades to ‘shush’, and then to the slaughter.</p><p></p><p>There’s rather a lot of slaughter this session- be aware.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad bust in and unleash hell on the five smock wearing goblins within- serves them right, they were attempting to make a rockery. A rockery!</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]123548[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The Dark Squad are on the goblins like Dennis Wise in the Blue Peter garden (that's a very niche joke, soz). </strong></p><p></p><p>Newt eldritch blasts one of the goblins- alas (for the goblin) it survives. Garumn charges in and smashes a goblin down- Buggles fires an arrow through another goblin’s throat- it too expires. Ram rushes in and skewers a third goblin dead (with a Crit).</p><p></p><p>The two remaining terrified goblins (one still clutching a watering can), both already heavily wounded, begin screaming for help in their filthy language, Newt atomises one of the pair with yet another eldritch blast (and yet another Crit).</p><p></p><p>Just to note the PCs got a surprise round, and then they all had the initiative scores to go again before my goblins even appeared in the tracker- some days you are the statue.</p><p></p><p>The chamber the adventurers are fighting in is an empty unremarkable room, except for the fact that the south wall has collapsed to reveal a massive fungus lit plant-filled cavern beyond- the Twilight Grove proper.</p><p></p><p>Darting out of the natural cavern come a quartet of twig blights- Vincenzo is clawed- repeatedly, Garumn smashes one of the twig demons down, while Ram stabs the last goblin dead, Buggles’ dice however are broken…</p><p></p><p>The fight rumbles on with lots (and lots) of missing.</p><p></p><p>Odd sometimes to watch it happen- the Dark Squad have overcome some fairly fearsome foes along the way- at one point here they missed seven attacks in a row, they were being held at bay by three (4 HP each) twig blights.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]123549[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The twig blights keep the force flinging, snarling savage, multiple-attacking Dark Squad at bay- for an entire round, I'm claiming that one.</strong></p><p></p><p>Eventually Ram swats down a twig blight, Vincenzo’s snarling primal savagery accounts for another while Garumn ends the last with his warhammer.</p><p></p><p>The fight is won.</p><p></p><p>[Goblins and twig blights in the Twilight Grove 350 XP]</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad however are even more beaten up, and tired, and out of healing, and spell slots, and all of their other powers. There’s a door to the north, with an equally good lock (as it turns out)- which Ram also cannot get open. The (low rolling) rogue manages to drop and then kick his favourite lockpick under the door in the attempt (‘1’). Monsieur Buggles steps in and seconds later the door is open (with a ‘20’, naturally).</p><p></p><p>Within is what is later dubbed ‘the office of the Outcast’, a desk with papers on it and bookcases full of scrolls and tomes. The Dark Squad get down to searching- finding several interesting books and also a bag shoved in the back of a cubby full of gold and gems- over 300gp.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]123550[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The office of the Outcast.</strong></p><p></p><p>Yowzer- we’re rich.</p><p></p><p>Newt plays a song to celebrate their success, he’s on fire with his performance checks (more Grensleeves, tbh looking at Bear I was expecting the Metallica back catalogue).</p><p></p><p>[Investigate the office of the Outcast 100 XP]</p><p></p><p>There follows an extended debate, the subject is- what should we do next? The options being- one, get in a short rest here and then get a move on; and two- retreat and get a long rest and then get back to it… note the PCs have enough XP for level 3.</p><p></p><p>The debate rumbles on, and its an impassioned debate- Newt is for the short rest followed by the let’s get on with it option. Vincenzo is for the retreat and long rest. Garumn needs a short rest, at the very least- he makes that clear. While, Ram and Buggles are on the fence.</p><p></p><p>So, no-one is deciding.</p><p></p><p>The chatter goes on… and on.</p><p></p><p>Eventually the decision is made, long rest and recuperate- the adventurers file back the way they came, after clearing up the place a bit. Newt expends some of his unspent energy by making the fifty-foot watery passage by only putting his foot down once (into the wet) for the entire journey- winning yet more plaudits from his colleagues.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad hole up in one of the goblin chambers they cleared out earlier, and then set watch- they will awake healthy and well and all at level 3.</p><p></p><p>Woo-hoo!</p><p></p><p>But not yet, during the last watch- Ram’s, the rogue hears noises from the dragon columned central chamber- goblin voices, he wakes his friends (eventually). At which point the goblins hear movement within the (PCs) room- there follows a scramble at the door- the goblins trying to push their way in, Ram (still slightly weakened) and Buggles holding the door shut.</p><p></p><p>Eventually the Dark Squad rogues, after exchanging thieves’ cant messages, suddenly let go of the door- a quartet of goblins come squawking and tumbling into the chamber. Vincenzo recognises the fact that these are not the smock wearing Outcast goblins, these are the ugly buggers from upstairs, Grenl’s mob.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]123551[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Oh look- it's Grenl and the goblins from upstairs, I wonder what they want- all armed to the teeth and sneaking about?</strong></p><p></p><p>There follows a bit of strained chatter, although Vincenzo is marvellously calm throughout- the druid calls out to tell Grenl that they (the Dark Squad) are within the chamber, and on with their work, before politely enquiring why it is that Grenl and the goblins are here? Afterall, it was decided earlier that it would be best for the goblins to depart the Sunless Citadel- for good.</p><p></p><p>Grenl is left prevaricating, shouting back her stuttering answers, she claims that the goblins had entered the area to see if the Dark Squad needed any help. Note, Vincenzo is happy to call Grenl’s bluff- but more so to let the moment pass.</p><p></p><p>However, the other members of the Dark Squad are much less impressed, particularly Ram who makes his feelings known, the chorus has heard enough- and Garumn, Ram, Newt and Buggles are really not keen on the goblins. So, it’s time to switch to massacre mode which begins with Newt spraying a carpet of flames (burning hands) out of the doorway- two goblins are incinerated in an instant, while two more slightly crispy goblins attempt to flee screaming.</p><p></p><p>They don’t get far- Ramshambow cuts them both down, and then dodges back into cover. Garumn charges out of the chamber- spots Grenl, already singed a little by Newt’s burning hands, and shuffles over and smashes the goblin shaman down- dead.</p><p></p><p>There are still another half -a-dozen or so goblins in the central chamber, most of them now screaming and rushing towards the exits.</p><p></p><p>They don’t make it.</p><p></p><p>Newt dodges out of the chamber and launches a second burning hands- two more goblins die screaming and on fire, and another two are left very badly wounded.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]123552[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The massacre unfolds.</strong></p><p></p><p>One of the four remaining goblins decides to fight back and slices the tabaxi fire-starter- seconds later Buggles lands his only hit of the encounter and cuts the goblin down dead. Another goblin is chased down and then smashed down by Garumn, a third flees screaming, while the last- still smouldering goblin, assumes the foetal position and curls into a corner of the room- seemingly trying to will itself invisible.</p><p></p><p>Warning- look away if you are of a nervous disposition.</p><p></p><p>I said massacre earlier, for that is what this is.</p><p></p><p>The fleeing goblin, a moment later- just as it is about to escape the Dark Squad’s fury is caught in the back by Newt’s eldritch blast and smeared against the far wall- turned to shattered limbs and paste.</p><p></p><p>While Ram, with cooing sounds and friendly gestures eventually gets the last mentally shattered (and physically broken) goblin to uncurl from its bloody smoking burnt ball- and when it does, he stabs it in the heart, while still making comforting chirrups.</p><p></p><p>That got dark.</p><p></p><p>Vincenzo is incensed, for a while there’s a touch of unease- did we go too far, the druid certainly thinks so…</p><p></p><p>[Grenl and a dozen goblins- half and half, common and warriors 410 XP]</p><p></p><p>After a brief Vincenzo lead chatter/debate entitled- “Was that a War Crime?”, which is mostly met with replies of- “they’re just goblins” and the like, or else… well, ‘I don’t care’ shrugs; the Dark Squad get on.</p><p></p><p>The goblins have a little treasure, including a few scrolls on the shaman which are distributed, after which the adventurers get the last hour they need for their extended rest, and then we spend the rest of the session levelling up the PCs.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).</strong></p><p><strong>Buggles (played by Stu, confusing isn’t it) Male Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 1/Rogue Lvl 2</strong></p><p><strong>New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 3</strong></p><p><strong>Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 3</strong></p><p><strong>Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 3</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>NPCs</strong></p><p><strong>Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 3</strong></p><p></p><p>But, that’s all they wrought, for now.</p><p></p><p>Just to note, it took us a while with the levelling up in FG towards the end, also there was much more chatter in this one, not chatter with NPCs but inter-party by-play, a few more differences of opinions (PCs not players, you understand).</p><p></p><p>I, of course, thought about bringing the climax of the adventure to the PCs- while they were resting, but the climax is where it is for a reason, so I let it be.</p><p></p><p>They’ll get to it next week, they’ve nowhere else to go…</p><p></p><p>Note, after the session I did a count back- don’t ask me why, actually- a body count back of the last 24 hours with the Dark Squad, since Newt’s arrival- just to see how many of my enemies this mob have slaughtered.</p><p></p><p>Note, I’m not saying that Newt’s arrival has prompted this violent approach- it was just a handy time to start the body count from.</p><p></p><p>Drum roll.</p><p></p><p>In the last 24 hours the Dark Squad have accounted for the following enemies-</p><p>15 x goblin commoners</p><p>13 x twig blights</p><p>2 x dire rats (Rip & Fang)</p><p>19 x goblins</p><p>6 x skeletons</p><p>5 x hobgoblins (including Durn, the chief)</p><p>1 x shadow</p><p>2 x bugbears (including Ballsack)</p><p></p><p>That’s 63 souls gone to heaven, all in a day’s work.</p><p></p><p>Stay safe.</p><p></p><p>Cheers goonalan</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 8032996, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]Dark Squad in the Sunless Citadel[/B][/CENTER] [B]Session #007 New ‘Dangerous’ Tricks. Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here). Buggles (played by Stu, confusing isn’t it) Male Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 1/Rogue Lvl 1 New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 2 (see below) Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 2 Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 2 NPCs Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 2 Left back with the Kobolds Erky Timbers Male Gnome Priest of Tymora[/B] So, session #7, and here we go again- last we left the Dark Squad they were investigating a fifteen-foot-tall dragon statue with glowing red eyes, this in an otherwise dark and empty chamber- save for the circular red tile positioned ominously before the statue. Investigators discover draconic text on the aforementioned tile, which is translated by Ramshambow- “Let the sorcerous power illuminate my spirit.” Then for quite a while the adventurers take it in turns to try to make sense of the situation- they get it, stand on the tile- say the words, it’s just what happens next? Bane or boon? Newt and Vincenzo chat a while longer, while the roguish pair skulk in the shadows and Garumn guards the door. However, mid-debate Newt and then Buggles spot a flickering shadow moving behind the wings of the dragon statue- and then drifting down towards a painfully unaware Ram. The pair are not sure what they are seeing, and then seconds later- they are, as is Ram- the rogue is screaming, or trying to as the shadow snakes its arm around his neck and squeezes- it strangles. Buggles, scimitars drawn slashes the undead creature horribly (his first two attacks of the session are- ‘20’, a pair of Crits) although the wood elf’s blades seem to have a much-reduced effect on the terror. Ramshambow meantime feels the strength draining from him, heavily wounded and yet he has the nous to stab behind him with his dagger, he scores a hit, but the shadow doesn’t flinch. That is until Newt makes space for himself and fires an eldritch blast into the undead strangler’s back. The force of the magic ripping a gaping hole in the foe, the shadow fades from unlife. [Shadow destroyed 100 XP] The fight is won, although Ramshambow is blowing hard- he gulps down a healing potion, the last the group has in their possession. The only healing they have left- spell, scroll, potion or anything else for that matter, is one mildly poisonous piece of brewbark, so- they’re close to the wire here. But danger is Newt's middle name, or so it seems- the tabaxi is now determined to figure out what the dragon statue does- firstly by clambering all over the thing, including sticking his head in the dragon’s maw, reaching around inside and all about. There’s nothing to be found- at least no mechanical element to the device, Vincenzo is of the opinion, after a ten minute detect magic ritual, that transmutation magic is involved in this transaction. [Preliminary dragon statue investigations 55 XP] Newt bites the bullet, stands on the red tile and with the help of Ram’s coaching (in Draconic) says the words- “Let the sorcerous power illuminate my spirit” and is duly engulfed in spectral flame (although he tried to dive aside- and even spent an inspiration point failing his save twice in a row- DC 12). The tabaxi however, and to his delight, is unharmed- better than unharmed, he’s full of grinning glee and confidence, he grabs his lute out and regales his colleagues with an impromptu cheery song- and earns a few silver pieces from his new giggling (and impressed) friends. Note- Newt now has advantage on all of his charisma-based checks (and for a good long while), he’s preening. Also note when Newt sings, Bear (playing Newt) sings- usually just two lines and always (so far) to the tune of ‘Greensleeves’, there’s a Christmas record in here somewhere- possibly one of those wretched ones that guilt you into buying them. [Activating the statue 100 XP] The next chamber on is cautiously entered and then investigated- a small, ancient and broken library- stone shelves mostly shattered and collapsed- the sodden remains, the mulch of long-lost books. Although with the help of Vincenzo’s detect magic spell several serviceable scrolls are found, also an ancient tome of dragon lore. Then on again, following an extensive series of passages- firstly into a lower corridor filled with two feet of scummy water- which Newt reacts badly to. The tabaxi attempts to make his way through the fifty-foot watery passage without once making contact with the wet. Newt is not at all fond of water. Alas the cat man’s avoidance technique is also a little shoddy- culminating in Newt doing a sprawling, sliding forward roll through the last ten feet of the muck and sop. He emerges dripping and yowling (very unhappy)- and then stalks off ahead of the party to get away from the laughing eyes of his companions. And the giggling players on the VTT. [Newt makes us laugh 20 XP] [B]Note it would have been nice to have some pictures to show you here- particularly the fight with the shadow, maybe the library chamber, or the passages traversed- but no, no screen shots from the players, what's a DM to do- except remind them.[/B] The rest of the Dark Squad move forward quickly to catch up with the now dry (prestidigitation) but still scowling tabaxi, there are two doors at the end of the corridor- the first however has a superb lock, which Ram simply cannot fathom. [ATTACH type="full" alt="7.2.jpg"]123547[/ATTACH] [B]Ram's '1' streak continues. Oh look- here they all are![/B] Note Ramshambow, in the last three or so sessions, has been really rolling high (see previous write ups) but this session his dice are mostly broken- of his first ten rolls, four of them are a ‘1’. The second door in the corridor however is unlocked, and there are voices beyond it- goblin voices. Ram grins a while and then pats the door like a long-lost friend- he’s happy now, and then signals his comrades to ‘shush’, and then to the slaughter. There’s rather a lot of slaughter this session- be aware. The Dark Squad bust in and unleash hell on the five smock wearing goblins within- serves them right, they were attempting to make a rockery. A rockery! [ATTACH type="full" alt="7.3.jpg"]123548[/ATTACH] [B]The Dark Squad are on the goblins like Dennis Wise in the Blue Peter garden (that's a very niche joke, soz). [/B] Newt eldritch blasts one of the goblins- alas (for the goblin) it survives. Garumn charges in and smashes a goblin down- Buggles fires an arrow through another goblin’s throat- it too expires. Ram rushes in and skewers a third goblin dead (with a Crit). The two remaining terrified goblins (one still clutching a watering can), both already heavily wounded, begin screaming for help in their filthy language, Newt atomises one of the pair with yet another eldritch blast (and yet another Crit). Just to note the PCs got a surprise round, and then they all had the initiative scores to go again before my goblins even appeared in the tracker- some days you are the statue. The chamber the adventurers are fighting in is an empty unremarkable room, except for the fact that the south wall has collapsed to reveal a massive fungus lit plant-filled cavern beyond- the Twilight Grove proper. Darting out of the natural cavern come a quartet of twig blights- Vincenzo is clawed- repeatedly, Garumn smashes one of the twig demons down, while Ram stabs the last goblin dead, Buggles’ dice however are broken… The fight rumbles on with lots (and lots) of missing. Odd sometimes to watch it happen- the Dark Squad have overcome some fairly fearsome foes along the way- at one point here they missed seven attacks in a row, they were being held at bay by three (4 HP each) twig blights. [ATTACH type="full" alt="7.4.jpg"]123549[/ATTACH] [B]The twig blights keep the force flinging, snarling savage, multiple-attacking Dark Squad at bay- for an entire round, I'm claiming that one.[/B] Eventually Ram swats down a twig blight, Vincenzo’s snarling primal savagery accounts for another while Garumn ends the last with his warhammer. The fight is won. [Goblins and twig blights in the Twilight Grove 350 XP] The Dark Squad however are even more beaten up, and tired, and out of healing, and spell slots, and all of their other powers. There’s a door to the north, with an equally good lock (as it turns out)- which Ram also cannot get open. The (low rolling) rogue manages to drop and then kick his favourite lockpick under the door in the attempt (‘1’). Monsieur Buggles steps in and seconds later the door is open (with a ‘20’, naturally). Within is what is later dubbed ‘the office of the Outcast’, a desk with papers on it and bookcases full of scrolls and tomes. The Dark Squad get down to searching- finding several interesting books and also a bag shoved in the back of a cubby full of gold and gems- over 300gp. [ATTACH type="full" alt="7.5.jpg"]123550[/ATTACH] [B]The office of the Outcast.[/B] Yowzer- we’re rich. Newt plays a song to celebrate their success, he’s on fire with his performance checks (more Grensleeves, tbh looking at Bear I was expecting the Metallica back catalogue). [Investigate the office of the Outcast 100 XP] There follows an extended debate, the subject is- what should we do next? The options being- one, get in a short rest here and then get a move on; and two- retreat and get a long rest and then get back to it… note the PCs have enough XP for level 3. The debate rumbles on, and its an impassioned debate- Newt is for the short rest followed by the let’s get on with it option. Vincenzo is for the retreat and long rest. Garumn needs a short rest, at the very least- he makes that clear. While, Ram and Buggles are on the fence. So, no-one is deciding. The chatter goes on… and on. Eventually the decision is made, long rest and recuperate- the adventurers file back the way they came, after clearing up the place a bit. Newt expends some of his unspent energy by making the fifty-foot watery passage by only putting his foot down once (into the wet) for the entire journey- winning yet more plaudits from his colleagues. The Dark Squad hole up in one of the goblin chambers they cleared out earlier, and then set watch- they will awake healthy and well and all at level 3. Woo-hoo! But not yet, during the last watch- Ram’s, the rogue hears noises from the dragon columned central chamber- goblin voices, he wakes his friends (eventually). At which point the goblins hear movement within the (PCs) room- there follows a scramble at the door- the goblins trying to push their way in, Ram (still slightly weakened) and Buggles holding the door shut. Eventually the Dark Squad rogues, after exchanging thieves’ cant messages, suddenly let go of the door- a quartet of goblins come squawking and tumbling into the chamber. Vincenzo recognises the fact that these are not the smock wearing Outcast goblins, these are the ugly buggers from upstairs, Grenl’s mob. [ATTACH type="full" alt="7.6.jpg"]123551[/ATTACH] [B]Oh look- it's Grenl and the goblins from upstairs, I wonder what they want- all armed to the teeth and sneaking about?[/B] There follows a bit of strained chatter, although Vincenzo is marvellously calm throughout- the druid calls out to tell Grenl that they (the Dark Squad) are within the chamber, and on with their work, before politely enquiring why it is that Grenl and the goblins are here? Afterall, it was decided earlier that it would be best for the goblins to depart the Sunless Citadel- for good. Grenl is left prevaricating, shouting back her stuttering answers, she claims that the goblins had entered the area to see if the Dark Squad needed any help. Note, Vincenzo is happy to call Grenl’s bluff- but more so to let the moment pass. However, the other members of the Dark Squad are much less impressed, particularly Ram who makes his feelings known, the chorus has heard enough- and Garumn, Ram, Newt and Buggles are really not keen on the goblins. So, it’s time to switch to massacre mode which begins with Newt spraying a carpet of flames (burning hands) out of the doorway- two goblins are incinerated in an instant, while two more slightly crispy goblins attempt to flee screaming. They don’t get far- Ramshambow cuts them both down, and then dodges back into cover. Garumn charges out of the chamber- spots Grenl, already singed a little by Newt’s burning hands, and shuffles over and smashes the goblin shaman down- dead. There are still another half -a-dozen or so goblins in the central chamber, most of them now screaming and rushing towards the exits. They don’t make it. Newt dodges out of the chamber and launches a second burning hands- two more goblins die screaming and on fire, and another two are left very badly wounded. [ATTACH type="full" alt="7.8.jpg"]123552[/ATTACH] [B]The massacre unfolds.[/B] One of the four remaining goblins decides to fight back and slices the tabaxi fire-starter- seconds later Buggles lands his only hit of the encounter and cuts the goblin down dead. Another goblin is chased down and then smashed down by Garumn, a third flees screaming, while the last- still smouldering goblin, assumes the foetal position and curls into a corner of the room- seemingly trying to will itself invisible. Warning- look away if you are of a nervous disposition. I said massacre earlier, for that is what this is. The fleeing goblin, a moment later- just as it is about to escape the Dark Squad’s fury is caught in the back by Newt’s eldritch blast and smeared against the far wall- turned to shattered limbs and paste. While Ram, with cooing sounds and friendly gestures eventually gets the last mentally shattered (and physically broken) goblin to uncurl from its bloody smoking burnt ball- and when it does, he stabs it in the heart, while still making comforting chirrups. That got dark. Vincenzo is incensed, for a while there’s a touch of unease- did we go too far, the druid certainly thinks so… [Grenl and a dozen goblins- half and half, common and warriors 410 XP] After a brief Vincenzo lead chatter/debate entitled- “Was that a War Crime?”, which is mostly met with replies of- “they’re just goblins” and the like, or else… well, ‘I don’t care’ shrugs; the Dark Squad get on. The goblins have a little treasure, including a few scrolls on the shaman which are distributed, after which the adventurers get the last hour they need for their extended rest, and then we spend the rest of the session levelling up the PCs. [B]Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here). Buggles (played by Stu, confusing isn’t it) Male Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 1/Rogue Lvl 2 New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 3 Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 3 Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 3 NPCs Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 3[/B] But, that’s all they wrought, for now. Just to note, it took us a while with the levelling up in FG towards the end, also there was much more chatter in this one, not chatter with NPCs but inter-party by-play, a few more differences of opinions (PCs not players, you understand). I, of course, thought about bringing the climax of the adventure to the PCs- while they were resting, but the climax is where it is for a reason, so I let it be. They’ll get to it next week, they’ve nowhere else to go… Note, after the session I did a count back- don’t ask me why, actually- a body count back of the last 24 hours with the Dark Squad, since Newt’s arrival- just to see how many of my enemies this mob have slaughtered. Note, I’m not saying that Newt’s arrival has prompted this violent approach- it was just a handy time to start the body count from. Drum roll. In the last 24 hours the Dark Squad have accounted for the following enemies- 15 x goblin commoners 13 x twig blights 2 x dire rats (Rip & Fang) 19 x goblins 6 x skeletons 5 x hobgoblins (including Durn, the chief) 1 x shadow 2 x bugbears (including Ballsack) That’s 63 souls gone to heaven, all in a day’s work. Stay safe. Cheers goonalan [/QUOTE]
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The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #135 Sorry For The (Attempted) Genocide.
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