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Story Hour
The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #136 Into the Mere of the Dead Men.
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 8344732" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Session #055 This is not the Ancient Alchemist's well, it's my well! NOW BUGGER OFF!</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).</strong></p><p><strong>New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 7</strong></p><p><strong>Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 7</strong></p><p><strong>Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 7</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>NPCs</strong></p><p><strong>Daktari (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 7</strong></p><p><s><strong>Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 </strong></s><strong>RIP*</strong></p><p><strong>Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard</strong></p><p><strong>*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Servants/Familiars</strong></p><p><strong>Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks</strong></p><p><strong>Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar</strong></p><p></p><p>This is session 55, and it was another cracker...</p><p></p><p>When we left the Dark Squad they were primping and preening, pleased with themselves after they had defeated a (small) horde of creatures (a few boggles, a trio of kenku and a bunch of spiders and spider-things) in a cavern below the woodland manse that they had been investigating.</p><p></p><p>However, after reading last weeks write up of the session the PCs, or rather the players, are now very much aware that the fighting isn't over, particularly as all of the named bad guys that they have learned about are only just about to make it to the fracas.</p><p></p><p>So, they're about to meet Granny Ethel Frogwart (again), and for the first time- Big Evil Alan, (Mrs) Fastpants, the Rug Doctor and Mr Bad Chutney, who are all working for the lovely Ethel.</p><p></p><p>And so it goes, although... first off the PCs, scratch that- the players, take time out for a bit of a chat- the subject, simples- where to go with this one, how to play out the rest of the fight? Keep in mind that Ram is stuck- and on his own, and on just about 10 HP. Tarbin Tul is on a similar number of HP, and low on spells. Newt is out of spells* and has taken a few hits. Vinnie is just about bloodied, but he's got a bunch of spells left. While Daktari is still kicking ass and taking names, he's down 20-30 HP, but the barbarian is in a perma-rage and 2 tuff 4 u.</p><p></p><p>*Newt has a Wand of the Pact Keeper- which allows him to get a spell back once/day, the bastard.</p><p></p><p>But back to the player's pre-session chat, in truth they all have different ideas about what should happen next- Newt (played by Bear, and even OOC) still wants to burn everything down. Vinnie (played by Jim/Haggis) on the other hand wouldn't mind a little bit of a retreat. While Ram- if he could get away, well he would. But he's stuck. However, the players all concur- the first task is to get Ram healed and back to the pack.</p><p></p><p>Ram is stuck in a patch of boggle oil and all alone (with the enemies) on the far side of a twenty foot deep depression.</p><p></p><p>So, 1..., 2.... 3...</p><p></p><p>And Granny Ethel Frogwart swings into vision, “I bloody told you, Vinnie- this is not the Ancient Alchemist's well, it's my well! NOW BUGGER OFF!”</p><p></p><p>The hag's ire however is saved for Ram, because he's only ten or so feet away from her, and he's stuck- which serves him right, figures Granny. Remarkably Ram survives the hag's Vicious Mockery (3d4 psychic damage)- he's on 1 HP.</p><p></p><p>Granny Ethel Frogwart: You're so useless, when you join a group of monsters, it goes down a Challenge Rating.</p><p></p><p>I've bought a Vicious Mockery Chat MOD generator-thing, I may try to cast the spell a lot.</p><p></p><p>Note, as soon two of the player's saw that Granny was doing 3d4 damage on her Vicious Mockery there was consternation in the pack. “3d4, she must be at least an 11thlevel caster!”, Jim states. But she's really not, I fiddle with all of my monsters, they're almost never just straight from the Monster Manual, my way messes with the player's heads.</p><p></p><p>Ram's survival doesn't make Granny happy- she shuffles back into cover and orders a full attack- “give 'em hell boyz!”, she cackles. A second later and a squawking kenku steps forward and shoots Ram in the chest, and now he's down, although the rogue has a Periapt of Wound Closure, and so he stabilises instantly.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140679[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Ram dirt-naps. We've not turned a token on its side for 13 sessions, basically- I've not been doing my job, time for the fight back.</strong></p><p></p><p>Next up comes (Mrs) Fastpants, she's... actually, she's a blur to everyone except Vinnie, who identifies the small speeding fey for his companions- Fastpants is a quickling. She is constantly in motion, and spinning out daggers as she goes, but my dice are truly broken with three misses in a row (all attacks against Tarbin Tul AC is 13, Fastpants is +8 to hit, go figure).</p><p></p><p>At which point Big Evil Alan arrives at the fight, Alan is a redcap- which is funny, right? Because redcaps are small- as in not tall, although the 'big evil' referred to in this instance better describes Alan's disposition. The sweary mad little bastard leaps the gaping depression (just) and lands in front of Daktari, and then starts swinging, and swearing- and misses three times in a row.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140680[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Big Evil Alan & (Mrs) Fastpants, rolling low since... 4 ever!</strong></p><p></p><p>I think I've read that somewhere before?</p><p></p><p>Daktari swings back, after making his usual declaration (or at least one of them).</p><p></p><p>Daktari: I am Daktari! I am riding you!</p><p></p><p>The barbarian keeps on cutting and bloodies Alan in an instant.</p><p></p><p>It's at about this point, maybe 10 minutes into the re-started fight that I get the feeling- this ain't going to go my way.</p><p></p><p>Tarbin casts a Healing Word on the fallen Ram, and the rogue blinks open his eyes- he's face down in a puddle of boggle oil, but here's the thing- he's still breathing.</p><p></p><p>Tarbin Tul: Get up you arse, and get back to killing!</p><p></p><p>I've added a few chat lines to the MOD for Tarbin Tul, nice!</p><p></p><p>Then Vinnie becomes Vincen G Squeezy, he really does like his huge constrictor (fnarr), and then he slithers into the depression, more or less filling it, reaching out to (very gently) grab up in his mouth the prostrate rogue- Ram. He succeeds.</p><p></p><p>Only, even after spending an inspiration point, he can't make the strength check needed (DC 11, he's +4) to rip Ram's body free from the (super) sticky boggle oil.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140681[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Squeezy has Ram gripped, but can't seem to pull the barely conscious rogue free of the taffy/chewy/boggle oil.</strong></p><p></p><p>Keep in mind Ram is conscious when this is going on- and murmuring his encouragement, although more than a little freaked by proceedings.</p><p></p><p>A pair of kenkus arrive, and start shooting at Squeezy, the snake proves very easy to hit, he's massive.</p><p></p><p>Then the Rug Doctor, a seven foot tall bugbear brute (from a splatbook I bought) arrives- and he's armed with a two-handed spiked club. His job, as instructed by Granny Frogwart, is to grab Ram's body and bring it back to the hag, for reasons of leverage.</p><p></p><p>Or else just to cut the rogue's throat, we'll see how it goes.</p><p></p><p>Ram however atm is in Vincen G Squeezy's mouth, mostly (he's still stuck in the boggle oil)- and so the Rug Doctor takes to smashing the huge constrictor repeatedly in its snout (?) in the hope that it'll drop the rogue, and he doesn't miss.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140682[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The Rug Doctor, only he don't have no shield- that spiked greatclub is two-handed, and hits hard.</strong></p><p></p><p>Then Newt remembers his Rod of the Pact Keeper, and instantly recharges a warlock spell power, and then uses it with an inspiration point- Fireball!</p><p></p><p>Two of the three kenku are instantly incinerated, while the Rug Doctor is badly singed, but don't worry he started with well over 100 HP.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140683[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>This seems to happen a lot.</strong></p><p></p><p>After the fiery maelstrom Ethel is back, the hag instantly spots that Ram is alive- and whispering to Vinnie, she therefore tries again with her Vicious Mockery-</p><p></p><p>Granny Ethel Frogwart : Bless you. Oh, I'm sorry, was that supposed to be an Eldritch Blast?</p><p></p><p>Ram gets back to dirt-napping, he's unconscious again.</p><p></p><p>Fastpants, having entirely evaded the Fireball, also rushes back into the action- spinning yet more knives out at Squeezy, the huge constrictor is hit repeatedly- and is very quickly bloodied and beyond.</p><p></p><p>Note Ethel and (Mrs) Fastpants don't hang around, they rush in to attack and then retreat to cover as swiftly.</p><p></p><p>Meantime Big Evil Alan the redcap goes bonkers, he drop kicks Daktari (who is still raging) with his iron boots, and then gets to work with his scythe on the prone barbarian. Daktari soaks it all up and then goes into a frenzy... Big Evil Alan, alas, does not survive the experience (even after I maxed the redcap's HP, and then gave him a few extra just in case).</p><p></p><p>Daktari: I am Daktari! I am Killing You!</p><p></p><p>Squeezy fails (yet again) to rip the now unconscious (again) Ram free of the sticky boggle oil, still only a DC 11 strength check to do so. This check has been failed seven times in a row so far. Vincen G therefore spends his last inspiration point, and- bloody hell- he succeeds, the huge reptile swallows Ram (briefly) and moves away, which the evil DM rules triggers the Rug Doctor's opportunity attack.</p><p></p><p>The bugbear brute crits, but it's still not enough to deflect Squeezy from his purpose, which is to deposit the unconscious Ram at Tarbin Tul's feet.</p><p></p><p>The terrified bard casts his last spell, another Healing Word- and Ram opens his eyes (again).</p><p></p><p>Tarbin Tul: Sweet Selune heal this mighty hero (or Newt).</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140684[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Everything is just about dead/dying, including Squeezy, Tarbin and Ram.</strong></p><p></p><p>The last kenku standing shoots Squeezy, who is now critically wounded (on something like 2 HP)- Newt starts Belphegor blasting, the birdman doesn't last long.</p><p></p><p>Newt: Light 'em up!</p><p></p><p>Ram meantime starts scoffing from his jar of keoghtom's ointment- that tastes nice!</p><p></p><p>Ramshambo: Almost like new!</p><p></p><p>That done he picks himself up and gingerly moves off to hide, note at this point Tarbin has also been hiding for a good long while- pretty much since the fight restarted.</p><p></p><p>The bard has his hands over his ears, and is squatting down within an out of the way niche in the cavern wall, trying to blank out the terror before him. It's all very visceral, and bloody, Tarbin isn't feeling very well.</p><p></p><p>Tarbin. at this point. is a little broken inside- it would be fair to say that he has seen enough, and as he stated in previous weeks (i.e. repeatedly).</p><p></p><p>“I'm not great at fighting, I earned all of my XP performing in bars.”</p><p></p><p>Daktari takes a moment to swig down a potion of extra healing, and very suddenly- there are no more enemies present. When Squeezy grabbed and hauled Ram back to the right side of the depression, well... the Rug Doctor turned and fled back the way he came, while (Mrs) Fastpants and Granny Frogwart were attacking and then retreating on every turn. But neither of them head back to the fracas.</p><p></p><p>So, the fight's done...</p><p></p><p>At least for a round or two, but Vinnie's not certain, and so he shapes back to his shifter form and fills the area beyond the depression with Spike Growth.</p><p></p><p>Only the DM is still fiddling with the Initiative Tracker on Fantasy Grounds, and then there's boom, and then a crash- and unseen by the PCs a wall collapses. Only the wall in question is on this side of the depression, the same side as the PCs. Suddenly, as the PCs turn to stare, racing at Newt comes Mr Bad Chutney.</p><p></p><p>Mr Bad Chutney is a massively muscled (max HP, and some more) flesh golem, roughly constructed, and very moody because of this.</p><p></p><p>Newt gets punched, repeatedly, and it hurts the tabaxi- a lot.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140685[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Mr Bad Chutney!</strong></p><p></p><p>But he takes it, and then starts up with more of his Belphegor's Fiery Blasts, and even with disadvantage Mr Bad Chutney proves to be a large and easy target, and the golem really doesn't like fire.</p><p></p><p>Newt: Set the oven to 350.</p><p></p><p>Ram, at last, is back in business, he puts an arrow in his bow and fires, and from almost point blank range, straight into the back of Mr Bad Chutney's big wobbly head.</p><p></p><p>Ramshambo: This is going to be over a lot quicker than you think.</p><p></p><p>But, it's not.</p><p></p><p>At which point the rogue discovers that it takes a magical weapons and/or ammunition to hurt a flesh golem, a fact that he shares with his colleagues immediately.</p><p></p><p>Daktari rages, it's his third and final one for the day- just for info the time in-game at present is a little after 9.30 AM, the Dark Squad went down the well at 8 AM, they've been in the thick of it- save for the hour they had off in Newt's Tiny Hut, ever since.</p><p></p><p>Daktari is making a mess of Mr Bad Chutney, because he's using Shatterspike, his magical longsword which does extra damage to constructs- like golems, it doesn't help (me) that he also crits.</p><p></p><p>He's in hog heaven.</p><p></p><p>Daktari: I am Daktari! I am MVP!</p><p></p><p>Vinnie takes a moment to scuttle into hiding to spoon keoghtom's ointment into his mouth, he's still hurting.</p><p></p><p>Vincenzo: Zat feels nice doesn't it?</p><p></p><p>Mr Bad Chutney fails to land a hit on Newt- the golem is at disadvantage because of Newt's fiery attacks, and so the tabaxi just keeps on blasting and burning- and he doesn't miss. Mr Bad Chutney is bloodied very quickly.</p><p></p><p>Then Ram finds out his magical arrows-</p><p></p><p>Ramshambo: Are you crying?</p><p></p><p>Mr Bad Chutney gets hurt some more.</p><p></p><p>But then Daktari starts up again with Shatterspike, and that's that- the flesh golem thumps into the floor, the barbarian takes the opportunity to decapitate Mr Bad Chutney.</p><p></p><p>There's a brief moment in which nothing much happens- save for Daktari holding Mr Bad Chutney's severed head aloft and making threats, the moment could almost pass as pleasant (for the Dark Squad, see Tarbin Tul above). Because then, screaming and running in through the hole in the wall so recently made by Mr Bad Chutney comes... the Rug Doctor, the bugbear smashes its spiked greatclub into Daktari, and here we go again... or at least, some more.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140686[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The Rug Doctor!</strong></p><p></p><p>But it's an unfair fight, and besides the Rug Doctor is just buying time for me (your much abused DM) while I get Granny Frogwart safely out of the lair.</p><p></p><p>Newt is Belphegor enabled, as usual-</p><p></p><p>Newt: Too hot to handle?</p><p></p><p>Newt: Lord Belphegor take this soul!</p><p></p><p>The last one is slightly premature, but it doesn't take too long, what with all of the members of the Dark Squad unloading all they've got, even Vinnie with his Produce Flame-</p><p></p><p>Vincenzo: Per'aps a little 'ot snack iz in order!</p><p></p><p>Although it's actually Newt that delivers the last fire to the bugbear brute's corpse.</p><p></p><p>The fight is won, and the lair- well, it's now uninhabited (sorta), all of the remaining enemies have got out. Although the Dark Squad don't know this yet, and so spend the next hour or so being very very (very) careful as they go.</p><p></p><p>[Granny Ethel Frogwart and friends 3375 XP]</p><p></p><p>Then... well, there's a whole lot of healing going on- with the PCs throwing potions of healing down their necks as fast as they can- and keep in mind that the Dark Squad are still waiting (and expecting) Granny (the 11th level caster, remember) to come back.</p><p></p><p>Then gingerly, gradually, and with a now very weary Ram leading the way, stealthily- the Dark Squad are off and exploring.</p><p></p><p>The adventurers find a second way out of the hag's lair- an earthen passage that leads up to a trapdoor in a tree stump, very well hidden, within the woods.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140687[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>There's another way out!</strong></p><p></p><p>However, they're more interested in a bunkroom with a very ornate (and expensive looking) dressing table, complete with all manner of (equally expensive) beauty products and paraphernalia (perfumes, hair dyes, talcs, powders, brushes and combs etc.). The hag's, Vinnie has no doubt.</p><p></p><p>There's a beautifully ornate mirror atop the equally fancy dressing table, and in the mirror- when Ram takes a peak, is Granny.</p><p></p><p>“You Bastards!” Granny isn't happy, she repeats her line-</p><p></p><p>“I bloody told you, Vinnie- this is not the Ancient Alchemist's well, it's my well! NOW BUGGER OFF!”</p><p></p><p>And so the chatter starts up again, the mirror is two way (at least for conversation) and Granny Ethel makes clear- she built her lair beneath the well, it's nothing to do with any 'ancient alchemist', and eventually after a bunch more checks a majority of the Dark Squad are convinced.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140688[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The Dark Squad kicking back and chatting with Ethel, that table to the south is a very fine dressing table, and not at all how it looks on this map. By the time the conversation was done the hag and Vinnie were well on the way to being firm friends. "I like 'er, we shud ask for 'er join wiz us?", the other members of the Dark Squad are a little less welcoming.</strong></p><p></p><p>The conversation rumbles on, Granny describes herself as a 'freelance independent evil operative', and not part of the Talos-shaped conspiracy which was based in the manse up above. Sure, the hag has benefited from the alliance but, she's not aligned with the storm lord's mob.</p><p></p><p>That said, Granny is happy to let the Dark Squad know- the Talos worshipping half-orcs are/were working towards summoning some sort of big bad avatar of their terrifying god, a creature they referred to as Garthok!</p><p></p><p>This information was also (partially) imparted by Grannoc, as he was dying back upstairs in the manse.</p><p></p><p>So, the Dark Squad definitely need to track the remainder of the boars down, the ones that departed soon after the adventurers arrived here at the manse.</p><p></p><p>The chatter continues, eventually a deal- of sorts- is done. Granny will get a message to Nightshade, asking the ancient evil laired at the centre of the Dreadwood for a powwow with the Dark Squad, or else she will set up a dialogue of some kind- if she can.</p><p></p><p>A little more chatter and Granny let's slip, Nightshade, it is rumoured, has been promoted, or else... well, she might very well be a lich. Granny makes clear that Nightshade has a lot of undead things working for her these days...</p><p></p><p>The players, and their PCs, are less than pleased to learn this new info, I think the chorus went- “Oh, fu...”</p><p></p><p>Right now however, the Dark Squad are going to take a nose around Granny's lair, see what they can find in the way of compensation for the injuries that they have suffered here. They will also rescue any prisoners that are down here, then... then- they promise Ethel, they will bugger off and leave the hag, and her well, alone.</p><p></p><p>It's the best deal Granny (and the DM) can make, so be it.</p><p></p><p>Vinnie at this point is really getting on with Ethel, he even supplies her with the Dark Squad's address in Saltmarsh, the hag promises to get a message to the adventurers there.</p><p></p><p>[Chatting and doing a deal with Granny Frogwart 750 XP]</p><p></p><p>Then, more (stealthy & careful) investigations, this after robbing lots of the saleable items from Granny's beauty parlour.</p><p></p><p>The spider-friend's lair is found, as is a small gaol with attached office, and within the cells a clutch of prisoners- five in total, all humans, and one of them is very definitely Alfonzo Kalhoon. The Dark Squad you'll remember were looking for this fellow, they had investigated Big Al Kalhoon's fortified farm earlier in their journey, it had been overrun by gnolls.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140689[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>It's a prison.</strong></p><p></p><p>The other prisoners look to be locals, probably... most likely folk that have been kidnapped by the Talos worshippers and their gnoll friends, perhaps.</p><p></p><p>The prisoners are however in a very sorry state, beaten to within an inch of their lives- there's no conversation to be had, even after Vinnie uses a little magical healing on Big Al and a few of the others. After investigating the rest of the lair, and finding a little extra treasure, the now ex-prisoners are carried, one by one, out of the terrifying place.</p><p></p><p>[Rescue Granny's prisoners 750 XP]</p><p></p><p></p><p>Back on the surface the survivalists- that's Vinnie & Daktari, go searching for the trail of the boars, some of them Talos worshipping half-orcs in boar form, that fled the manse yesterday. The trail is easy to spot, and easier still to follow- after all there was an entire pack of the porcine terrors.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]140690[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>The boar's trail, looks inviting doesn't it. Deeper into the Dreadwood [Shivers] not for me.</strong></p><p></p><p>But, the Dark Squad can't take the ex-prisoners with them, they're all still unconscious- and so badly beaten (& Exhaustion 5).</p><p></p><p>And so, ensconced within another Leomund's Tiny Hut- its cramped in here, the Dark Squad rest for the remainder of the day, and then through the night. They take turns to stay awake, to keep watch and care for their new charges. They're uninterrupted- no new encounters.</p><p></p><p>The prisoners, when they wake on the morrow, will at last be able to speak- and to tell their stories...</p><p></p><p>That, however, is all we had time for this evening.</p><p></p><p>The Dark Squad’s to-do list reads a little like this-</p><p></p><p>1) Chat with the ex-prisoners.</p><p>2) Return the ex-prisoners (and Tarbin Tul- he wants out) to the logging camp.</p><p>3) Back to the manse/well.</p><p>4) Track the other half-orcs/boars.</p><p>5) DESTROY (Garthok)!</p><p>6) Back to the Falcon?</p><p>7) Goblins in the Dreadwood.</p><p>8) Nightshade in the Dreadwood.</p><p>9) To Blackedge, find the Goblin Stair.</p><p>10) Return to Fallowstone Holy for answers- the Witch’s Tor & the Pact of the Flame. </p><p></p><p>Stay safe and well you lovely people.</p><p></p><p>Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 8344732, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh[/B][/CENTER] [B]Session #055 This is not the Ancient Alchemist's well, it's my well! NOW BUGGER OFF! Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here). New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 7 Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 7 Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 7 NPCs Daktari (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 7[/B] [S][B]Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 [/B][/S][B]RIP* Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard *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[/B] This is session 55, and it was another cracker... When we left the Dark Squad they were primping and preening, pleased with themselves after they had defeated a (small) horde of creatures (a few boggles, a trio of kenku and a bunch of spiders and spider-things) in a cavern below the woodland manse that they had been investigating. However, after reading last weeks write up of the session the PCs, or rather the players, are now very much aware that the fighting isn't over, particularly as all of the named bad guys that they have learned about are only just about to make it to the fracas. So, they're about to meet Granny Ethel Frogwart (again), and for the first time- Big Evil Alan, (Mrs) Fastpants, the Rug Doctor and Mr Bad Chutney, who are all working for the lovely Ethel. And so it goes, although... first off the PCs, scratch that- the players, take time out for a bit of a chat- the subject, simples- where to go with this one, how to play out the rest of the fight? Keep in mind that Ram is stuck- and on his own, and on just about 10 HP. Tarbin Tul is on a similar number of HP, and low on spells. Newt is out of spells* and has taken a few hits. Vinnie is just about bloodied, but he's got a bunch of spells left. While Daktari is still kicking ass and taking names, he's down 20-30 HP, but the barbarian is in a perma-rage and 2 tuff 4 u. *Newt has a Wand of the Pact Keeper- which allows him to get a spell back once/day, the bastard. But back to the player's pre-session chat, in truth they all have different ideas about what should happen next- Newt (played by Bear, and even OOC) still wants to burn everything down. Vinnie (played by Jim/Haggis) on the other hand wouldn't mind a little bit of a retreat. While Ram- if he could get away, well he would. But he's stuck. However, the players all concur- the first task is to get Ram healed and back to the pack. Ram is stuck in a patch of boggle oil and all alone (with the enemies) on the far side of a twenty foot deep depression. So, 1..., 2.... 3... And Granny Ethel Frogwart swings into vision, “I bloody told you, Vinnie- this is not the Ancient Alchemist's well, it's my well! NOW BUGGER OFF!” The hag's ire however is saved for Ram, because he's only ten or so feet away from her, and he's stuck- which serves him right, figures Granny. Remarkably Ram survives the hag's Vicious Mockery (3d4 psychic damage)- he's on 1 HP. Granny Ethel Frogwart: You're so useless, when you join a group of monsters, it goes down a Challenge Rating. I've bought a Vicious Mockery Chat MOD generator-thing, I may try to cast the spell a lot. Note, as soon two of the player's saw that Granny was doing 3d4 damage on her Vicious Mockery there was consternation in the pack. “3d4, she must be at least an 11thlevel caster!”, Jim states. But she's really not, I fiddle with all of my monsters, they're almost never just straight from the Monster Manual, my way messes with the player's heads. Ram's survival doesn't make Granny happy- she shuffles back into cover and orders a full attack- “give 'em hell boyz!”, she cackles. A second later and a squawking kenku steps forward and shoots Ram in the chest, and now he's down, although the rogue has a Periapt of Wound Closure, and so he stabilises instantly. [ATTACH type="full"]140679[/ATTACH] [B]Ram dirt-naps. We've not turned a token on its side for 13 sessions, basically- I've not been doing my job, time for the fight back.[/B] Next up comes (Mrs) Fastpants, she's... actually, she's a blur to everyone except Vinnie, who identifies the small speeding fey for his companions- Fastpants is a quickling. She is constantly in motion, and spinning out daggers as she goes, but my dice are truly broken with three misses in a row (all attacks against Tarbin Tul AC is 13, Fastpants is +8 to hit, go figure). At which point Big Evil Alan arrives at the fight, Alan is a redcap- which is funny, right? Because redcaps are small- as in not tall, although the 'big evil' referred to in this instance better describes Alan's disposition. The sweary mad little bastard leaps the gaping depression (just) and lands in front of Daktari, and then starts swinging, and swearing- and misses three times in a row. [ATTACH type="full"]140680[/ATTACH] [B]Big Evil Alan & (Mrs) Fastpants, rolling low since... 4 ever![/B] I think I've read that somewhere before? Daktari swings back, after making his usual declaration (or at least one of them). Daktari: I am Daktari! I am riding you! The barbarian keeps on cutting and bloodies Alan in an instant. It's at about this point, maybe 10 minutes into the re-started fight that I get the feeling- this ain't going to go my way. Tarbin casts a Healing Word on the fallen Ram, and the rogue blinks open his eyes- he's face down in a puddle of boggle oil, but here's the thing- he's still breathing. Tarbin Tul: Get up you arse, and get back to killing! I've added a few chat lines to the MOD for Tarbin Tul, nice! Then Vinnie becomes Vincen G Squeezy, he really does like his huge constrictor (fnarr), and then he slithers into the depression, more or less filling it, reaching out to (very gently) grab up in his mouth the prostrate rogue- Ram. He succeeds. Only, even after spending an inspiration point, he can't make the strength check needed (DC 11, he's +4) to rip Ram's body free from the (super) sticky boggle oil. [ATTACH type="full"]140681[/ATTACH] [B]Squeezy has Ram gripped, but can't seem to pull the barely conscious rogue free of the taffy/chewy/boggle oil.[/B] Keep in mind Ram is conscious when this is going on- and murmuring his encouragement, although more than a little freaked by proceedings. A pair of kenkus arrive, and start shooting at Squeezy, the snake proves very easy to hit, he's massive. Then the Rug Doctor, a seven foot tall bugbear brute (from a splatbook I bought) arrives- and he's armed with a two-handed spiked club. His job, as instructed by Granny Frogwart, is to grab Ram's body and bring it back to the hag, for reasons of leverage. Or else just to cut the rogue's throat, we'll see how it goes. Ram however atm is in Vincen G Squeezy's mouth, mostly (he's still stuck in the boggle oil)- and so the Rug Doctor takes to smashing the huge constrictor repeatedly in its snout (?) in the hope that it'll drop the rogue, and he doesn't miss. [ATTACH type="full"]140682[/ATTACH] [B]The Rug Doctor, only he don't have no shield- that spiked greatclub is two-handed, and hits hard.[/B] Then Newt remembers his Rod of the Pact Keeper, and instantly recharges a warlock spell power, and then uses it with an inspiration point- Fireball! Two of the three kenku are instantly incinerated, while the Rug Doctor is badly singed, but don't worry he started with well over 100 HP. [ATTACH type="full"]140683[/ATTACH] [B]This seems to happen a lot.[/B] After the fiery maelstrom Ethel is back, the hag instantly spots that Ram is alive- and whispering to Vinnie, she therefore tries again with her Vicious Mockery- Granny Ethel Frogwart : Bless you. Oh, I'm sorry, was that supposed to be an Eldritch Blast? Ram gets back to dirt-napping, he's unconscious again. Fastpants, having entirely evaded the Fireball, also rushes back into the action- spinning yet more knives out at Squeezy, the huge constrictor is hit repeatedly- and is very quickly bloodied and beyond. Note Ethel and (Mrs) Fastpants don't hang around, they rush in to attack and then retreat to cover as swiftly. Meantime Big Evil Alan the redcap goes bonkers, he drop kicks Daktari (who is still raging) with his iron boots, and then gets to work with his scythe on the prone barbarian. Daktari soaks it all up and then goes into a frenzy... Big Evil Alan, alas, does not survive the experience (even after I maxed the redcap's HP, and then gave him a few extra just in case). Daktari: I am Daktari! I am Killing You! Squeezy fails (yet again) to rip the now unconscious (again) Ram free of the sticky boggle oil, still only a DC 11 strength check to do so. This check has been failed seven times in a row so far. Vincen G therefore spends his last inspiration point, and- bloody hell- he succeeds, the huge reptile swallows Ram (briefly) and moves away, which the evil DM rules triggers the Rug Doctor's opportunity attack. The bugbear brute crits, but it's still not enough to deflect Squeezy from his purpose, which is to deposit the unconscious Ram at Tarbin Tul's feet. The terrified bard casts his last spell, another Healing Word- and Ram opens his eyes (again). Tarbin Tul: Sweet Selune heal this mighty hero (or Newt). [ATTACH type="full"]140684[/ATTACH] [B]Everything is just about dead/dying, including Squeezy, Tarbin and Ram.[/B] The last kenku standing shoots Squeezy, who is now critically wounded (on something like 2 HP)- Newt starts Belphegor blasting, the birdman doesn't last long. Newt: Light 'em up! Ram meantime starts scoffing from his jar of keoghtom's ointment- that tastes nice! Ramshambo: Almost like new! That done he picks himself up and gingerly moves off to hide, note at this point Tarbin has also been hiding for a good long while- pretty much since the fight restarted. The bard has his hands over his ears, and is squatting down within an out of the way niche in the cavern wall, trying to blank out the terror before him. It's all very visceral, and bloody, Tarbin isn't feeling very well. Tarbin. at this point. is a little broken inside- it would be fair to say that he has seen enough, and as he stated in previous weeks (i.e. repeatedly). “I'm not great at fighting, I earned all of my XP performing in bars.” Daktari takes a moment to swig down a potion of extra healing, and very suddenly- there are no more enemies present. When Squeezy grabbed and hauled Ram back to the right side of the depression, well... the Rug Doctor turned and fled back the way he came, while (Mrs) Fastpants and Granny Frogwart were attacking and then retreating on every turn. But neither of them head back to the fracas. So, the fight's done... At least for a round or two, but Vinnie's not certain, and so he shapes back to his shifter form and fills the area beyond the depression with Spike Growth. Only the DM is still fiddling with the Initiative Tracker on Fantasy Grounds, and then there's boom, and then a crash- and unseen by the PCs a wall collapses. Only the wall in question is on this side of the depression, the same side as the PCs. Suddenly, as the PCs turn to stare, racing at Newt comes Mr Bad Chutney. Mr Bad Chutney is a massively muscled (max HP, and some more) flesh golem, roughly constructed, and very moody because of this. Newt gets punched, repeatedly, and it hurts the tabaxi- a lot. [ATTACH type="full"]140685[/ATTACH] [B]Mr Bad Chutney![/B] But he takes it, and then starts up with more of his Belphegor's Fiery Blasts, and even with disadvantage Mr Bad Chutney proves to be a large and easy target, and the golem really doesn't like fire. Newt: Set the oven to 350. Ram, at last, is back in business, he puts an arrow in his bow and fires, and from almost point blank range, straight into the back of Mr Bad Chutney's big wobbly head. Ramshambo: This is going to be over a lot quicker than you think. But, it's not. At which point the rogue discovers that it takes a magical weapons and/or ammunition to hurt a flesh golem, a fact that he shares with his colleagues immediately. Daktari rages, it's his third and final one for the day- just for info the time in-game at present is a little after 9.30 AM, the Dark Squad went down the well at 8 AM, they've been in the thick of it- save for the hour they had off in Newt's Tiny Hut, ever since. Daktari is making a mess of Mr Bad Chutney, because he's using Shatterspike, his magical longsword which does extra damage to constructs- like golems, it doesn't help (me) that he also crits. He's in hog heaven. Daktari: I am Daktari! I am MVP! Vinnie takes a moment to scuttle into hiding to spoon keoghtom's ointment into his mouth, he's still hurting. Vincenzo: Zat feels nice doesn't it? Mr Bad Chutney fails to land a hit on Newt- the golem is at disadvantage because of Newt's fiery attacks, and so the tabaxi just keeps on blasting and burning- and he doesn't miss. Mr Bad Chutney is bloodied very quickly. Then Ram finds out his magical arrows- Ramshambo: Are you crying? Mr Bad Chutney gets hurt some more. But then Daktari starts up again with Shatterspike, and that's that- the flesh golem thumps into the floor, the barbarian takes the opportunity to decapitate Mr Bad Chutney. There's a brief moment in which nothing much happens- save for Daktari holding Mr Bad Chutney's severed head aloft and making threats, the moment could almost pass as pleasant (for the Dark Squad, see Tarbin Tul above). Because then, screaming and running in through the hole in the wall so recently made by Mr Bad Chutney comes... the Rug Doctor, the bugbear smashes its spiked greatclub into Daktari, and here we go again... or at least, some more. [ATTACH type="full"]140686[/ATTACH] [B]The Rug Doctor![/B] But it's an unfair fight, and besides the Rug Doctor is just buying time for me (your much abused DM) while I get Granny Frogwart safely out of the lair. Newt is Belphegor enabled, as usual- Newt: Too hot to handle? Newt: Lord Belphegor take this soul! The last one is slightly premature, but it doesn't take too long, what with all of the members of the Dark Squad unloading all they've got, even Vinnie with his Produce Flame- Vincenzo: Per'aps a little 'ot snack iz in order! Although it's actually Newt that delivers the last fire to the bugbear brute's corpse. The fight is won, and the lair- well, it's now uninhabited (sorta), all of the remaining enemies have got out. Although the Dark Squad don't know this yet, and so spend the next hour or so being very very (very) careful as they go. [Granny Ethel Frogwart and friends 3375 XP] Then... well, there's a whole lot of healing going on- with the PCs throwing potions of healing down their necks as fast as they can- and keep in mind that the Dark Squad are still waiting (and expecting) Granny (the 11th level caster, remember) to come back. Then gingerly, gradually, and with a now very weary Ram leading the way, stealthily- the Dark Squad are off and exploring. The adventurers find a second way out of the hag's lair- an earthen passage that leads up to a trapdoor in a tree stump, very well hidden, within the woods. [ATTACH type="full"]140687[/ATTACH] [B]There's another way out![/B] However, they're more interested in a bunkroom with a very ornate (and expensive looking) dressing table, complete with all manner of (equally expensive) beauty products and paraphernalia (perfumes, hair dyes, talcs, powders, brushes and combs etc.). The hag's, Vinnie has no doubt. There's a beautifully ornate mirror atop the equally fancy dressing table, and in the mirror- when Ram takes a peak, is Granny. “You Bastards!” Granny isn't happy, she repeats her line- “I bloody told you, Vinnie- this is not the Ancient Alchemist's well, it's my well! NOW BUGGER OFF!” And so the chatter starts up again, the mirror is two way (at least for conversation) and Granny Ethel makes clear- she built her lair beneath the well, it's nothing to do with any 'ancient alchemist', and eventually after a bunch more checks a majority of the Dark Squad are convinced. [ATTACH type="full"]140688[/ATTACH] [B]The Dark Squad kicking back and chatting with Ethel, that table to the south is a very fine dressing table, and not at all how it looks on this map. By the time the conversation was done the hag and Vinnie were well on the way to being firm friends. "I like 'er, we shud ask for 'er join wiz us?", the other members of the Dark Squad are a little less welcoming.[/B] The conversation rumbles on, Granny describes herself as a 'freelance independent evil operative', and not part of the Talos-shaped conspiracy which was based in the manse up above. Sure, the hag has benefited from the alliance but, she's not aligned with the storm lord's mob. That said, Granny is happy to let the Dark Squad know- the Talos worshipping half-orcs are/were working towards summoning some sort of big bad avatar of their terrifying god, a creature they referred to as Garthok! This information was also (partially) imparted by Grannoc, as he was dying back upstairs in the manse. So, the Dark Squad definitely need to track the remainder of the boars down, the ones that departed soon after the adventurers arrived here at the manse. The chatter continues, eventually a deal- of sorts- is done. Granny will get a message to Nightshade, asking the ancient evil laired at the centre of the Dreadwood for a powwow with the Dark Squad, or else she will set up a dialogue of some kind- if she can. A little more chatter and Granny let's slip, Nightshade, it is rumoured, has been promoted, or else... well, she might very well be a lich. Granny makes clear that Nightshade has a lot of undead things working for her these days... The players, and their PCs, are less than pleased to learn this new info, I think the chorus went- “Oh, fu...” Right now however, the Dark Squad are going to take a nose around Granny's lair, see what they can find in the way of compensation for the injuries that they have suffered here. They will also rescue any prisoners that are down here, then... then- they promise Ethel, they will bugger off and leave the hag, and her well, alone. It's the best deal Granny (and the DM) can make, so be it. Vinnie at this point is really getting on with Ethel, he even supplies her with the Dark Squad's address in Saltmarsh, the hag promises to get a message to the adventurers there. [Chatting and doing a deal with Granny Frogwart 750 XP] Then, more (stealthy & careful) investigations, this after robbing lots of the saleable items from Granny's beauty parlour. The spider-friend's lair is found, as is a small gaol with attached office, and within the cells a clutch of prisoners- five in total, all humans, and one of them is very definitely Alfonzo Kalhoon. The Dark Squad you'll remember were looking for this fellow, they had investigated Big Al Kalhoon's fortified farm earlier in their journey, it had been overrun by gnolls. [ATTACH type="full"]140689[/ATTACH] [B]It's a prison.[/B] The other prisoners look to be locals, probably... most likely folk that have been kidnapped by the Talos worshippers and their gnoll friends, perhaps. The prisoners are however in a very sorry state, beaten to within an inch of their lives- there's no conversation to be had, even after Vinnie uses a little magical healing on Big Al and a few of the others. After investigating the rest of the lair, and finding a little extra treasure, the now ex-prisoners are carried, one by one, out of the terrifying place. [Rescue Granny's prisoners 750 XP] Back on the surface the survivalists- that's Vinnie & Daktari, go searching for the trail of the boars, some of them Talos worshipping half-orcs in boar form, that fled the manse yesterday. The trail is easy to spot, and easier still to follow- after all there was an entire pack of the porcine terrors. [ATTACH type="full"]140690[/ATTACH] [B]The boar's trail, looks inviting doesn't it. Deeper into the Dreadwood [Shivers] not for me.[/B] But, the Dark Squad can't take the ex-prisoners with them, they're all still unconscious- and so badly beaten (& Exhaustion 5). And so, ensconced within another Leomund's Tiny Hut- its cramped in here, the Dark Squad rest for the remainder of the day, and then through the night. They take turns to stay awake, to keep watch and care for their new charges. They're uninterrupted- no new encounters. The prisoners, when they wake on the morrow, will at last be able to speak- and to tell their stories... That, however, is all we had time for this evening. The Dark Squad’s to-do list reads a little like this- 1) Chat with the ex-prisoners. 2) Return the ex-prisoners (and Tarbin Tul- he wants out) to the logging camp. 3) Back to the manse/well. 4) Track the other half-orcs/boars. 5) DESTROY (Garthok)! 6) Back to the Falcon? 7) Goblins in the Dreadwood. 8) Nightshade in the Dreadwood. 9) To Blackedge, find the Goblin Stair. 10) Return to Fallowstone Holy for answers- the Witch’s Tor & the Pact of the Flame. Stay safe and well you lovely people. Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan. [/QUOTE]
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The Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh #136 Into the Mere of the Dead Men.
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