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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 9135922" data-attributes="member: 16069">Dark Squad in the Secrets of SaltmarshSession #122: Universally Challenged.Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 8Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 8New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 8Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/1Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 8DEAD PCs<s>Nicholai Barbaros Kostyiev/Nicky (played by George) Male Dhampir Cleric of Twilight Lvl 8 </s>RIPNPCs<s>Inverna Nightbreeze (played by George) Female Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 8 (Sidekick) </s>RETIRED<s>Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 </s>RIP*<s>Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard </s>RETIREDUbmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1 (When we remember)*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.Servants/FamiliarsGerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New TricksOwly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiarThe Dark Squad’s to-do list-<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">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.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">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.”</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">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).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Nightshade is in the Deep Dreadwood- except she's not there anymore, but a big red dragon is?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Blackedge and the Goblin Stair?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">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.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">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.</li> </ol>This is session 122, and still there’s no fighting, and this one had very little in the way of tension, maybe the odd moment- but there was plenty of quizzing.So, what to write here?[ATTACH=full]295829[/ATTACH]We were here, remember.That’s Cortex, and he seems to be a Mind Flayer, and the host of… something called Universally Challenged.And the strange, and exuberant, aberrant keeps firing questions at the Dark Squad.And the noise of the (unseen) crowd when the Squad gets a question right.That’s right, there’s a crowd applauding every now and then, and when the PCs concentrate really hard, they can detect a chorus of voices. To make clear- when Cortex speaks it sounds like more than one voice, all speaking at the same time, and in part- the questions being asked sound different, or else…What is going on here?But the questions keep on coming.Keep in mind that Cortex (or else the DM) is doing his best impression of Jeremy Paxperson."Tentapods on buzzers, this is your starter for ten- no conferring.""I'm going to have to hurry you, the answer is?"But you know the kind of thing, probs- if you are UK based.There's even another voice that indicates who buzzed first- the PCs have to send the GM a whisper on Fantasy Grounds, fastest gets the first attempt at an answer."Dark Squad, Delvino."And the Dark Squad’s egos are being tickled, or else it's Tuesday night- this is D&D, sorta.So, what to write here?That's the question-The Dark Squad started their adventures by rescuing a member of royalty, name him or her? Princess Lucky.Correct.The village of Thundertree, located close to the Sunless Citadel, was formerly controlled by whom, before being re-conquered by Reidoth the Brown and his adventuring companions? And the Squad eventually get to the answer…A green dragon and its Cult of the Dragon followers.The area surrounding the Sunless Citadel became known as, this due to draconic depredations in the region? The Ashen Plain.Correct.The Dark Squad rescued a gnome priest from the Sunless Citadel, what was his full name? Erky Timbers.Correct.What was the name of the ancient Duergar artefact that the Dark Squad located (and then blew) in the Sunless Citadel? Nightcaller.Correct, although Cortex adds… “the whistle, the blowing of which let the Duergar know that game was afoot (again)”.But hang on… what do you mean the Duergar were alerted?But there’s no time to relax- the questions keep on coming.What was the full name and title of the creature summoned by Nightcaller? Gwen.Incorrect.GWEN!Incorrect!The Dark Squad argue the toss, see earlier, and then spend an XP to find out the answer-Gwendawr Blackheart, Scourge of the Black, the Duergar Pirate Queen.Pirate… what now!And by now the Dark Squad are figuring how this works- there’s new info to be had here.We come at night without being fetched; we disappear by day without being stolen. What are we? Stars.Correct.The Dark Squad acquired a scroll in the Sunless Citadel the last line of which led them to the long-abandoned forge of Durgeddin the Black. What was the clue given? Unknown.And the correct answer is- Hotter Now, which directed the Dark Squad, of course, to Mount Hotenow.What event took place fifty years prior in the same region, leading to the destruction of Thundertree and much of the City of Neverwinter?Unknown, but the PCs want to know-The eruption of Mount Hotenow, after the attempted release of a Maegera, a Primordial being.Interesting, the Dark Squad (or at least some of them) think that Ub is a Primordial being too.Erky Timbers asked the adventurers to check in of his brother, who lived in the region close to Mount Hotenow, what was his name? Spandwick the Magic Gnome (and his wife Bel).Correct.What type of creatures had occupied the forges of Durgeddin the Black? Duergar.Correct.Durgeddin the Black had a heart made of what, according to Arundil, the ghostly dwarven wizard?Unknown, but the PCs really want to know, and so-Stone.Oh, that’s not as interesting as… well, maybe.In Nightscale's (the Black Dragon's) hoard there was a Periapt of Wound Closure, actually a holy symbol, but dedicated to which god, or goddess? Umberlee, the Sea Bitch.Correct, Ram still has it.What did Ashardalon take from the same hoard? Unknown, but the PCs really want to know-And keep in mind sometimes when 'Unknown' gets written here that's because the PCs can't remember the answer, or else Jim (playing Vinnie) can't find the answer in this narrative, or Bear (playing Newt) can't find the answer in his note books- he has at least two now.Other times, like this time, 'Unknown' means the PCs really don't know the answer to this one, they've never known.The answer, of course-A maze button.We stop for swearing.Who was Daktari expecting to meet when he first encountered the Dark Squad? The Eyes in the Night.Correct.What was the name of the Uthgardt Sky Pony 'bad witch'/wise woman that eventually sends the Dark Squad to the land of the Bad Dead Ancestors? Old Mare.Correct.Jim (playing Vinnie) is now getting really quick at looking the answers up, although… not all of the time.How did Newt offend Timor, the Uthgardt chief? By employing a Mage Hand spell followed by a Control Flames spell, almost setting the chief’s tent on fire- magic is bad.Correct.Which member of the Dark Squad first suggested that they should hire Daktari? Unknown, followed by a guess- Vinnie.Incorrect.But they want to know, and foolishly spend the XP to discover-Newt.Well, that answer wasn’t important at all.What do the Sky Pony Uthgardt drink? Schlapp.Correct.Who, in the land of the bad dead ancestors, cut and styled Daktari's hair so spectacularly the barbarian stated- “I look like a god!”? Ram? Incorrect.But the DM is feeling kind, the correct answer is-Newt.Which creature, as described by Buggles, broke into the tomb chamber in which the Dark Squad were cowering while attempting to fight off their dead enemies in the land of the Bad Dead Ancestors? Various guesses follow, all incorrect.The DM is feeling kind again, so-An undead Bear-Owl (Owlbear).What was written (and is still being written) in the book the Dark Squad found in the tomb of the seventh Bad Dead Ancestor? The Dark Squad's story- this narrative.Correct.Who attempts (unsuccessfully) to take the place of the seventh Bad Dead Ancestor? Garumn.Correct.Which member of the Dark Squad was the last to 'die' when the walls of the Land of Bad Dead Ancestors finally closed in? Vinnie?Incorrect, but the PCs really want to know, more XP gets spent-RamWhat did Sheldon do to Vinnie before he departed?Various guesses, all incorrect.The generous DM says-Sheldon licked Vinnie like a popsicle. Sheldon, if you remember, is/was a gigantic turtle.Nice.Newt, Ram & Buggles' first sight in 'hell' were of maze coins lying on a very plush looking rug, how many coins were there in total? 4?Incorrect.5?Incorrect.The DM lets them know-Six.The six coin-shaped maze symbols were previously being used to cover the eyes of the three hell-bound members of the Dark Squad.Who saves Newt, Ram & Buggles from the fiery pits of 'hell'? No answer given.The generous DM-Jot, the Imp, who met the PCs previously in the Sunless Citadel.How long were the Dark Squad in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors? Lots of guesses, all incorrect.The answer…24 days.The Dark Squad were arrested in Neverwinter by a Dragonborn detective, what was his name? Superintendent Clawed.Correct.Why was everything coming up Erky, as Newt remarked? Erky Timbers avoided/survived the dragon attack on Castel Gwthyr, he was the only survivor.Correct.What was the name of the Mage that Newt hired in Neverwinter to help with his dark practices, the Mage was later taken to hell as a prisoner of Humphrey Far-Fer-Nar? Newt is distraught to learn that he hired a mage, he doesn’t remember having to have help with his magic.He’s further distraught that this episode is up for discussion.No answer given.The DM lets the Squad know-Lira Vanderbilt.What was the name of the Sea Elf that Ram worked with during his time with Captain Stonebeard?What now?Ram can’t remember.The DM is happy to let Ram know-Oceanus.Which two individuals greeted the arrival of the Dark Squad with the following lines- “Who the hell are you muppets?”, and, “Talk fast sunshine or else I'll put my cludgie in yer speck-hole!” The Dark Squad have no idea.Bang & Olafson, the missing Dwarven engineers.That’s the kind of thing that’s going on here, only…[ATTACH=full]295830[/ATTACH]As it turns out that chorus of voices the PCs can hear coming out of Cortex’s mouth, well… it seems this quiz is not just about them.This is a competition.The Dark Squad have 105 points so far.The Eyes in the Night, have 110 points so far.Things just got interesting.And so, the PCs start really trying…The Dark Squad were assigned two dwarven brothers to help with various tasks by Manistrad Copperlocks, what was the name of the two brothers? Grumpy & Porthole Slagg.Correct.The Slagg brothers insist that the various members of the Dark Squad demonstrate their ability to drive a horse and cart, which member of the Squad fails repeatedly to do so- he’s so drunk? Lots of bickering follows.Ram?Incorrect.Newt?Incorrect.But now the PCs really want to know and someone spends some XP to find out-The answer- Vincenzo.The object with these sort of questions is, of course, to hook the PCs in and get them to spend more XP.I'll be honest, it worked quite a lot- more than I expected.There are two words etched into the stonework beneath the central span of Sharkfin Bridge, both words written in ancient Elvish characters, what are the words- in the common tongue? After a lot of shouting and arguing-Fire & Ashardalon.Correct.The Dark Squad were ambushed by bandits near Witch Wood, who were co-ordinating the bandits’ attacks? A guess from the team Captain-Talos worshipping half-orcs that could change into boars.That’s correct.Who’s the Dark Squad team captain, you ask?I’ll tell you.It’s Newt.Or as he’s called upon by Cortex in this quiz-“Dark Squad, Tricks.”Newt is loving being Captain.Loving.It.What card game did Buggles fail to teach Gwen? A guess from the team Captain-Snap.Correct.Why did Hgraam the Stone Giant ask for and receive a personal item from each member of the Dark Squad? Lots of muttering but no clear answer, but they really want to know and so more XP gets spent and-In order to scry upon and track the Dark Squad’s continued progress.Several members of the Dark Squad are agog, they really liked Hgraam the Stone Giant, he was very cool.Why did Buggles say "I've never been so glad to see a bunch of grubby dwarves”? He had, with the rest of the Dark Squad, escaped the Underdark.Correct.What was the name of the book found in the chest of holding in the Underdark? Frantic searching and…VH Campaign diary.Correct.Before taking to the skies Newt tries to learn to fly Gerald, his familiar Giant Bat, where? Lots of guesses- all incorrect.The DM is feeling generous, and so-In the basement of Dark Squad house.Who, in VHs Campaign Diary, is described as- a tall and sallow creature of bestial countenance, cursed by a monstrous fury, it consorts with devils and demons alike? Newt.Newt confidently states.He’s right.What was the name of the band that played at the Dark Squad House Party? Lots of guesses- all wrong.Clam ’69.Who sang Kum-Ba-Yah-Poseidon at the Dark Squad party? The Dark Squad remember the event, just not who was doing the singing.The Byrd Family, the Dark Squad’s very religious neighbors.Who is Flaming Kevin? None of the PCs have a clue.But the DM is keen that they know-A Myrmidon of Fire and servant of Belphegor, who delivered a message to Newt on behalf of his master.What is the name of the Dark Squad’s housekeeper? Mrs Badcrumble.Correct.How does Daktari ‘break’ the wild horse that Ram buys for him? He stares at it and yells ‘you are my horse’ for 40 minutes.Correct.Where did it say ‘a-maze-in’, meaning on someone with a Maze button could activate the portal within? In the catacombs beneath Saltmarsh cemetery, in an ancient grave site dedicated to the Elves, which lead to the portal to the Pact of Flame area.Correct.Who two citizens of the town take to fighting who steps in to save the day- the voice of reason at the first Saltmarsh Town Council meeting the Dark Squad attend? Newt.Newt insists it was him- the rest of the Squad are very doubtful.He’s right.The Squad are on a roll.[ATTACH=full]295831[/ATTACH]They're well ahead of the Eyes in the Night now.Note if the PCs get a question wrong then the Eyes in the Night get it right.What was the name of the ranch the Dark Squad cleared of gnolls? Lots of searching the narrative, but… no answer.Butterskull.Who were Gnige, Gnorma & Gneil; clue- they were all massacred by the Dark Squad? Gnolls, all massacred at the Butterskull Ranch.Correct.Who said “I am go now. This place smells of OLD!”, and then left? And which location did they leave? Two answers. Daktari at Fallowstone Holy.Eventually, correct.Why was Blevins killed? The Dark Squad quickly work out that they really don’t know the answer to this one, and so spend some XP to discover-He had fallen out with his Death Cultist masters.What Death Cult?Hang on…Hang on…Blevins was an angry fellow who didn't like the dwarves at Farhill mine, the Squad originally thought- maybe he didn't like them. Later the Squad discovered Blevins had been killed (actually ritually sacrificed) in a place called Hecse Field. Later still the Squad discovered Blevins family home- the dead fellow's wife and daughters had been slaughtered there.Blevins didn't have a lot of luck, it seems.Screw him, he was a Death Cultist, is mostly the Squad's opinion.Where did the Dark Squad meet Tarbin Tul, the Bard? The Wayside Inn.Correct.Where is Tarbin Tul now? On the Dreadnought, an undead-filled undead boat.Correct.Although Cortex adds- “prisoner of the Death Cultists.”Who attempted to burn down the Wayside Inn? Newt states that the answer is- Vincenzo.All of the other members of the Dark Squad plump for-Newt.It’s a shame that Newt is Captain.Incorrect, the answer was indeed, Newt.Who instigated the attack on the Wayside Inn? Death Cultists.The PCs work this answer out, or else take an educated guess.Correct.What is, and where is, Garblegut's Palace?Palace of the Goblin King in the Goblin Stair.Correct.At Westor's Logging Camp who smashed two Ankhegs in just six seconds? Lots of guesses follow.Remarkably none of them are right.The DM lets the PCs know-Newt.Who was Grannoc? Talos worshipping Half-Orc Cult boss.Correct.Who did the Dark Squad find a portrait of in the Manse in the Dreadwood, home to Grannoc, Talos worshipper, and his gnoll troops? Antonio De La Crane?Incorrect.It was his father-Maximo De La Crane.The well in the De La Crane Manse, which the Dark Squad initially believed, was the Ancient Alchemist's Well, as referred to in the prophecy, it wasn't though- whose well was it? Granny Ethel Frogwart.Correct.Who is/was Herbert Petite-Pantalon? But no-one knows the answer to this one.He was (deceased) a Boggle employed by Granny Frogwart that the Dark Squad captured and questioned.Claim five points for each for the names of any of Granny Frogwarts lieutenants (they were all named enemies)? More remarkably the Dark Squad remember these-The Rug Doctor (Bugbear), Mrs Fastpants (Quickling), Big Evil Alan (Redcap) & Mr Bad Chutney (Flesh Golem).What's the name of Nightshade's lair in the Deep Dark Dreadwood, as told to the Dark Squad by Granny Ethel Frogwart? The Fortress of Dread.Correct.In the lair of Granny Frogwart what did Ram get stuck in, for a very long time? Boggle oil.But none of the Dark Squad remember this, Ram spent nearly an entire session stuck in the stuff.Why did Daktari say the following- "Hellooooo! Helloooooooooooo! I sink der bulb has gone! Anybody?" None of the PCs can remember, the answer-Daktari was engulfed by a Huge Shambling Mound at the time.When Daktari finally escaped from the gut of the giant Shambling Mound what was the first thing he asked Ram about? His hair.Correct.Obvious really.Who spent 11 months in Vinnie's backpack? Wildroot, the Treant guardian of the Moon Pool, and Pact of the Flame member.Correct.What, according to Daktari, is not mightier than the sword- the sword in question being his sword- Shatterspike? A pen.Correct.What type of creature did Ram save in the Dreadwood, the creature was being attacked by more of its kind when the rogue intervened? A raven, being attacked by a murder of ravens.Correct.Newt said, “... remember- if at any time there are two people in a room, one will most surely wish to murder the other. It is just a fact of life...” Who was Newt trying to reassure? Arty Swell, who had just been accused of murder.Correct.Who said- “I could have persuaded you to murder all of your fiddling companions here in Squiggleport, and then have you dance on their bloody remains... if I had wanted to.” And to whom did they say it. Newt to Arty Swell.Correct“Now buck up Missy and let's get on!” Newt has a way with folk, an easy natural charm. To whom was he speaking? Inverna.Correct.The Dark Squad are on a roll.Well, that’s the kind of thing that went on, oh- but this happened somewhere towards the end, when the Players came back from a break the image on the VTT had changed, again-[ATTACH=full]295832[/ATTACH]The Knight Squad, if you remember, were the adventurers that the Eyes in the Night were investigating.Why is the DM showing the Dark Squad these guys?There must be something to it, maybe…Stay safe and well you lovely people.Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.</blockquote>

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