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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 9504645" data-attributes="member: 16069">Dark Squad in the Secrets of SaltmarshSession #150: I am the Chosen One!Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).Daktari/Dak (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 9Fellowyn Silverstream (played by George) Male Eladrin Wizard Bladesinger Lvl 9New Tricks/Newt (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 9Ramshambo/Ram (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue/Fighter Lvl 7/2Vincenzo/Vinnie (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 9DEAD 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>RETIRED<s>Ubmo (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 1</s> EXPLODED<s>Ubdug (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 2</s> EXPLODEDUb-Pam (played by Goonalan) Supreme Being Lvl 3*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.Servants/FamiliarsGerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New TricksOwly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiarArchimedes (very scruffy & old, Owl) Fellowyn’s familiar.The Dark Squad’s to-do list-<ol> <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 Cemetery).</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 150, and the Dark Squad are in the Witch’s Tor, they have a beacon to light here- it’s all part of the prophecy, also- there’s bad magic here, or else a very mad/bad wizard, either way- it’s not safe.Caution has been the Dark Squad’s watch word so far, although… well, Ram keeps hearing things, stone doors keep closing- and closed doors are proving difficult to open (DC 12) just ask Daktari he managed three ‘1’s in last weeks sessions, and more misses than hits with the rest of his attempts. Also, well- there are noises here- whispering sounds, footsteps (perhaps), Thuds! Of course, it also doesn’t help matters that Newt is for want of a better word- frustrated, things have been blowed up, and at times- the tabaxi is raging.But y’know, nothing new to report.[ATTACH=full]385614[/ATTACH]The Dark Squad go on, following Ram- the long passage descends steep stone stairs into darkness.Oh, and we’re 150 sessions in so, well, that’s nice- in game no-one remembered and/or noticed.[ATTACH=full]385615[/ATTACH]Down the end of the passage is another stone door, one of a pair, however one of the portals is open- Ram investigates.There’s a sudden gust of wind which seems to rush out of the open portal ahead and blast its way up the stairs, stirring up dirt and debris and in its swift passage leaving Vinnie and Daktari blinded, but only temporarily- dust in their eyes, just a little water to clear the affected orbs, and…But the Dark Squad are back to being on edge.Good.[ATTACH=full]385616[/ATTACH]There are two chambers at the bottom of the stairs, a four pillared high-ceilinged hall, and… another chamber- both are dusty, old (ancient) and empty.The Squad are not happy.There are no doors that they have not opened en route to this point, which means of course the search for hidden things begins here.Keep in mind the Squad are on the clock here.Twenty or so minutes later and the Squad are heading back up the stairs the only thing discovered are that bones scattered around the chambers here were all killed in action- they suffered, lots of cuts and slashes, lots of breaks.They were fighting for their lives.Fellowyn worked this one out and had the smarts to ask the right questions. His dice, at least for his skill checks, are rolling high again.[ATTACH=full]385617[/ATTACH]Back up the stairs- everyone is searching for hidden doors, except Newt- he’s bought himself a crowbar, he’s in the process of grave robbing.Although there’s nothing much except splintered bone and dust to find in the various sarcophagi.[ATTACH=full]385618[/ATTACH]But then they (Fellowyn) find a secret door, and Daktari- first go, gets it open. Another chamber, and another fire bowl- this one much larger than the first.There’s another stone door to the south in the newly discovered chamber, and soon after- apres a series of skill checks and then some shoving…[ATTACH=full]385619[/ATTACH]They’re in. That’s nice. The ornately carved and ornamented table is made of stone, as are the chairs.There’s another pair of stone doors- open to the west.Investigations take place, while other members of the Squad stand watch.The symbols on the table are for the most part unknown to the Squad, although Fellowyn states confidently that they are elven in origin, ancient beyond the counting and likely… something to do with the Pact of the Flame.Although there’s a symbol of a great eye in the centerpiece.Newt thinks Zypop [Sigh][POP!] may be involved.A short while later, while the rest of the Squad are about their work (making checks and snooping), the tabaxi squats upon the ancient trestle and takes ten minutes to commune with the Watcher- Zypop, who with a single word confirms his presence (or former presence) in this place.Zypop is watching.Has been watching here for a very long time- or so it seems.[ATTACH=full]385620[/ATTACH]But while that’s all going on Ram has discovered another Ashardalon-shaped statue (nine-foot-tall skinny elf-cum-dragon = dragonborn). He’s also convinced that the passage to the statue is trapped- most likely a floor trap.The rogue is worried enough to ask one of the spider-climbing duo (Daktari or Vinnie) to go check it out.Daktari obliges entering spider-stance and scooching along the wall, he gets face-to-face with the statue and- it blinks, or else stone eyes become real eyes become stone eyes once again.The barbarian is unnerved. He reports right back to Ram, but he doesn’t like it…It would be fair to assume at this point that the Dark Squad don’t like the Witch’s Tor.Nothing keeps on happening.Ram is convinced that the Squad’s progress is being monitored, that there’s something or someone either just a little ahead of them- preparing the way, or else there are more secrets here- more tunnels. Either way- the Squad is being observed, he’s certain of it.We go on…There’s another door further down the wide passage, beyond the second statue.Ram checks it and gets the portal open, he’s moving a little more quickly now, although still taking care.[ATTACH=full]385621[/ATTACH]Note, there’s no book (open or otherwise) on the sarcophagi ahead.The Dark Squad keep moving on, into the newly revealed small but otherwise (and typically) empty chamber.There are two more stone doors to open here.[ATTACH=full]385622[/ATTACH]The first leads into another mostly empty chamber. Keep in mind the sarcophagi are being investigated, or at least looked at, just to make sure there’s nothing to distinguish them from the myriad the Squad have seen of these so far.Newt also attempts to open maybe one in four of them.They all contain the ancient and sometimes crumbled to dust remains of dead elves.But then…[ATTACH=full]385623[/ATTACH]The swearing begins.The sarcophagi in here is around twelve feet long, six feet wide- six feet high and ornately done with a dragon-head design, it is etched and carved with a myriad decorations.It has six very hefty looking sealed metal hasps securing the lid shut.Hang on…The sarcophagus looks exactly like the one in the Sunless Citadel, the one the Dark Squad opened, and unleashed Ashardalon into the world.Same size, same design, same hasps.Only this one looks newer, or else better preserved.Oh, but Fellowyn wasn’t with the Squad at the time and so Newt helps out.“Yes, we opened it- unleashed a world-ending dragon creature and started the ball rolling on the apocalypse. So, what of it?”The tabaxi continues, mostly shouting now…“Now, get this bloody thing open…”And as good as his word the warlock grabs out his crowbar and sets to it.This while all the other members (mostly) of the Dark Squad scream at Newt to stop.Note nobody is wrestling the crowbar from Newt for the simple reason that even with it he’s unable to even budge the first hasp.The Dark Squad have got a minute, at least, to figure out what best to say to put Newt off his present course.Although…Ram is all for it.“Beep it! Let’s get it open, if the apocalypse is due then what worse can happen. Two apocalypses? Screw that- open it.”It’s an odd partnership, Newt and Ram.Oh, there’s another statue of Ashardalon in the chamber- watching the Dark Squad bicker.The aforementioned (bickering) goes on a while.Until we get to here-[ATTACH=full]385624[/ATTACH]Newt has climbed onto the sarcophagi, having been unable to remove even one of the hasps- and he’s been trying real hard, with no help from his friends. The tabaxi is at present swearing, shouting and stamping on the stone bier.It goes something like this-“Come on out you miserable bastard? You think I’m frightened of you! I’m not frightened of you! I AM NEWT THE MAGNIFICENT! I WILL BE YOUR GOD! ALL OF YOU!”I don’t remember the actual words that got said, but those will suffice.I remember laughing a lot.Oh, and Ram is tucked in the corner there, bow at the ready just waiting for something bad to happen.The rest of the Squad are mostly investigating the great sarcophagi while trying to avoid Newt’s dancing/stamping feet.They’ve moved on- they’re getting on with their lives.However, everyone taking skill checks (except Fellowyn) is making very hard work of it.Thank heavens for Fellowyn and his magic dice.In the midst of all the decoration, and scroll work and adornment, hidden away, are incised three words of ancient elven- the tongue the PCs have been hearing (the whispers in the Mere of the Dead Men) and reading (in the magic circle above).The three words are-“Find the Pedestal.”Fellowyn is convinced- this is a message left for them, or else for all of the various incarnations of the Dark Squad.A little later convinces the rest of the members of the Squad, although not before Daktari has a five-minute staring contest with the latest statue of Ashardalon.Also, and this happens a good way into the bickering, the Dark Squad discover there’s another stone door on the southern section of the eastern wall.To here…[ATTACH=full]385625[/ATTACH]Another statue of Ashardalon, more sarcophagi but no more exits.Now they’re stuck again.The Dark Squad stop here to bicker some more- there follows maybe ten minutes of the ‘what to do next for the best’ debate.The results in- if we can’t find a secret door in these two chambers then… it’s open the sarcophagi time.Eventually it is agreed.It’s a plan.Ram finds the secret door maybe fifteen seconds after the ten-minute bicker and debate to agree the above plan.The plan worked is the best that can be said.Beyond the secret door is another chamber- more sarcophagi and yet another stone door, which Ram gets open and beyond…[ATTACH=full]385627[/ATTACH]In an alcove in the newly revealed chamber is… oh look, a large stone pedestal.Then, we spend another ten minutes working out who amongst the various members of the Dark Squad has learned enough along the way to be able to read and translate Ancient Elven. I’ve added it as an additional language in Fantasy Grounds, to save time.As soon as this is done Fellowyn steps onto the pedestal.And slowly, as if drawn by a mad man on a giant etch-a-sketch lines appear on the far wall.The lines draw a very crude picture.Or else the DM does.[ATTACH=full]385628[/ATTACH]The picture shows the pedestal topped by a “?” symbol, written in Ancient Elven.The Dark Squad are very good at this game.At least that’s what they tell me.They need to put something (or someone) on the pedestal.Newt thinks the answer is Newt.The tabaxi therefore drags Fellowyn off the spot and climbs aboard, while waving his arms aloft and shouting-“It’s me! I am the Chosen One!”More etch-a-sketch text appears on the back wall, the picture of the pedestal replaced.It says-[ATTACH=full]385629[/ATTACH]In translation.Seconds later, after Newt eventually steps off the pedestal the original image reappears- a picture of the pedestal topped by an (ancient elven) question mark.Ten seconds later, after some shoving, Daktari gets onto the pedestal, arms aloft.“It iz I. I am the Sky-Man-Pony!”See the image above. Alas, another fail.At which point, having ticked off the idiots (did I say that), the grown-ups have a proper think about things.About 1.5 seconds later Fellowyn says-“Why not put one of the maze buttons on the pedestal?”Ram fishes his out and then does so.The image on the wall changes again- more elven text, spelling out the word-“Correct”Then another image appears.[ATTACH=full]385630[/ATTACH]FIRE PIT! Is the consensus, at which point pretty much all members of the Dark Squad rush off to try and find one of the fire pits- there were two of them in here, inside the subterranean bit of the tor.Note the PCs have not been up the corridor to the north of the pedestal yet, and so they follow another secret passage which deposits them back in the chamber with the massive circular stone table in it.They rush on, to here-[ATTACH=full]385631[/ATTACH]Daktari has oil, Vinnie has fire.The large fire pit is lit.Nothing happens.The Dark Squad stand about looking at each other for maybe ten seconds until someone shouts-“Pedestal!”And off they go again, running all the way back to…“Correct”And then another image.[ATTACH=full]385632[/ATTACH]The smaller fire pit, although no-one remembers where this is.Also, Newt’s very annoyed right now because he suggested they light both fire pits just a moment ago.Actually, everyone is loving this bit.There’s a lot of giggling and running around on Fantasy Grounds going on.That should have been a clue.Happy PCs.You know what comes next.Oh, and one last bit- when the PCs first encountered the fire pits here I described them, of course, but also stated that they were the kind of things that they had seen before, mainly used in temples and the like as part of rituals and/or sacrifices.When I recapped the last session (at the start of this one) I made sure I repeated the above again.[ATTACH=full]385633[/ATTACH]Here’s the second (smaller) fire pit, having been fired up by Fellowyn and Vinnie.At which point the air shimmers (all around the PCs) slightly and there follows the sound of several (a lot of) dull THUMPS.The last THUMP spawns this feller.[ATTACH=full]385634[/ATTACH]So, standing between Fellowyn and Daktari is a three-foot tall grey skinned (with cuts, bruises, wounds, spikes, scars and other intrusions or protrusions) humanoid. The creature’s frame is skeletally thin, starved. It screams- part terror, part joy.Although, the creature’s screams are not vocalized, the screams are just/only in the PCs heads.The screaming, which becomes giggling- then gargling- then back to screaming, doesn’t hurt at all- but it is annoying.The small creature is happy to caper and dance on the spot while this is going on.This is doubly annoying because George (who plays Fellowyn) is doing the soundtrack, and he finds a terrifying scream repeat track on whatever the sound thing he uses (Syrinscape?).Newt has had enough- he goes mental.Other folks are very suspicious- note the creature cannot be identified (yet, several PCs try- but not all) and it’s not attacking- only capering and delighting, and psychically bombarding them with terror and glee.Newt grabs and begins to throttle the little bastard.The screaming doesn’t stop.The creature bites Newt’s arm.And then as the rest of the Squad start up shouting and/or attacking, a multi-legged terror swoops down from the ceiling and absolutely guts Daktari.[ATTACH=full]385635[/ATTACH]The humanoid-centipede abomination, while still clinging to the ceiling makes six attacks at the barbarian- they’re all hits, and two of them are crits.Worse to come- along with the terrible slashing wounds Daktari is bombarded with repeated viewings of the creature’s claws and talons going in- the gore shots of him being ripped apart, on a looped tape, from the creatures POV plays in the barbarian’s head.Along with all of the screaming and giggling from the little guy.Daktari takes a lot of psychic damage- nearly as much as the physical damage.[ATTACH=full]385636[/ATTACH]The barbarian goes from just short of full hit points (stone doors can hit hard) to about ten. Here he is- on his way down.[ATTACH=full]385637[/ATTACH]Check out Daktari’s life bar- on the right of his token.Daktari is broken, and a gibbering wreck.[ATTACH=full]385638[/ATTACH]Then the multilegged abomination scuttles away, in a flash, back out of the chamber, still on the ceiling (flat to it)- and before any of the Dark Squad can even react to events.Note, that’s Ub-Pam on the map, the modron is oblivious to the arrival of the new enemy on the ceiling above her.That all happened pretty fast.Next?Mostly screaming and shouting.Oh, and swearing.Then there is fighting, and running around, and a lot more in the way psychic screaming events.[ATTACH=full]385639[/ATTACH]Two more of the small silent screaming humanoids turn up, and then Daktari and Ram eventually get to attacking the ceiling clinging bastard. Note Ub-Pam was destroyed by the ceiling scuttler seconds before the above image was taken.Oh, and the creature on the ceiling also made a stealth attempt to hide at the end of its previous turn, and so at first, it’s only Ram that’s actually able to keep a track of it.Although he’s relaying information about where the thing is using the party telepathy channel.[ATTACH=full]385640[/ATTACH]But then, after eviscerating Ub-Pam, the Star Spawn (as identified by Fellowyn, but that’s all he knows) is easily spotted- it rolled a ‘1’ on its next stealth check.Daktari after sinking a potion or two (and raging), and Ram, therefore make it to the fight.Although, when they attempt to swing at the ceiling scuttler the screams of the nearby smaller Star Spawn just increase and put them off their attacks (all at disadvantage).The ceiling Star Spawn therefore easily survives the Dark Squad onslaught.[ATTACH=full]385641[/ATTACH]But then, yet another of the smaller terrors waddles into the chamber and climbs up into the fire in the larger fire pit, and… FOOF! The fire’s out, and the creature’s dead.[ATTACH=full]385642[/ATTACH]The Dark Squad go all in- too soon.Fellowyn summons a Spirit Slaadi (called ‘Pop Noogle’) and yet…Mere seconds later and all of the Star Spawn are gone- their departure accompanied, as was their arrival, by a series of ear-popping, air-shimmering, dull thuds.The PCs are… let’s just say less than happy, they trudge back to the pedestal and…[ATTACH=full]385643[/ATTACH]“Fail”At which point, and we’re over time already for this session, the Dark Squad work a few things out.First off, the ritual needs to start again- another PC must place a maze button on the pedestal, and then light the fire pits in the right order, and then the Star Spawn will, most likely, come back.They (the Star Spawn) are here to disrupt the ritual/ceremony.Or else kill the Dark Squad.Note, Fellowyn has given you a name for these creatures- Star Spawn, aberrant outsiders from beyond space and time, but no more than that. There’s a couple more of you that could make checks here- after all, anyone can roll a ‘20’.Point two.The Star Spawn’s arrival and departure was accompanied by the shimmering air and ear-popping thuds.You heard about a dozen thuds accompany the Star Spawn’s departure.And a single thud accompanied the arrival of the first small Star Spawn into the tor.Therefore, you figure, there must be around a dozen enemies left.A dozen!One of them almost put Daktari down in a turn (with advantage/surprise admittedly).Last bit- point three, and this was well worked out-“Wrong!”“Fail!”“Game Over!”“Try Again in your next Life Cycle.”“Thank you for Playing.”Has been the order of the day for Newt, then Daktari, and now Ram.The Dark Squad have only two goes left at this- there’s only Vinnie and Fellowyn left to make an attempt.Good luck, you are going to need it.And that was the end of the session- more of this sort of thing next week (12th).Stay safe and well you lovely people.Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.</blockquote>

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