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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 9753894" data-attributes="member: 16069">Dark Squad in the Secrets of SaltmarshSession #166: The Goblin’s Stare.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 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 recover her maze button. Location unknown. SEE 2. ABOVE.</li> </ol>This (really) is session 166 (see last sessions write up, first line).Here we go…We’re fighting, or else the Dark Squad are fighting for their lives… although that may be overly dramatic, they’re just all out of everything, battered and bruised (a bit, some of them) and fond of bemoaning their lot.Y’know.Players.[ATTACH=full]416881[/ATTACH]Here we all are, and the first action of the session is for Fellowyn to make a Death Save. He passes.The rest is fighting- yet another turn of it, but the goblins are thinning out, although the big chief- actually an ogre, has only just got into the fight after spending the first five or so turns subject to a Confusion spell. My point? The chief ain’t giving up- he’s only just getting going (and he’s hit point strong), and so the DM decides that the goblins- more scared of their chief (and his brother) are going to dig real deep and just keep on fighting… and dying in their tens/twenties/hundreds.It makes for good D&D, or at least my players seem to like this sort of thing.[ATTACH=full]416882[/ATTACH]Ub-Pam takes down the other ogre, he’s the chief’s brother but we’ve not had chance to get into the family dynamic. His brother’s death doesn’t improve the chief’s mood any.And…[ATTACH=full]416883[/ATTACH]You know that there’s trouble when Ram joins the dance, that’s right- his first attack is a crit, he takes down one of the problematical (AC 20-ish) hill goblin warriors- they’re spiked platemail encased and with 30-something hit points. Anyway, it dies. Moments later another goblin dies. It’s what Ram does.Note, Daki-Kong is looking very quizzical in the image above.[ATTACH=full]416884[/ATTACH]You see the thing about being a twenty-foot-tall giant monkey is that you kinda very much make yourself the most obvious (and easy to hit) target.The monkey man gets hit by bombs, shot with arrows, whipped, sliced and maced.He brought it on himself.[ATTACH=full]416885[/ATTACH]Like I said.You’ll note Fellowyn is still dying, it’s been a great session for George so far.[ATTACH=full]416886[/ATTACH]Newt is… doing Newt. One of the alchemists got him with its hallucinogenic bomb a few turns back (he’s made his save since then) and so now he’s hunting all of the alchemists down.And shouting loudly- mostly threats and very mad things.It’s his schtick.His colleagues are, of course, screaming at the warlock to try to get him to help them out.He’s ignoring all that nonsense. I think those were his actual words.Goblin alchemists die.[ATTACH=full]416887[/ATTACH]Note the little blue circles are alchemical goblin healing stations (sorta), the big blue circle is a cloud of hallucinogenic gas. They’ll disperse in a bit. But then, we get to Fellowyn’s big plan. Vinnie hit him with a Healing Word last turn, he’s been lying doggo since then- pretending to be dead.So, here we go.Fellowyn scrambles to his feet, blinks and reappears about thirty feet away, and… scrabbling in his bag of holding he pulls out… Punketah’s spellbook (Punketah was the deck wizard on the smuggler’s ship, the Sea Ghost, now owned by Ram).[ATTACH=full]416888[/ATTACH]The wizard madly (he does everything- madly) flicking through the pages until… (with an IP) he begins mumbling and intones- he’s down to casting directly from other (dead) folk’s spellbooks, that’s where we are at right now. Anyway, Lightning Bolt.And it’s a winner, nearly 40-damage top end.Goblins sizzle and zap- frazzled![ATTACH=full]416889[/ATTACH]We’re getting close to the end, and the goblin chief is about to drop. Newt is now hunting goblin bombers, mostly because his colleagues are screaming for him to do something else, he doesn’t want the other PCs to start thinking that they can tell him what to do, there’s no ordering him around. That’s not the balance of power as he sees it.Newt is also happy to share his (above) reasoning with his colleagues. Only in fewer and less complex words.[ATTACH=full]416890[/ATTACH]And so, the goblin chief (a massive ogre) lives to vent its fury some more- it hits hard, and Daki-Kong is taking an absolute beating (it doesn’t help he’s AC 12). Also, the goblin bombers/archers/etc. keep on hitting.So, perhaps Newt was right to target them.[ATTACH=full]416891[/ATTACH]Blimey, Punketah’s spellbook is proving to be a godsend. I’m almost sorry I gave them it. This is a storm sphere.Lots more goblins die.Note, Fellowyn is on four hit points, or thereabouts, atm. That’s why he’s retreated to the stairs.[ATTACH=full]416892[/ATTACH]And after the storm abates (a little) Ram runs through the sphere, gutting one goblin mid-dash, and another when he emerges from the mini-maelstrom, like a boy-next-door-butter-wouldn’t-melt-avenging-angel-of-death.While...[ATTACH=full]416893[/ATTACH]Daki-Kong smushes the hill goblin that has been whipping him for the last however many turns. A touch of overkill- DAMAGE EXCEEDS HIT POINTS BY 35- INSTANT DEATH.And then, Ub-Pam lands (she flies) next to the last goblin standing, who actually isn’t standing anymore- he’s on his knees and begging for his life, having already tossed away his bow. Ub-Pam clubs the goblin to death, five fist Pentadrone style.Daktari is so proud of Pammy right now. Shame he still can’t show it.Note, the PCs have figured out that the various modrons that have been accompanying them on their adventures (calling themselves the ‘supreme being(s)’) that’s- Ubmo, Ubdug & Ub-Pam seem to take on aspects of their new best friends in the Dark Squad, Ubmo with Vinnie, Ubdug with Ram (even down to the rogue’s dark side/thoughts (‘the zeroes…’)) and now Ub-Pam and Daktari. They somehow bond, and then soon after start exhibiting traits of the PC in question.Dak makes lovely speeches about ‘his Pammy’, but he can’t when he’s a big monkey. He settles for getting emotional.The fight is over and… nothing happens.No goblins come rushing up the stairs, and the PCs have taken ten turns to get this last fracas done.Note, that last encounter was 15,000 XPs worth of goblins (although the two ogres accounted for maybe 4,000 XP of that).Anyway… nothing continues to happen, and so the Dark Squad swig healing potions and fret about what’s down below.The stories they tell themselves.There’s something big down below is the consensus- what big? The answer veers between a dragon and an elemental/primordial.But we’ll see.[ATTACH=full]416894[/ATTACH]Or else Ram will, the rogue descends the stairs.A cavern, with lapping water. No other sound.Ram however has a ring of water walking.He stealthily explores, reporting back what he finds- the Dark Squad are still all hooked up to Rary’s Telepathic Whatnot.[ATTACH=full]416895[/ATTACH]Off to one side of the fungus filled cavern is… an ancient and crude altar- maybe. With ancient doodles on it, for some reason (involving an Insight check- result not seen by the player) Ram thinks the images remind him of a) a crocodile’s face- eyes and mouth, and b) a tabaxi with a dagger hidden behind his back.It seems that- maybe- the tabaxi is carrying the crocodile. Maybe.[ATTACH=full]416896[/ATTACH]This chatter causes Newt to kick start his flying broom and zoop down to take a look for himself. He (after another hidden Insight check) can’t see it. It’s just scribbles.Then, with Newt still zooming around, and Ram still creeping around, well…[ATTACH=full]416897[/ATTACH]Several very large (twenty feet plus tall) earth elementals step out of the walls/floors. The PCs momentarily panic, because I’ve ticked a box I shouldn’t have in Fantasy Grounds and the players can see that there are five of these huge elementals in the combat tracker and the weakest of them has just a few more than 280 hit points.Keep in mind that the Dark Squad have nada left in the tank, no spells (save what the dead folk’s spellbooks have to offer), no super-dooper powers, no rages, no… but you get it.So, well over a 1,250 hit points worth of very hefty looking earth elementals.I untick the box that shows the PCs the bad guy’s hit points.Problem solved.The Dark Squad are very polite.Or else Vinnie is- the druid knows all of the Primordial tongues. The druid and the nearest hulking elemental exchange greetings.The big feller isn’t chatty.However, there’s no fighting yet, and so the Dark Squad take a few breaths.Phew.And then…[ATTACH=full]416898[/ATTACH]Hgraam, the friendly stone giant, taps Ram on the shoulder.Which scares the heck out of the rogue as he was stealth ‘25’ or so at the time. Hgraam explains later that he can hear (and feel) all creatures that are in contact with the stone/earth.And suddenly all of the other PCs (who had been previously hiding) descend to say ‘hello’ to Hgraam, now that the huge earth elementals have been put to work.Hgraam orders the elementals to ‘make the temple anew beneath the goblin’s stare’, the brutes start somehow re-modelling and shaping the huge chamber.‘Stare’, not ‘Stair’!“’Ow do yew mean ze goblin’z stare?” The Moonboar grunts/asks, Hgraam patiently explains- the temple (according to Ub) should be built beneath the gaze of the goblin’s laired above.The Dark Squad have a short internal (telepathic) chat and chose not to reveal that they have just massacred like a million goblins on the way down here, and… there are no goblins left alive up there to be gazing anywhere.They also work out at this point that they really didn’t have to kill all (or indeed any) of the goblins, still it made for a glorious summer.Hgraam goes on to explain that once the temple is built the Dark Squad will get to meet the Deepking, the Duergar Lord- a ceremony will be performed in the temple by Hgraam (with a little help from the various members of the Dark Squad- and the use of their three maze buttons, and the magic chest that changes size) then, at the conclusion of the ceremony the ‘traitor’ will die.The least smart members of the Dark Squad (you know who you are) immediately ask- “What do you mean- die?”The (singular) smart member of the Dark Squad asks- “Who’s the traitor?”The answers given are-“Die as in dead! What’s not to understand.” That’s the mystery of question one put to bed.And with regard to question two- “The traitor is one of you.”Alas the answers only lead to more questions, particularly the second one.Hgraam therefore goes through a checklist of tasks and events, all of which have been instigated and/or accomplished by the Dark Squad.Basically, through their actions the Dark Squad have metaphorically located the gun, loaded it, and then pointed it at this spot. At least that’s Hgraam’s interpretation of events.Note, during Hgraam’s explanation the PCs also learn the following- the tower embedded in the Tor here, through which the PCs fought their way past lots of hideous and creepy goblins was- the original Argent Tower. The forebear (or else version one) of Castle Argentriver. The Argent Tower, like Castle Argentriver is, or rather was, a time machine.Also, the strange chest they found in the jungle (or else on a ship in the jungle) that changes size was built by a mad eladrin wizard from ancient times.As were both time machines.All built by a mad eladrin wizard, with no more sense than the god’s gave a goose.Can you see where this is going?Also, that’ll be why the PCs found Fellowyn’s stuff in the basement of the above-mentioned tower.When this comes to light the rest of the PCs expend a good ten minutes of their time on their own version of the truth & reconciliation council/committee, is there anything else Fellowyn wants to tell them? The wizard goes deaf and does a lot of shoegazing.Cruel of me, I know.Anyway…So, Hgraam, continues his narrative- the traitor dies, the Dark Squad swear an oath to the Deepking- he will set them but a single task to achieve to be free of the oath, and… then they get the key to the door that will take them to the ‘empty space vessel’. Which the Dark Squad believe translates to ‘spaceship’, and within which is another maze button. Number four.They need six buttons. Or rather six buttons exist.And by the time the explanation is complete, and everyone is on the same page- although a few of them still have questions, or else concerns, anyway- too late for that.The elementals have built the temple, or else…[ATTACH=full]416899[/ATTACH]Hgraam lets the Dark Squad know- they will be leading him to the temple, because… they’ve been here before.Which causes yet more consternation.Because no one can remember a lava filled temple, or a lava filled whatever-this-place-is.We go on a break, for the PCs to have a think about things- like, where they went wrong in this life etc. and for the brighter sparks to wade through the pages of this story hour on ENWorld, until…[ATTACH=full]416900[/ATTACH]Well done, George, it’s the same map- although the last time the PCs were here this place was underwater, and full of soggies/sahuagin.But still, no-one can remember where the temple is.Although looking at the image above, well- you don’t have to be a genius to figure it out.Are the Dark Squad going to explain their lack of knowledge to Hgraam or are they just going to go for a wander and bluff it out?That’s right.“It iz zis way…” the Moonboar declares and then stomps off in a random direction. Newt meantime goes for a fly about. It’s very hot in here.The Dark Squad spread out- they’re in search of a temple. Note, Ram is invisible atm.[ATTACH=full]416901[/ATTACH]At which point, with Fellowyn approaching, a medium sized platemail (of a sort) wearing humanoid made of lava/magma/flame leaps out of the pyroclastic flow and threatens the ancient drow (eladrin) wizard.The temple is barred, for the greater good the Dark Squad cannot be allowed to enter.Basically, retreat or die.[ATTACH=full]416902[/ATTACH]Here’s our guy, talking in Ignan- which the Moonboar (Vinnie) understands.But neither side can persuade the other to back down/go away, although nobody but the Moonboar was actually trying.[ATTACH=full]416905[/ATTACH]Look at the pretty lava. Note the fiery beasts are actually fiery snakes, I couldn’t find a better token (or else I forgot to look).So, and inevitably, we get to fighting.And keep in mind- again- the Dark Squad have pretty much only got cantrips left, but- as ever, they hit hard, particularly Ram & Dak (& maybe Newt with his blasting).[ATTACH=full]416906[/ATTACH]There they are- fire worms, told you. You’ll note the PCs are all already hurting.[ATTACH=full]416907[/ATTACH]And as it turns out the fire snakes/worms are attempting to grapple the various members of the Dark Squad, and… burny.[ATTACH=full]416908[/ATTACH]Even Hgraam is not immune, and now the stone giant is riled- throwing stones and smashing the flaming serpents.[ATTACH=full]416909[/ATTACH]The second platemail wearing elemental turns up and fails to land a single hit on Newt, who is hovering here and blasting away.[ATTACH=full]416910[/ATTACH]And here we all are. Normal service has been resumed.Out of the frying pan and into the fire.Have you seen the temple? Can you please point it out.We’ll get there, no doubt- all in good time.See you next time.No game next week, Kev’s away- let’s build the PCs for the alt game, FG will be up at 8.I’ve got another write up on the go, it can be found here-<a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/d-d-5e-not-kots-5a-dragon-castle-enc-6.712348/" target="_blank">[D&D 5e] Not KotS 5a Dragon Castle. (Enc#6) | EN World D&D & Tabletop RPG News & Reviews</a>It’s a 5e version (sorta) of Keep on the Shadowfell, and lots of fun.Stay safe and well.Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.</blockquote>

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