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Story Hour
The Goodman Gang in The Mysterious Tower
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 4084720" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p>You're mad, however I thank you.</p><p></p><p>And so...</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">Dungeon Crawl Classic #3</p> <p style="text-align: center">The Mysterious Tower</p> <p style="text-align: center">Level 3-5</p><p></p><p>Turn 87: Scrumping for beginners.</p><p></p><p>Ala meanwhile wanders away, unable to bear any more of Cas’ conversation, he’s just so… so… simple at times. Practical- maybe, even. Boring, actually often- more than he thinks, anyway.</p><p></p><p>There’s an apple on the ground, she reaches down and picks it up.</p><p></p><p>She looks up; she’s wandered into the overgrown orchard, it’s tangled and dark in here, a little spooky. She can see some semblance of order in the way the trees are planted, but they have since grown far beyond their allotted rows. Brambles twist underfoot, vines hang from the tree branches, she can see the husk of a dead beetle beneath one of the trees – there’s a glimmer of metal amidst the underbrush, she moves further in to investigate.</p><p></p><p>“ALA.” It’s Jim calling.</p><p>She turns to face the Ranger who has a clear line of sight to her, just through the tangle and the fading light.</p><p>“Yes.” She calls back</p><p>“Don’t go too…”</p><p></p><p>Ala is suddenly dragged out of sight.</p><p></p><p>“ALA?” Jim calls.</p><p>“Hel…” Is all the Priestess manages.</p><p></p><p>A huge vine suddenly springs to life, it attempts to snake around her hips, to grab her, thankfully Ala’s too quick, she escapes the plant, draws her longsword, in one swift motion, and then slices down severing the tip of the attacking liana.</p><p></p><p>“JIM- HELP.”</p><p></p><p>The Ranger is already on his way.</p><p></p><p>The grass beneath her feet, the briars and bushes reach out for her, grasp her, clutch her- wrap themselves around the lower legs of the Priestess.</p><p></p><p>“JIM. JIM- I’M STUCK.”</p><p></p><p>The Ranger is on the spot in seconds, the undergrowth is straining to snag Jim, but he’s wise to it, he’s in perpetual motion.</p><p></p><p>He grabs Ala and begins to drag her back, in the same instant a larger liana snakes out and reaches for its prey, the Priestess is unable to get away, the vine curves around her waist and tightens- crushing the life out of her.</p><p></p><p>“AaaaaaaRggJIM.”</p><p></p><p>Behind the pair the other members of the Goodman Gang come running- hacking their way through the overgrown undergrowth.</p><p></p><p>Anya’s Mage Armour shimmers as the others break through; Jim’s still wrestling the vine, trying to loosen its grip, all to no avail.</p><p></p><p>FWUNG</p><p></p><p>Newt buries a crossbow bolt in the base of the vine, as far away from Ala as he can, he doesn’t want to miss.</p><p></p><p>“JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM.”</p><p></p><p>Ala screams again, accompanied by the cracking sound of breaking ribs, she hovers on the edge of consciousness; it’s going very badly, very quickly.</p><p></p><p>“Got it.”</p><p></p><p>Newt cartwheels into the action, comes up beneath the vine grasping Ala, he’s spotted something- it takes a second for him to get his aim.</p><p></p><p>FWUNG</p><p></p><p>The crossbow bolt thumps into a central stalk, the heart of the Assassin Vine, a mixture of blood and sap spews from the rupture, the effect is instant, the liana wrapped around Ala coils back, Jim grabs the Priestess as she falls, drags her back out.</p><p></p><p>“BACK. BACK.”</p><p></p><p>The Ranger screams, Cas dodges in cuts another probing liana clean in two, then falls back like the Ranger ordered.</p><p></p><p>They’re back in the clearing, in the centre of the ruins. Ala mutters prayers, heals her wounds, a little embarrassed, a lot shaken.</p><p></p><p>“You can’t be going off on your own.” Cas warns her.</p><p>“I was with her.” Jim volunteers, and shares a look with Ala.</p><p>“It’s dangerous.” Cas finishes.</p><p>“I know that now”, Ala mutters, then quieter, “sorry.”</p><p>“Good. Just be careful, I can’t be there to rescue you all the time.” The Paladin can’t resist having the last word.</p><p></p><p>By the look on Ala’s face he’s going to regret his compulsion.</p><p></p><p>“Right then, let’s clear the surface structures, see what we find- remember we’re looking for a way into the Tower.” Cas leads them off, towards the shattered stables.</p><p></p><p>“Jerk”, Ala offers when Cas is far enough away to not hear, which makes Jim grin.</p><p></p><p>The stable is, or rather was, a long, low building, the stone columns on the corners still stand, as do some of the rafters, some of the roof is still intact. There are no signs of life however.</p><p></p><p>Cas motions to Newt, who shrugs bobs down and scuttles in, then back out again at double-speed. A squeaking cloud of bats twirls and swirls from the exit- take wing and flap off to find somewhere quieter to rest.</p><p></p><p>Newt smiles up at his audience, shrugs his shoulders and heads back in.</p><p></p><p>Thirty seconds later.</p><p></p><p>“It’s safe, come and have a look.”</p><p></p><p>The others head on in.</p><p></p><p>The darkness rushes away as sunrods are sparked into life, there’s a hole, a very large hole in the corner of the building, leading down, a gentle slope.</p><p></p><p>“Wait there.”</p><p></p><p>Jim rushes over, crouches low to the ground, and investigates.</p><p></p><p>“Paw prints, big, wide- heavy, a bear? Perhaps more than one- whatever it is it weighs a ton. We should try the other buildings before we head down there.”</p><p></p><p>The Ranger points down the dark hole, Cas sees the sense of it, leads the Gang back out, and on- to the shell of one of the keeps towers, previously hidden from sight, behind the Mysterious Tower.</p><p></p><p>Jim holds up his hand, crouches, the others follow suit- the Ranger points, there’s something in there.</p><p></p><p>It’s another Beetle, this one much bigger, its ten-foot-long carapace pokes through the rubble. A gigantic pair of mandibles protrude from the end opposite, they clack and taste the air. The Giant Stag Beetle is half-hidden, dug into the rubble.</p><p></p><p>A whispered conversation takes place.</p><p></p><p>“It’s very big.” Newt gulps.</p><p>“It’s in the way- I want to check that tower out, we have to shift it.” Cas states.</p><p>“Its shell- it must be six inches thick.”</p><p>“Thanks Ala.” Cas sees fit to put her down again.</p><p>“Then let’s do it properly, three with missiles; then me, you and Bec pile in- smash what’s left of it.” Jim offers.</p><p>“Good plan.” The Paladin concurs.</p><p>“It’s very big though.” Newt gulps again, “I hate Beetles”, the Gnome whispers.</p><p></p><p>And so it is, Newt, Anya and Ala ready missile weapons, the warriors stand ready, and when Jim signals crossbows and bows sing.</p><p></p><p>The result is devastating.</p><p></p><p>FWUNG</p><p></p><p>Newt’s crossbow bolt pierces the shell seemingly without resistance, the entire missile passes into the creature, a gout of filthy ichor signals the impact.</p><p></p><p>SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE</p><p></p><p>The Giant Stag Beetle doesn’t seem to be very happy, it lumbers round, shedding stone and mortar as it attempts to turn and face its foes.</p><p></p><p>It gets half-way.</p><p></p><p>FWUNGCRUNCH</p><p></p><p>SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE</p><p></p><p>Anya crossbow bolt does the job, smashes into the creature’s right eye, completely obliterates the oracle, that’s enough for the Beetle, it kicks up a cloud of dust as it flees the scene.</p><p></p><p>SPUNG</p><p></p><p>Not fast enough, Ala’s arrow smashes into the side of the creature, a huge rent in its black armour opens up.</p><p></p><p>SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE</p><p></p><p>It’s off and running, never coming back.</p><p></p><p>Leaving the three warriors with nothing to do, except check the area the Beetle so recently vacated- there’s nothing to be found, just the remains of the fallen tower.</p><p></p><p>“Move on.” Cas signals them forward again, to easily the most complete and stable looking of the ruined buildings.</p><p></p><p>The stone-framed Officer’s Quarters is relatively intact, though severely damaged, through the doorway Cas notes the piles of shattered furniture that choke the room, there are two open doorways leading off from the first chamber.</p><p></p><p>“Newt.” </p><p>The Gnome shakes his head, then grins, and quietly, no silently, heads on in, through the wreckage, it’s a good job he’s small.</p><p></p><p>The first chamber was once some sort of office, the remains of a desk, several chairs, a bench- nothing else really of interest, except perhaps the odd gold coin that the Rogue manages to somehow, almost magically, locate.</p><p></p><p>The Gnome signals thumbs up, all is well, then points to a doorway, and heads on in.</p><p></p><p>The second chamber is a bedroom, the remains of a bed and a wardrobe make this obvious, it takes a further two minutes to search the chamber.</p><p></p><p>Outside the other members of the Gang wait with baited breath, finally the Gnome emerges back into the twilight, shakes his head, points at the remaining doorway, and then creeps on through it.</p><p></p><p>The final chamber is some form of storeroom, or walk in closet, either way it’s a mess, but…</p><p></p><p>Newt moves over, further in, peers down at the floor- there’s another hole, man-size, a ladder attached to the wall leads down into the gloom, it looks safe, sniff, but it smells.</p><p></p><p>Newt heads back to report his find, the way down, certainly not the gold he’s found.</p><p></p><p>“I still thing we ought to check out all of the surface buildings first, I don’t want us bottled up down there with nasties roaming over out heads- that would be like walking into a trap.” Cas argues. With no one as it turns out, the others concur.</p><p></p><p>“Let’s get it done then, the light’s getting worse every minute.”</p><p>Cas nods back, the Gang move off quickly, Newt’s spotted something, “there.”</p><p></p><p>The Gnome scurries off, the others come tumbling after.</p><p></p><p>Alas a little too quick, it’s another hole, this one much bigger, much deeper, and straight down.</p><p></p><p>Cas loses his footing on the slick earth, kicks air, he stumbles forward, still not in control, and falls over the lip of the pit…</p><p></p><p>Next Turn: Don’t press it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 4084720, member: 16069"] You're mad, however I thank you. And so... [CENTER]Dungeon Crawl Classic #3 The Mysterious Tower Level 3-5[/CENTER] Turn 87: Scrumping for beginners. Ala meanwhile wanders away, unable to bear any more of Cas’ conversation, he’s just so… so… simple at times. Practical- maybe, even. Boring, actually often- more than he thinks, anyway. There’s an apple on the ground, she reaches down and picks it up. She looks up; she’s wandered into the overgrown orchard, it’s tangled and dark in here, a little spooky. She can see some semblance of order in the way the trees are planted, but they have since grown far beyond their allotted rows. Brambles twist underfoot, vines hang from the tree branches, she can see the husk of a dead beetle beneath one of the trees – there’s a glimmer of metal amidst the underbrush, she moves further in to investigate. “ALA.” It’s Jim calling. She turns to face the Ranger who has a clear line of sight to her, just through the tangle and the fading light. “Yes.” She calls back “Don’t go too…” Ala is suddenly dragged out of sight. “ALA?” Jim calls. “Hel…” Is all the Priestess manages. A huge vine suddenly springs to life, it attempts to snake around her hips, to grab her, thankfully Ala’s too quick, she escapes the plant, draws her longsword, in one swift motion, and then slices down severing the tip of the attacking liana. “JIM- HELP.” The Ranger is already on his way. The grass beneath her feet, the briars and bushes reach out for her, grasp her, clutch her- wrap themselves around the lower legs of the Priestess. “JIM. JIM- I’M STUCK.” The Ranger is on the spot in seconds, the undergrowth is straining to snag Jim, but he’s wise to it, he’s in perpetual motion. He grabs Ala and begins to drag her back, in the same instant a larger liana snakes out and reaches for its prey, the Priestess is unable to get away, the vine curves around her waist and tightens- crushing the life out of her. “AaaaaaaRggJIM.” Behind the pair the other members of the Goodman Gang come running- hacking their way through the overgrown undergrowth. Anya’s Mage Armour shimmers as the others break through; Jim’s still wrestling the vine, trying to loosen its grip, all to no avail. FWUNG Newt buries a crossbow bolt in the base of the vine, as far away from Ala as he can, he doesn’t want to miss. “JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM.” Ala screams again, accompanied by the cracking sound of breaking ribs, she hovers on the edge of consciousness; it’s going very badly, very quickly. “Got it.” Newt cartwheels into the action, comes up beneath the vine grasping Ala, he’s spotted something- it takes a second for him to get his aim. FWUNG The crossbow bolt thumps into a central stalk, the heart of the Assassin Vine, a mixture of blood and sap spews from the rupture, the effect is instant, the liana wrapped around Ala coils back, Jim grabs the Priestess as she falls, drags her back out. “BACK. BACK.” The Ranger screams, Cas dodges in cuts another probing liana clean in two, then falls back like the Ranger ordered. They’re back in the clearing, in the centre of the ruins. Ala mutters prayers, heals her wounds, a little embarrassed, a lot shaken. “You can’t be going off on your own.” Cas warns her. “I was with her.” Jim volunteers, and shares a look with Ala. “It’s dangerous.” Cas finishes. “I know that now”, Ala mutters, then quieter, “sorry.” “Good. Just be careful, I can’t be there to rescue you all the time.” The Paladin can’t resist having the last word. By the look on Ala’s face he’s going to regret his compulsion. “Right then, let’s clear the surface structures, see what we find- remember we’re looking for a way into the Tower.” Cas leads them off, towards the shattered stables. “Jerk”, Ala offers when Cas is far enough away to not hear, which makes Jim grin. The stable is, or rather was, a long, low building, the stone columns on the corners still stand, as do some of the rafters, some of the roof is still intact. There are no signs of life however. Cas motions to Newt, who shrugs bobs down and scuttles in, then back out again at double-speed. A squeaking cloud of bats twirls and swirls from the exit- take wing and flap off to find somewhere quieter to rest. Newt smiles up at his audience, shrugs his shoulders and heads back in. Thirty seconds later. “It’s safe, come and have a look.” The others head on in. The darkness rushes away as sunrods are sparked into life, there’s a hole, a very large hole in the corner of the building, leading down, a gentle slope. “Wait there.” Jim rushes over, crouches low to the ground, and investigates. “Paw prints, big, wide- heavy, a bear? Perhaps more than one- whatever it is it weighs a ton. We should try the other buildings before we head down there.” The Ranger points down the dark hole, Cas sees the sense of it, leads the Gang back out, and on- to the shell of one of the keeps towers, previously hidden from sight, behind the Mysterious Tower. Jim holds up his hand, crouches, the others follow suit- the Ranger points, there’s something in there. It’s another Beetle, this one much bigger, its ten-foot-long carapace pokes through the rubble. A gigantic pair of mandibles protrude from the end opposite, they clack and taste the air. The Giant Stag Beetle is half-hidden, dug into the rubble. A whispered conversation takes place. “It’s very big.” Newt gulps. “It’s in the way- I want to check that tower out, we have to shift it.” Cas states. “Its shell- it must be six inches thick.” “Thanks Ala.” Cas sees fit to put her down again. “Then let’s do it properly, three with missiles; then me, you and Bec pile in- smash what’s left of it.” Jim offers. “Good plan.” The Paladin concurs. “It’s very big though.” Newt gulps again, “I hate Beetles”, the Gnome whispers. And so it is, Newt, Anya and Ala ready missile weapons, the warriors stand ready, and when Jim signals crossbows and bows sing. The result is devastating. FWUNG Newt’s crossbow bolt pierces the shell seemingly without resistance, the entire missile passes into the creature, a gout of filthy ichor signals the impact. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE The Giant Stag Beetle doesn’t seem to be very happy, it lumbers round, shedding stone and mortar as it attempts to turn and face its foes. It gets half-way. FWUNGCRUNCH SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Anya crossbow bolt does the job, smashes into the creature’s right eye, completely obliterates the oracle, that’s enough for the Beetle, it kicks up a cloud of dust as it flees the scene. SPUNG Not fast enough, Ala’s arrow smashes into the side of the creature, a huge rent in its black armour opens up. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE It’s off and running, never coming back. Leaving the three warriors with nothing to do, except check the area the Beetle so recently vacated- there’s nothing to be found, just the remains of the fallen tower. “Move on.” Cas signals them forward again, to easily the most complete and stable looking of the ruined buildings. The stone-framed Officer’s Quarters is relatively intact, though severely damaged, through the doorway Cas notes the piles of shattered furniture that choke the room, there are two open doorways leading off from the first chamber. “Newt.” The Gnome shakes his head, then grins, and quietly, no silently, heads on in, through the wreckage, it’s a good job he’s small. The first chamber was once some sort of office, the remains of a desk, several chairs, a bench- nothing else really of interest, except perhaps the odd gold coin that the Rogue manages to somehow, almost magically, locate. The Gnome signals thumbs up, all is well, then points to a doorway, and heads on in. The second chamber is a bedroom, the remains of a bed and a wardrobe make this obvious, it takes a further two minutes to search the chamber. Outside the other members of the Gang wait with baited breath, finally the Gnome emerges back into the twilight, shakes his head, points at the remaining doorway, and then creeps on through it. The final chamber is some form of storeroom, or walk in closet, either way it’s a mess, but… Newt moves over, further in, peers down at the floor- there’s another hole, man-size, a ladder attached to the wall leads down into the gloom, it looks safe, sniff, but it smells. Newt heads back to report his find, the way down, certainly not the gold he’s found. “I still thing we ought to check out all of the surface buildings first, I don’t want us bottled up down there with nasties roaming over out heads- that would be like walking into a trap.” Cas argues. With no one as it turns out, the others concur. “Let’s get it done then, the light’s getting worse every minute.” Cas nods back, the Gang move off quickly, Newt’s spotted something, “there.” The Gnome scurries off, the others come tumbling after. Alas a little too quick, it’s another hole, this one much bigger, much deeper, and straight down. Cas loses his footing on the slick earth, kicks air, he stumbles forward, still not in control, and falls over the lip of the pit… Next Turn: Don’t press it. [/QUOTE]
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