Zad/Wizardru's Story Hour (*final update 11/12*)

[dravot]

A fun, though nervous evening.

We got webbed, and then the paladin failed his save vs. Kris' hold spell - the initial save, and all of the subsequent saves. Basically, he was held until the spell wore off. :\

He was then enfeebled - down 7 STR.

And then Astrid rolled a 1 vs. the sleep spell. Woof.

The amazing thing is that the paladin made all of his domination saves, which kept the vampire focused on him, and allowed Astrid and Elizabeth to get through the web, and get their act together.

Oh, and the vampire's grapple with Sir Alex meant that we had a chance to hit him.

 

[dravot]

One thing that was left out of the writeup is that Glyf tried to TALK Astrid out of opposing Drakthar. Why Astrid and not Elizabeth? I'll quote myself "But I don't CARE about Elizabeth." Take that as you will, but I've been hinting for a while now that Glyph has a crush on Astrid.

That is *so* cute.

 

[Zad]

I should have realized it sooner - he only throws alchemist's fire on people he really cares about.

 

[dravot]

I should have realized it sooner - he only throws alchemist's fire on people he really cares about.

Actually, Astrid has never been hit by alchemist's fire. See? Glyph cares.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Actually, Astrid has never been hit by alchemist's fire. See? Glyph cares.

See. I told you I was being subtle.
She is the first person he enchants if he can as well. He also has spoken to her more than anyone else except Maris and her only because he thinks of himself as her protector.

 

[Nifft]

Drakthar’s Way – Chapter 5OOC Notes:
Exp 630 – remember that vampire spawn must apply the level adjustment.

Vampire spawn?

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Vampire spawn?

What's the matter Nifft? Scared of the Dark? the loving loving dark?

 

[Greybar]

Yeah, I figured it was going to be good after I saw that OOC Note...

 

[Zad]

Noobdy was turned into vampire spawn (that we know of at least). I put that in for reader amusement

 

[WizarDru]

Noobdy was turned into vampire spawn (that we know of at least). I put that in for reader amusement

This kind of grew out of an in-game discussion, where I explained that the party needed another level before they were powerful enough to become vampires if taken over, and would instead be turned into spawn.

“Potions… more potions… in the… deep vault. We think there are some Protection from Evil in there… It’s Sarsen’s system and we haven’t decoded them all but we think… there are two.”

The casual observer might be tempted to think "Ahhh...Dru realized the challenge was too much for them and gave them a boost." While I am not adverse to doing just that, this wasn't such a case. This was actually the DM correcting a mistake that the players were unaware of...specifically that the temple of St. Cuthbert will provide quite a bit more than I thought they would (which is why it always pays to re-read some details from time to time). They won't do it for free, but they offer the best price the PCs are likely to see short of making it themselves.

Observers may also note that Tzaddik just sort of 'appeared' as a victim of domination. This just made things easier from a story standpoint, really, since oldschool1e had missed an intervening session and seemed the logical conclusion.

Overall, I think "Drakthar's Way" was probably the weakest entry in the book and it wasn't bad by any measure. Certainly, the combat afforded in this session was the kind we like best: tense, uncertain and it could go either way. The players didn't get handed this battle, they took it by grasping with bloodied hands. If Sir Alex didn't keep making his Will Saves, it's quite likely that the entire party would have been dominated.

And if I were awarding Action Points, Aethramyr would have gotten one for having Bellsin steal Krisfallions domination. It was pretty funny...Bellsin successfully stole the spell effect and then failed his save...but then remembered that he had used a Protection of Evil potion...effectively giving him several minutes to find and destroy 'the master's' coffin before he'd turn to the bad guy side. Great stuff.