Attronarch's Athenaeum

Adventurers

Character	Race	Class	Description
Dalkanarion	Human	Fighter level 6	A youthful specimen in full strength, full of purpose, bluster, and eagerness to prove himself.
Heran Marod	Human	Cleric level 3	Bearded, aging man with shaved head. Follower of Umannah, the Sun God, The Radiant Death.
Ludd Nuck	Human	Fighter level 1	A lad from the farm, still wet behind the ears and smelling of dung whom became an adventurer to impress a village lass who jilted him.
Tikatu	Human	Druid level 3	A dirty little ma with dark and dirty skin, wearing loincloth with no back. “What will be, will be” is his favourite aphorism.
Kho Rimbo	Human	Magic-User level 2	A knife throwing wizard extraordinaire. Covered in ritual knife scars. Cuts himself whilst casting. Prone to being sarcastic.
Tobias Lindflags	Hobbit	Thief level 3	A sixth-born son standing to gain nothing from inheritance, so he set out to make his own fortune in the world.
Somniel	Elf	fighter level 1 / Magic-User level 1	An elf of ambivalent age suffering from mild amnesia.

Meadowlark 14th, Fireday

“The Queen demands you and your men return to Hara. Today.”

Decarili, a large, barrel chested Altanian of blood red complexion said to Ambros. Cleric knew the man, for he was the Captain of Queen's Guard. Decarili arrived just before first rays of sun broke and marched straight into the cleric's tent.

“What is going on in Hara that requires the return?” Ambros inquired.

“Tsamar is missing. Aseti has been killed. Zenon has been killed. Tangay has been killed. Queen wants you and your men back. As far as I know, Dalkanarion's orders remain unchanged.” Decarili answered, straight to the point.

“I haven't a clue who any of these people are, but it sounds serious.” Ludd Nuck whispered.

“Tsamar is the castellan of Hara who gave me the thugs troops and was setting us up to fail. Zenon, I think, was the head of the Assassin’s guild. Did Tsamar pull a hit and run? Is there a new Assassin Guild Master in town cleaning up shop? Is the wizard we are after pulling strings in town? All of it serious and bad. This will also leave the Keep unguarded, along with all our treasure.” Dalkanarion explained to wondering Ludd.

Ambros discretely asked Dalkanarion to speak to Decarili as well. Grecian warrior had recently came in the possession of a necklace that allows him to hear thoughts of persons he focuses on. He did not hear anything that would indicate that Decarili was lying or presenting falsehoods. In fact, the Queen's Captain was genuinely surprised at the news that one of Hara's patrols was vanquished by beastmen.

“The Queen wants her Justice Supreme return to Hara today.”

Without any delay, Ambros commanded Marlon and Jace to disassemble camp and prepare to march to Hara. Dalkanarion and six chosen adventurers would remain at the Cedarwade Keep.

Thus, Heran Marod, Ludd Nuck, Kho Rimbo, Tobias Lindflags, Somniel, and Dalkanarion packed up their belongings, and selected a least filthy and devastated room in the keep as their new base of operations. Tikatu opted to remain in his tree hole several hundred yards away.

Dalkanarion spent rest of the day meditating with the Oathkeeper. He wished to learn how to purge the nexus of evil at Racoba's Redoubt. Three paladin spirits advised him of Three Steps of Total Purification: (i) destroy all evil objects, (ii) destroy all evil creatures, and (iii) consecrate the divine areas. If (iii) doesn't work, then destroy the whole building.

Meadowlark 15th, Spiritday

The chosen seven, plus Dalkanarion's linkboy Hue, rode northwest, forded the river, and reached the plateau around noon. They tied the horses nearby, assigning Ludd Nuck once more to guard duty. Then they descended into the underground complex once more.

Dalkanarion led at the front of the marching order, while others followed side-by-side behind him. The party elected to explore the eastern portion of the dungeon. Thus they descended into the antechamber, turned south into the improvised sleeping quarters, then east into the corpse and statue chamber. Pit trap connecting the chambers was closed shut.

Turning south, adventurers descended into a dust caked chamber reeking of death and rot. Three decayed corpses at the south side of the chamber were the source of stench. They had little in terms of usable equipment, but their coin pouches were not empty. Dalkanarion counted a total of four hundred and fifty electrum pieces, and ninety platinum pieces. Others spread out and searched the walls, seeking secret doors and passageways.

Finding nothing, the party backtracked to sleeping quarters, then headed west past the obelisk and into the kidney shaped chamber. Now they turned south-west, circumvented the teleportation trap, and revisited locked birch-tree doors. Tobias successfully picked the lock that defeated him weeks ago.

Stale air mixed with smell of dry soil assailed their nostrils. A dry fountain filled with dirt and rocks dominated the chamber. Besides doors to the southeast and southwest, there was nothing else of notice. Dalkanarion, Tikatu, Heran, and Somniel cleaned up the fountain. They dug nearly five feet deep before the water began gushing proper.

Tikatu, Druid of Second Mysteries, could smell that water was pure. Dalkanarion took a deep gulp. It was the best tasting water he ever had. Truly refreshing. He filled his waterskin with it.

Southeast doors led into a dead end chamber filled with destroyed furniture, and rotted rolled tapestries. There was also a chest with one thousand and two hundred copper pieces. Adventurers used it as a doorstopper. Southwest chamber was completely empty.

The party returned back to the kidney room. Now they went further west, down the stairs that pass by the X shaped chamber that leads to ghoul pool. They continued straight down until they reached an archway that was unlike any other they have encountered in this complex so far.

Illustration by MLord.

The archway had ornamental, twisting serpentine features running from top to bottom. Adventurers marched in. Before them was an elongated chamber, some twenty feet wide, and nearly hundred feet long. There were alcoves to left and right every ten feet or so. Dalkanarion led into the darkness. Tikatu and Kho Rimbo loitered by archway. Tobias followed right behind Dalkanarion. Heran investigated first west alcove while Somniel checked the east alcove.

“Run!” Heran yelled as he noticed a sickening green fog leaking from a tiny hole in the alcove. Everyone made a dash for the archway, and up the stairs. The fog quickly filled the chamber, but it did not go beyond the archway itself.

Dalkanarion heard sounds of stone hitting stone. Heavy thuds. He turned around and faced the direction of stairs leading up. Secret doors swung open and a marble statue wielding stone spear and shield stepped out. Combat that followed was brutal. Somniel used the opportunity to fire crossbow at the statue. Bolt shattered upon impact. Dalkanarion stepped forth to duel the statue. Kho Rimbo cast his Magic Missiles. Tikatu repeatedly missed with his spear. Marble was flying all around, but statue did not stop.

Tobias, with his Ring of Invisibility on, snuck around the statue, and then lunged at its knees from behind. Hitting with shortsword, he broke the statue's leg, sending it crumbling into thousand marble pieces. There was little time to celebrate, for Dalkanarion was nicked by stone spears twice. On the second hit he felt bone-chilling coldness spreading from his wound. He began shivering and chattering from the coldness.

Somniel joined the melee with second statue since there was now enough space for both Dalkanarion to wield his greatsword, and elf to attack with mace. It was much for naught, given that Somniel either missed or failed to do damage with his attacks.

Dalkanarion slowly worked the second statue, breaking it piece by piece. Tobias snuck once more, and once more delivered a great blow. Alas, this time it did have the same great outcome as before. This time the statue remained intact. In return, the hobbit was smacked by the stone spear. He learned his lesson and retreated from melee.

In the final exchange, the statue drove stone spear straight into Dalkanarion, hitting him with great might. The flesh made warrior retaliated by a powerful swing, finally bringing the statue down. Adventurers fled the dungeon complex, and rejoined Ludd “The Horse Whisperer” Nuck. He had a jolly good time with the horses.

It was evening. Heran and Tikatu healed those wounded. Adventurers discussed returning to Cedarwade Keep to rest and recover. But it was no longer a safe haven. But what now? They returned here to cleanse great evil sensed by the Oathkeeper. They did not achieve their mission. As night set the adventurers pondered their next move.

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

A zine chronicling the Conquering the Barbarian Altanis D&D campaign.

This issue details sessions 85, 86, and 87.

Adventurers explore Midway and its environs—and adventures just keep finding them!

You can download the issue here.

Overlord's Annals zine is available as part of the Ever & Anon APA, issue 4:

#Zine

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

Adventurers

Character	Race	Class	Description
Dalkanarion	Human	Fighter level 5	A youthful specimen in full strength, full of purpose, bluster, and eagerness to prove himself.
Heran Marod	Human	Cleric level 2	Bearded, aging man with shaved head. Follower of Umannah, the Sun God, The Radiant Death.
Tobias Lindflags	Hobbit	Thief level 2	A sixth-born son standing to gain nothing from inheritance, so he set out to make his own fortune in the world.
Somniel	Elf	fighter level 1 / Magic-User level 1	An elf of ambivalent age suffering from mild amnesia.
Ludd Nuck	Human	Fighter level 1	A lad from the farm, still wet behind the ears and smelling of dung whom became an adventurer to impress a village lass who jilted him.
Tikatu	Human	Druid level 2	A dirty little ma with dark and dirty skin, wearing loincloth with no back. “What will be, will be” is his favourite aphorism.
Kho Rimbo	Human	Magic-User level 1	A knife throwing wizard extraordinaire. Covered in ritual knife scars. Cuts himself whilst casting. Prone to being sarcastic.

Meadowlark 4th–9th

While most adventurers were resting and planning their next move, Ignaeus was busy study the scrolls they have recovered for the fugitive wizard's bed chambers. In total he identified eleven scrolls. One was cursed, one was a simple protection scroll, three were of clerical nature, and the remaining six were for magic-users. There were some potent spells written on them, like Dispel Evil and Wall of Iron.

Ambros sought divine guidance from Forseti. He retreated to his tent and prepared a ritual to commune with the god. He prepared three questions. By the time Ambros said the right words and did the right moves, he found himself transported to a grand gilded hall. Pillars of gold held the ceiling covered in solid silver. Forseti sat on a glimmering throne. He hears you out before speaking.

Ambros asked his first question “Lord Forseti, I have cleansed you temple and re-ordered its business, it is now time I continued my personal journey and I would know who I should pass the Gavel of Justice to?”

And to that Forseti answered calmly “You have not cleansed the temple, nor brought its business in order. Corruption runs amok, and there is little justice in Hara. You should pass the Gavel of Justice to someone who will care for it more than you.”

Ambros asked his second question “Your followers under Marlon have done fine work and a number have died in your service. I would like to suggest Marnon as my replacement at the Temple.”

And to that Forseti answered calmly “Marlon val Brookwood and his men did well. But Marlon is not a priest. Fate has different plans for him. He is not a fit replacement for you.”

Ambros asked his third question “I would seek your blessing to continue to spread the justice of Forseti in other lands.”

And to that Forseti answered calmly “You have my blessing to bring Justice to your world. I advise you begin immediately, for you have done great injustice to young Lord whom had put his trust in you.

Ambros, you have shown yourself to be a poor champion of Justice. But I am not a cruel, nor vindictive god. Perhaps the pain you endured twisted your mind and soul. Perhaps all the betrayal you suffered made you cynical.

Bring Justice to your world, Ambros. To die doing so would make for a life worth living. Should you wish to abandon that path all you have to do is smash the gavel against a ball of lead.”

With that Forseti waved Ambros away. The cleric was back in his tent once more. He felt great, completely invigorated. All his injuries were completely gone—no more burn marks, his hair had regrown, and his body just felt younger.

Cleric decided to meditate on Forseti's words. Dalkanarion on the other hand decided to lead a part of adventurers back to the dungeon. This was driven by the latest intelligence provided by daring Kho Rimbo. Insane edgy wizard snuck into the dungeon on his own, snuck past the ghoul pool, went down a level, and found the treasure chamber.

A party of seven were to ride there, get the treasure, and get out.

Meadowlark 10th, Spiritday

Adventurers reached the plateau an hour or so before the evening. Ludd Nuck volunteered for horse duty. Party of six descended into the underground complex, following Kho Rimbo's instructions.

They moved swiftly, without delay. Down into the antechamber, south into the former brigand barracks, then west past the black obelisk, and then north through the secret doors. They paused in the X-shaped room with two statues so Kho Rimbo could cast Read Magic.

With scroll in hand he went down and face the pool chamber. Dalkanarion and Somniel took the front, ready for undead horrors. Tikatu threw a coin with continual light. Kho Rimbo cast Wall of Iron from the scroll. Metal shavings materialised out of thin air, first slowly, then rapidly expanding into iron rods, scrapping against each other violently. The pool chamber had been completely cut off from the octagonal chamber, allowing free passage.

Party hurried down the long corridor with grates, and then south down the steep stairs. There they collect three thousand coins Kho Rimbo has spilled on the floor. Heran Marod put it all in one large sack, which eh then gingerly placed in the corridor. They planned to pick it on their way out.

Down the spiral staircase they went, one by one. It was a deep, lengthy descent. Adventurers eventually faced what Kho Rimbo had described—a twenty feet wide corridor with most vile frescoes on the wall. There were arched buttresses every ten feet.

“Beware. This is a place of pure evil!” paladins imbued in the Oathkeeper warned Dalkanarion.

“Stick to the south wall! Don't look at frescoes! Second turn to the right!” Kho Rimbo instructed. Everyone followed his words down to a T. Dalkanarion led the way, Oathkeeper at the ready. Moving south they quickly reached heavily dented iron doors that Kho Rimbo struggled for hours with. Dalkanarion pushed them open on his first try.

Adventurers poured into a long chamber adorned with tapestries on all sides. Six tapestries along the south wall were of different individuals, each engaged in some cruel endeavor. Two tapestries on the east wall had different motifs. The central one was of a wicked tower, surely out of proportion since it dwarfed the mountains surrounding it. Adventurers recognised the vista—those were the mountains to the west of the plateau above them. Tapestry right next to it was a mass of creatures paying tribute to the tower.

Tapestries on the east wall were perhaps most diverse. Westernmost tapestry depicted a crying man pierced by hundreds of daggers, knives, and needles. Central tapestry was of an inverted image of the one across, on the east wall, a massive inverted tower hanging from the cavern ceiling. Northernmost western tapestry was completely black, akin to framed darkness.

Five tapestries on the north wall were all of the same robed man with wicked expression. Two were of particular interest. First was of the robed man with a winged figure behind it. Second was of the same robed man locked in a wizard duel with a man dressed in a Chromatic robe. The latter was depicted as in great pain. Any magic.user would recognised the insignia and symbols of the latter—Chromatic Wizards are the most powerful spellcasters in all of Wilderlands.

“Destroy this den of evil at once!” Oathkeeper paladins demanded of Dalkanarion.

“I shall return here at a later time. Now we must recover the treasure and leave.” young swashbuckler replied.

“RETURN?!” paladins boomed “Return? You were set on abandoning your post mere days ago and now you tell us you will return!”

Dalkanarion quickly placated the Oathkeeper by giving an oath he will return to this place and purge it of all evil.

“There, through the black tapestry. Definitely not behind the one with crying man!” Kho Rimbo instructed. Once again everyone followed the instructions.

Kho Rimbo nearly cried tears of joy after he passed the black tapestry and was able to see inside the chamber! The coins with Continual Light cast of them were still providing light, albeit greatly diminished. Heran Marod cast Light spell but it did nothing.

Hidden treasure chamber contained six large wooden chests, two small iron strongboxes, and two wooden mannequins. One mannequin was dressed in plate mail, with sword and shield one the wall behind it. Other mannequin was knocked on the ground, dressed in chain mail. Seven bolts laid next to it, as well as a heavy crossbow.

Detect Magic confirmed that armours, sword, and whatever was in the strongboxes, was magical. Adventures organised themselves. Some took heavy chests—weighing over hundred pounds each—while others packed armours, weapons, and lighter objects.

“Wait, how do we get out?” Tobias asked, alarmed. Indeed, there were no doors nor tapestries.

“You have to push the wall or something. I don't know, I got out in total darkness.” Kho Rimbo replied.

Once again Dalkanarion opened the doors with a single shove. Unlike Kho Rimbo, who spent countless hours to get out. Treasure laden adventurers hurried through the tapestry chamber, north, then west through the frescoed corridor, up the spiral stairs, picked up the sack with coins, and continued west, avoiding grates with foul water beneath them.

They reached the octagonal chamber just as Wall of Iron began screaming once more. Howling metal echoed throughout the complex. Dalkanarion put down the chest and ordered everyone to keep moving. Nothing came charging from the pool. Once everyone went by him, he picked up the chest and caught up with them. Just in time to force another doors open.

From this point on it was a free for all, everyone running as fast as they could while hauling a ton of treasure. Heran Marod fell behind others. He heard a child screaming in terror just as he passed the black obelisk. Chilling scream was soon followed by most sinister deep laugh. Heran did not even stop to think about it—he kept moving as if his life depended on it.

Ludd was delighted to see his friends return alive. They loaded the treasure on the horses and rode to the nearby river. There they camped, eager for first rays of sun.

Meadowlark 11th, Airday

Adventurers rode straight for Cedarwade Keep. En route they ran into the Altanian ranger twins. The duo informed them about a great number of beastmen some fifteen to twenty leagues west of Hara. They've seen them obliterate one of patrols.

“Nasty. But then again they put up a pathetic fight. City folk can't fight even when their life depends on it!”

Party reached Cedarwade Keep by evening of the same day. There they eagerly counted their spoils: five thousands eight hundred and forty two gold pieces, twenty seven thousand silver pieces, one gem, two potions, one pouch of dust, one chime, seven magical heavy bolts, one magical plate mail, one magical chain mail, and one magical broadsword.

Adventurers convened in Dalkanarion's tent to discuss their next move. Yesterday's plans were swept aside, and new, bolder course of action was discussed. But what will they do? What will they commit to? And what will come out of it?

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

This report covers a solo adventure undertaken by Kho Rimbo, who split from the party on the evening of Meadowlark 1st, and returned to explore the dungeon. Report was written by Brulligrum, Kho's player, with minor edits by me.

Adventurers

Character	Race	Class	Description
Kho Rimbo	Human	Magic-User level 1	A knife throwing wizard extraordinaire. Covered in ritual knife scars. Cuts himself whilst casting. Prone to being sarcastic.

Meadowlark 1st, Airday

Although he had been gone for days no one had noticed that Kho Rimbo had gone missing. That's what happens when you are the torchbearer. People only acknowledge your existence when it is dark. In the the light they do not notice your presence at all. Well at least everyone is noticing me now! thought the wayward and previously unmissed mage.

He was still unsure why he had done it. Why he had remained behind when the others left. Something had taken hold of him. Something whispered promises of gold. Something whispered he could be more than a mere torchbearer. Thinking back he now thought that although the gold was real it was really just a ruse. The something had wanted him.

Ill prepared, with naught but a single flask of oil and but a day or two of food and water he slipped back down into Racoba's retreat. Alone.

Back he trod, along the same path he had recently travelled with many. On reaching the stairs to the ghouls lair he did the unthinkable and snuffed out his lantern. In the smothering ebon dark the only reality was the wall at his side, the ground beneath his feet and the booming thump of his heart. With every shuffling footstep he dreaded hearing the splash of water followed by the sound of wet slapping feet rushing towards him in the dark, but luck seemed to favour his foolish endeavour. When he believed he had travelled far enough he relit his lantern, the light hurt his eyes but he welcomed it none the less. Ahead were the stairs where the whispers had first assailed him, and like a fool he once again heeded their intoxicating call.

Down a spiral stair case he corkscrewed his way and at their base discovered a grand buttressed gallery. On the walls abstract paintings seem to ebb and flow in chaotic formations and Kho dared not gaze upon them scared of what they might reveal. With prickling neck and teeth aching from being gritted he slowly traversed the hall of horror.

As he crept forward he ignored various side passages especially a great arch from which evil emanated like demonic breath. At the hallways end he found stairs leading up, surely not the way to the whispered treasure. Perhaps it was through the archway he thought. A thought he could not be sure was his own but for some reason acted on it anyway. All this while he had failed to notice his lantern slowly dimming and the walls beginning to take on a deep red hue.

He passed beneath the arch and down a flight of stairs to a passage like unto the one he had just left, but here he could not fail to notice the deep red glow of the walls. As he moved on the feeling of evil became a palpable syrupy thing he had to force his way through. Somehow quelling his instinct to run he eventually came upon an overbearing set of double doors, doors that his frantic instincts begged him not to open, still he tried. They were locked. Finally allowing common sense to prevail Kho fled back up the stairs and through the great arch to the gloomy red gallery above.

Despite his obvious peril Kho was not ready to give up his search. Meanwhile twisted humanoid silhouettes had began to to form in the ruddy paintings but Kho tried to pay them no heed thinking surely they were only a trick of the eye.

He elected to explore some of the side passages he had passed earlier. The first led to a chamber of humanoid skeletons who's bones showed signs of violent deaths. It was here he realised his lantern was casting barely half the light that it had before. Further on he opened a door that opened to a blank wall and he was forced to return the way he had come.

Back in the gallery the walls pulsed with deep red light and the abominable humanoid outlines were unmistakable. A feeling of dread washed over Kho Rimbo but instead of fleeing for the stairs he bolted down one of the side passages. Looking back his blood ran cold as he saw the red glow and its accompanying shapes were now following him.

He fled down the corridor to find his way barred by a battered and dented iron door with an obvious heavy lock. He glanced behind him. Beyond his lanterns feeble light he saw the red glow bathing the corridor as it followed him and from it coalesced a creature, a form of no natural origin. With a force driven by terror Kho turned back to the door and hammered at the lock and against all odds it gave way. He battered his way into the room beyond without care for who or what may lie within and slammed the the door, he then set to jamming it shut with a handful of iron spikes. Barely had his frantic labours ceased before the the sound of scratching and thumping emanated from the other side of the door. He scrambled back and quickly tried to take stock of his surrounding, praying he hadn't just jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. He hadn't, not yet anyway. The diminished light of his lantern revealed a room hung with tapestries of evil aspect but there was no obvious way out. Meanwhile the pursuing horror pounded at the door relentlessly. Hurriedly Kho began to check behind the hangings. They mostly depicted an evil wizard and a black tower looming over its surrounding mountains, behind these he found nothing but wall. Two stood out amongst the others. One depicted a a man being eviscerated by a hundred blades, the other was featureless and black. Behind the former was a dark passage and the latter he dared not touch.

Whist the door creaked and groaned from the tattoo of doom being beaten by the horror beyond Kho desperately tried to form a plan of action. He barely considered the passage hidden behind the eviscerated man as he was sure that route would lead to a bloody death. Boom, Boom, went the door.

A plan came to him to use a tapestry to envelope the monster so he could rush by, but when he considered the tapestries great size and his own fatigue he realised this was an illusion of grandeur that would lead to his death.

The door squealed and groaned.

He then considered turning out his lantern and waiting in the dark, hoping beyond hope that the creature would just go away. This seemed like little more than postponing an inevitable death. Boom, boom, groan. What about the black tapestry, what if...

The assault on the door stopped.

Kho stood stock still, the booming of his heart replaced that from the battered door.

Had it gone?

After a short wait in the eerie silence Kho tippy-toed to the door. It was bent and buckled, bulging in its frame. He tried to snatch a glance through a gap near the frame and barely leapt back in time as long taloned fingers slashed at his face. The pounding of the door and of Kho's heart renewed with fierce vigour.

Kho finally made his decision. He hurried to the black tapestry and whilst wincing he placed his hand on its ebon surface. It felt like the surface of a cold lake and his hand passed through. With a last glance at the warped door he clambered through the black surface.

Beyond he found himself enveloped in utter darkness and stilled silence, only the feeling of the floor beneath his feet told him he was not dead. From this point on touch became his only reliable sense. He found a wall and gingerly followed it with his fingers. Time was now fluid and had no meaning so he didn't know how long had passed before he collided with something in the dark. There followed a great crashing of metal, chain and wood. Overcome by terror and sheer exhaustion Kho passed out into a darkness of his bodies own creation.

Meadowlark 2nd, Waterday

From darkness he woke to more darkness, but resolute he got up and blundered on. He tripped over something heavy, righted himself, and took to examining his assailant. A wooden box with a lid. Was this it? carefully he opened the lid and then thrust his hand inside. It sank to the wrist in jingling coins. He pulled out his hand and coins fell between his fingers. He had found the promised treasure, but the irony was he could not even see it.

“Nooooooo” he howled “this is hell!”

From then on Kho's memories were jumbled. He didn't doubt he was at the edge of his sanity. He remembered fumbling around in the darkness and stumbling over countless more chests, all filled with coins. He might of slept but could not be sure in a darkness deeper than slumber.

How and when he found himself back in the tapestry room he did not know. Respite from the dark was short lived. He lit his lantern only to have it sputter out, the oil finally used up. The dark welcomed him back but he did not welcome it.

His blind flight back through the redoubt was literal. Looking back Kho got the feeling he had not escaped, but instead had been allowed to leave.

Meadowlark 4th, Fireday

About a day later Kho shambled into the camp around Cedarwade keep. “I found the treasure” he called out to the surprised faces that greeted him.

“Now if someone fills me a tub of hot water and Dalkanarion scrubs my back I will tell you how to get it.”

Kho's legs gave way beneath him and as he passed out he heard Dalkanarion's gruff voice “Not bloody likely!”

Now recovered the former torch bearer was ready to lead the band back to the treasure, but a sinister thought kept dogging him.

What if he had been led to the treasure and then allowed to leave? What if the evil below was using him to bring it tastier souls like those of Dalkanarion and Ambros?

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

Just picked up the Tome of World Building (print) and The Nomicon (print):

Great additions to the Tome Of Adventure Design (print)!

#Postbox #OSR

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

Dolmenwood Limited Edition Leatherette Slip Case Set with Dolmenwood Player's Book, Dolmenwood Campaign Book, and Dolmenwood Monster Book:

Fungal Foraging Dice Bag, Cloth Referee's Map, The Fungus That Came to Blackeswell, Emelda's Song, The Ruined Abbey of St Clewyd, Winter's Daughter, and Dolmenwood Maps Book:

#Postbox #OSR #NG #Dolmenwood

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

Adventurers

Character	Race	Class	Description
Tikatu	Human	Druid level 1	A dirty little ma with dark and dirty skin, wearing loincloth with no back. “What will be, will be” is his favourite aphorism.
Kho Rimbo	Human	Magic-User level 1	A knife throwing wizard extraordinaire. Covered in ritual knife scars. Cuts himself whilst casting. Prone to being sarcastic.
Ambros	Human	Cleric level 6	Follower of Aniu, Lord of Time.
Ignaeus	Elf	fighter level 5 / Magic-User level 4	A slightly weathered looking elf with dull blonde hair and chiseled features. Seeks wealth and knowledge.
Dalkanarion	Human	Fighter level 5	A youthful specimen in full strength, full of purpose, bluster, and eagerness to prove himself.

Meadowlark 1st, Airday

“We must eliminate the ghouls. They are huge pain in the ass.”

Thus adventurers concocted a plan. First they abandoned Racoba's chamber, reasoning that there will be time to ransack the room once the threats have been eliminated. Next, they returned to the octagonal chamber next to the rank pool of foetid water where they assumed the ghouls are hiding. Lastly, they took a defensive position on top of stairs leading into the chamber.

And then they waited for the ghouls to come out of the water and charge straight into this carefully laid ambush. And waited. And waited. And waited. Hours went on and on. Tiredness set it. Attention wavered. The monsters did not come.

“Perhaps they can sense the presence of Father Ambros?”

A valid guess. The more obvious guess of “perhaps they can see us given there is a straight line from the pool to our position and we are bathed in light” was skipped. Ambros retreated further up, close to the chamber with two armed statues.

Alas, no monsters. After nearly two watches of waiting in “ambush” adventurers decided to call off the plan, retreat to the surface, and rest. They stepped back, two by two, with Dalkanarion leaving last, for he was the strongest and boldest of this crew.

Not even the keen elven ears of Ignaeus picked up on the sounds of water splashing. Dalkanarion's fighting instincts kicked in and he was not taken by surprise. Gripping the massive Oathkeeper and tensing his massive biceps, the warrior turned around to face the incoming ravenous ghoul horde. He ran forth, cutting them off before they could scale the stairs.

The mighty warrior swung his greatsword, dominating the corridor. He cut right through the first beast, obliterating it straight into the unlife. “Fall back and regroup! We fight them at the junction!” he commanded. Now fighting on the defensive, Dalkanarion parried and dodged attacks of three fearless ghouls that pressed on.

He barely felt the claws on his thigh. The nails did not hurt at all. But stiffness that set in was nearly instantaneous. The paladins spirits imbued in the Oathkeeper roared, denied. Other adventurers looked in horror as the mightiest of them fell down to the ground.

Ignaeus jumped forward, swinging and kicking at the ghoul horde. His ancient bloodline would protect him where human bloodline failed. The elf endured the claws and jaws of the undead, suffering in the process. Kho Rimbo ran in from the backline, vying to drag Dalkanarion out of melee before the beasts drag him into the abyss.

“Begone!” Ambros thundered, his golden gavel sending ghouls fleeing once more. The party picked up paralysed Dalkanarion and left the dungeon at once.

Meadowlark 2nd, Waterday

Having rested and recovered, Ambros healed those wounded, and then they returned to the underground complex. This time they ordered Marlon to keep all the squads above ground. There would be no more losses.

The party of five went straight for the wizard's chamber. Ambros was ready to blast any undead that would dare appear before them. Once in the chamber they cast Detect Magic and Find Traps. The scrolls still detected as magical. The north door frame still detected as trapped.

Adventurers collected the scrolls and left the dungeon. Then they disbanded the camp and returned to the Cedarwade Keep. Nobody noticed—or if they did, they did not care enough to share it—that Kho Rimbo was nowhere to be seen.

Dalkanarion was handed a letter from the queen. She gave him blanket permission to recruit up to twenty able bodied men from the lands south of Hara. Should anyone refuse to answer the call he can decide their fate as he pleases.

“Too little, too late. Yet another set-up.” The young swashbuckler shook his head, disillusioned with the whole affair.

Ambros was informed that Lord Kyle had sent a messenger twice, asking for his immediate counsel as soon as possible. “We rest and head out first thing in the morning.” the High Priest commanded. And so it was.

Meadowlark 3rd, Earthday

“Ambros! Dalkanarion! Ignaeus! Great to see you again! Pleased to see you again...” young Lord Kyle welcomed the men whom he has been paying to great sums of money to secure his lands. This, he was convinced, was the right thing to do give their promises to him. Having been updated on the latest developments, Kyle went straight for the matter he summoned Ambros for.

“Briaron of Ahyf visited me the other day. Skandik raiders have been pillaging, raping, and burning freely through his domain for several weeks now. He heard that I have capable men in my employ and thus came here to ask for help. I said I will speak to you!”

Dalkanarion was first to speak, rebuffing young Lord's request for help. “They should seek help from Hara. After all, it is to them whom they pay protection money.”

“And so do I, and yet I have come to hire you for they don't do anything but collect money. You know that yourself.”

But Dalkanarion was unmoved. He will not risk being spread out too thin for some villages and peasants. Ahyf and their lands are outside of his mandate. If people are happy with uncaring rulership who is he to fight for them? They should rise against their oppressor then and not expect others to save them. He also reminded Lord Kyle that he does not command them, but simply pay them.

Ambros, the actual leader of the holy army that Lord Kyle has been paying for, was equally unmoved by the plight. His frustration with the queen, temple, and merchants' nonsense was at a peak.

Adventurers returned to the Cedarwade Keep by the evening. Ambros organised a sermon for the fallen soldiers. Then he prepared to commune with Forseti, for he was eager to find the path forward.

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

Troll Lord Games is discounting their whole catalogue for 50% off. I am not sure for how long will the discount last.

Here are some of my past recommendations:

• Black Friday 2023: Troll Lord Games
• Sale: Troll Lord Games 60% off until end of 11.09.2023
• Sale: Troll Lord Games 40% off until end of 2022
• Black Friday 2022: Troll Lord Games

Spend responsibly!

#Sale #TLG #CC #OSR

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

Original Adventures Reincarnated 9: Caverns of Thracia with slipcase, and Stretch Goal Pack (Book of Handouts, Goodman Games Gazette, GM screen, oversized player map, three poster maps, art prints, and logo sticker):

Lost Lore of Thracia, Monster & Magic of Thracia, and The Sacrifical Pyre of Thracia:

Original Adventures Reincarnated 9.5: Hellpits of Nightfang:

Wonderful package, but I absolutely dislike Goodman Games's decision not to brand the DCC versions the same way as 5e ones. That's literally the only reason I'm getting the latter instead of the former. Silly. Also silly that 5e and DCC versions of Caverns of Thracia were written concurrently so they differ in text, and not just in stat blocks. OAR9.5 does not include the original, which breaks the whole concept behind OAR line—which is to include the darn originals. We had seen something similar with OAR8, which also doesn't include the originals. I am not hopeful for the future of this product line.

#Postbox #GG #OAR

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments

Adventurers

Character	Race	Class	Description
Tikatu	Human	Druid level 1	A dirty little ma with dark and dirty skin, wearing loincloth with no back. “What will be, will be” is his favourite aphorism.
Kho Rimbo	Human	Magic-User level 1	A knife throwing wizard extraordinaire. Covered in ritual knife scars. Cuts himself whilst casting. Prone to being sarcastic.
Tobias Lindflags	Hobbit	Thief level 2	A sixth-born son standing to gain nothing from inheritance, so he set out to make his own fortune in the world.
Somniel	Elf	Fighter level 1 / Magic-User level 1	An elf of ambivalent age suffering from mild amnesia.

Meadowlark 1st, Airday

Tobias milled about the wizard's chamber. He had just found a Ring of Invisibility. Emboldened, he reached for one of the scroll cases resting lazily on the shelf along the north wall. He carefully opened one, took out the scroll, and unfurled it. Tikatu and Kho Rimbo approached the hobbit.

Scroll looked like a scribbled map of some sort of complex. The lines were quite straight, and all chambers were rectangular. No angled corridors! Tobias felt his insides churn as he was sucked into the map. Tikatu and Kho Rimbo did not fare any better.

⁂

The trio found themselves in the presence of awesome tree of fire. Despite being confined in a chamber some twenty by twenty feet, they felt no great heat. Each had a vision in their head, showing them walk through the fire and being spat out back in the wizard's quarters.

An unfamiliar elf sat in the corner of the chamber. He was in deep slumber. Tobias woke him up. Elf introduced himself as Somniel, had no idea where he was or why, and immediately accepted the offer to join this adventuring trio in discovering more about this fascinating locale.

Following the only exit out of this chamber led to doors wreathed in fire. Like with the tree, these flames did not hurt the adventures. They pushed the doors open, finding a rectangular chamber some twenty by forty feet.

A giant, human-sized, gold scorpion, rested on a pile of golden coins. Observing it confirmed it was not a statue, but living arachnid. There were two doors leading out of the scorpion chamber—one to the north and one to the west. Both were behind the oversized gilded arachnid. Tikatu figured out that tossing a gold coin to the scorpion made it chitter a happy tune. So each one threw a coin and moved north. Tobias became intimate with his ring, refusing to take it off.

North doors led them down a corridor twisting east, until they reached another doors. Adventurers returned to the scorpion chamber, and went through the west doors, which led them to a four way junction. While discussing where to go next they were assaulted by three raging men.

Men were naked, with crazy, spittle-caked beards, and mad darting eyes. Their manhood swung wilder than their battle-axes. Tikatu was knocked unconscious by a might whack to the side of his head. Somniel was put to sleep through beheading. Kho Rimbo and Tobias sprinted back into the scorpion room, slamming the door shut behind them.

They fled through the flaming doors, and observed from there. There was loud banging on the doors, but that soon stopped. Once they summed up enough courage, the duo returned. They carefully opened the doors. Headless Somniel was prostrated in the corridor. Tikatu was dismembered, blood and gore all over. Invisible Tobias snuck up to the corpses, intended on picking up “the good stuff.” Sound of naked feet slapping the cold stone sent him packing.

The duo decided to go back north. Listening at the doors at the end of twisting corridor revealed deep croaking. Tobias prepared his web nuts, while Kho Rimbo opened the doors. Hobbit aimed at the two dog-sized fiery red toads, slipped, and threw the web nut right next to him. Vial hit the door frame, smashed open, releasing its sticky content. Thick, stringy webs engulfed both Tobias and Kho Rimbo.

Without anyone to get them out—and both being too weak to break the webs—they suffocated to death.

⁂

The trio found themselves in the presence of awesome tree of fire. Despite being confined in a chamber some twenty by twenty feet, they felt no great heat. Each had a vision in their head, showing them walk through the fire and being spat out back in the wizard's quarters.

An unfamiliar elf sat in the corner of the chamber. He was in deep slumber. Tobias woke him up. Elf introduced himself as Somniel, had no idea where he was or why, and immediately accepted the offer to join this adventuring trio in discovering more about this fascinating locale.

Following the only exit out of this chamber led to doors wreathed in fire. Like with the tree, these flames did not hurt the adventures. They pushed the doors open, finding a rectangular chamber some twenty by forty feet.

There a giant golden scorpion rested on a pile of gold coins. Tobias counted the coins—the pile included their “tribute” as well. Adventurers pondered what this might mean. Then they decided to take it out on giant toads.

They broke through the doors, took the toads by surprise, and assaulted them head on. Somniel struck one of the toads, injuring it. Tobias backstabbed the wounded toad, in a very dramatic manner. He snuck up on it, whilst invisible, and then jumped up, delivering a downwards blow, driving his shortsword deep into the creature's flesh. It dropped dead.

Second toad bit off a sizable chunk of Tikatu, which isn't to say much due to his diminutive size. Somniel, now fully awake, pommeled the toad on top of its head mercilessly, turning it into nothing but mush.

Meme by MLord.

The chamber was bathed in orange-red colour, seemingly emanating from the flagstones. Party listened at the north doors. After hearing nothing they followed the south corridor, which led them to another doors. They could hear several voices speaking behind it.

Once more they broke through, intent to dish out some violence. This was a sizable chamber, some forty by fifty feet. Three men squatted on the floor, sitting in a semi-circle around improvised camp-fire. Bows were next to them.

Kho Rimbo materialised a magical dagger. Then he sent it flying straight through the head of the man who reached for the bow. Surviving duo shot but missed. This was punished by Somniel who charged forth and busted the head of one. Last one was backstabbed to death by the invisible thief.

Men had a total of one thousand five hundred and thirty copper pieces, as well as six hundred thirty-six silver pieces. Adventurers left them here for now.

Archway to the north led down a long corridor. Doors to the south led to another long corridor. Quartet opted to go south. This led them to an empty chamber and another long corridor, heading west, ultimately taking them to a T-shaped junction. They could see doors to the west, doors on the east side of the north corridor, and a chamber even further north.

North they went. Doors lead them to a dead end. Chamber has open-top glass urns with giant centipedes inside them. They went back to the T-shaped junction and listened at the west doors. They heard a sound of flesh smacking flesh.

Forcing the doors open revealed a chamber some twenty by thirty feet. Two men dressed in soiled plate armour stood in the center. Both had red cheeks. One finished slapping the other just as the party had broken in. They both turned their had to the adventurers and grinned.

Adventurers decided to wait a moment to see what this two fine gentlemen will do. They did the following: grinned widely, took out their broadswords, and hacked Somniel to death. Tikatu was next. Once again, Kho Rimbo and Tobias sprinted for their life.

They ran down the long corridor eastwards, the north through the empty chamber, and then back into the chamber where they killed three men, then west and north into the orange-red stoned chamber, then west, then south past the scorpion, past the flaming doors, all the way to the tree of fire.

They waited and waited, but neither Somniel, nor Tikatu reappeared in the chamber.

“Perhaps we all need to die?”

“Maybe it is time to cut our losses, get the coins, and get out?”

Maybe, but that wasn't what the surviving duo did. They backtracked to the chamber where they left two thousand coins. And then they explored the long corridor to the north. Kho Rimbo held a torch, while Tobias sneaked behind him, invisible.

Tobias witnessed three arrows piercing Kho Rimbo—one through the eye, one through the shoulder, and one into the chest. The magic-user fell down to the ground with a loud thud. His torch extinguished.

Tobias held his breath, hugged the wall, and calmed his heart. Two figures became visible at the end of the corridor as they lit up a torch of their own. Tobias walked softly to the south end of the corridor. Then he nocked his bow, and aimed. This time he struck true—twice!

Two figures fell to the ground. Their torch did not go out. The hobbit investigated the room of two assailants, finding several jars full of gold coins. He took them all out—four hundred seventy-six to be precise—and filled a large sack. The he hauled it back south, added copper and silver pieces, and then got lost, made a few circles and wrong turns, but eventually found his way back to the scorpion chamber.

There the giant golden scorpion gazed at him, expectantly. Tobias took out a handful of golden pieces and added them to the arachnid's pile. The beast chittered and clacked a happy tune. Tobias went through the flaming doors, took a deep breath, and stepped into the tree of fire.

He found himself back in the wizard's chamber. A sack of coins weighted his hand. The scroll in his hands turned into ash. Tikatu and Kho Rimbo stood behind him. A familiar elf slept on the ground besides him.

What else will they find in the fugitive wizard's quarters?

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

Subscribe to get the latest post in your inbox. No spam.

---

Comments