Attronarch's Athenaeum

Campaign journals, reviews of TTRPG stuff, and musings on D&D.

Wizards of the Coast have just updated the System Reference Document to include v5.2 licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License:

The purpose of the SRD is to provide a foundation of Dungeons & Dragons content on which third-party publishers can build their products. It allows creators to reference and use the base game rules of Dungeons & Dragons in their products without the need to pay a licensing fee to Wizards of the Coast.

Direct download links:

More information is available at D&D beyond SRD page.

Great news for creators focused on retroclones and similar, although most of them have moved on after the OGL debacle.

#News #OGL #AELF

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Finally picked up last three orders from DriveThruRPG:

Empire of the Petal Throne: The World of Tekumel:

Barbarian Conquerors of Kanahu:

Axioms Compendium Volume 2:

Swords of Wuxia:

City of Solstice: Evil Streets:

#Postbox #OSR #ACKS #TSR #ADD

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Frog God Games is running another flash sale, this time for Lost Lands books:

The croak-tastic celebration of Frog God Games turning 15 is still hopping right along! That’s right; we're throwing a party, and you're invited. From April 15–21, 2025, we’re slashing prices on The World of the Lost Lands, our official campaign setting, by a whopping 50% across all formats.

Three books on sale are:

Stoneheart Valley is worth getting just for The Tomb of Abysthor, great mid-level adventure. Very challenging one!

The above are discounted for 50% until April 21st.

#Sale #FGG #OSR #SW

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Adventurers

Character Class Description
Tarkus the Promising Cleric level 4 Follower of Bachontoi, God of Red Wisdom.
Beorg the Gravedigger Fighter level 3 Inspired to adventure after burying several adventurers.
Thorm Dwarf level 2 Ashen hair, beard, and eyes. Left his own clan due to financial trouble.
Ambros Cleric level 6 Follower of Aniu, Lord of Time.
Ignaeus Elf level 4 A slightly weathered looking elf with dull blonde hair and chiseled features. Seeks wealth and knowledge.
Foxglove Thief level 5 A willowy human, long hair ties in a pony tail, looks a bit dangerous and dainty at the same time.
Dalkanarion Fighter level 4 A youthful specimen in full strength, full of purpose, bluster, and eagerness to prove himself.

Dewsnap 3rd, Earthday

“Aha!” Thorm found a secret chamber hiden behind a bookshelf in the commander's quarters. The chamber itself was barren. Worried that monstrous keep defenders might have retreated only to return through some secret pathways, Thorm and adventurers scoured the room.

Investigation paid off, for they found two more secret doors. One-way doors to the east led straight out of the keep. Smaller, rectangular doors to the north led into ten feet long crawlspace. That, in turn, opened up in a teen feet wide chamber, completely bereft of anything.

Perplexed, adventurers crawled over every inch, finding nothing. But keen-eyed Thorm spotted that torch-light smoke was flowing weirdly. There was something invisible floating high in the air!

Too high to reach, the adventurers assembled a mighty human-elven-dwarven pyramid. Buff Dalkanarion stood on a short stool. Thorm held the stool by the legs—to provide much needed stability—while Ignaeus climbed on the fighter's shoulders. Tarkus stood to the side, praying vigorously to Bachontoi.

These shenanigans lasted for quite some time. Payoff? There was something rectangular and metal levitating close to the ceiling. It was immovable and felt like a chest to Ignaeus, but was otherwise a mystery.

“Perhaps we should return to this later, after we have secured the keep.”

Proposal most genius indeed.

“High Priest!” Marlon greeted Ambros as he had marched into the keep courtyard. “Beastmen have fled, most likely into the dungeon below. I wanted to take men down, but your friends asked us to wait.”

Adventurers updated Ambros on what they had found in the keep.

“It is time to strike!”

Dalkanarion, Tarkus, Beorg, Ignaeus, Thorm, Foxglove, and a squad of nine heavy footmen were first to descend. The stairs were narrow, allowing for a single file marching order only. They turned right four times until they opened up in a ten feet wide corridor.

Dalkanarion and Thorm were rewarded by a hail of bolts. They charged forth into the darkness, supported by Tarkus and Ignaeus. Sounds of crossbows hitting the ground echoed, as a group of hobgoblins counter-charged.

Ignaeus and Beorg were behind, just at the stairs landing. They were flanked by doors, one to the left and one to the right. Both swung open, and a mass of hobgoblins tried to swarm the corridor, aiming to attack adventurers from both sides.

Ensuing skirmish was brutal. Dalkanarion roared and swung mighty Oathkeeper, slaying beastmen left and right.

“Freeze! Freeze!” Ignaeus yelled at various groups. Few were able to resist his magical sword, and were indeed frozen in place. Soldiers poured down the stairs, fighting ferociously.

Beastmen corpses littered the corridor—but survivors were relentless. They fought for their life bitterly. Ambushing groups retreated and shut the doors behind them. Group to the left hammered some spikes to make the doors more difficult to open, while the group to the right left the doors unsecured. Beorg and Foxglove, supported by four heavy footmen, pursued the right group.

An impressive specimen approached Dalkanarion. Grecian fighter bellowed his challenge. Hobgoblin leader accepted it gleefully. “Cheater!” young fighter yelled as painful convulsions shook his whole being. Thorm could hear sinister chanting up ahead in the darkness. Dalkanarion suffered once again.

Pursuing soldiers met their doom, not at the hands of wounded hobgoblins, but in the jaws of feral giant weasels. Foxglove was half-chewn himself, and would have probably died had it not been for Beorg. Pursuers now fought on the defensive, falling backwards under brutal onslaught of furry beasts. They felled two, but one was still gnawing at them. Wounded hobgoblins rallied and charged.

“Where are you?!” Dalkanarion roared as impenetrable darkness befell his eyes. He could not see anymore!

“Oh, I thought you would heal me...” Thorm whispered sadly as Tarkus laid his hands on the warrior instead. Then he froze in place. Two hobgoblins grabbed Thorm and dragged him into darkness.

“Sirs, we should go!” one of the few surviving soldiers yelled.

Tarkus grabbed Dalkanarion by hand and dragged him to stairs. Ignaeus stood there, shooting, waiting for last of the adventurers to fall back. Roars and cries echoed as hobgoblins rallied and charged the survivors from all sides.

Foxglove, Beorg, and two heavy footmen, were completely surrounded. How long will the last, wounded and outnumbered? Ignaeus watched, his magical sword completely expired. Tarkus dragged Dalkanarion up the stairs, the latter full of fighting spirit but denied by magical darkness, yelling for Ambros to come down.

Purging evil and chaos comes at a price. Often a high one.

Is the high priest ready to pay it?

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

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Adventurers

Character Class Description
Tarkus the Promising Cleric level 4 Follower of Bachontoi, God of Red Wisdom.
Beorg the Gravedigger Fighter level 3 Inspired to adventure after burying several adventurers.
Thorm Dwarf level 2 Ashen hair, beard, and eyes. Left his own clan due to financial trouble.
Dalkanarion Fighter level 4 A youthful specimen in full strength, full of purpose, bluster, and eagerness to prove himself.
Ambros Cleric level 6 Follower of Aniu, Lord of Time.
Ignaeus Elf level 4 A slightly weathered looking elf with dull blonde hair and chiseled features. Seeks wealth and knowledge.
Foxglove Thief level 5 A willowy human, long hair ties in a pony tail, looks a bit dangerous and dainty at the same time.

Dewsnap 3rd, Earthday

High Priest of Forseti watched as his army marched towards Cedarwade keep. Knight Marlon val Brookwood led the charge with his five most trusted warrior. Tarkus accompanied them, providing blessings. Marlon led the charge on foot, after being convinced to do so by Ambros. “He must be testing my faith and devotion.” Marlon thought to himself.

Behind Marlon marched four squads of heavy footmen, led by Dalkanarion, Ignaeus, Beorg, and Thorm respectively. Jace, stone-cold leader of mounted crossbowmen, led six lances. Three were with her, while other three approached the keep from south. She rejected Ambros's advice to dismount.

“You do realise you are a bigger target when on horse?” Ambros implored in frustration.

“Am I now? Observe.” Jace replied.

Vicar Arlon led two squads of heavy footmen, while four squads followed Ambros himself. Three squads and a lance of heavy horsemen were left behind to guard the camp. Four lances of heavy horsemen were ordered to wait to the east and west of the keep—-in order to clean up any stragglers or fleeing monsters.

Beastmen holding the keep were prepared. So much was confirmed by Thorm whom had drunk the potion of gaseous form in order to scout the fortification. Two hobgoblins were stationed at each of the four towers, armed with heavy crossbows. Carts filled with oil-soaked rags blocked the gatehouse, while half dozen of hobgoblins laid in ambush, prepared to set the attackers on fire.

In the very first missile exchange Jace's units eliminated half of the defenders on towers. Hobgoblins missed again, and again. Ambros prayed and then fell into deep concentration. A great swarm of insects gathered on the castle wall, forcing those caught in it to flee for their life.

Mounted crossbowmen rained hell upon the keep, killing all beastmen stupid enough to poke their ugly faces over the crenelations.

“Charge! Onwards!” Marlon roared. Protected by constant barrage from the crossbowmen, as well as High Priest's insect swarm, heavy footmen reached the gatehouse without any casualties whatsoever. They rolled the carts out of the way and spilled into the courtyard, ready for some violence.

“Where are they? Show yourself!” Marlon roared in frustration.

Squads split and begun going through the keep. Dalkanarion broke into the stables, where he dispatched large gelatinous cube. Beorg led a squad up the gatehouse and then cleaned each of the towers. Ignaeus and his squad swept the barracks—-now devoid of life, but full of filth left behind by its foul inhabitants. Thorm led a squad straight into the chamber where he had seen a leader of these monsters. There they ransacked the room—-and dwarf found out a possible secret door.

“Die in the name of LAW!”

Tarkus heard Marlon yelling. They had just entered the largest building in the keep—-mess hall by all accounts. Cleric rushed west, after Marlon, only to find him wipe his bloodied sword after slaying four pathetic creatures.

“These are no hobgoblins. Some slave servants. Goblins maybe?”

Dalkanarion and his squad entered the mess hall. Mighty warrior stared at the staircase leading down, into the dungeon. Adventurers readied themselves for the descent.

Have the defenders truly fled? Or is the real battle about to begin?

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

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Adventurers

Character Class Description
Balarus Fighter level 4 An ex-woodsman, quite a crackshot with his bow.
Bragi Twinefinger Halfling level 2 A stout strong halfling. As a devotee of the Great Tailor he is always smartly dressed (under his armour) and overly fond of multiple breakfasts.
Ambros Cleric level 6 Follower of Aniu, Lord of Time.
Ignaeus Elf level 4 A slightly weathered looking elf with dull blonde hair and chiseled features. Seeks wealth and knowledge.
Foxglove Thief level 5 A willowy human, long hair ties in a pony tail, looks a bit dangerous and dainty at the same time.
Dalkanarion Fighter level 4 A youthful specimen in full strength, full of purpose, bluster, and eagerness to prove himself.
Thorm Dwarf level 2 Ashen hair, beard, and eyes. Left his own clan due to financial trouble.

Dewsnap 1st, Airday

“What is the meaning of this?!” young Lord Kyle yelled at Ambros and his retinue.

Ambros was flanked by two heroes—Dalkanarion and Balarus respectively—as well as master dwarf Thorm. Behind them an army of holy warriors on a crusade.

By end of Gloomfrost some two hundred seasoned soldiers accompanied by another hundred non-combatants—families of the most dedicated—arrived at Hara. They carried banners sporting head of a bearded man—holy symbol of Forseti—and have arrived to serve the new High Priest, Ambros Ap Mortain. Their travel was long and difficult. They left their homes forever, a sacrifice for the great god of peace.

Knight Marlon val Brookwood, a minor noble, leads a squadron of heavy horsemen. Jace, a tall woman with long blonde hair tied in a braided pony-tail, leads a squadron of mounted crossbowmen. Men tremble in her presence. Vicar Arlon, leads a throng of heavy footmen. These soldiers are incredibly brave and dedicated to their cause. All pledged their allegiance to Ambros, the Justice Supreme of Hara. And they are very, very enthusiastic about peace and justice.

Expensive too.

Eager to find a reliable source of income for his new personal army, Ambros remembered young Lord Kyle and his plea to help him retake Cedarwade keep. He also carried a bloodied note recovered from Graylock's lair, which had Kyle's signature on it.

Justice Supreme was about to find out if Kyle had been smuggling goods past Hara. That would be most unfortunate for the young lord.

“We are here to reclaim the Cedarwade keep!”

“Is that so?! Then I invite you to my humble home!”

Soldiers erected a sizable tent-camp just north of Midway, while Ambros, Ignaeus, Balarus, Dalkanarion, Thorm, Marlon, and Arlon went to lord's manor.

Prior to setting out, Ambros spent weeks rummaging through temple records. Many were in poor shape, making it difficult to make out the details. There are at least seven different organisation systems, hence it is a huge pain to reference and cross reference reports. Three most recent records Ambros was able to find about Lord Kyle—-and most readable because they are the only intact ones—-had shown that Kyle family has accrued great debt with Imrael family. In fact, the latest document concludes that Kyle has refused to hand over his estate and fief to Imrael, as well as refused to show up in Hara at the Temple for the hearing. Therefore, Imrael is allowed to take what he is owed by force.

Foxglove did an investigation of his own as well, hanging out at all the usual places. He learned that Midway Red is the most valuable wine in the region. Historically, its shipments have often been raided and then smuggled for great profit. Kyle family owns the vineyards close to Midway and oversees the production. Kyle Senior died in one of the raiding ambushes, opting to sink the barges with wine instead of handing them over. His young son, whom had inherited the manor and fief, has been nothing but trouble for thieves and smugglers. Luckily, he is too weak and commands virtually no force, so the business flows better than ever.

The dinner began cordial and pleasant. Lord Kyle was curious as ever. Dalkanarion regaled him with his adventuring tales. Balarus are in silence, bemused. Nervous in the presence of such awesome warriors, young lord had a drink too much, and was taken completely unaware when Ambros raised his concerns.

“Don't speak of justice to me! I have suffered nothing but injustice and indignity at your temple!” Kyle Junior spoke with liquid courage. Dalkanarion's snarl and Ambros's cold gaze calmed him in a moment. Everything took a much darker turn as Ambros pressed on with his interrogation.

“I can't do what you are asking of me! You are handing me the rope to hang myself with!” young lord pleaded as adventurers goaded him to stop paying protection money to Hara and pay them instead. They wanted to know how much does he have, how much can he pay them, they wanted to know it all.

But when Ambros took out the bloodied note all fell silent. Lord Kyle went pale as a ghost. When High Priest passed him the note, young man cupped his face and broke into tears. “Come now young lord, this is very unlordy of you. What will your men think?” Dalkanarion attempted to console him.

Painfully aware of his pathetic position, Lord Kyle did the best he could. He answered all the questions, allowed adventurers entry into the manor library, and finally, reached an agreement that they were happy with.

“Secure my lands. Reclaim my keep. Clear my name. In return, I will grant land your holy soldiers. Ambros, I will erect a temple to Forseti. Dalkanarion, I will name you castellan of Cedarwade keep. Balarus, I will grant you 600 acres to raise a manor of your own. Thorm, I will appoint you as Overseer of a mine.”

The land in question is east of Hara, across the river, and south-east of Castle of the Wode. It is rich, fertile soil. It is also dangerous land, infested with beasts, wildlife, and all kinds of scum. Nothing that worries this brave band—they were already dreaming a kingdom of their own.

Dewsnap 2nd, Waterday

Ambros and his army reached Cedarwade an hour or so before the nightfall. It was the last month of winter and days were still short. Ignaeus volunteered to scout the keep as night falls. Thorm and Dalkanarion joined him. The trio rode as far as the trees provided cover.

There she stood, a rectangular little fort with a tower on each corner and broken gatehouse. No signs of life were visible. Ignaeus dismounted and crawled over the clearance. Dalkanarion and Thorm remained mounted at the edge of woods, watching the walls closely. Elf disappeared from their sight, much die to lack of sunlight and his crawling skills.

Ignaeus proceeded on his belly, inching towards the south-east fort tower. Then he felt the land under him give in, and he tumbled into a ten feet deep ditch. Looking left and right revealed a long ditch, covered with tarps and soil. Strong enough to withstand some weight, but would immediately give in under a mass of armed soldiers.

“Look!” Thorm pointed alarmingly at a group of figures exiting the fort. There was six of them, humanoid, and with long shafted weapons. They approached the hole created by Ignaeus. The elf, oblivious to what is happening above, continued exploring the ditch.

Dalkanarion and Thorm fired at the figures, missing. Then they rode towards where they believed Ignaeus should be, yelling. Dalkanarion led Ignaeus's horse by the reins. The figures retreated into the keep.

Upon hearing the commotion above, the elf attempted to climb up the ditch. Alas! He lost footing and fell down! A volley of arrows whooshed past two brave warriors above. Their horses were wounded. Success! Ignaeus climbed up! Tragedy! Dalkanarion flying through the air, his horse slain!

“Go! Run for the trees!”

The trio fled, surviving several volleys.

“The keep was not abandoned. It was occupied, and its defenders were ready for war...” Thorm informed Ambros and others.

A long night was ahead of them.

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

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Brink of Calamity by Trent Smith is now available from DriveThruRPG:

As of about 15 minutes ago Brink of Calamity is finally live for sale at DriveThruRPG in both (softcover) print and pdf versions. Note that DriveThruRPG is increasingly their print costs substantially on April 1st and the price of the print version of this book will go up by $3 to compensate (from $22 to $25), so if you're planning to buy the print version and want to save $3 you should place your order today, tomorrow, or Monday at the latest.

Since the adventure assumes you're using the rules and content from The Heroic Legendarium anyone who doesn't already have that should consider buying the pdf bundle that includes both titles at a substantial discount over buying them separately.

This book has been long in gestation and I had doubts at several points whether I would ever get it across the finish line (and I suspect some of you readers did as well) but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out and hope people who read about the Perlammo Salt Mines on Prince of Nothing's blog way back in September 2022 will consider it to have been worth the wait.

Also, while I'm here, I wanted to note for posterity that at some point last fall The Heroic Legendarium became a Gold bestseller at DriveThruRPG (meaning over 500 paid sales on their platform), which is pretty nice. I'm surprised by how it continues to sell, and actually sells as many or more copies per month now as it was 2 years ago, which I can only assume is coming 100% from positive word of mouth because I'm certainly not doing anything to promote it.

I greatly enjoyed reading Trent's Heroic Legendarium and consider it one of the best modern AD&D 1e supplements. Trent's writing is clear and to the point, based on many years of gaming experience. That he is a nice guy is just a bonus on top. Brink of Calamity looks great after cursory skim. It is a genuine old-school sandbox module with locales and dungeons to explore. It reminds me a bit of L-code modules for AD&D, but much better developed and presented. Looking forward to studying it closer!

#News #OSR #OSRIC #ADnD

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There are currently two Greyhawk specific bundles on DriveThruRPG:

  • Exploring the World of Greyhawk (7 books): World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting, The City of Greyhawk, WGR4 The Marklands, From the Ashes, Greyhawk Wars, Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins, and WG7 Castle Greyhawk
  • Adventures in Greyhawk (7 adventures): T1-4 Temple of Elemental Evil, T1 The Village of Hommlet, S1 Tomb of Horrors, WGA4 Vecna Lives!, Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad, WG5 Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure, WG9 Gargoyle

Total discount for each bundle is around 36%. I am not sure how long will the bundles be available for.

#Sale #Greyhawk

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The Northlands Saga Complete is a compilation of ten adventures set in stereotypical cold north. Probably enough for several years of gaming. Tenfootpole has reviewed first four adventures back in the day (NS1, NS2, NS3, NS4). Swords & Wizardry versions were collated in 2015 and published in the big omnibus titled Northlands Saga Complete:

Almost a decade later few more adventures were published, one for Swords & Wizardry, and two plus player's guide for Old-School Essentials:

The above are currently discounted for 75%, and the sale lasts until March 31st. Great deal if you need Scandinavian themed adventures and locales!

P.S. Just a few days before DTRPG massively increases its print cost, which in turn will be reflected on POD products. Make your orders in time.

#Sale #FGG #OSR #SW #OSE

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Adventurers

Character Class Description
Centuria Elf level 2 An academic elf fond of teasing those of lower status.
Tu'Fles Elf level 1 Massive dork for dragons.
Balarus Fighter level 4 An ex-woodsman, quite a crackshot with his bow.
Bragi Twinefinger Halfling level 2 A stout strong halfling. As a devotee of the Great Tailor he is always smartly dressed (under his armour) and overly fond of multiple breakfasts.
Ignaeus Elf level 4 A slightly weathered looking elf with dull blonde hair and chiseled features. Seeks wealth and knowledge.
Foxglove Thief level 4 A willowy human, long hair ties in a pony tail, looks a bit dangerous and dainty at the same time.

Gloomfrost 15th, Spiritday

Seven adventurers rode back to the bandit lair of Flaming Eye. Crosonus, Balarus's retainer remained outside to guard the horses, while the chosen six triggered shriekers and descended down the vertical shaft.

Illustration by IdleDoodler.

Orc corpses were missing. Stench of death lingered. Unsure what to make of this, the party moved left, through the doors. Then they turned right at the junction and investigated the doors. While elf and thief listened, Balarus felt something was off. He turned around, only to see four pig-faced corpses approaching them from behind. Adventurers rapidly fell in fighting order. Orcs were not walking—they were slowly floating through air!

Illustration by IdleDoodler.

Transparent liquid spurted left and right as adventures' weapons cut through the bestial remains. All four corpses dropped to the ground, even though they hacked only one of them. Unsure what to make of it, they resumed their exploration. Chamber they broke into was empty, sans nice stacks of silver coins. Foxglove took a look at them, found no traps, and thus, promptly put them in his backpack.

Exiting south led them to a weirdly shaped junction. East corridor was at an angle and led to locked doors, something Foxglove dealt with. He failed to pick the lock, so he hammered it into submission. Bragi explored east corridor, but fled back after seeing a swarm of giant centipedes crawling about. While the thief hammered the lock, Balarus forced the south doors open. A three feet beet charged him in return.

Illustration by IdleDoodler.

It was brief but nasty battle. The beetle tried to bite several adventurers, but they all luckily dodged. Then it squirted some foul liquid and Braggi, but little fella' rolled out of the way in time.

Pressing on south led to yet another junction. Further south were doors underneath which light could be seen. Listening confirmed there was someone beyond—a number of voices speaking in unfamiliar tongue. Party burst through. Neither side was surprised.

Large man dressed in plate mail stepped forth to block the adventurers from spilling into the chamber, while two thugs backed up and prepared oil flasks. The warrior was armed with a long sword and shield—which sported the flaming eye symbol similar to those that orcs by the entrance had. Adventurers got a taste of their own medicine as burning oil flasks broke on their front rank.

“This is just the beginning, you pathetic worms!” the plated warrior laughed. He spat at Balarus and mocked him viciously. Thugs fled backwards, into the darkness, while plated warrior fought on the defensive. Adventurers hit him well, but he refused to go down.

One of the characters threw a coin with continual light down the corridor, illuminating a T-shaped junction, and two thugs holding doors open. The warrior turned around and fled, as they slammed the doors shut.

Illustration by IdleDoodler.

Everyone but Foxglove pursued—the thief was focused on inspecting large chest left behind by the warrior—charging into an empty room! Few empty bedrolls and a fountain with rank, stagnant water. Dolphin head was a nice touch, but other than that the fountain was completely unremarkable.

Illustration by IdleDoodler.

“There must be some sort of secret passageway here!”

“Agreed!”

“Here! A flagstone that stands out!”

Ignaeus pushed the flagstone, and Balarus pushed to wall forward. A long dark corridor prostrated in front of them. Blood drops were visible. They charged forth, unaware of secret doors slamming shut behind them.

Foxglove was too busy counting thousands of coins to notice two cloaked figures sneaking up on him. In a wild turn of events, they both failed to backstab him! The thief parried and blocked. Sneaky duo backed off and fled north, through the doors the part had came through.

Illustration by IdleDoodler.

Foxglove rushed south, only to find he was alone! Meanwhile five pursuing adventurers had to give up. Their prey escaped. Imagine their surprise when they couldn't open one way secret doors! Luckily the thief on the other side was able to find the hidden flagstone, and the party was reunited once more.

Investigating the chamber where they found bandits hadn't revealed what they were looking for—bolts of silk from merchant that Braggi agreed to help.

“This dead end is a bit suspicious...”

Ignaeus had found yet another flagstone! With a little bit of trickery, the party managed to open these doors too! Success! Before them was a chamber filled to the brim with barrels and crates containing various supplies, spices, and yes, bolts of silk.

Foxglove the Trouble Magnet spotted a very nice looking fountain in the corner of the room. It was made of salmon-coloured marble and resembled a lotus flower with two basins beneath it. Water was crystal clears. Where it might be coming from was not clear. There were few coins in each basin. Foxglove flipped a gold coin in the right basin. Then most wondrous thing happened.

The basins folded over the lotus flower, fountain spun in place, and then vanished into ether. “Make a wish and it will come true.” “I wish for old age, wealth, and experience.” Indeed, Foxglove had found himself more experienced.

Satisfied with their discovery, the party had completely abandoned prospects of chasing the bandits. They focused on getting the barrels out and then returning for the rest. Ignaeus had cast Wizard Lock on the secret doors, and party got to rolling. But how do you take a heavy barrel thirty feet up the iron rungs?

“Wasn't there some sort of pulley rig above? Let's use that!”

A brilliant plan.

Balarus climbed. The trapdoor were heavier than usual. It took him significant effort to force them open. As soon as he did so burning pieces of wood and debris fell down the chute. The hut above them was burning! Without many options left, the party focused on consolidating the treasure and preparing it for extraction.

On the following day they attempted to break out once again. It took them three hours to get out proper. Hut had completely burned down. Mushrooms were sliced to pieces. Crosonus hung upside down from a tree, his eyes gouged out and his belly cut wide open. Horses were nowhere to be found.

Judging they don't have sufficient daylight left to haul the treasure back to Hara, adventurers decided to spend another night in the dungeon. Prior to that they lifted all the barrels and prepared them for the long haul. They arrived to Hara on the evening of Gloomfrost 17th, Waterday.

Illustration by IdleDoodler.

There they informed all their colleagues about great wealth left behind. Counting twenty one man strong, they returned and extracted every last coin, returning back to Hara just in time to celebrate the New Year.

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

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