Attronarch's Athenaeum

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

#RPGaDAY2025

Prompt Result
Daily Nemesis
Question How
Mood Confident
Subject Lesson

Prompt interpretation:

How confident is the adventurers' nemsis in his capability to teach them a lesson?

Oh, he is getting very, very confident. Although he initially avoided and foiled them through sheer luck and roll of the dice, he is now actively plotting and scheming against them. It took him a long time to learn of the adventurers' involvement in his downfall, but now that he has their names, his wrath will be absolute.

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Adventurers

Character Race Class Description
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.
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.
Rogar Human Fighter level 1 A simple down to earth mercenary. After a few well paid odd jobs from adventurers he decided to take up the traveler's mantle himself to cut out the middle man.
Tobias Lindflags Hobbit Thief level 1 A sixth-born son standing to gain nothing from inheritance, so he set out to make his own fortune in the world.

Sweetrain 9th–19th

Adventurers rested and plotted their further course of action in a camp next to the Cedarwade Keep. Dalkanarion, the freshly appointed castellan of the ruined keep, was hard at work to survey the fort and take stock of what is necessary for repairs and stocking. His reputation took a blow when he took fireball to the face and lost all his hairs. His ornamental plate melted, as did all his other equipment, sans the massive two-handed sword imbued with spirits of three paladins.

Dalk's Devils, as he came to call them, halved in number due to desertion. Captured brigands fled, as did several of forced recruits from Hara. Those that remained spent their time stealing, hustling, pickpocketing, and swindling from the soldiers, keep, anyone they meet and see. Further they demanded their share of loot and booty. By their humble estimates, each should receive several hundred coins at least.

Marlon, the leader of Ambros's holy army, was unhappy with such lack of discipline and that he had to increase guards and patrols inside the camp. He would much rather have these men patrolling the surroundings instead. He suggest to Dalkanarion to hang them all, ideally from the parapets.

“Time to hang the bastards. I’ve been very lenient, forgiving, and generous thus far, but these guys refuse to turn the corner and redeem themselves. No more mister nice guy.” the mighty hairless warrior agreed.

Ludd Nuck and Drokh were escorted to Midway by two lances of mounted crossbowmen. They were accommodated in guest chambers of Lord Kyle. His manor is a three-story estate surrounded by several hundred acres of farmland, private hunting grounds, and an orange grove. Lord Kyle, being a young and curious man, held a dinner in their honour every evening, asking many questions about their adventures, how are Ambros and Dalkanarion doing, how is securing his lands progressing, so on and so forth. Ludd and Drokh were on their road to recovery, and in a months time both should be well enough to adventure again.

Ambros sent a messenger to Hara, with instructions which supplies to bring to the camp. He cast Continual Light on half a dozen copper coins during down time and healed everyone bestowing Cure Light Wounds and Cure Serious Wounds liberally. He also spent an hour every day meditating, praying and communing with nature.

His commands were executed down to a T. Marlon val Brookwood manages the troops efficiently, taking care of everything. A letter from Vicar Arlon indicated that Temple affairs are improving as well. He has imprisoned three older clerics that have conspired with merchant families for their own benefit. One of them tried to escape so they broke his legs and chained him in one of the underground chambers. His fate will be determined by Ambros upon his return.

Altanian twins showed up, as per agreed signal—splayed game carcass near the keep. They “subtly” complained and wailed about how thirsty they were. So thirsty one would think they haven't had a sip of water for weeks. Of course, it was not water they were thirsting for. They reported seeing no “pointy hat” loitering around the redoubt, and witnessing three dozen armed and armoured beastmen climbing out of the well, crossing the river and heading off north.

Everything adventurers ordered has arrived, neatly packed and sorted. Moreover, Ambros's soldier reported of latest rumours they had heard in Hara. A few days ago, approximately Sweetrain 16th, two large patrols were sent westwards. Nobody knows why or what for. The rumour on the street is that Tsamar sent them on a mission of her own. She hasn't been seen for some days.

Caravan from Hara was joined by two new adventurers, eager to find their glory. One was edgy, scar-covered, knife juggling magic-user Kho Rimbo. Another was Rogar, a promising mercenary. Both were welcomed.

Foxglove and Ignaeus nosed around Cedarwade and its various denizens in case there were spies in the camp, seeking to root them out. They found none.

All equipped and rested, adventurers assembled a new expeditionary force to head off to Racoba's Redoubt. These were Ambros, Ignaeus, Tikatu, Kho Rimbo, Rogar, and Tobias Lindflags, backed by Marlon val Brookwood, six squads of heavy footmen, and two lances of heavy horsemen. Dalkanarion and others were left in charge of Cedarwade Keep.

The expeditionary force set out from the Keep in the morning of Sweetrain 20th, Spiritday. They arrived by evening of the same day, finding no opposition. They camped for the night. They descended into the dungeon with first ray of light.

Meadowlark 1st, Airday

Ambros and Ignaeus took the front; Rogar was right behind them, spear in hand; Kho Rimbo, Tikatu and Tobias took the rear; a squad of heavy footmen followed from behind.

The party observed that most of the corpses are gone. What little remained of them was gnawed and chewed upon. Dried blood led southward, through the large chambers the brigands used as improvised sleeping quarters.

The oil doused barricade adventurers had made was dismantled. Stairs leading to the faceless black obelisk were open to passage. Commanding the squad to watch their back, adventurers went up the stairs. Obelisk stood at the center of junction, with stairs leading down in all four directions.

To the north was a steep descent terminating with a pair of doors. To the south was long descent terminating with barricaded doors. Short stairs to the west terminated with an archway opening up in a large chamber.

Lower half of a human rested by the stairs. Boots and pants were covered with a thin layer of something shimmering. Blood trail led down the west stairs, past the shimmering corpse, into the dark chamber. Throwing a coin confirmed that the chamber was indeed spacious.

Inspecting the archway revealed a hunk of green slime in the northwest corner. Adventurers melted it with fire. Then they descended.

The chamber was sixty feet wide, shaped like a fat letter C. Right side had two egresses, namely doors to northwest and stairs leading down to the west. Left side of the chamber was adjoined by an octagonally shaped chamber, roughly thirty feet in diameter.

Blood trail split threeway, one leading through the doors, one down the stairs, and one in the octagonal chamber. Investigating the room revealed little but an alcove on the south side. Rogar inspected the alcove more closely and found an inset at about eye level height. He dared to look down it, and his bravery was rewarded by four vials filled with liquid. Two were clear, one was milky and teal, and one was brown and chunky. He took all four.

Ignaeus led the investigation of the octagonal chamber. As he stepped towards the western exit he vanished in thin air.

“Oh no, not again.”

After some contemplation, others followed, and were soon in the diamond shaped chamber. Luckily for them, a deceased dwarf named Nandos, now nothing but charred remains, jammed the secret doors open by ingenious use of corpses. He also left chalk marks—and instructions!—beneath two sconces that operate the secret passageways.

Adventurers surprised the heavy footmen as they approached them from a different direction. Once they returned to the octagonal chamber they set out to determine which part of the floor is safe to walk on. Ignaeus managed to take a wrong step again so he had another long walk of shame. They eventually discovered they could pass into the corridor by hugging the south wall.

Alas, their reward was nothing but sturdy, locked, white doors. Tikatu could confirm they were made of birch tree. There was certain divinity to them. His attempt at defiling them with lockpicking failed miserably. Tobias did no better. Ambros knocked with his holy gavel several times. The doors remained locked. Reasoning that locked doors mean safety from behind, the party moved on.

Exploring the doors to the northwest led them down a twenty feet wide corridor. There they found remains of four brigands, mostly chewed, broken bones. The corridor itself was unfinished, terminating with rubble and naked rock and soil. A skeleton rested next to the rubble, leaning on a rotted leather backpack. Touching him turned the skeleton into dust, and backpack tore open, spilling hundreds of silver pieces.

The party backtracked to the obelisk, intent on checking the north and south stairs. They went north first.

Steeps stairs led to a small landing, with doors to north and east. Both opened with ease, revealing a dusty chamber filled to the brim with dust covered broken furniture, tables, closets, boxes, and barrels. The walls were adorned with murals depicting torture, murder, and sadistic acts best left unspoken of. Just as Ignaeus was about to step in, Ambros heard a voice in the back of his mind. It said, without a question of doubt, “death of a dozen cuts.”

This was enough for the party to close the doors and head south. There they judged that brigands must have barricaded and nailed the doors shut for a good reason. Probably because there is something beyond that is dangerous. So better leave it just like that.

Satisfied with their findings, the adventurers returned to the oddly shaped chamber. This time they followed the blood trail heading down the stairs to the west. The trail went on for some thirty feet and the suddenly stopped just before a T-shaped junction.

Adventurers carefully descended, watching out for traps and an sign of trouble. Ignaeus the Elf sensed there was something amiss—and then he found secret doors just next to where the trail ended. There were no sconces to pull on. Just a heavy slab of stone to push forward. Beyond it the trail continued, leading down yet another stairs.

Ahead was an X shaped chamber, with raised alcoves on four sides. In each alcove was a plinth, and upon the northwestern and southeastern were statues. Archway to the west led out of the chamber.

Northwest statue stood with legs shoulder width apart, spear standing upright in its right hand and a shield in its left. It looked straight, with stern look on its marble face. Southeast statue had a similar pose, but it held its spear across the chest. Both statues were naked but without exposed genitalia.

Adventurers entered the chamber to investigate it further.

Where will the trail lead them to?

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

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#RPGaDAY2025

Prompt Result
Daily Challenge
Question Where
Mood Excited
Subject Character

Prompt interpretation:

Where can player characters find exciting challenges?

Those adventurers that are most capable and most ambitious should seek out the mythical Tomb of Abysthor, the elusive Black Monastery, and the woeful Cyclopean Deeps. And for those most courages, far in the Demon Lands, The Slumbering Tsar awaits.

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#RPGaDAY2025

Prompt Result
Daily Reveal
Question Where
Mood Excited
Subject Character

Prompt interpretation:

Where did you have the most exciting character reveal?

Oh, one of the more exciting character reveals was the reigning Champion of hte Mightiest Supplex that Rhovar was about to challenge:

Rhovar trodden on his precious warhorse, Umber Fury, sporting his cloak and horned helmet, and carrying the Hydra Company banner in his muscular hand.

The outsides of the temple were swarming with people wanting to get in. They were all pushed away by the Windgod's clerics. The crowd separated and allowed Rhovar and his entourage to pass.

“Beat his ass blondy!” somebody yelled.

“Hah, another dead man ridding!” yelled another one.

“Brutus is the bae!” a woman screamed.

Wide stairs led to the sixty feet wide and thirty feet tall iron double doors. They were currently completely open, revealing a huge chamber bathed in sun.

“Challenger, I'm afraid you will have to dismount. We will take good care of your horse.”

...

The grand hall was a circular chamber with 300 wide diameter. Thick marble pillars, covered in motifs of eagles, winged men, and feats of strength, supported the ceiling. They were arranged around the full circumference of the chamber.

Sun illuminated the grand hall, coming down from a huge circular opening on the 30 feet tall ceiling. The eagle statue was in fact hollow. The sun would penetrate it's many orifices, and was somehow guided all the way down into the grand hall.

Looking up, the party could see many balconies on the inside. They were all full of people. The hall too, was jam-packed. Most of those present sported the Windgod insignia, but there were many others as well.

In the center of the hall was a 30 feet wide round ring. To be fair, it was more of a round plinth with colourful mosaic. The ring was warm to the touch. That was hardly surprising given that it was noon and burning hot. The sun rays seemed to be focused on it.

On the other side of the ring Rhovar spotted a man towering above all others.

The man was no freak giant. No, no. The man was perfect; as if Gods themselves made him. Tall, broad chested and shouldered, with elegant, elongated muscles. He moved with such grace that he was more akin to a panther than man. He stood perfectly naked, his dark framing the chiselled features of his face. His manly jaw revealed a heart-melting, pearly white smile.

A gaggle of women, and men!, surrounded him. He smiled at each, and was patient and gentle in his responses. At the same time a trio of acolytes were rubbing his naked body with oil, making sure to cover every inch of his copper skin.

“Our champion, I'm sure of it.”

Read how it went down here.

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#RPGaDAY2025

Prompt Result
Daily Recent
Question Who
Mood Proud
Subject Person

Prompt interpretation:

Who recently made you proud?

My players, who else. And yes, all of them. Yes, the two that have correctly evaluated that scroll is most likely trapped. And yes, the other two whom had opened the scroll case anyway, then unfurled the scroll, and then read it out loud, and then triggered fireball to the face.

Why all of them? Well, the first duo for picking up on my unsubtle clues. And the second duo for daring to risk their characters to see if this is some useful and valuable treasure or not. The risk they have taken was calculated, but alas, it did not pay off.

Illustration by Brulligrum.

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#RPGaDAY2025

Prompt Result
Daily Ally
Question When
Mood Nostalgic
Subject Adventure

Prompt interpretation:

When do allies become nostalgic for adventure?

When they run out of coin and fortune! When they desire far more than they have! When they lust for power and wealth! When they reach old age and are bored to death by their progeny and state affairs!

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#RPGaDAY2025

Prompt Result
Daily Unexpected
Question Where
Mood Envious
Subject Lesson

Prompt interpretation:

Where can one have a lesson so unexpected it will make others envy them?

What I am about to share is a secret most proper, a ruinous secret that sets the expectation and makes unexpected expected, and yet one should not expect it otherwise it will fail to be unexpected.

On the east coast of the Romilion Sea, beyond the springs, but before the marshes, lie the Gates of Black Sun. Adventurers that venture beyond them will learn such a lesson that will make the living envy them, and the dead pity them.

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#RPGaDAY2025

Prompt Result
Daily Enter
Question How
Mood Nostalgic
Subject Genre

Prompt interpretation:

How does one enter a nostalgic genre?

Is there a genre more nostagic, sentimental, or longing than the OSR? Originally rooted in breathing new life into the earlies editions of Dungeons & Dragons, OSR means a lot of things to a lot of people today. To those interested in OSR I'd recommend to pick their game of choice based on more than rules—consider the vibes, the presentation, the genuiness of invitation to play.

Original Dungeons & Dragons little brown booklets are still very playable, despite their age. They do demand of the Judge and Players to accept the ownership and responsibility for the game—for they will have to fill in some of the gaps—but in return, they also offer great fun, unlike anything else out there.

And for those that would like more modern, I can heartily recommend Swords & Wizardry Complete, a wonderful retroclone of the earliest rules which includes material from the little brown booklets, plus selection of best stuff from Greyhawk, Blackmoor, and Eldritch Wizardry supplements. It packs everything in compact 128 pages, and includes plenty of guidance to start playing.

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#RPGaDAY2025

Prompt Result
Daily Destiny
Question How
Mood Proud
Subject Lesson

Prompt interpretation:

How does one learn about their destiny whilst retaining their pride?

One must pay the price of foresight; nothing in Barbarian Altanis is given for free. Strange folk of Queans Waste yell in reverence of the Great Prophet of P'than; Onsiler of the Temple of Azure Dreams is said to be a marvellous diviner; Minarax of Barath has thus foretold all dangers and led orcs to dominance of sulphur mines; Zantrin of the Grove of Serenity is haunted by a strange prophecy. And lest it be forgotten—adventurers create their own destiny.

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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.
Nandos Dwarf Fighter level 1 Grew weary of clan politics and doing low level hired muscle work, so decided to become an adventurer instead.
Ambros Human Cleric level 6 Follower of Aniu, Lord of Time.
Sted Jalen Human Assassin level 1 A mass of burnt scar tissue hidden by layers and layers of actors' slap. Rather taciturn.
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.
Tobias Lindflags Hobbit Thief level 1 A sixth-born son standing to gain nothing from inheritance, so he set out to make his own fortune in the world.

Sweetrain 6th, Airday

“Lay down your weapons, and you shall be spared!” Dalkanarion thundered as he barreled into the chamber. Awe-struck brigands threw down their weapons. They spent two days barricaded in the improvised sleeping chambers. They reeked of vinegar and urine.

Quick interrogation revealed these four brigands fled during the initial onslaught and then locked themselves into the chamber just south of the sleeping quarters. This room was used by two brigand leaders, as well as the fugitive wizard himself. Three of them were escorted upstairs.

Sted took aside the remaining prisoner, knife to his ribs, and forced him to open the footlocker by one of the bedrolls. He acted upon previous intelligence suggesting that one of the lockers is trapped. Lady Fortune smiled upon the bandit, and he opened the untrapped one. Dalkanarion smashed the other locker with the pommel of his sword. Both contained a fine assortment of coins.

Ambros was fascinated by the desk on the south-east side of the room. It was large wooden desk, very out of place and obviously dragged in. Shelves next to it were empty. There was but a single rectangular wooden box resting on the desk.

Nandos investigated the construction of the chamber. He played with sconces, since that brought him great fame just a day or so ago. Alas, nothing now. No secret doors, no secret passageways. Just plain old sconces.

Dalkanarion and Ambros took turns inspecting the wooden box. Nothing. Finally, they picked it up. Lightweight. Clanking sound, like something is inside. Once Ambros had the box in hand he could clearly see a thin groove running around the circumference of the box, just by it's right end. He popped it open. A scroll was inside.

“That's a trap.” Sted warned.

Ambros took out the scroll. Sted Jalen fell back to the doors, keeping the prisoner in front of him. He waved Nandos to come closer too, just in case. Dalkanarion stood right next to Ambros, ready for any danger that might arise.

High Priest slowly unfurled the scroll. Text on it was written in overly elaborate cursive script, with very flowery and ornamental details. Ambros concentrated. It was Common, albeit in a difficult to read script.

“Can you” he struggled with the first line, “greedy bastards” second was even more difficult to read, “even read” but third was much easier.

The last thing Sted Jalen saw in his life were Ambros and Dalkanarion engulfed in a ball of flame. He crouched behind the brigand prisoner, but man in front of him melted, and so did Sted. Blast wave broke his charred bones, reducing him to nothing but a pile of ashes. Only the shield remained.

Nandos did not fare much better. Dwarves might be sturdy, but this dwarf was not sturdy enough to take fire ball to his face. His beard singed, his armour melted and fused with his flesh and bones, and his remains were strewn about by the blast wave. Crooked great helm was all that was left.

Ambros and Dalkanarion on the other hand did manage to survive fire ball to their face. Both were left completely hairless, and butt naked. Golden Gavel resisted the impact and remained intact. Oathkeeper too. All the treasure and other valuables in the chamber were gone.

Illustration by Brulligrum.

Cleric and Fighter coughed, apologised to the corpses of dead adventurers, squared their shoulders, corrected their posture, and walked out. It was important not to lose face in front of their holy army. Marlon looked upon them in horror.

The duo was escorted outside. Dalkanarion donned his old plate mail, while Ambros was given chain mail, and mace by one of his followers. Five captured brigands accepted the offer to join Dalk's Devils “or else.” Adventurers rested overnight, preparing to descend into Racoba's Redoubt next morning.

Sweetrain 7th, Waterday

Four adventurers—Ambros, Dalkanarion, Tikatu, and Tobias Lindflags—backed by Marlon and two squads of heavy footmen, descended into the underground complex. Tikatu was a dirty, little man, whom was attracted by the campfire. He was happy to join for an adventure. Tobias Lindflags on the other hand was a well dressed and well spoken hobbit, interested in wealth creating exercises. Little did he know what fate had suffered adventurers associating with the might Dalkanarion and pious Ambros.

Judging the antechamber to be cleared, they commanded Marlon to guard the chamber just south of it. Flies buzzed in numbers as nearly two dozen corpses rotted away. Marlon and ten heavy footmen dispersed through the chamber, taking key positions, ensuring that whatever comes from beyond the Black Obelisk gets obliterated.

Adventurers and a squad of heavy footmen proceeded into the chamber with four statues. From there they investigated the north exit. They passed a dead-end corridor and a small empty chamber. The corridor eventually turned left, into a web-infested chamber. Approaching it resulted with three ugly, giant spiders charging out of the web. They assaulted Ambros and Dalkanarion with fury.

The duo took many bites and scratches. Ambros slumped after every bite, but somehow managed to resist the poison injected into his bloodstream. Must be the Divine Intervention itself. Tikatu, a wise man of the nature, backed off. Tobias crawled back, whistled for reinforcements, and then waved them in the right direction.

The fight was brutal. Spiders bit and bit and bit. They were not so hard to hit, but their carapace was tough and thick. Ambros hit here and there, but his mace did not do much damage. Dalkanarion missed several times, but whenever he hit, he did do much damage. Tobias, eager to prove himself to these new folk, cooked up a plan. He would climb the wall, hang from the ceiling, and then drop down on one of the spiders. That would surely surprise it, and he would deliver a might backstab that would instantly kill it.

Hobbit turned to the wall, but immediately fell down. “Ugh, slippery hands” he laughed nervously. He did succeed on his next attempt. He went up, then sideways, and then on top the spider. He dropped on the monster, failed to penetrate its carapace, and then rolled right off it. The spider rewarded his courage with a string bite. Tobias survived the bite. He crawled away, protected by the feet of heavy footmen.

Dalkanarion took out two giant spiders, while heavy footmen took out one. The party investigated the webbed chamber closely. They had no interest in being surprised from behind by more spiders. They found little more than several desiccated corpses wrapped in webs. Several hundred coins and a gems were rewards for their effort.

Judging they had enough, the party returned to the surface. Ambros and Dalkanarion ordered retreat back to the Cedarwade Keep. The force was mobilised and they reached it by the end of Sweetrain 8th.

Will they have time to rest?

Discuss at Dragonsfoot forum.

#Wilderlands #SessionReport

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