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Turn 26: Uninvited Guests
Chapter
1: A Darkness Gathering
Turn
26: Uninvited Guests
| Date: |
11 Lipanj (“Wealsun”), 592 |
| Location: |
Hommlet, The Viscounty of Verbobonc |
| Players: |
Danton Verbrugge (Rogue 3) |
| |
Nanoc (Barbarian 3) |
| |
Telemachos Rhavelle (Fighter 3) |
| Associates: |
Aseneth
Velinax de Torquann |
| |
Xaod
the Slayer |
| |
|
| Date: |
8 Lipanj (“Wealsun”), 592 |
| Location: |
The Underdark |
| Players: |
Mauser Gregorus (Cleric 3) |
| Associates: |
Jil du
Gal |
| |
Eiger |
| |
Archangel |
Standing
in front of the collapsed chamber at the end of the northern wing of
the ruined moathouse, Danton drew the other party members close.
“'Tis
decision time, evidently,” he said in a low voice. “Despite
our row with the wyrm, we are fortunately none the worse for
exploring this decrepit moathouse. Plainly, we have two options:
return to Hommlet for healing, or venture into the cellars beneath
this rotting structure. None of us are in especially good shape, so I
counsel a period of rest -- perhaps only overnight. That would allow
us to improve our vigor somewhat. I am sure that we will need it: we
shall certainly meet gnolls aplenty in the bowels of this moathouse,
and the gods alone know what other foes -- living or undead -- await
us.”
”Since
Aseneth kindly lent me quill and parchment,” he continued, “I
already hath begun mapping out this moathouse, and I can do so
below-ground, as well. Plus, I now hath hope that, by magical powers,
mine journal and Vanessa's letters wilt be restored. This gives me
hope and vigor, so I wilt not insist on returning to Hommlet if the
prevailing desire is to continue our foray.”
” I see no reason not to press forward and meet our foes,” said
Telemachos. “Indeed, time is of the essence, and we are here.
Let us go on and destroy the evil that resides here and destroys mine
poor uncle's mind! Are you really that tired that you need a rest? I
am half-jesting - I know you have a stout heart. Might I have a piece
of parchment or two?”
“Don't
make much matter to me whether we press on now or rest,”
growled Nanoc. “You know I am always ready to go. O' course we
now gots a lot o' good stuff we could sell. Really don't make much
difference to me. I just don't wanna see any o' my new friends die
cause they ain't up to full speed. Danton you is still lookin' in a
bad way. If we do goes forward, I think ya oughta use another one of
those scrolls and get yourself healed up a little better. That will
save one for if we really needs it for someones.”
”Anywho,
lets either get a goin' in or sets up camp and make sure no one else
gets in 'fore we do. I guess if we rests tonight we'll have Xaod able
to do a little healin' too. It's a hurtin' my head ta think 'bout all
these options. What we doin' Danton?”
“I
am not certain what would be best,” added Xaod. “stay or
go; rest or move forward, I will follow your lead. Just remember that
drake may yet return at some point.”
“We
can be resting,” said Aseneth, “but should stay in
mote-house where can be sure no one is leaving taking things out that
we are wanting.”
“Very
well,” replied Danton, “Telemachos, here are a few sheets
of parchment, though if you need more, you may have to ask Aseneth
for it. I fear that, until we return to Hommlet, mine supplies wilt
be limited.” The Velunese handed the fighter a handful of
sheets he removed from his pack, and then continued speaking.
”Let
us return to the great hall and rest
for the day and night. I shall use one more scroll on my precious
self, but for all this, I must say that Mauser is heartily missed,
and not only for his sharp skills at conversation, to say nothing of
his odd philosophies. If Telemachos is right -- if Mauser hath died
and is now fodder for ants -- we must soon needs find another holy
man or healer to join our merry band. Recent events hath displayed
all too well the shortcoming of sallying forth without adequate means
of restoration. Mine head still hurts…”
Telemachos
shrugged. “I just think that all of us - myself included
obviously - should try a lot harder not to get hit! This new armor of
mine has provided a little less protection that I had hoped. Of
course, I didn't know that we would encounter a dragon shooting
lightning forth from its maw. I am strongly inclined to press on but
will accede to the will of the whole. Despite my growing and pressing
desire to find out the cure to my uncle's bewitchment, we must all
get some sleep sooner or later I suppose. Ah, the weaknesses of mine
flesh.”
Telemachos’
look grew distant as he continued speaking: “My father would
most certainly go on. Am I too weak in my youth? Must I harden up and
become more of a man? I hope my father is not ashamed…We came
here without a great deal of knowledge about what we would find and
where. My uncle's bewitchment is still a matter of impenetrable
mystery…indeed, I fear that the answers may not be revealed at
all. So I suffer from anxiety as well as concern about our mission.
I
am afraid there is nothing to be done except to press on . . . this
appears to be our road. About the only thing that I am sure of is
that my sword is sharp and ready for action. Woe to the enemy that
stands in the way of curing mine uncle.”
When
the Furyondian finally trailed off, the group walked back to the
great hall and set up camp as far away from the two bodies as
possible. Xaod suggested to Nanoc that they should remove the corpses
to one of the other rooms and the barbarian agreed. With the breeze
from outside blowing in fresh air through the open main doors, the
foul smell that had permeated the room began to fade.
Once
the group had settled in, Danton read another of the party’s
healing scrolls and once again managed to execute the complicated
process flawlessly (use magic device: 20+5=25; gain 7 hit points).
All of his remaining injuries faded in a matter of moments and the
scout felt better, at least physically, than he had in some time.
While
the others were resting, Nanoc claimed the composite short bow that
Chatrilon Unosh had carried for himself and went outside to the
courtyard to familiarize himself with the weapon. After practicing
for an hour or so with it, Nanoc found it to be somewhat more
accurate than the more simple short bow he had previously used (+1
to hit due to masterwork crafting).
Later
in the afternoon, when Xaod had gone outside to search for any sign
that the dragon or other interlopers might be in the area, and
Aseneth had gone after him, Danton engaged Nanoc and Telemachos in a
private conversation.
“Look here,
gentlemen, I hath an opinion or two on this dungeon delve. As I hath
explained, within the space of several water-soaked moments, mine
primary desire hath become restoration of mine journal and love
letters. Thinking that only a mage may now aid me, I anticipate
having to pay handsomely for the boon, and methinks mages are more
inclined to want payment in kind, rather than in cash. What is mere
coinage to a man who can transmute lead to gold, after all? Thus, I
want a full and even share in the magical booty henceforth,
regardless of any determination of a ‘primary’ or ‘ideal’
user.”
Seeing a scowl on
Nanoc’s face, Danton held up both hands in a placating gesture.
“Fear not, my boy. I doth not wish to lay any claim to the
magical axes that you covet, nor any armor or instruments of war that
Telemachos may seek … unless they be daggers, which might
interest an itinerant wizard. But I do quite insist that I be cut in
fully on all other mystical items, with the sole exception of
healing potions and scrolls, which practical necessity plainly
demands must be used and consumed simply to keep our group hale and
whole. But I do not want it said that ‘this item goeth best to
a fighter’ or ‘that item goeth best to a wizard.’
Nay, such items ought to be divided fairly.”
“But,
Danton,” protested Nanoc. “Aseneth already said she’ll
fix yer book an’ yer letters. I don’t really un’erstand
how it all works, but she said she’s just gotta rest and get
th’ right spell ready or sumpin’ like that.”
“Perhaps,”
admitted Danton. “We shall see. But this bringeth me to an
important observation, regarding Aseneth in particular. Set aside
your ardor for the lady, Nanoc. The fact is that Aseneth craves
acquisition of all magical booty in this place, and I
absolutely refuse to concede to such terms—certainly not
whilst I must needs hoard booty of mine own to pay for sorcerous
services in the future. Aseneth must simply wait in line like the
rest of us for such items, and I simply won’t hear of any
claims that this or that item belongeth to her by mere virtue of the
fact that she is an enchantress. Poppycock and mule-feathers! I
intend to put Aseneth at straightaways on that matter, and I expect,
out of pure fairness if nothing else, that you comrades wilt support
me.”
“Danton,”
said Telemachos, “I am glad for your journal's possible
recovery - you have made plain how much it means to you. But is it
really wise to antagonize the one person in our group who could
possibly restore the journal for you—and free of cost? And in
the grand scheme of things, with all of our problems, the mysteries
we must unravel, and the will of the gods we must seek to divine,
does it really matter who claims each silly little wand or scroll?”
“Yeah,
Danton,” agreed Nanoc. “An’ besides, Aseneth done
said she has no interest in weapons, armor an’ the stuff that
we all want. Don’t ya think we could get jus’ as much
money or more for gems, like the ones I found on that dead woman,
than bits o’ magic junk?”
Danton would have none of it:
“Nanoc, since Day One, I hath acceded to your desire for a
magical axe, readily telling everyone that I would back your
demand and that such demand was non-negotiable. I personally don’t
give a double-damn about axes, magical or otherwise, but I merely
wast looking out for your interests. Now, I am asking for that
consideration in kind: stand with me on this out of personal loyalty,
regardless of your feelings for the woman or about magical items.”
“C’mon,
Danton,” replied the half-orc. “I know ya always said any
magic axe was fer me, but do we really have ta have a fight with
Aseneth ‘bout the little stuff?”
“I
will not be cheated by the woman!” hissed the Velunese.
“If she doth restore my belongings, then I can be more
flexible, but never to the point of wholesale concession of
any and all magic items to Aseneth’s possession. And I expect
both of you to back me, should push come to shove.”
“This
really strikes me as much ado about nothing,” said Telemachos,
“but you are my friend and if it is so important to you, then I
will back your claim to a fair share of all things magical.”
“I
dunno, Danton, yer my friend too an’ all, but this attitude, I
jus’ don’t know. Yer makin’ my head hurt again an’
I’m gonna have ta take some time an’ think ‘bout
all this.”
***
Mauser fought the
urge to curse his associates and instead screamed, “If
you two could take a break from your reckless destruction of history,
perhaps we could dispatch the guards!"
At his shout, Jil
and Eiger dropped the huge stone they had been using as a battering
ram and they and Archangel turned to face the new threat posed by the
four approaching undead.
[Initiative:
Mauser: 23, Jil and Company: 6, undead: 5]
Judging the zombie
knight to be the most deadly foe, Mauser fired off a burst of
explosive sound at the thing, striking it directly and causing bits
of its body to detonate in a mass of blood that the cleric would not
have expected. The blast also seemed to stun the thing, at least
briefly, and it trailed behind the other three undead as they
approached. Following Mauser’s lead, Archangel fired off some
kind of energy-based spell that did additional damage to the same
target.
“Here, use
this on the skeletons,” said Mauser, offering his mace to
Eiger. “You’ll be much more effective with it than I!”
Eiger sniffed.
“I’ll stick with my blade!”
Mauser
shrugged, muttered “idiot” under his breath, and withdrew
his magical morningstar from his pack. The others might recognize it
as the weapon of Mauser Gregorus and wonder how Gregory Hucrele had
ended up with it, but given the current situation, Mauser did not
care. He backed behind Eiger and Jil as they moved forward to meet
the undead and held up his holy symbol of Boccob to attempt to turn
the creatures (turn undead: 5). Unfortunately, Boccob’s
attention must have been elsewhere, for Mauser’s efforts had no
effect whatsoever.
Archangel’s
turning attempt was more successful, and his invoking of Wee Jas
caused the two skeletons to turn and withdraw, but the knight and the
ogre zombie continued to advance. Eiger moved to face the first of
these foes, while Jil confronted the second. Not at all happy about
the thought of engaging either of these creatures, Mauser
nevertheless sighed and made his way carefully around the melee in
order to take the undead ogre from the rear. He resolved not to
confront the knight no matter what happened.
While
the ogre single-mindedly bludgeoned Jil, Mauser harried the thing
from its flanks (attack: 18+4+2=24; hit; 6 damage; attack:
7+2+2=11; miss), his mace morningstar flashing a bright yellow
light whenever it struck home. When he saw Jil flagging, he withdrew
from the fight, carefully made his way around it and then approached
behind the woman and applied two successive healing spells on her.
Mauser then re-entered the melee, and struck the ogre once more (attack: 14+4+2=20; hit; 7 damage) before Jil finally finished
it.
Moments later,
Eiger, covered in blood and gore, managed to finish the knight, which
exploded in one last burst as the final blow was struck. Of the two
skeletons that Archangel had turned, there was no sign.
“Well that
was just brilliant,” muttered Mauser, trying his hardest to
keep his voice low so that the others would not hear. He also stowed
his morningstar once again and replaced it with his mace. More
loudly, he said, “Perhaps we might examine this tomb more
carefully rather than trying to bash it open. It is likely there is
some sort of mechanism to open the door. It is also likely that the
Queen will be a very powerful undead creature if her guardians are
any measure.”
“Forget
that!” said Eiger. “I want to get this done and get out
of here as quickly as possible!”
“I
have no healing left,” cautioned Archangel, “perhaps we should take our time and rest…”
“I believe we
are near to the surface now,” replied Jil. “Let us search
this last tomb and then be free of this underground world at last.”
The woman nodded to Eiger, and the pair hefted the stone slab once
again.
Mauser sighed,
shook his head and surreptitiously eased his morningstar from his
pack once again to face the inevitable attack he knew was coming.
***
In the late
afternoon, the rains started again, and the party members were glad
to have taken shelter in the moathouse. Although the roof leaked in
many areas, at least what remained of the rafters provided enough
shelter for the group to remain more or less dry. When darkness fell,
Nanoc and Xaod took the first watch. With the rain still falling many
hours later, the pair finally woke Danton and Telemachos for the
second watch. Xaod then removed his plate mail in order to be able to
get some sleep, while Nanoc simply curled up in his bedroll, leather
armor and all, as he had always done.
As the hours
passed, Danton and Telemachos paced about the great hall, sometimes
together, conversing in low tones, and sometimes separately in order
to stay awake. Save for the dull monotone of the rain in the
background, the night was quiet (listen: Telemachos: 4+0=4,
Danton: 5+6=11).
At one point in the
early morning hours, when complete darkness still cloaked the
moathouse and the only light came from the magical torch Danton had
placed atop a rubble pile in the northeast corner, the Velunese
passed by the small room with the stairwell leading down into the
cellars and he froze in his tracks. The sound had been slight, very
slight indeed, but Danton was absolutely certain that he had heard
someone or something stealthily making its way up the stairs.
Motioning for
Telemachos to guard the doorway, Danton slipped back towards the
others to awaken them. He had just shaken Nanoc awake when the attack
came.
Telemachos was
standing just back from the doorway when the first gnolls appeared.
The creatures were at least seven and a half feet tall, with
greenish-gray skin. Unlike most gnolls, which were reputed to be
savage, but primitive fighters, these wore finely made black scale
armor and black capes and wielded well-forged axes. A medallion of
some sort also dangled around the neck of each. The first two burst
through the doorway and rushed Telemachos.
[Initiative:
Gnolls: 16, Telemachos: 5, Danton: 6, Nanoc: 14]
Telemachos blocked
the strike of one gnoll with his shield, but the other one’s
axe slashed through his defenses, including his new armor (5
damage). Snarling, the fighter riposted, slashing Shatterspike all along the gnoll’s abdomen, piercing its armor and cutting
it down in a welter of blood (attack: 11+9=20; hit; 11 damage;
killing first foe activates cleave feat and provides attack on second
foe: 4+9=13; miss). Telemachos used his momentum to attack the
second gnoll, but it blocked his strike with its axe. Moments later,
Nanoc was at his side. The barbarian tried to cut down the second
gnoll, but, to his amazement, the larger creature’s scale armor
resisted the blade of his axe (attack:5+9=14; miss).
While Telemachos
and Nanoc held the doorway, Danton screamed at the top of his lungs
to wake Aseneth and Xaod. The warrior grabbed up his sword and shield
and rushed towards the combat without his armor, while Aseneth hefted
her blue-glowing staff and approached Danton.
“I will fight
if must, but after dragon, I am having no war spells!” she
warned Danton.
[Initiative:
Xaod: 19, Aseneth: 25]
When Xaod rushed
forward, Telemachos and Nanoc backed slightly away from the doorway
in order to give the third warrior room to join them. At the same
time, more gnolls poured through, stepping over the body of the
fallen one.
Xaod struck one of
the gnolls a hard blow, but then, bereft of his armor, was hammered
by the creature’s counterattack. The creatures also pressed
Nanoc (hit for 7 points) and Telemachos (hit for 10 points)
hard. Telemachos countered as best he could, striking the gnoll
attacking him with Shatterspike (attack: 8+9=17; hit; 8
damage), but this time the beast weathered the attack and kept
fighting. The gnoll that had hit Nanoc was not so fortunate, as the
enraged barbarian spun his axe and removed the beast’s head
with a single swing (attack: 17+9=26; hit; 19 damage).
While Nanoc held
his ground and entered a state of complete battle frenzy (barbarian
rage: +4 str, +4 con, +2 will saves, -2 AC), both Xaod and
Telemachos gave ground, forcing Danton and Aseneth to enter the
melee. As three more gnolls entered the chamber, Nanoc noticed that
one of them was even larger than the others, standing a full eight
feet tall, and wielded a longsword and shortsword combination rather
than the battleaxe that the others carried. With anger and pure orc
bloodlust coursing through his veins, the barbarian rushed forward to
face the huge gnoll one on one.
Under other
circumstances, Nanoc might have been able to parry the attacks of the
huge gnoll, but in his state of bloodlust, he was heedless of defense
and did not even notice the two hits he took (13 damage). He
smashed his axe through the gnoll’s defenses in a devastating
blow that would have killed most foes (attack: 12+9=21; hit; 17
damage), but the gnoll only snarled and kept fighting.
Farther back in the
room, Xaod cut down the gnoll he had been facing, while Telemachos
ducked under a strike from his attacker and then cut its legs out
from under it (attack: 10+9=19; hit; 7 damage). Standing
together, and free of attackers for the first time, the pair saw
Aseneth take a hard hit from a gnoll that bore down on her while
Danton proved quick enough to dodge the strikes another creature
directed at him, but was unable to counterattack effectively (attack:
3+4=7; miss).
“Help the
lady!” said Telemachos, shoving Xaod towards Aseneth. “I’ll
assist Danton!”
Back near the
doorway, Nanoc’s luck ran out. Although he had struck the huge
gnoll a grievous blow, it recovered faster than he did and ran him
through with its longsword (critical hit: 15 damage). Nanoc’s
consciousness faded and he crumpled to the floor.
Danton’s
fortunes proved no better. Although he was faster than the gnoll that
harried him across the hall, it finally managed to anticipate one of
his movements and slammed its axe into his center of mass, sending
him flying across the room to crash into a wall before coming to a
rest unmoving on the floor (critical hit: 20 damage).
Telemachos took
some measure of revenge against the gnoll that had cut down Danton
(attack: 17+9=26; hit; 11 damage), but he knew that it was not
enough and sensed that the fight was going badly all around him.
Three gnolls remained standing, while only Telemachos, Xaod, and
Aseneth, all badly wounded, stood to face them.
“For
Heironeous!” screamed Xaod as he slashed his longsword into the
gnoll that he and Aseneth faced. There was a flash of brilliant white
light as the weapon struck the creature, followed by a crack of
thunder. The gnoll was dead long before its body hit the stone floor.
The gnoll that
Telemachos faced was as badly injured as he and it was clear that
whichever opponent struck the first blow would win the contest.
Fortunately, whether it was the gods, the spirit of his father, or
his own determination, something enabled the Furyondian to dodge one
more strike from the gnoll’s battleaxe and then sink his own
blade into the thing’s flesh (attack: 10+9=19; hit; 10
damage). The gnoll fell.
The last gnoll, the
truly gigantic one that had dropped Nanoc, moved to finish Xaod
first. However, by some miracle, the unarmored fighter managed to
block both the gnoll’s long and short swords with his own blade
and shield, and both Aseneth, bloodied, but still fighting, and
Telemachos moved to flank the beast.
With the gnoll now
distracted by having to face three foes from different directions,
Xaod and Aseneth both managed to hit the thing. However, It then spun
with lightning speed, striking Xaod with its longsword and Aseneth
with its short sword. The woman dropped like a pile of rocks, but
Xaod somehow kept standing.
“For my
father and the greater glory of Furyondy!” screamed Telemachos
as he ran his sword clean through the gnoll’s back (attack:
18+9+2=29; hit; 13 damage).
With Shatterspike sticking out of its chest, the great gnoll froze in mid-motion. Its
eyes glazed over and then it slid off Telemachos’ blade. When
it fell to the floor with a thud, a deafening silence followed.
Telemachos and Xaod, both covered in their own blood and that of
their foes, stood alone amidst the carnage.
“Well fought,
brother,” said Xaod. “Now let us see if any of the others
yet live.”
While Xaod checked
Aseneth and Danton, Telemachos rushed to Nanoc’s side and did
his best to stop the bleeding that threatened to take the barbarian’s
life, but to no avail. With the barbarian rage that had sustained
Nanoc now fading, his life was going with it.
“These two
will live,” called out Xaod from across the room. “They’re
in a bad way, but they’ll live.”
“Damn it,
Xaod, get over here!” screamed Telemachos through clenched
teeth. “He’s dying and I can’t do anything to stop
it!”
“Fear not, my
friend,” said the big man as he rushed over and knelt down on
the other side of Nanoc’s body. “Heironeous will not
allow that to happen to one such as Nanoc, not now, not today, and
neither will I.”
And with that, Xaod
placed both hands on Nanoc’s back, whispering under his breath
all the while. As Telemachos watched in amazement, Nanoc’s many
wounds closed and the bleeding stopped (healed to 0 hit points).
The half-orc slept now and his breathing became regular.
With Nanoc
stabilized and resting, Telemachos and Xaod stood. The Furdyondian
gazed about the hall, from Aseneth, to Danton, to Nanoc.
“That’s
one minor miracle,” he said, “and I’m most grateful
for it, but we’re going to need a lot more to get out of this
mess.”
***
To Mauser’s
ears, the sound of Eiger and Jil bashing through the tomb door seemed
as if it must carry throughout the whole of the underdark, but, to
his surprise, it drew no more defenders from the other graves. After
some ten minutes of bashing, the pair finally damaged the door
sufficiently to wrench it open. And that was when the trouble really
started.
When Eiger and Jil
finally managed to open the door, a truly foul smell wafted out and
moments later the ground shook. No less than a dozen skeletons began
to claw their way out of the rocks and dirt of the floor of the
cavern all around the party. Worse, a shimmering female form floated
out of the damaged, still glowing tomb and hovered over the party.
The apparition wore an insubstantial crown and translucent robes. Its
face expressed nothing but pain and anger.
[Initiative:
Mauser 5, Jil and Company: 1, undead: 18]
The first thing the
ghostly apparition did was simply look at Jil. The effect was
instantaneous, and boils broke out all over Jil’s body,
bursting and causing the woman to scream and collapse in pain. Eiger
swung his blade at the ghost, but it floated out of his reach. Both
Archangel and Mauser hefted their holy symbols and attempted to drive
the thing off, but once again, fickle Boccob provided little aid (turn undead: 3). This time, Archangel was no more
effective.
However, if the two
turning attempts failed, they did succeed in drawing the attention of
the ghost, and it dove at Archangel. It first passed right through
his body, causing the man to shake and shudder and then it circled
around to gaze at him in the same way it had Jil. Archangel screamed
briefly before collapsing to the ground.
With Jil and
Archangel both out of the fight practically before it had begun,
Mauser realized the time had come to flee while he still could. He
quickly cast the invisibility spell he had been saving for just such
an occasion and then turned to pick his way through the ring of
skeletons before it closed around him and the others. He carefully
kept his eyes downward to avoid making contact with the gaze of the
ghost as he ran between the skeletons and made his way towards the
tunnel behind the queen’s tomb. Something horribly cold passed
through him once as he ran (-4 con points), but Mauser willed
himself not to look for the cause. The chill was so powerful that the
cleric stumbled and nearly fell, but somehow he managed to keep his
feet and ran for all he was worth.
Screams followed
Mauser even after he reached the tunnel and charged heedlessly down
it until he ran so far that the light from the tomb receded in the
distance and left him in total darkness once again, but no more
attacks came. Breathing heavily and feeling weaker and more tired
than he ever had before, Mauser realized that he was once again on
his own.
***
Nanoc finally came
around late the following morning. As soon as he was told about the
outcome of the battle, he was more concerned for Danton and Aseneth
than for his own condition, but there was nothing that he could do
that Telemachos and Xaod had not already done. The three men
considered their options, including sending someone to Hommlet to
seek assistance, but ultimately decided to stay together and rely on
Xaod’s healing powers to gradually restore the party. If more
foes emerged from below the keep, they would likely be done for, but
there was simply no way the party could move overland in its present
condition and sending a lone, injured man to Hommlet seemed foolish
at best.
When night fell
again, Xaod and Telemachos took individual watches, and, mercifully,
no more attacks came. By the following morning, both felt
considerably better (Telemachos +3 HP) and even Nanoc was
finally able to get up and about (+3 HP). The Furyondian and
the barbarian looted the gnoll bodies and then hauled them to the
empty room where they had dumped the other corpses previously. At the
same time, Xaod used his healing abilities to restore Danton to
consciousness (raised to 0 HP). Once Danton was awake, the
Velunese used the last of his healing scrolls on Aseneth (use
magic device: 17+2=22). Once again, despite his weakened
condition, Danton managed to use the scroll perfectly, and the worst
of the woman’s injuries were healed.
Save for numerous
battle axes and suits of scale armor, which would be too heavy to
haul all the way back to Hommlet, most of the gnolls carried little
of interest or value. The one exception was the group’s
apparent leader, whose blades and studded leather armor were of
masterwork quality, and who had worn a gold brooch that looked to be
of some value. Interestingly, the gnolls had each worn one of the
small triangular necklaces with the upside down ‘Y’ in
the middle that the party had previously found on the two bodies in
the great hall.
Yet another day and
night passed while the party rested and healed and discussed all that
had transpired in the keep and what the group should do next. By the
time the morning of the 13th dawned, everyone could at
least stand and walk (+3 HP for all). The weather was finally
sunny and clear for the first time in what seemed like ages. Most of
the group was sitting in conversation over a cold breakfast in the
great hall when Xaod, who had gone outside the moathouse to scan the
surrounding countryside as he often did, came rushing back.
“There are
wagons coming!” he breathed heavily. “Two of them! I have
a bad feeling about this!”
________________________________________________________________
Notes for turn 27:
Please send postings for Turn 27 by
the end of Friday, October 6th.
Keep in mind that for the bulk of
the party the date is now 13 Lipanj (“Wealsun”), but for
Mauser it is still 8 Lipanj.
Items gained
this turn: Carried by Nanoc: masterwork studded leather
armor, masterwork longsword, masterwork shortsword, golden brooch, 7
iron triangles with an inverted ‘Y’ inside
Undivided Loot previously
gained: none
Items
used/lost/destroyed this turn: 2 scrolls of cure light wounds
FOES DEFEATED:
This Chapter:
Character |
Foes Defeated |
Percent of Total |
Most Powerful Defeated |
| Nanoc |
2/15 |
13% |
Water Ooze |
| Mauser |
4/15 |
27% |
Goblin Shaman |
| Telemachos |
5/15 |
33% |
Gnoll Warleader |
| Danton |
0/15 |
0% |
Mud Puddle |
| Aseneth |
1/15 |
7% |
Young Blue Dragon |
| Xaod |
3/15 |
20% |
Chatrilon Unosh |
Entire Campaign:
Character |
Foes Defeated |
Percent of Total |
Most Powerful Defeated |
| Nanoc |
45/119 |
38% |
Sarcophagus Thing |
| Mauser |
23/112 |
21% |
Shadow |
| Telemachos |
34/119 |
29% |
Gnoll Warleader |
| Danton |
7/119 |
6% |
Bugbear |
| Erky |
6/119 |
5% |
Twig Blight |
| Aseneth |
1/119 |
1% |
Young Blue Dragon |
| Xaod |
3/119 |
2% |
Chatrilon Unosh |
Current Status
of the Party:
Nanoc
AC: 17
Hit points: 6/35
New XP: 540
XP total: 5280
XP needed: 6,000
Equipment: great axe, short bow,
silver-plated short sword, masterwork studded leather armor, 72
arrows, 2 quivers, backpack, waterskin, 15 days trail rations,
bedroll, 2 sacks, 2 flint & steel, bearskin, tent, 50’
rope, 1 sap, 2 small marble statues, 3 extra suits of masterwork
studded leather armor, rapier, buckler, 1 heavy mace, lilac-colored
stone mask, longsword, shortbow, 1 suit of chainmail (badly damaged),
masterwork composite shortbow, 3 jade gems, masterwork longsword,
masterwork shortsword, golden brooch, seven iron triangles with
inverted ‘Y’
Gold: 57
Silver: 220
Mauser
AC: 18
Hit points: 25/25
New XP: 520
XP total: 4410
XP needed: 6,000
Spells Available:
0 Level (4): Create
Water, Purify Food and Water, Light
1st
Level (4* one of these four spells must be a domain spell): Summon
Monster I, Change Self
2nd
Level (3*one must be a domain spell): Hold Person
Turn Undead uses
left today: 0
Equipment: heavy
mace, light crossbow, scalemail, 36 crossbow bolts, small wooden
shield, backpack, pouch belt, 50’ silk rope, 2 torches,
waterskin, flint & steel, 2 holy water flasks, peasant outfit,
bedroll, entertainer’s outfit, cleric’s vestment,
healer’s kit, 5 days rations, four jade dragon figurines, ½
potion of cure light wounds, 1 sap, 1 unknown potion, scrolls of slow
poison, command, cure light wounds, inflict light wounds, unknown
tome, morningstar +1, magical orb from the Sunless Citadel
Gold: 10
Silver: 220
Danton
AC: 15 (16 vs. one opponent)
Hit points: 3/14
New XP: 540
XP total: 5280
XP needed: 6,000
Equipment: rapier,
6 daggers, light crossbow, studded leather armor, quiver with 13
bolts, bedroll, backpack, flint & steel, thieves picks,
waterskin, 8 days trail rations, hooded lantern, notebook, pen, ink,
gold ring engraved with the name Karakas, 1 sap, 1 metal key from
Yusdrayl, Everburning Torch, scrolls with pyrotechnics and
melf’s acid arrow, waterlogged journal, two iron
triangles with upside down ‘Y’ inside
Gold: 0
Silver: 0
Telemachos
AC: 18
Hit points: 11/32
New XP: 540
XP total: 5280
XP needed: 6,000
Equipment: splint
mail, short sword, 2 daggers, longbow, quiver and 36 arrows, large
wooden shield, backpack, large sack, flint and steel, 18 days
rations, waterskin, bedroll, tent, 1 sap, Shatterspike (Longsword
+1 with special properties), honey and berries
Gold: 65
Silver: 210
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