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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 8523538" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><strong>The Unexpected in the Caves of Chaos.</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Session #025: The Stinky Cave.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>PCs (in alphabetical order)</strong></p><p><strong>Krago of the Mountains </strong>(Pete) Male Mountain Dwarf Ranger (Folk Hero) Level 3.</p><p><strong>Lappoy the Unexpected </strong>(Rob) Male High Elf Wizard (Sage) Level 4.</p><p><strong>Mohag the Wanderer</strong> (Pete) Male Human Barbarian (Outlander) Level 3.</p><p><strong>Sho-Rembo</strong> (Dave) Female Stout Halfling Druid (Hermit) Level 3.</p><p><strong>Sir Glen</strong> (Dave) Male Human Paladin of Lathander (Noble) Level 3.</p><p><strong>Sosspan </strong>(Dave) Male Dragonborn Wizard (Spy) Level 3.</p><p><strong>Trebbelos</strong> (Pete) Male Tiefling Sorcerer (Charlatan) Level 3.</p><p></p><p><strong>Sidekick (played mostly by the DM).</strong></p><p><strong>Scrubs</strong> Male Human Sidekick Expert (Soldier) Level 3.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dead PCs (in alphabetical order)</strong></p><p><strong>Afton Barr</strong> (Dave) Male Half-Elf Bard (Entertainer) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Estra Zo </strong>(Pete) Female Wood Gnome Rogue (Urchin) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Farned of the Leaf Lord </strong>(Dave) Male Wild Elf Cleric of Rillifane Rallithil (Acolyte) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Tassit </strong>(Dave) Female Human Monk (Hermit) Level 1.</p><p><strong>The Mystical One</strong> (Pete) Female Human Warlock (Outlander) Level 1.</p><p><strong>Yor</strong> (Pete) Male Dragonborn Fighter (Folk Hero) Level 2.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dead NPCs including Sidekicks (in alphabetical order)</strong></p><p><strong>Corbis </strong>Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 2.</p><p><strong>Tribbits</strong> Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 2.</p><p><strong>Wormwood</strong> Male Human Guard.</p><p></p><p><strong>QUESTS (and stuff to do).*</strong></p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find Zelligar and Rogahn's former base, explore it and steal its treasures.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Get all 20 rumours, just missing #18, keep chatting and drinking at the Keep.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Find Tolpuddle, the 'mad druid' of the Whispering Woods, he may know where Z&R's base is (see #1 above), also say 'hi' from his brother Bumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Tell Darvon, Priest of Oghma, about the Unexpected's adventures. ONGOING.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Track down and kill/capture the former bandit leader- Dee Dee Raven (see Mebros, Captain of the Watch).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Help the water sprites of the Goblinwater River, for Bumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Clear a bunch of spiders out of the Spiderwood, for Bumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Stop the undead attacks in the Whispering Woods, for Bumble.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Clear the Caves of Chaos for the Castellan of the Keep on the Borderlands, reward 2,500gp plus.</li> </ol><p>*I've been asked to put this here because the players keep forgetting some of this stuff, also they have lots of quests on the go right now.</p><p></p><p>Note, we now read this list at the start of each new session, that's what it's like to get old- your memory just stops working.</p><p></p><p><strong>Note, you can click on the pictures here to make them bigger (if you didn't know this already).</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Day 38: Being the 8th Day of Kythorn, in the year 1493 by Dale Reckoning, known as the Year of the Purple Dragons, just after breakfast.</strong></p><p></p><p>After an extended rest Lappoy is a 4th level wizard, and Scrubs a 3rd level sidekick expert.</p><p></p><p>We're in the stinking (bastard) xvart's lair, although it has proved to be a very safe place to rest.</p><p></p><p>So, the Unexpected head back up and out into the ravine, note the body of Tribbits is left back down in the bone pile chamber within the xvart's former lair, the intention is to pick it back up on their way out of the ravine.</p><p></p><p>We'll see if that happens, the Unexpected- I seem to remember, often have to flee the ravine.</p><p></p><p>But onwards, and the next spot on the list ripe for exploration is the stinky cave-</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]150627[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>G = Xvart bastard's nasty hole in the ground lair. I = New target, the stinky cave...</strong></p><p></p><p>And it really is ripe in here, enough for a few of the Unexpected to cover their mouths and noses, the stench? Carrion, and death.</p><p></p><p>And now the Unexpected are a little less certain of themselves, but at least they remember to sort the lighting out before entering this place, and so here we go.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]150628[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Into the stinky cave.</strong></p><p></p><p>But here's the thing, under the guise of other checks (mostly perception and stealth) while the Unexpected were on their way over to their present location I have garnered a whole bunch of D20 dice rolls from the players.</p><p></p><p>The cavern's foul miasma is poisonous- and so the above checks serve as the saves I need (fiendish, hardly). I'll be telling the PCs, when they need to know- i.e. when the fighting starts, which of them is poisoned, and why (possibly).</p><p></p><p>Cruel, a bit, but not a lot.</p><p></p><p>Back to the action, there are bones and the scattered remains of various creatures in here, mostly its just rotting viscera that's left.</p><p></p><p>And now the Unexpected are really not sure about this... but the sneaky pair (Krago & Sho-Rembo) quickly discover a slightly fresher smelling chamber, occupied by a pool of clear water, they sneak in.</p><p></p><p>The rest of the gang hold station at the entrance to the chamber, although the cavern certainly looks to be deserted.</p><p></p><p>However, Krago immediately spots something glistening in the crystal clear water (perception '20'), and wades in to fetch it- although cautiously, and it's a hefty jewel encrusted goblet. There are diamonds and rubies on the ancient treasure- it must be worth a mint (over 500gp the dwarf thinks).</p><p></p><p>The Unexpected are suddenly very much happier.</p><p></p><p>But then the grey oozes show themselves (and there are three of them), moments later the screaming begins.</p><p></p><p>That said, Krago spots the first of the oozes as it approaches him through the water- and attacks, of course, while screaming to his friends- too late however, the others are caught flat-footed.</p><p></p><p>The burly dwarf ranger bloodies the first grey ooze with his black mace and dagger, both of which are magical weapons.</p><p></p><p>However, seconds later Sho-Rembo and Mohag both get splatted by acid dripping pseudopods, as does Krago a moment after. Sho-Rembo suddenly finds herself on just five hit points, that hurt a lot.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]150629[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>All of the grey oozes have max hit points, and some of the PCs are about to discover that the foul miasma within the cavern has rendered them poisoned, or at least I thought they would. Keep reading.</strong></p><p></p><p>Scrubs rushes in and clubs the nearest ooze, Krago blats the one attacking him with his black mace and dagger combo, the thing splits and disintegrates- dead.</p><p></p><p>The dwarf ranger rushes over to Sho-Rembo's side, but then- after a lengthy debate (with himself) chooses not to spend his inspiration point to get an attack in on the ooze threatening his friend. The jelly monstrosity therefore smashes the halfling druid again with its caustic pseudopod.</p><p></p><p>Sho-Rembo falls unconscious, and prone in the pool- and now she's drowning.</p><p></p><p>“Get her out!” Krago screams, wishing he had spent that inspiration point.</p><p></p><p>But, again, too late- an ooze drops down on top of the submerged and dying halfling.</p><p></p><p>To better reflect this turn of events Sho-Rembo fails her first Death Save.</p><p></p><p>Mohag slashes the ooze attacking him, and the thing is almost sliced in two (max damage).</p><p></p><p>Sir Glen, the hero, rushes in and after activating his Sacred Weapon (inspiration point) the paladin cuts the grey ooze that is nestling in the water and on top of Sho-Rembo.</p><p></p><p>Lappoy fires three Magic Missiles in to the ooze threatening Mohag, destroying it, and then a fourth into the ooze on Sho-Rembo.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos rushes in and hits the last ooze (on Sho-Rembo) with a Fire Bolt (the kindly DM ruling that there was enough of the blob on the surface of the pool).</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]150630[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Kill it! Sho-Rembo is unconscious, drowning, and dying beneath the last grey ooze, the Unexpected need to kill this bad boy quickly.</strong></p><p></p><p>Scrubs clubs the ooze, Krago blats it with his black mace, and then stabs it with his magical dagger- and yet it lives.</p><p></p><p>The dwarf ranger spends an inspiration point, and... finishes it off.</p><p></p><p>Just to say the ooze would (probably) have continued to consume Sho-Rembo, had it not been killed, and that would have been the end of the halfling druid.</p><p></p><p>Sho-Rembo, moments later, is grabbed up and healed.</p><p></p><p>[Grey oozes 300 XP]</p><p></p><p>Then, after a very quick slurp of healing- the adventurers are keen to get on, and Sir Glen has his Sacred Weapon running, the Unexpected head off again.</p><p></p><p>Note, not a one of them has noticed that their PCs are poisoned and were therefore rolling at disadvantage, mainly because the were fighting oozes and they're AC 8, and so they were hitting anyway. Also, there was a lot of other stuff going on.</p><p></p><p>After the fight several PCs swiftly discover that their metal armour has been eroded somewhat by the caustic ooze hits, also several (non-magical) metal weapons have similarly suffered in the confrontation. As I say, there was a lot going on, it was a fraught thirty to forty minutes of semi-fun.</p><p></p><p>The Unexpected haven't gone much farther into the narrow (in places) and winding cavern when Krago shushes them, there's something very large approaching at speed, and then... a HOOT!</p><p></p><p>Krago's next line starts with a very naughty word followed by “OWLBEAR!”</p><p></p><p>The line is delivered in a breathless screech.</p><p></p><p>Note my owlbear stealth check was a '1', so the thing was making a lot of noise en route, the Unexpected are swiftly braced for impact.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]150631[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>I've a feeling this isn't going to end well for my poor old owlbear.</strong></p><p></p><p>And, sure enough- waddling around the corner, and then lurching onto its hind legs comes the owlbear.</p><p></p><p>Sho-Rembo crits the beast with her Produce Flame (for '4' damage, don't fret any- it gets much worse), Sosspan hits it with all three of his Scorching Rays, Krago stabs it with his magical dagger- but its nowhere near enough damage, the hooting beast isn't even bloodied.</p><p></p><p>The owlbear started with max hit points, that's 91 from memory.</p><p></p><p>Oh, and Sir Glen at last makes a discovery, he's poisoned- he misses with his Sacred Weapon and spots (at last) that he's rolling at disadvantage.</p><p></p><p>I've been telling the PCs that are poisoned that the smell (for them) inside the cave is particularly bad, and at times has caused them to turn away or to retch, alas everyone (i.e. the players) were much more concerned with just getting on with the slaughter.</p><p></p><p>Seconds later Scrubs (as RPed by the kindly DM) also works out that he is poisoned- having just missed the great beast with his crossbow from ten feet away.</p><p></p><p>The owlbear in the meantime attempts to tear into Sir Glen (and I roll a '1' followed by a '4'), but the paladin shrugs off the attack.</p><p></p><p>Bastard!</p><p></p><p>Lappoy discovers that he too is poisoned, the High Magickist alas (shame) misses with two of his three Scorching Rays.</p><p></p><p>Mohag steps in and hits the owlbear with his magical handaxe, his greataxe has had its edge taken off by the oozes. The barbarian spends an inspiration point to repeat the trick, and hits again, for max damage ('10') both times.</p><p></p><p>Bloody hell!</p><p></p><p>Sho-Rembo hits the owlbear with another Produce Flame, and rolls minimum damage ('1').</p><p></p><p>The deadliest spell in D&D, or so Jim/Vinnie keeps telling me in another game I DM.</p><p></p><p>Sosspan hits the owlbear with a Fire Bolt, and moments later Krago Crits it with his black mace, and then follows up with his dagger.</p><p></p><p>The bloodied and broken (once beautiful) creature is left staggering- hooting forlornly, and moaning as it gushes blood, or else still burns.</p><p></p><p>Trebbelos hits it with another Fire Bolt.</p><p></p><p>There's no beauty in their lives.</p><p></p><p>Sir Glen (with Helpful on him, to counter-act the poisoned condition) misses the beast with a '1', its what he does- very regularly.</p><p></p><p>The Morning Lord bless 'im.</p><p></p><p>The owlbear, with just four hit points remaining, attempts to tear his way out of this pickle- it beaks/bites Krago, bloodying the dwarf in an instant, but the hardy ranger dodges clear and avoids the beast's follow up claw rake.</p><p></p><p>Bugger!</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]150632[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Owlbear, just prior to its demise, no doubt.</strong></p><p></p><p>Mohag thunks his handaxe into the owlbear's skull, as the beast bends forwards and down to try to bite the barbarian, the great (majestic? Perhaps formerly so) beast suddenly lurches upright and stands statue for a second, and then does a little bumbling jig, and then collapses.</p><p></p><p>Dead.</p><p></p><p>With Mohag's magical handaxe still buried in its still twitching skull.</p><p></p><p>That was Mohag's new Best Kill (see the stats thing, another one coming after session #30, probably- if I remember).</p><p></p><p>[Owlbear 700 XP]</p><p></p><p>The rest of the cavern is searched- there's really not much to it. This, of course, after a little more healing for Krago.</p><p></p><p>But there's very little to find, a few stray coins here and there, and... a scroll- which is later identified as a scroll of protection from undead. That could come in useful, particularly if the Unexpected are going to be heading out to destroy the undead that have invaded the Whispering Woods (one of the Bumble quests).</p><p></p><p>But here's the thing- the Unexpected want a sit down for a chat, and this isn't the cavern to do it in, therefore they make their way cautiously back over to the nearest former orc lair.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]150633[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Cavern F on the map.</strong></p><p></p><p>Ensconced within the Unexpected set a watch and then settle in and around the cavern mouth, mostly- they rest and chat for a while.</p><p></p><p>The chatter is of course, and as always, what comes next?</p><p></p><p>We can RP it out, and they sometimes do, but it's a player thing, so...</p><p></p><p>Pete (that's Krago, Mohag and Trebbelos) is keen to continue (today) with the conquering of the Caves of Chaos. He doesn't want to head back to the Keep, or indeed head off into the wilds- there's 2,500 to 3,000 gold pieces to be made from the Castellan for getting all of this place cleared out.</p><p></p><p>In truth, and after a bit more chat, it is agreed- all of the PCs/players are in the mood, and have the resources, to carry on, it's really not essential they head back to the Keep.</p><p></p><p>However...</p><p></p><p>Rob (playing Lappoy) would like to go and find out what's going on with the undead that Bumble needed taking care of. The King of the Bees told them that there was a bunch of burial mounds and the like nearby, and that the undead were spilling out of this area and wandering into the Whispering Woods. The Unexpected have the place marked on their map, and it's only a mile or so away- through the back of the ravine.</p><p></p><p>Dave (playing Sho-Rembo, Sir Glen and Sosspan) is likewise keen to do some more adventuring today, but... he is, at least for a while, disinclined to pick sides.</p><p></p><p>Eventually, and I do mean eventually- after at least twenty minutes of semi-bickering it all comes down to a dice roll, as it inevitably does.</p><p></p><p>Low = Pete's plan, high = Rob's plan.</p><p></p><p>I roll a D20 and get a... '10'.</p><p></p><p>So, Pete moans and gripes for about thirty seconds until Rob (and me) remind him that '10' is LOW, and that he has won.</p><p></p><p>Therefore the next cave for invasion is selected, but... screw that- the DM has been busy while the players were bickering (and dickering).</p><p></p><p>It's at this point that the PCs become aware of two things, the first thing is the yelp and bark of gnolls echoing through the cavern passages in which they stand. Clearly the invaders are rushing through the former orc lair to close with them, basically a bunch of gnolls must have snuck into the other entrance to the conjoined orc lairs.</p><p></p><p>Secondly, and this only a moment or so later, the Unexpected spot, and hear, agang of gnolls rushing up the scarp towards them.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]150634[/ATTACH]</p><p><strong>Here come the gnolls.</strong></p><p></p><p>So, screw you guys- I'm having a gnoll party.</p><p></p><p>But the only thing we get chance to do with what's left of this session is to roll initiative, and bugger me but three of the PCs roll '20's.</p><p></p><p>Back to kicking ass next time (who am I kidding, its the hope that kills you), and keep in mind all of the gnolls here are on 75% plus of max hit points, approx. thirty HP each- and there are lots of them.</p><p></p><p>Blood and glory, maybe, we'll see next session.</p><p></p><p>The pot is up to £110.</p><p></p><p>Stay safe and well you lovely people.</p><p></p><p>Toodles for a bit.</p><p></p><p>Oh, but just to note in the dying moments of the session we also worked out that Krago, Mohag, Sho-Rembo, Sir Glen, Sosspan & Trebbelos now all have enough XP for level 4.</p><p></p><p>And now the players have figured this out they all want very badly to survive what follows, and then get the heck back to the Keep for an extended rest and a lie down.</p><p></p><p>Funny how things can change in an instant.</p><p></p><p>Cheers the Unexpected and goonalan.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 8523538, member: 16069"] [CENTER][B]The Unexpected in the Caves of Chaos.[/B][/CENTER] [B]Session #025: The Stinky Cave. PCs (in alphabetical order) Krago of the Mountains [/B](Pete) Male Mountain Dwarf Ranger (Folk Hero) Level 3. [B]Lappoy the Unexpected [/B](Rob) Male High Elf Wizard (Sage) Level 4. [B]Mohag the Wanderer[/B] (Pete) Male Human Barbarian (Outlander) Level 3. [B]Sho-Rembo[/B] (Dave) Female Stout Halfling Druid (Hermit) Level 3. [B]Sir Glen[/B] (Dave) Male Human Paladin of Lathander (Noble) Level 3. [B]Sosspan [/B](Dave) Male Dragonborn Wizard (Spy) Level 3. [B]Trebbelos[/B] (Pete) Male Tiefling Sorcerer (Charlatan) Level 3. [B]Sidekick (played mostly by the DM). Scrubs[/B] Male Human Sidekick Expert (Soldier) Level 3. [B]Dead PCs (in alphabetical order) Afton Barr[/B] (Dave) Male Half-Elf Bard (Entertainer) Level 1. [B]Estra Zo [/B](Pete) Female Wood Gnome Rogue (Urchin) Level 1. [B]Farned of the Leaf Lord [/B](Dave) Male Wild Elf Cleric of Rillifane Rallithil (Acolyte) Level 1. [B]Tassit [/B](Dave) Female Human Monk (Hermit) Level 1. [B]The Mystical One[/B] (Pete) Female Human Warlock (Outlander) Level 1. [B]Yor[/B] (Pete) Male Dragonborn Fighter (Folk Hero) Level 2. [B]Dead NPCs including Sidekicks (in alphabetical order) Corbis [/B]Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 2. [B]Tribbits[/B] Male Human Sidekick Warrior (Soldier) Level 2. [B]Wormwood[/B] Male Human Guard. [B]QUESTS (and stuff to do).*[/B] [LIST=1] [*]Find Zelligar and Rogahn's former base, explore it and steal its treasures. [*]Get all 20 rumours, just missing #18, keep chatting and drinking at the Keep. [*]Find Tolpuddle, the 'mad druid' of the Whispering Woods, he may know where Z&R's base is (see #1 above), also say 'hi' from his brother Bumble. [*]Tell Darvon, Priest of Oghma, about the Unexpected's adventures. ONGOING. [*]Track down and kill/capture the former bandit leader- Dee Dee Raven (see Mebros, Captain of the Watch). [*]Help the water sprites of the Goblinwater River, for Bumble. [*]Clear a bunch of spiders out of the Spiderwood, for Bumble. [*]Stop the undead attacks in the Whispering Woods, for Bumble. [*]Clear the Caves of Chaos for the Castellan of the Keep on the Borderlands, reward 2,500gp plus. [/LIST] *I've been asked to put this here because the players keep forgetting some of this stuff, also they have lots of quests on the go right now. Note, we now read this list at the start of each new session, that's what it's like to get old- your memory just stops working. [B]Note, you can click on the pictures here to make them bigger (if you didn't know this already). Day 38: Being the 8th Day of Kythorn, in the year 1493 by Dale Reckoning, known as the Year of the Purple Dragons, just after breakfast.[/B] After an extended rest Lappoy is a 4th level wizard, and Scrubs a 3rd level sidekick expert. We're in the stinking (bastard) xvart's lair, although it has proved to be a very safe place to rest. So, the Unexpected head back up and out into the ravine, note the body of Tribbits is left back down in the bone pile chamber within the xvart's former lair, the intention is to pick it back up on their way out of the ravine. We'll see if that happens, the Unexpected- I seem to remember, often have to flee the ravine. But onwards, and the next spot on the list ripe for exploration is the stinky cave- [ATTACH type="full"]150627[/ATTACH] [B]G = Xvart bastard's nasty hole in the ground lair. I = New target, the stinky cave...[/B] And it really is ripe in here, enough for a few of the Unexpected to cover their mouths and noses, the stench? Carrion, and death. And now the Unexpected are a little less certain of themselves, but at least they remember to sort the lighting out before entering this place, and so here we go. [ATTACH type="full"]150628[/ATTACH] [B]Into the stinky cave.[/B] But here's the thing, under the guise of other checks (mostly perception and stealth) while the Unexpected were on their way over to their present location I have garnered a whole bunch of D20 dice rolls from the players. The cavern's foul miasma is poisonous- and so the above checks serve as the saves I need (fiendish, hardly). I'll be telling the PCs, when they need to know- i.e. when the fighting starts, which of them is poisoned, and why (possibly). Cruel, a bit, but not a lot. Back to the action, there are bones and the scattered remains of various creatures in here, mostly its just rotting viscera that's left. And now the Unexpected are really not sure about this... but the sneaky pair (Krago & Sho-Rembo) quickly discover a slightly fresher smelling chamber, occupied by a pool of clear water, they sneak in. The rest of the gang hold station at the entrance to the chamber, although the cavern certainly looks to be deserted. However, Krago immediately spots something glistening in the crystal clear water (perception '20'), and wades in to fetch it- although cautiously, and it's a hefty jewel encrusted goblet. There are diamonds and rubies on the ancient treasure- it must be worth a mint (over 500gp the dwarf thinks). The Unexpected are suddenly very much happier. But then the grey oozes show themselves (and there are three of them), moments later the screaming begins. That said, Krago spots the first of the oozes as it approaches him through the water- and attacks, of course, while screaming to his friends- too late however, the others are caught flat-footed. The burly dwarf ranger bloodies the first grey ooze with his black mace and dagger, both of which are magical weapons. However, seconds later Sho-Rembo and Mohag both get splatted by acid dripping pseudopods, as does Krago a moment after. Sho-Rembo suddenly finds herself on just five hit points, that hurt a lot. [ATTACH type="full"]150629[/ATTACH] [B]All of the grey oozes have max hit points, and some of the PCs are about to discover that the foul miasma within the cavern has rendered them poisoned, or at least I thought they would. Keep reading.[/B] Scrubs rushes in and clubs the nearest ooze, Krago blats the one attacking him with his black mace and dagger combo, the thing splits and disintegrates- dead. The dwarf ranger rushes over to Sho-Rembo's side, but then- after a lengthy debate (with himself) chooses not to spend his inspiration point to get an attack in on the ooze threatening his friend. The jelly monstrosity therefore smashes the halfling druid again with its caustic pseudopod. Sho-Rembo falls unconscious, and prone in the pool- and now she's drowning. “Get her out!” Krago screams, wishing he had spent that inspiration point. But, again, too late- an ooze drops down on top of the submerged and dying halfling. To better reflect this turn of events Sho-Rembo fails her first Death Save. Mohag slashes the ooze attacking him, and the thing is almost sliced in two (max damage). Sir Glen, the hero, rushes in and after activating his Sacred Weapon (inspiration point) the paladin cuts the grey ooze that is nestling in the water and on top of Sho-Rembo. Lappoy fires three Magic Missiles in to the ooze threatening Mohag, destroying it, and then a fourth into the ooze on Sho-Rembo. Trebbelos rushes in and hits the last ooze (on Sho-Rembo) with a Fire Bolt (the kindly DM ruling that there was enough of the blob on the surface of the pool). [ATTACH type="full"]150630[/ATTACH] [B]Kill it! Sho-Rembo is unconscious, drowning, and dying beneath the last grey ooze, the Unexpected need to kill this bad boy quickly.[/B] Scrubs clubs the ooze, Krago blats it with his black mace, and then stabs it with his magical dagger- and yet it lives. The dwarf ranger spends an inspiration point, and... finishes it off. Just to say the ooze would (probably) have continued to consume Sho-Rembo, had it not been killed, and that would have been the end of the halfling druid. Sho-Rembo, moments later, is grabbed up and healed. [Grey oozes 300 XP] Then, after a very quick slurp of healing- the adventurers are keen to get on, and Sir Glen has his Sacred Weapon running, the Unexpected head off again. Note, not a one of them has noticed that their PCs are poisoned and were therefore rolling at disadvantage, mainly because the were fighting oozes and they're AC 8, and so they were hitting anyway. Also, there was a lot of other stuff going on. After the fight several PCs swiftly discover that their metal armour has been eroded somewhat by the caustic ooze hits, also several (non-magical) metal weapons have similarly suffered in the confrontation. As I say, there was a lot going on, it was a fraught thirty to forty minutes of semi-fun. The Unexpected haven't gone much farther into the narrow (in places) and winding cavern when Krago shushes them, there's something very large approaching at speed, and then... a HOOT! Krago's next line starts with a very naughty word followed by “OWLBEAR!” The line is delivered in a breathless screech. Note my owlbear stealth check was a '1', so the thing was making a lot of noise en route, the Unexpected are swiftly braced for impact. [ATTACH type="full"]150631[/ATTACH] [B]I've a feeling this isn't going to end well for my poor old owlbear.[/B] And, sure enough- waddling around the corner, and then lurching onto its hind legs comes the owlbear. Sho-Rembo crits the beast with her Produce Flame (for '4' damage, don't fret any- it gets much worse), Sosspan hits it with all three of his Scorching Rays, Krago stabs it with his magical dagger- but its nowhere near enough damage, the hooting beast isn't even bloodied. The owlbear started with max hit points, that's 91 from memory. Oh, and Sir Glen at last makes a discovery, he's poisoned- he misses with his Sacred Weapon and spots (at last) that he's rolling at disadvantage. I've been telling the PCs that are poisoned that the smell (for them) inside the cave is particularly bad, and at times has caused them to turn away or to retch, alas everyone (i.e. the players) were much more concerned with just getting on with the slaughter. Seconds later Scrubs (as RPed by the kindly DM) also works out that he is poisoned- having just missed the great beast with his crossbow from ten feet away. The owlbear in the meantime attempts to tear into Sir Glen (and I roll a '1' followed by a '4'), but the paladin shrugs off the attack. Bastard! Lappoy discovers that he too is poisoned, the High Magickist alas (shame) misses with two of his three Scorching Rays. Mohag steps in and hits the owlbear with his magical handaxe, his greataxe has had its edge taken off by the oozes. The barbarian spends an inspiration point to repeat the trick, and hits again, for max damage ('10') both times. Bloody hell! Sho-Rembo hits the owlbear with another Produce Flame, and rolls minimum damage ('1'). The deadliest spell in D&D, or so Jim/Vinnie keeps telling me in another game I DM. Sosspan hits the owlbear with a Fire Bolt, and moments later Krago Crits it with his black mace, and then follows up with his dagger. The bloodied and broken (once beautiful) creature is left staggering- hooting forlornly, and moaning as it gushes blood, or else still burns. Trebbelos hits it with another Fire Bolt. There's no beauty in their lives. Sir Glen (with Helpful on him, to counter-act the poisoned condition) misses the beast with a '1', its what he does- very regularly. The Morning Lord bless 'im. The owlbear, with just four hit points remaining, attempts to tear his way out of this pickle- it beaks/bites Krago, bloodying the dwarf in an instant, but the hardy ranger dodges clear and avoids the beast's follow up claw rake. Bugger! [ATTACH type="full"]150632[/ATTACH] [B]Owlbear, just prior to its demise, no doubt.[/B] Mohag thunks his handaxe into the owlbear's skull, as the beast bends forwards and down to try to bite the barbarian, the great (majestic? Perhaps formerly so) beast suddenly lurches upright and stands statue for a second, and then does a little bumbling jig, and then collapses. Dead. With Mohag's magical handaxe still buried in its still twitching skull. That was Mohag's new Best Kill (see the stats thing, another one coming after session #30, probably- if I remember). [Owlbear 700 XP] The rest of the cavern is searched- there's really not much to it. This, of course, after a little more healing for Krago. But there's very little to find, a few stray coins here and there, and... a scroll- which is later identified as a scroll of protection from undead. That could come in useful, particularly if the Unexpected are going to be heading out to destroy the undead that have invaded the Whispering Woods (one of the Bumble quests). But here's the thing- the Unexpected want a sit down for a chat, and this isn't the cavern to do it in, therefore they make their way cautiously back over to the nearest former orc lair. [ATTACH type="full"]150633[/ATTACH] [B]Cavern F on the map.[/B] Ensconced within the Unexpected set a watch and then settle in and around the cavern mouth, mostly- they rest and chat for a while. The chatter is of course, and as always, what comes next? We can RP it out, and they sometimes do, but it's a player thing, so... Pete (that's Krago, Mohag and Trebbelos) is keen to continue (today) with the conquering of the Caves of Chaos. He doesn't want to head back to the Keep, or indeed head off into the wilds- there's 2,500 to 3,000 gold pieces to be made from the Castellan for getting all of this place cleared out. In truth, and after a bit more chat, it is agreed- all of the PCs/players are in the mood, and have the resources, to carry on, it's really not essential they head back to the Keep. However... Rob (playing Lappoy) would like to go and find out what's going on with the undead that Bumble needed taking care of. The King of the Bees told them that there was a bunch of burial mounds and the like nearby, and that the undead were spilling out of this area and wandering into the Whispering Woods. The Unexpected have the place marked on their map, and it's only a mile or so away- through the back of the ravine. Dave (playing Sho-Rembo, Sir Glen and Sosspan) is likewise keen to do some more adventuring today, but... he is, at least for a while, disinclined to pick sides. Eventually, and I do mean eventually- after at least twenty minutes of semi-bickering it all comes down to a dice roll, as it inevitably does. Low = Pete's plan, high = Rob's plan. I roll a D20 and get a... '10'. So, Pete moans and gripes for about thirty seconds until Rob (and me) remind him that '10' is LOW, and that he has won. Therefore the next cave for invasion is selected, but... screw that- the DM has been busy while the players were bickering (and dickering). It's at this point that the PCs become aware of two things, the first thing is the yelp and bark of gnolls echoing through the cavern passages in which they stand. Clearly the invaders are rushing through the former orc lair to close with them, basically a bunch of gnolls must have snuck into the other entrance to the conjoined orc lairs. Secondly, and this only a moment or so later, the Unexpected spot, and hear, agang of gnolls rushing up the scarp towards them. [ATTACH type="full"]150634[/ATTACH] [B]Here come the gnolls.[/B] So, screw you guys- I'm having a gnoll party. But the only thing we get chance to do with what's left of this session is to roll initiative, and bugger me but three of the PCs roll '20's. Back to kicking ass next time (who am I kidding, its the hope that kills you), and keep in mind all of the gnolls here are on 75% plus of max hit points, approx. thirty HP each- and there are lots of them. Blood and glory, maybe, we'll see next session. The pot is up to £110. Stay safe and well you lovely people. Toodles for a bit. Oh, but just to note in the dying moments of the session we also worked out that Krago, Mohag, Sho-Rembo, Sir Glen, Sosspan & Trebbelos now all have enough XP for level 4. And now the players have figured this out they all want very badly to survive what follows, and then get the heck back to the Keep for an extended rest and a lie down. Funny how things can change in an instant. Cheers the Unexpected and goonalan. [/QUOTE]
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D&D 5e Into The (Keep on the) Borderlands (B1&2) #032 Monster Mash.
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