The Party
Hammer Boyd - Fighter (Chris Scott)
Casterfo Hearthwood - Fighter (Lane S.)
Koko Googan - Fighter (Joshua D.)
Magnus the Adequate - Magic-User (Greg)
Yonder Dirkwater - Cleric (Spooner) - dead
Beal - Torchbearer (Hireling)
Raimond - Halberd Men-at-Arms (Hireling)
Othine - Archer Men-at-Arms (Hireling) - dead
Adjan - Archer Men-at-Arms (Hireling)
Claud - Axe Men-at-Arms (Hireling) - dead
The Crawl
At the Mug, the adventurers made a plan to deal with the orcs in Stonehell and recover the stolen Breyheath treasure. They chose a frontal assault and recruited heavily among the locals, gathering men-at-arms to bolster their ranks. They made their way to the southeast of the great stairs, retracing past steps through the room of the Dwarven carvings. Along the way they were attacked by a pack of giant centipedes, but they were easily dispatched with arrows before the venomous creatures could strike anyone. The first corridor leading towards the orc lair was filled with refuse and a large pack of giant rats feasting on it, so the party continued south to a new corridor. Here they found a pair of armored human statues flanking a small room, pointing at each other. Fearing to pass between those statues, Yonder led the group single file, hugging the outer wall, in order to move around them.
Soon they arrived in the sleeping quarters of the orcs, where six orcs drank and sharpened their blades. The party struck quickly, but orc arrows fell Yonder and Othine. The melee dispatched the remaining orcs quickly, but Claud was slain and the noise summoned the great orc captain, who burst out of his room roaring with fury and swinging his great bone-hilted battleaxe. As he charged forward, Magnus called on arcane forces to put the monster into a sleep, and the warriors quietly decapitated his still head. In the next room they found another pack of orcs, fortified behind a makeshift wall. The party moved back around the corner and called out to parlay, while displaying the severed head of their leader. They were approached by one of the orcs who called himself Snaga and asked for the wise and fair Seer Elofinde. With the death of Shagrat, Elofinde had promised to make Snaga the new leader. The party honored Elofinde's word and gave Snaga the wicked battleaxe to signify his leadership. Snaga promised the adventurers safe passage through his outpost in the future, but warned that the greater part of the orc tribe lie to the south, and Big Chief Mudugoth would not be pleased to see them.
Ramblings about dungeon crawling, whiskey, and cosmic horror.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Stonehell: Expedition 5
The Party
Casterfo Hearthwood - Fighter (Lane S.)
Orin Smee - Fighter (Chris H.) - dead
Thorold - Fighter (Mathieu V.)
Markus Ironfist - Dwarf Fighter (Greg) - dead
Seer Elofinde - Magic-User (Frey)
Black-Eyed Sonya - Elf Thief (Wright J.)
Yonder Dirkwater (Spooner)
Magnus the Acceptable - (Greg)
The Crawl
At the Mug, a soldier tells his story. He was part of a military escort from Breyheath taking a payment to the outposts in the Reach. His band was set upon by orcs and slaughtered. The soldier was gravely wounded and left for dead. Coming to, he followed their tracks to Stonehell, but lacked the strength to go in. Now a deserter, he cannot return to Breyheath empty handed.
Casterfo recalled meeting some orcs to the south of the grand staircase entering Stonehell. The party elected him leader and set out to retrace his steps in hopes of recovering this military treasure. Moving through a room carved with dwarven figures, Markus was able to identify them as avatars of strength, virility, and cunning. Examining the avatar of cunning, they found a secret door which opened into an orc guard post. In the ensuing battle, Markus was slain by orc arrows, but Seer Elofinde was able to charm two of the orcs. The orcs agreed to lead them to the captain and said that if any could best the captain in single combat, the orcs under his command would join them, but if they tried to outnumber the orc captain, the tribe would fall on them and tear their limbs off. Approaching the captain's room, the door burst open and the largest orc beast any had ever seen roared with rage, swinging a massive bone-hilted battled axe. Casterfo and Orin ducked his attacks but were certain the strength of his blows would easily cleave any one of them in half, and the entire party fled from the orc outpost with the tribe's jeers and taunts echoing behind them.
After a quick trip back to the Mug to recruit the Magic-User Magnus and the cleric Yonder, they decided to make back for the crypts, where Elofinde had so much success before. On the way back to the crypts, they explored a room they'd passed by before. Covered in mildew and rot and full of broken furniture, they did find a secret compartment in an old wardrobe that held a jewelry box, long missed by other explorers.
In the crypts, they chose southern halls this time, quickly falling back into their proven strategies of clearing crypts. They found these halls to be more dangerous, however. Horrendous, flesh-eating ghouls were found in the first, but Yonder was able to banish them. The second crypt opened into a cold, ominous darkness that their lanterns could not penetrate. Across the floor they could see a set of gold and gem encrusted jewelry gleaming. As they argued whether or not to go after it, the darkness spilled out of the crypt and formed into two malicious shades in the corridor. The fighters swung their blades at the shadows but they passed harmlessly through, while the shade reached out at Elofinde and she felt an icy claw rake through her, sapping her strength away. Yonder splashed holy water around the corridor, missing the shades, but the party was able to flee and choose another hall. Here the first crypt they opened spilled out undead skeletal warriors, and although they defeated them, Orin was slain in the melee. With another slain and most of the party licking wounds, they decided to end this expedition and return to the expedition. The jewelry box and some gold found in the ghoul crypt more than paid for the expedition in, but the body count in Stonehell continues to rise.
Casterfo Hearthwood - Fighter (Lane S.)
Orin Smee - Fighter (Chris H.) - dead
Thorold - Fighter (Mathieu V.)
Markus Ironfist - Dwarf Fighter (Greg) - dead
Seer Elofinde - Magic-User (Frey)
Black-Eyed Sonya - Elf Thief (Wright J.)
Yonder Dirkwater (Spooner)
Magnus the Acceptable - (Greg)
The Crawl
At the Mug, a soldier tells his story. He was part of a military escort from Breyheath taking a payment to the outposts in the Reach. His band was set upon by orcs and slaughtered. The soldier was gravely wounded and left for dead. Coming to, he followed their tracks to Stonehell, but lacked the strength to go in. Now a deserter, he cannot return to Breyheath empty handed.
Casterfo recalled meeting some orcs to the south of the grand staircase entering Stonehell. The party elected him leader and set out to retrace his steps in hopes of recovering this military treasure. Moving through a room carved with dwarven figures, Markus was able to identify them as avatars of strength, virility, and cunning. Examining the avatar of cunning, they found a secret door which opened into an orc guard post. In the ensuing battle, Markus was slain by orc arrows, but Seer Elofinde was able to charm two of the orcs. The orcs agreed to lead them to the captain and said that if any could best the captain in single combat, the orcs under his command would join them, but if they tried to outnumber the orc captain, the tribe would fall on them and tear their limbs off. Approaching the captain's room, the door burst open and the largest orc beast any had ever seen roared with rage, swinging a massive bone-hilted battled axe. Casterfo and Orin ducked his attacks but were certain the strength of his blows would easily cleave any one of them in half, and the entire party fled from the orc outpost with the tribe's jeers and taunts echoing behind them.
After a quick trip back to the Mug to recruit the Magic-User Magnus and the cleric Yonder, they decided to make back for the crypts, where Elofinde had so much success before. On the way back to the crypts, they explored a room they'd passed by before. Covered in mildew and rot and full of broken furniture, they did find a secret compartment in an old wardrobe that held a jewelry box, long missed by other explorers.
In the crypts, they chose southern halls this time, quickly falling back into their proven strategies of clearing crypts. They found these halls to be more dangerous, however. Horrendous, flesh-eating ghouls were found in the first, but Yonder was able to banish them. The second crypt opened into a cold, ominous darkness that their lanterns could not penetrate. Across the floor they could see a set of gold and gem encrusted jewelry gleaming. As they argued whether or not to go after it, the darkness spilled out of the crypt and formed into two malicious shades in the corridor. The fighters swung their blades at the shadows but they passed harmlessly through, while the shade reached out at Elofinde and she felt an icy claw rake through her, sapping her strength away. Yonder splashed holy water around the corridor, missing the shades, but the party was able to flee and choose another hall. Here the first crypt they opened spilled out undead skeletal warriors, and although they defeated them, Orin was slain in the melee. With another slain and most of the party licking wounds, they decided to end this expedition and return to the expedition. The jewelry box and some gold found in the ghoul crypt more than paid for the expedition in, but the body count in Stonehell continues to rise.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Stonehell: Expedition 4
The Party
Hammer Boyd - Fighter (Chris Scott)
Cecil Bonebottoms - Magic-User (Spooner) - dead
Jacobus the Consecrated - Cleric (John M.)
Rinorren Alsbach - Fighter (spicer)
Eneagon - Cleric (Nicholas D.)
Casterfo Hearthwood - Fighter (Lane S.)
Carissa - Elf Magic-User (Joshua D.) - dead
Koko Googan - Fighter (Joshua D.)
The Crawl
This is not the stuff that legends are made of. As snow fell outside the inn, a party formed under the veteran leadership of Hammer Boyd. With the foul weather and the deaths of too many hirelings recently, they had trouble filling the ranks with any other willing adventurers from the locals. After buying some heavy fur cloaks from a trader in the inn, they set out again for Stonehell. Arriving at the canyon, they decided to have a look in the ancient, crumbling gate house. Through empty corridors littered with dirt and dried leaves, they kicked open doors and found a pack of goblins feasting on a dear carcass. Before anyone could speak, Hammer and the magic-users led the charge into the room. The ensuing melee was chaos, and when the last goblin was struck down, Carissa had been slain and almost no on went unscathed. A few silver pieces and a gold nose ring taken from one of the goblins would be the reward for Carissa's life.
They returned to the party to get a night's rest and recruited Koko Googan to join them. Returning again to the canyon, they bypassed the gate house and made straight for the entrance to Stonehell. After Jacobus fell into a pit trap, they learned caution and began prodding their way cautiously through the dungeon. To the southeast they came to an intersection where a band of orcs met them. Choosing to parlay instead of charge, the orcs warned them to turn back and stay out of their territory, advice well heeded.
With Eneagon's prompts, they were able to find their way back to the Wheel of Fortune, where they found the corpse of a dwarf, empty cavities where his eyes should be. Eneagon identified his former companion, Samo, and recommended that his new companions try their luck at the Wheel. Koko spun first, and felt blessed with quick reflexes and strong fortitude. Casterfo was emboldened and spun next, and felt the wisdom of the ancients flood his mind. Cecil spun third, and with a flash of smoke was gone, replaced by a small squirrel.
Feeling their luck had run out, the party made their way back to the Magician's Mug. They'd lost two of their number to Stonehell, with only a goblin's gold nose ring to show for it.
Hammer Boyd - Fighter (Chris Scott)
Cecil Bonebottoms - Magic-User (Spooner) - dead
Jacobus the Consecrated - Cleric (John M.)
Rinorren Alsbach - Fighter (spicer)
Eneagon - Cleric (Nicholas D.)
Casterfo Hearthwood - Fighter (Lane S.)
Carissa - Elf Magic-User (Joshua D.) - dead
Koko Googan - Fighter (Joshua D.)
The Crawl
This is not the stuff that legends are made of. As snow fell outside the inn, a party formed under the veteran leadership of Hammer Boyd. With the foul weather and the deaths of too many hirelings recently, they had trouble filling the ranks with any other willing adventurers from the locals. After buying some heavy fur cloaks from a trader in the inn, they set out again for Stonehell. Arriving at the canyon, they decided to have a look in the ancient, crumbling gate house. Through empty corridors littered with dirt and dried leaves, they kicked open doors and found a pack of goblins feasting on a dear carcass. Before anyone could speak, Hammer and the magic-users led the charge into the room. The ensuing melee was chaos, and when the last goblin was struck down, Carissa had been slain and almost no on went unscathed. A few silver pieces and a gold nose ring taken from one of the goblins would be the reward for Carissa's life.
They returned to the party to get a night's rest and recruited Koko Googan to join them. Returning again to the canyon, they bypassed the gate house and made straight for the entrance to Stonehell. After Jacobus fell into a pit trap, they learned caution and began prodding their way cautiously through the dungeon. To the southeast they came to an intersection where a band of orcs met them. Choosing to parlay instead of charge, the orcs warned them to turn back and stay out of their territory, advice well heeded.
With Eneagon's prompts, they were able to find their way back to the Wheel of Fortune, where they found the corpse of a dwarf, empty cavities where his eyes should be. Eneagon identified his former companion, Samo, and recommended that his new companions try their luck at the Wheel. Koko spun first, and felt blessed with quick reflexes and strong fortitude. Casterfo was emboldened and spun next, and felt the wisdom of the ancients flood his mind. Cecil spun third, and with a flash of smoke was gone, replaced by a small squirrel.
Feeling their luck had run out, the party made their way back to the Magician's Mug. They'd lost two of their number to Stonehell, with only a goblin's gold nose ring to show for it.
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Stonehell: Expedition 3
The Party
Isarn Esrevaine - Cleric (Spooner) - dead
Black-Eyed Sonya - Elf Thief (Wright J.)
Carissa - Elf Magic-User (Joshua D.)
Hammer Boyd - Fighter (Caleb C.)
Jacobus the Consecrated - Cleric (John M.)
Rurik Devilspawn - Cleric (Tatiana E.)
Seer Elofinde - Magic-User (Frey)
The Crawl
A little leadership and experience goes a long way. Returning adventurers Isarn, Hammer, and Elofinde recruited a new batch of neophytes to return to Stonehell. With three clerics in the party, they decided to make for the crypts where they’d had some luck before with grave robbing. Using Elofinde’s maps, they were able to retrace their steps safely and efficiently. Things seemed unchanged in the halls of the dead, and they picked back up at the crypt that Elofinde had previously spiked. With superior numbers, volleys of ranged weaponry, and the righteous furor of at least two of their clerics, they were able to make quick work of the skeletons and zombies that plagued the crypts. Treasure came easy in these ancient tombs.
After clearing the crypts along the north corridor, they came to a large chamber with a rusty iron statue of a veiled woman wielding two flails – one plated in gold. The likeness matched an unholy artifact they’d found among the crypts before, but the shine of gold can brighten up even the most depraved shrines. After taking the flail, some in the party suggested making for the surface with their bounty, while others argued to press on. Rurik located a secret door on the south wall and curiosity overcame prudence. Following the hidden corridor to an old priest’s chamber, the adventurers were quick to ransack the room, but slow to look up. Large centipede dropped from the ceiling and struck Elofinde, Grim Will, and Isarn. Antidotes purchased from Savort the Alchemist saved Elofinde and Will, but there wasn’t enough to go around for Isarn, and the hired cleric became the seventh victim claimed by Stonehell.
Isarn Esrevaine - Cleric (Spooner) - dead
Black-Eyed Sonya - Elf Thief (Wright J.)
Carissa - Elf Magic-User (Joshua D.)
Hammer Boyd - Fighter (Caleb C.)
Jacobus the Consecrated - Cleric (John M.)
Rurik Devilspawn - Cleric (Tatiana E.)
Seer Elofinde - Magic-User (Frey)
The Crawl
A little leadership and experience goes a long way. Returning adventurers Isarn, Hammer, and Elofinde recruited a new batch of neophytes to return to Stonehell. With three clerics in the party, they decided to make for the crypts where they’d had some luck before with grave robbing. Using Elofinde’s maps, they were able to retrace their steps safely and efficiently. Things seemed unchanged in the halls of the dead, and they picked back up at the crypt that Elofinde had previously spiked. With superior numbers, volleys of ranged weaponry, and the righteous furor of at least two of their clerics, they were able to make quick work of the skeletons and zombies that plagued the crypts. Treasure came easy in these ancient tombs.
After clearing the crypts along the north corridor, they came to a large chamber with a rusty iron statue of a veiled woman wielding two flails – one plated in gold. The likeness matched an unholy artifact they’d found among the crypts before, but the shine of gold can brighten up even the most depraved shrines. After taking the flail, some in the party suggested making for the surface with their bounty, while others argued to press on. Rurik located a secret door on the south wall and curiosity overcame prudence. Following the hidden corridor to an old priest’s chamber, the adventurers were quick to ransack the room, but slow to look up. Large centipede dropped from the ceiling and struck Elofinde, Grim Will, and Isarn. Antidotes purchased from Savort the Alchemist saved Elofinde and Will, but there wasn’t enough to go around for Isarn, and the hired cleric became the seventh victim claimed by Stonehell.
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