Plateau Wizard

February 4

Casthtown

Axel and company arrive in Casthtown. They manage to sell the Ring of Protection +1 for 10,000 gp, but minus 4500 gp for training they net 5500 gp. They enter training February 5.

At the Ruined Village

I used FantasyTownGenerator.com to make a village of about 600 people. This number comes from the DMG page 173 (600-900 people).

Then, I determined that 10% of the village buildings were razed. So I rolled for all the buildings and crossed them out randomly. 

Next I asked if the ruined village has a dungeon. Oracle Dice -> Yes, and, and. I took this to mean that that there is a dungeon but there are two main lairs in the village.

I used the guidelines from Dragon Magazine #54 to see what kind of monsters would have lairs.

From the DMG’s Appendix C (rolling on Rough terrain) I ended up with an Androsphinx and Ogres. The sphinx is a neat surprise, and ogres have been seen by the party in this area so this is where they are. I decided that the Androsphinx is perhaps guarding the area around the dungeon entrance. Why? I don’t know. The ogres have recently tried to set up a lair in the village.

I decided they are incompatible (Chaotic Good vs Chaotic Evil). DM#54 suggests that each lair has maximum capacity, so 1 Androsphinx and 20 Ogres. The Oracle says they have encountered one another, and in a previous skirmish the Androsphinx killed four ogres (group of 8 that fared poorly against the roar attacks). So they are now at a stalemate, where either side is not clear if they can remove the other. The ogres are trying to collect weapons, or something like a net to bolster their next attack.

The PCs and the halfling group make it to ruins without an encounter. Sournois and the halfling thief start scouting. In the main square they see the ruins of an inn, where the main wall facing a square is missing leaving a large opening. Everyone gathers in the square to investigate. From the inn emerges the Androsphinx. 

The reaction is uncertain, but skews toward positive after Primeau talks to the sphinx and makes clear they are not raiders. Also, the presence of ostensibly Lawful Good halflings may help.

The Androsphinx does not explain why it is here, but it does say that within the ruins are a group of ogres, who have established a lair on the east of the village. The Androsphinx has hatred towards them, and has fought them once before, taking down several of them. But, the Androsphinx believes that the remaining ogres, over a dozen, are not confident about besting the sphinx. And, the Androsphinx is not certain he can successfully kill the band by himself. He thinks it is doubtful that the PCs with the halflings could succeed together if the group was inclined.

The halflings are not content knowing that ogres are lairing this close to their village. Some halflings have seen the ogres in the area, and three months prior some halflings disappeared outside the village with signs of violence. They conclude that it could be the ogres. The leader of this group, a Fighter Level 3 (Panzor Fatfinger) thinks they should petition the chief Falfer Tencrest for a larger force to kill these monsters.

The Androsphinx confirms that the ogres are still in their lair, and if the group returns he will help them fight.

Primeau says that some of their party is recuperating, and some are training. When the group is altogether they will return to the halfling village to see what they have decided. Sournois reminds everyone that Odalf has a Wand of Illusion that may be helpful.

Fléau and Odalf will be recovered from their injuries on February 9^th, and the PCs in training are slated to return to Bellde on the 13^th. They plan to return to the halfling village on the 14^th or 15^th.

The Androsphinx wishes everyone well, the PCs head back the Bellde and the Halflings return home.