Tag: hexplore24

• No need to Sphinx twice!

  Sorry for the delay. The battle has been done for a while, I just couldn’t find the time for the session report.

  February 16

  There are no encounters back to the ruined village for either the halflings or the PCs.

  The martial PCs who still had an extra weapon slot (Axel, Primeau, Trent and Daryl) filled it with lance, and they each bought a lance (6 gp each) the previous afternoon. On medium horses the lance will do 2-12 damage, but doubled from the charge. They have a good chance here to take out some ogres if things go well.

  The Andropshinx, named Tarlis, meets the group outside the ruined village (the southeast) around 9:00 A.M. with news that the ogres are in their lair. 

  

  The plan

  Knowing that the ogres will be likely be resting during the day, the groups will attack during daylight, probably midmorning.

  The crossbowmen along with Odalf and the halfling thief will make their way to the top of the abandoned two-story building marked C. It was a swordsmith’s shop. The other groups will take their positions, with the halflings taking measures to hide. The group with the dogs will hang back until combat ensues.

  

  Odalf will cast an illusion of Tarlis to challenge the ogres, and taunt them until they come out. When they do the real Tarlis will fly in for a roar attack. Then all groups will attack with missile fire if possible. Next round Tarlis from the roof of the ogre’s lair will roar again.

  And the dice will determine what happens next. How many ogres flee from the first roar? How many will be paralyzed from fright from the second roar? The remaining groups will adapt their tactics for more missile fire or melee.

  The combatants

  Tarlis the Androsphinx 70 hp (what a unit!)

  Cleric spells Level 1: Cure Light Wounds, Detect Evil, Protection from Evil, Command, Level 2: Hold Person, Silence 15’ Radius, Find Traps, Level 3: Glyph of Warding, Dispel Magic, Locate Object.

  Ogres. Chief (35 hp), Leader 2 (32), the rest 17, 11, 22, 17, 18, 15, 16, 14, 10, 26, 9, 16, 17, 22. No weapons

  Halflings. There are six groups of ten halflings (H1-H6) armed with short bows (12 arrows) and a small sword. I will roll for each of their hit points as needed. Their leaders are designated below. 

  Name and group		STR	INT	WIS	DEX	CON	CHA	HP
  Falfer Tencrest H3	F4	17	12	14	18	17	16	42	Splint +4, M. Star +1, RoP+1 AC: -5
  Panzor Fatfinger, H1	F3	15	9	10	16	18	16	35	AC 6
  Nornan Tenwillow, H2	F3	14	9	11	15	17	8	24	Splint + 4, AC 0
  Halmo Teahare, H4	F2	13	14	13	14	16	14	6	AC 6
  Perhorn Riverbrand, H5	F2	14	13	13	16	12	9	14	M. Star +1, RoP+1, AC 5, AC 5
  Teeon Mosswind, H6	F2	12	7	12	15	13	10	16	AC 6
  Flynser Reedeyes, with group C	T2	10	12	15	15	10	12	7	Small sword +1, RoP+1,  AC 7

  Moving into position

  The halfling groups move first, since they have a better chance to remain undetected in the overgrown terrain. They will signal with bird calls once they are in place. Are they successful? The Oracle says, Yes and… so everyone makes it into position, including the halflings with the 10 dogs.

  My Oracle by the way.

  

  Odalf and the crossbowmen move into position. Odalf uses the potion of clairaudience to try and hear ogres as they slowly move into position. Along with the halfling thief trying to scout ahead.  Do they do it? Oracle says Yes, and…. And Odalf has a good vantage point to cast an illusion unseen, behind a chimney on the roof of the old swordsmithy.

  The PCs remain mounted on their horses (Odalf’s is tied up) with the lance bearers up front.

  Time for Action

  Tarlis, the illusion flies in lands in front of the lair. He calls out to the ogres to meet him. (Oracle, Yes, but… they take their time). Finally the group emerges, including the Chieftain. Illusion Tarlis says, answer my riddle and you can leave freely.

  “Born from the void, I swiftly glide, Bringing an end to all that abide. In shadows deep, my whispers hiss, Who am I, the final abyss?”

  The ogres do not know the answer (Oracle, No, but), instead they laugh and prepare to attack.

  Round 1. “Tarlis” wins initiative.

  The ogres are lairing in an old inn and stable (O). At this point, the real Tarlis lands on top of the inn and he roars, as does the illusionary Tarlis.

  The ogres need to save vs. spells or flee in panic for 3 turns. 

  The ogres save as 5^th level fighter, or 7^th for the Chieftain. After rolling, six ogres save, and the rest flee in panic including the Chieftain and sub-chief. 

  The crossbowmen open fire on the six ogres who have not fled (Ogres: 17, 11, 22, 17, 18, 15 hp). Ogre #4 is hit for 2 points of damage, 17-> 15hp.

  The panicked group tries to flee the village running to the Northeast, here they will run by three groups of semi-concealed halflings (Group H1-3). I think the halflings can get three attacks, one as the ogres approach and two as they flee, and this will be a sub-game away from the main battle.

  Halfling missile attack!

  Fleeing ogres: Ogres Chief (35), Leader 2 (32), the rest 16, 14, 10, 26, 9, 16, 17, and 22 hp.

  Round 1. Groups H1-H3 fire short bows. H1 (17, 20), H2(20, 19, 19, 18), H3 (20, 17, 17)

  Hits on ogres 6 (26->20), 4 (14->12), 10, 1, 8, 9, 1, 8, 3.

  Round 2. H1(19), H2 (15), H3(20, 16, 18)

  Hits on ogres: 5, 2, 6, 1, 8

  Round 3. H1 (20, 17, 18, 15), H2 (20, 16, 19, 15, 20), H3 (15, 16, 15, 17)

  Hits on ogres: 2, 4, 5, 3, 5, 2, 3, 5, 3, 8, 5, 8, 1

  Hits on ogres: 2 (3), 4 (6), 5 (1), 3 (5), 5 (4), 2 (6), 3 (1), 5 (4), 3 (6), 8 (4), 2 (3), 8 (6), 1 (6)

  Ogre	HP	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	HP
  1 Chief	35	3, 1,	2	6	23
  2 Leader	32		4,	3, 6, 3	16
  3	16	4		5, 1, 6,	0
  4	14	2		6	6
  5	10		1,	1, 4, 4	0
  6	26	6	1		19
  7	9				9
  8	16	1, 3,		4, 6	2
  9	17	6	2		9
  10	22	2			20

  Two ogres are killed from the missile fire to the joy of the halflings (I hope I did not mess this up).

  The crossbowmen open fire on the six ogres who have not fled (Ogres: 17, 11, 22, 17, 18, 15 hp). Ogre #4 is hit for 2 points of damage, 17-> 15hp.

  Round 2. (Tarlis group and ogres)

  Tarlis wins initiative (6>5).

  Tarlis plans to roar again, and the remaining ogres will need to make a morale check (leader has deserted + 30%, 50% + of party** eliminated or slain +15%) so with a roll of 61 +45%, the ogres will surrender.

  But Tarlis roars again and the crossbowmen fire.

  The second roar of the androsphinx, the ogres need to save versus petrification, 3 ogres fail their saves (Ogres, 4, 5 and 6, the 15, 18, 15 hp ones) and they are paralyzed with fright for three melee rounds. 

  The crossbowmen hit ogre#6 for 4 hp, so 15->11 hp).

  The mounted PCs and the halflings (+ dogs, Groups 4-6) emerge from their hiding place in the village.

  The three ogres not paralyzed attempt to surrender.

  Round 3.

  Initiative. Good guys win 6>4

  The surrender is not accepted.

  The crossbowmen fire with two hits, on ogres #2, #3, for 4 and 3 points of damage

  Tarlis leaps down to attack. He is a 12 HD monster and only needs a 4 to hit. Two attacks on ogre#2 for 2-12 dmg each for 12 dmg total, killing the monster.

  The PCs with lances charge going for the two standing ogres, but there is only one hit from the fighter Daryl Archideld on ogre #3, for 8 points + 1 for strength to 9, doubled from the charge for 18 points, killing the ogre as it was already damaged for 4 hp.

  The halflings of group H6 attack (10 halflings with swords, their F2 leader Teeon Mosswind and 10 dogs). I will split their attacks over the two standing ogres since  they couldn’t really get access to the one crushed by Tarlis. Halflings (3 hits), Leader (miss), Halfling dogs (3 hits). Ogre #1 hits taken (4) for 16 points of damage, Ogre #2 hits taken (2) for 9 points.

  The last standing, ogre#1 has 1 hp and strikes out to hit, rolling a 19 and hitting from a group of I will say 5 halflings, 5 dogs, and Axel and Primeau (rolling a d12). The ogre smashes Axel for 3 points of damage (Axel 12-> 9 hp).

  Round 4.

  Simultaneous initiative. Last strike from the ogre on a halfling (rolling a d12), for 6 points of damage on the halfling having 1 hp, bringing him to -5 and killing him. Poor Faleon Lunarsong, there will be time to mourn later.

  The rest attack and kill ogre#1, and then they dispatch of the paralyzed ogres in a bloody mess of stabbing and dog bites. 

  Odalf ends the illusion, using 8 charges total.

  Summary (I should look into using Chainmail rules for larger battles).

  Ogre	HP	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4
  1	17			16	Killed
  2	11			3, 12, 9	Killed
  3	22			4, 18	Killed
  4	17	2	Paralyzed		Killed
  5	18		Paralyzed		Killed
  6	15		4, Paralyzed		Killed

  Round 5.

  There are now eight remaining ogres, having recently fled. The PCs propose to Tarlis to try and hunt down the rest if possible, since the androsphinx can fly and lead the mounted PCs and crossbowmen to them.

  A few things need to be worked out. The ogres are fleeing for 3 turns, so it may be possible to catch some of them before they can organize.

  Are the ogres fleeing as a group? Oracle, No, but… I say No, but the chieftain has 1-4 ogres with him, I rolled 4. So a group of 5. The subchief and the other 3 ogres are together but running in a slightly different direction (more North instead of Northeast).

  Round 6.

  The crossbowmen and Odalf descend and mount their horses. Tarlis takes to the sky.

  Fléau heals Axel for 1 hp (too bad!) so he goes from 9-> 10 hp.

  End of turn 1.

  Turn 2.

  The mounted PCs (24”) and Tarlis (30”) have much greater movement than the ogres (9”). The halflings will follow at 9” as well.

  The ogres have been fleeing for 6 rounds, so 54”. Tarlis in the sky and knowing the general direction can easily see for 2 miles. The great sphinx sees the two groups and flies in their direction. The PCs and halflings follow.

  Cumulative movement estimates

  Ogres: 54, 63, 72, 81, 88, 

  Tarlis: 30, 60, 90, 120

  Mounted PCs: 24, 48, 72, 96

  Halflings: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81

  Tarlis easily catches up to group (randomly determined) 2, then flies to see group 1. He recognizes the chief in group 1 and circles above them. This is round 4.

  I will say that on round 5 the PCs overtake the ogres in group 1. Following the same tactic, Odalf pauses about 100 feet from the ogres and uses the Wand of Illusion to create a second, flying Tarlis.

  Tarlis uses this as the signal to attack, he flies within range and roars, his third and final roar of the day. The ogres must save versus spells or lose 2-8 points of strength. The ogres will not be knocked over since they are too large, but will still suffer 2-16 points of damage (since they are not part lion as per the Monster Manual).

  Group 1 ogres: Chief (23 hp), and four ogres (6, 19, 9, 2). They all fail their saving throws and lose 4 points of strength for 4 rounds. I think this means that the ogres now have a strength of 14, so they lose their +6 damage. Since their damage is normally 1-10, this will now be 1-4 hp. They now also take 2-16 hp damage., and it is for 14 hp, killing three of the ogres. The chief is now at 9 hp, and the remaining ogre is at 5.

  Chieftan group, Round 6

  The ogres were attempting to flee but will now fight and they win initiative. They will both attack Tarlis who has moved within range.  Oh wow, Tarlis has AC -2, I did not notice this until now. Both ogres miss their attacks.

  Tarlis attacks the chief, and hits him twice for 15 points of damage, killing the chief. 

  The PCs with lances arrive and try to hit the remaining ogre. 

  Daryl hits again! This time for 10 + 1, 11, doubled for 22 points and skewers the ogre.

  Odalf ends to illusion, using another four charges.

  Based on this quick work, they all agree to take out the remaining ogres. They can overtake the other group in three rounds.

  Subchieftan group, Round 1 (new independent combat).

  The ogres are fleeing and not looking back. Tarlis flies in and attacks ogre#3.

  Subchief has the 16 hp, and the other two ogres have 9 and 20.

  Tarlis hits twice, for a total of 16 hp damage, ogre#3, goes from 20 -> 4 hp.

  Round 2.

  The ogres win initiative and attack Tarlis. The subchief hits Tarlis for 5 hp, Tarlis 70 -> 65 hp. Tarlis has a ton of hit points, incredible.

  Tarlis attacks #1, the subchief and hits twice for 14 points of damage. The subchief goes from 16 -> 2 hp.

  The four lancer PCs arrive and attack. They all miss.

  The six crossbowmen attack, and they all miss.

  Round 3.

  Tarlis and the PCs win initiative.

  Tarlis attacks ogre#3, and hits once for 9 points, going from 4 -> -5 hp, killing the ogre.

  The PCs use their melee weapons, and Daryl hits again! This time on ogre#2 for 9 points, the ogre goes from 9 -> 0 hp, and is killed.

  The crossbowmen fire, and three hits, two on the subchief, and one on ogre#2. # points of damage on the subchief, 2 -> -1 hp and is killed. Ogre#2 takes 2 points but is already killed.

  And the ogres have been slain!

  Aftermath

  On the slain ogres was a total of 680 gp.

  The two thieves, Sournois and Flynser Reedeyes volunteer to scout the now empty ogre lair. They make an agreement to spit the loot they find, with a personal percentage to be kept for themselves. Thieves, what are you going to do?

  The lair had three females and two young. They fled out a back way once the everyone took off in pursuit of the fleeing chieftan. They made their way through the village and escaped to the northwest. Nobody noticed.

  In the lair, there are no living slaves. There are the remains of halflings, dwarfs and humans. The two thieves find sacks filled with 800 electrum (they took 100 each, so really 1000 ep), and a suit of Studded Leather Armour +1 (elf size). But Sournois is 5.5 ft so it will fit her, and no one has a problem with her taking it.

  XP

  Calculating everything (ogres and treasure) divided by so many participants means there is 58 XP each.

  But the bigger reward is making the area safer.

  But what happens now? Do the PCs explore the ruined village? Can they establish a base of operations here? What about the dungeon and the Androsphinx?

  Next time.

  March 16, 2024

  dd, dungeon24, dungeons-and-dragons, dungeons-dragons, fantasy, gaming, hexplore24, rpg

  ---

• You met a what?

  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.

  

  February 14, 2024

  5e, dd, dungeon24, dungeons-and-dragons, dungeons-dragons, fantasy, hexplore24, ttrpg

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• City and village.

  February 3.

  Heading to Casthtown

  Axel (Fighter-Bard 1), Dughall (Druid 1), and Daryll (Fighter 1) head to Casthtown for training and there are no encounters on the way. They are happy to train up and spend some time in the city.

  Meet up with the Halflings

  Back in Bellde, Fléau (Cleric 1) and Odalf (Magic User 1) need to recover from their injuries (out until Feb 9).

  Primeau (Paladin 1), Wandie (Ranger 1), Sournois (Thief 2), and Trent (Fighter 1) ride out to visit the Halfling village. They are met with great enthusiasm (> 100 reaction roll).

  Primeau wants to know if they would like to explore the ruined village to the  Northeast. The Halflings are OK with this, but they prefer not to have this shared with Bellde (why?). Do they want to expand, explore? Who knows?

  The Halflings will send a group consisting of 10 Halflings, and 1 Thief 2 led by Fighter 3 named Panzor Fatfinger. This group will not serve under the command of the PCs. They will head out first thing the morning of February 4.

  

  February 14, 2024

  dd, dungeon24, dungeons-and-dragons, dungeons-dragons, fantasy, hexplore24, rpg, ttrpg

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• Level up!

  January 28. Training done! 

  Sournois has finished her training and graduates to Footpad. She gains an additional 4 hp.

  Sournois, Human (F), Thief (2), Neutral, STR: 12, INT: 13, WIS: 11, DEX: 14, CON: 11, CHR: 14, HP: 10, AC: 7, XP: 1251, Short sword, Sling (new!) and 10 sling bullets, Leather armour, Ring of Protection +1

  During the training, The PCs have decided to try and hire some mercenaries for extra protection, and to protect the horses when they delve.

  Casthtown is a large town of 6000 souls on Broken Moon Lake (named since the light reflect strangely from the swamp on the Western shore). The town has many things that PCs could want if they have the resources, but it is not a capital city.

  

  Party gold is at 2956 gp. Axel manages to find a group of six crossbowmen (1 is a seargent). Apparently The Nixie is a good place to find people. Primeau approves of the group, he does not detect evil (they are a mix of LG and NG).

  The PCs agree to hire and equip them. 5 crossbowmen (4m, 1f) (20 gp), 1 serjeant (f) (40 gp), 6 light crossbows (72 gp), 100 light quarrels (5 gp), 6 spears (6 gp), 6 sets of leather armour (30 gp), 6 light riding horses (150 gp), total 323 gp, but a monthly rate of 60 gp. I’ll flesh them out later.

  

  The party heads back to Bellde and there are no encounters en route.

  Gold 2956 – 323 – 28 (room and board at The Nixie): 2605 gp

  February 1, 2024

  dungeon24, dungeons-dragons, hexplore24, osr

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• Delve 4. Smelly buggers.

  January 13.

  Back in town, Odalf has figured out that the wand is a Wand of Illusion. He tried casting a lightning bolt, and succeeded but it there was no sound. The wand had 90 charges, now down to 89.

  Sournois took the ring (of protection +1), but does not know what it is.

  The PCs leave at 7h00 and arrive at the dungeon at 11h00 and descend at 12h00. What is the dungeon called? The dungeon is below a ruined tower. The PCs call the dungeon the rat’s nest, or the rat’s ass.

  The PCs did notice the secret door in the room where they found the wand, so they head there to start. No encounters en route or past the secret door.

  At area 16 the PCs encounter twelve giant rats (again!). The rats are surprised and after three rounds of combat the rats are killed. Dughall was bitten for a total of 3 hp damage, leaving him at 4 hp (not diseased though).

  

  The room also contains treasure, and the oracle says that it is hidden in an invisible bag. Through the searching of the room, the bag is found by Clover the hunting dog.

  I asked if the invisibility is permanent. The oracle says “No, and, and”. So I decide that is not permanent, and the bag dissolves and causes acid damage. Clover takes 3 hp damage (now at 2 hp). Poor dog. Wandie is upset and helps Clover as she can.

  From the dissolved bag the PCs find 100 pp and a Mace +1. Odalf had memorized Identify so he discerns the true nature of the mace, which is given to Fléau.

  Primeau Lays on Hands to Dughall, 4->6 hp. 

  The PCs spend a total of 3 turns in this room with the combat, checking and resting. No encounters during this time.

  

  The PCs move on and finding the secret door come to area 17. In this room are six troglodytes. 

  This could be a tough encounter, the trogs have 2 HD, revulsion odor and potentially three attacks. The dice roll indicates they have stone morning stars, so one attack per round. 

  There is no surprise and the PCs win initiative. 

  Odalf uses the wand of illusion (Phantasmal Force and Audibel Glamour) to bring forth a pack of war dogs, looking similar to Turtle. 

  Everyone attacks (except Odalf). 

  

  Combat is intense and lasts for five rounds. With randomly assigning targets during melee, the trogs attack a mix of illusory dogs and the PCs. One trog is knocked unconscious by the illusory dogs. Sournois kills that one on the following round. Only Primeau fails his poison save against the stench (losing 1 point of STR per round). The trogs are eventually killed, with Daryl Archideld taking 4 hp of damage from a morning star (8->4hp).

  Odalf used 10 charges on the wand (2 charges per round). But this for certain geve the PCs a huge advantage. Odalf is very pleased with this item. He is wondering if he can keep it long term. Can it be recharged? How?

  In a sack they find 2000 sp. 

  The PCs decide that this is enough for the day. Plus they smell terrible.

  There are no encounters on their way out of the dungeon and on their way back to town. 

  Haul

  100 pp

  2000 sp

  Mace +1

  With the rats and troglodytes XP comes out to 163 or 179 each (10% bonus guys).

  Sournois is 92 XP away from level 2!

  Oh yes, the level 1 dungeon map with the encounters.

  

  January 18, 2024

  dd, dnd, dungeon24, dungeons-and-dragons, dungeons-dragons, hexplore24, rpg

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• Delve 3. Close calls and a haul!

  January 9

  Full party delve! Everyone is at full hp and they leave at 6h30 and arrive at the dungeon around 10h30 (no encounters). They enter the dungeon at 11h30.

  The party makes their way to an unexplored area, number 15 on the map of Level 1 (it takes about 10 minutes).

  Level 1, area 15. 3 Wererats! This could be bad since they can only be hit by silver or magic weapons, and the party has neither.

  

  Rolled for a friendly encounter reaction. I took this to mean that the wererats are in human form and can converse easily. Also, the party is nine PCs with two dogs, so perhaps intimidating. The wererats could think the party is a threat, maybe?

  The wererats present themselves as explorers and ask if they can join the party for this delve. The party declines, saying they have already decided on shares for this trip. Maybe next time?

  The wererats learn that the PCs are based in Bellde, so maybe they can catch up there, at The Gorgon & Cardinal. The wererats give their names, Giz, Skoq and Kem. The wererats may try to isolate the PCs later on for ransom, or food.

  Who leaves first? The PCs, but they want to come back to more closely examine the room.

  The wererats leave shortly afterwards, they do not trust having this large group in the dungeon with them, and quit the dungeon for the day.

  More exploring, and they encounter some gnomes (I forgot to not where). Very friendly, and just passing through. They think the dungeon goes deep, and maybe a coordinated effort to explore deeper should be considered.

  Level 2

  The party heads for the stairs (near area 8 on level 1) down to level 2 (area 3 for level 2). The explore the corridor bear the chimney down from level 1 (area 4 here on level) 2, but it is a dead end.

  Going the other way (area 5), they find stairs going up one level, and then down two levels (so down to level 3 overall) with a passage ending in chamber. 

  Level 3

  Large chamber, with a double-door exit to the East. There is an iron trunk in the room. Is it guarded? Yes, but…. So I decided it was trapped, but not lethal (with poison anyway). And the roll was for a trapdoor pit trap. Sournois’s roll of 27% is too high for her 20% FRT, and she falls for 2 hp damage (now at 4 hp). She is hauled up and Primeau Lays on Hands for 2 hp.

  The trunk contains 750 gp. They take a look at the next room, it has four doors leading elsewhere. 

  No encounters.

  They decide level 3 is too far down for now and head back up to level 2.

  Back at Level 2

  The cautiously explore and Sournois finds a pit trap at area 6 (rolled 15%!).

  No encounters.

  At area 7 they run into some dwarfs from the same clan, The Coppertone Clan. Friendly reaction, also with Wandie’s axe helping out. They are heading out.

  At area 8 the PCs run into three giant toads (8, 16, 20 hp).

  The party wins initiative. Dughall casts animal friendship but the toad saves. And everyone except Odalf enters combat.

  Four rounds of combat results in the toads being killed, and one hit to Trent for 6 hp leaves him at 1 hp.

  Sitting in a pile of refuse is a Ring of Protection +1. They have not decided who will take it yet.

  The party decides that is enough for today. They head back up to Level 1.

  No encounters.

  Level 1

  The PCs return to the room where they encountered the wererats.

  No encounters on the way.

  They search the room and find a secret door. Inside is a sack containing a Wand of Illusion. Odalf takes it and will try to figure out what is doing.

  There are no encounters leaving the dungeon.

  The PCS head back to Bellde, leaving just at sundown (Northern winter daylight time). I am keeping the same weather as I see looking out my window.

  Just before Bellde they come across 9 ogres. Neither group is surprised and they are 14” apart. 

  My evasion calculations come to 70% chance to evade, and the roll is 31% so they make it back to town in less than an hour.

  Haul 

  Ring of Protection +1

  Wand of Illusion

  750 gp

  With the toads, XP comes out to 665 or 689 (10% bonus guys).

  Sournois is 255 XP away from 2^nd level!

  

  

  

  January 12, 2024

  dd, dungeon24, dungeons-dragons, fantasy, hexplore24, osr, rpg

  ---

• Wandie goes wandering

  January 3

  Wandie decided to escort the dwarfs back to their mountain range. The four dwarfs, Wandie and the two dogs (Clover the hunting dog, Turtle the war dog) depart Bellde for several days of walking (about 8-10 hours per day). Each hex is six miles, so about 1.5-2 hours.

  Luckily, there are no encounters through the plains and hills to the base of the dwarf’s mountain lair, including for camping overnight. 

  January 4

  The make it the clan, a hidden fortress with an entrance at the base of the mountain. The dwarf chieftain is pleased with Wandie and gifts her a fine hand-axe that marks her as a dwarf friend and a gem (1d10 x100 gp), worth 100 gp! That was a lucky roll.

  Wandie stays one day and sets off in the morning.

  January 5

  No encounters in the hills, plains, and a “quick” traverse of the swamp, with camping in the plains. Heading into the swamp was risky.

  January 6

  Wandie comes across a single dwelling in late afternoon. A small farm with four people (a family). Good reaction encounter and she stays the night. She agrees to scout a bit of the forest to the east.

  January 7 

  With the dogs she comes across a lair of giant wasps (Wandie has the surprise) in the forest and they evade confrontation. 

  On the way back to Bellde, Wandie stops by the farm and lets them know about the wasps. The farmer now suspects why some animals have gone missing (among other predators). 

  It will be necessary to take out the wasps at some point.

  Map. Bellde and the dungeon are shown. Arrows show the path taken. Each hex is 6 miles.

  1. Farm

  2. Giant wasp lair

  

  January 9, 2024

  dd, delve, dungeon24, dungeons-dragons, gygax, hexplore24

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