Stone-Hell on the Borderlands Session #14 (6 NOV 2023)

 

   Well, this may end up coming off as the DM is complaining but its more catharsis. We started with only Three Players this week and in the in between session I had decided not to recruit an additional player and no one has approached me from reading these blogs, tweets or otherwise to see if there were open seats. There are Retainers to be hired and called to your banner and it is a long standing Old School tradition to have Henchman. A player; Daagun the Halfling Fighter/Thief, dropped from the game completely and Octavious; Human Cleric of the Lord of Coins, could not make it this week. But I figured with their variety in levels it would be fine on the first floor or two of Stone-Hell a suitable challenge. Might even tie up a loose end which would make several of them joyous.

   We picked up immediately where we left last of last session which was IN Stone-Hell viewing the Kobolds getting chomped on by a Giant Shrew through a portcullis. The Halfling literally disappeared as well as his War Dog & Donkey. Now I would normally allow a PC to bow out and travel off maybe to return to the game but this is the second time in the same campaign so, Hell'naw, we will take the opportunity to add some strangeness to Stone-Hell. They are standing there and then they notice the torch upon the floor and the Halfling is simply gone. A rather large insect stings Octavious and he is disoriented and unable to act. I figure the party would flee the dungeon but decides to fire upon the Giant Shrew with missile weapons and in doing so accidently kills one of the Kobolds resulting in the kobolds " We are assailed from our rear let us flee Arrrrgh!" and up northward they run with the Shrew scurrying off with a dead Kobold in its maw. Coddiwomple Company; they have been named this by Rufus in the Keep, decide to head up to the surface and rest at Snorri's Redoubt in Stone-Hell Valley.

   There are no Random Encounters returning to the Ghost Beggar Caverns so they descend into the Valley and head towards Snorri's Redoubt. Now there is a random encounter and I roll, bandits. The Return of the Ghost Beggars ! [I roll for Surprise, the party is Surprised]

  The PCs take a pair of arrow shots and out rush two spearmen. It is even odds and the bandits believe; and rightfully so, that the party is wounded so it could be an easy victory. The battle turns quickly and the two bandit spearmen are laid low and the archers flee. There is a bit of pursuit but the bandits are quicker and run for the main entrance of Stone-Hell. They loot what little coin they can off of the bandits and discover pouches full of seasoned insects as rations.

   A small bit of RP between Stonus and one of Snorri's cohort and the Coddiwomple Company is allowed to sleep in the Hall off of the main room. Snorri has cleaned up this location within the valley and they are using it as base for further exploration of Stone-Hell. It is guarded by 2-3 Dwarf and well stocked. The next day the players return to Kendall Keep but stop at their campsite north of the Fens, the midpoint. They find it disturbed but not destroyed. Things moved and some items overturned but still useable. No one opts to search for tracks or anything so the obvious Lizardman tracks are not discovered. That evening figures are seen in the darkness but they do not approach the campsite. [I roll on my Monster Reaction Chart and get indecisive again. A second roll with Benn walking around with his magical burning sword and they roll "Leave". This has happened multiple times with the Lizardmen for some reason] . With the rising of the sun they return to Kendall Keep.

   Rufus notes the party missing a party member, accosts them for their 5 CP fee to enter the Keep, "Its for the roads he mutters" if anyone questions it. He holds a finger to Felix the scribe noting the missing Halfling Daagun. He asks where he is and gets different answers from the party. He calls the group Coddiwomple Company loudly as Felix makes entry into the Entry Log. They return to the Travelers Inn and get some much needed rest and Ailil trains for 2nd level Cleric. There is some RP in the Tavern as Cinnamon ignores Stonus' wounds and offers not to heal him as Benn continues his advances towards scoring a NAT 12 on reaction roll. I allow this to unlock the romantic pursuit even though he has had liaisons with her cousin Sara. OR maybe it was something Sara Said ? Benn is giving generous portions to his meal and a free refill of his favorite Ale.

   Some interaction with Bambi raises the jealous nature of Stefan Har'well for Ailil. The normally jovial Har'well reveals a jealous nature when it comes to his Half-Elfin arm candy. I make a note on an index card for future interactions.

   The party decides to return to Stone-Hell. They do not attempt to recruit any Retainers even though this was discussed in between sessions in discord. I opt not to prompt their memory as it is their decisions or lack thereof that make the adventure. Before they even get halfway they decide; upon Ailil insisting to perhaps "check it out", Benn and Stonus agree and decide to tromp into the Swamp the next morning. I make some quick rulings about swamp travel and they arrive at the mounds at the center of the Swamp just before dusk and are covered in Swamp goo and many times the Dwarf nearly dropped out of sight into the watery depths of the Fens. I made this kind of everglades like with copses of Swamp trees and muddy. They failed to observe the natural fauna of the area which includes Crocodiles, Murderous Murder Flamingos as well as various giant versions of insects, slugs and leeches. They only spy upon the bottom of the food chain. I describe the mounds as having some marsh trails and piles of rocks marking direction and they head up to the standing stones they could see from teh old ruined tower.

   inspection revealed large standing stones with crude iron manacles, bones litter the ground around these stones as well. Various humanoid and some human bones. Ailil inspects the Glyphs and carvings upon the rocks while Benn and Stonus opt to stand on guard. I have rolled 5s & 6s for random encounters for he entire trip so its been a nasty slog through the swamp but no critter encounters. Their luck holds out. Non one inspects the bones to determine the various types of humanoids. The carvings are for Yig, lord of scales and the serpents. I was asked if I meant Set but no, I meant Yig as in the Mythos of Lovecraft. There is some discussion on how much info on Yig the Elfin Cleric would know but it is revealed Yig is ancient and more of a Chaotic Being who enjoys sacrifices. There is no fresh blood upon these stones however and the bones are well weathered.

  They are overlooking basic information.

   Inspecting for Trails Stonus finds obvious path that lead North and downwards as well as natural vents where some heat comes from and the stones show signs of smoke. There is debate upon camping over one of these vents and exploring the path at dawn. Benn & Stonus however are eager for exploring the caverns or halls beneath their feet that the Dwarf is certain exits judging from the terrain. There are lots of scaly lizard folk footprints. They follow the path and find a stony ledge concealed from the Swamp but easily viewable as they descend from the top of the Mound. Down a short hall with rough natural stone flagstones and mud seeping from the sides of the hall is a stout wooden door. Stonus attempts to open the rather large door and fails as it is stuck nd slightly oversized. Benn attempts to as well and fails, then Ailil applies his shovel to try and pry the door open and fails, they take the fourth round to discuss the next course of action and it is a joint effort but ...

   The door opens and standing in the rough flag stoned hall beyond is a 6 1/2 tall Lizard Man, he wields a shield and in his hand is a toothed war club. [I roll reaction, indecisive again] Bright pink feathers adorn his head dress as well as other bright plumage, a necklace of Crocodile teeth are around his neck. It says something in Lizard Folk language, no one understands him. It yells over his shoulder down the hall and other lizard man sounds are heard, Benn begins speaking in Common to it so I check if the Lizard man speaks it, he does not. Stonus declares attack as I roll secondary reaction which is also, attack. The party loses initiative and pushes into the hall and battles the big lizard but do not drop him. [ 9 damage dealt but they press on, no one pays attention to the math] There is a concentrated group effort to slay the lizard man nd he pulls back and they follow only to be set upon by five more from the guard room he walked from to the front door. Ailil stays to the rear and Benn and Stonus begin a general melee in a wide section of Hall. The Lizard man is behaving in a rather intelligent manner and the PCs put themselves at a disadvantage. Stonus takes several blows before Ailil casts Sleep putting several; 3 total, inactive. There is shouting by the Lizard Folk and combat so I roll to see if anyone hears them. I Roll a 1, a door opens at the far end of the guard room just out of sight and more lizard man file into the guard room.

   This looks grim, they do not flee. Ailil joins the melee and Stonus decides to delay the lizardmen and allow his allies to flee. Ailil joins the fray instead and fights alongside the Dwarf. Benn begins backing towards eh exit. They are trying to fall back slowly and manage to kill 2 more lizard men as the additional 8 enter the hall but are delayed to a shower of marbles that litter the floor. Several lizard men are delayed and get no attack but 4 press it resulting in AiIil being reduced to zero hit points and falling unconscious in the Hall. Benn flees after hurling his spear into the oncoming wall of scales, jumping into the Swamp off of the ledge and Stonus turns and runs towards the path up to the top attempting to return to the ruined tower.

  Have to reread the Pursuit Rules again. Decide I should roll a Morale Check to see if the Lizard Folk pursue and they Fail morale so they do not. The surviving two party members heading in different direction might have caused some confusion and it has been a very very long time since they had Demi-Human Flesh. SO they run into the Swamp at night after travelling all day and they are split.

  I make few rulings about getting lost as its night and I make it a 3 in 6 chance. They both get lost but manage to go in the direction they intended anyway. Benn encounters something in he swamp and runs towards one one of the large swamp cypresses and climbs it to avoid 4 Giant Leeches who lurk in the water below waiting for him to leave the tree.  I also require both to make CON Check to avoid exposure so they are both shaken and in bad sorts. As Benn waits out the Giant Leeches, I roll them as an encounter for the next morning as well so they waited. Benn refuses to leave the tree until the late afternoon and makes it to the road after getting lost again but emerges in sight of the Road, staggering back towards the Keep. there is no encounter on the road so he makes it.

   Stonus gets lost but randomly goes in the right direction three times and ends up the Ruined Tower at dawn. There was a second level observation area that was accessible by a rickety ladder and Stonus climbs it , pulling it up behind him and collapses from exhaustion. A random encounter is roll but cannot climb so he does not die in his sleep. Mo' Giant Leeches ! In the early evening I roll Giant Toads and he observes five of the creatures from the tower at a good distance and opts to hot foot it towards the road anyway. Monster Reaction is 11 so they are not interested in the hairy figure running down the craggy hill. Monster Reactions have been kind lately but they tend to pull swords and hack at them anyway.

   Benn & Stonus reunite at the Keep Gate but are not allowed entry to the Keep as the Sun has set. They yell and plead from below but no entry is permitted. AS the sun rises Rufus lowers the gate and stands at he entrance of the Keep. asking where they Elfin friend is he is treated with grunts and half truths. As they try to pass him he blocks the Dwarf, 5 CP for entry. He holds up two fingers to Felix the scribe who shakes his head and writes something in the Entry Log.

   This session was a Hot Mess imo but the Coddiwomple Company relied on their luck to survive the swamps. Now, I dunno if players were working on meta information on how the lizard man mound has been used in previous games they have played or personal experience of B2 but I replaced the small mound with an entire Lair from another classic tsr adventure and tinkered with their motivations. There are several encounters in the Fens/Brackish Swamp purloined from tsr adventures I liked for swamp locales in case the party eventually sought to establish holdings south of the Keep. I have to finish editing the map a bit and now the once thought exterminated lizard folk are known of but Stonus & Benn kept such information to themselves so the Keep is still unaware and believes that they are no lizard folk left in the swamp. Sure folks claim to see tracks or a scaly hide in the Fens but the scaly avoid the road in daylight hours venturing out to hunt on dry ground only at night. Observing but not engaging... how many nights they saw the party camp and thought how delicious they looked only to have them come knock upon their door like grub hub ?

   Now honestly I find it hard to feel bad for the fellas. They sought this fight out and picked it... and got heir arses handed to them and their Elf ended up getting eaten. Now I gotta think does this encourage the Lizard Folk who have numbers again to feed that craving ? They did lose several Warriors so revenge is an option. Are my PCs gonna avoid Stone-Hell and focus on fekkin around in the Fens south of the Keep ? After session ith my eyes burning I talked to Benn and Stonus about what I thought was odd like them not recruiting Retainers, opting for Hex Crawl in a Swamp over the Firs Level of Stone-Hell. I am still thinking to myself can Leeches climb shit ? I ruled nope which is prolly the only reason it was not a TPK due to blood loss in a tree or while the Dwarf slept in the old ruined tower. I got allot to think about before next session.

 

 

#SHotB ##OSR #OSE #VintageGaming