The Restenford Journals #21 ( 9 SEPTEMBER 2024)

     Black Jack or Bust, Bust

    Well we picked up after the route from the Hulker underneath the Ruins of Bone Hill and they fell back to their tower to rest up. I am surprised that before falling back that Davon did not cast Fireball at the sleeping stirges in the Ruined North West Tower. They rested and decided to hit the Tower labeled as The Tower of the Spiders in Telvar's Journal.

    Approaching the ruined tower they noted the prevalence of webs in the windows and observing for possible pitfalls and traps near the entrance they saw many cocooned bodies along the walls. That tunnels between  the webbing allowed egress either upwards or downwards in the tower. Volcifer said he saw something large crawl over the wall and up the side of the tower but was unsure what it was but thought it might be a very large spider. They spend roughly 2 turns discussing their plans and waiting for something to emerge from the webs or comedown or up the stairs they could observe. They chose to go downwards into the depths under the Ruins.

    I ask for and sort out the marching order and as they approach the bottom of the stairs it is described as similar to above. The walls are covered in webbing and the floor littered with bones. Bodies in cocoons line the walls at irregular intervals. Davon pauses to put coins balanced on the steps behind them as they decide to advance down a large corridor leading to he west. All is eerily quiet. AS they advance I make a few rolls and call for a Save Versus Spells at -2 privately with Tushuab as he is up front, he Fails. The next round as they approach I call for another Saving Throw versus Spells at -2 for a retainer, Brother Draven of Ygg. He makes his Save and I allow him to relay the information that he felt an outside force clouding his mind and trying to bend it to it's will. They call for an orderly retreat from the dungeon and I call for another Saving Throw versus Spells at -2 for Volcifer of which he also Fails. As they are retreating Eldrin the Elf slips into the shadows and hides as he was furthest from the front of the party as he does so he sees a very large spider coming down the stairs. It is using the webs for locomotion so does not disturb the precariously balanced coins. I call for initiative and ask for declared actions as large spiders advance from the west ern corridor and come down the stairs behind the party. In the distance a chanting can be heard as Davon casts protective magics upon himself and Tushuab is torn as the spiders are friends of his master or voice that is clouding his mind. Tolvar casts Sleep and several Large spiders collapse. There is a bit of confusion as to how the spiders are forcing Saving  Throws but they switch to another series of spell casting and Tushuab hears a voice shouting they have come to crush the eggs, egg crushers and they shold defend the lair from these intruders.

    Now, this is where things get f'dark and turn very fast. Volcifer is a LE Assassin and the party recruited him to boost their numbers. Now a charmed minion of Anansi ;an Aranea spider with magical rings, he turns on the cleric Draven and assassinates him. I allow Tushuab to roll another Saving Throw versus Spells at -2 since this is challenges his loyalty to his allies. Tolvar turns to flee as Davon is poisoned by one of the very large spiders. As he knows he is not long for this world he prepares to cast Fireball down the western corridor as he has heard mystical chanting and recognizes some of the syllables uttered. As he does so another Sleep spell is cast by Eldrin and the remaining spider are put to sleep as well as Volcifer. Tushuab is put to Sleep by a spell cast by Anansi as is Tolvar as he attempts to flee the dungeon. The fireball reveals an unusual creature in the distance who was casting a spell. It is disrupted and the giant spider near it is slain. Davon collapses to the ground clutching his Wand of Fear hoping to send the creature fleeing as it comes closer.

    Their plan appears to be working as Davon sweats and feels his life force draining slowly the creature Anansi looms over Tushuab and prepares to slay him while sleeping but Eldrin casts Light to blind and Davon uses his Wand of Fear. Both of the creatures Saving Throws are passed and it misses Tushuab. In desperation and knowing his fireball grievously injured the creature he charges with his magical dagger as Eldrin hurls a Flask of Sleeping Gas. Davon fails his save while Anansi passes it's Save with ease. While the corridor is clouded by the sleeping gas Eldrin drinks a potion of invisibility and flees while everyone else slumbers and succumb to the creature Anansi.

    It always sucks when you have a wipe or a near total wipe of the party. We discuss Eldrin actions after fleeing but he is unable to access the tower because the Wizard Locked doors prevent his return. SO he climbs in the window of the balcony and loots what he can and memorizes Invisibility to steal off of Bone Hill on the following day. WE talk about the decisions that lead to this encounters end and decide to roll a new campaign using another rules system and start anew. Starting a Highfell campaign using Dragonslayer rpg rules this next Monday. Added another player and hopefully one more.

    The Ring of Human Influence worn by Anansi allowed him to exert Charm at distance without spellcasting. I myself did not realize it incurred a -2 to Saves against it's power until refreshing my memory of the item during the encounter. Also wearing a +2 Ring of Protection which honestly did not change anything as the Rolls for Save were very high while Tushuab never succeeded a single Saving Throw during this entire Campaign. That's right 21 sessions and not one successful save. The rough start and low party numbers plagued these guys from day one but its just a game and we move on to Highfell and more daring adventures in fantasy land.

    Game Well, Game Often Y'all 


and remember dead characters are just skeletons with loot in others people s adventure

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Highfell Journals (16 SEPTEMBER 2024)

Highfell Journals Session #3 (7 OCTOBER 2024)

Highfell Journals Session #11 (9 DECEMBER 2024)