Greetings. Welcome to the first session of /mlpol/'s first running of the classic third edition d&d campaign Red Hand Of Doom.
On this adventure, our heroes, currently three strong, will encounter dozens of trials that will test their strength, cunning, and friendship as they face an army of goblins.
If you'd like to join, there's still room for more in the party. Don't be shy to ask.
Our story begins in Elsir Vale, with our three heroes on the road to the town of Drellin’s Ferry. The three are seasoned adventurers, and exated heroes to boot. Having fought many battles together before, they are confident in their strength. Legend has it of a vast treasure in the Vault of Vraath Keep, hidden deep in the Witchwood; our heroes, have journeyed all this way to seize the vault for their own.
Despite that, they all have their own motivations to travel to Drellin's Ferry:
Sir Whiskers, a cunning and charismatic Tibbet Jester, is travelling to meet up with an old friend of his: Princess Princess Bagel Jennifurr Fluffykinz the fourth. He hasn't met his old friend since he was a kitten, and he's eager to meet with her again. She has arranged to meet up with him in Drellin's Ferry, and to accompany him on his adventure.
Sir Brozal, a mighty Orc Crusader of Pelor, has received a mission from a high-ranking Cleric of his order has received a powerful vision of war descending on Elsir Vale under the banner of a clawed red hand, and has sent Brolaz to the far reaches of Elsir Vale to avert impending disaster... Brozal isn't exactly sure if the vision was real, or if his master just wanted to get rid of him for the year, but he never turns down a good crusade.
Brother Chad, a wise and powerful Druid, has chosen to accompany his companions on their hunt for the lost treasure in the Witchwood. Sir Whiskers requested his aid because Chad is the most experienced woodsman he knows. Chad is wary of this region, for he's heard that it is ruled by a fierce and territorial Druid, but he embarks upon this jouney nonetheless, the secrets of the Witchwood too tempting to ignore.
...So tempting that he seems to have drifted off somewhere with his horse; probably fucking it again or something. Stupid hippie.
And so, let's begin:
>The afternoon sun beats down on you; the air is hot and still. The sparsely settled lands of Elsir Vale are starting to grow monotonous, with a seemingly endless line of dusty flyspecks of towns. The town of Drellin’s Ferry lies a few miles ahead of you. It’s a settlement hard on the borders of the Witchwood, and the best place from which to begin exploring the nearby forest.
This is the part where the players ask obvious questions that I thoughtlessly ignored in the first post, as well as implore about their surroundings.
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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1920 replies and 79 files omitted.
>>137041
Yes, the party was given free stay at the inn.
You should all be there, unless Brozal insists on sleeping outside again...
Yes, the party was given free stay at the inn.
You should all be there, unless Brozal insists on sleeping outside again...
>>137042
Well, if right outside the inn counts as a safe place, then Aral would totally just meditate next to Brozal. Firstly because he's the only one of the party so far he had conversed with and found enough common ground to trust him - oddly enough - secondly because he is the kind of forest elf that would probably find the wind more comforting than the walls.
Stay fully awake a few hours later than the party, just sitting studying his new scroll, then get out of trance a few hours earlier to prepare his daily spells. That is the general plan.
Well, if right outside the inn counts as a safe place, then Aral would totally just meditate next to Brozal. Firstly because he's the only one of the party so far he had conversed with and found enough common ground to trust him - oddly enough - secondly because he is the kind of forest elf that would probably find the wind more comforting than the walls.
Stay fully awake a few hours later than the party, just sitting studying his new scroll, then get out of trance a few hours earlier to prepare his daily spells. That is the general plan.
We will be playing tomorrow morning.
Hopefully with a full party this time.
Hopefully with a full party this time.
Okay, to get this clear, how long did you guys want to rest? You were all given free stay at the inn.
It's 3-4 PM in game time. You have time to do shopping (*cough* horses *cough*) and info-gathering, but if you go back on the trail, you're going to start facing layers of exhaustion (you've all been up for thirteen hours), which may get you killed.
Or at least that's what Jorr says. You guys are free to do as you please.
The city council remains unconvinced to evacuate for now. Norro Wiston appears to trust you, but some charisma checks are going to need to be rolled to help him convince the council with only this much info/tension.
It's 3-4 PM in game time. You have time to do shopping (*cough* horses *cough*) and info-gathering, but if you go back on the trail, you're going to start facing layers of exhaustion (you've all been up for thirteen hours), which may get you killed.
Or at least that's what Jorr says. You guys are free to do as you please.
The city council remains unconvinced to evacuate for now. Norro Wiston appears to trust you, but some charisma checks are going to need to be rolled to help him convince the council with only this much info/tension.
Brozal will ride a horse and begrudgingly agrees to a long rest. He’ll sleep in an alleyway or something. He’s also donating 120 platinum, 1.2k gold, and 2.5k silver to the temple of Pelor.
Brozal will beg for food after donating his money.
I will buy the horses.
>>137303
Brother Derny gasps as the blue orc, with a dozen arrows still sticking out of his back, marches into the church and dumps and enormous bag of gold and platinum on the floor.
"What the..?! Oh, it's you again." The middle aged human says, looking the Orc up and down
"What on Pelor's blessed earth happened to you?"
Brother Derny gasps as the blue orc, with a dozen arrows still sticking out of his back, marches into the church and dumps and enormous bag of gold and platinum on the floor.
"What the..?! Oh, it's you again." The middle aged human says, looking the Orc up and down
"What on Pelor's blessed earth happened to you?"
Okay, so Brozal donated his gold.
Chad bought another horse
Jorr is getting shitfaced drunk at the tavern.
Norro Wiston doesn't bother the party for the rest of the day.
END OF DAY FOUR
Chad bought another horse
Jorr is getting shitfaced drunk at the tavern.
Norro Wiston doesn't bother the party for the rest of the day.
END OF DAY FOUR
Okay, everyone went to bed early.
When do you guys want to get up?
You can also rest for as many days as you wish. Would you like to stay in town?
When do you guys want to get up?
You can also rest for as many days as you wish. Would you like to stay in town?
We need to get our asses in gear instead of fucking around in a town.
>>137313
The young Half-Elf is glad to see you as you arrive or perhaps moreso, glad to see Misty
"Chad. It's good to see you again. How was your journey."
Then his eyes narrow, as he peers at the wounds in Misty's flank
"Rather rough, I suppose... What happened?"
The young Half-Elf is glad to see you as you arrive or perhaps moreso, glad to see Misty
"Chad. It's good to see you again. How was your journey."
Then his eyes narrow, as he peers at the wounds in Misty's flank
"Rather rough, I suppose... What happened?"
I feel like we should waste as little time as possible so we have as much wiggle room as possible.
>>137321
"Ah a good wash will cleanse them, not too big of a deal as all wounds eventually heal through cleansing."
"Ah a good wash will cleanse them, not too big of a deal as all wounds eventually heal through cleansing."
Okay, the party has elected to rest for two days.
Aral spends a day copying a spell into his book.
Anybody have actions they want to have the next day? Anything they want to buy?
Aral spends a day copying a spell into his book.
Anybody have actions they want to have the next day? Anything they want to buy?
>>137319
Aral checks up the next with the Captain to see if she can spare some resources or soldiers for our mission to ride out and slow the goblins down. They had a conversation a few days ago that would suggest she might.
Aral checks up the next with the Captain to see if she can spare some resources or soldiers for our mission to ride out and slow the goblins down. They had a conversation a few days ago that would suggest she might.
>>137328
"We need to travel quick. As many as can ride with us. I can support one more with a conjured mount."
"We need to travel quick. As many as can ride with us. I can support one more with a conjured mount."
“These goblins need to show up already.”
Okay, Day 5 passes
Brozal now has a horse.
DAY SIX BEGIN
Okay, I'm assuming the party leaves at 6.
With a heavy horse, you could get to skull gorge in a bit over a day.
You guys travel for about four hours, getting just past the river.
Aral, you can make a spot check.
Brozal now has a horse.
DAY SIX BEGIN
Okay, I'm assuming the party leaves at 6.
With a heavy horse, you could get to skull gorge in a bit over a day.
You guys travel for about four hours, getting just past the river.
Aral, you can make a spot check.
>>137331
Okay, Aral rolled a 21.
Aral notices some shapes lurking 60 ft ahead of the party.
Surprise round evaded. Everyone roll initiative.
Okay, Aral rolled a 21.
Aral notices some shapes lurking 60 ft ahead of the party.
Surprise round evaded. Everyone roll initiative.
Dismounting horse and doing total defense.
Aral cast Haste on the party.
He has made out 7 spider-like shapes 60 ft in front of the party.
Brozal's turn.
Okay, Brozal's turn, he just did what he could.
Chad's turn.
He has made out 7 spider-like shapes 60 ft in front of the party.
Brozal's turn.
Okay, Brozal's turn, he just did what he could.
Chad's turn.
Sure, I'll let you make one as a free action.
Aral as pointed out 7 spider-like shapes 60 ft ahead on either side of the road.
Aral as pointed out 7 spider-like shapes 60 ft ahead on either side of the road.
John, meanwhile, is trotting down the dawn way.
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Horrible image
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Okay, Chad drops his wall of smoke on top of the spiders to the left.
They "REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" at the nauseating smoke.
One shuffles out of sight beyond the wall. One more shape barrels through it and reveal themselves to be left pic.
Another lunges out of the woods on the right and reveals itself to be right pic, mounted atop large monstrous spider.
It hurls a spear, which narrowly misses Brozal.
Meanwhile, the two of the other spiders charge at Brozal and Aral respectively.
One misses Brozal by a factor of one point, the other embeds its teeth into Aral.
Aral is going to need to roll a fortitude save.
They "REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" at the nauseating smoke.
One shuffles out of sight beyond the wall. One more shape barrels through it and reveal themselves to be left pic.
Another lunges out of the woods on the right and reveals itself to be right pic, mounted atop large monstrous spider.
It hurls a spear, which narrowly misses Brozal.
Meanwhile, the two of the other spiders charge at Brozal and Aral respectively.
One misses Brozal by a factor of one point, the other embeds its teeth into Aral.
Aral is going to need to roll a fortitude save.
Aral takes 8 piercing damage, and 4 strength damage, as the spider bites into him.
John's turn
One of the mounted spiders looks directly at John as he steps on a twig.
>>137354
"Uh-oh. Arachnids are harassing me."
John thrusts Stinking Cloud (Fort DC 22) in the center of the road, inside or next to the smoke, as a precautionary measure.
"Uh-oh. Arachnids are harassing me."
John thrusts Stinking Cloud (Fort DC 22) in the center of the road, inside or next to the smoke, as a precautionary measure.
Okay, John cast Stinking cloud.
He can't tell whether or not he saved.
In fact, nobody can see the spiders far away. Only the spiders in melee range are visible to the party.
Aral spends his turn hesitating, too afraid to attack the spider.
Brozal's turn.
He can't tell whether or not he saved.
In fact, nobody can see the spiders far away. Only the spiders in melee range are visible to the party.
Aral spends his turn hesitating, too afraid to attack the spider.
Brozal's turn.
I hit a spider for 30-40 damage
Okay, Brozal attacks the three times, hitting twice, annihilating the spider as its carapace caves in and the flames from his mace sizzle it.
[1d20+11 = 14]
Okay, Chad Wildshaped into a majestic Dire Horse, then used his Haste Attack to attack the spider. His hoof connected, crushing the monster. Misty then followed up and trampled the fuck out of it, killing it.
No more spiders are in melee range.
John, on his side, sees a spider-man lunge out of the fog, without a mount, clearly pissed-off.
It moves 30 ft towards him, now within 10 ft of you. It then hurls a spear, which connects, impaling him to do 8 piercing damage. He's also going to need to roll a fortitude save.
No more spiders are in melee range.
John, on his side, sees a spider-man lunge out of the fog, without a mount, clearly pissed-off.
It moves 30 ft towards him, now within 10 ft of you. It then hurls a spear, which connects, impaling him to do 8 piercing damage. He's also going to need to roll a fortitude save.
Meanwhile, another spider seems to have made its way around the wall of smoke on its turn, carrying its mount with it. It moves toward John, and decides to back up its ally.
It hurls a spear, which connects. Roll Fortitude.
It hurls a spear, which connects. Roll Fortitude.
I’m gonna run towards the big motherfucker and use stone power to get +10 temporary HP for -5 attack.
Okay, the other spider-man appears from the woods, having moved around the wall on his turn.
The spider-man is blinded.
Aral moves around the right side of the forrest, and is immediately met by a spider trying to shoot a web at him.
Which crit fails.
However, there is a large monstrous spider blocking his path.
The spider-man is blinded.
Aral moves around the right side of the forrest, and is immediately met by a spider trying to shoot a web at him.
Which crit fails.
However, there is a large monstrous spider blocking his path.
Everyone sees a blast of gold dust behind the brap cloud.
Aral Rapid-shots the Spider in front of him and kills it.
Brozal's turn
Hit spider man for 17 damage
Okay, Brozal moves around the cloud and risks an AoO to hit the spider-man. The spider-man hits, poisoning him, but Brozal barely succeeds his save.
Brozal then attacks with his Haste, hitting the spider-man wounding it grievously.
Chad's turn.
Brozal then attacks with his Haste, hitting the spider-man wounding it grievously.
Chad's turn.
Chad, you still there?
Aral and Brozal elected to try to position themselves around the strinking cloud.
However, with your hasted Dire Horse speed, and Woodland Stride, you could get around the cloud in less than one turn, and still have a haste action to attack the spider-man on the other side of the cloud.
Aral and Brozal elected to try to position themselves around the strinking cloud.
However, with your hasted Dire Horse speed, and Woodland Stride, you could get around the cloud in less than one turn, and still have a haste action to attack the spider-man on the other side of the cloud.
[1d20+11 = 29]
Okay, Chad gallops around the left side of the could and attacks the spider-man, wounding it.
And then Misty closes in and attacks, squishing the spider-man beneath her hoof, killing him.
The last remaining spider-man uses his mount to take a retreat action, moving 60 ft into the woods.
Johns turn. He can see no enemies from his position.
Johns turn. He can see no enemies from his position.
Okay, unless anyone wants to follow the spider-man into the woods, initiative is over.
Aral and Brozal make their way over to John.
Chad, I will remind you that you can still speak while in Wildshape, since you have that pearl of speech.
Chad, I will remind you that you can still speak while in Wildshape, since you have that pearl of speech.
Okay, the party is currently bonding in the server.
The dead ettercap had:
1 Amethyst
1 Rose Quartz
1 potion of cure moderate wounds
1 potion of neutralize poison
1 Darkwood buckler
The dead ettercap had:
1 Amethyst
1 Rose Quartz
1 potion of cure moderate wounds
1 potion of neutralize poison
1 Darkwood buckler
It is about 10-11 AM in game time, of day six. You still have plenty of daylight.
Are you guys still going north?
Are you guys still going north?
Okay, the party moves north for several more hours. Noon passes as they hurry pass Vraath Keep.
The bugbear's corpse is nowhere to be seen. Aral could attempt to figure out what became of it with some survival checks, but that would take some time.
The bugbear's corpse is nowhere to be seen. Aral could attempt to figure out what became of it with some survival checks, but that would take some time.
...I completely forgot to roleplay Jorr in that encounter...
Well, he's not really supposed to fight if not to defend himself. He was meant to be a guide.
Okay, you pass Cold Creek without a fuss, and you continue Northwards.
The forest grows more ominous as the Dawn Way winds deeper into the woods. You come to a spot where a wide track leads away from the road, heading west. A massive effigy of some kind stands here, a fifteen foot-tall humanoid shape made from a sagging, moss-covered frame.
The thing looks almost like a crude giant-sized skeleton. Birds nest in the massive barrel that served the effigy as a head.
Well, he's not really supposed to fight if not to defend himself. He was meant to be a guide.
Okay, you pass Cold Creek without a fuss, and you continue Northwards.
The forest grows more ominous as the Dawn Way winds deeper into the woods. You come to a spot where a wide track leads away from the road, heading west. A massive effigy of some kind stands here, a fifteen foot-tall humanoid shape made from a sagging, moss-covered frame.
The thing looks almost like a crude giant-sized skeleton. Birds nest in the massive barrel that served the effigy as a head.
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Anyone with ranks in knowledge (nature) can roll a check to identify this strange effigy.
It looks a bit like pic related.
It looks a bit like pic related.
>>137391
With that check, you know that an effigy such as this serve as a territorial marking for a tribe of giants. With a check that high, you know that this particular statue represents the territory of the Twistusk Forrest Giants, the same tribe who clashed with Amery Vraath, nearly two centuries ago.
"Ay, ye reckon this is giant country..?" says Jorr, who evidently just recovered from his hangover, but didn't roll nearly as high.
With that check, you know that an effigy such as this serve as a territorial marking for a tribe of giants. With a check that high, you know that this particular statue represents the territory of the Twistusk Forrest Giants, the same tribe who clashed with Amery Vraath, nearly two centuries ago.
"Ay, ye reckon this is giant country..?" says Jorr, who evidently just recovered from his hangover, but didn't roll nearly as high.
>>137393
"Aye.. Weren't they the giants from that old story, about the keep? Either way, there can't be that many o' 'dem left, because I've never seen any o' 'dem down south..." The woodsman says, his dogs sniffing the statue
"Aye.. Weren't they the giants from that old story, about the keep? Either way, there can't be that many o' 'dem left, because I've never seen any o' 'dem down south..." The woodsman says, his dogs sniffing the statue
So, there's a fork in the road.
There is also a statue that indicates that this is giant territory, although Jorr alleges that he's never seen any giants in "his" woods.
There is also a statue that indicates that this is giant territory, although Jorr alleges that he's never seen any giants in "his" woods.
Anybody want to recommend a course of action?
Or are you guys just all tired after the slow-as-heck ettercap encounter? I wouldn't blame you, it was pretty awkward, with half the party in VC and half not...
Brozal is still nowhere to be seen. Iirc, you guys were planning on having him use his mountain hammer to break the bridge, so he's going to need to be here for that encounter. I'd rather have him be here for the next (optional) encounter as well...
Or are you guys just all tired after the slow-as-heck ettercap encounter? I wouldn't blame you, it was pretty awkward, with half the party in VC and half not...
Brozal is still nowhere to be seen. Iirc, you guys were planning on having him use his mountain hammer to break the bridge, so he's going to need to be here for that encounter. I'd rather have him be here for the next (optional) encounter as well...
Okay, since we've gone over the agreed time limit, and Brozal isn't present, I'm going to end the session here.
It was kind of awkward, but still fun, imo.
If we're lucky, we might be able to play tomorrow morning.
It was kind of awkward, but still fun, imo.
If we're lucky, we might be able to play tomorrow morning.
Btw, going forward, I'm going to cut back on the encounters for this adventure. Normally I'd insist on 4 encounters per day, and at least one adventuring day per session, but I'm feeling like a PbP medium can only accommodate so much. I'm already second-guessing if that Ettercap ambush really contributed to a fulfilling session. I'd rather advance time in the campaign than waste sessions doing random encounters.
I am doing Milestone leveling now, so too many encounters is just going to be an inconvenience to the party.
I am doing Milestone leveling now, so too many encounters is just going to be an inconvenience to the party.
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